National League

Sporting News, The, Nov 1, 1999

Arizona

FINAL FORTNIGHT? Andy Benes' time with Arizona likely is down to its final two weeks. Benes, who has a one-year, $6 million option for the 2000 season, has given no indications of accepting the option. The club's front office quietly is hoping Benes does not accept because it wants to use his salary to spread among three primary players who are arbitration eligible. The salaries of starter Brian Anderson, closer Matt Mantel and utility player Tony Womack will jump considerably.

TALL ORDER AT SHORT:. The club's shortstop situation remains muddled. The revolving door of Hanley Frias, Andy Fox and Tony Womack was OK during the regular season, but in the playoffs it became painfully apparent this is a position that needs to be manned primarily by one player. In the Mets series, manager Buck Showalter started all three at what is generally considered the most important defensive spot on the field. Some in the organization would like to see if Womack can permanently move back to shortstop, a position he played during his first four seasons in Pittsburgh's minor league system.... Womack's move would open a spot in right field, where Travis Lee may attempt to take over. The club made the first effort to move Lee to the outfield in August, when Lee started taking fly balls during batting practice. If Lee plays winter ball, he'll likely get some time in the outfield.

--Pedro Gomez

Atlanta

WHAT TO DO: One of the biggest decisions the team will face this winter is what to do with 1B/OF Ryan Klesko. If free agent-to-be Gerald Williams is re-signed and Andres Galarraga returns as expected, there's no room for the lefthanded-hitting Klesko, whose 404 at-bats this season came mostly against righthanders. Klesko put up some solid numbers while shifting between first and left field, but his homer total was down--again. Since hitting 34 homers in 528 at-bats in 1996, his power has declined steadily. Klesko's 21 homers this season fell well shy of expectations. If Williams returns, Klesko likely will be traded. But until the Braves sign Williams, they can't move Klesko.

GETTING IT DONE: The World Series was billed as a showdown for the fight to claim the title "Team of the '90s," but it's more telling to realize how far the Yankees and Braves have come this decade. In 1990, the Braves had the worst record in the majors (65-97) and had just traded their only star: two-time MVP Dale Murphy. The Yankees owned the second-worst mark (67-95) in the majors. No talk of big-market money then. Nine years later, both teams are considered the class of their respective leagues.

--Bill Zack

Chicago

LOOKING FOR A CATCH: The club won't pick up the $3.5 million option it holds on C Benito Santiago. That leaves lefthanded-hitting Jeff Reed as the only bona fide catcher on the roster. At 37, Reed is no longer an everyday catcher, but he will see action two to three times a week provided the Cubs pick up his option. Without much on the free-agent market, look for the Cubs to trade for a catcher. Montreal's Chris Widger is one possibility.... The Cubs also will try to shore up their bullpen, but a lot depends on whether veteran Rick Aguilera picks up his $3.5 million option. If he does, Terry Adams becomes tradable.

TRADE BAIT: LF Henry Rodriguez is the team's most attractive Wade bait. Rodriguez is at peak value after posting a career-best .304 batting average to go with 26 home runs and 87 RBIs. But various nagging injuries limited Rodriguez to 130 games, raising questions about his durability. Rodriguez is an adequate left fielder at best, and the Cubs may find a market for him in the A.L. as a DH. He could fetch the starting catcher the Cubs need or even a starting pitcher the Cubs may need if RHP Steve Trachsel decides to bolt via free agency.

--Bruce Miles

Cincinnati

NO SURGERY: RHP Pete Harnisch thought he needed surgery to repair the frayed labrum in his fight shoulder, but he wants to heal himself with rest and rehab. He first reported pain in June but remained in the rotation, finishing 16-10 with a 3.68 ERA. With the likelihood of losing Juan Guzman to free agency and the possibility of Denny Neagle demanding a trade, the team can't afford to go without Harnisch, so it'll watch carefully.... The team hopes CF Mike Cameron, who was sidelined twice with hamstring problems, will improve the condition of his hamstrings with an offseason strengthening program. Fleet on the bases and rangy in the field, Cameron relies on his legs to excel. His departures hurt momentum significantly. The team was thrilled with what it got from him. Jack McKeon compared him to a young Sammy Sosa.

TOO STEEP: Having received indications LF Greg Vaughn will seek a contract worth $10 million to $14 million a season for about four or five years, the Reds seriously doubt they'll be able to retain the slugger, who's destined to file for free agency. Vaughn's production on the field was exceeded by his leadership in the clubhouse. His departure will leave a big hole.

--Chris Haft