Spring Training: The Major Questions

No. 5: Who will emerge to anchor the Rockies bullpen, which managed only 38 saves -- and no more than 16 by any one pitcher -- last year?

San Diego Padres

Manager: Bruce Bochy

1997 record: 76-86, fourth place

No. 1: Will desire to sell local fans on a new downtown stadium drive front office strategy?

No. 2: Will newly acquired veteran Kevin Brown lead the rotation back from a disappointing 1997 season?

No. 3: Can Mark Langston re-establish himself as a frontline starting pitcher after second arm surgery?

No. 4: Will manager Bruce Bochy be able to find enough quality arms to set up relief closer Trevor Hoffman?

No. 5: Will former Yankees prospect Ruben Rivera, who was acquired last year in the Hideki Irabu deal -- begin to realize his vast potential?

Arizona Diamondbacks

Manager: Buck Showalter

1997 record: none.

No. 1: Does owner Jerry Colangelo really expect them to be competitive this year? (Yes.)

No. 2: Will veterans Matt Williams, Jay Bell and Devon White provide enough of an offensive nucleus to keep things interesting? (Maybe.)

No. 3: Can Buck Showalter meld a group of minor leaguers and expansion draftees into a representative pitching staff? (Probably not.)

No. 4: Can free agent acquisition Willie Blair anchor the starting rotation?

No. 5: Did the Diamondbacks draft well enough to create a foundation for the future?

Peter Schmuck