Rating the N.L. Central

2.Milwaukee Brewers

Last year: 86-76, second place

Key losses: Neil Walker, Anthony Swarzak, Lewis Brinson

Key newcomers: Lorenzo Cain, Christian Yelich, Jhoulys Chacin

Best-case scenario: The Brewers feature one of the best outfields in baseball and make a move to shore up the starting rotation.

Worst-case scenario: The pitching comes up short, and the Ryan Braun contract proves immovable.

Hot prospect: Right-hander Brandon Woodruff made eight starts late last season.

3.St.LouisCardinals

Last year: 83-79, third place

Key losses: Lance Lynn, Randal Grichuk, Aledmys Diaz, Stephen Piscotty, Seung-hwan Oh

Key newcomers: Marcell Ozuna, Luke Gregerson, Miles Mikolas

Best-case scenario: Ozuna is the big bopper in the middle of the lineup, and Michael Wacha turns into a serviceable No. 2 behind a breakout year from Carlos Martinez.

Worst-case scenario: With no Lynn and a dwindling Adam Wainwright, the rotation falls off.

Hot prospect: Right-hander Alex Reyes could be a key piece in the bullpen or crack the rotation after having Tommy John surgery last year.

4.PittsburghPirates

Last year: 75-87, fourth place

Key losses: Gerrit Cole, Andrew McCutchen, John Jaso

Key newcomers: Corey Dickerson, Joe Musgrove, Colin Moran

Best-case scenario: Dickerson, Starling Marte, Gregory Polanco, Josh Harrison and Josh Bell revive the offense.

Worst-case scenario: After the changes, they still struggle to score runs.

Hot prospect: Austin Meadows might crack the outfield.

If Milwaukee’s pitching comes through, so may their outfield, featuring Ryan Braun. Big bopper Marcell Ozuna ads pop to the Cards. If the Reds falter, speedy outfielder Billy Hamilton could move on.

5.CincinnatiReds

Last year: 68-94, fifth place

Key losses: Zack Cozart, Scott Feldman, Drew Storen, Bronson Arroyo

Key newcomers: David Hernandez, Jared Hughes

Best-case scenario: The young nucleus of the club takes a step forward, and the Reds avoid another last-place finish.

Worst-case scenario: The Reds are forced to offload veterans such as Billy Hamilton, Eugenio Suarez and Homer Bailey.

Hot prospect: Third baseman Nick Senzel has little left to prove in minors.

1.Washington Nationals

Last year: 97-65, first place (lost to Cubs in NLDS)

Key losses: Jayson Werth, Joe Blanton, Matt Albers

Key newcomers: Matt Adams, Miguel Montero

Best-case scenario: The club benefits from the renewed health of outfielder Adam Eaton and the continued dominance of Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, and Bryce Harper stays healthy.

Worst-case scenario: Injuries derail what appears to be another strong postseason contender.

Hot prospect: Victor Robles can play all three outfield spots but probably will spend most of the season in the minors.

2.NewYorkMets

Last year: 70-92, fourth place

Key losses: None

Key newcomers: Todd Frazier, Adrian Gonzalez, Jay Bruce

Best-case scenario: The starting rotation, and Yoenis Cespedes, stay healthy, and Frazier, Gonzalez, Bruce and the return of David Wright spark the offense.

Worst-case scenario: The 2017 season repeats itself as injuries befall the rotation.

Hot prospect: Right-hander Chris Flexen must bounce back after a disastrous major league debut last season.