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Show BASEBALL '96 Braves look to repeat crown in National League A team-by-team look at the Natio~ League: EAST • .,..,,, Atlanta Braves ,.,,.... . . . . . .~ ~It::n~tions: OF Jerome Key losses: P Kent Mercker, OF Mike Devereaux, OF Luis Polonia, C Charlie O'Brien, OF Mike Kelly, P Alejandro Pena. Projected lineup: CF Marquis Grissom, 28 Mark Lemke, 3B Chipper Jones, lB Fred McGriff, RF David Justice, LF Ryan Klesko, C Javier Lopez, SS Jeff Blauser, P Greg Maddux. Rotation: RH Greg Maddux, LH Tom Glavine, RH John Smoltz, LH Steve Avery, RH Jason Schmidt. Relievers: RH Mark Wohlers, RH Greg McMichael, RH Brad Clontz, LH Pedro Borbon. Start thinking playoffs if: Most everyone stays healthy. Maddux, favored to win his fifth straight Cy Young, leads one of the best rotations in baseball history. Schmidt, a minor league star, steps in as the No. 5 starter. Start thinking football if: Atlanta completely collapses during a I 7-game road trip that begins in mid-July when the Olympics move into town. Payoff pitch: The Braves, participants in the last four postseasons, are trying to become the first NL team to repeat as World Series champions since Cincinnati's Big Red Machine in 1975-76. Florida Marlins Key additions: P Livan Hernandez, OF Devon White, P Kevin Brown, P Al Leiter, P Alejandro Pena, OF Joe Orsulak, IF Craig Grebeck. Key losses: OF Chuck Carr, UT Jerry Browne, P Randy Veres, P Bryan Harvey. Projected lineup: 2B Quilvio Veras, CF Devon White, RF Gary Sheffield, LF Jeff Conine, 3B Terry Pendleton, IB Greg Colbrunn, C Charles Johnson, SS Kurt Abbott, P Kevin Brown.Rotation: RH Kevin Brown, RH John Burkett, LH Al Leiter, RH Pat Rapp, LH Chris Hammond.Relievers: RH Robb Nen, RH Alejandro Pena, RH Terry Mathews, LH Yorkis Perez. Start thinking playoffs if: Livan Hernandez, at 21, is promoted from the minors and becomes the best Cuban pitcher in the big leagues since Luis Tiant. Start thinking football if: Sheffield shows his moodt side and wants out of Miami. Payof pitch: Reserve Andre Dawson has 436 home runs. At 41, he could help the Marlins in a pinch - they were the only team in the majors without a pinch-hit homer last year. Montreal Expos Key additions: OF Sherman ~ Obando, P Rhea! Cormier, P Dave ~ Veres. Key losses: SS Wil Cordero, 3B Sean Berry, OF Tony Tarasco, P Butch Henry. Projected lineup: RF Sherman Obando, 28 Mike Lansing, CF Rondell White, LF Moises Alou, lB David Segui, C Darrin Fletcher, 3B Shane Andrews, SS Mark Grudzielanek, P Pedro Martinez. Rotation: RH Pedro Martinez, LH Jeff Fassero, LH Carlos Perez, LH Rheal Cormier, LH Kirk Rueter. Relievers: RHs Mel Rojas, Tim Scott, Dave Veres, LH Omar Daal. Start thinkingflayoffs if: Cliff Floyd, who missed most o last season because of a broken wrist, turns out to be the player Montreal once projected as a 30-30 man. Start thinking football if: Pitcher Jeff Fassero, making nearly $3 million, is dumped by the cost-cutting Expos. Payoff pitch: Montreal's slide from the best winning percentage in the majors in 1994 {.649) to last in '95 {.4581 marked the second-biggest drop in SO years, behind only Cincinnati's slump after the 1981 season. NewYorkMets Key additions: OF Lance Johnson, OF Bernard Gilkey, UT Jerry Browne, C Brent Mayne. • Key losses: OF Joe Orsulak, C Kelly Stinnett, OF Damon Buford. Projected lineup: CF Lance Johnson, LF Bernard Gilkey, 18 Rico Brogna, 3B Jeff Kent, RF Carl Everett, C Todd Hundley, 2B Jose Vizcaino, SS Rey Ordonez, P Jason Isringhausen. Rotation: RH Jason Isringhausen, LH Bill Pulsipher, RH Paul Wilson, RH Bobby Jones, RH Pete Harnisch. Relievers: LH John Franco, RH Jerry DiPoto, RH Doug Henry, RH Dave Mlicki. Start thinking playoffs if: Prized prospects Isringhausen, Pulsipher and Wilson bring back memories of the 1969 Miracle Mets. Start thinking football if: No home run hitters emerge. Power is a problem, and health might be, too. Payoff pitch: Mets won 28 of their last 41 games, heralding a bright future. Among those to watch - Ordonez, a rookie from Cuba who may someday eclipse Ozzie Smith and Omar Vizquel as the fanciest-fielding shortstop ever. Philadelphia Phillies Key additions: C Benito Santiago, 3B Todd Zeile, OF Lee Tinsley, P Ken Ryan, OF Pete lncaviglia, IF Mike Benjamin, P Terry Mulholland. Key losses: P Heathcliff Slocumb, 3B Charlie Hayes, P Paul Quantrill. Projected lineup: CF Lenny Dykstra, 2B Mickey Morandini, IB Gregg Jefferies, LF Darren Daulton, 3B Todd Zeile, RF Mark Whiten, C Benito Santiago, SS Kevin Stocker, P Sid Fernandez. Rotation: P Sid Fernandez, RH Tyler Green, RH Curt Schilling, LH Terry Mulholland.Relievers: RH Ricky Bottalico, RH Ken Ryan, RH Toby Borland, LH Michael Mimbs. Start thinking playoffs if: Daulton, hoping the move from catcher to the outfield revives his career, regains his 100-RBI form. Start thinking football if: No one fills Slocumb's closer role and starters again spend too much time on the disabled list. Outfield defense could be a huge problem. Rotation shaky with season-opening injuries to Schilling and Green. Payoff pitch: Daulton will be the 13th different left fielder the Phillies have had in the last 13 opening days. e CENTRAL Chicago Cubs Key additions: 2B Ryne Sandberg, 3B Dave Magadan, P Doug Jones, 3B Leo Gomez, 2B Bret Barberie, P Rob Dibble. Key losses: SS Shawon Dunston, P Randy Myers, 3B Todd Zeile, C Mark Parent. Projected lineup: CF Brian McRae, 2B Ryne Sandberg, 1B Mark Grace, RF Sammy Sosa, LF Luis Gonzalez, 3B Leo Gomez, C Scott Servais, SS Rey Sanchez, P Jaime Navarro. Rotation: RH Jaime Navarro, RH Frank Castillo, RH Steve T rachsel, RH Jim Bullinger, RH Kevin Foster. Relievers: RH Doug Jones, RH Mike Perez, RH Turk Wendell, RH Larry Casian. Start thinking playoffs if: Sandberg stars in his comeback at age 36 after a I 1/ 2-year retirement - provided C incinnati drops off and St. Louis does not improve too much. Start thinking football if: Trachsel does not figure out how to win at Wrigley. He's 13-6 on the road in the last two years, but 3-16 at home. Payoff pitch: Cubs haven't won the W.S. since 1908, the longest drought in baseball. Cincinnati Reds Key additions: OF Mike Kelly, OF Vince Coleman, OF Curtis Goodwin, OF Eric Davis, 3B Chris Sabo, C Joe Oliver. Key losses: OF Ron Gant, C Benito Santiago, P David Wells, IF Mariano Duncan, P Mike Jackson. Projected lineup: LF Vince Coleman, CF Mike Kelly, SS Barry Larkin, RF Reggie Sanders, lB Hal Morris, 2B Bret Boone, C Ed Taubensee, 38 Jeff Branson, P Pete Schourek. Rotation: LH Pete Schourek, LH John Smiley, RH Mark Portugal, RH Dave Burba, RH Jose Rijo.Relievers: RH Hector Carrasco, RH Jeff Brantley, RH Xavier Hernandez, RH C huck McElroy. Start thinking playoffs if: Former ace Jose Rijo, originally thought to be out until summer after major elbow surgery, is able to pitch in the spring. Start thinking football if: Reds don't adjust well to new skipper Ray Knight's in-your-face style. Payoff pitch: Knight had the Reds running at every opportunity in exhibition games. I Among those on the go were Eric Davis and Chris Sabo, stars of the 1990 World Series championship team who have returned. Houston Astros Key additions: 3B Sean .-~ Berry, IF Bill Spiers. Key losses: IF Dave Magadan, P Mike Henneman, P Dave Veres. Projected lineup: CF Brian Hunter, 2B Craig Biggio, 1B Jeff Bagwell, RF Derek Bell, 3B Sean Berry, LF James Mouton, C Tony Eusebio, SS Orlando Miller, P Doug Drabek. Rotation: RH Doug Drabek, LH Greg Swindell, RH Darryl Kile, LH Mike Hampton, RH Shane Reynolds. Relievers: RH John Hudek, RH Todd Jones, RH Doug Brocail, LH Dean Hartgraves. Start thinking playoffs if: Hudek, sidelined for much of 1995 because of a circulation problem, regains the form that made him an All-Star in 1994. Start thinking football if: Drabek and Swindell, both disappointments since signing big free-agen t deals, do not improve in the last year of their contracts. Payoff pitch: Owner Drayton McLane says he may sell the team to someone who might move it out of Houston if it doesn't draw 2.5 million fan s - that's more than the Astros have ever attracted in a season. ..;#YWZ Pittsburgh Pirate Key additions: 3B Charlie Hayes, OF Mike Kingery. Key losses: C Don Slaught . Projected lineup: CF Mike Kingery, SS Jay Bell, LF Al Martin, IB Jeff King, RF Orlando Merced, 3B C harlie Hayes, 2B Carlos Garcia, C Jason Kendall, P Denny Neagle. Rotation: LH Denny Neagle, RH Paul Wagner, RH Esteban Loaiza, RH John Ericks, LH Jason Christiansen.Relievers: RH Dan Miceli, LH Dan Plesac, RH Jon Leiber. Start thinking playoffs if: Kendall, son of former big league catcher Fred Kendall, successfully makes the huge jump from Double-A to the majors. Start thinking football if: Rotation does not show any consistency. Manager JimLeyland has stuck with his young pitchers for a while, but may begin to lose patience. Payoff pitch: The Bucs went from the worst record in the NL in 1986 to the best in 1990 to the worst record last season. The St. Louis Browns are the only team to go from the bottom to the top to the bottom in a shorter span, from 1939-47. * St. Louis Cardinals Key additions: P Dennis Eckersley, SS Royce Clayton, OF Ron Gant, 3B Gary Gaetti, P Andy Benes, P Todd Stottlemyre, 2B Mike Gallego, OF Willie McGee, P Rick Honeycutt. Key losses: P Tom Henke, 3B Scott Cooper, OF Bernard Gilkey, P Rich Delucia. Projected lineup: RF Brian Jordan, I B John Mabry, CF Ray Lankford, LF Ron Gant, 3B Gary Gaetti, SS Royce Clayton, C Tom Pagnozzi, 2B Mike Gallego, P Andy Benes. Rotation: RH Andy Benes, RH Todd Stottlemyre, RH Alan Benes, RH Mike Morgan, LH Donovan Osborne. Relievers: RH Dennis Eckersley, LH Rick Honeycutt, LH Tony Fossas, RH Jeff Parrett, RH T.J. Mathews. Start thinking playoffs if: Manager Tony La Russa, pitching coach Dave Duncan and the rest of the transplanted Athletics flourish in a new league. Start thinking football if: Gant and Gaetti fail to produce big numbers. The Cardinals are counting on power as much as speed now that Busch Stadium's artificial turf has been replaced by grass. Payoff pitch: La Russa's first season in St. Louis could be spoiled by the lingering question of who should play shortstop - old favorite Ozzie Smith or newcomer C layton. @ a WEST Colorado Rockies Key additions: C Jeff Reed. ~ Key losses: OF Mike Kingery, C Joe Girardi. - - - - - Projected lineup: 2B Eric Young, LF Ellis Burks, RF Dante Bichette, CF Larry Walker, lB Andres Galarraga, 3B Vinny I;. RQCKIE,5 Castilla, C Jayhawk Owens, SS Walt Weiss, P Marvin Freeman. Rotation: RH Marvin Freeman, RH Bryan Rekar, RH Kevin Ritz, RH Armando Reynoso. Relievers: RH Curtis Leskanic, LH Bruce Ruffin, RH Steve Reed, RH Darren Holmes. Start thinking playoffs if: Bret Saberhagen, back from shoulder surgery, can return this summer and boost a staff that had a 4.97 ERA. Start thinking football if: Saberhagen, Swift, Freeman and other starters do not heal from injuries. Also, Colorado needs a relief ace. Payoff pitch: Rockies set a MLB record with only one complete game last season, by Rekar. ,Oo ' ljil. Los Angeles Dodgers Key additions: SS Greg Gagne, 3B Mike Blowers. Key losses: SS Jose Offerman, 3B Tim Wallach, OF Roberto Kelly, P Kevin Tapani. Projected lineup: 2B Deline DeShields, CF Brett Butler, C Mike Piazza, lB Eric Karros, RF Raul Mondesi, 3B Mike Blowers, LF Todd Hollandsworth, SS Greg Gagne, P Ramon Martinez. Rotation: RH Ramon Martinez, RH Hideo Nomo, RH Ismael Valdes, RH Tom Candiotti, RH Pedro Astacio. Relievers: RH Todd Worrell, RH Darren Hall, LH Billy Brewer, LH Mark Guthrie. Start thinking playoffs if: Gagne, as expected, becomes the best-fielding shortstop in Los Angeles since Maury Wills. No matter what, he'll come nowhere near Jose Offerman's major league-high 35 errors. Start thinking football if: Dodgers can again win without a left-hander in the rotation. The last lefty to start a game was Bob Ojeda on Sept. 24, 1992. Payoff pitch: Dodgers have had four straight rookie of the year award winners. Pitcher Chan Ho Park and Hollandsworth are the best hopes this season. 7 San Diego Padres Key additions: OF Rickey Henderson, 1B Wally Joyner, P Bob Tewksbury. Key losses: if-OF Bip Roberts, OF Phil Plantier. Projected lineup: LF Rickey Henderson, CF Steve Finley, RF Tony Gwynn, 3B Ken Caminiti, lB Wally Joyner, C Brad Ausmus, 2B Jody Reed, SS Andujar Cedeno, P Andy Ashby. Rotation: RH Andy Ashby, RH Bob Tewksbury, RH Joey Hamilton, RH Scott Sanders, LH Fernando Valenzuela.Relievers: RH Trevor Hoffman, LH Ron Villone, RH Dustin Hermanson, RH Bryce Florie. Start thinking playoffs if: Talented, young rotation continues to improve. Tewksbury was signed to bring experience to the staff. Start thinking football if: Henderson does not adjust to a new league at age 37. Payoff pitch: Tony Gwynn, coming off his sixth NL batting title, has reason to be excited this season. For the first time in his career, he'll play with his brother, Chris. San Francisco Giants Key additions: SS Shawon BM1t1•• • Dunston, P Osvaldo Fernandez, OF Stan Javier, P Rich Delucia, P Allen Watson. Key losses: SS Royce Clayton, OF Deion Sanders, IF Mike Benjamin, C Jeff Reed, P Terry Mulholland. Projected lineup: CF Stan Javier, 2B Robby Thompson, LF Barry Bonds, 3B Matt Williams, 1B Mark Carreon, RF Glenallen Hill, SS Shawon Dunston, C Kirt Manwaring, P William VanLandingham. Rotation: RH William VanLandingham, RH Mark Leiter, LH Allen Watson, RH Jamie Brewington, LH Osvaldo Fernandez. Relievers: RH Rod Beck, RH Rich DeLucia, RH Mark Dewey, RH Jeff Juden. Start thinking r,layoffs if: Bonds and Williams form best 1-2 punch in baseball. Carreon, finally getting to play full time, could also contribute power. Start thinking football if: Fernandez, 22-0 in international play for Cuba, pitches as poorly as he did in spring training. Is he solid, as GM Bob Quinn says, or is he merely marginal, as opposing scouts contend! Payoff pitch: Beck led the league with 10 blown saves. Giants relievers had the worst ERA in the NL and gave up a league-high 64 home runs. |