Well, the ever intelligent New York Mets filled their need for a quality starting pitcher behind Johan Santana by signing outfielder Jason Bay to a 4 year, $66 million contract (with a vesting option that could make it 5 and $80).
Were I a Mets fan, I would be OK (not thrilled) with the years and the amount for the 31-year old Bay, but puzzled as to why they chose to add offense when their 2nd best pitcher last year was Mike Pelfrey and his 5.03 ERA. Bay’s numbers will also plummet going from Fenway to Citi Field (where David Wright’s HR total went from 33 to 10 in it’s first year) – so that should be fun to watch. However, if Reyes and Beltran return healthy, the Mets line-up is pretty formidable.
Let’s take a look at how the NL East stacks up right now (right click the image and open in a new tab if you are having trouble reading it)…
Here are my thoughts on what has been done so far…
- We are still the clear favorite in the division.
- I have no idea who the 2nd place favorite should be – right now I’m leaning towards the Braves, cause I think they will make another move to improve their offense.
- The Nationals should be improved. The Marlins, particularly if they trade Uggla, might drop, but they always find a way to be far, far better than they should (how they finished 2nd last year is beyond me).
- The Mets rotation is atrocious after Santana. They did make a shrewd move by signing Kelvim Escobar, who is a low-risk, high-reward type guy. He is not listed on here.
If I had to rank the NL East right now – it would probably be…
1. Phillies
2. Braves
3. Mets
4. Marlins
5. Nationals
Any thoughts from the Phillies contingent as we wait to see if we’ve actually signed Danys Baez or Mike MacDougal?
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
The NL East is an enigma in my opinion. The Phillies are, without a doubt, the favorite. By a mile. Doc, Chase, Howard, Rollins, so and so forth.
You have to like the National’s rotation. For them it’s great. Lannan, while maybe not a true number 1, has proved a solid, consistent and effective pitcher. Marquis is a nice addition and I assume we’ll see Strasburg in the bigs from the start.
I agree, if the Mets stay healthy and last year’s injuries don’t affect their productivity they should be pretty potent offensively. It’s interesting to me to see a general lack of speed on that club as big as that park plays. They almost seem a little more built for CBP than Citi Field.
If I were to rank the clubs:
1. Phillies
2. Mets (just barely)
3. Braves
4. Nationals – They played hard for Riggleman last year and they’re going to have to win 65 games eventually right?
5. Marlins – especially if they trade Uggla.
5. Marlins
Phillies
Braves
Nationals
Marlins
Mets
The Mets are a mess. They build a ballpark to emphasize pitching and then fail to sign any quality pitchers and instead go for offense. This move doesn’t phase me. Bay is a quality player but not someone who will vastly improve their team.
Phils, Braves, Mets, Marlins, Nats
Excellent opening line, Pete. My philosophy of life is when you can take a shot at the Mets, just do it. Opinion based on…<<Well, the ever intelligent New York Mets filled their need for a quality starting pitcher behind Johan Santana by signing outfielder Jason Bay to a 4 year, $66 million contract (with a vesting option that could make it 5 and $80).
Wow, Chris McC drinking some serious orange and blue kool aid. Ranking those Mets second. Good grief. Looks to me like the Braves have improved and they took the Phils pretty deep last year. I like Ed R’s ranking th Mets last.
I would only rank the top 2 at this point, and will pass on who’s 1 and who’s 2 other than to say its the Phils and Braves. Barring a real surprise by Florida, almost always a respectable club, the top 2 are the only ones going to the post season next year, so it doesn’t really matter on the Fish, Mets and Nats.
Here are some thoughts from Scott Lauber of the Wilmington news Journal on what the Bay signing mans to the Phils. Nothing we don’t know already, and in my mind, I’d like to see Werth here for the long haul, but I understand the end’s coming as most with common sense would tell you. Lauber….
But while Bay figures to help make the Mets more formidable in 2010, the Phillies may feel the impact of his contract next winter when Jayson Werth becomes a free agent.
<<If Werth hasn’t been paying attention to the Bay negotiations, surely his agents have. Last season, Werth and Bay tied for the major-league lead among outfielders with 36 home runs. And although Bay drove in more runs (119 to 99), Werth had more stolen bases (20 to 13) and comparable on-base/slugging numbers (Bay: .384/.537; Werth: .373/.506). Bay is 31, Werth is 30. And while Bay has a longer track record for success, Werth is regarded as a late-bloomer given the wrist problems that nearly forced him to retire in 2006. Werth is also a superior defensive outfielder.
Bay and still-unsigned Matt Holliday are the top free-agent outfielders on the market this winter. At this point, Werth (photo: Getty Images) and Carl Crawford will be the best outfielders in next year’s pool, and it’s conceivable both the Yankees and Red Sox will be seeking corner-outfield help. Because of financial commitments to other players beyond 2010, the Phillies likely won’t be able to keep both Werth and Shane Victorino, a free agent after the 2011 season. And even after purging their farm system in the trades for Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay, they still have an abundance of outfield prospects, including corner outfielder Domonic Brown and center fielders Anthony Gose and Tyson Gillies.
So, here are two questions worth asking: If Werth has another 30-homer/20-steal season, won’t he be in line to get a contract similar to what Bay has gotten from the Mets (annual average salary: $16.5 million)? And will the Phillies be able to give it to him?>>
I think either way you look at it this is Werth’s last year. The only way it isn’t is if Raul has a big hiccup this season. Chances are Dom Brown is going to improve over this year and hopefully be up in AAA by mid-July. If Werth has a lowsy year, people will want to see what Dom has next year and if he has a great year we can’t sign him because of the money. So Jayson as much as I love you this is your last year in red pinstripes I hope you like the blue ones just the same!
Pete – I’m with you in your rankings.
1. Phillies
2. Braves
3. Mets
4. Marlins
5. Nationals
As far as which pitcher we’re getting, I don’t think either are worth getting excited about. Neither have great numbers or had a lot of teams after them. I really hope that Scott Eyre comes back, as I think he was one of the corner stones that held that bullpen together!!
As far as Worth, I love him but his time is soon up in Philly. To many young guys coming up as mentioned and he’ll cost more than we should spend. I know that I read on here before about this, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Howard’s run comes to an end soon, as well. He will not be worth the contract that he will demand and deserve. Let’s make sure we keep Utley, Hamels and Rollins around first. Just my 2 cents.