MONTREAL EXPOS -- Adam Ulrey

The Montreal Expos are like the little sisters of the poor. They keep bringing up great talent from their minor leagues only to see them leave once they are in line to get a big salary. For the Expos to ever be able to compete they will someday probably have to relocate.

Last year they traded for Lee Stevens and were not disappointed. He hit .265 with 22 homers and he drove in 75 runs despite missing 40 games. The second baseman, Jose Vidro, had a tremendous year that vaulted him near the front of the pack of NL second baseman. He batted .330 with 76 extra base hits. He drove in 97 runs and scored 101 runs from the second position in the lineup. At shortstop, Orlando Cabrera will be back, hoping to build on his 2000 season. He made just ten errors and along with Vidro forms one of the best young double play combos in the game. Fernando Tatis comes over in a trade from the Cardinals and instantly upgrades the third base position. He missed 68 games and still hit 18 homers and drove in 64 runs. Michael Barrett comes back to play catcher after a year of trying to be a third baseman.

When you talk about the Expos outfield, it starts and ends with one name: Vladimir Guerrero. He is one of the greatest young hitters in the game. Last year he improved his numbers for the third year in a row with a .345 average and 43 homers to go with 123 RBIs. Back to man center field will be Peter Bergeron. He will return as the leadoff hitter, where he batted just .248 and had a paltry .320 on base percentage. Left field is up for grabs between Milton Bradley and Geoff Blum.

A darkhorse is Tim Raines, who at 41 years old is trying for a comeback. He has already been a tremendous influence on Bradley and Bergeron.

The pitching rotation will be young and inexperienced. The upside is tremendous, the unfortunate thing is they will have to take their lumps. Beside Hideki Irabu, who is 32, the rest of the staff is twenty-five or younger; Javier Vazquez, Britt Reames, Tony Armas Jr. and either Scott Downs or Mike Thurman will make up the rest of the rotation. Only Vazquez won more than ten games.

The bullpen welcomes back Ugueth Urbina as their closer. Graeme Lloyd missed all of last season and the Expos need him, as he might be the only left-handed reliever in the pen. Scott Strickland (4-3, 9 saves), Anthony Telford who led the team in appearances with 64, and Carl Pavano will help make a decent bullpen. Pavano will get a look at being a starter too. This bullpen will be tested a lot this year, as the Expos starters will be weak. If manager Felipe Alou gets this team near .500 he should win manager of the year.