Be honest. One of the most exciting things the National League had going for it the past few years was Barry Bonds. His pursuit of the home run record - and the steroid controversy that followed him everywhere - made for entertaining days and nights across America. With that gone, what does the National League have left?
Well, there's still some excitement over in the Senior Circuit. We can thank Mets general manager Omar Minaya for swinging the Johan Santana deal that will make them a must-see team at their spring training site in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Santana, along with Pedro Martínez, should create quite a buzz for a team that collapsed at the end of last season.
Those Santana-vs.-Ryan Howard matchups should heat up the Mets-Phillies rivalry even more. And we're looking forward to what Jimmy Rollins has to say about the upcoming season. Last year in spring training, Rollins correctly predicted that the Phillies were the team to beat - and he went on to be NL MVP.
Other NL story lines to start watching when pitchers and catchers report:
Arizona
Brandon Lyon has been made the closer, replacing Jose Valverde (47 saves). All eyes will be on Randy Johnson's comeback from surgery on a herniated disk in his lower back. With Tony Clark gone, this team needs a clubhouse leader. Who will emerge? Eric Byrnes had a career year; can he do it again? The young players need to take a step forward. Center fielder Chris Young (30 homers, 25 steals) could improve his overall hitting.
Apropos of nothing: The D-Backs finished the season with a minus-20 run differential despite having the best record in the NL (90-72). Try that again and tell me how it works out.
Atlanta
If Tom Glavine has something left, they have a pretty good foursome of starters in him, John Smoltz, Tim Hudson, and Jair Jurrjens. Of course, they'll monitor Mike Hampton's progress throughout camp to see if he can be added to the mix. Lots of baseball people wonder whether Mark Kotsay, acquired from the A's, can be an everyday center fielder, given his back woes. And we'll find out whether Yunel Escobar can be the everyday shortstop, replacing Edgar Renteria.
Apropos of nothing: Win now. You may never again have such potent corner infielders as Mark Teixeira and Chipper Jones.
Chicago
If Kosuke Fukudome is the real deal, this lineup - with Alfonso Soriano, Derek Lee, and Aramis Ramirez - should be dynamite. They have to find out whether rookie Geovany Soto, the 2007 Pacific Coast League MVP, can be a No. 1 catcher in the majors. The final two spots in the rotation have to shake out among Jon Lieber, Jason Marquis, Sean Marshall, Ryan Dempster, and Sean Gallagher. Another issue will be young Felix Pie taking the center field job. Will Bob Howry or Kerry Wood emerge as the primary closer?
Apropos of nothing: If there's balance in the universe, the Cubbies win on the 100th anniversary of their last title.
Cincinnati
They have to come up with consistent pitching beyond Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo, and the focus will be squarely on young righty Homer Bailey. The Reds will also take a good long look at young center fielder Jay Bruce, who could solve their leadoff problem as well. They added high-priced Francisco Cordero to the bullpen, and you have to wonder whether he can match his dominance of last season.
Apropos of nothing: Tough haul for new skipper Dusty Baker because he just doesn't have the arms to go along with the bats.
Colorado
Second baseman Kaz Matsui left as a free agent, so the spotlight is on Jayson Nix, who has been in the minors for seven seasons. Rockies hitting coach Carney Lansford called him the best defensive second baseman he has ever seen. They need a No. 5 starter to emerge from lefties Franklin Morales and Mark Redman and righty Kip Wells. Brian Fuentes needs a little help, as he is the sole lefty reliever, so the Rockies will audition Chris George, Micah Bowie, and John Koronka, and may bring in Brian Anderson.
Apropos of nothing: Why do I think this team falls back?
Florida
Hanley Ramirez, 24, is like the grizzled veteran on this team. Nobody expects much from the Marlins after they traded Miguel Cabrera to the Tigers. Nonetheless, there are things to watch. Can a catching platoon of Mike Rabelo and Matt Treanor do the job? Can they find a pitcher who can throw 200 innings? There is no one on the staff who has ever done it. It'll be fun to watch the development of outfielder Cameron Maybin and lefty Andrew Miller, acquired from the Tigers.
Apropos of nothing: At $1.5 million, Mark Hendrickson is the highest-paid starting pitcher on a team that has a $17 million on-field payroll.
Houston
That little issue of the Department of Justice investigating Miguel Tejada might be a distraction for a team that needs so much focus. The Astros traded closer Brad Lidge to Philadelphia and landed Michael Bourn, a speedy, young, but raw center fielder they need to emerge. Kaz Matsui will replace the great Craig Biggio at second. There is pretty good power with Tejada, Carlos Lee, Lance Berkman, and Hunter Pence. But there's no way to improve the pitching in spring training.
Apropos of nothing: The most excitement in Kissimmee might be Roger Clemens.
Los Angeles
Joe Torre takes over a team with some obvious talent. He'll have to choose between Nomar Garciaparra and Andy LaRoche as his everyday third baseman. He'll have to transition Juan Pierre to left field, to make room for Andruw Jones in center, and watch over the very important recovery of righty Jason Schmidt. Schmidt, returning from major shoulder surgery, might be more of a finesse pitcher than the power pitcher he used to be. The Dodgers will play the Padres in China right in the middle of spring training. Not great for a team looking to work out some things.
Apropos of nothing: OK, which actor/actress will Dr. Charles Steinberg trot out to toss the first pitch?
Milwaukee
Having eight pitchers for five spots in the rotation is usually a good thing. Eric Gagné will be the closer, and there are inherent problems in that. Will being named in the Mitchell Report have an adverse effect on him? The Brew Crew is doing some shuffling, with Billy Hall moving from center to third and Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun moving from third to left. Mike Cameron won't join the team until he serves a 25-game suspension for using a banned stimulant. Too many moving parts.
Apropos of nothing: How many Mitchell Report relievers does it take to save a game?
New York
If they can get Pedro Martínez out of the cockfighting ring, he will get a lot of attention in spring training. He needs to show he can come back all the way from shoulder surgery to form a potent combination with Johan Santana. Fans and team officials will watch for residual effects from the great collapse of last season. The Mets need to see consistency from starters Oliver Perez and John Maine. Another story will be setup man Duaner Sanchez bouncing back from a lost season after being injured in a cab accident. Also, is Brian Schneider ready to catch the divas?
Apropos of nothing: With Paul LoDuca gone, there is nobody in that clubhouse who can take the heat off the rest of the players. David Wright will have to step up in that area.
Philadelphia
Brad Lidge, this is your time. The Phillies will have Lidge assume the closer role that he lost a time or two in Houston. He's an absolute key. They have to transition Brett Myers back to the starting rotation. Another issue is the loss of center fielder Aaron Rowand, not only a terrific player but a great clubhouse guy. The big three - Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, and Chase Utley - are coming off terrific years and need to keep it up in 2008.
Apropos of nothing: You want a physical marvel? Jamie Moyer is 45 years old.
Pittsburgh
I'd say they have a disgruntled Jason Bay on their hands. Bay has been outspoken about a lack of direction from the new Pirates management. The Bucs will be sorting out their righthanded setup man (Franquelis Osoria is the front-runner), plus a center fielder and leadoff hitter (Nate McLouth and Nyer Morgan are early favorites over Chris Duffy, who is coming off shoulder surgery). Zach Duke is coming back from a 3-8 season and a sore elbow. Hey, they signed Jaret Wright.
Apropos of nothing: Does anything inspire you about this team?
St. Louis
How quickly can lefty Mark Mulder be ready after late-season shoulder surgery? Will 21-year-old Colby Rasmus be able to make the jump from Double A and play center field? If not, they might have Rick Ankiel there with Ryan Ludwick in right, though if Rasmus, a potential 30-30 guy, comes around, Ankiel could shift to right. I guess we'll watch Troy Glaus in his new setting (I'd rather have Scott Rolen). We will also monitor one of this space's personal favorites, Chris Carpenter, to see how he recuperates from Tommy John surgery. He's due back around the All-Star break; isn't everybody?
Apropos of nothing: Cesar Izturis is a terrific, exciting shortstop. But he's no David Eckstein.
San Diego
The formula has been great pitching and so-so hitting; that will continue. They'll watch the rehabbing Randy Wolf and Mark Prior closely, as both could provide depth to a talented pitching staff. Jim Edmonds has been a walking M*A*S*H unit for a few years, so we'll see if he stays upright as Mike Cameron's replacement in center. Tad Iguchi should be an improvement at second base over Marcus Giles. GM Kevin Towers might have to find another bullpen arm to replace Doug Brocail, who was one tough cookie. Towers might have to bring in another hitter if Scott Hairston doesn't emerge as a full-time left fielder.
Apropos of nothing: This is still one of the best $70 million payroll teams you'll see.
San Francisco
Have a few hours? Spring training might be an exercise in how to avoid a 100-loss season. They'll get a boost from the spirited Aaron Rowand in center, but they need Daniel Ortmeier to come up big at first base and Kevin Frandsen at third. Think about it: Bengie Molina might be the cleanup hitter. The saving grace is a decent pitching staff, but the Giants have to get Barry Zito performing like an $18 million-a-year pitcher. GM Brian Sabean might have to pull off a big deal or two to add a hitter like Alex Rios (I doubt it) or a Joe Crede (a definite possibility).
Apropos of nothing: I will miss those cool summer nights at McCovey Cove, watching Barry.
Washington
Basically, there are open auditions for starting pitchers. The Nationals used 13 starters last year, and righties John Patterson and Shaun Hill are coming off surgery. Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes, Paul LoDuca, and Aaron Boone are newcomers who will have to mesh, particularly the troubled Dukes, who will be mentored by Dmitri Young. They have to find offense after finishing last in the NL in runs and homers.
Apropos of nothing: What will be better than watching Wily Mo Peña at a brand-new stadium in D.C. on a nice summer night?
