RINGOLSBY: Spring hopes in abundance in AL

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published February 8, 2008 at 12:45 a.m.

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Photo by Nick Laham / Getty Images

Expectations are high for the Yankees' Phillip Hughes.

Photo by Tom Hood / Associated Press/2005

Richie Sexson could help the Mariners be a force this year.

Photo by Chris Schneider / The Rocky

The Red Sox hope Hideki Okajima finds his past magic.

Photo by Elsa / Getty Images/2006

The Blue Jays expect Scott Rolen to be happy, healthy.

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Yankees general manager Brian Cashman would consider his offseason a success because he overcame efforts within his organization to trade developing young arms for high-priced Johan Santana.

Cashman was convinced that keeping the youngsters was better for the Yankees in the long run.

But will it be good for him in the short run?

It will if Philip Hughes, Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain live up to expectations.

With spring training ready to open next week, the 13 other American League teams will wait to find out if:

* BALTIMORE: Owner Peter Angelos really can count to 10, hold his breath and not butt in while Andy MacPhail oversees a long-term rebuilding effort.

* BOSTON: Left-hander Hideki Okajima will be refreshed after the offseason and regain his first-half mastery from last year's debut (0.83 ERA before the All-Star break compared to 4.56 in the second half).

* CHICAGO: Third baseman Joe Crede alleviates concerns about his back surgery quickly enough to be traded and open a spot for Josh Fields.

* CLEVELAND: Andy Marte, a former phenom who has been displaced at third base by Casey Blake, will be dealt for a decent return or have to be given away, as Brandon Phillips was.

* DETROIT: A bullpen can be put together despite concerns about the health of Joel Zumaya and the consistency of Fernando Rodney.

* KANSAS CITY: First baseman Ryan Shealy can rebound now that coaching changes have been made and he can get back to the hitting approach that made him successful in the minor leagues.

* LOS ANGELES: Gary Matthews Jr. can be comfortable as a $10 million-a-year fourth outfielder.

* MINNESOTA: The Twins, having dealt left-hander Santana and lost center fielder Torii Hunter as a free agent, can work out extensions for first baseman Justin Morneau and designated hitter Michael Cuddyer.

* OAKLAND: General manager Billy Beane can control his competitive nature and get through a year of overhaul.

* SEATTLE: First baseman Richie Sexson can give the Mariners a return for their investment, which would allow them to at least be a factor in the West.

* TAMPA BAY: Third baseman Evan Longoria, the Rays' No. 1 draft pick in 2006, can get to the big leagues for good as quickly as former Long Beach State teammate Troy Tulowitzki.

* TEXAS: Left-hander C.J. Wilson can step into the closer's role with some tutelage from Eddie Guardado.

* TORONTO: Third baseman Scott Rolen can find health and happiness now that he has been separated from Cardinals manager Tony La Russa.

Overheard

* Outfielder Bob Kielty re- signed with Boston, a move to make sure the Red Sox have protection for rookie center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury if they are able to find a team that will take veteran outfielder Coco Crisp.

* Once Baltimore wraps up the trade of lefty Erik Bedard to Seattle, the Orioles figure to conclude a trade of second baseman Brian Roberts to the Cubs for a package that could include left-hander Sean Marshall.

* Minnesota has resumed talks with closer Joe Nathan about a contract extension despite the offseason losses of Carlos Silva and Hunter as free agents and the trade of Santana to the Mets.

Readers' turn

Krista Johnson writes, "I was wondering where you saw Rockies super prospect Chris Nelson playing this year? Any chance he'll be playing second base at Colorado Springs as soon as this season? Thanks a lot. Keep up the great work."

Krista, Nelson should be the shortstop at Double-A Tulsa to start the season. He finally showed the offensive production scouts had projected in the second half of last year at High Single-A Modesto. He hit .289 with 19 homers and 99 RBI for the Nuts, but his season took off in July when he hit .368 with nine home runs and 41 RBI, helping put together second-half numbers of .318, 15 homers and 67 RBI.

Now the challenge is to build off that great effort. He has the tools to be an exciting player. His bat speed has been compared to Gary Sheffield, which is impressive. A strong first half could result in him being moved to Colorado Springs in the second half, and by that time, the Rockies will have to start making long-range decisions. A lot might depend on how Jayson Nix responds to his big-league opportunity this spring.

For responses to other questions or to ask your own, go to the Rockies blog at Rocky MountainNews.com/sports.

Two cents' worth

Nolan Ryan has returned to the Texas Rangers as the club president.

Don't think it's a figurehead position. Ryan won't be satisfied with sipping cocktails and shaking hands. He's a nose-in-the- dirt kind of guy. He used to drive Angels GM Buzzie Bavasi crazy because during the offseason, Ryan would actually work his cattle ranch.

When doctors told Ryan in 1986 that he needed reconstructive elbow surgery that would sideline him for a year, he instead opted for a workout program designed to strengthen the muscles in the elbow area and wound up pitching through the 1993 season. He won four strikeout titles and 83 games and threw two no-hitters after the elbow problem was diagnosed.

ringolsbyt@RockyMountainNews.com

NUMBERS GAME

173relief appearances the past two years for Washington right-hander Jon Rauch, most in the majors. Scott Proctor of the Dodgers is second with 166. Proctor leads the majors with 1882/3 innings of relief work the past two years, 10 more innings than Rauch.

SECOND CHANCE

Brandon Lyon, named Diamondbacks closer Wednesday by manager Doug Melvin, got a shot at closing in 2005 and converted 14 of 15 opportunities before suffering an elbow injury. He replaces Jose Valverde, who was dealt to Houston this offseason.

HE SAID IT

"I feel I'm coming into spring a lot more ready than I was last year. I'd kind of be a little disappointed if they told me beforehand I didn't have a chance to make the team."

Evan Longoria, third baseman, Tampa Bay's 2006 first-round draft choice, on his belief he can make the Rays' Opening Day lineup.

MILE HIGH WATCH

* So much for expectations.

Right-hander Josh Fogg and left-hander Jeremy Affeldt said their desire was to remain with the Rockies. And the Rockies wanted to keep both.

The pitchers' agents, though, misread the market for those two.

Fogg turned down a one-year, $5 million deal from the Rockies with the thought a three-year, $21 million deal was likely.

Now it's a week before spring training and Fogg still is looking for work.

The Rockies, meanwhile, went in another direction to fill that void, including signing Fogg's longtime friend, Kip Wells, for $3.1 million, re-signing Mark Redman for $1 million and giving Josh Towers a $400,000 guarantee with the hope one of the three can fill the fifth spot in the rotation.

Affeldt, meanwhile, went on the market with the feeling a three- or four-year guarantee would be available. He wound up with a one-year, $3 million deal in Cincinnati - the same money he turned down from the Rockies.

A key is the Reds have promised Affeldt that he will pitch in the rotation, even though it was in the bullpen Affeldt finally had big-league success.

The signing of Towers is decent insurance for the Rockies. If he doesn't make the Opening Day roster, the Rockies can ask waivers on him. If any team wants him, it would have to pick up his salary.

If he clears waivers, the Rockies could assign him to Triple-A Colorado Springs, where he could be ready if a need arises. If he refused the minor league assignment, he would have to give up his Rockies salary.

* The Rockies have the makings of an interesting Triple-A rotation with the possibility of veterans Towers and Victor Zambrano plus the developing Greg Reynolds and Brandon Hynick. And don't rule out that possibly two of the three from the left-handed group of John Koronka, Chris George and Micah Bowie could wind up with the Sky Sox, too.

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