Sunday, February 10, 2002
NL teams at the start of spring
By JOSH DUBOW
AP Sports Writer
A team-by-team look at the National League entering spring training, including players each club acquired and lost, as well as reporting dates for pitchers and catchers/full squads:
NATIONAL LEAGUE
EAST
Atlanta Braves
Manager: Bobby Cox (13th season).
2001: 88-74, first place, lost in NLCS.
Training Town: Kissimmee, Fla.
Park: Disney Wide World of Sports Stadium.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 14/Feb. 19.
He's Here: OF Gary Sheffield, 3B Vinny Castilla, RHP Albie Lopez, RHP Darren Holmes, LHP Rich Rodriguez.
He's Outta Here: OF Brian Jordan, RHP John Burkett, RHP Steve Karsay, LHP Odalis Perez, SS Rey Sanchez, OF Bernard Gilkey.
Spring Chicken: Wilson Betemit. The latest in a long line of talented Dominican shortstops. Has excelled at every level on his way up the minors, hitting .355 in 47 games as a 19-year-old at Double A last season. Has a strong arm and good range, but could move to third base eventually with Rafael Furcal at shortstop in Atlanta.
Outlook: After watching the Mets make addition after addition this offseason, GM John Schuerholz didn't sit still, adding Sheffield's bat to a lineup that struggled to score last season. Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine still provide a formidable 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation, and John Smoltz stood out in his new role as closer last year. Braves need Kevin Millwood to rebound to his 1999 form or get big contribution from Jason Marquis in the rotation.
Florida Marlins
Manager: None. Probably will be Jeff Torborg.
2001: 76-86, fourth place.
Training Town: Viera, Fla.
Park: Space Coast Stadium.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 15/Feb. 19.
He's Here: LHP Nate Teut.
He's Outta Here: LHP Jesus Sanchez, RHP Juan Acevedo, OF Jeff Abbott.
Spring Chicken: Josh Beckett. The best pitching prospect in baseball didn't disappoint in a brief September call-up, going 2-2 with a 1.50 ERA in four starts. Hard-throwing righty was 14-1 with 1.54 ERA, 203 strikeouts and 34 walks in 140 innings in Class A and Double A. Has outstanding curveball and good changeup to go with overpowering fastball.
Outlook: Team didn't make many moves this offseason because of pending sale to Expos owner Jeffrey Loria, who plans to bring Torborg and GM Larry Beinfest with him to Florida. There still is a load of young talent, headed by starters Beckett, Brad Penny, A.J. Burnett and Ryan Dempster. If Loria and Torborg can bring stability to the team, Marlins could compete soon.
Montreal Expos
Manager: Tentatively Jeff Torborg (second season); probably Frank Robinson.
2001: 68-94, fifth place.
Training Town: Jupiter, Fla.
Park: Roger Dean Stadium.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 15/Feb. 19.
He's Here: None.
He's Outta Here: RHP Mike Thurman.
Spring Chicken: Brandon Phillips. Played very well at shortstop after being called up to Double A last season, hitting .298 with seven homers and 19 doubles in 67 games. But he might never make it to Montreal. Phillips needs a little more seasoning and might not be ready for the majors until after the Expos are eliminated or moved to Washington.
Outlook: Probably the team's final year in Montreal, if not existence. Survived contraction attempts this offseason, but will be sold to the other 29 teams and be operated by someone appointed by the commissioner's office. That makes any player moves difficult. There's still some talent, headed by Vladimir Guerrero and Javier Vazquez, but getting the players to perform cohesively for a lame-duck team will be difficult task for the manager, likely Robinson.
New York Mets
Manager: Bobby Valentine (seventh season).
2001: 82-80, 3rd place.
Training Town: Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Park: St. Lucie County Stadium.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 15/Feb. 20.
He's Here: 2B Roberto Alomar, 1B Mo Vaughn, OF Jeromy Burnitz, RHP Pedro Astacio, LHP Shawn Estes, RHP Jeff D'Amico, OF Roger Cedeno, RHP David Weathers, LHP Mark Guthrie, OF Gary Matthews Jr., INF Lou Collier, OF Mark Sweeney, INF John Valentin.
He's Outta Here: 3B Robin Ventura, 1B Todd Zeile, RHP Kevin Appier, OF Matt Lawton, LHP Glendon Rusch, OF Benny Agbayani, RHP Jerrod Riggan, OF Tsuyoshi Shinjo, INF Desi Relaford, INF Lenny Harris, RHP Rick White, LHP C.J. Nitkowski.
Spring Chicken: Aaron Heilman. The former Notre Dame star validated his first-round selection in last year's draft, posting a 2.35 ERA in seven starts in Class A. Has a good sinker and slider and could make it to the majors by the end of the season.
Outlook: After going to the World Series in 2000, the Mets went 82-80 last year, finishing with the fewest runs in the majors. They were second-to-last in the NL in both average and homers. GM Steve Phillips overhauled the offense, making it the team's strength. Injury questions surround newcomers Vaughn, Astacio, Estes and D'Amico. If the rotation stays healthy, the Mets could end Atlanta's NL East reign.
Philadelphia Phillies
Manager: Larry Bowa (second season).
2001: 86-76, second place.
Training Town: Clearwater, Fla.
Park: Jack Russell Stadium.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 15/Feb. 20.
He's Here: RHP Terry Adams, OF Ricky Ledee, OF John Mabry, RHP John Wasdin.
He's Outta Here: LHP Omar Daal, RHP Chris Brock, LHP Dennis Cook.
Spring Chicken: Marlon Byrd. Eastern League MVP last season. Is one of the minors' best all-around players. Hit .316 with 28 homers and 32 steals in Double A last season. Could join Bobby Abreu and Pat Burrell in Phillies outfield in years to come.
Outlook: After being a surprise contender until the final week last season, Phillies watched as rivals Atlanta and the Mets made major offseason additions. Big question this year for the Phillies is whether they keep 3B Scott Rolen or trade him before he's eligible to leave as a free agent after the season.
CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs
Manager: Don Baylor (third season).
2001: 88-74, third place.
Training Town: Mesa, Ariz.
Park: HoHoKam Park.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 15/Feb. 20.
He's Here: OF Moises Alou, SS Alex Gonzalez, INF Chris Stynes, OF Darren Lewis, RHP Alan Benes, LHP Jesus Sanchez, RHP Pat Mahomes.
He's Outta Here: 2B Eric Young, RHP Kevin Tapani, RHP Todd Van Poppel, OF Matt Stairs, INF Ron Coomer, LHP Felix Heredia, OF Michael Tucker.
Spring Chicken: Mark Prior. Considered by some the best college player ever. Prior was the No. 3 pick in the draft and could skip the minors, but more likely will get a month or two before joining the Cubs. Has a 97-mph fastball and outstanding curve. Went 15-1 with a 1.69 ERA, 202 strikeouts and 18 walks at Southern California.
Outlook: A full season of Fred McGriff and the addition of Alou will give needed support in the lineup to Sammy Sosa and help the Cubs contend for their first division title since 1989. Cubs have talented prospects behind Prior, including pitcher Juan Cruz, 1B Hee Seop Choi and 2B Bobby Hill. All could contribute in Wrigley Field soon. Jon Lieber, a 20-game winner last year, leads the rotation entering the season, but Kerry Wood and Prior will soon be the aces.
Cincinnati Reds
Manager: Bob Boone (2nd season).
2001: 66-96, 5th place.
Training Town: Sarasota, Fla.
Park: Ed Smith Stadium.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 16/Feb. 21.
He's Here: OF Juan Encarnacion, RHP Jimmy Haynes, LHP Brian Bohanon, RHP Gabe White, RHP Jose Silva.
He's Outta Here: OF Dmitri Young, 2B Pokey Reese, OF Ruben Rivera, RHP Pete Harnisch, LHP Dennys Reyes.
Spring Chicken: Austin Kearns. Should join last year's phenom Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. in the Reds starting outfield soon. Struggled last season because of a torn thumb ligament, but played well in the Arizona Fall League. Has excellent power and is a good fielder.
Outlook: Griffey trade has yet to pay dividends for the Reds. Griffey had only 364 at-bats last year as was slowed by a torn hamstring. Injuries were a recurring theme for the Reds, who also lost SS Barry Larkin, reliever Scott Williamson (elbow) and starter Pete Harnisch (elbow). Dunn showed amazing power after being called up from the minors with 19 homers in 244 at-bats. A healthy lineup should be productive, but a rotation headed by Elmer Dessens is lacking.
Houston Astros
Manager: Jimy Williams (first season).
2001: 93-69, first place, lost in NLDS.
Training Town: Kissimmee, Fla.
Park: Osceola County Stadium.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 14/Feb. 19.
He's Here: OF Brian L. Hunter, C Gregg Zaun, RHP T.J. Mathews, LHP C.J. Nitkowski.
He's Outta Here: OF Moises Alou, RHP Pedro Astacio, 3B Vinny Castilla, RHP Mike Williams, RHP Mike Jackson, RHP Kent Bottenfield.
Spring Chicken: Carlos Hernandez. Had outstanding season last year, going 12-3 in Double A and 1-0 with a 1.02 ERA in three starts for Houston before injuring his left shoulder on a headfirst slide. Assuming his left arm is OK, Hernandez might start the season in the Astros' rotation. His best pitch is his curveball.
Outlook: Bounced back from 90-loss season to win fourth division title in five years. Houston still looking for first postseason series win, which cost manager Larry Dierker his job. Jimy Williams is taking over a talented team. Formidable lineup with Killer B's Jeff Bagwell, Lance Berkman and Craig Biggio. Astros also have one of the best young pitching duos in Roy Oswalt and Wade Miller, who combined to go 30-11 last year. Daryle Ward will replace Alou in left field.
Milwaukee Brewers
Manager: Davey Lopes (third season).
2001: 68-94, 4th place.
Training Town: Maryvale, Ariz.
Park: Maryvale Baseball Park.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 14/Feb. 19.
He's Here: LHP Glendon Rusch, OF Alex Ochoa, 2B Eric Young, OF Matt Stairs, LHP Takaki Nomura, INF Lenny Harris.
He's Outta Here: OF Jeromy Burnitz, RHP Jeff D'Amico, OF Devon White, RHP Jimmy Haynes, RHP Mark Leiter, INF Lou Collier, OF Mark Sweeney, OF James Mouton.
Spring Chicken: Nick Neugebauer. Made it to the majors in September, but overall successful season was dampened by injuring his throwing shoulder. If he's recovered, his 95-mph fastball should put him in the Brewers' rotation alongside Ben Sheets. Neugebauer must overcome control problems, after walking 67 in 137 innings last year.
Outlook: Miller Park's first season was a success at the gate, but not on the field. The Brewers became the first team to finish a season with more strikeouts (an all-time record 1,399) than hits (1,378). GM Dean Taylor dumped the free-swinging Burnitz and tried to add more speed and contact to the lineup. Milwaukee counting on the Sheets of the first three months (10-4, 3.35 ERA and All-Star berth) instead of the rest of the season (1-6, 7.06 ERA and injured rotator cuff.)
Pittsburgh Pirates
Manager: Lloyd McClendon (second season).
2001: 62-100, sixth place.
Training Town: Bradenton, Fla.
Park: McKechnie Field.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 14/Feb. 19.
He's Here: 2B Pokey Reese, RHP Mike Williams, RHP Kip Wells, RHP Sean Lowe, RHP Wayne Gomes, RHP Brian Boehringer.
He's Outta Here: RHP Todd Ritchie, RHP Jose Silva, OF Gary Matthews Jr., RHP Francisco Cordova.
Spring Chicken: J.R. House. A star prep quarterback, House decided last year to concentrate on baseball full-time. Hits for power and average and has a good presence behind the plate. With Jason Kendall catching in the majors, House has time to develop instead of being rushed to the big leagues.
Outlook: Haven't had a winning season since Barry Bonds left for San Francisco following the 1992 season. This doesn't figure to be the year to end that streak. Aramis Ramirez and Brian Giles are threats offensively, but much of the rest of the lineup is weak. RHP Kris Benson is scheduled to return in May from an elbow injury that cost him last season.
St. Louis Cardinals
Manager: Tony La Russa (seventh season).
2001: 93-69, second place, wild card, lost in NLDS.
Training Town: Jupiter, Fla.
Park: Roger Dean Stadium.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 15/Feb. 19.
He's Here: RHP Jason Isringhausen, 1B Tino Martinez, C Mike DiFelice.
He's Outta Here: 1B Mark McGwire, RHP Dustin Hermanson, INF Craig Paquette, RHP Alan Benes, RHP T.J. Mathews.
Spring Chicken: Josh Pearce. Durable pitcher split last season between Double A and Triple A and could contribute in the majors in 2002. In an organization that's had its share of arm problems, Pearce has remained healthy, not missing a start as a pro. His best pitch is a sinking fastball.
Outlook: Took eventual World Series-champion Arizona to the limit, losing Game 5 of the first-round series in the bottom of the ninth. The loss of Big Mac shouldn't slow down the Cardinals, as he caused more questions than answers in his final two injury-plagued seasons. Rookie of the Year Albert Pujols will have trouble matching his success, but Isringhausen is an upgrade in the bullpen and Martinez should be solid at first base. Matt Morris headlines a strong rotation with Darryl Kile, Woody Williams and Bud Smith. Rick Ankiel is the wild card after spending most of last season in Rookie ball trying to rediscover his control.
WEST
Arizona Diamondbacks
Manager: Bob Brenly (second season).
2001: 92-70. 1st place, World Series champions.
Training Town: Tucson, Ariz.
Park: Tucson Electric Park.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 14/Feb. 19.
He's Here: RHP Rick Helling, OF Jose Guillen, LHP Mike Myers.
He's Outta Here: OF Reggie Sanders, RHP Albie Lopez, OF Midre Cummings.
Spring Chicken: Lyle Overbay. Similar to Mark Grace, the player he might eventually replace in Arizona. Hit .352 in Double A with 49 doubles, but only 13 homers. Like Grace, Overbay doesn't have the power most teams look for in a first baseman. Not nearly as adept in the field as Grace.
Outlook: With aces Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling at the top of the rotation, there's no reason the Diamondbacks can't contend again. Helling adds a durable starter in the middle of the rotation. Bullpen is a question after closer Byung-Hyun Kim's World Series blowup. Matt Mantei won't be ready to return from elbow injury until at least May. Sanders will be missed in aging lineup.
Colorado Rockies
Manager: Buddy Bell (third season).
2001: 73-89, fifth place.
Training Town: Tucson, Ariz.
Park: Hi Corbett Field.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 15/Feb. 20.
He's Here: 3B Todd Zeile, RHP Todd Jones, RHP Jose Paniagua, LHP Dennys Reyes, OF Benny Agbayani, RHP Rick White, C Tony Eusebio, C Carlos Hernandez, RHP Mike James, LHP Kent Mercker.
He's Outta Here: 3B Jeff Cirillo, OF Jacob Cruz, RHP Jay Powell, LHP Brian Bohanon, RHP Dan Miceli, RHP Gabe White, OF Alex Ochoa.
Spring Chicken: Jack Cust. The Rockies acquired this slugger for Myers, a lefty specialist. Cust hit 27 homers and walked 102 times in Triple A last season, but his poor defense made him expendable in Arizona. With Todd Helton at first base, Cust's only chance of being a regular in Colorado is as an outfielder. If he makes it, he could put up big numbers in Coors Field. More likely, he'll be sent to an AL team to DH.
Outlook: The high-priced additions of Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle didn't help the Rockies solve Coors Field last season. Both struggled in and out of the high altitude. Offense is never the problem in Colorado with sluggers Todd Helton and Larry Walker. But Rockies will need better seasons from Hampton and Neagle to compete.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Manager: Jim Tracy (second season).
2001: 86-76, third place.
Training Town: Vero Beach, Fla.
Park: Holman Stadium.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 14/Feb. 19.
He's Here: OF Brian Jordan, RHP Hideo Nomo, LHP Omar Daal, RHP Paul Quantrill, INF Cesar Izturis, OF Dante Bichette, LHP Odalis Perez, OF Dave Roberts.
He's Outta Here: OF Gary Sheffield, RHP Chan Ho Park, RHP Jeff Shaw, RHP Terry Adams, RHP James Baldwin, RHP Luke Prokopec.
Spring Chicken: Chin-Feng Chen. The Taiwanese outfielder recovered from a shoulder injury to hit .290 with 22 homers, 91 RBI and 69 walks last season in Class A and Double A. Should make it to the majors this season.
Outlook: Tracy did good job as a rookie manager holding team together despite Sheffield's trade demands, the firing of GM Kevin Malone and injuries to the pitching staff. It will be even more difficult this year without Sheffield in the lineup, Park and Darren Dreifort (elbow injury) in the rotation, and Shaw in the bullpen. Dodgers haven't won a postseason game since 1988, and that doesn't figure to change this season.
San Diego Padres
Manager: Bruce Bochy (eighth season).
2001: 79-83, fourth place.
Training Town: Peoria, Ariz.
Park: Peoria Stadium.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 15/Feb. 20.
He's Here: RHP Brett Tomko, SS Ramon Vazquez, C Tom Lampkin, RHP Steve Reed, OF Ron Gant, LHP Alan Embree, SS Deivi Cruz.
He's Outta Here: OF Tony Gwynn, OF Rickey Henderson, C Ben Davis, SS Alex Arias, RHP Wascar Serrano.
Spring Chicken: Sean Burroughs. Former Little League star and son of 1974 AL MVP Jeff Burroughs is ready for the majors as a 21-year old. Hit .322 at Triple A last season. Only negative is, he hasn't developed his power yet, with 17 homers in 340 minor-league games. When he does, he could be a star. Padres think highly enough of him that they plan to move Phil Nevin to first base and Ryan Klesko to the outfield to make room for Burroughs at third.
Outlook: Padres are one of baseball's rising teams and could surprise in 2002. Nevin and Klesko make for a dangerous lineup. San Diego is counting on rookies Burroughs and Vazquez on the left side of the infield. Prospect pitcher Dennis Tankersley, acquired from Boston for Ed Sprague in 2000, also could make an impact this season. Brian Lawrence and Brian Tollberg showed promise for the rotation last year.
San Francisco Giants
Manager: Dusty Baker (10th season).
2001: 90-72, second place.
Training Town: Scottsdale, Ariz.
Park: Scottsdale Stadium.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 15/Feb. 20.
He's Here: 3B David Bell, OF Reggie Sanders, OF Tsuyoshi Shinjo, RHP Jay Witasick, RHP Manny Aybar.
He's Outta Here: 1B Andres Galarraga, LHP Shawn Estes, OF John Vander Wal, OF Eric Davis, RHP Mark Gardner, RHP Wayne Gomes, OF Dante Powell, RHP Brian Boehringer.
Spring Chicken: Kurt Ainsworth. The former Olympian struggled early last season with a blister and finished with a 5.07 ERA in Triple A. He finished the year well and could be ready for the Giants' rotation this season.
Outlook: Were able to keep home run king Barry Bonds in San Francisco with $90 million, five-year deal without shedding payroll. Also kept Jason Schmidt, who was successful after midseason trade with Pittsburgh. Bell and Sanders should be improvements in the lineup. Rich Aurilia has developed into the league's best shortstop. Felix Rodriguez and Robb Nen provide stellar relief for rotation headed by Russ Ortiz.
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NL teams at the start of spring
