Tigers have issues, not necessarily problems

Tigers reliever Joel Zumaya, the executive says, was a candidate for a breakdown because he has a violent delivery and lands on his heel. Verlander also lands on his heel, the exec says, with his front toe turned toward first base. His delivery increases the stress on his shoulder and makes it difficult for him to keep the ball down.

St. Louis surprise! The Cardinals' 5-2 start reflects the moxie of manager Tony La Russa, the continued ascent of center fielder Rick Ankiel, and the good fortune of opening at home against the struggling Rockies and wobbly Nationals. Oh, and don't forget the team's starting pitching. Here's a stunning thought: The Cardinals, who opened the season with almost an entire rotation on the disabled list, eventually could end up with a surplus of starters, increasing their trade options. Right-hander Joel Pineiro is nearly ready to make his Cardinals debut and lefty Mark Mulder is expected back by mid-May. At that point, the Cardinals might be in position to trade a starter for another bat and/or a quality left-handed reliever. After seven games, an admittedly tiny sample, the Cardinals' rotation is 5-0 with a 1.21 ERA in 44 2/3 innings. Three of their starters — righties Braden Looper, Brad Thompson and Todd Wellemeyer — are converted relievers. One of their relievers, Anthony Reyes, is a potential starter. The Cardinals' plan entering the season was to remain competitive while awaiting the returns of Mulder and righty Chris Carpenter, who is expected to return in July. Righty Matt Clement, another pitcher on the DL, eventually could become another option. A scout who covered the Cardinals in spring training says flatly, "The lineup is not very good. And the bullpen will fold." The Cardinals scored only 28 runs in their first seven games, and they've already lost reliever Russ Springer to the disabled list. Relief pitching, however, is the strength of the Cardinals' farm system. Two hard throwers — Chris Perez and Jason Motte — could end up in St. Louis this season. The offense might be too reliant on Ankiel, Albert Pujols and Troy Glaus, but if Ankiel and Ryan Ludwick enjoy career years, the lineup could prove more dynamic than expected. La Russa relishes the challenge of winning with a young club. As always, it's dangerous to count him out. — Ken Rosenthal

If Verlander isn't the 17-18 win, sub-3.70 ERA pitcher of the past two seasons, then the Tigers will be in deep trouble. Lefty Kenny Rogers is 43. Righty Jeremy Bonderman is inconsistent. Lefty Nate Robertson is a back-of-the-rotation type and lefty Dontrelle Willis is coming off a poor season, poor spring and shaky Tigers debut.

Lefty Bobby Seay and closer Todd Jones are the Tigers' only established relievers. Denny Bautista, the projected replacement for Zumaya in the setup role, is with his fourth organization, and has yet to prove he can throw strikes.

Lefty Tim Byrdak was released in spring training. Righty Francisco Cruceta is on the restricted list due to visa problems.

The bottom line: The Tigers are short at least two quality relievers — and that's assuming Jones, who turns 40 on April 24, will remain an effective closer.

"They have no move to make right now, none," a second rival executive says. "They have nowhere to go."

Not exactly: The Tigers could do something foolish, perhaps trading some of their remaining prospects for someone like A's closer Huston Street. Or, worse yet, rush prized right-hander Rick Porcello, their No. 1 draft pick last June, to the majors.

Porcello, 19, has made one professional start at high Class A Lakeland. As talented as he is, the Tigers would be insane to move him too quickly. Then again, manager Jim Leyland loves talent. The Tigers pushed outfielder Cameron Maybin to the majors at 20 and left-hander Andrew Miller at 21.

The team's youngest regular, center fielder Curtis Granderson, 27, currently is on the disabled list with a broken bone in his right hand. Designated hitter Gary Sheffield avoided the DL after a tearing a tendon near the top of his left index finger.

It will be an upset if the Tigers avoid further injuries.

The below-average range on the left side of the infield, however, is a problem. Shortstop Edgar Renteria is still a reliable fielder. Third baseman Miguel Cabrera is in better shape than he was last season. But balls will get through the left side, further compromising the pitching.

For all their problems, if any team can rebound from 0-6, it's the Tigers. Still, the Indians are deeper and better balanced, if less explosive offensively. The White Sox are playing with newfound conviction, though they, too, face age/injury issues. The Royals and Twins aren't contenders, but they aren't pushovers, either.

The Tigers play 12 of their next 14 games on the road against the Red Sox, White Sox, Indians and Blue Jays. Their offense needs to erupt. Soon.

Focus, O's, focus!

Let no one be fooled by the Orioles' 5-1 start. The team is going to finish below .500. Still, the longer the Orioles remain competitive, the more it will benefit their rebuilding program. If their veterans play well, they will increase their trade values, enabling the club to make better deals at the July 31 non-waiver deadline.

Case in point: Left-handed reliever George Sherrill, the only experienced major leaguer the Orioles acquired for left-hander Erik Bedard. Sherrill, 4-for-4 in save opportunities, already looks like a shrewd acquisition, helping the Orioles win as many games as possible while building his appeal on the trade market.

O's fans shouldn't get overly excited. (Gail Burton / Associated Press)

The Orioles could be a major player at the deadline even if they keep second baseman Brian Roberts. Their potential chips include right-hander Steve Trachsel, outfielder Jay Payton, first baseman Kevin Millar, third baseman Melvin Mora, catcher Ramon Hernandez and designated hitter Aubrey Huff. One potential obstacle: Mora, Hernandez and Huff are signed through next season.

Here's a thought: Hernandez to the Reds. The Orioles scouted Cincinnati extensively when the teams discussed Bedard during the off-season. The Reds ranked 14th in the National League last season in on-base/slugging percentage from the catcher's position.

Royals' impressive pen-manship

Check out the Royals' bullpen through six games:

17 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 22 K.

The Royals had a strong bullpen at one point last season, with Joakim Soria and Zack Grienke setting up for Octavio Dotel. Their original plan this season was for lefty John Bale and righty Brett Tomko to pitch in relief, and for Kyle Davies, Luke Hochevar and Jorge de la Rosa to claim two spots in the rotation. Bale and Tomko instead wound up as starters, yet the bullpen still looks formidable.

One formula for building a successful 'pen is finding pitchers who can work more than one inning, and lefty Ron Mahay and righties Yasuhiko Yabuta, Hideo Nomo and Leo Nunez all fit that description. Nunez has developed more depth to his breaking ball, making it a fitting complement to his 94 to 97-mph fastball and plus changeup. Soria, meanwhile, is throwing harder than he did last season, touching 94 mph.

With Gil Meche, Brian Bannister and Grienke at the top of the rotation, the Royals might be only one starter and one impact bat away from being competitive. Soria, a Rule 5 pick from the Padres last season, qualifies as one of the top steals in recent years. If he were still in San Diego, he would be in line to replace Trevor Hoffman.

Is Cueto the new Pedro?

Reds right-hander Johnny Cueto, at 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, is built similar to fellow Dominican Pedro Martinez, who is listed as 5-foot-11, 170, but was even skinnier as a rookie in 1992. The difference, in one scout's view, is that Cueto has such long limbs, he gives the appearance of being taller, looking "almost goofy."

Cueto, the scout says, is stronger than Martinez and his delivery is cleaner, possibly leading to fewer injuries. Another difference is that Cueto's primary breaking pitch is a slider, while Martinez's is a curveball. Oh, and there also is this: Cueto, 22, has made only one major-league start.

"When this guy learns to pitch backwards, then you can really make the Pedro comparision," the scout says. "That's why Pedro was so great. He knew how to pitch."

Pagan's angel

The Mets say that left fielder Angel Pagan is a more mature, aggressive player than he was when they sold him to the Cubs in Jan. 2006. Pagan, 26, says he is a different person, too. After losing his father in '05, he re-dedicated himself to reaching the major leagues.

"At first I was really sad. I was really close to my father," Pagan says. "Then I understood. I understood why it happened. And I just moved on. I said, 'I promise you, even though you're not here, I'm going to make it to the big leagues. And I know you'll be watching.' That was my mentality. It made me stronger."

Pagan, a native of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, made the Cubs' Opening Day roster the next season, then missed 10 weeks due to a torn hamstring. He did not play after Aug. 7 last season due to a bout with colitis, and the Cubs traded him to the Mets for two minor leaguers in January.

So far, so good. Pagan, replacing the injured Moises Alou, went 5-for-16 with four walks in his first five games. The Mets love his athleticism, and Pagan figures to be a valuable reserve after Alou returns.

Around the Horn

Derek Lowe may be part of the best rotation in baseball. (Kevork Djansezian / Associated Press)

A scout who recently saw the Dodgers proclaimed them the team to beat in the NL West, reasoning that their top four starting pitchers — Derek Lowe, Brad Penny, Chad Billingsley and Hiroki Kuroda — were the best in the majors. When Chin-Lung Hu is at second base and Blake DeWitt is at third, the Dodgers' entire lineup is 30-and-under. Center fielder Andruw Jones, left fielder Juan Pierre and shortstop Rafael Furcal turn 31 later this year. ...