Philadelphia Phillies
 It's hard to believe that this team, which is struggling
to stay out of the National League East cellar, was in the
World Series only four short years ago. I think everyone
will agree that the Phillies are in the middle of a rebuilding
phase.
Their roster combines past stars Lenny Dykstra, Danny
Tartabull, and Darren "dutch" Dalton with utility players
Mickey Morandini, Kevin Stocker, and Gregg Jeffries
(assuming he stays healthy, he can certainly be a threat).
And their starting rotation includes Curt Schilling, one of
the best all around pitchers in the majors, along with Mark
Leiter and Mark Portugal, two crafty veterans to help the
young pitchers learn the ropes.
This team is still a few years from returning to the
playoffs, but Terry Francona has the basis for a strong
team, that can, at worst, make some of the contenders think
twice before moving on to the next city.
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San Francisco Giants
The Giants finished in last place in 1996, for the second season in a row. So,
general manager Brian Sabean decided to make some changes. He shipped
high-priced superstar Matt Williams to Cleveland, acquired pitchers Julian
Tavarez and Joe Roa, traded starter Allen Watson for J.T. Snow and signed Mark
Lewis away from Detroit to fill the void left by Williams at third base.
All the changes made in the off-season left the Giants with a talented young core
of starting pitchers. While journeyman Mark Gardner will lead the rotation with
his years of major league experience, it will be Shawn Estes, and William
VanLandingaham who will produce the exciting starts. Estes is expected to win 20
games this season while VanLandingham has the best "stuff" on the team but had
troubling locating it throughout last season. Tavarez and Jim Poole, a
left-hander acquired from Cleveland around mid-season last year, will serve as
the set-up men. And, Rod Beck, who has increased his strength with the help of
some off-season training, will try to regain his prominence as one of the best
closers in baseball.
Snow, Lewis, Jose Vicaino and Jeff Kent will certainly be a defensively strong
infield. Offensively, there will be some questions, including whether or not
Snow can improve upon his .257 batting average in 1996 and live up to his
potential. And, whether this young team can stay injury free for the first time
in years. Barry Bonds, a consistent 40-40 man who came off of last season
requesting a trade will lead the outfield crew along with, Glenallen hill, who
has never had 500 at-bats in a season due to injury, and Darryl Hamilton, who has
found his swing, and caused pitchers to think twice before pitching to him.
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City by the Bay
