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N.L. report

Sporting News, The, Feb 11, 2005

SPOTLIGHT: Outfielders

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ASTROS The club is hoping to acquire a player who can fortify its weakest unit. RF Orlando Palmeiro likely will return to the bench after Lance Berkman (knee) is back. LF Craig Biggio is limited defensively. CF Jason Lane would be better as a corner outfielder. Speedy youngster Willy Taveras might get a longer look than expected. His defense is big-league ready, but his hitting is questionable. BRAVES CF Andruw Jones provides power and great defense but also goes into long slumps that prevent him from reaching elite status. RF Raul Mondesi is in top shape but has a reputation for being a malcontent. BREWERS New LF Carlos Lee will boost the offense and might even help the defense. Geoff Jenkins, a Gold Glove-caliber fielder, is moving from left field to right. CARDINALS Jim Edmonds is the N.L.'s most complete center fielder other than Carlos Beltran. Durability issues with LF Reggie Sanders and RF Larry Walker will mean plenty of at-bats for John Mabry, Roger Cedeno and So Taguchi. CUBS The club must figure out what to do in right field after trading Sammy Sosa. It is counting on a platoon of Todd Hollandsworth and rookie Jason Dubois to replace Moises Alou in left. CF Corey Patterson, the projected leadoff hitter, still must prove himself. DIAMONDBACKS The club hopes LF Luis Gonzalez will charge balls and quickly throw to the cutoff man, making his surgically repaired arm less of a liability. Shawn Green fills a huge hole in right field. DODGERS The club believes starters Jayson Werth, Milton Bradley and J.D. Drew can hit 80-plus home runs combined and that all have the ability to play center field. Either Bradley or Drew will start in center. GIANTS LF Barry Bonds makes up for eroding defensive skills with good positioning and flashes of speed--and, of course, with home runs. CF Marquis Grissom still can run down deep balls. Moises Alou is a proven veteran; he'll quickly learn SBC Park's tricky right field. MARLINS LF Miguel Cabrera and CF Juan Pierre are liabilities on defense. Cabrera lacks mobility, and Pierre's arm is one of the weakest in the N.L. METS Five-tool CF Carlos Beltran obviously makes the club stronger. Mike Cameron reluctantly will move to right field alter he returns from wrist surgery, giving the club two Gold Glove-caliber outfielders. LF Cliff Floyd is more valuable at the plate than in the field. NATIONALS After using 12 outfielders in 2004, the club achieved some stability by acquiring RF Jose Guillen. The other two spots remain up in the air. Endy Chavez, Terrmel Sledge and Brad Wilkerson are the best candidates to get playing time. PADRES New CF Dave Roberts will provide speed and solid defense. LF Ryan Klesko and RF Brian Giles are average defensively. None of the three has a great arm. Klesko (nine homers in 2004) needs to rediscover his power. PHILBES CF Kenny Lofton, 37, still can be an effective defender and table-setter, but he no longer is expected to play every day. Jason Michaels will spell him. PIP, ATES N.L. Rookie of the Year LF Jason Bay and veteran RF Matt Lawton will anchor a deep outfield. Bay is an emerging star. Lawton, an All-Star last season with the Indians, adds needed pop to the top of the lineup. REDS The club's biggest challenge will be fitting five players--Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey, Austin Kearns, Wily Mo Pena and Ryan Freel-into three spots. ROCKIES CF Preston Wilson (knee) needs to be healthy for the club to win early, and to be used as trade bait to further the team's rebuilding. LF Matt Holliday, a righthanded batter, must hit better against lefthanders and on the road.

CORRESPONDENTS: Arizona, Steve Gilbert; Atlanta, Mark Bowman; Chicago, Came Muskat; Cincinnati, Todd Lorenz; Colorado, Thomas Harding; Florida, Charlie Nobles; Houston, Alyson Footer; Los Angeles, Ken Gurnick; Milwaukee, Adam McCalvy; New York, Kevin Czerwinski; Philadelphia, Ken Mandel; Pittsburgh, Ed Eagle; SL Louis, Matthew Leach; San Diego, Mike Scarf; San Francisco, Rich Draper; Washington, Bill Ladson.

N.L. report

Sporting News, The, Feb 11, 2005

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