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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SPORTSTICKER 1993 BASEBALL PREVIEW
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NATIONAL LEAGUE OUTLOOK
BY JOHN PEZZULLO
SENIOR EDITOR
The first expansion of the National League in 24 years brings
major league baseball to Colorado and Florida this year and a
balanced schedule similar to the American League.
While the odd-numbered teams in each division reduces games
between rivals, it appears to be the only feasible format until
the league adopts a three-division system.
But for now. the league has two divisions moving in opposite
directions. While the majority of Western Division teams
scrambled to compete with the improved Atlanta Braves, the East
teams took a more conservative approach as the economically
strapped Pittsburgh Pirates lost two-time Most Valuable Player
Barry Bonds and pitching ace Doug Drabek to free agency.
After losing in the World Series to Minnesota and Toronto each
of the last two years, the Braves are determined to win the
championship in 1993 with a pitching staff that is probably
better than any in recent baseball history.
The Braves added Cy Young award winner Greg Maddux (20-11, 2.18)
from the Chicago Cubs to a pitching rotation that includes 1991
Cy Young winner Tom Glavine (20-8, 2.76), John Smoltz and Steve
Avery. Pete Smith (7-0, 2.05) is the fifth starter.
Atlanta will use a bullpen by committee, with Mark Wohlers, Mike
Stanton and Kent Mercker. If no one emerges as a stopper,
General Manager John Schuerholz will shop for a reliever.
Deion Sanders emerged in 1992 with a .304 batting average and a
league-leading 14 triples. Sanders and Otis Nixon (.296 and 41
stolen bases) give Atlanta two table-setters for Terry
Pendleton, Dave Justice and Ron Gant.
The Cincinnati Reds won 90 games last year, but finished eight
games behind Atlanta. In an attempt to close the gap, new
General Manager Jim Bowden rolled up his sleeves and made
numerous changes for new manager Tony Perez.
Bowden added power and speed with outfielders Kevin Mitchell
from Seattle and Roberto Kelly from the New York Yankees.
Mitchell and Kelly join a potent lineup which features Barry
Larkin, Chris Sabo and Hal Morris.
John Smiley (16-9, 3.21) was signed as a free agent to replace
the departed Greg Swindell. Smiley joins a strong rotation
headed by Jose Rijo (15-10, 2.56), Tim Belcher and Tom Browning.
Rob Dibble becomes the full-time closer with Norm Charlton
traded to Seattle for Mitchell.
The Houston Astros are the team on the rise in the West with new
ownership willing to spend big bucks. Owner Drayton McLane
purchased the team from John McMullen and spent $36.5 million
for free agent pitchers and Texas natives Drabek (15-11, 2.77)
and Swindell (12-8, 2.70).
"We are using the Braves to pattern our building process," said
Houston manager Art Howe. "And that means pitching and more
pitching."
Doug Jones was a bargain basement free agent signee last year
and responded with 11 wins and 36 saves in 80 games.
Jeff Bagwell, Steve Finley and Craig Biggio lead an offense that
is lacking in home run power. Eric Anthony led the Astros with
19 home runs last year.
The San Francisco Giants made the biggest splash in the
off-season when the club's new owners signed Bonds (.311, 34
HRS, 103 RBI) to a six-year deal worth more than $43 million.
Bonds, Will Clark and Matt Williams in the middle of the lineup
are capable of producing 80 home runs and 270 R-B-I for new
manager Dusty Baker.
However, if the Giants are to make a serious run, they need
improvement from a maligned pitching staff. Bill Swift and John
Burkett are steady starters, but Trevor Wilson (8-14) and Bud
Black (10-12) are coming off sub-par seasons.
The Los Angeles Dodgers committed a major league-high 174 errors
last season and registered the club's first last-place finish
since 1905. The 99 losses were the most by a Dodgers' team
since 1908.
In an effort to improve the defense, Los Angeles acquired third
baseman Tim Wallach and second baseman Jody Reed. The Dodgers
also signed free agent reliever Todd Worrell and outfielder Cory
Snyder.
The Dodgers scored a league-low 548 runs last year primarily
because of injuries to outfielders Darryl Strawberry and Eric
Davis. The two combined for just 10 homers, 57 R-B-I and a .232
batting average.
The San Diego Padres slashed the payroll in the off-season and
severely limited their chances to contend in the West. General
Manager Joe McIlvaine was ordered to unload some high salaries
and sent shortstop Tony Fernandez to the New York Mets and
outfielder Darrin Jackson to the Toronto Blue Jays and did not
re-sign free agents Benito Santiago and Randy Myers.
San Diego does own the batting champion in Gary Sheffield (.330)
and home run leader Fred McGriff (35 HRS, 104 RBI). Four-time
batting champion Tony Gwynn (.317) will shoot for his 11th
straight plus-.300 season.
The Colorado Rockies will be managed by Don Baylor and play in
the West. With Andres Galarraga, Charlie Hayes, Dante Bichette
and pitcher David Nied, the Rockies seem to be one of the better
expansion teams in baseball's recent history.
The Florida Marlins will be managed by Rene Lachemann and play
in the East. Catcher Benito Santiago, third baseman Dave Magadan
and first baseman Orestes Destrade, who hit 41 homers in Japan,
are the top offensive players.
The starting pitching is understandably weak, but Bryan Harvey
is a premier closer. Harvey, who is coming off elbow surgery,
has been clocked at 94 miles per hour in spring training.
The N-L East will be wide-open due to the decimation of the
three-time defending champion Pirates.
As if the departure of Bonds and Drabek were not jolting enough,
the Pirates suffered through a difficult spring training. Star
outfielder Andy Van Slyke underwent arthroscopic knee surgery,
starting pitcher Zane Smith is hampered by shoulder soreness and
free agent reliever Alejandro Pena is out for the year with
elbow problems.
It would stand to reason the Montreal Expos, which finished in
second-place last year with an 87-75 record, should be slight
favorites to win the wide-open division. The Expos were 70-55
under manager Felipe Alou, who replaced Tom Runnels in May.
The Expos traded veterans Ivan Calderon and Wallach and lost
shortstop Spike Owen to free agency, paving the way for more
youngsters to play. The Expos have probably the best young
outfield in the game with Larry Walker (.301, 23 HRS, 93 RBI),
Marquis Grissom (.276, 78 SBS) and Moises Alou.
The pitching staff is led by Dennis Martinez (16-11, 2.47), Ken
Hill (16-9, 2.68) and Chris Nabholz. John Wetteland established
himself as one of the league's premier relievers with 36 saves
in 1992.
The St. Louis Cardinals, the New York Mets and the Philadelphia
Phillies made minimal changes in the off-season but expect to
contend for the division title.
The Cardinals led the league in hitting (.262) and stolen bases
(208) last year. If left-hander Joe Magrane can return from arm
problems, the pitching may be good enough for the Cardinals to
win their first division title since 1987.
Bob Tewksbury (16-5, 2.16) is the ace of the staff and Lee Smith
led the league with 43 saves last season. The Cards are
counting on improvement from starters Donovan Osborne and Rheal
Cormier.
St. Louis made one major trade in the off-season, acquiring
infielder Gregg Jefferies from Kansas City for outfielder Felix
Jose. Jefferies will start at first base.
The Mets have finished in fifth-place two straight years after
seven consecutive first or second-place finishes.
New York is counting on Bobby Bonilla (.249, 19 HRS), Howard
Johnson (.223, 7 HRS), Bret Saberhagen (3-5) and Dwight Gooden
(10-13, 3.67) to recover from sub-par seasons. Johnson returns
to third base after one year in the outfield and rookie Ryan
Thompson is the starting centerfielder.
The Mets acquired Fernandez from San Diego and signed veteran
free agent pitcher Frank Tanana.
All hopes in contending for the division title probably will
rest on the left arm of John Franco (15 SVS, 1.64). Franco
underwent off-season elbow surgery and has been monitored
closely in spring training.
The Phillies lost 92 games last year and finished in last-place
last year, but may very well be the sleeper team in 1993.
Philadelphia placed second in the league in runs last year with
catcher Darren Daulton (.270, 27 HRS, 109 RBI) enjoying an
M-V-P-type season.
Philadelphia General Manager Lee Thomas and manager Jim Fregosi
believe the club's pitching staff is better than most people
think. They may be right.
Terry Mulholland (13-11), Curt Schilling (14-11, 2.35 ERA),
Tommy Greene, Ben Rivera and new acquisition Danny Jackson
comprise a capable starting rotation. Mitch Williams (29 SVS) is
the closer.
The Chicago Cubs made the most moves of any East team. The Cubs
signed six free agents, including pitchers Jose Guzman and Randy
Myers and outfielder Candy Maldonado and traded for starter Greg
Hibbard.
The Cubs are hoping the additions of Guzman and Hibbard will
compensate for the loss of ace Greg Maddux. Maldonado was
signed to replace the departed Andre Dawson.
Chicago is deep in left-handed relievers with Myers, Paul
Assenmacher, Chuck McElroy and free agent signee Dan Plesac. Did
anyone say deal?
Unfortunately, the season already got off on a bad note when
All-Star second baseman Ryne Sandberg suffered a broken hand in
spring training after being hit by a pitch and will miss the
start of the regular season. Shortstop Shawon Dunston will rest
his ailing back and miss at least the first month of the season.