AROUND THE NL EAST
ATLANTA BRAVES 2023: 104-58
MANAGER: Brian Snitker (ninth season)
SPRING TRAINING SITE: North Port, Fla.
KEY ADDITIONS: Atlanta is betting on upside in former star starter Chris Sale (who has not been consistently healthy since 2019) and former star outfield prospect Jarred Kelenic (who has not consistently hit in the majors). Reynaldo López, formerly a hardthrowing righty reliever, is being transitioned into the rotation, while the bullpen has been a focus with weapons such as lefties Aaron Bummer and Ray Kerr and righties Pierce Johnson and Joe Jimenez .A hard-hitting offense has added the light-hitting but defensively magical Luis Guillorme.
KEY LOSSES: Among those shipped out in trades were promising young infielder Vaughn Grissom and oncepromising starters in Michael Soroka and Kyle Wright. Outfielders Eddie Rosario and Kevin Pillar are gone. Among the relievers subtracted: Kirby Yates, Brad Hand, Collin McHugh and Michael Tonkin. STORYLINES TO WATCH: Can the Braves figure out a way to keep Sale healthy and/or figure out a way to tap into Kelenic’s potential? Will they regret not completing a pursuit for a more reliable front-ofthe-rotation arm, such as Aaron Nola, to join Spencer Strider and Max Fried? The Braves’ starting depth has been an issue the past few Octobers.
MIAMI MARLINS 2023: 84-78
MANAGER: Skip Schumaker (second season)
SPRING TRAINING SITE: Jupiter, Fla.
KEY ADDITIONS: The Marlins are the only team that had not handed out a major league pact in free agency entering the week. Minor trades landed infielders Vidal Bruján and Jonah Bride plus veteran catcher Christian Bethancourt. Trey Mancini, after a rough 2023 season, was brought in on a minor league deal.
KEY LOSSES: Jorge Soler, who slammed 36 homers last season, opted out and looms as a large loss. Also gone are useful position-player pieces in Yuli Gurriel, Garrett Hampson and Joey Wendle. Several 2023 disappointments in Johnny Cueto, David Robertson and Matt Barnes will have to be replaced.
STORYLINES TO WATCH: Will the Marlins sign an everyday shortstop or look toward someone such as Jon Berti to claim the position? Can converted center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. stay healthy? Who will replace Sandy Alcántara as the ace recovers from Tommy John surgery? Keep an eye on top prospect Max Meyer.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES 2023: 90-72
MANAGER: Rob Thomson (third season, second complete)
SPRING TRAINING SITE: Clearwater, Fla.
KEY ADDITIONS: The largest “addition” was a re-signing in Aaron Nola. Otherwise, barring a late signing or two, the Phillies essentially will be running it back with largely the same team. They handed out just one other major league freeagent deal — lefty Kolby Allard, who has a 6.10 ERA in six major league seasons.
KEY LOSSES: Craig Kimbrel, who logged 23 saves last season, is now with Baltimore. Also gone are deadline addition Michael Lorenzen and slugger Rhys Hoskins, who missed last season following ACL surgery. STORYLINES TO WATCH: The Phillies did not add a proven center fielder, apparently trusting young, defensively gifted Johan Rojas. Bryce Harper, meanwhile, has become an everyday first baseman. Otherwise, roughly the same team that reached the World Series in 2022 and NLCS in 2023 will return. With largely the same cast of characters, can they take the leap and win it all this year?
WASHINGTON NATIONALS 2023: 71-91
MANAGER: Dave Martinez (seventh season)
SPRING TRAINING SITE: West Palm Beach, Fla. KEY ADDITIONS: A young Washington team added a few veterans. Joey Gallo has become this year’s Jeimer Candelario — a high-upside piece who could be flipped at the deadline — while former top prospect Nick Senzel has been brought in as the everyday third baseman. Their only other free-agent, major league deal has gone to righty reliever Dylan Floro.
KEY LOSSES: Gallo replaces the nontendered Dominic Smith, while the pitching ranks have lost Carl Edwards Jr., Cory Abbott and Andrés Machado. STORYLINES TO WATCH: The Nationals were 35-37 after the All-Star break last season. Can they continue to surprise their way to competence? They would love further encouragement from their young starters (Josiah Gray and MacKenzie Gore) and infield building blocks (catcher Keibert Ruiz, shortstop CJ Abrams).