Since the famous New York Met’s collapse of 2007, the Philadelphia Phillies have had a strangle hold on the National League East (that will be the only mention of the Mets here). The Phillies haven’t really had a challenge since, finishing six or more games ahead from 2009. This year, especially if the Phillies don’t do something about their lack of offense, we could be in for a doozy, with any of three teams putting it all together for a run at the division.
The Braves are the obvious choice. They have been steadily improving with some young arms and bats. If guys like Tommy Hanson and Brandon Beachy step into Jair Jurrjens territory, that is a pretty scary rotation with Tim Hudson. We all know about those young bullpen fireballers. Jason Heyward can’t get any worse, and Freddie Freeman looks to only improve. With Michael Bourn atop the lineup and the ageless wonder Chipper Jones, this team has enough veterans to go along with the young talent to make noise.
Miami said that it’s time to start taking baseball seriously, and this is the year it all comes together. They made the big splash with getting the one and only, Ozzie Guillen, to bring them into the new area. Ozzie has plenty to work with already there. We presume Josh Johnson will be healthy and martians will bring Hanley Ramirez back, this team has talent. Mike Stanton welcomed himself to Major League Baseball at the tender age of 22 and the sky is the limit. Logan Morrison has the tools to be a star. The return of Josh Johnson, along with the development of Ricky Nolasco and Anibal Sanchez, makes the rotation formidable. Now Jose Reyes and Mark Buehrle have taken visits to tour the new park. If they could pull off both, this team could do some damage throughout the season.
They arguably got the best pitching talent and the best hitting talent in the draft in back to back years. This is nothing new to the Exp..err Nationals, where this organization has been a pseudo farm team for major baseball for nearly two decades. With this wealthy of talent, along with the mega contract to Jayson Werth, showed that Washington plans on competing, possibly as soon as this year. The infield has the potential to be the best in the East with established star Ryan Zimmerman, young talents Ian Desmond and Danny Espinosa, and break out stud Michael Morse. Stephen Strasburg will be at full force to join emerging Jordan Zimmerman and stellar young closer Drew Storen. Who knows, maybe we will get a Bryce Harper appearance for a playoff run?
The NL East could potentially be up for grabs this year. A couple Florida signings or some guys taking the next step in Atlanta or Washington could prove to be a push for the Phillies. Winter meeting fast approaching and pitchers and catchers reporting is right around the corner.