With Winter Meetings in the books, a look at the NL East

NASHVILLE - And the winner of the most improved team in the National League is - drum roll, please - the Arizona Diamondbacks.

As the Winter Meetings conclude, the Diamondbacks, who had 79 wins last season for a 15-win improvement from the previous year, have added balance to the NL West. No longer is the division a two-team race between the Giants and the Dodgers.

"They have so many good young players," Giants manager Bruce Bochy says. "They play solid defense. They score runs and now they have Zack Greinke."

Not only did the Diamondbacks add Greinke, they have Shelby Miller, Atlanta's best pitcher in 2015. The rotation has Patrick Corbin, Rubby De La Rosa and four or five others vying for the No. 5 spot.

Each of the first four starters could throw 200 innings next season, which would take pressure off the overworked bullpen. Paul Goldschmidt and A.J. Pollock lead the Diamondbacks' offense, second in the NL in runs last season.

Arizona general manager Dave Stewart says the price of pitching isn't too high if the Diamondbacks win. The team gave Atlanta three players, including two blue-chip prospects, for Miller. Greinke got $206.5 million.

"We figure this is our time to go to the next level," Stewart said.

The Diamondbacks are going to be a trendy pick next season. But winning the winter meetings doesn't guarantee success.

Remember San Diego made the big overhaul last winter. And, the Padres were out of the race by June 1.

Now, for an update on what's going on in the NL East:

ATLANTA: In 2014, the Braves had the weakest farm system in the league, but that's all changed. The Braves added to that when they traded Miller, a top-of-the-rotation guy, to Arizona for three players: outfielder Ender Inciarte, shortstop Dansby Swanson and pitcher Aaron Blair. ... Inciarte will play center and bat leadoff. Swanson, the No. 1 pick in the 2015 draft, will likely be the Braves' shortstop in 2017, and Blair, a 6-5, 230-pounder, could join the rotation midway through next year. ... The Braves farm system is restocked as they move into a new ballpark in 2017. Their strength is young pitching. The 2016 season could be shaky, but the future is bright.

MIAMI: The Marlins came to Nashville hoping to add to their pitching staff, but they missed out. So it was a quiet time, except for fending off the 20 teams that were calling to ask about a trade for ace pitcher Jose Fernandez. The Marlins say he's not going anywhere. ... The Marlins are interested in starters Wei-Yin Chen, Yovani Gallardo and Scott Kazmir. ... The Marlins hired controversial Barry Bonds as a batting coach under new manager Don Mattingly. ... And while the Marlins say they wouldn't trade Fernandez, they did take offers for outfielder Marcell Ozuna, somebody the Orioles might want.

NEW YORK: The Mets picked up shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and second baseman Neil Walker. ... Cabrera signed a two-year contract after playing with the Rays last season. It means that Wilmer Flores will move to a utility role. ... Walker comes from the Pirates in a trade for pitcher Jon Niese. That means that postseason power-hitting hero Daniel Murphy will not be returning to the Mets. ... The Mets are looking for a left-handed bat to platoon with Juan Lagares in centerfield. ... The Mets are thinking about Denard Span. If they sign Span, who is coming back from injury, they could make him the regular center fielder. ... The Mets are also trying to stabilize a bullpen that was slammed with injuries last season. Closer Jeurys Familia and Addison Reed will return. They also like Hansel Robles and Erik Goeddel.

PHILADELPHIA: The Phillies are rebuilding and manager Pete Mackanin says his job is to point the kids in the right direction. ... Prospects are everywhere, and the Phillies' strength is in the outfield where they have plus defenders in Peter Bourjos, Aaron Altherr, Odubel Herrera and Cody Asche. ... Infielders Freddy Galvis, Cesar Hernandez and Maikel Franco have made positive impressions. ... Jeremy Hellickson is the experienced presence in the rotation that has a good-looking prospect in Aaron Nola. ... The Phillies would love to trade first baseman Ryan Howard, but he's owed $25 million for next season.

WASHINGTON: Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo laid groundwork that could lead to a trade or signing of a pitcher. He confirmed that he's made an offer to free-agent pitcher Mike Leake. ... Given the Nationals' ability to surprise, they could be in the market for starter Johnny Cueto, one of the elite pitchers left on the market. ... The Nationals lost out on Ben Zobrist, who went to the Cubs, so what's the next step there? Manager Dusty Baker says a strong bench is important, especially with Jayson Werth needing more days off this season. ... Questions are constantly popping up about what the Nationals are going to do with reliever Drew Storen, who has asked for a trade, and closer Jonathan Papelbon, who tried to choke Bryce Harper last season and is owed $11 million in 2015. The truth is no one knows. ... The Nationals shot down speculation that they are looking for a shortstop. Trea Turner has a chance to win the job in spring training and if he isn't ready, Danny Espinosa would be the guy.