Balance of Power Shifts North in NL West

Seven months ago, when Mike Piazza was traded, doomsayers suggested that he turn out the lights on his way out of Dodger Stadium.

Indeed, there were dark days ahead for the organization. General Manager Fred Claire and Manager Bill Russell were soon gone. Faded star Hideo Nomo and faded prospect Paul Konerko were traded. But nothing seemed to help the team’s fortunes.

Meanwhile, down I-5, things never looked brighter for the San Diego Padres, who still had their lights on in October when they hosted the New York Yankees in the World Series.

But all that changed dramatically Saturday with a simple signature on a complex contract. That rumbling was the dramatic shift of power to the north as right-hander Kevin Brown, a key figure in San Diego’s pennant-winning season, agreed to a seven-year, $105-million contract with the Dodgers.

Coming less than two weeks after the acquisition of catcher Todd Hundley, the arrival of Brown in Los Angeles has shaken up not only the Padres, but the rest of the National League West as well.

“I don’t mean to criticize Kevin Brown,” Padre majority owner John Moores said, “but it’s a truly tragic day for baseball.”

Said San Diego outfielder Tony Gwynn, “You just wonder how long this can go on.”

And what does that mean for the rest of the division heading into 1999?

SAN DIEGO

Last season: First in the division at 98-64.

Off-season: Along with Brown, the Padres have lost third baseman Ken Caminiti and outfielder Steve Finley to free agency.

In addition to the normal pressure to stay competitive, the Padres are acutely aware of the fact that they just got San Diego voters to give their approval for a new stadium by arguing that they needed such a revenue-producing asset to maintain a championship-quality roster.

Remaining possibilities for next season: The Padres will try to trade reliever Randy Myers for a starter or dangle outfielder Greg Vaughn on the trade market.

Outlook: Trading Vaughn figures to only make things worse.

SAN FRANCISCO

Last season: Second at 89-74.

Off-season: The Giants are in a holding pattern. They have re-signed outfielder Ellis Burks for two years at $10 million and right-hander Mark Gardner for two years at $5 million, but have not re-signed right-hander Orel Hershiser.

Remaining possibilities for next season: The Giants have made it clear they are not going to match checkbooks with the big boys. They have traded for relievers Felix Rodriguez and Alan Embree and signed relievers Bronswell Patrick and Greg Hansell.

Outlook: Looks like a long summer by the Bay, but Manager Dusty Baker, asked if the Dodgers will be picked to win next year, said: “They’re picked to win every year, aren’t they?”

COLORADO

Last season: Fourth at 77-85.

Off-season: The Rockies haven’t caused much of a ripple in the division, signing free agents Brian Bohanon, the former Dodger pitcher, and Lenny Harris, the former New York Met outfielder.

Remaining possibilities for next season: The Rockies are determined to make their own bold plunge into the free-agent market. They were in the hunt for Brown and remain in the hunt for right-hander Roger Clemens.

Outlook: Exposing another arm to the dangers of Coors Field doesn’t seem like a cure-all.

ARIZONA

Last season: Fifth at 65-97.

Off-season: Nobody can accuse the Diamondbacks of using their expansion status as an excuse. They have already spent $118.9 million in the free-agent market to get pitchers Randy Johnson ($52.4 million), Todd Stottlemyre ($32 million), Greg Swindell ($5.7 million) and Armando Reynoso ($5.5 million), along with outfielder Finley ($21.5 million) and first baseman Greg Colbrunn ($1.8 million).

Remaining possibilities for next season: What’s left?

Outlook: The new kids are about to move up the block.

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NL West 1998 Standings

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San Diego 98 64 .605 -- San Francisco 89 74 .546 9 1/2 DODGERS 83 79 .512 15 Colorado 77 85 .475 21 Arizona 65 97 .401 33

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