Zagi-CRO
02-19-2009, 05:00 AM
2009 Season Preview NL EAST
Philadelphia Phillies
Prediction: 97 -65 1st place :nod:
In: Raul Ibanez and Ronny Paulino
Out:Pat Burrell
After 25 frustrating years without a major pro sports champion, Philadelphia at last had a victory parade in 2008. The offense is a little heavy on left-handed hitters, but that’s far from a fatal flaw. This club has elite players in the rotation (highlighted by Hamels, an emerging superstar, Moyer, Kendrick), the bullpen (Lidge and Madson) and the lineup (Rollins, Utley, Howard, Ibanez), and after two straight September charges and a World Series title, it knows how to win.
Keep an eye on J.Donald, Carl.Carasco.
New York Mets
Prediction: 95 -67 2nd place :nod:
In: Freddy Garcia, Francisco Rodriguez, J.J. Putz and Jeremy Reed
Out: Aaron Heilman, Endy Chavez and Mike Carp
This time, the Mets has more reasons for optimism. The team played hard and relaxed for new manager Jerry Manuel, and the front office corrected the team’s fatal flaw by acquiring J.J. Putz and Francisco Rodriguez for the bullpen.
The lineup is sturdy, and the Mets once again look strong on paper.
Obviously, they don’t want to waste the prime years of superstars Reyes, Wright, and Beltran, so bolstering the bullpen—in a big way—was the right move. With Johan Santana a top the rotation and K-Rod closing in the ninth, J.J.Putz in the eight - the Mets have no more excuses.
It would be a very tough battle for the title. I gave an advantage to the Phillies bacause of lineup.
Keep an eye on F.Martinez, W.Flores, J.Niese.
Atlanta Braves
Prediction: 90 -72 3rd place :debate:
In: SP Derek Lowe, SP Javier Vasquez, RHP Boone Logan, OF Garret Anderson
Out: Brent Lillibridge
After losing 90 games in 2008 it was beginning to look like the Braves would have a better season.
After the January signings of free agent pitcher's, Derek Lowe and Japanese star Kenshin Kawakami, behind Jurrjens, the Braves and manager Bobby Cox should feel better about their chances of ending a three-year playoff drought in 2009.
The Braves can improve upon last year’s fourth-place finish in the NL East, but they’ll need to avoid pitching injuries and see improved production from a few players who regressed in 2008. They made no significant offensive additions to a team that ranked 14th in the NL in homers in 2008—and that was with Mark Teixeira in the lineup until late July.
Keep an eye on J.Heyward, J.Schafer, T.Hanson, Gor.Hernandez.
Florida Marlins
Prediction: 67 -95 4th place :crazy
In: Leo Nunez, Emilio Bonifacio and Scott Proctor
Out: Mike Jacobs, Matt Treanor, Kevin Gregg and Arthur Rhodes
The Marlins would regress this season, it's one of the toughest division, the Mets and the Nat's bolstered the team while the Marlins had too much departures. A weak rotation with Nolasco and Johnson and bullpen with…who… Lindstrom as a closer?
It could be a very long season for them.
But the Marlins has excellent prospects as C.Maybin, L.Morrison, M.Stanton, M.Dominguez, K.Skipworth. Especially, keep an eye on Cameron Maybin!
Washington Nationals
Prediction: 64 -98 5th place :rainy:
In: Scott Olsen (Florida), Josh Willingham (Florida), Brad Eldred (Chicago White Sox), Daniel Cabrera (Orioles), Corey Patterson (Reds), and Jose Castillo (Giants), OF Dunn
Out: Emilio Bonifacio (traded to Marlins), Tim Redding (signed with Mets), Aaron Boone (signed with Astros), and Brian Sanches (signed with Marlins)
Expect the Washington Nationals to spare their fans the indignity of a second straight 100-loss season. The good news, however, ends there. But good health isn’t enough to overcome their lack of starting pitching depth and a lineup that has not proven it can consistently produce.
The Nationals didn’t acquire much established talent from the outside during the offseason, so their improvement in 2009 will again depend on the progression of youngsters such as position players Zimmerman, Milledge, Dukes, and Flores and pitchers Lannan and Balester.
Their lineup is much better part of the team, especially with Dunn arrival.
Their offense lacks the talent to contend and it’s missing the left-handed power hitter management covets. The starting rotation is inexperienced except Olsen. Hanrahan will be a closer but the others relievers dont' have much experience. It’s a formula for another long summer in the nation’s capital.
But keep an eye on J.Zimmermann, R.Detwiller, M.Burgess, Ch.Marrero.
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Please state your opinion!
Philadelphia Phillies
Prediction: 97 -65 1st place :nod:
In: Raul Ibanez and Ronny Paulino
Out:Pat Burrell
After 25 frustrating years without a major pro sports champion, Philadelphia at last had a victory parade in 2008. The offense is a little heavy on left-handed hitters, but that’s far from a fatal flaw. This club has elite players in the rotation (highlighted by Hamels, an emerging superstar, Moyer, Kendrick), the bullpen (Lidge and Madson) and the lineup (Rollins, Utley, Howard, Ibanez), and after two straight September charges and a World Series title, it knows how to win.
Keep an eye on J.Donald, Carl.Carasco.
New York Mets
Prediction: 95 -67 2nd place :nod:
In: Freddy Garcia, Francisco Rodriguez, J.J. Putz and Jeremy Reed
Out: Aaron Heilman, Endy Chavez and Mike Carp
This time, the Mets has more reasons for optimism. The team played hard and relaxed for new manager Jerry Manuel, and the front office corrected the team’s fatal flaw by acquiring J.J. Putz and Francisco Rodriguez for the bullpen.
The lineup is sturdy, and the Mets once again look strong on paper.
Obviously, they don’t want to waste the prime years of superstars Reyes, Wright, and Beltran, so bolstering the bullpen—in a big way—was the right move. With Johan Santana a top the rotation and K-Rod closing in the ninth, J.J.Putz in the eight - the Mets have no more excuses.
It would be a very tough battle for the title. I gave an advantage to the Phillies bacause of lineup.
Keep an eye on F.Martinez, W.Flores, J.Niese.
Atlanta Braves
Prediction: 90 -72 3rd place :debate:
In: SP Derek Lowe, SP Javier Vasquez, RHP Boone Logan, OF Garret Anderson
Out: Brent Lillibridge
After losing 90 games in 2008 it was beginning to look like the Braves would have a better season.
After the January signings of free agent pitcher's, Derek Lowe and Japanese star Kenshin Kawakami, behind Jurrjens, the Braves and manager Bobby Cox should feel better about their chances of ending a three-year playoff drought in 2009.
The Braves can improve upon last year’s fourth-place finish in the NL East, but they’ll need to avoid pitching injuries and see improved production from a few players who regressed in 2008. They made no significant offensive additions to a team that ranked 14th in the NL in homers in 2008—and that was with Mark Teixeira in the lineup until late July.
Keep an eye on J.Heyward, J.Schafer, T.Hanson, Gor.Hernandez.
Florida Marlins
Prediction: 67 -95 4th place :crazy
In: Leo Nunez, Emilio Bonifacio and Scott Proctor
Out: Mike Jacobs, Matt Treanor, Kevin Gregg and Arthur Rhodes
The Marlins would regress this season, it's one of the toughest division, the Mets and the Nat's bolstered the team while the Marlins had too much departures. A weak rotation with Nolasco and Johnson and bullpen with…who… Lindstrom as a closer?
It could be a very long season for them.
But the Marlins has excellent prospects as C.Maybin, L.Morrison, M.Stanton, M.Dominguez, K.Skipworth. Especially, keep an eye on Cameron Maybin!
Washington Nationals
Prediction: 64 -98 5th place :rainy:
In: Scott Olsen (Florida), Josh Willingham (Florida), Brad Eldred (Chicago White Sox), Daniel Cabrera (Orioles), Corey Patterson (Reds), and Jose Castillo (Giants), OF Dunn
Out: Emilio Bonifacio (traded to Marlins), Tim Redding (signed with Mets), Aaron Boone (signed with Astros), and Brian Sanches (signed with Marlins)
Expect the Washington Nationals to spare their fans the indignity of a second straight 100-loss season. The good news, however, ends there. But good health isn’t enough to overcome their lack of starting pitching depth and a lineup that has not proven it can consistently produce.
The Nationals didn’t acquire much established talent from the outside during the offseason, so their improvement in 2009 will again depend on the progression of youngsters such as position players Zimmerman, Milledge, Dukes, and Flores and pitchers Lannan and Balester.
Their lineup is much better part of the team, especially with Dunn arrival.
Their offense lacks the talent to contend and it’s missing the left-handed power hitter management covets. The starting rotation is inexperienced except Olsen. Hanrahan will be a closer but the others relievers dont' have much experience. It’s a formula for another long summer in the nation’s capital.
But keep an eye on J.Zimmermann, R.Detwiller, M.Burgess, Ch.Marrero.
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Please state your opinion!