Season Preview: Washington Senators

Last Season: 56-97, 7th in ALManager: Joe Kuhel (1st season in Washington, 1st total)Offseason: It took two deals for Washington to send Jerry Priddy to the Browns after their swap for Johnny Berardino was voided when he announced his retirement the same day. Two weeks later, the Senators sent Priddy to St. Louis straight up for cash. Two days later, they acquired his replaced at second base, rookie Al Kozar, and also outfielder Leon Culberson from Boston for Stan Spence. Then, in spring training, the Senators made a splash by bringing back catcher Jake Early, purchasing him from the Browns after a one-year stint there.Catcher: Early played six seasons in Washington before he was traded to St. Louis last year. Now that he's returned, the starting gig at catcher is once again his. Early was an All-Star in 1943 but has struggled since the war. His backup the entire time he played in the nation's capital, Al Evans, was the primary backstop last season and will still see plenty of playing time.Infield: Cleanup hitter Mickey Vernon, who won the batting title in 1946, came back down to earth in 1947, hitting 88 points worse. He is still the star of the team and the Senators will hope he can find that form again to keep them out of last place. The Senators have another promising player in Eddie Yost, the third baseman who will bat leadoff. Yost, only 21, made his debut for Washington at age 17 without playing in the minors. His rookie season last year was disappointing but his youth leaves plenty of room for improvement. Shortstop Mark Christman does not hit as well as he did when he was the starter for the '44 Browns and his defensive ability is slipping as the oldest hitter on the team's roster. Kozar takes over for Priddy after hitting .339 in New Orleans last year.Outfield: It's a whole new outfield for Washington. Buddy Lewis, who started in right field alongside Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio in last year's All-Star Game, retired. Joe Grace and, of course, Spence are gone, too. That leaves all three starting spots up for grabs early in the season. Culberson will start at center field on Opening Day but has never played a full season. Neither has Sherry Robertson in right field even though he's been with the team since 1940. Gil Coan is an unknown as he is basically a rookie with just 70 games of experience over two years. None of them are safe in the lineup as the Senators carry multiple outfielders on the roster to play around with. Tom McBride and rookie Junior Wooten will see plenty of playing time, as well.Rotation: Washington sent two starters to the All-Star Game in 1947. Early Wynn won 17 games, the second time has had that many wins in a season in his short career, and Walt Masterson had a breakout season despite his losing record with the best ERA on the team and third most strikeouts in the AL. After Bobo Newsom was traded during the season last year, the rotation has remained the same even through the offseason. Mickey Haefner has amassed a winning record and a 3.09 ERA in his five seasons as a Senator. Ray Scarborough struggled with a lack of run support but could be due for a big year if the luck goes his way this year. Sid Hudson, the two time All-Star for Washington before the war, struggled last season but returns to the rotation once again.Bullpen: Tom Ferrick was saddled with seven losses in his 31 appearances last year, but he was otherwise the only dependable reliever on the roster. Maybe some stability can help him as he has played for four different AL clubs in four seasons. Occasional starter Marino Pieretti returns, as does Milo Candini. Rookie Ramon Garcia from Cuba also makes the Opening Day roster and will make his debut at some point in April out of the bullpen.Outlook: An underrated pitching staff could have Washington surprisingly competitive. The ceiling is still low, especially with a brand new outfield, but the Senators will look to beat the White Sox and Browns to avoid the cellar.