Atlanta won the division last year, but didn't stand pat in the off-season. How could they, when three of their four rivals were making moves? Suffice it to say, 2019 will be anything but boring in the East.
Atlanta: The Braves welcomed back an old friend last year in re-signing relief pitcher Jonny Venters. This past off-season saw Brian McCann come home after being in Houston last year. Coupled with free agent signing Josh Donaldson (Toronto), the Braves had added some firepower to their offense behind returnees Nick Markakis, Ozzie Albies, & Rookie of The Year Ronald Acuna, Jr.. McCann will split time behind the plate with Tyler Flowers, but don't be at all surprised to see him spell Freddie Freeman at first, too.
However, pitching is the Achilles' heel that the Braves need to address. Signing Kevin Gausman away from Baltimore doesn't move the meter. One solution would be to bring up Shenendehowa graduate Ian Anderson, who could do wonders for the Braves in much the same way fellow Shen alum Kevin Huerter has for the NBA Hawks.
Miami: Somewhere, Derek Jeter must be wishing he never signed on as the CEO/corporate face of the Marlins. Bringing in former Yankee teammate Jorge Posada as a special instructor this spring doesn't change the fact that the Marlins are a work in progress. Why would Jeter sign off on giving up catcher J. T. Realmuto (Philadelphia)? You'd think he'd have learned a few lessons from the Steinbrenner family from his time in the Bronx.
Meanwhile, Neil Walker comes over from the Yankees to fill a need in the infield, mostly as injury insurance. The pitching doesn't scare anyone, and with all the big boppers gone (i.e. Realmuto), there's another reason why Walker was brought in, and Curtis Granderson was given an invite to spring training after finishing last season in Milwaukee.
Jeter aside, Marlins management is SO cheap (how cheap are they?), they make the Little Sisters of The Poor look wealthy.
To borrow a gag from Bill Cosby's Fat Albert & The Cosby Kids (1972-85), the Marlins aren't just SOL. They've got NC. No Chance.
Mets: Where to begin? The Mets added a former nemesis, Wilson Ramos (Tampa Bay), then traded Jay Bruce to Seattle to get closer Edwin Diaz and bring infielder Robinson Cano back to New York. Outfielder Keon Broxton (Milwaukee) adds some depth and injury insurance for Yoenis Cespedes and Juan Lagares. Jed Lowrie comes to the National League, but he's already hurt, and Todd Frazier starts the season on the injured list with an oblique strain. The team also picked up ex-Tri-City Valleycat J. D. Davis (Houston) for infield depth, though I think he'll see time in the outfield, too.
Of course, the Mets are ridiculously rich in pitching, starting with Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom, though the back end of the rotation (Zack Wheeler, Jason Vargas) could be replaced at any time after shaky 2018 performances. In addition to Diaz, the Mets get All-Star Juerys Familia back from Oakland, and also picked up Justin Wilson (Cubs) for bullpen depth.
Philadelphia: As I wrote last week, I feel that the Phillies got fleeced by con artist Scott Boras in signing Bryce Harper away from Washington for 13 years. The Phils also got the aforementioned J. T. Realmuto, and traded to get Jean Segura (Seattle), bringing him back to the National League. Andrew McCutcheon returns to the NL as well, after finishing last season with the Yankees. Philadelphia also poached David Robertson, ending his 2nd stint in the Bronx, to be their new closer.
However, all those moves won't equal a division title, which would be the first post-season berth for Philadelphia in eight years. Starting pitching, past Jake Arietta, Aaron Nola, and Zach Eflin, is questionable. Ex-Valleycat Vince Velasquez was routinely lit up last season, and no improvement could lead to the bullpen.
Washington: Harper's gone, taking away a power arm/bat from the outfield. The Nationals, however, may have filled the offensive vacancy in bringing back first baseman Matt Adams for his second go-round after he returned to St. Louis last season, and getting catchers Kurt Suzuki (Atlanta) and Yan Gomes (Cleveland), with Suzuki also on his second tour in DC. The pitching has been strengthened with Patrick Corbin coming from Arizona to replace the fading Gio Gonzalez, and Kyle Barraclough comes over from the Titanic (Miami) for bullpen depth behind closer Sean Doolittle. Brian Dozier moves over from the Dodgers to fill the hole at second base created when Daniel Murphy was traded to the Cubs in mid-season (Murphy's now in Colorado).
In addition to Corbin, Anibal Sanchez (Atlanta) gives the Nats some help at the back end of the rotation, since Corbin will join Max Scherzer & Stephen Strasburg up front. Trevor Rosenthal (St. Louis), recovering from Tommy John surgery, figures to move into the closer's role ere long if he's regained full command of his pitches.
Projected order of finish:
1. Washington.
2. Mets.
3. Atlanta.
4. Philadelphia.
5. Miami.
Wild Card-Mets.
Of course, I could be wrong.
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