NL East: Can Anyone Top The Mets?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 3:55 am

The Atlanta Braves dominated the NL East Division for 13 years before the New York Mets finally won the title in 2006. The Mets appear to be the class of the East this year, but the Phillies, Braves and Marlins should be contenders. Okay, it's tough to envision the Nationals as anything but a bottom feeder, but we'll see.

So let's hear your opinions about the NL East Division today. Which team will win the pennant and which players will be MVPs of this division? Bring it on.

WileyCoyote · Post by **WileyCoyote** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 4:24 am

I think the Philles may be the surprise team of the year and win the East. I see a huge difference in pitching staffs. Myers , Garcia, Moyer, Hamels, Lieber/Eaton are solid 5 man as anyone has this season.. Plus Consider Rowand and Burrell have huge bounce back seasons. Wes Helms will be solid and Barrajas can throw out runners and hit for power.

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 4:34 am

Time to get all homey and say the BRAVO'S are BAAAACK! Rising up on the resurgent arms of Hudson and Hampton, with James and Davies being the new blood and Smoltzie adding to the legend. Six or seven innings into the game when they turn it over to a much improved bullpen...lights out!

Even losing LaRoche, the Braves, who had no trouble scoring runs last year, will be even stronger. Chipper = 145 games and 530 AB. A. Jones = Show Me the MONEY Season. Francoeur actully takes a pitch or two. Kelly Johnson succeeds at lead-off. Renteria steady. Langerhans/Diaz/Wilson/Thorman combine for 1,250 AB and the platoon works. McCann falls back a little but still produces. BRAVES WIN!

MVP - Beltran

Vander · Post by **Vander** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 5:01 am

I go with the Phillies also. The sp has been upgraded and is now deep with guys that have pitched succesfully in hitters ballparks before. The hitters will produce in this ballpark even if Howard comes down to earth and/or gets walked a lot. They'll have to pitch to Utley. I agree with previous poster rowand will have a productive season and though I don't like Burrell, he could preoduce nicely also. maybe haveing a career year. If not, the order will be changed to provide more pretection for Howard with either Rowand or Helms hitting behind him, or a mid season aquisition. The Mets just don't have the pitching. El Duque has/is a pain in the neck. Big surprise!!!. Don't count on Pedro at all. Glavine's another year older. O. Perez is lost and can't be found. At least he can't find the plate. The others are young and unproven. I like Maine, but he might have his innings limited or be subject to the softmore jinx. I also don't hink much of Randolph as manager. He's the only playoff bound manger that didn't keep his closer sharp the last days of the season and it showed in the playoffs. Wagner was rusty for no reason. He should've given him a inning the last game or 2. The young marlins will take a big step backward. Most young teams that overachieve 1 year usually under achieve the next and losing Girardi won't help. The Braves finish 3rd, behind the Mets who have enough offense to finish 2nd. The Braves just don't have enough anymore and Smoltz and C. Jones are another year older. Smoltz may not be as dependable as last year and Chipper can't play more than 140 games tops anymore. No 2b, McCann stumbles this year. I like to pick underdogs, but the Nationals just plain stink. Last place is all but assured.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 5:47 am

Starting pitching is somewhat of a concern for the Mets, but they have a lot of upside guys in that category and the defense to back them. Their offense and bullpen are phenomenal. Tough division, but I don't see them losing it. Braves=wild card.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say Anruw Jones for MVP.

Cooperstown · Post by **Cooperstown** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 7:11 am

Originally posted by Edwards Kings:

Time to get all homey and say the BRAVO'S are BAAAACK! Rising up on the resurgent arms of Hudson and Hampton, with James and Davies being the new blood and Smoltzie adding to the legend. Six or seven innings into the game when they turn it over to a much improved bullpen...lights out!

Even losing LaRoche, the Braves, who had no trouble scoring runs last year, will be even stronger. Chipper = 145 games and 530 AB. A. Jones = Show Me the MONEY Season. Francoeur actully takes a pitch or two. Kelly Johnson succeeds at lead-off. Renteria steady. Langerhans/Diaz/Wilson/Thorman combine for 1,250 AB and the platoon works. McCann falls back a little but still produces. BRAVES WIN!

MVP - Beltran So Wayne - how many Braves will be on your NFBC team this year? Do you have a minimum quota? And are ex-Braves one season removed (Laroche, Giles, Reitsma, etc) fair game too?

Well I guess it could be worse, you could be a Royals fan.

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 7:45 am

After getting burned in '04 with Chipper, Russ Ortiz, and Mark DeRosa, I have been pretty good about keeping my money and my mouth adequately separated!

Now that I think about it, at one time I had five ex-Braves last year. I have had Millwood the last two years. I had Schmidt, Estrada and Borowski (and Chen for a SHORT while) last year too, so those ex-Braves I have had recently payed out nicely.

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 7:46 am

I will say this. I agree with Bojak and I would have Andruw on my team this year in a MINUTE. I only said Beltran so as not to be too disgusting as a homey.

Liquidhippo · Post by **Liquidhippo** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 5:23 am

The Mets repeat. Right now, the Phillies, with their pitching, are better on paper. Minaya, however, will bring an arm or two in, if necessary, to get the job done. I like the Phillies' 1-3 at the front end of their rotation. To have a shot at the division, Hamels HAS to stay healthy for a full season. I'm not convinced he can do that.

Marlins - a longshot, but don't count them out. They need their entire rotation to stay healthy, no guarantee with the question marks surrounding Johnson and Sanchez. Someone also has to step up and become an effective closer, AND they need a real CF.

Nationals - the experts are saying that this could be the worst team in MLB history. Talk of setting the record for losses has ensued.....I'm not buying it. This team could surprise. Acta has instilled a new attitude and positive energy. For the first time in years, a good vibe permeates their spring training camp. If everything goes right....if Patterson stays healthy all year and starts 30+ games, if Nick the Stick comes back from injury early, if Kearns finally lives up to his potential, and a number of other players overachieve, the Nats could just shock the world........and win 63 games.

[ February 24, 2007, 11:30 AM: Message edited by: Liquidhippo ]