AMERICAN LEAGUE CAPSULES

NOTE National League capsules will appear in Monday’s editionEast Division1. Toronto Blue Jays2012 73-89 (fourth) MANAGER John Gibbons (first year) HE’S HERE SS Jose Reyes, RHP R.A. Dickey, RHP Josh Johnson, LHP Mark Buehrle, OF Melky Cabrera, INF Maicer Izturis, INF Emilio Bonifacio, INF Mark DeRosa.

HE’S OUTTA HERE C John Buck, SS Yunel Escobar, 2B Kelly Johnson, RHP Jason Frasor.

WRITTEN IN STONE No team was more aggressive this winter than the Jays, and the result should be a long-awaited escape from their rut of mediocrity (six consecutive finishes in third or fourth place, no playoff berth since winning it all in 1993). Youthful GM Alex Anthopoulos, 35, deserves credit for seeing, and seizing, an opportunity while longtime powerhouses New York and Boston are potentially vulnerable. Not only did they raid the Marlins for Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle and Emilio Bonifacio, but they capped off their offseason by acquiring NL Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey. Jose Bautista has looked healthy this spring (five home runs) after undergoing wrist surgery in early September.

  1. Tampa Bay Rays2012 90-72 (third) MANAGER Joe Maddon (eighth year) HE’S HERE 1B James Loney, SS Yunel Escobar, RHP Roberto Hernandez, 2B Kelly Johnson.

HE’S OUTTA HERE RHP James Shields, RHP Wade Davis, OF B.J. Upton, 1B Carlos Pena, INF Jeff Keppinger, LHP J.P. Howell, SS Reid Brignac.

WRITTEN IN STONE The Rays keep rolling despite annual defections and a paltry payroll. The latest to leave include front-line pitcher James Shields and talented outfielder B.J. Upton, but the emergence of Alex Cobb, for instance, makes it easier to absorb the departure of Shields and Wade Davis. They believe Matt Moore, 23, can take the next step to stardom, while Cy Young winner David Price is already there. But he’s also about to hit big money, which means trade speculation looms. The biggest key for the Rays will be a healthy Evan Longoria, who missed 88 games in 2012 with a torn hamstring. The Rays were 43-45 in those games, and 47-27 with him in the lineup.

  1. Baltimore Orioles2012 93-69 (second) MANAGER Buck Showalter (fourth year) HE’S HERE 2B Alexi Casilla, INF-OF Yamaico Navarro.

HE’S OUTTA HERE 1B Mark Reynolds, LHP Joe Saunders, 2B Robert Andino, OF Endy Chavez, OF Bill Hall, DH Nick Johnson, C Ronny Paulino. WRITTEN IN STONE The Orioles are banking so much on last year’s amazing turnaround being legit - from 93 losses in 2011 to 93 victories and a playoff berth - that they virtually stood pat. And they have reasons for optimism, starting with the emergence of Adam Jones as a star of the first order. They are counting on another star in the making in 20-year-old Manny Machado, who gave them everything they hoped for after taking over at third base in August. Catcher Matt Wieters is another impact player, and Chris Davis merely hit 33 home runs last year. But I still have questions about a rotation that put up a 4.42 ERA and doesn’t have any visible ace.

  1. Boston Red Sox2012 69-93 (fifth) MANAGER John Farrell (first year) HE’S HERE RHP Ryan Dempster, RHP Joel Hanrahan, 1B Mike Napoli, SS Stephen Drew, OF Shane Victorino, OF Johnny Gomes, C David Ross.

HE’S OUTTA HERE OF Cody Ross, RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka, 1B James Loney.

WRITTEN IN STONE The notorious fried-chicken-and-beer collapse of 2011 was supplanted by the Bobby Valentine debacle of 2012. Those high-flying days of Cowboying Up and The Idiots seem long, long ago, after Boston’s first lastplace finish since 1992. But the Red Sox hope another culture change (former pitching coach John Farrell left Toronto to replace Valentine as manager) and a new batch of players will turn things around. A good place to start would be propping up a pitching staff that ranked 27th in the majors in ERA. Joel Hanrahan, an All-Star the past two years with Pittsburgh, takes over as closer, and ex-Cub Ryan Dempster is a welcome addition to the rotation. The biggest boost would come if the newly slimmed-down John Lackey, lit up in 2011 and laid up (from Tommy John surgery) in 2012, makes a strong comeback.

  1. New York Yankees2012 95-67 (first) MANAGER Joe Girardi (sixth year) HE’S HERE 3B Kevin Youkilis, OF Vernon Wells, DH Travis Hafner, OF Brennan Boesch.

HE’S OUTTA HERE OF Nick Swisher, C Russell Martin, DH-OF Raul Ibanez, 3B Eric Chavez, OF Andruw Jones, RHP Rafael Soriano, RHP Freddy Garcia.

WRITTEN IN STONE This has all the earmarks of a stunning overnight collapse. For one thing, ownership uncharacteristically sat on their wallets in an attempt to get under the luxury-tax barrier. A lot of talent was allowed to walk, and the only potential impact player brought in was 34-yearold Kevin Youkilis, who hasn’t played more than 140 games since 2008. The two pillars, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, are coming off serious injuries. And stalwarts Curtis Granderson, Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira are all hurt. Not a pretty picture. Not all is grim - CC Sabathia is a bona fide ace (though with increasing wear) and Robinson Cano is at the peak of his game. He’s playing for a contract, too.

Central Division1. Detroit Tigers2012 88-74 (first) MANAGER Jim Leyland (eighth year) HE’S HERE OF Torii Hunter.

HE’S OUTTA HERE OF Brennan Boesch, C Gerald Laird, OF Ryan Raburn, LHP Daniel Schlereth, RHP Jose Valverde, DH Delmon Young.

WRITTEN IN STONE The Tigers already potent lineup, anchored by Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera, should be even better, and not just because of the addition of Torii Hunter (Pine Bluff). They also get back Victor Martinez, last seen hitting .330 and driving in 103 runs in 2011 before knee surgery wiped out all of 2012. And it’s hard to knock a rotation anchored by Justin Verlander. But if the Tigers want to get back to the World Series, they’ll have to figure out their bullpen. Rookie Bruce Rondon, who throws 100 mph, was supposed to be the closer, but he flamed out in spring and was sent down. Jim Leyland will start the year with the dreaded “committee,” which is always ominous.

  1. Kansas City Royals2012 72-90 (third) MANAGER Ned Yost (fourth year) HE’S HERE RHP Ervin Santana, RHP James Shields, RHP Wade Davis.

HE’S OUTTA HERE INF Yuniesky Betancourt, LHP Jonathan Sanchez, RHP Jonathan Broxton, RHP Joakim Soria, C Humberto Quintero.

WRITTEN IN STONE The Royals have had one winning season since 1994, but the fruits of a prosperous minor-league system could finally be seen this year. They used one of their prospects, Wil Myers, as the prime trade chip to land James Shields and Wade Davis from Tampa Bay. The Royals will have four starters they didn’t have last year at the All-Star break (Shields, Davis, Ervin Santana and Jeremy Guthrie). Change was necessary, because Kansas City’s starters put up a 5.01 ERA. Their bullpen was actually quite good, led by closer Greg Holland (91 strikeouts in 67 innings). Jeff Francoeur, coming off a terrible season, is back in right field.

  1. Chicago White Sox2012 85-77 (second) MANAGER Robin Ventura (second year) HE’S HERE: 3B Jeff Keppinger, RHP Matt Lindstrom. HE’S OUTTA HERE C A.J. Pierzynski, 3B Kevin Youkilis, RHP Brett Myers, SS Jose Lopez, OF Kosuke Fukudome, INF Orlando Hudson.

WRITTEN IN STONE The White Sox had a threegame division lead on Sept. 18, but lost 11 of their final 15 games as the Tigers shot past them. Still, 85 victories was more than most expected in Robin Ventura’s debut managerial season. The key was a productive offense that finished fourth in the AL in runs, as four players hit 25 or more homers. Adam Dunn led the way with 41, which helped compensate for the .204 average and 222 strikeouts. Paul Konerko, 37, keeps churning out .300 seasons. The Sox will have a new regular catcher for the first time since 2004, with 27-year-old Tyler Flowers taking over for A.J. Pierzynski. A huge plus last year was the breakout of Chris Sale, who was slated originally for the bullpen but emerged as a Cy Young candidate with a 17-8 record.

  1. Cleveland Indians2012 68-94 (fourth) MANAGER Terry Francona (first year) HE’S HERE OF Michael Bourn, 1B Nick Swisher, OF Drew Stubbs, DH Mark Reynolds, RHP Brett Myers, LHP Scott Kazmir, INF/OF Ryan Raburn, INF Mike Aviles, RHP Matt Albers.

HE’S OUTTA HERE OF Shin-Soo Choo, DH Travis Hafner, OF Grady Sizemore, INF Jack Hannahan, 1B Casey Kotchman, INF/OF Brent Lillibridge, INF Jason Donald, OF Johnny Damon.

WRITTEN IN STONE With four new starters - Michael Bourn, Nick Swisher, Mark Reynolds and Drew Stubbs - the Indians should score more. The Indians are convinced that Lonnie Chisenhall, who hit better than .400 this spring, is poised for a breakout season. Terry Francona’s hiring as manager has infused the entire organization with a positive vibe. The top starters, Justin Masterson and Ubaldo Jimenez, lost a combined 32 games last year. Closer Chris Perez missed most of training camp with a shoulder strain.

  1. Minnesota Twins2012 66-96 (fifth) MANAGER Ron Gardenhire (12th year) HE’S HERE RHP Mike Pelfrey, RHP Vance Worley, RHP Kevin Correia, CF Aaron Hicks.

HE’S OUTTA HERE OF Denard Span, OF Ben Revere, RHP Scott Baker, LHP Francisco Liriano, RHP Carl Pavano, INF Alexi Casilla, RHP Matt Capps.

WRITTEN IN STONE The Twins, losers of a combined 195 games in back-to-back last-place seasons, still look like a mess. But the hope is that the Justin Morneau-Joe Mauer combo will be back at full force, which can overcome a lot of deficiencies. Morneau seems to have put his concussions and surgeries in the past (and could be a monster trade chip at the deadline), and Mauer could contend for his fourth batting title. Top prospect Aaron Hicks, who takes over in center despite never playing higher than Class AA. The Twins’ starters had the second-highest ERA in the majors last year, and based on spring performances, this year’s quintet could be just as bad.

West Division1. Los Angeles Angels2012 89-73 (third) MANAGER Mike Scioscia (14th year) HE’S HERE OF Josh Hamilton, RHP Tommy Hanson, LHP Jason Vargas, RHP Joe Blanton, RHP Ryan Madson.

HE’S OUTTA HERE OF Torii Hunter, RHP Zack Greinke, 1B Kendrys Morales, RHP Dan Haren, RHP Ervin Santana, INF Maicer Izturis, RHP Jordan Walden, OF Vernon Wells.

WRITTEN IN STONE As if having the best hitter of the last generation (Albert Pujols) and the best player of the next generation (Mike Trout) wasn’t enough, the Angels added former MVP and batting champion Josh Hamilton, coming off a 43-home run season. At $125 million, about half the price of Pujols, Angels owner Arte Moreno took it out of petty cash. Remember, Mark Trumbo had 32 homers in 2012. It won’t be an easy lineup for opposing pitchers to navigate. The Angels also revamped their rotation over the winter, replacing Zack Greinke, Dan Haren and Ervin Santana with Jason Vargas, Joe Blanton and Tommy Hanson - not necessarily a net gain.

  1. Texas Rangers2012 93-69 (second) MANAGER Ron Washington (seventh year) HE’S HERE DH-1B Lance Berkman, C A.J. Pierzynski.

HE’S OUTTA HERE OF Josh Hamilton, C-1B Mike Napoli, INF Michael Young, RHP Koji Uehara, RHP Mike Adams, RHP Scott Feldman.

WRITTEN IN STONE The Rangers should have enough talent to overcome discordant recent events, starting with last fall’s stretch-drive collapse. The winter saw the departures of Josh Hamilton, Mike Napoli and Michael Young, while the spring brought a power struggle that might result in the departure of franchise icon Nolan Ryan. Closer Joe Nathan struggled in spring. On the brighter side, Lance Berkman appears healthy after two knee surgeries last season and Yu Darvish is over the adjustment period and poised for a big year. Things should get better in May when Colby Lewis, Perez and Joakim Soria are all due off the disabled list.

  1. Oakland Athletics2012 94-68 (first) MANAGER Bob Melvin (third year) HE’S HERE OF Chris Young, INF Jed Lowrie, SS Hiroyuki Nakajima, C John Jaso.

HE’S OUTTA HERE SS Stephen Drew, RHP Brandon McCarthy, RHP Tyson Ross, OF Jonny Gomes, SS Cliff Pennington, 3B Brandon Inge.

WRITTEN IN STONE The doom and gloom of last winter miraculously turned into a division title for the A’s, a tribute to the acumen of GM Billy Beane and the leadership of Manager Bob Melvin. The ever-tinkering Beane has added former Diamondback Chris Young to an already-crowded outfield situation, brought back Bartolo Colon despite last year’s drug suspension, signed Japanese shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima (who is out with a strained hamstring), and acquired catcher John Jaso. Beane hit the jackpot last year with virtually every move he made, including the ones that were interpreted as giving up on the season. The biggest yields were right fielder Josh Reddick from Boston and starters Jarrod Parker (from Arizona) and Tommy Milone (from Washington).4. Seattle Mariners2012 75-87 (fourth) MANAGER Eric Wedge (third year) HE’S HERE OF Michael Morse, 1B-DH Kendrys Morales, OF-DH Raul Ibanez, OF-DH Jason Bay, INF Robert Andino, LHP Joe Saunders.

HE’S OUTTA HERE LHP Jason Vargas, C Miguel Olivo, C John Jaso, INF Munenori Kawasaki, INF Chone Figgins, RHP Shawn Kelley.

WRITTEN IN STONE The Mariners are looking for more thump from their lineup, and the signs from Arizona were encouraging. With Michael Morse and Kendrys Morales, they should have a bona-fide presence in the middle of the order. They hope younger players like Dustin Ackley, Jesus Montero and Justin Smoak blossom in less pressurized lineup spots. Smoak is probably down to his last chance, but his .341 average over the final 27 games of 2012, plus a strong spring, give hope he has finally figured things out. Joe Saunders assumes the Jason Vargas role of crafty veteran lefty, and ace Felix Hernandez anchors it all.

  1. Houston Astros2012 55-107 (sixth, NL Central) MANAGER Bo Porter (first year) HE’S HERE 1B-DH Carlos Pena, OF Rick Ankiel, RHP Jose Veras, RHP Philip Humber, OF Chris Carter, RHP Brad Peacock.

HE’S OUTTA HERE SS Jed Lowrie, C Chris Snyder, OF Travis Buck, RHP Fernando Rodriguez.

WRITTEN IN STONE The Astros landed in the AL West after becoming the first National League team to change leagues. They are coming off seasons of 106 and 107 losses, and their first AL campaign figures to be another rocky one. The Astros have dumped virtually all their established players the past three years, leaving them with a hodgepodge of developing young players and journeyman veterans while waiting for the farm system to churn out prospects. The biggest bright spot - and the best reason to watch them - is 5-foot-5 second baseman Jose Altuve, who hit .290 last year and made the All-Star team.

Sports, Pages 33 on 03/31/2013

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