N.L. West

SAN DIEGO PADRES

Incoming: P Woody Williams, OF Dave Roberts, P Chris Hammond, OF Mark Sweeney.

Outgoing: P David Wells, SS Rich Aurilia, OF Jay Payton.

411: Woody Williams, the lone big-contract addition, joins a pitching staff crammed with ability, like Jake Peavy’s N.L.-best 2.26 ERA, Brian Lawrence and Adam Eaton.

911: Padres don’t get enough power from usual power positions manned by first baseman Phil Nevin, Ryan Klesko and third baseman Sean Burroughs.

Operator: Peavy, a 23-year-old righthander, is on a steady climb toward a 20-win season after winning 15 last season by holding opponents to .236 average.

Hotline: While others in the division combed the free-agent pool for additions, Padres idled because they have a burgeoning lineup whose natural course is to win the division.

2004 finish: 87-75

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

Incoming: OF Moises Alou, C Mike Matheny, SS Omar Vizquel, P Armando Benitez.

Outgoing: C A.J. Pierzynski, P Dustin Hermanson, OF Ricky Ledee.

411: Giants collected aging stars for what appears to be an 11th-hour run at a title while Barry Bonds is still around to pelt McCovey Cove with homers.

911: Bonds has been a riddle this spring — confrontational, resigned, rehabbing, hinting at retirement. His chase of Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron will be just as much a hurdle as his aching knee.

Operator: In Bonds’ absence, Moises Alou is the engine of the offense, coming off a huge year (39 homers, 106 RBIs).

Hotline: The Giants certainly have wisdom and experience on their side, but Bonds’ uncertain availability and the fact the team was geared around him could wear on aging lineup.

2004 finish: 91-71

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Incoming: OF J.D. Drew, P Derek Lowe, 2B Jeff Kent, C Paul Bako, OF Ricky Ledee.

Outgoing: 3B Adrian Beltre, OF Shawn Green, P Jose Lima, OF Steve Finley, 2B Alex Cora.

411: Wheeling, dealing Paul DePodesta tinkered through the off-season, losing the heft of the offense by trade or free agency, while scrambling to strengthen a pitching staff.

911: Adding Derek Lowe and a healthy Brad Penny could stabilize starters, but where will the runs come from? J.D. Drew isn’t the given that Dodgers lost in Adrian Beltre, Shawn Green and Steve Finley.

Operator: The fixer for LA’s starters is closer Eric Gagne, who has converted 108 of his past 110 save opportunities.

Hotline: The addition of Kent and Drew won’t be the offensive boon needed to cover the losses, and any good feeling from last season’s division title is muddled by a mulched roster.

2004 finish: 93-69, division title

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Incoming: OF Shawn Green, 3B Troy Glaus, P Russ Ortiz, P Javier Vazquez, OF Jose Cruz Jr., P Shawn Estes.

Outgoing: P Randy Johnson, 1B Richie Sexson, P Matt Mantei.

411: Weren’t they so cash-strapped they had to trade Randy Johnson? So why the big-money moves to sign slugger Troy Glaus and pitcher Russ Ortiz? Oh, to get run support Johnson didn’t have.

911: Injuries ravaged the Diamondbacks throughout their 111-loss 2004 season and, though help has arrived, injuries will be a snag.

Operator: Received from a division rival, Shawn Green hit a career low .266 last season and his power numbers have waned. Arizona, and the trade, can resuscitate his offense.

Hotline: There a good chance the two new Diamondbacks — Javier Vazquez, rescued from the Bronx, and Green — will revive themselves and, by osmosis, the team.

2004 finish: 51-111

COLORADO ROCKIES

Incoming: UT Desi Relaford, OF Dustan Mohr, P Darren Oliver.

Outgoing: 3B Vinny Castilla, OF Jeromy Burnitz, P Shawn Estes.

411: As many as six players with fewer than a year of major league service could start for the Rockies, easily the youngest team in baseball. Two rookies expect to start on the left side of the infield.

911: Ditto.

Operator: Todd Helton has said he wants to help shepherd the Rockies through the rebuilding. The 31-year-old first baseman has the fourth-highest career slugging percentage (.616) and is one of the premier hitters in the game — the best in the game with no one to drive in.

Hotline: Homegrown lefty Jeff Francis will be the latest experiment for pitching at altitude. He had a 2.30 ERA in final five starts, and Rockies think developing Mile High pitchers will work better than buying them.

2004 finish: 68-94