Click here to subscribe today or Login.
A brief team-by-team look at the National League entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:
EAST Philadelphia Phillies
Manager: Charlie Manuel (seventh season).
2010: 97-65, first place, lost in NLCS.
Training Town: Clearwater, Fla.
Park: Bright House Networks Field.
First Workout: Feb. 14/Feb. 19.
He’s Here: LHP Cliff Lee, OF Delwyn Young, INF Michael Martinez.
He’s Outta Here: RF Jayson Werth, RHP Chad Durbin.
Going campin’: The Phillies had the best record in the majors for the first time in franchise history, but fell two wins short of reaching their third straight World Series. They reacquired Cliff Lee, adding to an already pitching-rich staff. Lee joins Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels to form — on paper — perhaps one of the all-time best starting rotations. The main issue of the spring is finding a replacement for Jayson Werth. Rookie Domonic Brown, Ben Francisco, John Mayberry and Ross Gload are all in the mix for a platoon. An offense that used to carry the team is the biggest question mark. Every regular except for Carlos Ruiz is coming off a down year. Can Jimmy Rollins be close to the player who was 2007 NL MVP? Is Chase Utley on the decline after seeing his average drop three straight years? Who will hit fifth behind Ryan Howard? Will Raul Ibanez show more signs of age? With Brad Lidge as the closer, there’s always concerns about his reliability.
Atlanta Braves
Manager: Fredi Gonzalez (first season).
2010: 91-71, wild card, lost in divisional round.
Training Town: Kissimmee, Fla.
Park: Champion Stadium.
First Workout: Feb. 15/Feb. 19.
He’s Here: 2B Dan Uggla, RHP Scott Linebrink, LHP George Sherrill, IF-OF Joe Mather.
He’s Outta Here: IF-OF Omar Infante, LHP Billy Wagner, 1B Derrek Lee, OF Melky Cabrera, OF Matt Diaz, 1B Troy Glaus, RHP Takashi Saito, LHP Mike Dunn, RHP Kyle Farnsworth, OF Rick Ankiel.
Going campin’: The Braves reached the playoffs for the first time in five years, but lost to eventual World Series champion San Francisco in the opening round of the playoffs. During the spring, all eyes will be on two key spots: third base and the bullpen. Chipper Jones pondered retirement before tearing up a knee, and now he’s trying to come back at age 38. His presence in the middle of the batting order is crucial, even with the acquisition of slugger Dan Uggla. If Jones can’t go at third, the Braves will have to abandon their plan to move All-Star Martin Prado to left field. That, of course, would leave a huge hole in an outfield that already looks shaky in center with Nate McLouth. As for the bullpen, the Braves are counting on youngsters Craig Kimbrel and Jonny Venters to take over for retired closer Billy Wagner. They might wind up sharing the job, because Kimbrel is a right-hander and Venters a lefty. Rookie Freddie Freeman takes over at first base, and the Braves’ can only hope he has the same impact as last year’s rookie sensation, Jason Heyward. And, of course, there’s a huge change in the dugout. Bobby Cox retired after more than two decades as the Braves manager and was quickly replaced by protege Fredi Gonzalez.
Florida Marlins
Manager: Edwin Rodriguez (first full season).
2010: 80-82, third place.
Training Town: Jupiter, Fla.
Park: Roger Dean Stadium.
First Workout: Feb. 18/Feb. 22.
He’s Here: RHP Javier Vazquez, C John Buck, INF Omar Infante, RHP Shawn Hill, RHP Ryan Webb, RHP Edward Mujica, LHP Mike Dunn, LHP Randy Choate, LHP Dustin Richardson, INF Greg Dobbs.
He’s Outta Here: 2B Dan Uggla, CF Cameron Maybin, LHP Renyel Pinto, RHP Jose Veras, RHP Jorge Sosa, LHP Will Ohman, LHP Taylor Tankersley, C Ronny Paulino, INF Chad Tracy, OF Brett Carroll.
Going campin’: Edwin Rodriguez heads into his first full season as a major league manager with some sorting out to do regarding the lineup. The biggest question mark is at third base, where good-fielding, light-hitting prospect Matt Dominguez will be given a chance to win the job. If Dominguez isn’t ready, Infante or Chris Coghlan will likely play third. The Marlins would rather play Omar Infante at second, and they’re hoping Coghlan can make the transition from left field to center field as he comes back from knee surgery in August. Florida is counting on Javier Vazquez to fill out an otherwise set rotation that includes 2010 NL ERA leader Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Anibal Sanchez and Chris Volstad. Rodriguez will also assess a handful of newcomers acquired to upgrade a bullpen that was shaky in 2010, when the Marlins missed the playoffs for the seventh year in a row. The loss of Dan Uggla puts more of the offensive load on shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who pledges to bounce back from a subpar season after hitting an NL-best .342 in 2009.
New York Mets
Manager: Terry Collins (first season).
2010: 79-83, fourth place.
Training Town: Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Park: Tradition Field.
First Workout: Feb. 17/Feb. 21.
He’s Here: RHP Chris Young, LHP Chris Capuano, C Ronny Paulino, RHP D.J. Carrasco, RHP Taylor Buchholz, OF Scott Hairston, OF Willie Harris, RHP Blaine Boyer, LHP Tim Byrdak, LHP Taylor Tankersley, 2B Brad Emaus, INF Chin-lung Hu, C Raul Chavez, RHP Boof Bonser, 2B Russ Adams, C Dusty Ryan.
He’s Outta Here: LHP Pedro Feliciano, LHP Hisanori Takahashi, C Henry Blanco, RHP John Maine, OF Chris Carter, RHP Elmer Dessens, INF-OF Fernando Tatis, RHP Sean Green, 2B Joaquin Arias.
Going campin’: Following their second consecutive losing season, the oft-injured Mets cleaned house last fall. They fired manager Jerry Manuel and GM Omar Minaya, handing the reins to longtime baseball executive Sandy Alderson. He promptly brought in his old Moneyball pals to fill out the front office, and Terry Collins was given his third shot as a big league manager after going 444-434 during 1990s stints with the Astros and Angels. The club was uncharacteristically frugal during the offseason, making no big-name roster moves. Behind the headlines, however, much-needed changes were made in amateur scouting, player development and strength and conditioning. Spring training should be interesting. With ace Johan Santana expected to be sidelined until at least June following shoulder surgery, the rotation looks thin. A couple of spots are available — Chris Young and Chris Capuano must prove they’re healthy to hold off prospects such as Jenrry Mejia and Dillon Gee. Second base could be an open competition and the Mets need to pick a center fielder, Carlos Beltran (knee) or Angel Pagan. The other will play right. Left fielder Jason Bay tries to regain his power stroke after missing the final two months of last season with a concussion. All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes can become a free agent after the World Series and closer Francisco Rodriguez has an image to repair after attacking his girlfriend’s father at Citi Field last season. Who will be healthy (and happy) on this team? Who knows? Regardless, not much is expected for the first time in a while. This is a transition year for the Mets as they wait for more than $45 mil lion in inflated contracts to come off the payroll for 2012, including Oliver Perez, Luis Castillo and Beltran.
Washington Nationals
Manager: Jim Riggleman (second full season).
2010: 69-93, last place.
Training Town: Viera, Fla.
Park: Space Coast Stadium.
First Workout: Feb. 17/Feb. 22.
He’s Here: RF Jayson Werth, 1B Adam LaRoche, LHP Tom Gorzelanny, RHP Todd Coffey, OF Rick Ankiel, INF-OF Jerry Hairston Jr., INF Alex Cora, PH Matt Stairs, RHP Cla Meredith, OF Laynce Nix.
He’s Outta Here: 1B Adam Dunn, LF Josh Willingham, 2B Adam Kennedy, INF-OF Willie Harris, C Wil Nieves, OF Justin Maxwell, RHP Miguel Batista, LHP Scott Olsen, RHP Tyler Walker.
Going campin’: All eyes in Viera will be on two players who probably won’t affect how the 2011 Nationals fare: a rehabbing Stephen Strasburg and his successor as the No. 1 overall draft pick, 18-year-old Bryce Harper. While waiting for those two, GM Mike Rizzo added free agents Jayson Werth — he of the startling $126 million, seven-year deal — and Adam LaRoche, but lost slugger Adam Dunn and his year-in, year-out power numbers of 38-plus homers and 100-plus RBI. Rizzo’s No. 1 offseason priority was landing a top-of-the-rotation pitcher, but that didn’t happen. With Strasburg out for most — if not all — of this season after reconstructive elbow surgery, it appears Washington will again have a cobbled-together starting staff. Rizzo says he’s entered “Phase 2” of improving the perennially last-place Nationals, but there are still plenty of unknowns, including: How will the young middle-infield duo of SS Ian Desmond (majors-worst 34 errors) and 2B Danny Espinosa (offseason hand surgery) progress?
CENTRAL Cincinnati Reds
Manager: Dusty Baker (fourth season).
2010: 91-71, first place, lost in divisional round.
Training Town: Goodyear, Ariz.
Park: Goodyear Ballpark.
First Workout: Feb. 16/Feb. 19.
He’s Here: SS Edgar Renteria, OF Fred Lewis, LHP Dontrelle Willis.
He’s Outta Here: RHP Aaron Harang, SS Orlando Cabrera, LHP Arthur Rhodes, OF Laynce Nix, OF Willie Bloomquist.
Going campin’: The Reds ended their streak of nine straight losing seasons and reached the playoffs for the first time in 15 years before getting swept by the Phillies. They decided to keep the roster virtually intact, and spent more than $150 million in contract extensions for Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto, Jay Bruce and Joey Votto. The question is whether a roster that exceeded expectations last year can win another division title without significant upgrade. Fred Lewis could play a lot in left field and compete for the leadoff spot — the Reds don’t have a proven top-of-the-lineup hitter. Edgar Renteria is expected to back up Paul Janish at shortstop. The main question in camp is how they’ll fill out their rotation. Arroyo, Cueto and Edinson Volquez started the three playoff games. The other two spots will be filled from a group including RHPs Mike Leake and Homer Bailey and left-handers Travis Wood and Dontrelle Willis. Left-hander Aroldis Chapman will open the season in the bullpen, where he showed off his 100-mph-plus fastball after his late-season promotion last year.
St. Louis Cardinals
Manager: Tony La Russa (16th season).
2010: 86-76, second place.
Training Town: Jupiter, Fla.
Park: Roger Dean Stadium.
First Workout: Feb. 14/Feb. 19.
He’s Here: OF Lance Berkman, SS Ryan Theriot, IF Nick Punto, OF Jim Edmonds, RHP Ian Snell, RHP Miguel Batista, C Gerald Laird.
He’s Outta Here: SS Brendan Ryan, RHP Brad Penny, LHP Dennys Reyes, RHP Jeff Suppan, RHP Blake Hawksworth, Util Felipe Lopez, C Jason LaRue, 3B Pedro Feliz, Util Joe Mather, INF Aaron Miles, C Matt Pagnozzi, OF Randy Winn, RHP Mike MacDougal.
Going campin’: The big question is whether Albert Pujols can be signed to franchise-record contract extension before the start of spring workouts, a deadline set by the three-time NL MVP’s agent, although the Cardinals would attempt to keep talks alive as long as possible with a player eligible for free agency after the season. Chairman Bill DeWitt has refused to negotiate in public, referring to Pujols as “iconic” and “irreplaceable.” The rotation is one of the majors’ strongest headed by RHPs Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter, plus RHP Jake Westbrook, LHP Jaime Garcia and RHP Kyle Lohse. The lineup is set, too, and deeper offensively, but defense could be weaker with Lance Berkman returning to right field at age 35 and Ryan Theriot lacking range of departed Brendan Ryan at shortstop.
Milwaukee Brewers
Manager: Ron Roenicke (first season).
2010: 77-85, third place.
Training Town: Phoenix.
Park: Maryvale Baseball Park.
First Workout: Feb. 17/Feb. 22.
He’s Here: RHP Zack Greinke, RHP Shaun Marcum, SS Yuniesky Betancourt, RHP Takashi Saito, LF Brandon Boggs, C Wil Nieves, RHP Sean Green, 1B Mark Kotsay.
He’s Outta Here: Manager Ken Macha, RHP Todd Coffey, RF Joe Inglett, RHP Carlos Villanueva, SS Alcides Escobar, RHP Jeremy Jeffress, CF Lorenzo Cain, RHP Dave Bush, LHP Chris Capuano, LHP Doug Davis, RHP Trevor Hoffman, C Gregg Zaun.
Going campin’: The Brewers made two of the biggest offseason trades by acquiring Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum, and hired Ron Roenicke after two years of pitiful performances under Ken Macha. The price was high — Milwaukee traded away its top pitching prospect, top hitting prospect as well as contributors Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain and Jeremy Jeffress. It’s a win-now approach with the Brewers, who will likely lose Prince Fielder to free agency after the season and may lose leadoff hitter Rickie Weeks, too. But the rotation of Greinke, Yovani Gallardo, Marcum, Randy Wolf and Chris Narveson is set, barring injury and should keep Milwaukee in the thick of the NL Central through September.
Houston Astros
Manager: Brad Mills (second season).
2010: 76-86, fourth place.
Training Town: Kissimmee, Fla.
Park: Osceola County Stadium.
First Workout: Feb. 16/Feb. 20.
He’s Here: SS Clint Barmes, 2B Bill Hall, LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith, LHP J.A. Happ, 1B Brett Wallace.
He’s Outta Here: RHP Matt Lindstrom, RHP Felipe Paulino, INF Geoff Blum, 1B Lance Berkman, RHP Roy Oswalt.
Going campin’: The Astros got off to a terrible 17-34 start in Brad Mills’ first season as manager. They went with their young talent after that and a lineup that routinely included four rookies went 59-52 after June 1. After shedding longtime stars Lance Berkman and ace Roy Oswalt before the trade deadline, left fielder Carlos Lee and right fielder Hunter Pence shook off bad starts for a strong second half. The team is looking to see how third baseman Chris Johnson follows a stellar rookie season where he had 11 homers, 52 RBI and a team-leading .308 batting average after being called up in June. They added Bill Hall, who will start at second base, and got a new shortstop in Clint Barmes. They believe Hall is an upgrade at second base, but they’re also hoping he adds some punch to their offense after they finished last season near the bottom of almost every statistical category. The top two spots in the rotation are solid in lefty Wandy Rodriguez, who had a 2.11 ERA after the All-Star break; and Brett Myers, who led the team with a career high-tying 14 wins last season. J.A. Happ and Bud Norris showed promise last season, but need to improve.
Chicago Cubs
Manager: Mike Quade (first full season).
2010: 75-87, fifth place.
Training Town: Mesa, Ariz.
Park: Fitch Park; HoHoKam Park.
First workout: Feb. 14/Feb. 19.
He’s here: RHP Matt Garza, 1B Carlos Pena, RHP Kerry Wood, RHP Braden Looper, INF Augie Odeja, RHP Todd Wellemeyer.
He’s out of here: OF/1B Xavier Nady, LHP Tom Gorzelanny, OF Sam Fuld.
Going campin’: The Cubs fizzled last season and fell out of contention. They traded Derrek Lee, Ted Lilly and Ryan Theriot, key players in their division-winning teams of 2007 and 2008. Manager Lou Piniella retired in August, replaced by third base coach and longtime minor league skipper Mike Quade, who got the job permanently after the season when he beat out a field of candidates that included Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg. Under Quade, the Cubs were 24-13 over the final six weeks. Chicago greatly improved its rotation with the acquisition of a No. 1 starter in Matt Garza, a 15-game winner with Tampa Bay last season. Carlos Zambrano, who underwent counseling for his anger last season, finished the year 8-0 but must prove he can pitch that way throughout an entire season. Ryan Dempster is the other for-sure starter and the Cubs may be able to move young right-hander Andrew Cashner into the rotation after bringing back fan favorite Kerry Wood to be a setup man for the bargain price of $1.5 million. Pena batted only .196 for the Rays last season, but the Cubs are hoping he will provide left-handed power and put pop in a lineup that featured rookies Starlin Castro and Tyler Colvin last season. Chicago also has a top closer in Carlos Marmol, who had 38 saves last season. Catcher Geovany Soto, the 2008 NL Rookie of the Year, had a strong bounce back season after struggling in 2009.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Manager: Clint Hurdle (first season).
2010: 57-105, last place.
Training Town: Bradenton, Fla.
Park: McKechnie Field.
First Workout: Feb. 14/Feb. 19.
He’s Here: RHP Kevin Correia, RHP Fernando Nieve, LHP Joe Beimel, LHP Scott Olsen, OF Matt Diaz, 1B Lyle Overbay, INF Andy Marte, 3B Josh Fields, infielder Garrett Atkins
He’s Outta Here: LHP Zach Duke, LHP Wil Ledezma, RHP Joe Martinez, 3B Andy LaRoche, INF Delwyn Young, OF Lastings Milledge
Going campin’: It’s tough for a team that has had 18 straight losing seasons to be coming off one of its worst years in franchise history, but that is the case with the Pirates, who lost 105 games in 2010. Their biggest offseason move, however, was hiring the enthusiastic Clint Hurdle to take over as manager from John Russell. Can Hurdle, the Texas Rangers’ hitting coach last season, rally a squad that hit a league-low .242 and had an ERA of 5.00? To do so, he has a talented young core of Andrew McCutchen, third baseman Pedro Alvarez, second baseman Neil Walker and left fielder Jose Tabata but not much more. The Pirates, the only team with an ERA in the 5s last year, signed Kevin Correia, 10-10 with a 5.40 ERA in 26 starts for San Diego, and lefty Scott Olsen, 6-12 over the last two injury-filled seasons, to join Ross Ohlendorf, James McDonald and Paul Maholm in the rotation. McDonald, acquired at the trade deadline in a deal with the Dodgers, had a 3.52 ERA in 11 starts with Pittsburgh.
WEST San Francisco Giants
Manager: Bruce Bochy (fifth season).
2010: 92-70, first place, World Series champions.
Training Town: Scottsdale, Ariz.
Park: Scottsdale Stadium.
First Workout: Feb. 15/Feb. 19.
He’s Here: SS Miguel Tejada.
He’s Outta Here: INF Juan Uribe, SS Edgar Renteria.
Going campin’: The Giants, minus a superstar, made an improbable run to capture their first World Series title since 1954 and first since moving West in 1958. Then they retained much of their roster heading into 2011 — a group manager Bruce Bochy has referred to as “castoffs and misfits”: outfielders Cody Ross and Pat Burrell, first baseman Aubrey Huff and others. Miguel Tejada, who began his big league career across the bay with Oakland, steps in at shortstop to replace departed World Series MVP Renteria. Third baseman Pablo Sandoval was told to shape up this winter if he wants to make the team and keep his spot, and he spent the winter working out in Arizona. Lefty Barry Zito, left off the roster for all three postseason rounds, will look to bounce back from a 9-14 season.
San Diego Padres
Manager: Bud Black (fifth season).
2010: 90-72, second place.
Training Town: Peoria, Ariz.
Park: Peoria Sports Complex
First Workout: Feb. 14/Feb. 19.
He’s Here: 2B Orlando Hudson, SS Jason Bartlett, 1B Brad Hawpe, CF Cameron Maybin, RHP Aaron Harang, RHP Chad Qualls, C Gregg Zaun, RHP Dustin Moseley, C Rob Johnson, INF Jorge Cantu, OF Eric Patterson, RHP George Kontos.
He’s Outta Here: 1B Adrian Gonzalez, SS Miguel Tejada, 2B David Eckstein, RHP Jon Garland, RHP Chris Young, C Yorvit Torrealba, INF Jerry Hairston Jr., OF Scott Hairston, RHP Adam Russell, LHP Cesar Ramos, RHP Kevin Correia, RHP Edward Mujica, RHP Ryan Webb.
Going campin’: The Padres have retooled considerably since winning 90 games and still falling one victory short of making the playoffs. The biggest move was trading All-Star slugger Adrian Gonzalez to the Boston Red Sox for three top prospects plus Patterson. The Padres said they wouldn’t be able to afford to keep Gonzalez once he hit the free agent market after this season. General manager Jed Hoyer also rejiggered up the middle by acquiring Jason Bartlett in a trade with Tampa Bay, signing Orlando Hudson as a free agent and acquiring Cameron Maybin in a trade with Florida. The big spring training battles will be for the Nos. 4 and 5 spots in the rotation behind ace Mat Latos, Clayton Richard and Aaron Harang.
Colorado Rockies
Manager: Jim Tracy (third season).
2010: 83-79, third place.
Training Town: Scottsdale, Ariz.
Park: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.
First Workout: Feb. 15/Feb. 22.
He’s Here: RHP Matt Lindstrom, IF Ty Wigginton, 2B Jose Lopez, RHP Felipe Paulino
He’s Outta Here: C Miguel Olivo, 2B Clint Barmes, RHP Manny Corpas, 3B Melvin Mora, LHP Joe Beimel, LHP Jeff Francis, OF Jay Payton.
Going campin’: After fading down the stretch last season, the Rockies committed $273 million in contracts this winter, signing sluggers Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez to long-term deals and re-signing LHP Jorge De La Rosa, who teams with ace Ubaldo Jimenez and up-and-coming star Jhoulys Chacin to give the Rockies one of the most promising young rotations in baseball. The bullpen is stellar. What the Rockies need is more offense outside Tulo and CarGo, who put together MVP-worthy performances last season. A more consistent offense would go a long way toward addressing last year’s perplexing splits: The Rockies were 52-29 at Coors Field but just 31-50 on the road. Catcher Chris Iannetta gets his first real shot at winning the starting job.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Manager: Don Mattingly (first season).
2010: 80-82, fourth place.
Training Town: Glendale, Ariz.
Park: Camelback Ranch.
First Workout: Feb. 17/Feb. 24.
He’s Here: INF Juan Uribe, RHP Jon Garland, RHP Matt Guerrier, RHP Blake Hawksworth, C Dioner Navarro, OF Marcus Thames, OF Tony Gwynn Jr.
He’s Outta Here: C Russell Martin, LHP George Sherrill, INF Ryan Theriot, C Brad Ausmus.
Going campin’: The dispute about the team’s ownership that overshadowed last season continues on. A judge in the dispute between Frank McCourt and his former wife, Jamie, finalized his decision that their marital property agreement is invalid in January, allowing her to seek half of the team. While there were fears the McCourts’ contentious divorce might slow spending, the team has committed more than $80 million in offseason signings. Will RHP Jonathan Broxton reclaim his role as closer after losing it last season?
Arizona Diamondbacks
Manager: Kirk Gibson (first full season).
2010: 65-97, last place.
Training Town: Scottsdale, Ariz.
Park: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.
First Workout: Feb. 14/19.
He’s Here: RHP Armando Galarraga, LHP Zach Duke, RHP J.J. Putz, RHP David Hernandez, LF Xavier Nady, 1B Juan Miranda, 3B-1B Geoff Blum, 3B Cody Ransom, C Henry Blanco, RF Willie Bloomquist, 3B Melvin Mora, RHP Kam Mickolio, LHP Joe Paterson.
He’s Outta Here: 3B Mark Reynolds, 1B Adam LaRoche, RHP Rodrigo Lopez, RHP Blaine Boyer.
Going campin’: New general manager Kevin Towers has overhauled the roster, dealing strikeout-plagued slugger Mark Reynolds and revamping what was one of the worst bullpens in baseball. Zach Duke, Armando Galarraga and Barry Enright will battle for the last two rotation spots behind Joe Saunders, Daniel Hudson and Ian Kennedy.