About that shifting of power.
Just when it looked like the New York Mets finally were assured of ending Atlanta’s run of 10 consecutive division championships, the Braves took advantage of Gary Sheffield’s unhappiness in Los Angeles to add one of baseball’s most dynamic run-producers. Reports of their impending demise indeed appear exaggerated as teams head to spring training for the 2002 season.
Both East powers should be improved over 2001, making it tough on Arizona to get back to the World Series. With San Francisco retaining Barry Bonds and Jason Schmidt while filling holes with Reggie Sanders, Tsuyoshi Shinjo and David Bell, the Diamondbacks might not even be favored to repeat in the West.
While the Cubs improved with the addition of Moises Alou, they and Houston face a formidable challenge in the Central. St. Louis was the best team in the NL when last season ended and will be just as likely to win as they begin life without Mark McGwire.
East Division
Atlanta Braves
2001: 88-74, 1st (lost in NLCS to Arizona).
Manager: Bobby Cox.
In: OF Gary Sheffield, 3B Vinny Castilla, RHP Albie Lopez, RHP Darren Holmes.
Out: RF Brian Jordan, RHP John Burkett, LHP Odalis Perez, RHP Steve Karsay, RHP Rick Reed, RHP Rudy Seanez, INF Rey Sanchez.
Needs work: The Braves could be shaky on the outfield corners. Not only does Chipper Jones move from third base to left field, but Sheffield must return to right field, where he has made only occasional cameos in recent years.
All eyes on: If power-hitting shortstop Wilson Betemit wins a job, Rafael Furcal will move to second base, giving the Braves a middle-infield combo that could become great.
Philadelphia Phillies
2001: 86-76, 2nd.
Manager: Larry Bowa.
In: RHP Terry Adams, OF Ricky Ledee.
Out: LHP Dennis Cook, OF Brian Hunter, C Todd Pratt.
Needs work: Despite the presence of offensive stars Bobby Abreu, Scott Rolen and Pat Burrell, the Phillies won with pitching and defense. Catcher Mike Lieberthal’s return from injury could give the lineup a lift.
All eyes on: Rolen still could be traded. He’s in the last year of his contract and has said he’ll sign elsewhere as a free agent.
New York Mets
2001: 82-80, 3rd.
Manager: Bobby Valentine.
In: 2B Robbie Alomar, 1B Mo Vaughn, CF Roger Cedeno, RF Jeromy Burnitz, LHP Shawn Estes, RHP Jeff D’Amico, RHP David Weathers, RHP Satoru Komiyama, LHP Mike Bacsik, 1B-OF Ross Gload, CF Gary Matthews Jr., OF Mark Sweeney, SS-OF Lou Collier.
Out: RHP Kevin Appier, LHP Glendon Rusch, 3B Robin Ventura, 1B Todd Zeile, RF Matt Lawton, LF Benny Agbayani, CF Tsuyoshi Shinjo, CF Alex Escobar, RHP Rick White, RHP Jerrod Riggan.
Needs work: An overhaul was needed for a lineup that averaged 3.96 runs a game, the fewest in the majors. But it will take a while for Valentine to bring together a team with five new regulars, including Edgardo Alfonzo’s move from second to third.
All eyes on: Vaughn must prove he’s not only recovered from his torn triceps but also that he still can play first base.
Florida Marlins
2001: 76-86, 4th.
Manager: Jeff Torborg.
In: LHP Nate Teut.
Out: LHP Jesus Sanchez, SS Dave Berg, RHP Ricky Bones, RHP Juan Acevedo, OF Jeff Abbott, RHP Alex Fernandez.
Needs work: Torborg’s biggest challenge is to get veterans such as Charles Johnson and Cliff Floyd to rise above the uncertainty surrounding a franchise in limbo.
All eyes on: Right-hander Josh Beckett is the best pitching prospect of this era. He joins an excellent rotation that already includes Brad Penny, A.J. Burnett, Ryan Dempster and Matt Clement.
Montreal Expos
2001: 68-94, 5th.
Manager: Frank Robinson
In: None.
Out: RHP Mike Thurman.
Needs work: Even if the franchise wasn’t on the brink of elimination, three managers in two years is a bad situation for the players on a young team. Given the talents of Vladimir Guerrero, Jose Vidro, Fernando Tatis, Orlando Cabrera and Peter Bergeron, the lineup should improve its average of 4.1 runs a game.
Keep an eye on: All exits.
Central Division
Houston Astros
2001: 93-69, Tied for 1st (lost to Atlanta in the first round).
Manager: Jimy Williams.
In: C Gregg Zaun, LHP C.J. Nitkowski, LHP Chuck McElroy, OF Brian Hunter.
Out: RF Moises Alou, 3B Vinny Castilla, RHP Pedro Astacio, RHP Mike Jackson, RHP Mike Williams, LHP Ron Villone, RHP Kent Bottenfield, 3B Bill Spiers, C Tony Eusebio, OF Glen Barker.
Needs work: Replacing the production of Alou and Castilla is essential. Daryle Ward gets a long-awaited chance to start and Chris Truby and Morgan Ensberg will battle for third.
All eyes on: The health of young pitchers Roy Oswalt and Carlos Hernandez is essential for a young rotation that overachieved in 2001.
St. Louis Cardinals
2001: 93-69, Tied for 1st (lost to Arizona in the first round as wild card).
Manager: Tony La Russa.
In: 1B Tino Martinez, RHP Jason Isringhausen, OF So Taguchi, RHP Jaime Navarro, 1B Luis Garcia.
Out: 1B Mark McGwire, RHP Dustin Hermanson, 3B-OF Craig Paquette, OF-1B Bobby Bonilla, RHP Mike James, C Carlos Hernandez, RHP Alan Benes.
Needs work: St. Louis’ only real question is in left field, where Placido Polanco will battle Kerry Robinson and Taguchi for playing time.
All eyes on: Rick Ankiel, who imploded in the 2000 playoffs, will be tested under pressure for the first time since La Russa pulled the plug last May.
Cubs
2001: 88-74, 3rd.
Manager: Don Baylor.
In: LF Moises Alou, SS Alex Gonzalez, 2B-3B Chris Stynes, CF Darren Lewis, LHP Jesus Sanchez, RHP Pat Mahomes, RHP Alan Benes, 2B Mark Bellhorn, 3B-1B Kevin Orie, 1B-OF Angel Echevarria, INF Luis Ordaz, 3B Ivanon Coffee, OF Kimera Bartee, LHP Donovan Osborne.
Out: SS Ricky Gutierrez, 2B Eric Young, 1B-OF Matt Stairs, 3B-1B Ron Coomer, OF Michael Tucker, RHP Kevin Tapani, RHP David Weathers, RHP Todd Van Poppel, LHP Felix Heredia, LHP Nate Teut.
Needs work: There’s no proven leadoff hitter in camp to replace Young. Whoever wins a three-way battle at second base (Stynes, Delino Deshields and Bobby Hill) probably will hit leadoff.
All eyes on: The 3-4-5 combination of Sammy Sosa, Fred McGriff and Alou, who should upgrade a team that was seventh in runs in 2001 when Sosa drove in 160.
Milwaukee Brewers
2001: 68-94, 4th.
Manager: Davey Lopes.
In: LHP Glendon Rusch, CF-2B Eric Young, OF Matt Stairs, OF Alex Ochoa, C Marcus Jensen, LHP Takaki Nomura.
Out: RF Jeromy Burnitz, RHP Jeff D’Amico, RHP Jimmy Haynes, LHP Allen Vevrault, OF Mark Sweeney, OF-SS Lou Collier.
Needs work: Despite the attention paid to a record 1,399 strikeouts, the focus should be on improving a pitching staff that has been in the NL’s second division each of the last four years.
All eyes on: The continued development of former Olympic standout Ben Sheets, who went 1-5 after going to the All-Star Game.
Cincinnati Reds
2001: 66-96, 5th.
Manager: Bob Boone.
In: OF Juan Encarnacion, LHP Gabe White, RHP Seth Etherton.
Out: 2B Pokey Reese, OF Dmitri Young, RHP Pete Harnisch, LHP Dennys Reyes.
Needs work: The faceless rotation is devoid of proven winners. Scott Williamson’s move from the bullpen could help.
All eyes on: Ken Griffey Jr. has seen his homer total drop three years in a row. He hopes his hamstring problems are behind him.
Pittsburgh Pirates
2001: 62-100, 6th.
Manager: Lloyd McClendon.
In: 2B Pokey Reese, RHP Kip Wells, RHP Sean Lowe, RHP Mike Williams, RHP Josh Fogg.
Out: RHP Todd Ritchie, RHP Josias Manzanillo, RHP Francisco Cordova, RHP Omar Olivares, CF Gary Matthews Jr.
Shelved: RHP Kris Benson (elbow surgery, out until June).
Needs work: Everything. Pittsburgh was the only NL team in the bottom three in runs scored, runs allowed and fielding last year.
All eyes on: Competition is wide open for the starting rotation, with lefties Jimmy Anderson and Dave Williams front-runners in a battle than includes Tony McKnight, Bronson Arroyo, Wells, Lowe and Fogg.
West Division
Arizona Diamondbacks
2001: 92-70, 1st (beat the Yankees in the World Series).
Manager: Bob Brenly.
In: RHP Rick Helling, LHP Mike Myers, OF Jose Guillen, 3B Chris Donnels, OF Quinton McCracken.
Out: RF Reggie Sanders, RHP Albie Lopez, RHP Bobby Witt, RHP Robert Ellis, OF Midre Cummings, OF-1B Jack Cust.
Needs work: Matt Mantei is finishing his recovery from surgery and could challenge B.H. Kim for the closer’s job. Brenly figures that the durable Myers is a major upgrade from the left side. Another rehabbing pitcher to watch is Todd Stottlemyre.
All eyes on: Brenly hit Erubiel Durazo cleanup in the Series but can’t play him regularly with Mark Grace as his first baseman. Durazo could force the issue with a monster spring.
San Francisco Giants
2001: 90-72, 2nd.
Manager: Dusty Baker.
In: RF Reggie Sanders, CF Tsuyoshi Shinjo, 3B David Bell, C Scott Servais, RHP Jay Witasick, RHP Manny Aybar, SS Felix Escalona.
Out: LHP Shawn Estes, 1B Andres Galarraga, OF John Vander Wal, OF Eric Davis, RHP Mark Gardner, OF Dante Powell, INF Desi Relaford, RHP Wayne Gomes, RHP Brian Boehringer.
Needs work: Shaky fielding was among the reasons the Giants ranked ninth in the NL in runs allowed.
All eyes on: Now that they pretty much have signed the franchise over to him, can Barry Bonds repeat the devastation he created for opposing pitchers last season? Don’t bet against it. He’s hungry to win and has a team that is capable of knocking off Arizona.
Los Angeles Dodgers
2001: 86-76, 3rd.
Manager: Jim Tracy.
In: OF Brian Jordan, RHP Hideo Nomo, LHP Odalis Perez, SS Cesar Izturis, LHP Kazuhisa Ishii, LHP Omar Daal, RHP Tim Crabtree RHP Paul Quantrill, OF Dante Bichette, RHP Ricky Bones, OF Dave Roberts.
Out: LF Gary Sheffield, RHP Chan Ho Park, RHP Luke Prokopec, RHP Terry Adams, RHP Jeff Shaw, RHP James Baldwin, INF Tim Bogar, RHP Chad Ricketts.
Needs work: Even with Sheffield, the Dodgers ranked only eighth in the NL in runs scored. Run production could be a problem again.
All eyes on: There’s no proven closer in the bullpen, opening an opportunity for Quantrill or Matt Herges.
San Diego Padres
2001: 79-83, 4th.
Manager: Bruce Bochy.
In: SS Ramon Vazquez, SS Deivi Cruz, OF Ron Gant, C Tom Lampkin, RHP Brett Tomko, RHP Steve Reed, RHP Brad Clontz, RHP Ryan Baerlocher, OF Pete Incaviglia.
Out: RF Tony Gwynn, LF Rickey Henderson, C Ben Davis, LHP Chuck McElroy, 3B Dave Magadan.
Needs work: A return to form by 19-game loser Bobby Jones would provide a much-needed lift for a pitching staff that looks basically the same as a year ago, when it allowed the fourth-most runs in the NL.
All eyes on: Sean Burroughs’ arrival at third base means Phil Nevin will move to first base and Ryan Klesko to left field.
Colorado Rockies
2001: 73-89, 5th.
Manager: Buddy Bell.
In: 3B Todd Zeile, OF Benny Agbayani, C Tony Eusebio, RHP Todd Jones, RHP Jose Paniagua, LHP Brian Fuentes, LHP Dennys Reyes, RHP Pete Harnisch, RHP Mike James, OF Jack Cust.
Out: 3B Jeff Cirillo, RHP Jay Powell, LHP Mike Myers, LHP Gabe White, RHP Dan Miceli, LHP Brian Bohanon, OF Alex Ochoa, 1B Ross Gload, RHP Jerry Dipoto.
Needs work: Catcher Ben Petrick needs a strong spring to regain the confidence that vanished as his batting average dropped from .322 in 2000 to .238.
All eyes on: Left field has been a hole in this lineup for too long. Cust is a born hitter who could turn into a star at Coors Field, but many doubt he can play the outfield well enough to win a job from Agbayani.
