Spring Training Preview

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Big Unit, Big Hopes

2006 Record: 76-86, 4th in NL West
Spring Training Home: Tucson Electric Park – Tucson, Arizona
First Cactus League Game: March 1 at White Sox

As expected, 2006 was a transition season for the Diamondbacks, and they tried to stay competitive by employing veterans like Shawn Green, Miguel Batista, Craig Counsell, and Orlando Hernandez. Unfortunately, that plan didn't work, and the year will be remembered as (1) Luis Gonzalez's last campaign in Arizona and (2) Brandon Webb's first Cy Young campaign. The Diamondbacks also managed to work in a handful of their bright, young batsmen. In 2007, the club will unveil shiny, new uniforms and welcome back an old, grizzled face. Randy Johnson returns to join Webb atop the rotation, but this team's success may hinge on how well and quickly the young position players grow up.

Key Additions: Randy Johnson (SP), Doug Davis (SP), Dana Eveland (SP/RP), David Krynzel (OF)

Key Losses: Johnny Estrada (C), Luis Gonzalez (OF), Craig Counsell (SS), Miguel Batista (SP), Claudio Vargas (SP), Greg Aquino (RP), Damion Easley (IF), Andy Green (IF)

Fanball

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Curious Georgia

2006 Record: 79-83, 3rd in NL East
Spring Training Home: Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex – Lake Buena Vista, Florida
First Grapefruit League Game: March 1 vs. Dodgers

After a record-setting 14 seasons of division champion status, the Braves bullpen effectively ended arguably the most dominant run in baseball history, blowing 29 of 67 save opportunities as Atlanta finished 18 games back in the division and nine games out of a playoff berth. But the addition of Bob Wickman for the final two months of the season and some offseason retooling have the Braves confident that the bullpen is headed in the right direction. Meanwhile, the 2007 starting rotation has all the pieces necessary to be one of the best in baseball, featuring three former 20-game winners.

Key Additions: Rafael Soriano (RP), Tanyon Sturtze (SP/RP)

Key Losses: Marcus Giles (2B), John Thomson (SP), Horacio Ramirez (SP), Todd Pratt (C), Chris Reitsma (RP), Danys Baez (RP), Brian Jordan (1B/OF), Daryle Ward (1B)

Fanball

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2006 Record: 70-92, 4th in AL East
Spring Training Home: Fort Lauderdale Stadium – Fort Lauderdale, Florida
First Cactus League Game: March 1 at Marlins

In one of the toughest divisions in baseball the Orioles aren't the bridesmaid or the bride. They're more like Aunt Mildred who will be doing the scripture reading. Baltimore fans have become familiar with both that second rate feeling Auntie M is used to, as well as redundancy, given the fact they've finished in fourth place in eight of the last 10 seasons. They threw their hat into the bidding for big name free agents this offseason, but the out of control market quickly priced players out of their range so they settled on rebuilding their bullpen. The team believes with a deep pen they can hold onto more leads, which should help the fantasy value of some of their starting pitchers.

Key Additions: Jaret Wright (SP), Danys Baez (RP), Jaime Walker (RP), Chad Bradford (RP), Scott Williamson (RP), Jay Payton (OF), Aubrey Huff (OF/IF)

Key Losses: Bruce Chen (SP), LaTroy Hawkins (RP), David Newhan (OF), Russ Ortiz (SP)

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Fenway Spenders

2006 Record: 86-76, 3rd in AL East
Spring Training Home: City of Palms Park – Fort Myers, Florida
First Grapefruit League Game: February 28 vs. Twins

For the first time since 1997, the Red Sox finished in something other than second place in the AL East, and, unfortunately, the move out of the runner-up spot wasn't upwards. In an effort to get back to the World Series level of 2005, the Sox were aggressive on the free agent market. They made the biggest splash by paying $51.1 million simply for the rights to talk to Japanese hurler Daisuke Matsuzaka, and they eventually signed him to a $52 million deal. The Sox also shored up sore spots by signing outfielder J.D. Drew and shortstop Julio Lugo and bolstering their bullpen. However, their ultimate success in 2007 may depend more on a few of their in-house talents bouncing back after down seasons.

Key Additions: Daisuke Matsuzaka (SP), J.D. Drew (OF), Julio Lugo (SS), Brendan Donnelly (RP), Joel Pineiro (RP/SP), J.C. Romero (RP), Hideki Okajima (RP), Alex Cora (IF), Runelvys Hernandez (SP)

Key Losses: Mark Loretta (2B), Alex Gonzalez (SS), Trot Nixon (OF), Keith Foulke (RP), Gabe Kapler (OF)

Fanball

[645]

Maybe This Year

2006 Record: 66-96, 6th in NL Central
Spring Training Home: HoHoKam Park - Mesa, Arizona
First Cactus League Game: March 1 vs. Giants

The lovable losers of Wrigleyville bumbled their way to the cellar of the NL Central in 2006. Their season took a uncontrollable nose dive on April 19, when slugger (and first-round fantasy pick) Derrek Lee fractured his left wrist. He never fully recovered. Not surprisingly, Kerry Wood (four) and Mark Prior (nine) managed only 13 starts between them due to injuries. There's always hope for the next season, though, and over the offseason, optimism arrived in the forms of a new manager, outfielder Alfonso Soriano, and a pair of new starting pitchers.

Key Additions: Lou Piniella (Manager), Alfonso Soriano (OF), Mark DeRosa (IF), Ted Lilly (SP), Jason Marquis (SP), Neal Cotts (RP), Daryle Ward (1B/OF), Tomas Perez (IF)

Key Losses: Dusty Baker (Manager), Juan Pierre (OF), John Mabry (1B/OF), David Aardsma (RP), Michael Restovich (OF), Freddie Bynum (IF/OF)

Fanball

[645]

Freddy or Not

2006 Record: 90-72, 3rd in AL Central
Spring Training Home: Tucson Electric Park – Tucson, AZ
First Cactus League Game: February 28 vs. Rockies

The White Sox were one of only six teams to win 90 games in 2006, but, unfortunately, the Twins (96) and Tigers (95) were also in that elite company. The offense rode Jim Thome for the opening two months and was backed by career-best seasons by Jermaine Dye and Joe Crede. The rotation was very strong for the second straight campaign, despite ace Mark Buehrle's off season, and Bobby Jenks reached the 40-save plateau. Many of the same faces are back for 2007, but the White Sox added question marks to their rotation and bullpen by trading away Freddy Garcia, Brandon McCarthy, and Neal Cotts.

Key Additions: Gavin Floyd (SP), John Danks (SP), Nick Masset (SP), Andrew Sisco (RP), Toby Hall (C), Gio Gonzalez (SP), Luis Terrero (OF), David Aardsma (RP), Carlos Vasquez (RP)

Key Losses: Freddy Garcia (SP), Brandon McCarthy (SP/RP), Neal Cotts (RP), Dustin Hermanson (RP), David Riske (RP), Jeff Nelson (RP), Sandy Alomar (C), Ross Gload (1B/OF)

Fanball

[645]

Party On, Wayne

2006 Record: 80-82, 3rd in NL Central
Spring Training Home: Ed Smith Stadium – Sarasota, Florida
First Grapefruit League Game: March 1 at Pirates

New general manager Wayne Krivsky consistently shook up the Reds roster in 2006, but the team responded by jumping out to a 17-7 record and sitting at 44-37 through the first half of the campaign. The club eventually fell into their old, losing ways and slipped just below .500 by season's end. However, there's some optimism after the franchise finished with their best record since 2000. Krivsky continued to tinker with the lineup this winter, but the big hopes/question marks remain the same. Can Ken Griffey stay healthy? Can Adam Dunn do anything but hit home runs? Who will close?

Key Additions: Jeff Conine (1B/OF), Mike Stanton (RP), Bubba Crosby (OF), Alex Gonzalez (SS), Jeff Keppinger (2B), Chad Moeller (C), Bobby Livingston (SP), Jerry Gil (IF), Jared Burton (RP), Victor Santos (SP)

Key Losses: Jason LaRue (C), Rich Aurilia (IF), Royce Clayton (SS), Todd Hollandsworth (OF), Brandon Claussen (SP), Ryan Franklin (SP/RP), Jason Johnson (SP), Jason Standridge (RP), Scott Schoeneweis (RP), Chris Michalak (SP/RP), Brendan Harris (IF), Sun-Woo Kim (SP/RP), Dewayne Wise (OF)

Fanball

[645]

Shake 'N' Jacobs

2006 Record: 78-84, 4th in AL Central
Spring Training Home: Chain of Lakes Park – Winter Haven, Florida
First Grapefruit League Game: March 1 vs. Astros

After winning 93 games in 2005, the Indians planned on winning the AL Central and making a World Series run in 2006. What happened? Jason Johnson failed to adequately replace Kevin Millwood, the bullpen sputtered (especially after the Bob Wickman trade), Aaron Boone was awful at third base, Jhonny Peralta was a bust…we'll stop there The Indians worked to upgrade their bullpen this winter and made an nice trade to land second baseman Josh Barfield. The rest of their roster contains a lot of familiar names from 2006, including a strong starting rotation and the tremendous trio of Travis Hafner, Grady Sizemore, and Victor Martinez.

Key Additions: Josh Barfield (2B), David Dellucci (OF), Joe Borowski (RP), Keith Foulke (RP), Roberto Hernandez (RP), Aaron Fultz (RP), Luis Rivas (2B), Keith Ginter (IF)

Key Losses: Aaron Boone (3B), Kevin Kouzmanoff (3B), Andrew Brown (RP)

Fanball

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Into Thin Air

2006 Record: 76-86, T-4th in NL West
Spring Training Home: Hi Corbett Field – Tucson, Arizona
First Cactus League Game: February 28 at White Sox

The Colorado Rockies finished tied for fourth (or last, if you want to be a pessimist) in the NL West in 2006, marking their sixth straight year with a below .500 finish and ninth consecutive season in fourth place or worse in the division. However, the Rockies did finish with their best record in six years and actually showed some promise for the future with the continued emergence of several young players. But Colorado shipped off ace Jason Jennings in an offseason trade, leaving the pitching staff underwhelming on paper for the 2007 campaign. Still, if the starting rotation can at least be serviceable, the Rockies could be poised to crack the top three in the division and maybe even compete for an NL West title in another year or two.

Key Additions: Jason Hirsh (SP), Taylor Buchholz (SP), Willy Taveras (CF), LaTroy Hawkins (RP)

Key Losses: Jason Jennings (SP), Jose Mesa (RP), J.D. Closser (C)

Fanball

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Comerica's Team

2006 Record: 95-67, 2nd in AL Central
Spring Training Home: Joker Marchant Stadium – Lakeland, Florida
First Grapefruit League Game: February 28 at Mets

The Tigers were slowly building the talent all along. All it took was Jim Leyland to hit the fast forward button and mold it all into a contender at least a year before anyone expected it. The American League Manager of the Year was able to coax career seasons out of a number of young sluggers (Craig Monroe, Brandon Inge, Marcus Thames) and presided over the emergence of a couple of dominant rookie hurlers (Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya) to overcome a disappointing collapse late in the regular season and lead the team to the World Series for the first time since 1984. Not content to rest on their laurels, the club acquired slugging designated hitter Gary Sheffield in the offseason; a clear indication they weren't satisfied with a postseason run that came to an ignominious halt on the big stage last October.

Key Additions: Gary Sheffield (OF/DH), Jose Mesa (RP), Timo Perez (OF)

Key Losses: Matt Stairs (PH), Jamie Walker (RP)

Fanball

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Something Fishy

2006 Record: 78-84, 4th in NL East
Spring Training Home: Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Florida
First Grapefruit League Game: February 28 vs. Cardinals

The Marlins managed 78 wins last season despite a payroll so low several major leagues could have financed it by themself. The budget, which stood at about $15 million in 2006, has ballooned to around $26 this season, but most of that increase is going towards paying arbitration-eligible players like Dontrell Willis and Miguel Cabrera. If the Marlins are going to take the next step forward and contend for the postseason, they'll need more fine efforts from their young infield of Cabrera, Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla, and Mike Jacobs. They will also count on serious contributions from their youthful pitching staff, which includes no starter older than 25.

Key Additions: Matt Lindstrom (RP), Henry Owens (RP), Kevin Gregg (RP)
Key Losses: Wes Helms (IF), Brian Moehler (RP), Joe Borowski (RP)

Fanball

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Drifting Lee-ward

2006 Record: 82-80, 2nd in NL Central
Spring Training Home: Osceola County Stadium - Kissimmee, Florida
First Grapefruit League Game: March 1 at Indians

The Astros first season without long-time cornerstone Jeff Bagwell didn't go very well. They finished last in the majors in batting average (.255) and posted their worst record since 2000. Their first order of business this offseason was to fill Bagwell's spot, and they succeeded by signing Carlos Lee to a monster deal. The club then took on the enormous task of reloading a starting rotation that will likely be without the duo of Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte for the first time since 2003. Did they succeed? Only time will tell.

Key Additions: Carlos Lee (OF), Mark Loretta (IF), Woody Williams (SP), Jason Jennings (SP), Miguel Asencio (RP), Richard Hidalgo (OF), Brian Moehler (SP)

Key Losses: Jeff Bagwell (1B), Andy Pettitte (SP), Roger Clemens (SP), Willy Taveras (OF), Aubrey Huff (OF/3B/1B), Russ Springer (RP), Taylor Buchholz (SP), Jason Hirsh (SP)

Fanball

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Glass Half Full

2006 Record: 62-100, 5th in AL Central
Spring Training Home: Surprise Stadium – Surprise, Arizona
First Cactus League Game: March 1 at Angels

The Royals have dropped at least 100 games in three straight seasons, but an active offseason and spring training bring hope to the beleaguered franchise. General manager Dayton Moore has been a busy man since taking over in early June of 2006, and he paid special attention to the pitching staff this winter. Gil Meche signed a five-year, $55 million deal to anchor the rotation, and Octavio Dotel is aiming to revive his career and lock down the ninth inning. For all their moves, though, the Royals remain a team in transition, a team with many question marks, and a team stuck at the bottom of the league's best division.

Key Additions: Gil Meche, (SP), Octavio Dotel (RP), David Riske (RP), Jason LaRue (C), Brian Bannister (SP), Ross Gload (1B/OF), Alex S. Gonzalez (SS), Kenny Ray (RP), John Bale (RP), Joakim Soria (RP), Zach Day (SP), Dewon Brazelton (SP)

Key Losses: Mark Redman (SP), Runelvys Hernandez (SP), Andrew Sisco (RP), Doug Mientkiewicz (1B), Ambiorix Burgos (RP), Scott Dohmann (RP), Donnie Murphy (2B), Paul Phillips (C), Paul Bako (C), Jeff Keppinger (IF)

Fanball

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Heralded Angels

2006 Record: 89-73, 2nd in AL West
Spring Training Home: Tempe Diablo Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
First Cactus League Game: March 1 vs. Royals

Following trips to the postseason in three of the previous four years, the Angels still have nasty aftertaste in their mouths after missing the playoffs last year. Owner Arte Moreno doesn't shy away from opening up the wallet and he did just that this offseason, adding outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. and reliever Justin Speier among others. They'll join the usual cast of characters led by Vladimir Guerrero in hopes that they can weather a division that isn't getting any less competitive.

Key Additions: Matthews Jr. (OF), Speier (RP), Phil Seibel (RP), Chris Resop (RP), Darren Oliver (P)

Key Losses: Darin Erstad (1B/OF), Adam Kennedy (2B), Kevin Gregg (RP), J.C. Romero (RP), Brendan Donnelly (RP), Tim Salmon (OF), Curtis Pride (OF)

Fanball

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Blues Clues

2006 Record: 88-74, 1st in NL West
Spring Training Home: Holman Stadium, Vero Beach, Florida
First Grapefruit League Game: March 1 at Braves

To gain perspective on the Dodgers season, you need only look at the September 18th game in which they hit five home runs in a matter of 11 swings against the rival Padres to come storming back in arguably the most dramatic game of the season. It took spectacular efforts like these to get them into the playoffs, where they made an early exit at the hand of the Mets. They addressed many of their deficiencies this offseason by adding a couple starting pitchers and help for Rafael Furcal at the front of the lineup in outfielder Juan Pierre. Only time will tell if those moves translate to greater success but they certainly have led to more fantasy baseball intrigue.

Key Additions: Jason Schmidt (SP), Randy Wolf (SP), Luis Gonzalez (OF), Juan Pierre (OF), Mike Lieberthal (C)

Key Losses: Eric Gagne (RP), Greg Maddux (SP), J.D. Drew (OF), Kenny Lofton (OF), Bill Mueller (3B), Aaron Sele (SP), Julio Lugo (SS), Toby Hall (C), Jayson Werth (OF), Giovanni Carrara (RP)

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