Mar 28
Today’s question will focus on the National League East.  The Mets do not have to be included in your answer because basically because we write and comment about them all the time.
Today’s question is:Â What is the Achilles Heal of each N.L East Team?
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32 comments
prismo
3/28/2010-9:26am at 9:26 am (UTC -4)
Mets: Starting pitching. Santana’s a great number 1, obviously, and number 5′s are cruddy on almost every team, but the Mets’ 2 through 4 starters are all huge question marks. They need a good season from at least two of these three starters, or the season is probably forfeit.
Phillies: Bullpen. The Phillies’ bullpen blew a third of their save opportunities last season, thanks in large part to Brad Lidge and his 7.21 ERA. The team was lucky they didn’t lose a lot more games, as they were time and again bailed out by their lineup. If they aren’t so lucky this season, the bullpen could tear them apart.
Braves: Injury-prone players. Chipper Jones is up there in age and if he doesn’t play the majority of games this season, the Braves’ lineup is considerably weaker. The same goes for Hudson and their young pitching staff – I’m not sure the young guys will be able to carry the load without Hudson in the rotation for most of the season.
Marlins: Youth, as usual. The talent is there, as it always is. However, a team built 99% on youth lacks in chemistry and experience. I also have concerns that they won’t be able to stay strong the entire season – young players often get tired by September.
Nationals: Ownership? Terrible team, as usual. The pitching staff may be marginally better than last season, but the lineup is equally mediocre and the bullpen is nothing special. Welcome to fifth place!
ceetar
3/28/2010-9:28am at 9:28 am (UTC -4)
in a broad sense
Mets: MOP (with Manuel being a close second?)
Phillies: Rotation, bullpen
Atlanta: offense
Marlins: maturity (as in, they’ve got all young players and just hope they do good)
Nationals: Talent.
metsfan4decades
3/28/2010-11:19am at 11:19 am (UTC -4)
I agree with this.
Although with the Mets, I’d put the BP a close second right behind MOP. Our BP – outside of KRod and Pedro, is starting to worry me a bit.
trs86
3/28/2010-11:25am at 11:25 am (UTC -4)
Actually I think it’s a strength. Seriously. Right now Green and Parnell may be on the outside looking in and they made 147 appearances last year combined.
stickguy
3/28/2010-11:37am at 11:37 am (UTC -4)
points out a key thing with the pen. You need depth, maybe even more so than in the rotation.
Start with the best guys, and if one falters or burns out, call up the next live body.
metsfan4decades
3/28/2010-11:40am at 11:40 am (UTC -4)
But what bothers me is the BP, outside of Calero, KRod and Pedro, might be comprised of all starters/semi starters. Where’s the hard thrower who can come in an get a couple/three quick outs? That’s my concern.
Guys like Figgy, Nieve, Misch, Taka2…..all geared towards a starter type mentality and not mid reliever. It might work well, but typically, that’s not how a BP is normally constructed….
trs86
3/28/2010-11:48am at 11:48 am (UTC -4)
I really would not want Figgy, Nieve, and Misch to be in the pen. That would not make a lot of sense. Yet at least they ALL have experience pitching in the pen. No most teams BP are not made up of current starters but they are mostly made up of former starters.
stickguy
3/28/2010-1:01pm at 1:01 pm (UTC -4)
iggy would be the other guy with K ability. And parnell if he is there.
stickguy
3/28/2010-9:48am at 9:48 am (UTC -4)
ceeter pretty much covers it.
Adding for the Bravos, or I guess expanding, is running with the 20 YO in RF. ALthough f that works out, it certainly gives fuel to the fire about playing Martinez, since he wouldn’t even be the youngest RF in the division!
For the Phils, add health and age. No spring chickens out there, and a few guys that had some injury issues last year that can/are lingering (Ibanez for one, and Utley with his hip/wrist issues). Basically one Hoard groin pull from scuffling with the rest of the league!
Oh, SP beind Halladay (another relative “greybeard”) for them too.
Kingman 26
3/28/2010-10:20am at 10:20 am (UTC -4)
Mets–Starting pitching and a terrible manager.
Phillies–Bullpen.
Braves–Offense.
Marlins–Pitching and defense.
Nationals–Baseball ability other than some offense.
stickguy
3/28/2010-10:47am at 10:47 am (UTC -4)
Damn. How did I forget to mention Jerry?
Add to my list: Mets have worst manager in division.
saltygary
3/28/2010-10:51am at 10:51 am (UTC -4)
Mets – Any starter not named Johan
Phillies – Bullpen.
Braves – Semi-transition with position players.
Marlins – No storng veterins to guide the youth, starters besides JJ.
Nationals – Any starter not named Johan
trs86
3/28/2010-11:01am at 11:01 am (UTC -4)
Mets: Health, SP and management
Phillies: Health, Bench, BP, SP
Braves: Health, Health, Health, Offense
Marlins: Lot of holes that no one talks about. But hey they’re young.
Nats: Vastly improved to a mid-60′s win team.
ceetar
3/28/2010-11:18am at 11:18 am (UTC -4)
gotta add Money for the Marlins. They’re cheap skates and look to steal from the league each season.
trs86
3/28/2010-11:03am at 11:03 am (UTC -4)
Alex Gonzalez said “forget it” this winter when the Red Sox asked him to wait until they had dealt with Jason Bay. Gonzalez adds: “I was going to get a starting job, and in this market, I’m glad I didn’t wait.”
Hey I thought only the Mets bungling management did something like this? What you mean it’s standard? That teams don’t just throw money at the players without seeing if a player they want more is interested? Hmmm, so Pineiro wasn’t joking?
stickguy
3/28/2010-11:35am at 11:35 am (UTC -4)
somewhat on topic, interesting article in today’s philly paper about CBP, and what it meant to the franchise. Really points out what a money machine the place is for the Phils.
Author does forget one key point though. WHile the revenue lets them act like a big market team and lock up their young stars, it was the good fortune to have a bunch of them all hit/stick at the same time that got them to consecutive WS appearances. Just happened to be real good timeing that it coincided with year 3-4 of the stadium, right when attendance and interest would have waned if they had fallen back into their usual also-ran status.
But, even for big revenue teams the glory days don’t last forever. Since I doubt they will ever take it up to the next notch and spend like the yankers.
Too bad they didn’t trade Howard and keep Thome back in the day.
But, like I said in my earlier post onthis topic, if Utley keeps aging in dog years (and those guys that take a beating like him can go quick), and old man Ibanez has after effects from his groin problems and off season (hernia I think) surgery, they really are 1 catashtophic injury to the big man (or halladay) away from being very, very mortal.
stickguy
3/28/2010-11:36am at 11:36 am (UTC -4)
and for those who actually want the link:
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20100328_Stadium_has_been_foundation_of_Phillies__success.html
trs86
3/28/2010-11:39am at 11:39 am (UTC -4)
That is a good point on how quickly 2B seem to age. Very rare do you see them perform well past 32.
stickguy
3/28/2010-11:40am at 11:40 am (UTC -4)
If a Met fan should be aware of nothing else, it is how quickly a 2B can fall off the face of the earth.
metsfan4decades
3/28/2010-11:47am at 11:47 am (UTC -4)
Agree. I’ve been commenting on this for weeks. I don’t see where they tried to strengthen that bench. They’ve been rolling the dice with their starting 8 for four years now. Odds are during your roll, you’re eventually gonna roll craps….
They’re already lamenting about who takes Werth’s place when they can’t afford to resign him. And consensus is part of the reason they can’t afford him is the $$ they gave Ibanez. How many think Ibanez is going to reap rewards for the last 2 years of his contract?
They lose a couple of core starters for longer than a 15 day DL, they’ll likely be in trouble. They’ve got prospects but they’re mostly not ready and the one who is, the jury is still out on him…..
trs86
3/28/2010-11:50am at 11:50 am (UTC -4)
I would certainly take Werth for RF.
metsfan4decades
3/28/2010-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
IDK….don’t you think his defense is overrated? He’s no Beltran.
trs86
3/28/2010-12:47pm at 12:47 pm (UTC -4)
He would not be taking Beltran’s spot. Just Frenchy’s.
stickguy
3/28/2010-1:03pm at 1:03 pm (UTC -4)
I actually think he will be going to the Yankees.
Also, he isn’t a spring chicken either. he will be 32 I think next year. Might even be older than Bay, and how many guys that age do you want to commit to for big bucks and 4 years?
did have a great year last year, and if he does it agian, it makes the Phils really tough.
stickguy
3/28/2010-1:06pm at 1:06 pm (UTC -4)
I was close. Bay is 8 months older, so pretty much a wash. Werth will, however, turn 32 early in the 2011 season (his firts with the new team).
And the Phils really are high on the prospect (Bron) they are grooming to take his place. But, usually there is still going to be a learing curve there.
metsfan4decades
3/28/2010-11:51am at 11:51 am (UTC -4)
Contrary to what most are predicting I don’t see the NL east as a runnaway for the Phils.
All above make good points. As we’ve seen the unthinkable can and does happen.
Happ goes through a sophmore slump, and/or Hamels is the .500 pitcher he was last year and/or Blanton has a less than solid year – and they’re in trouble. Not to mention where they’ll be at if Doc comes up with an injury.
Their BP is a real concern.
trs86
3/28/2010-11:52am at 11:52 am (UTC -4)
I think if the SP and BP holds and they get no major injuries they win by 3-5 games. That’s a lot to ask.
metsfan4decades
3/28/2010-11:55am at 11:55 am (UTC -4)
And on that note Charlie is quoted as saying this in an article I read on Philly.com:
“We have a lot of question marks in our bullpen,” Manuel said.
“We have to get Romero and Lidge healthy and pitching,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said after yesterday’s 8-4 exhibition loss to the Minnesota Twins at Hammond Stadium. “If we don’t, it’s going to be tough on us. I hear people say, ‘They have so much talent they don’t need those guys.’ What the hell are you talking about? Who in the hell are you fooling?”
rustyjr
3/28/2010-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
for me
mets – starting rotation – bullpen bench and most of the positions will be strong
phillies – bullpen
braves bullpen
marlins also the pen but also defense – see dan uggle
nationals bullpen starting rotation and defense
whataputz
3/28/2010-1:29pm at 1:29 pm (UTC -4)
Mets- Rotation, Injuries, power
Phillies- Pen, but not much
Marlins- Pen and youth
Braves- Age,but not many problems (watch out for those braves)
Nationals- Roster
Whataputz on the comeback trail, but still questionable for opening day.
GravediggerHebner
3/28/2010-3:24pm at 3:24 pm (UTC -4)
Mets
Starting pitchers 2-5; Bullpen apart from CL Rodriguez & SU Feliciano; 1B being questionable defensively and among the worst in MLB offensively regardless of who they plug in; 2B defense of Castillo.
Braves
Age and/or injury history of 3B Jones, 1B Glaus, SP Hudson, CL Wagner & SU Saito; completely untested RF in Heyward; 2B largely untested in Prado.
Marlins
Starting pitchers 3 – 5; bullpen apart from CL Nunez; largely untested CF in Maybin and completely untested whoever they play at 1B.
Nats
Easier to tell you what I don’t consider a potential Achilles Heel – Ryan Zimmerman. The rotation is weak even with Strasburg who is completely untested and Wang who is coming off a long period of ill health, that Marquis may be the # 1 SP speaks volumes; CL Capps is terrible; and when Adam Dunn is the 2nd best person in your lineup, your lineup isn’t very good.
Phillies
Perhaps their biggest weakness will be that the roster decisions made by the Braves, Marlins and Mets work out in those teams favor. For whichever team(s) that happens, that team(s) will close the gap. Otherwise the Phillies have 3 consecutive division titles despite seeming weaknesses in 2009 in the back of the rotation, the bullpen and the bench; in 2008 in the entire rotation, the bench and Rollins missing a month; and in 2007 in the entire rotation, bullpen and a black hole at 3B. They’ve overcome those things so even though I think in 2010 anointing Polanco as 3B, the bullpen, the bench and the back of the rotation should be weaknesses, I can’t keep betting on that horse to come up lame because it keeps winning.
Hazmet
3/28/2010-4:56pm at 4:56 pm (UTC -4)
For the question of the day: Everyone’s pretty much got that one covered at this point in the day. Pretty much agree with all of the above.
2 Misc items from this weekend:
1. This just in: Braves highly touted rookie Heyward day to day with Shin Splints. Ouch. Those can be painful and lingery (is that a word?) anyway, something to keep an eye on.
2. The Met’s Pitcher’s game during their BP sessions: See who can hit Jose Reyes running sprints in the OF. Guy’s come on now really, did I really need to read that this weekend. Good thing they hit like Pitchers.