National League - East

Washington Nationals

Team Motto: We are bucks up!
Hello: Rafael Soriano, Dan Haren, Denard Span

Lots of reasons to smile

Goodbye: Michael Morse, Edwin Jackson
Pleasant surprise player? Tyler Moore
Nice comeback players: Dan Haren & Jayson Werth



Remember when Washington was an orphan known as the Montreal Expos? Well, mega-billionaire Ted Lerner, the 87-year old principal owner of the Nationals adopted the team a few years back, and has had his bottomless wallet open for some years now. He put braces on his boys, bought them long pants, and got them tutors in order to help them improve their lot in life.

Another old man, Davey Johnson took charge of this team, and led them to what should have been an NL Championship Series with the Giants last year, but a horrific ninth innings did them in.

Prediction: 1st Place

The Nats have the best starting rotation in baseball, and current or potential all stars at almost every position. A nice, deep bullpen and bench, good defense, power and excellent speed. This is your odds on 2013 National League World Series representative.

Atlanta Braves

Team motto: Justin? BJ? We want Kate!
Hello: BJ Upton
Goodbye: Michael Bourn, Chipper Jones, Martin Prado

Kate can't hit, but she takes a helluva shower

Pleasant surprise player? Mike Minor
Nice comeback player: Jason Heyward

I have seen a lot of positive things written about this team, but I don’t see where the leadership is coming from?

The starting pitching will be good, to very good, and if the Upton boys perform well, they’ll make some noise, but they need too much else to go right on the hitting side.

Will Dan Uggla continue to look like an old man? Will Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman fulfil all the great things predicted for them? Will third base be a disaster? Will Andrelton Simmons be the great shortstop of the future? Will Brian McCann get and stay healthy? Can Paul Maholm forget he was a Pirate?

Prediction: 2nd Place

Too many questions have my gut telling me this team is one consolidation year away from really contending.

Philadelphia Phillies

Team motto: Not as old as the Yankees!
Hello: Ben Revere, Delmon & Michael Young


I think Doc is gonna need a doc?

Goodbye: Vance Worley
Pleasant surprise player? Domonic Brown
Nice comeback player: Chase Utley

Why does most of the heart of this team (Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Utley, Roy Halladay, and Michael Young) seem so old? Answer: Because they are.

Prediction: 3rd Place

Halladay is on what looks to be a quick downward spiral, along with Howard and Utley, although I think Utley has one good year left in him, if he can stay healthy? Cole Hamels is a pure stud, and Cliff Lee is right behind him, but it won’t be enough to even seriously contend. Old players that have been injury-prone don’t suddenly get healthy, and they will really miss Carlos Ruiz, who sits out the first 50 games for a MLB drug violation.

New York Mets

Team motto: Strawberry, Raspberry, we want Throneberry!


Simply marv

Hello: Shaun Marcum, John Buck
Goodbye: Scott Hairston, Josh Thole
Pleasant surprise player? Matt Harvey
Nice comeback player: Marlon Byrd

There isn’t much here past David Wright’s continued All Star play, and Ike Davis potentially challenging for the NL Home Run title. Maybe catcher Travis d’Arnaud (the key part of the R.A. Dickey trade) will come up sometime this summer and live up to the hype. Ruben Tejada isn’t Jose Reyes, but he has nice skills.

Prediction: 4th Place

Could be the end for Johan Santana – is he Hall of Fame worthy? Nah, but he had a nice 6-year run, and got that big contract. Now, Shaun Marcum is hurt – big surprise there, huh? I doubt they are good enough to battle a very ordinary the Phillie for third, but they should edge out Miami.

Miami Marlins

Team motto: It was bad while it lasted!
Hello: Juan Pierre, Placido Polanco                        


I think there's going to be trouble?

Goodbye: Ozzie, Jose, Hanley, Emilio, Mark, John, etc., etc., etc....
Pleasant surprise player? Adeiny Hechavarria
Nice comeback player: Juan Pierre

Who says that the Houston Astros are the worst team in baseball? Last year at this time Marlin owner Jeffrey Loria had gotten out his brand new Etch-A-Sketch, and drawn up a plan to win the NL East with star power, and a foul-mouthed manager who early on insulted the Cuban population that was expected to fill the new artsy-fartsy wonderama stadium.

"Jeffrey, you got sum splainin’ to do?"

Haven’t we seen versions of this before with Miami? Yep. They win pennants in 1997 and 2003 and break up the team because not enough folks come to see the games. It’s not a Marlin’s thing, it’s a Florida thing. The Dolphins and Heat don’t draw either, because it’s too damn muggy, and the old folks can’t afford to buy tickets. The young folks are swimming, sunning, and partying in South Beach.

Prediction: 5th Place

How long before the best young power hitter in MLB (Giancarlo Stanton) gets traded? When it does happen (this season) Miami will be worse than Houston.

Nickel recap:
I don't think any team will really threaten the Nationals, but Atlanta will contend for a wild card, Philly fans will boo their players, Mets fans will boo their owners, and Miami fans...oh wait, there aren't any.