So the rotation lines up the same as last season, and that’s a good thing: Carlos Zambrano, Dempster, Ted Lilly and Rich Harden, plus whoever remains from a handful of trade candidates including Jason Marquis, Hill and Marshall.

The bullpen could drop a notch. Nobody doubts that Carlos Marmol can be a force in the closer role. But it’s questionable whether former Marlins closer Kevin Gregg can fill the eighth-inning role by himself, and the best emerging option from the system — Jose Ceda — was sent to Florida. Jeff Samardzija may have to take on a bigger role.

But what will remain no matter who is added is the lingering doubt about advancing in the postseason — not that that is a new issue in Wrigleyville.

Q: I don’t hear much from the Hot Stove about the Arizona Diamondbacks. Do they really believe they can stand pat and compete? I realize the NL West is weak, but they couldn’t win it last season. What makes them think they can win it next year?
— Robert Pyper, Las Vegas

A: Considering the D-Backs began the year 20-8, played 10 games under .500 the rest of the way and blew a 4½-game lead with 28 games remaining, I have to agree with you, Robert. They need to get busy.

But not only are they standing pat, they’re going in reverse. About the only thing they’ve done so far is what I believe to be the mistaken decision not to re-sign Randy Johnson for another year.

And you can expect them to lose Orlando Hudson, Adam Dunn, Juan Cruz, Brandon Lyon and David Eckstein in free agency, too.

It all comes down to money, of course, and the D-Backs are having big problems in that area right now — witness the 31 front-office employees recently were laid off.

Johnson was willing to take a 50 percent cut from the $16 million he made in 2007, but the D-Backs reportedly couldn’t go higher than $2.5-$3 million. Considering Johnson needs only five wins to reach 300, you would think that extra $4.5-$5 million could be generated in additional ticket and concession revenues from Johnson’s home starts.

But the D-Backs weren’t willing to take that chance, and will go into the season with Doug Davis, Max Scherzer, Yusmiero Petit and others behind Brandon Webb and Dan Haren.

They also have the four-outfielder logjam, and it’s going to be very difficult to trade Eric Byrnes, who has $20-plus million left on his deal and is coming off an injury. Maybe Conor Jackson will return to first base, and Chad Tracy will be dealt, although the D-Backs need left-handed hitting.

Underrated free-agent infielder Ramon Vazquez is on their radar, and he could turn out to be the regular second baseman, but it’s not looking too promising in the desert so far this off-season.

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