The Numbers Game

Four other general managers who, like Oakland 's Billy Beane , rely heavily on quantitative analysis in player evaluations, had varied off-seasons. Here's a recap of what they did.

PAUL DEPODESTA
DODGERS

Key moves: signed OF J.D. Drew (five years, $55 million), 2B Jeff Kent (two years, $17 million), RHP Derek Lowe (four years, $36 million)

Analysis: Loosed from financial restrictions in Oakland , Beane 's former assistant spent freely, adding two power bats-- Drew and Kent combined for 58 homers and 136 extra-base hits--to an offense that ranked eighth in the NL in slugging and total bases and ninth in runs, and also lost MVP candidate Adrian Beltre . But can Drew stay healthy for a second straight year?

J.P. RICCIARDI
BLUE JAYS

Key moves: signed 3B Corey Koskie (three years, $17 million); lost 1B Carlos Delgado to free agency

Analysis:After an unexpected last-place finish in the AL East , Toronto moved modestly, adding Koskie (25 homers, .495 slugging) as a power lefty bat in the middle of the order. Eric Hinske , whose free fall since his '02 Rookie of the Year season is a head-scratcher, moves from third to first. More flexibility is coming: Team owner Rogers Communications has approved $210 million in payroll over the next three seasons.

THEO EPSTEIN
RED SOX

Key moves:signed SS Edgar Renteria (four years, $40 million), RHP Matt Clement (three years, $25.5 million), LHP David Wells (two years, $8 million)

Analysis:Renteria is a defensive upgrade over Nomar Garciaparra , but his '04 dips in on-base (.327) and slugging percentage (.401) should give pause. Clement and Wells make the rotation the league's best in terms of strike-throwing and control. The expected starters (including Curt Schilling , Tim Wakefield and Bronson Arroyo ) averaged 7.0 Ks and 2.2 walks per nine innings.