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2020 MLB Season: Predicting each team’s DH

By Mitchell Vareldzis

PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 20: A detailed view of the Franklin batting gloves worn by Yoenis Cespedes #52 of the New York Mets during the team workouts at Clover Park on February 20, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 20: A detailed view of the Franklin batting gloves worn by Yoenis Cespedes #52 of the New York Mets during the team workouts at Clover Park on February 20, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Predicting each team’s designated hitter in NL East for the 2020 MLB season.

  • Atlanta Braves: Nick Markakis/Marcell Ozuna
  • Miami Marlins: Garrett Cooper
  • New York Mets: Yoenis Cespedes
  • Philadelphia Phillies: Jay Bruce
  • Washington Nationals: Ryan Zimmerman

The Braves might have been the toughest one to choose a singular player so I opted for both Markakis, who is 36 and has seen his defensive skills decline in the years, and Ozuna, the former gold glover who is… certainly not that anymore. Either one could play left and rotate with the other depending on matchups.

The Marlins have a few good options after adding veterans Corey Dickerson and Jesus Aguilar. With Brian Anderson moving to right field, Cooper has the best chance to swing the twig and prove he has the power that was scouted. Reminder; the Marlins acquired him in the Giancarlo Stanton trade.

The Mets would be best served with Cespedes doing as little fielding as possible while he is recovering from another injury. If he can hit like he did during the 2015 season during their World Series run, the Mets serve to be a much better offense with him in it.

Philly’s mid-season addition of Bruce came in handy last year when Andrew McCutchen went down with an injury and Odubel Herrera was suspended and released. Bruce is the logical candidate but could easily rotate with McCutchen.

The Nationals are going to get every last bit of Zimmerman out of him before he completes his current one-year deal. It’s tough to say when or if he will retire but the 35-year-old still has power left in him  which is much needed after Anthony Rendon’s departure.

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