National League East preview

All capsules in order of 2018 finish

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

Manager: Brian Snitker (fourth season).

He’s Here: 3B Josh Donaldson, C Brian McCann, C Raffy Lopez, RHP Josh Tomlin, 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.

Outlook: Acuna gives Atlanta an exciting new face of the franchise, joining Freeman, who remains in his prime after placing fourth in NL MVP voting last season. A healthy Donaldson would give Snitker a powerful right-handed bat to add depth to the lineup. It appears Snitker plans to hit Acuna fourth, behind Donaldson and Freeman, against right-handers. Acuna also was effective as a leadoff hitter and could return to the top of the lineup if Inciarte or Albies struggle. The Braves need Markakis, who is 35, to repeat his 2018 first-half showing, when he hit .323 with 10 homers and 61 RBIs before the All-Star break. He batted only .258 with four homers after the break. For Atlanta to again contend in the division, Foltynewicz probably must bounce back from his sore elbow and deliver as the leader of the rotation. Otherwise, the Braves might have to depend on such young pitchers as Toussaint, Wright and Soroka, placing too much stress on the bullpen.

Washington Nationals

2018: 82-80, second place.

Manager: Dave Martinez (second season).

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

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

Outlook: A return to the postseason is imperative. Martinez’s first year as a manager hardly went as hoped, with Washington sinking to second place and missing the playoffs after two consecutive NL East titles under Dusty Baker. More than a third of the roster was turned over in the offseason, with two new catchers, a new starting second baseman, two new starting pitchers (including $140 million man Corbin) behind stars Scherzer and Strasburg, and more. If NL Rookie of the Year runner-up Soto continues to progress at age 20, Rendon puts up similar production to what he usually does, and the rotation is as good as advertised – oh, and they can avoid the sorts of injuries that piled up a year ago – the Nationals could matter more than they did in 2018.

Philadelphia Phillies

2018: 80-82, third place.

Manager: Gabe Kapler (second season).

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

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.

Outlook: After six straight losing seasons, the Phillies already were expecting to contend for a postseason berth before adding Harper. Now, they should be a serious challenger for a pennant. They led their division with the second-best record in the NL one week into August before collapsing last year and losing 33 of the final 49 games. Close won’t cut it this season. Even though the rotation is iffy, the offense should carry the team and the bullpen is solid. This team is poised to have its first winning season since 2011 and play October baseball.

New York Mets

2018: 77-85, fourth place.

Manager: Mickey Callaway (second season).

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, INF Adeiny Hechavarria, OF Carlos Gomez, RHP Kyle Dowdy, RHP Walker Lockett, OF Gregor Blanco, 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, INF T.J. Rivera, 3B David Wright.

Outlook: Coming off consecutive losing seasons, the Mets made an unorthodox move last fall and handed the front-office reins to Van Wagenen, the agent-turned-general manager who used to represent deGrom, Cespedes and several other New York players. During a busy offseason, an aggressive Van Wagenen upgraded nearly every area on the roster, vastly improving the bullpen and overall depth. He acquired former clients Cano and Lowrie and spent about $80 million on free agents, not to mention more big bucks in assuming Cano’s hefty contract. Whether it all winds up being enough to contend in the suddenly rugged NL East remains to be seen, because Philadelphia, Washington and defending champion Atlanta all stocked up this winter as well. Age and injuries remain a concern in New York. But with a strong pitching staff and more punch to the lineup, this team certainly looks much better and there is legitimate reason for optimism.

Miami Marlins

2018: 63-98, fifth place.

Manager: Don Mattingly (fourth season).

He’s Here: C Jorge Alfaro, INF Neil Walker, OF Curtis Granderson, RHP Sergio Romo, 1B Pedro Alvarez, INF Deven Marrero, RHP Austin Brice.

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

Outlook: In the second year of a reboot under CEO Derek Jeter, Miami may be hard-pressed to match last year’s win total. Even if there’s improvement, the Marlins are likely destined for their 10th consecutive losing season, and their 16th in a row without a playoff appearance. But there’s reason for long-term optimism thanks to such youngsters as Anderson and starting pitchers Richards, Lopez, Alcantara and left-hander Caleb Smith. The farm system is much deeper than when Jeter’s group bought the franchise, and the Marlins will likely audition plenty of prospects before the year is out. That could include 22-year-old outfielder Victor Victor Mesa, a Cuban defector who received a $5.25 million signing bonus last fall.