BASEBALL 1993 : NL WEST : If You Did Not Improve, You Lose

Over the winter, the National League West became the toughest and most exciting in baseball. And it happened so easily. All it took was money.

The Atlanta Braves didn’t spend the most, but they have the most to show for their expenditure. With their starting rotation alone, they are an easy pick as champion.

But Cincinnati and Houston also got in the money game and will challenge for the title.

Fourth place would be remarkable improvement for the Dodgers, but with some breaks, good health and a good left-handed reliever, they could finish higher. So could San Francisco, if its pitching gets better.

The toughest pick is for last place. Logic dictates the expansion Colorado Rockies should finish there, but if the San Diego Padres keep giving away players, they could challenge the Rockies.

ATLANTA BRAVES

* 1992 finish: 98-64, first

* Outlook: After Greg Maddux (20-11), Tom Glavine (20-8), John Smoltz (15-12) and Steve Avery(11-11)--two left-handers, two right-handers--what more could a manager need? Well, Bobby Cox has plenty more. The Braves have their pennant-winning lineup intact and another potential All-Star team waiting at triple-A Richmond, should anyone falter. They may have a few questions, but they also have answers. Atlanta doesn’t have a proven closer, but if Mark Wohlers, Mike Stanton or Kent Mercker can’t do the job, the Braves can simply trade for one. Their starting rotation is being compared to the Baltimore’s Oriole rotation of Jim Palmer, Dave McNally, Mike Cuellar and Pat Dobson, 20-game winners all in 1971. Atlanta is trying to become the first National League team to win three consecutive pennants since the 1942-44 St. Louis Cardinals.

New faces: Pitcher Maddux, infielder Bill Pecota.

Must have: A new rallying cry that isn’t as offensive to Native Americans.

Don’t have: Any holes.

CINCINNATI REDS

1992 finish: 90-72, second.

Outlook: Marge Schott is banished for the season, Tony Perez is the manager and the lineup has been revamped by Jim Bowden, the new general manager. With the addition of Kevin Mitchell and Roberto Kelly, the Reds may have the best combination of speed and power in the division. They lost Greg Swindell to the Astros, but got free agent John Smiley, which gives them three premier starters, with Jose Rijo and Tim Belcher, and a top closer in Rob Dibble. Tom Browning has been successful in his comeback from knee surgery. Bip Roberts and Kelly stole a total of 72 bases last season. Add Barry Larkin and Reggie Sanders and the Reds promise to be aggressive on the basepaths.

New faces: Perez, Smiley, Kelly, Mitchell.

Must have: A big year from Mitchell, who hit only nine home runs for Seattle last season, and some middle relief help for Dibble.

Don’t have: Dibble whining about wanting to be the only closer anymore, or first baseman Hal Morris to start the season. Morris separated his shoulder in a fight with Cleveland pitcher Jose Mesa.

HOUSTON ASTROS

1992 finish: 81-81, fourth.

Outlook: Drayton McLane Jr., a supermarket magnate, bought the Astros and then went shopping for pitchers. McLane signed Doug Drabek and Greg Swindell, which should make Pete Harnisch better because he won’t always be matched against the other team’s ace. Mark Portugal (2.66 ERA) and Brian Williams complete the rotation. Doug Jones (36 saves) is the closer and Xavier Hernandez is a reliable middle reliever. The Astros were predicted to finish last in the division last season, but Manager Art Howe led them to an 81-81 record. They won 33 of their final 50 games. The team is young and talented, the culmination of a revived farm system. Jeff Bagwell anchors an impressive lineup, which includes Steve Finley, Ken Caminiti, Craig Biggio and Eric Anthony.

New faces: Outfielders Kevin Bass and Chris James, right-handed pitcher Tom Edens, shortstop Jose Uribe, Drabek and Swindell.

Must have: A better season from shortstop Andujar Cedeno or backup Uribe.

Don’t have: To hide their heads anymore.

DODGERS

1992 record: 63-99, sixth.

Outlook: Eric Davis seems to have regained his batting stroke, and Darryl Strawberry says he is healthy and eager to avenge last year’s disaster. The Dodgers acquired veteran infielders Tim Wallach and Jody Reed to flank Jose Offerman at shortstop. Offerman made 42 errors last season, but so far this spring has looked more comfortable and smooth. The infield combined for 116 of the team’s 174 errors. Along with rookie of the year Eric Karros and rookie catcher Mike Piazza, the 3-7 spots in the batting order have the potential to be powerful. Closer Todd Worrell appears to be healthy. The starting rotation is solid, beginning with Orel Hershiser, who has a fully recovered shoulder; Kevin Gross, who could be the best pitcher on the staff; Tom Candiotti and newcomer Pedro Astacio. The only question is Ramon Martinez, whose strained hip might not be the reason for a lack of consistency. If no Ramon, his little brother, Pedro, is waiting.

Must have: A healthy Worrell, Strawberry and Davis and a left-hander or two in the bullpen.

Don’t have: Strong middle relief.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

1992 record: 72-90, fifth.

Outlook: Who cares if Barry Bonds and Will Clark get along? Bonds, who was signed by the Giants as a free agent for $43.75 million, joins Clark and Matt Williams, giving power to the middle of the batting order. How far the Giants get depends on their starting rotation. They have no ace and not much depth. But what the Giants do have is a new manager, Dusty Baker; new ownership, headed by supermarket magnate Peter Magowan and the promise of a new stadium in San Francisco--someday. Even though Baker is a rookie as a manager, his attitude and experience could take the team farther than expected.

New faces: Outfielders Bonds, Dave Martinez and Todd Benzinger, General Manager Bob Quinn and Baker.

Must have: Pitching.

Don’t have: Jackets warm enough for Candlestick Park.

SAN DIEGO PADRES

1992 record: 82-80, third.

Outlook: The Padres appear to be in a downward spiral in talent and morale because General Manager Joe McIlvaine has been ordered by management to cut costs. Their most recent deal was trading center fielder Darrin Jackson to the Toronto Blue Jays for outfielder Derek Bell. Jackson cried, and the fans are, too--for ticket refunds. The top of the order is still dangerous, with Tony Gwynn, Kurt Stillwell, Tim Teufel, Fred McGriff, Gary Sheffield and newcomer Phil Plantier. Pitching is a problem, but so far, Bruce Hurst is still a Padre. Closer Randy Myers is gone, as is All-Star shortstop Tony Fernandez, all-star catcher Benito Santiago and veteran pitchers Jim Deshaies and Larry Andersen.

New faces: Catchers Mike Scioscia and Bob Geren, left-handed pitcher Jim Pena, right-handed pitcher Wally Whitehurst, Bell and Plantier.

Must have: New ownership.

Don’t have: Enough clerks to answer complaints from season ticket-holders.

COLORADO ROCKIES

1992 record: None.

Outlook: Rockies’ fans have purchased 2.7 million tickets and have a chance to set the opening day attendance record with 80,000. That will go a long way to inspire Manager Don Baylor’s veterans, who include Charlie Hayes, Andres Galarraga, Jerald Clark and Dante Bichette. All could hit 20 home runs or more in the thin air of Mile High Stadium. An expansion team doesn’t figure to get a potential star pitcher in the draft, but the Rockies got David Nied from Atlanta. He is joined by veteran Bryn Smith and Alan Ashby. Darren Holmes will be the closer.

New faces: All of them.

Must have: Perspective.

Don’t have: Enough seats for all their fans.