By Mike Trovato

National League East

Atlanta Braves

Tom Glavine, who spent 16 years with the organization before signing with the Mets in 2003, returned to Atlanta this offseason. Rafael Soriano will begin his first full season as the Braves closer. Andruw Jones signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the offseason. In his place, the Braves will field Mark Kotsay, who was acquired from Oakland. The load now falls on power hitters Chipper Jones, Mark Teixeira and Jeff Francoeur.

The Braves will have 4 solid veterans in their rotation in John Smoltz, Tim Hudson, Glavine, and Mike Hampton. With Smoltz already hurt, Glavine’s age (42), and Hampton’s history of injuries, health may be a major issue.

2007 Finish: 84-78, Third

Predicted 2008 Finish: 81-83, Third

Florida Marlins

The Florida Marlins are known for trading veteran players for prospects. This offseason, the Marlins were active again, Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to the Detroit Tigers. While past moves have paid off, replacing Cabrera’s 34 home runs and 119 RBI from 2007 will not be easy. Luis Gonzalez will provide veteran leadership to a very young Florida team.

Andrew Miller, one of the 6 players the Marlins received as compensation from Detroit, will step into the third slot in the rotation. Without Willis, the Marlin’s top starter is now Mark Hendrickson. Hendrickson has 43 career wins; the rest of the rotation has a combined 44.

2007 Finish: 71-91, Fifth

Predicted 2008 Finish: 65-97, Fifth

New York Mets

Looking to bounce back from last year, the Mets acquired 2-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana from Minnesota. Pedro Martinez slides into the second slot, as 15-game winners John Maine and Oliver Perez fill 3 and 4, respectively. Mike Pelfrey will take over the fifth spot while Orlando Hernandez is on the DL.

Catcher Brian Schneider and right fielder Ryan Church were acquired from Washington in the offseason for Lastings Milledge. Spring Training sensation Angel Pagan has a chance to make a name for himself, replacing the injured Moises Alou.

The Mets have addressed their most pressing needs, and their rotation easily looks to be the strongest in the Division.

2007 Finish: 88-74, Second

Predicted 2008 Finish: 95-67, First

Philadelphia Phillies

Led by MVP Jimmy Rollins, the Phillies’ offense was the best in the National League in 2007, producing 892 runs and 213 home runs, also good for second in the Major Leagues. Geoff Jenkins (20+ HR in 4 of the last 5 seasons) and Pedro Feliz (4 consecutive 20 HR seasons) add more power to an already potent offense, giving them the potential to have 6 players with over 20 homers. The only question is whether or not the pitching staff, ranked 23rd in 2007, can hold up their end.

24-year old Cole Hamels leads the Phillies rotation, which welcomes back Brett Myers after a brief stint as the team’s closer. Brad Lidge, acquired from Houston will take over the closing duties when he returns from the 15-day DL. For now, the job is in the hands of Tom Gordon.

2007 Finish: 89-73, First

Predicted 2008 Finish: 90-62, Second, Wildcard

Washington Nationals

Fans in the nation’s capital are hoping that their new stadium will bring new results for the Washington Nationals. Washington scored the least runs in baseball in 2007, and were 28th in home runs. Their pitching was 19th in ERA, and recorded the least strikeouts of any team in the league.

Paul Lo Duca should be an offensive upgrade at catcher, and outfielder Lastings Milledge takes over in center field after an offseason trade with the Mets. Nick Johnson’s return to the Nationals’ lineup after missing the entire 2007 season sends last year’s Comeback Player of the Year Dmitri Young to the bench.

Shawn Hill pitched well for Washington last season (3.42 ERA, 1.14 WHIP), but until he returns from the DL, the offense may need to make up for their no-name pitching staff, led by Odalis Perez.

2007 Finish- 73-89, Fourth

Predicted 2008 Finish- 75-87, Fourth

National League Central

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs went from last to first in 2007 after signing 5-tool outfielder Alfonso Soriano. Chicago made another bold move this offseason, signing Japanese star Kosuke Fukudome to a 4-year, $48 million contact. Fukudome hit .305 with 192 homers over 9 seasons for the Chunichi Dragons. Fukudome joins power bats Soriano, Derrek Lee, and Aramis Ramirez.

Kerry Wood will take over as closer as Ryan Dempster will move into the starting rotation, which appears to be one of the stronger rotations in the league, behind Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, and rising star Rich Hill. The Cubbies hope to end their championship drought at an even 100 years.

2007 Finish: 85-77, First

Predicted 2008 Finish: 92-60, First

Cincinnati Reds

In 2007, Cincinnati hit the third most homers in the Majors behind Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey, Jr., and breakout second baseman Brandon Phillips. Yet, the Reds ended 2007 just 4 games ahead of the last place Pirates. Reds pitching saved only 34 games, and ranked 29th in ERA. Only 2 other teams gave up more home runs all season.

New manager Dusty Baker will try to right the ship in Cincinnati. Francisco Cordero, who had 44 saves in 2007, will become their new closer. Josh Fogg will be inserted into the third spot in the rotation behind Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang. Still, Fogg is not the answer for this struggling pitching staff.

2007 Finish: 72-90, Fifth

Predicted 2008 Finish: 75-87, Fourth

Houston Astros

Houston acquired Miguel Tejada from Baltimore in the offseason, hoping to get the durable slugger who played 1,152 consecutive games before being placed on the DL last season. Mark Loretta takes over for the retired Craig Biggio at second base.

Chris Sampson and Shawn Chacon will round out the rotation behind Roy Oswalt. Closer Jose Valverde led the Majors with 47 saves for Arizona last season, upgrading Houston’s bullpen. Cecil Cooper will try to put the pieces together the new pieces in his first full season as Astros manager.

2007 Finish: 73-89, Fourth

Predicted 2008 Finish: 79-83, Third

Milwaukee Brewers

Prince Fielder and reigning NL Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun will lead a powerful young lineup that led the Major Leagues with 231 home runs in 2007. Jason Kendall is the main addition to the offense, replacing Johnny Estrada behind the plate.

Milwaukee will also introduce Eric Gagne as their closer. The return of Chris Capuano and Yovani Gallardo from injuries should boost Milwaukee’s rotation, and the Brewers have the tools, both in hitting and pitching to make a push for the division.

2007 Finish: 83-79, Second

Predicted 2008 Finish: 89-73, Second

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Bucs have not had a winning season since 1992, and have been relatively passive this offseason. John Russell takes over as manager of a team that failed to break the top 20 in ERA, runs scored, and home runs.

The Pirates’ upside is that their two best pitchers Ian Snell and Tom Gorzelanny are 26 and 25, respectively. Snell posted team bests in ERA (3.76) and strikeouts (177), while Gorzelanny went 14-10 with a 3.88 ERA.

2007 Finish: 68-94, Sixth

Predicted Finish: 65-97, Sixth

St. Louis Cardinals

Since winning the 2006 World Series, a slew of injuries have rocked the Redbirds. Four Cardinals starting pitchers will begin this season on the DL. Ace Chris Carpenter underwent Tommy John surgery last July, and will probably be out through the All-Star break.

Albert Pujols could require Tommy John surgery as well. Pujols has a high-grade tear of his right ulnar collateral ligament. Surgery would sideline him for at least 8 months, and would easily cripple St. Louis’ chances at a rebound season.

2007 Finish: 78-84 (Third)

Predicted 2008 Finish: 70-92, Fifth