With the MLB playoffs expanding to ten teams, clubs have even more reason to be hopeful about their prospects in 2012. While some fans are questioning the wisdom change, it seems likely that it will result in an even more exciting chase down the wire.
Yesterday, we asked MLBTR readers which 90-win team is most likely to disappoint in 2012. The three top vote getters – the Brewers (27.23%), Cardinals (17.39%), and Diamondbacks (15.89%) – all came out of the National League. Now, it's time to look at last year's non-playoff NL teams. Which club do you see having the biggest turnaround this season?
I’m saying the Braves. This is a team that talent wise should be neck and neck with the Phillies down the stretch but for the last two years injuries have killed them down the stretch.
If they stay healthy and Heyward plays like he was hyped up should, they’ll be legit this year and probably the 2nd best team in the NL. (I gotta go with my boys being the first!)
But the only reason they’ve held a lead of the NL EAST in ’09 and ’10 was because of injuries to Utley/Rollins, so i don’t know about neck and neck. Though you are right, with a healthier team and progression back to league averages for key players, it will be fun to watch.
With that said, I believe the Braves will make it to the post-season, w/ help from expanded play-offs or not, and thank you for the vote.
Hope Howard gets healthy and Hamels takes a discount, but Nationals 1st in 2013!
I just wanna slap the 18 people that voted Astros…
and Mets.
How do the Mets and Astros have a combined total near 200? Are 200 people really that delusional?
Unfortunately. It’s not as bad as some of the poll results MLB Network showcases.
The question was which team will improve the most. If the Astros manage to loose less than 95 games then they will have improved (in terms of wins) significantly more than any other club. Juno saying they will be the 5th wild card spot, but I could see them loosing less than 95 games.
Alright, 94 losses…still doesn’t earn you “biggest turnaround team”.
on a percent bases bases it most definitely could
The Cubs have 1500 votes. The Cubs.
And Nationals. I mean, seriously?
That one’s justified.
Hard to see how the Braves or Nationals could be characterized as a “turnaround” The Braves were very, very good for most of the year. The Nationals are a team that has been on a steady rise the past three years. Given the way the Marlins stank last year, a winning record would be a turnaround for those guys.
When you’re the worst in the majors, you have the most room for improvement.
They gotta be Houston diehards!!!!
its a tossup between the giants reds and braves but i think id go with the braves based off of more exxpierence for the young guys
Braves have to get by a much improved Fish team before they finish ahead of them and improve much and Atlanta pretty much stood pat over the winter, while the Fish added 3 decent pieces, hopefully will get JJ back and who expects Ramirez to have 2 miserable seasons in a row?
The Fish have to get by Atlanta, not the other way around. I know they made a few flashy moves while the Braves basically just dumped Derek Lowe, but the 2011 Braves offense shouldn’t sustain itself, especially with a full year of Bourn.
I’m picking the Marlins though. They finished last in the division and have obviously improved.
ATL was an 89-win team in 2011 that missed the playoffs to the world champs. It’s going to be difficult for much of a turnaround than that. Sure, they could be a 100-win team, but I don’t really see them having a difference of more than +10-11.
MIA was a 72-win team and CIN was a 79-win team. Consider that STL is without Pujols and under new manager, Mike Matheny, and CIN has upgraded their bullpen (Marshall, Madson), while gaining a top-flight arm (Mat Latos) and C (Devin Mesoraco). They’ll still be playing HOU, CHC, PIT 50-60+ games and they should win more head-to-head battles with STL. I could easily see this team having a +13 or more.
Why aren’t the M’s an option? -Insert snark below-
because they’re in the AL?
⬆ Just asking that question is “snark” enough! 😀
Because they’re not in the NL.
ha ha, I’m an idiot.
and they will be worse than last year
Not sure I consider Nationals as a turnaround candidate.
Why not?
more of a technicality issue; turnaround is the wrong word for them.
If they had a sub .500 record, then it’s a turnaround.
check JCCfromDC’s post.
It’s gotta be the Marlins in the NL East. Finished last in the division last year and added Reyes, Buehrle, and Bell and should see more innings from Johnson. Hanley’s a good bet to bounce back as well…..
The Braves won 89 games last year and while I expect a better showing, I don’t see them adding 10 wins. The Nationals finished just a game below .500 and are being projected for 85-90 wins.
Meant this to be replied to Aces, sorry about that.
The rockies get NO love…
I know right, read my post
I’m gonna go out on a limb and say the Padres are going to be competitive next year. That offense is actually looking pretty good with Quentin and Alonso plus their rotation seems good enough, which is all they really need.
It’s a weak division, but I don’t see it. Quentin’s going from a hitters park to PETCO, he’s always missing time due to injury, and his defense is horrific….especially in such a big outfield. Alonso’s still unproven.
It’s a matter of whether Maybin/Alonso perform to their potential and Quentin/Hudson can produce like they should and stay healthy. Maybe Quentin will miss some time but maybe Blanks will fill in and actually hit. Lots of questions but stranger things have happened.
Plus Volquez has a chance to really redeem his career and Huston Street gives the Pads a great upgrade.
If by biggest turnaround, you mean “improved by highest number of games”, I’ll go between the Marlins and the Nationals. I have a hunch-y feeling that one of them is going to win 90 games and the other will moderately disappoint. Which one it turns out to be remains to be seen, depending on the performances of Zimmerman and Hanley and Johnson and Werth and Sanchez and other big variable-type players.
The rockies revamped everything, Cuddyer, Guthrie, Chatwood, Ramon Hernandez, Moscosco, De La Rosa and Nicasio coming back, thats going to be your team to beat right there
I think you guys and the D-backs will fight for the division next year.
Rockies aren’t going to get much more production than they had with Seth Smith from Cuddyer and his OF-defensive liability. He’s good at the plate, but not great in the field in what is a large OF in Denver.
I can’t see ARZ and LAD doing any worse than they did last year. You can’t expect Ethier to have a season like 2011 and they’ll have a full year of Dee Gordon. ARZ added Jason Kubel and Trevor Cahill to go with Ian Kennedy (a 21-game winner in ’11) and Daniel Hudson. Now that’s a great young 1-2-3.
I think the Reds, because they have a season to actually turn around from
I look at the Nats and Marlins as being more breakout-like, because they haven’t had seasons to turn around from in the last couple years. The Reds, on the other hand, were in the playoffs in 2010 and had a mediocre season last year. Especially after their acquisitions, I think they’re primed for a turnaround
edit: i think it really depends on what you consider a “turnaround”
I am the same way with CIN. They’ll win 90 games, up from 79. They’ve upgraded, while the rest of the NL Central didn’t. STL lost Pujols, CHC is focused on down the road, PIT can’t get any luck, and HOU wouldn’t even finish in 1st in AAA.
I’m going Rockies, the pitching staff is a bit to be desired but that offense is way too good to make last year a constant thing.
I say Doyers… New owner should be able to add pieces by July 15, and lineup as it is—IF HEALTHY, should be better than last year going in…. BIG IF’s, and that also goes for rotation staying healthy as well.
the marlins are a disaster waiting to happen/ not if it is a when. should be about the time johnson goes down and reyes pulls a hamy. phily still owns the nl east, but the other teams made big strides bridge the gap. my answer was the reds/ 92 wins would be 13 win diff and think the nats can win 90 which would give them double digit turnaround.
Nationals. Playoffs this year…count on it!
Wouldn’t bother me any to see BOTH WC teams from the NL Eats, nor surprise me to see 3 teams from the NL East in the play offs either.
Not sure the Nat’s will be one of them however, but It is *possible* 3 out of 4 from Philly/Fish/Braves/Nats go.
I’m going with the Nationals. WC this year. Division next year.
I voted for the Astros because I feel bad for them and they aren’t going anywhere
Pity vote!
Marlins will fall apart. Nationals may be a little better. One thing for sure is the national league east will be competitive
In the AL could the Royals actually get close to 500 ball????? I know I will catch some flack for this but people are talking about they are getting closer ( whatever that means) !!!
they could and I expect they should, exceed .500 by a few games. Not sure why they weren’t included on this long list. a possible 12-15 games swing should be considered as such.
Padres will surprise ppl this year and win 80
Astros are scary bad, new management seems clueless, obsessed with sabremetrics, no GM or assistant experience, have done nothing to make this years team competitive or give hope for the next 2-3 years; they could challenge Mets from the 60’s, Tigers from a few years back for all time worst record…