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TRUMP CARDS
- Aces of diamonds- Pedro Martinez - Bob Gibson - Walter Johnson - Rick Ankiel - Aces discuss aces - Red Sox aces - Former aces
MORE STORIES
- Channel 25 at bat- Sold on pitchmen
ANALYSIS
- AL East- AL Central - AL West - NL East - NL Central - NL West
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The Braves never doubted their capacity to survive John Rocker's foot-in-mouth disease; their clubhouse presence, 1B Andres Galarraga, endured much worse last season when he faced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. But the elbow injury to RHP John Smoltz makes the Braves as vulnerable as they've been in years. GM John Schuerholz, retooling an offense that ranked just seventh in runs, imported top-of-the-order speed from San Diego in Quilvio Veras and the swift Reggie Sanders. C Javy Lopez's knee is OK again, and Galarraga swung this spring as if he'd never been away. But the constant for the Braves has been starting pitching, and with Smoltz out for the season and Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux showing signs of slippage, a major burden will be shouldered by emerging ace Kevin Millwood. But no Smoltz come autumn That could translate to no Braves in October.
Valentine's day this year should come in October, if the Mets live up to their advance notices. Last year's wild-card entry now boasts a legitimate ace in lefty Mike Hampton, a 22-game winner for the Astros last season. He'll will combine with Al Leiter to give the Mets two formidable lefties at the top of the rotation, and Rick Reed is solid in the No. 3 hole. The Mets will miss John Olerud, though his departure was softened by the addition of Todd Zeile, a first baseman-in-training. Mike Piazza is an MVP threat with a bat in his hands, merely serviceable behind the plate. The infield defense was ranked in the best-ever category last season, but Zeile won't save as many throws as Olerud did. 2B Edgardo Alfonzo may be the best player no one ever talks about.
This may be the year the Expos prove that they didn't come away with nothing when they traded Pedro Martinez back to Dan Duquette. Carl Pavano is healthy and has had a terrific spring, as has the rest of the Expos staff. Tony Armas Jr., the other pitcher the Expos received from the Sox in the Martinez deal, but was is rated the Expos' top prospect. Dustin Hermanson was a 14-game loser last season but finished strong and can yield the No. 1 slot to Hideki Irabu, who was the biggest buy in what ranks by Expos standards as a monster shopping spree by new owner Jeff Loria, who also made significant investments in LHP Graeme Lloyd and 1B Lee Stevens. Vladimir Guerrero has shown Griffeyesque potential, and closer Ugueth Urbina also has dominator ability. Now if the error-prone Expos could only catch the ball once in a while.
How the Phillies fare in April, when they will be without ace Curt Schilling (shoulder), may tell a lot about where they'll wind up in October. Their first nine games - and 15 of their first 23 - are against 1999 playoff teams. If they can hold their own until Schilling returns (perhaps as early as the end of the month), they could be one of the division's more intriguing teams. GM Ed Wade added a quality starter from San Diego in Andy Ashby, and a big-time closer in Mike Jackson, whose elbow problems scared off other clubs. The Phillies are strong at the corners in 3B Scott Rolen and 1B Rico Brogna, behind the plate with Mike Lieberthal, and in the outfield with Bobby Abreu and Doug Glanville. But the double play combination of Desi Relaford and Marlon Anderson is suspect. LF Ron Gant is holding the spot for top prspect Pat Burrell.
There are few things as uncertain as the care and
nurturing of young pitchers. The Marlins, after deconstructing their '97 title team, have stockpiled a bunch of them, the latest being Josh Beckett, the Texas teenager drafted last June who wowed everybody during a cameo appearance in big
league camp. If the kids develop as planned, new club president (and still GM) Dave Dombrowski will have a contending team inside of three years. But setbacks are unavoidable, like the torn thumb ligament that will sideline A.J. Burnett
for much of the season. Righthander Brad Penny, who came from Arizona in the Matt Mantei deal, is a 95 m.p.h. fireballer who is not afraid to pick up tips
from his girlfriend's father, Hall of Famer Warren Spahn. OF Cliff Floyd is in prime shape, and OF Preston Wilson was a surprise Rookie of the Year finalist
last season.