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Chicago Cubs

2014 record: 73-89 (5th in NL Central)

Manager: Joe Maddon (1st season)

General Manager: Jed Hoyer (4th season)

2015 estimated payroll: $114.6 million

Odds to win the World Series: 14-1 (Bovada)

Over / Under total for wins in 2015: 81.5 (Atlantis)

Highest-paid player: Jon Lester ($20 million)

Impending free agents: Dexter Fowler, Jason Motte, Chris Denorfia

Highest projected 2015 fWAR (Steamer): Anthony Rizzo (4.7)

Playoff appearances since 1995: 4 (1998, 2003, 2007, 2008)

Welcome aboard: Lester, Fowler, Denorfia, Motte, Miguel Montero, Jason Hammel, David Ross, Tommy La Stella, Phil Coke, Daniel Bard, Drake Britton

Thanks for the memories: Luis Valbuena, Dan Straily, Wesley Wright, Carlos Villanueva, Kyuji Fujikawa, Arodys Vizcaino, John Baker, Justin Ruggiano

Analysis: There's plenty to like about the Cubs - no organization has a better collection of high-upside position prospects - but it might not translate to wins in 2015. Javier Baez and Jorge Soler will be back after getting a taste of the big leagues, and minor-league home run king Kris Bryant will be pounding balls out of Wrigley Field at some point this season. Offseason pickups Lester, Montero and Fowler - in addition to returning stars Rizzo and Starlin Castro - help stabilize the roster, giving the Cubs a chance to take a giant leap forward if the youngsters prove capable of carrying a sizeable amount of weight.

Cincinnati Reds

2014 record: 76-86 (4th in NL Central)

Manager: Bryan Price (2nd season)

General Manager: Walt Jocketty (8th season)

2015 estimated payroll: $114.8 million

Odds to win the World Series: 66-1 (Bovada)

Over / Under total for wins in 2015: 79 (Atlantis)

Highest-paid player: Joey Votto ($14 million)

Impending free agents: Johnny Cueto, Mike Leake, Sean Marshall, Manny Parra

Highest projected 2015 fWAR (Steamer): Votto (4.0)

Playoff appearances since 1995: 4 (1995, 2010, 2012, 2013)

Welcome aboard: Marlon Byrd, Anthony DeSclafani, Burke Badenhop, Paul Maholm, Jason Marquis, Kevin Gregg

Thanks for the memories: Mat Latos, Alfredo Simon, Ryan Ludwick, Jack Hannahan, Ramon Santiago, Chris Heisey

Analysis: Cincinnati is coming off its worst year since 2008, lost two key members of its rotation in the offseason and the team's two highest-paid players - Votto and Jay Bruce - were both limited by injuries. Cueto, the Reds' ace, is set to land a lucrative, long-term deal in free agency - leaving open the possibility he doesn't stick around all season - and Homer Bailey, the team's No. 2 arm, is coming off elbow surgery and unlikely to be ready for Opening Day. The Reds are still packing talent, but there's enough question marks to remain skeptical of a rebound.

Milwaukee Brewers

2014 record: 82-80 (3rd in NL Central)

Manager: Ron Roenicke (5th season)

General Manager: Doug Melvin (13th season)

2015 estimated payroll: $98 million

Odds to win the World Series: 50-1 (Bovada)

Over / Under total for wins in 2015: 80 (Atlantis)

Highest-paid player: Aramis Ramirez ($14 million)

Impending free agents: Ramirez, Kyle Lohse, Neal Cotts, Gerardo Parra

Highest projected 2015 fWAR (Steamer): Carlos Gomez (4.5)

Playoff appearances since 1995: 2 (2008, 2011)

Welcome aboard: Cotts, Adam Lind, Luis Jimenez, Luis Sardinas, Dontrelle Willis, Corey Knebel

Thanks for the memories: Yovani Gallardo, Marco Estrada, Zach Duke, Mark Reynolds, Rickie Weeks, Tom Gorzelanny

Analysis: The Reds have taken a step back, the Cubs have moved forward, and the Cardinals and Pirates are both capable of keeping their postseason streaks alive. Milwaukee, meanwhile, did little to improve its roster, and looks more the part of pretender than contender. Ryan Braun has been injured and slashed a good but not superstar-like .275/.339/.466 the last two seasons after serving a performance-enhancing drug suspension. If Braun returns to the form that saw him win MVP in 2011 and finish runner-up the following year, it could improve the team by a couple wins and give Milwaukee a shot at making some noise.

Pittsburgh Pirates

2014 record: 88-74 (2nd in NL Central)

Manager: Clint Hurdle (5th season)

General Manager: Neal Huntington (8th season)

2015 estimated payroll: $84.3 million

Odds to win the World Series: 28-1 (Bovada)

Over / Under total for wins in 2015: 85.5 (Atlantis)

Highest-paid player: Francisco Liriano ($11.6 million)

Impending free agents: A.J. Burnett, Antonio Bastardo, Corey Hart, Sean Rodriguez

Highest projected 2015 fWAR (Steamer): Andrew McCutchen (6.1)

Playoff appearances since 1995: 2 (2013, 2014)

Welcome aboard: Burnett, Bastardo, Hart, Rodriguez, Jung-Ho Kang, Francisco Cervelli, Clayton Richard

Thanks for the memories: Russell Martin, Edinson Volquez, Clint Barmes, Ike Davis, Gaby Sanchez

Analysis: Pittsburgh has made the playoffs in back-to-back years after going two decades without a postseason appearance. The Pirates' return to relevance is a feel-good story, but they're also a team that's proven worthy of the recognition. Powered by 2013 MVP McCutchen, the Pirates have pop - and one of the highest-upside outfields in the game - but may lack the pitching needed to capture a third consecutive playoff berth.

St. Louis Cardinals

2014 record: 90-72 (1st in NL Central)

Manager: Mike Matheny (4th season)

General Manager: John Mozeliak (8th season)

2015 estimated payroll: $115.3 million

Odds to win the World Series: 12-1 (Bovada)

Over / Under total for wins in 2015: 87.5 (Atlantis)

Highest-paid player: Adam Wainwright ($19.5 million)

Impending free agents: Jason Heyward, Matt Belisle, Randy Choate, Mark Reynolds

Highest projected 2015 fWAR (Steamer): Heyward (4.9)

Playoff appearances since 1995: 12 (1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006*, 2009, 2011*, 2012, 2013, 2014) *denotes World Series champion

Welcome aboard: Heyward, Reynolds, Belisle, Jordan Walden, Carlos Villanueva

Thanks for the memories: Daniel Descalso, Shelby Miller, Jason Motte, Justin Masterson, Pat Neshek, A.J. Pierzynski, Mark Ellis

Analysis: The Cubs haven't shifted the balance of power in the Central just yet. Coming off two straight division titles, the Cardinals are in a strong position to complete the trifecta. Loaded with a deep rotation, established veterans and a collection of players on the upswing, St. Louis is well-equipped to make another deep playoff run. To account for the tragic death of Oscar Taveras, and the unexpected void it left on the roster, the Cardinals made an aggressive move to trade for one of the game's best right fielders, Heyward, to slide in the upper portion of their lineup.