NL WEST
1) Arizona Diamondbacks

General manager: Josh Byrnes
Manager: Bob Melvin (fourth season with Arizona, 253-243; sixth overall, 399-411)
2007: 90-72, first place

Outlook: Byrnes recently received a contract extension through 2015, which would qualify as well-placed faith on ownership's behalf. This franchise has as bright a future as anyone in baseball. Dan Haren gives the team a second ace, behind Brandon Webb, and if Randy Johnson's back surgery worked this time ... well, he pitched pretty well during his brief window of good health last year. The lineup didn't hit much last year, but management is banking on youngsters like Justin Upton, Chris Young and Stephen Drew to improve. Melvin helped the team overcome a horrendous run differential last year (712 runs scored, 732 allowed) and is an asset.

Parting shot: Bold move in trading last year's closer, Jose Valverde, a maneuver that reflects how closers can be overvalued by some (like Houston, Valverde's new employer). Brandon Lyon has the closer's job for now, but there are plenty of power arms around.

Projected lineup
C: Chris Snyder
1B: Conor Jackson
2B: Orlando Hudson
SS: Stephen Drew
3B: Mark Reynolds
LF: Eric Byrnes
CF: Chris Young
RF: Justin Upton

Projected rotation
Brandon Webb
Randy Johnson
Dan Haren
Doug Davis
Micah Owings
CL: Brandon Lyon
SU: Tony Pena
SU: Chad Qualls