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2010 NL Preview
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Michael Ghika wrote this 2 years ago | Permalink |
With the beginning of the regular season closing in, I take a look at the National League by division.
NL East
Phillies – Roy Halladay matching up against NL lineups is heavenly for the reigning league champs, and the lineup is still dangerous as ever with Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, free agent to be Jayson Werth, and newly added Placido Polanco. Expect a big bounce back year from a rejuvenated Cole Hamels, but something has to be done at the back end of the bullpen after closer Brad Lidge's disastrous 2009 (7.21 ERA).
Braves* – This will be manager Bobby Cox's 25th and final year at the helm, and 20-year-old Jason Heyward spotlights a team hopeful of a September playoff chase. Even despite dealing Javier Vazquez to the Yankees in a salary dump, the rotation is very deep, but the comebacks of first baseman Troy Glaus and closer Billy Wagner could decide Atlanta's fate.
Marlins – The team won 84 games in 2008 and three more last year despite the lowest payroll in baseball. Although Hanley Ramirez and Rookie of the Year Chris Coghlan are mainstays, look for infielders Dan Uggla and Jorge Cantu to be shipped out if Florida gets off to a slow start.
Mets – They have star-power everywhere – David Wright, Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, newly-signed Jason Bay, Johan Santana, Francisco Rodriguez – but seem to get riddled with nothing but poor luck, injuries, and sheer embarrassment. Many were surprised they didn't sign another starter, as a lot will be riding on what appears to be an underwhelming rotation.
Nationals – They've added some quality veterans in Matt Capps, Jason Marquis, and Pudge Rodriguez to go along with Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn, so look for them to lose less than 100 games in 2010. The Stephen Strasburg saga will be intensifying to watch, and best bet says he's in the majors by May after a few minor league tune-ups.
NL Central
Cardinals – There may be no better middle of the lineup duo better than Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday, and St. Louis just so happens to have potential Cy Young candidates in Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter as well. They may turn out to be the top team in the NL should Philadelphia's bullpen implode once again.
Brewers – They had one of the worst starting staffs in baseball last year, but they signed lefty Randy Wolf to complement Yovani Gallardo in the rotation. With Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder anchoring the offense, they could overtake Chicago and compete for a Wild Card spot.
Cubs – It's been proven by now that their key players – Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, Derrek Lee, Carlos Zambrano – simply aren't winners. They could win 90 games, but things just always seem to go awry at Wrigley. At least Milton Bradley is out of town.
Reds – Joey Votto and Jay Bruce need to establish themselves as regular All-Stars, and if so, Cincinnati could turn out to be a pleasant surprise. They ran into some major injuries in the rotation last year, but they could prove serious if a healthy Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto pitch well.
Astros – Former Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills will try to save ship in Houston, as the organization has been middling for years now without making a true organizational decision concerning which direction to go. Veterans Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee, and Roy Oswalt have the talent but don't seem committed to the cause anymore.
Pirates – The speedy Andrew McCutchen is fun to watch, but otherwise Pittsburgh fans will hope for the best out of Sid the Kid's Penguins before gearing up for the franchise's 18th consecutive losing season.
NL West
Rockies – Colorado went 74-42 under Jim Tracy last season after the firing of former manager Clint Hurdle, and the Rockies had a stretch in June where they won 17 of 18 games. Ubaldo Jimenez is a young ace, and the return of Jeff Francis adds some stabilizing depth to the rotation. Although prone to the strikeout, the offense has seven hitters capable of 20+ home runs. Assuming they can survive injured closer Huston Street's absence to begin the year, they could prevail in a division that's certainly up for grabs.
Dodgers – Owner Frank McCourt's divorce has shaken the financial outlook of the organization (his wife is reportedly seeking nearly $1 million per month). Any offense featuring Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, and Manny Ramirez will rake, but the rotation must rely solely on youngsters Clayton Kershaw and Clay Billingsley (3-7, 5.20 ERA after the All-Star break) to anchor the staff.
Diamondbacks – Don't sleep on Arizona, a team just two years removed from an NLCS appearance. GM Josh Byrnes – a Theo Epstein disciple – has a slew of young hitters, including 26-year-old Mark Reynolds (44 HR, 102 RBI last year) and 22-year-old Justin Upton (25 HR, 86 RBI). The injury to Brandon Webb all but spelled the end of their season in 2009, but if he is healthy alongside Dan Haren, this organization could quickly get back on track.
Giants – Two-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum (2.48 ERA) and All-Star Matt Cain (2.89) head a sterling rotation, but the offense – aside from Pablo Sandoval – is as nonexistent as Tiger Woods' fidelity. Look for top catching prospect Buster Posey to make an impact, and look for the team to go get a bat (Adam Dunn, Carlos Pena?) to add some thump to the lineup.
Padres – The biggest and only question: when will GM Jed Hoyer – yet another Theo Epstein disciple – deal slugger Adrian Gonzalez? The first baseman (who has averaged 35 HR and 106 RBI the last three years) is a trade deadline candidate, and perhaps a perfect fit in Boston – a place where Hoyer spent eight years before being brought on board by San Diego last October.
* - Wild Card
NL MVP – Pujols, Cardinals. To keep it short and sweet: so long as He is healthy, Fielder, Hanley, Howard, and Kemp don't stand much of a shot, although a few of them will probably spoil his Triple Crown bid.
NL Cy Young – Halladay, Phillies. The workaholic will be facing drastically weaker lineups with a ruthless offensive attack in his favor. It's the perfect recipe for a 20+ win, sub-3.00 ERA year.
NL Rookie of the Year – Heyward, Braves. This kid seems to be something of a sensation – a second coming of Ken Griffey Jr. perhaps. Cox, the ultimate player's manager, is giving him every opportunity, and thus far he's shown every sign that he is a mature young man off the field and a true professional on it.
-Michael Ghika
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