European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 3, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 22 b the stars and stripes Friday april 3,1992 1992 National league East preview cubs overtake wrong Way bucs by Jim Donaghy a baseball writer the Pittsburgh pirates seem to have caught up with the rest of the National league East a by going in the wrong direction. The other five teams in the division had an average record of 78-84 in 1991, with Only St. Louis above .500 at 84-78. The cardinals finished 14 games behind the pirates. Philadelphia and Chicago were 20 Back and the Mew York mets 2014. Montreal was last 2614 games out. The other teams needed a lot of help to get Back into the Chase and the pirates gave it to them. Gone from the no East champions Are Bobby Bonilla John Smiley and Bill Landrum. Their absence should mean a close race a race the pirates can still win before facing More defections. Even with the loss of Bonilla the pirates were picked by Many to win the division because of a starting rotation headed by Doug Drabek Smiley and Zane Smith. But in another financial move the pirates traded Smiley to Minnesota for two minor league prospects. Smiley a Lethander won 20 games last season and is in the prime of his career. He a also eligible for free Agency after the season. The rest of the division still has plenty of weaknesses so manager Jim Leyland figures to have the pirates in the Hunt. Financially speaking the mets made the biggest noise but they still have pitching and Fielding problems. The cubs cardinals and Phillies All improved a Little and their chances depend on pitching. If Greg Maddux Mike Morgan and Danny Jackson Are healthy the cubs May just emerge As the team to beat in a shaky division. 1. Chicago cubs the thinking a year ago was that if Jackson and reliever Dave Smith had decent seasons the cubs might actually win the division. They did no to and Chicago ended up fourth in the no East at 77-83. Hitting is not the problem. Any lineup that has Ryne Sandberg Mark Grace Andre Dawson and Shawon Dunston has a Chance to do some damage. The cubs traded George Bell away to the White sox for outfielder Sammy Sosa and reliever Ken Patterson. While hurting the clubs Power the cubs added Speed and defense with Sosa. All that hitting last season Wasny to nearly enough to overcome the pitching staffs 4.03 Era the worst in baseball. The collapse of the pitching Cost Don Zimmer his Job in May and forced the cubs to sign Morgan 1410 with a 2.78 Era for los Angeles. With Morgan Maddux 15-11 and a healthy Jackson the cubs have the makings of a solid rotation. To contend however new manager Jim Lefebvre will also need key contributions from either Shawn Boskie or Frank Castillo. The cubs also need a much better performance from Smith As the stopper in the bullpen. He was 0-6 last year with a 6.00 Era and Only 17 saves. The cubs Are potentially shaky at third base and Center Field. Luis Salazer is a decent hitter but erratic fielder at third and Gary Scott remains unproven. Center fielder Jerome Walton slumped to .219 last season. R92 cubs Jan it it my. Ini record 7783, 5th. Pm arrivals Mika Morgan Pitcher Sammy Sosa outfielder. Kan Patterson Pitcher. Kay deeper pm Rick Suhm. Pfc a a Aorta Bat outfielder. Popular Proa pact Gary Scon third Taa Aaman. Outlook Jim la Tobore atari hit ural season a manager of the Cuba Watt 1h talk of putting Toga Star a decant pitching Atit. A 1520 win Aaraon 8cm Morgan la a Muat. Kay stat reaver Dave Smith m tha teat Pitcher in major league a Story to Bee a Many a tax game while pitching Tower than 34 inning. 92 pirates manager Jim Leyland. 1981 record 9�4, 1st Kay arrival Kkt Elba on outfielder Genrty Neagle Pitcher. Kay departure Bobby Bonilla right fielder John Smiley Pitcher Bob Kipper Pitcher bit Landrum Pitcher. Popular Proa pact Muldre Cummings outfielder. Outlook tha pirate flour to Challenge even without Qon Lla because o a starting relation headed by Doug dra Bak Zane Smith and Handy Tomlin and okd Detent. Kay Slat Barry Bond .087 average 6 Lor 82 last Raaon with runner m scoring position in a thinning Elt Pattona the the worst of any no hitter since the statistic War first charted in 1875 by the Ellas sports Bureau. A is 0 Tor 22 tha Iasi two seasons with runner on base in the no pie Oita. Predicted finish 2. Pittsburgh 3. New York 4. St. Louis 5. Philadelphia 6. Montreal 92 cards. Joe tone. 1001 record 84-78, 2nd. Key err Tvete Andres a it ago test Beeman. Key departures Kan Chi Pitcher. Popular a Proa pact Rhem Cormier Pitcher. Of Boole adding Galarraga and moving the tomes in St Busch stadium should help. The cardinals tack a stopper in the rotation and the third and fourth starters could be shaky. Can Lee Smith am 47 games again key Slat Lee Smith entered a game in a no save situation Only once after aug. 3. Can Kirk Gibson reach Back and replace the departed Power of Bobby Bonilla 2. Pittsburgh pirates the pirates will stay in the Hunt because of steady defense Good pitching and Leyland. Sure they be lost a lot but Drabek Smith Randy Tomlin Bob walk and perhaps Denny Neagle from the Smiley Trade will still be formidable. It will be bullpen by committee with Stan Belinda Vicente Palacios and Bob Patterson leading the pack. The pirates acquired outfielder Kirk Gibson to help make up for the toss of Bonilla. The key with Gibson is staying healthy. Leyland also has to worry about Center fielder Andy Van Slykes chronic Back problems. The first base picture is a Little Azy but the rest of the infield is solid with Jose Lind at second Jay Bell at shortstop and Steve Buechele at third. Pittsburgh also is Strong behind the plate with Mike Lavalliere and Don Slaught. The biggest problem with the pirates could be a loss of spirit. Drabek and Bonds Are eligible for free Agency at the end of the season and May be on the move too. 3. New York mets the mets collapsed in almost every area last season and Only avoided a last place finish because they won 14 of 18 games against Montreal. New general manager a1 Harazin promised to shake things up and he kept is word. Harazin a Best move might turn out to be hiring Jeff Torborg As manager. Since Torborg can to hit or pitch however Harazin went out and signed free agents Bonilla Eddie Murray and Willie Randolph. He also acquired two time by Young award Winner Bret Saberhagen from Kansas City along with infielder Bill 92 mets Maneger jell Torborg. 1881 record 77-84, 5th. Key arrival Bobby Bonilla right Holder Eddie Murrey first baseman Randolph second Man bid Pecota infield or Bret Saberhagen Pitcher Paul Gibson Redever do Gallagher outfielder. Kay departures Frank Viola Pitcher Kevin Mcvey not a outfielder Gregg Jefto Rlee inf letter Keith Miller infielder Hubter Brooks inf letter Mark Carreon outfielder. Popular Proa pact Todd Hundley Catcher. Outlook the most important Dwel Ozment Tor the mets Wil be the Progress of Dwight Gooden following shoulder surgery. The defense a big problem last season remains shaky. Kay Stab Howard Johnson became the first new York player to teed the league in homers 38 and Bis 117 since Roger Maria did it Tor the Yankees in 1981. I a amps Pecota for Gregg Jefferies Kevin my Reynolds and Keith Miller. Trading Jefferies has helped the atmosphere in the clubhouse. The Metsy offence is improved but the defense remains very snaky. Howard Johnson is having problems making the unlikely move from third base to Center Field. Bonilla is average at Best in right and Vince Coleman has a weak Arm in left. Murray la and Randolph 2b done to have the same Range they used to and shortstop Kevin Elster has been bothered by a weak shoulder. Pecota and Dave Magadan the first baseman last season will share time at third base. Rookie Catcher Todd Hundley is solid defensively but May have trouble hitting his weight of 185. Charlie of Brien did no to hit his weight 200 last season and Mackey a problem tossing Mound. The addition of Saberhagen wont mean that much if Dwight Gooden shoulder and Sid Fernandez knee done to make it Back from injuries. The mets also need better than 14-14 from David Cone. John Franco 30 saves will need some help from Paul Gibson and Tim Burke to make it to september. The mets have fewer weaknesses than last season but still too Many to be considered favourites. 4. St. Louis cardinals the cardinals big Winner last season was Bryn Smith at 12-9, yet Joe Torre guided St. Louis to an 84-78 record and a second place finish. There a reason to think the cardinals will be even better this year. The fences have been moved in at cavernous Busch memorial stadium and that should make new first baseman Andres Galarraga Happy. Torre is hoping Galarraga will drive in about 100 runs. The Outfield has a different look As Pedro Guerrero moves to left joining Center fielder Ray Lankford 69 Bis and 44 steals As a Rookie and right fielder Felix Jose. Jose acquired in 1990 from Oakland for Willie Mcgee hit .305 with eight homers and 77 Bis. Another pleasant Surprise last season was the play of Todd Zeile at third base. 92 phils Sasser sometimes has the Ball Back to the the former Catcher improved defensively hit .280 and led the team with 11 homers and 81 Bis. With Ozzie Smith at shortstop and Jose Oquendo at second base infield defense is solid. The cardinals could make a serious run if reliever Todd Wor Relland left hander Joe Magrane make it Back from injuries. The bullpen is led by Lee Smith who set an no record with 47 saves. 5. Philadelphia Phillies the Phillies were at least hoping to Start the season healthy. But in the first few weeks of Spring training first baseman Ricky Jordan suffered a broken jaw and John Kruk separated his shoulder. The pitching slowly seems to be improving. Terry Mulholland 16-13 is the Ace of a Young staff that includes Tommy Greene Jose Dejesus Pat Combs Jason Grimsley Kyle Abbott and Alan Ashby. Mitch Williams 30 saves will have some help in the bullpen with the acquisition of Barry Jones who had 13 saves for Montreal. The infield will have a different look with Mickey Morandini or Mariano Duncan at second possibly Rookie Kim Batiste at shortstop and Dave Hollins at third. The spark for the Phillie offence will come from the Outfield of Wes Chamberlain Len Dykstra and Dale Murphy. A healthy Dykstra usually makes the Phillies competitive. He has scored 193 runs in 302 games for the Phillies. 6. Montreal expos at least the expos can play in olympic stadium. Because of structural damage to the stadium Montreal ended up 1991 with a 26-game, 28-Day season ending Road trip. Manager Tom Runnells will have the expos running a lot because there Isnit much Power. Because of the Trade of Galarraga to St. Louis for Pitcher Ken Hill Tim Wallach moves from third to first and Bret Barberie .353 in 57 games moves in at third. Delino Deshields 56 steals at second and Spike Owen at Short Are solid. The Outfield of Ivan Calderon Marquis Grissom and Larry Walker had a composite average of .281,10 Points higher than any other no Outfield. Dennis Martinez leads the starting rotation of Mark Gardner Chris Nabholz and possibly Brian Barnes or Chris Haney. Tomorrow National league West. Jim Fregosi. 1881 record 78-84, 3rd. Key Privato Kyto Abbott Pitcher Ruben Amato jr., outfielder Barry Jones reliever Mariano Duncan infielder Date 9veum, infielder. Kay departure von Hayes first baseman out fielder Bruce Ruffin Pitcher Randy needy infielder Dickie Thon shortstop Darrin Retcher Catcher. Popular Proa pact Andy Ashby Pitcher. Out Toofic the key to the a near chances a keeping Len Dykstra a Efimy. Already thera have been Soma Lnu Ries and it sore arms including aos left hander Terry Muth Fiand. Kay Stab Dykstra has scored 193 nine in 302 games Tor the Phylles. With Dykstra the Phylles were 36-26, a .558 winning percentage. Without him they were 42-58, .420. 92 expos manager Tom Runnels 1881 record 71-90, 8th. Key arrive Gary Carter Catcher Ken he Polchar John wow and Pitcher. Kay Asp Eritrea Andrea Galarraga Tell Bazaman Barry Jons a lever Dave mar twi. Outfielder. Protu Tor Proa pact brat bar tha expos need heathy season from in chars Brian Bamata. Mam Gardner and Chris Nabholz. Tim Wafi Aoh to unhappy about the mows Frem Tho to Teal to give bar Tori a Chance. Tha outland Ofman cats ran Marquis Gria Aon and Larry Walter combined Tor no High average at .281. Key stat Montr Aai to 2861 is. The East Maton and 43-29 against the wad test