Sporting News, The: Need further inspection

CLEVELAND INDIANS

CHANGES THAT FIT: The team achieved its three top offseason objectives: improve the bullpen, find a starting pitcher and add bench depth. Adding LHP Arthur Rhodes and RHP Paul Shuey and re-signing RHPs Bob Howry and Bob Wickman and LHP Scott Sauerbeck provide the late-inning relief the team lacked in 2004. RHP Kevin Millwood is a No. 2 starter with No. 1 credentials. He brings much-needed postseason experience. Among the new backups, IF/OF Jose Hernandez can play every position except catcher, and he can hit. IF Alex Cora would start at second base for most teams. CHANGES THAT DON'T FIT: Many of the moves may work, but there are risks. Millwood's elbow is iffy. Casey Blake, last year's third baseman, is a full-time outfielder for the first time in his career. Rhodes, Wickman, Shuey and Sauerbeck were injured in '04. Jhonny Peralta and Brandon Phillips, competing to replace SS Omar Vizquel, are unproven. TO-DO LIST: There are no last-minute tasks to perform. In fact, the club might have too much talent for too few spots. But that should lead to some lively spring training competition.--Justice B. Hill

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

CHANGES THAT FIT: G.M. Ken Williams focused on reshaping the team into a group based on speed, defense and pitching. The result is a club better suited for the aggressive managerial style of Ozzie Guillen. The addition of RHP Orlando Hernandez gives the team five solid starters. LF Scott Padsednik and IF Tadahito Iguchi are basestealing threats with the on-base potential to be table-setters. CHANGES THAT DON'T FIT: Moving away from last season's power-packed style eventually could hurt the White Sox because their park plays small. The team still has plenty of power but will miss production from OF Carlos Lee and, when he was healthy, OF Magglio Ordonez. C A.J. Pierzynski seems determined to prove that his reported clubhouse problems have been exaggerated. But on a team looking to foster better chemistry, the signing was a bit risky. TO-DO LIST: The White Sox need to find a utility infielder who primarily plays shortstop and a strong righthanded hitter to come off the bench. They also must gauge the health of DH/1B Frank Thomas, who is rehabilitating from October ankle surgery.--Scott Merkin

DETROIT TIGERS

CHANGES THAT FIT: C Vance Wilson is just a reserve, but acquiring him helps the team at two positions. Brandon Inge is free to play third base full time instead of being a backup catcher, too. And Wilson's experience and strong defense should allow manager Alan Trammell to rest Ivan Rodriguez more often during the summer in hopes of keeping him fresh down the stretch. Signing RHP Troy Percival has a similar domino effect. It gives the team a closer, fills the need for a setup man by bumping down RHP Ugueth Urbina and provides the club's young relievers, especially RHP Fernando Rodney, with a mentor. CHANGES THAT DON'T FIT: Though signing Ramon Martinez gives Detroit a veteran backup at three infield spots, his contract is too big. Also strange was adding three outfielders oft waivers. Only Alexis Gomez fits the team's need for a legitimate center fielder. TO-DO LIST: The club entered the week with everything done except announcing its deal with free-agent OF Magglio Ordonez. If he's healthy, Ordonez can hit for average and power and would bring a fearsome righthanded bat to a lineup that needs more pop. He's coming off two knee surgeries, and the team is gambling his knee will hold up.--Jason Beck

OAKLAND A'S

CHANGE THAT FITS: Trading for Pirates C Jason Kendall in November makes even more sense now that the pitching staff has become far less experienced with the breakup of the Big Three. At the time of the move, G.M. Billy Beane was trying to fill the void created when the team dealt Ramon Hernandez a year earlier. Kendall's best assets are on offense, but his defense has improved, and he dealt with a young staff in Pittsburgh. CHANGES THAT DON'T FIT: Trading RHP Tim Hudson and LHP Mark Mulder might help the franchise's long-term finances, but those deals won't help the team on the field in 2005. The major league players who were acquired will help some, but trading Hudson and Mulder won't pay off unless two prospects--LHP Dan Meyer and C Daric Barton-eventually become stars. TO-DO LIST: Rumors of OF Eric Byrnes being traded figure to persist until the A's actually deal him. A trade is very possible simply because the timing is right for the club and the player. Byrnes' arbitration years are at hand, and the outfield is crowded with Mark Kotsay, Nick Swisher and Bobby Kielty. Why wouldn't the A's listen to offers?--Mychael Urban

A's rotation

2004

1. RHP Tim Hudson

2. LHP Mark Mulder

3. LHP Barry Zito

4. RHP Rich Harden

5. LHP Mark Redman

2005

1. LHP Barry Zito

2. RHP Rich Harden

3. RHP Danny Haren

4. LHP Dan Meyer

5. RHP Joe Blanton

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

CHANGE THAT FITS: If RHP Jon Lieber returns to his 200-inning workhorse form, he'll provide stability in the rotation and occasionally dominate opponents. The team made little effort to keep LHP Eric Milton and RHP Kevin Millwood, so Lieber fills a need for a top starter. He wasn't the biggest-name pitcher available, but the Phillies liked what Lieber could provide. He had an outstanding strikeout-to-walk ratio of 5.67 (in 176 2/3 innings) last season. The sinkerballing Lieber also is well-suited to pitch in hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park. CHANGE THAT DOESN'T FIT: Lieber and CF Kenny Loften were the club's main offseason additions, but keeping IF Placido Polanco, now as a reserve, could be a problem. Polanco, who unexpectedly accepted salary arbitration instead of leaving as a free agent, could put unnecessary pressure on young 2B Chase Utley early in the season. The club might trade Polanco. TO-DO LIST: After an injury-filled 2004, the Phils need to break camp healthy in '05. The club will be especially cautious early with LHPs Randy Wolf and Billy Wagner and RHP Vicente Padilla, all of whom had arm problems in '04.--Ken Mandel

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

CHANGES THAT FIT: New RF Sammy Sosa not only will draw fans to Camden Yards, which is important considering the arrival of the Nationals in Washington. He also will add a powerful bat to an already imposing lineup. Sosa's 35 home runs last season, a disappointing figure for him, would have led the Orioles. The club reinforced its bullpen by signing free agents LHP Steve Nine and RHP Steve Reed. Kline, who had a 1.79 ERA with the Cardinals last season, will be the primary setup man. Veteran IF Chris Gomez will improve the bench. CHANGES THAT DON'T FIT: Sosa was the team's most significant offseason acquisition. The club was shut out in its attempts to sign free agents such as RHPs Carl Pavano and Derek Lowe, LHP Odalis Perez and 1B Carlos Delgado and Richie Sexson. TO-DO LIST: The Orioles badly need starting pitching. Signing or trading for a couple of veteran pitchers at least would push the club's younger starters in spring training. The club also must find a catcher who can spell Javy Lopez. Last season, Lopez often complained about having to play too much behind the plate. Geronimo Gil, a former starter with Baltimore, enters spring training as the favorite for the backup job, but the team will be on the lookout for other options.--Gary Washburn