MLB 2012 All In (Reds Preview)

SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012 | SECTION H

PHOTO BY MICHAEL E. KEATING | ILLUSTRATION BY CLAY SISK

W

ith Brandon Phillips possibly facing his final year in a Reds uniform, and with Joey Votto under contract only through 2013, and with last year’s NL Central leaders weakened by the loss of two of the game’s best hitters (Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder), the Reds have taken an “all in” approach to 2012. Free-agent signings and trades gave manager Dusty Baker, above, some help in left field (Ryan Ludwick), some back-end bullpen depth (Sean Marshall), a new closer (Ryan Madson) and a new No. 2 starter (Mat Latos).

Madson’s season-ending elbow injury spoiled some of the plan, but made the Marshall acquisition look all the wiser. And Baker still is holding some nice cards. Will it be enough to win the Central? That story begins to unfold Thursday, when the Reds open the season against the Miami Marlins.

COVER STORY

MEET THE NEW REDS

EYE ON CENTRAL

ROSTEROLOGY

NL, AL PREVIEWS

OUR BASEBALL APP

This season, more than ever, Reds are in it to win it, H2

Who was a military brat?

Was married by Ernie Banks? Keeps reptiles? H2

Which of the Reds’ division rivals got better? Who took a step back? H3

Your 2012 Reds regulars, rotation, bullpen, bench and top prospects, H4-5

A team-by-team tour around baseball’s other divisions, H6-7

Download our free app in either the iTunes store or the Android Marketplace.

H2 SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012 /// THE ENQUIRER

Lights, camera, committed Reds serve notice with busy offseason: This is ‘next year’

By John Fay jfay@enquirer.com

In four moves made over 45 days, the Reds fairly shouted at the baseball world: We’re going for it in 2012!

On Dec. 17, 2011, the Reds traded three former first-round draft picks,Yonder Alonso, Brad Boxberger and Yasmani Grandal, along with last year’s Opening Day starter, Edinson Volquez, to San Diego for righthander Mat Latos.

Six days later, they traded left-hander Travis Wood and prospects Dave Sappelt and Ronald Torreyes to the Chicago Cubs for left-hander Sean Marshall. On Jan. 20, the Reds signed closer Ryan Madson. A week later, they added outfielder Ryan Ludwick.

In those moves, they remade nearly a fifth of the roster.

Things changed a bit when Madson went out with an elbow injury before he ever threw a pitch.

But the Reds clearly tried to improve the club short-term after taking a major step backward in 2011.

“Decide who you can keep and who you can trade,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said.

“Once you build it, you can sustain it for a while. Like I said when I came here, I hope to build to be good for a long time.”

When you give up young talent for proven players, you’re telling everyone – your fans, your players, the rest of baseball – we’re all in for this season.

That message came through in the clubhouse.

“It’s hard to say because you really never know the mentality of ownership,” Bronson Arroyo said. “But I definitely think if we repeat last year’s performance as a whole, especially in the wins and losses column, I don’t think you’ll see as much eagerness from ownership to put this good of a ballclub together next year.

“I could be wrong. That’s just my opinion. I feel like Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Drew Stubbs are looked on as seasoned enough in the major leagues, they’re in the prime of their careers. They tried to surround these guys with pieces of a puzzle that can win now. If we get blown out of the water by 15 games again, I don’t know if they’d be willing to stick their neck out any further.”

Reds management takes ex-

Reds CEO Bob Castellini knows the spotlight is clearly on his club after a busy offseason, but despite the trades of many top prospects, he disputes the notion that the Reds have bet everything on this season. “You always look down the road,” Castellini said. THE ENQUIRER/MICHAEL E. KEATING

ception to the all-in notion.

“I don’t think it’s changed as much as the media’s explained it,” Reds owner Bob Castellini said. “You’ve got to look down the road. You always look down the road. The trade we made with San Diego, yeah, that was tough. A small-market team has to give more than they want to give up to stay competitive.”

What has happened with the Reds over the last few years is they built up the farm system to the point where they could trade five prospects and not decimate the talent level.

The young players in their first camp were impressive this spring. Didi Gregorius, Neftali Soto, Henry Rodriguez, Daniel Corcino and Donald Lutz all looked like future big leaguers.

“We scout our own system thoroughly,” Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. “We knew what he had when we traded those guys.”

True, the signings of Madson and Ludwick can be viewed as quick fixes. But the trades should help over the long run.

The Reds control Latos for four

Outfielder Ryan Ludwick was the fourth and final addition during an active 45-day stretch by the front office. THE ENQUIRER/MICHAEL E. KEATING

more years. Marshall signed a three-year extension this spring.

“I feel like the moves we made have made us a sustainable contender,” right fielder Jay Bruce said. “It would be different if we rented a bunch of free agents in the last year of their contracts. Walt and owner-

ship have done a good job of giving us something for the future as well.”

Indeed, the Reds are relatively young. They’ll start two rookies in key positions – catcher Devin Mesoraco and shortstop Zack Cozart. Only one player in the starting eight – third baseman Scott Rolen – is over

30. Five of six pitchers competing for rotation spots are 26 or younger.

“This is the situation you hope for,” Baker said. “It’s difficult if you have a bunch of young guys out there. They end up usually taking their lumps.

You prefer to bring in a few guys at a time. The good teams I’ve been on add a rookie here, a rookie there. They learn when there’s not as much pressure on them when they’re surrounded by veteran guys. Those are the kind of teams I’ve always liked – some veterans, some rookies – so veterans can give them wisdom and knowledge, or the younger players can give them energy.

“Back in the Dodgers’ day, that’s how we had rookies of the year every year. It’s difficult to do that nowadays because of the yearning and quest for now.

“It’s not like football or basketball where you can draft a LeBron James and have an immediate impact on your team.

It’s not like you draft a Andy Dalton. ... Baseball is not like that. It takes a while.”

MEET THE NEW GUYS

Mat Latos has a strong right arm, an array of tattoos and a collection of reptiles. THE ENQUIRER/MICHAEL E. KEATING

Sean Marshall’s setup man in Chicago was Ernie Banks, who officiated at his wedding. ENQUIRER/MICHAEL E. KEATING

“This is an easy group,” Ryan Ludwick said of fitting in in the Reds’ clubhouse. THE ENQUIRER/MICHAEL E. KEATING

MAT LATOS

SEAN MARSHALL

RYAN LUDWICK

Vital statistics: Age: 24, turns 25 Dec. 9. Born: Alexandria, Va. Resides: San Diego. Height/weight: 6-6, 235. Bats/hits: Right, right. Selected by the San Diego Padres in the 11th round of the 2003 draft, out of Broward (Fla.) Community College.

How the Reds got him: From the Padres in exchange for IF Yonder Alonso, RHP Edinson Volquez, C Yasmani Grandal and RHP Brad Boxberger on Dec. 17, 2011.

Baseball resume: Broke into the majors with the Padres in 2009 after going a combined 8-1 with a 1.38 ERA at Single-A Fort Wayne and Double-A San Antonio. Went 4-5 with 4.62 ERA in 2009. Was 14-10 with a 2.92 ERA the next year.

Trivial pursuit: Latos’ wife, Dallas, is a prolific Twitter user.

She also writes a blog for mlb.com. Both Mat and Dallas have multiple tattoos. They also have a extensive collection of reptiles, including an albino burmese python named Valentine.

“We bought him on Valentine’s Day,” Dallas wrote. “It’s our little tradition. Last year we bought a Nicaraguan boa.”

Numerically speaking: From June 10 to Sept. 7, 2010, Latos set a major-league record by allowing two runs or fewer and pitching at least five innings in 15 consecutive starts.

Big league breakthrough: “I’ve been told that I’ve got the potential. But I never put too much thought into it back in high school. I think 2009, the year that I got called up, was the year I put things together. Things sort of clicked for me.”

Fitting in: “For the most part, I feel like I fit in. It’s still a new experience for me. The guys have been great.”

Vital statistics: Age: 29, turns 30 Aug. 30. Born: Richmond, Va. Resides: Chicago. Height/weight: 6-7, 220. Bats/hits: Left, left. Selected by the Chicago Cubs in sixth round of the 2003 draft, out of Virginia Commonwealth.

How the Reds got him: From the Cubs in exchange for LHP Travis Wood, OF Dave Sappelt and IF Ronald Torreyes on Dec. 23, 2011.

Baseball resume: Broke into the majors with the Cubs in 2006. 43 of his first 45 appearances were as a starter. Became a full-time reliever in 2010.

Trivial pursuit: Marshall and his wife Sarah were married

by Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks, an ordained minister. “He’s all about families and weddings,” Marshall said. “He was always saying: ‘When you going to marry that girl? I can marry you.’ He did it.

He did a great job. We got married in Chicago. My wife’s side of the family is from Chicago. They’re fans of the Cubs and Ernie Banks. It was extra special for them.”

Numerically speaking: Marshall only allowed one home run last year, none at Wrigley Field.

Big league breakthrough: “My first opportunity with Dusty (Baker) and Chris Speier and the coaching staff in 2006 with the Cubs. They were the ones that got me to the big leagues. I’m forever grateful.”

Fitting in: “It’s been good. I really feel like I came into a nice organization with bunch of good teammates. Obviously, I’ve been on the other side playing against these guys, but I didn’t get to know them.”

Vital statistics: Age 33, turns 34 July 13. Born: Satellite Beach, Fla. Resides: Georgetown, Texas. Height/weight: 6-3, 213. Bats/hits: Right, left. Selected by the Oakland A’s in the second round of the 1999 draft, out of UNLV. How the Reds got him: Signed as a free agent Jan. 27.

Baseball resume: Broke into the big leagues with Texas in 2002. His breakout year came in 2009 (.299, 37, 113 RBI with the St. Louis Cardinals).

Trivial pursuit: Ludwick’s father was in the Air Force. Ryan was born in Florida, moved to North Carolina, then Virginia and then Las Vegas. “It wasn’t as bad as my brother; he was born in Missouri, went to Alaska,” Ludwick said. “He was all over the joint. I’ll take four spots over seven.”

Numerically speaking: In 2008, he tied a Cardinals record by homering in five straight games.

Big league breakthrough: “I’ve always thought I could be a good major league player. I thought that when I was 23 . . .

But when you have a titanium rod in your leg and two knee surgeries and wrist surgery all in four years, it’s tough. This game is tough enough when you’re healthy. I was lucky enough that I got another opportunity with St. Louis.”

Fitting in: “This is an easy group. I really haven’t had a tough time anywhere. The toughest group I was around with my rookie year in Texas – Juan Gonzalez, Alex Rodriguez, Ivan Rodriguez, Rafael Palmiero. It was a ton of veterans. You just try to keep your mouth shut and mind your own business.”

John Fay

THE ENQUIRER /// SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012 H3

NL CENTRAL PREVIEW

REDS SCHEDULE

It won’t be all smiles when Brandon Phillips and the Reds try to topple Lance Berkman and the 2011 World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals and division champion Milwaukee Brewers this season. ASSOCIATED PRESS

Should be a fun chase Rivals’ big losses could be Reds’ gain

The reigning World Series champion Cardinals (second in NL Central in 2011) might win it because ace pitcher Adam Wainwright returns, after missing 2011 with Tommy John elbow surgery.

All-Star outfielder Carlos Beltran arrives to bolster what should still be a solid lineup (Matt Holliday, Lance Berkman, World Series MVP David Freese, et al.).

The Cardinals might not win it because they lost future first-ballot Hall of Famer Albert Pujols to free agency. Also gone are longtime manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan, also all-time greats in their respective jobs. That’s a ton of baseball talent to lose in one offseason.

The Brewers (won NL Central in 2011) might win it because Ryan Braun had his 50-game suspension overturned, Aramis Ramirez arrives to play third base, and their pitching remains fairly stout (Yovani Gallardo, Zack Greinke, Randy Wolf, Shaun Marcum, et al.).

The Brewers might not win it because Prince Fielder left for Detroit. Much like the Cardinals losing Pujols, you don’t lose such a premier bat and not feel it. Also, how much time will right fielder Corey Hart lose after having knee surgery in spring training?

The Pirates (fourth in NL Central in 2011) could contend for a while, as they did last year. But the Pirates will not win it, because they remain several bats and several arms away from serious con-

By Tom Groeschen tgroeschen@enquirer.com

The Reds are legitimate contenders for the 2012 NL Central championship, along with St. Louis and Milwaukee. Pittsburgh, the Chicago Cubs and Houston appear to have no chance.

Thus say most baseball forecasters, with the NL Central talent lines fairly divided between the upper and lower tiers.

The Reds (third in NL Central in 2011) could win it because they upgraded their pitching, with starter Mat Latos and reliever Sean Marshall coming aboard. The outlook was even brighter before another newcomer, closer Ryan Madson, suffered a season-ending elbow injury in spring training. Still, Cincinnati also has two of the game’s elite everyday players in first baseman Joey Votto and second baseman Brandon Phillips.

The Reds might not win it if their starting pitching, after a disappointing 2011, does not rebound to its 2010 NL Central championship level. There also is the unknown of replacing Madson. Cincinnati also needs Jay Bruce and Drew Stubbs to strike out less and for Scott Rolen to stay healthy.

And, what will the Reds get from Devin Mesoraco and Zack Cozart over a full season?

tention.

Pittsburgh stood first in the Central as late as July 25 last year, then went 19-43 the rest of the way.

Center fielder Andrew McCutchen is the face of a relatively faceless franchise. The lineup lacks power and the rotation lacks that lockdown hammer. Standout pitching prospects Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon are not ready yet.

Cubs fans expect their club (fifth in NL Central in 2011) to be immediately better, because of the added front-office brainpower of Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer. If only it were that easy.

Carlos Zambrano finally was broomed, but Alfonso Soriano and his disastrous contract ($136 million) remain on the books. Shorstop Starlin Castro has that perennial All-Star look, but mostly it is a classic Cubs group of retreads and question marks. Last year saw 91 losses and this year could see more.

The Astros were the worst team in baseball last year (56-106, a runaway sixth in the NL Central). This year could be worse, some believe.

Last year, at least Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn were around for half the season.

This year it is Carlos Lee and plenty of Altuves, Schafers and Bogusevics. The rotation includes respectable arms Wandy Rodriguez and Bud Norris, with Brett Myers now the closer. Other than that, we challenge you to name five Astros. Or four. Or … one?

April

Opponent

Time

Thu/5

Miami

4:05

Sat/7

Miami

7:10

Sun/8

Miami

1:10

Mon/9

St. Louis

7:10

Tue/10

St. Louis

7:10

Wed/11

St. Louis

12:35

Thu/12

@Washington

1:05

Fri/13

@Washington

7:05

Sat/14

@Washington

4:05

Sun/15

@Washington

1:35

Tue/17

@St. Louis

8:15

Wed/18

@St. Louis

8:15

Thu/19

@St. Louis

1:45

Fri/20

@Chicago

2:20

Sat/21

@Chicago

1:05

Sun/22

@Chicago

2:20

Tue/24

San Francisco

7:10

Wed/25

San Francisco

7:10

Thu/26

San Francisco

12:35

Fri/27

Houston

7:10

Sat/28

Houston

4:10

Sun/29

Houston

1:10

May

Opponent

Time

Tue/1

Chicago

7:10

Wed/2

Chicago

7:10 12:35

Thu/3

Chicago

Fri/4

@Pittsburgh

7:05

Sat/5

@Pittsburgh

7:05

Sun/6

@Pittsburgh

1:35

Mon/7

@Milwaukee

8:10

Tue/8

@Milwaukee

8:10

Wed/9

@Milwaukee

1:10

Fri/11

Washington

7:10

Sat/12

Washington

7:10

Sun/13

Washington

1:10

Mon/14

@Atlanta

7:10

Tue/15

@Atlanta

7:10

Wed/16

@NY Mets

7:10

Thu/17

@NY Mets

1:10

Fri/18

@NY Yankees

7:05

Sat/19

@NY Yankees

1:05

Sun/20

@NY Yankees

1:05

Mon/21

Atlanta

7:10

Tue/22

Atlanta

7:10

Wed/23

Atlanta

7:10

Thu/24

Atlanta

7:10

Fri/25

Colorado

7:10

Sat/26

Colorado

7:15

Sun/27

Colorado

1:10

Mon/28

@Pittsburgh

1:35

Tue/29

@Pittsburgh

7:05

Wed/30

@Pittsburgh

7:05

June

Opponent

Time

Fri/1

@Houston

8:05

Sat/2

@Houston

7:15

Sun/3

@Houston

2:05

Tue/5

Pittsburgh

7:10

Wed/6

Pittsburgh

7:10

Thu/7

Pittsburgh

7:10

Fri/8

Detroit

7:10

Sat/9

Detroit

4:10

Sun/10

Detroit

1:10

Tue/12

Cleveland

7:10

Wed/13

Cleveland

7:10

Thu/14

Cleveland

12:35

Fri/15

@NY Mets

7:10

Sat/16

@NY Mets

7:15

Sun/17

@NY Mets

1:10

Mon/18

@Cleveland

7:05

Tue/19

@Cleveland

7:05

Wed/20

@Cleveland

7:05

Fri/22

Minnesota

7:10

Sat/23

Minnesota

4:10

Sun/24

Minnesota

1:10

Mon/25

Milwaukee

7:10

Tue/3

@Los Angeles

Wed/4

@Los Angeles

Thu/5

@San Diego

10:10 9:10 10:05

Fri/6

@San Diego

10:05

Sat/7

@San Diego

10:05 4:05

Sun/8

@San Diego

Fri/13

St. Louis

7:10

Sat/14

St. Louis

7:10

Sun/15

St. Louis

8:00

Mon/16

Arizona

7:10

Tue/17

Arizona

7:10

Wed/18

Arizona

7:10

Thu/19

Arizona

12:35

Fri/20

Milwaukee

Sat/21

Milwaukee

7:10 7:10

Sun/22

Milwaukee

1:10

Mon/23

@Houston

8:05

Tue/24

@Houston

8:05

Wed/25

@Houston

8:05

Fri/27

@Colorado

8:40

Sat/28

@Colorado

8:10

Sun/29

@Colorado

3:10

Mon/30

San Diego

7:10

Tue/31

San Diego

7:10

August

Opponent

Time

Wed/1

San Diego

7:10

Thu/2

San Diego

12:35

Fri/3

Pittsburgh

7:10

Sat/4

Pittsburgh

7:10

Sun/5

Pittsburgh

1:10

Mon/6

@Milwaukee

8:10

Tue/7

@Milwaukee

8:10

Wed/8

@Milwaukee

2:10

Thu/9

@Chicago

8:05

Fri/10

@Chicago

2:20

Sat/11

@Chicago

4:05

Sun/12

@Chicago

2:20

Tue/14

NY Mets

7:10

Wed/15

NY Mets

7:10

Thu/16

NY Mets

7:10

Fri/17

Chicago

7:10

Sat/18

Chicago

7:10

Sun/19

Chicago

1:10

Mon/20

@Philadelphia

7:05

Tue/21

@Philadelphia

7:05

Wed/22

@Philadelphia

7:05

Thu/23

@Philadelphia

7:05

Fri/24

St. Louis

7:10

Sat/25

St. Louis

4:05

Sun/26

St. Louis

1:10

Mon/27

@Arizona

9:40

Tue/28

@Arizona

9:40

Wed/29

@Arizona

3:40

Fri/31

@Houston

8:05

Sept.

Opponent

Time

Sat/1

@Houston

7:05

Sun/2

@Houston

2:05

Mon/3

Philadelphia

1:10

Tue/4

Philadelphia

7:10

Wed/5

Philadelphia

12:35

Fri/7

Houston

7:10

Sat/8

Houston

7:10

Sun/9

Houston

1:10

Mon/10

Pittsburgh

7:10

Tue/11

Pittsburgh

7:10

Wed/12

Pittsburgh

7:10

Fri/14

@Miami

7:10

Sat/15

@Miami

7:10

Sun/16

@Miami

1:10

Tue/18

@Chicago

8:05

Wed/19

@Chicago

8:05

Thu/20

@Chicago

2:20

Fri/21

Los Angeles

7:10

Sat/22

Los Angeles

7:10

Sun/23

Los Angeles

1:10

Tue/25

Milwaukee

7:10

Wed/26

Milwaukee

7:10

Thu/27

Milwaukee

12:35

Tue/26

Milwaukee

7:10

Wed/27

Milwaukee

12:35

Thu/28

@San Francisco

10:15

Fri/28

@Pittsburgh

7:05

Sat/29

@Pittsburgh

7:05

Fri/29

@San Francisco

10:15

Sun/30

@Pittsburgh

1:35

Sat/30

@San Francisco

4:05

Oct.

Opponent

Time

July

Opponent

Sun/1

@San Francisco

Mon/2

@Los Angeles

Mon/1

@St. Louis

8:15

Time

Tue/2

@St. Louis

8:15

4:05

Wed/3

@St. Louis

8:15

10:10

NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

2011: 96-66, 1st place (lost to St. Louis in NLCS).

Manager: Ron Roenicke (2nd season).

Here: 3B Aramis Ramirez, SS Alex Gonzalez, OF Norichika Aoki, RHP Jose Veras.

Outta there: 1B Prince Fielder, IF Craig Counsell, INF Jerry Hairston Jr., 3B Casey McGehee, SS Yuniesky Betancourt, RHP LaTroy Hawkins, RHP Takashi Saito.

Projected lineup: 2B Rickie Weeks CF Nyjer Morgan LF Ryan Braun 3B Aramis Ramirez RF Corey Hart 1B Mat Gamel SS Alex Gonzalez C Jonathan Lucroy Rotation: R Zack Greinke R Yovani Gallardo R Shaun Marcum L Randy Wolf L Chris Narveson Closer: R John Axford Outlook: The Brewers’ chances got a huge boost when Braun’s 50-game suspension for a positive drug test was overturned, although he has struggled mightily in spring training. The Brewers might not score as many runs without Fielder, but they can rely on a strong rotation and back end of the bullpen. Assuming Braun is back to MVP form and the Brewers stay healthy, they should be contenders. Question: Will the defense be better?

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

2011: 90-72, 2nd place, NL wild card (World Series champions).

Manager: Mike Matheny (1st season).

Here: OF Carlos Beltran, LHP J.C. Romero, OF Erik Komatsu.

Outta there: 1B Albert Pujols, RHP Edwin Jackson, IF Ryan Theriot, IF Nick Punto, C Gerald Laird, RHP Octavio Dotel, LHP Arthur Rhodes, OF Corey Patterson.

Projected lineup: SS Rafael Furcal RF Carlos Beltran LF Matt Holliday 1B Lance Berkman 3B David Freese C Yadier Molina CF Jon Jay 2B Tyler Greene Rotation: R Kyle Lohse R Adam Wainwright L Jaime Garcia R Jake Westbrook R Lance Lynn Closer: R Jason Motte Outlook: There’s change at the top, with manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan gone and Pujols bolting for the Angels. Players privately weren’t happy with the perception that the offense was Pujols or bust.

The post-Pujols lineup appears to be deeper, with Allen Craig a dangerous bat once he recovers from offseason kneecap surgery.

Wainwright’s return fortifies a rotation that’ll likely have to survive without Chris Carpenter for a while.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

2011: 72-90, 4th place.

Manager: Clint Hurdle (2nd season).

Here: RHP A.J. Burnett, LHP Erik Bedard, C Rod Barajas, SS Clint Barmes, 3B Casey McGehee, OF Nate McLouth.

Outta there: LHP Paul Maholm, C Ryan Doumit, C Chris Snyder, SS Ronny Cedeno, OF Derrek Lee, OF Ryan Ludwick.

Projected lineup: LF Alex Presley RF Jose Tabata CF Andrew McCutchen 2B Neil Walker 3B Pedro Alvarez 1B Garrett Jones C Rod Barajas SS Clint Barmes Rotation: R A.J. Burnett L Erik Bedard R Kevin Correia R James McDonald R Jeff Karstens Closer: R Joel Hanrahan Outlook: The Pirates made a 15-game improvement last season, even leading the division in late July but ran out of steam when the pitching staff couldn’t overcome a weak offense. The Pirates hope a healthy Alvarez can provide the power they lack while hoping there are third acts for Barmes and Barajas. The team continued to invest in the future by signing All-Star McCutchen to a contract extension. The division is wide open, but the Pirates have more realistic goals of ending their streak of 19 losing seasons.

CHICAGO CUBS

2011: 71-91, 5th place.

Manager: Dale Sveum (1st season).

Here: LHP Paul Maholm, RHP Chris Volstad, LHP Travis Wood, 1B Anthony Rizzo, 3B Ian Stewart, OF David DeJesus, LHP Trever Miller, RHP Andy Sonnanstine.

Outta there: Manager Mike Quade, RHP Carlos Zambrano, 3B Aramis Ramirez, 1B Carlos Pena, LHP Sean Marshall, RHP Andrew Cashner, C Koyie Hill, OF Tyler Colvin.

Projected lineup: RF David DeJesus 2B Darwin Barney SS Starlin Castro 1B Bryan LaHair LF Alfonso Soriano CF Marlon Byrd 3B Ian Stewart C Geovany Soto Rotation: R Matt Garza R Ryan Dempster L Paul Maholm R Chris Volstad R Jeff Samardzija Closer: R Carlos Marmol Outlook: Theo mania still bubbles on the North Side. Can baseball operations head Theo Epstein end a World Series title drought, much as he did for the Red Sox? Owner Tom Ricketts is counting on it. Epstein fired Quade, bringing in Sveum, and also jettisoned Zambrano. The Cubs want to rebuild by bolstering their farm system. A .500 season would seem to be a remarkable accomplishment.

HOUSTON ASTROS

2011: 56-106, 6th place.

Manager: Brad Mills (3rd season).

Here: OF Jack Cust, IF Jed Lowrie, RHP Kyle Weiland, C Chris Snyder, RHP Livan Hernandez, LHP Zach Duke.

Outta there: RHP Mark Melancon, SS Clint Barmes, LF Jason Michaels.

Projected lineup: CF Jordan Schafer SS Jed Lowrie RF Brian Bogusevic 1B Carlos Lee C Jason Castro 2B Jose Altuve 3B Jimmy Paredes LF J.D. Martinez Rotation: L Wandy Rodriguez R Bud Norris L J.A. Happ R Kyle Weiland R Livan Hernandez Closer: R Brett Myers Outlook: The Astros have a new owner in Jim Crane and a new general manager in Jeff Luhnow, who insist the team will be better than last season, when Houston had the majors’ worst record.

Young players are going to have to produce more. The Astros hope the return of Castro, a first-round pick in 2008, from a knee injury will provide a boost. Lee is back for the last season of a $100 million contract, and as virtually the only veteran non-pitcher on the roster, he’ll need to lead this young team as it plays its final season in the National League.

H4 SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012 /// THE ENQUIRER

Your Cincinnati Reds PHOTOS BY MICHAEL E. KEATING | PLAYER PROFILES BY TOM GROESCHEN The Reds went into the weekend with 31 players on the active roster, but three (closer Ryan Madson, who will miss the entire season, and relievers Nick Masset and Jordan Smith) will start the season on the disabled list. That still leaves 28 men for 25 spots, and some interesting decisions over the final days for final bench and bullpen spots and maybe the fifth spot in the rotation. Here are the Enquirer’s projections for the players likely to receive the most time in the lineup, and the five most likely to fill out the rotation. If Aroldis Chapman isn’t one of the five starters, he could open the season in Louisville or return to the bullpen. A closer look at the likely starters:

THE STARTERS

GM 161

HR 29

JOEY VOTTO

BRANDON PHILLIPS

ZACK COZART

SCOTT ROLEN

AGE: 28 | POS: 1B

AGE: 30 | POS: 2B

AGE: 26 | POS: SS

AGE: 36 | POS: 3B

2011 statistics

2011 statistics

RBI

SB

103

8

2011 statistics

2011 statistics

AVG OBP SLG

GM

HR

RBI

SB

AVG OBP SLG

GM

HR

RBI

SB

AVG OBP SLG

GM

HR

RBI

SB

AVG OBP SLG

.309 .416 .531

150

18

82

14

.300 .353 .457

11

2

3

0

.324 .324 .486

65

5

36

1

.242 .279 .397

The skinny The Reds’ best player is in the prime of his career, having turned 28 last September.

Votto was the 2010 NL MVP, and in 2011 he became the first Reds first baseman to win a Rawlings Gold Glove. Expect the typical .300-plus, 30-homer, 100-RBI season from the league’s best first baseman.

The skinny Phillips has 124 home runs and 486 RBI as a Red, both totals second to Joe Morgan (152 and 612) among Reds second basemen since 1900. In 2011 Phillips also won his third Gold Glove in four years. Signed through 2012 with the Reds, and the big question is whether he will get a contract extension.

The skinny Has played only 11 games in the majors, but the Reds saw enough (.324 batting average, two homers) to make him the man at shortstop to start 2012. Has shown no ill effects from Tommy John surgery last August on his left (non-throwing) elbow, hitting over .400 through the first 18 games of the spring.

The skinny Four shoulder surgeries (since 2005) have robbed Rolen of some bat speed. Turns 37 the day before Opening Day. The Reds might be happy to squeeze 110 games, 10 homers and 50 RBI from Rolen. His career numbers (.282, 308 homers, eight Gold Gloves) make him a Hall of Fame candidate.

JAY BRUCE

DREW STUBBS

RYAN LUDWICK

DEVIN MESORACO

AGE: 24 | POS: RF

AGE: 27 | POS: CF

AGE: 33 | POS: LF

AGE: 23 | POS: C

2011 statistics

2011 statistics

2011 statistics

2011 statistics

GM

HR

RBI

SB

AVG OBP SLG

GM

HR

RBI

SB

AVG OBP SLG

GM

HR

RBI

SB

AVG OBP SLG

GM

HR

RBI

SB

AVG OBP SLG

157

32

97

8

.256 .341 .474

158

15

44

40

.243 .321 .364

139

13

75

1

.237 .310 .363

18

2

6

0

.180 .226 .360

The skinny Bruce last year became the third-youngest player in Reds history to reach 100 career home runs, behind Johnny Bench and Frank Robinson. He is turning 25 on Tuesday.

Questions include whether Bruce can reduce his strikeouts (158 last year) and raise his average (career .256).

The skinny The focus is on his strikeouts (205 last year), but Stubbs also last season became the first Red with 40 steals in a season since Deion Sanders had 56 in 1997. If Stubbs can cut the K’s and get on base more, you could see 100 runs, 20 homers and 50 steals. His range and arm make him a plus center fielder.

The skinny Which Ludwick will the Reds get? The .299, 37-homer, 113-RBI Ludwick of 2008? Or the .237, 13-homer, 75-RBI Ludwick of 2011? The Reds would take an approximation of his career norms, including a .261 batting average. The 33-year-old Ludwick is projected to share time with Chris Heisey in left field.

The skinny The Reds’ No. 1-rated prospect by Baseball America, he is viewed as a potential All-Star with great offensive upside. Also, in 2011 was rated by Triple-A managers as the best defensive catcher in the International League. Look for Mesoraco and veteran Ryan Hanigan to share the load.

THE ROTATION

JOHNNY CUETO

MAT LATOS

BRONSON ARROYO

HOMER BAILEY

MIKE LEAKE

AGE: 26 | THROWS: R

AGE: 24 | THROWS: R

AGE: 35 | THROWS: R

AGE: 25 | THROWS: R

AGE: 24 | THROWS: R

2011 statistics

2011 statistics

2011 statistics

2011 statistics

2011 statistics

Record

ERA

IP

9-5

2.31

156.0 104 47

K

BB

The skinny Has lowered his ERA each year since joining the Reds, finishing at 2.31 last year. Made only 24 starts last year because of injuries.

Seems healthy as the year begins.

Known as a hard worker who runs the stadium steps on offdays, Cueto at 26 seems poised to be the Reds’ ace.

Record

ERA

IP

9-14

3.47

194.1 185 62

K

BB

The skinny The Reds’ most significant offseason acquistion. At 6-6 and 235 pounds, he is a workhorse who has started 62 games over the past two years. A power pitcher, he ranked ninth in the NL last year in strikeouts per nine innings (8.57). Could win 15-plus games with this offense behind him.

Record

ERA

IP

K

9-12

5.07

199

108 45

BB

The skinny Seems rejuvenated after a poor 2011 season, which included health issues (mononucleosis) and a club-record 46 homers allowed.

Arroyo committed to a healthier offseason regimen and his fastball has been topping 90 mph in spring training, after averaging only 87 last regular season.

Record

ERA

IP

9-7

4.43

132.0 106 33

K

BB

The skinny The Reds want to see what Bailey can do over a full season, and maybe this is finally it. Bailey made a career high 22 starts last year but also had shoulder problems. He still has the live arm that made him the Reds’ No. 1 draftee in 2004, and he added 15 pounds in the offseason.

Record

ERA

IP

12-9

3.86

167.2 118 38

K

BB

The skinny Was quietly one of the Reds’ most effective players in 2011, leading the pitching staff in wins, ERA (among qualifiers) and strikeouts.

Leake’s fastball is not overpowering but has a natural cutting movement. He is a groundball pitcher who seems made for Great American Ball Park.

THE ENQUIRER /// SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012 H5

THE BENCH

ROSTER ANALYSIS Chris Heisey, OF Tantalizes with his pop, but strikes out too much and didn’t have a good spring. Can play all three spots.

Miguel Cairo, IF Super utilityman played third, second and first; hit better as a sub or pinch-hitter (.342) than starter (.251).

Ryan Hanigan, C Veteran will mentor and spell Devin Mesoraco, plus provide a proven option if the youngster falters.

Juan Francisco, IF Still just 24, he’s out of options. Being hurt, overweight and overmatched at the plate early in spring didn’t help.

Todd Frazier, IF Battling Francisco for one of the last spots. His versatility helps; hitting the most spring homers doesn’t hurt.

Paul Janish, SS Anemic bat cost him the everyday job, though he’s had a good spring.

Now trying to stick in a utility role.

Wilson Valdez, SS He or Janish will be Zack Cozart’s backup. Reds would be seventh major league team for Valdez, 33.

Willie Harris, OF Harris, 33, one of the final two nonroster players in camp, is hoping his lefty bat might keep him around.

THE BULLPEN JOSE ARREDONDO (R) With better control (1.40 WHIP last season) he could be outstanding in situational roles.

BILL BRAY (L) Battled a groin injury in spring training. Had a career-high 79 appearances last season.

AROLDIS CHAPMAN (L) The Reds would like him to start, but others’ injuries could return him to the bullpen.

JEFF FRANCIS (L) Has started 180 of his 181 majorleague games, but could become a long reliever for the Reds.

SAM LECURE (R) Reliever has made 10 Reds starts over the past two years.

Retired the first batter 82 percent of the time last year.

SEAN MARSHALL (L) The prime candidate to close with Ryan Madson out.

ERA for his final 33 appearances: 0.89.

NICK MASSET (R) Will start season on disabled list (shoulder). ERA has risen each year since he joined the Reds (3.71 last season).

LOGAN ONDRUSEK (R) Effective in his role of mostly oneinning outings, a bridge to the back end of the bullpen.

JORDAN SMITH (R) Will start season on disabled list (elbow). Has 54 appearances over past two seasons.

Big three hold the key

By John Erardi jerardi@enquirer.com

When breaking down the Reds position by position, there is a tendency to give each category equal weight, but the fact is the Reds improved themselves most notably this offseason where they needed it most.

Starting pitching

Much attention has been paid to Bronson Arroyo going into the season, which is justifiable, because you never want the pitcher who is, in effect, your fifth starter to be a black hole. Over the course of a 162game season, it can kill any chance a team has of contending.

But if your top starters – in this case, Johnny Cueto, the newly acquired Mat Latos and arguably Mike Leake – aren’t rock solid (and hopefully, terrific), the issue of whether your fifth starter is keeping you in games becomes irrelevant.

Toward this end, the Reds bettered themselves considerably with the addition of Latos, who would be the No. 1 on many staffs. Cueto might drop off a little bit this year – his opposing hitters’ batting average on balls in play was unusually low last year – meaning that the law of averages figures to come into play this year and make for a slightly higher ERA for Cueto.

But Leake figures to make up for it with another year under his belt, and it stands to reason with Homer Bailey pitching a little bit under the radar for the first time in his career that he could very well blossom and approach 200 innings (if he isn't detoured into the bullpen).

Whoever gets slotted into the No. 5 hole, a good case can be made that between Aroldis Chapman (huge upside) and Jeff Francis (dependability), the Reds are in better shape overall going into the season with five starters than in any season since the last time they won some games in the postseason (1995).

Much has been made by the pundits that Reds manager Dusty Baker has been backed into a corner by closer Ryan Madson being lost for the season with Tommy John surgery.

They say it may hamper Chapman’s development as a starter if he winds up being moved into the bullpen, but Baker has much more control over his future here than mere fate would indicate.

A huge barometer of how Baker does in this final year of this present contract is how he handles Arroyo. Baker’s tendency is to give guys too much rope, especially veterans. If Baker runs Arroyo out there until the All-Star break and Arroyo doesn’t have better results than last season, it probably won’t matter what moves the Reds make at the trade

The Reds know they have a bona fide No. 1 starter in Johnny Cueto. Highly touted rookie catcher Devin Mesoraco, on the other hand, is an unknown commodity for now. THE ENQUIRER/MICHAEL E. KEATING

deadline. They will have played themselves out of it, and much of the fault would lie with Baker.

Watch how Baker handles Arroyo. And don’t get caught in the trap of thinking that the extra wild card this year makes it easier to reach the playoffs.

Baker needs to manage as though every game counts, and as though his team is fighting three other teams for the last spot in September.

Bullpen

Just as it is impossible to predict who will eventually emerge as the starting pitcher that gets slotted into the No. 5 hole, it is impossible to predict with certainty who will emerge as the closer, now that freeagent pickup Ryan Madson has gone down.

The guess is that it will be newly acquired Sean Marshall, primarily because his stuff is outstanding.

But make no mistake. Despite the attempt by club representatives and some media types to put a positive spin on the loss of Madson – “The depth can pick up the slack” – the fact is that Madson’s absence is huge, and potentially devastating if it keeps the Reds out of the playoffs.

When Madson had to be shelved, the Reds immediately went from having a potentially elite bullpen to being merely average in mid/late innings.

Over the course of 162 games, depth invariably shows. It suddenly could become a huge issue if Bill Bray and/or Logan Ondrusek spend time on the disabled list, as they did last year, possibly as result of overuse when the starters didn't go enough innings.

The loss of Madson means the starters have to pitch a little deeper into games – espe-

cially early in the year – than they otherwise might have had to. The one thing this bullpen cannot now endure – which they could have endured when they had Madson – is the stress of overwork.

Starting eight

This is potentially the best1through-8 the Reds have run out since 2000, Ken Griffey Jr.’s first season as s Red. And, without question, with the availability in left field of Chris Heisey (who didn’t have a good spring) and newly acquired Ryan Ludwick, this is is the best outfield defense this club has had since the World Series championship season of 1990. With Heisey-Ludwick to go with Drew Stubbs in center and Jay Bruce in right there are no defensive holes. For more than a generation, through left fielders Kevin Mitchelll and Adam Dunn and Jonny Gomes, left-center field (and at times straightaway left field) more resembled the Grand Canyon than it did a major league outfield spot.

Don’t underestimate the effect of this on a pitching staff.

Joey Votto at first base appears primed for another MVP-type season, and the most interesting test is whether Brandon Phillips can match last year, which was the best season of his career. Zack Cozart appears to be the best chance this club has as a longterm answer at shortstop since Barry Larkin came up in 1986, and if Scott Rolen can play 110plus games at third base, chances are this team can be penciled into the playoffs right now.

But the most intriguing position of all might be catcher, because remember what happened going into the 2010 season: Ramon Hernandez and Ryan Hanigan turned out to be

an unexpected plus for two straight seasons. The tandem was easily in the top quartile of major league backstops in both offensive and defensive dependability.

The great unknown for this year’s tandem is, of course, is newcomer Devin Mesoraco.

Hanigan is again here to pick up any slack, and that’s a good thing, because it will be a stretch to expect Mesoraco to catch more than 90 to 100 games.

Bench

Nothing can make or break a team’s chances for the postseason like a bench, because inevitably over the course of a 162-game season, one goes from not worrying about the bench to having to depend on it – whether it be to fill a critical loss of a regular, or the need for late-game heroics from a pinchhitter.

One of the beauties of the starting eight is that it’s is so good defensively that nowhere is there a need for late-inning defensive replacements.

The acquisition of Wilson Valdez by Reds general manager Walt Jocketty gives manager Baker the security blanket of a major league shortstop should Cozart struggle or wear down a little bit.

Heisey or Ludwick, depending on which one isn’t starting in left field, gives Baker some late-inning pop off the bench.

It appears going into the season that the Reds’ bench won’t be a liability this season, but that could change if there is a loss of a regular. Miguel Cairo is a valuable commodity in that instance because he can play any of the infield positions in a pinch, but if it turns out he has to play 50+ games at third base, not even an extra wild card is going to advance the Reds deep into October.

TOP PROSPECTS

Benchmark high for catcher Mesoraco’s defense, power intrigue Reds

By Tom Groeschen tgroeschen@enquirer.com

Reds fans still await the next Johnny Bench, but he’s not coming. Devin Mesoraco could be the most reasonable facsimile since Bench retired in 1983. Mesoraco is rated by Baseball America as the Reds’ No. 1 prospect, and he figures to share time at catcher with veteran Ryan Hanigan this season.

Mesoraco, who will turn 24 in June, was the Reds’ No. 1 selection (15th overall) in the June 2007 draft. Mesoraco is the rare catcher who, according to scouts, has the potential to be an above-average hitter with plus-power.

“He’s gonna hit, but when you’re a catcher you’re not called a hitter, you’re called a catcher,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “You get a hitting catcher, you’ve got an All-Star catcher. You get spoiled by Johnny Bench and Gary Carter and Carlton Fisk. Where are those guys at?”

Answer: Hall of Fame.

As a defensive catcher, the 6-1, 220-pound Mesoraco for now is rated about average.

His arm is decent and his agility is good. His handling of a veteran pitching staff remains to be seen, but early reviews are good.

Bench took a little time to become Bench, and Mesoraco also did not set the world aflame in his first taste of the majors.

Bench first joined the Reds at age 19 in 1967, and he hit .163 in 86 at-bats (one homer, six RBI).

Mesoraco came up late in 2011, at age 23. He hit .180 in 50 at-bats (two homers, six RBI).

Bench went on to be National League Rookie of the Year in 1968. He was a two-time Most Valuable Player and Hall of Famer. The Reds will be happy if Mesoraco just provides above-average production, eventually if not sooner.

A look at the Reds’ other top prospects entering 2012, as rated by Baseball America: 2. SS Billy Hamilton (age 21): Stole 103 bases at Single-A Dayton last season. His blinding speed makes Hamilton one of the Reds’ most exciting prospects in years, but will he

hit? Hamilton batted .278 last year but slugged only .360.

Some scouts believe Hamilton might wind up at second base or the outfield.

3. SS Zack Cozart (age 26): Baker has said that Cozart is the most complete player he has gotten from the Reds’ system. Solid in all phases, decent power, decent arm and soft hands. The Reds are expecting a lot from someone who has played only 11 major league games.

4. RHP Daniel Corcino (age 21): Frequently compared to Johnny Cueto, he throws a bit harder (92-95 mph) than Cueto did at a similar point in his career. Some scouts project Corcino as a No. 3 major league starter, according to Baseball America.

5. RHP Robert Stephenson (age 19): The Reds’ No. 1 selection in the June 2011 draft, out of high school (Martinez, Calif). Fastball generally sits at 92-95 mph and has touched 97. Advanced for his age, potential to be a frontline starter.

Must work his way up.

6. SS Didi Gregorius (age 22): Reached Double-A last year and hit .270. Baseball America rates his ceiling high-

er than Cozart’s. Can dazzle defensively, with a plus arm that rates a 65 on the 20-to-80 scouting scale. Eventually could duel Cozart for the shortstop job.

7. INF/OF Todd Frazier (age 26): May not hit for average but his best attribute is his power, with six homers in only 112 at-bats for the Reds last year. Third base remains his best position. If Scott Rolen has injury troubles again, Frazier could get a long look.

8. 1B Neftali Soto (age 23): Hit 31 homers in the minors last year. Also becoming a more polished fielder. Club insiders expect to see Soto in a Reds uniform at some point in 2012.

9. RHP J.C. Sulbaran (age 22): Live arm, but still learning to pitch. In three minor league seasons, Sulbaran has a strikeout rate of 9.8 per nine innings.

Cut his walk rate from 5.6 to 3.3 per nine innings last year, but has a 4.89 career ERA. Has yet to pitch above Class A. 10. OF Ryan LaMarre (age 23): Stole 55 bases and hit .278 last year. Second-round pick in 2010, good baseball instincts.

He could be in the long-term picture.

H6 SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012 /// THE ENQUIRER

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

Yu Darvish, the prize free agent pitcher out of Japan, has landed with the Texas Rangers.

ASSOCIATED PRESS/LENNY IGNELZI

‘Close’ counts for bit more Expansion of playoffs among many changes

By Ben Walker Associated Press

Dusty Baker would like a do-over.

He’s still pained by what happened his first year as a big league manager. His San Francisco Giants finished with a whopping103 wins — yet missed the playoffs.

“I went to the ballpark every day for 10 days to watch on TV,” he recalled this spring. “Finally, my wife told me I had to let it go. I was hurting.”

No such worries in Baseball 2012.

Heck, Albert Pujols and his new teammates on the Los Angeles Angels could finish in third place — in a four-team division, mind you — and sweep the World Series.

Credit (or blame) goes to an expanded postseason format that adds two more wild-card clubs this October.

In Boston, fans smarting from last September’s collapse want the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park to become a yearlong celebration of Valentine’s Day. In Texas, the two-time AL champion Rangers are a worldwide attraction with Yu Darvish.

In Miami, it’s all new: the ballpark, the lineup, the uniforms, the expectations and Ozzie Guillen.

There’s hope, too, in Washington and at Wrigley Field, where the Cubbies’ faithful want to believe Theo Epstein will end a championship drought dating to 1908.

It’s possible. Know this: Five of the past 15 World Series champs have been wild cards, including the St. Louis Cardinals last season.

To Detroit manager Jim Leyland, whose team won the AL Central by 15 games and then signed Prince Fielder, a bigger postseason field is OK. “There are a lot of mixed emotions but as long as the playoffs don’t get watered down, it’s fine, but that won’t happen in baseball,” he said.

Traditionalists, take heart. The total remains fewer than the other pro sports — 12 of 32 are rewarded in the NFL, and 16 of 30 advance in the NBA and NHL. As it stands, the two wild cards in each league will hold a onegame playoff to see who reaches the next best-offive round.

Cleveland Indians President Mark Shapiro has changed his thinking on the subject.

“You look at all of the one-game playoff scenarios in baseball history and they have been classics. Those are among the best, most memorable games,” he said.

2011: 102-60, 1st place (lost to St. Louis in division series).

Manager: Charlie Manuel (8th season).

Here: RHP Jonathan Papelbon, 1B Jim Thome, IF Ty Wigginton, OF Laynce Nix, OF Juan Pierre, OF Scott Podsednik, RHP Joel Pineiro, RHP Chad Qualls, LHP Dontrelle Willis.

Outta there: RHP Roy Oswalt, RHP Brad Lidge, OF Raul Ibanez, RHP Ryan Madson, OF Ross Gload, OF Ben Francisco, IF Wilson Valdez.

Projected lineup: SS Jimmy Rollins 3B Placido Polanco 2B Chase Utley RF Hunter Pence CF Shane Victorino LF John Mayberry Jr. 1B Ty Wigginton C Carlos Ruiz Rotation: R Roy Halladay L Cliff Lee L Cole Hamels R Vance Worley R Joe Blanton Closer: R Jonathan Papelbon Outlook: First baseman Ryan Howard will start the season on the DL after rupturing his left Achilles on the final swing of last season. The 2006 NL MVP could miss the first half, leaving a big void in the cleanup spot. Utley’s knee condition also is a concern.

Anything less than a World Series title will be a disappointment for the Phillies, who have won five straight NL East titles and the 2008 World Series.

They finished with the most wins in the majors the last two seasons, including a franchise-best 102 victories last year. But they’ve regressed each of the last three seasons, losing the World Series in 2009 and the NLCS in 2010 and getting knocked out in the first round last year.

ATLANTA BRAVES

2011: 89-73, 2nd place.

Manager: Fredi Gonzalez (2nd season).

Here: SS Tyler Pastornicky.

Outta there: RHP Derek Lowe, SS Alex Gonzalez, OF Nate McLouth, IF Brooks Conrad, LHP George Sherrill, RHP Scott Linebrink.

Projected lineup: CF Michael Bourne LF Martin Prado 3B Chipper Jones 2B Dan Uggla C Brian McCann 1B Freddie Freeman RF Jason Heyward SS Tyler Pastornicky Rotation: R Jair Jurrjens R Tommy Hanson R Brandon Beachy L Mike Minor R Randall Delgado Closer: R Craig Kimbrel Outlook: Jones, who turns 40 in April, announced late in spring training this will be his final season. Pastornicky was handed the shortstop job after the Braves made no effort to re-sign Alex Gonzalez, but the 22-year-old rookie struggled at the plate and in the field during spring training. The Braves may have to go with veteran Jack Wilson if Pastornicky doesn’t turn things around. Heyward appeared to be the next big thing in 2010, homering in his first career at-bat, making the All-Star team and finishing as runner-up for Rookie of the Year. But he slumped badly in his second season, a slide he blames on an ailing shoulder. The Braves need him to get back on track or they’ll have a big hole in a lineup that struggled to find consistency last season. Fredi Gonzalez, who took over for Hall of Famer-to-be Bobby Cox in 2011, could come under fire if the Braves fail to make the playoffs again.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS

2011: 80-81, 3rd place.

Manager: Davey Johnson (1st full season with Washington).

Here: RHP Edwin Jackson, LHP Gio Gonzalez, RHP Brad Lidge, INF Mark DeRosa, OF Brett Carroll.

Outta there: RHP Livan Hernandez, OF Jonny Gomes, RHP Todd Coffey, OF Laynce Nix. Projected lineup: SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa 3B Ryan Zimmerman LF Michael Morse 2B Adam LaRoche RF Jayson Werth C Wilson Ramos CF Rick Ankiel Rotation: R Stephen Strasburg L Gio Gonzalez R Jordan Zimmermann R Edwin Jackson R Chien-Ming Wang Closer: R Drew Storen Outlook: Everyone wants to know: When will 19year-old Bryce Harper make his major league debut? Washington decided to let the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft get a taste of Triple-A seasoning – and he’ll shift from right field to center, too. The expectation is that he’ll be called up sometime in late spring or early summer.

Until then, it’s not clear who the Nationals will use in center – or whether their lineup will score enough without any upgrades. Werth needs to bounce back from a terrible first year of his $126 million contract; LaRoche needs to bounce back from a shoulder injury. For a franchise that’s never finished above .500, there sure has been a lot of talk about the playoffs and contending. Coming off an 80-81 record, the Nationals think they can be a factor and play meaningful games in September.

NEW YORK METS

MIAMI MARLINS

2011: 77-85, 4th place.

Manager: Terry Collins (2nd season).

Here: CF Andres Torres, RHP Frank Francisco, RHP Ramon Ramirez, RHP Jon Rauch, INF Ronny Cedeno, C Rob Johnson.

Outta there: SS Jose Reyes, CF Angel Pagan, LHP Chris Capuano, C Ronny Paulino, RHP Jason Isringhausen, OF Willie Harris, 1B-OF Nick Evans, RHP Chris Young.

Projected lineup: CF Andres Torres 2B Daniel Murphy 3B David Wright 1B Ike Davis LF Jason Bay RF Lucas Duda C Josh Thole SS Ruben Tejada Rotation: L Johan Santana R R.A. Dickey L Jonathon Niese R Mike Pelfrey R Dillon Gee Closer: R Frank Francisco Outlook: There’s a new double-play combination at Citi Field, and it’s a big question mark on both sides of the bag. Tejada, 22, takes over at shortstop for Reyes, the NL batting champ and a homegrown fan favorite who bolted for a $106 million, six-year contract with the division rival Marlins. Tejada has a good-looking glove and arm, but he has huge shoes to fill. He hasn’t shown much pop at the plate, though he is getting stronger and can be a pesky out. Collins thinks Tejada can develop into a Placido Polanco-type, but the youngster needs to be more steady and consistent on an everyday basis.

Murphy, on the other hand, is a hitter without a defensive position. The Mets are trying to squeeze his bat – and surgically repaired knees – into the lineup at second base.

2011: 72-90, 5th place.

Manager: Ozzie Guillen (1st season).

Here: SS Jose Reyes, LHP Mark Buehrle, RHP Carlos Zambrano, RHP Heath Bell, LHP Wade LeBlanc, RHP Chad Gaudin, OF Aaron Rowand, OF Austin Kearns.

Outta there: RHP Chris Volstad, RHP Clay Hensley, RHP Brian Sanches, RHP Burke Badenhop, C John Baker.

Projected lineup: SS Jose Reyes CF Emilio Bonifacio 3B Hanley Ramirez RF Giancarlo Stanton 1B Gaby Sanchez LF Logan Morrison 2B Omar Infante C John Buck Rotation: R Josh Johnson L Mark Buehrle R Ricky Nolasco R Anibal Sanchez R Carlos Zambrano Closer: R Heath Bell Outlook: The Marlins have a new name, new uniforms, a new ballpark and four newcomers who have been All-Stars, which gives the franchise a new outlook. A team that finished last in the NL in attendance the past seven years expects big crowds to start the season, and they won’t be coming just to see the ballpark. An offseason spending binge made national headlines, and the addition of such personalities as Guillen, Zambrano and Bell almost guarantees the team will stay in the news. But to keep fans coming, the Marlins probably need to win. The hot corner is a hot spot, with Ramirez reluctantly moving from SS to 3B to make room for Reyes. Ramirez must learn a new position while trying to regain the stroke that helped him win the 2009 NL batting title.

COLORADO ROCKIES

SAN DIEGO PADRES

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

2011: 94-68, 1st place (lost to Milwaukee in division series).

Manager: Kirk Gibson (2nd season).

Here: LF Jason Kubel, RHP Trevor Cahill, LHP Craig Breslow, RHP Takashi Saito.

Outta there: RHP Micah Owings, OF Colin Cowgill, RHP Jarrod Parker.

Projected lineup: SS Willie Bloomquist 2B Aaron Hill RF Justin Upton C Miguel Montero 1B Paul Goldschmidt LF Jason Kubel CF Chris Young 3B Ryan Roberts Rotation: R Ian Kennedy R Daniel Hudson R Trevor Cahill R Josh Collmenter L Joe Saunders Closer: R J.J. Putz Outlook: Shortstop Stephen Drew’s return has no timetable as he recovers from a brutal injury. Drew broke his right ankle and ripped the tendons around it when his foot got caught beneath him as he slid into home plate in late July. Still, Arizona thrived with Bloomquist filling in.

The acquisition of John McDonald, a defensive specialist, along with Hill from Toronto gave the team some depth at the position. Last spring Arizona was expected to be headed for the cellar again but instead succeeded behind strong young pitching, a vastly improved bullpen and timely hitting.

The team only tinkered with the roster this offseason, adding Cahill, reliever Craig Breslow and outfielder Kubel. Kubel’s additon sends Gold Glover Gerardo Parra to the bench.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

2011: 86-76, 2nd place.

Manager: Bruce Bochy (6th season).

Here: OF Melky Cabrera, OF Angel Pagan, INF Ryan Theriot, RHP Clay Hensley.

Outta there: RF Carlos Beltran, CF Andres Torres, RHP Ramon Ramirez, OF Cody Ross, OF Pat Burrell, SS Orlando Cabrera, INF Mark DeRosa, LHP Jonathan Sanchez.

Projected lineup: CF Angel Pagan 2B Freddy Sanchez 3B Pablo Sandoval C Buster Posey LF Melky Cabrera 1B Aubrey Huff RF Nater Schierholtz SS Brandon Crawford Rotation: R Tim Lincecum L Madison Bumgarner R Matt Cain L Barry Zito R Ryan Vogelsong Closer: R Brian Wilson Outlook: Huff played a major part in the Giants’ 2010 World Series title run with 26 homers and 86 RBI. His problems at the plate last year were emblematic of the team, which scored 572 runs, the second fewest for the franchise in a 162-game season. If Huff slumps again, Brandon Belt could start taking some of his at-bats. The 2011 season came crashing to a halt when Posey tore three ligaments in his left ankle and fractured a bone in his leg in a frightening home plate collision with Florida’s Scott Cousins on May 25. The Giants are counting on a healthy Posey and Sanchez, whose season was cut short by shoulder surgery, to spark the offense and support one of the game’s best rotations.

The window could be closing with Cain in the final year of his contract.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

2011: 82-79, 3rd place.

Manager: Don Mattingly (2nd season).

Here: 2B Mark Ellis, LF Juan Rivera, 2B Adam Kennedy, LHP Chris Capuano, IF-OF Jerry Hairston Jr., RHP Aaron Harang, RHP Mike MacDougal, C Matt Treanor, RHP Todd Coffey.

Outta there: RHP Hiroki Kuroda, RHP Jonathan Broxton, RHP Vicente Padilla, 3B Casey Blake, SS Jamey Carroll, C Rod Barajas, LHP Hong-Chih Kuo, LHP Dana Eveland.

Projected lineup: CF Matt Kemp SS Dee Gordon RF Andre Ethier C A.J. Ellis 2B Mark Ellis 1B James Loney 3B Juan Uribe LF Juan Rivera Rotation: L Clayton Kershaw R Chad Billingsley L Ted Lilly R Aaron Harang L Chris Capuano Closer: R Javy Guerra Outlook: Attendance declined sharply last year when headlines off the field dominated anything the Dodgers did on it. The Dodgers are in the middle of a bankruptcy auction as the season begins, and the team’s finances will be decided by the new ownership. Colletti had a limited budget in the offseason, and signed Capuano and Harang with money he saved by letting Kuroda go. But until the ownership issue is resolved, the Dodgers will be relegated to signing affordable veterans. NL Cy Young Award winner Kershaw and NL MVP runner-up Kemp are arguably the best pitcher and position player in the league.

2011: 73-89, 4th place.

Manager: Jim Tracy (fourth season).

Here: RHP Jeremy Guthrie, OF Michael Cuddyer, 2B Marco Scutaro, C Ramon Hernandez, RHP Tyler Chatwood, RHP Guillermo Moscoso, LHP Josh Outman, OF Tyler Colvin, LHP Jamie Moyer.

Outta there: RHP Huston Street, RHP Jason Hammel, RHP Matt Lindstrom, OF Seth Smith, C Chris Iannetta, 3B Ian Stewart, RHP Casey Weathers, RHP Clayton Mortensen.

Projected lineup: CF Dexter Fowler 2B Marco Scutaro LF Carlos Gonzalez SS Troy Tulowitzki 1B Todd Helton RF Michael Cuddyer 3B Chris Nelson C Ramon Hernandez Rotation: R Jeremy Guthrie R Jhoulys Chacin L Drew Pomeranz R Juan Nicasio L Jamie Moyer or R Tyler Chatwood Closer: R Rafael Betancourt Outlook: As one of the NL West favorites last season, the Rockies faltered under the pressure. They started out well, only to tumble back. This season, the spotlight isn’t shining as brightly on them – and that may be for the better.

Still, the Rockies could be a sleeper, especially after GM Dan O’Dowd brought in more veterans to help with leadership inside the clubhouse. Cuddyer, Guthrie, Hernandez and Scutaro will be voices the team listens to, along with Tulowitzki and Helton. The lineup will be centered on Gonzalez and Tulowitzki.

Gonzalez spent more of the offseason focusing on baseball and not getting caught up in his celebrity status .

2011: 71-91, 5th place.

Manager: Bud Black (6th season).

Here: LF Carlos Quentin, 1B Yonder Alonso, RHP Huston Street, RHP Edinson Volquez, RHP Micah Owings, RHP Andrew Cashner, C John Baker, OF Mark Kotsay.

Outta there: RHP Heath Bell, RHP Mat Latos, 1B Anthony Rizzo.

Projected lineup: CF Cameron Maybin 2B Orlando Hudson 1B Yonder Alonso LF Carlos Quentin C Nick Hundley 3B Chase Headley RF Will Venable SS Jason Bartlett Rotation: R Tim Stauffer L Cory Luebke R Edinson Volquez L Clayton Richard R Dustin Moseley Closer: R Huston Street Outlook: While the Padres aren’t expected to be serious contenders, they should at least be better thanks to three big trades by new general manager Josh Byrnes. He traded Latos to Cincinnati for four players, including starter Volquez and two top prospects, Alonso and catcher Yasmani Grandal.

Byrnes acquired Quentin from the White Sox two weeks later and then dealt Anthony Rizzo to the Cubs for reliever Andrew Cashner. He also traded for Street after allowing All-Star closer Heath Bell to leave as a free agent.

Maybin was given a $25 million, five-year contract during spring training.

Still, the Padres have a lot to prove offensively, and their rotation, while solid, isn’t dazzling. It was telling that one of Byrnes’ first moves was to sign veteran outfielder Mark Kotsay to provide leadership.

THE ENQUIRER /// SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012 H7

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL

DETROIT TIGERS

2011: 95-67, 1st place (lost to Texas in ALCS).

Manager: Jim Leyland (7th season).

Here: 1B Prince Fielder, RHP Collin Balester, RHP Octavio Dotel.

Outta there: 3B Wilson Betemit, 2B Carlos Guillen, OF Magglio Ordonez, RHP Joel Zumaya.

Projected lineup: CF Austin Jackson RF Brennan Boesch 3B Miguel Cabrera 1B Prince Fielder DH Delmon Young C Alex Avila SS Jhonny Peralta LF Andy Dirks 2B Ryan Raburn Rotation: R Justin Verlander R Doug Fister R Max Scherzer R Rick Porcello R Duane Below Closer: R Jose Valverde Outlook: Verlander, Cabrera and Fielder give Detroit three MVP candidates in their primes, and after winning the division by 15 games, Detroit feels its time is now.

CLEVELAND INDIANS

2011: 80-82, 2nd place.

Manager: Manny Acta (3rd season).

Here: RHP Derek Lowe, 1B Casey Kotchman, RHP Kevin Slowey, RHP Dan Wheeler.

Outta there: OF Austin Kearns, RHP Jensen Lewis, RHP Mitch Talbot.

Projected lineup: CF Michael Brantley SS Asdrubal Cabrera RF Shin-Soo Choo C Carlos Santana DH Travis Hafner 1B Casey Kotchman 2B Jason Kipnis LF Shelley Duncan 3B Jack Hannahan Rotation: R Ubaldo Jimenez R Justin Masterson R Josh Tomlin R Derek Lowe R Jeanmar Gomez Closer: RH Chris Perez Outlook: The Indians only had Hafner, Choo, Cabrera and Grady Sizemore in the same lineup for 17 games last season. Acta has his players believing they can not only contend, but run down Detroit.

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

2011: 79-83, 3rd place.

Manager: Robin Ventura (1st season).

Here: INF Osvaldo Martinez, RHP Jhan Marinez, LHP Pedro Hernandez.

Outta there: LHP Mark Buehrle, OF Carlos Quentin, OF Juan Pierre, RHP Jason Frasor.

Projected lineup: CF Alejandro De Aza C A.J. Pierzynski RF Alex Rios 1B Paul Konerko DH Adam Dunn SS Alexei Ramirez LF Dayan Viciedo 3B Brent Morel 2B Gordon Beckham Rotation: L John Danks R Jake Peavy R Gavin Floyd L Chris Sale R Phil Humber Closer: L Matt Thornton Outlook: Peavy was roughed up early in spring training after being shut down early last season.

Dunn missed by a few plate appearances having the lowest batting average (.159) in modern history.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

2011: 71-91, 4th place.

Manager: Ned Yost (3rd season).

Here: RHP Jonathan Broxton, LHP Jonathan Sanchez, C Humberto Quintero, SS Yuniesky Betancourt.

Outta there: CF Melky Cabrera, LH Jeff Francis.

Projected lineup: LF Alex Gordon 2B Johnny Giavotella 1B Eric Hosmer DH Billy Butler 3B Mike Moustakas RF Jeff Francoeur C Salvador Perez CF Lorenzo Cain SS Alcides Escobar Rotation: R Luke Hochevar L Jonathan Sanchez L Bruce Chen R Felipe Paulino L Danny Duffy Closer: R Joakim Soria Outlook: The Royals return virtually the entire roster from season’s end, when the lineup’s average age some nights was 24.

Being in the race at the break, when Kansas City hosts the All-Star Game, would be progress.

MINNESOTA TWINS

2011: 63-99, 5th place.

Manager: Ron Gardenhire (11th season).

Here: SS Jamey Carroll, OF Josh Willingham, RHP Jason Marquis, C-DH Ryan Doumit.

Outta there: OF Michael Cuddyer, RHP Joe Nathan, OF Jason Kubel.

Projected lineup: CF Denard Span SS Jamey Carroll C Joe Mauer 1B Justin Morneau RF Josh Willingham DH Ryan Doumit 3B Danny Valencia LF Ben Revere 2B Alexi Casilla Rotation: R Carl Pavano L Francisco Liriano R Scott Baker R Nick Blackburn R Jason Marquis Closer: R Matt Capps Outlook: Mauer and Morneau, former MVPs and franchise cornerstones who were injured in 2011, have been full participants in spring training. But the division is better than it used to be.

TEXAS RANGERS

2011: 96-66 (lost to St. Louis in World Series).

Manager: Ron Washington (6th season).

Here: RHP Yu Darvish, RHP Joe Nathan.

Outta there: LHP C.J. Wilson, LHP Darren Oliver.

Projected lineup: 2B Ian Kinsler SS Elvis Andrus CF Josh Hamilton 3B Adrian Beltre DH Michael Young RF Nelson Cruz C Mike Napoli LF David Murphy 1B Mitch Moreland Rotation: R Colby Lewis L Derek Holland R Yu Darvish R Neftali Feliz L Matt Harrison Closer: R Joe Nathan Outlook: . The top-hitting lineup in the majors is basically unchanged.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS

Detroit signed free agent slugger Prince Fielder to play first base after Victor Martinez was lost for the season. AP

Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez figures to be the ace of a young Indians pitching staff.

US PRESSWIRE/JAKE ROTH

Former Red Adam Dunn must bounce back from a historically bad 2011 season for the White Sox to contend. AP

Billy Butler, 25, drove in 95 runs last season and is among the Royals’ young core.

US PRESSWIRE/JAKE ROTH

Mysterious ailments limited Twins catcher Joe Mauer to just 82 games last season, but he’s healthy again. AP

BOSTON RED SOX

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST

NEW YORK YANKEES

2011: 97-65, 1st place (lost division series to Detroit).

Manager: Joe Girardi (4th season).

Here: LHP Andy Pettitte, RHP Michael Pineda, RHP Hiroki Kuroda, DH Raul Ibanez.

Outta there: C Jorge Posada, RHP A.J. Burnett, RHP Bartolo Colon, C Jesus Montero.

Projected lineup: SS Derek Jeter CF Curtis Granderson 2B Robinson Cano 3B Alex Rodriguez 1B Mark Teixeira DH Raul Ibanez C Russell Martin RF Nick Swisher LF Brett Gardner Rotation: L CC Sabathia R Michael Pineda R Hiroki Kuroda R Freddy Garcia R Phil Hughes/Ivan Nova Closer: R Mariano Rivera Outlook: With the extra wild card, the Yankees are well positioned for their 17th postseason berth in 18 years. With the roster’s age, health will be a key.

TAMPA BAY RAYS

2011: 91-71, 2nd place, AL wild card (lost to Texas in division series).

Manager: Joe Maddon (7th season).

Here: 1B Carlos Pena, RHP Fernando Rodney, C Jose Molina.

Outta there: OF Johnny Damon, C Kelly Shoppach, 1B Casey Kotchman.

Projected lineup: LF Desmond Jennings CF B.J. Upton 2B Ben Zobrist 3B Evan Longoria 1B Carlos Pena DH Luke Scott RF Matt Joyce C Jose Molina SS Sean Rodriguez Rotation: R James Shields L David Price R Jeremy Hellickson R Jeff Niemann L Matt Moore Closer: R Kyle Farnsworth Outlook: The Rays were able to address their offseason priorities, like the power of Pena and Scott, without weakening one of baseball’s youngest and deepest starting staffs.

2011: 90-72, 3rd place.

Manager: Bobby Valentine (1st season).

Here: OF Ryan Sweeney, OF Cody Ross, RHP Andrew Bailey.

Outta there: RHP Tim Wakefield, C Jason Varitek, RHP Jonathan Papelbon, SS Marco Scutaro, RF J.D. Drew.

Projected lineup: CF Jacoby Ellsbury 2B Dustin Pedroia 1B Adrian Gonzalez 3B Kevin Youkilis DH David Ortiz C Jarrod Saltalamacchia LF Cody Ross RF Ryan Sweeney SS Mike Aviles Rotation: L Jon Lester R Josh Beckett R Clay Buchholz R Daniel Bard L Felix Doubront Closer: R Andrew Bailey Outlook: Valentine’s energetic style contrasts with the more laid-back approach of Terry Francona. But will players chafe at Valentine’s tendency to criticize them publicly?

2011: 81-81, 4th place.

Manager: John Farrell (2nd season).

Here: RH Francisco Cordero, OF Ben Francisco, LH Aaron Laffey.

Outta there: RH Shawn Camp, RH Frank Francisco, OF Adam Loewen.

Projected lineup: SS Yunel Escobar 2B Kelly Johnson RF Jose Bautista 1B Adam Lind DH Edwin Encarnacion 3B Brett Lawrie CF Colby Rasmus C J.P. Arencibia LF Travis Snider Rotation: L Ricky Romero R Brandon Morrow L Brett Cecil L Henderson Alvarez R Dustin McGowan Closer: R Francisco Cordero Outlook: They’re sporting a new look this season, a throwback to the back-toback World Series titles in 1992 and ‘93. But it’ll take more than updated uniforms to get the Blue Jays back in the playoffs.

2011: 69-93, 5th place.

Manager: Buck Showalter (2nd full season).

Here: LH Wei-Yin Chen, LH Dana Eveland, C Taylor Teagarden.

Outta there: DH Vladimir Guerrero, LF Luke Scott.

Projected lineup: LF Nolan Reimold SS J.J. Hardy RF Nick Markakis CF Adam Jones C Matt Wieters 3B Mark Reynolds 1B Chris Davis DH Wilson Betemit 2B Robert Andino Rotation: R Jake Arrieta L Wei-Yin Chen R Tommy Hunter R Jason Hammel L Brian Matusz Closer: R Kevin Gregg Outlook: Between Hardy, Jones, Reynolds and Wieters, the Orioles have enough power to compete with the big boys in the AL East. The problem is the pitching, again a huge question mark in their bid to snap a streak of 14 losing seasons.

The Yankees leaned on center fielder Curtis Granderson last season.

He had a career-high 41 homers and 119 RBI.

Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria had 31 home runs and 99 RBI last season despite being limited to 133 games.

Bobby Valentine’s brash style will be a contrast to the demeanor of his Red Sox predecessor Terry Francona.

Toronto slugger Jose Bautista has 97 homers over the past two seasons after hitting 59 over his first six.

Orioles catcher Matt Wieters broke through with 22 homers and 68 RBI last season, but the O’s still struggled.

US PRESSWIRE/KIM KLEMENT

AP

US PRESSWIRE/KIM KLEMENT

AP

US PRESSWIRE/KIM KLEMENT

2011: 86-76, 2nd place.

Manager: Mike Scioscia (13th season).

Here: 1B Albert Pujols, LHP C.J. Wilson.

Outta there: RHP Joel Pineiro, INF Russell Branyan, OF Reggie Willits.

Projected lineup: SS Erick Aybar DH Bobby Abreu 1B Albert Pujols RF Torii Hunter 2B Howie Kendrick 3B Alberto Callaspo LF Vernon Wells C Chris Iannetta CF Peter Bourjos Rotation: R Jered Weaver R Dan Haren L C.J. Wilson R Ervin Santana R Jerome Williams Closer: RH Jordan Walden Outlook: With Pujols, anything less than a good playoff run will disappoint.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS

2011: 74-88, 3rd place.

Manager: Bob Melvin (2nd season).

Here: OF Manny Ramirez, OF Yoenis Cespedes.

Outta there: RHP Trevor Cahill, LHP Gio Gonzalez.

Projected lineup: 2B Jemile Weeks SS Cliff Pennington LF Coco Crisp CF Yoenis Cespedes DH Seth Smith C Kurt Suzuki RF Josh Reddick 1B Brandon Allen 3B Josh Donaldson Rotation: R Brandon McCarthy R Bartolo Colon L Tom Milone R Tyson Ross R Graham Godfrey Closer: L Brian Fuentes Outlook: Signing Cuban defector Cespedes injected some life into the team.

SEATTLE MARINERS

2011: 67-95, 4th place.

Manager: Eric Wedge (2nd season).

Here: C/DH Jesus Montero.

Outta there: RHP Michael Pineda.

Projected lineup: 3B Chone Figgins 2B Dustin Ackley RF Ichiro Suzuki 1B Justin Smoak DH Jesus Montero LF Mike Carp C Miguel Olivo CF Michael Saunders SS Brendan Ryan Rotation: R Felix Hernandez L Jason Vargas R Blake Beavan L Charlie Furbush R Hisashi Iwakuma Closer: L Brandon League Outlook: Seattle’s ceiling is probably third place.

Associated Press

H8 SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012 /// THE ENQUIRER

THE CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY

YOU D ON’ T S T E A L S P O T L I G H T S. Y O U E A R N T H E M.

“ H I G H E S T R A N K E D M I N I VA N I N I N I T I A L Q U A L I T Y I N

2011”

J . D . P o w e r a n d A s s o c i a t e s* Some cars are designed to grab your attention. The Chrysler Town & Country was built to deserve it.

Not only is it arguably the most luxurious minivan ever, it also gives you leather† and DVD standard. Not to mention, J.D. Power and Associates honored it as the “Highest Ranked Minivan in Initial Quality in 2011.”

Experience Town & Country for yourself. And see why it grabs the spotlight the old-fashioned way: by earning it.

2012 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY TOURING L E A S E F O R O N LY:

$279/MO. FOR 36 MOS.

(1)(2)

$

2,844 DUE AT SIGNING

$.25 CHARGE FOR EACH MILE OVER 30,000 MILES TAX, TITLE AND LICENSE EXTRA. NO SECURITY DEPOSIT REQUIRED.

2012 CHRYSLER 200 LIMITED SEDAN L E A S E F O R O N LY:

$179/MO. FOR 36 MOS.

(1)(3)

$

3,009 DUE AT SIGNING

$.25 CHARGE FOR EACH MILE OVER 30,000 MILES TAX, TITLE AND LICENSE EXTRA. NO SECURITY DEPOSIT REQUIRED.

N O E M P LOY E E D I S CO U N T R EQ U I R E D.

*Chrysler Town & Country received the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles among minivans in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Initial Quality Study. SM Study based on responses from 73,790 new-vehicle owners, measuring 234 models and measures opinions after 90 days of ownership. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of owners surveyed in February–May 2011. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com. †Leather-trimmed 1st and 2nd rows. (1) Low mileage lease offer for well-qualified lessees requires an acquisition fee and dealer contribution which may affect final price. Tax, title and license extra. Pay for excess wear and $.25/mile for each mile over 10,000 miles per year. Option to buy at lease end at pre-negotiated price plus a $2,500 purchase option fee. Each participating dealer’s actual terms may vary. Offer through ALLY. Not all lessees will qualify. Residency restrictions apply. Must take retail delivery by 4/2/12. (2) Chrysler Town & Country Touring: Amounts based on MSRP example with a 29K package after application of $2,500 lease cash. Total due at lease signing is $2,844, which includes a $2,565 down payment and first month’s payment of $279. 36 monthly payments total $10,061. (3) Chrysler 200 Limited Sedan: Amounts based on MSRP example with a 29V package after application of $3,000 lease cash. Total due at lease signing is $3,009, which includes a $2,830 down payment and first month’s payment of $179. 36 monthly payments total $6,462. Chrysler and Imported From Detroit are trademarks of Chrysler Group LLC. CE-0000503967