Last year saw the end to one of the most impressive streaks in all of baseball, the Atlanta Braves 14 consecutive NL East champions and post season births. Many have written them off as a team that is rebuilding, but I think they are poised to take the NL East again this year. Their weakness last year was in their relief pitching which they shored up this year with the addition of Mike Gonzalez. He would be the closer on any other team, but for now Bob Wickman has that role. That means they have an effective set up man and a good closer. I look for Gonzalez to take over the role of closer before the year is out, but until then if teams plan on scoring on the Braves they better do it in the first 7 innings.
As for offense, the Braves have Andruw Jones who is at the end of a contract year so expect big things from him. Chipper Jones is as healthy as he has been in years. Edgar Renteria is a good power hitting shortsop and of course they have Brian McCann behind the plate. He should be the starting catcher this year for the National League All Star team, if he remains healthy. Many think the offense of the Braves depends on Chipper Jones, but I feel that McCann will be the most important piece to that puzzle this year. Especially since they traded away Laroche for Gonzalez. The pieces are in place for the Braves to dominate this year. Let's see how long they can remain on top.
There is no reason why they won't compete with the Phils & Mets, but I don't think any of the 3 will "dominate". Guess we'll see how it plays out.
Chipper still has some chronic problems with his feet, which will keep him out of the lineup every once in a while. He should be productive if can avoid any major injuries...but will still miss his share of games.
The only real question mark I see is with the starting pitching, particularly Tim Hudson. Which Hudson will show up this season? Smoltz should be solid too...and Chuck James has a chance to be really good.
McCann should give this offense a tremendous boost.
But I think the Phils have an incredible offense to go along with a pretty good starting rotation. The Mets have offense, and if Glavine can be that sharp all year...they will make the race interesting.
I wouldn't even totally count out the Marlins either. This division is almost as tough as the AL Central...and it would be difficult for any one team to dominate. Really like the team that Atlanta has put together though...
Shooter, I think the Marlins are the ones to watch out for. The Phils have offense, but I don't think their pitching is as good as you think. The Marlins have a good young rotation and the Braves should be fine with Hudson, Smoltz, and James. Last year the bullpen blew more games for Smoltz and even a few for Hudson. That won't happen this year with Gonzalez, Wickman, and even Villareall as a middle reliever. He won 9 games last year as a reliever.
I think the Mets pitchers are also over rated. Pedro is out for who knows how long and when Glavine is your starting ace, you are in trouble. That would be like Maddux being the Pads opening day starter. Both are HOF, but they are not the aces on the staff anymore. Glavine will get double digit wins with his offense alone, but I think teams will figure him out soon enough. Of course, I would have thought teams would know all about him from all these years of living on the outside corner. He has one pitch, outside, outside, slow and outside.
Last edited by socalsportsfan on April 3rd at 11:08 AM.
socal...at this rate they will be 162 - 0 with Edgar Renteria having 324 HRs. Just kidding. If the rotation can get quality starts from Hudson and Hampton, this team could win the east. I'd also like to see them spend the money lost on AJ to get Carl Crawford.
I think Myers & Hamels at the top of the rotation is as good as any other in the division. Hudson might snap out of it, but his ERA was dangerously high last year.
I'd definitely give the bullpen edge to Atlanta though, they upgraded. I expect Philly will be trying to make those kind of moves during the season. If they get Freddy Garcia and Jon Lieber healthy, they could probably trade one of their extra starters for some bullpen help.
As for Glavine, since 1991...he's only had two years (1999 & 2003) with an ERA of 4.00 or higher. He isn't a conventional ace, but I think he's proven that he knows how to pitch. I'd take his production any day of the week.
John Maine is going to be good for them too, and not too many people are talking about him. They need something out of Pedro...even half a season would help.
There is always a lot of "what-if's". The Mets pitching staff had the same problems last year, but they managed to win. What if Hudson has a high ERA like last year, Smoltz & Hampton struggle to remain healthy?
Edmon, hard to argue with that logic. 162-0, I like that math.
SHooter, Hamels has potential, but he was oft injured last year and forced into the rotation maybe a bit early. He is on the DL now, isn't he? Hampton won't do anything and the Braves need to cut him loose and free up some money. If they could get Crawford, that would be a tremendous coupe.
As for the Mets, Maine is better than people think, but Glavine is set for a down year. I know he knows how to pitch, but I don't see him getting 15 wins this year, nor do I see Pedro coming back and getting double digit wins. That means O Hernandez and whoever else they can scrape together will have to do it. I don't see it happening. Call me crazy, but I think the Mets will be fighting for the wild card.
As far as I know, it's just Garcia & Lieber on the DL...but I could be wrong.
They should just get Hampton healthy and use him as a hitter. He hits better than most of the Pirates...but that isn't saying much.
Who knows what to expect from Pedro? Anything would be a plus at this point. Oliver Perez is another wildcard...he had great stuff at one point, but lost his velocity and mechanics. Maybe he could turn it around.
Yeah, the Mets will have to scrape...and I wouldn't expect too much out of El Duque.
I don't know how Glavine or Smoltz keep going...but they do.
I think your right, Hamels is not on DL, but I thought I read somewhere he was not 100%. He was 9-8 last year with 4.06 ERA. Not exactly stellar. Again, I just think they rushed him up. I also don't look for Howard to have the same monster year, and he single handedly won several games for a few pitchers. Of course, I hope he does great considering the poultry contract he was given by the Phils. I also have him on my fantasy team.
Honestly, the Braves won't have what it takes. The Mets lineup is staked as it is, every one knows that. They probably have the best line up in the league. They have an excellent bullpen, but their pitching is weak which will slow them down a little, but here's a thing to think about. While every one is thinking about Roger Clemens in a Red Sox, Yankees, or Astros Jersey, how about Clemens coming over to the Mets? Good Possibility that you CANNOT RULE OUT!!!!! Clemens will go where the money is and if the Mets offer enough, he'll take it. But the Braves 14 Division streak is over. Look out world, here come the Mets and Phils
Last year saw the end to one of the most impressive streaks in all of baseball, the Atlanta Braves 14 consecutive NL East champions and post season births. Many have written them off as a team that is rebuilding, but I think they are poised to take the NL East again this year. Their weakness last year was in their relief pitching which they shored up this year with the addition of Mike Gonzalez. He would be the closer on any other team, but for now Bob Wickman has that role. That means they have an effective set up man and a good closer. I look for Gonzalez to take over the role of closer before the year is out, but until then if teams plan on scoring on the Braves they better do it in the first 7 innings. 
