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Spring Training Buzzword: CHANGE

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By CARTER GADDIS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 13, 2008

As pitchers and catchers prepare to report to major-league camps this week, some teams already know they will have a difficult time competing for the playoffs. For others, anything less than a postseason berth would be a disappointment.

All these teams have two things in common, though. Each underwent some measure of change during the offseason, and that change has led to questions coming into spring training.

Here's a team-by-team look at the most important offseason changes and the most important questions to be answered in Florida or Arizona (or in China, if you're the Dodgers and Padres; or in Japan, if you're the Red Sox and Athletics):

AMERICAN LEAGUE

East

Baltimore Orioles

2007 record (finish): 69-93 (fourth)

Big change: Ace LHP Erik Bedard was traded to the Mariners, and All-Star SS Miguel Tejada was traded to the Astros, a pair of deals that signaled Baltimore's willingness to take a step backward this year if it means a more prosperous future.

Big question: Is RHP Jeremy Guthrie, LHP Adam Loewen or RHP Daniel Cabrera ready to step up and lead the starting rotation?

Boston Red Sox

2007 record (finish): 96-66 (first, World Series champions)

Big change: After failing to trade for Twins LHP Johan Santana, Boston essentially stood pat. But then came news of RHP Curt Schilling's ailing right shoulder, and the defending champs suddenly found themselves without one of their veteran workhorses.

Big question: Is RHP Clay Buchholz ready to assume a starter's role in the majors, or will it be another year of RHP Julian Tavarez masquerading as a starter?

New York Yankees

2007 record (finish): 94-68 (second, AL wild card)

Big change: Manager Joe Torre is gone, replaced by 2006 NL Manager of the Year Joe Girardi, formerly of the Marlins.

Big question: Girardi was brilliant in his single season managing a young team in Florida. How will his style play with the veterans in the Bronx?

Tampa Bay Rays

2007 record (finish): 66-96 (fifth)

Big change: RHP Matt Garza and SS Jason Bartlett were acquired for OF Delmon Young and IF Brendan Harris.

Big question: Can OF Rocco Baldelli overcome the injuries that have haunted him since shortly after the 2004 season and become a productive major-leaguer again?

Toronto Blue Jays

2007 record (finish): 83-79 (third)

Big change: The left side of the infield, SS David Eckstein and 3B Scott Rolen, made the move north from St. Louis.

Big question: Has closer LHP B.J. Ryan recovered well enough from Tommy John surgery nine months ago to be ready by Opening Day?

Central

Chicago White Sox

2007 record (finish): 72-90 (fourth)

Big change: Traded RHP Jon Garland to the Angels for SS Orlando Cabrera.

Big question: Was RHP Jose Contreras' 5.57 ERA in 32 appearances (30 starts) an aberration, or was it a sign that his effectiveness is at an end?

Cleveland Indians

2007 record (finish): 96-66 (first)

Big change: RHP Masahide Kobayashi was signed from the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan to aid an already good bullpen.

Big question: Can LHP Cliff Lee, a former Cy Young contender who won't turn 30 until August, return to prominence as a viable part of the rotation?

Detroit Tigers

2007 record (finish): 88-74 (second)

Big change: LHP Dontrelle Willis and 3B Miguel Cabrera were acquired from Florida in a trade for prospects, and SS Edgar Renteria was acquired from the Braves in a trade for prospects.

Big question: In a lineup loaded with All-Stars, what becomes of former starting 3B Brandon Inge, who will be asked to fill a utility role?

Kansas City Royals

2007 record (finish): 69-93 (fifth)

Big change: Signed vagabond OF and RBI machine Jose Guillen to a three-year contract.

Big question: Is RHP Zack Greinke ready to resume the upward course of his career after taking a tentative step forward last season in the wake of his emotional issues of 2006?

Minnesota Twins

2007 record (finish): 79-83 (third)

Big change: Lost OF Torii Hunter to the Angels through free agency and traded LHP Johan Santana to the Mets for prospects.

Big question: After missing all of 2007 following Tommy John surgery, can LHP Francisco Liriano be as dominant as he was as a rookie in 2006?

West

L.A. Angels

2007 record (finish): 94-68 (first)

Big change: Signed OF Torii Hunter and traded SS Orlando Cabrera to the White Sox for RHP Jon Garland.

Big question: Is SS Erick Aybar ready to take over every day with the loss of Cabrera?

Oakland Athletics

2007 record (finish): 76-86 (third)

Big change: Traded RHP and AL All-Star starter Dan Haren to the Diamondbacks for prospects.

Big question: Assuming RHP Joe Blanton isn't traded before Opening Day, is he prepared to take Haren's place as staff leader?

Seattle Mariners

2007 record (finish): 88-74 (second)

Big change: Acquired LHP Erik Bedard in a trade from Baltimore.

Big question: Can the retooled rotation (including former Twins RHP Carlos Silva) come out of the spring ready to give Seattle the good April it needs?

Texas Rangers

2007 record (finish): 75-87 (fourth)

Big change: Acquired former Rays OF Josh Hamilton in a trade with the Reds for prospects.

Big question: After a promising, yet injury-shortened, rookie season, can Hamilton continue to control his demons while stepping in as the everyday CF and cleanup batter?

NATIONAL LEAGUE

East

Atlanta Braves

2007 record (finish): 84-78 (third)

Big change: Brought back long-time Braves starter and short-time Mets LHP Tom Glavine through free agency.

Big question: Can LHP Mike Hampton be effective after missing all of 2006 and '07 with arm injuries?

Florida Marlins

2007 record (finish): 71-91 (fifth)

Big change: Traded LHP Dontrelle Willis and 3B Miguel Cabrera to Detroit for prospects.

Big question: Will the (nearly complete) new stadium deal announced Saturday by team president David Samson be completed by Opening Day?

New York Mets

2007 record (finish): 88-74 (second)

Big change: Traded for former Twins LHP and perennial Cy Young candidate Johan Santana.

Big question: Can RHP Pedro Martinez, who was limited to five starts in 2007, stay healthy enough to join Santana as the best one-two rotation punch in the game?

Philadelphia Phillies

2007 record (finish): 89-73 (first)

Big change: Acquired closer RHP Brad Lidge from the Astros in a trade.

Big question: Can Lidge regain the form that made him one of the most dominant closers in the NL before the 2005 playoffs against Albert Pujols and the Cardinals?

Washington Nationals

2007 record (finish): 73-89 (fourth)

Big change: Acquired Mets OF Lastings Milledge and Rays OF Elijah Dukes in separate trades.

Big question: Can Manager Manny Acta keep problem children Milledge and Dukes in line well enough to tap into their immense talent?

Central

Chicago Cubs

2007 record (finish): 85-77 (first)

Big change: Signed Japanese RF Kosuke Fukudome to a four-year contract.

Big question: With RHP Ryan Dempster moving into the starting rotation, will veteran RHP Bob Howry, RHP Carlos Marmol or the ubiquitous Kerry Wood emerge as the closer on Opening Day?

Cincinnati Reds

2007 record (finish): 72-90 (fifth)

Big change: Signed closer RHP Francisco Cordero away from the Brewers through free agency.

Big question: Can 20-year-old CF Jay Bruce make the transition from the minor-league All-Star to major-leaguer on Opening Day?

Houston Astros

2007 record (finish): 73-89 (fourth)

Big change: Acquired SS Miguel Tejada in a trade from Baltimore.

Big question: Can closer RHP Jose Valverde, acquired in a trade from the Diamondbacks, repeat his breakthrough, 47-save performance of '07 for Houston?

Milwaukee Brewers

2007 record (finish): 83-79 (second)

Big change: Signed closer RHP Eric Gagne to a one-year free-agent contract.

Big question: Can 2006 All-Star RHP Chris Capuano (5-12, 5.10 ERA in '07) earn a spot in the rotation?

Pittsburgh Pirates

2007 record (finish): 68-94 (sixth)

Big change: 2006 International League Manager of the Year John Russell was hired to manage the Pirates after Jim Tracy was fired.

Big question: After an injury-shortened 2007, can one-time ace LHP Zach Duke put together a strong enough spring to again be considered a major factor in the rotation?

St. Louis Cardinals

2007 record (finish): 78-84 (third)

Big change: Goodbye SS David Eckstein and 3B Scott Rolen; hello SS Cesar Izturis and 3B Troy Glaus.

Big question: After a late-season revelation of past HGH use, can OF Rick Ankiel again be the slugging threat he was for 47 games last season?

West

Arizona Diamondbacks

2007 record (finish): 90-72 (first)

Big change: Acquired 2007 AL All-Star starter Dan Haren from the Oakland A's in a trade for prospects.

Big question: Can LHP Randy Johnson overcome the back problems that plagued him throughout 2007?

Colorado Rockies

2007 record (finish): 90-73 (second, NL wild card)

Big change: Lost 2B Kaz Matsui through free agency to the Astros.

Big question: Is RHP Aaron Cook, who missed time in 2007 with an oblique strain, ready to shoulder a full load in the rotation?

L.A. Dodgers

2007 record (finish): 82-80 (fourth)

Big change: Relieved manager Grady Little of his duties and replaced him with long-time Yankees manager Joe Torre.

Big question: Will RHP Jason Schmidt (shoulder) make it through spring training healthy enough to contribute in April?

San Diego Padres

2007 record (finish): 89-74 (third)

Big change: Acquired CF Jim Edmonds from the Cardinals in a trade after allowing Mike Cameron to depart for Milwaukee through free agency.

Big question: Can newly acquired LHP Randy Wolf (from the Dodgers) and RHP Mark Prior (from the Cubs) bounce back from injuries?

San Francisco Giants

2007 record (finish): 71-91 (fifth)

Big change: The home run chase is done, and LF Barry Bonds no longer is part of the San Fran plan.

Big question: With Bonds gone, how will Manager Bruce Bochy squeeze runs out of a lineup that projects to have OF Randy Winn batting third and C Bengie Molina batting fourth?

AMERICAN LEAGUE

NATIONAL LEAGUE

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