The big question is whether the Furcal-Hudson combo can stay intact. Both have struggled with injuries in recent years.

Hudson, 31, ended each of the last two seasons on the disabled list, first with a torn ligament in his left hand in 2007 and then after undergoing wrist surgery in 2008. Furcal spent all of 2007 playing through a left ankle injury that hampered his productivity, then spent all but a few weeks of 2008 on the disabled list with a lower back injury.

Like Furcal, Hudson is a switch hitter and an offensive threat. He hit a career-high .305 for the Diamondbacks last season, with a .367 on-base percentage. He was especially dangerous with runners in scoring position, batting .333 (29-for-87), with eight of those hits going for extra bases, and striking out just 13 times.

TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: RHP Jason Schmidt hasn't appeared in a major league game since June 2007, and his anticipated return last season from surgery to repair three separate issues with his right shoulder never materialized. No one is counting on him, but he is expected to be at full strength by the start of camp and could be in the rotation by Opening Day.

TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: 2B Blake DeWitt was the feel-good story of the season last year, going from minor league camp to the starting lineup on Opening Day, and he stayed in the lineup for much of the season. But DeWitt arrived in the majors at least a year ahead of schedule, and despite his solid makeup, the dreaded sophomore jinx could be a factor.

AUTHORITY FIGURES: Joe Torre brought his Bronx magic west with him, guiding the Dodgers to a division title despite a less-than-eye-popping 84-78 record in his first season. He then led the Dodgers to their first postseason series victory in 20 years. This will be the first full season for hitting coach Don Mattingly, who had a major impact on the team's approach at the plate.