Los Angeles Dodgers
2008: 84-78, first place
Manager: Joe Torre, second year
Projected lineup: SS Rafael Furcal, 2B Orlando Hudson, LF Manny Ramirez, RF Andre Ethier, 1B James Loney, CF Matt Kemp, C Russell Martin, 3B Casey Blake.
Rotation: RH Hiroki Kuroda , RH Chad Billingsley, LH Randy Wolf, LH Clayton Kershaw, RH James McDonald, RH Jason Schmidt (hurt)
Closer: RH Jonathan Broxton
Hot spots: Starting pitching and the bullpen. At 24, Billingsley has yet to prove he can be the replacement ace on a staff that lost veterans Derek Lowe and Brad Penny. Broxton moves into the closer role with Takashi Saito’s departure. Still, L.A. has built a reputation for stellar pitching.
Arizona Diamondbacks
2008: 82-80, second place
Manager: Bob Melvin, fifth year
Projected lineup: 2B Felipe Lopez, CF Chris Young, SS Stephen Drew, LF Conor Jackson, 1B Chad Tracy, RF Justin Upton, 3B Mark Reynolds, C Chris Snyder
Rotation: RH Brandon Webb, RH Dan Haren, LH Doug Davis, RH Jon Garland, RH Max Scherzer
Closer: RH Chad Qualls
Hot spots: The bullpen and outfield. Qualls inherited the closer’s job after Brandon Lyon’s meltdown, but setup men Tony Peña, Jon Rauch, Scott Schoeneweis and Tom Gordon are question marks. There’s a crowd in the outfield, with scrappy Eric Byrnes back and healthy. He likely will fill in at all three outfield positions.
Colorado Rockies
2008: 74-88, third place
Manager: Clint Hurdle, 8th year
Projected lineup: CF Ryan Spilborghs, SS Troy Tulowitzki, 1B Todd Helton, 3B Garrett Atkins, RF Brad Hawpe, C Chris Iannetta, LF Seth Smith, 2B Clint Barmes
Rotation: RH Aaron Cook, RH Ubaldo Jimenez, LH Franklin Morales, RH Jason Marquis, LH Jorge De La Rosa
Closer: RH Huston Street
Hot spots: Left field, rotation and closer. Seth Smith should get the first shot at replacing Matt Holliday in left, but Ian Stewart could see time with Carlos Gonzalez optioned to Triple-A. Glendon Rusch may crack the rotation. Street won the closer’s job over Manuel Corpas.
San Francisco Giants
2008: 72-90, fourth place
Manager: Bruce Bochy, 3rd year
Projected lineup: RF Randy Winn, SS Edgar Renteria, 3B Pablo Sandoval, C Bengie Molina, CF Aaron Rowand, LF Fred Lewis, 1B Travis Ishikawa, 2B Emmanuel Burriss
Rotation: RH Tim Lincecum, LH Randy Johnson, RH Matt Cain, LH Barry Zito, LH Jonathan Sanchez
Closer: RH Brian Wilson
Hot spots: The late innings. Bochy hopes his starting pitchers, with the addition of Johnson, 45, will allow the Giants to carry just six relievers, opening a spot for another bat on a team that could sorely use it. Zito’s durability has never been questioned, but everything else is still in doubt.
San Diego Padres
2008: 63-99, fifth place
Manager: Bud Black, 3rd year
Projected lineup: CF Jody Gerut, 2B David Eckstein, RF Brian Giles, 1B Adrian Gonzalez, 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff, LF Chase Headley, C Nick Hundley, SS Luis Rodriguez
Rotation: RH Jake Peavy, RH Chris Young, RH Cha Seung Baek, RH Kevin Correia, RH Shawn Hill or LH Cesar Ramos or RH Walter Silva
Closer: RH Heath Bell
Hot spots: Starting rotation, bullpen, middle infield. Baek could miss the start because of a strained right forearm. Bell, who has two career saves, takes over for all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman (ex-UA), who signed with Milwaukee.