2008 NL East Preview

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH:
New York Mets
Philadelphia Phillies
Atlanta Braves
Washington Nationals
Florida Marlins

The Mets, stung by last years late season collapse, came back with a vengeance. Johan Santana makes Pedro Martinez a #2 starter and a bonus if he comes back. The Phillies and Braves will nip at their heels all year before falling off late. The Nationals will be in no mans land between the haves and the have-not Marlins.

New York Mets
Pitching - Johan Santana, a healthy Pedro Martinez and John Maine comprise a strong starting staff. Oliver Perez and Orlando Hernandez may push Mike Pelfrey to the pen. Billy Wagner still throwing heat as the closer with Aaron Heilman setting up. Jorge Sosa, Scott Schoenweis and Pedro Feliciano provide depth.

Lineup - Revamped the lineup with addition Brian Schneider C and Ryan Church RF coming over from the Nats. Carlos Delgado 1B, Luis Castillo 2B combine with David Wright 3B and Jose Reyes SS to form the most potent infield in the league. Moises Alou LF and Carlos Beltran CF are prolific when healthy. Former Cub Angel Pagan and Endy Chavez are around when they are not.

Prospects - Are you serious? See Twins report, they emptied the cupboard for Santana. RHP's Brant Rustich amd Kevin Mulvey may contribute this year. Fernando Martinez F may help down the road.

Philadelphia Phillies
Pitching - Strong. Very strong. Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer and Brett Myers form the Big Three. Adam Eaton and Kyle Kendrick are likely the other starters. Brad Lidge comes over from the Astros to close. Tom Gordon moves to setup, ready to close when Lidge blows up.

Lineup - The infield of 1B Ryan Howard, 2B Chase Utley, SS Jimmy Rollins and 3B Pedro Feliz has three potential MVP candidates and a guy named Pedro. Carlos Ruiz and Chris Coste platoon behind the dish. Pat Burrell LF and Shane Victorino CF are oined by RF Geoff Jenkins from the Brewers. Jayson Werth and So Taguci back up.

Prospects - LHP Joe Savery, a two way college player, is learning to pitch full-time.
He's close. Greg Golson OF is a potential five tool player. Andrew Carpenter RHP may contribute this year as well.

Atlanta Braves
Pitching - Tom Glavine joins golfing buddy John Smoltz and Tim Hudson to provide a decent starting staff. Buddy Carlyle, Chuck James and retread LHP Mike Hampton competing for the final two spots. Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez will share the closing duties.

Lineup - Brian McCann should be an all-star candidate for the next ten years. Mark Texeira 1B and Chipper Jones 3B man the corners. Yunel Escobar SS hit .326 last year and Kelly Johnson 2B hit .276 with some pop (16 HR's). Underrated infield. Matt Diaz keeps LF warm for prospect Brandon Jones. Mark Kotsay likely does the same for Jorda Schafer. Jeff Francoeur should man RF in Atlanta for another 15 years.

Prospects - This team could get younger and better at the same time with Jordan Schafer CF, Brandon Jones LF and Brent Lillibridge SS joining the holdovers. Jason Heyward RF 18 years old may be the best, but a year or two away. Jair Jurrjens RHP is the spoils of the Renteria deal, could start this year.

Washington Nationals

Pitching - Young, very young. John Patterson, Shawn Hill and Jason Bergmann are the top three. Matt Chico, Tim Redding and Joe Hanrahan will compete for the final slots. Chad Cordero (37 saves) is an elite closer. Jon Rauch will oe as the set up man.

Lineup - Paul LoDuca was brought in from the Mets to catch. Dimitri Young 1B and Ryan Zimmerman 3B provide offense from the corners, although Young's power (13 HR's) has dropped off as his waistline has ballooned. Ronnie Belliard 2B and Cristian Guzman SS are steady if unspectacular. The outfield is crowded with Wily Mo Pena in LF looking to hold off the challenge of the mercurial Elijah Dukes. Lastings Milledge CF brings enormous potential from the Mets. Austin Kearns RF was second to Zimmerman (24-16) in HR's.

Prospects - LHP Ross Detwiler should be in the starting rotation shortly. OF Chris Marrero (19) and Michael Burgess (from Tampa, 19) are a couple of seasons away, but scouts are salivating over Burgess' power potential. John Smoker LHP, 19 is a polished, young pitcher who could move quickly.

Florida Marlins
Pitching - Also very young and talented. Scott Olsen, Sergio Mitre and Andrew Miller LHP from the Tigers headline the starters. Veteran Mark Hendrickson, Rick VanderHurk
and Ricky Nolasco will battle for the final two starters spots. Kevin Gregg (32 saves) will reel in any potential victories that present themselves. Taylor Tankersley is the set up man.

Lineup - Mike Rabelo and Matt Treanor split the catching duties. Mike Jacobs 1B (17 HR .265) and prospect Dallas McPherson 3B man the corners. Dan Uggla 2B (31 HR's .245) and Hanley Ramirez SS (29 HR's .332) shine up the middle. Ramirez is a superstar in the making. In the outfield, Josh Willingham LF (21 HR's) prospect Cameron Maybin CF and Jeremy Hermida RF (18 HR's) start in the outfield. Veterans Luis Gonzalez and Cody Ross will provide bench strength.

Prospects - Cameron Maybin CF from the Tigers is only 20 but he could be ready. Chris Volstad RHP could join the starting rotation shortly. Aaron Thompson LHP and Brett Sinkbell may be able to help this year as well.