MLB: National League teams at the start of spring training | Other Sports

EAST DIVISION

Atlanta Braves

Manager: Brian Snitker (fourth season).

2018: 90-72, first place, lost to Dodgers in Division Series.

Training Town: Kissimmee, Florida.

Park: Champion Stadium.

First Workout: Feb. 16/21.

He’s Here: 3B Josh Donaldson, C Brian McCann, C Raffy Lopez, pitching coach Rick Kranitz.

He’s Outta Here: C Kurt Suzuki, RHP Anibal Sanchez, RHP Brandon McCarthy, RHP Brad Brach, 3B Ryan Flaherty, RHP Peter Moylan, 1B Lucas Duda, C Rene Rivera, OF Lane Adams, pitching coach Chuck Hernandez.

Going campin’: The 2018 Baby Braves were a surprise breakthrough team, winning the club’s first NL East championship since 2013. A repeat title in a tougher NL East might be a bigger challenge. A key to the start of spring will be the health of Donaldson, who signed a one-year, $23 million deal after a left calf strain spoiled much of his 2018 season with Toronto and Cleveland. The Braves need Donaldson, the 2015 AL MVP, to add more punch to the middle of their lineup, especially after the team re-signed Nick Markakis instead of pursuing a power hitter for the outfield. Donaldson and McCann, whose Atlanta homecoming should be a big hit with fans, add veteran voices to a clubhouse packed with such youngsters as 2018 NL Rookie of the Year Ronald Acuna Jr. and second baseman Ozzie Albies.

Washington Nationals

Manager: Dave Martinez (second season).

2018: 82-80, second place.

Training Town: West Palm Beach, Florida.

Park: The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.

First Workout: Feb. 14/19.

He’s Here: LHP Patrick Corbin, RHP Anibal Sanchez, C Yan Gomes, 2B Brian Dozier, RHP Kyle Barraclough, RHP Trevor Rosenthal, C Kurt Suzuki, RHP Tanner Rainey, 1B Matt Adams.

He’s Outta Here: OF Bryce Harper, C Matt Wieters, RHP Tanner Roark, RHP Joaquin Benoit, RHP Jefry Rodriguez, LHP Tim Collins.

Going campin’: As spring training nears, it’s still not clear where Harper will end up. The star slugger is a free agent and, while Washington made an effort to keep him, it’s not as if GM Mike Rizzo sat around waiting to find out whether the 2012 NL Rookie of the Year and 2015 NL MVP would stay or go. The Nationals were as busy as anyone this offseason and will head to camp with more than a third of the roster turned over, including Corbin — who arrived as a free agent for $140 million and will slot in behind Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg in the rotation. Dozier and the catching duo of Gomes and Suzuki are also new to Washington. The bullpen has fresh arms, too, including the hard-throwing Rosenthal, who is coming off reconstructive elbow surgery, and Barraclough.

Philadelphia Phillies

Manager: Gabe Kapler (second season).

2018: 80-82, third place.

Training Town: Clearwater, Florida.

Park: Spectrum Field.

First Workout: Feb. 13/18.

He’s Here: C J.T. Realmuto, SS Juan Segura, OF Andrew McCutchen, RHP David Robertson, LHP Jose Alvarez, LHP James Pazos, RHP Juan Nicasio, C Drew Butera.

He’s Outta Here: 1B Carlos Santana, C Jorge Alfaro, INF J.P. Crawford, C Wilson Ramos, INF Asdrubal Cabrera, LHP Luis Avilan, OF Jose Bautista, 1B Justin Bour, RHP Luis Garcia, LHP Aaron Loup.

Going campin’: The Phillies were a surprise contender for much of last season and led their division with the second-best record in the National League one week into August before they collapsed. They went 16-33 over the final 49 games and finished with a losing record for the sixth straight year. Philadelphia is still chasing Bryce Harper and Manny Machado but already upgraded the infield, outfield and bullpen. Realmuto, Segura and McCutchen will improve a lineup that finished last in batting average (.234), 22nd in runs (4.2 per game) and third in strikeouts (1,520). Robertson gives the team a proven closer who could be used in high-leverage situations in any late inning.

New York Mets

Manager: Mickey Callaway (second season).

2018: 77-85, fourth place.

Training Town: Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Park: First Data Field.

First Workout: Feb. 14/18.

He’s Here: GM Brodie Van Wagenen, 2B Robinson Cano, RHP Edwin Diaz, INF Jed Lowrie, C Wilson Ramos, RHP Jeurys Familia, LHP Justin Wilson, OF Keon Broxton, 1B-3B J.D. Davis, LHP Luis Avilan, LHP Hector Santiago, OF Rajai Davis, OF Gregor Blanco, RHP Walker Lockett, RHP Kyle Dowdy, INF Danny Espinosa.

He’s Outta Here: RF-1B Jay Bruce, INF Wilmer Flores, LHP Jerry Blevins, C Kevin Plawecki, RHP Anthony Swarzak, OF Austin Jackson, RHP A.J. Ramos, INF Jose Reyes, RHP Rafael Montero, C Jose Lobaton, INF-OF Jack Reinheimer, RHP Bobby Wahl, RHP Gerson Bautista, RHP Chris Beck, 3B David Wright.

Going campin’: Following a second consecutive losing season, the Mets made an unorthodox move and handed the front-office reins to Van Wagenen, the agent-turned-general manager who used to represent NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom, injured slugger Yoenis Cespedes and several other New York players. Van Wagenen went to work upgrading nearly every area on the roster as the Mets were one of baseball’s busiest teams this offseason. He acquired former clients Cano and Lowrie and spent about $80 million on free agents. Rather than chase big stars Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, the Mets wisely acknowledged they had many holes to fill, so they spread that money around and focused on building depth and versatility. The back end of an ineffective bullpen got a much-needed makeover.

Miami Marlins

Manager: Don Mattingly (fourth season).

2018: 63-98, fifth place.

Training Town: Jupiter, Florida.

Park: Roger Dean Stadium.

First Workout: Feb. 13/18.

He’s Here: C Jorge Alfaro, INF Neil Walker, OF Curtis Granderson, 1B Pedro Alvarez, OF Victor Victor Mesa, 3B Deven Marrero, RHP Austin Brice, RF Gabriel Guerrero.

He’s Outta Here: C J.T. Realmuto, INF-OF Derek Dietrich, RHP Kyle Barraclough, RHP Nick Wittgren, LHP Dillon Peters.

Going campin’: There will be plenty of scrambling for playing time, and the only jobs that aren’t open are at the top of the rotation (Jose Urena), second base (Starlin Castro) and catcher (Alfaro, acquired from the Phillies in the Realmuto trade). Brian Anderson was one of last year’s few bright spots as a rookie, and Mattingly must decide whether to play him at third base or in right field. Platooning is the likely result at several positions. Camp will provide a chance to evaluate some of the prospects acquired since CEO Derek Jeter’s group bought the team in late 2017. Sorting out the rotation will be Mattingly’s most interesting spring task as he evaluates a group of young, promising arms.

CENTRAL DIVISION

Milwaukee Brewers

Manager: Craig Counsell (fifth season).

2018: 96-67, first place, lost to Dodgers in NLCS.

Training Town: Phoenix.

Park: Maryvale Baseball Park.

First Workout: Feb. 14/19.

He’s Here: C Yasmani Grandal, OF Ben Gamel, 2B-3B Cory Spangenberg, LHP Alex Claudio, RHP Deolis Guerra, RHP Bobby Wahl, RHP Josh Tomlin.

He’s Outta Here: 3B Mike Moustakas, LHP Gio Gonzalez, LHP Wade Miley, OF Keon Broxton, OF Domingo Santana, 2B Jonathan Schoop, RHP Joakim Soria, LHP Dan Jennings, OF Curtis Granderson, LHP Xavier Cedeno.

Going campin’: The Brewers return mostly intact after making it to the NL Championship Series last year in the franchise’s first playoff appearance since they also lost the NLCS in 2011. Grandal is a major upgrade behind the plate after he hit 24 homers last year with the Dodgers. There are questions about what the rotation will look like after Counsell relied on his powerful bullpen for much of the playoffs, but there are plenty of options. Jimmy Nelson is healthy again after missing last season following surgery on his right shoulder. The 6-foot-6 Nelson went 12-6 with a 3.49 ERA in 29 starts in 2017. Right-handers Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes also could step into the rotation after pitching well in the playoffs last October. NL MVP Christian Yelich set career highs in several categories. But Milwaukee begins spring training with one of the majors’ deepest rosters, so expect a very quiet camp as the Brewers prepare very carefully for what they hope will be another long season.

Chicago Cubs

Manager: Joe Maddon (fifth season).

2018: 95-68, second place, lost to Colorado in wild-card game.

Training Town: Mesa, Arizona.

Park: Sloan Park.

First Workout: Feb. 13/18.

He’s Here: INF Daniel Descalso, RHP Brad Brach, RHP Tony Barnette, RHP George Kontos, RHP Junichi Tazawa.

He’s Outta Here: 2B Daniel Murphy, INF Tommy La Stella, LHP Justin Wilson, RHP Jesse Chavez, LHP Jorge De La Rosa, LHP Jaime Garcia.

Going campin’: It’s a big year for the Cubs after they blew a five-game lead in the NL Central last September and then lost to Colorado in the NL wild-card game. Maddon is heading into the final season of his contract, and his wildly successful run with Chicago could come to an end if the Cubs are unable to bounce back. A healthy season for 2016 NL MVP Kris Bryant could help fix a lineup that has been plagued by inconsistency. The 27-year-old Bryant was hampered by left shoulder inflammation last year and finished with career lows in games played (102), batting average (.272), home runs (13) and RBIs (52). The Cubs also need Ian Happ and Kyle Schwarber to produce after they struggled at times last season. But Chicago should have a deep rotation after it picked up Cole Hamels’ option in November. Right-hander Yu Darvish also returns after he missed most of his first season with the Cubs due to injuries. The bullpen is more uncertain after Chavez and Wilson departed in free agency.

St. Louis Cardinals

Manager: Mike Shildt (first full season).

2018: 88-74, third place.

Training Town: Jupiter, Florida.

Park: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

First Workout: Feb. 13/18.

He’s Here: 1B Paul Goldschmidt, LHP Andrew Miller, CF Drew Robinson.

He’s Outta Here: RHP Luke Weaver, RHP Bud Norris, 1B Matt Adams, RHP Tyson Ross, C Carson Kelly.

Going Campin’: The Cardinals went 41-28 after Shildt took over for Mike Matheny midway through last season and were in contention for the playoffs until the final week. Shildt is back with a team that upgraded its offense by trading for Goldschmidt and fortified its bullpen by nabbing Miller in free agency. OF Dexter Fowler needs to have a big bounce-back year and LF Marcell Ozuna is coming off offseason shoulder surgery. Both could be crucial to the Cardinals’ offensive success. The young rotation headlined by RHP Carlos Martinez, RHP Miles Mikolas and RHP Jack Flaherty has experience at the back end in RHP Adam Wainwright. Miller is expected to close games ahead of setup man Jordan Hicks.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Manager: Clint Hurdle (ninth season).

2018: 82-79, fourth place.

Training Town: Bradenton, Florida.

Park: LECOM Park.

First Workout: Feb. 13/18.

He’s Here: OF Lonnie Chisenhall, LHP Francisco Liriano, RHP Jordan Lyles, SS Erik Gonzalez, RHP Aaron Slegers.

He’s Outta Here: 2B Josh Harrison, SS Jordy Mercer, RHP Ivan Nova.

Going campin’: Pittsburgh bumped back over .500 for the first time since 2015 last year, riding a young rotation that exceeded expectations led by Jameson Taillon and a second-half surge from Trevor Williams. Still, the Pirates didn’t exactly splurge on the open market in an effort to close the gap on Chicago, St. Louis or Milwaukee. Chisenhall comes over from Cleveland hoping to provide a bridge until Gregory Polanco returns from shoulder surgery. The top of the rotation is set. The only real intrigue will be for the fifth spot, where Lyles, Liriano — a fixture on Pirates teams that reached the playoffs each season from 2013-15 — and Nick Kingham will be in the mix.

Cincinnati Reds

Manager: David Bell (first season).

2018: 67-95, fifth place.

Training Town: Goodyear, Arizona.

Park: Goodyear Ballpark.

First Workout: Feb. 13/18.

He’s Here: Manager David Bell, OF Yasiel Puig, OF Matt Kemp, LHP Alex Wood, RHP Sonny Gray, RHP Tanner Roark, C Kyle Farmer.

He’s Outta Here: Interim manager Jim Riggleman, RHP Homer Bailey, CF Billy Hamilton, RHP Matt Harvey, RHP Austin Brice, 2B Brandon Dixon.

Going campin’: The Reds were one of the most active teams in the offseason as they switch from four years of rebuilding and losing to trying to climb out of the NL Central cellar. The rotation has been the biggest issue in their run of four straight 90-loss seasons, and they overhauled it by trading for Wood, Gray and Roark. Bell has to decide how they line up with returning starters Anthony DeSclafani and Luis Castillo. The core of the bullpen returns intact. The trade with the Dodgers for Puig and Kemp — both of whom are free agents after the 2019 season — will shake up the outfield. The Reds’ home attendance last season fell to 1,629,356, their lowest mark since 1984 when they were at Riverfront Stadium.

WEST DIVISION

Los Angeles Dodgers

Manager: Dave Roberts (fourth season).

2018: 92-71, first place, lost to Boston in World Series.

Training Town: Glendale, Arizona.

Park: Camelback Ranch.

First Workout: Feb. 13/19.

He’s Here: CF A.J. Pollock, RHP Joe Kelly, C Russell Martin, RHP Homer Bailey, 3B Justin Yorchak, LHP Adam McCreery, RHP Jaime Schultz.

He’s Outta Here: SS Manny Machado, OF Matt Kemp, OF Yasiel Puig, C Yasmani Grandal, LHP Alex Wood, 2B Brian Dozier, RHP Ryan Madson, C Kyle Farmer, 2B Chase Utley, RHP John Axford, RHP Daniel Hudson, LHP-RHP Pat Venditte.

Going campin’: The Dodgers arrive at camp with unfinished business yet again, having lost in the World Series for the second straight year. They won their sixth consecutive NL West title and second straight NL pennant only to fall short in seven games to Boston for the championship. All-Star closer Kenley Jansen had a heart procedure in November and expects to be ready by opening day. Kelly came over from Boston to be the setup man for Jansen. Pollock signed a $55 million, four-year deal in January to be the everyday center fielder. SS Corey Seager isn’t sure he’ll be cleared to play by opening day, but he hasn’t had any setbacks in his recovery.

Colorado Rockies

Manager: Bud Black (third season).

2018: 91-72, second place, wild card, lost to Milwaukee in Division Series.

Training Town: Scottsdale, Arizona.

Park: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.

First Workout: Feb. 13/18.

He’s Here: 1B Daniel Murphy, 1B Mark Reynolds.

He’s Outta Here: 2B DJ LeMahieu, RHP Adam Ottavino, OF Carlos Gonzalez, OF Matt Holliday, OF Gerardo Parra, C Drew Butera.

Going campin’: Colorado came so close to capturing the first NL West title in franchise history last season, losing at Los Angeles in a tiebreaker game. Instead, the Rockies settled for a wild card and beat the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field before losing to Milwaukee in the Division Series. The team was carried by a young pitching staff that turned in 84 quality starts. A rotation led by Kyle Freeland and German Marquez became the first since the 2011 Tampa Bay Rays to primarily use starters who had never pitched for another major league squad. The team hit .256 last year, the lowest mark in franchise history. Colorado showed plenty of pop, though, with 210 homers — fifth-most in club history.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Manager: Torey Lovullo (third season).

2018: 82-80, third place.

Training Town: Scottsdale, Arizona.

Park: Salt River Fields.

First Workout: Feb. 13/18.

He’s Here: INF Wilmer Flores, RHP Luke Weaver, RHP Greg Holland.

He’s Outta Here: 1B Paul Goldschmidt, CF A.J. Pollock, LHP Patrick Corbin, C Jeff Mathis, INF Daniel Descalso, RHP Clay Buchholz, OF Jon Jay, INF-OF Chris Owings, RHP Brad Boxberger, RHP Randall Delgado, LHP Jake Diekman, RHP Shelby Miller, RHP Brad Ziegler, C Chris Stewart.

Going campin’: The Diamondbacks are not calling this a rebuilding year but there are plenty of changes — and significant losses. For the first time in years, Goldschmidt won’t be around to anchor the lineup after he was traded to St. Louis. One of the most popular players in Diamondbacks history, his exit leaves a huge hole on offense and defense. The plan is to shift Jake Lamb from third base to first, with Eduardo Escobar handling third base. Arizona also wants to move Ketel Marte from second base to center field. Arizona does return Zack Greinke, Robbie Ray and Zack Godley from last year’s rotation, but the other two spots must be earned this spring.

San Francisco Giants

Manager: Bruce Bochy (13th season).

2018: 73-89, fourth place.

Training Town: Scottsdale, Arizona.

Park: Scottsdale Stadium.

First Workout: Feb. 13/18.

He’s Here: LHP Drew Pomeranz, C Rene Rivera, LHP-RHP Pat Venditte, RHP Jake Barrett, OF Mike Gerber.

He’s Outta Here: OF Hunter Pence, OF Gregor Blanco, OF Gorkys Hernandez, C Nick Hundley, RHP Hunter Strickland, RHP Derek Law.

Going campin’: The Giants made few significant moves after coming off a two-year stretch of 187 losses that was the worst for the franchise since 1984-85. Farhan Zaidi was hired as president of baseball operations but didn’t make a splash, with the biggest offseason addition being Pomeranz, who went 2-6 with a 6.08 ERA last season for Boston. There are still a few key pieces left from a team that made the playoffs in 2016, most notably catcher Buster Posey, ace Madison Bumgarner, shortstop Brandon Crawford and first baseman Brandon Belt. The Giants appear to be in for another rebuilding year and could be in line to win fewer than 75 games in three straight full seasons for the first time since 1900-02.

San Diego Padres

Manager: Andy Green (fourth season).

2018: 66-96, fifth place.

Training Town: Peoria, Arizona.

Park: Peoria Stadium.

First Workout: Feb. 14/19.

He’s Here: 2B Ian Kinsler, RHP Garrett Richards, INF Greg Garcia.

He’s Outta Here: SS Freddy Galvis, LHP Clayton Richard, INF Carlos Asuaje, C A.J. Ellis.

Going campin’: The Padres’ long-downtrodden fan base really, really, really wants to see top prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. come up to the big leagues, especially after seeing his exploits in winter ball, including an epic bat flip. The 20-year-old shortstop, the son of a former big leaguer, will be in his second straight major league camp and is expected to make his debut at some point this season, even it’s not on opening day. Until he’s up, rookie Luis Urias could play shortstop and Kinsler could play second base. The Padres were interested in Manny Machado — as well as the other top free agent, Bryce Harper — but were considered long shots to sign either. San Diego hasn’t had a winning season since 2010 and hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2006.

The Associated Press