Post by Rockies GM (Alex) on Nov 4, 2011 23:10:39 GMT -5
NL East 2012 Preview
Atlanta Braves
GM: Jared
2011: 6-8
The 2011 season was a struggle for the rebuilding Atlanta Braves. They finished with a mediocre record and with no sure stars on the team will probably look to rebuild and look to the future. The team doesn’t really have superstars, but won almost half its games on consistent play from the starters. Veterans like Todd Helton, Carlos Lee, and Aaron Hill provided the hitting and pitchers Derek Lowe and A. J. Burnett kept them in games. This should be a good sign for a team needing a spark. However, you can’t rely on sub-par players forever and the Braves will struggle in the coming years. With no real offensive presence, the team should look to acquire a solid bat as well as front-line starter for the rotation. If there is anything to look forward to in the near future, it will be because of starters Bud Norris, Alex White, and first baseman Brandon Belt. All are young and have a lot of potential to become solid players. You never know, the consistency of this team could make them a sleeper to slide into the playoffs.
Grade: C-
Philadelphia Phillies
GM: Jon
2011: 11-2
When the final pitch was thrown in the 2011 season, the Philadelphia Phillies were crowned the Base Knock Dynasty League Champions! An incredible season offensively for the Phils and solid pitching led them to the title. The team is loaded at offense with four perennial MVP candidates. Miguel Cabrera, Jacoby Ellsbury, Troy Tulowitzki, and Matt Kemp put up amazing numbers during the season. The “dream team” of Philly also has solid pitching with Jeremy Hellickson and Tim Hudson. Along with the majors, the GM created this masterpiece without blowing up his farm! Young hitters Jurickson Profar and Francisco Lindor and pitchers Trey McNutt, Tyrell Jenkins, and Matt Purke make a pretty good minor leagues. The one weakness ending the season was the lack of bullpen help. However, in an early off-season move, the Phillies swapped young prospect Hak-Ju Lee for up-and-coming closer Jason Motte to solve those problems. The only issue here could be the lack of a quality ace. If a title hungry flame-thrower comes to Philadelphia, a repeat in inevitable.
Grade: A+
New York Mets
GM: Mike
2011: 7-6
The New York Mets experienced a solid season in 2011. Although they weren’t expected to make it very far, the team played well and GM made smart moves to have them where they are today. The strength of this team is the rotation. Starters Josh Beckett and Clay Bucholz lead a solid, weathered rotation. A big question mark on this team is how well will Johan Santana be able to perform coming off injury? The weakness in the Big Apple is the offense. Outside of Jason Bay, no real slugger helps drive in the runs for this team. The need for hitting is great and the GM needs to take action in Free Agency. The strength of this team very well may be its farm. Solid pitchers Jed Bradley, Randall Delgado, and Matt Harvey should make an impact soon in the major leagues. Young hitter Wilmer Flores could be up soon to the take the starting shortstop role. This next season all depends on how well the GM can finagle his way through the off-season. Hitters are needed. Will the GM be able to fill his team’s needs? He has to for New York to have a fighting chance in this tough division.
Grade: C+
Washington Nationals
GM: Peter
2011: 7-6
The Washington Nationals were so-so in 2011. They won, and they lost. The team of the capital provided a decent record. At the end of the season, the team desperately needed starting pitching to compliment the young star Steven Strasburg. In two monster deals, the GM did more than what was expected. The Nationals acquired Cy Young caliber pitchers in Tim Lincecum and Josh Johnson. Now, the Nats have one of the best rotations in the league. So are they ready to challenge the Phillies? Not quite. The team still needs to improve its offense. Solid bats Ryan Zimmerman, JJ Hardy, and Danny Espinosa are consistent producers, and veteran Carlos Beltran will add solid at-bats. However, to contend with Philadelphia’s monster lineup, he will need to add at least one slugger to the lineup. Another looming problem with this team is the bullpen. A closer has to be acquired to finish off games. Overall, if the team can add a closer and a bat it will be in the hunt for the division title.
Grade: B+
Miami Marlins
GM: HJ
2011: 8-5
It all came down to the last game of the season for the Florida Marlins last year. It took a tiebreaker to decide who would get into the playoffs. Scoring the most points, the Marlins outlasted the Astros to get the NL Wild Card. Unfortunately, they couldn’t beat the Rockies and move past the first round. After trading Josh Johnson, you would expect the team to have struggles in the rotation. However, the team actually has one of the best in the league! The GM did a terrific job acquiring Dan Haren, Jordan Zimmermann, and Ryan Vogelsong to compliment Anibal Sanchez and Ricky Nolasco. Pitching carried them to the post-season last year, and pitching might very well bring them back this year. The problem with this team is the complete lack of offense. No top hitters feast of pitchers in the lineup. Without them, challenging the Nationals and Phillies in the NL East will be nearly impossible. To have a chance at a return to the playoffs, the GM will need to make a move for a bat as soon as possible.
Grade: B-
Projected 2012 NL East Standings
1. Phillies
2. Nationals
3. Marlins
4. Mets
5. Braves
Atlanta Braves
GM: Jared
2011: 6-8
The 2011 season was a struggle for the rebuilding Atlanta Braves. They finished with a mediocre record and with no sure stars on the team will probably look to rebuild and look to the future. The team doesn’t really have superstars, but won almost half its games on consistent play from the starters. Veterans like Todd Helton, Carlos Lee, and Aaron Hill provided the hitting and pitchers Derek Lowe and A. J. Burnett kept them in games. This should be a good sign for a team needing a spark. However, you can’t rely on sub-par players forever and the Braves will struggle in the coming years. With no real offensive presence, the team should look to acquire a solid bat as well as front-line starter for the rotation. If there is anything to look forward to in the near future, it will be because of starters Bud Norris, Alex White, and first baseman Brandon Belt. All are young and have a lot of potential to become solid players. You never know, the consistency of this team could make them a sleeper to slide into the playoffs.
Grade: C-
Philadelphia Phillies
GM: Jon
2011: 11-2
When the final pitch was thrown in the 2011 season, the Philadelphia Phillies were crowned the Base Knock Dynasty League Champions! An incredible season offensively for the Phils and solid pitching led them to the title. The team is loaded at offense with four perennial MVP candidates. Miguel Cabrera, Jacoby Ellsbury, Troy Tulowitzki, and Matt Kemp put up amazing numbers during the season. The “dream team” of Philly also has solid pitching with Jeremy Hellickson and Tim Hudson. Along with the majors, the GM created this masterpiece without blowing up his farm! Young hitters Jurickson Profar and Francisco Lindor and pitchers Trey McNutt, Tyrell Jenkins, and Matt Purke make a pretty good minor leagues. The one weakness ending the season was the lack of bullpen help. However, in an early off-season move, the Phillies swapped young prospect Hak-Ju Lee for up-and-coming closer Jason Motte to solve those problems. The only issue here could be the lack of a quality ace. If a title hungry flame-thrower comes to Philadelphia, a repeat in inevitable.
Grade: A+
New York Mets
GM: Mike
2011: 7-6
The New York Mets experienced a solid season in 2011. Although they weren’t expected to make it very far, the team played well and GM made smart moves to have them where they are today. The strength of this team is the rotation. Starters Josh Beckett and Clay Bucholz lead a solid, weathered rotation. A big question mark on this team is how well will Johan Santana be able to perform coming off injury? The weakness in the Big Apple is the offense. Outside of Jason Bay, no real slugger helps drive in the runs for this team. The need for hitting is great and the GM needs to take action in Free Agency. The strength of this team very well may be its farm. Solid pitchers Jed Bradley, Randall Delgado, and Matt Harvey should make an impact soon in the major leagues. Young hitter Wilmer Flores could be up soon to the take the starting shortstop role. This next season all depends on how well the GM can finagle his way through the off-season. Hitters are needed. Will the GM be able to fill his team’s needs? He has to for New York to have a fighting chance in this tough division.
Grade: C+
Washington Nationals
GM: Peter
2011: 7-6
The Washington Nationals were so-so in 2011. They won, and they lost. The team of the capital provided a decent record. At the end of the season, the team desperately needed starting pitching to compliment the young star Steven Strasburg. In two monster deals, the GM did more than what was expected. The Nationals acquired Cy Young caliber pitchers in Tim Lincecum and Josh Johnson. Now, the Nats have one of the best rotations in the league. So are they ready to challenge the Phillies? Not quite. The team still needs to improve its offense. Solid bats Ryan Zimmerman, JJ Hardy, and Danny Espinosa are consistent producers, and veteran Carlos Beltran will add solid at-bats. However, to contend with Philadelphia’s monster lineup, he will need to add at least one slugger to the lineup. Another looming problem with this team is the bullpen. A closer has to be acquired to finish off games. Overall, if the team can add a closer and a bat it will be in the hunt for the division title.
Grade: B+
Miami Marlins
GM: HJ
2011: 8-5
It all came down to the last game of the season for the Florida Marlins last year. It took a tiebreaker to decide who would get into the playoffs. Scoring the most points, the Marlins outlasted the Astros to get the NL Wild Card. Unfortunately, they couldn’t beat the Rockies and move past the first round. After trading Josh Johnson, you would expect the team to have struggles in the rotation. However, the team actually has one of the best in the league! The GM did a terrific job acquiring Dan Haren, Jordan Zimmermann, and Ryan Vogelsong to compliment Anibal Sanchez and Ricky Nolasco. Pitching carried them to the post-season last year, and pitching might very well bring them back this year. The problem with this team is the complete lack of offense. No top hitters feast of pitchers in the lineup. Without them, challenging the Nationals and Phillies in the NL East will be nearly impossible. To have a chance at a return to the playoffs, the GM will need to make a move for a bat as soon as possible.
Grade: B-
Projected 2012 NL East Standings
1. Phillies
2. Nationals
3. Marlins
4. Mets
5. Braves