N.L. East
ATLANTA BRAVES
Incoming: P Tim Hudson, P Danny Kolb, OF Raul Mondesi, OF Brian Jordan.
Outgoing: OF J.D. Drew, P Jaret Wright, P Russ Ortiz, OF Chris Thomas, OF Eli Marrero, P Paul Byrd.
411: Adding Hudson and Kolb restocked the pitching staff and brought John Smoltz out of the bullpen and into the rotation, where he plans to shine.
911: Braves have history of reclaiming careers, and flanking Andruw Jones are two such projects — Brian Jordan and Raul Mondesi.
Operator: Chipper Jones moves back to third base and returns to form after a season with his lowest average and less than 100 RBIs.
Hotline: Andruw Jones had 10 homers with three games to go in spring, but its Mike Hampton, Hudson and Smoltz that will bring home the Braves’ 14th consecutive division title.
2004 finish: 96-66, division title
FLORIDA MARLINS
Incoming: 1B Carlos Delgado, P Al Leiter, P Antonio Alfonseca.
Outgoing: P Carl Pavano, P Armando Benitez, C Mike Redmond.
411: Delgado’s acquisition revolutionizes the Marlins lineup by adding a power lefthanded hitter unlike any the franchise has ever had.
911: Despite its outsized reputation, the pitching staff, which includes Josh Beckett, A.J. Burnett and Dontrelle Willis, doesn’t have a 15-win season among its pitchers.
Operator: Miguel Cabrera, an All-Star at 22, is on the verge of being Albert Pujols’ chief rival for the MVP.
Hotline: Juan Pierre (strained calf) must be healthy to ignite a versatile and ferocious offense as an all-potential rotation and questionable bullpen prove ability. Missing him early could be costly.
2004 finish: 83-79
NEW YORK METS
Incoming: OF Carlos Beltran, P Pedro Martinez, 1B Doug Mientkiewicz, 2B Miguel Cairo.
Outgoing: P Al Leiter, P John Franco, OF Richard Hidalgo, 1B Todd Zeile.
411: General manager Omar Minaya quickly announced his arrival by aggressively pursuing several top-flight free agents, landing two in Martinez and Beltran.
911: But the moves started with overpaying pitcher Kris Benson and there’s concern whether Martinez and Tom Glavine have the goods to get through games.
Operator: Beltran has the speed, power and savvy to take over games, individually producing runs and tracking down outs in center field. He’s expected to thrive in spotlight.
Hotline: Switching Jose Reyes back to shortstop enhances his performance in a breakout season, and third baseman David Wright is set to shine.
2004 finish: 71-91
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Incoming: Mgr. Charlie Manuel, P Jon Leiber, OF Kenny Lofton, P Terry Adams.
Outgoing: Mgr. Larry Bowa, P Kevin Millwood, P Eric Milton, SS Chris Gomez.
411: Bobby Abreu and Jim Thome have Jimmy Rollins to drive in and Pat Burrell (finally!) to help one of the least-hyped but most-productive lineup.
911: Phillies added Jon Lieber (14-8, 4.33) to the staff that was pestered by injuries last season and had the 13th worst ERA in N.L. (4.55) and struggled getting games to bullpen.
Operator: Jim Thome has averaged 44.5 homers and 118 RBI over two seasons in Philly.
Hotline: Gone is the burdensome personality of manager Larry Bowa, replaced by the sunshine of Charlie Manuel — and a lighter mood could lead to a true title run.
2004 finish: 86-76
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Incoming: SS Cristian Guzman, 3B Vinny Castilla, OF Jose Guillen.
Outgoing: 3B Tony Batista, SS Alex Gonzalez.
411: General manager Jim Bowden seized his interim position and added a left side of the infield, a thumper in Jose Guillen and a new starting pitcher.
911: It is still more the old Expos than new Nationals, and too much of the team’s success will hinge on getting breakthrough years from starters.
Operator: First baseman/outfielder Brad Wilkerson scored 112 runs last season and hit 32 home runs and should be the Nats’ first All-Star this season.
Hotline: Having a home that is eager to embrace baseball, the team has enough in the lineup to jazz the capital with more than star-spangled logos and the promise of a new stadium.
2004 finish: 67-95