| | March 18
A look through some of the spring stats:
St. Louis' Thomas Howard is hitting .529 in 17 at-bats. Tony La Russa threatens J.D. Drew into a platoon role.
What's up with the Twins? Todd Walker, Matt LeCroy and Christian Guzman are all hitting over .500. We still say they'll finish last when the real games start.
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Rumor Central
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Some rumors we're hearing:
The Rockies may be interested in an outfielder, such as Dmitri Young or Michael Tucker of the Reds or Todd Hollandsworth of the Dodgers. The Rockies are reportedly offering some arms such as Jose Jimenez or Manny Aybar.
The Mariners may be looking for a left-handed hitting outfielder. A front office executive told ESPN's Peter Gammons that something is likely to happen. Among the possibilities: Johnny Damon, Travis Lee, Matt Lawton, Bobby Higginson and Jose Cruz. The Los Angeles Times is reporting the possibility of a Higginson-for-John Halama deal.
The White Sox are shopping James Baldwin, looking to free up his $3.1 million salary and getting another young arm such as Jon Garland or Aaron Myette in the rotation.
Carlos Hernandez of the Padres could be going elsewhere -- perhaps to the Yankees, who are looking for a backup to Jorge Posada. If Hernandez isn't traded, Ben Davis may return to Triple-A.
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Random thought: The Orioles' 5-6-7-8 hitters figure to be Harold Baines, Will Clark, Cal Ripken and Charles Johnson. Has there ever been a slower foursome in baseball history? Ouch, that's a lot 6-4-3s and 4-6-3s.
Herbert Perry, six home runs! Maybe the Devil Rays can play Perry at third and move Vinny Castilla over to shortstop.
Carl Pavano has been throwing well for the Expos (12 IP, 8 H, 11 K's). At 24, he may ready to turn the corner.
Javier Vazquez has also been looking good. Hmm, could the Expos be a big surprise this year?
Injury update
Rockies closer Jerry DiPoto is out at least four weeks and could miss the entire season with a bulging disc just below his neck. Billy Taylor is likely to assume the closer duties.
Marlins pitcher A.J. Burnett will have surgery for a torn ligament in his thumb. Burnett suffered the injury earlier this week in a fielding drill and is likely to miss the first two months of the season. The injury opens the door for another highly touted prospect, Brad Penny, to make the rotation.
Robb Nen hasn't pitched in eight days and the Giants are concerned he won't be ready for Opening Day. Nenn had offseason elbow surgery and has had trouble this spring pitching on back-to-back days. He continues to throw on the side every other day.
Jose Rosado is limited by a strained left hamstring. The Royals are hopeful he will be able to throw off a mound within a few days.
Pirates outfielders Brian Giles and Chad Hermansen are both hurting, Giles with tendinitis in his right foot and Hermansen with a strained ribcage muscle. Neither injury is considered serious.
Angels outfielders Mike Colangelo and Jeff DaVanon, two rookies with a shot at making the team, each underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery on Friday and both could miss the season.
Position battles
We keep hearing these rumors that Mickey Morandini may win the starting second base job for the Expos over Jose Vidro -- or he may be traded. For the Expos' sake, let's hope it's the latter. Check last year's numbers: Morandini had a .319 on-base percentage and .363 slugging percentage (.682 OPS). Vidro had a .346 OBP and .476 slugging mark, an .822 OPS. Vidro isn't too hot at turning the double play, but that doesn't make up for his big advantage at the plate.
Greg Norton is hitting .500 (19-for-38) and keeping himself in the White Sox' third base picture. Jerry Manuel has been pleased with Paul Konerko's defense and could up using a flyball/groundball platoon at third, with Konerko playing behind fly-ball pitchers like James Baldwin and Kip Wells and Norton or Craig Wilson playing behind Jim Parque and Mike Sirotka.
Mark Mulder pretty much pitched himself out of any shot at making Oakland's rotation after Seattle batted around against him in the first inning on Friday.
Scott Spiezio leads the logjam at second base for the Angels. The other candidates are Justin Baughman, Trent Durrington and Pat Kelly.
Fantasy corner
You asked, you got it. The Rights (and Wrongs) of Spring Training five hitters to stay away from for 2000:
1. Dante Bichette, Reds. Think 30-30: 30 fewer points on the batting average and 30 fewer RBI.
2. Tino Martinez, Yankees. Do not pay big bucks for Tino, whose slugging percentage has dropped from .577 in 1997 to .505 in 1998 to .458 in 1999. That's lower than Jose Vidro.
3. Derek Bell, Mets. He slugged .490 in 1998, .350 (!) last year. Since he's slugged over .450 only other time, look for him to be around his career average of .425. Which isn't very good for a right fielder.
4. Chris Singleton, White Sox. He had a terrific rookie season and is a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder. But he won't be able to match last year's numbers (.300, 17 home runs, .490 slugging).
5. Mark Grudzielanek, Dodgers. Hit .326 last year, but you can expect that to drop 40 points. Which means he doesn't really do anything to help you.
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ALSO SEE
Previous Rights (and Wrongs) of Spring
ESPN.com's spring training 2000 coverage
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