Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - New faces in new places will highlight the 2005 season for most teams chasing a pennant. The competitive gap in each division appears to have tightened with superstars Randy Johnson, Sammy Sosa and Carlos Delgado shifting to the East Coast, and Richie Sexson, J.D. Drew and Moises Alou competing for West Coast clubs.
The Marlins, Mets, Mariners, Yankees and Tigers broke the bank in acquiring big-name talent, while the Royals, Rockies and Devil Rays continue to rely on young, cheaper alternatives.
Below is a list of players to keep a close eye on this season, ones who will likely hold important roles in the success of their teams.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
BALTIMORE ORIOLES: Sidney Ponson - There's no question, with Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, Javy Lopez and Miguel Tejada in the lineup, the Orioles will put a serious dent into home plate. The big concern has to be the pitching. Rodrigo Lopez, Daniel Cabrera and Erik Bedard are now 1-2-3 in the rotation, while Ponson has been demoted to the fourth slot following a troubled off- season in which there were allegations that he punched a judge. It was just two years ago that Ponson won 17 games, but a horrific start (3-12) to last season cannot be repeated, especially for a pitcher who finished tied for the AL lead in complete games last year. With some early season wins, manager Lee Mazzilli would surely move Sir Sidney back up in the rotation.
BOSTON RED SOX: David Wells - Replacing a three-time Cy Young Award winner in the rotation is asking a lot, but when it calls for a 41-year-old lefthander to step up, and his nickname isn't the Big Unit, then it becomes a titanic task. Despite his age, Wells has performed well in the last few seasons and last year allowed the fewest walks per nine innings in the National League. That could be a big difference, as he takes the mound in a hitter's stadium now versus the spacious confines of Petco Park.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX: Scott Podsednik - Although he is one of the weaker outfielders defensively in the majors, Podsednik makes up for that in his speed, but last year he crashed offensively with a .244 average and 105 strikeouts. In order to steal a base, you have to get on base, and last year Podsednik's OBP dropped to .313. The leftfielder has the tools to lift his batting average a few notches, but won't return to the .314 mark he sustained in his rookie campaign two years ago.
CLEVELAND INDIANS: Kevin Millwood - Coming off a 4.85 ERA in a hitter's ballpark in Philadelphia, Millwood needs to prove his worth since he's only under a one-year contract. It's a big gamble, as Millwood is a high-fastball pitcher and has been burned by the long ball too many times. It's hard to imagine that just two years ago he threw a no-hitter. Nevertheless, the 30- year-old righthander will surely love pitching more at the Jake than he did in Philly.
DETROIT TIGERS: Magglio Ordonez - This can be a boom or bust move for the Tigers. Signed to a five-year, $75 million contract in the offseason, he's considered the x-factor of the offense. Ordonez had two surgeries on his left knee last season, and his entire deal can be voided if he should spend 25 days or more on the DL due to problems with the knee. One downfall for Ordonez is his past performances at Comerica Park. His career average in the ball park is just .259 with one homer and 13 RBI. Yet, when healthy Ordonez can be a menacing hitter, as he had 29 homers and 99 RBI in 2003, which was actually lower than what he produced in each of the previous four seasons.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS: Zack Greinke - There's not much to look forward to with the Royals this season, as they will likely push 100 defeats for a third time in four years. If you like watching a pitcher who in the next few years is destined to win a Cy Young Award, you'll tune in to watch Greinke. He's shown flashes of brilliance, and despite going 8-11 with a 3.97 ERA during his rookie season, the Royals are being cautious with giving him too many innings. After all, the righthander's debut in the majors came less than two years after he left high school.
LA ANGELS OF ANAHEIM: Bartolo Colon - A solid team ready to dominate the AL West, the focus is on the rotation's No. 1 guy. Colon finished strong last year, as he was 12-4 with a 3.63 ERA following the All-Star break. The Angels can't afford a slow start by him this season, as he was 6-8 with a gaudy 6.38 ERA in the first half last year.
MINNESOTA TWINS: Joe Mauer - All eyes will be on Mauer, as he returns from a knee injury that limited him to 35 games last season. The left-handed hitting back-stopper was regarded as one of the best hitting prospects for a catcher in the majors until a devastating injury to his knee. He underwent surgery last year, but experienced soreness in spring training. That's not good news, but the Twins added insurance in the offseason with the signing of Mike Redmond to a two-year contract.
NEW YORK YANKEES: Jason Giambi - Sure to receive his share of boos and cheers following reports in the offseason that linked him to steroid use, Giambi will try to prove naysayers wrong with solid play this season. An intestinal parasite and a benign tumor limited him to 80 games last season, when he batted .208 with 12 home runs. Giambi's given blanket apologies in spring training, but won't have any room to say he's sorry for poor play this year. Hence the signing of Tino Martinez to play first base, which appears now to be the safe move.
OAKLAND ATHLETICS: Barry Zito - The sole member of the Big Three left in the Bay Area, the 2002 Cy Young Award winner has to refocus after going 11-11 with a 4.48 ERA last year. Having never spent time on the DL, Zito is expected to lend advice to young hurlers Rich Harden (23), Dan Haren (24) and Joe Blanton (24).
SEATTLE MARINERS: Richie Sexson - While Beltre got a huge deal to the tune of five years and $65 million, his numbers (.334, 48 HR, 121 RBI) from last year likely won't hold up in Seattle. On the other hand, it's been a long road back for Sexson, who was given a four-year, $50 million package in December to join the M's. The only major leaguer to play every inning of every game in 2003 as a member of the Brewers, Sexson tied a career best with 45 home runs, while falling one short of his personal best in RBI with 124 that year. Last season was a complete difference, as he played in only 23 games due to cartilage damage in his left shoulder. He also has to cut down on his strikeouts for the Mariners to avoid another disaster like last season.
TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS: Scott Kazmir - Although a last-place finish appears in the offing for the D'Rays this season, Kazmir will be closely watched for his development at the highest level. The 21-year-old lefthander flashed his impressive stuff last year after being traded from the Mets, and is likely the No. 2 guy in Lou Piniella's rotation.
TEXAS RANGERS: Kenny Rogers - Going into the last season of his contract with the Rangers, The Gambler leads a pitching staff that had the fifth-best ERA in the AL last year. Rogers went 18-9 with a 4.76 ERA and won his third Gold Glove. If the Rangers are to build on their 89-win campaign, then Rogers has to lead a pitching staff that overachieved last season. The 40-year-old lefthander will face immense pressure pitching for a team with a powerful offense, but a rotation full of questions.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS: Roy Halladay - As the AL Cy Young Award winner in 2003, Halladay fell flat in an injury-riddled 2004 with an 8-8 mark and a 4.20 ERA. If his nagging shoulder injury rears its ugly head in 2005, the Jays will be hard-pressed to escape the basement in the AL East.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS: Javier Vazquez - A return to the NL may be just what the doctor ordered for Vazquez, who logged a 4.91 ERA last year in the Bronx. However, that isn't half the story. As the likely No. 1 starter for the D'Backs this season, the 28-year-old righthander was brutal after the All-Star break with a 6.92 ERA. He had trouble with location. He has a success track record in the NL with 16 wins in 2001 and a 3.24 ERA in 2003.
ATLANTA BRAVES: John Smoltz - Heading into his 17th season with a team that's won 13 straight division titles, Smoltz pushed for his old job and had his wish granted in the offseason. Serving as the Braves' closer for the last three seasons, Smoltz compiled 144 saves. The 1996 NL Cy Young Award winner posted double-digit wins in a starting role 10 times in his career and even at the age of 37, should prove to be a 15-game winner. Combined with Tim Hudson, that gives the Braves possibly the best 1-2 combination in the NL East.
CHICAGO CUBS: Kerry Wood & Mark Prior - If injuries weren't a concern, this duo would combine for at least 30-35 wins each season. That isn't the case, but thankfully for manager Dusty Baker, the bursitis in the back of Wood's right shoulder has subsided and he won't be on the DL when the season begins. Prior might miss just one turn in the rotation. The target number should be 60 starts between the two for the Cubs to push for the NL Central title. Last year it was 43, and they were 16 games over .500, but that won't cut it against the Cardinals.
CINCINNATI REDS: Ken Griffey Jr. & Austin Kearns - Junior hasn't played a full season since joining the Reds in 2000, and his outfield counterpart has been in only 146 games over the last two years. Griffey had 20 homers and 60 RBI last year, but tore his hamstring and he's played in only 206 contests over the last three seasons. At full strength, the duo could combine for 75 homers and 200 RBI, but without them the lineup is dull.
COLORADO ROCKIES: J.D. Closser - By the end of this season he may be known as one of the better defensive catchers in the majors. However, he should work more on his time with the bat, as he walked only six times following 113 official at-bats last year.
FLORIDA MARLINS: Carlos Delgado - The Marlins already have a potent lineup that features speedsters Juan Pierre and Luis Castillo, along with sluggers Mike Lowell and Miguel Cabrera. With Delgado, who has belted 30 homers or more in each of the last eight seasons and last year finished one shy of his seventh straight 100-RBI campaign, the Marlins just may have enough to dethrone the Braves.
HOUSTON ASTROS: Andy Pettitte - Roger Clemens came back to the Astros to pitch with his best buddy, so Pettitte hopefully won't let the Rocket down and can stay healthy this year. Coming off a devastating elbow injury, the lefthander will likely return to form that saw him post at least 12 wins in each of his first nine seasons.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS: J.D. Drew - The big bucks are rolling in for Drew, who finalized a five-year, $55 million pact just before Christmas. Drew's salary reflects his 2004 performance with the Braves, when he batted .305 with career-highs in homers (31), runs scored (118) runs scored and walks (118). The 29-year-old also posted 93 RBI and exceeded all expectations by staying healthy. The only problem is he needs offensive support, which is limited following the losses of Beltre, Shawn Green and Steve Finley.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS: Ben Sheets - Could Big Ben push for the NL Cy Young Award? It's doubtful playing for the Brewers, but his numbers will likely offer support for votes, especially if he can somehow get more wins than last year (12-14, 2.70 ERA, 264 K, 237 IP). The problem continues to be receiving enough run support.
NEW YORK METS: Carlos Beltran - When you carry a team to the playoffs and then their first postseason series victory, you're going to receive a huge payday as a free agent. Such was the case of Beltran and his ridiculously overpaid seven-year, $119 million contract. All this for a guy who hit just .267 last year, although he made up for that in other areas (38 HR, 104 RBI, 42 steals). However, hitting at Shea Stadium is another story, where balls die in the outfield. Also, for Beltran to get RBI opportunities, a lot depends on the capabilities of Kaz Matsui (.331 OBP) and Jose Reyes (.271 OBP), who each struggled getting on base last year.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES: Jon Lieber - Pitchers are certain to have higher ERA's when they're on the Phillies, and it doesn't have anything to do with new pitching coach Rich Dubee. The problem is Citizens Bank Park is a hitter's stadium and balls have a tendency to carry to left and right field. While Lieber won't win a Cy Young Award, he's the perfect pitcher for CBP. He went 14-8 with a 4.33 ERA in 27 starts for the Yankees last season and ranked first in the American League with 0.9 walks per nine innings. He's also known as a good ground ball pitcher.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES: Oliver Perez - With a fastball that usually sits in the 90-95 mph range, Perez may be known as one of the better lefthanders by the end of this season. His sliders have a tendency to handcuff hitters and his impressive stats from last year (12-10, 2.98 ERA -6th-NL- and 239 strikeouts - 4th-NL) went virtually unnoticed.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS: Mark Mulder - The Cardinals were looking for a No. 1 starter to get them back to the World Series and found him in the person of a pitcher whose won 72 games the last four years. Mulder struggled down the stretch last season, but still went 17-8, an ERA of 4.43 and 140 K's. He's thrown 14 complete games the last two seasons and will give Tony La Russa's bullpen a welcome rest.
SAN DIEGO PADRES: Dave Roberts - One year and $1.35 million was a steal for the Padres to secure Roberts with a contract through this season. He appeared in a combined 113 games with the Dodgers and Red Sox in 2004, batting .254 with seven triples, 14 doubles, 35 RBI and 38 stolen bases in 41 attempts. He led both clubs to a 26-3 mark when he recorded a stolen base, but none bigger than Game 4 of the ALCS versus the Yankees, keeping the Sox alive and on the way to their historical rally. The 32-year-old Roberts will have to use his speed to survive in the lead-off spot. His career on-base percentage is a lowly .335. He's stolen at least 38 bases in each of the last three seasons and has great range in the wide open spaces of center field at Petco Park.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS: Pedro Feliz - Feliz has started in 359 games in his career, but only 11 of them have come in the outfield, and that occurred during the 2003 season. Now he has the task of not only replacing Barry Bonds, but also hitting clean-up. Known more as a solid utility player, Feliz is coming off his strongest offensive season with 22 homers, 84 RBI and a .276 average. However, his judgment of the strike zone is poor, as he fanned 85 times and walked 23 times last year, nearly a complete opposite of what Bonds offers.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS: Jose Guillen - Taking an anger management class in the offseason can help his demeanor, but will it keep him from being frustrated by playing on a team destined to finish in last place? His offensive numbers of a .294 average, 37 home runs and 104 RBI for the Angels last season would stand out on a team that may finish last in homers in the majors.