The NL East should be one of the more exciting divisional races as four teams could conceivably contend for a division title (but most likely only two will battle for the top spot) and a fifth team, the Montreal Expos, could become America's team. Despite their location in Canada, America should be rooting for Les Expos to spite commissioner Buddy Selig, who tried to contract the Expos during the offseason.
Contenders:
New York Mets, Atlanta Braves. At the beginning of the offseason, when New York Mets GM Steve Phillips made a slew of big moves, it appeared the Mets had become the team to beat in the NL East, despite finishing in third place last year with an 82-80 mark. Phillips' counterpart in Atlanta, John Schuerholz, seemed content to rest on his laurels even after a lackluster 88-74 first place finish a year ago. But like a wily veteran boxer, Schuerholz was able to absorb punch after punch from Phillips - who acquired such stars as Mo Vaughn, Roger Cedeno, Roberto Alomar and Jeromy Burnitz among others - without going down. Then late in the bout, Schuerholz was able to deliver a potential knockout punch of his own when he traded for Gary Sheffield. Schuerholz' one big move cost the Atlanta Braves only Brian Jordan and Odalis Perez and could put the Braves back on track for their eleventh straight division title, leaving Phillips and the Mets fighting for the wild card spot.Team on the bubble:
Montreal Expos. After nearly being contracted this past offseason, it appears the Expos will be playing a final lame duck season in Montreal. In an unprecedented move, Major League Baseball will control the Expos before deciding what to do with them next year. Former owner Jeffery Loria now owns the Florida Marlins and cleaned his former organization bare: of equipment, scouting reports, coaching staff, etc. This leaves new general manager Omar Minaya with the unenviable task of having to rebuild an organization while simultaneously looking over his shoulder, wondering what is going to become of the Expos following the 2002 season.Players to Watch:
Roberto Alomar. After playing the past 11 seasons in the American League, Alomar makes his return to the NL for the first time since 1990, when he played for the San Diego Padres. Phillips's acquisition of Alomar could turn out to be the best move of his tenure with the Mets, including the 1990 deal he swung for Mike Piazza. In Alomar, the Mets have their best all around player since Darryl Strawberry was in his heyday in the mid to late 1980s. In fact, Alomar, who finished fourth in the AL MVP voting last year, could turn out to be the Mets' best all around player in a long time, as he brings a startling combination of defense, offense and speed.Scott Rolen: Last season, Rolen and Philadelphia Phillies manager Larry Bowa were at each other's throats all season and the team still managed to finish in second place. Both Rolen and Bowa are intense competitors who want to win, so it made little sense that the pair spent last season bickering. Rolen, Philadelphia's best player since Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt retired in 1989, also took a shot from Dallas Green, a member of the Phillies' front office. It is rumored that Rolen and Bowa are still not speaking this spring, and the situation between Rolen and the Phillies sas the potential to explode into something ugly. Rolen already turned down a $140 million offer from the team, calling himself an idiot for making such a decision, but also refusing to sign a long-term contract with a team he feels is undecided about whether or not it is committed to winning. Rolen becomes a free agent after this season, so if the Phillies fall out of contention, don't be surprised if Rolen is traded.
Young Guns:
Josh Beckett. The Marlins' Beckett has been heralded as the next great starting pitcher. He displayed some of his immense potential in a call-up last year when he went 2-2 with a 1.50 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 24 innings. Is this the year he puts it together and becomes a dominant number one starter?Jason Marquis. Last season Marquis demonstrated that he could become the next great Braves pitcher, going 5-6 with a 3.48 ERA, while bouncing between the rotation and the bullpen. This year Marquis is set to become a fulltime starter. With Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine both aging and John Smoltz now serving as the team's closer, Atlanta is counting on the continued development of Marquis.
Last word:
This could be a terrific divisional race. While the Braves and the Mets have to be viewed as the teams to be beat, if things go right in Philadelphia or in Florida, the Phillies and/or Marlins could make the playoffs. The big key for the Marlins will be how their young pitching staff holds up. If the young pitchers - including Brad Penny, Josh Beckett, and AJ Burnett - can live up to the hype, the Marlins will have a chance. Philadelphia, meanwhile, needs to play like it did last season and avoid an explosion between Bowa and Rolen.
