A team-by-team look at the National League entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:

EAST

Philadelphia Phillies

Manager: Charlie Manuel (fifth season).

2008: 92-70, first place, World Series champions.

Training Town: Clearwater, Fla.

Park: Bright House Field.

First Workout: Feb. 14/Feb. 17.

He's Here: LF Raul Ibanez, RHP Chan Ho Park, C Ronny Paulino, INF Marcus Giles.

He's Outta Here: LF Pat Burrell, OF So Taguchi, OF Greg Golson, RHP Tom Gordon, RHP Rudy Seanez.

Outlook: With almost every starter returning, the Phillies are positioned to make a run at another championship after capturing the second World Series title in franchise history and first since 1980. Ibanez replaces the departed Burrell, and Park adds depth to a deep pitching staff. Park could earn a spot as the No. 5 starter or pitch in relief. A star-studded lineup that includes Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard improves with the addition of Ibanez, a consistent hitter who had 228 RBIs for Seattle the last two years. World Series and NLCS MVP Cole Hamels anchors a solid rotation, and closer Brad Lidge, who was a perfect 48-for-48 in save chances last year, is the backbone of a strong bullpen. The Phillies needed late comebacks to overtake the New York Mets and win the NL East the last two years. They'd like to start strong and take a lead in the division instead of chasing in September.

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New York Mets

Manager: Jerry Manuel (first full season).

2008: 89-73, second place.

Training Town: Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Park: Tradition Field.

First Workout: Feb. 15/Feb. 19.

He's Here: RHP Francisco Rodriguez, RHP J.J. Putz, RHP Tim Redding, RHP Freddy Garcia, INF Alex Cora, RHP Sean Green, OF Jeremy Reed, OF Cory Sullivan, OF Rob Mackowiak, OF Bobby Kielty, LHP Casey Fossum, RHP Darren O'Day, RHP Rocky Cherry, LHP Valerio de los Santos, RHP Kyle Snyder, RHP Connor Robertson, RHP Matt DeSalvo, LHP Jon Switzer.

He's Outta Here: RHP Pedro Martinez, RHP Joe Smith, RHP Aaron Heilman, LHP Scott Schoeneweis, OF Endy Chavez, 2B Damion Easley, RHP Luis Ayala, LF Moises Alou, RHP Claudio Vargas, 2B Ramon Martinez, LHP Ricardo Rincon, RHP Matt Wise, OF Trot Nixon, RHP Orlando Hernandez.

Outlook: Coming off their second consecutive September collapse, the Mets were called "choke artists" by Philadelphia ace Cole Hamels. The only effective response would be a playoff berth. New York spent the offseason in pursuit of pitching and overhauled a horrendous bullpen by signing Rodriguez and trading for Putz. K-Rod, who got a $37 million, three-year contract, set a major league record last season with 62 saves for the Angels. He replaces All-Star closer Billy Wagner, expected to miss the 2009 season following elbow surgery. Putz was an All-Star closer himself with Seattle in 2007 but says he's fine with his setup role in New York. Barring injuries, the back of the bullpen should be a major strength, though the Mets declined to upgrade the offense for their first season in $800 million Citi Field. They've shown no interest in free-agent slugger Manny Ramirez even though they have an opening in LF and could certainly use a right-handed thumper to complement Jose Reyes, David Wright, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado. Savvy youngster Daniel Murphy and veteran Fernando Tatis are set to platoon in left, but there's no guarantee they'll duplicate last season's surprising production. The health of RF Ryan Church is important after he struggled to come back from his second concussion last year. New York hopes 2B Luis Castillo will rebound from a poor season. If not, Cora could challenge for playing time. Erratic lefty Oliver Perez re-signed for $36 million over three years, so the rotation returns almost intact. John Maine is expected to be fine following shoulder surgery. Keep an eye on 25-year-old Mike Pelfrey, pushed past 200 innings a year ago in his first full major league season. Garcia, a former All-Star trying to overcome shoulder injuries, has an incentive-laden contract. He could compete for the No. 5 spot with Redding and youngster Jon Niese. The Mets might not let ace Johan Santana pitch in the World Baseball Classic because he's coming off arthroscopic surgery Oct. 1 on torn cartilage in his left knee. Manuel went 55-38 after Willie Randolph was fired in June, enough to keep the job.

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Florida Marlins

Manager: Fredi Gonzalez (third season).

2008: 84-77, third place.

Training Town: Jupiter, Fla.

Park: Roger Dean Stadium.

First Workout: Feb. 14/Feb. 17.

He's Here: INF Emilio Bonifacio, RHP Leo Nunez, RHP Scott Proctor, RHP Jose Ceda, OF Jay Gibbons.

He's Outta Here: LHP Scott Olsen, RHP Kevin Gregg, OF Josh Willingham, 1B Mike Jacobs, RHP Sergio Mitre.

Outlook: It's a commentary on the Marlins' penny-pinching reputation that the offseason departures of two everyday starters and two prominent pitchers rates this reaction: It could have been worse. General manager Larry Beinfest did manage to fit 2B Dan Uggla (32 HRs), 3B Jorge Cantu (29 HRs) and most of Florida's talented young rotation into the 2009 payroll, which will probably be baseball's smallest again. It's uncertain whether the offseason moves help the Marlins meet Beinfest's goals of becoming faster, improving on defense and cutting down on strikeouts. But with big years from rookie CF Cameron Maybin (.500 in 32 at-bats) and young starting pitchers Ricky Nolasco (15-8), Josh Johnson (7-1) and Chris Volstad (6-4), the Marlins might top last year's win total, third-best in franchise history.

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Atlanta Braves

Manager: Bobby Cox (20th season of current tenure, 24th with Braves overall).

2008: 72-90, fourth place.

Training Town: Kissimmee, Fla.

Park: Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.

First Workout: Feb. 15/Feb. 18.

He's Here: RHP Derek Lowe, RHP Javier Vazquez, RHP Kenshin Kawakami, C David Ross.

He's Outta Here: RHP John Smoltz, LHP Mike Hampton, LHP Chuck James, C Corky Miller.

Outlook: The Braves rebuilt their rotation by acquiring Vazquez from the White Sox and signing Lowe and Kawakami. The 35-year-old Lowe is expected to be the team's new ace, taking pressure off 2008 rookie Jair Jurrjens. The additions were necessary because the Braves lost Smoltz and Hampton as free agents, and Tim Hudson is out for at least the first half of the season following elbow ligament replacement surgery. Tom Glavine, also recovering from elbow surgery, remains unsigned. General manager Frank Wren might add a left fielder before the season. The Braves are counting on a comeback from RF Jeff Francoeur, who hit only .239 with 11 homers last year. There should be a strong spring competition in center field with Josh Anderson, Gregor Blanco and possibly Jordan Shafer competing for the starting job. The bullpen, led by closer Mike Gonzalez, should be a strength. Smoltz spent 21 years in Atlanta before leaving to sign with Boston.

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Washington Nationals

Manager: Manny Acta (third season).

2008: 59-102, fifth place.

Training Town: Viera, Fla.

Park: Space Coast Stadium.

First Workout: Feb. 16/Feb. 19.

He's Here: RHP Daniel Cabrera, LHP Scott Olsen, OF Josh Willingham, C Javier Valentin, SS Alex Cintron.

He's Outta Here: RHP Tim Redding, 2B Emilio Bonifacio, INF Aaron Boone, LHP Charlie Manning.

Outlook: Nowhere to go but up after finishing with the worst record in the major leagues in 2008. Acta, GM Jim Bowden and president Stan Kasten chalk up last season's problems to injuries and say they expect the team to be much better — as long as players stay healthier — even though no significant changes were made. The Nationals failed in a bid to sign free-agent 1B Mark Teixeira, and have not made moves to upgrade a lineup that ranked 29th of 30 teams in runs and 28th in homers. They are going with youth when it comes to pitching, both in the rotation and in a bullpen that appeared to enter last season as a strength but now has become one of several question marks.

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CENTRAL

Chicago Cubs

Manager: Lou Piniella (third season).

2008: 97-64, first place.

Training Town: Mesa, Ariz.

Park: Fitch Park; HoHoKam Park.

First Workout: Feb. 14/Feb. 17.

He's Here: OF Milton Bradley, RHP Kevin Gregg, RHP Aaron Heilman, RHP Luiz Vizcaino, INF Aaron Miles, C Paul Bako, OF Joey Gathright.

He's Outta Here: RHP Kerry Wood, INF Mark DeRosa, RHP Jason Marquis, C Henry Blanco, OF Felix Pie, LHP Rich Hill, INF Ronny Cedeno, RHP Michael Wuertz, RHP Bobby Howry, INF-OF Daryle Ward.

Outlook: The Cubs were busy again in the offseason, trying to tighten up a team that led the NL in victories last year and then fell flat in their second consecutive first-round playoff sweep. It's now 100 years and counting since their last World Series winner. They re-signed 17-game winner Ryan Dempster and added the left-handed bat Piniella has been looking for in the mercurial Bradley. He should handle right field, with Kosuke Fukudome, who made the All-Star team as a rookie and then fell into a long slump in the second half, moving to center and alternating with Reed Johnson. The Cubs have speed off the bench with Gathright and Miles. Chicago must find a fifth starter after the departure of Marquis. Sean Marshall, Chad Gaudin, Jeff Samardzija and Heilman are all in the running. The bullpen should be solid, despite the loss of Wood, with Carlos Marmol moving into the closer's role — although he will have competition in camp from Gregg. What the Cubs really need is for sluggers Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez to pick up their games in the postseason. Both struggled in the back-to-back playoff sweeps. Another change could be in place by opening day if the sale of the team from Tribune Co. to Tom Ricketts is completed and approved.

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Milwaukee Brewers

Manager: Ken Macha (first season).

2008: 90-72, second place, wild card.

Training Town: Phoenix.

Park: Maryvale Baseball Park.

First Workout: Feb. 15/Feb. 18.

He's Here: RHP Trevor Hoffman, RHP Jorge Julio.

He's Outta Here: LHP CC Sabathia, RHP Ben Sheets, RHP Eric Gagne, RHP Guillermo Mota, LHP Brian Shouse, RHP Salomon Torres, 3B Russell Branyan, 2B Ray Durham, OF Gabe Kapler.

Outlook: Last year's playoff berth was Milwaukee's first since 1982. But this offseason the team lost basically its entire bullpen to go along with its top two starters — Sabathia and Sheets. The replacements? Hoffman and hope. Milwaukee must have a healthy dose of each to compete for the postseason again. The paper-thin starting staff must stay healthy and Yovani Gallardo has to become the team's young ace after missing most of last season because of a knee injury. A stable of unknown relievers also needs to find a way to get the ball to Hoffman, the career saves leader who will make $6 million in his first summer away from San Diego in 16 years. Good thing for Macha that the Brewers' potent offense remains virtually intact. There are no anticipated changes in the starting lineup, and everyone besides C Jason Kendall and CF Mike Cameron are years away from free agency or has signed long-term deals with the club.

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Houston Astros

Manager: Cecil Cooper (second full season).

2008: 86-75, third place.

Training Town: Kissimmee, Fla.

Park: Osceola County Stadium.

First Workout: Feb. 14/Feb. 17.

He's Here: LHP Mike Hampton, 3B Aaron Boone, OF Jason Michaels.

He's Outta Here: 3B Ty Wigginton, LHP Randy Wolf, C Brad Ausmus, INF Mark Loretta.

Outlook: Houston's biggest move this offseason was bringing back the oft-injured Hampton, who was 22-4 with a 2.90 ERA for the Astros in 1999. Team owner Drayton McLane and general manager Ed Wade insist they don't expect to sign anyone else before spring training. The Astros got off to a terrible start last season but posted the best second-half record in the National League and charged back into the wild-card race. Their path to the postseason was derailed, in part, by Hurricane Ike, which forced the team to play a pair of home games against the Cubs in Milwaukee. Lance Berkman hit .312 with 29 homers and 106 RBIs last year. His 114 runs scored were a career high. Carlos Lee, who had 28 homers and 100 RBIs despite missing the stretch drive with a broken finger, has recovered from that injury and will be ready for spring training. The Astros hope to get more out of Kaz Matsui in his second year with the team. He hit .293 with 26 doubles and 33 RBIs while missing 65 games with various injuries. The rotation could be a concern behind ace Roy Oswalt after both RHP Brandon Backe and LHP Wandy Rodriguez were inconsistent last season. The bullpen should be a strength with the return of closer Jose Valverde, who led the NL with 44 saves, and setup man Doug Brocail. Humberto Quintero and J.R. Towles are top contenders to replace Ausmus, who signed with the Dodgers.

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St. Louis Cardinals

Manager: Tony La Russa (14th season).

2008: 86-76, fourth place.

Training Town: Jupiter, Fla.

Park: Roger Dean Stadium.

First Workout: Feb. 14/Feb. 17.

He's Here: SS Khalil Greene, LHP Trever Miller, LHP Royce Ring, LHP Charlie Manning.

He's Outta Here: RHP Braden Looper, LHP Mark Mulder, RHP Jason Isringhausen, LHP Randy Flores, LHP Ron Villone, INF Felipe Lopez, SS Cesar Izturis, INF Aaron Miles.

Outlook: Oft-injured ace Chris Carpenter used to be the top concern, coming off shoulder and elbow injuries. That was before 3B Troy Glaus underwent surprise shoulder surgery in mid-January, a procedure that will probably keep him off the field until May. Rookie David Freese, acquired from the Padres last offseason for Jim Edmonds, is among the fill-in options. A healthy Carpenter, the 2005 NL Cy Young Award winner, would head a capable rotation that includes 15-game winner Kyle Lohse and Adam Wainwright. Young RHPs Chris Perez and Jason Motte are top candidates to replace Isringhausen as closer after the Cardinals lost out to the Angels in bidding for free agent Brian Fuentes. The outfield is crowded with Ryan Ludwick, Rick Ankiel, Skip Schumaker, Chris Duncan and rookie Colby Rasmus vying for time.

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Cincinnati Reds

Manager: Dusty Baker (second season).

2008: 74-88, fifth place.

Training Town: Sarasota, Fla.

Park: Ed Smith Stadium.

First Workout: Feb. 15/Feb. 18.

He's Here: C Ramon Hernandez, CF Willy Taveras, OF Jonny Gomes, LHP Arthur Rhodes, SS Alex Gonzalez, OF Jacque Jones, 1B-OF Daryle Ward, C Humberto Cota.

He's Outta Here: OF Corey Patterson, OF Ryan Freel, LHP Jeremy Affeldt, LHP Kent Mercker, RHP Gary Majewski, RHP Matt Belisle, RHP Josh Fogg, C Paul Bako, C Javier Valentin.

Outlook: With outfielders Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn gone — both were traded last season — the Reds begin building around a nucleus of young players including OF Jay Bruce, 1B Joey Votto and 2B Brandon Phillips. The rotation is mostly set with Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto. The Reds need to find a fifth starter during spring training. Hernandez moves behind the plate following a trade with Baltimore. Gonzalez returns after missing last season due to a knee injury. The Reds still have a ways to go before they emerge from their rut — eight straight losing seasons.

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Pittsburgh Pirates

Manager: John Russell (second season).

2008: 67-95, sixth place.

Training Town: Bradenton, Fla.

Park: McKechnie Field.

First Workout: Feb. 14/17.

He's Here: INF Ramon Vazquez, INF-OF Eric Hinske, RHP Virgil Vasquez, INF Andy Phillips, OF Craig Monroe.

He's Outta Here: INF Doug Mientkiewicz, OF Jason Michaels, INF Chris Gomez, C Ronny Paulino, RHP John Van Benschoten.

Outlook: The Pirates have nowhere to go but up after a record-tying 16th consecutive losing season — they haven't had a winner since a slender Barry Bonds patrolled LF. They went 19-40 following the trades of OF Jason Bay and OF Xavier Nady late last season, and their only offseason additions were two utility players (Vazquez and Hinske). So much to improve, so little time to do so. Their pitching was atrocious, and Russell believes that can be improved significantly if only LHP Tom Gorzelanny, RHP Ian Sell and LHP Zach Duke pitch as they have before. Pirates owner Bob Nutting said it's time for a major upswing this season but, with no new bats and no new arms, it's difficult to see where the improvement can come from so soon, especially with the offense lacking power bats. None of the players added in the Bay and Nady deals did much after arriving in Pittsburgh, and OF Brandon Moss is recovering from left knee surgery. At least plenty of good seats should be available at McKechnie Field, one of spring training's coziest ballparks, and crown jewel PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

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WEST

Los Angeles Dodgers

Manager: Joe Torre (second season).

2008: 84-78, first place.

Training Town: Glendale, Ariz.

Park: Camelback Ranch.

First Workout: Feb. 14/Feb. 19.

He's Here: C Brad Ausmus, INF Mark Loretta, RHP Guillermo Mota, RHP Claudio Vargas.

He's Outta Here: RHP Derek Lowe, 2B Jeff Kent, OF Andruw Jones, RHP Greg Maddux, RHP Chan Ho Park, RHP Brad Penny, INF Nomar Garciaparra, RHP Scott Proctor, RHP Takashi Saito, LHP Joe Beimel, INF Angel Berroa.

Outlook: After 61 years at charming Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Fla., dating to when they called Brooklyn home, the Dodgers are moving into a new $100 million spring training facility in Glendale that they will share with the Chicago White Sox. The stalemate between the Dodgers and free-agent OF Manny Ramirez continues, with Ramirez having rejected three offers from the club. If he doesn't re-sign with Los Angeles, the team might pursue free-agent outfielders Bobby Abreu and Adam Dunn. Without Ramirez, the Dodgers could field a starting outfield of Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Juan Pierre. Aside from Ramirez, the Dodgers appear to be remaking their roster with younger and cheaper players. They said goodbye to Lowe, Penny, Garciaparra and Kent, who retired. The team will have a healthy Rafael Furcal at SS, and 3B Casey Blake will be available from the start of the season. The Dodgers remain in pursuit of a starting pitcher and reliever. LHP Randy Wolf (a former Dodger) or RHP Braden Looper, both free agents, are starting possibilities, while LHP Dennys Reyes (another former Dodger) is the top reliever candidate. With Saito gone, RHP Jonathan Broxton moves into the closer role.

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Arizona Diamondbacks

Manager: Bob Melvin (fifth season).

2008: 82-80, second place.

Training Town: Tucson, Ariz.

Park: Tucson Electric Park.

First Workout: Feb. 15/Feb. 18.

He's Here: 2B Felipe Lopez, RHP Jon Garland, LHP Scott Schoeneweis, LHP Travis Blackley.

He's Outta Here: LHP Randy Johnson, 2B Orlando Hudson, 1B-OF Adam Dunn, RHP Juan Cruz, RHP Brandon Lyon, OF Jeff Salazar.

Outlook: The Diamondbacks let the 45-year-old Johnson leave for San Francisco and soon replaced him with the durable Garland, who has pitched at least 191 innings and made 32 starts each of the last seven seasons. The rotation also is likely to include righty Max Scherzer, who impressed despite going 0-4 in his debut season. The infield defense will take a hit with the departure of Hudson, a three-time Gold Glove winner. An inconsistent bullpen was a big reason the Diamondbacks failed to defend their NL West title last summer, and it doesn't appear to be all that much better with Chad Qualls in the closer role. The outfield is crowded, with Conor Jackson, Justin Upton, Chris Young and Eric Byrnes contending for playing time. Byrnes is returning from hamstring injuries.

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Colorado Rockies

Manager: Clint Hurdle (eighth season).

2008: 74-88, third place.

Training Town: Tucson, Ariz.

Park: Hi Corbett Field.

First Workout: Feb. 15/Feb. 19.

He's Here: RHP Huston Street, RHP Jason Marquis, LHP Greg Smith, LHP Alan Embree, OF Carlos Gonzalez, OF Matt Murton, RHP Josh Fogg.

He's Outta Here: OF Matt Holliday, LHP Brian Fuentes, OF Willy Taveras, OF Cory Sullivan, RHP Matt Herges, RHP Luis Vizcaino.

Outlook: There was no Rocktober in 2008 as the Rockies failed to find their footing, plummeting back to their customary sub-.500 selves. New to the position of defending a pennant last season, Colorado finished 10 games behind the Dodgers in a mediocre NL West. The Rockies traded All-Star slugger Holliday to Oakland in the offseason, lost closer Fuentes to free agency and fired several assistant coaches. The Rockies added former Colorado skipper Don Baylor as hitting coach, brought in Marquis to bolster the rotation and signed hard-throwing righty Ubaldo Jimenez to a long-term deal.

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San Francisco Giants

Manager: Bruce Bochy (third season).

2008: 72-90, fourth place.

Training Town: Scottsdale, Ariz.

Park: Scottsdale Stadium.

First Workout: Feb. 15/Feb. 18.

He's Here: LHP Randy Johnson, SS Edgar Renteria, INF Juan Uribe, LHP Jeremy Affeldt, RHP Bob Howry.

He's Outta Here: SS Omar Vizquel, RHP Tyler Walker, RHP Kevin Correia, RHP Brad Hennessey, 1B Daniel Ortmeier.

Outlook: The Giants hope for progress after a dismal first year following Barry Bonds' departure. Despite last season's struggles, GM Brian Sabean did little tinkering with his expensive roster. Instead, he's banking that a tough starting rotation will coalesce around Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, overpaid disappointment Barry Zito, and Johnson, the 45-year-old Bay Area native coming home on an incentive-laden, one-year deal. He needs five wins to reach 300. Renteria is expected to replace Vizquel as the infield's anchor while providing better offensive stats. The lineup still lacks proven pop, with only C Bengie Molina and OF Aaron Rowand providing even moderate power. That's why dreams of Manny Ramirez are still nursed by San Francisco fans.

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San Diego Padres

Manager: Bud Black (third season).

2008: 63-99, fifth place.

Training Town: Peoria, Ariz.

Park: Peoria Stadium.

First Workout: Feb. 15/Feb. 18.

He's Here: 2B David Eckstein, C Henry Blanco, OF Cliff Floyd.

He's Outta Here: RHP Trevor Hoffman, C Josh Bard, C Michael Barrett, SS Khalil Greene, LHP Shawn Estes, RHP Dirk Hayhurst, RHP Clay Hensley, RHP Charlie Haeger.

Outlook: With former agent Jeff Moorad leading a new ownership group that's expected to be in place by opening day, the Padres will attempt to bounce back from an ugly 99-loss season. Their offseason payroll slashing, precipitated by owner John Moores' difficult divorce, nearly cost them ace Jake Peavy and led to the Padres pulling their offer to Hoffman, the career saves leader who jumped to Milwaukee. The Padres will spend spring training filling the two spots in the rotation behind Peavy, Chris Young and Cha Seung Baek. After playing shortstop the bulk of his big league career, Eckstein, the 2006 World Series MVP, shifts over to second. 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff is coming off shoulder surgery.