MLB: 5 NL East players who benefit from a shortened season
Today we look at five players from the NL East who benefit most from a shortened, 60-game MLB season.
As we enter the middle of July and continue to wait for a return from MLB, let us take a look at one player from each NL East team who may find an advantage in a shortened 60-game season in 2020.
Atlanta Braves: Cole Hamels
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The Atlanta Braves once again enter the upcoming season with sky-high expectations, and for good reason: they have a roster loaded with talent that seems destined to bring them into a deep playoff run.
In one of the most surprising acquisitions of the off-season, the Braves inked Hamels to a 1 yr/ $18 million contract. The 36-year-old lefty is obviously most known for his time spent with the NL East rival Philadelphia Phillies, where he played a crucial role in delivering a 2008 Championship to Philadelphia before being named the World Series MVP of that year.
Now, 12 years later, Hamels is well beyond his prime. His health has been declining as expected for most pitchers his age. A 60-game season allows Hamels to compete short-term for Atlanta without having to worry about making it through an entire season in one piece. As many have already stated, the 2020 season is a sprint where others were marathons. If this year happens to be Hamels’ final one as a Major Leaguer, then he can throw caution to the wind and compete now. The threat of an injury-plagued final season seems much more minuscule with 60 games rather than 162.
Don’t expect a Josh Donaldson-caliber resurgence in Atlanta again this season, but don’t be surprised if Hamels takes a few small steps forward from his more recent performances.
Miami Marlins: Isan Díaz
The Miami Marlins once again look to be racing towards the bottom of the NL East in 2020. However, it will not be long before we see the Marlins reap the benefits of their rebuild. One of those potential benefits took a glimpse into the Majors last season: Isan Díaz. In 179 at-bats last season, Díaz slashed a meager .173/.259/.307.
Obviously, it is not time to worry yet, the 24-year-old has not had enough exposure to the big leagues; which is exactly what this season should be for Díaz and all the other young prospects for Miami: exposure. With the bottom of the barrel expectations, there is no pressure on the youngsters in South Beach. This season should act as a more intense Spring Training for the prospects in Miami.
Look for Díaz and a smattering of other future MLB regulars to potentially hit their
stride and gain valuable experience towards the end of the shortened season this year.
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New York Mets: Edwin Díaz
In December of 2018, The New York Mets completed a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Mariners that sent high-profile talents Robinson Canó and Edwin Díaz to Queens. Canó showed glimpses of his former stellar offensive production but saw a bit of a drop-off in consistency in 2019.
Edwin Díaz had a 2019 season that is likely to send shivers down the spines of Mets fans, garnering a disappointing 5.59 ERA and even setting the single-season record for 9th inning home runs surrendered at 15. Needless to say, Díaz was far off from his brilliant 2018 campaign in which he collected a 1.96 ERA and 57 saves.
One massive key to the Mets’ potential success in 2020 will be their bullpen. As so many NL East teams have seen recently, bullpen woes can truly destroy momentum and ruin a season. With only 60 games to play, those bullpen problems can be even more detrimental to a team’s success.
Díaz is the main catalyst to watch out for in New York this season. If he can return to his old form, The Mets could prove a force to be reckoned with. If not, Mets fans may be thankful for a shortened season.
Philadelphia Phillies: Zack Wheeler
This past December (which feels like years ago), The Phillies signed 30-year-old RHP Zack Wheeler to a massive 5 yr, $118 million contract. Wheeler is no stranger to the NL East, having been a Met for the beginning of his career. Unfortunately for Wheeler, he is also no stranger to injuries. Having dealt with problems to his throwing shoulder and elbow, the righty has spent many days of his career on the IL.
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In a 60-game MLB season, Wheeler can breathe a little sigh of relief. While his health is in no way guaranteed, he could definitely benefit from the shortened season in his first year with a new team. A healthy season, even at a mere 60 game count, could give Wheeler the confidence he needs to fit in with the Phillies. As we have seen in the past, large contracts bring high expectations in the City of Brotherly Love.
Look out for Wheeler to potentially stabilize that right arm en route to a season where he looks the part in a Phillies uniform. With their biggest recent need being starting pitching, Wheeler and his health are likely to be a major tipping point for the Phillies in 2020.
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Washington Nationals: Max Scherzer
The Nationals dodged a bullet when Max Scherzer woke up with shoulder and neck pain on the day of Game 5 of the 2019 World Series. Not only did they not have their ace for that night, many feared they would never see him back to his true form again. However, Scherzer seems to have recovered and is surely anxious to get back on the field in 2020.
With an extended offseason and a potential cure for the World Series hangover soon to be in the rearview mirror for Washington, Scherzer stands the most to gain from an extended break and a shortened service time. He dealt with minor pain in the offseason, meaning that the Nationals will still need to be cautious with Scherzer. However, in a 60 game stretch, do not be surprised if he pushes through thanks to that bulldog mentality he has on the mound.
The Nationals have always placed an emphasis on starting pitching. If they have hopes to repeat in 2020, it will once again be thanks to an absolutely stacked rotation that delivers in the clutch and gives the offense chances to pull through late in the game.
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Should Scherzer, Strasburg, or Corbin deal with extended health complications, the World Series hangover may prove to be too much for the Nats in 2020.