Will Bryce Harper bounce back? Can the Mets’ touted pitchers stay healthy? And after 108 years without a title, are the Cubs a shoo-in for a second straight World Series? Here’s all you need to know about the National League in 2017.
NL EAST
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
John Bazemore / Associated Press Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images Jamie Squire / Getty Images David J. Phillip / Associated Press Ethan Miller / Getty Images Jamie Squire / Getty Images
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Last year: 69-93, 4th in NL West
Biggest addition: RHP Taijuan Walker (Mariners, trade)
Biggest loss: SS Jean Segura (Mariners, trade)
Biggest question: Can new GM Mike Hazen turn it around quickly?
The Dave Stewart era mercifully came to an end in October, when the D-Backs fired their GM after just two years. Everything that could’ve gone wrong for Arizona did last season, but it starts and ends with the trade that sent No. 1-overall pick Dansby Swanson and others to the Braves in exchange for RHP Shelby Miller, who struggled mightily and was demoted to Triple-A at one point.
Despite the stench of 2016 still lingering, there’s enough talent on the D-Backs’ roster — 1B Paul Goldschmidt, RHP Zack Greinke and OF A.J. Pollock, who missed most of last season with a broken elbow — to at least offer some hope.
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Last year: 68-94, last in NL West
Biggest addition: RHP Jhoulys Chacin (Angels, free agent)
Biggest loss: RHP Tyson Ross (Rangers, free agent)
Biggest question: Is Petco Park still beautiful?
The answer to that question is a resounding yes, which means people will still show up, despite what will be a frightful product on the field. The Padres limped to just 68 wins a season ago, but it could get even worse in 2017.
Outside of 1B Wil Myers, who’s coming off a career year with 28 home runs and 28 stolen bases, there isn’t much talent on the roster, and they’ll spend their days this summer getting beat up by the rest of the National League in hopes of securing the first pick in the 2018 draft.