RINGOLSBY: Slim pickings become norm

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published March 13, 2008 at 8:50 p.m.

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Doug Benc / Getty Images

Chan Ho Park is trying to land the fifth starter's spot in the Dodgers rotation because Jason Schmidt is out with an injury.

TUCSON - Checking out the odds and seeing the Chicago Cubs at 10-to-1 to win the World Series - that's second among National League teams to only the Mets' 6-to-1 - underscores just how thin the talent is on major league teams.

The Cubs, who survived to win the NL Central a year ago before being swept by Arizona in the Division Series, have many questions to answer with slightly more than two weeks remaining in spring training.

They don't know who their closer is, are trying to acquire Brian Roberts from Baltimore to fill voids at second base and the leadoff role, don't have a center fielder and are filling out their rotation with Jon Lieber, who went a combined 12-17 the past two seasons and was limited to 78 innings in 2007 with Philadelphia.

Detroit, meanwhile, is 11-to-2 to win the World Series, second in the American League to only Boston's 4-to-1. And the Tigers don't have a bullpen, Joel Zumaya will miss at least half the season after shoulder surgery, Fernando Rodney's status is uncertain because of a shoulder problem, closer Todd Jones has a 24.55 ERA this spring, and Francisco Cruceta is still in the Dominican Republic because of visa problems.

Pitching in

How much of a demand is there for pitching?

Well, Chan Ho Park, who allowed seven runs in four innings with the Mets in his only big-league appearance last season, is a legitimate contender for the fifth starter spot with the Dodgers.

With Jason Schmidt out at least two months, Park is battling Esteban Loaiza for the job. Loaiza does have an edge, considering the Dodgers picked him up off waivers from Oakland down the stretch last year and he is guaranteed $7 million. He was 2-4 with a 5.79 ERA in 37 1/3 innings with the Dodgers and Oakland last year.

And then there's Kansas City, which is taking a serious look at 39-year-old Hideo Nomo for a rotation spot. Nomo hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2005, was limited to one game with Triple-A Charlotte in 2006 and then went to Venezuela last winter in hopes of resurrecting his big-league career. His stock has fallen a long ways since he was with the Dodgers and pitched the only no-hitter in Coors Field history on Sept. 17, 1996.

Overheard

* Left-handed pitcher Odalis Perez, signed a week into camp and scheduled to make his first big-league appearance of the spring Sunday, could wind up the Opening Night pitcher for Washington when he opens the Nationals' new stadium against Atlanta on March 30. Shawn Hill, who was expected to get the assignment, has been sidelined with a strained forearm.

* Third baseman Joe Crede isn't creating much trade interest, which could force the White Sox to send prospect Josh Fields back to the minors. Crede has two strikes against him: He's coming off back surgery and he is a potential free agent with Scott Boras as his agent, which makes teams hesitant to give up too much to acquire him.

Two cents' worth

How well is Major League Baseball doing financially? Well enough that commissioner Bud Selig earned $15.06 million last year, according to Sports Business Journal.

Only 10 players earned more than Selig in 2007, according to USA Today: Jason Giambi, Yankees, $23.4 million; Alex Rodriguez, Yankees, $22.7 million; Derek Jeter, Yankees, $21.6 million; Manny Ramirez, Red Sox, $17 million; Todd Helton, Rockies, $16.6 million; Bartolo Colon, Angels, and Andy Pettitte, Yankees, $16 million apiece; Schmidt, Dodgers, $15.7 million; Barry Bonds, Giants, $15.53 million; and Richie Sexson, Mariners, $15.5 million.

But, then, under Selig's watch, baseball has reached all-time highs in attendance and revenues. The revenues have grown from $1.2 billion in 1992 to $6.2 billion last year. Baseball has reached labor peace, avoiding work stoppages in the past two Basic Agreement negotiations - the first time that has happened since the creation of the Players Association.

Sure, there has been the ugliness of steroids, and Selig must share the blame.

But what constantly is forgotten in the finger-pointing is that for more than three decades, first as an owner and then as commissioner, Selig was a major advocate for the implementation of drug testing, and once he was able to get the MLBPA to agree to testing, baseball implemented the strongest drug program of any professional sports league.

MILE HIGH WATCH

* Rockies infielder Clint Barmes is one of the most talked-about players among scouts. San Francisco has made the most serious inquiries about him. The Rockies also have received initial inquiries from Baltimore, which, like the Giants, needs a starting shortstop, and the Angels, who are looking for a utility infielder.

But the Rockies aren't likely to trade Barmes. They feel his value is more than what teams give up for a utility infielder because, first, he still is a candidate for the starting second base job; second, he can play shortstop every day; and third, if he winds up in a utility role, he provides legitimate protection in case of an injury at second, shortstop or third, meaning the Rockies wouldn't have to panic in their search for an everyday player.

To get Barmes, the Rockies would want a return value that would equate to a starting shortstop.

* Finally some good news for one of the good guys: right-hander Brad Lidge of Philadelphia. Lidge might not be ready to be the Phillies' closer on Opening Day after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. He could be on the active roster, though.

Monday, two weeks after the surgery, Lidge was able to throw a pain-free bullpen session.

"Everything has to go right (to be active Opening Day), but so far, everything has gone right," said Lidge, a Cherry Creek High graduate.

* Former Rockies shortstop Juan Uribe, moved out of the White Sox shortstop job when Orlando Cabrera was acquired from the Angels for pitcher Jon Garland, appears to be finding a home at second base. Cuban defector Alexei Ramirez has shown plenty of offense, but the defense is a growing concern for him at second.

* At age 40, left-hander Kent Mercker for the second time is attempting a comeback after missing a full season. Mercker, who sat out the 2001 season then tried out and made the Rockies in 2002, missed last year recovering from reconstructive left elbow surgery and now is battling for a spot with Cincinnati.

NUMBERS GAME

2 Ivy League athletes have been selected first-team all-conference in basketball and baseball. Both went to Princeton and both are in the San Diego Padres organization - No. 2 starter Chris Young and outfield prospect Will Venable.

ORGANIZED

No question about Pittsburgh general manager Neal Huntington's organizational skills. Word is the Pirates were set to name Toronto scouting director Tony LaCava to be the general manager and brought in Huntington for an interview with the idea of making him the assistant GM.

But Huntington had such a detailed presentation on long-range planning that he wound up being offered the top job.

HE SAID IT

"To be in a situation this early in spring training and have this bit of an intense environment, it's something I couldn't experience before. . . . Once I get a hit, it might make me sad this experience isn't going to be there anymore."

Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle outfielder, on his 0-for-21 start to spring training.

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