2023 AL West season preview

• March 25, 2023

Capsule previews of the AL West teams, listed in order of their 2022 finish:

HOUSTON ASTROS

2022: 106-56, first place, won World Series

Manager: Dusty Baker (fourth season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Chicago White Sox

He’s Here: GM Dana Brown, 1B José Abreu, LHP Matt Gage

He’s Outta Here: GM James Click, RHP Justin Verlander, 1B Yuli Gurriel, INF/OF Aledmys Diaz

Top Hitters: DH Yordan Alvarez (.306, 37 HRs, 97 RBIs, 1.019 OPS), 2B Jose Altuve (.300, 28, 57, 39 doubles), RF Kyle Tucker (.257, 30, 107, 25 SBs), 1B José Abreu (.304, 15, 75, 40 doubles, 183 hits for White Sox)

Projected Rotation: LH Framber Valdez (17-6, 2.82 ERA, 194 Ks, 3 CGs), RH Cristian Javier (11-9, 2.54, 194 Ks), RH José Urquidy (13-8, 3.94), RH Luis Garcia (15-8, 3.72), RH Hunter Brown (2-0, 0.89 in seven games, two starts)

Key Relievers: RH Ryan Pressly (3-3, 2.98 ERA, 33 saves), RH Rafael Montero (5-2, 2.37, 14 saves), RH Ryne Stanek (2-1, 1.15 in 59 games), RH Bryan Abreu (4-0, 1.94 in 55 games)

Outlook: After winning the second World Series title in franchise history, the Astros are the favorites to repeat in 2023 despite losing Verlander, the AL Cy Young Award winner, in free agency. Houston’s rotation should still be in good shape with Valdez and Javier leading the young group and Hunter Brown expected to take the next step after seeing limited work as a rookie last season. The lineup remains largely intact, with the one big change at first base where the Astros added Abreu, the 2020 AL MVP, to replace Gurriel. But the team sustained a big blow in spring training when Altuve broke his right thumb when he was hit by a pitch playing for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. The 2017 AL MVP needs surgery and new GM Dana Brown said Altuve will be out for “a while,” leaving Mauricio Dubón and David Hensley to fill in.

SEATTLE MARINERS

2022: 90-72, second place, lost to Houston in the ALDS

Manager: Scott Servais (seventh season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Cleveland

He’s Here: 2B Kolten Wong, OF AJ Pollock, OF Teoscar Hernández, RHP Trevor Gott, DH Tommy La Stella, C/OF Cooper Hummel

He’s Outta Here: OF Mitch Haniger, OF Jesse Winker, 2B Adam Frazier, 1B/DH Carlos Santana, INF Abraham Toro, C Luis Torrens, OF Kyle Lewis, RHP Erik Swanson, LHP Matthew Boyd

Top Hitters: CF Julio Rodríguez (.284, 28 HRs, 75 RBIs, .853 OPS, AL Rookie of the Year), 1B Ty France (.274, 20, 73), RF Teoscar Hernández (.267, 25, 77, .807 OPS with Toronto), C Cal Raleigh (.211, 27, 63, .774 OPS), 3B Eugenio Suárez (.236, 31, 87)

Projected Rotation: RH Luis Castillo (4-2, 3.17 ERA, 77 Ks in 11 starts with Seattle after a trade from Cincinnati; 8-6, 2.99 in 25 starts overall), LH Robbie Ray (12-12, 3.71, 212 Ks), RH Logan Gilbert (13-6, 3.20, 174 Ks), RH George Kirby (8-5, 3.39, 133 Ks, 22 BBs), LH Marco Gonzales (10-15, 4.13)

Key Relievers: RH Paul Sewald (5-4, 2.67 ERA, 20 saves in 65 games), RH Andres Muñoz (2-5, 2.49, 96 Ks in 65 IP), RH Matt Brash (4-4, 4.44 in 39 games), RH Diego Castillo (7-3, 3.64, 59 games)

Outlook: The drought is over! Now, what’s next for the Mariners? After ending the longest playoff drought in the four major pro sports last season and reaching the ALDS, the Mariners believe they can close the gap on Houston in the AL West. Their pitching, if healthy, will be in consideration for the best rotation in baseball – especially with Castillo in the fold for a full season. But questions remain offensively as to whether Seattle did enough. Hernández should be a modest upgrade over Haniger in right field and Wong should be the same at second base. The tipping point could be if Pollock and Jarred Kelenic can combine for above-average production in left field. If that happens, Seattle could end up with an offense good enough to make the AL West a closer race this time around.

ANGELS

2022: 73-89, third place

Manager: Phil Nevin (first full season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at Oakland

He’s Here: OF Hunter Renfroe, LHP Tyler Anderson, RHP Carlos Estevez, INF Brandon Drury, INF Gio Urshela, OF Brett Phillips

He’s Outta Here: C Kurt Suzuki, RHP Michael Lorenzen, RHP Mike Mayers, RHP Oliver Ortega

Top Hitters: OF Mike Trout (.283, 40 HRs, 80 RBIs), DH Shohei Ohtani (.273, 34, 95), OF Taylor Ward (.281, 23, 65)

Projected Rotation: RH Shohei Ohtani (15-9, 2.33 ERA), LH Patrick Sandoval (6-9, 2.91), LH Tyler Anderson (15-5, 2.57 with Dodgers), LH Reid Detmers (7-6, 3.77), LH Jose Suarez (8-8, 3.96), LH Tucker Davidson (2-7, 6.75)

Key Relievers: RH Carlos Estevez (4-4, 3.47 ERA, 2 saves with Colorado), RH Ryan Tepera (5-4, 3.61, 6 saves), LH Aaron Loup (0-5, 3.84, 1 save)

Outlook: All eyes will be on Ohtani in the final season of the two-way superstar’s contract because the Angels seem to have no hope of keeping him unless they embark on a winning season and serious playoff contention. Trout is also back healthy, and the Halos bolstered the depth beneath their stars as they attempt to end the majors’ longest streaks of non-playoff seasons (eight) and losing seasons (seven). Renfroe, Urshela and Drury are more talented than the players they replaced, and Anderson is hoping to replicate his career year in the Dodgers’ rotation. If the starting pitching can just replicate its 2022 performance, the improved offense should yield more wins. High-priced third baseman Anthony Rendon is back for a fourth attempt to stay healthy. The bullpen looks suspect with no upgrades to last year’s shaky unit beyond Estevez, the presumptive closer.

TEXAS RANGERS

2022: 68-94, fourth place

Manager: Bruce Bochy (first season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Philadelphia

He’s Here: RHP Jacob deGrom, RHP Nathan Eovaldi, LHP Andrew Heaney, RHP Jake Odorizzi, LHP Will Smith, LF Robbie Grossman

He’s Outta Here: Manager Chris Woodward (fired Aug. 15), LHP Kolby Allard, RF Kole Calhoun, OF Mark Mathias, LHP Matt Moore, RHP Garrett Richards, RHP Dennis Santana, LF Nick Solak, OF Eli White, INF Charlie Culberson

Top Hitters: SS Corey Seager (.245, 33 HRs, 83 RBIs), RF Adolis Garcia (.250, 27, 101, 34 doubles, 25 SBs), 1B Nathaniel Lowe (.302, 27, 76), 2B Marcus Semien (.248, 26, 83, 101 runs, 25 SBs), C Jonah Heim (.227, 16, 48)

Projected Rotation: RH Jacob deGrom (5-4, 3.08 ERA, 102 Ks in 64-1/3 innings over 11 starts for Mets), LH Martín Pérez (12-8, 2.89 in 32 starts), RH Jon Gray (7-7, 3.96), RH Nathan Eovaldi (6-3, 3.87 in 20 starts for Boston), LH Andrew Heaney (4-4, 3.10 in 16 games, 14 starts for Dodgers)

Key Relievers: RH José Leclerc (0-3, 2.83 ERA, 7 saves), RH Joe Barlow (3-1, 3.86, 13 saves), LH Brock Burke (7-5, 1.97, 90 Ks in 82-1/3 innings), LH Taylor Hearn (6-8, 5.13 in 31 games, 13 starts), RH Jonathan Hernandez (2-3, 2.97), RH Jake Odorizzi (6-6, 4.40 in 22 starts for Houston and Atlanta), LH Will Smith (0-3, 3.97 in 65 games for Atlanta and Houston)

Outlook: A year after their half-billion dollar investment for All-Star middle infielders Seager and Semien, the Rangers this offseason brought three-time World Series champion manager Bochy out of his three-year retirement and revamped their starting rotation. Two-time NL Cy Young Award winner deGrom, former All-Star Eovaldi and Heaney signed in free agency after none pitched a full season last year because of injuries. Neither did Gray, who after being signed to be the No. 1 Texas starter last season had three IL stints. If most of them can stay healthy and Pérez can follow up his All-Star season with another solid effort, Texas could have its best rotation ever. Combine that with an offense that can score and the Rangers would certainly be in position to end their string of six consecutive losing seasons – and very possibly contend for a playoff spot.

OAKLAND A’s

2022: 60-102, fifth place

Manager: Mark Kotsay (second season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Angels

He’s Here: RHP Shintaro Fujinami, RHP Drew Rucinski, LHP Kyle Muller, RHP Trevor May, 1B Jesús Aguilar, INF/OF Aledmys Díaz, INF Jace Peterson, OF Esteury Ruiz, OF Brent Rooker, 1B Ryan Noda, RHP Chad Smith, C Manny Piña, C Yohel Pozo

He’s Outta Here: C Sean Murphy, LHP Cole Irvin, OF Chad Pinder, C Stephen Vogt, LHP Zach Logue, LHP A.J. Puk

Top Hitters: OF Seth Brown (.230, 25 HRs, 73 RBIs), OF Ramón Laureano (.211, 13, 34), 1B Jesús Aguilar (.235, 16, 51 with Marlins and Orioles)

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Projected Rotation: RH Shintaro Fujinami (7-6, 2.77 ERA in Japan), RH Drew Rucinski (10-12, 2.97 in Korea), RH James Kaprielian (5-9, 4.23), LH Kyle Muller (1-1, 8.03 in three starts for Braves; 6-8, 3.41 in Triple-A), RH Adam Oller (2-8, 6.30), RH Paul Blackburn (7-6, 4.28, will begin season on IL)

Key Relievers: RH Dany Jimenez (3-4, 3.41 ERA, 11/14 saves), RH Trevor May (2-0, 5.04, 1 save with Mets), RH Domingo Acevedo (4-4, 3.33, 4 saves)

Outlook: A run of four consecutive winning seasons came to a crashing halt in 2022 when the A’s racked up their most losses since 1979. Oakland traded away more key players like Murphy and Irvin as the team once again is cutting payroll. While the A’s have added some potential prospects for down the road, they don’t seem close to contender status in 2023. The biggest question will be resolving their stadium issue, whether that’s getting a deal done to stay in Oakland or one to move to Las Vegas.

​ Orange County Register 

2023 AL Central season preview

• March 25, 2023

Capsule previews of the AL Central teams, listed in order of their 2022 finish:

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS

2022: 92-70, first place, lost to Yankees in ALDS

Manager: Terry Francona (11th season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at Seattle

He’s Here: 1B/DH Josh Bell, C Mike Zunino

He’s Outta Here: C Austin Hedges, OF/DH Franmil Reyes, RHP Bryan Shaw, C Luke Maile, 1B Bobby Bradley, INF Yu Chang, OF Nolan Jones, C Sandy Leon

Top Hitters: 3B José Ramírez (.280, 29 HRs, 126 RBIs, .869 OPS, AL-best 44 doubles), 2B Andrés Giménez (.297, 16, 69, .837 OPS, AL-high 25 HBP), LF Steven Kwan (.298, 6, 52, .373 OBP, 9.4 AB per K, third in AL Rookie of Year voting), SS Amed Rosario (.283, 11, 71, AL-high 9 triples), 1B/DH Josh Bell (.266, 17, 71, .784 OPS with Nationals and Padres)

Projected Rotation: RH Shane Bieber (13-8, 2.88 ERA, 198 Ks in 200 innings), RH Triston McKenzie (11-11, 2.96, 190 Ks), RH Cal Quantrill (15-5, 3.38; 9-0 at home in 19 starts), RH Zach Plesac (3-12, 4.31), RH Aaron Civale (5-6, 4.92)

Key Relievers: RH Emmanuel Clase (3-4, 1.36 ERA, MLB-leading 42 saves), RH Eli Morgan (5-3, 3.38, 13 walks in 66-1/3 innings), RH James Karinchak (2-0, 2.03, 3 saves, 62 Ks in 39 innings), LH Sam Hentges (3-2, 2.32, 57 appearances), RH Enyel De Los Santos (5-0, 3.04 in 50 games)

Outlook: In their first year as the Guardians, baseball’s youngest team rolled to a surprising division title, winning the AL Central by 11 games. They did it without a proven power hitter in a lineup that relied on patience at the plate, speed on the bases and timely hits. The club hopes signing the switch-hitting Bell will give the Guardians an infusion of extra-base pop. Bieber bounced back nicely following an injury-slowed season. Cleveland’s strong bullpen is a major weapon for Francona, who has finally recovered from some major health concerns. Expectations are to go farther in the postseason for a franchise that hasn’t won the World Series since 1948.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

2022: 81-81, second place

Manager: Pedro Grifol (first season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at Houston

He’s Here: RHP Mike Clevinger, OF Andrew Benintendi

He’s Outta Here: Manager Tony La Russa, 1B Jose Abreu, RHP Johnny Cueto, OF AJ Pollock, OF Adam Engel, INF Danny Mendick

Top Hitters: SS Tim Anderson (.301, 6 HRs, 25 RBIs in 79 games), OF Eloy Jiménez (.295, 16, 54, .858 OPS in 84 games), OF Luis Robert (.284, 12, 56 in 98 games), 3B Yoán Moncada (.212, 12, 51), 1B Andrew Vaughn (.271, 17, 76), OF Andrew Benintendi (.304, 5, 51 with Royals and Yankees)

Projected Rotation: RH Dylan Cease (14-8, 2.20 ERA, 227 Ks), RH Lance Lynn (8-7, 3.99), RH Lucas Giolito (11-9, 4.90), RH Michael Kopech (5-9, 3.54), RH Mike Clevinger (7-7, 4.33 with San Diego)

Key Relievers: RH Liam Hendriks (4-4, 2.81 ERA, 37/41 saves), RH Reynaldo López (6-4, 2.76), RH Joe Kelly (1-3, 6.08), LHP Aaron Bummer (2-1, 2.36), LH Jake Diekman (5-4, 4.99 for Red Sox and White Sox), RH Kendall Graveman (3-4, 3.18), RH Jimmy Lambert (1-2, 3.26), RH José Ruiz (1-0, 4.60)

Outlook: The White Sox had their sights set on a deep playoff run this time last year after back-to-back early exits, only to deliver their most disappointing season in recent memory. Hall of Fame manager La Russa is gone after two seasons, and so is Abreu, the 2020 AL MVP. The White Sox hope that better health and a change on the bench, not to mention the few additions they made, give them the lift they need to bounce back. One big question is when Hendriks will pitch. The three-time All-Star announced in January he has non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Clevinger was investigated by MLB after the mother of his daughter revealed allegations of domestic abuse in an Instagram post in January, about seven weeks after he signed with Chicago. MLB ultimately opted not to discipline him.

MINNESOTA TWINS

2022: 78-84, third place

Manager: Rocco Baldelli (fifth season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at Kansas City

He’s Here: RHP Pablo López, OF Joey Gallo, C Christian Vázquez, OF Michael Taylor, INF Kyle Farmer, INF Donovan Solano

He’s Outta Here: 1B/2B Luis Arraez, 3B Gio Urshela, C Gary Sánchez, RHP Dylan Bundy, RHP Chris Archer, RHP Michael Fulmer, LHP Devin Smeltzer, 1B Miguel Sanó, OF Jake Cave

Top Hitters: SS Carlos Correa (.291, 22 HRs, 64 RBIs, .834 OPS), CF Byron Buxton (.224, 28, 51, .833 OPS in 92 games), 3B Jose Miranda (.268, 15, 66, .751 OPS), 2B Jorge Polanco (.235, 16, 56, .751 OPS)

Projected Rotation: RH Sonny Gray (8-5, 3.08 ERA), RH Pablo López (10-10, 3.75 for Miami), RH Tyler Mahle (6-8, 4.40 for Cincinnati and Minnesota), RH Kenta Maeda (missed 2022 season recovering from elbow surgery), RH Joe Ryan (13-8, 3.55)

Key Relievers: RH Jhoan Duran (2-4, 1.86 ERA, 8 saves, 89 Ks in 67-2/3 IP), RH Jorge López (4-7, 2.54, 23 saves for Baltimore and Minnesota), RH Griffin Jax (7-4, 3.36, 1 save)

Outlook: Bringing back Correa on a franchise-record $200 million contract after his agreed-to deals with the Giants and Mets fell through was a game-changer on and off the field for the Twins, who led the AL Central for 108 days last season before a hard fade triggered by a rash of injuries to important players. Buxton was again limited by injury, this time patellar tendinitis in his right knee and a related hip strain that popped up. Polanco is also coming off a bothersome knee injury that might keep him from being ready for Opening Day. Alex Kirilloff, in line to take over at first base, is yet another key hitter who has been brought along slowly in spring training. If those four and Miranda can stay healthy, the Twins ought to have a productive lineup. If not, they’ll miss AL batting champion Arraez – who was traded to the Marlins for López – all the more. While the Twins still don’t have a true ace, their rotation is as deep as they’ve assembled lately. That’s good because they had multiple starting pitchers hurt at all times last season. Maeda is back from Tommy John surgery.

DETROIT TIGERS

2022: 66-96, fourth place

Manager: A.J. Hinch (third season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at Philadelphia

He’s Here: RHP Michael Lorenzen, LHP Matthew Boyd, INF Nick Maton, INF Andy Ibañez, OF Matt Vierling

He’s Outta Here: LHP Gregory Soto, RHP Joe Jimenez, LHP Andrew Chafin, INF Harold Castro, OF Willi Castro, INF Jeimer Candelario, C Tucker Barnhart, utility player Kody Clemens

Top Hitters: SS Javy Baez (.238, 16 HRs, 67 RBIs, 147 Ks in 555 ABs), DH Miguel Cabrera (.254, 5, 43), CF Riley Greene (.253, 5, 42), 1B Spencer Torkelson (.203, 8, 28 in 110 games), C Eric Haase (.254, 14, 44, .748 OPS)

Projected Rotation: LH Eduardo Rodriguez (5-5, 4.05 ERA), LH Matthew Boyd (2-0, 1.35 in 10 games with Seattle), RH Michael Lorenzen (8-6, 4.24 in 18 games for Angels), RH Spencer Turnbull (4-2, 2.88 in 9 games), RH Matt Manning (2-3, 3.43 in 12 games)

Key Relievers: RH Alex Lange (7-4, 3.41 ERA in 71 games), RH Jose Cisnero (1-0, 1.08 in 28 games), LH Tyler Alexander (4-11, 4.81)

Outlook: Hopes are not high in the Motor City, where the Tigers are rebuilding as they enter the first full season under General Manager Scott Harris. Detroit hasn’t had a winning season since 2016, a fact that cost former GM Al Avila his job last August, and the team hasn’t been in the playoffs in nearly a decade. The franchise desperately needs Rodriguez to bounce back after a shaky season on and off the field. The rest of the rotation includes pitchers coming off injury-shortened seasons, potentially another source of concern. Like Rodriguez, Baez is being counted on to provide a better return on the club’s investment in him than he delivered last year. Cabrera, who turns 40 on April 18, said this will be the last season of his career and fans will come to Comerica Park to watch him add to his 507 home runs, 3,088 hits and 607 doubles. Greene and Torkelson are potentially young players the franchise can build around.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

2022: 65-97, fifth place

Manager: Matt Quatraro (first season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Minnesota

He’s Here: RHP Jordan Lyles, LHP Ryan Yarbrough, LHP Aroldis Chapman

He’s Outta Here: Manager Mike Matheny, CF Michael A. Taylor, SS Adalberto Mondesi

Top Hitters: C Salvador Perez (.254, 23 HRs, 76 RBIs), SS Bobby Witt (.254, 20, 80, 30 SBs), C/OF MJ Melendez (.217, 18, 62), 1B/DH Vinnie Pasquantino (.295, 10, 26)

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Projected Rotation: RH Zack Greinke (4-9, 3.68 ERA), RH Jordan Lyles (12-11, 4.42 with Baltimore), RH Brady Singer (10-5, 3.23), LH Ryan Yarbrough (3-8, 4.50 with Tampa Bay), RH Brad Keller (6-14, 5.09)

Key Relievers: RH Scott Barlow (7-4, 2.18 ERA, 24 saves), LH Aroldis Chapman (4-4, 4.46, 9 saves with Yankees), RH Dylan Coleman (5-2, 2.78), RH Taylor Clarke (3-1, 4.04), RH Josh Staumont (3-3, 6.45), LH Amir Garrett (3-1, 4.96)

Outlook: Rather than invest in free agents to improve on last year’s dismal record, the Royals hope a change in leadership from Matheny to Quatraro, coupled with some growth in their young core, will help them take a big step forward. Witt emerged as one of the game’s bright young stars and Singer had a breakout year, but the Royals need to surround both with more help. That is especially true when it comes to pitching, where Kansas City was among the worst in baseball last season.

​ Orange County Register 

2023 AL East season preview

• March 25, 2023

Capsule previews of the AL East teams, listed in order of their 2022 finish:

NEW YORK YANKEES

2022: 99-63, first place, lost to Houston in ALCS

Manager: Aaron Boone (sixth season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. San Francisco

He’s Here: LHP Carlos Rodón, RHP Tommy Kahnle

He’s Outta Here: LHP Aroldis Chapman, RHP Jameson Taillon, RHP Chad Green, RHP Miguel Castro, LHP Lucas Luetge, INF/OF Matt Carpenter, OF Andrew Benintendi, INF/OF Marwin Gonzalez

Top Hitters: OF Aaron Judge (.311, AL-record 62 HRs, MLB-best 131 RBIs, MLB-high 133 runs, MLB-best 1.111 OPS, AL MVP), OF/DH Giancarlo Stanton (.211, 31, 78 in 110 games), 1B Anthony Rizzo (.224, 32, 75), 2B Gleyber Torres (.257, 24, 76), INF DJ LeMahieu (.261, 12, 46 in 125 games)

Projected Rotation: RH Gerrit Cole (13-8, 3.50 ERA, MLB-leading 257 Ks, 33 HRs allowed), LH Nestor Cortes (12-4, 2.44), RH Luis Severino (7-3, 3.18 in 19 starts), RH Domingo Germán (2-5, 3.61 in 15 games, 14 starts), RH Clarke Schmidt (5-5, 3.12 in 3 starts and 36 relief appearances)

Key Relievers: RH Clay Holmes (7-4, 2.54 ERA, 20/25 saves, 65 Ks in 63-2/3 IP), RH Jonathan Loáisiga (2-3, 4.13), LHP Wandy Peralta (3-4, 2.72), RH Lou Trivino (1-2, 1.66 for Oakland and Yankees), RH Ron Marinaccio (1-0, 2.05), RH Michael King (6-3, 2.29)

Outlook: Without a World Series title or even a pennant since 2009, the Yankees were eliminated by Houston last season for the third time in six years, getting swept in the AL Championship Series. After a 63-23 start, they were hit by injuries and went 36-40 the rest of the way. Rodón, their major offseason addition after going 14-8 with a 2.88 ERA for San Francisco, is likely out until May because of a strained left forearm, and trade-deadline acquisition RHP Frankie Montas will miss at least the first half of this season following shoulder surgery. The Yankees are counting on strong seasons again from Judge and Rizzo. They hope Stanton is able to remain healthy and stay in the lineup, that third baseman Josh Donaldson and outfielder Aaron Hicks rebound and center fielder Harrison Bader, slowed during spring training by an oblique injury, shows more of the power he displayed in the postseason. Holmes will be in the spotlight after an All-Star first half and a second half slowed by back and rotator cuff injuries. After making debuts late last season, outfielder Oswaldo Cabrera and shortstop Oswald Peraza could be given more prominent roles, and 21-year-old shortstop Anthony Volpe impressed during spring training in his bid for a starting job following his September promotion to Triple-A.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

2022: 92-70, second place, lost to Seattle in wild-card round

Manager: John Schneider (second season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at St. Louis

He’s Here: RHP Chris Bassitt, OF Daulton Varsho, OF Kevin Kiermaier, 1B/DH Brandon Belt, RHP Chad Green, RHP Erik Swanson, RHP Zach Thompson, bench coach Don Mattingly

He’s Outta Here: OF Teoscar Hernández, OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr., RHP Ross Stripling, C Gabriel Moreno, RHP David Phelps, OF Jackie Bradley Jr., OF Raimel Tapia, OF Bradley Zimmer, LHP Tayler Saucedo, RHP Julian Merryweather, LHP Matt Gage

Top Hitters: 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (.274, 32 HRs, 97 RBIs, .818 OPS), OF George Springer (.267, 25, 76, .814 OPS), SS Bo Bichette (.290, 24, 93, .802 OPS), C/DH Alejandro Kirk (.285, 14, 63, .786 OPS), 3B Matt Chapman (.229, 27, 76, .757 OPS)

Projected Rotation: RH Alek Manoah (16-7, 2.24 ERA, 180 Ks, 0.99 WHIP), RH Kevin Gausman (12-10, 3.35, 205 Ks), RH Chris Bassitt (15-9, 3.42, 167 Ks with Mets), RH José Berríos (12-7, 5.23), LH Yusei Kikuchi (6-7, 5.19)

Key Relievers: RH Jordan Romano (5-4, 2.11 ERA, 36/42 saves, 73 Ks in 64 IP), RH Erik Swanson (3-2, 1.68, 3 saves, 70 Ks in 53-2/3 IP with Seattle), RH Yimi Garcia (4-5, 3.10, 1 save), RH Chad Green (1-1, 3.00, 1 save in 14 games with Yankees before Tommy John surgery)

Outlook: Swept out of the wild-card round after blowing a seven-run lead in Game 2 against Seattle, the Blue Jays responded by retooling their outfield and beefing up the rotation and bullpen this offseason, adding new reinforcements to the core behind Guerrero and Bichette. Three-time Gold Glove winner Kiermaier was signed to play center field, with oft-injured All-Star Springer expected to get less wear and tear in right and fellow newcomer Varsho bringing his athleticism to left. Outfield defense could be a bigger priority in Toronto this season thanks to a reconfigured wall that’s both more shallow and asymmetrical. Bassitt gives the Blue Jays another All-Star in the rotation behind the steady duo of Manoah and Gausman, while setup man Swanson, acquired for slugger Hernández, should help bridge the gap to All-Star closer Romano.

TAMPA BAY RAYS

2022: 86-76, third place, lost to Cleveland in wild-card round

Manager: Kevin Cash (ninth season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Detroit

He’s Here: RHP Zach Eflin, RHP Trevor Kelley

He’s Outta Here: CF Kevin Kiermaier, LHP Brooks Raley, 1B Ji-Man Choi, C Mike Zunino, OF Brett Phillips, RHP Corey Kluber, LHP Ryan Yarbrough

Top Hitters: LF Randy Arozarena, (.263, 20 HRs, 89 RBIs, 32 SBs, .772 OPS), SS Wander Franco (.277, 6, 33, .746 OPS in 83 games), 2B Brandon Lowe (.221, 8, 25, .691 OPS in 65 games), 3B Yandy Díaz (.296, 9, 58, .824 OPS), DH Harold Ramírez (.300, 6, 58, .725 OPS)

Projected Rotation: LH Shane McClanahan (12-8, 2.54 ERA), RH Tyler Glasnow (0-0, 1.35 in two starts after return from injury), RH Zach Eflin (3-5, 4.04, 1 save in 20 games, 13 starts with Phillies), RH Drew Rasmussen (11-7, 2.84 in 28 starts, 125 Ks in 146 IP), LH Jeffrey Springs (9-5, 2.46, 8 saves, 33 games, 25 starts)

Key Relievers: RH Jason Adam (2-3, 1.56 ERA, 8 saves, 67 games, 75 Ks in 63-1/3 IP), RH Pete Fairbanks (0-0, 1.13, 8 saves in 24 appearances), RH Ryan Thompson (3-3, 3.80 in 47 games), LH Colin Poche (4-2, 3.99, 7 saves in 65 appearances)

Outlook: The Rays are one of six teams – along with the Astros, Yankees, Dodgers, Braves and Cardinals – who have made the playoffs each of the past four seasons. With the addition of Eflin, who signed a $40 million, three-year deal that’s the largest the club has ever awarded in free agency, expectations remain high for 2023. If healthy, the five-man rotation Cash envisions has the potential to be among the best in the AL. And while the club failed to add any big bats this offseason, the Rays are confident they’ll be better offensively if players such as Franco and Lowe rebound from subpar seasons at the plate that were impacted by injuries.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

2022: 83-79, fourth place

Manager: Brandon Hyde (fifth season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at Boston

He’s Here: RHP Kyle Gibson, RHP Mychal Givens, LHP Cole Irvin, C James McCann, 2B Adam Frazier

He’s Outta Here: 2B Rougned Odor, C Robinson Chirinos, 1B Jesús Aguilar, RHP Jordan Lyles, RHP Jake Reed

Top Hitters: C Adley Rutschman (.254, 13 HRs, 42 RBIs, 35 doubles, .807 OPS), CF Cedric Mullins (.258, 16, 64, 34 SBs), RF Anthony Santander (.240, 33, 89, .773 OPS), 1B Ryan Mountcastle (.250, 22, 85, .728 OPS), INF Gunnar Henderson (.259, 4, 18, .788 OPS in 34 games)

Projected Rotation: LH Cole Irvin (9-13, 3.98 ERA with Oakland), RH Kyle Gibson (10-8, 5.05 with Philadelphia), RH Dean Kremer (8-7, 3.23), RH Kyle Bradish (4-7, 4.90), RH Grayson Rodriguez (6-1, 2.20 with Triple-A Norfolk)

Key Relievers: RH Félix Bautista (4-4, 2.19 ERA, 15/17 saves), LH Cionel Pérez (7-1, 1.40), RH Mychal Givens (7-3, 3.38 with Cubs and Mets), RH Dillon Tate (4-4, 3.05)

Outlook: The Orioles were one of baseball’s biggest surprises in 2022, improving by 31 games and staying in the playoff race until the last few days of the season. Rutschman had a strong rookie year, and now Baltimore can expect more help from Henderson and Rodriguez, two of the game’s top prospects. However, the Orioles kept their payroll at a pretty modest level this offseason, and if their bullpen can’t repeat last year’s surprising performance, it might be difficult for Baltimore to move up further in a tough AL East.

BOSTON RED SOX

2022: 78-84, fifth place

Manager: Alex Cora (third season of second stint, fifth season overall)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Baltimore

He’s Here: OF Masataka Yoshida, RHP Kenley Jansen, 3B Justin Turner, RHP Corey Kluber, LHP Joely Rodriguez, RHP Chris Martin, OF Adam Duvall, LHP Richard Bleier, RHP Theo Denlinger

He’s Outta Here: SS Xander Bogaerts, DH J.D. Martinez, RHP Michael Wacha, RHP Nathan Eovaldi, LHP Rich Hill, OF Tommy Pham, OF Franchy Cordero, 1B Eric Hosmer, LHP Josh Taylor, RHP Matt Barnes, RHP Franklin German

Top Hitters: 3B Rafael Devers (.295, 27 HRs, 88 RBIs), OF Alex Verdugo (.280, 11, 74), OF Masataka Yoshida (.336, 21, 89 in Japan), Justin Turner (.278, 13, 36 doubles, 81)

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Projected Rotation: RH Corey Kluber (10-10, 4.34 ERA with Tampa Bay), RH Nick Pivetta (10-12, 4.56), RH Garrett Whitlock (4-2, 3.45), LH Chris Sale (0-1, 3.18 in two games), LH James Paxton (15-6, 3.82 in 2019; pitched in six games over last three seasons)

Key Relievers: RH Kenley Jansen (5-2, 3.38 ERA, 41/48 saves with Atlanta), RH Tanner Houck (5-4, 3.15, 8 saves), RH John Schreiber (4-4, 2.22, 8 saves)

Outlook: After finishing in last place for the second time in three seasons – in 2021 they went to the ALCS – the Red Sox were further depleted by the loss of Bogaerts in free agency. Trevor Story was expected to move over from second base, but a right elbow injury could keep him out the entire season. The big signing, Yoshida, is a question mark as he moves from Japan to MLB. The injury-plagued Sale, who has pitched in just 11 games since mid-August of 2019, will try again to make it through a season healthy. Pitching prospect Bryan Bello (2-8, 4.71 ERA) could be ready to step into the rotation if Sale has another setback. The signing of Jansen could stabilize the bullpen and allow Whitlock to remain in the rotation.

​ Orange County Register 

Containers, cuttings and more to do in the garden this week

• March 25, 2023

1. Slug abatement. Greg, who gardens in Long Beach, sent an email touting turtles for slug control: “Two box turtles In my little 150 square foot garden keep the slug population at or near zero at the cost of a strawberry here and there. The turtles get a few treats from us (grapes, melon) but they’re on their own to forage, essentially.” Other recommended practices for slug (and snail) control include: trapping them in trays of beer or under boards, creating barriers of copper tape, sprinkling diatomaceous earth, and application of organic slug control products such as Sluggo, which comes in pellet form. Speaking of box turtles, their calming presence enhances the garden environment in addition to their assistance in mollusk and insect pest control. As Greg observes, they do enjoy dining on fruit growing near the ground and on most leafy greens, for that matter. If you have succulent plants in your garden, you will want to fence them in, too, since turtles also have an appetite for Sedums, Echeverias, and Yuccas.

2. Vegetable gardens require excellent light. Full sun exposure – meaning eight hours of direct light – for most vegetables is essential. To ensure proper light exposure for your crops, plant tall ones on the north end of your vegetable patch with increasingly smaller ones as you move south. Tomatoes and other solanaceous fruit crops (bell and chili pepper, eggplant, tomatillo) can grow well with as little as four hours of sun exposure if they are situated in a location with reflected heat, such as on a concrete patio or in close proximity to stucco walls. If you have less than full sun, root crops should still grow for you, in addition to asparagus, lettuce, potatoes, parsley, and most herbs.

3. Now is the time to make softwood cuttings and chrysanthemums are ideal for this procedure, especially if you want a garden full of chrysanthemum blooms with the arrival of late summer or early fall. Fill flats or pots with moist perlite. Early in the day, take four-inch tip cuttings with at least four leaves. Remove leaves from the bottom half of the cuttings, which are then inserted in the perlite, making sure the lowest remaining leaves do not touch the perlite. Keep cuttings out of hot sun and make sure the perlite stays moist. Within a month, roots will form at which time – as long as roots are an inch long – each cutting can be placed in its own small pot with soil mix. In another month, these more robust cuttings will be ready for planting in the garden. You can also make tip cuttings from these new plants to increase your chrysanthemum stock. Other plants whose softwood cuttings are easily rooted in perlite include Marguerite daises, Euryops daisies, Pelargoniums/Geraniums, and ornamental sages (Salvias). The new growth of winter pruned roses also serves as excellent softwood cutting propagation material. In fact, most woody shrubs that have been winter pruned down to within 2-3 feet of the ground will produce new growth suitable for softwood cuttings. The closer new stems and leaves are to a plant’s roots, the easier it will be to root softwood cuttings from that new growth since closer proximity to roots means a higher concentration of root growth hormones will be present.

4. Ann Christensen, who gardens in Manhattan Beach, wondered about growing basil and dill in containers with a western exposure. I recommended robust basils with a strong vertical growth habit that reaches three feet tall. They include varieties such as Everleaf Emerald Towers, Everleaf Genovese, and Everleaf Thai Towers. Dill will thrive with western exposure since it appreciates a solid dose of sun – six daily hours at least. By the same token, it needs protection from strong winds. Plant dill at intervals so that you have a supply all summer long. Flowers are yellow umbels, umbrella in form, proving their kinship to cilantro, parsley, and fennel. Dill attracts beneficial insects such as hoverflies, ladybugs, and parasitic wasps that make life uncomfortable for insect pests. Dill also provides a flavorful enhancement where pickling is concerned since its seeds, flowers, and foliage may all be floated in the same jar in which cucumbers or other vegetables are pickled.

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5. Now is a good time to cut back ornamental grasses before their flush of spring growth. They absolutely must be groomed at least once a year. Otherwise, they end up disheveled and weedy looking. If you are looking to plant ornamental grasses, here are a few suggestions. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon spp.) is a wonderful selection for fragrance when its foliage is crushed and, of course, enlivens many cooked dishes. When young, it requires shade but the longer it grows and the larger its clumps become, the better it handles the elements. I have seen enormous clumps of lemongrass growing in full, all-day sun. Blue wildrye (Elymus glaucus), a California native, is a cool addition to gardens where the summers, such as those we experience, are long and hot. If pink is your passion, choose ruby grass (Melinus nerviglumis var. Pink Crystals), pink muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris), or both.

Send questions, comments, and photos to joshua@perfectplants.com

​ Orange County Register 

Senior Moments: Saying goodbye with flowers

• March 25, 2023

“You are so beautiful; you look like a bouquet of flowers,” Sara’s dad said when she walked into his hospital room. It had been a long time since me, my daughter and her dad, my first husband, had been together.

Soon family stories were flying.

“Do you know that I may be the first father ever to leave the hospital in a wheelchair with his new baby girl in his arms – and no mother in sight?” Sara’s dad asked.

“Where was Mom?” Sara asked, looking slightly askance at me.

I admitted that her claustrophobic mother, the one who had tried and failed at hypnotherapy while she was pregnant, in hope of riding the elevator up to the labor room, had walked down the stairs accompanied by an attendant.

Sara’s dad added that he had all the other women in the elevator laughing when he told them what an easy birth he had. Although seriously ill, he was still able to make us laugh.

“My turn for a story,” I announced.

The maternity ward of the hospital was on the fifth floor and I knew the elevator was not going to be an option for me. So I waited at the bottom of the stairs until a contraction passed. Then, knowing I had approximately a minute and 30 seconds until the next one, I raced up the five flights of stairs where my obstetrician was waiting for me.

“Didn’t you bring your husband?” he asked. I pointed down the stairs to a man huffing and puffing, holding a suitcase in one hand and a shopping bag in the other.

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Although that happened a few decades ago, daddy Dennis never forgot the scary stairs episode.

When I called him before the visit to ask what hospital he was in, he responded: “You’re going to love this place; it’s all on one floor!”

When it was time to say goodbye he hugged his “beautiful bouquet of flowers” and made her laugh. This time with tears.

Ed. note: Sara’s dad, Dennis A. Fletcher, died peacefully on March 21, 2023

Email patriciabunin@sbcglobal.net. Follow her on Twitter @PatriciaBunin and at PatriciaBunin.com.

​ Orange County Register 

What you need to know about growing berries in Southern California

• March 25, 2023

Roger Campbell, who gardens in Alhambra, sent an email requesting varieties of berries that grow well in our area. Berries are quite the rage. The reason for this is simple enough to divine: You get lots of fruit from plants whose growth is easily controlled. Unlike fruit trees that take up space and require regular pruning as well as ladders to harvest the crop, a berry plant is easy to manage and harvest. Many berry plants are also container friendly. There is even a special container called a strawberry pot with any number of side windows or pockets that allow you to nurture many different plants simultaneously. Finally, the nutritional value of berries is much documented and highly promoted.

But here’s the problem, based on what I have seen, gardeners often struggle to grow strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, so if you want berries with a minimum amount of work, I suggest blackberries, especially the Boysen and Ollalie varieties, due to their strong tolerance to heat. Thornless versions of these varieties are also available. They prefer half-day sun exposure and are most successfully grown up a 4-6 foot fence since, allowed to sprawl along the ground, they are more of a challenge to tend and harvest, especially varieties with thorns.

Blueberries are probably more regaled than any other berry, but growing them is not a simple matter. A number of years ago, reader Roger Lipps extolled the virtues of two highbush blueberry varieties, Misty and O’Neal. Lipps’ plants had grown to a height of 6-8 feet and his harvest was prodigious. 

Lipps attributed his success to two annual applications of soil acidifying sulphur, in April and October, and heavy mulching. He applied Tiger 90CR Organic Sulphur which he procured from Whittier Fertilizer in Pico Rivera. The application rate was 1-3 cups per bush, depending on size. 

“I just manually spread the granules around the drip lines,” he wrote. “Blueberry roots are shallow and without a 4-inch layer of mulch, growing them would require nearly constant irrigation.” 

Lipps wisely installed a drip system for his blueberries, reducing his water budget by 30-50% in the process. His water agency had restricted irrigation to two days a week, but he could abide by that schedule and still keep his blueberry bushes in good health. 

“Armstrong is where I purchased many of our blueberry plants,” he confided. “I love their lifetime guarantee.” (Note: Armstrong Garden Centers provide a lifetime warranty on all shrubs and trees.) 

Lipps added that “an important factor with regard to growing blueberries is controlling critters. Opossums, skunks and raccoons love moist soft mulch for digging” and so “you must fence your bushes off” and since “birds love blueberries, you must bird net the entire crop if you expect to harvest any.” A redeeming feature of blueberry growing is that the bushes have a lifespan of 50 years.

The challenge of growing raspberries is their sensitivity to our summer sun. They do best in the morning sun, growing on the east side of a large tree, and require regular watering. Bababerry and Oregon 1030 are the two most heat-tolerant varieties. It is generally recommended that raspberries be staked but some gardeners have enjoyed considerable success coaxing their plants into clumps of canes, free of stake constriction.

The most successful grower of strawberries I ever met was Richard Mueller of Granada Hills. Mueller grew the Sequoia strawberry variety exclusively and harvested berries throughout the year. He started with 20 plants and, two decades later, had 200 growing at any one time, giving away another 100 plants each year. When preparing a new area for planting, he would dig down eight inches, fill the excavated area with compost and horse manure, and install new plants after soaking them in a solution of Miracle-Gro fertilizer and water. Two months later, the plants would start to produce berries. Outside of watering as needed, his maintenance regime involved spraying Miracle-Gro on all of his plants twice a month. 

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Sunday is the name of a company offering a whole line of organic fertilizers and pesticides, many of them newly formulated, as well as specialty plant species and gardening accessories. You can access these products by visiting getsunday.com. Their Veggie + Plant Food Mix contains “soy protein, sustainably composted turkey litter, potash, and feather meal.” They also carry Monterey Garden Tomato Blossom Spray, a fertilizer that boosts flowering on tomato plants even as it depresses growth of tomato disease pathogens.

California poppy Eschscholzia californica (Photo by Joshua Siskin)

California native of the week: The California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), our state flower, is blooming now and its appearance in the garden is always a pleasant event. I cannot imagine why anyone would not scatter California poppy seeds which will sprout as long as they are planted before the weather turns warm. Just broadcast them over the soil surface and they will germinate with rain or irrigation. After you have a crop, the seeds will find their way throughout your garden, in the course of time, without any effort on your part. To extend their flowering period, deadhead the flowers as you would deadhead pansies or roses for continuous bloom. Although their orange flowers, which appear to have no equal in the botanical world, are certainly enough to promote their planting, California poppy foliage is special too. It is delicately laced and blue-green in color most of the time, yet it may take on intriguing purplish-red undertones when flowers are spent and seeds are about to form. The only way you can discourage California poppies from performing gloriously is to enrich their soil. These plants need a well-drained soil but will flounder where organic amendments have been dug into the earth or where fertilizers are applied.

Send questions, comments, and photos to joshua@perfectplants.com

​ Orange County Register 

Former El Toro football player Noah Aguilar remembered as ‘great teammate and leader’

• March 25, 2023

Former El Toro standout football player Noah Aguilar was the victim shot to death in Mission Viejo earlier this week in a reported case that saw his roommate arrested on suspicion of homicide, Aguilar’s high school football coach said Friday.

Former El Toro football coach Mike Mayoral said the 22-year-old victim identified in The Register’s reporting was Aguilar, who earned All-CIF and All-County honors for him as a senior in 2017.

“Unfortunately,” Mayoral said in a text message, “it is. An absolute shame.”

“Noah was a great teammate and leader,” said Mayoral, now an assistant coach at San Juan Hills. “Tremendously committed to Charger football. An All-CIF player who played the game the way it’s supposed to be played. A true warrior.”

El Toro’s football Instagram account posted a tribute to Aguilar earlier this week.

“He and his family were a big part of our ET family,” the post read, “our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones at this time.”

Aguilar also played basketball at El Toro.

Authorities told The Register that he was shot inside a home in Mission Viejo on Tuesday. Law enforcement later arrested Aguilar’s roommate, 22-year-old Michael Guy Levy, a sheriff spokesperson stated.

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In the fall of 2017, Aguilar helped the Chargers finish 8-5 and advance to the CIF-SS Division 3 semifinals, where they fell to St. Francis.

Aguilar led El Toro with 66 catches for 1,137 yards and 11 TDs in a high-powered attack with QB Cooper Jones. Both players were selected All-CIF on offense.

As a defensive back, Aguilar finished second on the team in tackles with 91. He earned first-team All-County honors on defense.

Service arrangements are not known.

​ Orange County Register 

Orange Lutheran baseball tops No. 1 Mater Dei in another extra-inning battle

• March 25, 2023

SANTA ANA — Brady Murietta’s single in the top of the 10th inning scored Derek Curiel from second with the eventual winning run in Orange Lutheran’s 2-1 victory over Mater Dei in a Trinity League game Friday at Mater Dei High School.

The Lancers (9-6-1, 4-5) took two of three games against the Monarchs (10-5-1, 7-2) in a league series this week that was dominated by pitching. Two of the games were decided in extra innings.

Mater Dei, ranked No. 1 in Orange County, defeated No. 4 Orange Lutheran 1-0 in eight innings Wednesday at Mater Dei. The Lancers came back to win 1-0 on Thursday at Orange Lutheran to set up Friday’s series-deciding contest.

“It seemed like every pitch mattered and every out was a tough one,” Orange Lutheran Coach Erik Borba said of the series. “We got out to a slow start in league. We knew this was a big series. We really challenged them (the players) before the week and especially the pitching staff. We had a meeting and talked about the pitching staff putting this team on their backs.”

Curiel walked with one out in the 10th and Murietta came up one out later.

Mater Dei was called for a balk on a pick-off attempt, sending Curiel to second and putting Murietta in a position to drive in the go-ahead run with a single.

“When he got on second, it was like I was put in this position for a reason,” Murietta said. “My head was clear and I wasn’t thinking about anything but getting that run in and helping my team.”

Dylan Wetzel singled home Brody Connors with two outs in the first to give the Monarchs a 1-0 lead.

Orange Lutheran answered right back in the second. Ben Reiland’s single drove in Josiah Hartshorn with the tying run.

Pitching took over the rest of the way.

Orange Lutheran’s Vinny Hudson replaced starter Colt Peterson in the fourth and allowed two hits and a walk with four strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings.

Nolan Tillitt took over for Hudson with one out in the seventh and finished the game, giving up two hits and four walks with five strikeouts.

After the Lancers took the lead in the 10th, the Monarchs had a runner on first with one out in the bottom of the inning. Tillitt retired the next two batters to end the game and pick up the victory.

Mater Dei starter Landon Gordon gave up a run on three hits over four innings.

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J.M. Harduvel took the mound in the fifth for Mater Dei and pitched out of trouble in his first four innings.

Harduvel retired the side in order in the ninth before giving up the run-scoring single in the 10th.

Mater Dei started the day in a first-place tie with Santa Margarita.

The Eagles (10-2, 7-1) defeated Servite 2-0 on Friday and are now alone in first place.

​ Orange County Register