Finding their own places in the sun

Johnson's first big challenge of the spring: End the simmering right field controversy between Raul Mondesi and Gary Sheffield before it becomes a clubhouse problem.

A team with a 'tude

The Orioles performed a kind of reverse alchemy last year. They turned gold into straw, falling out of contention early and squandering the highest payroll in the sport's history.

This spring, the chemistry is certain to be different. The arrival of free agents Belle and Will Clark should give the club a hard edge that dearly wasn't in evidence in 1998.

The Orioles definitely are going to have an attitude, which means they will kill each other by opening day or come together to form an imposing team.

Either way, it will be better than what everyone witnessed in '98.

Trouble in paradise?

The Yankees' clubhouse was the happiest place in baseball last year, but will that era of good feeling be impacted by the offseason contract problems of the club's top two young players?

Shortstop Derek Jeter and closer Mariano Rivera have been banging heads with Yankees management for the last couple of years, without any noticeable ill effect to the team. But resentment bubbled up last week as the two headed for arbitration showdowns.

No matter. Remember how David Wells battled with Joe Torre and Hideki Irabu fought with the Japanese media last year? The Yankees already have proved they can turn a spring storm into a summer breeze.

They'll do it again.

Mo bitter blues

Looking for a dynamic presence in the Red Sox's locker room? Forget it.

The departure of tough-talking Mo Vaughn could leave the club with a leadership vacuum that will be hard to fill. Offensive cornerstone Nomar Garciaparra is too young and soft-spoken. Pitching ace Pedro Martinez also may be reluctant to speak up in only his second year with the team.

General manager Dan Duquette is banking on another 17-win performance by Tim Wakefield, the continued health and productivity of Bret Saberhagen and a big season from newcomer Mark Portugal to get the Red Sox back to the playoffs.

That's too much to ask. It's going to be a long year.

Pitching pipeline

Braves rookie lefthander Bruce Chen is projected as the newest member of baseball's premier rotation, which leaves us wondering: Will Atlanta's pitching pipeline ever run dry?

Kevin Millwood won 17 games in his first full season in the rotation last year. Now, Chen is getting a chance after the club traded former 20-game winner Denny Neagle to the Reds.

If Chen pans out, the Braves should be set for several more years, enough time for another highly-prized lefthander, Micah Bowie, to come on line.

The Mets can spend $100 million every year on free agents, but until they can assemble a commensurate pitching staff, the N.L. East is going to be the home of the Braves.

Reds scare

Don't believe the lack of hype. The Reds are trying to sneak back into contention in the N.L. Central. And considering the offseason acquisitions of Neagle and outfielder Greg Vaughn, it's not out of the question.