One-word descriptions of every NL team at holiday time

As the holiday season arrives, baseball transactions usually slow down. We know you are busy with preparations, so here's the one word that comes to mind when talking about National League teams: * Arizona: Revival. There's an Oakland connection that brings back memories of the A's World Series teams from 1988-90. The team president is former A's manager Tony La Russa. The general manager is former A's pitcher Dave Stewart and pitching consultant Dave Duncan was La Russa's pitching coach in Oakland. Duncan has been watching video of the Diamondbacks pitchers, including Jeremy Hellickson, who was acquired in a trade from Tampa Bay. Duncan is the master of turning around pitching careers. Stewart says Hellickson is valuable because he can win on days when he only has his fastball. * Atlanta: Future. The Braves scored the second-fewest runs in the NL last season, so what do they do? They trade two of their best hitters, Jason Heyward (St. Louis) and Justin Upton (San Diego). The flip side is that they are building their farm system, which was in disrepair. The Braves picked up pitcher Shelby Miller and top-notch prospects Tyrell Jenkins, Dustin Peterson and Mallex Smith, players that could be ready when the Braves move into their new ballpark in 2017. Also, the usually pitching-rich Braves are short a starter for next season in a rotation that has Julio Teheran, Miller, Alex Wood and Mike Minor. They won't be in on the big-name free agent pitchers. * Chicago: Expectations. The Cubs have a new manager, Joe Maddon, and a $155 million pitcher, Jon Lester. Their rotation, the deepest it has been in years, includes former Orioles Jake Arrieta and Jason Hammel. But are the expectations of winning a division title too high? The Cubs need their young core players, such as Kris Bryant, Javier Baez and Jorge Soler, to grow before they can win. * Cincinnati: Nervous. Reds fans are on the edge because the Reds went into the offseason with four pitchers eligible for free agency after 2015, not a good thing for a small-market team. Because of that, the Reds shed payroll by trading starters Mat Latos and Alfredo Simon. But Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake are also free agents after the season, so will they go via trade? The Reds say they need bullpen help and another hitter. * Colorado: Grounders. It seems the Rockies are always building their rotation and this offseason is no exception. They have Jorge De La Rosa and Jhoulys Chacin, as well as prospects Tyler Matzek and Jordan Lyles. The Rockies let it be known at the Winter Meetings that they need groundball pitchers that can work well in the thin air and spaciousness of Coors Field. Will they trade Troy Tulowitzki or Carlos Gonzalez? It's possible either could go. * Los Angeles: Makeover. The Dodgers won 94 games in 2014, but the new boss, Andrew Friedman, has given the team a different look. Jimmy Rollins is the new shortstop, Yasmani Grandal the new catcher. Matt Kemp is gone. The rotation led by Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke has depth after getting Brandon McCarthy and Brett Anderson. Prospect Joc Pederson will be given a chance to be the center fielder. And who knows? The Dodgers have the money to spend on a big-name pitcher. * Miami: Dizzying. Difficult to believe, but the Marlins are going all-out to improve on their 77-win season. They're going to be the team that challenges the Nationals in the NL East. They've added Latos to the rotation. Former Nat Michael Morse is the first baseman, hitting behind Giancarlo Stanton with Dee Gordon, and his potential for 70 stolen bases, at the top of the lineup. Their deep pitching allowed them to trade Nathan Eovaldi to the Yankees for third baseman Martin Prado. Throw in a bullpen filled with power arms and the return of pitcher Jose Fernandez in June and it's easy to see why there's excitement in Miami. * Milwaukee: Content. The Brewers were nearly non-existent at the Winter Meetings. They added first baseman Adam Lind, a left-handed power guy, in November, and that filled their most glaring need. The Brewers think that if they hit consistently - Ryan Braun and Aramis Ramirez slumped in the second half of last season - they will be contenders. * New York: About-face. At least that's what manager Terry Collins thinks. He's tired of losing and declared that the Mets are ready to win. With Matt Harvey returning to a rotation that has Zack Wheeler and Jacob deGrom, Collins might be right. The Mets need a shortstop, but said they will take care of that in January. They have added Michael Cuddyer and need rebound production from Curtis Granderson and David Wright. * Philadelphia: Desperate. The Phillies, once an NL powerhouse, would love to rebuild and find payroll flexibility, but there isn't strong interest in Ryan Howard ($60 million) or closer Jonathan Papelbon ($18 million). There is a market for lefty Cole Hamels, who has $96 million left on his contract, and a Hamels trade could be a bonanza for the Phillies. * Pittsburgh: Reclamations. Can you believe former Oriole Radhames Liz is back in the news? The Pirates are hoping they can get Liz and pitcher Clayton Richard to be productive. Richard was a steady winner for San Diego before injuries sidelined him and Liz, 31, hasn't thrown a big league pitch since 2009 with the Orioles, but he's looked good in winter ball. The Pirates are trying to add depth to a rotation that has Francisco Liriano, Gerrit Cole, A.J. Burnett, Jeff Locke and Vance Worley. * St. Louis: Grieving. The Cardinals are grieving the death of outfielder Oscar Taveras, a top prospect that blossomed last season before he was killed in a car accident. His death led to the acquisition of right fielder Heyward from the Braves. He'll be in an outfield that has Jon Jay and Matt Holliday. The Cardinals are about as set as a team can be. The infield has, from third to first, Matt Carpenter, Jhonny Peralta, Kolten Wong and Matt Adams with Yadier Molina catching. Adam Wainwright and Lance Lynn lead the rotation. * San Diego: Star-studded. The Padres, whose 535 runs were the fewest in the NL last season, have added three outfielders - Wil Myers, the 2013 AL Rookie of the Year, Matt Kemp, a former NL MVP candidate, and Justin Upton, a 25-homer bat. Their new catcher is All-Star Derek Norris and the new third baseman is Will Middlebrooks, a power-hitter who is looking for a fresh start after not doing well in Boston. The potential boost in offense is good news for a team that had a 3.27 ERA last season, second in the NL behind the Nationals. * San Francisco: Incomplete. The Giants lost third baseman Pablo Sandoval to Boston and picked up Casey McGehee, 32, to replace him. McGehee is fine, but he's no Sandoval. The Giants signed right-hander Jake Peavy to a two-year contract, proving they are loyal to players that help them win. The Giants need a left fielder and a starting pitcher. Max Scherzer is out of the question. James Shields is possible, if his price is reasonable. * Washington: Balance. The Nats need a second baseman, but the speculation has been whether they are going to keep the NL East champions together while providing stability for the future. That's why there is trade talk involving Ian Desmond, Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister, each eligible for free agency after 2015. Zimmermann says he will sign a "fair" deal, but can the two sides agree on what fair is in light of Lester's $155 million? Are the Nationals overthinking this? Should they just go all out to win in 2015 and let the chips fall where they may next offseason?