National League

Sporting News, The, Dec 28, 1998 by Pedro Gomez, Bill Zack, Barry Rozner, Mike Bass, Tony DeMarco, Dan Graziano, Carlton Thompson, Jason Reid, Drew Olson, Stephanie Myles, David Waldstein, Chris Edwards, John Mehno, Rick Hummel, Tom Krasovic, Henry Schulman

Arizona

NO DICE: The team's front office couldn't wait to get to Nashville for the winter meetings, believing it had the necessary ingredient (a surplus of pitching) to leave town with some sort of trade being made. However, one by one, each of its proposals was shot down for one reason or another. The Diamondbacks now plan to play the waiting game, hoping some team will panic during spring training and want Brian Anderson so badly it may overpay to acquire the lefthanded starter.... The team finally announced the signing of several players to minor league contracts that included invitations to major league camp. Topping the list is Pete Incaviglia, who has 206 career home runs.

POSITIONAL ANALYSIS, LEFT FIELD: It seemed that no matter who was in left last year, the production was very little. Bernard Gilkey's arrival in a July 31 trade from the Mets was supposed to pick up the slack, but Gilkey never was able to get his game going. The club has unsuccessfully tried to trade Gilkey during the offseason. With $11 million owed to him over the next two years, though, it is unlikely the Diamondbacks will find a suitor. For the time being, Gilkey, who had corrective laser eye surgery in September, is slotted to be the everyday left fielder All the team can hope for is his return to elite status. If Gilkey isn't traded, Karim Garcia should be a capable backup.--Pedro Gomez

Atlanta

BEEFED-UP PEN: Although the club's bullpen has been its weakness in the past, manager Bobby Cox considers the relievers one of the team's strengths. The addition of Mike Remlinger gives the bullpen three lefties, including John Rocker and Odalis Perez. It also gives Cox the option to begin the season with Perez starting games for Class AAA Richmond.... The team didn't select in the Rule 5 draft but lost Class AAA OF Tyrone Pendergrass to the White Sox. The club didn't project Pendergrass as an impact player, despite his outstanding speed.

POSITONAL ANALYSIS, LEFT FIELD: The team keeps hoping Ryan Klesko, 27, will produce consistently. Klesko's high point came in 1996, when he hit 34 homers and drove in 93 runs. Last season, his numbers fell off to 18 homers and 70 RBIs. Cox says he expects Klesko to be in left field on opening day but doesn't rule out a trade, although there is no urgency. If Klesko is traded, the plan is for Otis Nixon and Gerald Williams to share the position, allowing top prospect George Lombard a full season in Class AAA. Lombard, 23, hit .308 with 22 homers, 65 RBIs and 35 steals at Class AA Greenville last season. He appears ready to cash in on his enormous potential.--Bill Zack

Chicago

BROWN OUT: The team went to the winter meetings knowing it had three very tradable commodities in OF Brant Brown, reliever Terry Adams and starter Steve Trachsel. But team officials arrived back in Chicago claiming they never intended to shop Trachsel or Adams, and dealt only Brown to the Pirates for RHP Jon Ueber. Lieber, 28, will earn $2.1 million in 1999, and the Cubs are getting someone who has pitched better than his record indicates.

POSITIONAL ANALYSIS, LEFT FIELD: With Brown off to Pittsburgh, 31-year-old Henry Rodriguez won't have to look over his shoulder the next two years. It will be his job every day, with the exception of the late innings, when Jose Hernandez or someone of his ilk will take over for defensive purposes. Rodriguez ($8.9 million for two year's) was credited with providing some power protection for Sammy Sosa in 1998 when Rodriguez hit 31 home runs of his own and delivered 85 RBIs and a .251 batting average. He was on a pace for a 40-homer season until severely spraining his ankle August 23. Rodriguez will need to have another career year if the Cubs are to compete for the Central Division title in 1999.--Barry Rozner

Cincinnati

BARRY'S BLUES: Barry Larkin denied G.M. Jim Bowden's contention that Larkin wants to be traded so he can try get his contract renegotiated. Larkin said the team has betrayed him by trading away Bret Boone and derailing the rebuilding process. Bowden couldn't work out a deal for the shortstop at the winter meetings.... The team signed Steve Avery, who was 10-7 with a 5.02 ERA in 1998 for Boston. The team is hoping pitching coach Don Gullett can help revive Avery's career the way he has helped the likes of Pete Schourek, Pete Harnisch and Jason Bere.... The team also brought back Mark Lewis to bolster the infield depth. He and Jeff Branson will back up Aaron Boone at third.

POSITIONAL ANALYSIS, LEFT FIELD: Dmitri Young could be here for years, unless Sean Casey doesn't work out at first base and Young can move back to his normal position. Young's defense was, well, adventurous last season in left, but there's no questioning the value of his bat. After coming over from St. Louis in the offseason, Young moved into the starting lineup early in the season and finished with a .310 batting average, 14 homers and 83 RBIs. Chris Stynes, who started for a stretch in 1998, can fill in for Young.--Mike Bass