National League Central capsules

Capsules of National League Central teams, listed in order of finish last year:

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St. Louis Cardinals

2013: 97-65, first place (lost World Series to Boston).

Manager: Mike Matheny (third season).

He’s Here: SS Jhonny Peralta, CF Peter Bourjos, INF Mark Ellis, OF Randall Grichuk, OF Oscar Taveras, RHP Jorge Rondon, assistant batting coach David Bell.

He’s Outta Here: OF Carlos Beltran, 3B David Freese, RHP Edward Mujica, RHP Chris Carpenter, RHP Jake Westbrook, OF Adron Chambers, OF Brock Peterson, RHP Fernando Salas, RHP John Axford, INF Ryan Jackson.

Projected Lineup: 3B Matt Carpenter (.318, 11 HRs, 78 RBIs, .392 OBP; led MLB with 199 hits, 126 runs and 55 doubles), SS Jhonny Peralta (.303, 11, 55 in 107 games with Tigers), LF Matt Holliday (.300, 22, 94, .389 OBP), RF Allen Craig (.315, 13, 97, MLB-best .454 average with RISP), C Yadier Molina (.319, 12, 80), 1B Matt Adams (.284, 17, 51 in 108 games), 2B Kolten Wong (.153, 0, 0 in 59 ABs), CF Peter Bourgos (.274, 3, 12 in 175 ABs with Angels).

Rotation: RH Adam Wainwright (19-9, 2.94 ERA, 223 Ks, NL-high 241 2-3 IP), RH Michael Wacha (4-1, 2.78 in 15 games, 9 starts; NLCS MVP), RH Shelby Miller (15-9, 3.06 in 31 starts, led MLB rookies in wins), RH Lance Lynn (15-10, 3.97), RH Joe Kelly (10-5, 2.69 in 37 games, 15 starts).

Key Relievers: RH Trevor Rosenthal (2-4, 2.74 ERA, 3/8 saves), RH Carlos Martinez (2-1, 5.08 in 21 games, 1 start), RH Seth Maness (5-2, 2.32, 16 GIDP in 62 IP), LH Randy Choate (2-1, 2.29 in 64 games), LH Kevin Siegrist (3-1, 0.45, 39 2-3 IP, 17 hits, 50 Ks, 18 BBs).

Hot Spots: The pitching staff is brimming with young arms, with Wacha, Miller, Rosenthal, Martinez, Maness and Siegrist all coming off big rookie debuts. Kelly won the fifth spot in the rotation during spring training and Martinez was put in the bullpen as the setup man. The trade of Freese, the 2011 World Series MVP, to the Angels opened a spot for Wong, a first-round pick in 2011, with Carpenter moving from second base to third. Ellis is a viable veteran alternative at second if Wong falters.

Outlook: A team that’s been to the World Series twice in the last three years looks primed for another postseason run. St. Louis is deep enough to perhaps postpone the debut of Taveras, a top minor league prospect, and keep monitoring the workload for all those young arms. Wainwright finished second in NL Cy Young Award balloting and Wacha missed a no-hitter by one out in his final regular-season start, then was sensational in the postseason. Jaime Garcia is a question mark coming off shoulder surgery but there’s an abundance of backup starting options. Peralta fills the biggest void, replacing the light-hitting combination of Pete Kozma and Daniel Descalso. Bourjos adds a much-needed base-stealing threat and is considered among the top defenders in center field. After missing 2013 due to reconstructive elbow surgery, Jason Motte returns in the bullpen.

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Pittsburgh Pirates

2013: 94-68, second place (beat Reds in wild-card game, lost to Cardinals in division series).

Manager: Clint Hurdle (fourth season).

He’s Here: RHP Edinson Volquez, C Chris Stewart, OF Jaff Decker, RHP Vance Worley.

He’s Outta Here: RHP A.J. Burnett, 1B Garrett Jones, OF Marlon Byrd, C John Buck, C Mike McKenry, 1B Justin Morneau.

Projected Lineup: LF Starling Marte (.280, 12 HRs, 35 RBIs, 41 SBs, 10 triples), C Russell Martin (.226, 15, 55), CF Andrew McCutchen (.317, 21, 84, 27 SBs, NL MVP), 3B Pedro Alvarez (.233, 36, 100), 1B Gaby Sanchez (.254, 7, 36), 2B Neil Walker (.251, 16, 53), RF Travis Snider (.215, 5, 25), SS Jordy Mercer (.285, 8, 27).

Rotation: LH Francisco Liriano (16-8, 3.02 ERA, 163 Ks), RH Gerrit Cole (10-7, 3.22, 1.168 WHIP), RH Charlie Morton (7-4, 3.26), LH Wandy Rodriguez (6-4, 3.59, missed last four months with left forearm tendinitis), RH Edinson Volquez (9-12, 5.71 with Padres and Dodgers).

Key Relievers: RH Jason Grilli (0-2, 2.70, 33/35 saves), RH Mark Melancon (3-2, 1.39, 16 saves), LH Tony Watson (3-1, 2.39, 2 saves), LH Justin Wilson (6-1, 2.08).

Hot Spots: The Pirates entered the offseason with question marks at first base and right field. Four months later, they still have them. Sanchez appears to be the frontrunner at first, though he may platoon with left-handed veteran Travis Ishikawa after Andrew Lambo failed to stick in spring training. Snider had surgery to repair the toe issues that dogged him in 2013 and understands this is likely his last shot to stick as an everyday player, with the Pirates grooming touted prospect Gregor Polanco to take over next spring. The departure of Burnett leaves a hole in the rotation, though Hurdle is optimistic pitching coach Ray Searage can duplicate with Volquez the magic Searage found with Liriano, who resurrected his career in 2013.

Outlook: After ending 21 years of misery, the Pirates didn’t exactly break the bank over the winter looking for an encore. They were never really serious contenders to keep Burnett, and the big (or even medium) bats they needed at first and in the outfield signed elsewhere. Still, a major step back seems unlikely. McCutchen is coming off an MVP season, Cole appears ready to replace Burnett as the fiery leader of the rotation, and the entire bullpen returns a year after being a major reason the Pirates were the surprise of the National League. Catching the Cardinals, however, will be difficult. A more likely scenario is Pittsburgh hanging around the fringe of the wild-card race and deciding in late August whether to gear up for a postseason run or prepare for 2014, when Polanco and pitching prospect Jameson Taillon are expected to be in the fold.

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Cincinnati Reds

2013: 90-72, third place (lost wild-card game to Pirates).

Manager: Bryan Price (first season).

He’s Here: 2B-OF Skip Schumaker, C Brayan Pena.

He’s Outta Here: Manager Dusty Baker, CF Shin-Soo Choo, RHP Bronson Arroyo, C Ryan Hanigan.

Projected Lineup: CF Billy Hamilton (.368, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 13 SBs in 14 attempts after September call-up), 2B Brandon Phillips (.261, 18, career-high 103 RBIs), 1B Joey Votto (.305, 24, 73), RF Jay Bruce (.262, 30, career-high 109 RBIs), LF Ryan Ludwick (.240, 2, 12 in 38 games after returning from shoulder surgery), 3B Todd Frazier (.234, 19, 73), SS Zack Cozart (.254, 12, 63), C Devin Mesoraco (.238, 9, 42).

Rotation: RH Johnny Cueto (5-2, 2.82 ERA, limited to 11 starts because of injuries), RH Homer Bailey (11-12, 3.49, 32 starts, pitched second career no-hitter), RH Mike Leake (14-7, 3.37, 31 starts), LH Tony Cingrani (7-4, 2.92 in 18 starts, 5 relief appearances), RH Alfredo Simon (6-4, 2.87 in 63 relief appearances).

Key Relievers: RH J.J. Hoover (5-5, 2.86, 3 saves), RH Sam LeCure (2-1, 2.66), LH Manny Parra (2-3, 3.33), RH Logan Ondrusek (3-1, 4.09).

Hot Spots: The bullpen. Right-handed starter Mat Latos had surgery for torn cartilage in his left knee the day camp opened and won’t be ready for the start of the season, forcing Simon’s move to the rotation as a fill-in; he hasn’t started since 2011. All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman got hit in the face by a line drive on March 19 and had surgery to have a plate inserted in his forehead to help heal fractures above his left eye and nose; he’ll be out for at least a month. RHP Jonathan Broxton is still recovering from forearm surgery. LHP Sean Marshall developed a sore shoulder in spring training. No one else on the staff has any significant experiencing closing games. The bullpen is depleted to start the season, giving Price - the Reds’ former pitching coach - a big initial challenge in his first season as manager.

Outlook: The Reds return the core of a team that has made the playoffs in three of the last four seasons before losing in the first round. The offense will miss Choo, who was one of the majors’ best leadoff hitters last season. Hamilton takes over at the top of the lineup, trying to get on base enough to use his unmatched speed. The 23-year-old outfielder played his first season at Triple-A last year and batted .256 with an on-base percentage of only .308. How he fares full-time in the majors will be a major focus. Ludwick is back after missing most of last season with a shoulder injury sustained on opening day. He lacked power after he returned, but got healthy and strong in the offseason and should provide the Reds with much-needed power from a right-handed hitter. All the injuries to pitchers during spring training - Bailey also was limited by a groin strain - give the Reds a big concern as the season opens.

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Milwaukee Brewers

2013: 74-88, fourth place.

Manager: Ron Roenicke (fourth season).

He’s Here: RHP Matt Garza, RHP Francisco Rodriguez, 1B Lyle Overbay, 3B-1B Mark Reynolds, LHP Zach Duke, LHP Will Smith.

He’s Outta Here: 1B-OF Corey Hart, OF Norichika Aoki, RHP Chris Narveson, INF Yuniesky Betancourt, RHP Burke Badenhop, 1B Mat Gamel.

Projected Lineup: CF Carlos Gomez (.284, 24 HRs, 73 RBIs, 40 SBs, 10 triples), SS Jean Segura (.294, 12, 49, 44 SBs, 10 triples), RF Ryan Braun (.298, 9, 38 in 61 games), 3B Aramis Ramirez (.283, 12, 49 in 92 games), C Jonathan Lucroy (.280, 18, 82), LF Khris Davis (.279, 11, 27 in 56 games), 1B Mark Reynolds (.220, 21, 67 with Indians and Yankees) or Lyle Overbay (.240, 14, 59 with Yankees), 2B Rickie Weeks (.209, 10, 24) or Scooter Gennett (.324, 6, 21 in 69 games).

Rotation: RH Yovani Gallardo (12-10, 3.93 ERA, 144 Ks), RH Matt Garza (10-6, 3.82, 136 Ks with Cubs and Rangers), RH Kyle Lohse (11-10, 3.35, 125 Ks), RH Wily Peralta (11-15, 4.37, 129 Ks), RH Marco Estrada (7-4, 3.87, 118 Ks in 128 IP).

Key Relievers: RH Jim Henderson (5-5, 2.70, 28/32 saves, .200 BA against), RH Francisco Rodriguez (3-2, 2.70, 10/10 saves with Brewers and Orioles), RH Brandon Kintzler (3-3, 2.69), LH Will Smith (2-1, 3.24, 43 Ks, 0.93 WHIP in 33 1-3 IP with Royals).

Hot Spots: Braun has been playing well this spring in returning from last season’s 65-game, season-ending drug suspension - both at the plate and in his new position in right. It appears he’s over the thumb injury that hampered him last season, too. Garza, the team’s surprise, high-profile free-agent acquisition, had a rough start to the spring, though the veteran right-hander and Roenicke didn’t sound overly concerned. Weeks batted .348 over his first 10 spring training games in his bid to prove he’s healthy from a hamstring injury and ready to reclaim at least a portion of the second base job from Gennett.

Outlook: After the Brewers endured an injury-marred 2013 season, staying healthy was a primary concern for general manager Doug Melvin. That occurred for the most part this spring, save for Rodriguez’s unfortunate run-in with a cactus and Ramirez’s recovery from offseason surgery to remove a non-cancerous polyp. After a breakout season in 2013, Gomez and his speed-power combo make him an intriguing leadoff hitter, though he also struck out 140 times. The lineup is lengthened with the return of Braun and Ramirez, back from injury, to join new mainstays Segura, Gomez and Lucroy. Braun and Roenicke have also said the outfielder is prepared for the reaction he might get on the road from fans over his doping suspension. Similarly, Garza’s signing added depth and a veteran presence to the rotation, but Gallardo was having the best spring of the starting five as of mid-March. He’ll draw the opening day assignment. The biggest storyline this spring? The stray dog taken in by the team and named “Hank” after Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, who started and ended his career in Milwaukee. Adopted by a team executive, Hank has turned into a hit with fans.

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Chicago Cubs

2013: 66-96, fifth place.

Manager: Rick Renteria (first season).

He’s Here: RHP Jose Veras, LHP Wesley Wright, C George Kottaras, OF Justin Ruggiano.

He’s Outta Here: Manager Dale Sveum, LF Brian Bogusevic, RHP Marcos Mateo.

Projected Lineup: SS Starlin Castro (.245, 10 HRs, 44 RBIs), CF Justin Ruggiano (.222, 18, 50 with Miami), 1B Anthony Rizzo (.233, 23, 80), RF Nate Schierholtz (.251, 21, 68), LF Junior Lake (.284, 6, 16), 3B Mike Olt (.201, 15, 42 with Texas’ Double-A Frisco and Round Rock, Cubs’ Triple-A Iowa) or Luis Valbuena (.218, 12, 37) or Donnie Murphy (.255, 11, 23), C Welington Castillo (.274, 8, 32), 2B Darwin Barney (.208, 7, 41).

Rotation: RH Jeff Samardzija (8-13, 4.34 ERA, 214 Ks), LH Travis Wood (9-12, 3.11), RH Edwin Jackson (8-18, 4.98), RH Jason Hammel (7-8, 4.97 with Baltimore), LH Chris Rusin (2-6, 3.93) or RH Jake Arrieta (5-4, 4.78 with Orioles and Cubs) or RH James McDonald (2-2, 5.76 with Pittsburgh) or RH Carlos Villanueva (7-8, 4.06).

Key Relievers: RH Jose Veras (0-5, 3.02, 21/25 saves with Detroit and Houston), RH Pedro Strop (2-5, 4.55 with Orioles and Cubs), LH Wesley Wright (0-4, 3.69), LH James Russell (1-6, 3.59).

Hot Spots: Until the top prospects arrive, all eyes for now are on Castro and Rizzo. Castro missed time in spring training because of a strained right hamstring, and both players are coming off disappointing seasons. Can they bounce back? That’s one of biggest questions facing the Cubs as they wait for their touted prospects to develop in the farm system. Another big one is Samardzija’s future. He’s scheduled to start the opener, but he’s a strong candidate to be dealt given his one-year contract and the inability to lock him in to a long-term deal. Also, it remains to be seen if Jackson can shake off a brutal season.

Outlook: The Cubs are set to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Wrigley Field. That might be the only thing they celebrate this year. Actually, if Castro and Rizzo progress and top prospects such as Javier Baez, Jorge Soler, Albert Almora and Kris Bryant progress, the Cubs will take that. Contending, however, still appears to be a long way off. For now, they continue to sell hope - that the young players will develop and that Wrigley Field will be renovated, generating revenue for the team. That project remains on hold because the Cubs want assurances that the neighboring rooftop owners won’t sue over obstructed views.