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If there was ever a year to predict an end to the Braves' streak of 11 division titles, this is it. They've blown up their vaunted starting rotation, swapping Tom Glavine, Kevin Millwood, and Damian Moss for Hampton, Ortiz, and Byrd. They took away John Smoltz's setup men, including Mike Remlinger, Chris Hammond, and Kerry Ligtenberg, and brought in Ray King and Roberto Hernandez. The Mets (Glavine, Cliff Floyd) and Phillies (Jim Thome, Millwood) made big pickups; the Braves got a backup catcher, Johnny Estrada, in return for Millwood. So go ahead, pick against Cox. But not here.
So is Thome, recipient of a six-year, $85 million contract, the key man in Philly? For an alternate pick, try pitching coach Joe Kerrigan, who worked wonders with a shorthanded Sox pitching staff, has the raw material for an excellent rotation here (anchored by 18-game winner Millwood), but has a shaky bullpen that desperately requires his touch. Jose Mesa, 37 in May, saved 45 games but blew nine and has uncertain help behind him. Thome combines with Abreu and Burrell to provide big-time punch in the middle of the lineup. Phils hope for breakthrough season from rookie CF Byrd.
Their hearts set on Lou Piniella, New York media buried Howe when he was chosen to replace Bobby Valentine. Howe, who won the AL West last season with Oakland, should be encouraged: The last manager to be hooted so loudly when he showed up in New York was Joe Torre. The Mets can't be any worse than they were last season, when they lost a shameful 15 games in a row. Bounce-back years from Vaughn and Alomar, the addition of an ace in Glavine, and a new DP partner for Alomar in Sanchez are all positives. Needing 40-year-old David Cone in the rotation is not
Playing 22 home games in bandbox Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan may guarantee 50 home runs for Guerrero, who had his fifth straight season of 30 HRs and 100 RBIs and will be the subject of intense trade speculation in July. Ex-Sox pitcher Ohka blossomed into a dependable starter, finishing seventh in the league in ERA and pitching at least seven innings in 16 of his 31 starts. Ohka was dealt for Ugie Urbina, who has come and gone in Boston. Two other former Sox prospects, Armas Jr. and Kim, should also impact rotation that now features El Duque, Orlando Hernandez, instead of Bartolo Colon.
Marlins rid themselves of such key elements as Ryan Dempster, Matt Clement, Cliff Floyd, and Kevin Millar last season, hinting at a white-flag sale, then became extremely aggressive in the offseason, their most surprising move the one-year, $10 million contract they gave Rodriguez. In Castillo and Pierre, they have more top-of-the-lineup speed than any team in baseball. Braden Looper seized closer job by saving his last 13 chances last season, but young rotation has not yet lived up to its hype, partly because of injuries (starters spent a combined 169 days on the DL last season).