MLB spring training: Let's touch 'em all: The big questions, By: Martin Renzhofer

02/20/2007

NO. 1: Will Barry Bonds implode in the spotlight?

The gates on spring training compounds are barely unlocked and the soap opera that is the New York Yankees has already dominated the pre-season baseball news.

    Alex Rodriguez revealed that Derek Jeter isn't his blood brother anymore, while pitcher Mike Mussina threw a verbal brushback at the oft-injured Carl Pavano. Also, George Steinbrenner's son-in-law and possible successor Steve Swindal (what an ironic last name) was given a DUI.

    However, not all the early baseball questions are about the dysfunctional team in the Bronx.
    Today is the first day when all players may report to their various spring training camps. (Feb. 27 is the mandatory reporting date.) As the players stretch and get their arms into shape, here are some the topics of interest.
   
    1. What will Barry Bonds do?
    The controversial slugger is about to start his 22nd season as a major leaguer. He is also 22 home runs shy of Hank Aaron's record of 755.
    Baseball commissioner Bud Selig has already announced that he won't be around when Bonds smacks No. 756. So the question remains: How many baseball fans outside of San Francisco care when the face - unfair or not - of baseball's steroid problem becomes the all-time home run hitter?
    Bonds is apparently healthy following offseason surgery on his left elbow. Last season, he batted .270

with 26 homers and 77 RBIs and drew 115 walks in 130 games. However, Bonds could be indicted and may not play if a federal grand jury finds that he perjured himself when he testified in 2003 in the BALCO steroid distribution case that he hadn't knowingly taken performance-enhancing drugs.
   
    2. Steroids in the Dominican Republic?
    As much as we'd wish the steroid and human growth hormone problem would just go away, it is difficult to ignore its effect in the Dominican Republic. According to a report on www.ESPN.com, since 2005, nearly 60 percent of all the baseball players who tested positive were Dominican.
    That's 169 of 289 major and minor leaguers.
    What will - or what can - baseball do? Much of the blame has been placed upon the street agents who want to improve the marketability of teenage stars. The government also allows over-the-counter sales of banned drugs.
    It is difficult to blame an athlete trying to escape to a better life. The average yearly wage in the Dominican Republic is about $2,500. 3. Will new arms help?
    Hitting fills the seats, but pitching wins championships. Barry Zito signed with San Francisco for $126 million, Greg Maddux brings his 333 wins to San Diego, Freddy Garcia jumped from the Chicago White Sox to Philadelphia and Boston paid Japanese star Daisuke Matsuzaka $52 million on the strength of his performance in the World Baseball Classic (and a 2.13 earned-run average for the Seibu Lions).
    However, as the aforementioned Pavano, who hasn't pitched since June 2005, Kevin Brown and the Chicago Cubs' Kerry Woods have proved, nailing down pitchers to long-term contracts is an extremely risky move. Woods can't even get out of a hot tub without injuring himself.
    Will Dice-K lead a Boston staff that includes Curt Schilling, Jonathan Papelbon and Josh Beckett to the playoffs or the disabled list?
   
    4. Can the Tigers repeat?
    Difficult to say since the American League Central is the strongest division in baseball. Three teams, Minnesota, Detroit and 2005 World Series champion Chicago, won 90 games or more. Cleveland won 78, but should be in the mix for 2007.
    Granted, the Tigers slumped in September, losing the division on the final day of the season. Yet, the pitching that carried them all season resurfaced in the playoffs. Who knows what would have happened had Detroit's pitchers fielded their position in the World Series.
    Questions remain, though. Gary Sheffield is healthy and eager to prove the Yankees wrong, but will fireballers Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya stay healthy and will age catch Kenny Rogers?