A team-by-team look at the National League entering spring training, including players each club acquired and lost, and
reporting dates for pitchers and catchers, and full squads:
East
Atlanta Braves

Manager: Bobby Cox (13th season).
2001: 88-74, 1st place, lost NLCS.
Training Town: Kissimmee, Fla.
Park: Disney Wide World of Sports Stadium.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 14/Feb. 19.
He's Here: OF Gary Sheffield, 3B Vinny Castilla, RHP Albie
Lopez, RHP Darren Holmes, LHP Rich Rodriguez.
He's Outta Here: OF Brian Jordan, RHP John Burkett, RHP Steve
Karsay, LHP Odalis Perez,SS Rey Sanchez, OF Bernard Gilkey.
Spring Chicken: Wilson Betemit. The latest in a long line of
talented Dominican shortstops. Has excelled at every level on his
way up the minors, hitting .355 in 47 games as a 19-year-old at
Double-A last season. Has a strong arm and good range, but could
move to third base eventually with Rafael Furcal at shortstop in
Atlanta.
Outlook: After watching the Mets make addition after addition
this offseason, GM John Schuerholz didn't sit still, adding
Sheffield's big bat to a lineup that struggled to score last
season. Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine still provide a formidable 1-2
punch at the top of the rotation and John Smoltz excelled in his
new role as closer last year. Braves need Kevin Millwood to rebound
to his 1999 form or get big contribution from Jason Marquis in the
rotation.
Florida Marlins

Manager: Jeff Torborg (2nd season, first with Marlins).
2001: 76-86, 4th place.
Training Town: Viera, Fla.
Park: Space Coast Stadium.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 15/Feb. 19.
He's Here: LHP Nate Teut.
He's Outta Here: LHP Jesus Sanchez, RHP Juan Acevedo, OF Jeff
Abbott.
Spring Chicken: Josh Beckett. The best pitching prospect in
baseball didn't disappoint in a brief September callup, going 2-2
with a 1.50 ERA in four starts. Hard-throwing righty was 14-1 with
1.54 ERA and 203 strikeouts and 34 walks in 140 innings in Class A and
Double-A. Has outstanding curveball and good changeup to go with
his overpowering fastball. The big question, as with most young
pitchers, is staying healthy. If he does, there's no limit to what
he can accomplish.
Outlook: Team didn't make many moves this offseason because of
pending sale to Expos owner Jeffrey Loria, who brings Torborg
and GM Larry Beinfest with him to Florida. There still is a load of
young talent, headed by starters Beckett, Brad Penny, A.J. Burnett
and Ryan Dempster. If Loria and Torborg can bring stability to the
team, Marlins could compete soon.
Montreal Expos

Manager: Frank Robinson (1st season).
2001: 68-94, 5th place.
Training Town: Jupiter, Fla.
Park: Roger Dean Stadium.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 15/Feb. 19.
He's Here: None.
He's Outta Here: RHP Mike Thurman.
Spring Chicken: Brandon Phillips. Played very well at shortstop
after being called up to Double-A last season, hitting .298 with
seven homers and 19 doubles in 67 games. But he might never make it
to Montreal. Phillips needs a little more seasoning and might not
be ready for the majors until after the Expos are eliminated or
moved to Washington.
Outlook: Probably the team's final year in Montreal, if not
existence. Survived contraction attempts this offseason, but has
been sold to the other 29 teams and will be operated by someone appointed
by the commissioner's office. That makes any player moves
difficult. There's still some talent left, headed by Vladimir
Guerrero and Javier Vazquez, but getting the players to perform
cohesively for a lame-duck team will be difficult task for
Robinson.
New York Mets

Manager: Bobby Valentine (7th season).
2001: 82-80, 3rd place.
Training Town: Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Park: St. Lucie County Stadium.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 15/Feb. 20.
He's Here: 2B Roberto Alomar, 1B Mo Vaughn, OF Jeromy Burnitz,
RHP Pedro Astacio, LHP Shawn Estes, RHP Jeff D'Amico, OF Roger
Cedeno, RHP David Weathers, LHP Mark Guthrie, OF Gary Matthews Jr.,
INF Lou Collier, OF Mark Sweeney, INF John Valentin.
He's Outta Here: 3B Robin Ventura, 1B Todd Zeile, RHP Kevin
Appier, OF Matt Lawton, LHP Glendon Rusch, OF Benny Agbayani, RHP
Jerrod Riggan, OF Tsuyoshi Shinjo, INF Desi Relaford, INF Lenny
Harris, RHP Rick White, LHP C.J. Nitkowski.
Spring Chicken: Aaron Heilman. The former Notre Dame validated
his first-round selection in last year's draft, posting a 2.35 ERA
in seven starts in Class-A. Has a good sinker and slider and could
make it to the majors by the end of the season.
Outlook: After going to the World Series in 2000, the Mets went
82-80 last year, finishing with the fewest runs in the majors. They
were second-to-last in the NL in both average and homers. GM Steve
Phillips overhauled the offense, making it the team's strength.
Injury questions surround newcomers Vaughn, Astacio, Estes and
D'Amico. If the rotation stays healthy, the Mets could end
Atlanta's reign in the NL East.
Philadelphia Phillies

Manager: Larry Bowa (2nd season).
2001: 86-76, 2nd place.
Training Town: Clearwater, Fla.
Park: Jack Russell Stadium.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 15/Feb. 20.
He's Here: RHP Terry Adams, OF Ricky Ledee, OF John Mabry, RHP
John Wasdin.
He's Outta Here: LHP Omar Daal, RHP Chris Brock, LHP Dennis
Cook.
Spring Chicken: Marlon Byrd. Won the MVP of the Eastern League
last season. Is one of the best all-around players in the minors.
Hit .316 with 28 homers and 32 steals in Double-A last season.
Could join Bobby Abreu and Pat Burrell in Phillies outfield in
years to come.
Outlook: After being a surprise contender until the final week
last season, Phillies sat by and watched as rivals Atlanta and the
Mets made major offseason additions. Big question this year for the
Phillies is whether they keep third baseman Scott Rolen or trade him before
he's eligible to leave as a free agent after the season.
Central
Chicago Cubs

Manager: Don Baylor (3rd season).
2001: 88-74, 3rd place.
Training Town: Mesa, Ariz.
Park: HoHoKam Park.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 15/Feb. 20.
He's Here: OF Moises Alou, SS Alex Gonzalez, INF Chris Stynes,
OF Darren Lewis, RHP Alan Benes, LHP Jesus Sanchez, RHP Pat
Mahomes.
He's Outta Here: 2B Eric Young, RHP Kevin Tapani, RHP Todd Van
Poppel, OF Matt Stairs, INF Ron Coomer, LHP Felix Heredia, OF
Michael Tucker.
Spring Chicken: Mark Prior. Considered by some to be the best
college pitcher ever. Prior was the No. 2 overall pick in the draft and
could skip the minors all together, although he'll probably get a
month or two in the minors before joining the Cubs. Has a 97 mph
fastball and outstanding curve. Went 15-1 with a 1.69 ERA and
202/18 strikeout-to-walk ratio at the University of Southern California.
Outlook: A full season of Fred McGriff and the addition of Alou
will give needed support in the lineup to Sammy Sosa and help the
Cubs contend for their first division title since 1989. Cubs have
talented prospects behind Prior, including pitcher Juan Cruz, first baseman
Hee Seop Choi and second baseman Bobby Hill. All could contribute in Wrigley
Field soon. Jon Lieber, a 20-game winner last year, leads the
rotation going into the season, but Kerry Wood and Prior will soon
be the aces.
Cincinnati Reds

Manager: Bob Boone (2nd season).
2001: 66-96, 5th place.
Training Town: Sarasota, Fla.
Park: Ed Smith Stadium.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 15/Feb. 21.
He's Here: OF Juan Encarnacion, RHP Jimmy Haynes, LHP Brian
Bohanon, RHP Gabe White, RHP Jose Silva.
He's Outta Here: OF Dmitri Young, 2B Pokey Reese, OF Ruben
Rivera, RHP Pete Harnisch, LHP Dennys Reyes.
Spring Chicken: Austin Kearns. Should join last year's phenom
Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. in the Reds starting outfield soon.
Struggled last season because of a torn thumb ligament, but played
well in the Arizona Fall League. Has excellent power and is a good
fielder.
Outlook: Griffey trade has yet to pay dividends for the Reds.
Griffey had only 364 at-bats last year as was slowed by a torn
hamstring. Injuries were a recurring theme for the Reds, who also
lost shortstop Barry Larkin, reliever Scott Williamson (elbow) and starter
Pete Harnisch (elbow). Dunn showed amazing power after being called
up from the minors with 19 homers in 244 at-bats. A healthy lineup
should be productive, but a rotation headed by Elmer Dessens is
lacking.
Houston Astros

Manager: Jimy Williams (1st season).
2001: 93-69, 1st place.
Training Town: Kissimmee, Fla.
Park: Osceola County Stadium.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 14/Feb. 19.
He's Here: OF Brian L. Hunter, C Gregg Zaun, RHP Terry Mathews,
LHP C.J. Nitkowski.
He's Outta Here: OF Moises Alou, RHP Pedro Astacio, 3B Vinny
Castilla, RHP Mike Williams, RHP Mike Jackson, RHP Kent
Bottenfield.
Spring Chicken: Carlos Hernandez. Had outstanding season last
year, going 12-3 in Double-A and 1-0 with a 1.02 ERA in three
starts for Houston before injuring his left shoulder on a headfirst
slide. Assuming his left arm is OK, Hernandez might start the
season in the Astros' rotation. His best pitch is his curveball.
Outlook: Bounced back from 90-loss season to win fourth division
title in five years. Houston still looking for first postseason
series win, which cost manager Larry Dierker his job. Jimy Williams
is taking over a talented team. Formidable lineup with Killer Bs
Jeff Bagwell, Lance Berkman and Craig Biggio. Astros also have one
of the best young pitching duos with Roy Oswalt and Wade Miller,
who combined to go 30-11 last year. Daryle Ward will replace Alou
in left field.
Milwaukee Brewers

Manager: Davey Lopes (3rd season).
2001: 68-94, 4th place.
Training Town: Maryvale, Ariz.
Park: Maryvale Baseball Park.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 14/Feb. 19.
He's Here: LHP Glendon Rusch, OF Alex Ochoa, 2B Eric Young, OF
Matt Stairs, LHP Takaki Nomura, INF Lenny Harris.
He's Outta Here: OF Jeromy Burnitz, RHP Jeff D'Amico, OF Devon
White, RHP Jimmy Haynes, RHP Mark Leiter, INF Lou Collier, OF Mark
Sweeney, OF James Mouton.
Spring Chicken: Nick Neugebauer. Made it to the majors in
September, but successful season was dampened by an injuring to his
throwing shoulder. If he's recovered, his 95-mph fastball should be
in the Brewers' rotation alongside Ben Sheets. Neugebauer still can
have control problems, walking 67 batters in 137 innings last year.
Outlook: The first season at Miller Park was a success at the
gate, but not on the field. The Brewers became the first team to
finish a season with more strikeouts -- an all-time record 1,399 --
than hits -- 1,378. GM Dean Taylor dumped the free-swinging Burnitz
as he tried to add more speed and contact to the lineup. Milwaukee is
counting on the Sheets of the first three months (10-4, 3.35 ERA
and All-Star berth) instead of the rest of the season (1-6, 7.06
ERA and injured rotator cuff).
Pittsburgh Pirates

Manager: Lloyd McClendon (2nd season).
2001: 62-100, 6th place.
Training Town: Bradenton, Fla.
Park: McKechnie Field.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 14/Feb. 19.
He's Here: 2B Pokey Reese, RHP Mike Williams, RHP Kip Wells, RHP
Sean Lowe, RHP Wayne Gomes, RHP Brian Boehringer.
He's Outta Here: RHP Todd Ritchie, RHP Jose Silva, OF Gary
Matthews Jr., RHP Francisco Cordova.
Spring Chicken: J.R. House. A star prep quarterback, House
decided last year to concentrate on baseball full time. Hits for
power and average and has a good presence behind the plate. With
Jason Kendall catching in the majors, House has time to develop
before getting to the big leagues.
Outlook: Haven't had a winning season since Barry Bonds left for
San Francisco following the 1992 season. This doesn't figure to be
the year to end that streak. Aramis Ramirez and Brian Giles are
threats offensively but much of the rest of the lineup is weak. RHP
Kris Benson is scheduled to return in May from an elbow injury that
cost him all of last season.
St. Louis Cardinals

Manager: Tony La Russa (7th season).
2001: 93-69, wild card, lost NLCS.
Training Town: Jupiter, Fla.
Park: Roger Dean Stadium.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 15/Feb. 19.
He's Here: RHP Jason Isringhausen, 1B Tino Martinez, C Mike
DiFelice.
He's Outta Here: 1B Mark McGwire, RHP Dustin Hermanson, INF
Craig Paquette, RHP Alan Benes, RHP T.J. Mathews.
Spring Chicken: Josh Pearce. Durable pitcher split last season
between Double-A and Triple-A and could contribute in the majors in
2002. In an organization that's had its share of arm problems,
Pearce has remained healthy, not missing a start as a pro. His best
pitch is a sinking fastball.
Outlook: Took World Series champion Arizona to the limit, losing
Game 5 of the Division Series in the bottom of the ninth. The
loss of Big Mac shouldn't slow the Cardinals down as he caused more
questions than answers in his final two injury-plagued seasons.
Rookie of the Year Albert Pujols will have trouble matching his
success, but Isringhausen is an upgrade in the bullpen and Martinez
should be solid at first base. Matt Morris headlines a strong
rotation with Darryl Kile, Woody Williams and Bud Smith. Rick
Ankiel is the wild card after spending most of last season in
rookie ball trying to rediscover his control.
West
Arizona Diamondbacks

Manager: Bob Brenly (2nd season).
2001: 92-70. 1st place, World Series champions.
Training Town: Tucson, Ariz.
Park: Tucson Electric Park.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 14/Feb. 19.
He's Here: RHP Rick Helling, OF Jose Guillen, LHP Mike Myers.
He's Outta Here: OF Reggie Sanders, RHP Albie Lopez, OF Midre
Cummings.
Spring Chicken: Lyle Overbay. Similar to Mark Grace, the player
he might eventually replace in Arizona. Hit .352 in Double-A with
49 doubles, but only 13 homers. Like Grace, Overbay doesn't have the
power most teams look for in a first baseman. Not nearly as adept
in the field as Grace.
Outlook: With aces Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling at the top
of the rotation, there's no reason why the Diamondbacks shouldn't
be in contention again. Helling adds a durable starter in the
middle of the rotation. Bullpen is a question after closer
Byung-Hyun Kim's World Series blowup. Matt Mantei won't be ready to
return from elbow injury until at least May. Sanders will be missed
in aging lineup.
Colorado Rockies

Manager: Buddy Bell (3rd season).
2001: 73-89, 5th place.
Training Town: Tucson, Ariz.
Park: Hi Corbett Field.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 15/Feb. 20.
He's Here: 3B Todd Zeile, RHP Todd Jones, RHP Jose Paniagua, LHP
Dennys Reyes, OF Benny Agbayani, RHP Rick White, C Tony Eusebio, C
Carlos Hernandez, RHP Mike James, LHP Kent Mercker.
He's Outta Here: 3B Jeff Cirillo, OF Jacob Cruz, RHP Jay Powell,
LHP Brian Bohanon, RHP Dan Miceli, RHP Gabe White, OF Alex Ochoa.
Spring Chicken: Jack Cust. The Rockies acquired this slugger for
Myers, a lefty specialist. Cust hit 27 homers and walked 102 times
in Triple-A last season, but his poor defense made him expendable
in Arizona. With Todd Helton at first base, Cust's only chance of
being a regular in Colorado is as an outfielder. If he makes it, he
could put up big numbers in Coors Field. More likely, he'll be sent
to an AL team where he can DH.
Outlook: The high-priced additions of Mike Hampton and Denny
Neagle didn't help the Rockies solve Coors Field last season. Both
struggled in and out of the high altitude. Offense is never the
problem in Colorado with sluggers Todd Helton and Larry Walker. But
Rockies will need better seasons from Hampton and Neagle in order
to compete.
Los Angeles Dodgers

Manager: Jim Tracy (2nd season).
2001: 86-76, 3rd place.
Training Town: Vero Beach, Fla.
Park: Holman Stadium.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 14/Feb. 19.
He's Here: OF Brian Jordan, RHP Hideo Nomo, LHP Omar Daal, RHP
Paul Quantrill, INF Cesar Izturis, OF Dante Bichette, LHP Odalis
Perez, OF Dave Roberts.
He's Outta Here: OF Gary Sheffield, RHP Chan Ho Park, RHP Jeff
Shaw, RHP Terry Adams, RHP James Baldwin, RHP Luke Prokopec.
Spring Chicken: Chin-Feng Chen. The Taiwanese outfielder
recovered from a shoulder injury to hit .290 with 22 homers, 91
RBI and 69 walks last season in Class A and Double-A. Should make
it to the majors at some point this season.
Outlook: Tracy did good job as a rookie manager holding team
together despite Sheffield's trade demands, the firing of GM Kevin
Malone and injuries to the pitching staff. It will be even more
difficult this year without Sheffield's bat, Park and Darren
Dreifort (elbow injury) in the rotation and Shaw in the bullpen.
Dodgers haven't won a postseason game since 1988 and that doesn't
figure to change this season.
San Diego Padres

Manager: Bruce Bochy (8th season).
2001: 79-83, 4th place.
Training Town: Peoria, Ariz.
Park: Peoria Stadium.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 15/Feb. 20.
He's Here: RHP Brett Tomko, SS Ramon Vazquez, C Tom Lampkin, RHP
Steve Reed, OF Ron Gant, LHP Alan Embree, SS Deivi Cruz.
He's Outta Here: OF Tony Gwynn, OF Rickey Henderson, C Ben
Davis, SS Alex Arias, RHP Wascar Serrano.
Spring Chicken: Sean Burroughs. Former Little League star and
son of 1974 AL MVP Jeff Burroughs is ready for the majors as a
21-year-old. Hit .322 at Triple-A last season. Only negative for
Burroughs is he hasn't developed his power yet, with 17 homers in
340 minor-league games. When he does, he could be a star. Padres
think highly enough of him that they plan to move Phil Nevin to
first base and Ryan Klesko to the outfield to make room for
Burroughs at third.
Outlook: Padres are one of baseball's up and coming teams and
could surprise in 2002. Nevin and Klesko make for a dangerous
lineup. San Diego is counting on rookies Burroughs and Vazquez on
the left side of the infield. Prospect pitcher Dennis Tankersley,
acquired from Boston for Ed Sprague in 2000, could also make an
impact this season. Brian Lawrence and Brian Tollberg showed
promise for the rotation last year.
San Francisco Giants

Manager: Dusty Baker (10th season).
2001: 90-72, 2nd place.
Training Town: Scottsdale, Ariz.
Park: Scottsdale Stadium.
Reporting Dates: Feb. 15/Feb. 20.
He's Here: 3B David Bell, OF Reggie Sanders, OF Tsuyoshi Shinjo,
RHP Jay Witasick, RHP Manny Aybar.
He's Outta Here: 1B Andres Galarraga, LHP Shawn Estes, OF John
Vander Wal, OF Eric Davis, RHP Mark Gardner, RHP Wayne Gomes, OF
Dante Powell, RHP Brian Boehringer.
Spring Chicken: Kurt Ainsworth. The former Olympian struggled
early last season with a blister problem and finished with a 5.07 ERA in
Triple-A. He finished the year well and could be ready for the
Giants' rotation this season.
Outlook: Were able to keep Home Run King Barry Bonds in San
Francisco with $90 million, five-year deal without shedding
payroll. Also kept Jason Schmidt, who was successful after
midseason trade with Pittsburgh. Bell and Sanders should be
improvements in the lineup. Rich Aurilia has developed into the
best shortstop in the league. Felix Rodriguez and Robb Nen provide
stellar relief for rotation headed by Russ Ortiz.