by Brennan Weiss and Scott Pharr
The ending of the 2009 regular season in the NL East division was not the most exciting for baseball fans around the country, but Philly unquestionably took it. The constant, heart-wrenching battle between the Mets and Phillies, both contending for the division championship down to the wire, with just a few games left in the 2007 and 2008 seasons was exciting as hell, but almost gave fans of both cities heart attacks. Going into play in 2009, the only contending teams seemed to be the Mets and Phillies, especially knowing their history. The restocking Braves had greatly weakened after losing some of the greatest starting pitchers in MLB history. The Marlins, who always give other NL East teams some difficulties (especially the Phillies), had a chance to contend, but they seemed to have faded off towards the end of the season.
And finally, the Nationals… well, enough said. With a lot less drama amongst the teams last year, along with the Mets’ dozens of injuries, the Phillies easily won the division for the third year in a row. Though 2010 seems like another easy year for the Phillies, don’t count out possibly surprising teams like the Braves and Marlins, who have a multitude of young talent waiting to shine. The Mets could also have a bounce-back year, assuming that they have less than their entire starting lineup on the DL. I don’t want to say that the Phillies have this in their back pocket, but… there really is no need for 162 games to be played, since we all know the Phillies, well, have it in their back pocket.
1. Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies and their fans have great expectations going into 2010.
They could make Philadelphia almost as spoiled as New York if they clinched a third straight pennant, well maybe not, but my point is that Phillies’ fans are sitting on a high pedestal right now. If the Phillies’ core stays healthy, which is probably the largest issue in baseball, and the pitching stays strong and consistent, they could run away with the division title.
With J.A. Happ being a breakout player in 2009, along with Jayson Werth, the Phillies have some young talent to appraise this season. Young outfielder Dominic Brown might not be called up immediately (unless there’s an injury), but look for him to join the big league club somewhere after the all-star break. Brown was one of the main reasons why the Phillies were not able to acquire Roy Halladay before the 2009 trade deadline. Phillies G.M. Ruben Amaro Jr. refused to let him go. Also look for bounce-back performances from Cole Hamels, who fine-tuned his curve ball during the winter and spring, and Brad Lidge, who most likely will not be available opening day, but revenge will surely be in his eyes.
2. Atlanta Braves
The beginning of the 2009 season barely resembled the end of the season for the Braves. They started the year with high hopes for highly-touted rookie Jordan Schaffer and former SI Cover Athlete Jeff Francoeur. Before it was said and done, Schaffer was back in AAA due to a massive slump, and Francoeur was shipped to the Mets in a mid-season trade. 38 year old free agent Garrett Anderson never fulfilled promise, and the Braves never caught enough fire to make a serious run at the post season. 2010 sees changes in both the lineup and the rotation, and it also marks the final campaign for longtime manager Bobby Cox.
The Braves move of sending Javier Vasquez to the Yankees made many Braves fans scratch their heads. In a season filled with inconsistency from the starters, Vasquez was one arm that could be counted on night in and night out. This spring the Braves seem to have found his replacement in an old friend. Tim Hudson is returning from Tommy John surgery, and has had a quality spring training campaign, and seems poised to fill the 2nd spot in the rotation behind front line arm Derek Lowe. 2nd year starter Tommy Hanson only looks to get better, while Jair Jurrjens and Kenshin Kawakami round out a very formidable rotation. ’09 closer Rafael Soriano was moved to Tampa Bay, freeing up the closer spot for 38-year-old lefty Billy Wagner. Wagner has once again been clocked in triple digits this spring, and as long as his arm holds up, the late innings will be in good hands.
After 2 full years of tinkering, Braves G.M. Frank Wren seems to have the quality lineup he has waited for. 2009 mid-season acquisition Nate McLouth is healthy again and ready to light the fire at the top of the lineup. There is plenty of thump in the middle of the order with aging but still productive Chipper Jones, All-Star Brian McCann, and free agent acquisition Troy Glaus batting 3-4-5. The x-factor that everyone has been talking about is the 20-year old superstar-in-waiting, right fielder Jason Heyward. At 6’5 and 255 lbs, the slugging Heyward will begin the year in the 7th hole, however if he progresses as many think he can, he won’t languish in the bottom half of the lineup for long. And, it hasn’t been the long ball that has everyone raving about Heyward, but his amazing eye for balls and strikes. The uncanny plate discipline he has makes him already a very tough out even at his young age,
With this the 21st and final season of Cox’s career as Braves manager, the underlying theme of the season and consistent rallying cry will be ‘Win this for Bobby’. Cox has always been heralded as a players’ manager, and there is no question that there will be extra fire in the eyes of the team as they progress throughout 2010. While the team has its share of older veterans, there is enough young talent to offset, and if the lineup can produce enough runs, the pitching staff is more than adequate to do its part. Look for the Braves to be on the Phillies tail all year long, and strongly contend for a NL Wildcard birth.
3. New York Mets
To be blunt, the Mets flat out stunk last year. Now, you must consider the amount of injuries they had, for at some points during the season their starting lineup resembled a minor league team. But, their regulars who weren’t injured didn’t even have the best year. David Wright was one of those guys, but knowing the kind of individual he is and how hard he worked to improve his power swing during the off-season, I am confident that he will return to form. There is no question about Johan Santana underperforming, but health has played an issue, as observed last year. If returning veterans Jose Reyes, Carlos Delgado, and Carlos Beltran came come back strong and add spark to the Mets lineup, then they could be in a similar position to that of 2007 and 2008; but this time, they must refuse to lose.
The off-season acquisition of Jason Bay could also pay off for the Mets, but some doubt he will be able to perform like he did with the Red Sox, especially with the conditions and huge dimensions of Citi Field. A potential rookie star to keep an eye on is Jenrry Mejia, who “dazzled manager Jerry Manuel” during spring training, (nypost.com). Manuel even related Mejia’s cutter to the great Mariano Rivera. Not bad for a rookie, eh? If the Mets can learn to adjust to their new pitcher’s ballpark, and ditch the old “we rely on homers” motto, then they could surprise the baseball world and contend seriously for the NL East.
4. Florida Marlins
The Marlins finished 87-75 in 2009 and may be hard pressed to better that record in 2010. Last season many things fell into place, and the Marlins were in the playoff hunt up until the final month of the season. They backed up timely hitting with an over-achieving pitch staff led by Josh Johnson. It marked the 3rd best record in team history, and while there has been minor turnover, 2010 looks to hold similar promise.
The Marlins pitching staff, Led by Johnson, will run out 3 frontline arms and will have piece together the back end of the rotation. #2 starter Ricky Nolasco looks to improve on his 13 wins while Anibal Sanchez is the name most talked about as the future of the rotation. Chris Volstad and Clay Hensley round out the starting 5.
Each team that has any interest in making noise late in the season must have a superstar on its roster somewhere. The Marlins have theirs in shortstop Hanley Ramirez. His gaudy 2009 numbers (.342, 24 HR, 109 RBI) placed him in elite status among quality power/contact hitters in the bigs. He won’t be able to do it alone, however. All Star 2nd baseman Dan Uggla looks to help support in the run-producing category. The top of the lineup is set for the future with Rookie Of The Year Chris Coghlan leading off.
The Marlins look to be the 3rd best team in the NL East. The Phillies are clear frontrunners while the Braves appear to be close behind. In years past, the Marlins have either had a team of no name players who overachieve but fall short, or a team of high-priced free agents who take them all the way, only to be shipped out the following year due to massive contracts. The 2010 version falls somewhere in the middle. There is talent to be seen, however the shortcomings will be in the area of experience. Depending on how fast they grow up, a NL Wildcard berth is not out of the question.
5. Washington Nationals
Finally, the Nationals. Definitely expect at least 60 wins from the Nats this season, which would be a great improvement from last year.
As dismal 2009 was for them, 2010 seems quite intriguing. During the offseason, the Nationals made some very smart free- agent signings, which include veteran Jason Marquis from the Rockies, Ivan Rodriguez from the Rangers, and Chien-Ming Wang from the Yankees. In addition to the Nats new players, returnees Ryan Zimmerman, Christian Guzman, and Adam Dunn can add some pop to their offensive game. No matter how sick you are of hearing about him, I have to mention the young phenom, Stephen Strasburg. Strasburg was rated the second best prospect in the majors, after Jason Heyward, and even if Strasburg doesn’t appear in the majors right away, look for him to join the club midway through the season, and make a major contribution.
Along with Strasburg, watch out for the speedy Nyjer Morgan, who established himself as a reliable big leaguer in ’09. Definitely expect him to have a terrific year. With a mix of proven veterans and an array of young talent, the Nationals have one of the most interesting teams in baseball, and even if their record doesn’t show it, they will definitely be watched during the season.
2009 NL East Final Standings:
- Phillies
- Marlins
- Braves
- Mets
- Nationals
2010 NL East Predicted Standings:
- Phillies
- Braves
- Mets
- Marlins
- Nationals
