Chicago White Sox
 The Chicago White Sox collapsed
at the end of the 1996 season, losing the wild
card spot to Baltimore in the final weeks of the season. So, during the winter,
owner Jerry Reinsdorf made some changes, including opening his wallet to make
Albert Belle the highest paid player in baseball history. In the process
however, Reinsdorf lost the bidding war for pitcher Alex Fernandez to the Marlins
and was forced to sign Jaime Navarro to make up for the loss. Needless to say,
the 1997 White Sox will have very different chemistry.
The White Sox starting rotation has all the potential in the world, but a lot of
questions waiting to be answered. Wilson Alvarez remains the key to the
rotation, and is joined by Navarro, second year starter James Baldwin and Doug
Drabek. But, Alvarez tired at the end of last season and may do so again,
Baldwin's rookie successes may have been a fluke, and Drabek was terrible last
season in Houston. The Sox are left to hope that one or two of the young
pitchers in the bullpen will join Tony Castillo and Roberto Hernandez as
consistent relievers.
The combination of Belle and two-time MVP Frank Thomas is sure to make opposing
pitchers nervous. But the White Sox have more talent hiding in the shadows.
Both Robin Ventura, who set career highs in homeruns (34) and RBIs (105) while
winning his fourth gold glove, and DH Harold Baines, are coming off their best
seasons in years. And prospects Chris Snopek and Norberto Martin, who hit .350
last season in 140 at bats, give manager Terry Bevington lots of creative options
for his lineup.
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Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates haven't
recovered from the firesale their ownership
started in 1993. Like many smaller market teams, the Bucs were forced to reduce
their payroll to find a buyer for the team, and the results are still being felt.
With the departure of Manager Jim Leyland to Florida, and the laundry list of
free agents who fled to greener pastures, the Pirates are but a shell of their
former pennant chasing selves.
The lack of talent is noticeable in the Bucs starting pitching. Unlike previous
years, the Pirates don't have a dependable starter to build a rotation around.
Jason Schmidt, the hard-throwing prospect acquired from the Braves in the Denny
Neagle deal will be the number one starter and Jon Lieber, a once-perennial minor
leaguer, should work with him nicely. Manager Gene Lamont does have a strong
young bullpen, including John Ericks and Jeff Granger (both former #1 draft
picks) who should be effective in closing out games.
Al Martin and Kevin Elster, who was picked up during the offseason to play
shortstop, account for most of the Pirate's power this season. And young
prospect Jermaine Allensworth should anchor a strong defensive outfield. But,
the rest of the roster is mainly utility players, none of which distinguishes
themselves offensively or defensively.
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Steel City
