It is Spring Training! This means it is time for my division by division preview. The NL East is home to the defending World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies. But can they repeat? The Mets have already said they are the team to beat after adding K-Rod and JJ Putz. Is Atlanta a darkhorse? What about Florida and Washington do they have any shot? Here is all you need to know about the NL East.
NL East Projected Standings
1. New York Mets- NL East Champions
2. Philadelphia Phillies
3. Atlanta Braves
4. Florida Marlins
5. Washington Nationals
New York Mets
Key arrivals: Francisco Rodriguez, JJ Putz
Key departures: Pedro Martinez
I'm a believer. The Mets were a few relievers away from the NL East title, and NY acquired two of baseball's best. Francisco Rodriguez spent his entire career with Anaheim, but money drew him to the big apple. JJ Putz was brought in from Seattle in a huge trade. K-Rod will close, and Putz will become baseball's best set-up man. The Mets bullpen is now one of the best, on paper. The lineup is intact with Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, David Wright, and Carlos Delgado all still there. Johann Santana is now used to the NY spotlight and John Maine, Oliver Perez, and Mike Pelfrey are all back in town as well. The Mets will finally break through this season and win this division.
Philadelphia Phil! lies
Key arrivals: Raul Ibanez
Key departures: Pat Burrell
The defending World Series Champions did not lose a handful of key players, which is normally the case. Pat the bat is gone, but Ibanez is a great pick-up. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, Shane Victorino, Jimmy Rollins, and Brad Lidge still anchor this team. Lidge did not blow a single save last season. Hamels became an icon with his dazzling performances in the postseason. The Phillies had everything go in their favor last year. That will not be the case this season. Philadelphia now has a huge target on their back and! teams will gun for them. This is why they miss the playoffs. Philly hasn't had a title in a few decades and they have forgotten how to defend one. Lidge will blow saves, and Hamels will struggle as all youngsters do. Howard could be the saving grace, if he learns how to not strike out every other at bat. J-Roll is aging and his production will decrease as well. Philly will be right there, but stumble short.
Atlanta Braves
Key arrivals: Derek Lowe, Javiar Vazquez, Garret Ander! son
Key departures: John Smoltz
The Braves had! an offs eason to forget after missing out on AJ Burnett and Rafael Furcal. Atlanta also lost John Smoltz, he was a Brave his entire career. It is truly the changing of an era, except for manager Bobby Cox and 3B Chipper Jones. The Braves did manage to trade for SP Javiar Vazquez and sign SP Derek Lowe. These two guys will lead their rotation. Atlanta is not in bad shape. I truly believe they will contend with NY and Philadelphia. The Braves are younger and hungry. Bobby Cox will have his boys ready to play this season.
Florida Marlins
Key arrivals: Scott Proctor
Key departures: Josh Willingham, Kevin Gregg
The Marlins never have enough money to be major players in free agency. Florida survives on building their teams from within. They are always overachieving in the eyes of the league. But as manager Freddy Gonzalez will say, they expect to compete every year. We all remember the stories of Josh Beckett, Dontrelle Willis, and Miguel Cabrera. Could guys like Matt Lidstrom, Josh Johnson, Cameron Maybin, and Hanley Ramirez be the next generation? I don't think this season. Ramirez has arrived and is now considered one of baseball's best players. He receieved a nice extension and should be in sunny Florida for a while. The Marlins will be weak at the beginning of the season, but peak late and make a run. I do not expect it to be enough for a playoff berth however.
Washington Nationals
Key arrivals: Adam Dunn, Scott Olsen, Josh Willingham
Key departures: Tim Redding, Chad Cordero (free agent)
The Nationals have been a joke their entire baseball existence. They were a joke in their later years as the Expos and a move to DC did not change their fate. Now they open a new ballpark and hope to attract fans. They failed to ink Mark Teixiera who was supposed to be their new poster boy. They settled with slugger Adam Dunn. The Nats made an underrated trade with division rival Florida when they acquired Willingham and Olsen. I do not think this will be enough to get them out of the NL East basement howev! er. The biggest issue for them is everyone above them improved as well. Washington is finally on the right track, but a few years away from competing.
