MLB: NL East Preseason Division Predictions
By Matt Meffe
First Place: Washington Nationals
Projected Record: 90-72
A two-team race is expected this year in the NL East. However, the Nationals seem more ready than the Mets do to repeat as division champions. The Nationals had a somewhat disappointing, but also somewhat successful offseason. The team acquired Adam Eaton from the White Sox, although trading away Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez for Eaton was questionable. Washington acquired catcher Derek Norris, before signing Matt Wieters to be their everyday catcher. These moves fill the holes in the lineup left behind by Wilson Ramos and Ben Revere. They also allow Trea Turner to play his natural position of shortstop, after the Nationals traded former shortstop Danny Espinosa.
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The Nationals do enter the season without a set closer, but their bullpen was very reliable last season, and they do have a wide variety of closer options. Offensively, the Nationals still have many weapons in their arsenal, and their rotation is still incredibly stacked. If the chemistry and production are both there, it looks like this could be the Nationals’ year to repeat as champions of the NL East.