Pool of 60 excites Rays; league COVID updates
Detroit Tigers
How they look: The rebuilding continues for the Tigers, whose 47-114 record last year was the worst in the major leagues and followed consecutive 98-loss seasons. This year is all about the development of their prospects, including LHP Tarik Skubal, RHPs Matt Manning and Casey Mize and 3B Spencer Torkelson.
X-factor: 1B C.J. Cron and 2B Jonathan Schoop were signed as free agents, and the Tigers hope they add power to a lineup that was last in the AL with 149 home runs in 2019. Cron has a combined 55 homers over the past two seasons, and Schoop went deep 32 times in 2017.
COVID concern: LHP Daniel Norris was placed on the injured list after testing positive. He had yet to participate in camp workouts as of July 12.
Kansas City Royals
How they look: John Sherman bought the team from the late David Glass during the offseason for a reported $1 billion. Mike Matheny, who led the Cardinals to the 2013 World Series, replaces Ned Yost, who retired, as manager. They have a lot of work to do after a 103-loss season.
X-factor: SS Adalberto Mondesi, 24, has the talent to become the face of the franchise. He batted .263 with nine home runs and 43 stolen bases in 102 games last season, flashing outstanding speed and developing power.
COVID concern: C Salvador Perez and C Cam Gallagher tested positive, leaving the Royals thin behind the plate. RHP Brad Keller and 1B Ryan O’Hearn also were sidelined by the virus. It is unclear if any of the four can play on opening day.
Minnesota Twins
How they look:
The Twins were surprise AL Central champions last year, slugging their way to 101 wins by hitting a record 307 home runs. They have added free agent 3B Josh Donaldson to that offense with a four-year, $92 million contract. Starting pitching remains a concern, and there are question marks in the rotation beyond RHPs Jose Berrios and Jake Odorizzi.
X-factor: The Twins could use a solid No. 3 starter and hope RHP Kenta Maeda can fill that role. Acquired from the Dodgers in a February trade, Maeda was 10-8 with a 4.04 ERA in 37 games last season.
COVID concern: 3B Miguel Sano heads a list of five players who tested positive. The others: RHP Edwar Colina, C/IF/OF Willians Astadillo, SS Nick Gordon and IF Wilfredo Tovar. Bullpen coach Bob McClure and coach Bill Evers will assume advisory roles.
WEST Houston Astros
How they look: The Astros are poised to make another playoff run despite losing ace RHP Gerrit Cole to the Yankees in free agency. Houston returns 3B Alex Bregman, 2B Jose Altuve, RF George Springer and SS Carlos Correa, plus RHP Justin Verlander, the AL Cy Young Award winner, is fit after groin surgery. Veteran manager Dusty Baker replaced AJ Hinch following his dismissal in the team’s sign-stealing controversy.
X-factor: Astros road games would have meant their players being jeered as part of one of the biggest scandals in baseball history. But with COVID, fans aren’t expected to be in attendance.
COVID concern: Houston canceled camp workouts twice because test results weren’t returned quickly and a member of the organization was potentially exposed to someone infected. Baker, 71, is being cautious – he’s the majors’ oldest manager.
Los Angeles Angels
How they look: The Angels made a splash by signing free agent 3B Anthony Rendon, who had the best season of his career in 2019 (.319, 34 homers, 44 doubles, 126 RBI) and led the Nationals to the World Series title. He joins a potent lineup that includes the AL MVP, CF Mike Trout, as well as DH Shohei Ohtani, LF Justin Upton and 1B Albert Pujols, who at age 40 likely will benefit from the abbreviated schedule.
X-factor: Ohtani, who didn’t pitch last season after having Tommy John elbow surgery in 2018, returns to the rotation. He will start once a week and DH on days that aren’t before or after his outings.
COVID concern: Indications are Trout will play this season. But he’s contemplating sitting out because his wife is expecting the couple’s first child next month.
Oakland Athletics
How they look: After consecutive wild-card playoff appearances after seasons of 90plus wins, the Athletics could challenge for the AL West title. The rotation is a strength with prized young LHPs Sean Manaea, Jesus Luzardo and A.J. Puk.
X-factor: The A’s were an offensive force last year despite standout DH/LF Khris Davis struggling with injuries. Davis is fit and is expected to provide production and protection for a lineup that features 3B Matt Chapman, 1B Matt Olson, CF Ramon Laureano and SS Marcus Semien.
COVID concern: Luzardo tested positive for COVID and was absent from the initial workouts. If he isn’t ready, the A’s could turn to RHP Chris Bassitt, who filled a swing role last year as a starter and reliever, going 10-5 with a 3.81 ERA.
Seattle Mariners
How they look: It’s a critical season for the Mariners to show that their rebuild is going well enough for GM Jerry Dipoto and manager Scott Servais to keep their jobs. LHP Justus Sheffield and RHP Justin Dunn are among the young faces spread across the diamond. 3B Kyle Seager and CF Mallex Smith are among the few Mariners with extended service time.
X-factor: Seattle is optimistic about LHP Yusei Kikuchi now that his fastball is showing increased velocity. The Japanese star was 6-11 with a 5.46 ERA as a rookie last year after signing a potential seven-year, $109 million deal.
COVID concern: Three players, whom the Mariners declined to identify, tested positive for COVID but are asymptomatic.
Texas Rangers
How they look: The Rangers made unsuccessful runs at two free agent third basemen, Anthony Rendon and Josh Donaldson, to complement slugging CF Joey Gallo. Instead, the biggest additions were to their rotation. RHP Corey Kluber, a two-time AL Cy Young Award winner, and RHPs Kyle Gibson and Jordan Lyles join LHP Mike Minor and RHP Lance Lynn.
X-factor: Texas once had a dynamite middle infield with SS Elvis Andrus and 2B Rougned Odor. The tandem struggled last year, especially Odor, and it’s imperative they rebound for the Rangers to shine.
COVID concern: Gallo returned from a 14-day quarantine after a positive test. Gallo said he is fine physically and just needs additional at-bats. LHP Brett Martin also tested positive.