New York Mets
 The New York Mets have the worst luck of any team in the majors. They have been
in a perennial state of rebuilding, shuffling young talent in and out of their
lineup since a league worst 103 losses in 1993. And, when they finally compile a
strong pitching staff to lead them through the very tough National League East,
the team loses one pitcher to depression and another with tuberculosis.
Fortunately, Manager Bobby Valentine has a firm grasp of baseball's fundamentals
and knows what repairs can be made on this team.
Valentine has a strong starting rotation to build on including Mark Clark, Pete
Harnsich and Bobby Jones. If Jason Isringhausen can stave of injury, he has the
talent to be an all-star. And, a strong bullpen including Toby Borland, Greg
McMichael and Ricardo Jordan (all acquired during a three-day span in November)
should be able to nail down some key wins in the face of low run support.
As far as offensive production goes, the Mets lack considerable power in their
lineup, even with the addition of John Olerud, and shouldn't be expected to
produce a lot of runs. Young stars Rey Ordonez and Edgardo Alfonzo provide
strong defense but have yet to find their major league swing. And, the Mets are
left to hope that veterans Carlos Baerga and Bernard Gilkey provide the
leadership needed to gel this team into a contender.
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Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers will take the field this season for the first time in
twenty years without Tommy Lasorda at the helm. But, Lasorda left behind a team
full young talent that is not only expected win the National League West, but is
predicted by many to challenge for the World Series title.
The International House of Pitchers, including Ramon Martinez, Hideo Nomo, Ismael
Valdes, Pedro Astacio and Chan Ho Park produced a major league low 3.46 ERA last
season. The ace is Martinez, having gone 44-20 over the past three years, Nomo
is coming off a 16-11 season (including his first no-hitter), and Valdes is 31-19
in his short major league career. The others, including Tom Candiotti, who
hasnšt had a winning season since 1990, will pitch better as a result of the
successes in front of them and round out the starting battery nicely. In the
bullpen, Todd Worrel is the No. 1 man, producing 76 saves over the past two
seasons. He is expected to be set up by a combination of Mark Guthrie, Darren
Dreifort, Scott Radinski and Antonio Osuna.
In the field, the Dodgers add some new veteran talent to a strong young lineup.
Third baseman Todd Zeile hit a career high in homeruns last season and is
expected to fit in nicely with powerful catcher Mike Piazza and first baseman
Eric Karros, who is coming off a record year with 34 homeruns. In the outfield,
Raul Mondesi will join Brett Butler, whose emotional battle with cancer has
inspired the entire Dodgers squad. And, rounding out the roster will be young
talents Chad Fonville, Juan Castro, Jeff Berlinger, and Wilton Guerrero, any of
which could become the next Dodger superstar.
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City of Angels
