2006 Draft Preview: American League

In the first of a four-part series, The Home Plate Press evaluates the needs of American League teams entering Sunday's 2006 Molson Baseball League Draft.

Arizona Diamondbacks. The Snakes find themselves in unfamiliar territory this season, picking outside the top five for the first time in recent memory. Arizona's most-pressing needs are in the infield, where Todd Walker, Cesar Izturis, and Alex Cintron are the only options for secondbase and shortstop; Cintron is the only player on the 25-man roster that can play third. I would not expect to see a centerfielder chosen with Carlos Beltran and Aaron Rowand on the roster. On the mound, the top of the rotation is set and KRod returns as the closer, although the pen could add some depth. Assuming Scott Kazmir is in the rotation, Arizona has no southpaws to bring into the game in the late innings.

Atlanta Braves. The Braves find themselves in the opposite position of the Snakes, choosing third in a year rich with team identity talent. McCann and Francouer provide immediate help at need positions, but expect growing pains with each over the next few seasons. Atlanta surprised this author selecting Zach Duke in the first round; I would have gone with Rickie Weeks as the heir apparent to injury-prone Adam Kennedy at secondbase. Duke joins a rotation with only slightly fewer lefties than your usual Screen Actors Guild meeting, contributing to our grade on the pick. The Braves have only six roster spots open and will need to focus on outfield and bullpen depth.

Boston Red Sox. Is this the year for the Sox? This team has absolutely nobody on its 25-man roster that can play catcher, unless they can wheel Dallas McPherson's wheelchair behind the dish. This team has more 'holes than Virginia Tech. Look for the Beaners to draft anything but a thirdbaseman, secondbaseman, and rightfielder. The pitching staff is horrid also, with the only player in the league older than Peter Spellos--homophobe Todd Jones--as its closer. Strike that--Jamie Moyer is on this team, too. At least the BoSox can look forward to a deep draft.

Cleveland Indians. If you could run an offset-I, the Indians would be a strong offense with Sean Casey, Richie Sexson, and Travis Hafner in the backfield. Unfortunately, there are only so many places to play these men, and the MBL has no plans to adopt a second DH per game. The Tribe will gap some losses by playing Felipe Lopez out of position at secondbase in favor of the ageless Omar Vizquel at shortstop, and needs to add to the Crisp-Sizemore outfield tandem. Fortunately for northeast Ohio, the situation on the mound looks reasonably good with enough rubber arms to pitch throughout the season, but Cleveland would be well-served adding a more dominant closer in the pen. Jhonny Peralta would sure look nice at Jacobs Field, wouldn't he?

Minnesota Twins. The relocated Chicago Cubs have a lot of work to do with their ten selections Sunday, most notably finding a secondbaseman and shortstop to replace Eric Young and Damion Easley. Could the Twins use more help in the outfield? You betcha! Jim Edmonds and Geoff Jenkins are still above average, if aging, outfielders, but would prefer to settle on one partner in left. Minnesota has some talent on the mound, but the starters may be betrayed by a very shallow pen. If you wave your hankies, make sure the tears have dried.

New York Mets. February's optimism is always the strongest in Queens, and 2006 is no different. The Mets revamped their lineup this offseason, trading for Alfonso Soriano and promising to keep him in the infield. New York has young talent on the left side of the infield, and is three-deep at first base. The outfield, however, is one of the worst in the league, and should receive attention on draft day. The rotation is deep, but may need to throw complete games to preserve wins this season. Consider these New Yorkers to also be in the market for a closer.

New York Yankees. The Yankees join the American League after several years playing against the Cardinals, Dodgers, and Blue Jays, hoping to make a statement early in their new division. The Bronx Bombers should feature a potent offense, with Dan Johnson being a possible target to upgrade at firstbase. The pitching may be serviceable enough to keep the Yankees in playoff contention, but New York will need to add middle relief help.

Oakland Athletics. The A's have never met a middle infielder they didn't like, drafting B.J. Upton last year with Bobby Crosby in the fold, and opting for Rickie Weeks this year with Marcus Giles onboard. Although the middle infield looks secure, especially if you can redshirt, waiving Dan Johnson forced Adam Dunn to firstbase where he is less valuable. The catching is average, and the outfield needs an offensive upgrade, especially with Dunn's position change. The rotation is young and deep, but the A's will need to improve their pen to bridge the plate appearances between the starters and rookie Huston Street.

San Diego Padres. The Padres have been afflicted by injuries to Nomar Garciaparra and Trot Nixon on an annual basis. Given the age of this roster, San Diegans are clamoring for a push to the top or, alternately, a salary dump. The Padres could use some offensive help. On the bump, the core exists for a pennant contender in the near term, but Pedro Martinez, Tim Wakefield, and "The Roaster" aren't getting any younger. Unfortunately, this draft isn't deep in top-end pitching prospects, likely forcing the Padres to focus on improving their bullpen depth.

San Francisco Giants. If there is a money bet in the draft, it is that the Giants will draft for this year. They always do. How else can you defend taking Quinton McCracken in the first round? San Francisco can cover all their positions, but should look to upgrade at third, centerfield, and rightfield, even if Aubrey Huff is on the roster. The Giants pitching is aging, and Cain and Lowry could use some support from the draft. If I didn't know better, I'd think George Allen was secretly running the Giants franchise ... with a bad comic speechwriter.