N.L. spring preview

Sporting News, The, Feb 15, 1999

Arizona

SPRING SKINNY: The Diamondbacks approach spring camp filled with enthusiasm and optimism, and with good reason. The club's $120 million spending spree netted it, among others, starting pitchers Randy Johnson and Todd Stettlemyre and center fielder Steve Finley. The expectations will be high for this club, not necessarily to win the N.L. West, but to contend throughout the summer.

TO-DO LIST: Jay Bell had a taste of playing second base late last season, but he will need plenty of repetition at the position during the spring. Bell, a shortstop the last 10 seasons, moves permanently to second base this year. Bell will be able to use his vast knowledge of N.L. hitters to be in position and not need to cover nearly as much ground as at shortstop, where he was a Gold Glove winner in 1993.... Another concern is the well-being of closer Gregg Olson's right arm. There was no indication of problems last season, but that doesn't mean anything considering Olson's history of injuries. Last season was the first since 1994 that Olson pitched without a big setback.... OF Bernard Gilkey underwent laser eye surgery in September with hopes of restoring a career that seemed on the rise three seasons ago. After two poor seasons in which his numbers suffered greatly, Gilkey must try to turn things around in '99. It looks like he will enter spring training as a starting outfielder. Because the Diamondbacks appear set to keep Gilkey, they are counting on him to show some of the form that produced 30 home runs, 117 RBIs and a .317 average with the Mets in '96.--Pedro Gomez

Atlanta

SPRING SKINNY: The Braves head into spring training with their infield, outfield and bench set and only one or two jobs open in the bullpen. Manager Bobby Cox's most difficult task is to determine where Bret Boone and Brian Jordan will bat in the lineup. The addition of the pair to a club that produced the most home runs in franchise history last season means the lineup will feature six hitters who had at least 24 homers and 90 RBIs last season.

TO-DO LIST: The single biggest question in spring is, can former closer Mark Wohlers find the strike zone? Working with pitching instructor Guy Hanson in Puerto Rico and California this winter, Wohlers demonstrated he can throw strikes after a disastrous season of personal problems. However, Kerry Ligtenberg remains the closer until Wohlers proves otherwise.... G.M. John Sohuerholz will listen to offers for Ryan Klesko, but he's uncertain whether he will trade him. With Otis Nixon and Gerald Williams available to play left field, the Braves are likely to trade Klesko if they can get two solid prospects, though they are tantalized by the prospect of new hitting coach Don Baylor turning around Klesko's career.... LHP Mike Remlinger might mm out to be the sleeper in the Boone deal with the Reds. He plans to challenge rookie Bruce Chen for the fifth starter's job or work as a long man from the bullpen. The starter's job is Chen's to lose.... RHP Mike Cather, who worked 41 1/3 innings before undergoing rib surgery, might be the most pleasant surprise. If he can return to his '97 form, when he posted a 2.39 ERA in 35 games, he would strengthen the bullpen.--Bill Zack

Chicago

SPRING SKINNY: The cast of characters is much the same as the one that finished last season 90-73 to win the N.L. wild card in a one-game playoff. The Cubs are a year older, but are they better? With only a bullpen spot and a backup infielder/outfielder job to be determined, this veteran group will use the spring to prime itself for the long grind. Barring injuries or a surprise, every player in the opening-day lineup will be at least 30.

TO-DO LIST: The first job for manager Jim Riggleman will be to restore the confidence of his battered bullpen. Riggleman will waste little time seeing if righthander Terry Adams is over the clavicle injury and confidence problems that turned the second half of 1998 into a nightmare. Righty Matt Karchner comes to camp healthy, hoping to regain the form that made him the one-time White Sox closer. How lefty Felix Heredia performs will go a long way in determining if the team seeks another lefthanded reliever or how much it uses LHP Terry Mulholland in relief.... SS Jeff Blauser is coming off October surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow. The ailment plagued him for much of '98 and limited his effectiveness, especially at the plate. The Cubs invested heavily in the former Brave, but they won't hesitate to use the versatile Jose Hernandez if Blauser shows signs that he has slowed down for good.... C Benito Santiago played in just 15 games for Toronto last year after being hurt in a preseason car crash. The Cubs have entrusted the No. 1 job to Santiago, and they'll need him to return to form on offense and defense.--Bruce Miles

Cincinnati

SPRING SKINNY: The acquisition of Greg Vaughn suddenly puts a different spin on the team as camp opens. Now, there is hope of actually contending for a playoff bid. Cincinnati's projected starting eight before the trade had a combined 74 home runs last season--or four more than Mark McGwire hit--and seemed incapable of producing runs. Now Vaughn gives them a bona fide slugger to go with a rotation solidified by the earlier acquisition of LHP Denny Neagle. When last season ended, 1999 looked as though it would be another long year. Nobody's talking World Series, mind you, but at least the Reds can talk contention.