Rest of the National League still looking up at Phillies

Hunter Pence

By Michael Rushton

Philadelphia, PA - There are many who subscribe to the philosophy that the best defense is a strong offense. Count among them Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., who suddenly has become the James
Bond of baseball front offices.

In short, Ruben Amaro Jr. gets what he wants.

For a third straight year, Amaro pulled off one of the biggest trade deadline
moves. The 2009 campaign saw him land Cliff Lee from the Indians after failing
to get then-Toronto pitcher Roy Halladay as the Phillies gunned for a second
straight World Series title.

The following season, Mr. Don Juan schmoozed Roy Oswalt away from the Astros
before the deadline and he tapped the Houston well again last week when he got
perhaps the best offensive player dealt at the deadline in outfielder Hunter
Pence.

That list doesn't even count past offseason moves of trading for Halladay and
eventually re-signing Lee. In just two-plus seasons as a general manager,
Amaro has collected a list of talent that would make Charlie Sheen blush.

Amaro, though, just doesn't chase after sexy names; his moves come with a
purpose. The Oswalt deal a season ago gave the Phillies a pitching staff that
was assembled to overcome any issues the inconsistent offense might provide in
the playoffs. That staff certainly held its end up, but the offense went flat
in an NL Championship Series loss to the Giants.

So, Amaro brought back Lee to a Mount Rushmore rotation that included
Halladay, Oswalt and Cole Hamels, but at the price of losing free agent
outfielder Jayson Werth.

The key to Werth was he was the lone right-handed cog to a hitting machine
full of lefties in Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez. Many said
Philadelphia would suffer without the balance Werth's bat gave the lineup.

That didn't stop the Phillies from posting the best record in baseball at the
time of the deadline, but the rumblings were enough for Amaro to give up three
prospects, including two in Jarred Cozart and Jonathan Singleton that were
ranked among the top 50 in baseball by MLB.com and another player to be named
later for an All-Star in Pence.

"We tried to address a need we felt was a missing piece. We believe in our
offense as it stands, but it has been a little inconsistent," Amaro said. "It
gives us a little more balance ... It gives us someone who is extremely well-
rounded and the type of player we like to have in Philadelphia."

Despite their current claim at the top of the baseball standings, the Phillies
didn't sit back and let their prey come after them. In getting Pence, the
franchise put added pressure on the rest of the league to keep up.

The NL West-leading Giants had already fired the first shot well before the
deadline, getting former Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran during a series with
the Phillies. Beltran is a fine addition to a San Francisco club that mirrors
Philadelphia's ability to win with pitching and perhaps made Amaro's trigger
finger a little more itchy by taking two of three in the aforementioned NLCS
rematch.

Philadelphia was also rumored to be in on the Beltran sweepstakes, but Amaro
made the better move. Yes, the Giants only gave up one highly-regarded
prospect in pitcher Zack Wheeler to the Phillies two, but Beltran is a free
agent at season's end while Pence stays under Philadelphia control until at
least 2013 because of arbitration.

"The fact that we have him under control for not only the end of this year,
but for two more years was a pretty big factor for us," Amaro said.

That type of control over Beltran is lacking for the Giants, who also nabbed
Orlando Cabrera from the Indians to help shore up their shortstop position.

Still, given the loss of catcher Buster Posey for the rest of 2011 earlier in
the season due to injury, few can blame San Francisco for making the move to
get Beltran even though he has struggled in his first four games with his new
club, going just 2-for-17 with six strikeouts. Like Pence, Beltran is just
another piece to a talented puzzle and San Francisco didn't exactly hit the
cover off the ball in winning the World Series last year.

"He's going to get settled in," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said of Beltran
following the outfielder's hitless debut last Thursday. "It's not going to be
one guy carrying us. We're not going to ask him to do that."

Not to be left out, the wild-card leading Braves also made a significant move
before Sunday, getting two-time Gold Glove winner Michael Bourn to man center
field. Atlanta, which came into Monday trailing the Phillies by six games in
the NL East, hasn't had a true leadoff hitter in sometime and the speedy All-
Star should present plenty of RBI opportunities for Dan Uggla, Jason Heyward,
Freddie Freeman and Chipper Jones (when he returns).

Atlanta gave up Jordan Schafer, who it had hoped would be its center fielder
of the future, and three prospects for Bourn in a move that should at least
help the Braves wrap up the wild card.

But it is still the Phillies who are kings of the National League jungle.


THESE SNAKES CAN THROW

The Giants enter Monday with two fewer wins than the Braves and are also just
two games up on the Diamondbacks in the NL West standings. Arizona, which
begins a big three-game set with the division leaders on Monday, didn't sit
idle at the deadline, adding a pair of pitchers in its quest to unseat San
Francisco.

Already armed with a pair of double-digit winners in Ian Kennedy and Daniel
Hudson, the Diamondbacks strengthened the depth of their rotation by getting
starter Jason Marquis from the Nationals. Marquis is in the midst of an
excellent bounce-back season, going 8-5 with a 3.95 earned run average in 20
starts with Washington after posting a 6.60 ERA during an injury-plagued 2010
campaign.

One day after that move, Arizona added to its bullpen by getting righty Brad
Ziegler, who is still arbitration-eligible after the season, from Oakland.

Once thought to be a possible closer option for the Athletics, Ziegler began
his career with a major league record 39 scoreless-innings streak and owns a
career 2.49 ERA.

With Arizona already having the ability to drive in runs at a quick rate, the
club was wise to upgrade its pitching. The addition of two proven arms should
keep things interesting out west.


NICE TO MEET YOU

No team made more of a roster overhaul before the deadline than the St. Louis
Cardinals, who picked up five fresh faces for the stretch drive.

The Cardinals got in the act early, adding to all aspects of their roster by
getting starter Edwin Jackson, outfielder Corey Patterson and relievers
Octavio Dotel and Marc Rzepczynski from the Blue Jays last Wednesday.

The haul seemed solid given what St. Louis gave up: three pitchers who didn't
figure to make an impact this season and an offensive piece in Colby Rasmus
who never got out of manager Tony La Russa's doghouse.

"We feel that this deal strengthens us in a number of key areas," said
Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak. "Trades of this nature are never easy
to make, but we felt that it was important to solidify a number of areas on
our ball club to better position ourselves for what looks to be a highly
competitive divisional race."

The Cardinals enter play on Monday 2 1/2 games behind the first-place Brewers
and two up on the Pirates and didn't stop after the big deal with the Blue
Jays, landing Rafael Furcal from the Dodgers to provide a spark at the top of
the order.

Curiously, the Brewers didn't do much but add infield depth with Felipe Lopez
and Jerry Hairston Jr. in the wake of an injury to Rickie Weeks, but the
Pirates showed they aren't just riding out the good feelings created by their
surprising season.

Usually known for being sellers this time of year, the Pirates acquired first
baseman Derrek Lee from the Orioles and Padres outfielder Ryan Ludwick. While
both moves could be viewed as minor as far as impact, it was nice to see
Pittsburgh add to its roster for once.

Plus, Lee and Ludwick can't hurt an offense that, like many, sometimes
struggles to score runs. Another veteran starter could have really made things
exciting in the Steel City, but one step at a time I guess.

"We are pleased to add a quality veteran player like Derrek Lee to our ball
club," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. "He is an experienced,
productive right-handed hitter and solid defender who should add to our team
on the field and in the clubhouse."

While the NL Central now seems like it might be the Cardinals to lose, the
baseball world may still get a chance to cheer on the Pirates well into
September.

Bryzgalov sounds like the right man for the job in Philly

By Michael Rushton

Philadelphia, PA - If there's anyone who isn't convinced that goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov is the missing piece that the Philadelphia Flyers need to finally win another Stanley Cup championship, five minutes alone with the outspoken Russian may be enough to get the job done.

Bryzgalov said all the right things in a conference call from his home country on Monday, praising "the idea and philosophy" of the club while repeating he wants to be the guy that leads the Flyers to their first title since 1975.

Philadelphia has always been known as a sort of pressure-cooker, with high expectations for each and everyone of its teams. The Flyers have been arguably the most consistent of the four major sports franchises in putting a solid quality of product on the ice, but it hasn't translated into championship parades.

Bryzgalov is ready to change that and it doesn't look like he'll shy away from shouldering the responsibility. Flyers fans have screamed from atop William Penn's hat for goaltending and the 31-year-old wants to be the answer to those requests.

"I want to be and I want to be the guy who can carry this team," Bryzgalov said. "I don't know what else to say. I want to help this team win the Stanley Cup because people in Philadelphia and the organization have waited long enough."

Expectations will certainly be high for Bryzgalov, who cost the Flyers $51 million over nine years to obtain his services in net. His high price also helped lead to the departure of captain Mike Richards and former 40-goal scorer Jeff Carter, who were both traded on the day Bryzgalov officially signed his deal.

"Pressure -- we have to deal with the pressure every way and every day in our lives, hockey, everywhere," Bryzgalov said.

If confidence was a deciding factor in what the Flyers were looking for in a goaltender, then Bryzgalov is by far the best choice the team could have made. While some questioned Richards and Carter's impact in the locker room, Bryzgalov was the start of a culture change for the team by general manager Paul Holmgren.

"He says what's on his mind, there is no question about it," Holmgren said. "And he's kind of backed it up with his play the last couple years in Phoenix. We view him as one of the top goalies in the league. That's the reason why we did what we did and why we signed him. We're excited about our future with Ilya."

Still, the addition of Bryzgalov doesn't make the Flyers instant favorites to win the Stanley Cup. Though the former second-round pick has made quite a name for himself since being claimed off waivers from the Ducks by the Coyotes, his final impression with the Phoenix franchise was a four-game sweep at the hands of the Red Wings in last season's playoffs in which he allowed 17 goals while posting a 4.36 goals-against average and .879 save percentage.

That came just one year after another first-round exit, a seven-game series with Detroit that featured a 3.44 GAA.

Bryzgalov started 69 and 68 games, respectively, for the Coyotes prior to those playoff series and has won 78 regular-season contests in that span. His seven shutouts a season ago were seven more than the Flyers posted in all of 2010-11, but he did admit that fatigue may have been an issue and led to a few "once in a while mistakes."

"Definitely I can play better. Last year I think with Detroit, in a seven-game series, I think we had good chances but in Game 7 we just ran out of gas," he said. "This year's playoff series we came in already running out of gas because we had a lot of injuries in the two-month race for the playoff spot. It was crazy in the West and we had lots of injuries and players were hurt. I thought I should have played better, but maybe I was tired too."

Does that mean Bryzgalov would like a reduced workload in Philadelphia, something that may be manageable given that current backstop (and fellow Russian) Sergei Bobrovsky made 52 starts as a rookie in 2010-11.

"It depends on how much the team needs me. If the team needs me 82 games I'll play 82 games. If the team needs me 60 games I'll play 60 games," commented Bryzgalov. "It's the coach's decision and management's decision. We'll see how much we go through the whole season. It's not a short season, 82 games, we'll see. It depends."

Bryzgalov is certainly talking the talk so far, but if he is going to win over the residents of the City of Brotherly Love, he'll need to do more than spout off some candid remarks before and after games.

One of the proudest moments in Philadelphia hockey history came in 1976, when the Broad Street Bullies put a hurting on the Central Red Army team. Fate, though, is a funny thing and the city is now invested in a talented Russian to lead it back to glory.

Zherdev, Boucher seize given opportunity

By Michael Rushton

Philadelphia - In Robert Frost's famous poem "The Road Not Taken," the work's subject is presented a choice of two paths in which to take; one seemingly more traveled and another that in Frost's words "was grassy and wanted wear."

It is a classic piece of literature that both Flyers forward Nikolai Zherdev and goaltender Brian Boucher can relate to.

Owner of 115 career regular-season goals, Zherdev appeared in 56 games this season as he often found himself a healthy scratch by head coach Peter Laviolette as his reputation for questionable work ethic and defensive play appeared to have followed him to the City of Brotherly Love.

But to Zherdev's credit, he never quit, not even when he was placed on waivers in late February and went unclaimed despite having scored 15 goals at the time. He also didn't pack it in when he was scratched for the first two games of the Flyers' opening-round matchup with the Buffalo Sabres.

The 26-year-old finally found his way into the lineup for Monday's Game 3 because of an upper body injury suffered by forward Andreas Nodl, owner of 103 fewer NHL goals than Zherdev, the previous game. The winger wasted little time in having an impact, netting the game-winning goal in Philadelphia's 4-2 victory that gave the club a series lead over Buffalo heading into a Game 4 showdown on Wednesday.

Zherdev could have sulked in the shadows as he finished out his one-year contract signed with Philadelphia prior to this season. To his credit, he stuck with it and didn't let his situation affect himself or the team.

"His attitude has been fantastic. He's went to work and he's been working hard to stay in shape and waiting for his chance," said Flyers forward Danny Briere. "I think everybody's happy for him to score a big goal like that and put us up 2-1 in the series."

Those are big words coming from Briere, who knows a little something about adversity. The two-time All-Star was once placed on waivers by the Phoenix Coyotes.

Laviolette, the one making the decision to exclude Zherdev from the lineup at times this season, has also been impressed with his forward's attitude since being placed on waivers and praised his play on Monday.

"I think there's always two different roads you can go down at that point," the head coach said. "You can go south and maybe never get a player back or you can do what you have to do and he's worked really hard with the coaches, really hard with [team trainer and strength and conditioning coach] Jim McCrossin to keep himself in shape and improve conditioning. [He's had a] great attitude and got an opportunity tonight and made a difference."

Boucher could have been equally as frustrated with Laviolette's decision to go with rookie goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky at the start of the series despite a regular season in which the veteran went 18-10-4 with a 2.42 goals-against average and .916 save percentage in 34 games.

In fact, Laviolette's decision looked like a solid one after Bobrovsky made 24-of-25 saves in a 1-0 defeat in Game 1, but his rookie goaltender quickly came unraveled the following game by yielding three goals on his first seven shots faced over the initial 12:30 of the contest.

Enter Boucher, who made 20 saves the rest of the way in a tight 5-4 win before earning a Game 3 start. Despite facing 37 shots and six Buffalo power plays, including a pair of 5-on-3 disadvantages, the 34-year-old former first-round pick stood tall in a 4-2 victory.

"With those power plays and the opportunities that they had, he just settled things down for us," Laviolette said of Boucher. "I think that's what he did coming off the bench in his last two starts for us, he just settled things down. Like I said before, the game started and he had a calming presence about him."

Boucher's experience showed while down two men and up just a goal -- thanks to Zherdev -- approaching the halfway mark of the third period. The netminder slid across the crease to make a save, taking a puck off his mask, and Boucher said the shot knocked his strap off. With the puck still live, he calmly flipped his mask off and to the ice to draw a whistle.

The play was legal and also gave Philadelphia's penalty killers a moment of much-needed rest while Boucher got his equipment fixed.

"I just felt like it was kind of unsafe, the mask was moving around on my face," Boucher said. "I've seen other goalies flip their mask off. I didn't know what would happen, but the referee said it was the right play and it was fine."

It's plays like that, moments wrapped in a calm collectiveness, that show why Boucher can carry the Flyers deep into the playoffs. The postseason is often a time when over-looked players like Boucher and Zherdev can make a name for themselves and the former is confident in himself to do just that even if the chances come in small waves.

Boucher was the Flyers' starting goaltender in the postseason as a rookie in 1999-2000 and went 11-7 in 18 games with a 2.03 GAA. However, he wasn't a starter in the second season again until last year in his return to Philadelphia and that run ended with a knee injury suffered in Game 5 versus the Boston Bruins in the second round.

While many question Boucher's ability to lead the Flyers, the goaltender is confident in himself and that could be the most important thing working in his favor.

"I've played in the playoffs before; my rookie season, I played last year before I ended up getting hurt and I had a good season this year," he said. "I don't know. I have a belief in myself and I knew that I put a lot of work in this year to have a good season. I know there may be questions from the outside, but for myself I feel I can do that job and I'm happy to be getting a chance."

Much like the decision made at the end of Frost's poem, Zherdev and Boucher may not have taken popular paths to playoff heroics, but it is that adversity that may have made all the difference.

Scouting the NL East: Washington Nationals

By Michael Rushton

Philadelphia, PA - The future continues to look brighter for the Washington Nationals.

If only they can get this pesky 2011 season out of the way.

It seems as if the Nationals franchise has been building towards the future for the better part of a decade, even before it made the switch from Montreal to the nation's capital. But some once-in-a-lifetime prospects and some key free agent pickups finally look as if they have Washington on the verge of getting out of the National League East's basement.

Of course, this is the Nats so it hasn't been easy.

The franchise hasn't been to the postseason since 1981 and hasn't finished above .500 since the 2003 Montreal-based club went 83-79. While last year's club went just 69-93 to finish 28 games under the even mark, it did avoid a third straight 100-loss campaign.

Those poor finishes haven't come without reward as the Nationals grabbed pitcher Stephen Strasburg with the top pick of the 2009 draft, then selected Bryce Harper first overall in 2010 to bolster their offense. Add in the signing of former Phillies right fielder Jayson Werth to a long-term deal and Washington is putting together a solid core.

Now the Nats must wait for the core to fully ripen. The 18-year-old Harper isn't expected to have an impact on the 2011 club -- he will begin the season with Single-A Hagerstown -- and Strasburg had his debut cut short last year due to Tommy John surgery that has him looking towards 2012.

And while the Nationals added one of the top offensive free agents in Werth at the price of $126 million over seven years, the squad was unable to keep slugging first baseman Adam Dunn, who signed with the White Sox, while also striking out on a number of other free agents.

So instead of contending, 2011 will serve once again as a transition year that will get a handful of younger players some experience; including the likes of closer Drew Storen, shortstop Ian Desmond and catcher Wilson Ramos.

Washington will also have stability in the front office after general manager Mike Rizzo was given a five-year extension last October that also added executive vice president of baseball operations to his title.

New on the field will be third-base coach Bo Porter, who replaces Pat Listach after he joined the Cubs to be their bench coach.

Below we take a capsule look at the 2011 edition of the Nationals, with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein:

2010 FINISH (69-93) - Fifth Place (NL East)

KEY OFFSEASON ADDITIONS: Jayson Werth (RF), Adam LaRoche (1B), Rick Ankiel (CF), Todd Coffey (RHP), Tom Gorzelanny (LHP), Henry Rodriguez (RHP), Jerry Hairston Jr. (INF/OF), Chad Gaudin (RHP), Oliver Perez (LHP)

KEY OFFSEASON SUBTRACTIONS: Adam Dunn (1B), Josh Willingham (OF), Willie Harris (OF), Miguel Batista (RHP), Adam Kennedy (2B), Wil Nieves (C), Scott Olsen (LHP), Joel Peralta (RHP), Tyler Walker (RHP), Justin Maxwell (OF)

PROJECTED LINEUP: Ian Desmond (SS), Rick Ankiel (CF), Jayson Werth (RF), Ryan Zimmerman (3B), Adam LaRoche (1B), Mike Morse (LF), Danny Espinosa (2B), Ivan Rodriguez (C)

PROJECTED ROTATION: Livan Hernandez (RHP), Jason Marquis (RHP), John Lannan (LHP), Jordan Zimmermann (RHP), Tom Gorzelanny (LHP)

PROJECTED CLOSER: Drew Storen (RHP)

MANAGER: Jim Riggleman

INFIELD

The Nationals will have a new right side of the infield after losing Dunn in free agency and declining an option on second baseman Adam Kennedy.

Washington had both Derrek Lee and Carlos Pena in its sights to replace Dunn, but couldn't land either free agent and eventually settled on journeyman Adam LaRoche, who joins the fifth team of his career.

The left-handed hitter will bat fifth or sixth in Washington's lineup based on the pitching matchup and should help make up for some of Dunn's missing power after hitting .261 with 25 homers and a career-best 100 RBI in 151 games with the Diamondbacks last year.

Though it is unknown what second baseman Danny Espinosa will bring to the plate after getting a 28-game taste of the majors last year, the 23-year-old is considered one of Washington's top prospects and projected to be an excellent defender. That is good news after Washington committed 127 errors a season ago.

Desmond was at the head of that committee, leading the NL with 34 miscues. However, Washington likes the leader that Desmond is turning into and he was solid at the plate with a .269 average, 10 homers and 65 RBI while finishing second on the club with 17 steals.

Rounding out the diamond for the Nats is former All-Star third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. An excellent defender at third, Zimmerman battled a hamstring injury early last year but went on to hit .307 and surpassed the 20-homer mark for the fourth time in his career. At 26, he remains a key part of the Washington's long-term plans.

Ivan Rodriguez does not, but he will begin the season as the starting catcher until Ramos is ready to take over full time. Rodriguez is in the second season of a two-year deal signed last offseason and hit .266 with four homers and 49 RBI in 111 games. A 14-time All-Star, he remains a good player to have in the clubhouse to mentor young players.

OUTFIELD

While Nationals fans wait for the eventual ascension of Harper, they will also have Werth, a former All-Star, for the foreseeable future. The 31-year-old was arguably the Phillies' most consistent batter a season ago and has averaged 29 homers and 84 RBI over the past three seasons while playing solid defense. He hit .296 last season and scored a career-best 106 runs.

Werth can also shift over and play center, but the Nationals have plenty of options there as well. Nyjer Morgan, Rick Ankiel and Roger Bernadina are all battling for the position, with Ankiel emerging as the front-runner towards the end of camp due to his power and defense.

Ankiel could still end up sharing time with Morgan, who brings 50-steal potential but at times struggles to get on base and keep his emotions in check.

The trade of Josh Willingham opened up left field and Mike Morse appears to have edged out Bernadina and Ankiel for that job as well. The 6-foot-5 right- handed slugger, who can also backup first base, compiled 15 homers and 41 RBI in a career-high 98 games a season ago, hitting a solid .289. He could also find himself in a platoon situation should he struggle.

STARTING ROTATION

Strasburg figured to spearhead this rotation in 2011, but will instead turn his attention to coming back from his surgery after going 5-3 with a 2.91 earned run average in 12 games. He also struck out 92 in 68 innings.

With the loss of Strasburg and the inability to land free agents Javier Vazquez, Brandon Webb and Carl Pavano, the Nationals will go with a veteran in Livan Hernandez at the top of the rotation after the 36-year-old posted a solid 3.66 ERA in a team-leading 33 starts. He also topped 200 innings for the 10th time in his 15 seasons, but went just 10-12 due to poor run support.

Fellow right-hander Jason Marquis follows after a lost 2010 season. Marquis joined the Nats with a two-year contract, but made just three starts and allowed 19 earned runs in just 8 1/3 innings before being shut down for three months due to right elbow injury. The 32-year-old didn't pick up his first victory until Aug. 30 and went 2-9 with a 6.60 ERA in 13 starts.

Former Opening Day starter John Lannan ensues and after being victimized by poor run support in his previous two seasons, the lefty struggled to a career- high 4.65 ERA in 25 starts, going 8-8 in 143 1/3 innings.

Washington is also excited about its fourth starter, right-hander Jordan Zimmermann. The 24-year-old and former second-round pick returned from Tommy John surgery on Aug. 26 and went 1-2 with a 4.94 ERA in seven starts, holding opposing clubs to an earned run or less in four of those outings.

Unable to add a pitcher through free agency, the Nats shipped three minor league players to the Cubs for southpaw Tom Gorzelanny, who rounds out the rotation after going 7-9 with a 4.09 ERA in 29 games (23 starts) a season ago. Washington would love for the 28-year-old to find the stuff he had with the Pirates in 2007, when he won 14 games with a 3.88 ERA.

Righty Chien-Ming Wang could also crack the rotation at some point. Signed prior to last year, he hasn't pitched since July 4, 2009 due to foot and shoulder issues. He isn't expected to be ready for Opening Day this year, but should return at some point.

Marquis, Wang and Hernandez are all free agents at season's end.

The Nationals also signed former Mets lefty Oliver Perez to a minor league deal in late March, but he is expected to start the season in the minors. He could offer some insurance down the road if he can solve his issues on the mound that led to his release from New York.

BULLPEN

Nine picks after the Nationals drafted Strasburg, they selected Storen to be their future closer. That time appears now after Washington shipped Matt Capps to Minnesota prior to last season's trade deadline. The 23-year-old righty got a little taste of ninth-inning action after the Capps trade, posting five saves while ending the season with a 3.58 ERA in 54 games.

Washington added righty Todd Coffey (2-4, 4.76 ERA with Milwaukee) this offseason and he could also finish out games along with left-hander Sean Burnett (1-7, 2.14 ERA) and right-hander Tyler Clippard, who actually finished second on Washington last season with 11 wins.

Regardless of who is closing, that core four figures to lock down innings seven through nine.

Riggleman will also choose from Collin Balester and Chad Gaudin for his long relief role.

BENCH

Jerry Hairston figures to be the main guy off the bench after hitting .244 with 10 homers and 50 RBI in 119 games with the Padres last year. Not only can he platoon in center, but the 34-year-old can play multiple infield positions as well.

Ramos is also assured a bench spot as he figures to be starting by season's end. Washington got the prospect from Minnesota in the Capps trade and his presence also figures to push the finally-healthy Jesus Flores out of the picture.

While it is possible that Morgan or Bernadina could both begin the season on the bench, it is likely that at least one of them will be sent to the minors if Ankiel holds on to the center field spot.

Alberto Gonzalez will also come off the bench and back up in the infield and powerful pinch-hit specialist Matt Stairs is also an option.

OUTLOOK

Give Rizzo credit as he was able to go out and land one of the top free agents available this winter. However, Werth's bat would look a lot better in a lineup that also included Dunn. Werth immediately becomes one of the leaders of a young core and teams with Zimmerman and Rodriguez as mentors for the Nats' youth. Riggleman has plenty of options on offense, but he will be counting on a pitching staff that has both injury (Marquis, Zimmermann) and age (Hernandez) concerns. The manager will also have plenty of safety nets in a well-put-together bullpen should Storen struggle as the closer, but lets be honest here; anything other than a last-place finish will be a big step forward for this franchise and roster.

Scouting the NL East: New York Mets

By Michael Rushton

Philadelphia, PA - Fans of the New York Mets decorate themselves from head to toe in blue and orange, but the color green has taken over in Flushing.

As in the color of money.

In the words of Staten Island-born super rap group the Wu-Tang Clan, cash rules everything around the Mets right now. From ownership's involvement in the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme to the club's highest-paid player slated to be out until at least the All-Star break, New York's offseason didn't resemble one of a team coming off a disappointing finish. That has the Mets looking more like the broke versions of Randolph and Mortimer Duke than a club that was a consistent challenger during the later part of last decade.

Of course, if the Mets can get some bounce-back years from a handful of players, it will prove they didn't need to be big spenders this winter. However, not having starting pitcher Johan Santana until late June because of left shoulder surgery at the earliest won't help things one bit.

New York's finances were under the microscope all offseason, including the impact of the Madoff incident that now includes allegations that owners Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz actually made $300 million in the scheme. Still, New York's ownership group, Sterling Equities, is looking to sell a small stake in the club, up to 25 percent, and the Mets didn't add a big name in free agency.

Part of that was because the franchise came out of its 79-83 finish owing $111.5 million to eight players in 2011, including a combined $18 million to busts Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo, a pair of players who were given their release from the club in mid-March just three days apart.

Castillo's exit opened up the competition at second base, while Perez's departure ended a span that began with a three-year, $36 million deal prior to 2009 and ended with him going 0-5 in 17 games (7 starts) in 2010 with a 6.80 ERA and 42 walks in 46 1/3 innings.

Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes are also set to hit the open market this winter, but New York will take big seasons out of the duo if it will help the club get back into the postseason for the first time since 2006. Reyes, Beltran, Jason Bay and new-comer Chris Young are among those hoping to return to form after injury-impacted 2010 seasons.

While the Mets couldn't shed the salary of disappointing players, somebody had to pay the price for last year's finish, so both manager Jerry Manuel and much-analyzed general manager Omar Minaya are out. Terry Collins, in his first manager role since 1999 with the Angels, replaces Manuel after serving as a minor league field coordinator for New York last year, while former Oakland general manager Sandy Alderson takes over for Minaya.

New York also added former Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi as a special assistant.

Below we take a capsule look at the 2011 edition of the Mets, with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein:

2010 FINISH (79-83) - Fourth Place (NL East)

KEY OFFSEASON ADDITIONS: Scott Hairston (OF), Chris Young (RHP), Willie Harris (OF), D.J. Carrasco (RHP), Taylor Buchholz (RHP), Ronny Paulino (C), Chris Capuano (LHP), Brad Emaus (2B)

KEY OFFSEASON SUBTRACTIONS: Pedro Feliciano (LHP), Sean Green (RHP), John Maine (RHP), Henry Blanco (C), Chris Carter (OF), Elmer Dessens (RHP), Kelvim Escobar (RHP), Hisanori Takahashi (LHP), Fernando Tatis (INF/OF), Joaquin Arias (INF), Luis Castillo (2B), Oliver Perez (LHP)

PROJECTED LINEUP: Jose Reyes (SS), Angel Pagan (RF), David Wright (3B), Carlos Beltran (CF), Jason Bay (LF), Ike Davis (1B), Josh Thole (C), Brad Emaus (2B)

PROJECTED ROTATION: Mike Pelfrey (RHP), Jon Niese (LHP), R.A. Dickey (RHP), Chris Young (RHP), Chris Capuano (LHP)

PROJECTED CLOSER: Francisco Rodriguez (RHP)

MANAGER: Terry Collins

INFIELD

New York hit just a collective .249 and plated 656 runs a season ago, finishing near the bottom in both categories in the National League. A healthy Reyes, though, should improve both numbers in 2011.

After missing all but 36 games in 2009, Reyes' season got off to a late start last year due to a hyperactive thyroid and he also dealt with both back and oblique injuries. In all, the shortstop played in 133 games and batted .282 with 83 runs scored and 30 stolen bases. That was a little less than the 100- run, 50-plus steal average that the Mets count on from their leadoff man.

Reyes' partner on the left side of the infield, David Wright, did hold his own though, hitting .283 with team bests in homers (29) and runs batted in (103). Wright finally found his power at the new Citi Field, hitting 12 homers at home after managing just five in the ballpark's debut season in '09.

New York also got some solid contributions from a pair of rookies in first baseman Ike Davis and catcher Josh Thole.

The Mets opened the season using Mike Jacobs and Fernando Tatis at first base, but Davis became a fixture by mid-April and went on to hit .264 with 19 homers and 71 RBI in 147 games. Thole, meanwhile, worked his way into the lineup in July and ended up catching 73 games while hitting .277. The job is his full time to start 2011.

Castillo's release ends a tenure with the Mets that began during the 2007 season and will perhaps best be remembered for his dropped popup that cost New York a game versus the Yankees during the 2009 campaign. His departure also opens the door for either Rule 5 selection Brad Emaus, Daniel Murphy, Justin Turner or Collins' favorite Luis Hernandez to be the starting second baseman on Opening Day.

OUTFIELD

Though the three starters are set, that doesn't mean the Mets' outfield isn't without questions as both Beltran and Bay are hoping to recover from serious injuries last year.

Beltran did not make his debut in 2010 until after the All-Star break due to right knee surgery last offseason and has already battled knee tendinitis this spring. He wasn't very productive when he was on the field either, batting just .255 with seven homers and 27 RBI in 64 games and could even begin this season on the disabled list.

Not only will Beltran eventually be looking to shake off some rust at the plate, but he will also be playing a new position. The Mets opted to slide Beltran, a four-time Gold Glove winner at center, over to right field, with Angel Pagan taking over his old position after he led the club with a .290 average and 37 steals in 151 games. Pagan spent most of last season at center in place of the injured Beltran and the Mets are hoping the move for Beltran will take some pressure off his knee.

The crown jewel of last year's free agent haul, Bay's Flushing debut wasn't stellar. In the first season of a four-year contract, Bay missed New York's final 63 games because of a concussion suffered in late July and hit just .259 with six homers and 47 RBI. That came after an excellent 2009 with the Red Sox in which the righty set personal bests with 36 homers and 119 RBI. The Mets will be looking for similar production this year.

STARTING ROTATION

Replacing a pitcher of Santana's caliber isn't easy, something the Mets learned this winter. Knowing that their ace won't be back until the All-Star break after having a procedure to repair the anterior capsule of his left shoulder, New York was only able to land the likes of Young and Chris Capuano in free agency and both of those starters come with injury risks of their own.

The right-handed Young has made just 36 starts in the past three seasons, battling arm issues in the last two. He was limited to just four starts last season with the Padres, going 2-0 with a 0.90 earned run average in 20 innings, but should benefit from Citi Field's spacious grounds.

Capuano, meanwhile, has had two Tommy John surgeries on his left pitching elbow and has made only five starts since the start of 2008. Still, the two figure to round out New York's starting five behind Mike Pelfrey, Jon Niese and R.A. Dickey.

Dickey is the most interesting of those names given that the knuckleballer earned a multi-year contract for the first time in his career after going 11-9 with a 2.84 ERA in 27 games (26 starts) last year. The 36-year-old righty was arguably the Mets' most consistent pitcher in 2010.

The right-handed Pelfrey is the default ace, winning 15 games for the first time in his career after lowering his ERA from 5.03 in 2009 to 3.66 last year. The 27-year-old had 10 wins by June 25, but went just 5-7 in his final 18 starts with a 4.57 ERA.

Niese, a 24-year-old lefty, got his first extended taste of the majors and went 9-10 with a 4.20 ERA in 30 starts.

BULLPEN

Closer Francisco Rodriguez is hoping for a fresh start in 2011 after a strange conclusion to last season.

On the field, Rodriguez was solid. He saved 25 games with a 2.20 ERA in 53 appearances, but his season was highlighted by an incident with his girlfriend's father at Citi Field on Aug. 11 that resulted in attempted assault charges. The righty pled guilty to avoid jail time and is looking to repair his relationship with the Mets.

New York suspended K-Rod for two games after the incident and his season eventually ended early due to a torn ligament in his right thumb. The Mets attempted to convert his contract into a non-guaranteed one due to the incident, but the two sides settled their grievance case in mid-October.

Rodriguez is owed $11.5 million this season and his 2012 option, worth $17.5 million, becomes guaranteed if he finishes 55 games this season.

New York's bullpen will have some fresh faces after the club lost both Hisanori Takahashi and Pedro Feliciano, who broke his own club record last year with 92 appearances.

Right-handers Manny Acosta (2.95 ERA in 41 games) and Bobby Parnell (2.83 ERA in 41 games) both figure to get the bulk of the late-inning work, while righties D.J. Carrasco and Taylor Buchholz, as well as 37-year-old southpaw Tim Byrdak, were added to the mix.

The left-handed Pat Misch was a candidate to start, but he could fill the long relief role, while righty Jason Isringhausen is looking to latch onto the club after being out of baseball for most of the past two seasons.

BENCH

The Mets added a veteran catcher to back up Thole when they signed Ronny Paulino, but he will miss the first eight contests of the season to finish up a 50-game ban issued last year while with the Marlins for violating the league's drug policy.

Murphy could be in line for more playing time this year at first and second base after missing all of 2010 with a knee injury, especially if he wins the starting job at second. However, he may be more useful to the Mets off the bench.

Scott Hairston and Willie Harris were both signed to add insurance to the outfield, meaning prospect Fernando Martinez is likely to start the year in the minors after playing in just seven games last season due to injury.

OUTLOOK

Injuries have derailed the Mets in the past two seasons and 2011 already has a hint of macabre to it with the loss of Santana. If healthy, New York's offense certainly has some potency and Reyes could be in line for a monster year given his pending free agency. However, Beltran's knee is a concern and Bay is aiming to come back from a serious injury of his own. There is also valid concern about the rotation given some of the injury history and the bullpen has questions too, especially if the Mets don't want Rodriguez's 2012 option to become guaranteed. New York is one of the harder clubs to figure out before the season gets going, but it won't be surprising if the franchise is swimming in mediocrity again before deciding to start over next season.

Scouting the NL East: Florida Marlins

By Michael Rushton

Philadelphia, PA - With the Florida Marlins approaching the twilight of their tenure at Sun Life Stadium, the franchise is in the process of establishing the identity it will carry over to a new name and ballpark in 2012.

One season before the big move, some up-and-coming players have already begun to shape that future character.

The Marlins went into last season looking to build off an 87-win year and get into the playoffs for the first time since their second World Series title in 2003. A slow start quickly altered those plans, with manager Fredi Gonzalez getting fired after a 34-36 jump-off to pave the way for Edwin Rodriguez to become the first Puerto Rican-born manager in MLB history.

Rodriguez, though, did more than just serve as a face for baseball's Latin community. Florida went 46-46 after Rodriguez took over on June 23, earning the manager a one-year extension, and saw several fresh faces accumulate some valuable experience at the pro level.

Despite the .500 mark after the manager switch, the Marlins still finished 17 games out of first place in the National League East and 11 games behind the wild-card winning Braves, who will be managed by Gonzalez this season.

Florida's 2010 season was ultimately defined by the youthful trinity of Gaby Sanchez, Logan Morrison and Mike Stanton. All three were having an impact in the lineup by season's end, with Sanchez finishing fourth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.

Rodriguez will aim to keep all three on the progressive track while hoping to keep Hanley Ramirez's head in the game. The All-Star shortstop made headlines in May after having a blowup with Gonzalez after the former manager benched him for a lack of hustle and saw some of his offensive numbers dip from his 2009 season in which Ramirez captured the NL batting title.

Florida must also find a way to replace Dan Uggla's bat in the lineup after dealing the power-hitting second baseman to Atlanta when the two sides could not agree on a contract extension.

The exit of Uggla, who is set to be spelled by former Atlanta All-Star utilityman Omar Infante, could have a positive affect on the Marlins' defense, which committed 123 errors last year. The hiring of Perry Hill as infield and first-base coach should also help. Hill was with the club from 2002-06 and is thought of as one of the top infield instructors in the game.

On the other side of things, though the small-market Marlins weren't able to assemble a pitching staff on the level of the NL East-favorite Phillies, they do feel they can go toe-to-toe with a lot of rotations after adding Javier Vazquez to a mix that already includes All-Star Josh Johnson as well as Ricky Nolasco and Anibal Sanchez.

Below we take a capsule look at the 2011 edition of the Marlins, with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein:

2010 FINISH (80-82) - Third Place (NL East)

KEY OFFSEASON ADDITIONS: Omar Infante (2B), Javier Vazquez (RHP), Randy Choate (LHP), John Buck (C), Mike Dunn (LHP), Edward Mujica (RHP), Ryan Webb (RHP), Greg Dobbs (INF/OF)

KEY OFFSEASON SUBTRACTIONS: Dan Uggla (2B), Cameron Maybin (CF), Will Ohman (LHP), Andrew Miller (LHP), Jorge Sosa (RHP), Ronny Paulino (C), Chad Tracy (3B), Jose Veras (RHP)

PROJECTED LINEUP: Chris Coghlan (CF), Omar Infante (2B), Hanley Ramirez (SS), Mike Stanton (RF), Gaby Sanchez (1B), Logan Morrison (LF), John Buck (C), Donnie Murphy/Emilio Bonifacio (3B)

PROJECTED ROTATION: Josh Johnson (RHP), Ricky Nolasco (RHP), Anibal Sanchez (RHP), Javier Vazquez (RHP), Chris Volstad (RHP)

PROJECTED CLOSER: Leo Nunez (RHP)

MANAGER: Edwin Rodriguez

INFIELD

The Marlins will have a new double-play combination this season as Infante joins Ramirez up the middle. Infante made the NL All-Star team last year as a utility specialist and he won't be able to replace Uggla's usual 30 homers on his own, but he does offer solid defense at multiple positions and batted .321 in 134 games last year with Atlanta.

Florida swapped Uggla for Infante and relief pitcher Mike Dunn after Uggla reportedly turned down a four-year, $48 million extension, but hopes to replace some of his power with Sanchez at first again this season. Sanchez played in 151 games last year and hit .273 with 19 homers and 85 RBI.

Also looking to chip in will be 2010 All-Star catcher John Buck, who signed a three-year deal with the Fish after setting career highs with 20 homers, 66 RBI and a .281 average in 118 games with the Blue Jays. He can also gun down his fair share of would-be base stealers and is an upgrade from the tandem of John Baker and Ronny Paulino used last season.

Of course, a rebound year from Ramirez will also help. The 27-year-old led the NL with a .342 average in 2009, but dipped to .300 in 142 games a season ago while finishing with 21 homers, 76 RBI and 32 steals.

Needing a long-term fixture at third base following last season's trade of Jorge Cantu to the Texas Rangers, the Marlins had hoped 21-year-old former first-round pick Matt Dominguez would win the job in camp, but the solid defender struggled at the plate.

Instead, Donnie Murphy or Emilio Bonifacio will slide into the third-base role, though Murphy may have the inside track until Dominguez returns due to Bonifacio's ability to fill in at multiple positions. Murphy is looking to come back from a right wrist injury suffered in early September.

Florida could also move Infante to third, but that is an idea Rodriguez is not currently entertaining.

OUTFIELD

No player on the Marlins needs to forget 2010 more than Coghlan, who won the NL Rookie of the Year honor the previous season before enduring an injury- plagued sophomore season. He was limited to just 91 games due to a left knee injury suffered during a postgame celebration and batted just .268, a far cry from his .321 average in '09.

Not only will Coghlan try to fix things at the plate as the expected leadoff hitter, but the lefty will also make the switch from left field to center following the offseason trade of the speedy Cameron Maybin to San Diego. Maybin struggled to stick in the big leagues with Florida after being acquired as part of the package received from Detroit in 2007 for Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis.

Coghlan will have youth around him in the form of Stanton and Morrison.

Stanton will start in right field after leading all rookies with 22 homers last year, while Morrison set a club rookie record by reaching base safely in 42 straight games once he finally joined the club. Morrison will try to find his power at the big-league level as he managed just two homers in 62 games.

STARTING ROTATION

Florida is hoping a return to the NL is just what Vazquez needs after he struggled to a 10-10 mark and 5.32 earned run average in 31 games (26 starts) with the Yankees in 2010.

The right-hander did go 15-10 with a 2.87 ERA and 238 strikeouts in 32 starts with the Braves in '09 and went 2-1 with a 2.99 ERA in four interleague starts a season ago. The Puerto-Rican born hurler signed a one-year deal worth $7 million and should fit right in with the Miami faithful.

Vazquez will be part of an expected all-righty rotation that is led by Johnson, who topped the NL with a 2.30 ERA while going 11-6 in 28 starts. Johnson's ERA was as low as 1.61 as of July 22, but he pitched hurt in the second half and didn't start after Sept. 4 due to a back injury and sore right shoulder.

Ricky Nolasco led the staff with 14 victories in 26 starts last season and also did not pitch in September due to injury, but still earned a three-year, $26.5 million extension this offseason.

Anibal Sanchez led the team with 32 starts last year, going 13-12 with a solid 3.55 ERA, while Chris Volstad (12-9, 4.58 ERA) rounds out the staff.

BULLPEN

The door to the bullpen might as well revolved on its own given how many arms the Marlins used last season. It comes as no surprise then that both of Florida's big trades this offseason brought back relief help.

The relief group will feature a new pair of lefties in Dunn and Randy Choate, who signed a two-year contract after appearing in a career-high 85 games a season ago with the Rays. The 35-year-old went 4-3 in that span with a 4.23 ERA.

The Maybin trade to the Padres brought back a pair of right-handers in Edward Mujica and Ryan Webb, who both had ERAs under 3.70 while combining to appear in 113 games. Both are also in their mid-twenties.

Despite some late season struggles Leo Nunez is slated to be the closer after locking down 30 saves a season ago. The right-hander did yield 62 hits and 21 walks in 65 innings and pitched to a 9.31 ERA in 10 games in August before giving way to Clay Hensley to finish out games.

Hensley finished the season with a 2.16 ERA in 68 games and saved seven games in September.

BENCH

The Marlins already had their own version of Infante in Bonifacio, who played at six different spots last year, including all three outfield positions as well as third, short and second base. He could end up starting at third or even center if Coghlan isn't ready for Opening Day due to a shoulder injury.

Despite experience at third, both Wes Helms and Greg Dobbs appear to be headed for reserve roles, while veteran outfielder Dewayne Wise may also capture a spot on the bench.

Paulino got hit with a 50-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug late last season and is now with the Mets, while Baker isn't expected to be ready for Opening Day following September Tommy John surgery, so Brett Hayes will begin the season as Buck's backup.

OUTLOOK

Forgive the Marlins if they are already looking forward to 2012, when they will be renamed the Miami Marlins and play inside of a retractable-roof stadium and hopefully in front of some larger-sized crowds. Florida could do wonders for that last part by challenging for a playoff spot this year. A transition to youth factored into last season's step back in the win column, but Florida's guppies played well and the Marlins can still run in the middle of the pack if the unit avoids the sophomore slump. A restocked bullpen and solid rotation should take some pressure off of the offense, but replacing Uggla's bat is no small task. Rodriguez has plenty of options to work with, but his managerial skills will be tested in a competitive NL East. Still, a challenge at the wild card spot isn't out of the question.

Scouting the NL East: Atlanta Braves

By Michael Rushton

Philadelphia, PA - It was The Beatles' Ringo Starr who sang "I get by with a little help from my friends." Should the Atlanta Braves make it back into the postseason for a second straight year, they may need to send a gift basket to a certain National League East rival.

The Braves returned to the playoffs last season for the first time since 2005, securing the NL Wild Card position with a second-place finish that was their highest since the last of 11 straight NL East titles six years ago.

Atlanta went into the 2010 season knowing it would be the last for long-time manager Bobby Cox, but his players couldn't reward the skipper with their first World Series title since 1995, falling in four games to the eventual World Series-champion San Francisco Giants in the NLDS. Cox's exit meant that, despite a 91-win season, change was coming.

Luckily for the Braves, the Marlins came to the rescue. Florida fired manager Fredi Gonzalez on June 23 and he became the instant choice to replace Cox at season's end, having spent four years on his staff from 2003-06. To no surprise, Atlanta hired Gonzalez on Oct. 13 after he went 276-279 during his three-and-a-half year tenure with the small-market Marlins.

Gonzalez has big shoes to fill as Cox won over 2,500 career games as a manager and led the Braves to five NL pennants and a World Series title. Good thing that he was able to take a parting gift with him as the Braves landed power- hitting second baseman Dan Uggla from Florida in exchange for utility All-Star Omar Infante and left-handed reliever Mike Dunn this offseason.

General manager Frank Wren, who was rewarded with a two-year extension on Feb. 21, wasted little time securing Uggla for the long-term, signing the former Rule-5 pick to a five-year, $62 million contract.

Wren has other magic to work now. He is counting on a rookie taking over at first base in Freddie Freeman while moving All-Star second baseman Martin Prado to left field to make room for Uggla. The Braves GM also needs bounce- back seasons from outfielder Nate McLouth and third baseman Chipper Jones, who is coming off left knee surgery.

The Braves are also replacing former closer Billy Wagner, who hung up his cleats for good following the 2010 season.

Below we take a capsule look at the 2011 edition of the Braves, with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein:

2010 FINISH (91-71) - Second Place (NL East)

KEY OFFSEASON ADDITIONS: Dan Uggla (2B), George Sherrill (LHP), Rodrigo Lopez (RHP), Scott Linebrink (RHP), Joe Mather (INF/OF)

KEY OFFSEASON SUBTRACTIONS: Omar Infante (INF), Matt Diaz (LF), Melky Cabrera (OF), Kyle Farnsworth (RHP), Takashi Saito (RHP), Troy Glaus (1B), Derrick Lee (1B), Rick Ankiel (CF), Mike Dunn (LHP)

PROJECTED LINEUP: Martin Prado (LF), Nate McLouth (CF), Chipper Jones (3B), Dan Uggla (2B), Brian McCann (C), Jason Heyward (RF), Alex Gonzalez (SS), Freddie Freeman (1B)

PROJECTED ROTATION: Derek Lowe (RHP), Tommy Hanson (RHP), Tim Hudson (RHP), Jair Jurrjens (RHP), Brandon Beachy (RHP)

PROJECTED CLOSER: Craig Kimbrel (RHP)

MANAGER: Fredi Gonzalez

INFIELD

Consistent power is something that has evaded the Braves over the last few years and Jones getting older isn't helping. That is why Atlanta went out and got Uggla, forsaking a bit of defense to add a player that set career highs last year with a .287 average, 33 homers and 105 runs batted in and is the first second baseman in MLB history to notch four straight seasons of at least 30 home runs.

Uggla will offer a little protection out of the clean-up spot for Jones and catcher Brian McCann. After hinting at a possible retirement at season's end a year ago, Jones eventually suffered a season-ending knee injury in August and is back to end his career on his own terms, whenever that may be.

Set to turn 39 in April, the former MVP and 2008 NL batting champion hit just .265 in 95 games with 10 homers and 46 RBI.

McCann has battled some issues with blurred vision over the past few seasons, but still led the team with 21 homers and 77 RBI last year. He is steady behind the plate and won his fourth Silver Slugger award.

The Braves got tired of waiting for Yunel Escobar to mature, so they shipped the young shortstop to the Blue Jays on July 14 in a trade that brought back Alex Gonzalez. A former All-Star with the Marlins, Gonzalez hit .240 with six homers and 38 RBI in 72 games with Atlanta.

Atlanta began last year trying Troy Glaus at first base, but he batted just .240 in 128 games and the Braves eventually traded for Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee. Though Lee was decent during his short time with the Braves, neither he or Glaus is back this season, opening the door for Freeman.

The rookie got a 20-game taste of the big leagues last year, but managed just four hits in 24 at-bats with a homer. The 6-foot-5 left-handed batter hit .319 with 18 homers and 87 RBI in 124 games last year with Triple-A Gwinnett, but also had his Arizona Fall League season cut short due to a thumb injury.

OUTFIELD

With the Braves landing Uggla, Prado shifts to left field, where he has just four games of experience. The hope is that Prado can make a successful transition and not let it affect his play at the plate after he hit .307 in 140 games last year with career highs in homers (15), RBI (66) and runs scored (100).

Atlanta is also counting on a powerful sophomore season from Jason Heyward, who won the starting right field job in camp last year and went on to hit .277 with 18 homers and 72 RBI in 142 games. That 21-year-old, ranked the top prospect in baseball prior to last season by Baseball America, finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting and should team with Uggla to give the Braves some serious power in the lineup.

The Braves thought they had filled their center field void when they traded for McLouth in June of 2009, but he has hit just .229 with 17 homers, 60 RBI and 127 strikeouts in 169 games since the deal and injury limited him to just 85 games last year.

McLouth, set to make $6.5 million this year, begins the season as the starting center fielder, but will be pushed by Jordan Schafer, who was the 2009 starter but struggled before a demotion and has also battled a wrist injury.

STARTING ROTATION

The Braves feature a rotation that contains three hurlers that made at least 33 starts last year, headed by 2010 NL Comeback Player of the Year Tim Hudson.

After a brief return from Tommy John surgery in 2009, Hudson and the Braves re-upped for another three years and the right-hander did not disappoint with a 17-9 record and 2.83 earned run average. Hudson's 228 2/3 innings pitched were the best for the hurler since 2003 with Oakland.

Righty and Opening Day starter Derek Lowe, 37, was second on the club with 16 wins, but also led the staff with 12 losses to go along with a 4.00 ERA in 33 starts. The veteran did finish strong, winning his last five starts with a 1.17 ERA before yielding just three runs in a pair of playoff losses.

The now and tomorrow of the Braves' rotation rests on the right shoulders of Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjens.

The 24-year-old Hanson followed up an 11-win 2009 season with a 10-11 mark and 3.33 ERA a season ago that was plagued by lack of run support and included a 10-start winless streak despite a 3.08 ERA in that span. Still, the future is bright for this former highly-regarded prospect.

Jurrjens, 25, battled through a hamstring ailment in 2010 to go 7-6 with a 4.64 ERA in 20 starts and will look for a healthier rebound this season.

With Japanese right-hander Kenshin Kawakami (1-10, 5.15 ERA in 18 games) absolutely bombing as a starter in his second season in the majors last year, the Braves opted to go with Brandon Beachy over lefty and 2009 first-round pick Mike Minor to round out an all right-handed rotation despite having yet to unload Kawakami's contract.

BULLPEN

Though he was pushing 40, Wagner turned in a solid final performance with 37 saves and a 1.43 ERA in 71 games. With the lefty riding into the sunset, right-hander Craig Kimbrel gets the first shot at replacing him.

If Kimbrel is to thrive in the ninth inning, he will need to cut down on his walks. He issued 16 free passes over 20 2/3 innings, but gave up just one earned run.

Waiting in the shadows, or more specifically the eighth inning, should Kimbrel struggle is lefty Jonny Venters, who posted a 1.95 ERA in 79 games last year as a key set-up guy. He'll handle the southpaws and give Kimbrel the occasional breather, with Peter Moylan (6-2, 2.97 ERA in 85 games) returning to shut down righties.

With the exit of Wagner and fellow reliever Takashi Saito, the Braves acquired right-hander Scott Linebrink from the White Sox and signed former southpaw closer George Sherrill as well. The addition of Sherrill, owner of 56 career saves, and the return of Eric O'Flaherty gives Gonzalez three left-handed options out of the bullpen.

Former starter and long reliever Kris Medlen won't be available until at least August due to Tommy John surgery.

BENCH

The loss of Infante cost the Braves a valuable plug off the bench, but the club is not without options.

Brooks Conrad originally saw time at third base last year after Jones' injury, but struggled mightily on defense and eventually swapped spots with Prado at second. That means he won't be getting into games late as a defensive replacement anytime soon, but he does hit from both sides of the plate and eight of his 39 hits last year were homers.

Schafer may not start the season on the Braves roster if he doesn't edge out McLouth in center, meaning Joe Mather will serve as the primary outfield reserve after being claimed off waivers from the Cardinals.

Eric Hinske (.256, 11 HR, 51 RBI) also returns after signing a one-year deal with a 2012 option and he offers insurance at left field as well as first base.

Catcher David Ross enters his third season with Atlanta after batting a solid .289 last year with two homers and 28 RBI.

OUTLOOK

While the days of an 11-year dynasty under Cox between 1995-2005 are long gone, the Braves do have a nice infusion of youngsters that should keep the team competitive for the next few years. As far as 2011 is concerned, the Braves have to wonder how much they'll be able to squeeze out of Jones, Lowe and Hudson this year. The addition of Uggla and a year of growth from Heyward should solve past power problems and getting leads will be important as Atlanta's biggest strength appears to be its bullpen. If Kimbrel can emerge as a legitimate closer, scoring runs late against Atlanta will be hard to do. Consider this club one of the top challengers for at least another wild card berth.

Forsberg's legacy in danger of taking another hit

By Michael Rushton

Philadelphia - With the Super Bowl just days away, the National Football League is basking in the glow of popularity and television ratings that make it the most successful league in the country.

For the National Hockey League, business goes on as usual. While the NHL now gets its shot in the sun every New Year's Day with the very popular Winter Classic and is coming off a new-look All-Star format that caught people's attention from coast to coast, it is unlikely the league will be pulling ahead of the NFL in ratings anytime soon.

North American hockey has many reasons to look up to its pigskin counterpart, but something the league doesn't need is a joke similar to the one a certain crocs-wearing quarterback has unleashed offseason after offseason in the NFL.

The league is close to having its own Brett Favre in the form of 37-year-old Peter Forsberg, a massively talented player that could be remembered as one of the all-time greats but refuses to acknowledge his days of skating with the big boys are over.

Of course, comparing Favre to Foppa is a little unfair. While many out there got too good of a look at many parts of Favre's aging body, Forsberg has at least kept it consistent with one lingering issue: his right foot. But in the world of professional sports, it only takes one breakdown to stall a career and that is something Forsberg may be beginning to realize as he makes his latest comeback attempt.

The former MVP said he wanted to see where he was physically when he began skating with the Colorado Avalanche in late January and nearly two weeks later he is finding out he is far behind. Forsberg took part in a high-tempo practice on Wednesday that left him tired and winded afterwards.

"It goes quick, absolutely, and I hadn't had a real practice in like nine months, so today was the first five-on-five," said Forsberg. "You can ask any athlete. When you get out there with professionals -- with real guys who have been skating and practicing the whole year, yes, it goes fast."

Once upon a time, the game moved much slower for Forsberg, who hopefully can soon come to terms that his time in the NHL has passed, however unfair that may be. Injuries took away large chunks of his time with the world's best, but the slick center still put together a career that many do and will envy: two- time Stanley Cup champion, MVP, Olympic and World Championship gold-medal winner.

While Favre was able to comeback from "retirement" and still be successful as recent as the 2009 season, when he took the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC Championship Game, Forsberg's attempts have been less fruitful. He has played in just 126 regular-season NHL games since the 2004-05 lockout and none since the '07-08 playoffs. Like he hopes to do this year, Forsberg joined the Avalanche late that season, but was limited to just nine regular-season games and seven playoff contests due to injury.

Perhaps that is why Forsberg is treading lightly this time around. He said Wednesday that he will make a decision in the near future, but that it is tough to reach one after just three practices.

"Definitely, this time around I don't want to make a stupid decision," he said. "I've been coming back way to many times and it hadn't really worked out and I don't want to come back and not be at the level I want to be at. So that's maybe why it's taking longer than usual."

Still, some of Forsberg's other comments seem to indicate the odds of him wearing an Avalanche sweater this season are slim.

"If I had to make a decision today, it wouldn't be that positive because it's pretty quick," he said. "So I just have to keep skating here and hopefully I get out there and see how close I can get and if I can be able to play with these guys."

Asked about his right foot, which Forsberg tries to avoid talking about specifically, he said "it's what it's always been."

That doesn't sound like a guy on a comeback trail, now does it?

If this was a movie, it would ultimately end with a defeated Forsberg skating over to the tunnel and turning off the lights of the Pepsi Center one last time, his career highlights fading in and out on screen to an emotional orchestra score. Problem is, Forsberg is from Sweden and not Hollywood and he just loves the game too much.

"I want to play. I want to play badly," he said. "That's what I'm trying here to do. I'm working out everyday and working out hard and like I said, I love to play so I just have to see if I get to play or not."

Many feel Favre's legacy has taken a hit due to his inability to walk away while on top. Forsberg may be going down the same road. That's not how he should be remembered, but in the end the decision is up to him.

Lets just hope Foppa makes the right choice.

Kolb forgotten man in Vick's comeback story

By Michael Rushton

Philadelphia, PA - Before one can succeed, someone else has to fail.

Great comebacks are the counter result of epic collapses. Opportunities have to be missed for others to seize the moment.

Love him or hate him, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick has constructed a regular season paved in success and redemption.

For that to have happened, Kevin Kolb first had to fail.

In Sunday's meaningless matchup with the Dallas Cowboys, Kolb ended the regular season the same way he began it: under center as the starting quarterback.

However, there was a big difference this time as he stepped onto the wet field at Lincoln Financial Field. When he did so under a cloudy sky back in September, Kolb had the Eagles' future in his hands. He had two excellent wide receivers on either side and a shifty playmaking running back behind him.

He had the entire city of Philadelphia behind him.

Three and a half months -- and one career-changing concussion -- later, and Kolb had none of that.

With the Eagles already locked into a third seed in the NFC, they opted to rest their starting offensive weapons in Vick, wide receiver DeSean Jackson and running back LeSean McCoy. That left Kolb to take the field in front of an uninspired crowd with throwing options named Chad Hall, Clay Harbor and Riley
Cooper.

But that is what Kolb has become. The former heir to Donovan McNabb is now a forgotten backup, called upon only when absolutely needed, but at least he learned what a cruel mistress the NFL can be.

"The first thing [this season] tells you is you have to be ready in every situation," Kolb said. "It's taught me how to prepare better as a backup, making sure you're mentally focused. It's taught me how to block out outside things sometimes and focus in on just the game."

It didn't start out that way. When Philadelphia traded McNabb, the club's longtime franchise signal-caller, to Washington, head coach Andy Reid was handing the keys to the castle to Kolb. That is until a Week 1 concussion versus the Green Bay Packers, who incidentally the Eagles will host this weekend in the opening round of the playoffs, opened the door for Vick's comeback story.

Originally expected to sit out just one game, Reid reversed field and named Vick the Week 3 starter despite Kolb's return to health. The now-backup would see the field again on Oct. 3 due to a Vick injury and go on to start the next three games, but he couldn't do what Vick did. He couldn't regain the starting role from the man who was taking the NFL world by storm.

Sure, there were some highlights. Kolb, the first quarterback in NFL history to post 300-yard passing games in his first two career starts, had consecutive victories over the 49ers and Falcons in which his QB rating was over 100. His three-touchdown game against Atlanta was accompanied by 326 passing yards.

But forced the throw the ball 48 times on Oct. 24 in Tennessee, Kolb couldn't deliver in a 37-19 defeat. He returned to the sidelines for the next game with Vick fully healed.

Sunday's game versus the Cowboys featured both Kolbs. He did a great job of keeping the play alive with his feet in the second quarter before finding Hall on a four-yard touchdown pass. There was also a well-placed 48-yard bomb to Hall in the fourth quarter.

However, there was also three interceptions and six sacks as the Eagles' backups went up against the Dallas starters. In the end, Kolb finished 18-of-36 passing for 162 yards in a 14-13 loss, but his teammates understood what he was up against.

"I thought he did a good job. With the circumstances, he had a lot of pressures and different things like that," said wide receiver Jason Avant. "He made decisions on the run. It was a hard day."

The city of Philadelphia could care less, even after a setback to the hated Cowboys. The Eagles have bigger fish to fry and it will be Vick casting the net this weekend.

"It's tough," said Kolb afterwards. "You get limited opportunities and you want to make every one of them count. I just go back to I've always been a team guy so we have to forget it. I have to forget it and everyone else who was out there has to."

Under Kolb, the Eagles would have been forgiven for a down season, one that would have been viewed as a transition to the new quarterback regime. Under Vick, it has become one of high expectations.

Kolb is signed through 2011, while Vick is slated to be a free agent, but the Eagles don't figure to let the latter walk after the season he has posted so far. A Super Bowl title and Vick will likely be mayor at the next election.

That leaves Kolb's status in doubt. At just 26, the 2007 second-round pick will probably draw some interest on the trade market if the Eagles go that route. Or, he could return as Vick's backup if the Eagles bring No. 7 back.

If there is no football in 2011, then who knows what Kolb's future will hold.

"I want to be a starter, obviously," Kolb said. "I feel like I can be and I feel like I've played at this level for a long time. I'm not sure what everybody else's opinions are but I have confidence in myself and if the
situation calls again in the playoffs, I'll go in and do my best.

"Again, we are focused on the Super Bowl, not my future."

If certain events unfold for the Eagles this January, Kolb may just get a chance to walk his own path of redemption.

Of course, that would mean that Vick would have to first fail.

Fantasy: Bradford emerging in young quarterback class

By Michael Rushton

When I became a first-time home owner three years ago, I knew there were some things I was going to have to learn in a hurry.

Needless to say, outside of hammering out paragraph after paragraph on a keyboard, kicking some tail in the latest Halo video game or bringing a big juicy steak to my mouth, my hands are pretty useless. I always have electricians, carpenters and plumbers on standby for when the tiniest problem arises.

So of course, when I bought my home I decided I was going to redo my basement by myself; and by myself, I mean with the help of my brother, father, father- in-law, stepfather and various friends. One buddy in particular always seemed eager to help me, even if he didn't know what he was doing.

Finally, while trying to figure out how to put some new block windows in, he confessed to me why he was always willing to lend a hand.

"That way, when I buy my own house, I'll know how to do it the right way," was his confession.

Being a young quarterback in the NFL is the same thing. Teams always have two options with their new signal-caller: play him right away and hope he can learn as he goes or let him sit on the sidelines and gain his initial knowledge from watching.

The Rams, partially due to a preseason injury to A.J. Feeley, picked the former with 2010 top overall pick Sam Bradford and fantasy owners -- particularly those in keeper/dynasty formats -- that followed suit are starting to reap the rewards.

Through eight starts, Bradford has amassed 11 touchdown passes. The first quarterbacks taken in the last two drafts -- Matthew Stafford in 2009 and Matt Ryan in '08 -- posted similar TD numbers in the first eight starts of their careers and both are highly regarded in the fantasy realm.

So what does that mean for Bradford?

For one, it means that he is becoming a viable fantasy option. He has five touchdown passes over his last three games without a pick and is averaging 209.2 yards throwing per game. Yes, he hasn't topped 200 passing yards in his last three games, but what do you expect when your top targets are named Laurent Robinson, Danny Amendola and Daniel Fells.

(Paging Randy Moss.)

Bradford does have a two-edged sword behind him in Pro Bowl running back Steven Jackson, who is going to get a large number of carries each week, but who also keeps defenses honest to Bradford's benefit.

The soon-to-be 23-year-old Bradford isn't a must-start each week, but he is a nice player to have on a roster for depth and if you are in a long-term league, he is a guy you might want to grab by the end of the season for future use.

Those block windows are still intact by the way.

And now, here are five players I'm liking for this weekend.

Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears - Forte has been a big hit-or-miss guy this year. He roared out of the gate with a 200-plus total yard, two-touchdown game in Week 1 and has scored a total of six TDs while making plays on the ground and in the passing game. However, he did have just 26 touches in Chicago's final two games before its recent bye week - including only 18 carries. Chicago needs to find a way to keep Jay Cutler on his feet and using Forte more is the answer. Mix in a Week 9 battle with Buffalo's 32nd-ranked scoring and run defense and you've got yourself a great play.

Pierre Garcon, WR, Indianapolis Colts - Garcon made seven catches for 78 yards on Monday night versus Houston as Indy was without tight end Dallas Clark, wide receiver Austin Collie and running back Joseph Addai. Quarterback Peyton Manning likes to spread the ball around, but Garcon is going up against an Eagles secondary that ranks 23rd in scoring defense and gave up 200-plus yards and three touchdowns to Titans WR Kenny Britt in Week 7.

Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints - You are going to start Brees anyway but he is in line for a big week this Sunday. The Saints have been inconsistent all year and find themselves third in the NFC South. Brees won't let the defending Super Bowl champs slip further behind the eight-ball this weekend in a matchup with the 1-6 Carolina Panthers despite their success versus the pass this year.

Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay Packers - Jennings has caught six passes in each of his last three games, finding the end zone twice in that span. Not surprisingly, this stretch comes with Donald Driver having failed to make a catch in his last two games while battling a quad injury. Driver won't play this Sunday, leaving plenty of passes for Jennings against a struggling Dallas team.

LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, New York Jets - Running is the key to success for the Jets and Tomlinson has almost matched his rushing total from last year (730 yards) in half as many games. He's gotten at least 16 rush attempts in four straight games, making 15 catches in that span as well and has four touchdowns in his last four games. New York will want to keep Detroit's Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson off the field and grinding the ball on the ground against a defense that ranks 27th in the league versus the run will do that.

Return game a factor in defense roulette

By Michael Rushton

Philadelphia, PA - A friend of mine in college used to tell me about a certain dating practice he would use when trying to meet women.

Said friend told me that he would always start with the second most attractive female in the room and work his way down. His thinking was that while the rest of his competition was putting in time with the top target, he could walk away with a solid acquisition in a quicker and less painful timeframe.

(As to how often this worked for my buddy is another story.)

Fantasy owners often take this approach when drafting a defense/special team. While there are always people out there who are going to jump on the New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens and Minnesota Vikings in the middle rounds, a healthy number of drafters would rather build bench depth and grab a unit towards the end of the selection process.

Those same owners will often drop and add different defenses throughout the season in a little game I like to call "defense roulette."

One factor some forget to consider is that of the return game. It can often be used as the deciding element when choosing between different teams, but one that can be overlooked.

Take the Seattle Seahawks for example. Yes, they have allowed 51 points over the last two weeks, but their most recent effort was salvaged thanks in part to a pair of kick returns for touchdowns by Leon Washington.

Washington is no stranger to the return game as he owns six career touchdowns on kickoffs. I guess we can all safely assume he is fully recovered from his series leg injury suffered a season ago and his game-breaking ability makes the Seahawks defense an attractive addition.

Upcoming matchups with the Rams, Cardinals and Raiders don't hurt either.

No, the Seahawks aren't going to pitch shutouts week in and week out, but if you decided to pass on an upper-tier defense, you need all the advantages you can get.

Below are some other defenses that might be available and could consider a look due to strong return games.

Chicago Bears - While it's okay if not everyone has heard of Washington, one would be hard pressed to find a fan of the NFL who doesn't know the name Devin Hester. The first player to ever take the opening kickoff of a Super Bowl to the end zone, Hester has sped 12 returns to the end zone during the regular season, a total he just added to Monday night versus Green Bay. Chicago isn't the regarded defense it once was, but it did just hold the high-powered Packers to 17 points and has an upcoming schedule of the Giants, Panthers, Seahawks and Redskins as well.

Kansas City Chiefs - Dexter McCluster was drafted in the second round by the Chiefs because of his ability to play multiple positions, but the one fantasy owners should be most enamored with is the return game. The Mississippi product is averaging 23.7 yards per punt return, including a 94-yard score, and another 18.7 yards on kickoffs. The 22-year-old should remain the focus of Kansas City's return game for the season and adds value to an already- surprising unit. Be aware the Chiefs are on a bye in Week 4.

Arizona Cardinals - Steve Breaston's elevation to the second wide receiver moved him out of the return game, but it has also opened a door for LaRod Stephens-Howling. The second-year running back took both a punt and a kickoff to the house a season ago and should have two returns for a score this year. However, a penalty negated one in Week 2 versus the Falcons, so owners had to settle for his 102-yard kick return this past weekend versus the Raiders. Eight of Stephens-Howling's 13 kick returns have gone for at least 20 yards and he is averaging 27.1 yards per return. Upcoming games against the Chargers and Saints before a bye should leave the Cardinals defense on the waiver wire for a few weeks, but the club still has plenty of games versus the NFC West left in addition to meetings with the Buccaneers and Panthers.

Buffalo Bills - The Bills are by far the riskiest pick on this list. They have allowed 72 points over their last three road games, host the suddenly potent Jets this weekend and play in a tough division. Not to mention they still have games versus the Ravens, Bengals and Steelers on the docket. Still, C.J. Spiller was drafted for a reason and his 31.2 average on kick returns isn't something to turn your head at. No, he isn't returning punts, but he does own one return touchdown and has taken all but two of his kick returns over 20 yards. At the very least, Spiller could cancel out some of Buffalo's defensive deficiencies and owners could catch lightning in a bottle on any given week.

Philadelphia Phillies 2010 Preview

By Michael Rushton

Philadelphia, PA -  Philadelphia Phillies fans sure are getting greedy, but perhaps back-to-back World Series appearances will do that.

While supporters of just about any other club would have excitement levels off the chart in acquiring one of the top pitchers in baseball, former Toronto and now Philadelphia ace Roy Halladay, much of the talk around the City of Brotherly Love was what the Phillies gave up to acquire the 2003 American League Cy Young Award winner.

In fact, when all was said and done it took some top prospects and another former Cy Young Award recipient to land "Doc" Halladay.

The Phillies bolstered their rotation at the trade deadline last year, acquiring Cliff Lee from the Cleveland Indians when it became apparent it would cost too much to get Halladay from Toronto. Lee, who won the AL Cy Young in 2008, went 7-4 with a 3.39 earned run average in 12 regular-season starts as the Phillies won their third straight National League East title.

Lee then etched himself onto the heart of Philadelphia by posting a 4-0 mark and 1.56 ERA in five postseason starts, winning twice in the World Series versus the New York Yankees. However, Lee's performance wasn't enough as the Phils were denied a second straight World Series championship by New York, which took the Fall Classic in six games.

Aiming to become the first NL team to reach three straight World Series since the 1942-44 St. Louis Cardinals, the Phillies made a big move by acquiring Halladay from the Blue Jays for a trio of prospects, including pitcher Kyle Drabek and outfielder Michael Taylor.

But to the chagrin of the fans, Philly wasn't done dealing. Considering it had previously cost the Phils four minor-leaguers to land Lee and outfielder Ben Francisco from the Indians last July, Philadelphia general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. decided he didn't want to leave the prospect cupboard bare. So instead of a rotation that could have featured Halladay, Lee and 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels, Amaro shipped Lee to Seattle on the same day he acquired Halladay, getting three prospects in return.

That left many fans in Philadelphia scratching their collective heads, but even without Lee the Phillies have a club that is built to play baseball in October again.

Below we take a capsule look at the 2010 edition of the Philadelphia Phillies, with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein:

2009 FINISH (93-69) - First Place (NL East)

KEY OFFSEASON ADDITIONS: SP Roy Halladay, 3B Placido Polanco, RP Danys Baez,

C Brian Schneider, SP/RP Jose Contreras, INF Juan Castro, 1B Ross Gload

KEY OFFSEASON SUBTRACTIONS: SP Cliff Lee, RP Scott Eyre, 3B Pedro Feliz, SP Brett Myers, RHP Clay Condrey, INF Eric Bruntlett, SP Pedro Martinez, RP Chan Ho Park

PROJECTED LINEUP: Jimmy Rollins (SS), Placido Polanco (3B), Chase Utley (2B), Ryan Howard (1B), Jayson Werth (RF), Raul Ibanez (LF), Shane Victorino (CF), Carlos Ruiz (C)

PROJECTED ROTATION: Roy Halladay (RHP), Cole Hamels (LHP), Joe Blanton (RHP), J.A. Happ (LHP), Kyle Kendrick (RHP)/Jamie Moyer (LHP)

PROJECTED CLOSER: Brad Lidge (RHP)

MANAGER: Charlie Manuel

INFIELD

While the Phillies made no changes to their infield a season ago, 2010 will feature a new look at the hot corner. No longer manning third base is Pedro Feliz, who has an excellent glove but struggled at the plate for most of his two years with Philadelphia.

The Phils turned to the past to fill their void at third, signing Polanco. The 34-year-old rarely strikes out and should add a consistent presence at the top of an order that fanned a collective 1,155 times last year.

This marks Polanco's second go-around with the Phillies as he was acquired by the club in 2002 in a mid-season deal that landed Scott Rolen in the Cardinals. He stayed with the club until getting traded during the 2005 season to Detroit, where he spent the majority of his time at second base. However, he shifts to third for the Phils, a position he hasn't fielded regularly since 2002.

The rest remains the same. Ryan Howard, 2006 NL MVP and 45-home run threat, mans first, while second baseman Chase Utley and shortstop Jimmy Rollins make up the middle of the infield.

Utley and Howard, expected to bat behind Polanco at the third and clean-up spots respectively, should benefit the most from their new third baseman being on the base paths. Utley topped the 30-homer mark for the third time a season ago, while Howard bashed 45 homers and tied for the NL lead with 141 RBI.

Rollins, the 2007 NL MVP, has won the three most recent Gold Gloves at short and shook off an early-season slump -- he was batting .198 on May 12 -- to hit .250 with 21 homers, 77 RBI, 100 runs scored and 31 stolen bases.

Carlos Ruiz, one of three Phillies along with pitcher Joe Blanton and outfielder Shane Victorino to sign new three-year deals in the offseason, enters his fourth year as the club's everyday catcher after hitting .255 a season ago. He is a career .303 hitter in the playoffs though and handles the pitching staff very well.

OUTFIELD

The Phillies return three 2009 All-Stars to their outfield in Victorino, Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez.

Victorino mans center and is the sparkplug of the team. He has won the last two NL Gold Gloves at his position and batted .292 a season ago with 10 homers, 62 RBI, 102 runs scored and 25 stolen bases. Victorino spent most of last year batting second, but is expected to slip down to sixth or seventh in the order due to the signing of Polanco.

Werth proved again last year that he can play everyday, appearing in a career-high 159 games while hitting .268 with 36 homers and 99 RBI. He did strikeout a career-worst 156 times however, a number the Phillies hope their right fielder can decrease a bit.

Ibanez was the new guy in 2009, replacing Pat Burrell in left field. The 37- year-old got off to a hot start, hitting .312 with 22 homers and 59 RBI over his first 62 games before suffering a groin injury that sidelined him for 20 games and hindered him in the second half.

STARTING ROTATION

The Phillies rotation would have been very good with Lee at the front of it. It will be even better with Halladay, who comes over after spending his first 12 seasons with the Blue Jays and is hoping to pitch in the playoffs for the first time in his career.

It's tough not to get excited about getting a pitcher who has averaged 17 wins, 32 starts and 233 innings pitched over the past four seasons. Halladay has dominated the tough American League East in the past, so a shift to the more pitcher-friendly NL should prevent the 32-year-old from missing a beat.

The right-hander, who is 17-8 with a 3.02 ERA in 35 career games (31 starts) versus the National League, signed a three-year extension with an option after the trade, possibly keeping him in the mix through 2014.

It is Hamels, though, who will decide if Amaro is a genius or goat for trading Lee. The Phillies expect the lefty to bounce back from a sub par 2009 season in which he 10-11 with a 4.32 ERA in 32 starts. The 26-year-old was also just 1-2 with a 7.58 ERA in four postseason starts after going 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA in five playoff starts in 2008.

Blanton will be pitching out of the third spot in his second full season with the Phillies after he was their big trade deadline pickup in 2008. The right- hander was reliable in the rotation last season, going 12-8 with a 4.05 ERA in 31 stars and 195 1/3 innings of work.

One of the players Philadelphia did not want to part with last July to get Halladay was J.A. Happ, and the lefty figures to hold down a rotation spot after shuffling back and forth between starting and relieving last year. Happ had a 2.49 ERA in 12 regular-season games out of the 'pen in 2009, but also went 10-4 with a 2.99 ERA in 23 starts.

With Pedro Martinez now a free agent, the fifth spot will be a battle between 47-year-old Jamie Moyer and former starter Kyle Kendrick. Moyer won 16 games for the Phils in 2008, but struggled to a 12-10 mark and 5.94 ERA in '09. He was eventually shuffled to the bullpen late in the season before his year ended early because of a groin injury.

Moyer underwent both sports hernia and knee surgery this offseason but it is believed the job is his to lose. That could land Kendrick in the bullpen.

BULLPEN

Many would say the Phillies reached the World Series in 2009 despite their bullpen, which was their biggest strength in '08. Philadelphia's 'pen had a league-best 3.22 ERA two seasons ago, but that group pitched to a 3.91 ERA last year, blew 22 saves and struggled in the postseason.

Nobody mirrored those struggles more than closer Brad Lidge. The right-hander was a perfect 48-for-48 in save chances in 2008, but was 0-8 with a 7.21 ERA last year while going 31-for-42 in save chances and leading the league in blown saves.

Lidge also had elbow and knee surgery this offseason that he hopes will help him bounce back this season.

Not surprisingly, the Phillies' bullpen features some new faces this season. Out are Scott Eyre, Clay Condrey and Chan Ho Park, while new faces include Danys Baez and Jose Contreras.

Baez missed all of 2008 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, and the righty was 4-6 with a 4.02 ERA in 59 games with Baltimore last year. Baez does have closer experience, as he owns 114 saves, including 41 with Tamp Bay in 2005. He could serve as a backup plan to Lidge and right-hander Ryan Madson, who posted a 3.26 ERA last year but also blew six saves while subbing for Lidge.

Contreras, meanwhile, replaces Park as the long reliever. The Cuban righty has been a starter for most of his career, but the 38-year-old did pitch well out of the bullpen for Colorado after being acquired late in the season from the White Sox.

Lefty J.C. Romero (0-0, 2.70 ERA last season) and Chad Durbin, a right-hander who notched a 4.39 ERA in 59 games last season, also return to the relief group, though Romero and Lidge will likely start the season the disabled list.

BENCH

The bench appears to be set in Philadelphia, with Greg Dobbs and Francisco being joined by newcomers Brian Schneider, Ross Gload and Juan Castro.

Dobbs, one of the top pinch-hitters in 2008, struggled to just a .247 average last season and should give Polanco a rest at third. Meanwhile, Gload (.261, 6 HR, 30 RBI) was excellent off the bench for the Marlins a season ago and is the left-handed answer to Dobbs off this bench.

Francisco should spell Ibanez at times in 2010, with Castro taking over for Eric Bruntlett as the middle infield reserve.

Schneider joins the Phils as an experienced backup to Ruiz after hitting just .218 in 59 games with the rival Mets last season.

OUTLOOK

Never has the Phillies franchise, owner of over 10,000 franchise losses and just two World Series wins in over 125 seasons, been better put together than now. This club is built to compete for a title and nothing less, and somehow found away to get a little better for a third straight season. It's tough to make back-to-back World Series appearances and even tougher to do it three years in a row, but that is the Phillies goal in 2010. And with Halladay, Rollins, Howard and Utley all in their primes, and Hamels and Victorino close to it, there is no reason that this club can't win a fourth straight NL East title and compete in its third straight Fall Classic.