1 Can anyone challenge the Cardinals in the NL Central?
Houston and Chicago would be most poised to challenge King Albert Pujols and the Redbirds, but both face a serious power struggle-in not having any. In trading Sammy Sosa and letting Moises Alou go as a free agent, the Cubs lost 79 home runs and 186 RBI from their outfield alone, replacing them only with the rotting remains of Jeromy Burnitz.
The Astros must deal with the declining Killer B's-including Jeff Bagwell's now-useless right shoulder- after losing post-season star Carlos Beltran and slugging second baseman Jeff Kent. Both will depend on pitching, which will not be enough to fight a league champion St. Louis team that added Mark Mulder.
2 What will come of Oakland's young new staff?
After jettisoning Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder, general manager Billy Beane has built a low-cost youth movement behind Barry Zito. Fireballing Rich Harden has the talent to star, but whether he takes the next step is an open question. Joe Blanton has polish, but might not have the raw stuff to dominate. Dan Meyer was a stud in the Braves farm system, but he needs to show the same in the big leagues. Meanwhile, Danny Haren might be the strongest this year after a promising performance with last year's Cardinals.
3 Who will win the Yankees-Red Sox arms race?
The Yankees signed Jaret Wright and Carl Pavano. The Red Sox signed Matt Clement and Edgar Renteria. The Yankees traded for Randy Johnson. The Red Sox signed David Wells and Wade Miller. The Yankees launched a satellite to spy on Theo Epstein in the bathroom. The Red Sox affixed bayonets to their infielders' gloves for Opening Day. This is just plain ugly now.
4 Who took the worst free-agent pitchers this season?
This offseason, you couldn't sneeze from a pitcher's mound without being offered a three-year $21 million contract. Just ask Kris Benson. But who will regret their new pitcher most? The Dodgers signed groundball pitcher Derek Lowe for more than $40 million after an awful year to pitch in front of a shoddy defense. The Reds pitch in a home run park and gave more than $8 million per year to Eric Milton, who last year gave up more than one home run every five innings. He might give up 15 home runs to the Cardinals alone in 2005. The Yankees gave a three-year deal to Jaret Wright, who has only had one good season since the turn of the millennium. No one wants to win this contest.
5 Can the Giants win with an AARP supporting cast?
People accuse Barry Bonds of having the unfair advantage of steroids, but no one has ever accused him of having the unfair advantage of teammates. Omar Vizquel, Moises Alou and Marquis Grissom on a team managed by Felipe Alou would look great... if this were 1997. Bonds will probably trump all mortal ballplayers once again this season, but with a dismal team around him, blame GM Brian Sabean when Bonds' ring finger remains empty.
6 What teams will finish 1st-4th in the NL East?
There are four very expensive teams with high expectations in the NL East. The Marlins added Carlos Delgado to an already respectable lineup, but it might not be enough if their young pitching does not hold up. The Phillies should have won last year on talent alone, but they remain likely to disappoint, even after firing unpopular manager Larry Bowa.
The Mets added two spectacular players in Pedro Martinez and Carlos Beltran, but they still face serious questions in the bullpen and Mike Piazza's decline. The Braves, meanwhile, added Hudson, but are hoping for Raul Mondesi and Brian Jordan to recapture the magic may not have ever had. Still, after the past dozen years, do not bet against the Braves.
7 What will be the biggest off-field nuisance this year?
Although a blabbing Jose Canseco and a meddling U.S. Congress have made a strong push this offseason, no one has created a bigger annoyance this season than the Angels and owner Arte Moreno for changing the team's name to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Fans, scoreboard operators and writers alike will rue the day Moreno green-lighted the most awkward team name in recent memory. Thank God Harry Carey is not alive to try and say this.
