Montreal Expos
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| Projected Lineup |
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| CF |
Endy Chavez |
| 2B |
Jose Vidro |
| RF |
Vladimir Guerrero |
| LF |
Brad Wilkerson |
| 1B |
Jeff Liefer |
| 3B |
Fernando Tatis |
| C |
Orlando Cabrera |
| C |
Michael Barrett |
| Projected Rotation |
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| RHP |
Javier Vazquez |
| RHP |
Orlando Hernandez |
| RHP |
Tomo Ohka |
| RHP |
Tony Armas Jr. |
| RHP |
Sun-Woo Kim |
| CL |
Scott Stewart |
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By Doug Furnad, SI.com
The Expos are still stuck in Montreal, for the most part. At least they can look on the bright side -- they will have 22 of their home games moved to Puerto Rico, where they can enjoy a day at the beach.
Gone is Bartolo Colon, who was the staff ace for a few months last season. But remember, this is basically the same team that took the field in 2002 and ended up in second place in the NL East with their first winning record since 1996.
The difference for the Expos this year is that every other team in the division made moves to improve. The New York Mets added Tom Glavine and Cliff Floyd, the Philadelphia Phillies added Jim Thome and Kevin Millwood, the Atlanta Braves added Russ Ortiz and Paul Byrd, and even the Florida Marlins added an impact player -- Ivan Rodriguez.
The biggest name the Expos added was Orlando Hernandez. Sure, he is a big name, but he also has a huge downside, and is a big injury risk.
Frank Robinson did an admirable job with this team, and decided to stick it out for one more year, but the only reward that may come from his decision is the pina coladas he gets in San Juan.
First of all, the Expos have to decide on who will play first base. Wil Cordero is penciled in, but Robinson said he will try every option. Jeff Liefer could win the job with a good spring, as well as Matt Cepicky. The wildcard may be Brad Wilkerson. Wilkerson played some first base last season, and if he doesn’t end up in left or centerfield. He could be moved to first. Either way, it will be a long season at first base.
Center field is also a quagmire. Endy Chavez played well in a September call-up, but will have to prove himself all over again. Jose Macias can play center, and Wilkerson may slide over if the team finds a left-fielder they prefer.
GM Omar Minaya. In 2002 Minaya pulled off a coup getting Colon out from under every other team, but may have paid too high a price. With Colon now gone to Chicago for Liefer, Hernandez and reliever Rocky Biddle, the organizations top prospects are now in Cleveland and Florida. Minaya must find Frank Robinson some more talent for a rocky bullpen, and a quality first baseman wouldn’t hurt. The problem is, he must do it without spending any money.
Matt Cepicky is not a well-known prospect, but he is being given the chance to compete for the job at first base. Cepicky was mainly an outfielder before, and didn’t post outstanding numbers at Class AA is 2002. If Cepicky has a strong spring, he could at least win a platoon role.
Arrivals: OF Damon Buford (minor league free agent); RHP Orlando Hernandez, RHP Rocky Biddle and 1B/OF Jeff Liefer (all acquired in three-team trade with Yankees and White Sox).
Departures: 1B Andres Galarraga (released, signed by Giants), OF Troy O'Leary (released, signed by Cubs), RHP Bartolo Colon (traded to White Sox in three-team transaction), RHP Matt Herges (traded to Pirates), INF Wilton Guerrero (released, signed by Reds), RHP Masato Yoshii (released, signed with Orix Blue Waves of Japanese League).
The Expos are outmanned and most of all outspent. They cannot compete in the East like they did last year, unless every other team has more injuries than you can count on one hand. Look for the Expos to fight with the Marlins for fourth place, but end up in NL East basement.
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