Cleveland Indians
 The defending Central Division champions are not the same team that went to the
World Series two years ago, or even the same team that lost to the Orioles in the
first round of the playoffs last season. Albert Belle, the power center of the
Indians lineup now resides in Chicago, Carlos Baerga, the Indians former
designated hitter was traded last July, and Eddie Murray was traded to Anaheim.
Still, the Cleveland Indians are expected to challenge for the American League
pennant.
For the past two years, the Indians starting rotation held opposing batters to
the lowest ERA in the league. This year, Charles Nagy will lead a staff that
includes Jack McDowell, Orel Hershiser and Chad Ogea, who has turned into a
strong fourth starter. Nagy led the team last season with 17 wins, his best
production in three season, and appears to be regaining much of his previous
dominance. And, while both Hershiser and McDowell have struggled in previous
years, they can consistently dominate late into games. As for the bullpen, Eric
Plunk, Mike Jackson, Paul Assenmacher, and Alan Embree give manager Jim Hargrove
dozens of combinations for middle relief, and Jose Mesa has come away from his
legal troubles unscathed and is ready to lead the Indians to the playoffs.
As for the offense, the Indians have a new power leader in David Justice, who was
traded early in the season for Kenny Lofton. Along with Matt Williams, and a
core of strong hitters including Jim Thome, Chad Curtis and Julio Franco, this
team will produce offensive stats that make up for the off-season departures.
Finally, the combination of free-agent Tony Fernandez and three time gold glove
winner Omar Vizquel in the infield will keep hitters from advancing past first
and produce scores of double plays.
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Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are known for getting more out of their roster than they
deserve. If that proves to be true this season, the Twins could be more
difficult to dispatch than a first glance at their roster would permit.
Like every team in the majors, the Twins will rely on their starting pitchers to
lead them to the playoffs. Rick Aguilera, who has battled injuries the past few
seasons, will lead the Twins rotation, with off-season addition Bob Tewksbury
backing him up. Tewksbury, who is baseball's active leader for fewest walks
allowed per nine innings should act as a positive veteran influence on young
starters Brad Radke an Frankie Rodriguez, who will fill out the starting battery.
The Twins bullpen lacks a definitive closer, or middle reliever and will rely on
a combination of Ike Trombley and Eddie Guardado to finish off close games.
The off-season addition of Terry Steinbach at catcher gives the Twins a proven
leader on offense and defense. Joining Steinbach around the infield will be
Chuck Knoblauch, who is ready to break his own team record for runs scored
following a lucrative contract extension, Paul Molitor, one of the most
"intelligent" hitters in baseball, Scott Stahoviak, Pat Mears, and rookie Todd
Walker who can focus on his defense as he will bat at the bottom of the order.
There will be a hole in center field as a result of the loss of Kirby Puckett to
glaucoma, but Rich Becker, Roberto Kelly, and 1995 American League Rookie of the
Year Marty Cordova will fill his spikes adequately.
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Tri-Cities
