MAJOR LEAGUE PREVIEW National League West

Arizona Diamondbacks
2003: 84-78, 3rd place.
Manager: Bob Brenly (fourth season).
He's Here: 1B Richie Sexson, 2B Roberto Alomar, RHP Shane Reynolds, RHP Steve Sparks, 1B Greg Colbrunn, C Brent Mayne, LHP Shane Nance, LHP Casey Fossum.
He's Outta Here: RHP Curt Schilling, RHP Miguel Batista, LHP Mike Myers, OF Raul Mondesi, 1B Mark Grace, 2B Junior Spivey, INF Craig Counsell, 1B Lyle Overbay, C Chad Moeller, C Rod Barajas, OF Quinton McCracken.
Projected Lineup: CF Steve Finley (.287, 22, 70), 2B Roberto Alomar (.258, 5, 39 with Mets and White Sox), LF Luis Gonzalez (.304, 26, 104), 1B Richie Sexson (.272, 45, 124, 151 Ks with Milwaukee), SS Alex Cintron (.317, 13, 51), 3B Shea Hillenbrand (.280, 20, 97 with Boston and Arizona), RF Danny Bautista (.275, 4, 36), C Robby Hammock (.282, 8, 28).
Rotation: LH Randy Johnson (6-8, 4.26, 125 Ks in 18 starts), RH Brandon Webb (10-9, 2.84), RH Elmer Dessens (8-8, 5.07), RH Shane Reynolds (11-9, 5.43 with Atlanta), RH Steve Sparks (0-6, 4.88 with Detroit and Oakland).
Key Relievers: RH Matt Mantei (5-4, 2.62, 29/32 saves), RH Jose Valverde (2-1, 2.15, 10/11), RH Oscar Villarreal (10-7, 2.57, 78 games, record for NL rookies), LH Stephen Randolph (8-1, 4.05), RH Mike Koplove (3-0, 2.15), LH Casey Fossum (6-5, 5.47 with Boston).
Hot Spot: Randy Johnson's right knee. At 40, Johnson is carrying rotation alone after sharing load with Curt Schilling in what was one of the toughest lefty-righty combinations ever. Johnson had four strong starts at end of last year and has been terrific in spring as he comes back from last season's knee surgery. He has no cartilage left in that knee, but got fluid injections in December. More injections might be needed, but Johnson is as fierce as ever.
Stat Sheet: Offense was awful last year. Diamondbacks were 10th in league in runs and 12th in homers, leading to trade for Sexson. Arizona also hopes for a rebound season from Alomar, who came to spring training in great shape and took a big pay cut after two bad seasons with Mets and White Sox. Sexson played every inning last season. Brenly plans a set lineup after mixing and matching throughout first three seasons.
Bottom Line: Diamondbacks think they can contend in this division. Johnson's health and Webb's ability to keep batters off-balance with nasty sinker are crucial, as is an improved year from Dessens, who worked in offseason in the Mexican League. Gonzalez is playing with a torn ligament in right elbow. Cintron goes into his first full season as an everyday player. Hillenbrand likes his No. 6 spot in lineup. Restructuring of ownership has put more cash into organization, so team should be able to afford midseason acquisitions if it's in the hunt.
Colorado Rockies
2003: 74-88, 4th place.
Manager: Clint Hurdle (third season).
He's Here: 3B Vinny Castilla, LF Jeromy Burnitz, 2B Aaron Miles, INF Luis Gonzalez, LHP Joe Kennedy, LHP Shawn Estes, RHP Allan Simpson, SS Royce Clayton, RHP Travis Driskill, LHP Jeff Fassero, RHP Tim Harikkala, RHP Vladimir Nunez, RHP Jeff Tam, RHP Brian Tollberg, RHP Turk Wendell, C Hector Ortiz, SS Benji Gil, INF Denny Hocking, INF Damian Jackson.
He's Outta Here: 2B Ronnie Belliard, C Bobby Estalella, RHP Jose Jimenez, INF Greg Norton, LHP Darren Oliver, LF Jay Payton, RHP Justin Speier, 3B Chris Stynes, SS Juan Uribe.
Projected Lineup: 2B Aaron Miles (.333, 0, 2, 12 ABs with White Sox), SS Royce Clayton (.228, 11, 39 with Milwaukee), 1B Todd Helton (.358, 33, 117, 135 runs, 49 2Bs), CF Preston Wilson (.282, 36, 141, 43 2Bs), RF Larry Walker (.284, 16, 79), 3B Vinny Castilla (.277, 22, 76 with Atlanta), LF Jeromy Burnitz (.239, 31, 77 with Mets and Dodgers), C Charles Johnson (.230, 20, 61).
Rotation: RH Jason Jennings (12-13, 5.11, 8-1 at Coors Field), RH Scott Elarton (4-4, 6.27), LH Joe Kennedy (3-12, 6.13 with Tampa Bay), LH Shawn Estes (8-11, 5.73 with Cubs), RH Denny Stark (3-3, 5.83) or LH Jeff Fassero (1-7, 5.68 with Cardinals).
Key Relievers: RH Shawn Chacon (11-8, 4.60 as a starter), LH Brian Fuentes (3-3, 2.75), LH Javier Lopez (4-1, 3.70), RH Turk Wendell (3-3, 3.38 with Phillies).
Hot Spot: Walker rededicated himself in offseason and Rockies will need him healthy and productive in revamped lineup built for power. He struggled with shoulder and knee injuries, which affected what had previously been an unshakable confidence. Walker hit the weights and dropped 20 pounds, but it won't do any good if he doesn't find a way to regain bat speed at 37.
Stat Sheet: As usual, Colorado had one of the worst ERAs in the majors last season (5.23); might not get any better this year. Colorado lost its most consistent starter when Oliver (13-11, 5.04) left for Florida, and LHP Denny Neagle isn't expected to pitch this season after Tommy John surgery. Chacon's live arm should help bullpen, where Rockies became desperate after Jimenez (2-10, 5.22) faltered last year. Colorado hopes veterans Estes, Elarton and Fassero can turn back clock and Stark can bounce back from back injury that wiped out half of last season.
Bottom Line: Organization is at a crossroads. Rockies have just one winning season in last six and haven't made playoffs since their only appearance as a wild card in 1995. Colorado set attendance records its first few seasons, but the losses combined with novelty wearing off has caused attendance to drop each of last seven seasons to a franchise-low 2.3 million last year. Rockies spent offseason loading up on "character" guys in effort to create winning atmosphere, but it won't matter how nice they are or how well they get along in clubhouse if they don't produce.
Los Angeles Dodgers
2003: 85-77, 2nd place.
Manager: Jim Tracy (fourth season).
He's Here: RHP Jeff Weaver, RHP Josa Lima, INF Olmedo Saenz, INF Jose Hernandez, OF Bubba Trammell.
He's Outta Here: RHP Kevin Brown, OF Brian Jordan, RHP Paul Quantrill, OF Jeromy Burnitz, 1B Fred McGriff, OF Daryle Ward, OF-1B Mike Kinkade, RHP Andy Ashby, INF Ron Coomer, OF Rickey Henderson, OF Chad Hermansen.
Projected Lineup: CF Dave Roberts (.250, 2, 16, 40 SBs), SS Cesar Izturis (.251, 1, 40), 3B Adrian Beltre (.240, 23, 80), RF Shawn Green (.280, 19, 85), C Paul Lo Duca (.273, 7, 52), LF Juan Encarnacion (.270, 19, 94 with Florida), 1B Robin Ventura (.242, 14, 55 with Yankees and Dodgers), 2B Jolbert Cabrera (.282, 6, 37) or 2B Alex Cora (.249, 4, 34).
Rotation: RH Hideo Nomo (16-13, 3.09), LH Odalis Perez (12-12, 4.52), RH Jeff Weaver (7-9, 5.99 with Yankees), LH Kazuhisa Ishii (9-7, 3.86), RH Edwin Jackson (2-1, 2.45 in 4 games).
Key Relievers: RH Eric Gagne (2-3, 1.20, 55/55 saves, 137 Ks), RH Guillermo Mota (6-3, 1.97), RH Paul Shuey (6-4, 3.00), LH Tom Martin (1-2, 3.53), RH Darren Dreifort (4-4, 4.03), LH Wilson Alvarez (6-2, 2.37).
Hot Spot: Dodgers couldn't get on base last season and scored a big league-low 574 runs. Little done to improve feeble offense, though Encarnacion should provide some help. Green hit 91 homers and drove in 239 runs from 2001-02, but was hampered by right shoulder that required offseason surgery. Roberts played in only 107 games because of injured right hamstring and Dodgers were without an adequate replacement at top of lineup. Both are healthy now, and that alone is cause for optimism. The inconsistent Beltre has to a lot to prove as No. 3 hitter.
Stat Sheet: Gagne is coming off two of the best years by a closer in big league history, saving 52 games in 56 chances in 2002 and converting all 55 opportunities last year, when he won Cy Young Award. He enters season with a record 63 straight saves. Mota takes over as main setup man and has stuff to be successful in that role. Rest of bullpen is solid.
Bottom Line: NL West appears a bit weaker this season, perhaps giving Dodgers a legitimate shot at making playoffs for first time since 1996. They haven't won a postseason game since 1988. For that to happen, the pitching staff probably will have to come close to equaling big league-low 3.16 ERA it had last year. Team has new owner, Boston real estate developer Frank McCourt, and new GM, 31-year-old Paul DePodesta. Both have acknowledged need for offensive help since taking over, but nothing has been done.
San Diego Padres
2003: 64-98, 5th place.
Manager: Bruce Bochy (10th season).
He's Here: LHP David Wells, LHP Sterling Hitchcock, RHP Ismael Valdes, C Ramon Hernandez, OF Terrence Long, OF Jay Payton, 3B Jeff Cirillo, RHP Antonio Osuna, OF Gene Kingsale, RHP Akinori Otsuka, C Tom Wilson.
He's Outta Here: OF Mark Kotsay, RHP Kevin Jarvis, C Wiki Gonzalez, INF Dave Hansen, OF Gary Matthews Jr., C Gary Bennett, LHP Mike Matthews.
Projected Lineup: 3B Sean Burroughs (.286, 7, 58), 2B Mark Loretta (.314, 13, 72), RF Brian Giles (.299, 20, 88, 105 BBs with Pirates and Padres), 3B Phil Nevin (.279, 13, 46 in 59 games), LF Ryan Klesko (.252, 21, 67), CF Jay Payton (.302, 28, 89 with Colorado), C Ramon Hernandez (.273, 21, 78 with Oakland), SS Khalil Greene (.215, 2, 6, 65 ABs).
Rotation: LH David Wells (15-7, 4.14 with Yankees), RH Brian Lawrence (10-15, 4.19), RH Jake Peavy (12-11, 4.11, 156 K), RH Adam Eaton (9-12, 4.08, 146 K), LH Sterling Hitchcock (5-1, 3.79 with St. Louis).
Key Relievers: RH Trevor Hoffman (0-0, 2.00, 0/0 saves), RH Antonio Osuna (2-5, 3.73 with Yankees), RH Akinori Otsuka (1-3, 2.09, 17 saves in Japan), RH Rod Beck (3-2, 1.78, 20/20), Jay Witasick (3-7, 4.53, 2/7).
Hot Spot: Cleanup hitter Nevin and closer Hoffman need to stay healthy. Nevin missed significant time each of last two seasons with arm and shoulder injuries, then strained left shoulder this spring. He should be ready for opening day. Hoffman didn't pitch in any save situations after returning in September from two shoulder operations. He remains fifth on career list with 352.
Stat Sheet: In addition to his $1.25 million salary, Wells can make $5.75 million in incentives if he makes 34 starts. Here's the breakdown: 1-10 starts, $100,000 each; 11-20, $150,000 each; 21-30, $200,000 each; 31-33, $250,000 each; 34th start, $500,000.
Bottom Line: It's time to put up or shut up for Padres, who played small-market card while waiting for Petco Park to open and responded with five straight losing seasons. The $458 million ballpark opens April 8, and the Padres are confident they'll contend after having league's worst record last year. GM Kevin Towers made 12 major acquisitions in offseason, then Nevin and Payton got hurt in spring training. Beck left team indefinitely with personal problem.
San Francisco Giants
2003: 100-61, 1st place.
Manager: Felipe Alou (second season).
He's Here: C A.J. Pierzynski, OF Dustan Mohr, OF Michael Tucker, RHP Brett Tomko.
He's Outta Here: RHP Sidney Ponson, RHP Joe Nathan, OF Jose Cruz Jr., SS Rich Aurilia, RHP Tim Worrell, C Benito Santiago, 2B Eric Young, OF Marvin Benard.
Projected Lineup: 2B Ray Durham (.285, 8, 33), 1B J.T. Snow (.273, 8, 51), CF Marquis Grissom (.300, 20, 79), LF Barry Bonds (.341, 45, 90, 148 BBs, 61 IBBs, 111 runs, .749 SLG, .529 OBP), 3B Edgardo Alfonzo (.259, 13, 81), RF Michael Tucker (.262, 13, 55 in 104 games with Royals), C A.J. Pierzynski (.312, 11, 74 with Minnesota), SS Neifi Perez (.256, 1, 31).
Rotation: RH Jason Schmidt (17-5, NL-leading 2.34, 208 Ks), LH Kirk Rueter (10-5, 4.53), RH Jerome Williams (7-5, 3.30), RH Brett Tomko (13-9, 5.28 with St. Louis), RH Dustin Hermanson (3-3, 4.06 with St. Louis and San Francisco).
Key Relievers: RH Robb Nen (6-2, 2.20, 43/51 saves in 2002), RH Felix Rodriguez (8-2, 3.10, 2), LH Scott Eyre (2-1, 3.32, 1), RH Matt Herges (3-2, 2.62, 3).
Hot Spot: Health. Team's ace and closer are both coming back from injuries. Nen missed all of last season recovering from serious shoulder problems, but Alou is counting on him after San Francisco let last year's fill-in (Worrell) go to Philadelphia. Giants have brought Nen along slowly this spring but hope he's ready by opening day. Schmidt is coming off best year but Alou doesn't want to push him too hard after offseason elbow surgery.
Stat Sheet: Two. That's how many home runs Bonds needs to tie his godfather, Willie Mays, for third place on career list. He's 56 shy of Babe Ruth; 97 from matching Hank Aaron's record. Bonds played through grief of father's death last year. This season, he'll have to contend with more questions about possible steroid use following trainer's indictment in alleged steroid-distribution ring.
Bottom Line: Giants lost some key players but still have Bonds, which should make them competitive in wide-open division race. The key will be getting runners on base in front of Bonds and making teams pay when they pitch around him. Pedro Feliz could earn starting job at first base or in outfield to provide more power. Schmidt has established himself as a legitimate ace, but Giants could use another top starter. Williams flashed signs of potential as a rookie last season and GM Brian Sabean is known for making midseason deals to bolster the team for a playoff push.