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N.L. reports

Sporting News, The, Oct 11, 2004

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS FINANCIAL STATEMENT: The key will be whether the team re-signs 1B Richie Sexson (paid $8.6 million in 2004). If he returns, the club will keep LHP Randy Johnson ($16.5 million) and could raise this year's payroll of $70 million by adding free agents. If Sexson doesn't resign, the team likely will rebuild and lower the payroll. FILLING THE HOLES: At least one outfielder is needed, maybe two if Danny Bautista isn't re-signed. The hope was CF Luis Terrero could replace Steve Finley after Finley was traded, but Terrero appears to need more seasoning. Top prospects Carlos Quentin and Conor Jackson are coming on fast, but the team likely will need a short-term fix before they're ready. Finley could return as a free agent, but the D-backs would have to convince him that they can compete in 2005. Shortstop is an area of need because Alex Cintron looks more suited for second base and Jerry Gil is too raw. Even if Johnson comes back, the team needs help in the rotation after him and RHP Brandon Webb. LHP Casey Fossum and RHP Edgar Gonzalez could be in the mix, but Fossum might be more effective in the bullpen, and Gonzalez was awful during his big-league stint this year. Another reliever is needed in case RHPs Jose Valverde and Oscar Villarreal can't regain their 2003 form.--Steve Gilbert

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ATLANTA BRAVES FINANCIAL STATEMENT: With attendance figures dwindling for the seventh straight season, the Braves won't be able to increase their 2004 payroll of $80 million. The 2005 number is expected to be between $75 million and $80 million. That means the team will have to be selective when evaluating its options regarding RHPs Jaret Wright, Paul Byrd and Russ Ortiz and RF J.D. Drew, who will become free agents. FILLING THE HOLES: The Braves' biggest potential loss is Drew, who likely will demand a big contract. The team will make a push to keep him but probably would have to trade a high-priced player such as CF Andrew Jones to clear the way--which isn't out of the question. Drew has the skills to be a topnotch center fielder and is much more consistent offensively than Jones. Either way, the Braves will have to find another outfielder. The team could use its rich minor league system to trade for another strong defensive player. The team won't re-sign Ortiz because of his cost and late-season struggles. Wright will be the top pitching priority because of his upside and cheaper price tag. If LHP Horacio Ramirez's shoulder problems persist, the Braves likely will look for a free-agent bargain in the mold of RHP John Thomson--whom they picked up last year--to replace Ramirez.--Mark Bowman

CHICAGO CUBS FINANCIAL STATEMENT: The Cubs had close to a $92 million payroll in 2004; it's likely that number will increase next year. FILLING THE HOLES: The Cubs had a losing record in 1-run games this season and need to work on their bullpen. RHP Joe Borowski, who had been the closer, wasn't a factor. He missed the last three months because of a rotator cuff injury, leaving RHP LaTroy Hawkins as a reluctant, shaky fill-in. RHP Malt Clement is expected to leave as a free agent, so the team will need another starter. There are enough young pitchers in the system to fill the fifth starter spot; for instance, RHPs Jon Leicester and Todd Wellemeyer are successful products of the farm system. The middle of the infield also might need to he rebuilt. 2B Mark Grudzielanek is a free agent and has been fragile. Free-agent SS Nomar Garciaparra is rumored to prefer playing for a California team, but no one is sure what he plans to do. It's also uncertain how much the Cubs want to keep him. Clearly, manager Dusty Baker tends to prefer veterans over youngsters, and G.M. Jim Hendry has been able to keep him happy so far. But Baker has expensive taste. Hendry is quick to make deals, as he showed by plucking 1B Derrek Lee in a trade with the Marlins last November. He is likely to be busy this offseason.--Carrie Muskat

CINCINNATI REDS FINANCIAL STATEMENT: The opening day payroll of about $46 million likely will edge upward, but don't look for any drastic personnel moves because much of the increase will go to OFs Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns, who are eligible for arbitration. FILLING THE HOLES: The left side of the infield needs to be addressed. Brandon Larson isn't the answer at third; he likely won't be in the organization next season. Ryan Freel, Felipe Lopez and Juan Castro, who is a free agent, split time there in 2004, but none is a prototypical corner infielder. Top prospect Edwin Encarnacion could get a shot, but he probably needs to develop more. Lopez is the early front-runner, but there is a chance he could take over at shortstop if the club determines Anderson Machado isn't the immediate answer. Barry Larkin also could return and figure in the mix. With all of those options, it's unlikely the team will pursue anyone else for third or short. The biggest pitching need is to re-sign RHP Paul Wilson. His return would aid a rotation that figures to include RHPs Luke Hudson, Aaron Harang and Josh Hancock. RHPs Danny Graves, Ryan Wagner, Jose Acevedo and Joe Valentine likely will return to the bullpen, but the team would like to sign a proven reliever.--Todd Lorenz

N.L. reports

Sporting News, The, Oct 11, 2004

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