You can argue that were it not for a lockout this winter, maybe a lot of free agent signings don't happen. Some were made before the lockout, including the Mets bagging Starling Marte and Mark Canha from Oakland. The moves that the defending World Series champion Atlanta Braves made, however, question whether or not Brian Snitker's club can repeat. We talked up the Mets in part 1, so let's look at the rest of the division:
Atlanta: Freddie Freeman is gone (Dodgers), replaced by Matt Olson at 1st base (Oakland). Not quite the wash you'd think it is. Also Jorge Soler, who locked up the World Series for the Braves, ended up being a 3 month rental (Miami). Marcell Ozuna is awaiting reinstatement from the league, if he hasn't already gotten it, after leaving last summer due to domestic issues (which prompted the Soler signing). Joc Pederson, another World Series hero, has returned to the NL West (San Francisco), so what was management thinking?
In terms of pitching, what does Atlanta have to count on behind Max Fried & Ian Anderson? The Braves won't see all universe outfielder Ronald Acuna, Jr. until opening day at least as he recovers from a knee injury.
We're going to be watching around these parts to see if anyone's rocking replica Anderson jerseys.
Miami: GM Kim Ng has her work cut out for her. Yeah, she signed Jorge Soler to add some depth to the Marlin offense. However, catcher Jorge Alfaro is gone (San Diego). Derek Jeter resigned as CEO, and I'll bet that the other ex-Yankee, Don Mattingly, won't be long for South Beach if Miami gets off to another slow start.
Philadelphia: Management again is going all in, hoping to make the extended playoffs. The Phillies picked up Nick Castellanos (Cincinnati) and Kyle Schwarber (Boston/Washington). Schwarber can play outfield, and also spell Rhys Hoskins at 1st base if needed. Joe Girardi's bullpen has made some improvements. Hector Neris is gone, replaced by Brad Hand & Juerys Familia, who finished last season with the Mets. With Castellanos & Schwarber mixed in with Hoskins & Bryce Harper, the Phils have a lethal middle of the batting order.
Washington: A summer collapse prompted the Nats to send Schwarber to Boston, but they have Josh Bell at 1st for now, with Ryan Zimmerman having retired. They picked up Nelson Cruz (Tampa Bay/Minnesota) as a DH to protect Bell & Juan Soto in the batting order. Cruz can also be a 1st base option if anything happens to Bell. The Nationals' biggest concern has to be their pitching. After Patrick Corbin & Stephen Strasberg, what's left? Depending on the schedule, they'll have a reunion with Anthony Rendon if the Angels come to town.
Projected order of finish:
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