N.L. report.(Baseball)

SPOTLIGHT: Outfielders

ASTROS The club is hoping to acquire a player who can fortify its weakest unit. RF Orlando Palmeiro likely will return to the bench after Lance Berkman (knee) is back. LF Craig Biggio is limited defensively. CF Jason Lane would be better as a corner outfielder. Speedy youngster Willy Taveras might get a longer look than expected. His defense is big-league ready, but his hitting is questionable. BRAVES CF Andruw Jones provides power and great defense but also goes into long slumps that prevent him from reaching elite status. RF Raul Mondesi is in top shape but has a reputation for being a malcontent. BREWERS New LF Carlos Lee will boost the offense and might even help the defense. Geoff Jenkins, a Gold Glove-caliber fielder, is moving from left field to right. CARDINALS Jim Edmonds is the N.L.'s most complete center fielder other than Carlos Beltran. Durability issues with LF Reggie Sanders and RF Larry Walker will mean plenty of at-bats for John Mabry, Roger Cedeno and So Taguchi. CUBS The club must figure out what to do in right field after trading Sammy Sosa. It is counting on a platoon of Todd Hollandsworth and rookie Jason Dubois to replace Moises Alou in left. CF Corey Patterson, the projected leadoff hitter, still must prove himself. DIAMONDBACKS The club hopes LF Luis Gonzalez will charge balls and quickly throw to the cutoff man, making his surgically repaired arm less of a liability. Shawn Green fills a huge hole in right field. DODGERS The club believes starters Jayson Werth, Milton Bradley and J.D. Drew can hit 80-plus home runs combined and that all have the ability to play center field. Either Bradley or Drew will start in center. GIANTS LF Barry Bonds makes up for eroding defensive skills with good positioning and flashes of speed--and, of course, with home runs. CF Marquis Grissom still can run down deep balls. Moises Alou is a proven veteran; he'll quickly learn SBC Park's tricky right field. MARLINS LF Miguel Cabrera and CF Juan Pierre ...