Without Further Ado...The NL East

Alright, I said it was coming, but I didn't think it was going to take this long. But here is the first installment of MLB previews, starting with the NL East. It's team-by-team, as you'll see in like two seconds, or you can just jump to the bottom and see how I think they'll finish. Big surprises too perhaps at the bottom.

ATLANTA BRAVES - (79-83, third place)
Strengths: Bullpen - The Braves had a pretty good bullpen going into the offseason and as they report to spring training they're even better. Lefty relief guy Mike Gonzalez, a guy the Sox tried to pry from the Pirates, could prove to be a big acquisition when he and Bob Wickman give the Braves a righty/lefty closer combo if they so choose.
Weaknesses: Starting Pitching - Trust me people, this will be a frequently occuring weakness among major league teams. The Braves do not have much though at all. John Smoltz is old, Tim Hudson is quietly getting old too, and Kyle Davie's ERA was over 8 last year. We'll have to see if Chuck James (11-4, 3.78 ERA) is the real deal, but I'm not counting on it.
Player to Watch: Brian McCann - McCann put up great numbers last year and should anchor a fairly decent line up.

FLORIDA MARLINS (78-84, fourth place)
Strengths: Starting pitching - If starting pitching is as important as people say (myself being one of them), then look out for the Marlins. From top to bottom they have the best rotation in the division. Dontrelle Willis is a stud and guys like Josh Johnson and Annibel Sanchez would be top-of-the-rotation guys for most teams. Young arms with good stuff...very dangerous.
Weaknesses: Bullpen - The Marlins have a few "nice names", guys who always seem to be cliche potential breakouts but haven't show much yet. Taylor Tankersley has been touted as one of the next big closers for a few years, but after a couple of stops, he still isn't what he's expected to be. Not much talent briding the starters and him either.
Player to Watch: Miguel Cabrera - An early candidate for NL MVP. Puts up unreal numbers with relative ease, and he's like 17 years old or something.

NEW YORK METS (97-65, Division champs, lost in NLCS)
Strengths: Explosive Offense - From 1-8 in the lineup the Mets are probably the best line up in the East and one of the best in the NL. Reyes, Beltran, Wright, and Delgado would be offensive centerpieces in any lineup. They'll score a lot of runs, which is good because...
Weaknesses: Starting pitching - Pedro Martinez might not pitch until August. Tom Glavine isn't Tom Glavine anymore. Oliver Perez was 3-13 last year, and the Mets went out of their way to trade for him at the deadline. John Maine is the most promising name for the Mets' staff. Am I making my point yet? If they can somehow get it to Billy Wagner with the lead, the game's over though. He's still that good.
Player to Watch: John Maine - Maine showed flashes of brilliance late in the year and into the playoffs. If he can hold that rotation together and they can get something - anything, out of the other guys, they could win the division.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (85-77, second place)
Strengths: Solid lineup/Ryan Howard - .358, 58, 149, .425. Just feast on those for a bit. They're the numbers of first baseman Ryan Howard last year. If you get that production from two guys combined, it's a good start. Ryan Howard is quickly becoming the next big slugger of our time, maybe the best. He's already better than David Ortiz. Add names like Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, and the real Pat Burrell around that, you've got a solid lineup.
Weaknesses: Bullpen - The Phils have one of the thinnest bullpens in the league and it showed down the stretch last year. Their closer Tom Gordon is solid, but Father Time is starting to spend more time around him. There's also not much leading up to Flash. Check back this time next year, if a certain Mr. Rivera walks out of the Bronx. That's right, Mo Rivera to Philly in '08. You heard it here first.
Player to Watch: Cole Hamels - Hamels was 9-8 last year with a 4.08, but certainly looked better than that at times. If he is right, he'll be key to a rotation that is certainly getting overlooked early. (Brett Myers, Freddy Garcia, Jamie Moyer, Hamels, and Adam Eaton)

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (71-91, fifth in division)
Strengths: ... - They have a cool logo, and nice uniforms...But in all seriousness, the Nats can pick it. Some strong defensive prowess at the corners in Ryan Zimmerman and Nick Johnson. Both also happen to be their biggest offensive weapons.
Weaknesses: Lack of offense - You could choose a few things for the main weakness, but I'll go with offense as being the biggest hole. Although Zimmerman, Johnson, and new pick-up Austin Kearns each homered more than 20 times last year for what it's worth.
Player to Watch: Nick Johnson - Every year away from New York, he gets better. Hmmm...

Projected Standings (For what it's worth):
1. Philadelphia - Really wanted to put the Marlins here, but the difference is, if Philly needs someone at the end of July, it will be easier for them to get him than the Fish.
2. Florida - I think this is my wild card pick. They were too young last year, but it's practically the same team this year, and I'm buying. Make fun of me in May. Thanks.
3. New York - This could be my worst pick all year, but hey I'm new at this. Pitching is the name of the game though, and the Mets don't have much.
4. Atlanta - A year or so for being back at the top of the NL East again.
5. Washington - I miss the Expos.

-MC