Chicago Cubs
2008: 97-64, first place.
Manager: Lou Piniella, 3rd year
Projected lineup: LF Alfonso Soriano, CF Kosuke Fukudome, 1B Derrek Lee, RF Milton Bradley, 3B Aramis Ramirez, 2B Mike Fontenot, C Geovany Soto, SS Ryan Theriot
Rotation: RH Carlos Zambrano, RH Ryan Dempster, LH Ted Lilly, RH Rich Harden, LH Sean Marshall
Closer: RH Kevin Gregg
Hot spots: Outfield, second base and closer. The Cubs think they solved their right field situation by signing Bradley. But will Fukudome be able to handle center? Reed Johnson is an option there. Fontenot got the second base job over Aaron Miles. Gregg beat out Carlos Marmol for the closer role.
Milwaukee Brewers
2008: 90-72, 2nd place, wild card
Manager: Ken Macha, 1st year
Projected lineup: 2B Rickie Weeks, SS J.J. Hardy, LF Ryan Braun, 1B Prince Fielder, RF Corey Hart, CF Mike Cameron, 3B Bill Hall, C Jason Kendall.
Rotation: RH Jeff Suppan, RH Yovani Gallardo, LH Manny Parra, RH Braden Looper, RH Dave Bush
Closer: RH Trevor Hoffman, RH Carlos Villanueva
Hot spots: Pitching. Hoffman, already injured, is the projected closer and the five starters seemed locked. But there’s a whole new group of faces in the bullpen, which lost its four most-used relievers from last season (Salomon Torres, Brian Shouse, Guillermo Mota and Eric Gagne).
Houston Astros
2008: 86-75, third place
Manager: Cecil Cooper, 2nd year
Projected lineup: CF Michael Bourn, 2B Kaz Matsui, 1B Lance Berkman, LF Carlos Lee, SS Miguel Tejada, RF Hunter Pence, 3B Geoff Blum, C Ivan Rodriguez
Rotation: RH Roy Oswalt, LH Wandy Rodriguez, LH Mike Hampton, RH Brian Moehler, RH Brandon Backe or RH Russ Ortiz or RH Jose Capellan
Closer: RH Jose Valverde
Hot spots: Rotation and catcher. Oswalt is a legitimate ace, but Wandy Rodriguez has won nine games in each of the last three seasons. The Astros added Pudge Rodriguez at catcher, but it’s unclear if he can still be an everyday player at 37.
St. Louis Cardinals
2008: 86-76, fourth place
Manager: Tony La Russa, 14th year
Projected lineup: 2B Skip Schumaker, CF Rick Ankiel, 1B Albert Pujols, RF Ryan Ludwick, LF Chris Duncan or Colby Rasmus, SS Khalil Greene, C Yadier Molina, 3B David Freese or Joe Mather
Rotation: RH Adam Wainwright, RH Kyle Lohse, RH Todd Wellemeyer, RH Chris Carpenter, RH Joel Pineiro
Closer: RH Jason Motte
Hot Spots: Third base, outfield and closer. 3B Troy Glaus (.270, 27, 99) had arthroscopic shoulder surgery in January and is expected to miss at least the first two months. Duncan (ex-CDO) has recovered from neck surgery that ended his 2008 season in July.
Cincinnati Reds
2008: 74-88, fifth place
Manager: Dusty Baker, 2nd year
Projected lineup: CF Willy Taveras, LF Chris Dickerson, 1B Joey Votto, 2B Brandon Phillips, RF Jay Bruce, 3B Edwin Encarnacion, SS Alex Gonzalez, C Ramon Hernandez
Rotation: RH Aaron Harang , RH Edinson Volquez, RH Bronson Arroyo, RH Johnny Cueto, RH Micah Owings
Closer: RH Francisco Cordero
Hot spots: Shortstop and left field. Gonzalez recovered from a compression fracture in his left knee, but strained his right hamstring March 23. Jerry Hairston Jr. could fill in. Baker is likely to platoon in left field with Dickerson and Jonny Gomes initially.
Pittsburgh Pirates
2008: 67-95, sixth place.
Manager: John Russell, 2nd year
Projected lineup: LF Nyjer Morgan, 2B Freddy Sanchez, CF Nate McLouth, C Ryan Doumit, 1B Adam LaRoche, RF Brandon Moss, 3B Andy LaRoche, SS Jack Wilson
Rotation: LH Paul Maholm, RH Ian Snell, LH Zach Duke, RH Ross Ohlendorf, RH Jeff Karstens
Closer: RH Matt Capps
Hot spots: Left field and third base. Morgan has tentative hold on LF job, but needs to get on base early and often so he can use his speed; otherwise, Craig Monroe or Eric Hinske will slide into lineup. At 3B, Andy LaRoche – Adam’s brother – needs to carry strong spring into season to fend off Pedro Alvarez.