Kansas City Royals
 Two season ago, the Royals finished
thirty games out of the playoffs. Following
that disgraceful seasons, the Royals restructured their roster to include a whole
slew of young talent. While they didn't finish thirty games out of first place
last season, they did finish in last place for the first time in team history.
Now, manager Bob Boone, has three proven veterans to lead his young squad and the
results should be noticeably better.
Kevin Appier leads a solid starting rotation that includes Tim Belcher, Chris
Haney, and Jose Rosado. Appier, who won 14 games, and finished third in the
league in ERA and strikeouts despite bicep problems. Belcher outpitched Appier
last season but is getting up in years, Rosado was sensational in his rookie
season, and Haney has recovered nicely from last season's back surgery. The
bullpen is going to be the problem, with closer Jeff Montgomery facing injury
problems and his replacement Jaime Bluma lacking major league experience. And,
with the release of Mike Magnante and the trade of Jeff Granger, the Royals will
depend on youngsters Brian Bevil, Melvin Bunch and Ken Ray for middle relief.
The off-season additions of DH Chili Davis, first baseman Jeff King, and
shortstop Jay Bell will anchor the Royals offense. King ripped 30 homers and
drove in 111 runs last season, Bell is coming off a career high number of RBI's
last season, and third baseman Craig Pacqutte led the Royals last season in
homers with 22. The outfield is young, with prospects Johnny Damon and Michael
Tucker providing some offensive pop, and left-handed bats Tom Goodwin, Rod Myers
and Jon Nunnally should open some eyes.
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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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New American City
