March 13, 2003

SEASON PREVIEW—AMERICAN LEAGUE REVOLVES AROUND THE YANKEES 

      With an unlimited payroll and expensive veterans on the bench and in the bullpen the New York Yankees are bulking up for another championship run.   The Yanks have apparently addressed their needs and have added depth to a squad that has now gone an unacceptable two straight years without a World Series crown.  After last year’s ignominious defeat in the wild card round of the playoffs to the eventual champion Anaheim Angels owner George Steinbrenner wanted every angle covered to ensure that his team does not fall short again.  Only a championship will suffice in New York, but with an aging club and several quality, and younger, teams around it may be very difficult for the Yankees to dominate the league.  No matter what happens this year, though, the Yankees will be thought of as the team to beat and will be the hunted once again.

       The East Division is and will continue to be a Yankee domain.  The Boston Red Sox are their only competitor in the division, but the Sox come to camp with more holes and more question marks than a championship contender should have.  The Sox have a trio of average players (Kevin Millar, Jeremy Giambi, David Ortiz) to fill first base, an expected power spot in the line-up, they have question marks in the rotation after the strong 1-2 punch of Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe, and they have set up a committee approach in the bullpen.  The Sox need at least five pitchers (two starters and three relievers) to have surprisingly strong seasons, they need powerful performances from their two big offensive guns (Nomar Garciaparra and Manny Ramirez) and they need several other players to provide protection in the line-up for the Sox to think they can compete with the Yankees.  For their part the Yankees added Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui and Cuban pitcher Jose Contreras to an already stacked roster that will have expensive veterans like Rondell White on the bench and either Contreras or Jeff Weaver along with Sterling Hitchcock in the bullpen.  Last season’s disastrous finish should provide inspiration for this proud outfit and 100 wins is probable.  The Sox can only hope to be the wild card winner. 

       The Central Division is also a battle of two teams.  Defending champion Minnesota will field a strong, and more experienced, club this year, and with the signing of Kenny Rogers still boast the best rotation in the division.  Defence is a strong suit for the Twins with Gold Glover Torii Hunter in center and one of the better defensive infields in baseball.  If Brad Radke and Joe Mays can rebound from injury plagued years and put up expected numbers then the Twins can possibly win 90-93 games.  If so then the Twins will win the division.

       The Chicago White Sox are improved.  A disappointing 2002 season had some bright spots, not the least of which was the emergence of first baseman Paul Konerko as a viable power threat who can provide protection for the team’s best hitter, right fielder Magglio Ordonez.  If Frank Thomas can put as much effort into his game that he does with his whining then the Sox could have the division’s strongest line-up.  But it is pitching where the Sox have improved the most.  The addition of an ace starter (Bartolo Colon) and a quality closer (Billy Koch) provides depth to a pitching staff that struggled most of last season.  The Sox will likely have to move one of their bats--likely outfielder Carlos Lee-- for more pitching if they want to make a serious run at a title.  The way the roster stacks up right now they will be in a battle with the Red Sox and a couple of teams out west for the wild card.

       The Western Division will probably be the most competitive division in baseball.  Three solid quality teams will compete for the division, and one or the other may be good enough to win the wild card.  Last season the Angels and the Athletics raced to the wire, and both made the playoffs.  The team that was left behind was the 2001 record holders from Seattle who will look to rebound after a disappointing season.

       Coming off two straight 100 win seasons and three straight playoff appearances—and first round stumbles--Oakland is established as a regular reason dynasty.  They return much of the same team as last season, including the three starters (Mark Mulder, Tim Hudson, Barry Zito) that are the key to the team’s success.  Zito was last season’s Cy Young winner and Mulder finished second the year before, which means that it’s Hudson’s turn to shine in 2003.  The team has a new closer (Keith Foulke) a new centerfielder (Chris Singleton) a new designated hitter (Erubiel Durazo) and a new manager (Ken Macha).  MVP Miguel Tejada is in his contract year—and that usually means monster numbers—and two-time gold glove third baseman Eric Chavez looks poised for a tremendous year.  The A’s have enough talent to win the division and should have enough hostility built up to overcome the recent playoff performances and not only win the division but also represent the American league in the World Series.

       The biggest change in Seattle is that long time manager Lou Piniella left the club after ten seasons and four post-season appearances.  New man Bob Melvin will attempt to slow the regression that resulted in 23 less wins in 2003.  He’ll have the same cast back in former MVP Ichiro Suzuki, aging DH Edgar Martinez and first baseman John Olerud.   Despite the team’s dramatic fall from grace the Mariners still managed to win 93 games and a similar effort this season combined with the expected improvements from Ichiro and ace pitcher Freddy Garcia should give Seattle another chance to win 100 games.  But the depth of the pitching staff is a concern and last year the Mariners struggled at times to score runs.  They likely will need another bat and another arm if they want to compete with Oakland.

       The defending World Series champion Anaheim Angels won the title last year on emotion and the momentum built up after a resounding defeat of the dastardly Yankees in the opening round.  The Angels play late in the season and through the playoffs belied the fact that they were far from the best team in baseball and it is unlikely that this team, that does not have a dominant starter, can repeat.  With Darin Erstad, Troy Glaus and Tim Salmon the club shouldn’t have problems scoring runs and with Troy Percival back to close any late inning lead will be safe.  The Angels are still good enough to compete for the wild card but this season they will likely not be able to stay with Oakland. 

      The playoff clubs will be division winners Oakland, Minnesota and New York, and wild card winner Seattle.  The A’s will exorcise their demons, will win the league championship series and will be crowned World Series champions in 2003.