NATIONAL LEAGUE

By JASON REID

April 2, 2000 12 AM PT

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

WEST

In predicted order of finish

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

WHO’S NEW: P Russ Springer. IF--Luis Ordaz.

WHO’S GONE: P--Andy Benes, Gregg Olson, Ed Vosberg. SS--Abraham Nunez. OF--Dante Powell.

STRENGTHS: The starting rotation led by Randy Johnson. “The Big Unit” was dominant while winning the Cy Young Award in his first full NL season, becoming only the third pitcher to earn the prize in each league. Omar Daal had a career-high 16 victories and emerged as a solid No. 2 starter when Todd Stottlemyre was sidelined because of a partially torn rotator cuff. Closer Matt Mantei, acquired from Florida during the season, proved himself after starting slowly. Manager Buck Showalter, not the most popular guy in the game, understands his club and guides it well.

WEAKNESSES: Expectations, injuries and age. Losing Matt Williams and his right-handed power for at least eight weeks because of a broken foot is a big blow. The Diamondbacks won the West in only their second season, raising the bar for themselves, management and fans. They are expected to repeat and will be chased from the start, creating unfamiliar pressure for many. Arizona isn’t the youngest team in the league, and it’s unlikely as many players will have career years again.

OUTLOOK: The Diamondbacks appear poised for another title run, but things should be tougher this time.

AT DODGER STADIUM: June 12-15; Sept. 18-20.

PROJECTED LINEUP

SS Tony Womack

3B Lenny Harris

2B Jay Bell

LF Luis Gonzalez

1B Erubiel Durazo

CF Steve Finley

RF T. Lee/B. Gilkey

C D. Miller/K. Stinnett

STARTING PITCHERS

Randy Johnson

Todd Stottlemyre

Omar Daal

Armando Reynoso

Brian Anderson

RELIEF PITCHERS

Matt Mantei

Greg Swindell

Dan Plesac

Russ Springer

Darren Holmes

Byung-Hyun Kim

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

WHO’S NEW: OF--Shawn Green, Geronimo Berroa. P--Orel Hershiser, Terry Adams, Mike Fetters, Gregg Olson. SS--Kevin Elster. C--Chad Kreuter. OF/IF--F.P. Santangelo.

WHO’S GONE: OF--Raul Mondesi, Trenidad Hubbard. 2B--Eric Young. P--Ismael Valdes, Pedro Borbon, Mike Maddux. IF--Tripp Cromer.

STRENGTHS: Power. The Dodgers believe their Nos. 3-6 batters--Gary Sheffield, Shawn Green, Eric Karros and Todd Hundley--should be among the game’s most productive. Green is a five-tool player and the left-handed slugger the Dodgers have lacked since Darryl Strawberry first self-destructed in the early ‘90s. The rotation features Kevin Brown and hard-throwing, high-potential right-handers Chan Ho Park and Darren Dreifort.

WEAKNESSES: The leadoff situation is unsettled. The Dodgers can only hope that center fielders Devon White, 37, and Todd Hollandsworth replace Young’s production atop the batting order. The infield has been reconfigured with Mark Grudzielanek moving from shortstop to second base and Kevin Elster, 35, taking over at shortstop. Questions remain about catcher Todd Hundley’s reconstructed throwing elbow and the bullpen.

OUTLOOK: Green appears to be the real deal and should help, but there are too many questions to consider the Dodgers World Series contenders at this point.

PROJECTED LINEUP

CF Devon White

2B Mark Grudzielanek

LF Gary Sheffield

RF Shawn Green

1B Eric Karros

C Todd Hundley

3B Adrian Beltre

SS Kevin Elster

STARTING PITCHERS

Kevin Brown

Chan Ho Park

Darren Dreifort

Carlos Perez

Orel Hershiser

RELIEF PITCHERS

Jeff Shaw

Terry Adams

Alan Mills

Gregg Olson

Mike Fetters

Onan Masaoka

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

WHO’S NEW: C--Bobby Estalella.

WHO’S GONE: P--Chris Brock, Jerry Spradlin, Julian Tavarez, Rich Rodriguez. IF--Charlie Hayes. C--Brent Mayne, Scott Servais. OF/IF--F.P. Santangelo.

STRENGTHS: Manager Dusty Baker is second to none in his field. Baker, who plans to carry six relievers, is molding a young and talented starting rotation. Power right-hander Russ Ortiz won 18 games in his first full season. Left-hander Kirk Rueter has been dependable, and second-year pitcher Joe Nathan might have a breakthrough season. Left fielder Barry Bonds, a future Hall of Famer, and second baseman Jeff Kent are big-time run producers. Gold Glove first baseman J.T. Snow makes his teammates look good.

WEAKNESSES: Fourth-year left-hander Shawn Estes, who has battled shoulder problems since winning 19 games in ‘97, might start on the disabled list. Right-hander Mark Gardner would move into the rotation until Estes returns--not a good thing for the Giants. Closer Robb Nen underwent off-season elbow surgery and the bullpen’s success depends on his recovery. The catching situation is shaky at best.

OUTLOOK: Management hopes new Pacific Bell Park will provide revenue to increase payroll and provide Baker with more tools. Until then, Baker will continue to work miracles while the Giants contend for the wild-card berth.

AT DODGER STADIUM: July 21-23; Sept. 26-28.

PROJECTED LINEUP

CF Marvin Benard

3B B. Mueller/R. Davis

LF Barry Bonds

2B Jeff Kent

RF Ellis Burks

1B J.T. Snow

SS Rich Aurilia

C B.Estalella/D.Mirabelli

STARTING PITCHERS

Livan Hernandez

Shawn Estes

Russ Ortiz

Kirk Rueter

Joe Nathan

RELIEF PITCHERS

Robb Nen

John Johnstone

Alan Embree

Felix Rodriguez

Mark Gardner

Ben Weber

COLORADO ROCKIES

WHO’S NEW: P--Rolando Arrojo, Jose Jimenez, Scott Karl, Masato Yoshii, Manny Aybar, Rick Croushore, Butch Henry, Stan Belinda, Mike Myers, Julian Tavarez, Ed Vosberg. 3B--Jeff Cirillo. OF--Tom Goodwin, Jeffrey Hammonds, Brian Hunter, Chris Latham. IF--Aaron Ledesma. C--Brent Mayne, Scott Servais.

WHO’S GONE: OF--Dante Bichette, Edgard Clemente. 3B--Vinny Castilla. P--Darryl Kile, Dave Veres, Curtis Leskanic, Bobby M. Jones, Jamey Wright. C--Henry Blanco, Kirt Manwaring.

STRENGTHS: Upgrading the defense was new General Manager Dan O’Dowd’s top priority. He appears to have done that with the acquisitions of center fielder Goodwin and left fielder Hammonds. Right fielder Larry Walker has won three consecutive Gold Gloves. The infield defense also should be improved because of third baseman Cirillo, acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers.

WEAKNESSES: Closer front-runner Jerry Dipoto will be sidelined at least a month, and possibly the season, after being diagnosed with a bulging disk below his neck. The bullpen might be a mess without Dipoto, and the rotation behind Pedro Astacio doesn’t inspire much confidence.

OUTLOOK: The Rockies cleaned house after Jim Leyland decided he was burned out and walked away. O’Dowd gave new Manager Buddy Bell many options, and the Rockies will spend this season getting to know one another.

AT DODGER STADIUM: July 19-20; Sept. 14-17.

PROJECTED LINEUP

CF Tom Goodwin

2B Mike Lansing

RF Larry Walker

3B Jeff Cirillo

1B Todd Helton

LF Jeffrey Hammonds

SS Neifi Perez

C B. Mayne/S. Servais

STARTING PITCHERS

Pedro Astacio

Rolando Arrojo

Brian Bohanon

Masato Yoshii

Scott Karl

RELIEF PITCHERS

David Lee

Stan Belinda

Jose Jimenez

Manny Aybar

Mike Myers

Mike DeJean

SAN DIEGO PADRES

WHO’S NEW: 2B--Bret Boone. 1B/OF--Ryan Klesko. P--Carlton Loewer, Brian Meadows, Steve Montgomery.

WHO’S GONE: P--Andy Ashby, Dan Miceli, Carlos Reyes. OF--Reggie Sanders. 2B--Quilvio Veras. 1B--Wally Joyner.

STRENGTHS: Closer Trevor Hoffman provides stability. Hoffman has suffered only four blown saves in 97 chances the last two seasons. Tony Gwynn still gets clutch hits even at this stage of his Hall of Fame career, and the Padres are developing many young power pitchers. Veteran catcher Carlos Hernandez, a former Dodger, had a huge spring, keeping highly touted Ben Davis in the minors for at least the start of the season.

WEAKNESSES: The Padres’ financial constraints forced a youth movement and major growing pains. The club added power--but sacrificed defense--in the deal that brought first baseman Klesko and second baseman Boone from the Atlanta Braves.

OUTLOOK: Savvy General Manager Kevin Towers continues to look toward the future, positioning the Padres to contend when their new ballpark supposedly opens in 2002. Until then, Towers needs proven Manager Bruce Bochy, whose teams play hard, to teach the kids and do the best they can.

AT DODGER STADIUM: June 26-29; Sept. 22-24.

PROJECTED LINEUP

LF Al Martin

SS Damian Jackson

RF Tony Gwynn

1B Ryan Klesko

3B Phil Nevin

CF Ruben Rivera

2B Bret Boone

C Carlos Hernandez

STARTING PITCHERS

Sterling Hitchcock