AROUND THE NL EAST
ATLANTA BRAVES 2017: 72-90
Manager: Brian Snitker (second season) Spring training site: Orlando, Fla. Biggest additions: Brandon McCarthy and Scott Kazmir were picked up in the deal that sent Matt Kemp to the Dodgers. Adrian Gonzalez, who was also part of the trade, was released and signed by the Mets.
Biggest losses: General manager John Coppolella was banned from baseball and 13 prospects made free agents due to violating international signing rules. Matt Adams went to the Nationals. Jim Johnson was shipped to the Angels. R.A. Dickey is still a free agent after the Braves declined a club option. Storylines to watch: 20-year-old Ronald Acuna is arguably the top prospect in the game and should be a staple in the outfield for years to come. Of course, Dansby Swanson was all but named NL Rookie of the Year before 2017, but had a disappointing first season. Still, Swanson and second baseman Ozzie Albies should provide Atlanta with a dynamic middle infield. Third base is a question, with Atlanta set to go with Johan Camargo, but other options available.
MIAMI MARLINS 2017: 77-85
Manager: Don Mattingly (third season) Spring training site: Jupiter, Fla. Biggest additions: Since Derek Jeter bought the team last season, they’ve mostly made subtractions. Starlin Castro came over from the Yankees in the Giancarlo Stanton trade, but he could end up elsewhere, too. Lewis Brinson was acquired in the trade that sent Christian Yelich to Milwaukee.
Biggest losses: Where to begin? The latest firesale out of Miami sent Stanton, the reigning NL MVP, to The Bronx. Dee Gordon was sent to Seattle, Marcell Ozuna to the Cardinals and Yelich to the Brewers. And catcher J.T. Realmuto also wants out. Ichiro Suzuki also isn’t expected back. Storylines to watch: How will Mattingly deal with a team that traded away most of its best players in the firesale being conducted by Jeter? Brinson is perhaps the best prospect the Marlins got back in their moves and there will be plenty of attention on the 23-yearold.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES 2017: 66-96
Manager: Gabe Kapler (first year) Spring training site: Clearwater, Fla.
Biggest additions: Kapler takes over a team that actually made a splash in this slow-moving offseason by signing Carlos Santana to a three-year, $60 million deal. Pat Neshek and Tommy Hunter will be key members of the bullpen, and they also signed ex-Met Francisco Rodriguez, coming off an ugly season. Adam Rosales and Will Middlebrooks were also brought in on minor league deals. Biggest losses: Freddy Galvis was traded to San Diego in exchange for right-handed prospect Enyel De Los Santos. Storylines to watch: The Phillies will get their first look at the intense Kapler and will rely on a young lineup that should see the development of Rhys Hoskins and Odubel Herrera. They also need Maikel Franco to shake off a disappointing season.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS 2017: 97-65
Manager: Dave Martinez (first year) Spring training site: West Palm Beach, Fla.
Biggest additions: The Nationals felt they didn’t have to do much to a team that won 97 games last season. They acquired Matt Adams to replace Adam Lind off the bench, and Howie Kendrick was brought back. Most of their improvements came midseason last year, when they added Sean Doolittle, Ryan Madson and Brandon Kintzler to the bullpen.
Biggest losses: Dusty Baker was let go despite guiding the Nationals to the postseason again. Jayson Werth remains a free agent, but with Adam Eaton in left and prospect Victor Robles not far away, a reunion seems unlikely.
Storylines to watch: Matt Wieters’ downward trend continued in his first season with Washington, and they could be in play if Realmuto is traded from Miami. Washington has won the division four of the past six years, but has not won a playoff series. With Bryce Harper a year away from free agency, they might not have much time left for October success. A powerful lineup and a strong pitching staff make the Nationals prohibitive favorites again in the NL East.