AMERICAN LEAGUE: AROUND THE HORN VELARDE: A'S NOW A-1 TARGETS.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

OAKLAND - Randy Velarde's tour through the American League West has reached Texas, leaving the Seattle Mariners as the only team in the division for which he hasn't played.

Velarde left the New York Yankees as a free agent after the 1995 season to sign with the Angels, playing in Anaheim until being traded to Oakland late in the 1999 season. The A's then dealt him to Texas this past offseason.

So if anybody is an expert on the AL West race, it is Velarde.

``Health,'' Velarde said. ``The team that stays the healthiest is the team that will win, because every team is just as talented.''

The A's are the consensus pick to repeat as division champs, primarily because of their starting pitching. But Velarde says the A's will have to deal with something they didn't face last season.

``Now they're the hunted, not the hunter,'' he said. ``Now you're dealing with a different animal. Last year, we believed in that clubhouse, but no one else did. Now it's, `We know what you guys got.' ''

Velarde said he had trouble understanding why the A's traded him to the Rangers for two minor-league pitchers.

``I wouldn't say I was angry ... confused,'' he said. ``When you're traded, it's like they're questioning your ability. They're saying you're not good enough. But they had a guy (Jose Ortiz) coming up as the minor- league MVP. And trading me also helps cut costs.''

Velarde, 38 and a Texas native, has settled in nicely with the Rangers after playing for the younger and wilder A's.

``I felt really old over there with all the young 'uns,'' he said. ``They would play cards and watch cartoons in the clubhouse, then go out and win a game. It was amazing. Here, I don't stick out as much.''

--Over before it started: Nomar Garciaparra's run of batting championships is over. Garciaparra, who won the batting title in 1999 (.357) and 2000 (.372), won't get enough at-bats this season to qualify because of a wrist injury.

In fact, the surgery performed on his wrist on opening day revealed more damage than originally thought.

In addition to repairing the split tendon, doctors also had to smooth an exposed piece of bone that was irritating the tendon. Because of fraying, a small portion of the tendon was removed.

The best-case scenario would have Garciaparra returning after 10 weeks, which would have him back in mid-June. But it could carry into July. He'll wear a cast for a month before he can even begin rehab.

--Kooky pitcher: A's pitcher Barry Zito is known as being a little eccentric, but it seems to work for him.

Before a start against the Mariners at Safeco Field, the former Pierce College and USC standout said he was pumped up after listening to a guitarist play the national anthem. So when Zito walked back-to-back hitters in the game, pitching coach Rick Peterson knew how to get his point across.

``I went out to the mound and all we talked about was the guitar - tempo and rhythm,'' Peterson said. ``I said `You're off key right now; you're playing through the break.' And that's the beauty of having someone like Barry on the staff - he said `You're right,' and slowed himself down.''

--First baseman for hire: The Yankees have made it known around the league that first baseman Tino Martinez is available. They're not actively shopping him, but club officials believe that minor-leaguer Nick Johnson is close to being ready for the majors. Johnson didn't play at all in 2000 because of a hand injury but hit .345 in 1999 for Double-A Norwich.