Pittsburgh Pirates
 The Pittsburgh Pirates haven't
recovered from the firesale their ownership
started in 1993. Like many smaller market teams, the Bucs were forced to reduce
their payroll to find a buyer for the team, and the results are still being felt.
With the departure of Manager Jim Leyland to Florida, and the laundry list of
free agents who fled to greener pastures, the Pirates are but a shell of their
former pennant chasing selves.
The lack of talent is noticeable in
the Bucs starting pitching. Unlike previous
years, the Pirates don't have a dependable starter to build a rotation around.
Jason Schmidt, the hard-throwing prospect acquired from the Braves in the Denny
Neagle deal will be the number one starter and Jon Lieber, a once-perennial minor
leaguer, should work with him nicely. Manager Gene Lamont does have a strong
young bullpen, including John Ericks and Jeff Granger (both former #1 draft
picks) who should be effective in closing out games.
Al Martin and Kevin Elster, who was
picked up during the offseason to play
shortstop, account for most of the Pirate's power this season. And young
prospect Jermaine Allensworth should anchor a strong defensive outfield. But,
the rest of the roster is mainly utility players, none of which distinguishes
themselves offensively or defensively.
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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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Big Apple
