National League

Sporting News, The, Jan 1, 2001

Arizona

CUT OR BE CUT: With C Kelly Stinnett unwilling to accept a hefty pay cut from $1.1 million, the team did not tender him a contract. Manager Bob Brenly sees Damian Miller catching 125-135 games, and Stinnett would have been an expensive backup. Rookies Rod Barajas and Ken Huckaby, who both played for Class AAA Tucson last season, are the leading contenders for backup.... It didn't seem the club needed another lefthanded-hitting outfielder, but free agent Midre Cummings could earn a platoon job in right field. At the very least he can provide a pinch-hitting complement to righthanded hitter Grog Colbrunn.

RIGHT FIELD ANALYSIS: This is the only unsettled spot. Danny Bautista seems assured of at least a platoon role. Batting .191 when he was acquired in June, the righthanded hitting Bautista hit .317 with a. 511 slugging percentage for the Diamondbacks. Bautista has a strong, though sometimes wild, arm, and he has enough speed to play center. Cummings, a journeyman who has become a pinch-hitting specialist with a .319 average, could platoon with Bautista. David Dellucci and Jason Conti, also lefties, would have to beat out Cummings to earn part of the job. --Ed Price

Atlanta

BURKETT STAYS: The team solidified its rotation when RHP John Burkett signed a one-year deal. But the bench and bullpen remained unsettled because OF Bobby Bonilla, 1B Wally Joyner and RHP Scott Kamieniecki did not accept the club's arbitration offers. The team can negotiate with each until January 8. Burkett will be the fourth or fifth starter, depending on how RHP John Smoltz is used. Burkett provided some stability as the fifth starter last season and also made nine relief appearances. He was more effective working in the rotation and finished with a 10-6 record and 4.90 ERA. ... The team sent Steve Sisco to Baltimore and received Jesse Garcia in a trade of minor league infielders. Garcia will add depth at shortstop and second base.

RIGHT FIELD ANALYSIS: The team is crossing its fingers that Brian Jordan is healthy. Coming off surgeries on both shoulders, Jordan will head rate the spring as a major question. If he remains injury free, he could be a significant offensive force. Because of Andres Galarraga's departure, Jordan likely will hit in the middle of the lineup, a position from which he produced a career-high 115 RBIs two seasons ago. Dave Martinez is the backup. --Bill Zack

Chicago

LEANING RIGHT: The club completed an all-righthanded rotation by signing Jason Bere (two years, $4.5 million). Bere pitched for Milwaukee and Cleveland in 2000, going a combined 12-10 with a 5.47 ERA. He reached career bests in wins, strikeouts (142) and starts (31). The Cubs say Bere's fastball clocks at between 89 and 92 mph and that he has an above-average curve and changeup. The team has LHP Jeff Fassero to come out of the bullpen early, if needed. He also can spot start.... The club has three potential arbitration cases: Ps Kerry Wood and Felix Heredia and 3B Bill Mueller. The team would like to explore a long-term deal with Wood, who isn't eligible for free agency until after the 2004 season.

RIGHT FIELD ANALYSIS: Sammy Sosa is expected to open another season as the everyday right fielder. But he is entering the final year of his contract and could be traded if an extension can't be worked out. Sosa, 32, continues to put up big power numbers and has evolved into a better overall hitter Though strikeouts are still a problem, he walks more and rarely chases outside breaking balls. Sosa is a so-so fielder but can be as good a baserunner as he wants to be. If Sosa goes, Matt Stairs is the likely choice to play in right. --Bruce Miles

Cincinnati

LOYALTY WINS OUT: The signing of RHP Mark Wohlers to a one-year contract with an option for 2002 was noteworthy, not only because Wohlers passed up more lucrative offers elsewhere, but because of the depth it gives the team's bullpen, Manager Bob Boone believes Wohlers, 30, gives the Reds the equivalent of another lefthander in the bullpen. Lefthanded batters hit .205 (8-for-39) against Wohlers last season, and righthanders hit just .183 (11-for-60) against him.... SS Barry Larkin's sprained right shoulder, which he injured while working out in Florida, should be 100 percent by spring training.

RIGHT FIELD ANALYSIS: Boone's suggestion that Alex Ochoa could lead off for the Reds indicates Ochoa is the leading candidate to be the regular right fielder Ochoa made more starts in right in 2000 than at any position, and there's little doubt he can play there. Leading off is another matter. Ochoa hasn't batted first in at least two seasons. Michael Tucker could compete for the right field job or platoon with Ochoa. Whoever doesn't start will team with Brady Clark to provide solid depth. Whoever does start will be a stopgap considering phenoms such as Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns are looming in Class AA. --Mark Schmetzer

Colorado

HE'S A KEEPER: The team retained LHP Ron Villone, who gives the dub four lefthanded starters. Unlike Denny Neagle and Brian Bohanon, Villone is a power pitcher, as shown by his 16-strikeout game late in 2000. Manager Buddy Bell said Villone has the flexibility to pitch out of the bullpen if the team decides the rotation would be better with a second righthander, but his track record indicates he's better in the rotation. Villone has better command with increased work per outing.... The team completed a trade with the Reds by dealing minor-leaguers RHP Jeff Taglienti and LHP Justin Carter.