BASEBALL : Busy Off-Season Is Expected to Get Busier

OK, what’s left to do? After a couple of blockbuster deals and a few free agent signings most teams are nearly set for 1992.

Of course, Danny Tartabull, Frank Viola and Jack Morris still have to decide where they want to play. The decisions should be made by Christmas.

The Boston Red Sox still have some outfielders to trade and the New York Yankees are looking for a general partner, among other things.

Here’s a team-by-team look at where things stand with 3 1/2 months left before the start of the season:

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Baltimore: The Orioles got picther Storm Davis back by sending catcher Bob Melvin to Kansas City. Davis found success in Oakland but was a bust with the Royals.

Boston: Boston had lots of discussions about outfielders Mike Greenwell and Ellis Burks but left without a trade. They’re still in the hunt for Frank Viola and Jack Morris.

Angels: New GM Whitey Herzog wanted to improve the Angels’ offense and he made some strides by acquiring Von Hayes and Hubie Brooks. Herzog also re-signed left-hander Chuck Finley and acquired middle reliever Chuck Crim from Milwaukee.

Chicago: The White Sox may be the top contender for free agent outfielder Danny Tartabull.

Cleveland: The Indians came up with a speedy outfielder by acquiring Kenny Lofton from the Astros. Lofton hit .308 last season at Class AAA Tucson with 93 runs scored and 40 stolen bases.

Detroit: The Tigers are interested in free agent Dave Winfield.

Kansas City: Manager Hal McRae left the meetings smiling because the Royals added Wally Joyner, Kevin McReynolds, Gregg Jefferies, Chris Gwynn, Keith Miller and Bob Melvin to the lineup. The rotation of Mike Boddicker, Mark Gubicza, Kevin Appier, Tom Gordon and Mark Davis should survive with all that additional offense.

Milwaukee: The Brewers added a potential left-handed starter by sending infielder Dale Sveum to the Phillies for Bruce Ruffin.

Minnesota: The Twins have offered free agent Jack Morris $9 million over two years with incentives that could bring the deal up to $13.5 million. Minnesota expects to sign free agent catcher Brian Harper.

New York: The Yankees talked about Jose Canseco and Barry Bonds. They talked about free agents Steve Buechele and Jack Morris. They left the meetings with nothing to say. But New York will probably trade one of their outfielders (Roberto Kelly, Mel Hall and Jesse Barfield) before the start of the season. First, the Yankees have to figure out who is running the show. ... At least Don Mattingly says he wants to stay.

Oakland: The A’s got little feedback when they sent out feelers that Rickey Henderson was available. . . . Oakland wants to re-sign pitcher Ron Darling. Darling is also talking to the Orioles and the Yankees.

Seattle: The Mariners made the situation a little more attractive to a potential buyer by trading three pitchers to the Giants for Kevin Mitchell. Ken Griffey Jr. and Mitchell hitting in the middle of the order has some awesome potential.

Texas: The Rangers’ plans have been stalled while contract negotiations with Ruben Sierra are in progress. They say Julio Franco is not being shopped. ... The Rangers are interested in free agent infielder Dickie Thon.

Toronto: The Blue Jays have offered Jack Morris a three-year, $15 million deal.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Atlanta: The Braves saved themselves a deal (Jerome Walton) by signing outfielder Otis Nixon to a two-year deal for a guaranteed $5.6 million.

Chicago: Despite all the rumors, it’s unlikey the Cubs will trade first baseman Mark Grace.

Cincinnati: Before the meetings even started, the Reds had put together one of the best starting rotations in baseball with the addition of Greg Swindell and Tim Belcher to Jose Rijo and Tom Browning. At the meetings, GM Bob Quinn helped the hitting and team speed by acquiring Bip Roberts from San Diego and Dave Martinez from Montreal.

Houston: The Astros left the meetings talking to the Reds about a deal that would send infielder Casey Candaele to Cincinnati for outfielder Glenn Braggs.

Dodgers: Fred Claire did most of his hard work before the meetings, acquiring Eric Davis from Cincinnati, re-signing Orel Hershiser and signing free agent Tom Candiotti. But with the departure of Eddie Murray, the Dodgers had to fill a potential hole at first base. Claire did that by trading Chris Gwynn and Domingo Mota to Kansas City for first baseman Todd Benzinger. The Dodgers may have also found a sleeper in hard-throwing reliever Rudy Seanez.

Montreal: The Expos still are looking to trade third baseman Tim Wallach. They satisfied a problem by trading reliever Barry Jones to Philadelphia for catcher Darrin Fletcher, got rid of catcher Nelson Santovenia and acquired pitcher Blaine Beatty for the New York Mets. Then they got pitchers John Wetteland and Bill Risley from Cincinnati for outfielder Dave Martinez, pitcher Scott Ruskin and infielder Willie Greene, infielder.

New York: The Mets came to the meetings looking for a No. 3 or 4 starting pitching and ended up with Bret Saberhagen. Because of the signings of Eddie Murray and Bobby Bonilla, Kevin McReynolds and Gregg Jefferies became expendable. The Mets still have to be concerned about Saberhagen’s history of arm troubles and a potential problem at third base. Right now, the Mets intend to go into the season with either Dave Magadan or Chris Donnels at third.

Philadelphia: The Phillies didn’t do anything dramatic, but they made several moves that should help. Mariano Duncan can play the infield or outfield and is capable of hitting .300. Barry Jones will help in the bullpen and pitcher Kyle Abbott and outfielder Ruben Amaro Jr. have some decent potential. Dale Sveum may end up the starting shortstop.

Pittsburgh: The meetings actually turned into a postive experience for the Pirates since they were able to re-sign third baseman Steve Buechele (four years, $11 million) and catcher Mike LaValliere agreed to arbitration.

St. Louis: Pedro Guerrero may be coming back since he hasn’t gotten many offers.

San Diego: The Padres made their bullpen stronger by acquiring Randy Myers from the Reds. GM Joe McIlvaine says Myers will be a reliever. San Diego is offering reliever Craig Lefferts.

San Francisco: Yes, the Giants needed pitching help. But Bill Swift, Mike Jackson and Dave Burba for Kevin Mitchell was not enough. The Giants need starting pitchers, not relievers. There was little interest in Willie McGee in trade talks.