Philadelphia Phillies
Key additions: RHP Mark Appel, RHP Jeremy Hellickson, RHP David Hernandez, RHP Charlie Morton, RHP Vincent Velasquez
Key losses: CF Peter Bourjos, RHP Ken Giles
Spring story lines
Past meets future: Veteran 1B Ryan Howard, presumably entering his final year in Philly, is expected to pass the torch directly across the infield upon his departure. 3B Maikel Franco, 23, is a potentially sparkling defensive player who had 37 extra-base hits (and an .840 OPS) in 80 games last season. Already sparking comparisons to Hall of Fame predecessor Mike Schmidt, Franco could be the next cornerstone of a franchise in transition.
The Chase is gone: For the first time since 2001, the Phillies will have neither SS Jimmy Rollins nor 2B Chase Utley in their opening day lineup. Rollins was traded to the Dodgers two winters ago, and Utley was dealt to L.A. last August. As a result, Howard and C Carlos Ruiz remain the only holdovers from the group that won five consecutive National League East titles from 2007-11.
Who will take the fifth? A handful of acquisitions will spend Grapefruit League play competing for the fifth starter's job in a pitching rotation fronted by promising righty Aaron Nola and Hellickson, the former Ray. Our dark horse candidate is Velasquez, an Astros second-round pick in 2010. In seven starts for Houston last season, Velasquez, 23, struck out 58 in 55.2 innings, posting a respectable WHIP (1.275).