With first pitch creeping closer and closer by the second, The Spectrum previews the National League in part two of our MLB Preview.
NL East
Florida Marlins: Unlike the first time they won the title in '97, the Marlins didn't sell off their whole team this past off-season and kept the core intact.
The strength of the team is the pitching as they have one of the best pitching staffs in baseball. World Series hero Josh Beckett will look to have a breakout regular season and if Dontrelle Willis has a sophomore year like his rookie one, the Marlins can still contend.
The loss of catcher Pudge Rodriguez could be huge because of his leadership and clutch playoff hitting that earned him the NLCS MVP.
Atlanta Braves: The Braves's run at 13 division titles is in jeopardy following the loss of two of their best hitters in Gary Sheffield and Javy Lopez. On top of that, long time ace Greg Maddux has left the team to go back to his first team, the Chicago Cubs.
The three aforementioned players have been replaced with Johnny Estrada, former minor league star J.D. Drew, and John Thomson respectively by position. Not exactly the Yankee kinda way to replace your starting players who have left, to say the least.
To quote former Met manager Bobby Valentine in reference to manager Bobby Cox, "This year, he actually has to manage."
Philadelphia Phillies: As long as Norman Bates ... er, I mean Larry Bowa doesn't get in anyone's face; the Phillies could be the team to beat.
After having one of the worst bullpens in baseball, the Phillies improved drastically in the offseason with flamethrower closer, Billy Wagner and reliever Tim Worrell. The Phillies have a good rotation with Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, Randy Wolf, and the newest member, Eric Milton. All four have been all-stars before. They can match up with any rotation in the NL East.
You can bet your life Jim Thome will hit at least 40 homers and 100 RBI's. He is that good of a hitter and could be a sleeper pick as NL MVP. If Bowa doesn't bother the Phillies, they will make first their playoff appearance since 1993.
New York Mets: After losing out on Vladimir Guerrero and Pay-Rod (again), the Mets have taken the low budget route and have gotten rid of their high priced garbage of so-called "talent" from the past few seasons (Roberto "I am prettier than Roger Cedeno" Alomar and Mo "I am the fattest and slowest human being since Cecil Fielder" Vaughn).
The Mets have focused on team defense with the signing of Japanese Gold Glove star, Kaz Matsui. With the signing, it forces Mets future star, Jose Reyes to second base. This duo could be the most exciting 1-2 punch in the game with their speed and great defense.
Mike Cameron is the newest centerfielder for the Mets and is one of the great defensive players in the game. After seeing Roger Cedeno play center last year, Mets fans are as excited as ever with the addition of Cameron.
Mike Piazza is still the heart of the team and will now see some time at first base and will split time with Jason Phillips.
If the Mets are to have any chance, Tom Glavine needs to have a more improved season after a horrible first year with the team.
Montreal Expos: Vladimir Guerrero and Javier Vazquez are just two more names you can add to the list of great young players the Expos have left the poor and fan-less club behind.
At least they got some talent back for Vazquez in getting back former Yankee prospect, Nick Johnson to play first. Jose Vidro now becomes the team's best all around player with three All-Star appearances in a row and one of best gloves in the game.
Livan Hernandez anchors a young pitching staff and looks to emerge as the ace after a great finish to the season. But that is about it for this team. They think that Carl "I don't think Dinosaurs existed" Everett is the answer for Guerrero. Everett in Montreal? I can't wait for the first time he explodes for those French Canadians in Olympic Stadium ...I mean Puerto Rico. Like I said ... these are the Expos and no one cares.
NL Central
Houston Astros: Houston's starting pitchers hurled the fewest number of innings in the league last year, but with the added arms of Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens to a rotation that already features Houston stars Wade Miller and Roy Oswalt, it could become one of the most lethal in the bigs.
The Astro lineup will produce more than enough offense, featuring the three B's of Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, and Lance Berkman, along with Jeff Kent and Richard Hidalgo.
Houston, you don't have a problem-winning the NL Central, at least.
The Chicago Cubs: Assuming Steve Bartman doesn't show up to Wrigley Field anytime soon, the Cubs are stronger, deeper, and more confident going into the 2004 season. With the addition of first ballot Hall-of-Famer Greg Maddux, and bullpen help in LaTroy Hawkins, the Cubs will have more than enough pitching to go with starters Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Carlos Zambrano, and Matt Clement.
St. Louis Cardinals: The Cardinals find themselves playing the unfamiliar role of underdog after a mediocre 2003 campaign.
However, they scored 876 runs, 150 more than the Cubs. With four Gold Glovers (Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds, Mike Matheny, and Edgar Renteria) the Cards will score enough runs and use their defense to cover for what might be some pretty shaky pitching. If their rotation stays healthy though, then they should be able to make some sort of playoff run.
Cincinnati Reds: The Reds can't hit (.245 batting average in '03, 28th in the ML), can't play defense (141 errors in '03), can't stay healthy (see Griffey Jr., Kenneth) and their starting pitching is suspect (gotta love ex-Met Paul Wilson, no matter where he goes). At least they have Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns-Griffey is more done than Jenna Jameson.
Pittsburgh Pirates: The Pirates got rid of their best player this past offseason, dealing consistent slugger Brian Giles and his huge contract to the San Diego Padres, for a bag of chips.
They decided to keep, however, convicted sausage-beater Randall Simon. At least they have Raul Mondesi, Jason Kendall, and a decent starting rotation, which includes Kip Wells, Josh Fogg, Rick Reed, and Kris Benson.
Milwaukee Brewers: Dare I mention the Brew Crew? When Doug Davis, at 3-2, is your only returning starter with a winning record, pitching is your biggest problem. However, they have young arm and 2000 Olympic hero Ben Sheets, who had a team-high 11 wins last season, and Brett Favre stunt-double Geoff Jenkins, who finished with 28 home runs in an injury-shortened season.
NL West
San Francisco Giants: The Giants had another dramatic off season as they said good bye to Benito Santiago and Rich Aurillia. In their place, Brian Sabean brought in the young A.J. Pierzynski at catcher and outfielder Michael Tucker.
With the Giants it all starts with Bonds, Barry Bonds, but the season will squarely rest on the shoulders of the rotation and bullpen. Jason Schmidt is their ace followed by a few lesser knowns along with addition of ex-Cardinal Brett Tomko. After missing the entire 2003 season, Rob Nen returns as the top closer. The Giants might wish they still had Tim Worrell to go along with Nen.
Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers are still the same old Dodgers. Trading away Kevin Brown certainly did not help change that. L.A. received Jeff Weaver from the Yankees for Brown in what appears to be the worst trade in the offseason on paper.
The problem with the Dodgers last year was hitting. Newly acquired Juan Encarnacion's 94 RBI's last year would have been tops on the Dodgers, that's how bad their offense is.
The strongpoint of this team is obviously their pitching. 2003 NL Cy Young winner Eric Gagne returns while the prospected rotation looks solid.
San Diego Padres: The last few years, it's always been the Dodgers, Giants and Diamondbacks duking it out for the top spot in the NL West. This year the Padres will get into the mix of things as they cannot possibly get any worse than last year [98 losses]. With the addition of David "Boomer" Wells and Brian Giles, the Padres will get good bolsters not only on the defensive side of the field but also in the offensive side.
Giles should fit right in with Mark Loretta, Ryan Klesko and with a healthy Phil Nevin.
Arizona Diamondbacks: This team is still trying to find that certain formula they used to upset the heralded Yankees in the 2001 World Series. Getting rid of Curt Schilling is not going to help.
Basically, the Diamondbacks will be relying on the arm of five-time Cy Young winner Randy Johnson. The 'Backs did gain some power with stud Richie Sexson, however it won't be enough to compete with the top runners in this division.
Colorado Rockies: The Rockies probably have one of the most potent lineups in the National League. Todd Helton, Larry Walker, Vinny Castilla and Preston Wilson showcase a lineup that will need to do all that it can to compete.
While the Rockies have the necessary weapons to put up eight or nine runs a game at home - that will also be its worst enemy as Coors Field is a haven for long balls and with a young pitching staff, expect a lot of 12-9, 11-7 games. Expect them all to be losses though.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
