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2006 PREVIEW:AMERICAN LEAGUE EASTby Alan Lecher Boston Blizzards (74-88, 4th place)
Key Departures: Kevin Mench (LF), Brett Tomko (SP), Brian Meadows (RP), Todd Williams (RP) What must go right: The Blizzards will rely on a very deep bench in 2006 in their quest to go from worst to first in the tight AL East division. This team has capable backups at literally every position, which will give GM Michael Peterson a lot of flexibility when juggling lineups and defensive positioning. Speaking of defense, Boston boasts a solid collection of gloves that feature newcomers Tadahito Iguchi and So Taguchi (say that three times fast!). Their lineup is not full of huge superstars, however this is a gritty bunch that will do the little things right to put runs on the board. Richie Sexson (.258, 9 HR, 18 RBI), picked up in a recent trade with Philly, is coming off a season plagued by injuries, but will be counted on to be the big run producer, while the veteran bat of Bobby Abreu (.303, 29 HR, 113 RBI) is the heart and soul of this lineup. The Blizzards are also hoping for a big rebound year out of 3B Hank Blalock, who last year suffered through a season of underachievement (.237, 23 HR, 71 RBI). The Boston pitching staff is young and hungry to improve on their 5.14 team ERA of a year ago (19th, SPIBL). Gone are Adam Eaton (to Philly in Sexson trade) and Greg Maddux (via free agency), but their void will be filled nicely by the fresh arms of A.J. Burnett (5-9, 5.60) and Gustavo Chacin (1-1, 4.30). This team is eager to make their mark and secure a playoff spot for the Boston Blizzards in 2006. What could go wrong: Boston’s late innings could prove to be quite an adventure this season. Free agent Ugueth Urbina (2.39, 6 SV, MIN) was signed to anchor a bullpen that also features Jorge Julio (7.13, 6 SV), Yhency Brazoban (6.75, 2 SV), Joe Borowski (2.1 IP, TEX), and John Wasdin (7 IP, DET). Questions remain as to how effective this collection of arms will be throughout the course of a full season. Veteran starting pitchers Joel Pineiro (7-13, 6.22) and Mark Redman (9-17, 6.62) will need to drastically improve upon their 2005 numbers in the bottom of the rotation. Besides Sexson and Abreu, the Boston lineup may be lacking in punch, which could result in lengthy scoring droughts. In the evenly matched AL East, this factor could prove costly in the standings. The X-Factor: Filling out the Boston starting rotation in 2006 will be a trio of promising, yet unproven rookies. Brandon McCarthy, Robinson Tejeda, and Scott Baker could prove to be the difference between a 75-win season and an 85-win season. Numerically speaking: Boston is the only team in the league who did not commit a balk in all of 2005. Unfortunately, they led the league in wild pitches (73). Cleveland Clubbers (87-75, 3rd place, wildcard)
Key Departures: Brad Lidge (RP), John Lackey (SP), Jeromy Burnitz (LF), Larry Walker (RF), Kenny Rogers (SP), Matt Lawton (RF) What must go right: The Clubbers will once again have one of the scariest lineups in the league. Returning are the big bats of Albert Pujols (.284, 44 HR, 115 RBI) and Alex Rodriguez (.261, 32 HR, 99 RBI). After finishing just two games out of first place last season, they are determined to lead their team to the top in 2006. Key table-setter Marcus Giles (.320, 7 HR, 32 RBI) also returns and has a good chance to lead the junior circuit in runs scored. New to the team are veterans Jorge Posada (.286, 19 HR, 56 RBI, TOR) and Kenny Lofton (.281, 0 HR, 12 RBI, SFS) who add more weapons to the mix. Cleveland’s bullpen is deep with plenty of arms and they will be depended upon to shorten games for a suspect starting pitching corps. When Lidge was traded to Anaheim in November, the closer role fell solely on the capable left arm of Billy Wagner (1.48, 8 SV). He will be supported by Kiko Calero (2.68, 4 SV), Mike Koplove (3.05, 3 SV), Scott Schoeneweis (9-5, 4.56), and Ryan Dempster (8 IP). 2005 Cy Young candidate Joe Kennedy (16-6, 3.67) and fellow 16-game winner Carlos Silva (16-9, 4.59) return to the mound and are joined by newcomer Jason Johnson (9-10, 4.15), acquired in a trade with Anaheim. GM Dave O’Brien has his eye on advancing further in 2006 than he did one year ago, when he lost in the second round of the playoffs. Despite an off-season rife with salary cap issues, his clever mix of veterans and youth might just do that very thing. What could go wrong: Rumor who has it out of Cleveland’s spring training camp that Kennedy has lost some zip on his fastball and may not return to his Cy Young-caliber form in 2006. The team is already without a true ace while the bottom of the rotation is lacking in big league experience. The Clubbers will be leaning heavily on their bullpen to keep the starters fresh and this could mean a staff of tired arms by October. While A-Rod will be asked to put in some reps at shortstop, the majority of the playing time there will belong to young rookie prospects J.J. Hardy and Maicer Izturis. Insiders question whether either player is ready for the pressure of being a full-time shortstop on a playoff-caliber team. If they struggle, it could be a significant blow to Cleveland’s postseason hopes. The X-Factor: Cleveland is showing its age in the outfield. Rondell White, Kenny Lofton, and newly acquired Jose Cruz Jr. are expected to fill the void left by Larry Walker and Jeromy Burnitz. If they can avoid injury this season, their veteran leadership could be just what the Clubbers need to push them over the top. Numerically speaking: Despite finishing just 12 games above .500 overall, the Clubbers posted a winning record versus every division in 2005 including their interleague opponent, the NL East. New York Flatirons (89-73, 2nd place, wildcard)
Key Departures: Mike Sweeney (1B), Cliff Floyd (LF), Shawn Green (RF), Ron Belliard (2B), David Bell (3B), Danys Baez (RP) What must go right: Just when you thought that this team was entering a rebuilding mode, they strike a couple late-Winter deals, complete a successful draft, and vault to the front of the power rankings in their division. Although not a clear favorite in the AL East, the Flatirons have made a strong case for claiming the division crown that eluded them on the very last day of the 2005 season. It starts with Chris Carpenter (11-13, 5.33), who is being touted as the staff ace after Schilling’s unsuccessful off-season ankle surgery. Esteban Loaiza (9-15, 7.26, HOU) was acquired to pick up the slack along with Dave Bush (5-6, 6.22) and Tomo Ohka (5-3, 4.37). The strength of New York’s pitching staff, however, is the bullpen. GM Stan Koczkodaj suffered through the 4th worst bullpen in SPIBL during the 2005 campaign (4.84 ERA) and addressed it by signing free agent Dustin Hermanson (5-4, 7.92) to close games, acquiring Dan Wheeler (5.19, 1 SV) via trade, and picking up four quality arms in the draft. The offense will once again be led by Travis Hafner (.350, 40 HR, 95 RBI) and Carlos Beltran (.260, 46 HR, 112 RBI, 48 SB). They are joined by free agent signees Jermaine Dye (.233, 17 HR, 73 RBI) and Tony Graffanino (.231, 2 HR, 10 RBI) and, with the departures of Shawn Green and Ron Belliard, both will be getting a chance to rejuvenate their careers in New York. A short time ago, the Flatiron jigsaw puzzle looked impossible to solve, but now the pieces may be in place for a magical 2006 season. What could go wrong: After his miraculous 20-win campaign, how much will Schilling’s injury affect him this season? Will Hafner continue to be a liability versus left-handed pitching, limiting his usage? Can Beltran repeat such a dominant individual performance, where he was the only 40/40 player? How much will the lineup miss the veteran presence of Mike Sweeney, Javy Lopez, and Mark Grudzielanek? Can Flatiron leadership solve the team’s road woes, where they posted a .457 winning percentage in 2005? Can newly acquired 3B Casey Blake (.276, 34 HR, 125 RBI, CHA) repeat his breakout performance of a year ago? If these questions have negative answers, then New York’s season may end in tears instead of a Times Square ticker tape parade. The X-Factor: “Get well soon, Curt” signs are hanging all over New York City right now, however Flatiron fans may have less to worry about than they think. Chris Carpenter has all the tools and proper mechanics to be a winner. Now he just needs to put it all together on the field. Numerically speaking: New York was an offensive juggernaut in 2005, leading the league with a .292 team batting average and crushing 272 homeruns (2nd, SPIBL). Pittsburgh Conspiracy (89-73, 1st place)
Key Departures: Vladimir Guerrero (RF), Gary Sheffield (RF), Matt Clement (SP), Trevor Hoffman (RP), Melvin Mora (3B), Matt Morris (SP), Brian Fuentes (RP), Randy Winn (CF) What must go right: The list is impressive. Vlad Guerrero, Gary Sheffield, Matt Clement, Matt Morris, Brian Fuentes, Trevor Hoffman, Randy Winn, Melvin Mora. These players and more have all been traded away or lost via free agency this winter while Pittsburgh has had one of the busiest off-seasons in SPIBL (12 total trades). GM Christopher Lecher has replaced some aging all-stars for a chance to build a long-lasting team full of youthful and exciting ballplayers. Much-hyped backstop Joe Mauer (.242, 6 HR, 13 RBI, SEA) is expected to play his first full season and will be looked at to lead a pitching staff hoping to rebound from a 5.38 team ERA in 2005 (22nd, SPIBL). The addition of 2005 Cy Young candidate Ben Sheets (17-10, 2.92, 319 K, DET) will help immensely in this area. Mike MacDougal (DNP) is penciled in as the closer for a bullpen comprised of more youngsters that include Ambiorix Burgos (R) and Jeremy Affeldt (4.09, 1 SV, ANA). The batting lineup will be inexperienced, but very promising. Ryan Howard (35 AB, ANA), Ryan Langerhans (R), Jorge Cantu (.327, 2 HR, 14 RBI, KCN), and Brad Hawpe (1 AB, TOR) are all under 26 years old and all look to get ample playing time to prove their worth in the show. The overall outlook may appear to be a rebuilding year in Pittsburgh, but some might look at it as a group of hungry, young ballplayers that are out to show what they can do at the highest level. What could go wrong: It will be interesting to see how Pittsburgh’s off-season revolving door will affect team chemistry throughout the season. Veterans like Nomar Garciaparra have been very quiet this winter about how his team has taken shape. The Conspiracy may struggle to find a clubhouse leader, especially during long slumps. And beyond staff ace Sheets, the rest of the starters may have trouble avoiding those long slumps. Only Russ Ortiz (10-9, 6.70) and Randy Wolf (8-7, 6.53) are returning to the rotation, while Clement’s 15 wins (traded to DET) will be missed dearly. Joe Mays is expected to return to big league action after a year spent in the minors and it is yet to be seen how he will perform. The Conspiracy are banking on a collection of unproven or over-the-hill players this year and the growing pains may be plentiful. The X-Factor: The Pittsburgh defense is arguably the best in the league this year. With slick fielders Jack Wilson and Neifi Perez patrolling the infield and Steve Finley captaining the outfield, baseballs are going to have a hard time finding holes at PNC Park. Numerically speaking: The 2005 Pittsburgh bullpen allowed close to half of its inherited runners to score with whopping percentage of .417 (24th, SPIBL).
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