Spring training outlooks

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Spring Outlook - Scott Miller's Take Believe it: The Snakes are poised for a run at becoming one of the most improved clubs in the NL this year. Partly, this is because all signs point to ace Brandon Webb's return to health, and Webb and Dan Haren again should make Arizona matter (though each outing this spring will be a hold-your-breath moment for Webb until he's upright heading into the season). And partly, this is because nobody else in the division went out and made the required moves to pull away from the pack. The D-Backs have made a few interesting additions in first baseman Adam LaRoche and pitchers Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy. Though with the latter, if he couldn't make it THERE (in New York), can he make it ANYWHERE (say, the desert)? The other thing in Arizona's favor: The young players here are really good and are another year older. Mark Reynolds is coming off of a 44-homer season. Justin Upton and Stephen Drew can get better. Chris Young has gotta get better, right?

ATLANTA BRAVES

Spring Outlook - Scott Miller's Take Come take a sentimental journey with the Braves: This is manager Bobby Cox's last spring, supposedly ... but rather than rocking chairs and memories, this is a club that could revel in the present. The rotation is as deep as anybody's in the game. Tommy Hanson will win a Cy Young Award one day, maybe multiples. Tim Hudson is telling everyone how this is the best his arm's felt in years. Jair Jurrjens was in Cy Young conversation last year. Derek Lowe's sinker remains devastating on its best days. And Kenshin Kawakami shows promise (and, now, big league experience). New closer Billy Wagner is treadworn but a good gamble. Watch how many games Chipper Jones plays, his health (as always) will be a key. With Nate McLouth in center and rookie Jason Heyward probably in right, don't be surprised if defense and pitching don't make Cox feel 20 years younger.

CHICAGO CUBS

Spring Outlook - Scott Miller's Take If you believe the Cubs' disappointing 2009 was because of a confluence of injuries to Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Zambrano and down years from several players -- Carlos Marmol, Mike Fontenot, Big Z, Alfonso Soriano, Geovany Soto -- who are poised to all bounce back strong, then I've got a Cubs club with terrific potential for you. If you believe that there simply were too many flaws -- Milton Bradley, holes in Soriano's swing, Soto's penchant for ganja during the World Baseball Classic -- that the addition of Marlon Byrd and Carlos Silva (ha!) can't fix, then I've got a Cubs club poised for its 102nd consecutive year without a World Series title for you. Which odds do you like? Let's just say this: The presence of Kevin Millar (in camp on a minor league deal) will keep everyone loose this spring.

CINCINNATI REDS

Spring Outlook - Scott Miller's Take I'm sorry, but I'm not going all doom and gloom on the beleaguered Reds again this spring. Aroldis Chapman could help solidify a rotation with Aaron Harang, Johnny Cueto and Bronson Arroyo (sigh, too bad Edinson Volquez is out until after the All-Star Game). Scott Rolen's bat and professionalism over an entire season at third base is a big plus. I like the signing of shortstop Orlando Cabrera. I'm optimistic Joey Votto won't spend half this season dizzy as he was in 2009. Maybe these Reds aren't built to win the NL Central, but with a few breaks, they should be built to improve on last year's 78-84 record. They'd better, because manager Dusty Baker is entering the final season of his three-year deal. And if the Reds start slowly again, the sharks will be out.

COLORADO ROCKIES

Spring Outlook - Scott Miller's Take The Rockies, who nearly caught the Dodgers last summer following a miserable start, have the best team in the NL West. Top to bottom, balance, depth, pitching, manager Jim Tracy ... there's no reason why the momentum that nearly carried Colorado to Mile High heights last year shouldn't continue into 2010. Colorado made no significant additions, but the Rockies get one anyway: Lefty Jeff Francis, who missed most of last season with a bum shoulder, is expected to be at full speed this spring. Troy Tulowitzki has regained his footing and is headed to superstardom. There are several good pieces here, including veterans Jason Giambi and Melvin Mora. And we know the history: Give Tracy several solid pieces, he turns in a winner.

FLORIDA MARLINS

Spring Outlook - Scott Miller's Take Well, now that the Marlins actually will be putting some of that revenue-sharing dough toward the team instead of toward owner Jeffrey Loria's art collection, or wherever it was going, let's see what the Marlins can do. Because they've already done pretty darn well on shoestrings and Popsicle sticks. This is a team that, with health and a couple of breaks, can contend. There is a very nice mix of offensive pieces (Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla, Chris Coghlan, Cody Ross and others) and what should be a winning rotation led by Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco and Anibal Sanchez. Are Cameron Maybin and Gaby Sanchez ready for the big time? Watch closely this spring because, if so, this team could turn into something special. Quickly.

HOUSTON ASTROS

Spring Outlook - Scott Miller's Take Last year's motto: Thank goodness for the Pirates (the only thing keeping Houston from last place in the NL Central). This year's motto: Brett Myers??!! Yes, alas, the Astros added the erstwhile Phillies starter to their rotation, sliding him right in behind Roy Oswalt (whose back remains a concern) and Wandy Rodriguez (whose 14-12 record, 3.02 ERA and 205 2/3 innings pitched finally proved, in something like his 53rd chance, that he was worth the wait). The Astros are in new hands with manager Brad Mills, which means that there no longer will be stories emanating from Houston every two weeks regarding how badly players in the clubhouse hate the guy in the manager's office (good try, Cecil Cooper). Sadly, those stories were all that kept last year's Astros interesting. If Mills can find another way to make this year's Astros relevant, more power to him.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Spring Outlook - Scott Miller's Take You can argue -- with merit -- that the Dodgers are worse now than they were in 2009. They've traded Juan Pierre, Manny Ramirez was not the same hitter once he returned from suspension, Randy Wolf (who led the team in starts and innings pitched) has signed with Milwaukee and the rotation is thin at the end. That said, the Dodgers remain blessed with great talent that is still young, starting with Matt Kemp. The guy is going to be a rock star by the time his career is finished. Andre Ethier, James Loney and Russell Martin ... hey, what happened to Martin? He shrunk last season, most notably in his production numbers (seven homers, 53 RBI). One key this spring and beyond for the Dodgers will be Martin reversing that trend.

MONTREAL EXPOS

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

Spring Outlook - Scott Miller's Take This is a key spring in Milwaukee's franchise history, because the Brewers are loaded with offensive talent -- again -- and currently stand at a crossroads. Is this Brew Crew the playoff team it was during the heady, CC Sabathia-led run in 2008 ... or the middling, 80-82 bunch from 2009? The good news: Second baseman Rickie Weeks' wrist is healed and he's ready to go. His injury last year was more significant than people know. The uncertain news: Whether GM Doug Melvin's quest to fix the pitching shortcomings will take. The Brewers turned over a whopping contract to Randy Wolf (three years, $29.75 million) and re-acquired Doug Davis, the left-hander voted Most Likely to Make Fans Squirm in Their Seats. The guy works so slow! If the Brewers can avoid falling asleep in the field when Davis is on the mound, they could zoom north of .500 again. The addition of LaTroy Hawkins will help the bullpen.

NEW YORK METS

Spring Outlook - Scott Miller's Take Port St. Lucie, Fla., will be better than your favorite soap this spring: Is Jason Bay truly a Reluctant Met? Will Carlos Beltran sufficiently recover from knee surgery in time to help the Mets this year? What of the Cold War between Beltran and the club? Can Gary Matthews Jr. recapture the magic that earned him that unfortunate (from the Angels' perspective) contract in Anaheim? What's up with Jose Reyes' legs? Will Johan Santana be as effective as ever following elbow surgery? And how about the Mets stop producing multitudes of questions and win some games? As for that last question, it's hard for me to see a satisfying answer given a rickety rotation. After Santana, there's John Maine (seven wins last year), Mike Pelfrey (five-plus ERA), Oliver Perez (yikes!) and a bunch of guys. I like the addition of Kelvim Escobar in the bullpen -- the upside is there.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLES

Spring Outlook - Scott Miller's Take A year ago, the Phillies were defending World Series champs and Cole Hamels was the house ace. Now, the Phillies are two-time NL champions with Roy Halladay atop the rotation and Hamels falling in line behind him. Arguably, the Phillies with Halladay, Hamels, healthy closer Brad Lidge and new third baseman Placido Polanco -- in addition to Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley -- are better now than they were a year ago. In the NL, the word "dynasty" is coming to mind, and its seeds are here in Clearwater, Fla. The days when manager Charlie Manuel was on thin ice in Philadelphia seem so long ago. This is a club with swagger, talent and every chance to reach a third consecutive World Series.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

Spring Outlook - Scott Miller's Take What will 2010 be in Pittsburgh? No, wise guys, the correct answer isn't a record-extending 18th consecutive losing season. That may happen, but the answer I'm looking for is this: A referendum on the Nutting ownership, president Frank Coonelly and GM Neal Huntington. The Bucs' leadership team has been intact now for two full seasons, and the 62-99 mark last year didn't exactly represent progress. There also were plenty of questions in the industry when the Pirates looked into acquiring Juan Pierre over the winter. As in, why did they trade Nyjer Morgan if they felt they needed Pierre? Whatever, there are some interesting new additions this spring: Second baseman Akinori Iwamura, outfielder Lastings Milledge and closer Octavio Dotel. Of those, I think the Iwamura acquisition was inspired. The rest -- including shortstop Bobby Crosby -- well, we'll see.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

Spring Outlook - Scott Miller's Take A summer's Holliday in St. Looie will commence in Jupiter, Fla., this spring, where newly re-signed Matt Holliday will re-hook up with Albert Pujols and join starters Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright to make the Cardinals prohibitive NL Central favorites. This isn't a flawless team, unless you believe there will be no turbulence ahead as Brad Penny and Rich Hill fill the fourth- and fifth-starter slots. You know what could be the difference between this Cardinals club being sensational as opposed to just very good (which isn't exactly bad)? Rookie third baseman David Freese. He's 26 and will be given the opportunity to win the job this spring. If he's nails, this club will be unstoppable. Either way, the Cards are strong favorites to win another division crown.

SAN DIEGO PADRES

Spring Outlook - Scott Miller's Take The years of contending in the NL West long since have passed for the Padres, but their strong finish last August and September will put a few extra degrees of warmth into their spring camp. Just maybe, if all goes right. ... New general manager Jed Hoyer has replaced Kevin Towers, but the Padres' penchant for employing brothers hasn't changed. Now it's Scott Hairston and Jerry Jr., following recent years in which the Pads employed the brothers Giles (Brian and Marcus) and Gonzalez (Adrian and Edgar). Last spring's trade rumors surrounding Jake Peavy will be replaced by a new crop involving slugger Adrian Gonzalez. If the Padres fall out of the race by July, look for him to go. Kevin Kouzmanoff already has gone (Oakland), opening third base for Chase Headley. The danger this year is that he and outfielder Kyle Blanks will be exposed after expectations were raised in 2009. We'll see. Nice move late this winter to snag starter Jon Garland, who regularly pitches more than 200 innings (even if he regularly no longer approaches 18 wins).

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

Spring Outlook - Scott Miller's Take News flash: Freddy Sanchez is dinged up. That will be an ongoing theme by the Bay this year, beginning in Scottsdale, Ariz., this spring. Good thing for the Giants that another ongoing theme should be the continued dominance of back-to-back Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain. With those two atop the rotation, manager Bruce Bochy should be able to keep the Giants in the race into September. Scoring runs again will be difficult even with wildly entertaining (and free-swinging) Pablo "Kung Fu Panda" Sandoval. The additions of Mark DeRosa and Aubrey Huff will help, but that's not enough to unlock the offensive floodgates. Begrudgingly, catcher Bengie Molina is back -- the Giants weren't exactly his first choice, nor he theirs. But somebody's gotta line up behind the plate until phenom Buster Posey is ready.