1932 American League Rookies
Johnny Allen, SP, Age 24 and Johnny Murphy, SP, Age 23, Yankees
For more than a decade, everyone has known that New York's big weakness was pitching. They did a great job this offseason of addressing that issue. Allen is a legitimate top-of-the-rotation starter who pitches with a chip on his shoulder. Murphy is a hard-throwing reliever who improves the Yankees middle relief corps significantly. Now, if only the team could play better defense in support of these new arms.
Monte Pearson, SP, Age 23, Indians
The Indians had the best pitching staff in the AL last season and a much improved offense. Now, the addition of Pearson makes them stronger. Although he should one day be a fine starting pitcher, the Indians may be making an even shrewder move that could help them win the pennant this season - they are making Pearson their closer. And I can tell you, as a closer he looks very formidable. He has an upper-90's fastball and nasty curve that should be devastating in the 9th inning. Kudos to the Indians for making this move.
