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Pitching at home might not be such a great thing for new Astros LHP Andy Pettitte; the Yankees occasionally reworked their rotation because Pettitte did not perform well in front of family members at The Ballpark in Arlington. Pettitte is 2-3 with a 9.22 ERA in five career starts in Arlington, the most hitter-friendly park in the A.L. His three postseason starts against Texas all were at Yankee Stadium. . . .
Free agent Todd Walker is an option at second base for the Rangers if they trade SS Alex Rodriguez to the Red Sox, but Walker would be a dubious choice for a team that supposedly wants to rebuild with pitching. The fast, hard infield in Arlington would make Walker's limited range an even greater liability. He was a better fit at Boston's Fenway Park, where the infield is one of the softest and slowest in the league. . . .
SS Rich Aurilia
is another free agent whose future hinges on the outcome of the Rodriguez deal
-- "an element of the circus," in the words of his agent, Barry Axelrod.
Aurilia is a candidate for the Rangers if the trade goes through and a possibility
for the Red Sox if they trade SS Nomar Garciaparra without acquiring Rodriguez.
The Mariners and Blue Jays also have expressed serious interest in Aurilia.
. . .
Scott Spiezio has made only 15.2 percent of his career defensive appearances
at third base, but he started 43 games at the position last season, and most
scouts believe he will be serviceable there for the Mariners. "His range
will always be limited," one scout says. "But he's such a good makeup
guy, you've got to give him a chance." Spiezio could return to first base
in 2005 if John Olerud departs as a free agent. . . .
Not to further agitate OF Gary Sheffield, but based on the deferrals in his three-year contract with the Yankees, the union estimates the deal's overall value to be $35.13 million, not $39 million as reported. Sheffield will be paid $13 million per season, but $4.5 million will be deferred without interest. . . .
Can C Michael Barrett revive his hitting with the Cubs? "The demands on him defensively take away from him at the plate," one scout says. "His bat looked like it was going to be pretty good coming out of high school, but he doesn't have a very good strike zone. He's still young enough, that's one thing in his favor." Barrett, 27, was endorsed by Cubs coaches Dick Pole and Wendell Kim, who worked with Barrett in Montreal in 2002. . . .
The Orioles, Dodgers and Angels are among the options for free-agent 1B Rafael Palmeiro. "I'm working very hard to keep my body right so I can play first base," Palmeiro says. "I know that I can do it. Just let me." Palmeiro, 39, made 55 starts for the Rangers at first last season, 96 as a DH. . . .
Reporters and rival executives reacted with gasps and chuckles when the Pirates lost five of the first six players in the Rule 5 draft. The Indians also lost five players, but their 40-man roster was full; the Pirates were at 37. Pittsburgh wanted to preserve spots for free-agent additions. Plus, it's easier to get back Rule 5 players, who must remain on a 25-man major league roster all season, than those waived off the 40-man list. Still, the Pirates never reclaimed Royals RHP D.J. Carrasco and Tigers RHP Chris Spurling from last year's draft. Club officials say their most painful loss this time is Class A 3B Jose Bautista to the Orioles.