http://msn.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/stark_j...on/1499521.html

 

jayson stark did a rpt on the nl/east. what gets me is that he pretty much spoke his mind on each team and was even harsh on the marlins. when it came to the expos, he sure sugar coated the stealing of colon. ummm i wonder why?

 

btw, his remarks on the marlins and the signing of pudge, kw should take the lesson here, on how the marlins should have conducted business.

By no means do I see the race for that division being very interesting! It will be closer than last season, but Atlanta is going to be running away with it once again...They just are too deep to be topped.

As things stand right now, I agree with you. However, if the Phillies improve their bullpen, I think they'll give Atlanta a run for their money. The Phillies bullpen right now is their weakness. As for the Mets, Marlins and Expos.... Fugget about it!!!!

Go 'Spos Go!

its gonna be atlanta..no matter who they lose they just reload and keep coming..atlanta by maybe 10 games

Unfortunately these teams may have made it easier for Atlanta because there aren't any real weak teams to build wins on and with that the difficulties in division, all will have in division, so it will be hard for 2 to emerge.

Atlanta is vulnerable, right now. The only problem, is that all the other NL East teams are to weak to take advantage of it.

Is Travis Lee and Robert Person still out there? Even though Travis Lee isn't possible now, what about Person?

Travis Lee and Robert Person are as of now unsigned free agents. I don't see the Phils re-signing Lee with the arrival of Thome.

 

It seems every year the teams in this division have a hope of unseating Atlanta but that all gets quiet after Atlanta goes on a 23-7 run or something. This year the Phils and Mets both have some hope with the acquisition of two of Atlanta's studs although no one knows which Millwood will show up this year. Padilla is another mystery as he started out as a low-rated short reliever and turned in some big outings last year. Hopefully he can match his numbers this year with a few more IP to prove he can last.

Phillie should be pretty good, but they are counting quite a bit on there young pitching, which could turn into a problem. If they signed Glavine, then they'd be my favorites for the division. They will still have a real exciting rotation with Millwood, Padilla, Brett Myers, etc.

 

Still, Braves got a very deep rotation and Hampton will be back. They still got Sheffield and Chipper and that makes them the favorites, imo.

 

Mets could surprise too, now that they have a better rotation. Plus, think if Mo figures things out.

I gotta like the Phillies....they have a real good 1-2-3 with Millwood, Padilla and Wolf and then have Myers and whoever their 5th starter is....their bullpen isn't as strong as a good contenders should be, but their offense is dynamite. I also don't see Paul Byrd repeating his performance from last year and I'm not sure how Russ Ortiz's arm can hold up...he throws the ball quite odd and if I read the scouting report right that I did on him, that could be a problem. They also have a 38-year old or however old Maddux is that is going to make about $14 mill next year, and Marquis didn't pitch well at all last year(with him being young and all)...and no one knows how Hampton's going to pitch...probably fine, but it doesn't mean that Coors couldn't f*** him up mentally. Their bullpen isn't as strong as it was last year(they had Hammond, Remlinger, Lightenberg and Spooneybarger last year and have added Hernandez, King, and someone else who I can't remember)....and they haven't improved all that much offensively.

 

I just think that the Braves streak of 11 straight is done for...and I think it should have been over in 1994. I think the Phils are too strong....regardless of what has happened in Atlanta's history.