European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 1, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 46 o stars and stripes sunday april 1 2007 National league team capsules new York 2006 9765 first place manager Willie ran Dolph third Hes Here if Moi ses Alou lip Scott Schoeneweis rep Ambiorix Burgos rep Jorge Sosa rep Jon Adkins inf Damion Easley of David Newhan of Ben Johnson lip Jason Vargas rep Aaron Sele Hes outta Here of Cliff Floyd rep Steve Trachsel rep Chad Bradford lip Darren Oliver rep Roberto Hernandez inf Chris Woodward of Michael Tucker rep Brian Bannister rep Victor Zambra no projected lineup is Jose Reyes 19 hrs 81 Bis 122 runs 64 so and 17 c Paul Loduca of Carlos Belt ran 41 116 127 r 95 by 18 in Carlos Delgado 38 3b David Wright 2b 20 of Alou 22 74 of Green 15 2b Jose Valentin rotation la Tom Glavine 157 Era 198 re Hernandez 1111 re John Maine la Oliver Perez re Mike Pelfrey 21 key relievers la Billy Wagner 32 40 saves 94 is in 72v3 re Aaron Heilman 45 la Pedro Feliciano Schoeneweis Burgos Adkins hot spot the suspect rotation with Ace Pedro Martinez sidelined until at least mid season following shoulder sur Gery this group is a big concern Bottom line anything Short of a trip to the world series would be a disappoint ment even if the rotation falters the mets figure their versatile offence can help up for it the 40yearold Alou appears to be an excellent fit for this line up As Long As he stays healthy Wright could move up to the no 2 Hole at times the Strong bullpen took a hit when Brad Ford left out it should be relatively deep age is an Issue and the division looks tougher than last year but the mets will Stii be difficult to beat Philadelphia 2006 8577 second place manager Charlie Manuel third sea Hes Here rep Freddy Garcia rep Adam Eaton rep Antonio Al Fonseca c Rod Bara Jas 3b Wes Helms Jayson Werth of Karim Garcia Hes outta Here c Mike Lieberthal lip Randy Wolf of David Dellucci of Jeff co nine inf Jose Hernandez rep Gavin Floyd lip Aaron Fultz projected lineup is Jimmy Rollins 25 hrs 83 Bis 127 r 36 of Shane Victorino 6 2b Chase Utley in Ryan Howard 58 149 108 of Pat Burrell 29 3b Helms of Aaron Row and c Barajas rotation re Brett Myers 127 Era 189 la Cole Hamels 98 145 is re Garcia 179 re Eaton 74 la Moyer 1114 key reevers re Tom Gordon Era Alfonseca 01 re Ryan Madson 119 2 re Geoff Geary la Matt Smith re Jon Lieber hot spot the bullpen Gordon is 39 and was plagued by shoulder problems late last season Alfonseca Hast pitched a full season since 2004 Madson has been inconsistent Bottom line the Phillies finally might have the starting pitching needed to end a 14year playoff drought 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 Man Utley and Howard Lead an offence topped the no in runs scored Rollins sets the table f the rotation lives up to its Billing the offence continues to produce and the bullpen Doest break Down the Phillies should contend for the no East title at Lanta 2006 7983 third place manager Bobby Cox 18th season of current tenure 22nd with braves Hes Here lip Mike Gonzalez rep Rafael Soriano lip Mike Hampton returns after missing 2006 with 1bof Craig Wilson inf Chris Woodward rep Tanyon Sturtze Hes outta Here in Adam Laroche 2b Marcus Giles lip Horacio Ramirez rep Danys Baez rep John Thomson rep Chris Reitsma in Daryle Ward projected lineup 2b Keily Johnson missed most of 2006 with Elbow is Edgar Renteria 3b Chipper Jones 324 26 of Andrew Jones 41 129 107 c Brian Mccann of Jeff Francoeur 29 103 23 by 132 in Scott Thorman 5 or Wilson 17 of Matt Diaz or Ryan Langerhans rotation re John Smoltz 169 Era 211 strikeouts 232 re Tim Hud son 1312 career worst Era 21873 la Chuck James lip Mark Redman 1110 re Lance Cormier or re Kyle Davies 37 or la Mike Hampton key relievers re Bob Wickman 16 Era Gonzalez Soriano re Oscar Villarreal la Macay Mcbride hot spot the braves traded Young slug Ger Adam Laroche to Pittsburgh for Gonzalez leaving Thorman a big swing ing Rookie As the starting first baseman Bottom line for the first time since 1991 the braves enter the season after failing to make the playoffs the previous year Schuerholz responded quickly to a Spring injury to Hampton by acquiring Redman and Strong Springs by Cormier and Davies added to the Confidence that the rotation will be Strong a concern is the right Side of the infield Florida 2006 7884 fourth place manager fredi Gonzalez first sea Here inf Aaron Boone of Alex Sanchez rep Matt Lindstrom rep Henry Owens rep Kevin Gregg rep Jorge Julio Hes outta Here manager Joe Girardi rep Joe Borowski in Wes Helms rep Brian Moehler lip Jason Vargas projected lineup is Hanley Ramirez hrs 119r 59 2btan Uggla hrs 90 of Jeremy Hermida 5 hrs 28 3b Miguel Cabrera 26 hrs 114 Bis 50 2b of Josh will Ingham hrs 74 in Mike Jacobs c Miquel Olivo of Eric Reed 4for41 or Sanchez Willis re Anibal Sanchez 103 la Scott Olsen re Ricky Nolas co re Sergio Mitre key relievers la Taylor Tankersley Lindstrom 11 saves in Dou Owens Era 20 saves in Dou 11 Grega la Menyel a map re Randy messenger re you Sameiro Petit Julio hot spot Center Field and the bullpen 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 Girardi who was fired two Days after the season and subsequently chosen no manager of the year Girardi was popular with his players but clashed with the front office and owner Jeffrey Loria Gonzalez inherits a team that was baseballs youngest and showed enormous Promise Florida had three of the top four finishers in no Rookie of the year voting including win Ner Ramirez and four rookies in the Rota Tion but the marlins will Likely have nos lowest payroll again despite big raises for Willis and Cabrera if the Sophomore Jinx hits Florida is in serious trouble Washington 2006 7191 fifth place manager Manny Acta first Hes Here in Dmitri Young inf Ronnie Bel Travis Lee of Chris Snelling lip Ray King lip Matt Chico rep Jason Simontacchi rep Jer ome Williams rep Tim Redding Hes outta Here manager Frank Robin son of Alfonso Soriano 2b Jose Vidro of Jose Guillen of Marlon Byrd rep Ramon Ortiz rep Tony armas rep Ryan Drese rep Brian Lawrence rep Felix Rodriguez lip Joey Eischen rep Travis Hughes rep Zach Day projected lineup 26 Felipe Lopez 11 hrs 52 Bis 98 runs 44 lbs 358 Obj 126 is Cristian Guzman missed 2006 with shoulder 38 Ryan Zimmer Man 20 110 47 of Austin Kearns for reds and nation of Ryan Church or Chris Snelling in 96 Abs for in Dmitri Young for tigers or Travis Lee 31 for Devil c Brian Schneider 4 of Nook Patterson 12 Era 8 re Shawn Hill 13 Chico 92 at re Jason Bergmann Williams 02 key relievers re Chad Cordero 74 re Jon Rauch re Ryan Wagner la Ray King re Jason Berg Mann la Micah Bowie hot spot the rotation with a Little More than a week left before opening Day Only three starting spots were set Bottom line a fourth consecutive Las place finish in the no East for the former Montreal expos would Surprise no one this is a team trying to rebuild from the Bottom up so there will be Patch work pitching in 07 and a lineup missing Soriano the Lone Bright spot the Bulf pen anchored by Cordero 76 saves the last two St Louis 2006 8378 first place world series champions manager Tony la Russa 12th sea Hes Here rep Kip Wells 2b Adam Kennedy rep Russ Springer rep Ryan Franklin cof Eli Marrero Hes outta Here rep Jeff sup pan rep Jeff Weaver rep Jason Marquis 2b Ronnie Belliard projected lineup is David Eckstein or 23 of Chris Duncan 22 or 43 in Albert Pujols or 137 3b Scott Rolen 22 or 95 of Jim Edmonds 19 or 70 of Juan Encarnacion 19 or 79 c Yadier Molina or 49 2b Kennedy or 55 Bis 16 rotation re Chris Carpenter 158 184 Wells 25 re Anthony Reyes 58 re Adam Wain Wright re Braden Looper key relievers re Jason Isringhausen 48 re Brad Thompson 12 la Tyler Johnson Springer la Randy Flores re Ryan Franklin hot spot pitching staff Isringhausen hip surgery blew a career High 10 saves Wainwright moves to a rotation that returns Only Carpenter from opening Day last year Bottom line the cardinals offence must come through to compensate for rotations shortcomings Wainwright is a potential standout St Louis came close to a historic col lapse but picked it up when Edmonds and Eckstein re turned from injuries with better health and the return of Mulder the cardinals should make the postseason Cincinnati third place manager Jerry Narron second sea Hes Here is Alex Gonzalez rep dus tin Hermanson rep Kirk Saarloos lip Mike Stanton c Chad Moeller in Jeff Conine of Josh Hamilton lip Bobby Livingston Hes outta Here inf Rich aurilia c Jason Larue is Royce Clayton lip Brandon Claussen lip Kent Mercker of Todd Hollandsworth lip Scott Schoenweis rep Ryan Franklin rep Paul Wilson projected lineup of Ryan Freel 8 or 37 2b Brandon Phillips 17 of Ken Griffey or 27 of Adam Dunn 40 3b Edwin Encarnacion 15 in Scott Hatteberg 13 51 or Conine 10 c David Ross 21 52 or Javier Valentin is Gonzalez rotation re Aaron Harang 1611 6 cd 216 re Bronson Arroyo 1411 la Eric Milton 88 re Kyle Lohse 35 Saarloos key relievers Hermanson Stanton rep David weath ers rep Gary Majewski lip Bill Bray hot spot the Back of the rotation Harang and Arroyo were among the most effective 12 starters in the no last season but no one else stood out Bottom line the reds should be competitive in the no Central where a 500 record was enough to keep a team in Contention last season they need Milton to finally have a Good season Ken Griffey or broke his throwing hand in de Cember and missed most of Spring training Pittsburgh place manager Jim Tracy second Hes Here in Adam Laroche rep Tony armas rep Danny Kolb inf Jose Hernandez of Luis Matos heres outta Here lip Mike Gonza Lez of Jeromy Burnitz 3b Joe Randa rep Victor Santos projected lineup of Chris Duffy 2 hrs 26 is Jack Wilson hrs 18 2b Freddy Sanchez hrs 85 Bis no batting in Laroche 32 hrs 90 of Jason Bay 35 hrs 109 of Xavier Nady hrs 63 3b Jose Castillo hrs 65 c Ronny Paulino hrs 55 rotation lip Zach Duke 10 15 255 hits rep Ian Snell 1411 lip Paul Maholm 810 lip Tom Gorzelanny armas key relievers rep Salomon Torres rep Matt Capps lip Damaso Marte lip John Graf Aow Kob hot spot third base Freddy Sanchez will be moved Leav ing an unsettled situation at3b Bottom line Tracy must eliminate losing mindset the rotation is one of the majors most promising Snell rarely looked Over matched in his first season in the rotation Laroche rounds out a solid lineup Mike Gonzalezs 24 saves in 24 opportunities departure leaves Torres As the closer with Capps in waiting if he falters the pirates lineup May be their Best in years their pitching staff is promising but they always seem to find a Way to lose Houston second place manager Phil Garner fourth sea Hes Here of Carlos Lee rep Jason Jennings rep Woody Williams inf Mark Loretta rep Brian Moehler rep Rick White Hes outta Here lip Andy Pettitte of Willy Taveras rf3b Aubrey Huff rep Russ Springer rep Taylor Buch Holz rep Jason Fairsh rep Roger Clem ens projected lineup 2b Craig Biggio 21 62 79 of Chris Burke hrs 40 Bis 5s runs 11 in Lance Berkman 315 45 runs 420 of Lee 300 37 3b Morgan Ensberg r 396 of Jason Lane 45 or Luke Scott 10 is Adam c Brad Ausmus rotation re Roy Oswalt Era 166 Jennings 913 142 Williams 125 72 la Wandy Rodriguez key reevers re Brad Lidge 15 38 re Chad quails re Dan Wheeler a Trever Miller hot spot the pitching staff after losing Pettitte and with Clemens undecided whether hell pitch for the astros or anyone else this year Houston previously Strong rotation could be shaky Bottom line the addition of Lee who signed a Mil lion six year contract should add some punch to an Ane Mic offence Lidge the closer must rebound from a disappointing season even with All the upheaval the astros certainly could contend in this division Milwaukee place manager Ned Yost fifth Hes Here rep Jeff Suppan c Johnny Estrada inf Craig counsel rep Clau Dio Vargas rep Greg Aquino Hes outta Here 3b David Bell lip Doug Davis rep Tomo Ohka lip Dana Eveland projected lineup 2b Rickie weeks 1 hrs 19 is Ujj Hardy in Prince fielder 28 of Bill Hall 35 r 162 c Johnny Estrada 302 of Corey Hart of Geoff Jenkins 70 or Kevin Mench 3b Craig Counsell 4 30 or Tony Graffagnino rotation re Ben sheets 67 Era 116 la Chris Capuano 1112 Suppan 127 re Dave Bush Vargas key reevers re Francisco Cordero 31 re Derrick Turnbow 49 re Matt Wise re Jose Capellan la Brian Shouse hot spot third base Graffagnino and Counsell will Pla Toon because Corey Koskie is injured Prospect Ryan Braun is ready but Hurt his Elbow this Spring Bottom line the Brewers were expected to be a feelgood Small Market team in 06 and contend for the no wild card injuries derailed those plans for at least a year pm Doug Melvin said Success will depend on sheets and Hardy the addition of Suppan highlights a payroll that continues to Rise if Turnbow can overcome his woes the brew ers might have one of the strongest bullpen in the no West san Diego Chicago sixth place manager Lou Kimella first Hes Here of Alfonso Soriano 2b Mark Derosa lip Ted Lilly rep Jason Marquis lip Neal Cotts of1b Cliff Floyd in Daryle Ward inf Tomas Perez Hes outta Here manager Dusty Baker of Juan Pierre in John Mabry projected lineup of Soriano hrs 95 Bis 41 is Cesar Isturis or 18 in Derrek Lee hrs 30 3b Aramis Ramirez 38 hrs 119 of Jacque Jones 27 hrs 81 r8ls5 c Michael Barrett 307 16 hrs 53 of Matt Murton hrs 62 2b Mark Derosa hrs 74 rotation re Carlos Zambrano 167 u y 1513 Marquis 1416 la Rich Hill re Wade Miller key relievers re Ryan Dempster 19 Era 24 re Bob Howry la Scott Eyre re Kerry Wood la Neal Cotts re Angel Guzman la will a Hunan hot spot Outfield defense Soriano is switching from left to Center and Murton and Jones Are average at Best Bottom line the Days of counting on Wood and prior Are Over Wood is ticketed for the bullpen and prior was sent to the minors the cubs went on a shopping spree in the of season now Well find out if its Money Well spent Sori Ano certainly adds pop to the lineup but can he play Cen Ter with a healthy Lee a resigned Ramirez and Soriano the cubs should have no problem scoring runs and with Piniella now on the Bench the cubs Are thinking playoffs first place manager Bud Black first Hes Here rep Greg mad Dux 2b Marcus Giles 3b Kevin Kouzmanoff of Jose Cruz lip Royce ring rep Heath Bel Hes outta Here manager Bruce Bochy c Mike Piazza 2b Josh Barfield of Dave Roberts in Ryan Klesko rep Woody Williams rep Chan to Park of Ben Johnson rep Jon Adkins inf Mark Bellhop projected lineup 2b m Giles hrs 60 of Brian Giles 14 83 104 in Adrian Gonzalez 304 24 82 113 c Josh Bard of Mike Cameron 25 is Khali Greene 3b Kouzmanoff of Termel Sledge rotation re Jake Peavy re Chris Young 115 re Clay Hensley Maddux 1514 la David Wells key relievers re Trevor Hoffman 02 re Scott Linebrink re Cla Meredith re Doug Brocail Bell re Mike Thomp son re Kevin Cameron hot spot the offence the padres under mined their pitching staff by hitting just 225 in losing to the eventual cardinals in the playoffs Bottom line after losing in the playoffs the padres made it Clear they  offer Bochy an Extension beyond 2007 so he left for san Francisco he was replaced by Black san Francisco third place manager Bruce Bochy first Hes Here lip Barry Zito c Bengie Molina of Dave Roberts inf Rich aurilia in Ryan Klesko rep Russ Ortiz Hes outta Here manager Felipe Alou rep Jason Schmidt of Moises Alou of Steve Finley c Mike Matheny in Shea Hillenbrand lip Mike Stanton rep Jamey Wright rep Tim Worrell projected lineup of Roberts 44 49 so 13 is Omar Virguel so 10 3b 4 e Gold of Barry Bonds 2b Ray Durham 3b Pedro Feliz u44 22 in aurilia 300 23 c Molina of Randy win rotation la Barry Zito 1610 re Matt Cain 1312 re Matt Morris 1015 la Noah Lowry Ortiz key reevers re Armando Benitez re Brian Wilson la Steve Kline re Kevin Correia hot spot closer the giants tried to Trade injun a plagued Benitez but his Balky Knees and million salary made that difficult Bottom line Bonds will be the focal Point due to his Chase of Aarons record and the criminal investigation surrounding him the problem for the giants is they dont have a lot of help for him in the lineup Bochy won the past two division titles in san Diego but will have a hard time pull ing off a three peat with the aging giants Colorado los Angeles 2006 8874 second place wildcard manager Grady Little Sec Ond Hes Here rep Jason Schmidt lip Randy Wolf c Mike Lieberthal of Luis Gonzalez of Juan Pierre Hes outta Here rep Eric Gagne rep Greg Maddux rep Aaron Sele c Toby Hall inf Julio Lugo inf Bill Mueller of Drew of Kenny Lofton of Jayson Werth protected lineup is Rafael Furcal 300 15 hrs 63 Bis 113 r 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 reevers re Takashi Saito 62 re Jonathan Broxton la Joe be Imel re Chad Billingsley re Elmer Dessens hot spot right Field Ethier had terrific Rookie season until september when he struggled Bottom line with Good rotation a solid Bull pen and a set lineup the dodgers look like the team to beat in the West if they can stay healthy that not a sure thing since Kent and Gonzalez Are both 39 and Garciaporras had health issues with the additions of Schmidt Wolf Gonzalez Pierre and Mike Lieberthal team chemistry appears better Arizona 2006 7686 tied for fourth place manager Bob Melvin third Hes Here lip Randy Johnson lip Doug Davis Hes outta Here of Luis Gonzalez c Johnny Estrada is Craig Counsell inf Dami on Easley rep Miguel Batista rep Claudio Vargas rep Greg Aquino rep Luis Vizcaino projected lineup of Chris Young 10 is Stephen Drew 316 5 of Carlos Quentin hrs in Conor Jackson 15 3b Chad Tracy 20 of Eric by ones 26 79 25 2b Orlando Hudson c Chris Snyder rotation re Brandon Webb 168 la Doug Davis re Livan Hernandez 1313 Johnson 1711 re Edgar Gonzalez key reevers re Jose Valverde 23 re Tony Pena re Brandon med Ders la Dana Eveland hot spot the bullpen Valverde enters the year As the closer after a series of mid season meltdowns eroded his Confidence last season Bottom line although they reacquired the 43yearold Johnson from the Yankees the diamondbacks have committed to going with younger cheaper players Young Quentin and Drew Are among a group of prize far system products who will be expected to produce right away leadership could become an Issue tied for fourth place manager Clint hurdle sixth Hes Here of Willy Taveras rep Rodrigo Lopez rep Brian Lawrence rep la Troy Hawkins info John Mabry rep Danny Graves rep Taylor Buchholz rep Jason Hirsh Hes outta Here rep Jason Jennings 2b Luis Gonzalez lip Ray King rep Chinhui Tsao rep Jose Mesa projected lineup of Tavarez 2b Kaz Matsui 345 2 or 19 3b Garrett Atkins 329 29 in Todd Helton 302 15 of Matt Holliday of Brad Hawpe is Troy Tulowitzki c Chris Lannetta rotation rep Aaron took lip Jeff Francis Lopez Hirsh rep Josh Fogg 119 key reevers la Brian Fuentes 34 Hawkins la Jeremy Affeldt Graves la Tom Martin Lawrence missed 2006 re Manny Corpas Hotshot the bitching staff with Jennings gone theres no established no 1 starter Bottom line the Rockies Haven had a winning season since 2000 but insist they can win the no West despite trading Jennings the Rockies have a Bevy of Young prospects who Are starting to make their Way to the major leagues including Tulowitzki and Lannetta