Arizona Diamondbacks
Spring site: Scottsdale
Last year: 81-81 (third, NL West)
First workouts: Pitchers and catchers (Tuesday), full squad (Friday)
Who's in: RHP Heath Bell (Miami), SS Cliff Pennington (Oakland), SS Didi Gregorius (Cincinnati), LHP Tony Sipp (Cleveland), INF Martin Prado (Atlanta), RHP Brandon McCarthy (Oakland), OF Cody Ross (Boston), INF Eric Chavez (New York Yankees).
Who's out: OF Justin Upton (Atlanta), OF Chris Young (Oakland), RHP Trevor Bauer (Cleveland), 3B Chris Johnson (Atlanta), C Henry Blanco (Toronto).
Spring outlook: The D-backs flirted all off-season and eventually pulled the trigger on a Justin Upton deal. The seven-player trade with the Braves brought them back All-Star infielder Martin Prado, who they signed to an extension, as well as the Braves' top pitching prospect, Randall Delgado, and three minor leaguers. It followed another marquee trade the D-backs made with the Reds and Indians earlier this winter that landed shortstop Didi Gregorius, left-hander Tony Sipp and first baseman Lars Anderson. Arizona also added free agent right-hander Brandon McCarthy, outfielder Cody Ross and infielder Eric Chavez. The D-backs might not be as strong as the Dodgers on paper, but they should challenge in the NL West.
Chicago Cubs
Spring site: Mesa
Last year: 61-101 (fifth, NL Central)
First workouts: Pitchers and catchers (Monday); full squad (Sunday)
Who's in: RHP Edwin Jackson (Washington), RHP Scott Feldman (Texas), RHP Scott Baker (Minnesota), RHP Carlos Villanueva (Toronto), OF Nate Schierholtz (Philadelphia), INF Scott Hairston (New York Mets), RHP Kyuji Fujikawa (Japan).
Who's out: 1B/OF Bryan LaHair (Japan).
Spring outlook: The Cubs lost 101 games last season, and are rebuilding under Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer. They should be more competitive this season, signing right-hander Edwin Jackson to a four-year deal and adding former Rangers spot starter/long man Scott Feldman to the rotation. They also brought in Scott Baker and Carlos Villanueva to solidify the rotation. The bullpen should get a boost with the acquisition of right-hander Kyuji Fujikawa, as well.
Chicago White Sox
Spring site: Glendale
Last year: 85-77 (second,
AL Central)
First workouts: Pitchers and catchers (Tuesday); full squad (Sunday)
Who's in: INF Jeff Keppinger
(Tampa Bay), RHP Matt Lindstrom (Arizona).
Who's out: C A.J. Pierzynski
(Texas), INF Kevin Youkilis (New York Yankees), LHP Francisco
Liriano (Pittsburgh).
Spring outlook: They lost A.J. Pierzynski, Kevin Youkilis and Francisco Liriano to free agency, and first-year GM Rick Hahn's biggest deals this winter have been adding Jeff Keppinger and re-signing Jake Peavy. Still, the White Sox have a strong rotation behind Peavy and Chris Sale, and challenge for the division crown.
Cincinnati Reds
Spring site: Goodyear
Last year: 97-65 (first in
NL Central; lost in NLDS)
First workouts: Pitchers and catchers (Tuesday); full squad (Friday)
Who's in: OF Shin-Soo Choo (Cleveland), INF Jason Donald (Cleveland), C Miguel Olivo (Seattle), LHP Manny Parra (Milwaukee), INF Cesar Izturis (Washington).
