MLB: NL central at a glance

A team-by-team look at the National League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:

Milwaukee Brewers

Manager: Ron Roenicke (second season).

2011: 96-66, first place, lost in NLCS.

Training Town: Phoenix.

Park: Maryvale Baseball Park.

First Workout: Feb. 20/25.

He’s Here: 3B Aramis Ramirez, SS Alex Gonzalez, OF Norichika Aoki, RHP Jose Veras.

He’s Outta Here: 1B Prince Fielder, INF Craig Counsell, INF Jerry Hairston Jr., 3B Casey McGehee, SS Yuniesky Betancourt, RHP LaTroy Hawkins, RHP Takashi Saito.

Going campin’: Coming off one of the most memorable seasons in franchise history, the Brewers have had an anxious offseason. As expected, Prince Fielder left as a free agent, signing a nine-year, $214 million deal with Detroit. What wasn’t expected: NL MVP Ryan Braun being suspended for 50 games under baseball’s drug policy — and having to await a verdict on his appeal. Yes, the arrival of former Cubs slugger Aramis Ramirez will help make up for some of the offense that was lost when Fielder left. But if the Brewers are going to contend again this season, they’ll likely have to do it based more on pitching and defense than they have in the past. Second baseman Rickie Weeks is the only returning starter from last year’s infield. Mat Gamel gets the first shot at replacing Fielder, although Corey Hart will spend part of spring training getting work at first base. Alex Gonzalez is expected to be a defensive upgrade over Yuniesky Betancourt. Ramirez takes over at third. Milwaukee’s pitching was strong last season and should be even better with Zack Greinke healthy to start the year and a full season with Francisco Rodriguez in the setup role. One of the more intriguing story lines of spring training will be the arrival of outfielder Norichika Aoki, a three-time Central League batting champion in Japan.

St. Louis Cardinals

Manager: Mike Matheny (first season).

2011: 90-72, wild card, won World Series.

Training Town: Jupiter, Fla.

Park: Roger Dean Stadium.

First Workout: Feb. 19/24

He’s Here: Manager Mike Matheny, OF Carlos Beltran, LHP J.C. Romero, pitching coach Derek Lilliquist, INF Alex Cora.

He’s Outta Here: Manager Tony La Russa, pitching coach Dave Duncan, 1B Albert Pujols, RHP Edwin Jackson, INF Ryan Theriot, INF Nick Punto, C Gerald Laird, RHP Octavio Dotel, LHP Arthur Rhodes.

Going campin’: New manager, new pitching coach, new No. 3 hitter after their surprising title run. Matheny will be filling out lineup cards — without Pujols to pencil in — for the first time instead of La Russa, who retired No. 3 on the career victory list behind only Connie Mack and John McGraw. At least Lilliquist has some experience after getting tested late last season when Duncan took an extended leave of absence to tend to his ailing wife. Matheny could plug Beltran, Matt Holliday or Lance Berkman into the slot Pujols commandeered for 11 Hall of Fame-trajectory seasons before bolting to the Angels, or he could mix and match. Signing Beltran and re-signing shortstop Rafael Furcal ($7 million) took most of the money the Cardinals would have spent keeping Pujols. The lineup figures to be deeper with David Freese emerging in October as the NLCS and World Series MVP and Allen Craig also coming off a clutch postseason, although Craig could miss the first month of the season rehabbing from knee surgery. The biggest boost overall might come from a familiar face. Former 20-game winner Adam Wainwright is back from elbow surgery and rejoins Chris Carpenter at the top of the rotation.

Cincinnati Reds

Manager: Dusty Baker (fourth season).

2011: 79-83, third place.

Training Town: Goodyear, Ariz.

Park: Goodyear Ballpark.

First Workout: Feb. 19/24.

He’s Here: RHP Mat Latos, RHP closer Ryan Madson, LHP Sean Marshall, RHP Andrew Brackman, LHP Jeff Francis, OF Ryan Ludwick, INF Wilson Valdez, OF/INF Willie Harris.

He’s Outta Here: C Ramon Hernandez, RHP closer Francisco Cordero, LHP Travis Wood, RHP Edinson Volquez, LHP Dontrelle Willis, INF Yonder Alonso, OF Fred Lewis, SS Edgar Renteria, C Yasmani Grandal.

Going campin’: The Reds won the NL Central in 2010 with a nucleus of young players and spent the following offseason signing them to long-term deals. They returned their roster virtually intact for 2011 and watched it struggle, especially the rotation. So, GM Walt Jocketty took a far different approach this offseason, making a series of trades and free agent signings to give the pitching staff a new look. They traded four players, including starter Volquez and top prospect Alonso, to San Diego for starter Latos. The rotation now features RHP Johnny Cueto, Latos and Bronson Arroyo in the first three spots, with RHP Homer Bailey and Mike Leake in the competition for the last two spots. Madson replaces Cordero as the closer, with Marshall giving the Reds another dependable setup man. The Reds still have to figure out what to do at three positions. Rookie shortstop Zack Cozart had surgery on his non-throwing elbow last year, but is first in line for the starting job. Third baseman Scott Rolen had surgery on his left shoulder, which was a chronic problem and limited him to 65 games last season. The Reds will see how it responds during spring training. Left field is open for competition once again. The Reds’ main wish for spring training is to stay healthy. Last year, Bailey and Cueto came down with shoulder problems and Arroyo developed mononucleosis during spring training.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Manager: Clint Hurdle (second season).

2011: 72-90, fourth place.

Training Town: Bradenton, Fla.

Park: McKechnie Field.

First Workout: Feb. 19/24.

He’s Here: LHP Erik Bedard, C Rod Barajas, SS Clint Barmes, OF Nate McLouth, 3B Casey McGehee.

He’s Outta Here: 1B Derrek Lee, OF Ryan Ludwick, LHP Paul Maholm, SS Ronny Cedeno, SS Pedro Ciriaco, C Ryan Doumit, C Chris Snyder, RHP Jose Veras.

Going campin’: The Pirates generated plenty of buzz last season, leading the division in late July before collapsing down the stretch en route to the franchise’s 19th straight losing season. Hurdle infused the clubhouse with a needed dash of optimism and the team worked somewhat aggressively — given its salary limitations — during the offseason to plug in holes until help comes from the minors. The Pirates signed Bedard to a one-year deal, hoping he can shake off the injuries that have limited him in recent seasons and become a top-end starter. He’ll fill in for Maholm, the team’s longest tenured player before he signed with the Cubs. Barajas is 36 but the team believes he can catch anywhere from 100-120 games, and his bat will be welcome in one of baseball’s weakest lineups. Barmes signed a two-year deal, citing his relationship with Hurdle in Colorado as a major reason for moving to Pittsburgh. McGehee is insurance in case Pedro Alvarez can’t shake out of the sophomore slump he endured in 2011, while McLouth returns to the Pirates after spending time in Atlanta. The team continues to build around All-Star center fielder Andrew McCutchen, second baseman Neil Walker and right fielder Jose Tabata, with Alvarez needing to make an impact if Pittsburgh wants to build on 2011. The rotation appears to be set, and All-Star closer Joel Hanrahan anchors the bullpen.

Chicago Cubs

Manager: Dale Sveum (first season).

2011: 71-91, fifth place.

Training Town: Mesa, Ariz.

Park: Fitch Park; HoHoKam Park.

First Workout: Feb. 19/24.

He’s Here: LHP Paul Maholm, RHP Chris Volstad, LHP Travis Wood, 1B Anthony Rizzo, 3B Ian Stewart, OF David DeJesus, LHP Trever Miller, RHP Andy Sonnanstine.

He’s Outta Here: Manager Mike Quade, RHP Carlos Zambrano, 3B Aramis Ramirez, 1B Carlos Pena, LHP Sean Marshall, RHP Andrew Cashner, C Koyie Hill.

Going campin’: The Cubs brought in Theo Epstein as president of baseball operations, luring him from the Red Sox to be the same championship-drought buster he was in Boston. The Cubs haven’t won a World Series since 1908 but Epstein’s mantra has been to build for the future. Chicago has added depth to its pitching rotation, ridded itself of mercurial one-time ace Carlos Zambrano and brought in everyday players David DeJesus and Ian Stewart to see if they can shake off poor seasons. The remake of the front office also included the hiring of GM Jed Hoyer from the Padres. There’s also the lingering question about star SS Starlin Castro, who had 207 hits a year ago but has been questioned about an alleged sexual assault. No charges have been filed. RHP Matt Garza, who settled for a $9.25 million contract shortly before an arbitration hearing, has been the subject of trade rumors throughout the offseason. The Cubs were shaky on defense a year ago and Sveum will demand more hustle, but his biggest chore could be finding run-producers after the departures of Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Pena.

Houston Astros

Manager: Brad Mills (third season).

2011: 56-106, sixth place.

Training Town: Kissimmee, Fla.

Park: Osceola County Stadium.

First Workout: Feb. 20/26.

He’s Here: OF Jack Cust, INF Jed Lowrie, RHP Kyle Weiland, C Chris Snyder, RHP Livan Hernandez, LHP Zach Duke.

He’s Outta Here: RHP Mark Melancon, SS Clint Barmes, LF Jason Michaels.

Going campin’: The Astros had the worst record in the majors and in franchise history last season. They’ve got a new owner in Jim Crane, who bought the team from Drayton McLane, but with a roster filled with young, unproven players their outlook for this season is about the same as last year’s. Former general manager Ed Wade shed almost all of Houston’s recognizable players in the last two seasons trying replenish the farm system. He was let go soon after Crane took over. New GM Jeff Luhnow is now in charge of trying to turn this franchise around in its farewell season in the National League before next season’s move to the AL. Returning for the Astros is one last year’s bright spots in third baseman Jimmy Paredes. He hit .286 in 46 games after being promoted from Double-A. First baseman Carlos Lee, who is virtually the only veteran non-pitcher on the roster, returns for the last season of the $100 million contract he signed in 2007 after hitting 18 homers with 94 RBIs in 2011. Catcher Jason Castro won’t be ready for the start of spring training after offseason surgery on his left foot, but the Astros hope he can finally be their full-time catcher this season after injuries have sidelined him since he was a rookie in 2010. RHP Brett Myers leads the rotation and will try to improve on last season’s 7-14 record. He’s joined by lefty Wandy Rodriguez who was 11-11 last year. Brandon Lyon, who had an 11.48 ERA in just 15 games of an injury-plagued 2011, figures to be the closer after Houston traded Melancon to the Red Sox.

Associated Press