National League

Sporting News, The, Dec 11, 2000

Arizona

REYNOSO'S RETURN POSSIBLE: RHP Armando Reynoso is mulling the team's two-year contract offer, believed to be worth between $5 million and $6 million. A deal could be struck soon. Reynoso, 34, was 11-12 with a 5.27 ERA last season. The team had declined Reynoso's $5 million option for 2001, paying a $500,000 buyout, but now is interested in bringing him back as the fifth starter. Reynoso allowed three earned runs or fewer in 21 of his 30 starts and threw 170 2/3 innings .... The team is close to completing its staff by hiring a pitching coach. Former big-league pitcher Bob Welch seems to be the leading candidate.

SHORTSTOP ANALYSIS: For the first time in four seasons, Tony Womack did not lead the N.L. in steals in 2000. He was hampered for much of the second half by a "Baker's cyst"-a muscle poking through the tissue wall behind the knee-but had surgery in October and should be fine by spring training. Womack, though, seemed tentative on the bases all season, and while his speed seems to make him suited to bat leadoff, his on-base percentage was just .307. Womack is a capable shortstop, though he is below average at mining the double play. Former 2B Craig Counsell showed last season that he can play the position; he may spell Womack in 2001, along with utilitymen Hanley Frias and Danny Klassen. Alex Cintron is the top prospect in the system. He hit .301 at Class AA El Paso last season but made 32 errors. --Ed Price

Atlanta

POSSIBLE ADDITIONS: The Braves have interest in 2B Miguel Cairo and OF Ouinton McCracken, recently released by Tampa Bay, as reserves. Cairo, whose defense is questionable, would provide excellent speed off the bench. Manager Bobby COX always has liked McCracken, who hit .129 in 15 games for the Devil Rays last season. ... Wes Helms, who might take over at third base if Chipper Jones moves to the outfield, is gaming valuable experience in Venezuela. He's leading his team in home runs and RBIs, and his home run total is the league's second-best" Helms, who hit .288 with 20 homers and 88 RBIs for Class AAA Richmond last season, also is learning first base in case Andres Galarraga doesn't return .... The team is hopeful LHP Odalis Perez, who missed last season after surgery on his left elbow, can provide . bullpen help next season. He is starting a comeback in his native Dominican Republic.

SHORTSTOP ANALYSIS: Who plays shortstop depends solely on whether the Braves sign Alex Rodriguez. If Rodriguez chooses Atlanta, Rafael Furcal, the league's rookie of the year, will shift to second. If Rodriguez signs elsewhere, Furcal will be at short, and his backup will come from a list of candidates that includes Walt Weiss and Mark DeRosa, who played well in Class AAA last year. Furcal set a team rookie record for stolen bases last season, handled the leadoff spot like a veteran and hit .295. He sometimes depends on his powerful arm too much, causing occasional throwing errors. -Bill Zack

Chicago

PITCHING SEARCH: The club's big push to land standout LHP Mike Hampton was a bit of a surprise, even though G.M. Andy MacPhail promised to upgrade pitching and defense. Hampton immediately would become the ace of the staff. Manager Don Baylor covets a lefthander, and Hampton is the best one out there. A big task facing the Cubs in attracting top-of-the-line free agents is convincing them the organization is committed to winning. ... MacPhail said no free-agent offers have been made to position players. To upgrade the bullpen, the club has been hot after RHPs Mark Wohlers and Tom Gordon.

SHORTSTOP ANALYSIS: The Cubs hoped to shore up the position and get a little bit of offense when they signed Ricky Gutierrez away from Houston before the 2000 season. They got bonuses in both departments. Batting second for much of the season behind Eric Young, he led the N.L. with 16 sacrifice bunts. Gutierrez worked with hitting coach Jeff Pentland at seeing the ball better and getting improved plate coverage. In the field, Gutierrez has fair range and a good arm, and his fluid motion gives the appearance of nonchalance. With Bill Mueller penciled into the second spot in the order, Gutierrez will move to the No. 7 hole. The club has several good prospects in the system, including Luis Montanez, its No. 1 pick in 2000. --Bruce Miles

Cincinnati

TEST RESULTS ENCOURAGING: The upheaval surrounding the rotation for 2001 has the Reds keeping a close eye on the progress of veteran RHP Pete Harnisch as he works on strengthening his rotator cuff. Hamisch has reported to the team's physicians, and the results of their tests were encouraging. Harnisch came out of the 1999 season with a shoulder that needed either surgery or significant strengthening. He chose the latter, but the shoulder wasn't ready by the time the 2000 season opened, and he was pounded in six starts. Harnisch went on the disabled list for six weeks to focus on the strengthening program, then returned and went 8-2 with a 3.49 ERA and three complete games in 16 starts. A healthy Harnisch is crucial next season, especially because the Reds have traded RHP Steve Parris (33 starts) and LHP DOn Villone (23 starts).