Harper can’t save Phils; Dodgers’ Urias wins 20
Season snapshot: The Brewers won their first NL Central title since 2018 going away. An 11-game winning streak from June 22 to July 3 helped them take control of the division race. RHP Corbin Burnes had a Cy Young Award-caliber season, and RHPs Freddy Peralta and Brandon Woodruff also were selected for the All-Star Game.
What now: Among the Brewers’ potential free agents are LHP Brett Anderson, RHP Brad Boxberger, C Manny Pina and IF Eduardo Escobar. RF Avisail Garcia has a $12.5 million mutual option. OF Jackie Bradley Jr., coming off a terrible season, is likely to exercise his $9.5 million player option for 2022 rather than go into free agency.
Prospects to watch: The Brewers have dealt many prospects in recent years, but OF Garrett Mitchell and SS Brice Turang could reach the majors next season.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Season snapshot: A rebuilding year resulted in the Pirates finishing last in the NL Central for the third straight season and reaching 101 losses. The 2021 season was about determining who fits into the long-range plans.
What now: Most of GM Ben Cherington’s early offseason decisions will be determining which prospects to protect in the Rule 5 draft. The Pirates face a 40-man roster crunch because of their improving farm system. No key players are eligible for free agency.
Prospects to watch: SS Oneil Cruz made his major league debut in the final weekend of the season, and the 6foot-7 Dominican hit a 118 mph single and homer in his first two games. C Henry Davis was the first overall pick in this year’s amateur draft and could be on the fast track to Pittsburgh.
Season snapshot: A late surge gave the Cardinals the NL’s second wild card and a third straight postseason berth after they were 8 1⁄2 games out of a playoff spot on Aug. 10. A franchise-record 17-game winning streak in September enabled the Cardinals to break away from the pack.
What now: The Cardinals will visit the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL wild-card game with ageless RHP Adam Wainwright, a 17-game winner, taking the mound. Many pitchers are eligible for free agency, including LHPs J.A. Happ, Jon Lester and Kwang Hyun Kim, RH reliever Luis Garcia and LH reliever Andrew Miller.
Prospects to watch: LHP Matthew Liberatore was up and down in Class AAA but is highly regarded. 3B Jordan Walker hit .317 in 82 games at Class A in his first pro season.
NL WEST Arizona Diamondbacks
Season snapshot: Raising Arizona continues to be a chore as the Diamondbacks produced the second-worst season in franchise history. After gradually trying to reshape the roster with youngsters, the D-backs went all-in with their youth movement in the second half. RHP Zac Gallen, a potential ace, ended the year strong, as did 1B Christian Walker. IF/OF Josh Rojas paced Arizona in numerous offensive categories.
What now: Manager Torey Lovullo will return as well as the core of youngsters whom Arizona is counting on. CF Ketel Marte might be moved to second base, which could free a spot for OFs Daulton Varsho and Pavin Smith.
Prospects to watch: RHP Ryne Nelson, a converted reliever with a power arm, could land in the rotation. RHP Luis Frias might fill a bullpen role.
Season snapshot: The Rockies excelled at home but were awful on the road. SS Trevor Story, who was expected to be traded, stayed put and was solid. 1B C.J. Cron was a pleasant surprise, OF Raimel Tapia established himself and OF Connor Joe showed well.
What now: Colorado has the players in place that it hopes are long-term fixtures, including IF Brendan Rodgers as Story’s heir apparent. All indications are manager Bud Black will stay after the Rockies made Bill Schmidt their general manager. Acquiring starting pitching is on Schmidt’s to-do list.
Prospects to watch: RHP Ryan Rolison’s season was interrupted by ailments, but he’s on track to compete for a role in next year’s rotation. RHP Julian Fernandez, whose fastball has reached 103 mph, could be the team’s new closer.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Season snapshot: The Dodgers’ eight-year reign over the NL West was snapped by the San Francisco Giants even though LA won 106 games. Backed by an enviable rotation featuring RHPs Max Scherzer and Walker Buehler and LHP Julio Urias, a 20-game winner, the Dodgers’ offense had six players with at least 20 home runs and 2B Trea Turner, the NL batting champion. On the downside, LHP Clayton Kershaw’s forearm injury is likely to keep the soon-to-be free agent out of the postseason.
What now: The Dodgers were built for a lengthy playoff run but first have to get past the St. Louis Cardinals in the wildcard game, and 1B Max Muncy injured his wrist on the final day of the regular season.
Prospects to watch: RHPs Ryan Pepiot and Bobby Miller are candidates for the rotation, which could be minus Kershaw for the first time since 2008.
San Diego Padres
Season snapshot: The Padres entered the season with grand expectations and surged to 18 games over .500. Then came an epic collapse in August and September as the starting pitching faltered, a worn-down bullpen was exposed and the offense was sporadic. The team’s biggest stars, 3B Manny Machado and SS/OF Fernando Tatis Jr., who’s in the running for the NL Most Valuable Player award, had to be separated in a dugout confrontation.
What now: Manager Jayce Tingler was expected to be dismissed after the Padres finished with a losing record for the 10th time in 11 seasons. Embattled general manager A.J. Preller’s focus figures to be on making his third managerial hire and having Tatis consider offseason shoulder surgery.
Prospects to watch: SS CJ Abrams, despite leg injuries that derailed his minor league season, is a keeper. Same goes for C Luis Campusano.
San Francisco Giants
Season snapshot: To the surprise of many, the Giants won 107 games and the NL West by riding the production of three veteran core players from their three recent World Series titles: C Buster Posey, SS Brandon Crawford and 1B Brandon Belt. Because RHPs Kevin Gausman and Anthony DeSclafani had the best seasons of their careers and RHP Logan Webb emerged, the Giants’ longest losing streak was four games.
What now: RHP Camilo Doval was closing late in the season and could be the key to a playoff run. RHP Johnny Cueto, a starter his whole career, could add depth to the bullpen after recovering from an elbow issue.
Prospects to watch: C Joey Bart is viewed as Posey’s replacement although that transition is delayed with Posey’s resurgence. OF Heliot Ramos is primed to shine, too.