National League

Sporting News, The, Dec 20, 1999

Arizona

FIRST BASE FALLOUT:. Despite falling on hard times during his sophomore season, 1B Travis Lee has drawn some trade nibbles from other teams. But no offers have been close to what the team thinks it should get for Lee, who was chosen second overall in the 1996 draft.... Erubiel Durazo, who took Lee's job, was ripping line drives to all fields during winter ball in his native Mexico until he was sidelined last week with back spasms. The spasms are not considered serious, but Durazo will stop playing for a while. He was leading the league in hitting at the time of the injury.

LEFT FIELD ANALYSIS: Luis Gonzalez enjoyed the finest season of his career in 1999. He led the N.L. with 206 hits and also had career highs in home runs (26), RBIs (111), doubles (45), runs (112) and at-bats (614). Gonzalez routinely had great at-bats and consistently tipped line drives into the gaps. He also played solid defense. The question is whether he can come close to repeating his offensive performance. Bernard Gilkey, who lost the competition with Gonzalez for the job, again figures to be the backup. Young speedster Dante Powell and dependable David Dellucci also should provide backup help. --Pedro Gomez

Atlanta

ARBITRATE THIS: The club offered arbitration to SS Jose Hernandez, reliever Rudy Seanez and LF Gerald Williams. Not surprisingly, the team didn't offer arbitration to C Greg Myers or OF Otis Nixon. Williams and Hernandez both want more money than the Braves appear willing to spend. Seanez, who missed the last six weeks with a stress fracture in his tight elbow, is likely to accept arbitration and work out a deal with the club.... The Braves claimed RHP Rafael Medina on waivers from the Marlins. With the loss of Russ Springer and the possible loss of Seanez, Medina could take a job as long reliever and setup man.

LEFT FIELD ANALYSIS: Until Williams joined the lineup in early August, the Braves didn't have a regular left fielder. Williams started 78 games in left, Ryan Klesko 50 and Nixon 32. Andres Galarraga's illness forced Klesko to shift to first base. Nonetheless, Williams and Klesko combined for 23 homers and 94 RBIs as left fielders. With Galarraga back, Klesko likely will return to left, but he still hasn't proved he can hit lefthanders. Brian Hunter is a solid backup outfielder, hitting .249 in 114 games. He has been invited to spring training as a non-roster player. --Bill Zack

Chicago

CHANGE IN PLANS: Instead of having a young-pup infield (2B Chad Meyers and SS Jose Nieves), the team got veteran 2B Eric Young from the Dodgers, along with RHP Ismael Valdes. Young allows Meyers to go back to the minors and gives the Cubs a leadoff hitter.... Valdes, 26, is one of the N.L.'s top young starters. He was 9-14 in '99, but had a good 3.98 ERA.... OF Damon Buford was acquired from Boston for IF Manny Alexander and could start in center.... The team offered RHP Steve Trachsel salary arbitration, which means the Cubs would get a draft pick if he signs elsewhere.... C Joe Girardi returns to the team after signing a three-year deal last week. Girardi is expected to be the starter.

LEFT FIELD ANALYSIS: Henry Rodrigoez, who missed most of the final month with stiffness in his lower back, initially was considered a strikeout risk and a defensive liability. But batting coach Jeff Pentland kept his strikeout total to 113 in '98, and Rodriguez played solid in the field. Glenallen Hill, who hit 20 homers, drove in 55 and emerged as a clubhouse leader, is excellent insurance. Waiting in the wings is Roosevelt Brown, a lefthanded hirer with power potential who needs to refine the other aspects of his game. --Bruce Miles

Cincinnati

MULTIPLE PERSONALITY: The team resigned utilityman Chris Stynes to a one-year deal last week. Stynes' versatility--he can play second, third, shortstop and the outfield--made him one of manager Jack McKeon's most valued players. But he'll be pushed to make the team by Chris Sexton and a defensive specialist the team still expects to obtain.... The team again will rely on pitching coach Don Gullett's knack for reviving the careers of wayward pitchers this spring when it tries to get some productivity from LHPs Heath Murray and Terrell Wade. Both could contend for a starting spot if Gullett can refine their once promising talent.

LEFT FIELD ANALYSIS: Dante Bichette should become the club's third left fielder in three years. Bichette has expressed interest in moving to tight field, and if that happens, Dmitri Young--the primary left fielder in 1998--would return to his former position. Bichette owns a lifetime .345 average in Cincinnati. Many observers do not consider defense to be one of Bichette's strengths, though he did finish second in the N.L. with 17 outfield assists last season. Michael Tucker, who's good enough to start for many teams, would be the first man off the bench. --Chris Haft

Colorado

MORE NEW FACES: The Rockies signed free agent CF Tom Goodwin and C Brent Mayne. Goodwin fills the Rockies' most pressing need--a speedy center fielder who can lead off. Mayne is a lefthanded hitter who can team with righthanded hitting C Henry Blanco, allowing catching prospect Ben Petrick to return to Class AAA.... OF Chris Latham was acquired from the Twins in a trade for P Scott Randall. The switch-hitting Latham, 26, can back up Goodwin in center field.... Reliever Mike De Jean underwent arthroscopic surgery last week for the removal of small bone chips from his right elbow. He's expected to be ready for spring training.