Tracy Ringolsby's weekly baseball notes

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New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman would consider his offseason a success because he overcame efforts within his organization to trade developing young arms for high-priced Johan Santana.Cashman was convinced that keeping the youngsters was better for the Yankees in the long run.But will it be good for him in the short run?It will if youngsters Philip Hughes, Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain live up to expectations.With spring training ready to open next week, the 13 other American League teams will wait to find out if:-- BALTIMORE: Owner Peter Angelos really can count to 10, hold his breath and not butt in while Andy MacPhail oversees a long-term rebuilding effort.-- BOSTON: Left-hander Hideki Okajima will be refreshed after the offseason and regain his first-half mastery from last year's debut (0.83 ERA before the All-Star break compared to 4.56 in the second half).-- CHICAGO: Third baseman Joe Crede alleviates concerns about his back surgery quickly enough to be traded and open a spot for Josh Fields.-- CLEVELAND: Andy Marte, a former phenom who has been displaced at third base by Casey Blake, will be dealt for a decent return or have to be given away, as Brandon Phillips was.-- DETROIT: A bullpen can be put together despite concerns about the health of Joel Zumaya and the consistency of Fernando Rodney.-- KANSAS CITY: First baseman Ryan Shealy can rebound now that coaching changes have been made and he can get back to the hitting approach that made him successful in the minors.-- LOS ANGELES: Gary Matthews Jr. can be comfortable as a $10 million-a-year fourth outfielder.-- MINNESOTA: The Twins, having dealt ace lefty Santana and lost center fielder Torii Hunter as a free agent, can work out extensions for first baseman Justin Morneau and DH Michael Cuddyer.-- OAKLAND: General manager Billy Beane can control his competitive nature and get through a year of overhaul.-- SEATTLE: First baseman Richie Sexson can give the Mariners a return for their investment, which would allow them to at least be a factor in the West.-- TAMPA BAY: Third baseman Evan Longoria, the Rays' No. 1 draft pick in 2006, can get to the big leagues for good as quickly as former Long Beach State teammate, Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.-- TEXAS: Left-hander C.J. Wilson can step into the closer's role with some tutelage from Eddie Guardado.-- TORONTO: Third baseman Scott Rolen can find health and happiness now that he has been separated from Cardinals manager Tony La Russa.OVERHEARD-- Outfielder Bob Kielty re-signed with Boston, a move to make sure the Red Sox have protection for rookie center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury if they are able to find a team that will take veteran outfielder Coco Crisp.-- Once Baltimore wraps up the trade of lefty Erik Bedard to Seattle, the Orioles figure to conclude a trade of second baseman Brian Roberts to the Cubs for a package that could include left-hander Sean Marshall.-- Minnesota has resumed talks with closer Joe Nathan about a contract extension despite the offseason losses of Carlos Silva and Hunter as free agents and the trade of Santana to the Mets.READER'S TURNKrista Johnson writes, "I was wondering where you saw Rockies super prospect Chris Nelson playing this year? Any chance he'll be playing second base at (Class AAA) Colorado Springs as soon as this season? Thanks a lot. Keep up the great work."Krista, Nelson should be the shortstop at Class AA Tulsa to start the season. He finally showed the offensive production scouts had projected in the second half of last year at High Single-A Modesto. He hit .289 with 19 homers and 99 RBI for the Nuts, but his season took off in July when he hit .368 with nine home runs and 41 RBI, helping put together second-half numbers of .318, 15 homers and 67 RBI.Now the challenge is to build off that great effort. He has the tools to be an exciting player. His bat speed has been compared to Gary Sheffield, which is impressive. A strong first half could result in him being moved to Colorado Springs in the second half, and by that time, the Rockies will have to start making long-range decisions. A lot might depend on how Jayson Nix responds to his big-league opportunity this spring.For responses to other questions or to ask your own, go to the Rockies blog at Rocky MountainNews.com/sports.TWO CENTS' WORTHNolan Ryan has returned to the Texas Rangers as the club president.Don't think it's a figurehead position. Ryan won't be satisfied with sipping cocktails and shaking hands. He's a nose-in-the-dirt kind of guy. He used to drive Angels GM Buzzie Bavasi crazy because during the offseason, Ryan would actually work his cattle ranch.When doctors told Ryan in 1986 that he needed reconstructive elbow surgery that would sideline him for a year, he instead opted for a workout program designed to strengthen the muscles in the elbow area and wound up pitching through the 1993 season. He won four strikeout titles and 83 games and threw two no-hitters after the elbow problem was diagnosed.NUMBERS GAME-- 173: Relief appearances the past two years for Washington right-hander Jon Rauch, most in the majors. Scott Proctor of the Dodgers is second with 166. Proctor leads the majors with 188-2/3 innings of relief work the past two years, 10 more innings than Rauch.SECOND CHANCEBrandon Lyon, named Diamondbacks closer Wednesday by manager Doug Melvin, got a shot at closing in 2005 and converted 14 of 15 opportunities before suffering an elbow injury. He replaces Jose Valverde, who was dealt to Houston this offseason.HE SAID IT"I feel I'm coming into spring a lot more ready than I was last year. I'd kind of be a little disappointed if they told me beforehand I didn't have a chance to make the team."-- Evan Longoria, third baseman, Tampa Bay's 2006 first-round draft choice, on his belief he can make the Rays' Opening Day lineup.(Contact Tracy Ringolsby at ringolsbyt@RockyMountainNews.com.)(Tracy Ringolsby writes for the Rocky Mountain News in Denver, Colo. E-mail ringolsbyt(at)RockyMountainNews.com.)