N.L. reports

Sporting News, The, Dec 8, 2003

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS The team isn't yet sure whether recently acquired LHP Casey Fossum will be a starter or reliever. He was used in both roles with the Red Sex, but there is concern about making hint a starter because of a possible lack of stamina that comes with a slight build. He might be a nice fit in the bullpen given the team's need for lefthanded relief help. BEST HANDS: 2B Matt Kata's soft hands allow him to stay with the ball on tough hops, and his quickness makes him lightning fast when turning double plays.--Steve Gilbert

ATLANTA BRAVES The Braves began their offseason bargain shopping by claiming Gary Matthews Jr. off waivers. The team hopes Matthews, who played for the Orioles and Padres last year, will serve as a fourth outfielder. But if they can't re-sign RF Gary Sheffield or acquire an accomplished free-agent outfielder, they may be forced to put Matthews in the starting lineup. BEST HANDS: 1B Julio Franco has a textbook swing in which he allows his hands to do all of the work. France often takes batting practice with one or two donuts on Iris bat, and when he takes soft toss, he does so one-armed with a weighted bat.--Mark Bowman

CHICAGO COBS The team improved its lineup and defense by acquiring Gold Glove 1B Derrek Lee from the Marlins for 1B Hee Seop Choi. Expect Lee's numbers to improve at Wrigley Field, which is much more hitter-friendly than Pro Player Stadium. BEST HANDS: SS Alex Goozalez had a difficult time in 2002 adjusting to Wrigley Field's thick grass after seven seasons on the turf in Toronto. But Gonzalez took extra grounders and made a significant improvement last season. He led N.L. shortstops with a .984 fielding percentage.--Carrie Muskat

CINCINNATI REDS Part of strikeout-prone LF Adam Dunn's problems at the plate might stem from having had four different hitting coaches in his 2 1/2 seasons with the team. Some observers believe that stability in the coaching staff will help Dunn. BEST HANDS: IF Juan Castro usually puts himself in ideal position to field a ground ball, giving him more time to locus on catching it instead of reaching it. Like many sure-handed infielders, Castro uses an extremely small glove, enabling him to rely on his dexterity.--Chris Haft

COLORADO ROCKIES Expect power-hitting OFs Brad Hawpe and Matt Holliday, relievers RHPs Justin Huisman and Scott Dohmann and switch-hitting C J.D. Closser to be ready for a chance at a promotion by the middle of next season. OFs Choo Freeman and Luke Allen will be candidates for the big leagues in spring training. BEST HANDS: As a child, 1B Todd Helton practiced hitting the opposite way in his family's garage. If he pulled the ball, it would hit his dad's Fiberglass boat, which meant trouble. So he developed hands that can hit the ball anywhere. Now, when he's in a rut, he goes to the batting cage, picks a target, then tosses the ball into the air and smacks it to the target.--Thomas Harding

FLORIDA MARLINS Trading 1B Derrek Lee for 1B Hee Seop Choi was a necessary salary dump. Choi provides a needed lefthanded bat with power potential. His defense isn't as solid as Lee's, but the team feels Choi will improve under infield coach Perry Hill. If Choi sits against lefthanders, Jeff Conine and Miguel Cabrera are options to play first. BEST HANDS: Slick-fielding SS Alex Gonzalez makes spectacular plays look routine, largely because he consistently scoops up everything in range. Gonzalez actually works on trick plays, such as flipping the ball from his glove to 2B Luis Castillo. Gonzalez also has become an expert at positioning. With Hill's assistance, Gonzalez changes his alignment for every batter.--Joe Frisaro

HOUSTON ASTROS The team retained one of the N.L.'s steadiest bench players when it re-signed IF Jose Vizcaino. He can play all four infield positions and has made a career out of coming up with clutch hits in late-game, pinch-hit situations. BEST HANDS: Adam Everett hasn't yet played a full season in the majors but is living up to his billing as one of the smoothest shortstops of his generation. Everett's smooth, fluid throw to first gives him a near-flawless success rate, and he has been solid in his double-play partnership with Jeff Kent.--Alyson looter

LOS ANGELES DODGERS The team is courting slugging 1B Seung-Yeop Lee. Known as the Lion King, Lee is a four-time MVP of the Korean League. However, the Korean League is considered the equivalent of Class AA and Lee is not expected to be the long-term solution to the club's power outage at first base. BEST HANDS: SS Cesar Izturis can do what only the great defenders can do: make bad hops disappear. He says the secret to his smooth glovework is focusing on the ball from the time it leaves the bat until it is in his glove. He never glances away to look at a runner. That concentration allows him to immediately react to irregular bounces.--Ken Gurnick

MILWAUKEE BREWERS The team lost one of its potential free-agent targets when the Mariners signed OF Raul Ibanez. The club is looking for a relatively young corner outfielder to play alongside CF Scott Podsednik and LF Geoff Jenkins, who could move to right field if necessary. If the Brewers deal Jenkins to meet payroll demands, the search will become even more important. BEST HANDS: A former high school pitcher, Wes Helms has one of the best arms among N.L. third basemen. He drills tirelessly with bench coach Rich Dauer, who still holds two A.L. fielding records, to improve his fielding touch.--Adam McCalvy