2009 National League East Predictions
Mets and Phillies Set to Battle it Out Once Again
Mar 18, 2009
Although its very difficult to repeat as champions, the Phillies are definitely a team to beat in the NL East. The Mets will try and avoid another late-season collapse, while the Marlins will be relying on big efforts from young players if they hope to challenge for top spot. When all is said and done, this is how it could turn out.
Division Champions: New York Mets
Yes it is very hard to pick against the World Series Champions for a team that has collapsed in two consecutive seasons. Yet as most people know, the Mets would have taken the East last year with ease if it wasn't for a horrible bullpen and lack of clutch hitting. With the additions of Francisco Rodriguez to close out ballgames and former Seattle closer J.J. Putz setting up for him, the Mets finally have some stability in the backend of the bullpen. Also, gone are Aaron Heliman, Scott Schoenweis, Duaner Sanchez, and Luis Ayala, who proved to be more of a headache then a relief last year. However, the Mets still need to prove they can hit when it matters. Also, there is question marks at several positions. Is Ryan Church healthy? Can Carlos Delgado be the hitter he was the second half of the season in 2008? Will Daniel Murphy continue to impress like he did last year? What will the Mets get out Luis Castillo? If the answers prove to these questions turn out to be positive, the Mets will be in great shape. If not, it could be a long Inaugural season at Citi Field for New York.
Second Place: Philadelphia Phillies (Wild Card Winner)
Again it is hard to pick against the World Champions. However fate is against them. Since the Braves of the 1990's, no national league team has made it to consecutive World Series. However if any team in the National League can change this, it may be this very dangerous Phillies team. They have perhaps the best infield in the National League with Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins. They added one of the more consistent bats over the past few seasons in Raul Ibanez, and have a potential star in Jayson Werth. They also return a solid bullpen, anchored by closer Brad Lidge, who was the 2008 comeback player of the year and did not blow a single save over the course of the season. However, J.C Romero will serve a 50 game suspension for failing a drug test, which could prove harmful to a strong bullpen. Also, the Phillies rotation is suspect after ace Cole Hamels. It should be a very close race, but when the Phillies are facing a team that fixed their problem that cost them the division in consecutive years in the New York Mets, it might not turn out in the Philadelphia's favor.
Third Place: Florida Marlins
This is a young team that has a ton of talent. Their pitching staff will surprise many people this year, and has the potential to be one of the best in the game. They have arguably one of the games best player in Hanley Ramirez. Cameron Maybin should win the centerfield job and will be an exciting young player to watch. However what makes this team so intriguing could be their downfall. They are still a team that is too young. Yet this is how the Marlins are. Look for them to be one of the best teams in baseball in two years. This year, they will be competitive and make it tough for the Mets and Phillies, but it is not their time yet.
Fourth Place: Atlanta Braves
The Braves made significant moves this off-season to upgrade their rotation. They traded for Javier Vasquez and brought in free agent Derek Lowe and Japanese import Kenshin Kawakami. However, this team lacks an ace to anchor their staff. They also have a bullpen littered with question marks and an offense that doesn't strike much fear into anyone outside of Brian McCann, and possibly Kelly Johnson and Chipper Jones, if Chipper can stay healthy this year. With bobby Cox at the help though, you can never count the Braves out, as they always find a way to stay competitive.
Fifth Place: Washington Nationals
The Nationals tried and failed to land the prized free agent this year in Mark Texiera. That may have been the player to build around. However this Nationals offense did improve. They signed slugger Adam Dunn to put in the four spot, Ryan Zimmerman is healthy this year, Josh Willingham was acquired from the Marlins, and Lastings Milledge will benefit of batting higher in the order instead of the unnatural cleanup spot. However the pitching is a complete mess, both the rotation and bullpen. This means nothing but the cellar this year for the National, but expect five to ten more wins this year from improvements on the offense.
