There are two ways to go -- add a first baseman or a right fielder, which would move Shawn Green to first. There's Cliff Floyd talk, but Reggie Sanders seems a more likely answer on the free-agent market.

The best option for any team needing a third baseman is to pry one of two kids away from Texas, with Hank Blalock expendable because of Mark Teixeira's more productive bat. Another is rolling the dice on Japanese slugger Norihiro Nakamura, who met with Phillips recently. The easy option is to work out a deal for Kansas City's Joe Randa, who is expected to be relocated by the end of the week. The Mets will also consider a Todd Zeile redux.

	Erubiel Durazo First baseman Arizona Diamondbacks Profile
	2002 SEASON STATISTICS GM AB R HR RBI AVG 76 222 46 16 48 .261

With Miguel Tejada only one year away from a huge contract, Beane isn't likely to add a big salary. That has him focused on guys like Arizona's Erubiel Durazo and Colorado's Jack Cust.

Cashman is rolling the dice on the resurrected career of lefty reliever Chris Hammond. It's unclear where he'll go to fill the void from the right side. The market figures to be flooded with middle relievers after the Dec. 20 deadline for tendering contracts. It appears that Cashman may have to join the ranks of commoners in considering what's on the clearance table.

So what will Schuerholz do without Maddux and Tom Glavine? He'll hope the Mike Hampton trade doesn't come back to haunt him and add one or maybe even two lower-tier free agents as insurance.

The Braves aren't in horrible shape with Kevin Millwood, Jason Marquis and Damian Moss under control, but no longer can consider moving John Smoltz into the rotation. The bullpen took a major hit of its own with the loss of Mike Remlinger and Hammond and now has only Kerry Ligtenberg, Darren Holmes and Kevin Gryboski in complementary roles.

Given that the Yankees appear more catchable than they have been in years, it's curious that Boston management didn't value Urbina more highly. But numbers man Bill James has long preached that teams put too much attention on the closer and not enough on getting big outs in the sixth and seventh innings. The key guys in the 2003 bullpen may be lefty Alan Embree and right-hander Bob Howry, who were acquired midway through last season. Ryan Rupe, acquired off waivers from Tampa Bay, could also be given a chance in the bullpen.

If Kent is re-signed, Durham may be moved to center field, which would push Grissom to right field, either in a platoon or as the primary guy. But it is probably more likely that Sabean will trade at least one of his right-handed starters -- Russ Ortiz or Livan Hernandez -- for a center fielder or right fielder. Pittsburgh's Brian Giles, naturally, was on top of Sabean's list. But Seattle's Mike Cameron and Philadelphia's Jeremy Giambi are more likely fits.

While Mark Bellhorn hit 27 homers last season, he figures as more of a 10th man than a regular. The Cubs are exploring a variety of third-base options, including Alfonzo, Kent and Bill Mueller (who would platoon with Bellhorn). The best option is finding a way to pry Hank Blalock from Texas.

They once had prospect David Kelton pegged as the long-term answer at third, but throwing problems caused him to be moved to left field last season. He's back at third this winter playing in Mexico, but had 11 errors through 43 games.