The St. Louis Cardinals are coming off a strong 2000 campaign which saw them capture the NL central crown and if Spring Training is any indication, the Cardinals' fans should expect to see much of the same success this season.
But, despite the team's decent 14-11 record, injuries to big men Bobby Bonilla and Mark McGwire could hurt the Cardinals. Bonilla strained his left hamstring on Saturday and McGwire is still recovering from off-season knee surgery, but both men hope to be ready by opening day.
After picking up Ken Griffey Jr. two off-seasons ago in one of the more memorable trades in baseball history, the Cincinnati Reds were thinking postseason in 2000. Unfortunately, Griffey and the Reds got off to slow starts, and the Reds were among the biggest disappointments in Major League Baseball. The team's poor play cost Jack McKeon his managerial job. With a weak pitching staff and injury riddled offense, don't expect much from the Reds. Still, any team with Ken Griffey Jr. cannot be ignored.
The Milwaukee Brewers, who had a below .500 season last year, are hoping for a change in fortunes as they move into the new Miller Park. The trio of Jeremy Burnitz, Geoff Jenkins, and Richie Sexson could hold the key for the Brew Crew. The Brewers have signed both Geoff Jenkins and Richie Sexson to four-year contracts. The 26-year-old duo combined for 64 home runs and 185 RBI last season.
After struggling in its first season at Enron Field the Houston Astros hope to bounce back this year. Slugger Jeff Bagwell has signed a long-term contract and Craig Biggio is healthy after being injured for much of last season. Even more important could be the fact that the walls of Enron have been moved back, which should help the much maligned Astros pitching staff and especially Jose Lima who saw his win total drop from 21 in 1999 to a mere seven in 2000.
The Pittsburgh Pirates must adapt to both a new manager Lloyd McClendon and new stadium PNC Park. Young stars Jason Kendall and Brian Giles provide all around talent, but the young pitching staff featuring Kris Benson and Jason Schmidt could be the Pirates true trump cards. This could be the year that the Pirates return to their early '90s form when they won three straight division titles.
The Chicago Cubs locked up Sammy Sosa for the next four years and made an assortment of off-season moves including signing catcher Todd Hundley and closer Tom Gordon. After years of being the Red Sox of the National League, this could finally be the year the Cubs turn things around. Kerry Wood, two years removed from Tommy John surgery, will need to play a key role if the Cubbies are to make a run.
Things we have no clue about:
Who will play short for the 'Stros? Houston Astros will have their eighth Opening Day shortstop in 12 years. The team is torn between veteran Jose Vizcaino and Julio Lugo. Vizcaino is defense oriented, while Lugo is inexperienced and erratic in the field. He has an offensive upside that Vizcaino lacks though: speed and some power at the plate.Who's going to replace Tatis at third? While the Cardinals finish up the spring, there is still one significant question that has yet to be answered. Who will be the starting third baseman for the squad? Right now the front-runners are Placido Polanco and Craig Paquette. With his spring performance so far, the right-handed hitting Polanco has the upper hand. Polanco, the 25-year-old utility infielder, led St. Louis with a .342 average with runners in scoring position last year and batted .313 as a starter. Paquette, a .239 lifetime hitter, is posting an unspectacular .277 average this Spring.
What effect will the "New Green Monster" have on the Reds? The Green Monster, one of Baseball's greatest landmarks, may not be the most feared wall in the majors anymore. Major League Baseball told the Cincinnati Reds on March 22 that their new center-field wall will have to be 40 feet tall (3 feet taller than the Green Monster). The outfield stands have been removed and the outfield wall has been moved closer to the plate and built up. The team had planned on a 32-foot wall in straightaway center, only 393 feet from home. Baseball officials visited the stadium Tuesday and required that the Reds install a 40-foot backdrop so hitters can see the ball better.
How badly is Griffey hurting? Ken Griffey Jr. had to be helped off the field Monday after he pulled his hamstring while rounding third base and was bothered earlier this Spring by a sore left hamstring. Griffey stumbled as he rounded third and hobbled halfway to home before falling to the ground. Trainers, teammates and manager Bob Boone came out of the dugout and surrounded him while he rolled on his back in pain.
Young guns to be tested
Adam Everett. The Astros shortstop prospect will only see minimal playing time unless someone gets hurt. He was the key player Houston received in the trade for Carl Everett before last season. The emergence of Julio Lugo as the Astros' shortstop last season slowed Adam Everett's rise. He had a nondescript triple-A year in 2000 and his strikeout totals remain too high for a guy who's not a power hitter.Lou Lucca. The Cardinals are giving him a shot this Spring, but will he make the squad? Lucca, 30, is a candidate to sneak onto the major league roster after five seasons of triple-A experience. His primary position is third base, where St. Louis is in a transition between traded Fernando Tatis and Albert Pujols. But Lucca can play pretty much anywhere. Will this utility infielder make the cut or spend another year riding the minor league busses?
Old legs to be re-tested
Mike Greenwell. The 37-year-old retiree from the Boston Red Sox is attempting to make a comeback. Greenwell, who retired in 1996 with a .303 career average, is hoping to play in the Cincinnati organization. At this time, he is signed as the club's minor league batting instructor. "I looked around, evaluated the situation here and decided to go for it," Greenwell said. "I know it's a long shot."
