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by Digger

Spring Training has begun! Major League players are busy getting into shape for the 2008 season.

All World All Sports continues our division by division breakdown. Each day this week will feature a different division in order of predicted finish. Part 2, NL East.

New York Mets (Mgr. Willie Randolph, 88-74 in '07) 2007 featured a historic September collapse by New York as they blew a seven game lead and were beaten out for division honors by the Philadelphia Phillies. Will there be lingering effects this year.. their final in Shea Stadium? Players staying injury free is the key for this club. Randolph's team traded for Johan Santana, one of the games very best hurlers. The Mets season rests squarely on his shoulders. Pedro Martinez has been somewhat of a bust for New York due to extended disabled list appearances. John Maine had a fine season last year is a solid #3 starter. Oliver Perez found the plate on a regular basis last year for the first time in his career. El Duque is another health question mark for this deep rotation. If these hurlers stay healthy, New York will win this division. One can't stress enough healthy pitching is the biggest concern for this team. The Mets super deep bullpen is of great comfort and gives Willie plenty of options.
In the field: Carlos Delgado is healthy and appears ready to put fear back into the hearts and minds of opposing pitching staffs. Late season aquisition slick fielding 2B Luis Castillo teams up with superstar SS Jose Reyes to form the NL's top dp combo. They'll hit 1-2 and their speed will keep pitchers plenty distracted. The hot corner belongs to David Wright who continues to excel year after year. He was a legit MVP candidate until the wheels fell off last September.
Carlos Beltran (CF) anchors Shea's spacious outfield. To his right is pure hitter Moises Alou (LF). Alou has battled numerous injuries from season to season. Randolph will give him plenty of rest in hopes of keeping him active and healthy. RF Ryan Church is the Mets most over looked player. This will be his first season in the big apple and will have plenty of opportunities to excel in this sensational lineup. Behind the plate features Brian Schneider and Ramon Castro who must be loving life with this staff.
Randolph has all the weapons. Power pitching, great defense, speed and a balanced lineup. This team has it all. 100 wins is within reach.
Prediction: 1st place. New York is NL's team to beat.

Atlanta Braves (Mgr. Bobby Cox, 84-78 in '07) Bobby Cox knows how to get the most from his players. 2007 was his most challenging season in years. Cox has the luxury of a superb front three rotation which will give fits to opposing batters as Atlanta challenges New York for division honors. Hudson, Smoltz and the return of Tom Glavine are All Stars. The rest of this rotation is up for grabs. Even Mike Hampton is trying to ressurect his oft injured career. Consistency is needed in the bullpen or Cox will blow what's left of his short fuse.
In the Field: A strong deep lineup solidified on the infield corners by Mark Teixeira (1B, .306, 33 2b, 30 hr) and fan favorite Chipper Jones (3B, .337 42 2b, 29 hr). Both hit for average, power and will have ample opportunities to drive in runs. Yunel Escobar (SS) and Kelly Johnson (2B) represent a solid, yet flashy dp combo. One of the keys to success is Atlanta's outfield. Andruw Jones is gone, Mark Kotsay is in. Kotsay plays fine defense but is no comparison to the loss of Jones' bat. LF appears to be Matt Diaz job to win this preseason. He excelled in platoon duties last year and must produce if this squad is to keep pace with NY. RF belongs to shotgun armed Jeff Francoeur. Behind the plate is solid backstop Brian McCann.
Prediction: 2nd. Atlanta needs to come out of the gates on fire. Fundamentals and smart play is the key to success if they are to have any.

Philadelphia Phillies (Mgr. Charlie Mauel, 89-73) Talk about a team taking full advantage of faultering opponents. The Phillies appeared left for dead until they caught fire just at the right time.. when the Mets went into full tanking mode. This season will be quite different. The Phillies have a fine and powerful lineup. Pitching and is suspect and could ruin fine run production. GM Pat Gillick made no key pickups this off season to bolster a fairly weak starting staff. This is the difference between repeating and retreating. Cole Hammels (15-5, 3.39) had a fine year in '07. The rest of Philadelphia's starting staff is a guessing game. Myers has fought injuries and has yet to live up to his hype. Kendrick enters his sophmore season after a fine preview in '07. Moyer has been getting absolutely hammered in recent seasons and Citizens Bank Park is no place for a gopher ball pitcher. Philly fans will be quick to add another crack in the Liberty Bell should this team start slowly. This has been a hyped team... it's all hot air.
In the Field: Ryan Howard is a monster at first base. He greatly struggled in opening months last year (.223, 44 k's in 117 ab's). However, he rebounded just fine finishing the year with 47 homers while plating 136 runners. To his right is another slugger and perhaps the games best second sacker Chase Utley (.338, 75 extra base hits). His dp counterpart is spark plug Jimmy Rollins. JR does it all (.296, 38 2b's, 20 3b's, 30 hr's, 41 sb's). 3B is a question mark as Pedro Feliz was added this off season. Feliz has shown flashed of brilliance, however, it's too soon to call. He could explode for a monster season in Philly's hitter friendly ballpark.. only now he faces some of the NL's best hurlers on a regular basis. Burrell (LF), Victorino (CF) and newly acquired Jenkins (RF) make up this outfield. Ruiz and Coste will see plenty of activity behind the plate trying to calm down an erratic starting staff. The bullpen is also very questionable. Lidge is already injured before throwing his first live pitch in a Phillies uniform. Gordon returns from injury. JC Romero is an excellent set up guy but unproven as a closer. He might be forced into a closer role of this staff keeps getting banged up.
Prediction: Plenty of runs scored, plenty given up. 3rd place.

Florida Marlins (Mgr. Fredi Gonzalez, 71-91) Peter Angelos was slammed in our AL East predicts... Jeff Loria should have been run out of the game by fellow owners. This failed former Montreal owner was somehow allowed by his cronies to purchase the Florida Marlins. This guy just loves to kill baseball teams. The low budget Marlins were playing inspired baseball for manager Joe Girardi in 2006, until Lorie and Girardi butted heads which led to a late season collapse and cost this team another playoff appearance. Girardi was gone soon after '06 concluded. 2007 was a disappointment on the field as a result of poor play. 2008 will be a greater disappointment based on another infamous Florida fire sale. One of this teams greatests attributes over the years has been their fine scouting staffs who have signed great prospects. It's been the front office who hands them away. Starting pitching is young and undeveloped. A daunting task vs super lineups in New York, Atlanta and Philadelphia. It's a free for all battle this spring for starters and relievers.
In the Field: Florida has some great bright spots. Hanley Ramirez (SS) is one of the games most exciting players (.332, 48 2b, 8 3b, 29 hr, 51 sb). Second base belongs to slugging Dan Uggla (31 hr). He needs better plate patience to help when needed most (.245, 167 K's). Mike Jacobs is a solid at 1st. Dallas McPherson gets a second chance to develope in a pressure free home in Florida. Willingham is a lock in LF. CF & RF will be won in spring training. Maybin, De Aza, Hermida and Ross battle to start. Luis Gonzalez will throw his hat into the ring but the true competition will for the youngsters. Unknowns signal callers Rabelo and Treanor will attempt to become household names in South Florida.
Prediction: 4th. Even with many question marks and faulty ownership, this is a gritty group of players fighting for playing time, self respect and wins.

Washington Nationals (Mgr. Manny Acta 73-89) Manny Acta has an exciting young team to manage this season. The key to Washington's success... what else... pitching and someone to supply long ball power from the plate. No single chucker on this staff has proven worthy of being guaranteed a starting pitcher slot. Spring training will determine who makes the grade, and who gets left behind. Injuries decimated this group last year which has paved the way for a heated spring competition. Acta's pitching strength appears to rest in the bullpen. However, if the starters faulter and don't last deep into games... then this staff will get over worked before April ends.
In the Field: Dmitri Young and a healthy Nick Johnson will battle it out this spring to determine who starts at 1B. Johnson's career has been marred by injury. Young rebounded last year and was a catalyst (.320, 38 2b). 3B belongs to Ryan Zimmerman (.266, 43 2b, 24 hr). A three player battle is in progress for SS & 2B. Cristian Guzman, Rafael Belliard and Felipe Lopez will all see playing time. Guzman will most likely open the year at short while Belliard and Lopez platoon at second. All three can field, all three need to hit to stay in the lineup. Plenty of players battling for outfield and reserve slots. Willie Mo Pena supplies the power and shaky D in LF. Mets castoff Lastings Milledge plays CF. Milledge's antics ran him out of NY. He's a five tool player who needs to learn the strike zone to stay in the majors. Austin Kearns is a lock for RF. Kearns has yet to hit 20 homers. Washington's catcher competition is crowded. LoDuca (injured), Estrada, Flores, Cota, Moeller are all fighting for a roster spot. This team is lacking a true power hitter and guaranteed roster slots. Spring training will be interesting. Acta has some tough choices ahead.
Prediction: 5th.

Stay Tuned... AL Central on deck