National League

Sporting News, The, Dec 6, 1999

Arizona

WELCOME BACK: The club signed Russ Springer, hoping he will be an upgrade for its righthanded relievers, a weakness exposed in the loss to the Mets in the playoffs. Springer, who had a 3.42 ERA in 49 appearances for the Braves last season, may not look like the remedy the club needs, but after the All-Star break, he had a 1.89 ERA in 29 games, striking out 29. Springer, who started the '98 season with the Diamondbacks but was traded to Atlanta, had back surgery in January and also had bone spurs removed from his elbow. He threw fastballs clocked at 92 to 95 mph last season. Springer thinks he has improved became the injuries made him learn how to pitch without his best stuff. He has been a setup man most of his career but also has been used as a closer, which provides insurance for Matt Mantei.... Erubiel Durazo, who burst onto the scene last summer as an unproven rookie, was batting .368 with eight home runs and 20 RBIs through 27 games for Hermosillo of the Mexican Pacific League. Durazo should come to spring training as the starting first baseman.

THIRD BASE ANALYSIS: A big reason Matt Williams regained his power stroke (35 homers, 142 RBIs) last season was became he strengthened his body during offseason conditioning. He also switched to his old batting stance, raising his arms well above his head, which allows him to get a better look at pitches. He also redirected his life with his second marriage, and that, he says, strengthened his mind. He didn't win a Gold Glove, but he was superb on defense. Andy Fox spelled Williams at times, but that role went to Lenny Harris late in the season.

--Pedro Gomez

Atlanta

LET GEORGE DO IT: With Gerald Williams possibly leaving as a free agent, the way has been cleared for top prospect George Lombard to step into the lineup as the leadoff hitter and left fielder. There's just one problem. Lombard, whose first season at Class AAA Richmond was wasted because of a pulled groin muscle that sidelined him for nearly two months, isn't 100 percent. After a huge season at Class AA Greenville in 1998, he stumbled to a .206 average at Richmond. If the Braves were concerned about his development, Lombard eased those worries by being named the MVP of the Arizona Fall League after hitting .302 with 11 homers and 37 RBIs in 37 games.... The Braves don't consider the loss of free-agent reliever Russ Springer to the Diamondbacks significant because they have Terry Mulholland to fill Springer's long relief and setup roles. However, Springer, who had a 1.86 ERA in the second half and finished with 49 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings, will be missed if Rudy Seanez breaks down again or Kerry Ligtenberg doesn't return from elbow surgery.

THIRD BASE ANALYSIS: Chipper Jones landed among the league's top 10 in 10 offensive categories and won the MVP in a rout. There was no facet of his game that didn't improve, from his power numbers to his production with runners in scoring position. He also hit a career-high .319 and drew 126 walks. Though Jones rarely takes a day off, when he sits, Keith Lockhart or Ozzie Guillen replaces him at third. Both put the ball in play and are considered good clutch hitters. The Braves added former Pirate Freddy Garcia late in the season, and he will vie for a backup spot.

--Bill Zack

Chicago

LANDING LIEBER: The team took a major step toward settling its rotation for the next few seasons when it signed RHP John Lieber to a three-year deal worth $15 million. Lieber was 10-11 last year but finished with back-to-back complete-game victories. Cardinals 1B Mark McGwire says Lieber had the best slider he saw last season. The Cubs like Lieber became of his control and ability to hold runners on base. Lieber has developed a "hip" slider, which he starts out at the hip of a righthanded batter before the ball breaks over the plate. Lieber and RHP Kevin Tapani are locked up with multiyear deals. Apparently left in the cold is RHP Steve Trachsel, whose asking price appears too high for the Cubs.... Among non-roster players invited to spring training, the most interesting is RHP Todd Van Poppel, Oakland's 1990 No. 1 pick who has had back troubles. With the Pirates' Class AAA club in 1999, he went 10-6 with a 4.95 ERA and struck out a career-high 157 batters in 163 2/3 innings.

THIRD BASE ANALYSIS: The team hopes hitting coach Jeff Pentland will be able to unlock the power that allowed Shane Andrews to hit 25 home runs for the Expos in 1998. Andrews is a big strikeout risk, but Pentland has moved his hands up and away from his body and adjusted his stance to give him better plate coverage. Andrews is adequate defensively. Cole Liniak played sparingly last season after the team signed Andrews and likely will start the 2000 season at Class AAA Iowa. Eric Hinske hit 19 homers and had 79 RBIs at Class A Daytona before getting a late promotion to Class AAA. Hinske's presence may force Liniak to move to second base.

--Bruce Miles

Cincinnati

ESCAPING THE PEN: RHP Scott Williamson, the N.L. Rookie of the Year, could move from reliever to starter, a role he handled as a minor leaguer. But lefthanded relievers Gabe White and Dennys Reyes, both ex-starters, might be better suited for the switch. Williamson dominated opponents two and three innings at a time, but he would have to pace himself better as a starter. White and Reyes seem more controlled on the mound and less likely to burn out after four or five innings.... OF Mike Frank hit .225 in 28 games with the team in 1998 before spending last season with Class AAA Indianapolis. Frank, 24, might have revived his chances after a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League. He could stick as a fifth outfielder behind Dante Bichette, Mike Cameron, Dmitri Young and Michael Tucker.