Phillies: NL East’s 4-way battle in 2019
By Tal Venada
New cellar:
In New York, Mets supporters are complaining about the Braves, Nationals and Phillies finishing ahead of them. In other words, a new last place. Yeah, the franchise didn’t do enough to win the division, and the other teams have done more to succeed in ’19. Sound familiar?
The Metropolitans had accepted an aging Robinson Cano‘s five remaining 162s to acquire young stud closer Edwin Diaz and re-signed last summer’s ninth-inning fireman to set him up. Meanwhile, they inked catcher Wilson Ramos for improved hitting and receiving. That stated, they may yet add a solid reliever.
Because a major pickup isn’t probable, Mets outfielders and relievers will compete in March for 2019’s roles. But injuries to key players have been a recurring issue the last two seasons, and the guess here is the business end is over-influencing medical-staff decisions besides those unwilling to admit physical problems.
After Washington signed Patrick Corbin, they resigned themselves to the reality their superstar outfielder would land elsewhere. Basically, inking Corbin was to remain competitive with less run production. And picking up Anibal Sanchez as a four-slot moundsman was a similar move.
While the Nationals’ offense is missing two solid left-handed bats, their relief corps is still a middle-of-the-pack unit like 2018. And they’ll have a rookie center fielder, an aging first baseman, and currently a second base platoon if they don’t sign a free agent.
Realistically, the Nats are competitive but not an overwhelming favorite to capture the division. But will they be atop the predictions for 2019’s NL East, or will that go to Atlanta? However, a major acquisition with stupid money would alter that forecast.