National League East & West
By John E. Sacco

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST

Atlanta Braves

Strengths: What else? Pitching and the ability to win.

Weakness: Each year it seems the offense get a little weaker, a little less formidable.

The one to watch: John Smoltz. He is coming off elbow surgery. His healthy return gives the Braves a tremendous starting rotation to go along with a fine bullpen.

Top newcomer: Rico Brogna, 1B

Tough to replace: Andres Galarraga, 1B

Final answer: The pitching is still good enough to win Atlanta another division championship. Beyond that, it's a crapshoot.

Montreal Expos

Strengths: Outfielder Vladimir Guerrero, a talented band of young hitters and Manager Felipe Alou.

Weaknesses: Starting pitching depth and uncertainty in the bullpen.

The one to watch: A healthy Ugueth Urbina, RHP, would make a huge difference for the bullpen.

Top newcomer: Fernando Tatis, 3B

Tough to replace: Dustin Hermanson, RHP

Final answer: The Expos were 42-42 at the All-Star break, before injuries wrecked their season. The 1,450 games missed because of injuries caused a second-half collapse. Not this time. Montreal is going along for a season-long ride into contention.

New York Mets

Strengths: Deep and effective bullpen and solid infield defense.

Weaknesses: Inability to adequately replace Mike Hampton, LHP, lost to free agency, and a questionable outfield.

The one to watch: Kevin Appier, RHP, needs to come up big.

Top newcomer: Appier

Tough to replace: Hampton

Final answer: The Mets made it to the World Series last season. They lost two starting pitchers and a valuable swingman since that time. The outfield has question marks. Don't count them out. But don't count on them to make a post-season return.

Florida Marlins

Strengths: Young and improving with pitching as a base for success.

Weaknesses: Lack of production in terms of scoring runs. The starting pitching was good in 2000, but can it repeat?

The one to watch: Brad Penney, RHP

Top newcomer: Charles Johnson, C

Tough to replace: None

Final answer: The Fish could swim as high as second and make a wild-car run. Johnson should only help the pitching staff get better. Florida has offensive punch but needs more clutch hitting. This team could make noise if all goes right.

Philadelphia Phillies

Strengths: A solid outfield led by Bobby Abreu

Weaknesses: Lack of a closer, middle infielders

The one to watch: Bruce Chen, RHP. His numbers were a lot better than anyone seems to have noticed

Top newcomer: Manager Larry Bowa

Tough to replace: Kent Bottenfield, RHP

Final answer: The Phillies lost 97 games last season and deservedly so. They were wretched at times, particularly the time they went zero-for-33 with runners in scoring position. They've finished fifth three times in the past five years. Make it four times in six years.

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST

San Francisco Giants

Strengths: Manager Dusty Baker and the ability of this team to find ways to win games and to make the playoffs

Weaknesses: No proven adequate replacement for Ellis Burks, who departed via free agency, in the outfield or clubhouse

The one to watch: Armando Rios, OF, is Burks' designated replacement

Top newcomers: Reserves Shawon Dunston and Eric Davis, signed away from St. Louis provide quality depth and try to take over where Burks left off in the clubhouse

Tough to replace: Obviously, Burks

Final answer: Baker didn't have a great division series against the Mets. But re-signing him as manager was key. He is among the best in the game, regardless of what his post-season record shows. Just ask his left fielder Barry Bonds. And speaking of Bonds, he enters the season miffed that the Giants won't discuss a new contract. He's in his walk year. He could go two ways. I think I know which way he's going to go.

Colorado Rockies

Strengths: Offense. Offense. Offense.

Weakness: Coors Field, at least for the pitchers.

The one to watch: Denny Neagle, LHP. If he pitches well, to go along with Mike Hampton, the Rockies will be excessively formidable.

Top newcomer: Hampton

Tough to replace: Jeffrey Hammonds, OF

Final answer: The Rockies' hitters have to do better offensively on the road and the pitchers must do better at home. Once they get all this down, Colorado will be ready to rock. Keep a watch on second baseman Todd Walker. He could have a big year. Todd Helton, 1B, and Jeff Cirillo, 3B, are outstanding. Larry Walker, OF, needs to be healthy. And Juan Pierre, OF, needs a few more extra-base hits.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Strengths: Starting pitching, power offense

Weaknesses: Chemistry

The one to watch: Tom Goodwin, OF, who could add a speedy dimension to the lineup if he can best Devon White in center

Top newcomer: Andy Ashby, P

Tough to replace: Todd Hundley, C

Final answer: On paper, this is a solid team. But there remain questions about the chemistry and make up of the team and a relative unknown at manager in Jim Tracy. Gary Sheffield and Shawn Green, OFs, combined with unheralded Eric Karros, 1B, and Adrian Beltre, 3B, are a strong core of players offensively.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Strengths: Experience

Weaknesses: Too many older players with a penchant for getting injured

The one to watch: Danny Klassen, INF. He needs an opportunity

Top newcomer: Mark Grace, 1B

Tough to replace: Kelly Stinnett, C

Final answer: The Diamondbacks could go either way. They have talented starting pitchers led by Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, a great reliever in Matt Mantei and a veteran lineup. They might have one more run in them and then again, they just might fall completely apart.

San Diego Padres

Strengths: Trevor Hoffman, RHP. One of the best closers in the game. Good production from the corners of the infield

Weaknesses: Lack of a big bat in the outfield and starting pitching depth

The one to watch: Bubba Trammell, OF. He's bounced around but might get a shot with the Padres

Tough to replace: Bret Boone, 2B.

Final answer: San Diego is two years removed from playing in the World Series. The Padres seem a lot further removed from that status right now. It's going to be tough to duplicate the 76 wins of a year ago.