SAN DIEGO PADRES (Last year's record, finish: 88-74, first)

Pitchers/all report: Friday/Feb. 22

Key additions: Manager Bud Black, 2B Marcus Giles, P Greg Maddux, 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff, P Heath Bell, P Mike Adams.

Key losses: Manager Bruce Bochy, C Mike Piazza, 2B Josh Barfield, OF Dave Roberts, P Woody Williams, P Alan Embree, 1B-OF Ryan Klesko, INF Mark Bellhorn.

Player to watch: Kouzmanoff. The Padres seemingly use four 3B each season but hope Kouzmanoff, whom they got in a trade with the Indians for Barfield, nails down the job for years to come.

Reasons to hope: The rotation is deep and strong and closer Trevor Hoffman is still at the top of his game.

Reasons to mope: That rotation features 43-year-old David Wells and 40-year-old Maddux. … Counting too heavily on Kouzmanoff, OF Terrmel Sledge and C Josh Bard to replace the offense of Roberts, Barfield and Piazza.

[More:]

LOS ANGELES DODGERS (88-74, first)

Pitchers/all report: Saturday/Feb. 21

Key additions: CF Juan Pierre, OF Luis Gonzalez, P Jason Schmidt, P Randy Wolf, C Mike Lieberthal.

Key losses: P Eric Gagne, P Greg Maddux, RF J.D. Drew, SS Julio Lugo, CF Kenny Lofton, 3B Bill Mueller, P Aaron Sele.

Player to watch: OF Andre Ethier. He had a solid rookie season but tailed off down the stretch. The Dodgers need Ethier to provide power in a lineup that lacks it.

Reasons to hope: Rotation is deeper than last year with the addition of Schmidt and Wolf. … Young players (Ethier, Russell Martin, Clay Billingsley) are making an impact.

Reasons to mope: Not much power. … Age of Gonzalez and Jeff Kent and fragility of Nomar Garciaparra makes lineup susceptible to injury.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (76-85, third)

Pitchers/all report: Thursday/Feb. 20

Key additions: Manager Bruce Bochy, P Barry Zito, OF Dave Roberts, C Bengie Molina, INF Rich Aurilia, P Russ Ortiz, 1B-OF Ryan Klesko.

Key losses: Manager Felipe Alou, RF Moises Alou, 1B Shea Hillenbrand, C Mike Matheny, P Jason Schmidt, CF Steve Finley, P Mike Stanton, P Jamey Wright.

Player to watch: P Tim Linceum. The first-round draft pick out of UW showed so much last summer there’s a chance he could stick with Giants.

Reasons to hope: Lineup, rotation and even manager has a new twist for 2007. That’s good, right?

Reasons to mope: Barry Bonds’ never-ending saga continues. … Age continues to be an issue for team. … Bullpen has the makings of a disaster unless Armando Benitez returns to past form.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (76-86, fourth)

Pitchers/all report: Saturday/Feb. 22

Key additions: P Randy Johnson, P Doug Davis, OF Dave Krynzel.

Key losses: OF Luis Gonzalez, P Miguel Batista, C Johnny Estrada, P Claudio Vargas, INF Craig Counsell.

Player to watch: C Miguel Montero. Solid September means rookie will compete with holdover Chris Snyder or playing time.

Reasons to hope: Rotation, with addition of Johnson and Davis, is four-deep. … Prized prospect Stephen Drew showed flashes of being a star and now gets full-time job at SS.

Reasons to mope: Bullpen is leakier than an old boat. … Fifth-starter’s job is up for grabs. … Counting on youngsters Drew, Conor Jackson, Carlos Quentin and Chris Young to be the backbone of the lineup.

COLORADO ROCKIES (76-86, fourth)

Pitchers/all report: Friday/Feb. 24

Key additions: CF Willy Taveras, P Rodrigo Lopez, P LaTroy Hawkins, P Taylor Buchholz, P Jason Hirsh, C Javy Lopez.

Key losses: P Jason Jennings, P Jose Mesa, P Ray King, C JD Closser.
Player to watch: Hirsh. He was the key in trading Jennings to the Astros. Last year Hirsh was picked as the Triple-A pitcher of the year. He’s got a chance to earn a spot in the rotation.

Reasons to hope: Lineup, although not perfect, is filled with young talent such as 3B Garrett Atkins, OFs Matt Holliday and Brad Hawpe and SS Troy Tulowitzki.

Reasons to mope: Rockies will once again lean on young pitchers like Hirsh or retreads like Lopez. … Must have a strong spring because first 19 games are against NL West.