A League

Although the Philadelphia Phillies won the National League pennant last year, repeating won't be easy in the wake of a winter's spending spree by rivals.

But the Brewers opened a gaping bullpen hole by swapping Josh Hader to San Diego last summer and angered starter Corbin Burnes this week during his arbitration hearing (the team won the battle but may have lost the war). The D’backs also have a strong 1-2 pitching punch in Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly. The Rockies still thrill fans with a photogenic ballpark plus a lineup led by former MVP Kris Bryant, injured much of last year; fellow veteran slugger Charlie Blackmon; and C.J. National League MVP Paul Goldschmidt led the 2022 Cards in all three Triple Crown categories and supplied strong defense at first base. Their $3 million dip into the market during the winter was the lowest in the majors – and left a void at shortstop when Gold Glover Dansby Swanson left for greener pastures (seven years and $177 million with the Cubs). The Nats, who also lost Nelson Cruz and Luke Voit to free agency, signed ex-Mets Dom Smith and Trevor Williams this winter but could still erase the 2022 club record for losses in a season (107). Tatís, shifting from shortstop to right field, and Manny Machado, the MVP runner-up last year, have even bigger contracts. Riley’s $212 million contract is the biggest in the history of the Braves, who prefer player development to signing free agents. This year, the Friars will be tougher, thanks to the April 20 return of suspended slugger Fernando Tatís, Jr. Under Brian Snitker, now 67, the Atlanta Braves matched the Mets with 101 wins, including all three in a weekend sweep that gave the team a 10-9 advantage over New York in the season’s series. A teammate who might take the trophy is Edwin Diaz, whose five-year, $102 million extension made him the highest-paid closer in baseball history. It’s the longest active streak in baseball but one Cohen is determined to derail.