~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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.