European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 1, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse                              National league team capsules new York 2006 first manager Willie ran Dolph third Hes Here of Moi ses lip Scott rep Ambiorix rep Jorge rep Jon inf Damion a of David be of Ben lip Jason rep Aaron Hes outta Here of Cliff rep Steve rep Chad lip Darren rep Roberto Hernandez inf Chris of Michael Tucker rep Brian rep Victor Zambra projected lineup is Jose Reyes 300 19 81 122 64 so and 17 c Paul Loduca of Carlos Belt ran 127 95 18 in Carlos Delgado 38 David Wright 40 20 of Alou of Green 15 2b Jose Valentin rotation la Tom Glavine 198 re Hernandez re Johni Maine la Oliver Perez to ill kit Aaron Heilman la Pedro Feliciano Adkins hot spot the suspect with Ace Pedro Martinez sidelined until at least mid season following shoulder sur this group is a big Bottom Cine anything Short of a trip to the world series would be a disappoint even if the rotation the mets figure their versatile offence can help make up for the 40yearold Alou appears to be an excellent fit for this line As Long As he stays Wright could move up to the 2 Hole at the Strong bullpen took a hit when Brad Ford but it should be relatively deep age is an Issue and the division looks tougher than last but the mets will Sti irbe difficult to Philadelphia Jayson second manager Charlie Manuel third sea Hes Here rep Freddy rep Adam rep Antonio Al c Rod Bara 3b Wes Finch us rep Gavin lip Aaron is Jmmy 25 83 127 36 of Shane Vic Tonno 2b Chase Utley in Ryan Howard i 3u 149 of Pat Burrell 29 Bara As 51 rotation re Brett Myers 127 3 91 Era 189 la Cole Hamels 98 re Garcia 430 la vers Rah Gordon 34 334 Alfonseca 3 re Ryan Madson 2 re Geoff la Matt re Jon Lieber 91 hot spot the Gordon is 39 and was plagued by shoulder problems late last Alfonseca Hast pitched a full season since Madson has been Bottom line the Phillies finally might have the starting pitching needed to end a playoff but their Bull pen is a concern because they need Gor Don to stay healthy and someone has to step up and be a consistent setup Utley and Howard Lead an offence topped the no in runs Rollins sets the if rotation lives up to its the offence continues to produce and the bullpen Doest break the Phillies should contend for the no East title Atlanta 2006 third manager Bobby Cox 18th season of current 22nd with braves Hes Here lip Mike rep Rafael lip Mike Hampton returns after missing 2006 with 1bof Craig inf Chris rep Tanyon Hes outta Here in Adam 2b Marcus lip Horacio rep Danys rep John rep Chris in Daryle Ward projected lineup 2b Kelly Johnson missed most of 2006 with Elbow is Edgar Renteria 3b Chipper Jones of Andrew Jones 107 c Brian Mccann of Jeff Francoeur 23 132 in Scott Thorman or Wilson of Matt Diaz or Ryan Langerhans re John Smoltz 211 232 re Tim Hud son career worst la Chuck James lip Mark Redman re Lance Cormier or re Kyle Davies or la Mike key relievers re Bob Wickman Gonzalez re Oscar la Macay hot spot the braves traded Young slug Adam Laroche to Pittsburgh for leaving a big swing ing As the starting first Bottom line for the first time since the braves enter the season after failing to make the playoffs the previous Schuerholz responded quickly to a Spring injury to Hampton by acquiring and Strong Springs by Cormier and Davies added to the Confidence that the rotation will be a concern is the right Side of the Flor 1 a 2006 fourth manager fredi Gonzalez first sea Hes Here inf Aaron of Alex rep Matt rep Henry rep Kevin rep Jorge Hes outta Here manager Joe rep Joe in Wes rep Brian lip Jason protected lineup is Hanley Ramirez 17 119 59 2b Dan Uggla 90 of Jeremy Hermida 5 28 3b Miguel Cabrera 114 50 of Josh will Moham 74 in Mike Jacobs c Miguel Olivo of Eric Reed 4for41 or Sanchez in rotation la Dontrelle Willis re Anibal Sanchez la Scott Olsen re Ricky Nolas coi 1111 re Sergio Mitre key relievers la Taylor Tankersley Lindstrom 11 saves in Dou b Owens 20 saves in Dou la Renye re Randy re you Sameiro hot spot Center Field and the the marlins did Little in the of season to upgrade their least productive areas last Bottom line the big change for the marlins is Gonzalez replacing who was fired two Days after Trie season and subsequently chosen no manager of the Girardi was popular with his players but clashed with the front office and owner Jeffrey Gonzalez inherits a team that was baseballs youngest and showed enormous Florida had three of the top four finishers in no Rookie of the year including win Ner and four rookies in the Rota but the marlins will Likely have nos lowest payroll despite big raises for Willis and if the Sophomore Jinx Florida is in serious Washington 2006 fifth manager Manny Acta first Hes Here in Dmitri inf Ronnie Bel in Travis of Chris lip Ray lip Matt rep Jason is rep Jer ome rep Tim Hes outta Here manager Frank Robin of Alfonso 2b Jose Vidro of Jose of Marlon rep Ramon rep Tony armas rep Ryan rep Brian rep Felix Rod lip Joey rep Travis rep Zach projected lineup 2b Felipe Lopez 11 hrs 52 98 44 126 is Cristian Guzman missed 2006 with shoulder 3b Ryan Zimmer Man 47 2bsi of Austin Kearns 86 for reds and nation of Ryan Church 35 or Chris Snellg in 96 Abs for in Dmitri Young 23 for tigers or Travis Lee 31 for Devil c Brian Schneider of Nook Looan rotation re John Patterson 8 re Shawn Hilt 6 Chico at re Jason Bergmann Williams key relievers re Chad Cordero re Jon re Ryan la Ray re Jason Berg la Micah hot spot the with a Little More than a week left before opening Only three starting spots were set Bottom Lane a fourth consecutive Las place finish in the no East for the former Montreal expos would Surprise no this is a team trying to rebuild from the Bottom so there will be Patch work pitching in 07 and a lineup missing the Lone Bright spot the Bulf anchored by Cordero 76 saves the last two Louis 2006 first world series manager Tony la Russa 12th sea Hes Here rep Kip 2b Adam rep Russ rep Ryan cof Eli Hes outta Here rep Jeff rep Jeff rep Jason 2b Ronnie projected lineup is David Eckstein 2 23 of Chris Duncan 22 43 in Albert Pujols 137 3b Scott Rolen 22 95 of Jim Edmonds 19 70 of Juan Encarnacion 19 79 c Yadier Molina 49 2b Kennedy 55 16 rotation re Chris Carpenter 184 Wells re Anthony Reyes re Adam Wain Wright re Braden Looper key relievers re Jason Isringhausen re Brad Thompson la Tyler la Randy re Ryan hot spot pitching Isringhausen hip surgery blew a career High 10 Wainwright moves to a rotation that returns Only Carpenter from opening Day last Bottom line the cardinals offence must come through to compensate for rotations Wainwright is a potential Louis came close to a historic col lapse but picked it up when Edmonds and Eckstein re turned from with better health and the return of the cardinals should make the Cincinnati third manager Jerry Narron second sea Hes Here is Alex rep dus tin rep Kirk lip Mike c Chad in Jeff of Josh lip Bobby Hes outta Here inf Rich c Jason is Royce lip Brandon lip Kent of Todd lip Scott rep Ryan rep Paul projected lineup of Ryan Freel 8 37 2b Brandon Phillips of Ken Griffey of Adam Dunn 3b Edwin Encarnacion in Scott Hatteberg 51 or Conine c David Ross 52 or Javier Valentin is Gonzalez rotation re Aaron Harang 6 216 re Bronson Arroyo la Eric Milton re Kyle Lohse Saarloos key relievers rep David weath rep Gary lip Bill hot spot the Back of the Harang and Arroyo were among the most effective 12 starters in the no last but no one else stood Bottom line the reds should be competitive in the no where a record was enough to keep a team in Contention last they need Milton to finally have a Good Ken Griffey broke his throwing hand in de Cember and missed most of Spring Pittsburgh 2006 fifth place manager Jim Tracy second Hes Here in Adam rep Tony rep Danny inf Jose of Luis heres outta Here lip Mike Gonza of Jeromy 3b Joe rep Victor projected lineup of Chris Duffy 2 26 is Jack Wilson 8 18 2b Freddy Sanchez 85 no batting in Laroche 32 90 of Jason Bay 35 109 of Xavier Nady 63 3b Jose Castillo 65 c Ronny Paulino 55 rotation lip Zach Duke 255 hits rep Ian Snell lip Paul Maholm lip Tom Gorzelanny armas key relievers rep Salomon rep Matt lip Damaso lip John hot spot third Freddy Sanchez will be Leav ing an unsettled situation at Bottom line Tracy must eliminate losing the rotation is one of the majors most promising Snell rarely looked Over matched in his first season in the Laroche rounds out a solid Mike Gonzalezs 24 saves in 24 opportunities departure leaves Torres As the closer with Capps in waiting if he the pirates lineup May be their Best in their pitching staff is but they always seem to find a Way to h o u Sto n 2006 second manager Phil Garner fourth sea Hes Here of Carlos rep Jason rep Woody inf Mark rep Brian rep Rick Hes outta Here lip Andy of Willy rf3b Aubrey rep Russ rep Taylor Buch rep Jason rep Roger Clem projected lineup 2b Craig Biggio 79 of Chris Burke 9 40 58 11 in Lance Berkman 95 of Lee 3b Morgan Ensberg 67 Obj of Jason Lane 45 or Luke Scott is Adam Everett c Brad Ausmus 39 37 r rotation re Roy Oswalt 166 Jennings 142 Williams 72 la Wandy Rodriguez 98 key relievers re Brad Lidge 38 re Chad re Dan la Trever hot spot the pitching after losing Pettitte and with Clemens undecided whether hell pitch for the astros or anyone else this Houston previously Strong rotation could be Bottom line the addition of who signed a Mil six year should add some punch to an Ane Mic the must rebound from a disappointing even with All the the astros certainly could contend in this Milwaukee 2006 fourth manager Ned Yost fifth Hes Here rep Jeff c Johnny inf Craig rep Clau Dio rep Greg Hes outta Here 3b David lip Doug rep Tomo lip Dana projected lineup 2b Rickie weeks 19 is Hardy 18 Prince fielder of Bill Hall 101 162 c Johnny Estrada of Corey Hart of Geoff Jenkins 70 or Kevin Mench 3b Craig Counsell 30 or Tony Graf Fanino rotation re Ben sheets 116 la Chris Capuano Suppan re Dave Bush Vargas key relievers re Francisco Cordero re Derrick Turnbow 49 re Matt re Jose la Brian hot spot third Graffagnino and Counsell will Pla Toon because Corey Koskie is Prospect Ryan Braun is ready but Hurt his Elbow this Bottom line the Brewers were expected to be a feelgood Small Market team in 06 and contend for the no wild injuries derailed those plans for at least a pm Doug Melvin said Success will depend on sheets and the addition of Suppan highlights a payroll that continues to if Turnbow can overcome his the brew ers might have one of the strongest bullpen in the Chicago 2006 sixth manager Lou Piniella first Hes Here of Alfonso 2b Mark lip Ted rep Jason lip Neal of1b Cliff in Daryle inf Tomas Hes outta Here manager Dusty of Juan in John projected lineup of Soriano 95 41 is Cesar Isturis 18 in Derrek Lee 8 30 3b Aramis Ramirez 38 119 of Jacque Jones 27 81 c Michael Barrett 16 53 of Matt Murton 62 28 Mark Derosa 13 74 rotation re Carlos Zambrano Lilly Marquis la Rich Hill re Wade Miller key relievers re Ryan Dempster 24 re Bob la Scott re Kerry la Neal re Angel la will hot spot Outfield Soriano is switching from left to Center and Murton and Jones Are average at Bottom line the Days of counting on Wood and prior Are Wood is ticketed for the bullpen and prior was sent to the the cubs went on a shopping spree in the Well find out if its Money Well Sori Ano certainly adds pop to the but can he play Cen Ter with a healthy a resigned Ramirez and the cubs should have no problem scoring and with Finielia now on the the cubs Are thinking West san Diego first manager Bud Black first Hes Here rep Greg mad 2b Marcus 3b Kevin of Jose Cruz lip Royce rep Heath Hes outta Here manager Bruce c Mike 28 Josh of Dave in Ryan rep Woody rep Chan to of Ben rep Jon and inf Mark projected lineup 2b Giles 11 60 of Brian Giles 104 in Adrian Gonzalez 113 c Josh Bard 9 of Mike Cameron 25 is Khalil Greene 3b Kouzmanoff of Terr Mel Sledge rotation re Jake re Chris Young re Clay Hensley Maddux la David Wells key relievers re Trevor Hoffman re Scott re Clarh Doug re Mike Thomp re Kevin hot spot the the padres under mined their pitching staff by hitting just in losing to the eventual cardinals in the Bottom line after losing in the the padres made it Clear they  offer Bochy an Extension beyond so he left for san he was replaced by san Francisco 2006 third manager Bruce Bochy first Hes Here lip Barry c Bengie of Dave inf Rich in Ryan rep Russ Hes outta Here manager Felipe rep Jason of Moises of Steve c Mike Maib Shea lip Mike rep Jamey rep Tim projected lineup of Roberts 49 13 is Omar Vazquel 24 10 4 Gold of Barry Bonds 2b Ray Durham 3b Pedro Feliz in aurilia c Molina of Randy Winn rotation la Barry Zito re Matt Cain re Matt Morris la Noah Lowry Ortiz key relievers re Armando Benitez re Brian la Steve re Kevin hot spot the giants tried to Trade injun a plagued Benitez but his Balky Knees and million salary made that Bottom line Bonds will be the focal Point due to his Chase of Aarons record and the criminal investigation surrounding the problem for the giants is they dont have a lot of Nelp for him in the Bochy won the past two division titles in san but will have a hard time pull ing off a three peat with the aging los Angeles 2006 second wild manager Grady Little Sec Ond Hes Here rep Jason lip Randy c Mike of Luis of Juan Hes outta Here rep Eric rep Greg rep Aaron c Toby inf Julio inf Bill of Drew of Kenny of Jayson projected lineup is Rafael Furcal 15 63 113 37 of Pierre 58 in Nomar Garcia Parra 2b Jeff Kent of Luis Gonzalez c Russell Martin 3b Wilson be Emit of Andre Ethier rotation re Derek Lowe Wolf Schmidt re Brad Penny re Brett Tomko key relievers re Takashi Saito re Jonathan la Joe be re Chad re Elmer hot spot right Ethier had terrific Rookie season until when he Bottom line with Good a solid Bull pen and a set the dodgers look like the team to beat in the West it they can stay that not a sure since Kent and Gonzalez Are both 39 and Garciaporras had health with the additions of Pierre and Mike Lieberthal team chemistry appears Arizona 2006 tied for fourth manager Bob Melvin third Hes Here lip Randy lip Doug Hes outta Here of Luis c Johnny is Craig inf Dami on rep Miguel Batis rep Claudio rep Greg rep Luis projected lineup of Chris Young 10 is Stephen Drew 5 of Carlos Quentz 9 in Conor Jackson 3b Chad Tracy of Eric by ones 25 2b Orlando Hudson c Chris Snyder rotation re Brandon Webb la Doug Davis re Livan Hernandez Johnson re Edgar Gonzalez key relievers re Jose Valverde re Tony re Brandon med la Dana hot spot the Valverde enters the year As the after a series of mid season meltdowns eroded his Confidence last Bottom line although they reacquired the 43yearold Johnson from the the diamondbacks have committed to Gong with cheaper Quentin and Drew Are among a group of prize far system products who will be expected to produce right leadership could become an Colorado 2006 tied for fourth manager Clint hurdle sixth Hes Here of Willy rep Rodrigo rep Brian rep la Troy info John rep Danny rep Taylor rep Jason Hes outta Here rep Jason 2b Luis lip Ray rep Chinhui rep Jose projected lineup of Tavarez 33 2b Kaz Matsui 2 19 Bis 3b Garrett Atkins in Todd Helton of Matt Holliday 45 of Brad Hawpe is Troy Tulowitzki c Chris Lannetta r Fuentes la Jeremy la Tom Martin Lawrence missed 2006 re Manny Hotsko Flthe pitching with Jennings theres no established 1 starter line the Rockies Haven had a winning season since 2000 but insist they can win the no West despite trading the Rockies have a Bevy of Young prospects who Are starting to make their Way to the major including Tulowitzki and Lannetta