How It’s Shaping Up for Dodgers

Who’s new: Right fielder Shawn Green, utilityman F.P. Santangelo, right-handed pitchers Terry Adams, Orel Hershiser, Dan Naulty and Gregg Olson; third baseman Kevin Orie, catcher Chad Kreuter.

Who’s gone: Right fielder Raul Mondesi, second baseman Eric Young, outfielder Trenidad Hubbard, right-handed pitchers Ismael Valdes and Mike Maddux, left-handed pitcher Pedro Borbon.

Biggest question of the spring: Who will bat leadoff? Young was traded to the Chicago Cubs because Davey Johnson considered him overrated offensively and a liability defensively. However, Young had a .382 on-base percentage while batting first--fifth highest in the National League--and was third in the majors in stolen bases. Todd Hollandsworth is first on the list to succeed Young if he earns the starting job in center field.

Job seekers: Hollandsworth and Alex Cora. The Dodgers hope Hollandsworth can beat out Devon White in center field. This could be the final opportunity for Hollandsworth, slowed by injuries since being selected the 1996 NL rookie of the year, to prove he’s an everyday player. The smooth-fielding Cora needs to show improvement at the plate to become the starting shortstop.

Keep your eye on: Darren Dreifort. The hard-throwing right-hander finished strong after a slow start. He’s eligible for free agency after the season.

Reasons to be excited: The Nos. 1-3 starting pitchers (Kevin Brown, Chan Ho Park, Dreifort); Green, left fielder Gary Sheffield, first baseman Eric Karros.

Reasons to be worried: Carlos Perez is expected to return to the rotation, catcher Todd Hundley is coming off his worst season and third baseman Adrian Beltre might be declared a free agent.

Projected lineup: 1. Hollandsworth, center field; 2. Mark Grudzielanek, second base; 3. Sheffield, left field; 4. Green, right field; 5. Karros, first base; 6. Hundley, catcher; 7. Beltre, third base; 8. Cora, shortstop.

Projected rotation: Brown, Park, Dreifort, Perez, Eric Gagne.

Projected bullpen: Hershiser, Adams, Olson, Alan Mills, Onan Masaoka.

Projected closer: Jeff Shaw.

Projected opening-day payroll: $90 million.

* SPRING TRAINING

SCHEDULE: PAGE 7