In an offseason that will be remembered for teams’ reluctance to shell out big money for the Hot Stove season’s biggest names, the NL East has been an outlier. Three of its teams–the Mets, Nationals, and Phillies–have gone against the grain, employing aggressive strategies and eyeing a 2019 division title in what appears to be an open field. Certainly, the division projects to be one of baseball’s most competitive in the upcoming season, featuring four teams that have at least a fighter’s chance at seizing the NL East crown. After the Nationals’ dominating run atop the division in recent years, the club took a step back in 2018, all while the Braves and Phillies enjoyed seemingly premature success. And with the Nationals preparing to bid goodbye to their franchise player, there is no clear favorite to win the division as spring training draws near. Which team’s slate of offseason moves will lead to a postseason appearance?
The Mets turned heads with their blockbuster December trade to acquire Edwin Diaz and Robinson Cano from the rebuilding Mariners, loudly marking the arrival a new front office regime headed by general manager Brodie Van Wagenen. Van Wagenen has placed his club firmly in “win-now” territory, supplementing the Diaz deal with signings of solid regulars Wilson Ramos and Jed Lowrie, to say nothing of his efforts to shore up a lackluster bullpen with the additions of Jeurys Familia, Justin Wilson, and Luis Avilan. Van Wagenen has not been shy about making trades, swinging three separate deals that brought Keon Broxton and J.D. Davis to New York and shipped backstop Kevin Plawecki to Cleveland. The club was also rumored to have offered $64MM to Yasmani Grandal–who ultimately declined and signed with the Brewers–and has been linked to Gio Gonzalez to round out an already-stellar starting rotation. The Mets will also count on a contribution from first baseman Peter Alonso, who made a name for himself with his display of power in 2018, slugging 36 total home runs across two levels of the minors. It remains to be seen whether the revamped roster will be enough to carry the Mets into October, but the team’s aggressiveness this winter has certainly put them in position to compete.
Though it’s entirely possible that Bryce Harper has played his last game in a Nationals uniform, the team still appears well-equipped for another run at the postseason in 2019. Owner Ted Lerner, for his part, has exhibited a willingness to invest heavily in the current iteration of the Nationals: the team has already doled out the offseason’s single largest contract of the offseason, adding standout lefty Patrick Corbin to a pitching staff that already features Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg. Furthermore, the club was reported to have offered Bryce Harper at least $300MM to remain in the nation’s capital for the next decade. All that not to mention the additions of Brian Dozier, Kurt Suzuki, Trevor Rosenthal, Kyle Barraclough, Matt Adams, and Anibal Sanchez. Dozier, who was hamstrung by injuries in 2018, will look to return to form as a right-handed power bat who can play up the middle. Suzuki will work in tandem with trade acquisition Yan Gomes to stabilize the catcher position, where the Nationals sorely lacked for production in 2018. Sanchez, who enjoyed a career renaissance last season, will slot in behind the big names as the fourth starter. Even if Harper decides to play out his prime elsewhere, the Nats still feel comfortable with their outfield mix moving forward. Standout rookie Juan Soto will be joined by highly-touted prospect Victor Robles and veteran Adam Eaton, who has posted an impressive .816 OPS in his injury-shortened Nationals career.
With today’s acquisition of catcher J.T. Realmuto, one of the offseason’s most sought-after prizes, the Phillies have vaulted themselves into the conversation atop the NL East. Entering the offseason, the circumstances were clear: Phillies ownership was sitting on heaps of money, fully preparing to invest it into one, if not both, of the top available players. While Phillies fans have thus far had to settle for the likes of Andrew McCutchen, Jean Segura, David Robertson, and now Realmuto, both Harper and Manny Machado remain unsigned, and Philadelphia remains in play for the two megastars. Even without one of Harper or Machado, the Phillies can’t be discounted in the race to the top of the NL East. Though the team finished with an unimpressive 80 wins in 2018, Philadelphia kept pace with the Nationals and Braves for much of the season, until a late-season collapse took them out of the race. Gabe Kapler and his staff will lean on leadership from veterans Realmuto, McCutchen, and Robertson in an effort to prevent the club from running out of gas again in 2019. Considering the possibility that Philly’s biggest moves have yet to come, Phillies leadership must feel optimistic about their team’s chances moving forward.
The 2018 division winners, the Braves, have largely remained quiet in the winter. With their rebuild taking off seemingly a year ahead of schedule, team leadership, sitting on a farm system brimming with potential impact players, may be hesitant to commit fully to a win-now mentality. After inking 2015 AL MVP Josh Donaldson to a one-year deal early in the offseason, the team’s biggest move has been to bring back 2018 All-Star Nick Markakis on a one-year contract. Many onlookers have expressed frustration at the team’s hesitance to pursue big names, but Atlanta evidently feels content to bank on steps forward from its young core, including Ronald Acuna, Ozzie Albies, and Dansby Swanson, as well as contributions from its gaggle of young pitchers–Mike Soroka, Touki Toussaint, and Kyle Wright, among others. Meanwhile, in Miami, expectations are low. The trade of J.T. Realmuto is the latest in a series of trades that have gutted the major-league roster over the last two years. Other casualties of the offseason include Derek Dietrich, Nick Wittgren, and the aforementioned Barraclough. And while the club has made canny signings of Curtis Granderson and Neil Walker, the focus in Miami is firmly on the future. Although a growing crop of farmhands may make the Marlins a real threat in the 2020s, fans should prepare for another season in the cellar of the NL East.
(poll link for mobile users)
Braves haven’t done a thing to improve their awful bullpen and other teams are making dramatic improvements. Very frustrating
Their bullpen wasn’t that bad,
Next October could be the first time in 150 years that Yankees march on Atlanta.
You are out of your mind.
Didn’t they already do that in 1999?
And 1996.
He probably wasn’t born then.
Indeed they did. They made Georgia howl.
Actually the yankees will probably be in Florida in march…
It is very likely that guys like Gohara, Toussaint, Fried, Wilson, Wright and Soroka all get some time in the bullpen. O’day has a chance of being a good addition if he shows up healthy. You probably have Sobotka and Biddle for a full season and then guys like Winkler might not be overworked. You may even get major contributions from someone like Clouse.
I’m not nearly as worried about the bullpen in 2019 as I was in 2018. They’ve just got to throw more strikes than last year when they were behind far too many batters. I think they drastically improve.
Their pen wasn’t awful last season. They were young, and they ran out of gas towards the end of the season, that was their biggest issue.
That is especially the case for Carle, Winkler, and Biddle, all of which proved to be solid and versatile weapons during the season, just ran out of gas by the time September came around.
Now, I agree, they should have at least added another reliable option towards the back-end of their pen. Although, it is unlikely, they could still add Kimbrel; however, even if they stand pat, I think they’ll ultimately be just fine. Also, do not forget, the Braves will now have Darren O’Day to use out of their pen, so now that he is healthy, that’s a solid, veteran addition.
Also, now that their younger pen guys have gone through a full season, gained all of that division-winning valuable experience, and will have had an extended off-season to get back fully healthy, they should all be raring to go come workouts and spring training.
As things stand now, the Braves will be bringing back Vizcaino, Minter, O’Day, Sobotka, Winkler, Biddle, Carle, and Venters. That is already three above average lefties, multiple arms that are capable of getting lefties and rights out, three arms that are capable of hitting 97-100 consistently (Viz, Minter, and Sobotka), and you have Sobotka, Biddle, Winkler, and Minter that are all QUICKLY establishing themselves as reliable and excellent options in either the 7th or the 8th innings. If Vizcaino can stay healthy, they will have a very versatile bullpen, and one that’s more than capable of helping this team reach the post-season.
Even if an injury or two does happen, which is truly inevitable, the Braves will still have other experienced and previously successful options like LH Sam Freeman, Luke Jackson, West Parsons, and Grant Dayton. They will also have a couple of talented arms waiting in AAA like the strikeout machine Corbin Clouse and Jacob Webb.
Also, one other fact to consider is the Braves will be able to use their plethora of young starting pitchers to help out their pen later in the season. This will include two excellent options in the 97-100MPH fastball and devastating breaking ball combination of Patrick Weigel and Luis Gohara’s 96+ fastball and devastating slider combo. Then, you can also have a couple other above average long relief options in Max Fried, Kyle Wright, and Koby Allard…
All in all, I’m not nearly as worried about the Braves bullpen as some fans. I think they’ve gained some valuable experience, they’ll grow from the post-season run, and their younger bullpen arms will continue to improve and take another step forward this season. Having O’Day and Venters should help these younger guys also, not to mention, both guys are still capable of getting out of jams, and coming in to get a quick double play. Could the Braves use another talented arm for the back of their pen?? Of course, what team wouldn’t want to have another reliable option..Do they need another asset in their pen to have a successful season?? Personally, for the aforementioned reasons I stated above, I don’t think bringing in another arm is necessary.
They All have one more year of experience. Viz is healthy. O’Day is back. It won’t be a problem on 2019. Still money to make a move at the deadline too.
Y’all are crazy. Most of you say they aren’t that bad or awful, then in the next sentence say things like they need to throw strikes or they were just young or they will be replaced by prospects. News alert: that’s just a kind way of saying they are bad. We needed 2 strong to elite bullpen arms this offseason at a minimum. We haven’t even gotten 1. It was an strong bullpen market this offseason and now there is only 1 guy left I would want and he’s prob way too expensive for us compared to others.
@bravesfan: no offense, but in some eyes most of those bullpen options in free agency had question marks. Some are far past their prime, some have injury histories, and some have been inconsistent throughout their careers. Relievers are often one of the most volatile positions in the game (with regards to their year by year performance). Why take those risks and pay market value when you are have about the same amount of risks with the young affordable high upside guys?
the bullpen can be upgraded throughout the season and guys like Fried and Gohara can be used there if the need arises. I much rather that they don’t commit high dollars to bullpen pieces that can be easily replaced. We also have O’Day. That in itself can be considered the same as signing an impact bullpen piece.
Freud, Gohara, and O’Day will be healthy. Not sure if you wanted a dumb signing like these receivers are getting.
Freud isn’t healthy because he’s dead. Even if he were alive he wouldn’t last one day in the #metoo era.
Don’t be too harsh. we’ve all made a Freudian slip on occasion.
(Sorry, couldn’t help myself)
https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=rel&lg=nl&qual=0&type=8&season=2018&month=0&season1=2018&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0
The Braves bullpen was middle of the road last season.
You mean top 10?
Whoever makes the last name addition…..wins the Poll.
The races to October in the Central and the East will be fun to watch
Dodgers might be the only team to win 90+ in the nl.
That’s what I’m talking about. Don’t understand why they dump two right handed power bats and then go on the hunt for a right handed power bat. : (
Lol whatever. Dodgers will blow it again as well.
I don’t think they blew it last year. They made it to the World Series and the Red Sox were a better team and beat them.
Let’s talk about the numerous times your Braves have blown it then!
They didn’t blow it, they choked.
The Dodgers tied the Rockies last season and have not improved in the offseason.
Voted for Mets as of now. Like their rotation. Their top 3 were dominant at the end of last season and their biggest Achilles heel was their bullpen and that’s now vastly improved.
That said, if the Phillies add Harper or Machado I’m going with them.
The Phillies won 80 games in 2018, not 78.
Fixed, thanks for pointing that out. No idea where I got 78.
You lost me at “no idea.” That is some solid professionalism.
At this point…
Best Rotation – Nationals.
Best Bullpen – Phillies.
Best Offense – Braves.
Most Balanced – Mets.
Millenial Participation Trophy – Marlins
Lmao
Love the millennial participation trophy lol….the others as a bias Mets fan, I feel like could be argued. Offense is definitely not the Mets lol, best rotation is tough, max and Jacob cancel out, Noah is better than stras, and Wheeler is comparable to Corbin, (all if they stay healthy and continued where they ended last year) , and Mets revamped bullpen might contend with the phils for sure with Diaz, familia, Wilson, gman, and Lugo.
I like the back end of Mets bullpen – Diaz, Familia, Wilson. Diaz is the best closer in baseball, but I do think Robertson, Dominguez, Neshek, Ramos, Pazos, Alvarez is a better group.
As a Mariners fan and following him since he was in the minor leagues I absolutely love Diaz, but one great season does not make you the best closer in baseball. I would say he’s in the conversation with Chapman and Jansen, but not better yet.
You forgot Kimbrel you can’t have the best closet conversation and leave out Kimbrel.
“Closer”
I disagree, I left Kimbrel out on purpose. If he’s back to normal in the first half then he’s right back in the conversation, but right now he’s just out of it.
Don’t forget Neris – look at what he did when he got back from the minors last year and fixed his pitch tipping proclivity:
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=nerishe01&t=p&year=2018#220-239-sum:pitching_gamelogs
He was dominant. 35 Ks in 17-2/3 IP. If that Neris shows up for a full season he’s the best RP on that team.
We shall see.
The Kid Kimbrel has a down year for his standards but he has been the best since 2010 and it’s not really even close. I guess people forget the otherworldly year Kimbrel had in 2017 when he was easily the best reliever in baseball. Dismissing him after one year of good not great relieving is silly and leaving Kimbrel out of the discussion of best relievers is just flat wrong.
Go take a look at Lugo’s numbers as a reliever. They are excellent. Robertson will blow 7-10 games as a closer.
Lets start the season HARPER!!!!
Assuming all pitchers remain healthy the Nats rotation is the best in MLB.
Indians have the best rotation in MLB.
Kluber, Carrasco, Bauer, Clevinger, Bieber.
Assuming Sale is healthy, the Red Sox still have the best rotation: Sale, Price, Porcello, Eovaldi, Erod. Until something changes, I am going with the World Champs.
If everyone is healthy, the Nats have the best rotation, with the Indians just behind them. But, when the season plays like how it normally does, with injuries, the Indians will have the best performing rotation in baseball.
*Mostly because the other teams in the Indians’ division are all AAA squads.
Assuming Strasburg remains healthy and Sanchez is his 2018 Braves self , and Joe Ross is 100% post-TJ – is a major gamble. Good depth signing with Hellickson as a 5-6 starter. It’ll also be interesting to see how Corbin does – if 2018 was a flash in the pan.
I’m a Nats fan and I agree. Too many unknowns in the Nats rotation to rank them 1st. If healthy: deGrom, Thor, Wheeler, Matz, Vargas/Gsellman? I’d give them the edge.
The Mets bullpen, on paper, is better than the Phillies.
Best bullpen is the Mets, even the Nats have a better bullpen than the Phillies now.
Most balanced is the Braves, the Mets had too many changes in the off season, they’re an enigma right now.
Best offense is too close to call, IMO and if Harper could decide who is best here.
Perennial Participation Trophy. Meaning it happens every year.
Although you could be right about Millenial because all of the players on the team would be considered Millenials.
Not sure how you came up with the Phillies as the “Best Bullpen”; David Robertson doesn’t push the needle all that much for a group that ranked 18th last year in ERA. I think Mets are easily the best bullpen with the Diaz trade and Familia/Wilson/Avilan signings. Nats bullpen could very easily be the 2nd best with their intriguing additions of Rosenthal and Barraclough to partner with Doolittle.
Best Rotation – tied between Mets and Nats (both have injury concerns but better than the other 2 – not counting Marlins)
Best Offense – agree, the Braves do, but I think the other 3 have done amazing jobs at closing that gap.
Most Balanced – agree on the Mets. Additions of Cano and Lowrie should help their putrid OBP from last year, and bullpen is now elite level with Diaz and Familia. If the Mets can keep pace in the first half, they already have an elite player coming around the trade deadline in Cespedes, so look out.
Phillies rotation is weak compared to Mets and Nats. i don’t think they have the pitching to compete with the other two.
Adding Keuchel would help. Nola, Keuchel and Arrieta is a solid 1-2-3. Pivetta, Eflin, Velasquez and Eickoff would compete for the 3-4. I’ll take that rotation.
As a Phillies fan I tend to agree with this. I wouldn’t call the Phillies rotation “weak” compared to the other two, but it’s not as good.
Of course, a lot of the Phillies’ problems last year were because their defense was putrid, and they’vce made some changes to address that, so it should help the pitching.
The solid backstop addition will help pitching as well.
Realmuto is one of the worst at pitch framing in the league. They got him for offense.
He’ll help with the running game, but not game calling or pitch framing. He’s average at best on those 2. But his offense at Citizens Bank Park could get him the league’s MVP award.
https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=sta&lg=nl&qual=0&type=8&season=2018&month=0&season1=2018&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0
Last season the Phillies rotation was better than the Nationals and 3rd in the NL behind the Mets and Dodgers.
No poll link for app users 🙁
Should be in there now. Sorry about that.
As of right now I’d give the edge to the Nationals over the Phillies/Braves with the Mets close behind.
I believe Machado will sign with Philly and push them to the top of the NL East.
Where is “Not the Marlins”?
With the trade of best catcher in MLB Realmuto, Phillies are getting close to win NL East. However, if Harper signs with Phillies, should be the favorite, 4 teams that will win 78- 90 games.
I made the assumption that Harper and Kuechel will land w the Phillies and that’s why I selected them.
how about a poll on who won this offseason in the NL East… it’s going to be fun to watch except ahem Marlins ahem but I would say the Mets and Phillies might have possibly won the hot stove trophy this offseason
The last few “winners” of the offseason usually did very poorly when actually playing the game.
It’s good for something seeing as though we keep looking at MLB trade rumors everyday to see who’s signing where at least we know those two teams have a pulse
@ hiflew;
lol
Yes, off-seasons seldom dictate the regular season.
Injuries are a factor in a teams performance, but what turns really turns teams fortunes are numerous players making large improvements and others suddenly regressing. After the fact the media will quote select past stats to explain select players performances; but notice how few will get on record before the season starts, and none that I know give periodic updates during the year to make followers aware of how their forecasts are going.
Like stock market advisers, NFL draft gurus, political election forecasters and others, they trumpet their good predictions. Only.
MIL did just fine last year and maybe they are the exception. However, winning the off season is also no longer just about signing an aging all-star to a huge contract or trading for one. I think the idea of what constitutes winning the off season is beginning to shift a little bit towards a more future oriented focus.
“The last few “winners” of the offseason usually did very poorly when actually playing the game.”
^THIS^
Even though the Marlins will be bad this year, I think they had a good offseason. This Realmuto deal really upgraded their farm system, and Alfaro is a young talent not to be overlooked.
Four teams each with holes. I’ll say the Mets are the pretender of the group and the Braves are going to regret not adding more pieces as they fall a bit to Earth. As a Braves fan, everyone is harping on not getting Realmuto, but it’s the pitching staff that worries me. Relying on young guys who haven’t pitched at the MLB level is risky. Phillies end up with one of Machado and Harper that puts them on top of the division. #ChopOn
Nats
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Braves are really hoping for Donaldson to regain his old form which we don’t know is possible yet and possible Acuna and Albies sophomore slumps could potentially happen. I really like the team but they should have done more to shore up that rotation and bullpen. It’s going to be tough to keep up in that division
Still time
You could say the same for sophomore slumps from Juan Soto and Brandon Nimmo, who their teams after even more dependent on them (especially if not brining back Harper in WSH). Acuna is the new force but we still have Freeman, etc. If we get anything out of Donaldson it’s be great, but we have Camargo still if we don’t.
If you look at albies monthy splits it looks like pitchers figured him out by the end of the season. Can he make the adjustments?
If you look at his MiLB numbers (.304 AVG, .365 OBP) – he also never been a power guy that was sacrificing much of what he has been to boost the SLG. Even if he admitted to being impatient and needing to sit more on pitches. I love that he found a swing that allows pitchers to be chooiser than giving him a first pitch fastball, but I hope he goes back to being more selective now that he’s had that success. There needs to be refinement for him to take the next step.
As a Dodgers fan, yes they might win the West but the Central and East have been juggernauts this off-season improving their Teams. The post season will be progressively harder to navigate to the WS for LA in ’19. And if they happen to make a 3rd WS appearance the AL is proving to be a Goliath…
Its never easy to get to the world series. You think being down twice to MIL and winning game 7 on the road was easy?
Tbh they were very lucky to win the division in the first place and they struggled with MIL with the far better roster. Their time atop the West feels like it’s drawing to a close soon, whether it be to COL, or SD if they really make moves.
Personally I think they’re the ones to sign Harper, so it might not be this year they’re overtaken, but their rotation is not nearly as strong as in years past and Kersh’s back is wearing him down (he’s obviously still a top-5 starter in baseball, but he’s not the clear 1 anymore). Their pen had big problems down the stretch and they still need more offensive balance from the right side to compete with BOS, NYY and HOU.
They’re prob still the favorite in the NL as rosters sit today, but the gap is closing.
Rockies massivley outperformed their stats and the Padres need to prove they aren’t the Dodgers doormat. Sure the NL is a little stronger but in the end only 1 team can win those divisions
The Dodgers are projected to win 95 games in 2019. The starting staff was top 5 in ERA last year and is returning basically the same staff with more back end depth. They also have a top 10 farm and an amazing amount of payroll flexibility after this year. More blue chip prospects will debut in 2019 with the ability to sign whoever they want in 2020. Their window is not closing.
Nats 1st, Phillies 2nd, Braves 3rd, Mets 4th, Marlins 5th.
I like the Braves lineup, Mets staff, but Phillies and Nationals have more complete teams and I think they are better built off to withstand the 162 games. I say Phillies and Nationals make playoffs, Mets and Braves win somewhere from 78-84 games.
Would like the Mets even more if they had Cespedes back and healthy but those guys the Mets picked up have some wear and tear on them hopefully BVW and those vets can show and prove other owners wrong that you can in fact win with guys who have been around
Mets did some additions but it’s yet to see how that team will gel. Their team is perpetually injured. Had the best pitcher last year and won few of his games. Braves are more developed than the Philliies. Signing mcann and the 3b improve the offense. Gnats are done, stick a fork in them, their window is closing, makes the playoffs didnt even make it to the ws with Harper, scherzer and stausburg.
I don’t see a AAA team winning the division.
Even without Harper the Nats are not a team to sleep on…they’ve got one of the best rotations and some good young outfielders out there
I definitely agree, and for once alot of people are actually sleeping on the Gnats..To me, that’s when they do their best work. Also, everyone thinks losing Harper is going to kill them, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. With Soto, Robles, and Eaton, Washington is still going to field one of the more talented out fields in the NL. People aren’t only sleeping on Washington, they’re also sleeping on Robles, him and Soto are going to be a dynamic duo for several years to come.
Washington has also done an excellent job adding Corbin, adding to their pen, and filling in their black hole that was the catcher position. Suzuki and Gomes should combine to give the Gnats above average production at that position for the first time since they regrettably signed Weiters..Rendon is still one of the most underrated players in baseball, and with Turner, Dozier, Eaton, Soto, Robles, Zimmerman, and Suzuki/Gomes it is really hard to find a soft spot 1-8 in their order..
I love my Braves, but I still think Washington is the most complete team, and they’ll likely be the team to beat when it is all said and done..
Last off-season at least a thousand people left comments saying there was no way the Braves could win the division in 2018. This off-season another thousand are saying the Braves haven’t made enough moves to win it again. I read all these confident predictions for 2019 and laugh. This is baseball. The only thing we know for sure is that in October a bunch of us will look back at what we said in February and realize what idiots we were.
It’s the same offseason. WSH still gets nods from everyone though they subtract Bryce Harper (presumably) and replace him with Patrick Corbin/Brian Dozier. Is Rendon (contract year), Trea Turner, Soto, Eaton, Dozier/Robles enough? I was more impressed with their low-key acqusitions of Yan Gomes/Suzuki and Anibal Sanchez, not to mention Bearclaw last year. They should be good, but if Harper isn’t coming back it’ll be interesting to see a new dynamic.
@RunDMC I mean, remember that Harper became replaceable with the breakout of Soto. An OF of Eaton, Robles, and Soto is pretty dang good, and an IF of Rendon, Turner, Dozier, Zimmerman, and Gomes is also very good.
You’re also leaving out what is actually the Nats’ strength, which is their rotation. Scherzer, Corbin, Strasburg, Sanchez, and Hellickson/Ross is incredibly good, and something no team in the division can completely match.
No one can match it? ATL had the 4th best SP 2018 ERA in MLB (LAD 2nd, ATL 4th) – and that was without a bonafide ace and with Julio Teheran. NYM can match that rotation in terms of star power and putting butts in seats. Yes, WSH spent a lot to have Scherzer, Corbin, Stras, but I don’t see the overall value being there, especially if the opportunity cost is Bryce Harper – with our without Juan Soto. Let’s see a more mature/healthy Soroka, mature Newcomb, Bryse Wilson, Touki Touissant, Kyle Wright, etc.
phillies defense was 2nd from the bottom last season…
That was fixed, though – they improved SS, LF, and C – 3 of the 4 positions that suffered the most – if Manny signs, 3B will get a boost as well
With the central and east being as strong as it is. I’m gonna guess Marlins (obviously) and pirates lose 100+. I’m not a believer in the pirates.
I don’t think the giants and padres lose 100+ just cause it’s not such a tough division compared to the others. But I’d say giants, padres, and d-backs all lose 90+.
No way the Pirates lose 100. They will be a lot closer to .500 than 100 losses.
With the Reds improving the way the did and the Cubs, Cardinals, Brewers staying the same if not improving I will take the odds on Pirates closer to losing 100 games
I think the padres probably end up losing 90 games, but they’re really on the upswing.
The Mets piling up a lot of old, name veterans again. We’ve seen this movie before.
It doesn’t end well…..
Attack of the geriatrics…
The “piling up” part overcomes most of the concern from the “old” part in my mind. Who are the old guys- Cano, Lowrie, and Frazier? If Cano goes down? McNeil can step in. If Lowrie goes down? McNeil or JD Davis can fill in at 3rd. They probably aren’t counting on Frazier that much anyway, but If Frazier can’t cut it at first? They’re likely to bring up Alonso sooner rather than later anyway.. If all 3 of these older guys go down at the same time, they could still field a totally competitive team. They have better backups and contingency plans than at any time in recent memory. They won’t be plugging holes with guys like Phil Evans or Jose Reyes.
My money is on Hotlanta. Good young players and fiscal sense. Here come ‘dem Braves!
I know that managers don’t count for anything with those that view MLB as a big rotisserie league that’s all about the individual players statistics, but the reality is that the game is played on the field.
Starting pitchers don’t pitch against starting pitchers and bullpens don’t pitch against bullpens – they pitch against other teams batters. Defenses play against batted balls. Baserunners play against the oppositions defense. Etc.
Managers work to develop and calibrate their players along with their coaching staff, and the manager runs the show.
Which brings me to this……
Of the 4 contenders in the NLE, the Braves have the experienced manager. The other 3 managers are questionable….to put it nicely
That was a well written comment but the manager still needs the talent and individual statistics to put that plan into fruition.
Huh?
Guess I lost you. Allow me to simplify…….
In a 4 horse race where we can argue this and that all day, it’s best to bet on the experienced jockey, instead of 3 guys that haven’t shown much of anything.
Snitker has been managing teams for years. None of the other 3 had experience doing that until 2018. Callaway brought along some players, which is more then Martinez and Kapler did. Callaway was not a good in-game manager, but as the season went on the team improved. Martinez and Kapler were absolutely awful managers whose teams fell apart in the stretch run…..when it counts the most.
No I understand but the manager also needs talent to put on the field. You could put the most experienced manager with the Marlins and still not get a winning record
Harper or Machado will decide on who wins this division, I believe philly will land one of these guys, plus Keuchel
Sweet music ! Thanks Mike
Who voted for the Marlins?
Miami looses 100 games finish 5th.
Mets gonna Met finish 4th trade Degroom to SD for half their farm in July.
The Phillies will spend stupid money trade the farm while their manager mis handles game after game and alienates the players pisses of the fans gets fired after they finish 3rd.
Nats rotation will end up looking like garbage after Corbin gets hurt, Strasburg gets hurt, Scherzer gets smacked around, and Annibal regresses. Eaton misses 100 games. Rendon goes down. Soto carries the team to a 2nd place finish.
Braves will make an addition or two before the offseason is all said and done but will still look like loosers because they dont add the big name everyone covets. Folty starts showing more Scherzer like stuff and Newk finally takes the next step. Ozzie puts it together for the whole year. Riley debuts then gets traded and the Braves walk away with the division by 10 games.
Isn’t crack nice?
There’s reality,and then there are dreams….you are dreaming.
As a Braves fan, I don’t know how anyone is voting for the Braves in this poll.
If nothing else were to change then sure it’s fairly close between them all but imo Mets and Phillies are both 3-4 games better than the Braves and Nats right now
Unfortunately for Atlanta the offseason isn’t over. Philly will very likely land one of Machado and Harper which easily vaults them to the top above everyone else.
Not to mention adding others like Keuchel or Kimbrel potentially.
Braves are fully content adding nothing else, that has been made clear. So when this is all said and done:
Phillies will be 2-3 games better than the Mets; Mets will be 3-4 games better than the Nats; Nats will be a game or two better than the Braves
In other words, Braves will be a good 6-9 games out of first place once the season settles in.
They’re not going to be blown out of the water, but they’re not likely to ever be within true striking distance either
Sounds like the kind of logic people used last off-season when they scoffed at the idea of the Braves winning the division. It’s pretty clear now that they’re a reasonably well-constructed team with an immense amount of young talent and a likely upward trajectory for the next few years. You don’t know how anyone could vote for the Braves? You might better take another look. January signings aren’t a particularly good indicator of who’ll still be playing in October, so don’t buy the story that teams lose championships in the off-season. The Braves are good. Will they win the division? Who knows. Should we write them off before spring training? I don’t know how you or anybody else could do that.
The Braves played .500 baseball after a good April and May and no one in the division bothered to get their stuff together.
Not to mention no one had that great of a team last year. The Phillies were very young with a lot of holes. Mets had no offense or bullpen. The Nats were good but colossally choked.
Since then Mets have made significant strides to improve their team as have the Phillies.
Pointing to an anomaly that the Braves won when they weren’t expected to win last year is hardly solid evidence why they should win this year.
January signings might not say who will be playing in October but this is a poll based off which team has positioned themselves for the best chance for October.
This isn’t about writing them off in January, it’s about how anyone could pick them in the poll as it stands today. You’re making a prediction. Saying it could happen they win isn’t what the poll is asking which is why it’s hard to see anyone actually picking them. Sounds like the only argument for picking them is they won last year so why not again. Which line of thinking is more broken? At least I’m acknowledging the offseason has changed the landscape. Those of you saying offseason signings don’t matter, Braves won last year why not again are simply choosing to ignore new information that’s been presented to you
you are crazy if you think the Mets and the Phillies are ahead of the Nats. I think it’s the Nats and then Braves/Phillies and then the Mets.
Best positioned? Phillies.
They’ve added so much and they are in the… position… to add either Harper or Machado on top of it.
I love the Braves but they need to sure up their pitching. The young arms are great but who knows if you can rely on them yet.
The Marlins look like a AAA team compared to the rest of the division. They had 98 losses last year. Could they end up between 110 – 120 losees?
Who voted for the Marlins?
Who wants to know, bub?
Who voted for the Marlins? Awesome if they are right and sees something no one else could see.
Seeing 2024…lol
Making multiple posts won’t get you the answer.
It’s February 9th. If Harper or Machado truly wanted to sign with the Phillies it would have already occurred.
Even if they sign with them, it could be with reluctance and/or just short term..
It’s February 8th actually
The Phillies are playing the waiting game. They haven’t offered a huge deal yet because no one else has. It’s been the major problem with the entire offseason.
We’re slowly going to see more and more teams offering legit deals to the big two, and then we will see if the Phillies are really willing to spend stupid money.
To see Harper and Machado don’t want to play for the Phillies is ridiculous. They are just waiting for their payday (which may come from a surprise team) and then they’ll sign.
The Braves will finish on top of the division. The Mets have holes and the Nationals are choke artists. As for the Phillies, Gabe Kapler. Need I say more?
Who’s this Ric Flair!
If the Nationals didn’t win last year with Harper why would they this year? Same thing with LA and Machado. Neither one put their team over the top. All this insinuation of whoever signs either of them is the favorite is just nonsense.
Health, the addition of Corbin and the growth of Soto and Robles. It can be done. I did not vote for the Nats to win the division. They could easily be 4th too.
why? because Harper isn’t there! the gNats didn’t have a vocal veteran leader in the clubhouse and the young players looked at Harper for leadership and he’s not a leader. Now that he’s gone, the rest of the young guys won’t be standing around waiting for Harper to lead them. Zook and Dozier are respected vocal leaders that will bring a presence to that club house that’s been lacking for a long time.
This is the year that the Nats become a real threat in the NL East. Before, they were always the favorites by default.
NL EAST STANDINGS
1. ??
2. ???
3. ????
4. ?????
5. Miami Marlins
im gonna go out on a limb and say JT pushes the Phillies into 2nd over Washington now.
Gotta give the Nats a slight advantage, at least until Keuchel signs with the Phil’s this weekend.
I am not a fan of a team in the NL East. I like the Mets if their pitchers are healthy and they get some offense. Entertain on offense, pitching and defense wins games.
You cant win a game with pitching and defense only. Degrom and the Mets proved that last year. Offense literally wins games.
Phils
Braves
Nats
Mets
Marlins
I’ll wait until Harper or Machado signs, to decide, because it’s so close one of them could push s team to the top.
I would rank them based on pitching only as (assuming healthy):
1. Mets
2. Nats
3. Braves
4. Phillies
5. Marlins
Marlins may lose 120 games.
Honestly, the Mets look like the leaders on paper. So long as they stay healthy, They have arguably the best rotation 1-4 even compared to the Nats and an even better bullpen. Now with Cano, Lowrie and Ramos plus Nimmo, Conforto, Rosario and maybe even Pete Alonso at some point, the offense looks really dangerous too.
I would seriously like to see why 2.5% (as of this writing) voted for the Marlins… I mean, I respect a homer and all, but really? REALLY??
I think they were being facetious
?
adding harper and/or machado is no guarantee that team willl win the division or the WS. Just look at the Angels with the additions of Pujols and Hamilton.
The Nats didn’t make the playoffs with Harper last year.
Poll should really be done after Machado, Harper and Kimbrel sign.
There is a chance that Kimbrel gets squeezed enough that a offer from Atlanta would be on par with others. Home cooking is the best.
Not if he gets paid millions more somewhere. I don’t see Kimbrel getting record money, but he could do well on a pillow contract considering next year’s crop of closers (Jansen can opt out) isn’t great. If you combine a pillow deal with something more practical next year, he could see something close to what has been searching for – though ATL’s not paying him a Donaldson pillow deal.
He could, however he is so adamant about a long term deal, my guess is he knows this is probably it for a big deal or keeping from bouncing around baseball.
Jansen stays a Dodger until he either retires or loses his stuff.
Jansen already has a big deal, but he has (or has had) some serious health concerns that should also impact that decision, at least you would think. I, too, don’t think Kimbrel wants to keep hopping around, but he could get a creative deal with options that could keep him in 1 place for awhile. I just don’t think contracts are going to be as cut-and-dry as they have been, especially when you have Boras introducing language like “swellopt” into the lexicon.
Machado is gonna sign with the White Sox next week, then the Dominoes will fall. Harper will sign with the Phillies, Padres or Giants. Kimbrel will sign with the Phillies if they miss out on Harper, or he will return to the Red Sox on a pillow contract
I prefer to make my predictions upon the “Ides of March”. Major injuries and emerging players have appeared while teams are forming up. .
It will depend on health.
I went with the Mets because their pitching and pen look VERY strong while they also improved offense and defense. But, it could be another year because they made so many changes. IF the Braves’ pen develops, this team could be a juggernaut. Its a big IF.. The pieces seem to flow. Conversely, the Phillies look like a big smile with a missing tooth. Something isn’t quite right. I don’t have faith in Nats’ Manager but, I suspect there was a negative influence from the effects of Team Bryce the last few seasons.
The Braves rotation is good but in no way compares to what Washington or the Mets have. The Mets at this point have the opportunity the be the most well rounded team in the division, the added significant strength to their bullpen and lineup. That said they have to do something they haven’t been able to do…stay healthy. The Braves are approximately as good as they were last year with a possible improvement at 3B. Washington dramatically improved their rotation and may have lost Harper but still have a very good lineup. Philadelphia added a few pieces but I don’t think they improved as much as Washington. That said I think the means the Mets are my favorite but I don’t expect them to stay healthy so I think it fallls to the Nats given that.
As a Marlins fan who knows our reality, and can be objective about the rest, here is my opinion:
1 – Braves (best team in division)
2 – Nats (Still solid with or without Harper, who is a bit overrated)
3 – Phils (improving, but not as good as Braves or Nats just yet. Pending free agents may get them there)
4 – Mets (usually overrated due to national media that wants NY and Boston to succeed)
5 – Marlins (See you all in 2023. Any team that finishes behind us in this division will see heads roll, unless the Marlins stun everyone with some overnight development from multiple young players).
could be like when houston was bad, which ever team beats the marlins the most wins the division.. thanks jeter.
What maroon actually voted for the Marlins…
someone purple.
Harper has hampered the Nats chances of advancing to the show for time immemorial. This is their year… Go Nats!
1. Braves
2. Phillies
3. Nationals
4. Mets
5. Marlins
I bet Jeter used different IP addresses to vote Marlins on this to get their vote up past 2%.
Love NL East fans getting triggered over this poll. Nats have arguably been best team in the division on paper for the last 6 season (with Harper!) but only won 3 division titles. Goes to show that winning the division is more-or-less a crap-shoot as long as you have a competitive team. Nats, Mets, Braves and Phillies have put themselves in positions to compete for it, and it will be exciting. I also don’t even think a signing of either Harper or Machado really pushes the needle as much as people think, as noted that Harper was on the Nats for 6 seasons and never got them past the divisional round even with a stacked supporting cast around him and Machado was fairly anemic in the postseason last year.
2.25 % were drunk when they answered