Post by Commissioner Erick on Oct 20, 2018 18:16:58 GMT -5
1) Washington Nationals
2019: 100-62, NL East Champion. Lost to Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS 4-2.
Who They Were: The Nationals scored the third most runs in the NL last year, and allowed the third fewest, an approach that led them to 100 wins. With Bryce Harper healthy, the team cruised an NL East title, though the ascent of Victor Robles and Raul Mondesi gave the team exciting young breakouts. If not for a brutal divisional round against the Dodgers by Sean Doolittle, the Nationals could have won the title.
Offseason Review: The Nationals have largely stayed the same over the course of the offseason. Michael Brantley is likely gone, though a return hasn't completely been ruled out. Mike Zunino should be an upgrade at backup catcher, Cole Hamels can slot in the back of the rotation, and some talented bullpen pieces have shuffled in and off the team. The same talented cast that won 100 games will return though, with a lot of youth aboard making major external additions unnecessary.
On the Farm: Juan Soto and Kyle Tucker have major potential and each had a strong showing in Triple-A last season. It's possible they marinate further in the minors, but each can make an immediate impact. Daniel Flores and Eric Pena sit in the low minors and can be used to net additions in trades.
Best Case Scenario: Bryce Harper slugs the team to a championship
Worst Case Scenario: Sometimes, good relievers have a bad series.
Key Questions: Both Juan Soto and Kyle Tucker aren't close to reaching their ultimate potential, but each may be ready to start. How will you handle their playing time this season?
Danny Duffy, Cole Hamels, Stephen Strasburg and Nolan Sanburn each bring a mix of pedigree, results, or large contracts to the table. Which of them will make the rotation?
2) New York Mets
2019: 84-78, 2nd Place NL East. Lost to Colorado in Wild Card Game
Who They Were: The Mets suffered a Noah Syndergaard injury on opening day that dampened their outlook. Then the rest of their rotation collapsed as the Mets unfathomably fielded the third worst staff in the National League.
Offseason Review: The Mets have revamped their bullpen, letting some pretty terrible 2019 performances go. They've also lost some veteran position players, some who will be missed—Neil Walker—some who won't—Juan Lagares. Marco Estrada comes on board to give some depth to a staff that sorely lacked it last season.
On the Farm: It's not a very strong farm, and the players worth getting excited for are a ways away. Dalton Ewing and Ricardo Cespedes provide a pair of glove-first outfielders who can provide defensive value in a pinch.
Best Case Scenario: Last year was a 10th percentile outcome and the pitching recovers enough where the team wins 90 games.
Worst Case Scenario: All the "aces" are fourth starters forever.
Key questions: Your pitching was a disaster last year. You've let some of the worst performers in the bullpen go, but what do you do if those performances duplicate?
Last season you indicated you wanted Dom Smith to hit for more power. He only hit 17 home runs but got on base at a .386 clip. How do you construct an offense with such a unique player at first base?
3) Philadelphia Phillies
2019: 67-95: Last Place NL East
Who They Were: Lacking any kind of rotation talent or offensive depth, Philadelphia struggled to third consecutive 90-loss season.
Offseason Review: The Phillies made some moves that could see then producing a better team than what they've trotted out. Luke Weaver, Josh Fields, and Tony Watson add stability to a moribund pitching staff, while Andrew Toles, Stephen Piscotti, and Max Schrock could contribute immediately. Coupled with an explosive collection of youth, the Phillies have improved their talent pool.
On the Farm: Seth Beer, Mickey Moniak, and Yordan Alvarez are around, and all have first division upside. Alvarez was a Rule 5 pick so he has to make the roster, while it's undecided what the Phillies do with Moniak and Beer. Both Moniak and Beer are top 5 prospects and when they do make the majors, could provide explosive production. Cobi Johnson and Sixto Sanchez provided talented arms in the upper minors should Philadelphia want them to contribute immediately or leave them for depth.
Best Case Scenario: If the kids produce immediately, the Phillies could reach .500.
Worst Case Scenario: Development stalls, and more talented arms become mere relief arms.
Key Questions: How quickly will you rush your prospects? If up immediately and producing, the team could be competitive, but if left in the minors, should struggle mightily early on.
Injuries have reduced Aaron Nola and Vince Velasquez to relievers. How do you try to build an above-average staff with such losses?
4) Atlanta Braves
2019: 82-80: Third Place NL East
Who They Were: A brutal final week kept the Braves out of the playoffs, but they were one of the league's pleasant surprises. They built an offense based on contact and batting average, while working with a pitching staff not afraid to miss bats, racking up an abundance of walks and strikeouts. Patched together with a good defense, Atlanta improved by 19 games.
Offseason Review: Atlanta let most of its productive veterans go in order to obtain young talent. Ozzie Albies and Dansby Swanson are still terrific, but there's not a lot of production surrounding them, especially if Evan Longoria will continue to play like one of the worst players in baseball.
On the Farm: The sheer quantity of prospects Atlanta has is unrivaled, particularly middle infielders and starting pitchers in the mid-minors. It's unlikely those players will be productive for a couple of season, but the eventual upside is fantastic.
Best Case Scenario: Evan Longoria and Wilson Ramos hit well enough to get these guys to 79 wins.
Worst Case Scenario: Swanson and Albies are good enough to prop up the team's floor. It'll be hard to see them lose more than 90.
Key Questions: You have a flawed collection of outfielders. Who will start there and what would you like to see out of the group?
Your rotation has a lot of guys with ERAs that approached five last year. What will you do to try to get more production from your starters this year?
5) Miami Marlins
2019: 71-91: 4th Place NL East
Who They Were: The Marlins played the kids and saw an exciting group of youngsters fail in their extended look at major league ball. Victor Reyes had a .586 OPS, while Jeren Kendall's was even lower. Luis Robert was riddled with injuries, and Stuart Fairchild's Triple-A batting averages didn't translate to the majors.
Offseason Review: The Marlins added a strong bat in Jose Abreu, and added yet another young talented outfielder in Trent Clark to the mix. With so many bites at the apple, the hope is that several of the cadre of bright-eyed outfielders develops, even if not all of them do. The loss of J.T. Realmuto will hurt, but the Marlins have Ray Morales, Dom Nunez, and Donny Sands as replacement candidates. As with the outfielders, with so many options, at least one may emerge as a viable starter.
On the Farm: Miami's best youngsters are finding themselves on the big league roster, thinning out what was once a great minor league system. The system does have robust middle infield depth in the upper minors. Jose Gomez, Dalton Guthrie, and Luis Pintor may be no more than a season away from being reinforcements to the roster, though the pitching side is a bit rougher. Again though, the poor farm is mitigated by the abundance of youth on the major league roster.
Best Case Scenario: Jeren Kendall and friends act better in the sequel.
Worst Case Scenario: Jeren Kendall can't figure it out and the offense is unwatchable.
Key Questions: With Trent Clark on board, what's your ideal outfield setup assuming everyone reaches their median outcome?
None of your infielders outside of Abreu inherently inspires. Who will start at second, third, and short?
2019: 100-62, NL East Champion. Lost to Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS 4-2.
Who They Were: The Nationals scored the third most runs in the NL last year, and allowed the third fewest, an approach that led them to 100 wins. With Bryce Harper healthy, the team cruised an NL East title, though the ascent of Victor Robles and Raul Mondesi gave the team exciting young breakouts. If not for a brutal divisional round against the Dodgers by Sean Doolittle, the Nationals could have won the title.
Offseason Review: The Nationals have largely stayed the same over the course of the offseason. Michael Brantley is likely gone, though a return hasn't completely been ruled out. Mike Zunino should be an upgrade at backup catcher, Cole Hamels can slot in the back of the rotation, and some talented bullpen pieces have shuffled in and off the team. The same talented cast that won 100 games will return though, with a lot of youth aboard making major external additions unnecessary.
On the Farm: Juan Soto and Kyle Tucker have major potential and each had a strong showing in Triple-A last season. It's possible they marinate further in the minors, but each can make an immediate impact. Daniel Flores and Eric Pena sit in the low minors and can be used to net additions in trades.
Best Case Scenario: Bryce Harper slugs the team to a championship
Worst Case Scenario: Sometimes, good relievers have a bad series.
Key Questions: Both Juan Soto and Kyle Tucker aren't close to reaching their ultimate potential, but each may be ready to start. How will you handle their playing time this season?
Danny Duffy, Cole Hamels, Stephen Strasburg and Nolan Sanburn each bring a mix of pedigree, results, or large contracts to the table. Which of them will make the rotation?
2) New York Mets
2019: 84-78, 2nd Place NL East. Lost to Colorado in Wild Card Game
Who They Were: The Mets suffered a Noah Syndergaard injury on opening day that dampened their outlook. Then the rest of their rotation collapsed as the Mets unfathomably fielded the third worst staff in the National League.
Offseason Review: The Mets have revamped their bullpen, letting some pretty terrible 2019 performances go. They've also lost some veteran position players, some who will be missed—Neil Walker—some who won't—Juan Lagares. Marco Estrada comes on board to give some depth to a staff that sorely lacked it last season.
On the Farm: It's not a very strong farm, and the players worth getting excited for are a ways away. Dalton Ewing and Ricardo Cespedes provide a pair of glove-first outfielders who can provide defensive value in a pinch.
Best Case Scenario: Last year was a 10th percentile outcome and the pitching recovers enough where the team wins 90 games.
Worst Case Scenario: All the "aces" are fourth starters forever.
Key questions: Your pitching was a disaster last year. You've let some of the worst performers in the bullpen go, but what do you do if those performances duplicate?
Last season you indicated you wanted Dom Smith to hit for more power. He only hit 17 home runs but got on base at a .386 clip. How do you construct an offense with such a unique player at first base?
3) Philadelphia Phillies
2019: 67-95: Last Place NL East
Who They Were: Lacking any kind of rotation talent or offensive depth, Philadelphia struggled to third consecutive 90-loss season.
Offseason Review: The Phillies made some moves that could see then producing a better team than what they've trotted out. Luke Weaver, Josh Fields, and Tony Watson add stability to a moribund pitching staff, while Andrew Toles, Stephen Piscotti, and Max Schrock could contribute immediately. Coupled with an explosive collection of youth, the Phillies have improved their talent pool.
On the Farm: Seth Beer, Mickey Moniak, and Yordan Alvarez are around, and all have first division upside. Alvarez was a Rule 5 pick so he has to make the roster, while it's undecided what the Phillies do with Moniak and Beer. Both Moniak and Beer are top 5 prospects and when they do make the majors, could provide explosive production. Cobi Johnson and Sixto Sanchez provided talented arms in the upper minors should Philadelphia want them to contribute immediately or leave them for depth.
Best Case Scenario: If the kids produce immediately, the Phillies could reach .500.
Worst Case Scenario: Development stalls, and more talented arms become mere relief arms.
Key Questions: How quickly will you rush your prospects? If up immediately and producing, the team could be competitive, but if left in the minors, should struggle mightily early on.
Injuries have reduced Aaron Nola and Vince Velasquez to relievers. How do you try to build an above-average staff with such losses?
4) Atlanta Braves
2019: 82-80: Third Place NL East
Who They Were: A brutal final week kept the Braves out of the playoffs, but they were one of the league's pleasant surprises. They built an offense based on contact and batting average, while working with a pitching staff not afraid to miss bats, racking up an abundance of walks and strikeouts. Patched together with a good defense, Atlanta improved by 19 games.
Offseason Review: Atlanta let most of its productive veterans go in order to obtain young talent. Ozzie Albies and Dansby Swanson are still terrific, but there's not a lot of production surrounding them, especially if Evan Longoria will continue to play like one of the worst players in baseball.
On the Farm: The sheer quantity of prospects Atlanta has is unrivaled, particularly middle infielders and starting pitchers in the mid-minors. It's unlikely those players will be productive for a couple of season, but the eventual upside is fantastic.
Best Case Scenario: Evan Longoria and Wilson Ramos hit well enough to get these guys to 79 wins.
Worst Case Scenario: Swanson and Albies are good enough to prop up the team's floor. It'll be hard to see them lose more than 90.
Key Questions: You have a flawed collection of outfielders. Who will start there and what would you like to see out of the group?
Your rotation has a lot of guys with ERAs that approached five last year. What will you do to try to get more production from your starters this year?
5) Miami Marlins
2019: 71-91: 4th Place NL East
Who They Were: The Marlins played the kids and saw an exciting group of youngsters fail in their extended look at major league ball. Victor Reyes had a .586 OPS, while Jeren Kendall's was even lower. Luis Robert was riddled with injuries, and Stuart Fairchild's Triple-A batting averages didn't translate to the majors.
Offseason Review: The Marlins added a strong bat in Jose Abreu, and added yet another young talented outfielder in Trent Clark to the mix. With so many bites at the apple, the hope is that several of the cadre of bright-eyed outfielders develops, even if not all of them do. The loss of J.T. Realmuto will hurt, but the Marlins have Ray Morales, Dom Nunez, and Donny Sands as replacement candidates. As with the outfielders, with so many options, at least one may emerge as a viable starter.
On the Farm: Miami's best youngsters are finding themselves on the big league roster, thinning out what was once a great minor league system. The system does have robust middle infield depth in the upper minors. Jose Gomez, Dalton Guthrie, and Luis Pintor may be no more than a season away from being reinforcements to the roster, though the pitching side is a bit rougher. Again though, the poor farm is mitigated by the abundance of youth on the major league roster.
Best Case Scenario: Jeren Kendall and friends act better in the sequel.
Worst Case Scenario: Jeren Kendall can't figure it out and the offense is unwatchable.
Key Questions: With Trent Clark on board, what's your ideal outfield setup assuming everyone reaches their median outcome?
None of your infielders outside of Abreu inherently inspires. Who will start at second, third, and short?
