Projected batting order Endy Chavez, CF Jose Vidro, 2B Vladimir Guerrero, RF Jeff Liefer, 1B Brad Wilkerson, LF Michael Barrett, C Fernando Tatis, 3B Orlando Cabrera, SS Rotation Javier Vazquez, RHP Orlando Hernandez, RHP Livan Hernandez, RHP Tony Armas Jr., RHP Tomo Ohka, RHP Bench Brian Schneider, C Jamey Carroll, 3B Wil Cordero, OF Jose Macias, OF Henry Mateo, INF Bullpen Scott Stewart, LHP (CL) T.J. Tucker, RHP Britt Reames, RHP Dan Smith, RHP Joey Eischen, LHP Rocky Biddle, RHP Jim Brower, RHP Complete Expos roster  ESPN's Take Q: Can they be competitive while playing a quarter of their "home" games in Puerto Rico? They may be because of their outstanding starting pitching -- Javier Vazquez, Tony Armas Jr., Orlando Hernandez and the underrated Tomo Ohka are really good -- and their star players. But because they have so little depth, they can't get too tired, or hurt, and that Montreal-Puerto Rico-Seattle-Montreal trip will be a lot of fun. Fortunately, there doesn't seem to be a dominant team in the NL East. -- Peter Gammons The Expos have given a number of different outfielders a chance to lead off the last few years, with nothing working out. Remember Peter Bergeron? Well, Jose Macias now has a shot, and if you ignore last year and check out 2001, when he stole 21 bases and showed a little pop, you see he could have good fantasy value. With Scott Stewart unlikely to be ready for much game action early in April, right-hander T.J. Tucker has a chance to take the closer's job. Tucker had some value last year as a rookie and got a few saves, but now could really be the man. -- Eric Karabell Josh Karp, RHP A top pick from 2001, Karp is developing nicely for the Expos. After spending the second half of last season at Double- A, he's set to begin this year at Triple A. It wouldn't surprise many to see him pitching in the big leagues in the late summer or September.

Manager: Frank Robinson  Home: Olympic Stadium (46,500)  '02 record: 83-79  Team page | Schedule | Offseason moves

Catcher: Michael Barrett Moved permanently behind the plate, Barrett enjoyed a fine season last year, though he seemed to succumb to the wear-and-tear of the position during the summer. He did a nice job handling the team's mostly young pitching staff, though he needs improvement in throwing out runners. Barrett isn't an All-Star, but he is a solid performer at a key position. First Base: Jeff Liefer Acquired as part of the Bartolo Colon swap, Liefer will get a chance to play every day, though Wil Cordero remains an option at first, too. Liefer was a platoon player last year with the White Sox, but the Expos hope that the power he displayed two years ago -- when he hit 18 homers in just 254 at-bats -- returns. Second Base: Jose Vidro Has quietly made himself into one of the best second basemen in the game, though playing in Montreal, that remains pretty much a secret. He finished third in the NL in both hits and doubles and showed decent power (18 homers) for a middle infielder. A dependable defender, he's also an effective switch-hitter, capable of doing damage from either side of the plate. Third Base: Fernando Tatis GM Omar Minaya tried all winter to move Tatis, to the point of insisting that he be part of any deal for Bartolo Colon, but ultimately found no takers for this expensive, moody infielder. He's also been injury prone his last three years and looks little like the hitter who enjoyed a breakout season with St. Louis in 1999 (.298-34-107). For now, however, the Expos are stuck with him because of his contract. Shortstop: Orlando Cabrera Cabrera slumped in the field last year, leading all shortstops with 29 errors, but the Expos believe that was the result of a disc problem in his back. He dipped offensively, too, dropping from 96 RBI in 2001 to just 56 last year, though that, too, may have been related to his back troubles. Cabrera has tremendous speed, but has yet to utilize it at the big-league level. Left Field: Brad Wilkerson Was a nice surprise last season, supplanting Peter Bergeron in the Expos' outfield. He displayed decent power (20 homers) and could hit more homers as he refines his approach at the plate. Though only average defensively, he does have a strong and accurate arm which he used to throw out 13 runners last year. Center Field: Endy Chavez Opened some eyes when he led the Triple-A International League in hitting, and the Expos are giving him a chance to be part of the everyday lineup this year. There's little worry about him defensively, but the Expos will need to be patient with him at the plate, where he needs to become more patient, especially if he's utlized as the leadoff man. Right Field: Vladimir Guerrero If he isn't the most talented player in the game, he's on a very short list of those who are. Guerrero reached the .300-30-100 level for the fifth straight season, a display of his remarkable consistency. He's slowly becoming more disciplined at the plate (last year was the first in which his walks outnumbered his strikeouts), indicating he can get better still at 27. He owns the game's most powerful arm, though it is often erratic. No. 1 Starter: Javier Vazquez The Expos had to deal either Bartolo Colon or Vazquez to keep their payroll under control and held on to Vazquez. Statistically, he regressed last year, going from 16 wins to 10 while his ERA rose nearly a half a run. A sore elbow, no doubt, contributed to that dropoff, and he's expected to be healthier this season. Vazquez has exceptional command of several pitches and with better support from teammates could develop into a bonafide No. 1 starter. No. 2 Starter: Orlando Hernandez For the second straight season, El Duque battled injuries which limited his effectiveness with the Yankees. Listed at 33, he's probably closer to 38 and there are concerns about his durability, given all the innings he's thrown. Some also wonder how motivated he'll be pitching for a second-division club. No. 3 Starter: Livan Hernandez In being acquired by the Expos from the Giants, Hernandez joins his half-brother, Orlando. Last season was another disappointment for Livan, who shaved his 2001 ERA from 5.24 to 4.38, but came away with another losing season (12-16). Assault charges against him, stemming from a January altercation with a 65-year-old man, have been settled, but a civil trial is still pending. Hernandez pitched fewer innings in '02 than in the two previous years and might pitch fewer still in '03: A $6M option for 2004 must be picked up if he exceeds 217 innings. No. 4 Starter: Tony Armas Jr. Had an up-and-down season last year, as reflected in his 12-12 record. He has difficulty with his control at times (averaging 4.3 walks per nine innings) and needs to develop a tougher mound presence. Few doubt the quality of his stuff, but he must utlilize it better and find a way to get out lefty hitters who wore him out at a .308 clip last season. No. 5 Starter: Tomo Ohka Blossomed as a starter last year, leading the Expos in wins (13) and ERA (3.18). Hardly overpowering, Ohka nonetheless has exceptional control, issuing 45 walks in 192 2/3 innings. There had been questions about his ability to pitch late into games, but Ohka seemed to answer those last season. Bullpen: T.J. Tucker, Britt Reames, Dan Smith, Joey Eischen, Rocky Biddle, Jim Brower Tucker could well be the closer to begin the season with Scott Stewart on the shelf. Dan Smith also has a chance to fill the closer's role. Biddle comes over from the White Sox, where he posted a 4.06 ERA in 44 appearances last year. Reames needs to turn it around after having an atrocious season in 2002 (5.03 ERA). Closer: Scott Stewart Moved into the closer's role midway through the season and responded by nailing down 17 of 19 save opportunities. He was found to have bone spurs in his elbow in September and underwent surgery a month later. The Expos will bring him along slowly to start the season. Stewart relies on a sinker as his out-pitch.

-- Sean McAdam, ESPN.com

Record: 83-79 | Finish: 2nd in NL East | Results | Statistics: Batting | Pitching Offense (NL rank) Defense (NL rank) 735 runs (6th) Home: 394 (4th) Road: 341 (10th) 718 runs allowed (8th) Home: 338 (6th) Road: 380 (10th) 2002 Stats Leaders   Average: Vladimir Guerrero, .336 Runs: Guerrero, 106 On-base pct: Guerrero, .417 Stolen bases: Guerrero, 40 Wins: Tomo Ohka, 13 Saves: Scott Stewart, 17 Home runs: Guerrero, 39 RBI: Guerrero, 111 Slugging pct.: Guerrero, .593 OPS: Guerrero, 1.010 ERA: Ohka, 3.18 Strikeouts: Javier Vazquez, 179