Time is ticking, as coaches, players, and especially fans count down the final week of spring training. It has come time to put in my picks for the 2016 season and we are going to start with the NL East
division. The New York Mets made a trip to World Series last season thanks to their amazing pitching and clutch hitting from a couple guys named Cespedes and Murphy. Daniel Murphy may have taken off to a division rival, but they were able to bring back Cepedes on his big contract and acquire new names such as Neil Walker. The big difference maker on this team will be the guys on the mound, as they are only getting better. Their is a small worry about them being a bit fatigued after the long postseason, but I think Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, Steven Matz, and Nolan Syndagard are only going to be more impressive this season. The Mets have one of the best pitching rotations and their record will show for it. The Mets will take the NL East after solid battle from their opponents down at the Nations capital.
Bryce Harper, that is the story in DC as the Nationals look to regroup after a disappointing 2015. Harper looks ready to put together another amazing season and possibly another MVP award. With Dusty Baker now at the helm, the Nationals now look to hunt down the Mets with their good pop and strong rotation. When you got Scherzer at the front followed by two very underrated guys, Strasberg and Gonzalez, you have a rotation that will put a good fight no matter the ball park. I also expect a strong year from Anthony Rendon as long as he can stay healthy. The only things that worry me when it comes to the Nats, is Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmermann. They have looked good in spring training, but they both can't stay off the DL and their numbers have not been very impressive recently. Look for the Nationals to put up a good fight, but I say Wildcard is best they can do.
The Miami Marlins look to be a dangerous team. They have a new coaching staff this season, with Don
Mattingly filling in as the new manager and Barry Bonds reappearing in the league as the new hitting coach. With bats like Stanton and Yelich I see as a powerful offense, but not one that gets on base consistently. Jose Fernandez is an amazing arm to take the ace role, but then there is not much after that. Mattingly will be a good fit with Miami, as I think the Marlins will be a team that starts hot and hangs around until September, but due to things such as injuries they will fall out of the playoff picture late in the season. Also incase you didn't hear, Barry Bonds was able to beat the entire team in a homerun competition which does not put much faith in their bats.
The Philadelphia Phillies have not been impressing anyone for the last few years and I don't think that
will change this year. Now don't get me wrong, I think with their young bats and arms, such as Franco and Hellickson they are a team on the rise and will be contending not to far into the future. But they still don't have the weapons to make a big enough difference to take on the amazing rotations within their divisions. They have Crawford for a great glove in the infield, but he just doesn't seem ready offensively. Their bullpen is rather good and they should get good innings out of guys like Charlie Morton, but with Ryan Howard still slowing them down the Phillies will be in a fight with Atlanta to avoid last place in the East.
The Atlanta Braves dished away all their big name players in a big yard sale, and with Freeman still on the roster it may still be in process. The Braves did add a few noticeable names with Aybar and Inciarte coming in deals sending away much more valuable names like Shelby Miller and Anderlton Simmons, but they will have some of the worst offense in the NL even with that possible MVP bat Freeman in the lineup. I still don't really understand why the Braves had to sell out, as all their bats and arms were under the age of 35 and had great potential, with Heyward and Gattis also on the list. The Braves will be fighting with Rockies, Phillies, and possibly Brewers for worst record in the NL as they are headed for a disappointing year. If I was Freeman or Markakis I would hoping to be dealt to a contender.
NL East Records:
1. Mets 93-69
2. Nationals 87-75
3. Marlins 79-83
4. Phillies 64-98
5. Braves 61-101
Bryce Harper, that is the story in DC as the Nationals look to regroup after a disappointing 2015. Harper looks ready to put together another amazing season and possibly another MVP award. With Dusty Baker now at the helm, the Nationals now look to hunt down the Mets with their good pop and strong rotation. When you got Scherzer at the front followed by two very underrated guys, Strasberg and Gonzalez, you have a rotation that will put a good fight no matter the ball park. I also expect a strong year from Anthony Rendon as long as he can stay healthy. The only things that worry me when it comes to the Nats, is Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmermann. They have looked good in spring training, but they both can't stay off the DL and their numbers have not been very impressive recently. Look for the Nationals to put up a good fight, but I say Wildcard is best they can do.
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