MLB 2013: NATIONAL LEAGUE PREVIEW
NL TEAM-BY-TEAM GLANCE NL WASHINGTON NATIONALS ATLANTA BRAVES PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (IN ORDER OF PREDICTED EAST FINISH IN THEIR DIVISION) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 2012 2012 2012 98-64 94-68 81-81 nce Sergio Romo struck out 1st, East 2nd, East 3rd, East Miguel Cabrera to end the P STEPHEN STRASBURG (15-6, 3.16 ERA) OF JUSTIN and B.J. UPTON (ADDITIONS) P COLE HAMELS (17-6, 3.05 ERA) O World Series, the chase was on. Manager: Davey Johnson (third season) Manager: Fredi Gonzalez (third season) Manager: Charlie Manuel (ninth season) The Upton brothers were reunited Projected Lineup: CF Denard Span (.283, Projected Lineup: SS Andrelton Simmons Projected Lineup: SS Jimmy Rollins (.250 23 in Atlanta. Zack Greinke signed a big 4 HRs, 41 RBIs, 38 2Bs, 17 SB with Twins), RF (.289, 3 HRs, 19 RBIs in 49 games), RF Jason HRs, 68 RBIs, 30 SBs, 102 runs), CF Ben Revere free-agent deal with the Los Angeles Jayson Werth (.300, 5, 31 in 300 ABs), LF Bryce Heyward (.269, 27, 82, 21 SBs, 152 Ks), LF Justin (.294, 0, 32, 40 SBs with Twins), 2B Chase Utley Harper (.270, 22, 59, 98 runs), 3B Ryan Zim- Upton (Chesapeake, .280, 17, 67, 18 SBs with (.256, 11, 45), 1B Ryan Howard (.219, 14, 56), Dodgers, and Arizona remade its club merman (U.Va., .282, 25, 95), 1B Adam LaRoche Arizona), C Brian McCann (.230, 20, 67), CF B.J. 3B Michael Young (.277, 8, 67 with Rangers), RF with fiery manager Kirk Gibson in (.271, 33, 100), SS Ian Desmond (.292, 25, 73), Upton (Chesapeake, .246, 28, 78, 31 SBs, 169 Ks Domonic Brown (.235, 5, 26), LF John Mayberry mind. Washington and Cincinnati 2B Danny Espinosa (.247, 17, 56), C Kurt Suzuki with Tampa Bay), 1B Freddie Freeman (.259, 23, Jr. (.245, 14, 46) or Laynce Nix (.246, 3, 16), C each traded for a leadoff hitter, and (.235, 6, 43 with Athletics and Nationals) or 94), 2B Dan Uggla (.220, 19, 78, 168 Ks), 3B Chris Erik Kratz (.248, 9, 26) Philadelphia added Michael Young to Wilson Ramos (.265, 3, 10 in 83 ABs) Johnson (.281, 15, 76 with Houston and Arizona) Rotation: LH Cole Hamels (17-6, 3.05 ERA), Rotation: RH Stephen Strasburg (15-6, 3.16 or Juan Francisco (.234, 9, 32 in 93 games) LH Cliff Lee (6-9, 3.16), RH Roy Halladay (11-8, its already potent lineup. ERA, 197 Ks, 159 1-3 IP), LH Gio Gonzalez (21-8, Rotation: RH Kris Medlen (10-1, 1.57 ERA; 9-0, 4.49), LH John Lannan (4-1, 4.13 with Nationals), Romo and the San Francisco Giants 2.89, 207 Ks, 199 1-3 IP), RH Jordan Zimmer- 0.97 in 12 starts), LH Mike Minor (11-10, 4.12), RH RH Kyle Kendrick (11-12, 3.90) begin the year on top, but there is no mann (12-8, 2.94), RH Dan Haren (12-13, 4.33 Tim Hudson (16-7, 3.62), LH Paul Maholm (13-11, Key Relievers: RH Jonathan Papelbon (5-6, shortage of potential challengers in the with the Angels), LH Ross Detwiler (10-8, 3.40) 3.67), RH Julio Teheran (0-0, 5.68; 7-9, 5.08 at 2.44, 38/42 saves), RH Mike Adams (5-3, 3.27 Key Relievers: RH Rafael Soriano (2-1, 2.26, Triple-A Gwinnett) with Rangers), LH Antonio Bastardo (2-5, 4.33) leaner National League. 42/46 saves with Yankees), RH Tyler Clippard Key Relievers: RH Craig Kimbrel (3-1, 1.01, Outlook: The Phillies no longer are the team to “History is not in our favor. It doesn’t (2-6, 3.72, 32/37), RH Drew Storen (3-1, 2.37, 4) 42/45 saves, 116 Ks in 62 2-3 IP), LH Eric O’Fla- beat in the NL East after winning five straight happen very often,” ace Matt Cain Outlook: The Nationals are confident they’re herty (3-0, 1.73), LH Jonny Venters (5-4, 3.22) division titles and the World Series in 2008. said, gearing up to defend the title. ready to return to the playoffs — and make a Outlook: Anything less than a second straight Howard and Utley seem healthy and eager to deep run this time. “World Series or bust” were playoff appearance and deeper run in the post- prove they’ve got plenty left. With Halladay iffy, “But if we do all we can, it certainly is the words used by Johnson, who plans to retire season will be considered a major disappoint- Hamels and Lee must pitch up to their lucrative possible.” after this season. Strasburg will be rarin’ to go. ment, turning up the heat on Gonzalez. contracts to carry the staff.
NEW YORK METS MIAMI MARLINS NL SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS LOS ANGELES DODGERS WEST
2012 2012 2012 2012 74-88 69-93 94-68 86-76 4th, East 5th, East WS champs 2nd, West 1B IKE DAVIS (32 HOME RUNS, 90 RBIs) RF GIANCARLO STANTON (.608 SLG) C BUSTER POSEY (NL MVP, .336, 103 RBIs) P CLAYTON KERSHAW (14-9, 2.53 ERA) Manager: Terry Collins (third season) Manager: Mike Redmond (first season) Manager: Bruce Bochy (seventh season) Manager: Don Mattingly (third season) Projected Lineup: RF Mike Baxter (.263, 3 HRs, Projected Lineup: LF Juan Pierre (.307, 1 HR, Projected Lineup: CF Angel Pagan (.288, 8 Projected Lineup: LF Carl Crawford (.282, 17 RBIs in 179 at-bats) or Marlon Byrd (.210, 1, 9 25 RBIs, 37 SBs in 130 games for Phillies), 2B HRs, 56 RBIs, 29 SBs, 15 triples), 2B Marco 3 HRs, 19 RBIs with Red Sox), 2B Mark Ellis with Cubs and Red Sox), SS Ruben Tejada (.289, Donovan Solano (.295, 2, 28), RF Giancarlo Scutaro (.306, 7, 74 with Rockies and Giants, (.258, 7, 31), CF Matt Kemp (.303, 23, 69), 1B 1, 25), 3B David Wright (Chesapeake, .306, 21, Stanton (.290, 37, 86, NL-high .608 SLG in 123 NLCS MVP), 3B Pablo Sandoval (.283, 12, 63, Adrian Gonzalez (.299, 16, 103 with Red Sox and 93), 1B Ike Davis (.227, 32, 90), 2B Daniel Murphy games), 1B Casey Kotchman (.229, 12, 55 for World Series MVP), C Buster Posey (.336, 24, Dodgers), SS Hanley Ramirez (.259, 24, 52 with (.291, 6, 65, 40 doubles), C John Buck (.192, 12, Indians), CF Justin Ruggiano (.313, 13, 36 in 91 103, 39 doubles, NL MVP), RF Hunter Pence Marlins and Dodgers; expected to miss eight 41 with Marlins), LF Lucas Duda (.239, 15, 57), CF games), 3B Placido Polanco (.257, 2, 19 in 90 (.253, 24, 104 with Phillies and Giants), 1B Bran- weeks), RF Andre Ethier (.284, 20, 89), 3B Luis Kirk Nieuwenhuis (.252, 7, 28, 98 Ks in 282 at- games for Phillies), Rob Brantly (.290, 3, 8 in 31 don Belt (.275, 7, 56), LF Gregor Blanco (.244, 5, Cruz (.297, 6, 40), C A.J. Ellis (.270, 13, 52) bats) or Collin Cowgill (.269, 1, 9 with Oakland) games), SS Adeiny Hechavarria (.254, 2, 15 in 41 34, 26 SBs), SS Brandon Crawford (.248, 4, 45) Projected Rotation: LH Clayton Kershaw (14-9, Rotation: LH Jonathon Niese (13-9, 3.40 ERA, games for Blue Jays) Rotation: RH Matt Cain (16-5, 2.79 ERA, 193 2.53 ERA, 229 Ks, 227 2-3 IP, Cy Young Award 190 1-3 IP in 30 starts), RH Matt Harvey (3-5, Rotation: RH Ricky Nolasco (12-13, 4.48 ERA), Ks), LH Madison Bumgarner (16-11, 3.37, 191 Ks), runner-up), RH Zack Greinke (15-5, 2.48 with 2.73, 10 starts, 70 Ks, 26 BBs, 42 hits, 59 1-3 RH Nathan Eovaldi (3-7, 4.43), RH Henderson RH Tim Lincecum (10-15, 5.18, 190 Ks, matched Brewers and Angels), RH Josh Beckett (7-14, IP), LH Johan Santana (6-9, 4.85 in 21 starts), Alvarez (9-14, 4.85 for Blue Jays), LH Wade career high with 17 wild pitches), LH Barry Zito 4.65 with Red Sox and Dodgers), RH Chad Bill- RH Shaun Marcum (7-4, 3.70 in 21 starts with LeBlanc (2-5, 3.67), RH Kevin Slowey (did not (15-8, 4.15), RH Ryan Vogelsong (14-9, 3.37) ingsley (10-9, 3.55), LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (9-9, 2.66 Milwaukee), RH Dillon Gee (6-7, 4.10 in 17 starts) pitch in 2012) Key Relievers: RH Sergio Romo (4-2, 1.79, with Hanwha of Korean Baseball Organization) Key Relievers: RH Bobby Parnell (5-4, 2.49, 7 Key Relievers: RH Steve Cishek (5-2, 2.69, 14/15 saves, .185 BA against), LH Javier Lopez Key Relievers: RH Brandon League (2-6, 3.13, saves, 74 games), RH Frank Francisco (1-3, 5.53, 15/19), RH Ryan Webb (4-3, 4.03), LH Mike Dunn (U.Va., 3-0, 2.50, 7 saves), RH Santiago Casilla 15/19 saves with Mariners and Dodgers), RH 23/26 saves), RH Brandon Lyon (4-2, 3.10, 1 (0-3, 4.91) (7-6, 2.84, 25/31 saves) Kenley Jansen (5-3, 2.35, 25/31 saves) save, 67 games with Houston and Toronto) Outlook: A young, thin, inexperienced rotation Outlook: General manager Brian Sabean Outlook: A 2013 payroll of more than Outlook: Better days appear to be ahead, but probably will make for a long year, especially if brought back almost the entire World Series $230 million bought a lot of expectations. the Mets face a tough road to success. The Mar- Nolasco is traded during the season to further crew, with players who accounted for more than The big ticket is the six-year, $147 million lins could keep them out of last place again. cut costs, as anticipated. 95 percent of the postseason at-bats. contract that Greinke signed in December.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS COLORADO ROCKIES SAN DIEGO PADRES NL CINCINNATI REDS CENTRAL
2012 2012 2012 2012 81-81 64-98 76-86 97-65 3rd, West 5th, West 4th, West 1st, Central 2B AARON HILL (.302, 26 HOME RUNS) CF DEXTER FOWLER (.300, 72 RUNS) SS EVERTH CABRERA (NL-HIGH 44 SBs) 1B JOEY VOTTO (.337, 14 HOME RUNS) Manager: Kirk Gibson (third season) Manager: Walt Weiss (first season) Manager: Bud Black (seventh season) Manager: Dusty Baker (sixth season) Projected Lineup: CF Adam Eaton (.259, 2 HRs, Projected Lineup: CF Dexter Fowler (.300, 13 Projected Lineup: SS Everth Cabrera (.246, 2 Projected Lineup: CF Shin-Soo Choo (.283, 16 5 RBIs; .381, 46 doubles, 119 runs at Triple-A HRs, 53 RBIs, 12 SBs, 72 runs), 2B Josh Rutledge HRs, 24 RBIs, NL-high 44 SBs), RF Will Venable HRs, 67 RBIs, 21 SBs with Cleveland), 2B Bran- Reno), 3B Martin Prado (.301, 10, 70 with Braves), (.274, 8, 37), LF Carlos Gonzalez (.303, 22, 85), (.264, 9, 45) or Chris Denorfia (.293, 8, 36), 3B don Phillips (.281, 18, 77), 1B Joey Votto (.337, 2B Aaron Hill (.302, 26, 85), C Miguel Montero SS Troy Tulowitzki (.287, 8, 27 in 47 games), RF Chase Headley (.286, 31, 115), LF Carlos Quentin 14, 56 in 111 games), LF Ryan Ludwick (.275, 26, (.286, 15, 88), 1B Paul Goldschmidt (.286, 20, Michael Cuddyer (Chesapeake, .260, 16, 58), 1B (.261, 16, 46), 1B Yonder Alonso (.273, 9, 62), 2B 80), RF Jay Bruce (.252, 34, 99), 3B Todd Frazier 82), LF Jason Kubel (.253, 30, 90), RF Cody Ross Todd Helton (.238, 7, 37), C Wilin Rosario (.270, Jedd Gyorko (.328, 24, 83 in 92 games at Triple- (.273, 19, 67 in 128 games), SS Zack Cozart (.267, 22, 81 with Red Sox) or Gerardo Parra 28, 71), 3B Chris Nelson (.301, 9, 53) A), CF Cameron Maybin (.243, 8, 45, 26 SBs), C (.246, 15, 35), C Ryan Hanigan (.274, 2, 24) (.273, 7, 36), SS Cliff Pennington (.215, 6, 28 with Rotation: RH Jhoulys Chacin (3-5, 4.43 ERA, 69 Nick Hundley (.157, 3, 22) Rotation: RH Johnny Cueto (19-9, 2.78 ERA, 33 Oakland) or Willie Bloomquist (.302, 0, 23) IP), LH Jorge De La Rosa (0-2, 9.28, 3 starts), Rotation: LH Clayton Richard (14-14, 3.99 ERA, starts, 2 CG), RH Bronson Arroyo (12-10, 3.74, Rotation: RH Ian Kennedy (15-12, 4.02 ERA, LH Drew Pomeranz (2-9, 4.93), RH Juan Nicasio 107 Ks), RH Edinson Volquez (11-11, 4.14, 174 Ks), 32 starts, 1 CG, 1 SHO), RH Mat Latos (14-4, 187 Ks), RH Trevor Cahill (13-12, 3.78), LH Wade (2-3, 5.28), LH Jeff Francis (6-7, 5.58) RH Jason Marquis (8-11, 5.22 with Twins and Pa- 3.46, 33 starts, 2 CG), RH Homer Bailey (13-10, Miley (16-11, 3.33, 144 Ks, 37 BBs), RH Brandon Key Relievers: RH Rafael Betancourt (1-4, dres), LH Eric Stults (8-3, 2.92), RH Tyson Ross 3.68, 33 starts, 2 CG, 1 no-hitter), LH Aroldis McCarthy (8-6, 3.24 with Oakland), RH Randall 2.81, 31/38 saves), RH Matt Belisle (3-8, 3.71, 3 (2-11, 6.50 with Oakland) or RH Andrew Cashner Chapman (5-5, 1.51 as closer, 38/43 saves in 68 Delgado (4-9, 4.37 with Braves) or LH Patrick saves), RH Wilton Lopez (6-3, 2.17, 10 saves with (3-4, 4.27, 5 starts, 33 appearances) games) Corbin (6-8, 4.54) Houston) Key Relievers: RH Huston Street (2-1, 1.85, Key Relievers: RH Jonathan Broxton (3-3, 2.82, Key Relievers: RH J.J. Putz (1-5, 2.82, 32/37 Outlook: This time last year, Weiss was coach- 23/24 saves), RH Luke Gregerson (2-0, 2.39, 72 4 saves with Reds, 1-2, 2.27, 23 saves with Roy- saves), RH David Hernandez (2-3, 2.50, 98 Ks in ing his son’s high school baseball team. Now, Ks in 71 2-3 IP), RH Brad Brach (2-4, 3.78) als), LH Sean Marshall (Manchester/VCU, 5-5, 68 1-3 innings), RH Heath Bell (4-5, 5.09, 19/27 the first-year manager inherits a Rockies squad Outlook: There’s not much optimism that the 2.51, 9 saves), RH Logan Ondrusek (5-2, 3.46) saves with Marlins) that’s coming off a season in which they lost Padres will avoid a fifth losing season in six Outlook: The Reds return their roster virtually Outlook: The question is, can they score 98 games. The team made no bold offseason years. That leaves fans to wonder what they intact from a 97-win season. The goal is to get enough and avoid their myriad baserunning moves to bolster the club, banking on bounce- will do with Headley, whose breakout season past the first round of the playoffs, something blunders of a season ago. back seasons from veterans coming off injuries. produced Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. Cincinnati has failed to do.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS PITTSBURGH PIRATES MILWAUKEE BREWERS CHICAGO CUBS
2012 2012 2012 2012 88-74 79-83 83-79 61-101 2nd, Central 4th, Central 3rd, Central 5th, Central LF MATT HOLLIDAY (27 HRs, 102 RBIs) CF ANDREW McCUTCHEN (.327, 31 HRs) 3B ARAMIS RAMIREZ (.307, 27 HRs) LF ALFONSO SORIANO (32 HRs, 108 RBIs) Manager: Mike Matheny (second season) Manager: Clint Hurdle (third season) Manager: Ron Roenicke (third season) Manager: Dale Sveum (second season) Projected Lineup: CF Jon Jay (.305, 4 HRs, 40 Projected Lineup: LF Starling Marte (.257, 5 Projected Lineup: RF Norichika Aoki (.288, 10 Projected Lineup: CF David DeJesus (.263, 9 RBIs, 19 SBs, .373 OBP), 2B Daniel Descalso HRs, 17 RBIs, 12/17 SBs), 2B Neil Walker (.280, HRs, 50 RBIs, 30 SBs), 2B Rickie Weeks (.230, HRs, 50 RBIs), SS Starlin Castro (.283, 14, 78), (.227, 4, 26, 7 triples), LF Matt Holliday (.295, 27, 14, 69), CF Andrew McCutchen (.327, 31, 96), 3B 21, 63), LF Ryan Braun (.319, 41, 112), 3B Aramis 1B Anthony Rizzo (.285, 15, 48 in 87 games), 102, 95 runs), 1B Allen Craig (.307, 22, 92 in 119 Pedro Alvarez (.244, 30, 85, 180 Ks), 1B Garrett Ramirez (.300, 27, 105), 1B Corey Hart (.270, 30, LF Alfonso Soriano (.262, 32, 108), RF Nate games), RF Carlos Beltran (.269, 32, 97, 13 SBs), Jones (.274, 27, 86), C Russell Martin (.211, 21, 83), C Jonathan Lucroy (.320, 12, 58), CF Carlos Schierholtz (.257, 6, 21 with SF and Philadelphia) C Yadier Molina (.315, 22, 76, 12 SBs), 3B David 53 with Yankees), RF Travis Snider (.250, 4, 17 Gomez (.260, 19, 51), SS Jean Segura (.264, 0, or Scott Hairston (.263, 20, 57 with Mets), 2B Freese (.293, 20, 79), SS Pete Kozma (.333, 2, 14 with Blue Jays and Pirates), SS Clint Barmes 14 in 44 games with Brewers) Darwin Barney (.254, 7, 44), C Welington Castillo in 26 games) (.229, 8, 45) Rotation: RH Yovani Gallardo (16-9, 3.66 ERA), (.265, 5, 22), 3B Luis Valbuena (.219, 4, 28) Rotation: RH Adam Wainwright (14-13, 3.94, Rotation: RH A.J. Burnett (16-10, 3.51 ERA, RH Marco Estrada (3-10, 5.69), RH Mike Fiers Rotation: RH Jeff Samardzija (9-13, 3.81 184K in 198 2-3 IP), LH Jaime Garcia (7-7, 3.92 180 Ks), LH Wandy Rodriguez (12-13, 3.76 with (9-10, 3.79), LH Chris Narveson (1-1, 7.00 in 2 ERA, 180 Ks), RH Edwin Jackson (10-11, 4.03 in 20 starts), RH Jake Westbrook (13-11, 3.97), Astros and Pirates), RH James McDonald (12-8, starts), RH Wily Peralta (2-1, 2.48 in 6 games, 5 with Washington), RH Matt Garza (5-7, 3.91, RH Lance Lynn (18-7, 3.78), RH Joe Kelly (5-7, 4.21), RH Jeff Karstens (5-4, 3.97), LH Jeff Locke starts) 18 starts), RH Scott Feldman (6-11, 5.09 with 3.53 in 16 starts) or RH Shelby Miller (1-0, 1.32 (1-3, 5.50) Key Relievers: RH John Axford (5-8, 4.67, 35/44 Texas), LH Travis Wood (6-13, 4.27) or RH Carlos in 1 start) Key Relievers: RH Jason Grilli (1-6, 2.91, 2 saves), LH Mike Gonzalez (0-0, 3.03 with Wash- Villanueva (7-7, 4.16 in 38 games with Toronto) Key Relievers: RH Jason Motte (4-5, 2.75, saves), RH Jared Hughes (2-2, 2.85 in 66 ington), RH Jim Henderson (1-3, 3.52) Key Relievers: RH Carlos Marmol (3-3, 3.42, 42/49 saves), RH Mitchell Boggs (4-1, 2.21 in games), RH Chris Leroux (0-0, 5.56) Outlook: Milwaukee traded pitcher Zack Gre- 20/23 saves), RHP Kyuji Fujikawa (2-2, 1.32, 24 78 games), LH Randy Choate (0-0, 3.03 with Outlook: It sounds almost bizarre, but it could inke last summer but quietly made up for it with saves with Hanshin Tigers in Japan), RH Shawn Marlins and Dodgers) very well be the playoffs or bust for this group of one of the majors’ most productive offenses. If Camp (3-6, 3.59, 2 saves in 80 games) Outlook: They lost 16-game winner Kyle Lohse Pirates. Pittsburgh flirted with the postseason Braun can put together another MVP-caliber Outlook: As they enter the second year of the to free agency, former ace Chris Carpenter to an and the franchise’s first winning record in two season, Gallardo can anchor the pitching staff Theo Epstein era, the Cubs remain in the early arm injury and Rafael Furcal to reconstructive decades last summer before fading. The roster and Segura can live up to expectations, the stages of a building process. They have a long elbow surgery, and added no key pieces. returns pretty much intact. Brewers could compete in the NL Central. way to go, though. This isn’t about quick fixes.