Which NL East team has the best infield both defensively and offensively?!?

Question

...and why?

Answer 1

The Phillies have the best 3/4 of an infield. The fact that third-base is an absolute black hole right now does nothing to help that fact. Howard is a solid first baseman and Utley and Rollins are very capable defenders up the middle and clearly all three can hit a ton.

The Mets are pretty solid all the way around. Wright and Castillo are defensive whiz-kids, Reyes is a serviceable defender up the middle and has the speed and range to make up for what he lacks, Delgado is a fine first baseman. All four can hit and hit well.

The Braves are going to be missing Edgar Renteria a lot this season and before jettisoning him off to the powerhouse of the north (read: The Tigers) the Braves were easily in the running for the best infield. Chipper is aging, but still solid with the glove and the stick. Tex is a Gold Glove caliber first-sacker who can handle the wood (as a slugging switch-hitter) as well...which is why he'll be signing a B-I-G money contract with the either the Yankees, Dodgers, Angels or Mets next offseason. Go ahead and write that one down.

The Marlins are still impressive with Mike Jacobs, Dan Uggla and Hanley Ramirez. In fact, prior to the loss of Miggy Cabrera, they easily could have taken honors in this category. Although the glaring hole at third base and the rather pedestrian numbers (thus far) from Jacobs keep the Marlins from taking the honors.

Finally the Nasty Nats. They've got a killer outfield with the recent additions of Lastings Milledge and Elijah Dukes but the infield isn't too shabby either. Ryan Zimmerman has got the hot leather for the hot corner and a solid stoke at the dish. Dimitri Young seems reborn since landing in Washington and if he is out of the lineup in favor of the Nats original firstbaseman Nick Johnson that favors even well. Johnson is a solid defender and has .300/25/90 potential every year--if he can stay healthy. Ronnie Belliard is a capable defender and a step above the average 2B at the plate. Shortstop Felipe Lopez is a solid defender who can play SS or 2B, but his batting stats have taken a free fall since his career year in 2005.

All-in-all...I'd have to give the edge to the Mets right now because they have the most solidified infield. All of the other teams still have big question marks heading into the 2008 season.

Good question.

Answer 2

1. The Boston Red Sox have all of the tools to repeat. Their line-up is potent, with Jacoby Ellsbury at the top of the line-up, Manny Ramirez entering a contract year, and David Ortiz putting up his usual power numbers, and the batting average. Mike Lowell will have to have a repeat season, so the line-up will have even more depth. Coco Crisp will have to get over being a bench player, as he was never that good in the first place, and learn to be a good clubhouse player. The Red Sox's pitching rotation is good, but Clay Buchholz will have to anchor the back end of the rotation. The Boston Red Sox will probably have a repeat season. Season Record:99-63 The New York Yankees have an amazing, yet aging, line-up. It was important to bring back Alex Rodriguez, without him the line-up would be much less powerful. It was also good that the Yankees didn't trade away their young,blossoming stars in Melky Cabrera, and Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy. Melky Cabrera will become a 2nd batter in the near future, and Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy will win Cy Young's later too. Joba Chamberlain's role will be important as well, whether as a reliever, or as a starter. Their bull-pen is suspect, as Luis Vizcaino left for free-agency, and Mariano Rivera is getting older. I don't know if the bull -pen can keep up with the younger pitching staff. I think the Yankees have to many variables to win the division, yet they will contend for the Wild Card. Season Record: 93-69 The Tampa Bay Rays have finally done it, they will finally climb out of the cellar of the American League. They made the right move in trading Delmon Young to the Minnesota Twins, and receiving Matt Garza, a new power arm for their rotation, and Jason Bartlett a good short-stop. They also have a blossoming star in young Evan Longoria, who will hit 45 homers a season someday. Scott Kazmir will have to have another 15+ win season for them to contend in their division. This is a young, strong team that will get past .500 for the first time. Season Record: 85-77 2. The New York Yankees 3. The Boston Red Sux 4. Derek Jeter 5.Derek Jeter 6. This is a pretty cool survey

Answer 3

Huge Mets Fan But I'd Have To Say The Phillies Because They Have A Young Team That Could Hit Well On A Daily Basis

Answer 4

Considering only the infield - the Phillies are the best, not only in NL East but in MLB. League leaders (in the top 5) in hits, RBI, HR, total bases, at bats, doubles, triples, 2 sliver sluggers plus a gold glove!

Answer 5

I would go with the Braves as well, here is why, Jones has been an outstanding 3B for years, Tex is a great 1B with the stick and the glove, Yunial will be a great defensive SS and a good table setter on offense, Kelly Johnson gives you good defense and some pop at the bat.

Here is why I say no to the Phillies...3B, it is too important to have the mess that they have there (I am a Phillies fan by the way), other than 3B they are stellar but the 3B is too glaring.

Here is why I say not to the Mets...2B they have no one, Castillo has no legs left, he is a punch and Judy hitter and his fielding percentage is up only because he can not get to the balls that others do. 1B Delgado is amazing with the bat but equally appalling with the glove, the SS and 3B do not make up for the 1B and 2B

Here is why I say not to the Marlins and Nationals...ah let's not even waste our time!

Answer 6

CLEARLY goes to the Phillies. Absolutely no disputing here. Last year, Ryan Howard was MVP. This year, Rollins. Chase Utley is just below MVP status. Utley and Rollins are silver sluggers, and Rollins also got Gold Glove. 3rd base is falling apart, but we will definitely shape up by 2008 season. The other 3 could take the title for bet infield without a 3rd baseman anyway.

Answer 7

The Mets. David Wright and Jose Reyes are very solid on the right side of the infield. I believe David Wright has a gold glove or two. Also Luis Castillo has won a fair share of gold gloves as well. Delgado is the only "weak" spot, and he is pretty solid as well.

Answer 8

I believe that honor has to go with the Braves now because of Chipper and Mark. Any decent replacement for Renteria and they remain on top. Most will say Philadelphia but we will see what kind of a year they have in 2008.

Answer 9

Atlanta, Tex and C.Jones are very good both ways and yunel is a great young SS taking over for renteria

Answer 10

It was florida up until a few days ago, now it's probably Philadelphia.