Onto the National League we go, starting out on the east coast. The NL East is a relatively stacked division, with three true contenders plus two teams with solid nuclei shaping up on the farm. We'll start things off down in Georgia with the...
Atlanta Braves
Hotlanta Braves. Just two seasons ago, this squad was hoisting the World Series trophy at the end of October. Not quite as successful a go round in 2022 but still plenty to be optimistic about.
Losing Freddie Freeman after the championship run definitely stung the Braves faithful, but Matt Olson was a quick and incredible replacement, even at the expense of top prospect Shea Langeliers. Olson warmed right up to fans with 34 dingers and 103 batted in during the first of his eight year contract. He wasn't even the top power hitter in their infield however, with Austin Riley holding down that title. So much pop on the corners...really alleviates the stress of Dansby Swanson walking in free agency. Ozzie Albies and Vaughn Grissom are more than capable of patrolling the middle.
The outfield doesn't drop off much, headlined by defending Rookie of the Year Michael Harris and Ronald Acuña Jr. It appears Eddie Rosario will get the starting crack in the last spot in left field, but anticipate a bit more of a platoon there. Marcell Ozuna should find himself in for an occasional spot start out in left, but will spend most of his time DH.
Despite all the offensive talent, Atlanta's pitching staff is their really bread and butter. Max Fried is coming off a campaign where 21 of his 30 appearances resulted in quality starts, en route to a 2.48 ERA. He's going to find himself in Cy Young discussions come autumn. Second year guy Spencer Strider, who came in second in the NL ROY voting, may have been just as good. Throw in Charlie Morton plus Kyle Wright and man...this is a marquee group in the MLB.
Raisel Iglesias came over from the Angels last August and managed an absurd 0.34 ERA in 26.1 innings. He'll be holding down the closing role for the Braves, after AJ Minter and Collin McHugh get the team to the ninth. Really no easy matchup against any arm on this team.
Miami Marlins
Down to South Beach we go, to check out the up and coming Marlins. Their lineup isn't going to scare anybody off, but they're a capable and improving group overall. Jazz Chisholm is the flashy name to know, currently on the cover of MLB: The Show, despite coming off a year where he hit just .254. The 25 year-old center fielder is a prospect with the potential and tools to develop into a real star.
Luis Arraez, who was acquired in a trade for starter Pablo Sanchez, will bring some welcomed contact to the starting nine. The infielder ranked fourth in the majors for average in 2022, with a strong .316 showing. No returning batters for the team hit over .261 last season, so they'll need him on base as often as possible. Garrett Cooper and Jean Segura are two other nice pieces, but not many runs coming from this Miami lineup.
If the Marlins are going to compete, it's going to be the pitchers leading the way. Even with Lopez off to Minnesota, this group has plenty of talent. Sandy Alcantara, recipient of last year's NL Cy Young, is an absolute menace on the mound that'll set the team up to win every five nights. Young lefties Jesus Luzardo and Trevor Rogers are two wild cards that could really boost this staff up if they pitch to their capabilities. Free agent addition Johnny Cueto adds a steady veteran presence to help them in this effort.
On the bullpen side of things, Dylan Floro looks set to be the closer. He was at least average in a similar role in 2023, but will need to improve on his 28% blown save rate. Former Oriole Tanner Scott may be one person to challenge him for the spot, but he'll need to work on some inconsistencies of his own first. Steven Okert is another relief arm to keep an eye on, big Cardi B guy.
New York Mets
Last week we talked about how the Texas Rangers have been dishing out contracts like there's no end to their bank account. Up in the Big Apple, Steve Cohen and the Mets have been just as active.
Brandon Nimmo was the centerpiece of a massive offseason signing, receiving an unjustifiably large $162 million dollar deal. His .269 career average and nine homers per year really make that contract a head-scratcher; curious how long it'll be 'til Mets fans are angry about it. The rest of the lineup is an imposing one however, with Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor bringing the long ball and Jeff McNeil and Starling Marte bringing the contact hitting.
Like the previously mentioned teams, New York's strongest unit should be their pitchers. Justin Verlander won his ring down in H-Town and made his way up to Queens for $43 million dollars and a shot at another. Max Scherzer surely won't mind the company... Carlos Carrasco is also returning from a fine 2023, but the new guy Kodai Senga is the big story right now. The thirty year old rookie from Japan has a huge reputation to uphold as he transitions over to the MLB.
Cue the trumpets, because we can't forget about Edwin Diaz. The Mets' ninth inning man signed a five year, $102 million dollar deal after a lockdown 2022, where his ERA was a miniscule 1.31. Dude's an elite closer. David Robertson should be as fine a set up man as you'll get around the league too.
Edit: Edwin Diaz has torn his patellar tendon and is set to miss the entire 2023 season
Philadelphia Phillies
Not sure Phillies fans have gotten over last October yet...the Eagles Super Bowl meltdown surely didn't help matters. But it's imperative to refocus, eyes back on the prize!
The biggest question mark surrounding this team pertains to Bryce Harper's health. Their star outfielder underwent Tommy John surgery last November, and while it's unlikely he'll to return to the field this season, though he could work his way into the lineup as a DH by July. With any replacement having a very high bar to live up to, any contribution Harper can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Regardless, scoring shouldn't be an issue for Philadelphia. Kyle Schwarber and Rhys Hoskins are big time power bats. JT Realmuto is one of the best catchers in the game, and recently signed shortstop Trea Turner will provide more than enough production at the plate. Brandon Marsh and Nick Castellanos are steady pieces to patrol the outfield. Wouldn't call the group a juggernaut, but they're more than capable of giving opposing pitchers headaches.
Moving to the rotation, Philly's returning three starters with sub-4.00 ERAs from a year ago. Aaron Nola is the ace, but Zach Wheeler may as well be the 1B. Ranger Suarez is no slouch either, giving this team a strong 1-2-3. Taijuan Walker is a great free agent addition too, coming off a nice campaign for the rival Mets. Fellow signee Craig Kimbrel will be returning to the division where he started his career out to try and lock down the final frame for the Phillies.
Washington Nationals
Can't forget about the worst team in the league last season! What a dumpster fire this group was... Their best move easily was trading Juan Soto to San Diego to kick start a rebuild. Unfortunately for them, they had a long, long way to go, and still have some issues to overcome.
Big, bad contracts are one problem in Washington. If you look up "albatross" in the dictionary, Patrick Corbin's face is the picture. Since signing a six year, $140 deal in 2019, his ERA has ballooned in every subsequent campaign, finishing 2022 at 6.31 to go with a 6-19 record. He's been absolutely abysmal. Pair that with Stephen Strasburg's exorbitant price tag and generally consistent unavailability and there's a lot of dead money here.
But there are some bright spots. Mackenzie Gore was an excellent, league-ready part of the Soto deal who'll be a foundational part of their pitching staff. In-house prospect Cade Cavalli hopes to also ascend up this ladder and lock down a spot in the rotation. There's also hope in the organization that Victor Robles and CJ Abrams can turn their young careers around and start living up to the hype that followed them through the minors.
The Nationals are going to be very, very bad however. Their revamped farm system should provide some optimism moving forward at least.
Bold Predictions
-Spencer Strider outpitches Max Fried
-Vaughn Grissom finishes with a higher WAR than Dansby Swanson
-Garrett Cooper will bat over .290
-Record aside, the Marlins will have a positive run differential
-Kodai Senga will struggle in his transition to the MLB with an ERA over 4.50
-Pete Alonso will have 45+ HR
-Zach Wheeler will have the best ERA and K:BB ratio among starters
-Trea Turner will post career highs in home runs and RBI
-CJ Abrams hits for over .275
-MacKenzie Gore leads starters in wins, ERA and K's
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@Choppinglines
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