BASEBALL: Harang won’t unleash harangue about obscurity

Quick now. Who led the National League in complete games last year?

We’ll give you a hint. He was the same guy who led the N.L. in strikeouts. He had six complete games out of 35 starts during a season in which he went 16-11 with a 3.76 earned-run average.

Want another hint? This guy, who struck out 216 in 234 1/3 innings, pitches for Cincinnati. This would be a giveaway except that the guy we’re talking about isn’t the Reds pitcher who got the most attention during last season – and might not be the one who gets the most next season.

He didn’t get one Cy Young Award vote and didn’t win the Johnny Vander Meer Award, which the Cincinnati chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America gives to the Reds’ “most outstanding” pitcher.

The guy who led the N.L. in strikeouts and complete games, tying for the league lead in victories, was Aaron Harang, not the guy acquired from Boston during spring training, Bronson Arroyo. Arroyo got off to a fast start but wound up 14-11, going 11 consecutive starts in one stretch without a victory.

It doesn’t sound like Harang is upset about the lack of recognition.

“Maybe I should grow my hair long and play the guitar,” he said.

Harang, a 28-year-old right-hander who was drafted by Texas and passed through Oakland before coming to the Reds in a 2003 trade for Jose Guillen, might be a little mystified with Cincinnati’s management. When general manager Wayne Krivsky set the club’s arbitration figures, he somehow offered Harang the same $4.2 million that Kyle Lohse had signed for a day before the figures were exchanged.

With spring training around the corner, here are a few other players worth watching:

“Raul Ibanez, Seattle Mariners: Paid well but underappreciated, Ibanez has had the misfortune of doing his best work in Kansas City and post-2002 Seattle. He hit .289 with 33 homers and 123 RBIs a year ago – the fourth time in the last five years he has driven in at least 89 runs. He also has scored 92-plus three of the last four years.

“Michael Cuddyer, Minnesota Twins: A first-round pick as a shortstop, it took Cuddyer a while to make his niche, but he has arrived a solid right fielder and cleanup hitter. He hit .284 with 70 extra-base hits, 109 RBIs and 102 runs scored last year.

“Carlos Guillen, Detroit Tigers: The shortstop has been a part of two amazing seasons: Seattle’s 116 victories in 2001, that time as Alex Rodriguez’s replacement, and the Tigers’ 2006 pennant. He has had an on-base plus slugging percentage higher than .900 in two of the last three years. He hit .320 and stole 20 bases last year.

“Bill Hall, Milwaukee Brewers: Long before the 2006 breakout season, when Hall pounded 35 homers while filling in for injured shortstop J.J. Hardy, commissioner Bud Selig was touting this guy as one of baseball’s best-kept secrets.

“Nate Robertson, Detroit: In a rotation that includes powerful guys like Jeremy Bonderman and Justin Verlander, it’s easy to overlook the reliable Robertson. He has made at least 32 starts three years in a row, and steadily has reduced his ERA every season – going from 4.90 in 2004 to 3.84 in ‘06.

“John Lackey, Anaheim Angels: Since winning Game 7 of the 2002 World Series as a rookie, Lackey quietly has evolved into one of the top five starters in the American League. He has gone 27-16 the last two years, deserving more victories given his 3.56 ERA in 2006 and 3.44 ERA in ‘05.

“J.J. Putz, Seattle: Anyone who knows he’s one of the top relievers in the majors gets extra credit. Working for a last-place team, he delivered a masterful performance in 2006 – converting 36 of 43 save opportunities while holding batters to a .245 on-base percentage. He piled up 104 strikeouts against only 13 walks in 78 1/3 innings.

Manuel pays dividends

Many have wondered why Philadelphia general manager Pat Gillick is so attached to manager Charlie Manuel.

Perhaps this has something to do with it: The Phillies’ 173 victories under Manuel the last two seasons are the most at the start of anyone’s tenure with the franchise since Pat Moran guided his teams to 181 triumphs in 1915-16.

Williams seeks work

Bernie Williams is out of the New York Yankees’ plans but looking for a job with someone.

He hit .281 with 12 homers last year, convincing himself he’s not ready for retirement.