American League Capsules — Spring 1999

JOSH DUBOW

Tuesday, Feb. 16, 1999 | 4:03 a.m.

How the AL teams look at the start of spring

A team-by-team look at the American League in spring training, including players each club acquired, re-signed and lost:

EAST

Baltimore Orioles

Manager: Ray Miller (2nd season).

Training Town: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Park: Fort Lauderdale Stadium.

Pitchers and Catchers Report: Feb. 19.

Rest of Squad: Feb. 25.

He's Here: OF Albert Belle, C Charles Johnson, 2B Delino DeShields, 1B Will Clark, P Mike Timlin, IF-OF Rich Amaral, P Heathcliff Slocumb, P Mike Fetters P Ricky Bones.

He's Still Here: OF B.J. Surhoff.

He's Outta Here: 1B Rafael Palmeiro, 2B Roberto Alomar, OF Eric Davis, P Armando Benitez, 3B-OF Willie Greene, OF Rich Becker, P Alan Mills, P Pete Smith.

Worth Watching: Johnson's defense behind the plate should help pitching staff and Belle's bat could be lethal in cozy Camden Yards. Will a few days off keep Cal Ripken's bat fresher?

Boston Red Sox

Manager: Jimy Williams (3rd season).

Training Town: Fort Myers, Fla.

Park: City of Palms Park.

Pitchers and Catchers Report: Feb. 20.

Rest of Squad: Feb. 24.

He's Here: P Bob Wolcott, IF Jose Offerman, P Mark Portugal, P Mark Guthrie, 1B-DH Bob Hamelin.

He's Still Here: OF Darren Lewis.

He's Outta Here: 1B Mo Vaughn, P Steve Avery, P Pete Schourek, P Greg Swindell, IF Mike Benjamin.

Worth Watching: GM Dan Duquette says Offerman should replace Vaughn's on-base percentage. Who will provide the power? Dernell Stenson may be a year away. If Sox can't find that answer, could be a long summer at Fenway.

New York Yankees

Manager: Joe Torre (4th season).

Training Town: Tampa, Fla.

Park: Legends Field.

Pitchers and Catchers Report: Feb. 17.

Rest of Squad: Feb. 23.

He's Here: P Dan Naulty.

He's Still Here: OF Bernie Williams, P David Cone, 3B Scott Brosius, C Joe Girardi.

He's Outta Here: OF Tim Raines, 3B Mike Lowell.

Worth Watching: Darryl Strawberry comes back from colon cancer surgery to battle with Ricky Ledee, Shane Spencer and Chad Curtis for the left field spot.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Manager: Larry Rothschild (2nd season).

Training Town: St. Petersburg, Fla.

Park: Al Lang Stadium.

Pitchers and Catchers report: Feb. 18.

Rest of Squad: Feb. 23.

He's Here: OF Jose Canseco, OF Billy Ashley, P Bobby Witt, P Norm Charlton, P Marc Valdes, C Joe Oliver.

He's Still Here: C John Flaherty.

Worth Watching: Wade Boggs looking enough at-bats to get the 78 hits he needs for 3,000. Canseco provides big bat for majors' worst offense.

Toronto Blue Jays

Manager: Tim Johnson (2nd season).

Training Town: Dunedin, Fla.

Park: Dunedin Stadium.

Pitchers and Catchers Report: Feb. 22.

Rest of Squad: Feb. 25.

He's Here: P Joey Hamilton, 3B-OF Willie Greene, 1B Cecil Fielder, OF Geronimo Berroa, 2B Joey Cora.

He's Still Here: IF Craig Grebeck, P Dave Stieb.

He's Outta Here: OF Jose Canseco, P Woody Williams.

Worth Watching: Roy Halladay came within one out of a no-hitter in September callup. If he's the real deal, it could cushion the blow from a potential trade of Roger Clemens.

CENTRAL

Chicago White Sox

Manager: Jerry Manuel (2nd year).

Training Town: Tucson, Ariz.

Park: Tucson Electric Park.

Pitchers and Catchers Report: Feb. 19.

Rest of Squad: Feb. 24.

He's Here: 1B Paul Konerko, P Darren Hall, OF John Cangelosi, OF Darrin Jackson.

He's Outta Here: OF Albert Belle, 3B Robin Ventura, P Jim Abbott, OF Mike Cameron.

Worth Watching: Frank Thomas lost his protection in the lineup when Belle and Ventura left for greener pastures. Can't be long until Thomas pushes for a trade to a contender.

Cleveland Indians

Manager: Mike Hargrove (8th season).

Training Town: Winter Haven, Fla.

Park: Chain O' Lakes Park.

Pitchers and Catchers Report: Feb. 18.

Rest of Squad: Feb. 24.

He's Here: 2B Roberto Alomar, P Ricardo Rincon, P Jerry Spradlin, 1B-OF Wil Cordero.

He's Still Here: OF Mark Whiten

He's Outta Here: P Chad Ogea, OF Brian Giles, 2B Joey Cora, P Jim Poole, P Doug Jones.

Worth Watching: Alomar signing upset Omar Vizquel, who wants his $3 million a year deal reworked. GM John Hart has said no and could trade Vizquel if he decides to hold out.

Detroit Tigers

Manager: Larry Parrish (1st season).

Training Town: Lakeland, Fla.

Park: Joker Marchant Stadium.

Pitchers and Catchers Report: Feb. 20.

Rest of Squad: Feb. 24.

He's Here: 3B Dean Palmer, P Willie Blair, OF Gregg Jefferies, C Brad Ausmus, P C.J. Nitkowski, C Bill Haselman.

He's Outta Here: IF Joe Randa, C Paul Bako, P Brian Powell.

Worth Watching: Which Blair will show up? The one who went 16-8 for the Tigers in 1997 or 5-16 last year for Arizona and the Mets.

Kansas City Royals

Manager: Tony Muser (3rd season).

Training Town: Haines City, Fla.

Park: Baseball City Stadium.

Pitchers and Catchers Report: Feb. 20.

Rest of Squad: Feb. 25.

He's Here: IF Rey Sanchez, IF Joe Randa, P Alvin Morman, C Chad Kreuter, P Terry Mathews, P Pete Smith, OF Tony Tarasco, IF Steve Scarsone, IF Scott Leius.

He's Still Here: P Jeff Montgomery.

He's Outta Here: IF Jose Offerman, 3B Dean Palmer, P Tim Belcher, P Pat Rapp, 1B-OF Hal Morris.

Worth Watching: Hope Kevin Appier's bum shoulder is healthy enough either to anchor the pitching staff or bring young players in a trade.

Minnesota Twins

Manager: Tom Kelly (14th season).

Training Town: Fort Myers, Fla.

Park: Hammond Stadium.

Pitchers and Catchers Report: Feb. 21.

Rest of Squad: Feb. 27.

He's Here: P Mike Trombley.

He's Still Here: C Terry Steinbach.

He's Outta Here: DH Paul Molitor, SS Pat Meares, OF Otis Nixon, OF Alex Ochoa, P Dan Naulty.

Worth Watching: Ace Brad Radke could be next to go as Twins slash payroll in half. How much longer will Kelly put up with this?

WEST

Anaheim Angels

Manager: Terry Collins (3rd season).

Training Town: Tempe, Ariz.

Park: Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Pitchers and Catchers Report: Feb. 17.

Rest of Squad: Feb. 23.

He's Here: 1B Mo Vaughn, P Tim Belcher, P Mark Petkovsek, OF Matt Luke, IF Andy Stankiewicz, P Mike Magnante.

He's Still Here: P Jack McDowell, IF Randy Velarde, IF Craig Shipley.

He's Outta Here: P Allen Watson, C Chad Kreuter.

Worth Watching: Vaughn brings fire and leadership to laid back team that hasn't made postseason since 1986. Disney opened its wallet, now the team needs to deliver.

Oakland Athletics

Manager: Art Howe (4th season).

Training Town: Phoenix, Ariz.

Park: Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

Pitchers and Catchers Report: Feb. 20.

Rest of Squad: Feb. 25.

He's Here: OF Tony Phillips, P Doug Jones, OF Tim Raines.

He's Still Here: C Mike Macfarlane.

He's Outta Here: OF Rickey Henderson, IF Dave Magadan.

Worth Watching: Could have second straight Rookie of the Year if 3B Eric Chavez is as good as advertised. A's first pick in 1996 draft should team with OF Ben Grieve in middle of lineup for years to come.

Seattle Mariners

Manager: Lou Piniella (7th season).

Training Town: Peoria, Ariz.

Park: Peoria Sports Complex.

Pitchers and Catchers Report: Feb. 17.

Rest of Squad: Feb. 23.

He's Here: P Mark Leiter, P Jose Mesa, OF Butch Huskey, P Butch Henry, C Tom Lampkin, OF John Mabry.

He's Still Here: P Bill Swift.

He's Outta Here: P Mike Timlin, P Paul Spoljaric, IF-OF Rich Amaral, P Heathcliff Slocumb, C Joe Oliver, C John Marzano.

Worth Watching: Stars Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez are growing frustrated with ownership that won't spend the money to upgrade depleted pitching staff. New stadium opens in July, how much longer will Junior and A-Rod call it home?

Texas Rangers

Manager: Johnny Oates (4th season).

Training Town: Port Charlotte, Fla.

Park: Charlotte County Stadium.

Pitchers and Catchers Report: Feb. 18.

Rest of Squad: Feb. 25.

He's Here: 1B Rafael Palmeiro, P Mark Clark, C John Marzano, P Mike Morgan, P Mike Munoz.

He's Still Here: SS Royce Clayton.

He's Outta Here: 1B Will Clark, P Todd Stottlemyre, P Greg Cadaret, C Bill Haselman.

Worth Watching: Palmeiro's left-handed bat should thrive in Texas. Mike Morgan tries to set a major league record by pitching for his 11th team.