NATIONAL LEAGUE

By JASON REID

April 2, 2000 12 AM PT

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

EAST

In predicted order of finish

ATLANTA BRAVES

WHO’S NEW: IF Bobby Bonilla. 1B--Wally Joyner. OF--Reggie Sanders. 2B--Quilvio Veras.

WHO’S GONE: 2B--Bret Boone, IF--Jose Hernandez. 1B/OF--Ryan Klesko. C--Greg Myers. OF--Gerald Williams, Otis Nixon. P--Russ Springer, Sean Bergman.

STRENGTHS: Third baseman Chipper Jones is one of a few players capable of carrying an offense. Right fielder Brian Jordan complemented Jones and helped compensate for the season-long loss of first baseman Andres Galarraga, who underwent successful cancer treatment. Starters Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Kevin Millwood are the league’s top trio. Left-handed closer John Rocker--suspended for the first two weeks this season--was dominant in only his second full season.

WEAKNESSES: There are rotation questions with John Smoltz sidelined for the season after undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery. Left-hander Bruce Chen bombed in his previous audition, and this could be his final opportunity to impress management. Terry Mulholland is the fifth starter by default.

OUTLOOK: The Braves will overcome losing Smoltz and won’t be distracted by the Rocker controversy. Atlanta will hold off the New York Mets to win its ninth consecutive division championship.

AT DODGER STADIUM: May 1-3.

PROJECTED LINEUP

2B Quilvio Veras

LF Reggie Sanders

3B Chipper Jones

1B Andres Galarraga

RF Brian Jordan

C Javy Lopez

CF Andruw Jones

SS Walt Weiss

STARTING PITCHERS

Greg Maddux

Tom Glavine

Kevin Millwood

Terry Mulholland

Bruce Chen

RELIEF PITCHERS

John Rocker

Kerry Ligtenberg

Mike Remlinger

Rudy Seanez

Kevin McGlinchy

Derrin Ebert

NEW YORK METS

WHO’S NEW: P--Mike Hampton. OF--Derek Bell, Jon Nunnally. 1B--Todd Zeile. IF--Joe McEwing.

WHO’S GONE: 1B--John Olerud. OF--Roger Cedeno, Jermaine Allensworth, Bobby Bonilla. IF/OF--Shawon Dunston. P--Octavio Dotel, Orel Hershiser, Kenny Rogers, Masato Yoshii, Chuck McElroy.

STRENGTHS: Catcher Mike Piazza is the best all-time hitter at his position. Future Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson, 41, is high-maintenance, but he’s the premier leadoff man in history. Third baseman Robin Ventura led the Mets on the field and in the clubhouse. Second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo and closer Armando Benitez had breakthrough seasons, and shortstop Rey Ordonez is a defensive wizard. Hampton is a true No. 1 starter.

WEAKNESSES: Olerud’s glove work was the key to the Mets’ phenomenal infield. Zeile, Olerud’s replacement, began his career as a catcher and played third until this season. Bell, part of the Hampton deal, has much to prove after failing to meet expectations last season. Manager Bobby Valentine creates controversy.

OUTLOOK: The Mets might only be renting Hampton, so they must take advantage of this window. Second in the division is the pick here, but the Braves are concerned.

AT DODGER STADIUM: May 29-31, Aug. 18-20.

PROJECTED LINEUP

LF Rickey Henderson

2B Edgardo Alfonzo

C Mike Piazza

3B Robin Ventura

1B Todd Zeile

CF Darryl Hamilton

RF Derek Bell

SS Rey Ordonez

STARTING PITCHERS

Mike Hampton

Rick Reed

Al Leiter

Bobby J. Jones

Glendon Rusch

RELIEF PITCHERS

Armando Benitez

Turk Wendell

John Franco

Dennis Cook

Pat Mahomes

Rich Rodriguez

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

WHO’S NEW: P--Andy Ashby, Mike Jackson, Chris Brock, Mark Brownson, Carlos Reyes. 2B--Mickey Morandini.

WHO’S GONE: C--Bobby Estalella. P--Carlton Loewer, Steve Montgomery, Chad Ogea.

STRENGTHS: Curt Schilling, as good as any starter in the game, is sidelined until at least May 15 because of shoulder surgery. Ashby, acquired from the Padres, has the ability to lead the staff until Schilling returns. Catcher Mike Lieberthal became an all-star last season and was rewarded with a three-year, $18.5-million deal. First baseman Rico Brogna has 206 RBIs the last two seasons and has been consistent defensively. Top prospect Pat Burrell will arrive soon and help. The bullpen should be better because of solid closer Jackson.

WEAKNESSES: The Phillies aren’t the same without Schilling. It would be surprising if the staff didn’t struggle somewhat. Third baseman Scott Rolen is coming off an injury-racked season. He played in only 112 games and must regain his pre-1999 form for the club to move forward.

OUTLOOK: The Phillies increased the payroll to acquire Jackson, and the Ashby trade made a strong statement. They probably don’t have enough to keep pace with the Braves and Mets, but at least they’re trying.

AT DODGER STADIUM: May 26-28; Sept. 1-3.

PROJECTED LINEUP

CF Doug Glanville

LF Ron Gant

RF Bobby Abreu

3B Scott Rolen

1B Rico Brogna

C Mike Lieberthal

2B Mickey Morandini

SS Desi Relaford

STARTING PITCHERS

Curt Schilling

Andy Ashby

Chris Brock

Paul Byrd

R. Person/R. Wolf

RELIEF PITCHERS

Mike Jackson

Jeff Brantley

Wayne Gomes

Scott Aldred

Amaury Telemaco

Steve Schrenk

MONTREAL EXPOS

WHO’S NEW: P--Hideki Irabu, Graeme Lloyd. 1B--Lee Stevens.

WHO’S GONE: 1B--Brad Fullmer. OF--Orlando Merced, James Mouton.

STRENGTHS: Many scouts consider right fielder Vladimir Guerrero the game’s brightest young star. Guerrero, 24, has the tools to win the triple crown. Closer Ugueth Urbina has been among the best in the business for several seasons and should get more save opportunities this season. Irabu and Lloyd will help a young and improving pitching staff, and Stevens, acquired from Texas in a three-team deal, is exactly what the Expos needed. Former Dodger prospect Peter Bergeron could be special in center field and batting leadoff.

WEAKNESSES: There doesn’t appear to be much in the bullpen besides Urbina and Lloyd. Guerrero still needs more help despite the addition of the left-handed hitting Stevens, and there isn’t enough overall talent to challenge the division’s top teams.

OUTLOOK: The Expos are under new ownership and things are upbeat for the first time since the ’95 fire sale. There are plans to build a new ballpark downtown, and the Expos are spending on players again. The playoffs aren’t in the picture this season, but there’s reason for optimism.

PROJECTED LINEUP

CF Peter Bergeron

2B Jose Vidro

LF Rondell White

RF Vladimir Guerrero

1B Lee Stevens

3B Michael Barrett

C Chris Widger

SS Orlando Cabrera

STARTING PITCHERS

Dustin Hermanson

Hideki Irabu

Javier Vazquez

Carl Pavano

Mike Thurman

RELIEF PITCHERS

Ugueth Urbina

Graeme Lloyd

Steve Kline

Anthony Telford

Miguel Batista

Scott Strickland

AT DODGER STADIUM: Aug. 21-24.

FLORIDA MARLINS

WHO’S NEW: 1B/OF--Brant Brown. P--Dan Miceli, Jared Camp. OF--Mark Smith.

WHO’S GONE: OF--Bruce Aven, Todd Dunwoody. P--Brian Meadows, Rafael Medina, Dennis Springer. 3B--Kevin Orie.

STRENGTHS: Right-hander Alex Fernandez is at full strength after sitting out most of the last two seasons while recovering from rotator cuff surgery. The Marlins have many impressive young pitchers and more are coming. Second baseman Luis Castillo and shortstop Alex Gonzalez developed quickly.

WEAKNESSES: Most of the Marlins’ pitchers lack the experience to succeed at this level. The club is counting on several young position players to take big leaps forward. Will Cliff Floyd finally remove the star-of-the-future tag?

OUTLOOK: The club and its farm system are stocked with hard-throwing pitchers who should make an impact in a few years. Until then, last place will be the domain for the Marlins, who only three seasons ago won the World Series championship in a classic seven-game series with the Cleveland Indians.

AT DODGER STADIUM: April 28-30.

PROJECTED LINEUP

2B Luis Castillo

SS Alex Gonzalez

LF Cliff Floyd

CF Preston Wilson

3B Mike Lowell

RF Mark Kotsay

1B Kevin Millar

C Sandy Martinez

STARTING PITCHERS

Alex Fernandez