2008 MLB Preview: NL East

We reach the last day of our previews as most teams are starting their first games this season. Tomorrow I will do a series of predictions, Cy Young picks, MVPs, playoffs, etc. But today is the last division preview, and it comes with a surprising pick.

Philadelphia Phillies

Key Additions: Pedro Feliz, Geoff Jenkins, So Taguchi, Brad Lidge

Key Departures: Aaron Rowand, Jon Leiber, Michael Bourne, Kyle Lohse

Player to Watch: Brad Lidge. This guy has already gone through an entire career in the matter of 4 years. He was one of the top pitchers in college, leading Notre Dame to a Big East Championship and a trip to the College World Series. He then was a shut down closer for Houston. Until one fateful playoff game, where Albert Pujoles hit a game winning homerun so far, Lidge still hasn't recovered. He was emotionally fragile for the next year, and then injured last year, as he continually managed to lose his closing role. After returning from injury for the second half of last year, he managed to pitch real well in the set-up role. We will see if a change in scenery can help Lidge return to redemption. Assuming he never has to face Pujoles again.

What Can Go Wrong: Pitching staff. Their pitching rotation is subject to some ups and downs this year. Cole Hamels is a stud. The rest of the rotation is a list of guys where every one makes you say to yourself "well, that guy could be real good". Brett Meyers, Adam Eaton, Kyle Kendrick and Jaime Moyer will all see time on the mound this year.

Prediction: They win the division again this year. Most people forget, since all the buzz is around Johan Santana and the Mets, but the Phillies line up is loaded. If they continue to play how they played the last 3 months of last year, they should capture the division.

New York Mets

Key Additions: Sigh, Johan Santana, Ryan Church

Key Subtractions: Tom Glavine, Paul Lo Duca (St. John's girls cheer), Lastings Milledge

Player to Watch: This one is easy. Johan. Where is brief slip in numbers last year a sign of things to come or just a bit of an off year? Will his switch to the NL produce numbers the likes of which have never been seen before? The real pitcher to watch is Pedro. If he comes back healthy and throws, not even dominantly, but consistently good, they Mets improve a ton.

What Can Go Wrong: Hitting. David Wright and Jose Reyes are 2 of the best players in baseball. Carols Beltran should rebound amazingly well this year. So having 3 of the top hitters should be good, right? Well, they are followed by something not so good. Delgado somehow lost all of his talent, most of the outfield is injured, and Moises Alou is only good if he gets a solid nap before the Evening News.

Prediction: I think that Santana, Pedro, and Maine all have amazing years. Assuming the big 3 hitters can produce enough offense, the rest of that line up needs to be just good enough to get by. And they should.

Atlanta Braves

Key Additions: Mark Texeria (sort of), Tom Glavine, Javy Lopez, Jair Jurrjens

Key Subtractions: Andruw Jones (not so key after last year), Ovtavio Dotel, Edgar Renteria

Player to Watch: Jeff Francouer. He is also my pick for the player to more or less come out of nowhere and become a star. He came to spring training weighing 17 pounds heavier. The good kind too. He spent the off season working out in a camp designed to get players ready for the NFL combine. Those extra pounds should account for 10 to 15 more homeruns this year.

What Could Go Wrong: A lot of people talk about how good their pitching is. From the last time I checked, this pitching staff would have been insane 4 years ago. Now? I think the MVP of this team could be the medical staff. Glavine and Smoltz will get fans pumped with memories of Braves dominance. Until they see that these guys are old now. Smotlz still has it, Glavine is a shell of what he once was. Just ask any Met fan. Hudson just seems like a prime candidate to start off the season hot and the spend a month on the DL and never be the same. Only because he does that ever year, I guess.

Prediction: If the rotation holds up, this team will compete for the Wild Card. Assuming Chipper Jones stays healthy (he had his first healthy season in the past 6 years last year. So he is either due for a super injury this year, or he learned how to stay healthy).

Washington Nationals

Key Additions: Elijah Dukes, Paul Lo Duca, Lastings Milledge, Aaron Boone, Tyler Clippard

Key Subtractions: Ryan Church, Brian Schnieder, RFK Stadium

Player to Watch: I will admit, I am 100% influenced by last night's game. From President Bush throwing the first pitch, to the new statadium, to the dramatic ending. For this reason, player to watch has to be Ryan Zimmerman. He has always been one of those guys writers love as a break out candidate, but then he gets hurt and spends the year failing to live up to potential. Still, everything I have read this year says he is gonna have a break out year...

Prediction: They turn a small corner among many. They weren't as bad as people thought last year, and will continue to grow. They have a terrible pitching staff, but with the new stadium, at least there will be excitement at all the games.

Florida Marlins

Key Additions: Cameron Maybin, Andrew Miller, Mark Hendrickson

Key Subtractions: Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis

Player to Watch: Hanley Ramirez. He has become a fantasy player's wet dream over the past 2 years. Now he will start to open the eyes of the casual fan as well. Without Cabrera, this is his team to lead. Sadly, Ramirez is one of the most talented players in the league this year on one of the worst teams. Last year he was the only player in major league history to bat .330, hit 20 HRs and steal 50 bases. He could be the most complete player in the majors if he develops a curve.

What Could Go Wrong: The management deals all of their good players away for prospects? Oh, wait.

Predictions: Who knows. This happens every 5 years with this team. Trade everyone, suck for 2 or 3 years, come out of no where, win a World Series, trade everyone and start over. It seems to me that they are further back from the trophy than they ever have been, but who knows.