Philadelphia Phillies
2008: 92-70, 1st place, WS champs
Manager: Charlie Manuel, 5th year
Projected lineup: SS Jimmy Rollins, CF Shane Victorino, 2B Chase Utley, 1B Ryan Howard, LF Raul Ibañez, RF Jayson Werth, 3B Pedro Feliz, C Carlos Ruiz
Rotation: LH Cole Hamels, RH Brett Myers , LH Jamie Moyer, RH Joe Blanton, RH Chan Ho Park
Closer: RH Brad Lidge
Hot spots: Fifth starter and bench. Park beat out Kyle Kendrick, J.A. Happ and Carlos Carrasco for the final spot in the rotation. The versatile Miguel Cairo could give the Phillies a much-needed righty bat off the bench. Releasing Geoff Jenkins opened up a spot for Cairo, who outperformed Marcus Giles in camp.
New York Mets
2008: 89-73, second place
Manager: Jerry Manuel, 1st year
Projected lineup: SS Jose Reyes, LF Daniel Murphy, 3B David Wright, 1B Carlos Delgado, CF Carlos Beltran, RF Ryan Church, C Brian Schneider, 2B Luis Castillo
Rotation: LH Johan Santana, RH Mike Pelfrey, LH Oliver Perez, RH John Maine, RH Livan Hernandez
Closer: RH Francisco Rodriguez
Hot spots: Second base and No. 5 starter. The Mets desperately want Castillo to rebound from a poor year and regain his old form on offense and defense. Hernandez signed a minor league contract but won the final spot in the rotation. P Jonathon Niese, 22, was sent to the minors.
Florida Marlins
2008: 84-77, third place
Manager: Fredi Gonzalez, 3rd year
Projected lineup: 3B Emilio Bonifacio, CF Cameron Maybin, SS Hanley Ramirez, 1B Jorge Cantu, 2B Dan Uggla, LF Jeremy Hermida, RF Cody Ross, C John Baker
Rotation: RH Ricky Nolasco, RH Josh Johnson, RH Chris Volstad, RH Anibal Sanchez, LH Andrew Miller
Closer: RH Matt Lindstrom
Hot spots: First base and catcher. The Marlins traded Mike Jacobs and hoped rookie Gaby Sanchez would claim the first base job, but he struggled and was sent down. The Marlins have moved Cantu from 3B to 1B to start Bonifacio at 3B. Ivan Rodriguez was let go, giving the catching job to Baker, a rookie.
Atlanta Braves
2008: 72-90, fourth place.
Manager: Bobby Cox, 24th year
Projected lineup: CF Jordan Schafer or Gregor Blanco, SS Yunel Escobar, 3B Chipper Jones, C Brian McCann, LF Garret Anderson, RF Jeff Francoeur, 2B Kelly Johnson, 1B Casey Kotchman
Rotation: RH Derek Lowe, RH Jair Jurrjens, RH Kenshin Kawa-kami, RH Javier Vazquez, LH Tom Glavine
Closer: LH Mike Gonzalez
Hot Spots: Outfield and No. 5 starter. The trade of Josh Anderson to Detroit cleared the way in center field for Schafer or Blanco. Garret Anderson, Matt Diaz and possibly Blanco will vie in left. Glavine must hold off Tommy Hanson, 22.
Washington Nationals
2008: 59-102, fifth place.
Manager: Manny Acta, 3rd year
Projected lineup: CF Lastings Milledge, SS Cristian Guzman, 3B Ryan Zimmerman, LF Adam Dunn, RF Elijah Dukes or Austin Kearns, 1B Nick Johnson, C Jesus Flores, 2B Ronnie Belliard
Rotation: LH John Lannan, LH Scott Olsen, RH Daniel Cabrera, RH Shairon Martis, RH Jordan Zimmermann
Closer: RH Joel Hanrahan
Hot spots: Outfield and bullpen. Even after Wily Mo Peña was released, the outfield is crowded. Josh Willingham and Kearns, both coming off injuries, could wind up platooning. The bullpen, once a strength, is mainly filled with untested players.