A team-by-team look at the National League entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and reporting dates for pitchers and catchers, and full squads:

EAST

Atlanta Braves

Manager: Bobby Cox (15th season).

2003: 101-61, first place.

Training Town: Kissimmee, Fla.

Park: Cracker Jack Stadium.

Reporting Dates: Thursday/Feb. 24.

He’s Here: OF J.D. Drew, RHP John Thomson, RHP Antonio Alfonseca, OF-C Eli Marrero, OF Gary Matthews Jr., C Eddie Perez, INF-OF Russell Branyan, LHP Armando Almanza.

He’s Outta Here: RF Gary Sheffield, RHP Greg Maddux, C Javy Lopez, 3B Vinny Castilla, 1B Robert Fick, RHP Shane Reynolds, LHP Ray King, RHP Roberto Hernandez, LHP Kent Mercker, RHP Jason Marquis, C Henry Blanco, INF Matt Franco, OF Darren Bragg.

Outlook: The Braves have won a record 12 straight division titles. But they lost so much in the offseason it’s hard to imagine them hanging on again — especially without Maddux. Then again, they are the Braves and they’ve always found a way. The top of the rotation is fine, the back end is unproven. John Smoltz is a dominant closer. First-time regulars fill out the bottom of the lineup, including C Johnny Estrada. Atlanta needs Drew to stay healthy and have a breakout season.

Florida Marlins

Manager: Jack McKeon (second season).

2003: 91-71, second place, wild card, World Series champions.

Training Town: Jupiter, Fla.

Park: Roger Dean Stadium.

Reporting Dates: Feb. 22/Feb. 25.

He’s Here: RHP Armando Benitez, 1B Hee Seop Choi, LHP Darren Oliver, 1B Wil Cordero, RHP Mike Neu.

He’s Outta Here: C Ivan Rodriguez, 1B Derrek Lee, LHP Mark Redman, OF Juan Encarnacion, RHP Ugueth Urbina, RHP Braden Looper, OF Todd Hollandsworth, LHP Armando Almanza, INF Andy Fox, RHP Rick Helling, RHP Vladimir Nunez.

Outlook: As expected, the cost-conscious Marlins lost several key players from their championship team, but they still have enough to contend. Thanks to the October run, the rotation is young, experienced and deep — a rare combination. World Series MVP Josh Beckett seems poised for a huge season as a healthy ace, and RHP A.J. Burnett could be back from elbow surgery by May. RHP Chad Fox and Benitez must solidify the back of a thin bullpen. The lineup is less dangerous. Lee’s powerful bat and Gold Glove will be missed. Nobody can replace Rodriguez’s leadership and clutch hitting.

Montreal Expos

Manager: Frank Robinson (third season).

2003: 83-79, fourth place.

Training Town: Melbourne, Fla.

Park: Space Coast Stadium.

Reporting Dates: Thursday/Feb. 24.

He’s Here: OF Carl Everett, 1B Nick Johnson, 3B Tony Batista, OF Juan Rivera, INF Andy Fox, C Gregg Zaun, LHP Randy Choate, RHP Pat Mahomes.

He’s Outta Here: OF Vladimir Guerrero, RHP Javier Vazquez, 1B Wil Cordero, C Michael Barrett, LHP Scott Stewart, INF Todd Zeile, 3B Fernando Tatis, OF-INF Jose Macias, RHP Orlando Hernandez, RHP Hector Almonte, RHP Britt Reames.

Outlook: Maybe this will finally be the last season in Montreal for the Expos, who play 22 “home” games in Puerto Rico again. Baseball wants to find them a new home by the All-Star break — the same was said last year. The overachieving Expos still are owned by the other 29 clubs, so it’s a good thing GM Omar Minaya is creative with a tight budget. He had to let Guerrero and Vazquez go, the team’s two best players. Montreal needs another big year from workhorse RHP Livan Hernandez. It might be tough to have a third straight winning season.

New York Mets

Manager: Art Howe (second season).

2003: 66-95, fifth place.

Training Town: Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Park: Mets Stadium.

Reporting Dates: Thursday/Feb. 24.

He’s Here: SS Kazuo Matsui, CF Mike Cameron, RHP Braden Looper, OF Karim Garcia, OF Shane Spencer, INF Todd Zeile, RHP Scott Erickson, RHP Ricky Bottalico, RHP James Baldwin.

He’s Outta Here: 1B Tony Clark, RHP Pedro Astacio, INF Jay Bell, OF Tsuyoshi Shinjo, INF Marco Scutaro, LHP Jaime Cerda.

Outlook: After consecutive last-place finishes, this highly paid and underperforming team finally is headed in the right direction. Matsui and Cameron should improve the defense. Speedy Jose Reyes, 20, moves from SS to 2B. Mike Piazza is healthy, how much will he play at 1B? There are some promising young bats in a decent lineup. LHP Tom Glavine must return to All-Star form. The most important addition could be esteemed pitching coach Rick Peterson, who tutored Oakland’s stellar starters.

Philadelphia Phillies

Manager: Larry Bowa (fourth season).

2003: 86-76, third place.

Training Town: Clearwater, Fla.

Park: Bright House Networks Field.

Reporting Dates: Thursday/Feb. 24.

He’s Here: LHP Billy Wagner, LHP Eric Milton, RHP Tim Worrell, RHP Roberto Hernandez, INF-C Shawn Wooten, OF Doug Glanville.

He’s Outta Here: RHP Jose Mesa, RHP Terry Adams, RHP Brandon Duckworth, RHP Carlos Silva, LHP Dan Plesac, LHP Valerio De Los Santos, RHP Mike Williams, RHP Turk Wendell, INF Tyler Houston, INF Nick Punto, C Kelly Stinnett.

Outlook: The Phillies move into a new ballpark and look like the favorites in this division after upgrading an expensive pitching staff. The hard-throwing Wagner gives them the dominant closer they’ve been missing. Worrell is a solid setup man, and the rotation is balanced. Someone needs to step forward and become a true ace, maybe RHP Brett Myers. LF Pat Burrell and 3B David Bell, who missed the second half with a back injury, must bounce back from awful seasons. The volatile Bowa is always a wild card. Another third-place finish won’t cut it in this championship-starved city.

CENTRAL

Chicago Cubs

Manager: Dusty Baker (second season).

2003: 88-74, first place.

Training Town: Mesa, Ariz.

Park: HoHoKam Park.

Reporting Dates: Wednesday/Feb. 23.

He’s Here: 1B Derrek Lee, RHP LaTroy Hawkins, 2B Todd Walker, C Michael Barrett, LHP Kent Mercker, OF Todd Hollandsworth, OF-INF Jose Macias, RHP Ryan Dempster.

He’s Outta Here: OF Kenny Lofton, 1B Eric Karros, 1B Hee Seop Choi, C Damian Miller, RHP Antonio Alfonseca, LHP Shawn Estes, LHP Mark Guthrie, RHP Dave Veres, INF Tony Womack, 1B Randall Simon, OF Doug Glanville, OF Troy O’Leary, INF Augie Ojeda.

Outlook: Sammy Sosa and the Cubs have to forget about curses and coming within five outs of their first pennant since 1945. Instead, they must focus on the tremendous strides they made last season. Remember, this team went 67-95 in 2002. With an electrifying young rotation led by Mark Prior and Kerry Wood, Chicago has the talent to take the next step. The Cubs upgraded 1B, the bullpen and the bench. All those strikeouts help nullify a few holes on defense. CF Corey Patterson’s knee is a concern.

Cincinnati Reds

Manager: Dave Miley (second season).

2003: 69-93, fifth place.

Training Town: Sarasota, Fla.

Park: Ed Smith Stadium.

Reporting Dates: Today/Feb. 23.

He’s Here: RHP Cory Lidle, OF John Vander Wal, LHP Mike Matthews.

He’s Outta Here: RHP Ryan Dempster, INF-OF Russell Branyan, LHP John Bale, LHP Dan Serafini.

Outlook: The Reds’ first season in Great American Ball Park was awful, and they didn’t do much during the winter. This franchise has been spinning its wheels since trading for hometown hero Ken Griffey Jr. four years ago. Maybe he can finally stay healthy and put up big numbers this season. Griffey joins Austin Kearns and Adam Dunn in a strong outfield, but that’s about it. 1B Sean Casey is steady, and SS Barry Larkin is back for his 19th and final season. Cincinnati is counting on 3B Brandon Larson and other youngsters to develop. The Reds led the majors with 141 errors last year.

Houston Astros

Manager: Jimy Williams (third season).

2003: 87-75, second place.

Training Town: Kissimmee, Fla.

Park: Osceola County Stadium.

Reporting Dates: Saturday/Feb. 24.

He’s Here: LHP Andy Pettitte, RHP Roger Clemens, OF Orlando Palmeiro, RHP Dave Veres, RHP Brandon Duckworth, RHP Brandon Backe, RHP Tony Fiore.

He’s Outta Here: LHP Billy Wagner, 3B Geoff Blum, LHP Ron Villone, OF Orlando Merced, RHP Peter Munro.

Outlook: The Astros have never won a playoff series, but now they’re a World Series favorite and the pressure is on. They could be in for another tight race with the Cubs after finishing a game back last year. Clemens ended a brief retirement to join his former Yankees buddy Pettitte back home in an imposing rotation that also includes Roy Oswalt, Wade Miller and underrated Tim Redding. RHP Octavio Dotel moves from setup man to closer to replace Wagner. The offense was already dangerous with Jeff Bagwell, Jeff Kent, Lance Berkman and Richard Hidalgo.

Milwaukee Brewers

Manager: Ned Yost (second season).

2003: 68-94, sixth place.

Training Town: Phoenix.

Park: Maryvale Baseball Park.

Reporting Dates: Saturday/Feb. 27.

He’s Here: 2B Junior Spivey, INF Craig Counsell, 1B Lyle Overbay, C Chad Moeller, LHP Chris Capuano, DH Ben Grieve, C Gary Bennett.

He’s Outta Here: 1B Richie Sexson, RHP Shane Nance, LHP Glendon Rusch, SS Royce Clayton, C Eddie Perez, OF John Vander Wal, C Keith Osik, RHP Todd Ritchie.

Outlook: Nobody realizes it, but the low-budget Brewers actually improved by 13 wins last season and played better baseball under Yost. Then they cut even more payroll, angering fans and taxpayers who helped pay for Miller Park and were promised competitive teams. Milwaukee hasn’t had a winning season since 1992, and the club is up for sale. At least GM Doug Melvin got some value from Arizona when he traded Sexson, the team’s All-Star slugger. CF Scott Podsednik was second in Rookie of the Year voting, and closer Dan Kolb was a pleasant surprise last season. Injury-prone Geoff Jenkins is the only big bat. 2B Rickie Weeks and other prospects are on the way.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Manager: Lloyd McClendon (fourth season).

2003: 75-87, fourth place.

Training Town: Bradenton, Fla.

Park: McKechnie Field.

Reporting Dates: Friday/Feb. 25.

He’s Here: 3B Chris Stynes, OF Daryle Ward, RHP Rick Reed, RHP Jose Mesa, LHP Mark Guthrie, RHP Juan Acevedo, OF Chris Singleton, OF Orlando Merced, OF Ruben Mateo, OF Henry Rodriguez.

He’s Outta Here: OF Reggie Sanders, RHP Julian Tavarez, RHP Jeff D’Amico, 2B Pokey Reese, OF Matt Stairs, INF Jose Hernandez, 2B Jeff Reboulet, RHP Mike Lincoln, RHP Pat Mahomes.

Outlook: With little chance to win in a top-heavy division, the Pirates are trimming payroll by about $15 million following their 11th consecutive losing season. There’s no power in the lineup, and this team could really struggle to score runs. Kip Wells leads a young rotation capable of improving. The farm system is filled with promising pitchers, including RHP John VanBenschoten. CF Tike Redman hit .330 in 230 at-bats last season. Pittsburgh is still trying to unload C Jason Kendall’s big contract.

St. Louis Cardinals

Manager: Tony La Russa (ninth season).

2003: 85-77, third place.

Training Town: Jupiter, Fla.

Park: Roger Dean Stadium.

Reporting Dates: Friday/Feb. 24.

He’s Here: OF Reggie Sanders, RHP Jeff Suppan, RHP Julian Tavarez, RHP Mike Lincoln, 2B Marlon Anderson, RHP Jason Marquis, RHP Chris Carpenter, LHP Ray King, 1B Steve Cox, INF Brent Butler, OF Ray Lankford.

He’s Outta Here: OF J.D. Drew, 1B Tino Martinez, 2B Fernando Vina, OF-C Eli Marrero, RHP Brett Tomko, LHP Sterling Hitchcock, LHP Jeff Fassero, OF Orlando Palmeiro, OF Eduardo Perez, INF-OF Miguel Cairo, RHP Mike DeJean, RHP Esteban Yan, LHP Lance Painter, RHP Russ Springer, RHP Garrett Stephenson.

Outlook: The Cardinals missed the playoffs for the first time in four years last season. It will be tough for the pitching to match that of the Cubs and Astros. The middle of the lineup remains loaded, led by Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds and Edgar Renteria. Sanders is a nice addition, too. Matt Morris and Woody Williams are reliable, but the rest of what might be an all right-handed rotation has been rebuilt. Carpenter, who hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2001, could claim a spot. The defense is superb, with four Gold Glove winners last season. Closer Jason Isringhausen must stay healthy.

WEST

Arizona Diamondbacks

Manager: Bob Brenly (fourth season).

2003: 84-78, third place.

Training Town: Tucson, Ariz.

Park: Tucson Electric Park.

Reporting Dates: Saturday/Feb. 26.

He’s Here: 1B Richie Sexson, 2B Roberto Alomar, LHP Casey Fossum, RHP Brandon Lyon, RHP Shane Reynolds, C Brent Mayne, RHP Shane Nance, RHP Steve Sparks, 1B Greg Colbrunn, C Bobby Estalella.

He’s Outta Here: RHP Curt Schilling, RHP Miguel Batista, OF Raul Mondesi, 2B Junior Spivey, INF Craig Counsell, 1B Lyle Overbay, C Chad Moeller, LHP Chris Capuano, LHP Mike Myers, 1B Mark Grace, C Rod Barajas, OF Quinton McCracken.

Outlook: Without Schilling and Batista, the Diamondbacks need LHP Randy Johnson to be dominant again. He was sidelined by a knee injury last season and finished 6-8 with a 4.26 ERA in only 18 starts. Sinkerball specialist Brandon Webb was terrific as a rookie, but the rest of the rotation is uncertain. Sexson is a huge addition, providing needed power and protection for Luis Gonzalez in the middle of the lineup. Alomar came cheap, but he struggled the past two years. Does he have another Hall of Fame season left? Gonzalez has a creaky elbow. Age is a concern for Arizona.

Colorado Rockies

Manager: Clint Hurdle (third season).

2003: 74-88, fourth place.

Training Town: Tucson, Ariz.

Park: Hi Corbett Field.

Reporting Dates: Thursday/Feb. 24.

He’s Here: 3B Vinny Castilla, OF Jeromy Burnitz, SS Royce Clayton, INF Denny Hocking, LHP Jeff Fassero, RHP Turk Wendell, LHP Shawn Estes, LHP Alex Herrera, RHP Travis Driskill, RHP Jason Gilfillan, C Todd Greene, RHP Jeff Tam, INF Benji Gil, INF-OF Damian Jackson, RHP Vladimir Nunez, LHP Joe Kennedy, INF Aaron Miles.

He’s Outta Here: LHP Darren Oliver, OF Jay Payton, 3B Chris Stynes, RHP Justin Speier, INF Greg Norton, C Gregg Zaun, RHP Jose Jimenez, 2B Ron Belliard, INF Brent Butler, INF Pablo Ozuna, C Bobby Estalella, INF Juan Uribe, INF Mark Bellhorn.

Outlook: The Rockies were baseball’s busiest team in the offseason, but most were relatively minor moves. The 14 players they signed to minor-league contracts will have to earn their roster spots. Colorado can always hit at Coors Field. CF Preston Wilson is coming off a big year, Larry Walker will try to bounce back and Todd Helton is one of the toughest outs in the league. But the Rockies ranked last in the NL with a 5.20 ERA last season. They plan to convert All-Star starter Shawn Chacon into a closer. Colorado went 49-32 at home last year, and 25-56 on the road. It’s hard to see this team contending.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Manager: Jim Tracy (fourth season).

2003: 85-77, second place.

Training Town: Vero Beach, Fla.

Park: Holman Stadium.

Reporting Dates: Wednesday/Feb. 23.

He’s Here: OF Juan Encarnacion, RHP Jeff Weaver, INF Jose Hernandez, OF Bubba Trammell, RHP Jose Lima, RHP Rick White, 1B-OF Jeremy Giambi.

He’s Outta Here: RHP Kevin Brown, OF Brian Jordan, RHP Paul Quantrill, OF Jeromy Burnitz, 1B Fred McGriff, OF Daryle Ward, OF-1B Mike Kinkade, RHP Andy Ashby, INF Ron Coomer, OF Rickey Henderson, OF Chad Hermansen.

Outlook: With a new owner in town and a possible GM change coming, this might be Tracy’s last chance to lead the Dodgers to their first playoff berth since 1996. They haven’t won a postseason series since 1988. Los Angeles couldn’t get on base last year, much less score, but it did little to improve the offense, although Encarnacion could help. Even without Brown, who was traded to the Yankees in a cost-cutting move, the rotation is solid. Weaver could regain his confidence at pitcher-friendly Dodger Stadium. NL Cy Young winner Eric Gagne is coming off one of the best seasons ever by a closer.

San Diego Padres

Manager: Bruce Bochy (10th season).

2003: 64-98, fifth place.

Training Town: Peoria, Ariz.

Park: Peoria Sports Complex.

Reporting Dates: Friday/Feb. 25.

He’s Here: LHP David Wells, LHP Sterling Hitchcock, RHP Ismael Valdes, C Ramon Hernandez, OF Terrence Long, OF Jay Payton, 3B Jeff Cirillo, SS Rey Ordonez, RHP Antonio Osuna, OF Gene Kingsale, RHP Akinori Otsuka, C Tom Wilson.

He’s Outta Here: OF Mark Kotsay, RHP Kevin Jarvis, C Wiki Gonzalez, INF Dave Hansen, OF Gary Matthews Jr., C Gary Bennett, LHP Mike Matthews.

Outlook: The Padres had the worst record in the NL last season, but a series of shrewd moves by GM Kevin Towers has them hoping to contend in what could be a wide-open division. Good timing, too, because they move into a new ballpark. Some key holdovers are healthy again, including All-Star closer Trevor Hoffman and 1B Phil Nevin. Brian Giles highlights a lineup that is better than most realize. The rotation is a nice mix of professional veterans and talented kids. Wells, 40, returns to his hometown after his second back surgery in two years. Fans might be expecting a bit too much from this team.

San Francisco Giants

Manager: Felipe Alou (second season).

2003: 100-61, first place.

Training Town: Scottsdale, Ariz.

Park: Scottsdale Stadium.

Reporting Dates: Friday/Feb. 24.

He’s Here: C A.J. Pierzynski, OF Dustan Mohr, OF Michael Tucker, RHP Brett Tomko.

He’s Outta Here: RHP Sidney Ponson, RHP Joe Nathan, OF Jose Cruz Jr., SS Rich Aurilia, RHP Tim Worrell, C Benito Santiago, 2B Eric Young, OF Marvin Benard.

Outlook: The Giants won 100 games last season but were beaten by Florida in the first round of the playoffs. Time is running out for Barry Bonds to win that elusive World Series ring. San Francisco was pretty conservative in the offseason, losing six key players. But GM Brian Sabean always seems to know what he’s doing, and this team can still win the division. Bonds’ presence makes the entire lineup tougher. RHP Jason Schmidt has developed into a true ace who can carry a staff. Behind him, the rotation appears no better than adequate. The bullpen could be a problem if Robb Nen isn’t healthy.