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National League

Sporting News, The, Feb 22, 1999

Arizona

PLAYOFF BOUND? With all the offseason free-agent signings and trades the Diamondbacks pulled off, there is reason to believe the second-year team could beat Colorado's record of three seasons to achieve the playoffs faster than any expansion club. The holes are few, with competition limited mainly to the bullpen and at shortstop. Otherwise, the remainder of the club's 25 roster spots appear set. Tony Batista, who surprised many with his 18 home runs last season, will battle rookie Danny Klassen at shortstop, with Batista holding the early edge. Gregg Olson returns as the closer, and Greg Swindell is penciled in as the primary lefthanded setup man, but the bullpen will have several open spots. The leading candidates are Amaury Telemaco, Aaron Small and Clint Sodowsky. Rookie Vladimir Nunez was impressive in the Arizona Fall League and could have an inside track on another spot. Otherwise, Bobby Chouinard, who has an option remaining, Bryan Corey, Ben Ford, Nelson Figueroa and Brian Shouse will vie with nonroster invitee Frank Castillo, who will likely wind up with the spot if he pitches effectively in the spring.

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WHAT'S LEFT? Bernard Gilkey and Luis Gonzalez will jockey for the starting left field spot. The loser could end up starting in right field, although the club would rather have a true right fielder--and neither has a strong arm for the position. Andy Fox, who proved his value last season while playing six different positions very well and also is the best option at the leadoff spot, is a wild card to start in right. True, Fox, who started 22 games in right field at the end of `98, is not a prototype for a corner outfielder, the kind capable of driving in 100 runs and swatting 25 homers, but he's a gritty-type player whom others seem to feed off.... Watch for managing general partner Jerry Colangelo to extend Andy Benes' contract if the righthander starts the season well. --Pedro Gomez

Atlanta

WILD THING: When he walks through the clubhouse door for the first time this spring, RHP Mark Wohlers will be facing the biggest challenge of his career. The former closer, who inexplicably lost command of his pitches last summer and was placed on the disabled list because of an "inability to pitch," will be attempting a comeback with the eyes of the baseball world upon him. Working with pitching instructor Guy Hansen in Puerto Rico and California this winter, Wohlers demonstrated he can throw strikes, but until he gets on a mound and faces hitters, the Braves aren't counting on him.... G.M. John Schuerholz remains uncertain whether he'll trade LF Ryan Klesko and won't make that decision for several weeks. 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 in return. "I think if we do anything it will be done in spring training. Probably fairly well into spring training as teams have a chance to measure their clubs," Schuerholz says.... Pitching coach Leo Mazzone was pleased with the annual two-week throwing program for pitchers at Turner Field. More than a dozen pitchers participated, with Greg Maddux being the only notable absence.

INSURANCE POLICY: LHP Mike Remlinger, acquired in the Bret Boone trade that sent Denny Neagle to the Reds, says he won't relinquish the fifth starter's job to rookie LHP Bruce Chen without a right. The job is Chen's to lose. Manager Bobby Cox already has indicated Chen, 21, will be the fifth starter, but if Chen has a disastrous camp, that could change. Remlinger, 8-15 with a 4.82 ERA in 35 games--28 of them starts--with Cincinnati last season, is an insurance policy.... C Javy Lopez returned to Atlanta last month and continued workouts designed by the trainer for the Puerto Rican national basketball team. The workouts feature a lot of running and sprints, and some weight lifting. --Bill Zack

Chicago

NO HURRY: With six pitchers competing for five spots in the rotation, the Cubs have at least one luxury: They don't have to rush RHP Jeremi Gonzalez back from elbow surgery. Gonzalez, who turned 24 last month, underwent the operation shortly after being shut down following his July 24 start. Gonzalez was the club's winningest pitcher in 1997 when he went 11-9 after being called up from Class AAA Iowa in late May. "We'll look at him in spring training," manager Jim Riggleman says. "If we get him by June, that'll be plus."... With a job in the bullpen and a backup infield/ outfield spot all that are available, the Cubs will take a long look in spring training at players out of options. That means OF Robin Jennings may stick with the big club at last, if he can stay healthy. He could turn out to be a valuable lefthanded pinch hitter or late-inning defensive replacement. Of course, the final roster decisions will depend on whether the Cubs carry three catchers again this year and whether they open the season with 11 or 12 pitchers.

SECOND FIRST: 1B Mark Grace has proved durable over his 11-year career, but with the trade of Brant Brown to Pittsburgh for RHP Jon Lieber, the Cubs are without a true backup at first. Not to worry, says Riggleman, who can trot out several candidates in a pinch. 3B Gary Gaetti can handle first, and Riggleman says LF Henry Rodriguez has shown interest. When he's not filling in at third base, shortstop or center field, utilityman Jose Hernandez can play first. And C Tyler Houston appeared seven times at first last year.... One interesting minor league signing in the offseason was Scott Stahoviak. The former Twins infielder is likely to open the season at Iowa, but he can be used at first or third in an emergency. Riggleman won't want to burn out his veterans during the exhibition season, so Stahoviak at least will get a good look. --Bruce Miles

National League

Sporting News, The, Feb 22, 1999

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