N.L. East

ATLANTA BRAVES

WHAT WE KNOW The acquisition of RHP Tim Hudson and return of RHP John Smoltz to a starting role have the Braves believing they have baseball's strongest rotation. Hudson is a legitimate ace, and LHP Mike Hampton and RHP John Thomson provide strength in the middle spots. Smoltz's move to the rotation shouldn't weaken a bullpen that welcomes All-Star closer Dan Kolb. Poised to play a full season in the infield, 3B Chipper Jones should stay healthier and be more productive than he was in 2004. He'll get plenty of RBI opportunities with 2B Marcus Giles and SS Rafael Furcal serving as catalysts at the top of the lineup. Johnny Estrada has proved himself offensively the past two years and now is regarded as more than a strong defensive catcher.

WHAT WE DON'T KNOW Smoltz will be 38 in May, and his elbow has been surgically repaired four times. His endurance will be tested in the early months, and it might take until August to determine whether the transition was successful. Another health risk is LHP Horacio Ramirez, who missed most of last year (shoulder). He appears healthy and ready to resume a promising career that began with a 12-win season in 2003. The biggest question marks on offense are RF Raul Mondesi and LF Brian Jordan. Mondesi's personal problems made last year a waste for him. Jordan has been plagued by left knee problems, but he seems to have recovered.--Mark Bowman

PROJECTIONS

LINEUP

SS Rafael Fureal

2B Marcus Giles

3B Chipper Jones

CF Andruw Jones

C Johnny Estrada

RF Raul Mondesi

1B Adam LaRoche

LF Brian Jordan

ROTATION

RH Tim Hudson

RH John Smoltz

LH Mike Hampton

RH John Thomsoh

LH Horacio Ramirez

CLOSER

RH Dan Kolb

TSN FANTASY TIP

Pass on John Smoltz until the sixth or seventh round. He has not started full time since '99. There's no telling how the workload will affect him.

BREAKOUT PLAYER

LHP Mike Hampton hasn't been regarded among the game's elite pitchers since signing a lucrative deal with Colorado before the 2001 season. In Atlanta, he has put together two great second halves after disappointing first halves. His sinker still baffles opponents and gives him the potential to win 20 games again; he was 22-4 with the Astros in 1999.

FLORIDA MARLINS

WHAT WE KNOW A number of pieces are in place for the Marlins to make a serious playoff run. Not even the 2003 World Series-winning team boasted the kind of firepower this club has. The offense has improved mostly because of the addition of 1B Carlos Delgado, who will bat cleanup. LF Miguel Cabrera remains one of the game's brightest young stars, and 3B Mike Lowell is a proven run producer. Complementing that powerful middle-of-the-lineup trio is speed at the top of the order, in CF Juan Pierre and 2B Luis Castillo. The rotation is solid. LHP AI Leiter, a free-agent pickup, adds experience and knowledge to a group that hasn't had a veteran of his caliber to learn from. LHP Dontrolle Willis has the makings of a star but must show consistency in his delivery.

WHAT WE DON'T KNOW Who's in right? Signs point to Juan Encarnacion being the opening day right fielder because Jeff Conine needs to recover from two offseason shoulder surgeries. Encarnacion is better defensively, but he also is coming off of a shoulder injury and needs to produce solid numbers to fend off Conine. How far the Marlins go could depend on RHP Guillermo Mota. The past two years, Mota was stellar as a setup reliever, and now he must show he has what it takes to be a top-notch closer. He certainly has the arm. If the club is going to compete for a playoff spot, RHPs Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett need to be healthy. Neither has reached 30 starts in a season.--Joe Frisaro

PROJECTIONS

LINEUP

CF Juan Pierre

2B Luis Castillo

LF Miguel Cabrera

1B Carlos Delgado

3B Mike Lowell

C Paul Lo Duca

RF Juan Encarnacion

SS Alex Gonzalez

ROTATION

RH Josh Beckett

LH Dontrelle Willis

RH A.J. Burnett

LH AI Leiter

RH Ismael Valdez

CLOSER

RH Guillermo Mota

TSN FANTASY TIP

It's hard to overlook A.J. Burnett's strikeout potential--he had 113 strikeouts in 120 innings last year. Two years removed from elbow surgery, he could be a dominant starter.

BREAKOUT PLAYER

A Gold Glove-caliber defensive player who's in the final year of his contract, SS Alex Gonzalez stands to benefit from the Marlins' improved lineup. In the No. 8 spot, he should bat with more runners on base. Last year he led N.L. shortstops in home runs and RBIs but had a disappointing on-base percentage. If Gonzalez shows patience at the plate, he could rack up impressive numbers.

NEW YORK METS

WHAT WE KNOW The strikeout potential of the rotation is lacking, putting greater demands on the defense. But the defense, second worst in the league last season, is dramatically improved and might be able to handle the extra work. Jose Reyes is a significant upgrade over Kazuo Matsui at shortstop, and manager Willie Randolph believes Matsui will be better than average at his new position, second base. He already appears comfortable there. Hard-working 3B David Wright will continue to improve, and the soft glove of 1B Doug Mientkiewicz will enhance the others' performances. Once he adjusts to fight field, Mike Cameron perhaps will be as good as any right fielder in the league. Carlos Beltran will be solid in center, and Cliff Royd hardly is a liability in left. The only position where the Mets are lacking is behind the plate; Mike Piazza's arm will be exploited.