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National League West By Gordon Edes, Globe Staff, 03/29/02
Manager: Dusty Baker (10th season) 2001 finish: 90-72, second  Schedule | Team directory
Manager: Bob Brenly (second season) 2001 finish: 92-70, World Series champions Schedule | Team directory
Manager: Bruce Bochy (eighth season) 2001 finish: 79-83, fourth Schedule | Team directory
Manager: Jim Tracy (second season) 2001 finish: 86-76, third Schedule | Team directory
Manager: Buddy Bell (third season) 2001 finish: 73-89, fifth Schedule | Team directory
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Putting training wheels on Jeff Kent's motorcycle is the one move GM Brian Sabean didn't make to prepare the Giants for what should be a strong run at October. The Giants held onto key free agent Schmidt and locked up Bonds long-term, while adding Bell, Sanders, and Shinjo, and setup man Jay Witasick. Kent will miss a couple of weeks early, Nen was hobbled by a badly sprained ankle, but Giants have a balanced, veteran team surrounding Bonds, who doesn't have to duplicate 73 HRs this season to pay a visit to the postseason.
Johnson and Schilling combined to win 43 games during the regular season last year, then collaborated on the stunning Game 7 win in the World Series over Roger Clemens and the Yankees. For the D-Backs to return, the two can't afford much slippage, which is asking a lot considering the Big Unit turns 39 in September and Schilling turns 36 in November. Free agent veteran Helling should help, but Kim will be watched for any psychological scarring after World Series shelling. Arizona already took two big hits this spring, with 3B Matt Williams out until at least the All-Star break with a fractured leg and 1B Erubiel Durazo out at least a month with a fractured hand.
Most of the excitement in San Diego in the post-Tony Gwynn era surrounds Burroughs, son of former Rangers slugger Jeff Burroughs, whose arrival led to position switches for both Nevin, now at first, and Klesko. now in right. Burroughs, who once starred in the Little League World Series, is just 21 and hit .322 in 104 games for Triple A Portland last season. The Padres will also feature a new DP combination: rookie Vazquez, acquired from the Mariners for C Ben Davis, and Jimenez, who forced Damian Jackson's trade to the Tigers for backup catcher Javier Cardona. Hoffman is a 40-save man in each of the last four seasons.
Dodgertown was a calmer, gentler place this spring with Gary Sheffield up in Disney with the Braves, but minus Sheffield, the Dodger lineup may not be very menacing, either. Green, who hit a club-record 49 HRs last season, won't have Sheffield behind him, and though Jordan is all grit, he doesn't bring the same kind of bat Sheffield had. Nomo, fresh off his comeback season with the Sox, lends stability to a rotation that added a fresh Japanese face, Ishii, but is dependent on Brown and Ashby recovering from elbow surgery. Return to health of Beltre is a big plus.
The constant turnover generated by GM Dan O'Dowd has had an unsettling effect on the Rockies, as even straight-arrow superstar Helton expressed frustration this spring with the ever-changing roster. Hampton and Neagle, who cost the Rockies more than $160 million to sign a year ago, both had 5-plus ERAs in Coors Field and combined to win just 23 games. Rookie righthander Jennings has won a job as the No. 5 starter, but the team is retooling its bullpen depth behind closer Jimenez, who blew just one save on the road last season.