Inside Baseball

BASEBALL SPRING TRAINING

Spring Training 2013: Grapefruit League preview

 

mnavarro@MiamiHerald.com

Key additions: OF Shane Victorino, 1B Mike Napoli, SP Ryan Dempster, SS Stephen Drew, DH Johnny Gomes, RP Joel Hanrahan.

Stadium/ticket info: JetBlue Park at Fenway South, 11581 Daniels Parkway, Fort Myers. Information and tickets: www.redsox.com or call 888-REDSOX6. Ticket prices: $10-$46.

DETROIT TIGERS

Outlook: The defending American League champions are focused on getting back to the World Series and winning. Detroit parted ways with closer Jose Valverde and enters camp with that spot as its biggest question mark. Bruce Rondon, a 22-year-old Venezuelan with a 102-mph fastball, is a viable candidate to win that job. If he’s not ready, Joaquin Benoit, Phil Coke or Octavio Dotel likely would earn those duties. Top offensive prospects Nick Castellanos and Avisail Garcia will also try to impress manager Jim Leyland and earn an Opening Day spot on the roster.

Top returning players: 3B Miguel Cabrera (.330, 44 HR, 139 RBI), 1B Prince Fielder (.313, 30 HR, 108 RBI), OF Austin Jackson (.300, 16 HR, 66 RBI), SS Jhonny Peralta (.239, 13 HR, 63 RBI), SP Justin Verlander (17-8, 2.64 ERA), SP Anibal Sanchez (4-6, 3.74 ERA), SP Max Scherzer (16-7, 3.74 ERA).

Key losses: OF Delmon Young, C Gerald Laird, OF Ryan Raburn, RP Daniel Schlereth, CP Jose Valverde.

Key additions: OF Torii Hunter, C Brayan Pena, RP Octavio Dotel.

Stadium/ticket info: Joker Marchant Stadium, 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland. www.tigers.com or call 866-668-4437. Ticket prices: $10-$32.

HOUSTON ASTROS

Outlook: Of the 61 players on the spring roster, only 22 were in major-league camp with Houston a year ago. That’s a good thing when you consider the Astros won just 55 games last season. New manager Bo Porter is trying to change the culture of a team that lost a club-record 107 games last season by posting motivational signs all over the locker room. The Astros signed a handful of veterans in the offseason to one-year deals — outfielder Rick Ankiel, starting pitcher Erik Bedard, first baseman Carlos Pena and reliever Jose Veras were those additions. Houston will make its debut in the American League West this season.

Top returning players: SP Lucas Harrell (11-11, 3.76 ERA), SP Bud Norris (7-13, 4.65 ERA), 2B Jose Altuve (.290, 7 HR, 37 RBI), LF J.D. Martinez (.241, 11 HR, 55 RBI).

Key losses: SS Jed Lowrie, RP Fernando Rodriguez, RP Wilton Lopez, SP Aneury Rodriguez.

Key additions: 1B Chris Carter, RP John Ely, SP Phillip Humber, 1B Carlos Pena, RP Jose Veras, SP Alex White, SP Erik Bedard, OF Rick Ankiel.

Stadium/ticket info: Osceola County Stadium, 631 Heritage Park Way, Kissimmee. www.astros.com or call 321-697-3200. Ticket prices: $15-$40.

MINNESOTA TWINS

Outlook: After finishing with the worst record in the American League for the second year in a row and the second-worst ERA in the majors, the Twins went shopping for starting pitching in the offseason. They gave up starting outfielders Denard Span and Ben Revere to get Vance Worley, Mike Pelfrey and Kevin Correia, all from the National League. There are question marks at second base, shortstop and center field. Brian Dozier, Pedro Florimon, Jamey Carroll and Eduardo Escobar are candidates for both infield spots, and Darin Mastroianni will battle top prospects Aaron Hicks and Joe Benson in center.

Top returning players: SP Scott Diamond (12-9, 3.54 ERA), C Joe Mauer (.319, 10 HR, 85 RBI), LF Josh Willingham (.260, 35 HR, 110 RBI), 1B Justin Morneau (.267, 19 HR, 77 RBI), C Ryan Doumit (.275, 18 HR, 75 RBI).

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