1. 4B Wednesday, April 1, 2015 The Daytona Beach News-Journal2015 MLB PREVIEW
AMERICAN LEAGUE
EAST
Baltimore Orioles
2014 Record: 96-66, first place, lost to Kansas City in AL
Championship Series
Manager: Buck Showalter (fifth full season)
Projected Lineup: LF Alejandro De Aza (.252, 8 HRs, 41
RBIs, 17 SBs), 3B Manny Machado (.278, 14, 50), 1B Chris
Davis .196, 26, 72), CF Adam Jones (.281, 29, 96), DH
Steve Pearce (.293, 21, 49), RF Travis Snider (.264, 13,
28), SS J.J. Hardy (.268, 9, 52, Gold Glove), 2B Jonathan
Schoop (.209, 16, 45), C Caleb Joseph (.207, 9, 28)
Rotation: RH Chris Tillman (13-6, 3.34 ERA), LH Wei Yin-
Chen (16-6, 3.34), RH Bud Norris (15-8, 3.65), RH Miguel
Gonzalez (10-9, 3.23 ERA), RH Kevin Gausman (7-7, 3.57)
or RH Ubaldo Jimenez (6-9, 4.81 ERA)
Key Relievers: LH Zach Britton (3-2, 1.65 ERA, 37 saves),
RH Darren O’Day (5-2, 1.70), RH Tommy Hunter (3-2, 2.97
ERA, 11 saves), LH Brian Matusz (2-3, 3.48 ERA)
The Skinny: The Orioles upped their budget in 2015 but
still don’t have the funds to compete with the Yankees and
Red Sox.
New York Yankees
2014 Record: 84-78, second place
Manager: Joe Girardi (eighth season)
Projected Lineup: LF Brett Gardner (.256, 17, 58, 21 SBs),
CF Jacoby Ellsbury (.271, 16, 70, 39 SBs), RF Carlos Bel-
tran (.233, 15, 49), C Brian McCann (.232, 23, 75), 1B Mark
Teixeira (.216, 22, 62), DH Alex Rodriguez (served yearlong
suspension), 3B Chase Headley (.243, 13, 49), 2B Stephen
Drew (.162, 7, 26), SS Didi Gregorius (.226, 6, 27)
Rotation: RH Masahiro Tanaka (13-5, 2.77), LH CC Sabath-
ia (3-4, 5.28), RH Michael Pineda (5-5, 1.89), RH Nathan
Eovaldi (6-4, 4.37), RH Adam Warren (3-6, 2.97)
Key Relievers: LH Andrew Miller (5-5, 1.51), RH Dellin
Betances (5-0, 1.40), RH David Carpenter (6-4, 3.54)
The Skinny: New York has had declining wins totals in
three consecutive seasons for the first time since 1986-90.
Toronto Blue Jays
2014 Record: 83-79, third place
Manager: John Gibbons (third season)
Projected Lineup: SS Jose Reyes (.287, 9, 51), C Russell
Martin (.290, 11, 67), RF Jose Bautista (.286, 35, 103), DH
Edwin Encarnacion (.268, 34, 98), 3B Josh Donaldson
(.255, 29, 98), LF Michael Saunders (.273, 8, 34), 1B Justin
Smoak (.202, 7, 30), CF Dalton Pompey (.231, 1, 4) or
Kevin Pillar (.267, 2, 7), 2B Devon Travis (.298, 10, 52 at
Double-A) or Ryan Goins (.188, 1, 15)
Rotation: RH R.A. Dickey (14-13, 3.71), LH Mark Buehrle
(13-10, 3.39), RH Drew Hutchison (11-13, 4.48), RH Aaron
Sanchez (2-2, 1.09 in 24 relief appearances), LH Daniel
Norris (12-2, 2.53 at three minor league levels)
Key Relievers: LH Brett Cecil (2-3, 2.70), LH Aaron Loup
(4-4, 3.15), RH Marco Estrada (7-6, 4.36)
The Skinny: Toronto’s 21-year postseason drought is the
longest in baseball.
Tampa Bay Rays
2014 Record: 77-85, fourth place
Manager: Kevin Cash (first season)
Projected Lineup: DH John Jaso (.264, 9, 40), RF Steven
Souza Jr. (.130, 2, 2), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (.241, 14, 61),
3B Evan Longoria (.253, 22, 91, 26 2Bs), 1B James Loney
(.290, 9, 69), LF Desmond Jennings (.244, 10, 36), 2B
Logan Forsythe (.223, 6, 26), C Rene Rivera (.252, 11, 44),
CF Kevin Kiermaier (.263, 10, 35)
Rotation: RH Chris Archer (10-9, 3.33), RH Jake Odorizzi
(11-13, 4.13), RH Nathan Karns (9-9, 5.08 in 27 starts at Tri-
ple-A Durham), RH Matt Andriese (11-8, 3.77 with Durham),
RH Burch Smith (0-2, 18.56 for in minor leagues)
Key Relievers: LH Jake McGee (5-2, 1.89, 19 saves), RH
Grant Balfour (2-6, 12 saves), RH Ernesto Frieri (1-4, 7.34,
11 saves).
The Skinny: The Rays overhauled their roster with a series
of trades that shipped out nine players.
Boston Red Sox
2014 Record: 71-91, last place
Manager: John Farrell (third season)
Projected Lineup: CF Mookie Betts (.291, 5, 18), 2B Dustin
Pedroia (.278, 7, 53), DH David Ortiz (.263, 35, 104), LF
Hanley Ramirez (.283, 13, 71), 3B Pablo Sandoval (.279,
16, 73), 1B Mike Napoli (.248, 17, 55), RF Shane Victorino
(.268, 2, 12) or Allen Craig (.215, 8, 46), SS Xander Bo-
gaerts (.240, 12, 46), C Christian Vazquez (.240, 1, 20)
Rotation: RH Clay Buchholz (8-11, 5.34), RH Rick Porcello
(15-13, 3.43), LH Wade Miley (8-12, 4.34), RH Joe Kelly (6-
4, 4.20), RH Justin Masterson (7-9, 5.88)
Key Relievers: RH Koji Uehara (6-5, 2.52, 26 saves), RH
Edward Mujica (2-4, 3.90), RH Junichi Tazawa (4-3, 2.86)
The Skinny: With the offseason free-agent signings of
Ramirez and Sandoval, general manager Ben Cherington
hopes he fixed the weak link of last year’s team — the
offense. The Sox were 11th in the AL in scoring.
Center fielder Adam Jones was a big run-
producer, driving in 96 to lead Baltimore to the AL
Championship Series.
A lot of pressure will be on Alex Gordon and the
rest of the Kansas City Royals to duplicate the
success they had in 2014.
The Los Angeles Angels are counting on Mike Trout
to have another big season after he helped them
back to the playoffs last season.
CENTRAL WEST
Designated hitter Nelson Cruz was brought in to
help solve some of the concerns Seattle had about
its offensive production.
Boston traded for Hanley Ramirez, hoping the
former Miami Marlin will help revive an ailing
offense that ranked 11th in the AL in scoring.
After a Cy Young Award winning season, can
former Stetson pitcher Corey Kluber lead the
Cleveland Indians to a playoff berth?
Detroit Tigers
2014 Record: 90-72, first place, lost to Baltimore in
Division Series
Manager: Brad Ausmus (second season)
Projected Lineup: CF Anthony Gose (.226, 2 HRs, 13
RBIs, 15 SBs) or CF Rajai Davis (.282, 8, 51, 36 SBs), 2B
Ian Kinsler (.275, 17, 92), 1B Miguel Cabrera (.313, 25,
109), DH Victor Martinez (.335, 32, 103), RF J.D. Marti-
nez (.315, 23, 76), LF Yoenis Cespedes (.260, 22, 100),
3B Nick Castellanos (.259, 11, 66), C Alex Avila (.218, 11,
47), SS Jose Iglesias (injured)
Rotation: LH David Price (15-12, 3.26, MLB-best 271 Ks),
RH Justin Verlander (15-12, 4.54), RH Anibal Sanchez (8-
5, 3.43), RH Shane Greene (5-4, 3.78), RH Alfredo Simon
(15-10, 3.44)
Key Relievers: RH Joe Nathan (5-4, 4.81, 35 saves), RH
Joakim Soria (2-4, 3.25, 18 saves)
The Skinny: After four consecutive Central titles, the
Tigers are not a clear favorite.
Kansas City Royals
2014 Record: 89-73, second place, lost to San Francisco
in World Series
Manager: Ned Yost (sixth season)
Projected Lineup: SS Alcides Escobar (.285, 3, 50, 31
SBs), LF Alex Gordon (.266, 19, 74), 1B Eric Hosmer
(.270, 9, 58), DH Kendrys Morales (.218, 8, 42), RF Alex
Rios (.280, 4, 54), C Salvador Perez (.260, 17, 70), RF
Lorenzo Cain (.301, 5, 53), 3B Mike Moustakas (.212, 15,
54), 2B Omar Infante (.252, 6, 66)
Rotation: RH Yordano Ventura (14-10, 3.20), LH Jason
Vargas (11-10, 3.71), RH Edinson Volquez (13-7, 3.04), LH
Danny Duffy (9-12, 2.53), RH Jeremy Guthrie (13-11, 4.13)
Key Relievers: RH Greg Holland (1-3, 1.44, 46 saves), RH
Wade Davis (9-2, 1.00), RH Kelvin Herrera (4-3, 1.41)
The Skinny: The Royals no longer are the overlooked
little brother in the stacked Central.
Cleveland Indians
2014 Record: 85-77, third place
Manager: Terry Francona (third season)
Projected Lineup: CF Michael Bourn (.257, 3, 28, 10
SBs), 2B Jason Kipnis (.240, 6, 41), LF Michael Brantley
(.327, 20, 97), 1B Carlos Santana (.231, 27, 85), DH-OF
Brandon Moss (.234, 25, 81), C Yan Gomes (.278, 21,
74), 3B Lonnie Chisenhall (.280, 13, 59), RF David Mur-
phy (.262, 8, 58) or Ryan Raburn (.200, 4, 22,), SS Jose
Ramirez (.262, 2, 17).
Rotation: RH Corey Kluber (18-9, 2.44 ERA, 269 Ks,
Cy Young winner, former Stetson pitcher), RH Carlos
Carrasco (8-7, 2.55), RH Trevor Bauer (5-8, 4.18), LH T.J.
House (5-3, 3.35). RH Zach McAllister (4-7, 5.23)
Key Relievers: RH Cody Allen (6-4, 24 saves), RH Bryan
Shaw (5-5, 2.59), RH Scott Atchison (6-0, 2.75)
The Skinny: The Indians should do more than just
contend with a strong nucleus and budding superstars in
Brantley and Kluber.
Chicago White Sox
2014 Record: 73-89, fourth place
Manager: Robin Ventura (fourth season)
Projected Lineup: CF Adam Eaton (.300, 1, 35, 15 SBs),
LF Melky Cabrera (.301, 16, 73), 1B Jose Abreu (.317, 36,
107), DH Adam LaRoche (.259, 26, 92, RF Avisail Garcia
(.244, 7, 29), SS Alexei Ramirez (.273, 15, 74), 3B Conor
Gillaspie (.282, 7, 57), C Tyler Flowers (.241, 15, 50), 2B
Micah Johnson (.294, 5, 44 at two minor league levels)
Rotation: LH Chris Sale (12-4, 2.17), RH Jeff Samardzija
(7-13, 2.99), LH Jose Quintana (9-11, 3.32), LH John
Danks (11-11, 4.74), RH Hector Noesi (8-12, 4.75) or LH
Carlos Rodon (0-0, 2.92 at three minor league levels)
Key Relievers: RH David Robertson (4-5, 3.08, 39
saves), RH Jake Petricka (1-6, 2.96, 14 saves)
The Skinny: The White Sox think they are poised to
contend iafter back-to-back losing seasons.
Minnesota Twins
2014 Record: 70-92, last place
Manager: Paul Molitor (first season)
Projected Lineup: SS Danny Santana (.319, 7, 40, 20
SBs), 1B Joe Mauer (.277, 4, 55), 2B Brian Dozier (.242,
23, 71, 21 SBs), DH Kennys Vargas (.274, 9, 38), RF Torii
Hunter (.286, 17, 83), LF Oswaldo Arcia (.231, 20, 57),
3B Trevor Plouffe (.258, 14, 80), C Kurt Suzuki (.288, 3,
61), CF Aaron Hicks (.215, 1, 18) or Jordan Schafer (.285,
1, 13, 15 SBs)
Rotation: RH Phil Hughes (16-10, 3.52), RH Ervin Santa-
na (14-10, 3.95), RH Ricky Nolasco (6-12, 5.38), RH Kyle
Gibson (13-12, 4.47), LH Tommy Milone (6-4, 4.19) or RH
Mike Pelfrey (0-3, 7.99)
Key Relievers: LH Glen Perkins (4-3, 3.65, 34 saves), RH
Casey Fien (5-6, 3.98), LH Brian Duensing (3-3, 3.31)
The Skinny: Molitor has succeeded Ron Gardenhire and
brought with him a fresh start.
Los Angeles Angels
2014 Record: 98-64, first place, lost to Kansas City in
Division Series
Manager: Mike Scioscia (16th season)
Projected Lineup: RF Kole Calhoun (.272, 17 HRs, 58 RBIs),
CF Mike Trout (.287, 36, 111), 1B Albert Pujols (.272, 28,
105), LF Matt Joyce (.254, 9, 52), 3B David Freese (.260,
10, 55), DH C.J. Cron (.256, 11, 37), SS Erick Aybar (.278, 7,
68), 2B Josh Rutledge (.269, 4, 33), C Chris Iannetta (.252,
7, 43)
Rotation: RH Jered Weaver (18-9, 3.59), LH C.J. Wilson
(13-10, 4.51), RH Garrett Richards (13-4, 2.61), RH Matt
Shoemaker (16-4, 3.04), LH Andrew Heaney (5-4, 3.87 for
Triple-A New Orleans)
Key Relievers: RH Huston Street (1-2, 1.71, 17 saves), RH
Joe Smith (7-2, 1.81, 15 saves)
The Skinny: The Angels put up the majors’ best record
last year, but their return to the playoffs lasted only three
games.
Oakland Athletics
2014 Record: 88-74, second place, lost to Kansas City in
wild-card game
Manager: Bob Melvin (fifth season)
Projected Lineup: Coco Crisp (.246, 9, 47, 19 SBs), CF
Craig Gentry (.254, 0, 12), 2B Ben Zobrist (.272, 10, 52,),
DH Billy Butler (.271, 9, 66), 3B Brett Lawrie (.247, 12, 38),
1B Ike Davis (.233, 11, 51) or Mark Canha (.303, 20, 82 in
Triple-A), RF Josh Reddick (.264, 12, 54), C Stephen Vogt
(.279, 9, 35) or Josh Phegley (.274, 23, 75 in Triple-A), SS
Marcus Semien (.234, 6, 28)
Rotation: RH Sonny Gray (14-10, 3.08), LH Scott Kazmir
(15-9, 3.55), RH Jesse Hahn (7-4, 3.07), RH Kendall Grave-
man (14-6, 1.83 at three minor league levels), RH Jesse
Chavez (8-8, 3.45) or LH Drew Pomeranz (5-4, 2.35)
Key Relievers: LH Sean Doolittle (2-4, 2.73, 22 saves), RH
Tyler Clippard (7-4, 2.18), LH Eric O’Flaherty (1-0, 2.25)
The Skinny: Oakland traded five of its seven All-Stars from
last year.
Seattle Mariners
2014 Record: 87-75, third place
Manager: Lloyd McClendon (second season)
Projected Lineup: CF Austin Jackson (.229, 0, 14), RF Seth
Smith (.266, 12, 48) or RF Justin Ruggiano (.281, 6, 28),
2B Robinson Cano (.314, 14, 82), DH Nelson Cruz (.271,
MLB leading 40 HR, 104), 3B Kyle Seager (.268, 25, 96), 1B
Logan Morrison (.262, 11, 38), LF Dustin Ackley (.245, 14,
65) or LF Rickie Weeks (.274, 8, 29), C Mike Zunino (.199,
22, 60), SS Brad Miller (.221, 10, 36)
Rotation: RH Felix Hernandez (15-6, 2.14, 248 Ks), RH
Hisashi Iwakuma (15-9, 3.52), LH James Paxton (6-4, 3.04),
LH J.A. Happ (11-11, 4.22), RH Taijuan Walker (2-3, 2.61),
LH Roenis Elias (10-12, 3.89)
Key Relievers: LH Charlie Furbush (1-5, 3.61), RH Fernando
Rodney (1-6, 2.85, 48 saves)
The Skinny: Anything less than a spot in the postseason
certainly will be a disappointment for the Mariners.
Houston Astros
2014 Record: 70-92, fourth place
Manager: A.J. Hinch (first season)
Projected Lineup: CF Colby Rasmus (.225, 18, 40), 2B Jose
Aluve (.341, 7, 59, 56 SBs), 3B Luis Valbuena (.249, 16, 51),
SS Jed Lowrie (.249, 6, 50), LF Evan Gattis (.263, 22, 52),
1B Jon Singleton (.168, 13, 44), RF George Springer (.231,
20, 51), DH Chris Carter (.227, 37, 88), C Jason Castro
(.222, 14, 56)
Rotation: LH Dallas Keuchel (12-9, 2.93, 5 CGs), RH Scott
Feldman (8-12, 3.74), RH Collin McHugh (11-9, 2.73), LH
Brett Oberholtzer (5-13, 4.39), RH Roberto Hernandez (8-11,
4.10) or RH Asher Wojciechowski (4-4, 4.74 in Triple-A)
Key Relievers: RH Chad Qualls (1-5, 3.33, 19 saves), RH
Pat Neshek (7-2, 1.87), LH Tony Sipp (4-3, 3.38)
The Skinny: The Astros made a 19-game improvement last
year.
Texas Rangers
2014 Record: 67-95, last place
Manager: Jeff Banister (first season)
Projected Lineup: CF Leonys Martin (.274, 7, 40, 31 SBs),
SS Elvis Andrus (.263, 2, 41, 27 SBs), RF Shin-Soo Choo
(.242, 13, 40), 3B Adrian Beltre (.324, 19, 77), 1B Prince
Fielder (.247, 3, 16), DH Mitch Moreland (.246, 2, 23), C
Robinson Chirinos (.239, 13, 40), LF Jake Smolinksi (.349,
3, 12) or Ryan Rua (.295, 2, 14 in 28 games), 2B Rougned
Odor (.259, 9, 48)
Rotation: RH Yovani Gallardo (8-11, 3.51), RH Colby Lewis
(10-14, 5.18), LH Ross Detwiler (2-3, 4.00 as reliever), LH
Derek Holland (2-0, 1.46), RH Nick Martinez (5-12, 4.55)
Key Relievers: RH Neftali Feliz (2-1, 1.99, 13 saves), RH
Shawn Tolleson (3-1, 2.76)
The Skinny: The Rangers go into the season with a new
manager and without ace Yu Darvish.
— Capsules and photos from the Associated Press
T E A M - B Y - T E A M C A P S U L E S