Reds officials cautioned their core players to avoid reckless play in Grapefruit League games, and the lethargic performance by CF Ken Griffey is partly the byproduct of those instructions. One executive, however, is alarmed by Griffey's attempt to pull every pitch rather than hit to all fields. "He's going to have to make adjustments," the executive says. "He can't do the things he did when he was younger." . . .
Scouts watching the Cubs say SS Alex Gonzalez looks slower in the field than he did last season. Gonzalez, a sure-handed defender, never has displayed superior range, but if his loss of a half-step carries over to the regular season, it could create a problem -- especially if Todd Walker, a player with limited range, is at second base. Cubs officials say they see no noticeable drop-off in Gonzalez's agility. . . .
Pirates owner Kevin McClatchy declines to confirm industry speculation that G.M. Dave Littlefield is on the verge of receiving a contract extension, but it certainly sounds as if Littlefield is in good standing. "Dave has done a very good job if you look at where our minor league system was prior to his coming on board and where we've gone," McClatchy says. McClatchy also praises Littlefield's free-agent signings last season, but others question his trades and roster decisions. Littlefield, who took over on July 13, 2001, received a minimal return for 3B Aramis Ramirez and CF Kenny Lofton last summer and lost a quality reliever in each of the previous two springs, trading LHP Damaso Marte in 2002 and releasing RHP Matt Herges in '03. . . .
One criticism of the Indians' rebuilding program is that none of the team's young hitters is a future Manny Ramirez or Albert Belle. "We know we don't have those guys," G.M. Mark Shapiro says. "We're trying to build tough outs up and down the lineup, like the Yankees of the late 1990s or the Seattle team that won 116 games. We eventually might have six or seven guys hit 20 to 30 home runs, not three who hit 30 to 40." . . .
Red Sox president Larry Lucchino, a driving force in the construction of both Baltimore's Camden Yards and San Diego's Petco Park, says Petco "is a ballpark like none other. It's distinct. It's not Camden Yards West. It's got a chance to advance the state of the art." . . .
The Marlins, Brewers and Twins were among the teams that wanted RHP Chris Reitsma before the Reds traded him to the Braves for LHP Jung Bong and RHP Bubba Nelson. The Braves balked when the Reds asked for Bong, 23, in a potential deal for Reitsma at last year's trade deadline and also were high on Nelson, 22, before he struggled in spring training. . . .
Reserve OF Timo Perez should be a positive addition for the White Sox, but second base still looks like a problem. One scout observes that neither Willie Harris nor Juan Uribe is as good as Royals IF Tony Graffanino, who left the Sox as a free agent, or Rockies 2B Aaron Miles, whom the Sox traded for Uribe. . . .
Good news for the Rangers: RHP Chan Ho Park is throwing 93 mph and might be on the verge of a comeback season. "This is the best he has thrown in three or four years," one scout says. "His arm is a lot quicker and freer, and his delivery is better. He might be a nice boost for them." . . .
Marlins RHP Chad Fox on the difficulty of surviving three rounds in the postseason: "Mentally and physically, you're just beat up. You just feel like you can't go another day. When we won Game 6 (of the World Series), I was like, 'Thank you.' Even though you're not pitching every day, you're mentally so focused, so drained. I felt like I pitched even on the days I didn't." . . .
A scout says of Angels 3B Troy Glaus, "His swing is very long. I think he's one guy who's going to decline quickly. His bat looks as slow as it was last year." The same scout says Darin Erstad won't necessarily be healthier at first base than he was in center field. Erstad could reinjure his hamstrings stretching for throws if his legs are not loose. "He hits with his legs," the scout says. "When he was having hamstring problems and knee problems, it affected his balance and his ability to shift his weight." . . .
The A's already suspect offense could suffer with the loss of 2B Mark Ellis, who is out six to eight weeks with a dislocated right shoulder. Ellis is one of the few hitters in the A's lineup who is effective at making contact, using the whole field and executing the hit-and-run. The good news for the A's is that their rotation might be better than ever with the addition of LHP Mark Redman. The bullpen also looks deep if LHP Arthur Rhodes can close. . . .
Red Sox officials caution against getting carried away with OF Gabe Kapler's play at third base, but one scout says, "He's making every play you want to see him make. It's blowing me away." Kapler, 28, last played third in 1996 at Class A. His athleticism will make him a viable alternative when 3B Bill Mueller needs a break in the regular season. . . .
Twins RHP Rick Helling will be out a month with a broken leg, but the team needs a fifth starter only twice before early May. RHP Grant Balfour, who will open in the bullpen, ultimately could be an answer in the rotation. Balfour is spotting his fastball in the low 90-mph range and showing a nasty breaking ball in the high 70s to low 80s. "It's late, it's tight and it's hard to see," one scout says. . . .
The emergence of RHP Sergio Mitre helped make it easier for the Cubs to trade RHP Juan Cruz. Mitre, the likely rotation replacement for injured RHP Mark Prior, does not possess electric stuff, but club officials love his makeup, work ethic and bulldog mentality. He's one of the first Cubs to arrive at the park and one of the last to leave -- unusual habits for a pitcher. The Marlins tried to acquire him in the Derrek Lee trade. . . .
Brewers G.M. Doug Melvin was the Rangers' G.M. when the team drafted LHP Andy Pratt, and he remains a fan of the pitcher the Cubs acquired in their deal for Cruz. "We thought he was going to be Tom Glavine when we first signed him," Melvin says. "But he turned out to throw the ball harder -- 91-92 mph." Pratt's control has been his downfall. He could open the season in the Cubs' bullpen, but the team eventually wants him to start at Class AAA. . . .
The Royals are convinced Class AAA CF David DeJesus can be an adequate replacement for Carlos Beltran, who likely will leave Kansas City as a free agent after this season. "If need be, he can play center field this year," G.M. Allard Baird says. "He's not a great tools player, he's a great skills player. He's very efficient in everything he does." DeJesus will be an everyday option at all three outfield spots if one of the Royals' regulars suffers a serious injury. . . .
The Braves, one of several clubs looking for a utilityman, could use a lefthanded-hitting third baseman to spell Mark DeRosa. One scout, however, says DeRosa will be better than his critics suspect, predicting a season of 15 to 18 homers and 70 to 75 RBIs. . . .
The Devil Rays are worried about their offense, and manager Lou Piniella is continuing to tinker with his lineup in Japan. Only DH Aubrey Huff hit more than 20 home runs last season, and the team finished 23rd in the majors in slugging percentage and 27th in homers. The additions of Cruz, 1B Tino Martinez and others aren't likely to improve those rankings. "
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If the Mariners give up some of our top pitching prospects for a player like Mench, I'm going to be pissed.
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