2007-12-27 09:12:22 · 10 answers · asked by pte 1 in Sports ➔ Baseball
I agree that the Mets have a strong shot at taking the division but don't count the Braves out. Their offense is bound to solidify especially with Texeira now having a full season. Based on his post-trade numbers, look for him to have a career year. With All-Stars Chipper Jones, Brian McCann, and future stars in Franceur, Thorman, Johnson, Escobarand possibly Matt Diaz, they will score runs. Having a rookie in Josh Anderson to roam CF is a plus if he make the squad/starting lineup out of Spring Training. Just look at the shot in the arm he gave the Astros at the end of the year last year. The question is Starting pitching. Hudson had one of the best years hes ever had last season and Smoltz also added consistent depth to an injury riddled starting rotation. With the addition of Glavine things could get interesting: He did win 13 games but his ERA is on the rise. They will have to score a ton of runs to compete in the division... the good news is, they have the firepower to do so. My prediction is Mets - 1st Place; Braves - NL Wild Card
2007-12-27 09:28:28 · answer #1 · answered by Jay S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think if the Braves are going to make the playoffs, they're going to make it via the Wild Card. The NL East currently is being dominated by only two teams --- the Mets and Phillies. Those two teams have the best shot in winning the Disvision title. The Nationals and Marlins have some rebuilding to do so they aren't really a threat to the NL East.
The Braves offense is decent but with the loss of Willie Harris and Edgar Renteria, they lack the necessary "tablesetters" at the top of the lineup. The Braves also lost Andruw Jones, who averages 34 HR, 103 RBI a year. And don't forget about his defense. Last but not least, Atlanta is missing a dominant starting pitcher. Smoltz is still one of the elite pitchers in the NL but won't be winning 20 games or striking out 200 batters anytime soon.
2007-12-27 10:38:41 · answer #2 · answered by J Boogie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer is No to the division, The Mets will win that this season, that have something to prove this next season. The Braves MIGHT win the wild card, but it may not happen because it will be a tight race in the West between the Padres and the Dodgers. The dodgers because there going to be run on a tight ship by Joe Torre, and the padres have an amazing rotation of
Jake Peavy, Chris Young, Mark Prior, Randy Wolf, and the old-timer Greg Maddux
2007-12-27 09:44:32 · answer #3 · answered by B-Rizzy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Braves have a great chance to win the East. The Phills have lost Rowand and have a suspect pitching staff. The Mets are the Mets they will be in the hunt the whole year, but they are quite old if the injury bug bites then things will not be good for them. The Braves need to fill a couple of holes Center Field for one Willie Harris is not the answer, and the starting pitching for another Glavine has helped but the 4th and 5th starters have to carry their share.
2007-12-27 10:28:22 · answer #4 · answered by Kyle M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the Braves can strengthen their bullpen they will be a very strong team. As of now, they have the best starting rotation in the division; however, the Phillies have a better lineup and the Mets have a better bullpen and maybe even a better lineup depending on who the Braves have to replace Andruw. If the offseason ended today, I would have the Braves in third, slightly behind the Mets, with the Phillies in first.
2007-12-27 09:29:20 · answer #5 · answered by sj931 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Tom Glavine is too old, his ERA last year was 4.45, and will only increase with a decrease in velocity of his fastball.
Loosing Andruw Jones was terrible. He was the face of their franchise for a while, and is still one of the best with his glove.
Kelly Johnson and Yunel Escobar are only descent players, and there's a big hole in left and center field. There's nobody but Buddy Carlyle in the back of the rotation.
Phillies lineup is still solid even without Rowand, and the Mets will be back this year.
Don't get me wrong, Braves will be +.500 team, but there's too much competition in NL East.
2007-12-27 12:11:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't see the Braves in the playoffs, and they really didn't improve themselves by signing Glavine, he's not the same pitcher as he was in 2002.
The Mets comeback and win the NL pennant.
(3/31/03 - Cubs 15 - Mets 2 - his first NY start in a Mets' uniform)
2007-12-27 09:26:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
So far the Mets really didn't improve all that much and I'm not sure what the Phillie's have done. With Bobby Cox as manager (Same category as Torre and La Russa) he can make ago at the playoffs in any given year.
2007-12-27 13:17:22 · answer #8 · answered by Ed B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its always tough to beat the Mets, considering they havent lost any significant players yet. The Braves are without one of their Jones. As bad as he was last year, he still will be missed in the lineup. They need Jeff Francouer to step in
2007-12-27 09:20:20 · answer #9 · answered by nba_gsw 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Braves are toast for a long-time now and to come.
2007-12-27 09:55:00 · answer #10 · answered by civil_seismic_eng 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋