NL East

A lot of questions confronted the Philadelphia Phillies as they headed into spring training.  Would their aging stars bounce back from long stints on the disabled list and regain their effectiveness?  Would those who had avoided the DL be able to avoid Father Time for one more year?  Would youngsters come up and fill voids left by core players departing?

With April 1st and the start of the 2013 baseball season just a few short days away, the Philadelphia Phillies have checked off quite a few items on their offseason to-do list and are closer to figuring out what their roster will look like for the regular season.

The team took care of a few housekeeping items by naming Cole Hamels the Opening Day starter, and by demoting Darin Ruf, it got a few steps closer to figuring out the outfield situation.

If it became a movie, Cliff Lee's Philadelphia story would be a romantic comedy with scenes of brilliant light and unbearable darkness.

The first time the Phillies dealt for Lee, in 2009, the deal was viewed as "adding another top starter to join Cole Hamels," per ESPN.com.

Stephen Strasburg dominated hitters for five months in 2012. If he has his way, he'll have a chance to do it for six or seven months in 2013.

Dan Uggla's struggles are no secret for Atlanta Braves fans.

Hitting .227 with 55 home runs and 160 RBI in his two years with the Braves, Uggla hasn't exactly lived up to his five-year, $62-million contract.

Which raises the question: How long of a leash does Uggla have this year?

The National League East was one of the busiest divisions in baseball this offseason, with all five teams wheeling and dealing to set themselves up for success in 2013 and beyond. 

Some teams—like the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals—are built to win now, and their moves reflect that mentality. 

But for the New York Mets and Miami Marlins, the future is what matters. Both teams made major trades that shook up their rosters but could pay major dividends down the road, while also adding solid role players.

After a busy offseason for the New York Mets, including a nine-figure extension for David Wright and trading Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey, there is one ultimate question that no one seems to be talking about: Which Mets players would be cast as the main characters in Star Wars? 

New York Mets spring training camp has reached the halfway point, and prospects are trying to make positive impressions on manager Terry Collins and his coaching staff. Travis d'Arnaud and Zack Wheeler, among others, are exhibiting the skills that show they will have a very bright future in Flushing, N.Y. someday.

Other Mets prospects may be vying to make a final roster spot. Some realize they won't be heading north with the parent club, but they want the Mets' brain trust to consider them for a promotion down the road.

For a team that's probably going to finish last in the National League East for the third consecutive year, the Miami Marlins don't have many issues thus far. 

The Miami Marlins played an exhibition game against Team Venezuela, set to take part in the World Baseball Classic, and recently deceased Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez was not remembered with a moment of silence before the contest.