NL East

Baseball and Relativity

"Don't call us (ballplayers) heroes. Fireman are heroes."
- Sparky Anderson

NL East:

While the West figures to be the best division in the National League, the East will be the best one to watch. Not only will the Phillies present a powerful squad, but the deconstructing Mets are coming in to 2008 with a dangerously improved squad. The Braves figure to compete again with a number of young players being primed for big years but the other two squads, the Marlins and the Nationals, represent some of baseball's weakest. Overall, though, with the firepower in the East and the opportunity to watch Pedro Martinez come back for a healthy year next to Johann Santana, who will be pitching in his prime, there will be sold out ballparks in many of these cities (Florida being the exception) all year long.

The Division's Best: New York Mets



Before the blockbuster deal that brought Johann Santana to the Mets from Minnesota that did not include the roster of high caliber prospects that should have went to the Twin Cities the Mets catapulted to the top of the Eastern division. Its rare in baseball that one player can swing a team's fate so drastically but Santana, now pitching in the lo-fi offensive environment in the National League, stands to win 20 games and post a sub 3.00 ERA. Combine that with the excellent offensive production that can be expected in New York and the only thing that stands between the Mets and the World Series is their closer's ability to forget about his late season collapse.

Key Players:

Johann Santana: Needs to post the wonderful numbers he's capable of.

Alou/Delgado: Healthy/productive seasons by these too veterans will give the Mets the kind of run supported needed to pace the National League.

Jose Reyes: Needs to overcome personal ego issues and run out ground balls to first. Reyes could be the best player in baseball this year if he wants it bad enough.

The Division's Worst: Florida Marlins



Despite having some of baseball's best young players such as Hanley Ramirez, Cameron Maybin, Jeremy Hermida and Dan Uggla the Marlins are destined for failure in 2008. Unfortunately their pitching staff is mostly unknown and contains very few potential stars. The Marlins, once again, are doomed to be trapped in their perpetual rebuilding stage. This is bound to continue until either they buy another championship or fans decide to support baseball in Florida.

Key Players:

Hanley Ramirez: If you can't expect a team to win you may as well expect them to be entertaining. Watch the Marlins to see other teams flex their muscles. Watch the Marlins to see Ramirez develop into a great five tool player.

Luis Gonzales: Now that his steroid use is behind him, his age is catching up to him and his production is slumping expect Gonzales to act as a mentor to the young players in Florida. Look past the steroid induced gawdy numbers from a few years back. Who wasn't juicing then? Gonzales will be a positive influence.

Watch Out For: Philadelphia Phillies.



In a near dead heat for first in the NL East the Phillies stand to field another excellent squad in 2008. With some added pitching depth and young sluggers that include consecutive MVPs Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins the Phillies should overpower, even if they can't outpitch, most teams in the National League. Carlos Beltran has responded to Jimmy Rollins and claimed the division for the Mets. Let's see how this battle develops.

Key Players:

Brad Lidge: Can Brad reclaim his past form or did Pujol's homerun in the NLCS from a few years ago really destroy Lidge's confidence.

Brett Myers: His return to the rotation may provide the Phillies with the edge necessary to compete with the Rockies for the Wild Card spot.

Cole Hamels: Has very exciting potential. Needs good run support.


DB