1. New York Mets
So the Mets have by far the best lineup in the National League but more than ever their pitching staff has massive question marks. Oliver Perez and John Maine will they be stable throughout the year, how will Pelfrey do in his rookie year and will Glavine and Duque stay healthy. In the end I just think their lineup is that strong.
Key Player: Billy Wagner, The entire Mets staff is really centered around their bullpen so while most people would point to Glavine as the most important Met I think it's Wagner. If Wagner was ever to go down due to injury there would be an enormously negative trickle down effect. Especially with Duaner Sanchez out for an extended period.
Player to Eye: Lastings Milledge, Shawn Green sucked this spring, no surprise there and Lastings Milledge came up and hit .370. Can anyone think of someone who sucked in their first go round in the majors and then made a fantastic impact after his callup the next season. Hmm, how about looking across borough lines and finding Melky Cabrera who embarrassed himself in his callup in 05 but was fantastic last season in left field.
Record Prediction: 91 - 71
2. Philadelphia Phillies
Here's the problem with the Phillies, they always underachieve. There's no real reason why they shouldn't win the wildcard or the division. They have the best right side of the infield in baseball with Howard and Utley, they have a run producing SS and they have two stud arms in the rotation with Hamels and Myers. But they perennially underachieve.
Key Player: Ryan Howard, Howard was obviously a masher last season winning the MVP, which he didn't deserve, but he will need to do the same for the Phillies to be a big time player. When you look at their roster not much has changed they've added a few pitchers but will need to mash their way into the playoffs.
Player to Eye: Shane Victorino, the flyin Hawaiin, got his pt last year after the trade of Abreu and did a solid job. Now he's got the job in right field full time, what will he turn into, what will his peak numbers be?
Record Prediction:89 - 73, WildCard
3. Atlanta Braves
2006 was the marking of the end of the Braves domination of the NL East, can 2007 be the new beginning? The Braves will rely on youth McCann, Frenchy, as well as the veterans from the past Andruw Jones and Smoltz. The competition for the NL East crown should be much more exciting this season and the Bravos should be right in the mix.
Key Player: Chipper Jones, a forgotten man around the league. Just look at his numbers last season. Extrapolate those out to 160 and you have top 5 in the league MVP voting. But there is always the injury bug with Chipper, 2007 needs to be the year he stays healthy for the Braves to beat out the Phillies and/or Mets.
Player to Eye: Chuck James, talk about flying under the radar did you know Chuck James went 11-4 last year with a 3.78 era for the Braves, who were stinking up the joint at the end of the season. Will he be someone that the Braves can count on this year and in the future? Is he the next Tom Glavine? If you look at his minor league numbers and how he pitched last year, chances are he's gonna be good for awhile.
Record Prediction: 87 -75
4. Florida Marlins
So why do I have a team that came out of nowhere to contend with all youth with such a miserable record? Well their young pitching staff is already starting to have problems. Josh Johnson is out for an extended period. Hermida is out again. And do you believe in Dan Uggla?
Key Player: Dontrelle Willis, with Johnson out and the Marlins relying on Anibal and Olsen again behind Willis it's more important than ever that Willis goes back to his 2005 form when he was a complete horse.
Player to Eye: Dan Uggla, the most surprising rookie season in recent memory. Uggla came out of nowhere to put up phenomenal numbers which is exactly why people are disbelieving he will do it again. Fair or not, he was not spoken of as a top prospect so was he a fluke?
Record Prediction: 71-91
5. Washington Nationals
Quite possibly the worst team in baseball. They have weak lineup and a weak pitching staff. Their best player, Ryan Zimmerman, has a single year of experience and will be thrust into a spot where all the weight is on his shoulders. In addition they have no real big boppers and in the cavernous RFK expect the Nationals to finish in just about deadlast for team home runs.
Key Player: John Patterson, he's really the only guy that will strike any kind of fear in the opposing eyes. After bust out 2005 Patterson broke down early last year. If the Nats want to be even remotely competitive Patterson needs to be on the hill a lot.
Player to Eye: Nick Johnson, needs to come back for the Nats to have any kind of offense. Right now they have Felipe Lopez and Ryan Zimmerman and are throwin the Meathook at 1B. How long will it be until the meathook gets into legal trouble and he's gone.
Record Prediction: 51 - 111
So the Mets have by far the best lineup in the National League but more than ever their pitching staff has massive question marks. Oliver Perez and John Maine will they be stable throughout the year, how will Pelfrey do in his rookie year and will Glavine and Duque stay healthy. In the end I just think their lineup is that strong. Key Player: Billy Wagner, The entire Mets staff is really centered around their bullpen so while most people would point to Glavine as the most important Met I think it's Wagner. If Wagner was ever to go down due to injury there would be an enormously negative trickle down effect. Especially with Duaner Sanchez out for an extended period.
Player to Eye: Lastings Milledge, Shawn Green sucked this spring, no surprise there and Lastings Milledge came up and hit .370. Can anyone think of someone who sucked in their first go round in the majors and then made a fantastic impact after his callup the next season. Hmm, how about looking across borough lines and finding Melky Cabrera who embarrassed himself in his callup in 05 but was fantastic last season in left field.
Record Prediction: 91 - 71
2. Philadelphia Phillies
Here's the problem with the Phillies, they always underachieve. There's no real reason why they shouldn't win the wildcard or the division. They have the best right side of the infield in baseball with Howard and Utley, they have a run producing SS and they have two stud arms in the rotation with Hamels and Myers. But they perennially underachieve.Key Player: Ryan Howard, Howard was obviously a masher last season winning the MVP, which he didn't deserve, but he will need to do the same for the Phillies to be a big time player. When you look at their roster not much has changed they've added a few pitchers but will need to mash their way into the playoffs.
Player to Eye: Shane Victorino, the flyin Hawaiin, got his pt last year after the trade of Abreu and did a solid job. Now he's got the job in right field full time, what will he turn into, what will his peak numbers be?
Record Prediction:89 - 73, WildCard
3. Atlanta Braves
2006 was the marking of the end of the Braves domination of the NL East, can 2007 be the new beginning? The Braves will rely on youth McCann, Frenchy, as well as the veterans from the past Andruw Jones and Smoltz. The competition for the NL East crown should be much more exciting this season and the Bravos should be right in the mix.Key Player: Chipper Jones, a forgotten man around the league. Just look at his numbers last season. Extrapolate those out to 160 and you have top 5 in the league MVP voting. But there is always the injury bug with Chipper, 2007 needs to be the year he stays healthy for the Braves to beat out the Phillies and/or Mets.
Player to Eye: Chuck James, talk about flying under the radar did you know Chuck James went 11-4 last year with a 3.78 era for the Braves, who were stinking up the joint at the end of the season. Will he be someone that the Braves can count on this year and in the future? Is he the next Tom Glavine? If you look at his minor league numbers and how he pitched last year, chances are he's gonna be good for awhile.
Record Prediction: 87 -75
4. Florida Marlins
So why do I have a team that came out of nowhere to contend with all youth with such a miserable record? Well their young pitching staff is already starting to have problems. Josh Johnson is out for an extended period. Hermida is out again. And do you believe in Dan Uggla?Key Player: Dontrelle Willis, with Johnson out and the Marlins relying on Anibal and Olsen again behind Willis it's more important than ever that Willis goes back to his 2005 form when he was a complete horse.
Player to Eye: Dan Uggla, the most surprising rookie season in recent memory. Uggla came out of nowhere to put up phenomenal numbers which is exactly why people are disbelieving he will do it again. Fair or not, he was not spoken of as a top prospect so was he a fluke?
Record Prediction: 71-91
5. Washington Nationals
Quite possibly the worst team in baseball. They have weak lineup and a weak pitching staff. Their best player, Ryan Zimmerman, has a single year of experience and will be thrust into a spot where all the weight is on his shoulders. In addition they have no real big boppers and in the cavernous RFK expect the Nationals to finish in just about deadlast for team home runs. Key Player: John Patterson, he's really the only guy that will strike any kind of fear in the opposing eyes. After bust out 2005 Patterson broke down early last year. If the Nats want to be even remotely competitive Patterson needs to be on the hill a lot.
Player to Eye: Nick Johnson, needs to come back for the Nats to have any kind of offense. Right now they have Felipe Lopez and Ryan Zimmerman and are throwin the Meathook at 1B. How long will it be until the meathook gets into legal trouble and he's gone.
Record Prediction: 51 - 111
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