Taking a National perspective

First of two parts

Spring training can be dull and mundane, but in Mesa, Ariz., watching the new and improved Chicago Cubs should provide plenty of entertainment value.

"After the terrible year we had last season, we felt we owed it to the 3 million fans who walked through our turnstiles to do something this offseason so they don't have to go through that again," said Cubs general manager Jim Hendry last week. "I'm just very anxious to see what it's going to look like when all the parts are together."

To help the franchise that is due to win it all (the Cubs last won the World Series in 1908), Hendry committed $317.55 million this offseason and brought in manager Lou Piniella to light a fire under a team that was mired in injuries and bad feeling after 96 losses last season.

Watching Piniella, who was out of the game last season, and how he reacts to managing what should be a solid team after three years of babysitting the Devil Rays will be entertaining itself.

Among the moves: Hendry re-signed third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who had exercised an out in his existing contract; he re-signed first baseman Derrek Lee; and he signed free agent pitchers Ted Lilly (Toronto) and Jason Marquis (St. Louis), outfielders Alfonso Soriano (Nationals) and Cliff Floyd (Mets), and second baseman Mark DeRosa. Hendry recommitted to righthander Kerry Wood as a potential setup man and closer after a few years of shoulder problems.

Hendry has also had to deal with health issues. At the height of the winter meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., in December, Hendry was rushed to the hospital by Piniella, complaining of chest pains, and underwent an angioplasty.

"It's been an interesting winter, but a satisfying one in that I've been able to work closely with Lou and we've worked well together in trying to make this the best team possible," Hendry said. "Lou has a great vision. He's a great baseball guy who knows what he needs to build a winner.

"Did we think of everything? I don't know anyone who could say that. And we have questions that we'll have to address in spring training."

One of those unknowns is the outfield, where the daily watch will be to see whether the high-priced Soriano will be able to play center field after playing left last season.

"Nobody has ever seen Alfonso play center field," Hendry said. "I haven't. Lou hasn't. Alfonso has said he'll play anywhere, so we're anxious to see Alfonso out there. Lou will also get to watch our youngster, Felix Pie, out there to see if he's ready.

"The outfield is definitely an area that right now we don't know how it's going to shake out. We just know we have five or six quality players out there."

Hendry is very excited about lefthander Rich Hill from Milton and left fielder Matt Murton, the former Georgia Tech star and Red Sox farmhand who was dealt along with Nomar Garciaparra in 2004.

"Matt is a real quality player," Hendry said. "He had an outstanding year in his first full year last season and we're just expecting better and better things from him."

Asked whether Floyd's presence would cut into Murton's time in left, Hendry said, "I'm not worried about that. I don't think Cliff's presence is going to block Matt's development. Cliff is coming off an Achilles' injury and he's not going to be a 140-game guy. There's going to be enough time for everyone."

Said Murton, "All I can do is what I've done this offseason, and that's prepare myself to contribute to winning baseball games. In my heart of hearts, I feel I can be a better player than I showed last year."

The other big issue is Carlos Zambrano's future. He's their No. 1 starter and an expensive signing (he is seeking $15 million in arbitration).

"If you look at our history, we've been able to take care of our potential free agents," Hendry said. "From Lee to Ramirez, Wood after his big season in '03. We've come through. Zambrano is a heck of talent who might be getting even better. So we'll be trying to do something, but it takes two to make a deal."

Ninety-nine years after their last World Series championship, the Chicago Cubs will at least get your attention.

Armed with National League Cy Young Award winner Brandon Webb, Livan Hernandez, lefty Doug Davis and newly acquired Randy Johnson, the Diamondbacks have an interesting mix of youth and age that could mesh into a dynamic team.

The Big Unit will receive a lot of attention returning to the team he helped to a championship in 2001. Offseason back surgery could keep him on the disabled list for most of April. But it's youngsters such as shortstop Stephen Drew, center fielder Chris Young, right fielder Carlos Quentin, third baseman Chad Tracy, and first baseman Conor Jackson that could help this team emerge like the 1987 Twins.

"We studied teams going back 40 years to see what traits and characteristics were involved in younger teams playing well," said Arizona GM Josh Byrnes. "The '70 Reds, '85 Blue Jays, '87 Twins, '91 Braves, '94 Indians team that I worked for when we brought Jim Thome and Manny Ramírez along were teams we feel we tried to emulate. We feel our guys are ready. They got major league experience last season and performed well. They're ready for this."

The Giants lineup still receives a lot of respect in the NL West, but San Francisco has a lot of work to do in spring training. New manager Bruce Bochy is considered one of the best communicators in the game, which bodes well for a franchise that has to wade through the often-muddy waters created by Barry Bonds.

The Giants have a new catcher (Benji Molina), new superstar (Barry Zito), and other new players ( Dave Roberts, Ryan Klesko).

The good news for Bochy is that Bonds's entourage is out of the clubhouse, which creates a more normal sanctuary. The bad news is that the Giants will be the most-watched team in baseball -- at least until Bonds surpasses Hank Aaron's 755 homers (he needs 22).

A healthy Bonds gives the Giants a middle-of-the order power threat, and Ray Durham must stay off the disabled list. Moises Alou and Shea Hillenbrand are gone, and someone like Klesko (if healthy), third baseman Pedro Feliz or even Rich Aurilia will need to step up.

Bochy will love watching his starting rotation of Zito, youngsters Matt Cain and Noah Lowry, and veterans Matt Morris and Russ Ortiz. The Giants will try to find a role for young lefty Jonathan Sanchez, who could compete with Ortiz or be used out of the bullpen.

"Health is always a concern," said GM Brian Sabean. "If we stay healthy and our pitching comes through like we think it will, we'll be able to achieve our goals."

The Dodgers are so stocked that prized prospects James Loney, Matt Kemp, and Andy LaRoche might have to start in Triple A Las Vegas. Los Angeles signed veteran left fielder Luis Gonzalez, who should come close to replacing J. D. Drew's production at a fraction of the cost, and center fielder Juan Pierre, leaving Andre Ethier as the right fielder after switching from left to accommodate Gonzalez.

The Dodgers have a competition for the No. 5 starter job among Chad Billingsley, Mark Hendrickson, Brett Tomko, and Hong-Chih Kuo, with the three losers likely winding up in the bullpen. LaRoche (if healthy) could unseat Wilson Betemit at third and that might be a spot to watch closely. Otherwise, Grady Little's team -- which has added Jason Schmidt and Randy Wolf to the starting rotation, joining Derek Lowe and Brad Penny -- doesn't leave much room for competition.

"We have a strong team heading into spring training," said bench coach Dave Jauss. "But during the course of a long season, you always tend to have injuries.

"Last year we were able to get strong performances from our kids who came up from the minors and filled important roles. Matt and James especially have had a taste of the majors and have a great understanding of what it's going to take to stay up. But it won't hurt them to play every day if that's how it turns out."

The World Series champion Cardinals lost starters Jeff Weaver and Jeff Suppan in free agency, and there are going to be question marks and roster story lines in spring training.

Adam Wainwright, who closed so well in the postseason, is going back to the rotation, so that will be a focal point of camp. The good news is that Jason Isringhausen appears set to return to his closer role after a hip injury sidelined him at the end of '06 and into the postseason. Spring training will determine whether Isringhausen is ready to start the season and how much progress Mark Mulder has made in his return from shoulder surgery. Can pitching coach Dave Duncan turn veteran Kip Wells into the next Suppan?

All eyes will be on the return of Adam Kennedy to second base; he and World Series MVP David Eckstein should form a decent double-play combination.

The rift between third baseman Scott Rolen and manager Tony La Russa will likely be an ongoing story in spring training, while superstar Albert Pujols always draws attention.

There will surely be a buzz about whether St. Louis, which won only 83 games, can repeat as champion in a division in which just about every team got better.

Atlanta: Last year notwithstanding, these guys know how to win. Spring training will feature the return of Mike Hampton, who missed last season recovering from Tommy John surgery. He will rejoin John Smoltz and Tim Hudson. All eyes will be on Scott Thorman, who replaces Adam LaRoche at first base. Kelly Johnson will replace Marcus Giles at second, and Ryan Langerhans and Matt Diaz will be vying for playing time in left field. Otherwise, GM John Schuerholz thinks he solved the bullpen issue (29 blown saves), acquiring lefty Mike Gonzalez (Pittsburgh) and righty Rafael Soriano (Seattle) to set up Bob Wickman.

Cincinnati: Ken Griffey Jr. could move to right field, and Reds fans will be treated to top shortstop play by former Red Sox defensive whiz Alex Gonzalez. Otherwise, the bullpen situation is front and center. The Reds will have five lefties (Mike Stanton, Rheal Cormier, Billy Bray, Brian Shackelford and eventually Eddie Guardado (recovering from Tommy John surgery) competing for jobs in the bullpen in what will be a closer-by-committee situation. All eyes will be on righty Gary Majewski, who had a sore arm when he was acquired from Washington last season, while David Weathers and workhorse Todd Coffey could share the closer role.

Florida: Josh Johnson, Scott Olsen, Ricky Nolasco, and Anibal Sanchez (currently resting with shoulder tendinitis) were all rookie starters last year who should get better, while Dontrelle Willis could rebound from a subpar season. Competition will occur for the closer role in spring training. The Marlins have an outstanding young infield, with Rookie of the Year shortstop Hanley Ramirez, All-Star second baseman Dan Uggla, first baseman Mike Jacobs, and their biggest star, third baseman Miguel Cabrera. The Marlins will also experience a different kind of manager -- the softer Fredi Gonzalez replacing the tougher Joe Girardi.

Colorado: The Rockies, like the Diamondbacks, are drawing raves from baseball officials for their top young talent. The middle-of-the-order stretch of third baseman Garrett Atkins, left fielder Matt Holliday, veteran first baseman Todd Helton, and right fielder Brad Hawpe could be pretty impressive. While young Chris Ianetta should take the catching job, former Red Sox bust Javy Lopez could contend. It will be interesting to watch pitching prospects Jason Hirsh and Taylor Buchholz, both of whom came in the Astros deal for Jason Jennings.

Houston: It's Roy Oswalt, Jennings, Woody Williams, and pray for Roger Clemens to re-sign. Short of that, new Astros pitching coach Dave Wallace has to find two starters among a group that includes lefty Wandy Rodriguez and righthanders Matt Albers , Chris Sampson, Dave Borowski, Fernando Nieve, and Brian Moehler. There's also a three-headed monster developing in right field (Luke Scott has the edge on Richard Hidalgo and Jason Lane) that has to be sorted out. All eyes will be on free agent acquisition Carlos Lee, with the hope that his waistline doesn't expand.

Milwaukee: The big story in spring training is trying to turn former closer Derrick Turnbow from the mess that was a 13.06 ERA over his last 27 appearances into the first-half NL All-Star. Then, hold your breath that Ben Sheets doesn't hurt himself in any spring training outing. The Brewers could be pretty good, with Suppan adding depth to the rotation.

New York: Pedro Martínez probably won't figure into anything until August at the earliest as he recovers from extensive shoulder surgery, so spring training will be a showcase for Chan Ho Park, Aaron Sele, Oliver Perez, Jason Vargas, and youngsters Mike Pelfry and Philip Humber to vie for two rotation spots after Tom Glavine, Orlando Hernandez, and John Maine. No worries about the best lineup in the NL (though watch for a possible competition in right field between Shawn Green and Lastings Milledge) and a solid bullpen.

Pittsburgh: GM Dave Littlefield had a nice offseason, acquiring LaRoche from the Braves, but he had to give up Gonzalez. The closer job is going to Solomon Torres, who saved 12 games in September while Gonzalez was hurt. The Pirates have homegrown talent in their starting rotation and everyday lineup. With lefties John Grabow and Damaso Marte, and righty Matt Capps, setting up Torres, the spring training focus will be on the other two or three bullpen slots. Ronny Paulino has chance to nail down the starting catcher job, and the Pirates hope to get a productive spring training out of free agent starter Tony Armas Jr.

Philadelphia: Expect a deal for a reliever in spring training because the Phillies don't have a true setup man for Tom Gordon. The bait is sixth starter Jon Lieber. Lefty Fabio Castro, Ryan Madson, and free agent Antonio Alfonseca are all early candidates to contend for the role. The Phillies have a stacked starting rotation (thanks to newcomers Freddy Garcia and Adam Eaton) and lineup, and they'll introduce new starting catcher Rod Barajas. Look for a lot of attention on outfielder Pat Burrell, who needs to step up.

San Diego: With the rotation, bullpen, and positional players set, new manager Bud Black will merely be looking for a batting order. Terrmel Sledge has the inside edge for the leadoff/left fielder role vacated by Roberts, while first baseman Adrian Gonzalez will likely slip into the cleanup spot, replacing Mike Piazza. Second baseman Giles and righthander Greg Maddux join the cast, and former Sox backup Josh Bard is now the starting catcher.

Washington: For this 100-loss team in the making, the biggest story is new manager Manny Acta and the development of a bunch of young players for a day when a new stadium is done and the Nationals can start spending money. There's no need for closer Chad Cordero on a team like this; don't be shocked to see him dealt.

Next Sunday: American League preview