March 2010

DE Corey Wootton: ‘Looking forward to getting back’

Published on: 30th March, 2010

DE Corey Wootton: 'Looking forward to getting back'  | read this item

Corey Wootton may have some versatility when it comes to playing in either a 3-4 or a 4-3 scheme in the NFL.

On Northwestern’s football website, defensive end Corey Wootton calls dealing with injuries his most humbling experience. He now says the ankle, knee and quadriceps problems that plagued him the last year-and-a-half have healed, and he proved it Monday to 29 NFL scouts with a strong performance at the school’s pro day. Wootton spoke with Sporting News‘ Dave Curtis and other reporters after his workout.

Q: How nerve-wracking was this day for you?
A: A little bit. I didn’t participate in the Combine. I didn’t do our last pro day. So I think it was all on the line today. And I think I did a pretty good job. I wish I could have run a little better, but you know, I was looking forward today and did a pretty good job. (Note: Wootton said he was hoping to run in the 4.8-range; Northwestern officials later released that the average of his two 40-yard dashes was 4.92 seconds.)

Q: Have scouts told you what round you should be drafted in?
A: Not really. We just talk about schemes and where they think I would fit, but nothing about round predictions.

Q: Where do you fit?
A: Well, some teams want me to line up over the tackle and play an end in a 3-4 scheme. They know I can be a 4-3 end. Some people think I can be a rush linebacker in a 3-4, a standup player. So I was doing some DB drills out there today. But there are three different possibilities for me.

Q: How much linebacker stuff have you ever done?
A: We’ve done stuff like that here, dropping (into coverage) from down in a stance. It’s something I like to do.

Q: When you’re getting ready to run a 40-yard dash, what goes through your head?
A: Just thinking, ‘Get out,’ and try to run as fast as I can. And hope for the best.

Q: Is a second-round pick realistic for you?
A: I’m hoping for it. You always hope for the best. You hope for the first round and that I impressed some people enough to do that. But you never know on draft day. You can go higher than expected, lower than expected. You just have to hope for the best.

Q: What kind of feedback did you get Monday?
A: They felt like I did a good job without the knee brace because I played with a brace all season. They thought my change of direction was good. And I’m still improving the strength in my legs and trying to get that right. I felt about 90 percent today. So I’ve got 10 percent to go. I’m just looking forward to getting that back.

Q: What are your plans for draft day, April 22?
A: I’ll be on the couch with my parents in New Jersey. Just hanging out.

Q: How odd has it to be poked and prodded the way you have? I think I saw one guy out there stretching you out.
A: I expected that. They’re going to make a million-dollar investment in you, so they want to know everything about you, your flexibility and your injuries. I would do the same if I was a head coach or a G.M.

Q: What did you show those people today?
A: I showed them I’m a lot healthier than I was during the season. I showed I could move around well without the brace and had good change-of-direction. They know I have a little bit left, and I’ll have it back by next season.

Q: Given your history, what kind of health concerns do you have going forward?
A: I don’t feel I have any. It’s just the strength of the leg. My knee is structurally fine. My ankle is fine. It’s just getting back that strength, and I believe I’ll be ready for next season.

Q: Do you fight a mental block about getting hurt again?
A: No. I’m past that point. It’s just the strength, and once I get that back I’ll be an even better player than I was when I was healthy two years ago.

Q: Any second thoughts about how you handled the past few months and not playing in the Senior Bowl or running at the Combine?
A: Not at all. The Senior Bowl, I thought a good decision for me to stick to workouts and get my leg strength up. That’s what I need to do to get better. The Combine, I wasn’t ready to run because I tweaked my quad. I warmed up, but I felt like I was going to pull it. So I thought it was best to wait until today.

Q: When you explain that reasoning to scouts, how do they respond?
A: They were understanding. They know what I’ve been through. They’re amazed I even played this season.

Florida Marlins 2010 preview

Published on: 30th March, 2010

Florida Marlins 2010 preview  | read this item

The only free agents the Marlins signed during the offseason received minor league contracts. Most of them, including Mike Lamb and Hector Luna, didn’t even play in the majors last season. Oh well, business as usual in South Florida.

But you should have learned by now, you don’t count out the Marlins. Besides their knack for finding bargains, they have one of the game’s best young rosters, which includes NL batting champion Hanley Ramirez, ace Josh Johnson and N.L. rookie of the year Chris Coghlan.

"Our goal is to always make the playoffs," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "I never look at the money thing. I always look at the player. Our people do a terrific job of getting good players."

Three questions

1. Who will man the corners?
Gonzalez said recently that if the season opened now, the Marlins would start Jorge Cantu at third base and Gaby Sanchez or Logan Morrison at first. But there is a month of exhibition games to be played, and they will determine who plays where on April 5 when the Marlins open at the Mets.

In addition to the competition at first, rookie third baseman Jorge Jimenez will get a look. Acquired via the Astros in the Rule 5 draft, Jimenez has the advantage of being a lefthanded hitter on a team lacking lefthanded hitters. If Sanchez and Morrison falter and Jimenez hits, he could end up at third with Cantu returning to first. There also is a chance the club could add a veteran, though pickings are becoming slim. (UPDATE: The Marlins sent Jimenez back to the Red Sox.)

The Marlins expect young Cameron Maybin to win the job in center field.

2. Has Cameron Maybin’s time arrived?
One of the game’s top prospects since being drafted 10th overall by Detroit in 2005, the 22-year-old enters spring training with the center field his job to lose. He got an opportunity at the start of 2009 but struck out 31 times in his first 84 at-bats and was sent to Class AAA.

Maybin made good use of his time in the minors and displayed improved discipline and pitch recognition in a September call-up. "When we sent him to Triple-A last year, he worked on his swing," Gonzalez said. "First thing you noticed (when he returned), he wasn’t swinging at the pitches at the dirt. He showed us that he had made some improvements."

3. Will the rotation be a strength?
This is certain: The Marlins’ rotation will be young (27-year-old Ricky Nolasco is the senior member) and tall (only 6-foot Anibal Sanchez measures in at less than 6-2 among the main candidates) and will include the same cast as last season. But there is no guarantee it will meet expectations. Excluding Johnson, six Marlins made at least 10 starts last season and, among them, only Sanchez (3.87) posted a sub-4.30 ERA.

Gonzalez said Johnson, Sanchez and Nolasco have secured places in the rotation, but at least five others have a shot at the fourth and fifth spots. Gonzalez added that a season of pitching in a playoff race should pay off in 2010. "Every game was a meaningful game for our starters," Gonzalez says. "I said last year, at worst case, staying in the race like we did would be great experience for the guys. There’s no other way to experience that than doing it."

Related Links

• Fantasy Source Marlins preview
• More previews: Find your team
• Sporting News baseball yearbook

Projected lineup

1. LF Chris Coghlan. Led MLB in runs (54) and batting average (.372) after break.
2. CF Cameron Maybin. .319 average at AAA, .293 after call-up.
3. SS Hanley Ramirez. Leads NL in runs, hits since ‘07.
4. 2B Dan Uggla. Averaged 31 HRs, 90 RBIs since ‘07.
5. 3B Jorge Cantu. Only MLB player with 100 RBIs but fewer than 20 HRs.
6. RF Cody Ross. Just 34 BBs in 604 PAs in ‘09.
7. C John Baker. Fourth-best OPS (.776) among N.L. catchers.
8. 1B Gaby Sanchez. .302/.392/.485 in 5 minor league seasons.

Projected rotation

Josh Johnson anchors the Florida rotation, but he needs more help.

1. RHP Josh Johnson. 209 IP in ‘09; 103 IP from 2007-08.
2. RHP Ricky Nolasco. ERA shot from 3.52 to 5.06.
3. RHP Anibal Sanchez. Shoulder always a concern.
4. LHP Sean West. 4.79 ERA as rookie. (UPDATE: The Marlins optioned West to the minors.)
5. RHP Chris Volstad. Not a lock after posting 5.21 ERA.

Projected closer

RHP Leo Nunez. First-time closer was 26-of-33 in save chances.

Grades

Offense: A. Led by Ramirez, the Marlins ranked among the NL’s top five in runs, batting average and on-base percentage in 2009. Their lineup featured three players with 20-plus homers and returns virtually intact. Maybin’s development and the situation at first base are keys to further improvement.

Pitching C. The rotation is young and deep and features plenty of good arms, but it still ranked 10th in the NL with a 4.57 ERA. It is time for someone other than Johnson to emerge. The signing of Mike MacDougal, who was 20-for-21 in save chances after being traded to Washington last season, boosts an already solid bullpen. (UPDATE: The Marlins released MacDougal, who later re-signed with the Nationals.)

Bench: B. Emilio Bonifacio is as fast as anyone in the NL. and can play six positions. Wes Helms provides veteran stability and is a dangerous pinch hitter (17-for-49, .347). Jimenez could stick as a lefthanded bat off the bench. (UPDATE: The Marlins returned Jimenez to the Red Sox.)

Manager: B. The Marlins are known for overachieving, in no small part because Gonzalez knows how to put his players in position to succeed. He has had two winning seasons in his first three years with Florida, despite a payroll that annually ranks near the bottom.

Sporting News prediction: Questions about the Marlins’ rotation — coupled with improvement/better health from the Mets and a tough Braves staff — should knock Florida down a couple notches.

Coming Wednesday: Braves preview.

Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.

Toronto Blue Jays 2010 preview

Published on: 30th March, 2010

Toronto Blue Jays 2010 preview   | read this item

There is one thing the Blue Jays don’t have to worry about this season: high expectations. When they traded ace Roy Halladay, they pretty much gave up on what already were slim chances of contending. Toronto enters spring training with a reduced payroll, a rotation to be determined, an unsettled situation at closer, uncertainty at the corner outfield spots and questions about whether its highest-paid player, Vernon Wells, can bounce back. It isn’t a good formula to compete in the AL East.

Three questions

Can Veron Wells regain the form that made him a 2006 All-Star?

1. Who will take over for Halladay?

No one, of course. Halladay arguably has been the game’s best starter over the past decade. The Jays now don’t have a pitcher who has thrown 200 innings in a season. Subtract Halladay’s 2.79 ERA, and Toronto’s rotation had a 5.28 ERA in 2009.

The Jays are opting for quantity over quality, having invited more than 30 pitchers to major league camp. Seemingly half will be given a chance to start (the Jays used 12 starters last season). Plus, Shaun Marcum is healthy after missing all of ‘09 and the Jays traded for two other candidates, Brandon Morrow and Dana Eveland.

Only lefthander Ricky Romero is guaranteed a rotation spot, but pitching coach Bruce Walton is excited about Morrow. "He has electric stuff and he’s a fierce competitor," Walton said. "I think he just needs to find out who he is — what his game style is — and he’s just going to take off."

2. Can Wells get well?
Wells emerged as one of the game’s top center fielders in 2006, when he made the All-Star team, hit .303 with 32 homers and 106 RBIs, won a Gold Glove and signed a huge extension. But in the three seasons since, he has regressed. Big time. Last season was a low point: a .260/.311/.400 stat line with 15 homers and 66 RBIs (both career lows).

What happened? At 31, Wells isn’t too old. Wrist, leg and shoulder injuries, however, have aged him. Wells played 158 games last season but was bothered by a sore left wrist that required offseason surgery. Compounding his struggles: He isn’t being paid like an over-the-hill veteran. The Jays owe him $107 million over the next five seasons, and though they were able to shed Halladay’s and Alex Rios’ big salaries, they likely are stuck with Wells’.

3. So, what’s to like?

New general manager Alex Anthopoulos has impressed his colleagues with his plan to boost the size of Toronto’s scouting department. But that strategy won’t pay off for a while. Likewise, it likely will take a year or two for top prospects Brett Wallace and Kyle Drabek, both acquired in the offseason, to make an impact.

For this season, the Jays will feature a lineup that includes two of the league’s top sluggers, second baseman Aaron Hill (36 homers, 108 RBIs) and DH Adam Lind (35 homers, 114 RBIs). Though Travis Snider struggled as a rookie, he is only 22 and the Jays are hoping he can lock down a starting outfield job during spring training. Finally, the Jays believe Romero can continue to develop into a top-of-the-rotation starter.

Projected lineup
1. RF Jose Bautista. Career-best .349 OBP in ‘09.
2. 2B Aaron Hill. Career-high 36 HRs in comeback season.
3. DH Adam Lind. Slugger might hit cleanup if Wells slumps.
4. CF Vernon Wells. .214 AVG, .348 SLG at home.
5. 1B Lyle Overbay. .838 OPS was his best since ‘06.
6. 3B Edwin Encarnacion. .240 AVG with Jays, .209 with Reds.
7. C John Buck. Has career .298 OBP.
8. LF Travis Snider. ‘09 struggles led to Class AAA demotion.
9. SS Alex Gonzalez. Hit .284 with Red Sox, .210 with Reds.

Projected rotation
1. LHP Ricky Romero. 178 IP, 4.30 ERA in rookie season.
2. RHP Shaun Marcum. Missed ‘09 after Tommy John surgery.
3. RHP Brandon Morrow. 3.68 ERA in 10 starts with Seattle.
4. LHP Brian Tallet. 5.41 ERA in 25 starts in ‘09.
5. RHP Scott Richmond. Sore shoulder led to 5.52 ERA. (UPDATE: Richmond will begin the season on the disabled list.)

Projected closer
RHP Kevin Gregg. Has edge over Jason Frasor, Scott Downs. (UPDATE: Frasor won the job.)

Grades

Offense. B. Hill and Lind formed one of the most productive duos in the AL last year. They should get more help this season because Wells reportedly is healthy, Snider is a year older and Lyle Overbay is in a contract year.

Pitching. C. There is no shortage of good arms among the rotation candidates, but there is a huge lack of experience. And growing up in the AL East isn’t easy. One problem with having three closer candidates: It typically means each has an issue that prevents him from being the main guy.

Bench. C. John McDonald remains one of the game’s best utility players, and Randy Ruiz showed good power in limited opportunities. The addition of speedster Joey Gathright could boost a thin outfield, and the catcher depth is even thinner as a career backup enters spring training as the starer. (UPDATE: The Jays released Gathright last week.)

Manager. C. Cito Gaston won two World Series with the Jays in the early 1990s, but his old-school approach didn’t play well in 2009. As Gaston enters his final season in the dugout, the Jays could rally around him or they could mail it in and wait for the next guy.

Sporting News prediction: Their rotation lacks experience, their offense lacks a true leadoff hitter and their payroll lacks the oomph needed to hang with the big boys in the AL East. It will be a surprise if the Jays finish anywhere but last.

Coming Friday: Orioles preview.

Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.

Northwestern DE Corey Wootton: ‘I showed I could move around well without the brace’

Published on: 30th March, 2010

Northwestern DE Corey Wootton: 'I showed I could move around well without the brace'  | read this item

Minnesota Twins 2010 preview

Published on: 30th March, 2010

Minnesota Twins 2010 preview  | read this item

Once mentioned as a contraction candidate, Minnesota will christen its new outdoor Target Field on April 12 and will boast a payroll that suddenly ranks nowhere near the small-market range. However, the new ballpark won’t include a money tree in the outfield. As a result, a cloud will hang over the franchise until it can lock up catcher Joe Mauer to a long-term deal. Mauer is signed through this season, however, and that is just one reason the Twins are primed to repeat as AL Central champions. (UPDATE: The Twins and Mauer agreed to an eight-year, $184 million extension earlier this month.)

Three questions

1. How will the new park affect the team?
Say what you will about the aesthetics of the Metrodome, but you could count on temperatures in the low 70s and a zero percent chance of a rainout/snowout. And it provided quite a home-field advantage; Minnesota’s 393 home wins since 2002 rank behind only the Yankees’ and Red Sox’s totals. Target Field figures to be a challenging place to play early and late in the season when the temperatures hover around/below freezing.

The Twins, with largely the same pitching staff as in 2009, went 55-40 with a 4.35 ERA indoors last season but 32-36 with a 4.72 ERA outdoors. Offensively, they hit 1.01 homers per game in 68 outdoor games and 1.08 homers per game in 95 indoor games. However, the ball doesn’t figure to travel well in the frigid outdoor air.

Does Francisco Liriano have any of the 2006 magic left in him?

2. Is Francisco Liriano back?
The majority of the chatter in Minnesota revolves around whether Mauer will be back in 2011, but a bigger question for this season is whether the 2006 Liriano will reappear. That season, Liriano went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA and 10.7 K/9 ratio in 28 games (16 starts) and showed the promise of a future ace. Then came Tommy John surgery. In 2009, his first full season back from the procedure, Liriano went 5-13 with a 5.80 ERA and lost his rotation spot.

But just as the organization began to doubt Liriano’s ability to recapture his dominant form, he put on a clinic in winter ball. His velocity returned, along with his confidence. Because of the Twins’ rotation depth, they will take things slowly with Liriano in hopes of jump-starting a once-promising career.

3. Is this bullpen an elite unit?
Twins relievers posted a 3.87 ERA last season, good enough for fourth in the AL and 12th in the majors. However, closer Joe Nathan struggled late in the season and in the ALDS and had offseason surgery to remove bone spurs from his pitching elbow. Setup man Jesse Crain was less than a year removed from shoulder surgery, and late-inning reliever Pat Neshek missed the entire season after Tommy John surgery. Nathan, Crain and Neshek are healthy, and late-season acquisition Jon Rauch will be with the team all season after posting a 1.72 ERA in 17 games with Minnesota in 2009.

"He knows how to pitch, has a good breaking ball. You look at him and think he’s going to be one of these power guys, but he’s at 91, 92, which is plenty enough velocity," manager Ron Gardenhire said about Rauch. "He’s a good finesse guy, a guy who can locate the ball, another guy who can (get) us to our closer."

(UPDATE: Nathan tore an elbow ligament in spring training and underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery. Barring a trade, the Twins will begin the season with a closer-by-committee.)

Projected lineup
1. CF Denard Span: .390 OBP, 17 triples past 2 seasons.
2. 2B Orlando Hudson: Career-worst 99 K’s in ‘09 with Dodgers.
3. C Joe Mauer: .444 OBP led MLB; 1.031 OPS led AL
4. 1B Justin Morneau: Averaged 30 HRs, 118 RBIs since ‘06.
5. RF Michael Cuddyer: Career-best 32 HRs last season.
6. DH Jason Kubel: First 100-RBI season in ‘09.
7. LF Delmon Young: .266 AVG before break; .300 after.
8. SS J.J. Hardy: Hit .169 vs. LHP in ‘09.
9. 3B Brendan Harris: .311 AVG at home; .207 on road in ‘09.

Projected rotation
1. RHP Scott Baker: 1.08 WHIP at home; 1.30 on road in ‘09.
2. RHP Carl Pavano: 5-4, 4.64 ERA after trade to Twins.
3. RHP Nick Blackburn: ‘08: 11-11, 4.05 ERA; ‘09: 11-11, 4.03.
4. RHP Kevin Slowey: 10-3 before wrist surgery.
5. LHP Francisco Liriano: 5.93 ERA as SP in ‘09; 3.52 as RP.

PROJECTED CLOSER
RHP Joe Nathan: Career-high 47 saves last season. Jon Rauch: The likely committee chairman.

Related Links

• Fantasy Source Twins preview
• More previews: Find your team
• Twins team page
• Sporting News baseball yearbook

Grades

Offense: A. Mauer, the defending AL MVP and batting champion, and Morneau, the 2006 AL MVP, form one of the majors’ best 1-2 offensive punches. Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel also have 30-homer capability, and Minnesota finished fifth in the majors in runs in 2009. Orlando Hudson is ideal fit in the 2-hole, and fellow newcomer J.J. Hardy could provide pop from the bottom of the order.

Pitching: B. The Twins finished 23rd in the majors in ERA last season, thanks in large part to the starters’ 4.84 ERA (26th). However, the return to health in the bullpen and the potential for Liriano to rebound as a starter bump up this grade. (UPDATE: This grade was handed out before Nathan’s injury.)

Bench: B. Few teams have the luxury of calling upon a pinch hitter with 564 career homers. But the Twins have that late-inning option with Jim Thome. Nick Punto will compete for the starting job at third but will be more valuable as a reserve infielder. Minnesota lost outfield depth by trading Carlos Gomez to Milwaukee.

Manager: A. In eight seasons at the helm, Gardenhire has had one losing record (79-83 in 2007). He was brilliant while working with a small-budget squad, so expect even better things with arguably the best collection of talent with which he has had to work.

Sporting News prediction: It won’t be easy — and might take another one-game playoff — but Minnesota will be the first AL Central champion to repeat since … the 2003-04 Twins. (UPDATE: This prediction was made prior to Nathan’s injury.)

Coming Tuesday: Tigers preview.

Chris Bahr is a senior editor for Sporting News. E-mail him at cbahr@sportingnews.com.

New York Yankees 2010 season preview

Published on: 30th March, 2010

New York Yankees 2010 season preview  | read this item

Joe Girardi wore No. 27 last season and the Yankees won their 27th World Series. This season, he is sporting No. 28. Next year, no one will be surprised if he asks backup catcher Francisco Cervelli to give up his No. 29. The Yankees are primed to become the first team to repeat since, well, the Yankees completed a three-peat 10 years ago. "They’re the team to beat once again," Rays manager Joe Maddon says.

Javier Vazquez looks like an upgrade for the Yankees’ pitching staff.

Three questions

1. Are the Yankees better than last season?
They don’t need to be to repeat. On paper, however, they should be slightly improved because of the addition of righthander Javier Vazquez. His numbers with the Braves last season were better than any of the Yankees’ starters. The offense will be younger with center fielder Curtis Granderson, DH Nick Johnson and left fielder Brett Gardner replacing Melky Cabrera, Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon. Being younger doesn’t mean the offense will be better, but as long as the hitters with the eight-figure salaries — Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada — don’t suffer drastic drop-offs, the Yankees’ offense should be as dangerous as a year ago.

2. Who’s in left?
The leading contender to replace Damon is Gardner, who is faster and superior defensively but doesn’t have Damon’s power. Gardner will have competition, however, from Randy Winn, Marcus Thames and Jamie Hoffmann, the first pick in the Rule 5 draft. Winn, 35, signed a discount deal after enduring his worst season (.318 OBP, two homers in 538 at-bats) with the Giants. Thames, who was signed to a minor league deal, has the power the other candidates lack (13 homers in 258 at-bats with Detroit last year). Hoffmann, 25, hit .283/.355/.401 in five minor league seasons in the Dodgers’ system. (UPDATE: Gardner is the man in left. Also, the Yankees shipped Hoffmann back to the Dodgers after he cleared waivers.)

"Gardner is a young player trying to establish himself in the game who’s got well above average defensive ability," says Yankees general manager Cashman, before addressing another possibility. "He’s, we think, one of the best center fielders in the game. There are a lot of different ways we can go, including being open-minded to having Gardner in center and Granderson in left. We’ll have to see how it shakes out."

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman would like to see the homegrown Gardner win the job. "Gardner is a young player trying to establish himself in the game who’s got well above average defensive ability," says Cashman, before addressing another possibility. "He’s, we think, one of the best center fielders in the game. There are a lot of different ways we can go, including being open-minded to having Gardner in center and Granderson in left. We’ll have to see how it shakes out."

3. Joba or Hughes for the fifth spot?
Talent evaluators from other clubs believe Phil Hughes is better suited to start than Joba Chamberlain. Chamberlain is best when he can go all-out one trip through the lineup; his fastball velocity was noticeably diminished last season when he started. As obvious as the decision seems, what were the Yankees thinking last season when they started Chamberlain but severely limited his pitch counts? That was like having a reliever start the game.

Perhaps because the bullpen solidified when Hughes took over the eighth-inning role, the Yankees stayed the course before adding Chamberlain to the bullpen for the playoffs. Both guys say they want to start in 2010. (UPDATE: Hughes beat out Chamberlain for the rotation spot; Joba returned to a setup role.)

Projected lineup

1. SS Derek Jeter: 107 runs, AL-best 289 times on base.
2. DH Nick Johnson: Career-best .426 OBP for Nats, Marlins.
3. 1B Mark Teixeira: Led club with 39 HRs, 122 RBIs, .948 OPS.
4. 3B Alex Rodriguez: 12th straight 30-HR, 100-RBI season (despite missing 38 games).
5. C Jorge Posada: .891 OPS was second-best among catchers.
6. CF Curtis Granderson: Newcomer hit 30 HRs for first time.
7. 2B Robinson Cano: Led second basemen with .320 AVG, .520 SLG.
8. RF Nick Swisher: Would clean up for some teams (29 HRs, .371 OBP).
9. LF Brett Gardner: Must Beat out Randy Winn, Marcus Thames.

Projected rotation

1. LHP CC Sabathia: Typical dominance (19-8, 3.37 ERA, 230 IP).
2. RHP A.J. Burnett: 1.40 WHIP was his highest since 2003.
3. LHP Andy Pettitte: Best during the postseason: 4-0, 3.52 ERA.
4. RHP Javier Vazquez: Had more IPs, Ks and lower ERA than Sabathia.
5. RHP Phil Hughes: His maturity gives him the edge over Joba.

Projected closer

RHP Mariano Rivera: At 40, still the best in the business.

GRADES

Offense: A. The Yankees were the only team to score more than 900 runs last season, their .362 on-base percentage led the majors by 10 points and their 244 homers were 20 more than the Phillies. Even if the newcomers can’t match the departed, the mainstays are back. And New York will have A-Rod for the entire season.

Pitching: A. They lack the Red Sox’s depth, but any club with the best closer and one of the top starters deserves a high mark. Vazquez gives the rotation a third pitcher capable of 200-plus innings after Sabathia and Burnett. Chamberlain will fit nicely into the eighth-inning role.

Bench: C. This is where the Yankees typically save payroll, and they can because they have six regulars who figure to play at least 150 games. The outfield is deep but, to nitpick, the club could use an upgrade over Ramiro Pena at utility infielder.

Manager: B. Until he started making defensive changes in the middle of an inning during the playoffs, Girardi didn’t over-manage as much in 2009. After winning a championship, he should be even more relaxed in his third season as the Yankees’ skipper.

Sporting News prediction: Money can’t buy a championship, but having the highest-paid players at six positions (third, shortstop, first, catcher, starting pitcher and closer) remains reason No. 1 the Yankees will repeat.

COMING TUESDAY: Red Sox preview.

Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.

Donovan McNabb has a baker’s dozen of possible destinations

Published on: 29th March, 2010

Donovan McNabb has a baker's dozen of possible destinations   | read this item

Assuming the Eagles trade quarterback Donovan McNabb — and their silence in the face of rampant rumors suggests they eventually will — he has more than a few potential new homes. Though only a handful have been mentioned, the Eagles reportedly are talking to teams that want their interest not to be disclosed, given they already have guys on the roster who think they’ll be the starting quarterback in their current cities when the 2010 season commences.

There’s a long list of possible destinations for Donovan McNabb.

So let’s take a look at where McNabb might land, if/when he indeed is traded.

Buffalo

The Bills have a trio of second-tier quarterbacks, and they are one of only two teams who have been linked to McNabb that have not denied it.

Some think that owner Ralph Wilson won’t pay McNabb’s eight-figure salary for 2011 or give him an extension that might approach nine figures. But if the Bills are serious about becoming a contender in this quarterback’s league, they need an elite quarterback.

The bonus for the rest of us? One game per year in Miami. Which is located in Florida. Which is the state where Donovan has a habit of losing his lunch during games.

Cleveland

Sure, the Browns have guaranteed $7 million to quarterback Jake Delhomme in 2010. But what’s $7 million to a franchise that has been handing out buyouts like comedy show fliers in Times Square?

McNabb would instantly make a franchise nudging toward legitimacy fully and completely legitimate, thrusting them into contention in the highly-competitive AFC North.

Thus, if he Browns are serious about improving, they need to be serious about getting McNabb — even if they already have Delhomme.

Pittsburgh

Though it’s still way too early in the Ben Roethlisberger case to justify serious considerations of trading for McNabb, the Steelers need to be considering their alternatives — and McNabb could be the best one available.

It’s highly unlikely that the Steelers would pursue McNabb absent the filing of charges against Roethlisberger. If, however, Ben does a perp walk before McNabb is moved, the Steelers need to run to the phones and see what it would take to get him.

Jacksonville

Coach Jack Del Rio has suggested that David Garrard isn’t an elite quarterback. McNabb clearly is.

Amid the fading chatter of the Jaguars taking a chance on Tim Tebow, the fact remains that they need short-term help in the hopes of securing long-term future in Jacksonville.

So why not McNabb? If the Jaguars are serious about getting better, McNabb gives them their best shot.

Denver

Why should the Broncos be pursuing McNabb? We can think of two reasons.

Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn.

Though it would make the team better, trading for a franchise quarterback a year after trading one away would look a little odd, but if they can get McNabb for far less than the two first-round picks that the Bears coughed up for Jay Cutler, the Broncos could hold their heads high, for a change.

Oakland

The mere fact that the Raiders have been linked to McNabb and haven’t had John Herrera issue a statement applying "false rumor monger" to anyone who has reported on this possibility is all the proof we need that they’ve concluded that their investment in JaMarcus Russell was a major blunder.

Getting McNabb could help get them out of their mess. The team has talent; it just needs a leader on the offensive side of the ball. McNabb would be that leader — and he could help turn around a team that has struggled since 2002, a season in which both the Raiders and McNabb’s Eagles fell to the eventual champs from Tampa.

Washington

The Redskins need a long-term answer at quarterback, but the Eagles aren’t likely to hand McNabb to a division rival.

That said, the Eagles haven’t been bashful about doing deals with division foes. Indeed, they moved out of round one in 2007 and used a pick at the top of round two to get Kevin Kolb in a deal with Dallas.

Still, it’s one thing to swap picks with the Cowboys; it’s quite another to hand a franchise quarterback over to an archrival, especially when said franchise quarterback knows the ins and outs of his former franchise.

Minnesota

The Vikings would likely prefer that McNabb stay put for one more year. Then, they can sign him after Favre makes one last run at a walk-off Super Bowl win.

But if the market for McNabb is softer than previously believed, the Vikings would be wise to at least explore the possibility of securing a quarterback who would help the team for multiple years beyond 2010.

The fact that McNabb and Brad Childress have an extensive history in Philly could make Childress take a little more seriously the possibility of McNabb being the 2010 version of Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay — and Favre being the 2010 version of, well, Brett Favre.

Carolina

The Panthers have jettisoned Delhomme, and they’ve made Matt Moore the starter.

Who?

Exactly.

The problem is that a lame-duck coach and a lame-duck GM. likely can’t get ownership’s approval to make a deal for a quarterback the next regime might want.

Arizona

The Cardinals say they’re not interested in McNabb. Well, they should be.

With McNabb, they’d remain contenders in a watered-down NFC West. Without him, they’ll struggle to tread water — and they’ll end up wishing they had made the move. Especially if he ends up with another team in the division.

St. Louis

The Rams had been linked to Eagles quarterback Mike Vick. Rumors that they might make a play for another Eagles quarterback heated up last week, only to be shot down by the powers-that-be.

The Rams apparently not wanting McNabb makes it more clear that they’ll find their quarterback in the draft, presumably at the top.

While that likely will make Sam Bradford happy, it provides the Eagles with one less viable suitor for McNabb’s services.

San Francisco The 49ers have been trying to prop up and dust off the first pick in the 2005 draft, and they’ll continue that effort in 2010, as Alex Smith returns as the starter.

Though Smith hasn’t been terrible, McNabb could help push the team to the top of the division. Presumably, the 49ers hope to return to the top of the division.

If they did, they’d send one of their first-round picks to Philly for the guy who instantly would be their best quarterback since Steve Young.

Seattle

The Seahawks have been flirting with making a big splash in the 2010 offseason, but they have consistently stopped short of pulling the trigger.

McNabb would allow them to shake up the division.

The Seahawks could also give Philly something no one else can — a backup quarterback who is schooled in the West Coast offense. Then again, the Eagles could balk at Matt Hasselbeck as part of the offer, given that Hasselbeck could be cut, which would give the Eagles a free and clear shot at him.

Either way, getting McNabb would be precisely the kind of splash that the Seahawks are looking to make.

Mike Florio writes and edits ProFootballTalk.com and is a regular contributor to Sporting News. Check out PFT for up-to-the minute NFL news.

X-factors: These non-stars will be key in MLB division races

Published on: 29th March, 2010

X-factors: These non-stars will be key in MLB division races  | read this item

You can call them X-factors, wild cards or catalysts. The name doesn’t matter. What does is their performance. Whether filling in for the injured or stepping into new situations, such players can figure into a team’s success as much as the superstars.

A look at six such players, one per division:

The Red Sox signed Mike Cameron to a two-year contract.

AL East

Mike Cameron, Red Sox

Instead of bringing back Jason Bay on a long-term deal, the Red Sox signed Cameron for two years. The change is expected to mean a drop in home runs — Bay led Boston with 36 last year — and an upgrade on defense. The Red Sox like Cameron’s glove work so much they are moving the younger and faster Jacoby Ellsbury to left field to allow Cameron to man center. With one of baseball’s best pitching staffs, the move should work as long as Cameron doesn’t begin to show his age. At 37, he’s the oldest center fielder in the majors.

AL Central

Jon Rauch, Twins

This was shaping up to be a splendid summer in Minnesota until Joe Nathan blew out his elbow and was lost for the season. Instead of turning to leads over to one of the game’s best closers, Ron Gardenhire now says he will use a closer-by-committee approach — another way of saying he doesn’t really have a bonafide closer. Rauch is the committee member with the most closing experience. He will share opportunities with Matt Guerrier, Jesse Crain and lefty Jose Mijares.

The M’s hope Milton Bradley will help improve their offense.

AL West

Milton Bradley, Mariners
Who’s bothered that Bradley flamed out in Chicago and already has stirred his share of controversy in Seattle? Not Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu.

After all the strides the Mariners have made in the past year behind pitching and defense, they must improve their offense to truly challenge the Angels. Wakamatsu could have reduced the spotlight on Bradley by putting him in the lower half of the order. Instead, Wakamatsu seriously is considering Bradley as the cleanup hitter in a lineup that will rely on the middle of the order to drive in All-Star table-setters Ichiro Suzuki and Chone Figgins.

Bradley seems ready for the challenge. He says his legs are stronger than they have been in years and though he has popped off about his failed season in Chicago, he is fitting in with his new teammates. Bradley even has pulled one over on the Mariners’ No. 1 jokester, Ken Griffey Jr., by placing a bottle of hair coloring in the greybeard’s locker. "I bought it for myself," Bradley said in an interview. "I noticed he had a little gray in the chin so I figured it would be a good little joke so I put this Just For Men in his locker and he took it and used it."

NL East

Troy Glaus, Braves
The team with the best chance to stop the Phillies from winning their fourth consecutive division title is Atlanta, which would like nothing more than to send Bobby Cox into retirement with a trip to the playoffs.

The Braves have a deep rotation and a retooled bullpen but the offense needs a lift in the power department. While 20-year-old Jason Heyward has hogged the attention this spring, he is a rookie who never has played in a big-league game. The Braves are counting on Glaus to produce in the five-hole behind Chipper Jones and Brian McCann. Glaus missed most of last season because of shoulder surgery and signed a bargain one-year deal to play first.

"No limitations on what I can do, or what I did in the offseason," Glaus said. "I really was healthy at the end of last season."

The Brewers plan to use Randy Wolf as their No. 2 starter.

NL Central

Randy Wolf, Brewers
Milwaukee led this division in runs, homers and OBP last season but finished 11 games out mainly because of the NL’s worst rotation. Enter Wolf, who was signed a three-year deal after posting a 3.32 ERA in 34 starts with the Dodgers. He assumes the No. 2 spot behind Yovani Gallardo, who at 24 could be headed for a breakout year under new pitching coach Rick Peterson.

NL West

Franklin Morales, Rockies
A healthy Huston Street at closer would make picking the Rockies ahead of the Dodgers an easy decision. But a shoulder problem is jeopardizing Street’s season and, perhaps, the Rockies’ best chance of winning their first division title. Street reported stiffness after playing catch over the weekend and is expected to start the season on the disabled list.

Without Street, the Rockies figure to turn to the lefty Morales, who went 7-for-7 in save chances last September when Street was unavailable. Morales, however, spent 2 1-2 months on the disabled list last season with his own shoulder injury. The Rockies’ top setup man, Rafael Betancourt, also has suffered arm woes this spring.

Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.

QB Sam Bradford proves worthy of draft’s top pick

Published on: 29th March, 2010

QB Sam Bradford proves worthy of draft's top pick  | read this item

Sam Bradford is No. 1. Or at least he should be.

Based off his workout Monday in Norman, Okla., there is nothing left for Bradford to prove. Rams officials will wait until the quarterback’s private workout in St. Louis on April 19 before locking in its decision with the No. 1-overall pick, but Bradford is healthy and no doubt has all the physical tools to be a good NFL quarterback.

Many quarterbacks with good tools look great in organized workouts such as Bradford’s on Monday, so it’s important to always go back to the film on such prospects. And Bradford’s game film leaves no doubt he is an elite prospect.

In Monday’s workout, Bradford showed the same quick and compact throwing motion he did before his shoulder injury so it seems as though the injury and rehab did not alter his throwing motion.

He dropped back from center on nearly every pass attempt but did take a few shotgun snaps. He showed quick footwork while dropping back and looked quick and comfortable planting his back foot and driving into throws. He displayed a strong arm throughout the workout and showed the ability to make all the NFL throws with zip.

He was accurate throughout the workout, although two passes were slightly behind the receiver but were caught with only slight route adjustments. His passes had a tight spiral, and he displayed good touch on deep passes along the sideline. He put good air under passes with just enough zip, leading receivers perfectly so they didn’t have to slow down to catch deep balls.

He was able to show off his arm strength when he threw a nice pass deep down the middle of the field that traveled more than 65 yards in the air. He looked athletic on rollouts and made strong and accurate throws on the move.

Other than the shoulder injury, the only unanswered question had been arm strength. After Monday’s workout, all questions have been answered.

Former NFL scout Russ Lande evaluates college players for Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room and GM Jr. Scouting LLC.

Fly’s rumorama: Joba Chamberlain, Erin Andrews, Tracy McGrady, Amare Stoudemire, Kurt Warner, “Slap Shot”

Published on: 29th March, 2010

Fly’s rumorama: Joba Chamberlain, Erin Andrews, Tracy McGrady, Amare Stoudemire, Kurt Warner, “Slap Shot”  | read this item

TV: Will Erin Andrews become a free agent? If ESPN re-signs her, she says she’s hoping to work the NCAA Tournament should ESPN secure those rights. And she wants to keep doing college hoops and grid coverage for the network. But her contract’s up in July, and she wouldn’t tell USA Today whether she’s talking to other networks, referring that question to her agent.

MLB: The discussion on whether Joba Chamberlain is a reliever or a starter who does fine in a relief role doesn’t seem to be settled in Yankeeville. The team’s top scout and G.M., while deferring to each other, have differing thoughts. While Brian Cashman sees Joba as a "starter who can relieve," the scout says he doesn’t see Chamberlain cracking the rotation in 2011.

NBA: Seems kinda weird that Amare Stoudemire would hold a grudge against Tracy McGrady all the way back from his high school days. In any case, McGrady tells the New York Post that Stoudemire’s claim that T-Mac blew him off when he asked about making the jump to the NBA is "childish" and says he did speak to the young Amare.

NFL: You all know the story of Kurt Warner: grocery clerk turned Super Bowl champion. It appears Hollywood would like to tell that story on the silver screen. Scribe Bernie Miklasz proposes that Jon Hamm, Jim Caviezel or Josh Brolin should play the role of Warner, with Hilary Swank playing Brenda Warner.

ECHL: The Johnstown Chiefs, made famous as the Charlestown Chiefs in "Slap Shot," are leaving Johnstown, Pa., for Greenville, S.C. Owner Neil Smith says, "I’ve been committed to keeping the team here. We tried and tried and tried. But it’s not like this was about to turn around."

« Previous Page — Next Page »