2023 NL Central season preview

• March 25, 2023

Capsule previews of the NL Central teams, listed in order of their 2022 finish:

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

2022: 93-69, first place, lost to Philadelphia in wild-card round

Manager: Oliver Marmol (second season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Toronto

He’s Here: C Willson Contreras, RHP Guillermo Zuniga, SS Jose Fermin

He’s Outta Here: C Yadier Molina, DH/1B Albert Pujols, OF Corey Dickerson, LHP Jose Quintana

Top Hitters: 1B Paul Goldschmidt (.317, 35 HRs, 115 RBIs, 41 2Bs, .981 OPS, NL MVP), 3B Nolan Arenado (.293, 30, 103, 42 2Bs, .891 OPS), SS Tommy Edman (.265, 13, 57, 32 SBs), OF Tyler O’Neill (.228, 14, 58)

Projected Rotation: RH Adam Wainwright (11-12, 3.71 ERA), RH Miles Mikolas (12-13, 3.29), LH Jordan Montgomery (6-3, 3.11), RH Jack Flaherty (2-1, 4.25), LH Steven Matz (5-3, 5.25)

Key Relievers: RH Ryan Helsley (9-1, 1.25 ERA, 19 saves), RH Giovanny Gallegos (3-6, 3.05, 14 saves), RH Jordan Hicks (3-6, 4.84), RH Jake Woodford (4-0, 2.23), LH Zack Thompson (1-1, 2.08), LHP Packy Naughton (0-2, 4.78)

Outlook: It’s a new era in St. Louis after longtime stars Pujols and Molina headed into retirement, though batterymate Wainwright is back for one more season on the mound. The Cardinals have one of the best 1-2 punches in the game in Goldschmidt and Arenado, and 20-year-old outfielder Jordan Walker is poised to make a big impression this season. Few teams can move seamlessly from one era to the next, but the Cardinals have enough young talent to believe the loss of clubhouse leaders Pujols and Molina can be overcome and St. Louis can make another NL Central run.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

2022: 86-76, second place

Manager: Craig Counsell (ninth season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at Chicago Cubs

He’s Here: 3B/OF Brian Anderson, C William Contreras, LHP Wade Miley, INF/OF Owen Miller, RHP Tyson Miller, OF Tyler Naquin, RHP Joel Payamps, INF Abraham Toro, 1B Luke Voit, RHP Bryse Wilson, OF/DH Jesse Winker

He’s Outta Here: RHP Brad Boxberger, RHP Trevor Gott, OF/DH Andrew McCutchen, C Omar Narváez, INF Jace Peterson, OF Hunter Renfroe, LHP Taylor Rogers, LHP Brent Suter, 2B Kolten Wong

Top Hitters: SS Willy Adames (.238, 31 HRs, 98 RBIs), OF Christian Yelich (.252, 14, 57, .355 OBP), 1B Rowdy Tellez (.219, 35, 89), C William Contreras (.278, 20, 45, .860 OPS with Atlanta), OF Jesse Winker (.219, 14, 53 with Seattle), INF Luis Urías (.239, 16, 47)

Projected Rotation: RH Corbin Burnes (12-8, 2.94 ERA, 243 Ks in 202 IP), RH Brandon Woodruff (13-4, 3.05, 190 Ks in 153-1/3 IP), RH Freddy Peralta (4-4, 3.58, 86 Ks in 78 IP), LH Eric Lauer (11-7, 3.69, 157 Ks in 158-2/3 IP), LH Wade Miley (2-2, 3.16, 28 Ks in 37 IP with Cubs)

Key Relievers: RH Devin Williams (6-4, 1.95 ERA, 15 saves, 96 Ks in 60-2/3 IP), RH Matt Bush (2-3, 3.47, 3 saves, 74 Ks in 59-2/3 IP with Brewers and Rangers), RH Hoby Milner (3-3, 3.76, 64 Ks in 64-2/3 IP), RH Peter Strzelecki (2-1, 2.83, 40 Ks in 35 IP), RH Adrian Houser (6-10, 4.73, 69 Ks in 102-2/3 IP)

Outlook: The Brewers snapped a franchise-record string of four straight playoff appearances last season as they started out 32-18 – their best record ever through 50 games – but went just 54-58 the rest of the way. Then they lost president of baseball operations David Stearns, who constructed those playoff teams but stepped down after the season. Matt Arnold, who had been Stearns’ right-hand man, took over and acquired Contreras and Winker during the offseason. Contreras was an All-Star with Atlanta last season. Winker struggled through injuries with Seattle but was a potent hitter for Cincinnati in previous seasons while having some of his best games in Milwaukee. The Brewers can contend in the NL Central if their starting pitchers stay healthy, which didn’t happen last season. Burnes and Woodruff give them an exceptional 1-2 punch to head a rotation that could rank among baseball’s best. Relief pitching is a bigger concern as Milwaukee continues adapting to life without Josh Hader, who was traded last July when the Brewers were leading the division. Williams, a two-time All-Star, should shine in his first full season as a closer. But there’s plenty of uncertainty regarding the other relievers in Milwaukee’s new-look bullpen.

CHICAGO CUBS

2022: 74-88, third place

Manager: David Ross (fourth season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Milwaukee

He’s Here: SS Dansby Swanson, OF Cody Bellinger, RHP Jameson Taillon, 1B Eric Hosmer, C Tucker Barnhart, DH/1B Trey Mancini, RHP Brad Boxberger, RHP Michael Fulmer, INF Edwin Ríos

He’s Outta Here: C Willson Contreras, OF Jason Heyward, LHP Wade Miley, DH Franmil Reyes, C P.J. Higgins

Top Hitters: SS Dansby Swanson (.277, 25 HRs, 96 RBIs, 18 SBs for Atlanta), LF Ian Happ (.271, 17, 72, .782 OPS, 42 doubles), RF Seiya Suzuki (.262, 14, 46), INF Nico Hoerner (.281, 10, 55, 20 SBs, 5 triples)

Projected Rotation: RH Marcus Stroman (6-7, 3.50 ERA), RH Jameson Taillon (14-5, 3.91, 32 starts for Yankees), LH Justin Steele (4-7, 3.18), LH Drew Smyly (7-8, 3.47), RH Hayden Wesneski (3-2, 2.18 in six games)

Key Relievers: RH Michael Fulmer (5-6, 3.39 ERA, 3 saves in 67 games for Detroit and Minnesota), RH Brad Boxberger (4-3, 2.95, 1 save for Milwaukee), RH Adbert Alzolay (2-1, 3.38 in six games), RH Keegan Thompson (10-5, 3.76, 1 save)

Outlook: An offseason spending spree strengthened the lineup and pitching staff, but there are several outstanding questions for the Cubs as they look to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Bellinger is hoping to regain his form from his 2019 NL MVP season. He hit just .210 with 150 strikeouts in 144 games last year with the Dodgers. The addition of Swanson should help replace the offensive production and leadership that Chicago lost when Contreras signed with St. Louis in free agency. In the rotation, Steele is looking to build on his solid 2022 season. With Fulmer and Boxberger, the bullpen has a much different look, and it remains to be seen how Ross and pitching coach Tommy Hottovy handle high-leverage situations at the end of games.

CINCINNATI REDS

2022: 62-100, tied for fourth place

Manager: David Bell (fifth season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Pittsburgh

He’s Here: 1B/OF Wil Myers, 3B Spencer Steer, C Curt Casali, C Luke Maile, INF Kevin Newman, OF Will Benson, RHP Luke Weaver

He’s Outta Here: SS Kyle Farmer, RF Aristides Aquino, INF Mike Moustakas, INF Donovan Solano, LHP Mike Minor

Top Hitters: 1B Joey Votto (.205, 11 HRs, 41 RBIs, .689 OPS in 91 games), C Tyler Stephenson (.319, 6, 35 in 50 games), 2B Jonathan India (.249, 10, 41, .705 OPS in 103 games), OF Jake Fraley (.259, 12, 28, .812 OPS), SS Kevin Newman (.274, 2, 24 in 78 games with Pirates)

Projected Rotation: RH Hunter Greene (5-13, 4.44 ERA), LH Nick Lodolo (4-7, 3.66), RH Graham Ashcraft (5-6, 4.89), RH Luis Cessa (4-4, 4.57 in 46 games, 10 starts), RH Connor Overton (1-0, 2.73 ERA in six games, 4 starts)

Key Relievers: RH Alexis Diaz (7-3, 1.84 ERA, 10 saves), RH Tony Santillan (0-1, 5.49 ERA, 4 saves in 21 appearances), RH Tejay Antone (2-0, 2.14, 3 saves, 42 Ks in 33-2/3 innings in 2021), RH Lucas Sims (1-0, 9.45, 1 save in six games), LH Reiver Sanmartin (4-4, 6.32)

Outlook: After losing 100 games for the first time in four decades, the cost-cutting Reds didn’t do a lot to improve. Cincinnati will depend on India to return to the form that made him the NL Rookie of the Year in 2021. Stephenson will try to stay healthy after injuries shortened his 2022 season. The Reds signed two free-agent catchers to give him a break. One of the big questions will be whether Votto can be productive again at age 39 after shoulder surgery ended his season in August. The Reds hope to build a new foundation around three young pitchers: Greene, Lodolo and Ashcraft. All of them have shown flashes of brilliance.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

2022: 62-100, tied for fourth place

Manager: Derek Shelton (fourth season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at Cincinnati

He’s Here: OF/DH Andrew McCutchen, 1B/DH Carlos Santana, 1B Ji-Man Choi, OF Connor Joe, C Austin Hedges, LHP Rich Hill, RHP Vince Velasquez

He’s Outta Here: 2B Kevin Newman, 1B Michael Chavis, OF Ben Gamel, INF Josh VanMeter, INF Hoy Park, RHP Zach Thompson

Top Hitters: CF Bryan Reynolds (.262, 27 HRs, 62 RBIs, 19 2Bs, .807 OPS), SS Oneil Cruz (.233, 17, 54, 10 SBs), 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes (.244, 7, 41, 20 SBs), OF/DH Andrew McCutchen (.237, 17, 69 with Milwaukee), 1B/DH Carlos Santana (.202, 19, 60 with Kansas City and Seattle)

Projected Rotation: RH Mitch Keller (5-12, 3.91 ERA), RH JT Brubaker (3-12, 4.69), RH Roansy Contreras (5-5, 3.79), LH Rich Hill (8-7, 4.27 with Boston), RH Vince Velasquez (3-3, 4.78 in 27 appearances, nine starts with White Sox)

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Key Relievers: RH David Bednar (3-4, 2.61 ERA, 19/23 saves), RH Wil Crowe (6-10, 4.38, 4 saves), RH Chase De Jong (6-3, 2.64, 1 save), RH Duane Underwood Jr. (1-6, 4.40, 1 save)

Outlook: The Pirates believe the top-to-bottom overhaul that began in the fall of 2019 is starting to near completion. McCutchen stressed his return to a team he starred with a decade ago wasn’t based solely on nostalgia. He believes the Pirates can take a step forward the same way the clubs he led in the early 2010s did. A lot will depend on if a mostly young starting staff can keep the momentum going after a solid finish to 2022 and if Cruz can blossom. The 6-foot-7 shortstop is loaded with talent. Consistency at the plate and better defense in the field is the next step. A handful of other highly touted prospects could reach Pittsburgh at some point during the season, signs the franchise thinks the window to contention is close to opening.

​ Orange County Register 

2023 NL East season preview

• March 25, 2023

Capsule previews of the NL East teams, listed in order of their 2022 finish:

ATLANTA BRAVES

2022: 101-61, first place, lost to Philadelphia in NLDS

Manager: Brian Snitker (eighth season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at Washington

He’s Here: C Sean Murphy, RHP Joe Jiménez, RHP Nick Anderson, OF Kevin Pillar, OF Jordan Luplow, OF Eli White, OF Sam Hilliard, 1B Lewin Díaz

He’s Outta Here: SS Dansby Swanson, C William Contreras, RHP Kenley Jansen, OF Adam Duvall, RHP Darren O’Day

Top Hitters: RF Ronald Acuña Jr. (.266, 15 HRs, 50 RBIs, .764 OPS, 29 SBs in 119 games), 3B Austin Riley (.273, 38, 93, .878 OPS), 1B Matt Olson (.240, 34, 103, .802 OPS, 44 doubles), CF Michael Harris II (.297, 19, 64, .853 OPS), C Travis d’Arnaud (.268, 18, 60, .791 OPS)

Projected Rotation: LH Max Fried (14-7, 2.48 ERA), RH Kyle Wright (21-5, 3.19), RH Spencer Strider (11-5, 2.67, 202 Ks in 131-2/3 innings), RH Charlie Morton (9-6, 4.34, 205 Ks), LH Jared Shuster (7-10, 3.29 in minors) or LH Dylan Dodd (12-9, 3.36 in minors)

Key Relievers: RH Raisel Iglesias (2-6, 2.47 ERA, 17/21 saves with Angels and Braves), LH A.J. Minter (5-4, 2.46, 5 saves, 75 games), RH Joe Jiménez (3-2, 3.49, 2 saves with Detroit)

Outlook: The Braves are looking to extend their streak of five consecutive NL East titles, a run that includes their 2021 World Series championship. For the second straight season, Atlanta must replace a fan favorite and clubhouse leader. After losing first baseman Freddie Freeman to the Dodgers following the 2021 season, Swanson signed with the Cubs this offseason. While Freeman was immediately replaced with a trade for Olson, the shortstop competition between Vaughn Grissom and Braden Shewmake ended with both being sent to Triple-A Gwinnett. Orlando Arcia will open the season as the surprise starting shortstop. Strong pitching by rookies Shuster and Dodd led to the unexpected demotions of Ian Anderson and Bryce Elder to the minors. Murphy’s strong arm behind the plate is a boost in a season when rules changes are expected to put a renewed emphasis on stolen bases.

NEW YORK METS

2022: 101-61, second place, lost to San Diego in wild-card round

Manager: Buck Showalter (second season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at Miami

He’s Here: RHP Justin Verlander, RHP Kodai Senga, LHP José Quintana, RHP David Robertson, LHP Brooks Raley, C Omar Narváez, OF Tommy Pham, INF Danny Mendick, RHP Jeff Brigham, RHP Elieser Hernández, RHP Sam Coonrod, RHP Dennis Santana, RHP Stephen Ridings

He’s Outta Here: RHP Jacob deGrom, RHP Chris Bassitt, RHP Taijuan Walker, RHP Seth Lugo, RHP Trevor May, C James McCann, RHP Mychal Givens, RHP Trevor Williams, LHP Joely Rodríguez, OF Tyler Naquin, DH/1B Dominic Smith

Top Hitters: 1B Pete Alonso (.271, 40 HRs, MLB-best 131 RBIs, .869 OPS in 160 games), 2B Jeff McNeil (MLB-best .326, 9, 62, .836 OPS, 39 doubles), SS Francisco Lindor (.270, 26, 107, .788 OPS, 16 SBs in 161 games), RF Starling Marte (.292, 16, 63, .814 OPS, 18 SBs in 118 games), CF Brandon Nimmo (.274, 16, 64, .800 OPS, 102 runs in 151 games)

Projected Rotation: RH Max Scherzer (11-5, 2.29 ERA, 23 starts), RH Justin Verlander (AL-best 18-4, MLB-low 1.75, 28 starts, 185 Ks, 29 BBs in 175 innings for Houston, won third AL Cy Young Award), RH Kodai Senga (11-6, 1.94, 22 starts for Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japan), RH Carlos Carrasco (15-7, 3.97), LH David Peterson (7-5, 3.83) or RH Tylor Megill (4-2, 5.13)

Key Relievers: RH David Robertson (4-3, 2.40 ERA, 20 saves, 81 Ks, 62-2/3 IP with Cubs and Phillies), RH Adam Ottavino (6-3, 2.06, 3 saves, 79 Ks, 16 BBs, 65-2/3 IP in 66 games), LH Brooks Raley (1-2, 2.68, 6 saves with Rays), RH Drew Smith (3-3, 3.33)

Outlook: New York won 101 games last year – the second-most in franchise history – and led the NL East for all but six days. But the Mets were unable to hold off rival Atlanta for the division crown, losing the season-series tiebreaker, and their first playoff appearance since 2016 lasted only three days as they went down quietly at home against San Diego. Needing to rebuild a pitching staff ravaged by free agency, owner Steve Cohen spent nearly $500 million on free agents himself to remain competitive in a top-heavy division that features the past two National League champions. The headliners were Senga and Verlander, who rejoins Scherzer (they were teammates in Detroit from 2010-14) to give the Mets a pair of three-time Cy Young Award winners atop the rotation. Verlander is 40, and Scherzer is 38. They must hold up physically. The payroll is a projected $370 million, which would shatter the previous MLB record of $298 million by the 2015 Dodgers. On the field, spring training was painful. Edwin Díaz, baseball’s most dominant closer last year, injured his knee celebrating a victory with Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic and is expected to miss the entire season. Quintana had bone graft surgery to repair a stress fracture in his rib and won’t return until at least July. Nimmo (ankle, knee) and Raley (hamstring) got nicked up, too, but could be ready by Opening Day. Most of the lineup returns intact for a team that tied for fifth in the majors in runs, and promising young hitting prospects like third baseman Brett Baty and catcher Francisco Álvarez could provide a boost at some point, too. Robertson and Ottavino, both experienced late-inning relievers, will try to replace Díaz – but the bullpen is a question mark now.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

2022: 87-75, lost to Houston in World Series

Manager: Rob Thomson (second season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at Texas

He’s Here: SS Trea Turner, RHP Taijuan Walker, LHP Gregory Soto, RHP Craig Kimbrel, LHP Matt Strahm, INF Josh Harrison

He’s Outta Here: RHP Kyle Gibson, RHP Noah Syndergaard, RHP David Robertson, OF Matt Vierling, INF Nick Maton

Top Hitters: SS Trea Turner (.298, 21 HRs, 100 RBIs, 101 runs, 27/30 SBs, .809 OPS in 160 games with Dodgers), LF Kyle Schwarber (.218, NL-best 46, 94, 100 runs, .827 OPS, NL-worst 200 Ks in 155 games), DH Bryce Harper (.286, 18, 65 in 99 games), C J.T. Realmuto (.276, 22, 74)

Projected Rotation: RH Aaron Nola (11-13, 3.25 ERA, 235 Ks), LH Ranger Suárez (10-7, 3.65), RH Zack Wheeler (12-7, 2.82, 163 Ks), RH Taijuan Walker (12-5, 3.49 with Mets), LH Bailey Falter (6-4, 3.86)

Key Relievers: LH José Alvarado (4-2, 3.18 ERA, 2 saves,) RH Seranthony Domínguez (6-5, 3.00, 9 saves)

Outlook: The defending NL champions signed Turner away from the Dodgers to an 11-year, $300 million contract and expect him to solidify the leadoff spot. Schwarber led the NL in home runs last season from the top of the order but also struck out 200 times and doesn’t provide the speed and baserunning Turner can from that slot. Turner gives the offense a needed boost with Harper, a two-time NL MVP, sidelined for at least two months and perhaps until around the All-Star break following offseason elbow surgery. And the lineup took another huge hit when first baseman Rhys Hoskins tore the ACL in his left knee late in spring training. He needs surgery and figures to miss the entire season. Hoskins had 30 homers and 79 RBIs last year, plus six homers and 12 RBIs during the postseason. The Phillies won only 87 games last year before making a surprise run to the World Series, where they lost to Houston in six games. They hope the addition of Walker can give the rotation the depth and innings it needed last October and push them closer to an NL East title.

MIAMI MARLINS

2022: 69-93, fourth place

Manager: Skip Schumaker (first season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. New York Mets

He’s Here: 2B Luis Arraez, RHP Johnny Cueto, SS Jean Segura, LHP A.J. Puk, RHP Matt Barnes, SS Jacob Amaya, INF Yuli Gurriel, INF José Iglesias, RHP Johan Quezada

He’s Outta Here: Manager Don Mattingly, RHP Pablo López, SS Miguel Rojas, OF JJ Bleday, LHP Richard Bleier, SS Jose Salas, OF Byron Chourio

Top Hitters: 2B Luis Arraez (AL-best .316, 8 HRs, 49 RBIs, .795 OPS with Minnesota), CF Jazz Chisolm Jr. (,254, 14, 45, .860 OPS in 60 games), 3B Jean Segura (.277, 10, 33, .723 OPS with Philadelphia), LF Bryan De La Cruz (.252, 13, 43, .726 OPS)

Projected Rotation: RH Sandy Alcantara (14-9, 2.28 ERA, NL Cy Young Award), LH Jesus Luzardo (4-7, 3.32), RH Johnny Cueto (8-10, 3.35 with White Sox), LH Braxton Garrett (3-7, 3.58), LH Trevor Rogers (4-11, 5.47), RH Edward Cabrera (6-4, 3.01)

Key Relievers: RH Dylan Floro (1-3, 3.02 ERA, 10 saves), LH A.J. Puk (4-3, 3.12, 4 saves with Oakland), RH Matt Barnes (0-4, 4.31, 8 saves with Boston)

Outlook: After finishing with their 12th losing record in the past 13 years, the Marlins made big changes to the roster and staff, including bringing in a new manager. The biggest question will be if they can turn their offseason moves into better offense after they had the fifth-worst team batting average in 2022. Miami added Arraez, the reigning AL batting champion, and Segura, a two-time All-Star, to help with that. The Marlins traded away López, a dependable starter, to get Arraez, but their pitching staff should remain their strength in 2023.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS

2022: 55-107, fifth place

Manager: Dave Martinez (sixth season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Atlanta

He’s Here: 1B Dominic Smith, 3B Jeimer Candelario, RHP Trevor Williams, RHP Chad Kuhl, OF Corey Dickerson

He’s Outta Here: DH Nelson Cruz, DH/1B Luke Voit, RHP Erick Fedde, RHP Steve Cishek, RHP Joe Ross, RHP Aníbal Sánchez, INF/OF César Hernández

Top Hitters: DH Joey Meneses (.324, 13 HRs, 34 RBIs, .930 OPS in 56 games as a 30-year-old rookie), C Keibert Ruiz (.251, 7, 36, .673 OPS), 3B Jeimer Candelario (.217, 13, 50, .633 OPS with Tigers), SS CJ Abrams (.246, 2, 21, .604 OPS with Padres and Nationals)

Projected Rotation: LH Patrick Corbin (6-19, 6.31 ERA, 210 hits allowed in 152-2/3 IP), RH Trevor Williams (3-5, 3.75, 1 save in 89-2/3 IP over 30 games, nine starts with Mets), LH MacKenzie Gore (4-4, 4.50 with Padres), RH Josiah Gray (7-10, 5.02), RH Chad Kuhl (6-11, 5.72 with Rockies)

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Key Relievers: RH Kyle Finnegan (6-4, 3.51 ERA, 11/15 saves, 70 Ks in 66-2/3 IP), RH Carl Edwards Jr. (6-3, 2.76, 2 saves), RH Hunter Harvey (2-1, 2.52), RH Erasmo Ramirez (4-2, 2.92)

Outlook: Washington is still hoping to develop young talent during a rebuild that already has produced three consecutive last-place finishes – and the worst record in the majors last season – amid the departures of stars such as Juan Soto, Trea Turner and Max Scherzer since the 2019 World Series championship. No one knows when, or whether, Stephen Strasburg will return from a series of injuries. One of the anticipated pieces for the future, pitcher Cade Cavalli, is out for 2023 because of Tommy John surgery. Hanging over all of it is the uncertain situation with ownership: It’s been about a year since the Lerner family began exploring a sale; patriarch Ted Lerner passed away in February.

​ Orange County Register 

2023 AL West season preview

• March 25, 2023

Capsule previews of the AL West teams, listed in order of their 2022 finish:

HOUSTON ASTROS

2022: 106-56, first place, won World Series

Manager: Dusty Baker (fourth season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Chicago White Sox

He’s Here: GM Dana Brown, 1B José Abreu, LHP Matt Gage

He’s Outta Here: GM James Click, RHP Justin Verlander, 1B Yuli Gurriel, INF/OF Aledmys Diaz

Top Hitters: DH Yordan Alvarez (.306, 37 HRs, 97 RBIs, 1.019 OPS), 2B Jose Altuve (.300, 28, 57, 39 doubles), RF Kyle Tucker (.257, 30, 107, 25 SBs), 1B José Abreu (.304, 15, 75, 40 doubles, 183 hits for White Sox)

Projected Rotation: LH Framber Valdez (17-6, 2.82 ERA, 194 Ks, 3 CGs), RH Cristian Javier (11-9, 2.54, 194 Ks), RH José Urquidy (13-8, 3.94), RH Luis Garcia (15-8, 3.72), RH Hunter Brown (2-0, 0.89 in seven games, two starts)

Key Relievers: RH Ryan Pressly (3-3, 2.98 ERA, 33 saves), RH Rafael Montero (5-2, 2.37, 14 saves), RH Ryne Stanek (2-1, 1.15 in 59 games), RH Bryan Abreu (4-0, 1.94 in 55 games)

Outlook: After winning the second World Series title in franchise history, the Astros are the favorites to repeat in 2023 despite losing Verlander, the AL Cy Young Award winner, in free agency. Houston’s rotation should still be in good shape with Valdez and Javier leading the young group and Hunter Brown expected to take the next step after seeing limited work as a rookie last season. The lineup remains largely intact, with the one big change at first base where the Astros added Abreu, the 2020 AL MVP, to replace Gurriel. But the team sustained a big blow in spring training when Altuve broke his right thumb when he was hit by a pitch playing for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. The 2017 AL MVP needs surgery and new GM Dana Brown said Altuve will be out for “a while,” leaving Mauricio Dubón and David Hensley to fill in.

SEATTLE MARINERS

2022: 90-72, second place, lost to Houston in the ALDS

Manager: Scott Servais (seventh season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Cleveland

He’s Here: 2B Kolten Wong, OF AJ Pollock, OF Teoscar Hernández, RHP Trevor Gott, DH Tommy La Stella, C/OF Cooper Hummel

He’s Outta Here: OF Mitch Haniger, OF Jesse Winker, 2B Adam Frazier, 1B/DH Carlos Santana, INF Abraham Toro, C Luis Torrens, OF Kyle Lewis, RHP Erik Swanson, LHP Matthew Boyd

Top Hitters: CF Julio Rodríguez (.284, 28 HRs, 75 RBIs, .853 OPS, AL Rookie of the Year), 1B Ty France (.274, 20, 73), RF Teoscar Hernández (.267, 25, 77, .807 OPS with Toronto), C Cal Raleigh (.211, 27, 63, .774 OPS), 3B Eugenio Suárez (.236, 31, 87)

Projected Rotation: RH Luis Castillo (4-2, 3.17 ERA, 77 Ks in 11 starts with Seattle after a trade from Cincinnati; 8-6, 2.99 in 25 starts overall), LH Robbie Ray (12-12, 3.71, 212 Ks), RH Logan Gilbert (13-6, 3.20, 174 Ks), RH George Kirby (8-5, 3.39, 133 Ks, 22 BBs), LH Marco Gonzales (10-15, 4.13)

Key Relievers: RH Paul Sewald (5-4, 2.67 ERA, 20 saves in 65 games), RH Andres Muñoz (2-5, 2.49, 96 Ks in 65 IP), RH Matt Brash (4-4, 4.44 in 39 games), RH Diego Castillo (7-3, 3.64, 59 games)

Outlook: The drought is over! Now, what’s next for the Mariners? After ending the longest playoff drought in the four major pro sports last season and reaching the ALDS, the Mariners believe they can close the gap on Houston in the AL West. Their pitching, if healthy, will be in consideration for the best rotation in baseball – especially with Castillo in the fold for a full season. But questions remain offensively as to whether Seattle did enough. Hernández should be a modest upgrade over Haniger in right field and Wong should be the same at second base. The tipping point could be if Pollock and Jarred Kelenic can combine for above-average production in left field. If that happens, Seattle could end up with an offense good enough to make the AL West a closer race this time around.

ANGELS

2022: 73-89, third place

Manager: Phil Nevin (first full season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at Oakland

He’s Here: OF Hunter Renfroe, LHP Tyler Anderson, RHP Carlos Estevez, INF Brandon Drury, INF Gio Urshela, OF Brett Phillips

He’s Outta Here: C Kurt Suzuki, RHP Michael Lorenzen, RHP Mike Mayers, RHP Oliver Ortega

Top Hitters: OF Mike Trout (.283, 40 HRs, 80 RBIs), DH Shohei Ohtani (.273, 34, 95), OF Taylor Ward (.281, 23, 65)

Projected Rotation: RH Shohei Ohtani (15-9, 2.33 ERA), LH Patrick Sandoval (6-9, 2.91), LH Tyler Anderson (15-5, 2.57 with Dodgers), LH Reid Detmers (7-6, 3.77), LH Jose Suarez (8-8, 3.96), LH Tucker Davidson (2-7, 6.75)

Key Relievers: RH Carlos Estevez (4-4, 3.47 ERA, 2 saves with Colorado), RH Ryan Tepera (5-4, 3.61, 6 saves), LH Aaron Loup (0-5, 3.84, 1 save)

Outlook: All eyes will be on Ohtani in the final season of the two-way superstar’s contract because the Angels seem to have no hope of keeping him unless they embark on a winning season and serious playoff contention. Trout is also back healthy, and the Halos bolstered the depth beneath their stars as they attempt to end the majors’ longest streaks of non-playoff seasons (eight) and losing seasons (seven). Renfroe, Urshela and Drury are more talented than the players they replaced, and Anderson is hoping to replicate his career year in the Dodgers’ rotation. If the starting pitching can just replicate its 2022 performance, the improved offense should yield more wins. High-priced third baseman Anthony Rendon is back for a fourth attempt to stay healthy. The bullpen looks suspect with no upgrades to last year’s shaky unit beyond Estevez, the presumptive closer.

TEXAS RANGERS

2022: 68-94, fourth place

Manager: Bruce Bochy (first season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Philadelphia

He’s Here: RHP Jacob deGrom, RHP Nathan Eovaldi, LHP Andrew Heaney, RHP Jake Odorizzi, LHP Will Smith, LF Robbie Grossman

He’s Outta Here: Manager Chris Woodward (fired Aug. 15), LHP Kolby Allard, RF Kole Calhoun, OF Mark Mathias, LHP Matt Moore, RHP Garrett Richards, RHP Dennis Santana, LF Nick Solak, OF Eli White, INF Charlie Culberson

Top Hitters: SS Corey Seager (.245, 33 HRs, 83 RBIs), RF Adolis Garcia (.250, 27, 101, 34 doubles, 25 SBs), 1B Nathaniel Lowe (.302, 27, 76), 2B Marcus Semien (.248, 26, 83, 101 runs, 25 SBs), C Jonah Heim (.227, 16, 48)

Projected Rotation: RH Jacob deGrom (5-4, 3.08 ERA, 102 Ks in 64-1/3 innings over 11 starts for Mets), LH Martín Pérez (12-8, 2.89 in 32 starts), RH Jon Gray (7-7, 3.96), RH Nathan Eovaldi (6-3, 3.87 in 20 starts for Boston), LH Andrew Heaney (4-4, 3.10 in 16 games, 14 starts for Dodgers)

Key Relievers: RH José Leclerc (0-3, 2.83 ERA, 7 saves), RH Joe Barlow (3-1, 3.86, 13 saves), LH Brock Burke (7-5, 1.97, 90 Ks in 82-1/3 innings), LH Taylor Hearn (6-8, 5.13 in 31 games, 13 starts), RH Jonathan Hernandez (2-3, 2.97), RH Jake Odorizzi (6-6, 4.40 in 22 starts for Houston and Atlanta), LH Will Smith (0-3, 3.97 in 65 games for Atlanta and Houston)

Outlook: A year after their half-billion dollar investment for All-Star middle infielders Seager and Semien, the Rangers this offseason brought three-time World Series champion manager Bochy out of his three-year retirement and revamped their starting rotation. Two-time NL Cy Young Award winner deGrom, former All-Star Eovaldi and Heaney signed in free agency after none pitched a full season last year because of injuries. Neither did Gray, who after being signed to be the No. 1 Texas starter last season had three IL stints. If most of them can stay healthy and Pérez can follow up his All-Star season with another solid effort, Texas could have its best rotation ever. Combine that with an offense that can score and the Rangers would certainly be in position to end their string of six consecutive losing seasons – and very possibly contend for a playoff spot.

OAKLAND A’s

2022: 60-102, fifth place

Manager: Mark Kotsay (second season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Angels

He’s Here: RHP Shintaro Fujinami, RHP Drew Rucinski, LHP Kyle Muller, RHP Trevor May, 1B Jesús Aguilar, INF/OF Aledmys Díaz, INF Jace Peterson, OF Esteury Ruiz, OF Brent Rooker, 1B Ryan Noda, RHP Chad Smith, C Manny Piña, C Yohel Pozo

He’s Outta Here: C Sean Murphy, LHP Cole Irvin, OF Chad Pinder, C Stephen Vogt, LHP Zach Logue, LHP A.J. Puk

Top Hitters: OF Seth Brown (.230, 25 HRs, 73 RBIs), OF Ramón Laureano (.211, 13, 34), 1B Jesús Aguilar (.235, 16, 51 with Marlins and Orioles)

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Projected Rotation: RH Shintaro Fujinami (7-6, 2.77 ERA in Japan), RH Drew Rucinski (10-12, 2.97 in Korea), RH James Kaprielian (5-9, 4.23), LH Kyle Muller (1-1, 8.03 in three starts for Braves; 6-8, 3.41 in Triple-A), RH Adam Oller (2-8, 6.30), RH Paul Blackburn (7-6, 4.28, will begin season on IL)

Key Relievers: RH Dany Jimenez (3-4, 3.41 ERA, 11/14 saves), RH Trevor May (2-0, 5.04, 1 save with Mets), RH Domingo Acevedo (4-4, 3.33, 4 saves)

Outlook: A run of four consecutive winning seasons came to a crashing halt in 2022 when the A’s racked up their most losses since 1979. Oakland traded away more key players like Murphy and Irvin as the team once again is cutting payroll. While the A’s have added some potential prospects for down the road, they don’t seem close to contender status in 2023. The biggest question will be resolving their stadium issue, whether that’s getting a deal done to stay in Oakland or one to move to Las Vegas.

​ Orange County Register 

2023 AL Central season preview

• March 25, 2023

Capsule previews of the AL Central teams, listed in order of their 2022 finish:

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS

2022: 92-70, first place, lost to Yankees in ALDS

Manager: Terry Francona (11th season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at Seattle

He’s Here: 1B/DH Josh Bell, C Mike Zunino

He’s Outta Here: C Austin Hedges, OF/DH Franmil Reyes, RHP Bryan Shaw, C Luke Maile, 1B Bobby Bradley, INF Yu Chang, OF Nolan Jones, C Sandy Leon

Top Hitters: 3B José Ramírez (.280, 29 HRs, 126 RBIs, .869 OPS, AL-best 44 doubles), 2B Andrés Giménez (.297, 16, 69, .837 OPS, AL-high 25 HBP), LF Steven Kwan (.298, 6, 52, .373 OBP, 9.4 AB per K, third in AL Rookie of Year voting), SS Amed Rosario (.283, 11, 71, AL-high 9 triples), 1B/DH Josh Bell (.266, 17, 71, .784 OPS with Nationals and Padres)

Projected Rotation: RH Shane Bieber (13-8, 2.88 ERA, 198 Ks in 200 innings), RH Triston McKenzie (11-11, 2.96, 190 Ks), RH Cal Quantrill (15-5, 3.38; 9-0 at home in 19 starts), RH Zach Plesac (3-12, 4.31), RH Aaron Civale (5-6, 4.92)

Key Relievers: RH Emmanuel Clase (3-4, 1.36 ERA, MLB-leading 42 saves), RH Eli Morgan (5-3, 3.38, 13 walks in 66-1/3 innings), RH James Karinchak (2-0, 2.03, 3 saves, 62 Ks in 39 innings), LH Sam Hentges (3-2, 2.32, 57 appearances), RH Enyel De Los Santos (5-0, 3.04 in 50 games)

Outlook: In their first year as the Guardians, baseball’s youngest team rolled to a surprising division title, winning the AL Central by 11 games. They did it without a proven power hitter in a lineup that relied on patience at the plate, speed on the bases and timely hits. The club hopes signing the switch-hitting Bell will give the Guardians an infusion of extra-base pop. Bieber bounced back nicely following an injury-slowed season. Cleveland’s strong bullpen is a major weapon for Francona, who has finally recovered from some major health concerns. Expectations are to go farther in the postseason for a franchise that hasn’t won the World Series since 1948.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

2022: 81-81, second place

Manager: Pedro Grifol (first season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at Houston

He’s Here: RHP Mike Clevinger, OF Andrew Benintendi

He’s Outta Here: Manager Tony La Russa, 1B Jose Abreu, RHP Johnny Cueto, OF AJ Pollock, OF Adam Engel, INF Danny Mendick

Top Hitters: SS Tim Anderson (.301, 6 HRs, 25 RBIs in 79 games), OF Eloy Jiménez (.295, 16, 54, .858 OPS in 84 games), OF Luis Robert (.284, 12, 56 in 98 games), 3B Yoán Moncada (.212, 12, 51), 1B Andrew Vaughn (.271, 17, 76), OF Andrew Benintendi (.304, 5, 51 with Royals and Yankees)

Projected Rotation: RH Dylan Cease (14-8, 2.20 ERA, 227 Ks), RH Lance Lynn (8-7, 3.99), RH Lucas Giolito (11-9, 4.90), RH Michael Kopech (5-9, 3.54), RH Mike Clevinger (7-7, 4.33 with San Diego)

Key Relievers: RH Liam Hendriks (4-4, 2.81 ERA, 37/41 saves), RH Reynaldo López (6-4, 2.76), RH Joe Kelly (1-3, 6.08), LHP Aaron Bummer (2-1, 2.36), LH Jake Diekman (5-4, 4.99 for Red Sox and White Sox), RH Kendall Graveman (3-4, 3.18), RH Jimmy Lambert (1-2, 3.26), RH José Ruiz (1-0, 4.60)

Outlook: The White Sox had their sights set on a deep playoff run this time last year after back-to-back early exits, only to deliver their most disappointing season in recent memory. Hall of Fame manager La Russa is gone after two seasons, and so is Abreu, the 2020 AL MVP. The White Sox hope that better health and a change on the bench, not to mention the few additions they made, give them the lift they need to bounce back. One big question is when Hendriks will pitch. The three-time All-Star announced in January he has non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Clevinger was investigated by MLB after the mother of his daughter revealed allegations of domestic abuse in an Instagram post in January, about seven weeks after he signed with Chicago. MLB ultimately opted not to discipline him.

MINNESOTA TWINS

2022: 78-84, third place

Manager: Rocco Baldelli (fifth season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at Kansas City

He’s Here: RHP Pablo López, OF Joey Gallo, C Christian Vázquez, OF Michael Taylor, INF Kyle Farmer, INF Donovan Solano

He’s Outta Here: 1B/2B Luis Arraez, 3B Gio Urshela, C Gary Sánchez, RHP Dylan Bundy, RHP Chris Archer, RHP Michael Fulmer, LHP Devin Smeltzer, 1B Miguel Sanó, OF Jake Cave

Top Hitters: SS Carlos Correa (.291, 22 HRs, 64 RBIs, .834 OPS), CF Byron Buxton (.224, 28, 51, .833 OPS in 92 games), 3B Jose Miranda (.268, 15, 66, .751 OPS), 2B Jorge Polanco (.235, 16, 56, .751 OPS)

Projected Rotation: RH Sonny Gray (8-5, 3.08 ERA), RH Pablo López (10-10, 3.75 for Miami), RH Tyler Mahle (6-8, 4.40 for Cincinnati and Minnesota), RH Kenta Maeda (missed 2022 season recovering from elbow surgery), RH Joe Ryan (13-8, 3.55)

Key Relievers: RH Jhoan Duran (2-4, 1.86 ERA, 8 saves, 89 Ks in 67-2/3 IP), RH Jorge López (4-7, 2.54, 23 saves for Baltimore and Minnesota), RH Griffin Jax (7-4, 3.36, 1 save)

Outlook: Bringing back Correa on a franchise-record $200 million contract after his agreed-to deals with the Giants and Mets fell through was a game-changer on and off the field for the Twins, who led the AL Central for 108 days last season before a hard fade triggered by a rash of injuries to important players. Buxton was again limited by injury, this time patellar tendinitis in his right knee and a related hip strain that popped up. Polanco is also coming off a bothersome knee injury that might keep him from being ready for Opening Day. Alex Kirilloff, in line to take over at first base, is yet another key hitter who has been brought along slowly in spring training. If those four and Miranda can stay healthy, the Twins ought to have a productive lineup. If not, they’ll miss AL batting champion Arraez – who was traded to the Marlins for López – all the more. While the Twins still don’t have a true ace, their rotation is as deep as they’ve assembled lately. That’s good because they had multiple starting pitchers hurt at all times last season. Maeda is back from Tommy John surgery.

DETROIT TIGERS

2022: 66-96, fourth place

Manager: A.J. Hinch (third season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at Philadelphia

He’s Here: RHP Michael Lorenzen, LHP Matthew Boyd, INF Nick Maton, INF Andy Ibañez, OF Matt Vierling

He’s Outta Here: LHP Gregory Soto, RHP Joe Jimenez, LHP Andrew Chafin, INF Harold Castro, OF Willi Castro, INF Jeimer Candelario, C Tucker Barnhart, utility player Kody Clemens

Top Hitters: SS Javy Baez (.238, 16 HRs, 67 RBIs, 147 Ks in 555 ABs), DH Miguel Cabrera (.254, 5, 43), CF Riley Greene (.253, 5, 42), 1B Spencer Torkelson (.203, 8, 28 in 110 games), C Eric Haase (.254, 14, 44, .748 OPS)

Projected Rotation: LH Eduardo Rodriguez (5-5, 4.05 ERA), LH Matthew Boyd (2-0, 1.35 in 10 games with Seattle), RH Michael Lorenzen (8-6, 4.24 in 18 games for Angels), RH Spencer Turnbull (4-2, 2.88 in 9 games), RH Matt Manning (2-3, 3.43 in 12 games)

Key Relievers: RH Alex Lange (7-4, 3.41 ERA in 71 games), RH Jose Cisnero (1-0, 1.08 in 28 games), LH Tyler Alexander (4-11, 4.81)

Outlook: Hopes are not high in the Motor City, where the Tigers are rebuilding as they enter the first full season under General Manager Scott Harris. Detroit hasn’t had a winning season since 2016, a fact that cost former GM Al Avila his job last August, and the team hasn’t been in the playoffs in nearly a decade. The franchise desperately needs Rodriguez to bounce back after a shaky season on and off the field. The rest of the rotation includes pitchers coming off injury-shortened seasons, potentially another source of concern. Like Rodriguez, Baez is being counted on to provide a better return on the club’s investment in him than he delivered last year. Cabrera, who turns 40 on April 18, said this will be the last season of his career and fans will come to Comerica Park to watch him add to his 507 home runs, 3,088 hits and 607 doubles. Greene and Torkelson are potentially young players the franchise can build around.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

2022: 65-97, fifth place

Manager: Matt Quatraro (first season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Minnesota

He’s Here: RHP Jordan Lyles, LHP Ryan Yarbrough, LHP Aroldis Chapman

He’s Outta Here: Manager Mike Matheny, CF Michael A. Taylor, SS Adalberto Mondesi

Top Hitters: C Salvador Perez (.254, 23 HRs, 76 RBIs), SS Bobby Witt (.254, 20, 80, 30 SBs), C/OF MJ Melendez (.217, 18, 62), 1B/DH Vinnie Pasquantino (.295, 10, 26)

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Projected Rotation: RH Zack Greinke (4-9, 3.68 ERA), RH Jordan Lyles (12-11, 4.42 with Baltimore), RH Brady Singer (10-5, 3.23), LH Ryan Yarbrough (3-8, 4.50 with Tampa Bay), RH Brad Keller (6-14, 5.09)

Key Relievers: RH Scott Barlow (7-4, 2.18 ERA, 24 saves), LH Aroldis Chapman (4-4, 4.46, 9 saves with Yankees), RH Dylan Coleman (5-2, 2.78), RH Taylor Clarke (3-1, 4.04), RH Josh Staumont (3-3, 6.45), LH Amir Garrett (3-1, 4.96)

Outlook: Rather than invest in free agents to improve on last year’s dismal record, the Royals hope a change in leadership from Matheny to Quatraro, coupled with some growth in their young core, will help them take a big step forward. Witt emerged as one of the game’s bright young stars and Singer had a breakout year, but the Royals need to surround both with more help. That is especially true when it comes to pitching, where Kansas City was among the worst in baseball last season.

​ Orange County Register 

2023 AL East season preview

• March 25, 2023

Capsule previews of the AL East teams, listed in order of their 2022 finish:

NEW YORK YANKEES

2022: 99-63, first place, lost to Houston in ALCS

Manager: Aaron Boone (sixth season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. San Francisco

He’s Here: LHP Carlos Rodón, RHP Tommy Kahnle

He’s Outta Here: LHP Aroldis Chapman, RHP Jameson Taillon, RHP Chad Green, RHP Miguel Castro, LHP Lucas Luetge, INF/OF Matt Carpenter, OF Andrew Benintendi, INF/OF Marwin Gonzalez

Top Hitters: OF Aaron Judge (.311, AL-record 62 HRs, MLB-best 131 RBIs, MLB-high 133 runs, MLB-best 1.111 OPS, AL MVP), OF/DH Giancarlo Stanton (.211, 31, 78 in 110 games), 1B Anthony Rizzo (.224, 32, 75), 2B Gleyber Torres (.257, 24, 76), INF DJ LeMahieu (.261, 12, 46 in 125 games)

Projected Rotation: RH Gerrit Cole (13-8, 3.50 ERA, MLB-leading 257 Ks, 33 HRs allowed), LH Nestor Cortes (12-4, 2.44), RH Luis Severino (7-3, 3.18 in 19 starts), RH Domingo Germán (2-5, 3.61 in 15 games, 14 starts), RH Clarke Schmidt (5-5, 3.12 in 3 starts and 36 relief appearances)

Key Relievers: RH Clay Holmes (7-4, 2.54 ERA, 20/25 saves, 65 Ks in 63-2/3 IP), RH Jonathan Loáisiga (2-3, 4.13), LHP Wandy Peralta (3-4, 2.72), RH Lou Trivino (1-2, 1.66 for Oakland and Yankees), RH Ron Marinaccio (1-0, 2.05), RH Michael King (6-3, 2.29)

Outlook: Without a World Series title or even a pennant since 2009, the Yankees were eliminated by Houston last season for the third time in six years, getting swept in the AL Championship Series. After a 63-23 start, they were hit by injuries and went 36-40 the rest of the way. Rodón, their major offseason addition after going 14-8 with a 2.88 ERA for San Francisco, is likely out until May because of a strained left forearm, and trade-deadline acquisition RHP Frankie Montas will miss at least the first half of this season following shoulder surgery. The Yankees are counting on strong seasons again from Judge and Rizzo. They hope Stanton is able to remain healthy and stay in the lineup, that third baseman Josh Donaldson and outfielder Aaron Hicks rebound and center fielder Harrison Bader, slowed during spring training by an oblique injury, shows more of the power he displayed in the postseason. Holmes will be in the spotlight after an All-Star first half and a second half slowed by back and rotator cuff injuries. After making debuts late last season, outfielder Oswaldo Cabrera and shortstop Oswald Peraza could be given more prominent roles, and 21-year-old shortstop Anthony Volpe impressed during spring training in his bid for a starting job following his September promotion to Triple-A.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

2022: 92-70, second place, lost to Seattle in wild-card round

Manager: John Schneider (second season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at St. Louis

He’s Here: RHP Chris Bassitt, OF Daulton Varsho, OF Kevin Kiermaier, 1B/DH Brandon Belt, RHP Chad Green, RHP Erik Swanson, RHP Zach Thompson, bench coach Don Mattingly

He’s Outta Here: OF Teoscar Hernández, OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr., RHP Ross Stripling, C Gabriel Moreno, RHP David Phelps, OF Jackie Bradley Jr., OF Raimel Tapia, OF Bradley Zimmer, LHP Tayler Saucedo, RHP Julian Merryweather, LHP Matt Gage

Top Hitters: 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (.274, 32 HRs, 97 RBIs, .818 OPS), OF George Springer (.267, 25, 76, .814 OPS), SS Bo Bichette (.290, 24, 93, .802 OPS), C/DH Alejandro Kirk (.285, 14, 63, .786 OPS), 3B Matt Chapman (.229, 27, 76, .757 OPS)

Projected Rotation: RH Alek Manoah (16-7, 2.24 ERA, 180 Ks, 0.99 WHIP), RH Kevin Gausman (12-10, 3.35, 205 Ks), RH Chris Bassitt (15-9, 3.42, 167 Ks with Mets), RH José Berríos (12-7, 5.23), LH Yusei Kikuchi (6-7, 5.19)

Key Relievers: RH Jordan Romano (5-4, 2.11 ERA, 36/42 saves, 73 Ks in 64 IP), RH Erik Swanson (3-2, 1.68, 3 saves, 70 Ks in 53-2/3 IP with Seattle), RH Yimi Garcia (4-5, 3.10, 1 save), RH Chad Green (1-1, 3.00, 1 save in 14 games with Yankees before Tommy John surgery)

Outlook: Swept out of the wild-card round after blowing a seven-run lead in Game 2 against Seattle, the Blue Jays responded by retooling their outfield and beefing up the rotation and bullpen this offseason, adding new reinforcements to the core behind Guerrero and Bichette. Three-time Gold Glove winner Kiermaier was signed to play center field, with oft-injured All-Star Springer expected to get less wear and tear in right and fellow newcomer Varsho bringing his athleticism to left. Outfield defense could be a bigger priority in Toronto this season thanks to a reconfigured wall that’s both more shallow and asymmetrical. Bassitt gives the Blue Jays another All-Star in the rotation behind the steady duo of Manoah and Gausman, while setup man Swanson, acquired for slugger Hernández, should help bridge the gap to All-Star closer Romano.

TAMPA BAY RAYS

2022: 86-76, third place, lost to Cleveland in wild-card round

Manager: Kevin Cash (ninth season)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Detroit

He’s Here: RHP Zach Eflin, RHP Trevor Kelley

He’s Outta Here: CF Kevin Kiermaier, LHP Brooks Raley, 1B Ji-Man Choi, C Mike Zunino, OF Brett Phillips, RHP Corey Kluber, LHP Ryan Yarbrough

Top Hitters: LF Randy Arozarena, (.263, 20 HRs, 89 RBIs, 32 SBs, .772 OPS), SS Wander Franco (.277, 6, 33, .746 OPS in 83 games), 2B Brandon Lowe (.221, 8, 25, .691 OPS in 65 games), 3B Yandy Díaz (.296, 9, 58, .824 OPS), DH Harold Ramírez (.300, 6, 58, .725 OPS)

Projected Rotation: LH Shane McClanahan (12-8, 2.54 ERA), RH Tyler Glasnow (0-0, 1.35 in two starts after return from injury), RH Zach Eflin (3-5, 4.04, 1 save in 20 games, 13 starts with Phillies), RH Drew Rasmussen (11-7, 2.84 in 28 starts, 125 Ks in 146 IP), LH Jeffrey Springs (9-5, 2.46, 8 saves, 33 games, 25 starts)

Key Relievers: RH Jason Adam (2-3, 1.56 ERA, 8 saves, 67 games, 75 Ks in 63-1/3 IP), RH Pete Fairbanks (0-0, 1.13, 8 saves in 24 appearances), RH Ryan Thompson (3-3, 3.80 in 47 games), LH Colin Poche (4-2, 3.99, 7 saves in 65 appearances)

Outlook: The Rays are one of six teams – along with the Astros, Yankees, Dodgers, Braves and Cardinals – who have made the playoffs each of the past four seasons. With the addition of Eflin, who signed a $40 million, three-year deal that’s the largest the club has ever awarded in free agency, expectations remain high for 2023. If healthy, the five-man rotation Cash envisions has the potential to be among the best in the AL. And while the club failed to add any big bats this offseason, the Rays are confident they’ll be better offensively if players such as Franco and Lowe rebound from subpar seasons at the plate that were impacted by injuries.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

2022: 83-79, fourth place

Manager: Brandon Hyde (fifth season)

Opening Day: Thursday, at Boston

He’s Here: RHP Kyle Gibson, RHP Mychal Givens, LHP Cole Irvin, C James McCann, 2B Adam Frazier

He’s Outta Here: 2B Rougned Odor, C Robinson Chirinos, 1B Jesús Aguilar, RHP Jordan Lyles, RHP Jake Reed

Top Hitters: C Adley Rutschman (.254, 13 HRs, 42 RBIs, 35 doubles, .807 OPS), CF Cedric Mullins (.258, 16, 64, 34 SBs), RF Anthony Santander (.240, 33, 89, .773 OPS), 1B Ryan Mountcastle (.250, 22, 85, .728 OPS), INF Gunnar Henderson (.259, 4, 18, .788 OPS in 34 games)

Projected Rotation: LH Cole Irvin (9-13, 3.98 ERA with Oakland), RH Kyle Gibson (10-8, 5.05 with Philadelphia), RH Dean Kremer (8-7, 3.23), RH Kyle Bradish (4-7, 4.90), RH Grayson Rodriguez (6-1, 2.20 with Triple-A Norfolk)

Key Relievers: RH Félix Bautista (4-4, 2.19 ERA, 15/17 saves), LH Cionel Pérez (7-1, 1.40), RH Mychal Givens (7-3, 3.38 with Cubs and Mets), RH Dillon Tate (4-4, 3.05)

Outlook: The Orioles were one of baseball’s biggest surprises in 2022, improving by 31 games and staying in the playoff race until the last few days of the season. Rutschman had a strong rookie year, and now Baltimore can expect more help from Henderson and Rodriguez, two of the game’s top prospects. However, the Orioles kept their payroll at a pretty modest level this offseason, and if their bullpen can’t repeat last year’s surprising performance, it might be difficult for Baltimore to move up further in a tough AL East.

BOSTON RED SOX

2022: 78-84, fifth place

Manager: Alex Cora (third season of second stint, fifth season overall)

Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Baltimore

He’s Here: OF Masataka Yoshida, RHP Kenley Jansen, 3B Justin Turner, RHP Corey Kluber, LHP Joely Rodriguez, RHP Chris Martin, OF Adam Duvall, LHP Richard Bleier, RHP Theo Denlinger

He’s Outta Here: SS Xander Bogaerts, DH J.D. Martinez, RHP Michael Wacha, RHP Nathan Eovaldi, LHP Rich Hill, OF Tommy Pham, OF Franchy Cordero, 1B Eric Hosmer, LHP Josh Taylor, RHP Matt Barnes, RHP Franklin German

Top Hitters: 3B Rafael Devers (.295, 27 HRs, 88 RBIs), OF Alex Verdugo (.280, 11, 74), OF Masataka Yoshida (.336, 21, 89 in Japan), Justin Turner (.278, 13, 36 doubles, 81)

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Projected Rotation: RH Corey Kluber (10-10, 4.34 ERA with Tampa Bay), RH Nick Pivetta (10-12, 4.56), RH Garrett Whitlock (4-2, 3.45), LH Chris Sale (0-1, 3.18 in two games), LH James Paxton (15-6, 3.82 in 2019; pitched in six games over last three seasons)

Key Relievers: RH Kenley Jansen (5-2, 3.38 ERA, 41/48 saves with Atlanta), RH Tanner Houck (5-4, 3.15, 8 saves), RH John Schreiber (4-4, 2.22, 8 saves)

Outlook: After finishing in last place for the second time in three seasons – in 2021 they went to the ALCS – the Red Sox were further depleted by the loss of Bogaerts in free agency. Trevor Story was expected to move over from second base, but a right elbow injury could keep him out the entire season. The big signing, Yoshida, is a question mark as he moves from Japan to MLB. The injury-plagued Sale, who has pitched in just 11 games since mid-August of 2019, will try again to make it through a season healthy. Pitching prospect Bryan Bello (2-8, 4.71 ERA) could be ready to step into the rotation if Sale has another setback. The signing of Jansen could stabilize the bullpen and allow Whitlock to remain in the rotation.

​ Orange County Register 

Containers, cuttings and more to do in the garden this week

• March 25, 2023

1. Slug abatement. Greg, who gardens in Long Beach, sent an email touting turtles for slug control: “Two box turtles In my little 150 square foot garden keep the slug population at or near zero at the cost of a strawberry here and there. The turtles get a few treats from us (grapes, melon) but they’re on their own to forage, essentially.” Other recommended practices for slug (and snail) control include: trapping them in trays of beer or under boards, creating barriers of copper tape, sprinkling diatomaceous earth, and application of organic slug control products such as Sluggo, which comes in pellet form. Speaking of box turtles, their calming presence enhances the garden environment in addition to their assistance in mollusk and insect pest control. As Greg observes, they do enjoy dining on fruit growing near the ground and on most leafy greens, for that matter. If you have succulent plants in your garden, you will want to fence them in, too, since turtles also have an appetite for Sedums, Echeverias, and Yuccas.

2. Vegetable gardens require excellent light. Full sun exposure – meaning eight hours of direct light – for most vegetables is essential. To ensure proper light exposure for your crops, plant tall ones on the north end of your vegetable patch with increasingly smaller ones as you move south. Tomatoes and other solanaceous fruit crops (bell and chili pepper, eggplant, tomatillo) can grow well with as little as four hours of sun exposure if they are situated in a location with reflected heat, such as on a concrete patio or in close proximity to stucco walls. If you have less than full sun, root crops should still grow for you, in addition to asparagus, lettuce, potatoes, parsley, and most herbs.

3. Now is the time to make softwood cuttings and chrysanthemums are ideal for this procedure, especially if you want a garden full of chrysanthemum blooms with the arrival of late summer or early fall. Fill flats or pots with moist perlite. Early in the day, take four-inch tip cuttings with at least four leaves. Remove leaves from the bottom half of the cuttings, which are then inserted in the perlite, making sure the lowest remaining leaves do not touch the perlite. Keep cuttings out of hot sun and make sure the perlite stays moist. Within a month, roots will form at which time – as long as roots are an inch long – each cutting can be placed in its own small pot with soil mix. In another month, these more robust cuttings will be ready for planting in the garden. You can also make tip cuttings from these new plants to increase your chrysanthemum stock. Other plants whose softwood cuttings are easily rooted in perlite include Marguerite daises, Euryops daisies, Pelargoniums/Geraniums, and ornamental sages (Salvias). The new growth of winter pruned roses also serves as excellent softwood cutting propagation material. In fact, most woody shrubs that have been winter pruned down to within 2-3 feet of the ground will produce new growth suitable for softwood cuttings. The closer new stems and leaves are to a plant’s roots, the easier it will be to root softwood cuttings from that new growth since closer proximity to roots means a higher concentration of root growth hormones will be present.

4. Ann Christensen, who gardens in Manhattan Beach, wondered about growing basil and dill in containers with a western exposure. I recommended robust basils with a strong vertical growth habit that reaches three feet tall. They include varieties such as Everleaf Emerald Towers, Everleaf Genovese, and Everleaf Thai Towers. Dill will thrive with western exposure since it appreciates a solid dose of sun – six daily hours at least. By the same token, it needs protection from strong winds. Plant dill at intervals so that you have a supply all summer long. Flowers are yellow umbels, umbrella in form, proving their kinship to cilantro, parsley, and fennel. Dill attracts beneficial insects such as hoverflies, ladybugs, and parasitic wasps that make life uncomfortable for insect pests. Dill also provides a flavorful enhancement where pickling is concerned since its seeds, flowers, and foliage may all be floated in the same jar in which cucumbers or other vegetables are pickled.

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5. Now is a good time to cut back ornamental grasses before their flush of spring growth. They absolutely must be groomed at least once a year. Otherwise, they end up disheveled and weedy looking. If you are looking to plant ornamental grasses, here are a few suggestions. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon spp.) is a wonderful selection for fragrance when its foliage is crushed and, of course, enlivens many cooked dishes. When young, it requires shade but the longer it grows and the larger its clumps become, the better it handles the elements. I have seen enormous clumps of lemongrass growing in full, all-day sun. Blue wildrye (Elymus glaucus), a California native, is a cool addition to gardens where the summers, such as those we experience, are long and hot. If pink is your passion, choose ruby grass (Melinus nerviglumis var. Pink Crystals), pink muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris), or both.

Send questions, comments, and photos to [email protected]

​ Orange County Register 

Senior Moments: Saying goodbye with flowers

• March 25, 2023

“You are so beautiful; you look like a bouquet of flowers,” Sara’s dad said when she walked into his hospital room. It had been a long time since me, my daughter and her dad, my first husband, had been together.

Soon family stories were flying.

“Do you know that I may be the first father ever to leave the hospital in a wheelchair with his new baby girl in his arms – and no mother in sight?” Sara’s dad asked.

“Where was Mom?” Sara asked, looking slightly askance at me.

I admitted that her claustrophobic mother, the one who had tried and failed at hypnotherapy while she was pregnant, in hope of riding the elevator up to the labor room, had walked down the stairs accompanied by an attendant.

Sara’s dad added that he had all the other women in the elevator laughing when he told them what an easy birth he had. Although seriously ill, he was still able to make us laugh.

“My turn for a story,” I announced.

The maternity ward of the hospital was on the fifth floor and I knew the elevator was not going to be an option for me. So I waited at the bottom of the stairs until a contraction passed. Then, knowing I had approximately a minute and 30 seconds until the next one, I raced up the five flights of stairs where my obstetrician was waiting for me.

“Didn’t you bring your husband?” he asked. I pointed down the stairs to a man huffing and puffing, holding a suitcase in one hand and a shopping bag in the other.

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Although that happened a few decades ago, daddy Dennis never forgot the scary stairs episode.

When I called him before the visit to ask what hospital he was in, he responded: “You’re going to love this place; it’s all on one floor!”

When it was time to say goodbye he hugged his “beautiful bouquet of flowers” and made her laugh. This time with tears.

Ed. note: Sara’s dad, Dennis A. Fletcher, died peacefully on March 21, 2023

Email [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @PatriciaBunin and at PatriciaBunin.com.

​ Orange County Register 

What you need to know about growing berries in Southern California

• March 25, 2023

Roger Campbell, who gardens in Alhambra, sent an email requesting varieties of berries that grow well in our area. Berries are quite the rage. The reason for this is simple enough to divine: You get lots of fruit from plants whose growth is easily controlled. Unlike fruit trees that take up space and require regular pruning as well as ladders to harvest the crop, a berry plant is easy to manage and harvest. Many berry plants are also container friendly. There is even a special container called a strawberry pot with any number of side windows or pockets that allow you to nurture many different plants simultaneously. Finally, the nutritional value of berries is much documented and highly promoted.

But here’s the problem, based on what I have seen, gardeners often struggle to grow strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, so if you want berries with a minimum amount of work, I suggest blackberries, especially the Boysen and Ollalie varieties, due to their strong tolerance to heat. Thornless versions of these varieties are also available. They prefer half-day sun exposure and are most successfully grown up a 4-6 foot fence since, allowed to sprawl along the ground, they are more of a challenge to tend and harvest, especially varieties with thorns.

Blueberries are probably more regaled than any other berry, but growing them is not a simple matter. A number of years ago, reader Roger Lipps extolled the virtues of two highbush blueberry varieties, Misty and O’Neal. Lipps’ plants had grown to a height of 6-8 feet and his harvest was prodigious. 

Lipps attributed his success to two annual applications of soil acidifying sulphur, in April and October, and heavy mulching. He applied Tiger 90CR Organic Sulphur which he procured from Whittier Fertilizer in Pico Rivera. The application rate was 1-3 cups per bush, depending on size. 

“I just manually spread the granules around the drip lines,” he wrote. “Blueberry roots are shallow and without a 4-inch layer of mulch, growing them would require nearly constant irrigation.” 

Lipps wisely installed a drip system for his blueberries, reducing his water budget by 30-50% in the process. His water agency had restricted irrigation to two days a week, but he could abide by that schedule and still keep his blueberry bushes in good health. 

“Armstrong is where I purchased many of our blueberry plants,” he confided. “I love their lifetime guarantee.” (Note: Armstrong Garden Centers provide a lifetime warranty on all shrubs and trees.) 

Lipps added that “an important factor with regard to growing blueberries is controlling critters. Opossums, skunks and raccoons love moist soft mulch for digging” and so “you must fence your bushes off” and since “birds love blueberries, you must bird net the entire crop if you expect to harvest any.” A redeeming feature of blueberry growing is that the bushes have a lifespan of 50 years.

The challenge of growing raspberries is their sensitivity to our summer sun. They do best in the morning sun, growing on the east side of a large tree, and require regular watering. Bababerry and Oregon 1030 are the two most heat-tolerant varieties. It is generally recommended that raspberries be staked but some gardeners have enjoyed considerable success coaxing their plants into clumps of canes, free of stake constriction.

The most successful grower of strawberries I ever met was Richard Mueller of Granada Hills. Mueller grew the Sequoia strawberry variety exclusively and harvested berries throughout the year. He started with 20 plants and, two decades later, had 200 growing at any one time, giving away another 100 plants each year. When preparing a new area for planting, he would dig down eight inches, fill the excavated area with compost and horse manure, and install new plants after soaking them in a solution of Miracle-Gro fertilizer and water. Two months later, the plants would start to produce berries. Outside of watering as needed, his maintenance regime involved spraying Miracle-Gro on all of his plants twice a month. 

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Sunday is the name of a company offering a whole line of organic fertilizers and pesticides, many of them newly formulated, as well as specialty plant species and gardening accessories. You can access these products by visiting getsunday.com. Their Veggie + Plant Food Mix contains “soy protein, sustainably composted turkey litter, potash, and feather meal.” They also carry Monterey Garden Tomato Blossom Spray, a fertilizer that boosts flowering on tomato plants even as it depresses growth of tomato disease pathogens.

California poppy Eschscholzia californica (Photo by Joshua Siskin)

California native of the week: The California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), our state flower, is blooming now and its appearance in the garden is always a pleasant event. I cannot imagine why anyone would not scatter California poppy seeds which will sprout as long as they are planted before the weather turns warm. Just broadcast them over the soil surface and they will germinate with rain or irrigation. After you have a crop, the seeds will find their way throughout your garden, in the course of time, without any effort on your part. To extend their flowering period, deadhead the flowers as you would deadhead pansies or roses for continuous bloom. Although their orange flowers, which appear to have no equal in the botanical world, are certainly enough to promote their planting, California poppy foliage is special too. It is delicately laced and blue-green in color most of the time, yet it may take on intriguing purplish-red undertones when flowers are spent and seeds are about to form. The only way you can discourage California poppies from performing gloriously is to enrich their soil. These plants need a well-drained soil but will flounder where organic amendments have been dug into the earth or where fertilizers are applied.

Send questions, comments, and photos to [email protected]

​ Orange County Register