Post by D Backs GM (Tyler) on Feb 3, 2018 8:35:50 GMT -5
Welcome to the NL East! Predictions for this division were the most convoluted. There are basically no bad teams in this division and the race for the postseason is going to be insane in the NL. We'll get to that later, but jeeze. Divisional rankings were all over the place, almost no two rankers agree on anything outside of most of us thinking that the Nats will win. Should be a very competitive one all year. Write ups are from Tyler (Ty may become "Useless Ty", but he did the bids so we'll give him a break I guess) for this division. As always, tell us why we're wrong in the comments. Enjoy!
Previously on Winter Power Rankings: Overview, AL East, AL Central, AL West
Miami Marlins - 5th NL EAST (Two 4th, Two 5th)
Miami has one major thing going in its favor: Jose Altuve. He is obviously a fantasy stud of the highest order, but the rest of this team is thin. MadBum and Syndergaard are holding down the staff the way that Altuve is the hitting. One (or two) crowns, then the rest. With only $22M and not much roster space left, I struggle to see how they are going to build out the rest of this team for this year. No real way to get saves. They definitely need to spend or trade and improve the offense first and try to find a way to compete in the bullpen stats and pitching peripherals. While this review seems harsh, many rankers still had the Fish in the top half of the league. This division is super tough this year.
Philadelphia Phillies - 4th NL EAST (One 1st, One 2nd, One 4th, One 5th)
Our first team that literally not one ranker agreed on. The Phils are clearly good. Their offense is madness even though they may struggle to hit for average. They will also have to depend on Trea Turner for most of their speed, but he could easily go for 50+ SB so he is not a bad guy to depend on. The pitching staff, like Swo's team is top heavy but very talented. A lot will depend on what trick or treat David Price ends up doing this year. I'm hoping they use their $20M to find some depth. But if this team stays healthy, they definitely have potential to compete at the highest levels. It's a big if... but still.
Atlanta Braves - Tied - 2nd NL EAST (Two 2nd, One 3rd, One 5th)
Yeah, I listed Semi-seless Swo second in the tie just to piss him off and further our petty fake rivalry. So what? His team is unfortunately going to be competing for a division, and a playoff spot. Their roster is solid and they still have a decent chunk of change ($30M) to make a few improvements. I'd be shocked if he doesn't win steals with Bergman, Mookie, DeShields, Zimmer, Rosario, and options like Difo and Eaton off the bench. Plenty of power and the possible late arrival of Rodgers won't hurt either. The pitching is top heavy but thin. The pitchers that are under contract are very good but the depth is not amazing. He needs to use that $30M to finish building his staff and he too will be near the top of the division and potentially the league.
New York Mets - Tied - 2nd NL EAST (One 2nd, Three 3rd)
Our first tie! The Mets and Braves ended up with the exact same total points and the average ranking overall. That is an indication of how close this race (potentially for the NL Wild Card) will be. The Mets are an excellent team top to bottom. They have one of the best pitching staffs in the league and the star power on offense with Trout and Donaldson. They fill out nicely with specialty role players like Merrifield (SB), and a well rounded bullpen. While this division will definitely be competitive, these teams will all be towards the top of the league.
Washington Nationals - 1st NL EAST (Three 1st, One 4th)
What can you say? The man has a ring. He can field an offense where every single player will hit more than 20 HR. Relying on Lindor and Braun only for speed might be an issue, and he will need some to outhit their projections to get up there in the average ranking, but I am really picking nits here. This is the defending champ and he has an amazing team. No doubt he will be among the top teams in the league again. Only 8M for free agents, but hey, the team is already made. Credit to doing his business early in the offseason and being in a spot to cherry pick his moves to improve his team.
Next up: NL Central (later today)
Previously on Winter Power Rankings: Overview, AL East, AL Central, AL West
Miami Marlins - 5th NL EAST (Two 4th, Two 5th)
Miami has one major thing going in its favor: Jose Altuve. He is obviously a fantasy stud of the highest order, but the rest of this team is thin. MadBum and Syndergaard are holding down the staff the way that Altuve is the hitting. One (or two) crowns, then the rest. With only $22M and not much roster space left, I struggle to see how they are going to build out the rest of this team for this year. No real way to get saves. They definitely need to spend or trade and improve the offense first and try to find a way to compete in the bullpen stats and pitching peripherals. While this review seems harsh, many rankers still had the Fish in the top half of the league. This division is super tough this year.
Philadelphia Phillies - 4th NL EAST (One 1st, One 2nd, One 4th, One 5th)
Our first team that literally not one ranker agreed on. The Phils are clearly good. Their offense is madness even though they may struggle to hit for average. They will also have to depend on Trea Turner for most of their speed, but he could easily go for 50+ SB so he is not a bad guy to depend on. The pitching staff, like Swo's team is top heavy but very talented. A lot will depend on what trick or treat David Price ends up doing this year. I'm hoping they use their $20M to find some depth. But if this team stays healthy, they definitely have potential to compete at the highest levels. It's a big if... but still.
Atlanta Braves - Tied - 2nd NL EAST (Two 2nd, One 3rd, One 5th)
Yeah, I listed Semi-seless Swo second in the tie just to piss him off and further our petty fake rivalry. So what? His team is unfortunately going to be competing for a division, and a playoff spot. Their roster is solid and they still have a decent chunk of change ($30M) to make a few improvements. I'd be shocked if he doesn't win steals with Bergman, Mookie, DeShields, Zimmer, Rosario, and options like Difo and Eaton off the bench. Plenty of power and the possible late arrival of Rodgers won't hurt either. The pitching is top heavy but thin. The pitchers that are under contract are very good but the depth is not amazing. He needs to use that $30M to finish building his staff and he too will be near the top of the division and potentially the league.
New York Mets - Tied - 2nd NL EAST (One 2nd, Three 3rd)
Our first tie! The Mets and Braves ended up with the exact same total points and the average ranking overall. That is an indication of how close this race (potentially for the NL Wild Card) will be. The Mets are an excellent team top to bottom. They have one of the best pitching staffs in the league and the star power on offense with Trout and Donaldson. They fill out nicely with specialty role players like Merrifield (SB), and a well rounded bullpen. While this division will definitely be competitive, these teams will all be towards the top of the league.
Washington Nationals - 1st NL EAST (Three 1st, One 4th)
What can you say? The man has a ring. He can field an offense where every single player will hit more than 20 HR. Relying on Lindor and Braun only for speed might be an issue, and he will need some to outhit their projections to get up there in the average ranking, but I am really picking nits here. This is the defending champ and he has an amazing team. No doubt he will be among the top teams in the league again. Only 8M for free agents, but hey, the team is already made. Credit to doing his business early in the offseason and being in a spot to cherry pick his moves to improve his team.
Next up: NL Central (later today)
