Baseball Previews : American League

Teams in order of predicted finish:

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West

TEXAS RANGERS

* WHO’S NEW: CF Otis Nixon, DH Mickey Tettleton, 2B Mark McLemore, P Bob Tewksbury, P Kevin Gross, P Jeff Russell, P Roger McDowell, C Dave Valle.

* WHO’S GONE: DH Jose Canseco, P Kevin Brown, P Tom Henke, CF David Hulse, SS Manuel Lee.

* STRENGTHS: It’s doubtful Tettleton can match Canseco’s 31-homer, 90-RBI season of ‘94, but with his power and a lineup that includes first baseman Will Clark, left fielder Juan Gonzalez and catcher Ivan Rodriguez, the Rangers should score plenty of runs. And with added speed in Nixon and McLemore, they won’t rely as much on the long ball.

* WEAKNESSES: The Rangers converted only 26 of 46 save opportunities last season, and that was with Henke. The starting staff thins out after Kenny Rogers, Tewksbury and Gross, and the left side of the infield, with rookie shortstop Benji Gil (37 errors, 120 strikeouts at triple-A Oklahoma City in ‘94) and third baseman Dean Palmer (.246, 22 errors for Texas) is shaky.

* OUTLOOK: Back injury suffered by Juan Gonzalez clouds team’s prognosis. Even with poor starting pitching, the Rangers were leading the division last season. New Manager Johnny Oates has a better staff and an offense that is as potent as last year’s, so the Rangers should finish at or above the .500 mark.

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SEATTLE MARINERS

* WHO’S NEW: C Chad Kreuter, 2B Joey Cora, 3B Doug Strange, OF Alex Diaz.

* WHO’S GONE: 1B Reggie Jefferson, P Goose Gossage, OF Eric Anthony.

* STRENGTHS: Center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. is coming off a 40-homer season and is arguably baseball’s best all-around player. Right fielder Jay Bushner has raised his average above .270 the past two seasons while maintaining his usual power, and first baseman Tino Martinez (20 homers, 61 RBIs in ‘94) and third baseman Edgar Martinez (13 homers, 51 RBIs) have some pop.

* WEAKNESSES: The rotation is basically one-deep, with left-hander Randy Johnson (13-6, 3.19 ERA, 204 strikeouts in ‘94). Chris Bosio is coming off arthroscopic knee surgery and Dave Fleming was 7-11 with a 6.46 ERA last season.

* Outlook: If rookie left fielder Darren Bragg (.430 on-base percentage at triple-A Calgary) can have similar success in the major leagues from his leadoff position, the Mariners are comparable to the Rangers offensively. But they’ll need some strong pitching from the non-Johnsons to contend.

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OAKLAND ATHLETICS

* WHO’S NEW: P Todd Stottlemyre, P Dave Stewart, 2B Mike Gallego.

* WHO’S GONE: P Bobby Witt, DH Troy Neel.

* STRENGTHS: A sound Mark McGwire, who was limited to 47 games in 1994 because of a heel injury, would boost an offense that finished last in the league in six categories. Pitchers Stewart, Ron Darling, Stottlemyre, Steve Ontiveros (who won ’94 ERA title) and Todd Van Poppel are a formidable starting five.

* WEAKNESSES: Age is taking its toll on Stewart (38), closer Dennis Eckersley (40), and left fielder Rickey Henderson (37), who last season stole only 22 bases, the fewest in his 13-year career.

* OUTLOOK: Oakland figures the way to recapture the glory of the late 1980s and early ‘90’s is to bring as many players back from those teams as they can, even if they’re past their prime. No manager is better at getting the most out of his players than Tony La Russa.

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ANGELS

* WHO’S NEW: P Lee Smith, P Mitch Williams, LF Tony Philips.

* WHO’S GONE: CF Chad Curtis, 2B Harold Reynolds, P Joe Grahe, P Mark Leiter.

* STRENGTHS: There’s plenty of punch in the middle of the lineup with right fielder Tim Salmon (.287, 23 home runs, 70 RBIs in ‘94) and designated hitter Chili Davis (.311, 26 home runs, 84 RBIs). Phillips, whose on-base percentage was .443 in ’93 and .409 in ‘94, is one of the league’s best leadoff hitters. The league’s worst bullpen in ’94 gets a shot in the arm from Smith.

* WEAKNESSES: Angels must hope for above-average seasons from first baseman J.T. Snow (.220 in ‘94), third baseman Eduardo Perez (.209) and second baseman Damion Easley (.215). Lack of speed will limit offensive options. Pitching staff drops off considerably after Chuck Finley and Mark Langston.

* OUTLOOK: Bullpen is vastly improved with Smith, Williams, and young guns Troy Percival, Russ Springer and Mike Butcher, but Angels won’t contend unless they can surround Salmon and Davis with some potent bats.

Central

CLEVELAND INDIANS

* WHO’S NEW: DH Dave Winfield, RP Paul Assenmacher, P Orel Hershiser, P Bud Black, P Dennis Cook, P Willie Smith.

* WHO’S GONE: DH Candy Maldonado, SS Mark Lewis, P Jeff Russell, P Derek Lilliquist, P Jack Morris, P Steve Farr.

* STRENGTHS: An offense that led the league in runs, hits, home runs, RBIs, and was second in average and stolen bases in ’94 got a little better with Winfield, who will platoon with Eddie Murray at designated hitter, allowing Murray to spell Paul Sorrento at first base. Center fielder Kenny Lofton (.349, 60 stolen bases) is the game’s best leadoff hitter. Left fielder Albert Belle (.357, 36 home runs, 101 RBIs) and second baseman Carlos Baerga (.314, 19 home runs, 80 RBIs) are coming off huge years.

* WEAKNESSES: A starting rotation that includes Dennis Martinez (39), Hershiser (37) and Black (37), who is coming off knee and elbow surgery, might be the oldest in baseball.

* OUTLOOK: This is the first time since 1954 that the Indians have been a favorite to win anything. They have a new stadium and some of the most exciting young players in the game.

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CHICAGO WHITE SOX

* WHO’S NEW: P Jim Abbott, OF Mike Devereaux, DH/3B Chris Sabo, UTIL Dave Martinez, P Rob Dibble.

* WHO’S GONE: DH Julio Franco, P Jack McDowell, OF Darrin Jackson, 2B Joey Cora.

* STRENGTHS: You know you have pitching depth when you can lose McDowell and still have Alex Fernandez (11-7, 3.86 ERA, 122 strikeouts), Wilson Alvarez (12-8, 3.45, 108) and Jason Bere (12-2, 3.81, 127). They will be joined by Abbott, a free-agent acquisition from the Yankees, and rookie James Baldwin, who led the American Assn. with 156 strikeouts in 162 innings. First baseman Frank Thomas became the third player in history to hit .300 with 20 homers, 100 RBIs and 100 walks in three consecutive seasons. The other two? Ted Williams and Lou Gehrig.

* WEAKNESSES: Closer Roberto Hernandez was inconsistent last season. Two of Chicago’s top ’94 hitters, Franco (.319, 20 home runs, 98 RBIs) and Jackson (.312), are playing in Japan.

* OUTLOOK: The White Sox have great pitching and Thomas is one of the game’s best hitters, but they lost too much offense to overtake Cleveland.

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KANSAS CITY ROYALS

* WHO’S NEW: P Tom Browning, C Pat Borders, OF Chris James.

* WHO’S GONE: P David Cone, CF Brian McRae, C Mike Macfarlane. OF Dave Henderson, OF Vince Coleman, P Stan Belinda.

* STRENGTHS: Despite losing Cone, the AL Cy Young Award winner in ‘94, the Royals should have a decent staff with starters Kevin Appier (7-6, 3.83 ERA, 145 strikeouts), Tom Gordon (11-7), who has one of the best curveballs in the league, and Mark Gubicza, the only remaining player from Kansas City’s 1985 World Champion. Three strong middle relievers-Billy Brewer, Hipolito Pichardo and Mike Magnante-will set up closer Jeff Montgomery, who converted 27 of 32 save opportunities last season.

* WEAKNESSES: The outfield will probably consist of three rookies--Dwayne Hosey, the American Assn. MVP in ‘94; Michael Tucker, a converted shortstop who was a first-round pick in ‘92, and Tom Goodwin, a former Dodger prospect who hit .308 at triple-A Omaha.

* OUTLOOK: First baseman Wally Joyner, second baseman Jose Lind, shortstop Greg Gagne and third baseman Gary Gaetti form one of the league’s best defensive infields, but Royals don’t have enough offense to equal last year’s 64-51 record.

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MINNESOTA TWINS

* WHO’S NEW: 1B Kevin Maas, OF Jerald Clark, LF Marty Cordova.

* WHO’S GONE: 1B Kent Hrbek, DH Dave Winfield, LF Shane Mack.

* STRENGTHS: Center fielder Kirby Puckett, 34, showed no signs of slowing in ‘94, batting .317 with 20 homers and a league-leading 112 RBIs, and second baseman Chuck Knoblauch had another season (.312, 45 doubles, 35 stolen bases) worthy of All-Star status. Rick Aguilera converted 23 of 29 save opportunities and had a 3.63 ERA.

* WEAKNESSES: The ’94 Twins had the highest ERA (5.68) and gave up the most hits (1,197) in the major leagues. They allowed more home runs (153) than any team except Texas. And they have made no significant offseason additions to their pitching staff.

* OUTLOOK: Bleak. The battle cry in Minneapolis: “Thank God Milwaukee is in our division!”

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MILWAUKEE BREWERS

* WHO’S NEW: OF Derrick May, C Joe Oliver.

* WHO’S GONE: 2B Judy Reed, P Jesse Orosco, P Doug Henry, IF Bill Spiers.

* STRENGTHS: The Brewers have a solid starting reputation with Cal Eldred, Ricky Bones, Bob Scanlan and Bill Wegman. Closer Mike Fetters, who recently signed a two-year contract, doesn’t have a strikeout pitch but still converted 17 of 20 save opportunities and had a 2.54 ERA in ’94.

* WEAKNESSES: Two key players, center fielder Darryl Hamilton (elbow) and second baseman Pat Listach (knee), are coming off surgery. Australian first baseman Dave Nilsson (.275, 12 HRs, 69 RBIs) caught what is known as “Ross River Fever,” which is carried by swampland mosquitos in Australia. He probably won’t return until late May.

* OUTLOOK: The Brewers trimmed their payroll to $17 million and could afford no free agents. Voters recently shut down a referendum that would have allocated funds from a sports lottery to finance a new stadium. And their baseball team stinks.

EAST

NEW YORK YANKEES

* WHO’S NEW: P Jack McDowell, P John Wetteland, SS Tony Fernandez, P Scott Bankhead.

* WHO’S GONE: P Jim Abbott, 2B Mike Gallego, OF Daryl Boston, P Xavier Hernandez, P Terry Mulholland.

* STRENGTHS: All that was missing from a ’94 team that went 70-43, second-best record in baseball, was a dominant closer, so the Yankees traded for Wetteland. They also added former White Sox ace McDowell to a staff that includes Jimmy Key (17-4, 3.27 ERA), Melido Perez (9-4, 4.10) and Scott Kamieniecki (8-6, 3.76). The offense, featuring defending league batting champion Paul O’Neill (.359), will be as good as the pitching.

* WEAKNESSES: The Yankees don’t have great speed, and their primary base-stealing threat Luis Polonia, was thrown out 12 times in 32 steal attempts last season.

* OUTLOOK: Next to the Atlanta Braves, this might be baseball’s best team, and Mattingly, a fan favorite in New York because of his blue-collar style, should finally get his chance to play in a postseason game.

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TORONTO BLUE JAYS

* WHO’S NEW: P David Cone, P Danny Darwin, OF Candy Maldonado, P Frank Viola.

* WHO’S GONE: P Dave Stewart, P Todd Stottlemyre, C Pat Borders, OF Darnell Coles, SS Dick Schofield.

* STRENGTHS: The first five in the order--speedy center fielder Devon White, consistent-hitting second baseman Roberto Alomar, clutch-hitting designated hitter Paul Molitor, powerful right fielder Joe Carter and contact-hitting first baseman John Olerud-are as good as any. Cone gives Toronto the ace it lacked in ‘94, and Pat Hentgen and Juan Guzman are capable starters. If Duane Ward makes a strong return from shoulder surgery, which knocked him out for all of ‘94, he’ll team with Darren Hall (17 saves) and Danny Cox to give Blue Jays an excellent bullpen.

* WEAKNESSES: Shortstop Alex Gonzales and left fielder Shawn Green have starred in the minor leagues, but with the parent club last season, Gonzales batted .153 in 53 at-bats and Green .091 in 33.

* OUTLOOK: The addition of Cone should vault the Blue Jays into playoff contention, but they don’t appear to have enough pitching depth to keep pace with the Yankees.

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BALTIMORE ORIOLES

* WHO’S NEW: P Kevin Brown, P Doug Jones, 2B Bret Barberie, P Jesse Orosco, OF Andy Van Slyke.

* WHO’S GONE: P Lee Smith, 2B Mark McLemore, OF Mike Devereaux, 3B Chris Sabo.

* STRENGTHS: Some believe the rotation is the best in baseball with Mike Mussina (16-6, 3.06 ERA), Ben McDonald (14-7, 4.06), a trimmed-down Sid Fernandez (from 262 to 225 pounds), Kevin Brown, a free-agent acquisition from Texas, and highly touted youngster Arthur Rhodes.

* WEAKNESSES: Right fielder Jeffrey Hammonds, the team’s first-round pick in ‘92, is coming off reconstructive knee surgery. The bullpen will rely on an aging right-hander (Jones) and a rookie right-hander (Armando Benitez).

* OUTLOOK: Baltimore fans are gearing up for early September, when Cal Ripken Jr. is expected to break Lou Gehrig’s record for consecutive games played, but unless the Orioles find more offense, Ripken’s feat won’t come during a pennant race.

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BOSTON RED SOX

* WHO’S NEW: DH Jose Canseco, C Mike Macfarlane, 2B Luis Alicea, RF Mark Whiten, P Rheal Cormier, P Eric Hanson, P Zane Smith, P Stan Belinda, P Derek Lilliquist, P Alejandro Pena, 1B Reggie Jefferson.

* WHO’S GONE: 3B Scott Cooper, 2B Scott Fletcher, C Damon Berryhill, RF Tom Brunansky, CF Otis Nixon, DH Andre Dawson, P Danny Darwin.

* STRENGTHS: Red Sox fans are hoping the Green Monster in Fenway Park will add about 10 more homers to Canseco’s total of 31 in ‘94, but he’s certainly not the team’s only power source. First baseman Mo Vaughn hit 26 homers last season, outfielder Mike Greenwell had 11, and Whiten and Macfarlane also add punch.

* WEAKNESSES: Ace right-hander Roger Clemens, who won the ’86 Cy Young and Most Valuable Player awards, will be out probably until June because of shoulder problems.

* OUTLOOK: The Red Sox went after Montreal standouts Marquis Grissom, John Wetteland and Ken Hill, but failed to land any of the three. The lack of such an impact player will hurt them in baseball’s toughest division.

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DETROIT TIGERS

* WHO’S NEW: CF Chad Curtis, OF Danny Bautista

* WHO’S GONE: LF Tony Phillips, P Tim Belcher, OF Eric Davis, C/DH Mickey Tettleton, C Chad Kreuter.

* STRENGTHS: There’s plenty of veteran leadership with outfielder Kirk Gibson, shortstop Alan Trammell and second baseman Lou Whitaker, and plenty of power from the corner infielders. First baseman Cecil Fielder had 28 homers and 90 RBIs in ‘94, and third baseman Travis Fryman has 40 homers and 182 RBIs over the past two seasons. Rookie outfielder Bobby Higginson, who hit 23 homers at triple-A Toledo last year, has shown promise.

* WEAKNESSES: A rotation that includes Mike Moore, David Wells, John Doherty and Sean Bergman isn’t expected to change the team’s reputation for poor pitching. The catching position is weak.

* OUTLOOK: It’s probably Manager Sparky Anderson’s last year and the last season for Whitaker and Trammell, the longest-running double-play combination in baseball history. It’s a shame they have to go out this way.