Cincinnati Reds
 Last season, the Reds experienced
first hand what cutting the payroll meant.
Following the 1995 season, the Reds dispatched David Wells, Ron Gant, Benito
Santiago, Mike Jackson and Mariano Duncan and finished the season out of first
place for the first time since being assigned to the National League's Central
Division.
Now, with a payroll even lower than last season's, Manager Ray Night is charged
with rebuilding this team, while depending on the few shining stars that remain.
The Reds rotation, led by Pete Schourek, the 1995 Cy Young Award runner up, John
Smiley and Dave Burba will give the Reds solid innings throughout the season.
But, with Jose Rijo plagued by injury, the Reds are left without a proven fourth
or fifth starter. Luckily, the bullpen is strong, including Jeff Brantley and
newcomer Stan Belinda.
The tough part will be getting the bullpen a lead late in the game. Cincinnati's
bright spot continues to be Barry Larkin, the 1995 MVP and member of the 30/30
club (first shortstop in history). The Reds infield is strong defensively, but
Hal Morris and Bret Boone have struggled at the plate and third baseman Terry
Pendleton is past his prime. Reggie Sanders and Deion Sanders in the outfield,
assuming they stay injury free, are sure to add flare and speed to the lineup,
but are not enough to bring the Reds back to the promised land.
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Montreal Expos
Felipe Alou remains the leader of the Expos
following an offseason which saw the departure of many of Montreal's most talented
players. Alou, whose .544 winning percentage is second among active major league
managers, is so important to the team, GM Jim Beattie was heard saying "For us,
keeping Felipe Alou is more important than keeping any one player."
That certainly appears to be the case, because the offseason losses of pitcher
Jeff Fassero and Moises Alou have hurt the team considerably. The staring
rotation, now led by young phenom Carlos Perez, includes former Cubs right-hander
Jim Bullinger and two bullpen caliber pitchers in Omar Daal and Rheal Cormier.
To Alou's credit, he is a master at using his bullpen, and young closer Ugueth
Urbina will give him something to work with in the closing moments of a game.
The addition of catcher Chris Widger, a sparkplug from the Seattle Mariners who
came over in the Fassero deal, brings impressive defensive skills but
questionable offensive talent to the roster. Andy Stankewicz, Doug Strange, and
David Segui, fill out the infield defensively but haven't been known for their impressive offensive
production during their careers. The question will be whether or not the Expos outfield, led by Henry Rodriguez,
but racked by injuries will produce enough to make Montreal a contender in their division.
Facing stiff competition from the Atlanta Braves and Florida Marlins,
it doesn't look like the Expose have enough talent to compete, but if anyone can
unseat the division powerhouses, it is the Alou led Expos.
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City of Festivals
