East
Washington Nationals
2016: 95-67, first place, lost to Dodgers in NLDS.
Manager: Dusty Baker (second season).
He's Here: CF Adam Eaton, C Matt Wieters, 1B-LF Adam Lind, RHP Joe Blanton, RHP Joe Nathan, LHP Enny Romero.
He's Outta Here: RHP Mark Melancon, C Wilson Ramos, INF Danny Espinosa, CF Ben Revere, LHP Marc Rzepczynski.
Projected Lineup: SS Trea Turner (.342, 13 HRs, 40 RBIs, 33 SBs in 73 games), 3B Anthony Rendon (.270, 20, 85, 38 2Bs), 2B Daniel Murphy (.347, 25, 104, 47 2Bs), RF Bryce Harper (.243, 24, 86), LF Jayson Werth (.244, 21, 69), CF Adam Eaton (.284, 14, 59 with White Sox), 1B Ryan Zimmerman (.218, 15, 46), C Matt Wieters (.243, 17, 66 with Orioles).
Rotation: RH Max Scherzer (20-7, 2.96 ERA, 284 Ks, 228 1/3 IP, NL Cy Young Award), RH Stephen Strasburg (15-4, 3.60), RH Tanner Roark (16-10, 2.83), LH Gio Gonzalez (11-11, 4.57), RH Joe Ross (7-5, 3.43).
Outlook: The lineup is probably as good as it's ever been, especially if Harper and Zimmerman bounce back from down years and Turner comes even close to replicating what he did as runner-up for NL Rookie of the Year while learning a new position, center field. Turner will be back at his natural spot, shortstop, and the team hopes Eaton will provide stability in CF. Wieters offers pop from both sides as the new catcher. If Scherzer and Strasburg are healthy, the rotation should be quite good again, maybe even strong enough to prevent bullpen questions from having much of a negative effect.
New York Mets
2016: 87-75, second place, lost to San Francisco in wild-card game.
Manager: Terry Collins (seventh season).
He's Here: LHP Tom Gorzelanny, LHP Adam Wilk, 3B coach Glenn Sherlock.
He's Outta Here: RHP Bartolo Colon, 1B James Loney, OF Alejandro De Aza, RHP Jim Henderson, LHP Jonathon Niese, INF-OF Kelly Johnson, RHP Logan Verrett, RHP Gabriel Ynoa, CF Justin Ruggiano, 3B coach Tim Teufel.
Projected Lineup: 3B Jose Reyes (.267, 8 HRs, 24 RBIs, 9 SBs in 60 games), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (.280, 23, 62), LF Yoenis Cespedes (.280, 31, 86), CF Curtis Granderson (.237, 30, 59), 2B Neil Walker (.282, 23, 55 in 113 games before season-ending back surgery), RF Jay Bruce (.250, 33, 99 with Reds and Mets; .219, 8, 19 in 50 games with Mets), 1B Lucas Duda (.229, 7, 23, limited to 47 games due to back injury) or Wilmer Flores (.267, 16, 49 in 103 games; .340, 11 HRs, .710 slugging in 100 ABs vs. LHP), C Travis d'Arnaud (.247, 4, 15, .629 OPS in 75 games).
Rotation: RH Noah Syndergaard (14-9, 2.60 ERA, 218 Ks in 183 2/3 IP, All-Star), RH Jacob deGrom (7-8, 3.04 in 24 starts), LH Steven Matz (9-8, 3.40 in 22 starts), RH Matt Harvey (4-10, 4.86 in 17 starts), RH Robert Gsellman (4-2, 2.42 in 8 games, 7 starts) or RH Seth Lugo (5-2, 2.67 in 17 games, 8 starts) or RH Zack Wheeler (missed last two seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery; 11-11, 3.54 in 2014).
Outlook: Seeking a third consecutive playoff appearance for the first time in franchise history, the Mets have enough talent and depth to make another October run. But a long list of critical injuries derailed the 2015 NL champs last year, so better health is crucial. Every experienced regular besides Granderson spent time on the disabled list last season, in addition to Flores and Lagares. Yet the primary concern is the overall fitness of a young, gifted, fragile rotation led by Syndergaard -- the only established starter who made it through the full 2016 season. Harvey, deGrom, Matz and Wheeler are all coming off surgery. Harvey and Wheeler appear to be the biggest question marks right now. Gsellman and Lugo, the surprising rookies who rescued a depleted staff down the stretch, could again play important roles. New York quickly re-signed Cespedes last fall for $110 million over four years and barely touched the big league roster.
Miami Marlins
2016: 79-82, third place.
Manager: Don Mattingly (second season).
He's Here: RHP Dan Straily, RHP Edinson Volquez, RHP Brad Ziegler, RHP Junichi Tazawa, LHP Jeff Locke, C A.J. Ellis.
He's Outta Here: LHP Mike Dunn, 1B-3B Chris Johnson, C Jeff Mathis, RHP Andrew Cashner, RHP Fernando Rodney, OF Jeff Francoeur.
Projected Lineup: 2B Dee Gordon (.268, 1 HR, 14 RBIs, 30 SBs in 79 games), 3B Martin Prado (.305, 8, 75, 37 doubles), LF Christian Yelich (.298, 21, 98, 38 doubles, .859 OPS), RF Giancarlo Stanton (.240, 27, 74 in 119 games), 1B Justin Bour (.264, 15, 51 in 90 games), CF Marcell Ozuna (.266, 23, 76), C J.T. Realmuto (.303, 11, 48), SS Adeiny Hechavarria (.236, 3, 38, .594 OPS).
Rotation: RH Edinson Volquez (10-11, 5.37 ERA, AL-high 113 ER with Kansas City), RH Dan Straily (14-8, 3.76, NL-high 31 HR with Cincinnati), LH Adam Conley (8-6, 3.85 in 25 games), RH Tom Koehler (9-13, 4.33), LH Wei-Yin Chen (5-5, 4.96 in 22 games).
Outlook: Frugal owner Jeffrey Loria is trying to sell the Marlins, and he approved increasing payroll by one-third to about $100 million, perhaps to make the team more appealing to prospective buyers. But depth remains a problem, and the minor league system is thin, meaning injuries could sink the season. The Marlins already face a challenge at third base, where Prado will miss opening day because of a strained right hamstring and could be sidelined for the first several weeks. Gordon, Bour and $325 million slugger Stanton all missed significant playing time last season, dooming Miami's bid to make the playoffs for the first time since 2003.
Philadelphia Phillies
2016: 71-91, fourth place.
Manager: Pete Mackanin (third season).
He's Here: LF Howie Kendrick, RF Michael Saunders, RHP Clay Buchholz, RHP Joaquin Benoit, RHP Pat Neshek, OF-INF Chris Coghlan, OF Daniel Nava, C Ryan Hanigan, LHP Sean Burnett, SHP Pat Venditte.
He's Outta Here: 1B Ryan Howard, OF-3B Cody Asche, OF Peter Bourjos, 1B-OF Darin Ruf, RHP Charlie Morton, RHP David Hernandez.
Projected Lineup: 2B Cesar Hernandez (.294, 6 HRs, 39 RBIs, 11 3Bs, 17 SBs), LF Howie Kendrick (.255, 8, 40 with Dodgers), CF Odubel Herrera (.286, 15, 49, 25 SBs), 3B Maikel Franco (.255, 25, 88), RF Michael Saunders (.253, 24, 57 with Toronto), 1B Tommy Joseph (.257, 21, 47), SS Freddy Galvis (.241, 20, 67, 17 SBs, 25 BBs, .274 OBP), C Cameron Rupp (.252, 16, 54).
Rotation: RH Jeremy Hellickson (12-10, 3.71 ERA), RH Jerad Eickhoff (11-14, 3.65), RH Clay Buchholz (8-10, 4.78 with Boston), RH Vince Velasquez (8-6, 4.12), RH Aaron Nola (6-9, 4.78).
Outlook: After four straight losing seasons, the Phillies have modest expectations. They're still rebuilding and probably a year away from thinking postseason contention, but Mackanin has set an 81-win goal and players believe they can win now. The team added three veterans in Kendrick, Saunders and Buchholz who have postseason experience and should help Philadelphia win games while holding down a few spots until some of the youngsters are ready. The starting rotation is pretty deep, though it lacks a true ace, and the organization has several pitching prospects close to being ready for the majors. A bunch of young hitters are also knocking on the door and could get the call to the big leagues this summer.
Atlanta Braves
2016: 68-93, fifth place.
Manager: Brian Snitker (second season).
He's Here: RHP Bartolo Colon, RHP R.A. Dickey, LHP Jaime Garcia, 2B Brandon Phillips, C Kurt Suzuki, OF Emilio Bonifacio, RHP Blaine Boyer.
He's Outta Here: OF Mallex Smith, C A.J. Pierzynski, RHP Shae Simmons, RHP Tyrell Jenkins, RHP Williams Perez, RHP Chris Withrow, RHP John Gant, RHP Ryan Weber, RHP Rob Whalen, LHP Andrew McKirahan.
Projected Lineup: CF Ender Inciarte (.291, 3 HRs, 29 RBIs, 16 SBs, Gold Glove), SS Dansby Swanson (.302, 3, 17 in 38 games), 1B Freddie Freeman (.302, 34, 91, 30-game hitting streak), LF Matt Kemp (.268, 35, 108 with Dodgers and Braves), RF Nick Markakis (.269, 13, 89), 2B Brandon Phillips (.291, 11, 64, 14 SBs with Reds), 3B Adonis Garcia (.273, 14, 65), C Tyler Flowers (.270, 8, 41).
Rotation: RH Julio Teheran (7-10, 3.21 ERA, selected to second All-Star Game), RH Bartolo Colon (15-8, 3.43 with Mets, selected to fourth All-Star Game), LH Jaime Garcia (10-13, 4.67 with Cardinals), RH R.A. Dickey (10-15, 4.46 with Blue Jays), RH Mike Foltynewicz (9-5, 4.31).
Outlook: After two straight seasons with 90-plus losses, the Braves are talking boldly about contending for a playoff spot in the NL East. That might be a bit of a stretch, but the team has clearly improved over the past year. General manager John Coppolella deserves credit for speeding up the rebuilding job by making several one-sided trades, including a deal with Arizona that landed Swanson and Inciarte, as well as acquiring Kemp from San Diego for nothing more than taking on his massive contract. The team seemed much more at ease after rookie manager Snitker took over for Fredi Gonzalez early in the season, sparking a 50-47 run over the final 97 games. Snitker, at 61, is one of the oldest first-time managers in baseball history but seems well-suited for the job. The Braves should also get a boost from moving into their new suburban stadium, SunTrust Park, which replaces Turner Field.
Central
Chicago Cubs
2016: 103-58, first place, World Series champions.
Manager: Joe Maddon (third season).
He's Here: RHP Wade Davis, OF Jon Jay, RHP Koji Uehara, LHP Brett Anderson, LHP Brian Duensing, RHP Eddie Butler.
He's Outta Here: CF Dexter Fowler, OF Jorge Soler, LHP Aroldis Chapman, RHP Jason Hammel, LHP Travis Wood, C David Ross, RHP Trevor Cahill, OF Chris Coghlan, RHP Joe Smith.
Projected Lineup: LF Kyle Schwarber (missed nearly all of last season due to left knee injury; .246, 16 HRs, 43 RBIs, .842 OPS in 69 games as rookie in 2015), 3B Kris Bryant (.292, 39, 102, NL MVP), 1B Anthony Rizzo (.292, 32, 109, Gold Glove), 2B Ben Zobrist (.272, 18, 76) or Javier Baez (.273, 14, 59), SS Addison Russell (.238, 21, 95), C Willson Contreras (.282, 12, 35), RF Jason Heyward (.230, 7, 49, Gold Glove), CF Albert Almora Jr. (.277, 3, 14 in 47 games) or Jon Jay (.291, 2, 26 in 90 games with Padres).
Rotation: LH Jon Lester (19-5, 2.44 ERA, 197 Ks), RH Jake Arrieta (18-8, 3.10), RH Kyle Hendricks (16-8, MLB-best 2.13), RH John Lackey (11-8, 3.35), LH Brett Anderson (1-2, 11.91 in 4 games with Dodgers).
Outlook: The Cubs are in great shape as they try to become baseball's first repeat World Series winner since the New York Yankees won three in a row from 1998-2000. Montgomery likely will get a few starts to help keep Anderson healthy and lessen the load on the rest of the rotation. Chicago also will be cautious with Schwarber and his powerful left-handed swing after he missed most of last year following major left knee surgery. Davis replaces Chapman as the closer after the lefty signed with the Yankees in free agency. The 6-foot-5 Davis was limited to 43 1/3 innings last year with the Royals because of a forearm injury, but Rondon and Uehara also have closing experience. The Cubs once again have one of baseball's deepest rosters, with prospects Ian Happ and Jeimer Candelario waiting in the wings should there be a rash of injuries.
St. Louis Cardinals
2016: 86-76, second place.
Manager: Mike Matheny (sixth season).
He's Here: CF Dexter Fowler, LHP Brett Cecil.
He's Outta Here: OF Matt Holliday, OF-1B Brandon Moss, LHP Jaime Garcia, RHP Seth Maness, RHP Jerome Williams, OF Jeremy Hazelbaker.
Projected Lineup: CF Dexter Fowler (.276, 13 HRs, 48 RBIs), SS Aledmys Diaz (.300, 17, 65), 1B Matt Carpenter (.271, 21, 68), RF Stephen Piscotty (.273, 22, 85), C Yadier Molina (.307, 8, 58), 3B Jhonny Peralta (.260, 8, 29 in 82 games) or Jedd Gyorko (.243, 30, 59), LF Randal Grichuk (.240, 24, 68), 2B Kolten Wong (.240, 5, 23).
Rotation: RH Carlos Martinez (16-9, 3.04 ERA, 174 Ks), RH Adam Wainwright (13-9, 4.62), RH Michael Wacha (7-7, 5.09), RH Lance Lynn (12-11, 3.03 in 2015; missed last season recovering from Tommy John surgery), RH Mike Leake (9-12, 4.69).
Outlook: The Cubs own the preseason national spotlight, and deservedly so. That said, the Cardinals -- bolstered by a mostly healthy rotation and the signing of Fowler away from Chicago for five years and $82.5 million -- are expected to make their division rivals work for everything they earn in 2017. Fowler brings a new element of athleticism to St. Louis, both offensively and in the field, and Matheny is counting on the center fielder to aid what has been a largely station-to-station approach by the Cardinals, who were last in the National League in steals last season.
Pittsburgh Pirates
2016: 78-83, third place.
Manager: Clint Hurdle (seventh season).
He's Here: RHP Daniel Hudson, RHP Pat Light.
He's Outta Here: LHP Jeff Locke, RHP Ryan Vogelsong, RHP Neftali Feliz, INF-OF Sean Rodriguez, OF Matt Joyce, INF Jason Rogers, C Eric Fryer.
Projected Lineup: 2B Josh Harrison (.283, 4 HRs, 59 RBIs, 19 SBs), 1B John Jaso (.268, 8, 42) or Josh Bell (.273, 3, 19 in 45 games), RF Andrew McCutchen (.256, 24, 79), CF Starling Marte (.311, 9, 46, 47 SBs, Gold Glove in LF), LF Gregory Polanco (.258, 22, 86, 17 SBs), 3B David Freese (.270, 13, 55) or Jung Ho Kang (.255, 21, 62), C Francisco Cervelli (.264, 1, 33), SS Jordy Mercer (.256, 11, 59).
Rotation: RH Gerrit Cole (7-10, 3.88 ERA), RH Ivan Nova (5-2, 3.06 with Pirates; 7-6, 4.90 with Yankees), RH Jameson Taillon (5-4, 3.38), RH Chad Kuhl (5-4, 4.20), RH Drew Hutchison (1-0, 5.25 in 9 games with Pittsburgh and Toronto), RH Tyler Glasnow (0-2, 4.24) or LH Steven Brault (0-3, 4.86).
Outlook: Pittsburgh didn't exactly throw cash around in hopes of keeping up with the World Series champion Cubs or rival St. Louis. Instead, the Pirates shopped longtime franchise cornerstone McCutchen and then pulled back when other teams didn't want to meet their asking price. The five-time All-Star has tried to take the high road while ultimately accepting a move to right field, though the soap opera concerning his future will likely only heat up again if the Pirates fall off the pace early. Pittsburgh's margin for error is small if it wants to rebound. Nova needs to sustain the momentum he built after arriving in a trade-deadline deal with the Yankees. The young arms behind him in the rotation must mature quickly.
Milwaukee Brewers
2016: 73-89, fourth place.
Manager: Craig Counsell (third season).
He's Here: 1B Eric Thames, 3B Travis Shaw, RHP Neftali Feliz, C Jett Bandy, LHP Tommy Milone.
He's Outta Here: 1B Chris Carter, RHP Tyler Thornburg, C Martin Maldonado, RHP Blaine Boyer.
Projected Lineup: 2B Jonathan Villar (.285, 19 HRs, 63 RBIs, MLB-high 62 steals), OF Keon Broxton (.242, 9, 19, 23/27 steals), LF Ryan Braun (.305, 30, 91), 1B Eric Thames (.317, 40, 118 with NC Dinos in Korean Baseball Organization), RF Domingo Santana (.256, 11, 32), 3B Travis Shaw (.242, 16, 71 with Red Sox), C Jett Bandy (.234, 8, 25 with Angels) or Manny Pina (.254, 4, 12), SS Orlando Arcia (.219, 4, 21).
Rotation: RH Junior Guerra (9-3, 2.81 ERA in 20 starts), RH Zach Davies (11-7, 3.97), RH Matt Garza (6-8, 4.51), RH Jimmy Nelson (8-16, 4.62, MLB-high 86 walks in 179 1/3 innings), RH Wily Peralta (7-11, 4.86).
Outlook: General manager David Stearns' rebuilding project appears to be on schedule after the team's five-win improvement last season. The slick-fielding Arcia is the first member of Milwaukee's potential future core to arrive in the majors, while top prospects including outfielder Lewis Brinson and left-handed starter Josh Hader could get looks by September. For now, the top of the lineup looks intriguing with the speedy Villar and Broxton likely hitting ahead of Braun and Thames. Super-sub Hernan Perez and second baseman-turned-utility player Scooter Gennett add quality depth off the bench. The pitching staff could be bolstered if Guerra and Davies continue to develop, and Nelson and Peralta rebound for a full season.
Cincinnati Reds
2016: 68-94, fifth place.
Manager: Bryan Price (fourth season).
He's Here: RHP Scott Feldman, RHP Drew Storen, RHP Austin Brice, OF Desmond Jennings.
He's Outta Here: 2B Brandon Phillips, RHP Dan Straily, C Ramon Cabrera, RHP J.J. Hoover, OF Steve Selsky, RHP Alfredo Simon, RHP Ross Ohlendorf, RHP Keyvius Sampson.
Projected Lineup: CF Billy Hamilton (.260, 3 HRs, 17 RBIs, 58 SBs), 2B Jose Peraza (.324, 3, 25), 1B Joey Votto (.326, 29, 97), LF Adam Duvall (.241, 33, 103), 3B Eugenio Suarez (.248, 21, 70), RF Scott Schebler (.265, 9, 40), SS Zack Cozart (.252, 16, 50), C Tucker Barnhart (.257, 7, 51).
Rotation: RH Scott Feldman (7-4, 3.97 ERA in 5 starts, 35 relief appearances with Blue Jays and Astros), LH Brandon Finnegan (10-11, 3.98), RH Tim Adleman (4-4, 4.00), RH Bronson Arroyo (hasn't pitched in majors since Tommy John surgery in 2014), RH Robert Stephenson (2-3, 6.08).
Outlook: After losing 98 and 94 games the past two seasons while trading away the core of their team, the Reds are hoping to level off this year. They brought in Storen to stabilize an historically bad bullpen, which converted only 28 of 53 save chances and gave up a major league-record 103 homers. They traded Phillips to Atlanta, opening a spot for Peraza to play and develop. They gambled by trading Straily -- thier top winner last season -- for a couple of pitchers who might help in the future. The injury setbacks with DeSclafani and Bailey leave the rotation in a tough spot as the season opens. Hamilton had his best season and reclaimed the leadoff role last year. Votto showed he's still one of the league's best hitters.
West
Los Angeles Dodgers
2016: 91-71, first place, lost to Cubs in NLCS.
Manager: Dave Roberts (second season).
He's Here: 2B Logan Forsythe, RHP Sergio Romo.
He's Outta Here: INF-OF Howie Kendrick, C Carlos Ruiz, RHP Louis Coleman, RHP Jose De Leon, RHP Carlos Frias.
Projected Lineup: 2B Logan Forsythe (.264, 20 HRs, 52 RBIs in 127 games with Tampa Bay), SS Corey Seager (.308, 26, 72, NL Rookie of the Year), 3B Justin Turner (.275, 27, 90), 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.285, 18, 90), C Yasmani Grandal (.228, 27, 72), RF Yasiel Puig (.263, 11, 45 in 104 games), CF Joc Pederson (.246, 25, 68 in 137 games), LF Andrew Toles (.314, 3, 16 in 48 games).
Rotation: LH Clayton Kershaw (12-4, 1.69 ERA, 172 Ks in 21 starts), RH Kenta Maeda (16-11, 3.48, 179 Ks), LH Rich Hill (12-5, 2.12 in 20 starts with Athletics and Dodgers), RH Brandon McCarthy (2-3, 4.95 in 10 games), LH Alex Wood (1-4, 3.73) or LH Julio Urias (5-2, 3.39, limited to 77 IP) or LH Scott Kazmir (10-6, 4.56, 134 Ks) or LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (0-1, 11.57 in 1 game).
Outlook: The Dodgers are coming off their fourth consecutive NL West title and a trip to the NL Championship Series, so they appear to be perhaps the biggest threat to the Cubs' dominance in the National League. Los Angeles is still looking for its first trip to the World Series since winning the 1988 title. Having won the NL Rookie of the Year award, Seager expects to be ready for opening day after being sidelined in spring training for most of March with a strained oblique. The Dodgers succeeded in keeping much of the roster intact, including re-signing Jansen, Turner and Hill. The outfield will be a platoon situation involving right-handed hitters Puig, Trayce Thompson and Scott Van Slyke, and left-handed hitters Andre Ethier, Kike Hernandez, Pederson and Toles.
San Francisco Giants
2016: 87-75, second place, wild card, lost to Cubs in NLDS.
Manager: Bruce Bochy (11th season).
He's Here: RHP Mark Melancon, C Nick Hundley, 3B Jae-gyun Hwang, INF Jimmy Rollins, RF Justin Ruggiano.
He's Outta Here: RHP Santiago Casilla, RHP Sergio Romo, LHP Javier Lopez, LF Angel Pagan, RHP Jake Peavy, RF Gregor Blanco, INF Ehire Adrianza, RHP Joe Nathan.
Projected Lineup: CF Denard Span (.266, 11 HRs, 52 RBIs, 12 SBs), 1B Brandon Belt (.275, 17, 82, 41 2Bs, 104 BBs), C Buster Posey (.288, 14, 80, 33 2Bs), RF Hunter Pence (.289, 13, 57), SS Brandon Crawford (.275, 12, 84), 3B Eduardo Nunez (.288, 16, 67, 40 SBs with Twins and Giants), 2B Joe Panik (.239, 10, 62), LF Jarrett Parker (.247, 12, 33) or Mac Williamson (.223, 6, 15).
Rotation: LH Madison Bumgarner (15-9, 2.74 ERA, 251 Ks), RH Johnny Cueto (18-5, 2.79), LH Matt Moore (13-12, 4.08 with Rays and Giants), RH Jeff Samardzija (12-11, 3.81), RH Matt Cain (4-8, 5.64).
Outlook: The Giants' run of even-year championships ended last season with the bullpen meltdown against Chicago. But this squad has all the ingredients to contend again. Bumgarner and Cueto provide one of the best 1-2 punches at the top of any rotation in the majors, and a full season from Moore after he was acquired at the trade deadline last year from Tampa Bay only makes San Francisco tougher. The lineup is deep, led by All-Stars Posey and Crawford and key contributors like Pence and Belt. The Giants are also very strong defensively, especially up the middle. With Melancon on board to handle the ninth inning, the only glaring question is whether Cain can regain his previous form.
Colorado Rockies
2016: 75-87, third place.
Manager: Bud Black (first season).
He's Here: 1B Ian Desmond, LHP Mike Dunn, RHP Greg Holland, INF Alexi Amarista.
He's Outta Here: Manager Walt Weiss, LHP Jorge De La Rosa, C Nick Hundley, LHP Boone Logan, 1B-OF Ben Paulsen, OF Ryan Raburn, INF Daniel Descalso, RHP Eddie Butler.
Projected Lineup: CF Charlie Blackmon (.324, 29 HRs, 82 RBIs, 17 SBs), 2B DJ LeMahieu (MLB-best .348, 11, 66), 3B Nolan Arenado (.294, 41, MLB-high 133, .932 OBP), RF Carlos Gonzalez (.298, 25, 100), SS Trevor Story (.272, 27, 72 in 97 games), LF Gerardo Parra (.253, 7, 39), 1B Mark Reynolds (.282, 14, 53) until return of Ian Desmond (.285, 22, 86 with Rangers), C Tony Wolters (.259, 3, 30).
Rotation: RH Jon Gray (10-10, 4.16, 185 Ks), RH Tyler Chatwood (12-9, 3.87), LH Tyler Anderson (5-6, 3.53), RH Jeff Hoffman (0-4, 4.88 in 8 games, 6 starts), RH German Marquez (1-1, 5.23).
Outlook: Heading into spring training, the Rockies were a trendy pick to make a run at their first playoff berth since 2009. They signed Black to a three-year deal to take over for Weiss. They brought in former shortstop and outfielder Desmond to learn first base, and bulked up their shaky bullpen with Holland and Dunn. They already had one of the most formidable lineups in the league with Arenado, Gonzalez, Story, Blackmon and LeMahieu. But this spring they've been hit hard by injuries. Desmond had surgery on his broken left hand and will miss several weeks.
Arizona Diamondbacks
2016: 69-93, fourth place.
Manager: Torey Lovullo (first season).
He's Here: RHP Taijuan Walker, RHP Fernando Rodney, C Chris Iannetta, C Jeff Mathis, SS Ketel Marte, INF Daniel Descalso, OF Jeremy Hazelbaker, OF Gregor Blanco, RHP Tyler Jones.
He's Outta Here: Manager Chip Hale, 2B-SS Jean Segura, C Welington Castillo, RHP Daniel Hudson, OF Rickie Weeks, OF Mitch Haniger, OF Peter O'Brien.
Projected Lineup: CF A.J. Pollock (.244, 2 HRs, 7 RBIs in 12 games; missed rest of season with fractured elbow), RF David Peralta (.251, 4, 15 in 48 games; missed rest of season with wrist injury), 1B Paul Goldschmidt (.297, 24, 95, 32 SBs), 3B Jake Lamb (.249, 29, 91), LF Yasmany Tomas (.272, 31, 83; sidelined this spring with oblique strain), 2B Brandon Drury (.282, 16, 53), SS Chris Owings (.277, 5, 45, 21 SBs), C Jeff Mathis (.238, 2, 15 with Marlins) or Chris Herrmann (.284, 6, 28) or Chris Iannetta (.210, 7, 24 with Mariners).
Rotation: RH Zack Greinke (13-7, 4.37 ERA), RH Taijuan Walker (8-11, 4.22, 119 Ks with Mariners), LH Patrick Corbin (5-13, 5.15), RH Shelby Miller (3-12, 6.15), LH Robbie Ray (8-11, 4.90, 218 Ks).
Outlook: The Diamondbacks can score -- they were fourth in the NL last season with 752 runs. The return of Pollock and Peralta from injuries should make the lineup even more formidable, and Drury could have a breakout year as an everyday player at second base. Goldschmidt remains one of the game's most dangerous sluggers. But the pitching must improve for this team to have any hope of challenging the Dodgers and Giants in the NL West. Greinke battled injuries throughout his first season in Arizona after the Diamondbacks signed him to a six-year, $206.5 million contract. Miller was awful after Arizona gave up two top prospects to acquire him from Atlanta. Corbin struggled and was demoted to the bullpen.
San Diego Padres
2016: 68-94, fifth place.
Manager: Andy Green (second season).
He's Here: RHP Jhoulys Chacin, RHP Trevor Cahill, RHP Jered Weaver, C Luis Torrens.
He's Outta Here: CF Jon Jay, C Derek Norris, RHP Tyson Ross, INF-OF Alexi Amarista, RHP Edwin Jackson, RHP Carlos Villanueva, 3B Adam Rosales, RHP Brandon Morrow.
Projected Lineup: LF Travis Jankowski (.245, 2 HRs, 12 RBIs), CF Manuel Margot (.243, 0, 3 in 37 ABs), 1B Wil Myers (.259, 28, 94), 3B Yangervis Solarte (.286, 15, 71), RF Hunter Renfroe (.371, 4, 14 in 35 ABs), 2B Ryan Schimpf (.217, 20, 51), C Austin Hedges (.125, 0, 1 in 24 ABs), SS Luis Sardinas (.287, 2, 13).
Rotation: RH Jhoulys Chacin (6-8, 4.81 with Braves and Angels), LH Clayton Richard (3-4, 3.33 with Cubs and Padres), RH Trevor Cahill (4-4, 2.74 in 50 games, 1 start with Cubs), RH Jered Weaver (12-12, 5.06 with Angels), RH Luis Perdomo (9-10, 5.71).
Outlook: Executive chairman Ron Fowler said last year he doesn't expect the Padres to be competitive for at least two seasons. They have decided on a long-term plan to develop young players, a dramatic shift from GM A.J. Preller's wild shopping spree two offseasons ago. Myers, the only holdover from that win-now attempt that failed, has become an All-Star and the current face of the franchise, although he could soon be challenged for that distinction by promising youngsters like Hedges and Renfroe. Power-hitting outfielder Jabari Blash probably won a spot on the 25-man roster with a strong spring. The Padres will experiment with using Christian Bethancourt as a catcher, pitcher and outfielder. San Diego hasn't had a winning season since 2010.
Sports on 03/26/2017