The National League East is, to put it frankly, top-heavy. The Washington Nationals and their RIDICULOUS starting rotation and lineup are the class of the division without question. The Miami Marlins made some serious noise this offseason, locking up superstar slugger Giancarlo Stanton with a 13 year, $325 million contract, making him the highest paid athlete in North American sports history. The Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, and Philadelphia Phillies are all in rebuilding mode, but could all still surprise people and contend well into the season. Here are my predictions for how the East will play out.
Atlanta Braves:
The 2015 Atlanta Braves will look nothing like the teams we've been accustomed to seeing the past few years. The Braves front office, lead by GM Jon Hart, basically had a fire sale this offseason, trading away the likes of Jason Heyward, Justin Upton and Evan Gattis for young talent. It is obvious that the Braves are investing in the future. As for the 2015 Braves, the core of Freddie Freeman, Chris Johnson and Craig Kimbrel will most certainly produce, but for them to have any shot of competing in the East, former All-Stars Melvin (formerly BJ) Upton Jr., Andrelton Simmons, and newly acquired Nick Markakis must produce at high levels offensively. If that doesn't happen, I see Atlanta having a tough time pushing across runs. As for pitching, the Braves will rely heavily on the top-end of the starting rotation, consisting of Julio Tehran, Alex Wood, and newly acquired Shelby Miller, as well as perennial All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel.
PREDICTION: 76-86, 4th in the NL East
Miami Marlins:
The Marlins have created a lot of buzz this offseason, and for good reason. They just might get over the hump and contend for the playoffs this year. There's no two ways around this, Giancarlo Stanton is the heart and soul of this team and they rewarded him this offseason with a huge contract for 13 years, $325 million, the largest in North American sports history. In my humble opinion, he deserves every penny of it. When he is healthy he is the best player in the National League, hands down. In addition to locking up Stanton, they also brought in four big names via trade or free agency. Speedster Dee Gordon, who could steal 80+ bases if he really tried, will man the leadoff spot, slugger Mike Morse will provide some protection in the lineup for Stanton in the clean-up spot, Martin Prado is as consistent as they come at 3rd base, and fading superstar Ichiro Suzuki comes into 2015 just 156 hits shy of 3,000 for his MLB career. Those guys, along with returnees Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna, and Adeiny Hechavarria, look score early and score often. The pitching staff is lead by Henderson Alverez, but will be eagerly awaiting the return of 2013 Rookie of the year Jose Fernandez, who is recovering from May 2014 Tommy John surgery (Vulnar collateral ligament reconstruction). Fernandez is looking at a return around June 1st, but elbow surgeries are always tricky. Look for new acquisitions Mat Latos and Dan Haren to give the Marlins a boost until Fernandez returns.
PREDICTION: 88-74, 2nd in NL East; 2nd Wild Card
New York Mets:
The Mets, like the Marlins, are eagerly awaiting the return of a top-end starting pitcher after Tommy John surgery. Matt Harvey will look to return to his position of staff ace after missing all of 2014. The offense is lead, of course, by 3rd Baseman David Wright, although coming off a down year, Wright will look to anchor the lineup once again. The Mets front office brought in some help for Wright this offseason in the form of aging star Michael Cuddyer. The 2013 NL batting champ will try to give Wright some protection, along with 1st Baseman Lucas Duda and 2014 All-Star Daniel Murphy. Don't sleep on the lead-off guy Juan Lagares, either. That dude is lightning in a bottle. Along with Harvey, the Mets pitching staff is lead by fireballer Zach Wheeler, and 2014 Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom.
PREDICTION: 81-81, 3rd in NL East
Philadelphia Phillies:
The Phillies finally did what they needed to do three years ago this offseason; they dismantled the aging core of their 2008 World Series Championship team and began rebuilding for the future. Jimmy Rollins was already dealt, and any combination of Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Cliff Lee or Cole Hamels could be next. While they are still in Philly, however, those four will look to turn back the clock and produce like the All-Stars they once were. Utley and Howard will have the help of speedy Ben Revere at the top of the lineup, as well as powerful, but strikeout prone Dominic Brown and the consistently average Carlos Ruiz. Hamels and Lee, however, don't have quite the proven supporting cast. Relief pitcher Justin De Fratus was a bright spot for the Phils last year, and will look to build on that success, but other than that, it's a whole bunch of unproven guys or fading veterans.
PREDICTION: 72-90, 5th in NL East
Washington Nationals:
Once again, the Nats look like the team to beat in the NL East. They made a huge move in the offseason, acquiring Max Scherzer to solidify an already ridiculous starting rotation. Ryan Zimmerman, Bryce Harper, and Jayson Werth anchor the lineup, and will look to drive in leadoff man Denard Span and plate setter Anthony Rendon. I'm not sure what you can say about the Nats starting rotation, other than “holy crap". Starters 1-5 could go out and beat any team on their best day. Stephen Strasburg, Max Scherzer, Jordan Zimmerman, Gio Gonzalez, and Doug Fister make up the best starting rotation in baseball, bar none.
PREDICTION: 90-72, 1st in NL East
