EAST DIVISION

1. ATLANTA BRAVES

Arrivals: SP Tim Hudson, LF Brian Jordan, RP Dan Kolb, RF Raul Mondesi, RP Jorge Sosa.

Departures: RP Antonio Alfonseca, SP Paul Byrd, RF J.D. Drew, RP Tim Drew, IF Nick Green, C Eli Marrero, SP Russ Ortiz, SP Jaret Wright.

On the way up: When John Smoltz takes the ball on opening day, it will be with 163 victories and 154 saves behind him. Only Dennis Eckersley had at least 150 of both, and he never went back to starting. By the end, Smoltz will have 154 saves in 168 chances surrounded by separate lives as a starter, his second coming in one of the best Brave rotations since the Smoltz-Glavine-Maddux era.

On the way out: Raul Mondesi: July, 2002 -- traded by Blue Jays to Yankees; July 2003 -- traded by Yankees to Diamondbacks; February 2004 -- signed by Pirates; May 2004 -- put on restricted list, then released by Pirates; May 2004 -- signed by Angels; July 2004 -- released by Angels; April 2005 -- starter, right field, Braves. OK.

Story lines: Even in an era made less competitive by 30 teams spread over six divisions, 13 consecutive division titles is remarkable. So, they’ve turned only one of them into a World Series championship; it’s still something. After winning No. 13 by 10 games, the Braves moved deftly in the off-season, acquiring Hudson and closer Kolb, the latter allowing them to return Smoltz to the rotation.

At Dodger Stadium: May 13-15.

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2. FLORIDA MARLINS

Arrivals: RP Antonio Alfonseca, 1B Carlos Delgado, RP Todd Jones, SP Al Leiter, RP Jim Mecir.

Departures: RP Armando Benitez, RP Chad Fox, RP Josias Manzanillo, 3B Mike Mordecai, SP Carl Pavano, C Mike Redmond, RP Rudy Seanez, RP David Weathers.

On the way up: Juan Pierre left Colorado and became a better hitter. Since arriving at sea level, Pierre has 425 hits in two seasons, including an NL-best 221 in 2004. He also led the league in triples and, despite only 45 walks, had a .374 on-base percentage. Joe Dillon, 29, a utility player who sat out a year battling back problems that eventually led to surgery, could open the season in the majors.

On the way out: As Jeff Conine recovers from shoulder surgery, the Marlins probably will start the season with Juan Encarnacion in right field and Miguel Cabrera in left. When Conine is fit, they are expected to have him play left, move Cabrera to right and shop Encarnacion, who will be paid $4.4 million in the final year of his contract.

Story lines: If Josh Beckett, A.J. Burnett, Dontrelle Willis and Al Leiter all show up and start 30 games, the Marlins will come closest to unseating the Braves. Cabrera, Delgado and Mike Lowell are formidable in the middle of the order, particularly if Pierre and Luis Castillo get on base.

At Dodger Stadium: May 16-18.

At Angel Stadium: June 17-19.

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3. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

Arrivals: RP Terry Adams, SP Jon Lieber, CF Kenny Lofton, 1B Jose Offerman, RP Aaron Fultz.

Departures: OF Doug Glanville, SS Chris Gomez, RP Roberto Hernandez, RP Todd Jones, SP Kevin Millwood, SP Eric Milton, RP Felix Rodriguez, RP Amaury Telemaco.

On the way up: Mike Lieberthal has no other way to go after most of his offensive numbers fell off last season. If Vicente Padilla (triceps tendinitis) can’t start the season, 22-year-old Gavin Floyd, a big right-hander with a decent fastball and a big league curveball, could find a place in the rotation.

On the way out: Since 2001, Lofton has bounced from the Indians to the White Sox to the Giants to the Pirates to the Cubs to the Yankees to the Phillies, and was so-so pretty much everywhere. The Yankees couldn’t wait to be rid of him. It’s just a matter of time.

Story lines: All of the expectations were for last year, when the Phillies finished an inconsistent season 10 games behind Atlanta. They fired the demanding Larry Bowa and hired his antithesis, easygoing Charlie Manuel, so they’ve lost that excuse, and have no reason not to be competitive in the demanding East. Spring injuries to Jim Thome, David Bell, Lofton, Rheal Cormier and Padilla could mean a slow start, but the Phillies have the lineup to be reasonably close in September.

At Dodger Stadium: Aug. 9-11.

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4. NEW YORK METS

Arrivals: CF Carlos Beltran, 2B Miguel Cairo, C Mike DiFelice, RP Felix Heredia, SP Kazuhisa Ishii, SP Pedro Martinez, 1B Doug Mientkiewicz.

Departures: RP Ricky Bottalico, RP Vic Darensbourg, INF Wilson Delgado, RP John Franco, OF Richard Hidalgo, SP Al Leiter, C Jason Phillips, RP Mike Stanton, C Vance Wilson, 1B Todd Zeile.

On the way up: New York has found itself a new baseball hero in David Wright, who in 69 games hit .293 with 14 home runs and 40 RBIs. Although promise runs deep in the Mets’ history of third basemen, Wright hit at every level on the way to Queens, has soft hands and a strong arm.

On the way out: If Ishii found it difficult to maintain his composure in L.A., wait until he gets a load of Shea Stadium. Steve Trachsel’s injury had Omar Minaya desperate, and maybe pitching coach Rick Peterson can find answers Jim Colborn couldn’t, but Ishii might one day get on the 7 Train and just keep going.

Story lines: With the signings of Martinez and Beltran, the expectations in New York are far too high. Martinez is still a good pitcher and will benefit from his switch to the National League, but the rest of the rotation is average and the bullpen is suspect, which is why the Mets have asked the Tigers about Ugueth Urbina.

At Dodger Stadium: Aug. 12-14.

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5. WASHINGTON NATIONALS

Arrivals: C Gary Bennett, 3B Vinny Castilla, 1B Wil Cordero, RF Jose Guillen, SS Cristian Guzman, SP Esteban Loaiza, RP Antonio Osuna.

Departures: 3B Tony Batista, RP Rocky Biddle, C Einar Diaz, SS Maicer Izturis, OF Juan Rivera.

On the way up: Can Jose Guillen find love and understanding with Frank Robinson in Washington? The temperamental Guillen has had his moments off the field, but his skills keep finding him jobs. He is expected to play right field and hit fourth for the Nationals, and will be fine if Robinson lets him run for himself.

On the way out: Uh, Jose Guillen?

Story lines: In signature Jim Bowden moves, the Nationals acted quickly in free agency, signing third baseman Castilla and shortstop Guzman, then taking Guillen off the Angels’ hands. The payroll will be tight until an owner is found, and the Nationals are still the Montreal Expos at heart, but this could be their final year among the have-nots. Whomever buys the Nationals presumably will have the money to make them competitive again, season tickets are going fast, and a new ballpark is in the near future. For now, the Nationals will share RFK Stadium with D.C. United of Major League Soccer.

At Dodger Stadium: May 2-4.

At Angel Stadium: June 13-15.