Editor's note: Rosters as of Feb. 15; new players in CAPS
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
Atlanta Braves
Projected lineup: C Brian McCann, 1B Freddie Freeman, 2B Dan Uggla, SS Tyler Pastornicky, 3B Chipper Jones, LF Martin Prado, CF Michael Bourn, RF Jason Heyward
Projected rotation: RHP Tim Hudson, RHP Jair Jurrjens, RHP Tommy Hanson, RHP Brandon Beachy, LHP Mike Minor, RHP Randall Delgado, RHP Julio Teheran
Projected bullpen: RHP Craig Kimbrel, LHP Jonny Venters, RHP Eric O'Flaherty, RHP Kris Medlen, RHP Peter Moylan, RHP Cristhian Martinez, RHP Arodys Vizcaino, Todd Redmond, RHP Anthony Varvaro, LHP DUSTY HUGHES, RHP ADAM RUSSELL
Projected bench: C David Ross, INF Jack Wilson, INF Brandon Hicks, INF Drew Sutton, OF Eric Hinske, OF Matt Diaz, OF Jose Constanza, OF Luis Durango
Key departures: RHP Derek Lowe, RHP Scott Linebrink, LHP George Sherrill, RHP Diory Hernandez, INF Alex Gonzalez, OF Nate McLouth, OF Matt Young
Spring issues: The Braves hope Hudson will be ready to go after offseason back surgery. Jurrjens and Hanson both are returning from injuries that sidelined them last September. Jurrjens or Prado could be shopped again during the spring. Rookie Pastornicky might be a reach as an everyday shortstop. The Braves need big comeback year from Heyward. As usual, no one knows how much can be expected from Chipper Jones.
Miami Marlins
Projected lineup: C John Buck, 1B Gaby Sanchez, 2B Omar Infante, SS JOSE REYES, 3B Hanley Ramirez, LF Logan Morrison, CF Emilio Bonifacio, RF Mike Stanton
Projected rotation: RHP Josh Johnson, LHP MARK BUEHRLE, RHP Ricky Nolasco, RHP Anibal Sanchez, RHP CARLOS ZAMBRANO, LHP WADE LEBLANC, LHP BRAD HAND, RHP ALEX SANABIA
Projected bullpen: RHP HEATH BELL, RHP Juan Oviedo, RHP Edward Mujica, LHP Mike Dunn, LHP Randy Choate, RHP Steve Cishek, RHP Ryan Webb, RHP Jose Ceda, RHP Chris Hatcher, RHP GARY GLOVER
Projected bench: C Brett Hayes, INF Donnie Murphy, INF Matt Dominguez, INF Greg Dobbs, OF Chris Coghlan, OF
Scott Cousins, OF AUSTIN KEARNS
Key departures: RHP Javier Vazquez, RHP Chris Volstad, RHP Clay Hensley, RHP Burke Badenhop, RHP Brian Sanches, C John Baker, INF Jose Lopez, INF Alfredo Amezaga, OF Mike Cameron
Spring issues: The Marlins need Johnson to be back from arm issues to be ace of new manager Ozzie Guillen's rotation. Ramirez's attitude amid transition to third base will be closely watched. Zambrano supposedly has velocity back in offseason throwing. Charting ticket sales for new ballpark will be a big spring training subject.
New York Mets
Projected lineup: C Josh Thole, 1B Ike Davis, 2B David Murphy, SS Ruben Tejada, 3B David Wright, LF Jason Bay, CF ANDRES TORRES, RF Lucas Duda
Projected rotation: LHP Johan Santana, RHP Mike Pelfrey, LHP Jonathon Niese, RHP R.A. Dickey, RHP Dillon Gee, RHP Chris Schwinden, RHP Jenrry Mejia, LHP GARRETT OLSON
Projected bullpen: RHP FRANK FRANCISCO, RHP JON RAUCH, RHP RAMON RAMIREZ, RHP Bobby Parnell, RHP Pedro Beato, RHP Miguel Batista, LHP Tim Byrdak, RHP Manny Acosta, RHP D.J. Carrasco, RHP FERNANDO CABRERA, RHP Josh Stinson
Projected bench: C Mike Nickeas, C ROB JOHNSON, INF Justin Turner, INF RONNY CEDENO, INF Josh Stinson, INF OMAR QUINTANILLA, OF Mike Baxter, OF Scott Hairston, OF ADAM LOEWEN
Key departures: LHP Chris Capuano, RHP Ryota Igarashi, LHP Pat Misch, RHP Jason Isringhausen, RHP Chris Young, RHP Dale Thayer, RHPTaylor Buchholz, C Ronny Paulino, INF Jose Reyes, INF Nick Evans; OF Angel Pagan, OF Willie Harris, OF Jason Pridie
Spring issues: No one knows to what level Santana will come back from arm troubles.
The Mets need significant bounce-back years from people like Bay and Wright.
Ownership's uncertain financial situation makes depth very thin with little chance to spend money for help.
The Mets would love to see some of their young pitching prospects (Zack Wheeler, Matt Harvey, et al.) make some noise.
Philadelphia Phillies
Projected lineup: C Carlos Ruiz, 1B Ryan Howard, 2B Chase Utley, SS Jimmy Rollins, 3B Placido Polanco, LF John Mayberry, CF Shane Victorino, RF Hunter Pence
Projected rotation: RHP Roy Halladay, LHP Cliff Lee, LHP Cole Hamels, RHP Vance Worley, RHP Joe Blanton, RHP Kyle Kendrick, RHP JOEL PINEIRO, RHP DAVID BUSH, LHP PAT MISCH
Projected bullpen: RHP JONATHAN PAPELBON, RHP Antonio Bastardo, RHP Jose Contreras, RHP CHAD QUALLS, LHP DONTRELLE WILLIS, RHP Michael Stutes, LHP JEREMY HORST, RHP David Herndon, RHP Justin De Fratus, LHP Joe Savery, RHP BRIAN SANCHES, LHP RAUL VALDES
Projected bench: C Brian Schneider, INF JIM THOME, INF TY WIGGINTON, INF Michael Martinez, INF Pete Orr, INF HECTOR LUNA; OF LAYNCE NIX, JUAN PIERRE, LOU MONTANEZ, Domonic Brown, Scott Posednick
Key departures: P Ryan Madson, Roy Oswalt, Brad Lidge, Danys Baez; INF Wilson Valdez Ross Gload; OF Raul Ibanez, Ben Francisco.
Spring issues: Howard is not expected back until mid-May at the earliest, so early first basemen will likely revolve around Mayberry, Wigginton and Thome. Questions at the bottom of rotation with Worley, whose performance slipped as the league saw more of him, and Blanton, who's coming back from injuries. There are no guarantees that the aging Contreras will come back from injuries, which makes Qualls an important pickup for middle relief. Age is creeping up on people like Utley and Polanco, who were dogged by injuries in 2011.
Washington Nationals
Projected lineup: C Wilson Ramos, 1B Adam LaRoche, 2B Danny Espinosa, SS Ian Desmond, 3B Ryan Zimmerman, LF Michael Morse, CF Jayson Werth; RF Bryce Harper
Projected rotation: RHP Stephen Strasburg, RHP GIO GONZALEZ, Jordan Zimmermann, John Lannan, RHP EDWIN JACKSON; Chien-Ming Wang, Ross Detwiler.
Projected bullpen: Drew Storen; Tyler Clippard, BRAD LIDGE, RYAN PERRY, Sean Burnett, Henry Rodriguez, Tom Gorzelanny, Chris Stammen, Ryan Mattheus, CHAD DURBIN, Yunesky Maya
Projected bench: C Jesus Flores; INF MARK DEROSA, MARK TEAHEN, ANDRES BLANCO, CHAD TRACY; OF Roger Bernadina, MIKE CAMERON, JASON MICHAELS, BRETT CARROLL.
Key departures: P Livan Hernandez, Doug Slaten, Todd Coffey, Collin Balester, Tommy Milone; C Ivan Rodriguez; INF Matt Stairs; OF Laynce Nix, Jonny Gomes.
Spring issues: Rookie Harper is even money to make the club coming out of spring training. Strasburg is believed to be ready to go but will likely open season with an innings limit. The Nationals continue to shop for a center fielder and have starting pitching to offer. To contend, the Nats can use a bounce-back year from the highly paid Werth.
NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs
Projected lineup: C Geovany Soto; 1B Bryan LaHair; 2b Darwin Barney; SS Starlin Castro; 3B IAN STEWART
; LF Alfonso Soriano; CF Marlon Byrd; RF DAVID DEJESUS.
Projected rotation: Ryan Dempster, Matt Garza, TRAVIS WOOD,
CHRIS VOLSTAD, PAUL MAHOLM, Randy Wells, Casey Coleman, Rodrigo Lopez.
Projected bullpen: Carlos Marmol, Jeff Samardzija, Kerry Wood, James Russell, Marcos Mateo, John Gaub, Rafael Dolis, Chris Carpenter, Scott Maine, TREVER MILLER, MANNY CORPAS.
Projected bench: C Welington Castillo, JASON JARAMILLO, Steve Clevenger; INF Jeff Baker, Adrian Cardenas, ANTHONY RIZZO, ALFREDO AMEZAGA, EDGAR GONZALEZ, MATT TOLBERT, Josh Vitters; OF Reed Johnson, Tony Campana, JOE MATHER, DAVE SAPPELT.
Key departures: P Andrew Cashner, Sean Marshall, John Grabow, Carlos Zambrano, Ramon Ortiz; C Koyie Hill; INF Aramis Ramirez, DJ LeMahieu; OF Tyler Colvin, Brad Snyder.
Spring issues: The Cubs would love to see Rizzo force his way into the lineup with a big spring. Much of the bullpen is uncertain with the likelihood that new manager DALE SVEUM and GM JED HOYER will be looking at a steady stream of new bodies throughout spring and the season. Garza remains a possible trade commodity as Chicago continues to trim back payroll in the early stages of rebuilding. If Stewart washes out, third base is a huge hole.
Cincinnati Reds
Projected lineup: C Ryan Hanigan; 1B Joey Votto; 2B Brandon Phillips; SS Zack Cozart; 3B Scott Rolen; LF RYAN LUDWICK; CF Drew Stubbs; RF Jay Bruce.
Projected rotation: Johnny Cueto, MAT LATOS, Bronson Arroyo, Homer Bailey, Mike Leake, Aroldis Chapman, JEFF FRANCIS, Chad Reineke, ANDREW BRACKMAN.
Projected bullpen: RYAN MADSON, SEAN MARSHALL, Nick Masset, Logan Ondrusek, Bill Bray, Sam LeCure, Jose Arredondo, Josh Judy, SEAN GALLAGHER, RON MAHAY.
Projected bench: C Devin Mesoraco, DIONER NAVARRO; INF WILSON VALDEZ, Miguel Cairo, Paul Janish, Juan Francisco, Chris Valaika; OF Chris Heisey, WILLIE HARRIS, Todd Frazier.
Key departures: P Francisco Cordero, Edinson Volquez, Travis Wood, Dontrelle Willis, Jared Burton, Carlos Fisher, Daryl Thompson; C Ramon Hernandez; INF Edgar Renteria, Yonder Alonso; OF Fred Lewis.
Spring issues: The Reds are counting on Latos returning to ace status he earned two years ago in San Diego. Rolen will supposedly arrive at spring training with his oft-injured left shoulder close to 100 percent. Mesoraco is considered a top prospect who could earn the starting catching job. Chapman's progress as a starting pitcher will be fascinating to watch.
Houston Astros
Projected lineup: C Jason Castro; 1B Carlos Lee; 2B Jose Altuve; SS JED LOWRIE; 3B Jimmy Paredes; LF J.D. Martinez; CF Jordan Schafer; RF Brian Bogusevic.
Projected rotation: Brett Myers, Wandy Rodriguez, Bud Norris, Henry Sosa, J.A. Happ, KYLE WEILAND, ZACH DUKE, LIVAN HERNANDEZ, Jordan Lyles, Lucas Harrell.
Projected bullpen: Brandon Lyon, Wilton Lopez, Enerio Del Rosario, Sergio Escalona, Aneury Rodriguez, David Carpenter, Fernando Rodriguez, Wesley Wright, Juan Abreu, RHIVEN CRUZ.
Projected bench: C Humberto Quintero, CHRIS SNYDER; INF
Brett Wallace, Matt Downs, Chris Johnson, Marwin Gonzalez, DIORY HERNANDEZ, JOE THURSTON, OF JACK CUST, Jason Bourgeois, J.B. Shuck; FERNANDO MARTINEZ, TRAVIS BUCK, JUSTIN RUGGIANO, BRAD SNYDER.
Key departures: P Mark Melancon; C JR Towles; INF Clint Barmes; OF Jason Michaels, Luis Durango.
Spring issues: Virtually every position is a work in progress for a club that on paper is the weakest in baseball. One area the Astros feel good about is their collection of young bullpen arms. Wallace will get a spring trial at third base. Veteran starters Myers and Rodriguez will likely continue to be shopped by new GM JEFF LUHNOW. Also very available but with few likely takers is 1B Lee.
Milwaukee Brewers
Projected lineup: C Jonathan Lucroy; 1B Mat Gamel; 2B Rickie Weeks; SS ALEX GONZALEZ; 3B ARAMIS RAMIREZ; LF Ryan Braun; CF Nyjer Morgan; RF Corey Hart.
Projected rotation: Yovani Gallardo
, Zack Greinke, Shaun Marcum, Randy Wolf, Chris Narveson, Amaury Rivas, Wily Peralta, Cody Scarpetta.
Projected bullpen: John Axford, Francisco Rodriguez, JOSE VERAS, Kameron Loe, Marco Estrada, Brandon Kintzler, Manny Parra, Tim Dillard, Zach Braddock, Mike McClendon.
Projected bench: C George Kotteras, MIKE RIVERA; INF CESAR IZTURIS, Taylor Green, Zelous Wheeler, Eric Farris, BROOKS CONRAD, TRAVIS ISHIKAWA; OF Carlos Gomez, Logan Schafer, NORICHIKA AOKI, COREY PATTERSON.
Key departures: P Takashi Saito, LaTroy Hawkins, Mitch Stetter, Sean Green; INF Prince Fielder, Yuniesky Betancourt, Craig Counsell, Casey McGehee, Felipe Lopez, Josh Wilson; OF Jerry Hairston, Mark Kotsay, Brandon Boggs.
Spring issues: The Brewers will soon know the fate of Braun, whose looming 50-game suspension obviously would create a huge hole with which to open the season. Milwaukee is banking on Ramirez picking up some of the offense vacated by Fielder, though Ramirez in recent years has been a very slow starter. Gamel is largely untried at first base, although the Brewers have a solid defensive option in Ishikawa. Solid starting pitching depth gives Milwaukee a chance to make some moves for help down the road.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Projected lineup: C ROD BARAJAS; 1B Garrett Jones; 2B Neil Walker; SS CLINT BARMES; 3B Pedro Alvarez; LF Alex Presley; CF Andrew McCutchen; RF Jose Tabata.
Projected rotation: Jeff Karstens, Kevin Correia, Charlie Morton, James McDonald, ERIK BEDARD, Brad Lincoln, JO-JO REYES, DOUG SLATEN, SHAIRON MARTIS.
Projected bullpen: Joel Hanrahan, Evan Meek, Chris
Resop, Jason Grilli, Chris LeRoux, Tony Wilson, Daniel McCutcheon, Daniel Moskos, JUAN CRUZ, RYOTA IGARASHI, LOGAN KENSING.
Projected bench: C Michael McKenry, JAKE FOX; INF Josh Harrison, Chase d'Arnaud, CASEY MCGEHEE, NICK EVANS, Yamaico Navarro; OF NATE MCLOUTH, BRANDON BOGGS.
Key departures: P Paul Maholm, Ross Ohlendorf, Jose Ascanio, Jose Veras, Aaron Heilman, Joe Beimel, Brian Burres, Nelson Figueroa; C Ryan Doumit, Chris Snyder, Dusty Brown; INF Ronny Cedeno, Derrek Lee, Pedro Ciriaco; OF Ryan Ludwick.
Spring issues: Rotation depth is iffy, with the Pirates recently talking about getting A.J. Burnett from the Yankees, who would eat much of his contract. Pittsburgh is hoping this is the year Alvarez will finally start delivering on the hype. There's been little apparent progress toward tying up Andrew McCutchen to a long-term deal, which means the Pirates might listen to offers if yet another season starts unraveling.
St. Louis Cardinals
Projected lineup: C Yadier Molina; 1B Lance Berkman; 2B Skip Schumaker; SS Rafael Furcal; 3B David Freese; LF Matt Holliday; CF Jon Jay; RF CARLOS BELTRAN.
Projected rotation: Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright, Kyle Lohse, Jaime Garcia, Jake Westbrook; Shelby Miller, Jordan Swagerty, Adam Ottavino.
Projected bullpen: Jason Motte, Fernando Salas, Lance Lynn, Kyle McClellan, Mitchell Boggs, Marc Rzepczynski, J.C. Romero, Eduardo Sanchez, SCOTT LINEBRINK.
Projected bench: C Tony Cruz, KOYIE HILL; INF Daniel Descalso, Tyler Greene, ALEX CORA, EUGENIO VELEZ; OF Allen Craig, Adron Chambers, Shane Robinson.
Key departures: P Edwin Jackson, Octavio Dotel, Arthur Rhodes, Bryan Augenstein; C Gerald Laird; INF Albert Pujols, Nick Punto, Ryan Theriot; OF Corey Patterson.
Spring issues: Craig is likely to miss at least the first month of season following knee surgery, so depth could be compromised early for new manager MIKE MATHENY. Wainwright is expected to be 100 percent when the season opens. The Cardinals have continued to have discussions with free agent Roy Oswalt, which could result in shopping Westbrook. Without Pujols, St. Louis needs a better season from Holliday and the same kind of production as last year from Berkman. The Cardinals will give the athletic Greene a shot at winning second base in spring, which would free up Schumaker for a utility role in the infield and outfield.
NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST
Arizona Diamondbacks
Projected lineup: C Miguel Montero; 1B Paul Goldschmidt; 2B Aaron Hill; SS Stephen Drew; 3B Ryan Roberts; LF JASON KUBEL; CF Chris Young; RF Justin Upton.
Projected rotation: Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson, TREVOR CAHILL, Joe Saunders, Josh Collmenter, Trevor Bauer, Tyler Skaggs, Wade Miley.
Projected bullpen: J.J. Putz, David Hernandez, Brad Ziegler, TAKASHI SAITO, CRAIG BRESLOW, Joe Paterson, Bryan Shaw, Sam Demel, Barry Enright, Jonathan Albaladejo, CHRIS JAKUBAUSKAS, JENSEN LEWIS.
Projected bench: C Henry Blanco; INF Lyle Overbay, Willie Bloomquist, Geoff Blum, John McDonald; OF Gerardo Parra, Cole Gillespie.
Key departures: P Jarrod Parker, Jason Marquis, Micah Owings, Zach Duke, Ryan Cook, Alberto Castillo, Armando Galarraga; INF Sean Burroughs, Melvin Mora, Xavier Nady; OF Collin Cowgill, Ryan Langerhans.
Spring issues: Drew's injured ankle is still an issue and he may not be ready for Opening Day. Kubel, a much-needed left-handed bat, will likely be the Opening Day left fielder, but Parra will get time there, as well. Arizona should open with one of the deepest benches in the National League. A bevy of young pitching prospects will not be far away if the rotation stumbles.
Colorado Rockies
Projected lineup: C RAMON HERNANDEZ; 1B Todd Helton; 2B MARCO SCUTARO; SS Troy Tulowitzki; 3B CASEY BLAKE; LF Carlos Gonzalez; CF Dexter Fowler; RF MICHAEL CUDDYER.
Projected rotation: Jhoulys Chacin, Jorge De La Rosa, JEREMY GUTHRIE, Juan Nicasio, Drew Pomeranz, Alex White, TYLER CHATWOOD, GUILLERMO MOSCOSO, JOSH OUTMAN, JAMIE MOYER.
Projected bullpen: Rafael Betancourt, Matt Belisle, Matt Reynolds, Rex Brothers, Esmil Rogers, ZACH PUTNAM, Edgmer Escalona, Josh Roenicke, MIKE EKSTROM.
Projected bench: C Wilin Rosario, Jordan Pacheco, WIL NIEVES; INF Jason Giambi, DJ LEMAHIEU, Chris Nelson, Jonathan Herrera, Tommy Field, CHAD TRACY, BRENDAN WOOD; OF TYLER COLVIN, Eric Young, Jr., Charlie Blackmon.
Key departures: P Aaron Cook, Huston Street, Matt Lindstrom, Jason Hammel, Clayton Mortensen, Kevin Slowey, Matt Daley, Kevin Millwood, Edgar Gonzalez, J.C. Romero, Casey Weathers; C Chris Iannetta; INF Mark Ellis, Ian Stewart, Kevin Kouzmanoff, Jorge Cantu; OF Seth Smith, Ryan Spilborghs, Joe Mather.
Spring issues: The rotation is loaded with questions, beginning with De La Rosa likely not available until May at the earliest due to elbow injury. The Rockies think Nicasio will be OK after last year's concussion scare. The bullpen is iffy beginning with Betancourt, who is starting his first season as the closer. The new lineup should have more staying power if new vets like Cuddyer and Blake have anything left.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Projected lineup: C A.J. Ellis; 1B James Loney; 2B MARK ELLIS; SS Dee Gordon; 3B Juan Uribe; LF Juan Rivera; CF Matt Kemp; RF Andre Ethier.
Projected rotation: Clayton Kershaw, Ted Lilly, Chad Billingsley,
CHRIS CAPUANO, AARON HARANG, Nate Eovaldi, JAMEY WRIGHT, MATT CHICO. Rubby De La Rosa.
Projected bullpen: Javy Guerra, Kenley Jansen, Matt Guerrier, TODD COFFEY, Scott Elbert, Blake Hawksworth, Josh Lindblom, Ramon Troncoso, Mike MacDougal, Ronald Belisario, JOHN GRABOW, JOSE ASCANIO, ANGEL GUZMAN, WIL LEDEZMA, Michael Antonini, Shawn Tolleson.
Projected bench: C MATT TREANOR, JOSH BARD, Tim Federowicz; INF JERRY HAIRSTON JR., ADAM KENNEDY, Justin Sellers, Ivan De Jesus, JOSH FIELDS; OF Jerry Sands, Trent Oeltjen, CORY SULLIVAN.
Key departures: P Hiroki Kuroda, Jonathan Broxton, Hong-Chih Kuo, Vicente Padilla, Jon Garland; C Rod Barajas, Hector Gimenez, Dioner Navarro; INF Jamey Carroll, Casey Blake, Aaron Miles, Eugenio Velez; OF Jay Gibbons, Marcus Thames.
Spring issues: The whole Dodgers atmosphere should improve once new ownership is in place by late spring. An iffy lineup needs bounce-back years from people like Uribe and Loney plus full-season production from Rivera and Gordon. The rotation depth is uncertain and a lot of bullpen jobs will be wide open behind second-year closer Guerra. Belisario is suspended for the first 25 games, and De La Rosa is out until midseason.
San Diego Padres
Projected lineup: C Nick Hundley; 1B YONDER ALONSO; 2B Orlando Hudson; SS Jason Bartlett; 3B Chase Headley; LF CARLOS QUENTIN; CF Cameron Maybin; RF Will Venable.
Projected rotation: Clayton Richard, Dustin Moseley, Tim Stauffer, Cory Luebke, EDINSON VOLQUEZ, MATT PALMER, JEFF SUPPAN, Casey Kelly, Joe Wieland, Robbie Erlin.
Projected bullpen: HUSTON STREET, Luke Gregerson, Ernesto Frieri, ANDREW CASHNER, Joe Thatcher, MICAH OWINGS, Anthony Bass, Josh Spence, Brad Brach, ALEX HINSHAW, DALE THAYER.
Projected bench: C JOHN BAKER; INF Everth Cabrera, Logan Forsythe, Jesus Guzman, Andy Parrino, James Darnell; OF MARK KOTSAY, Kyle Blanks, Chris Denorfia,JEREMY HERMIDA.
Key departures: P Heath Bell, Mat Latos, Wade LeBlanc, Aaron Harang, Chad Qualls, Pat Neshek, Jeff Fulchino; C Rob Johnson; INF Anthony Rizzo, Alberto Gonzalez; OF Brad Hawpe, Eric Patterson.
Spring issues: The Padres are counting on Alonso blossoming as a much-needed middle-of-the-lineup hitter. A lot of spring focus will be on young pitchers such as Kelly, Weiland, etc., with an eye toward them being factors later in the season. Cashner is key to adding some quality depth to a bullpen that is a work in progress in several spots. There is little financial wiggle room here to make any significant moves.
San Francisco Giants
Projected lineup: C Buster Posey; 1B Aubrey Huff; 2B Freddy Sanchez; SS Brandon Crawford; 3B Pablo Sandoval; LF MELKY CABRERA; CF ANGEL PAGAN; RF Nate Schierholtz.
Projected rotation: Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, Ryan Vogelsong, Barry Zito, Eric Surkamp.
Projected bullpen: Brian Wilson, Sergio Romo, Javy Lopez, Jeremy Affeldt, Santiago Casilla, Guillermo Mota, Dan Runzler, CLAY HENSLEY, BRIAN BURRES, SHANE LOUX, Heath Hembree.
Projected bench: C Eli Whiteside, Chris Stewart, Hector Sanchez; INF Brandon Belt, RYAN THERIOT, Mike Fontenot, Emmanuel Burriss; OF Francisco Peguero, GREGOR BLANCO, Gary Brown.
Key departures: P Jonathan Sanchez, Ramon Ramirez, Waldis Joaquin; INF Orlando Cabrera, Mark DeRosa, Miguel Tejada, Jeff Keppinger, Bill Hall; OF Carlos Beltran, Andres Torres, Pat Burrell, Aaron Rowand, Cody Ross, Darren Ford.
Spring issues: Posey's progress toward returning to everyday work as catcher will be the biggest story in camp. Sanchez is supposedly well along in recovering from his shoulder injury. Wilson is another physical concern, as he is coming back from elbow troubles. Huff could be bumped to the bench or the outfield if Belt has big spring. An awful offense should get a modest boost from newcomers Cabrera and Pagan. Crawford needs to hit just a little to hang on at shortstop.