The Crawfish Boxes - TCB 2015 MLB PreivewAstros baseball: we've got uniforms and everything.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/11437/crawfishboxes-fv.gif2015-04-03T18:31:51-05:00http://www.crawfishboxes.com/rss/stream/81033122015-04-03T18:31:51-05:002015-04-03T18:31:51-05:00TCB Staff's 2015 MLB season predictions
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<p>Remember to bookmark this page for October so you can laugh at us. </p> <p>The 2015 baseball season begins on Sunday, Of course, TCB would like to mark that occasion by prediction what will happen this season without knowing who will go down with an injury, who will breakout, or who will stumble. At the very least, it'll be a good thing to remember and laugh at us for in October.</p>
<p>Two of our sixteen writers that participated, picked the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> to make the playoffs. One picked Houston to win the division, and the other a Wild Card. Both writers predicted the Astros to not just make the playoffs for the first time since 2005, but to win <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series">the World Series</a>. An interesting take to say the least, but it would be sweet if it happens.</p>
<p>The TCB Staff had one tie, oddly enough it was for the AL West crown. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Mariners</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> tied for AL West votes and Wild Card votes. Editor David Coleman broke the tie, with the concept that Angels won the division last year.</p>
<p>Enjoy.</p>
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https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2015/4/3/8342171/tcb-staffs-2015-mlb-season-predictionsRyan Dunsmore2015-03-24T13:00:09-05:002015-03-24T13:00:09-05:0010 things to preview the NL Central
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<p>Who wants to revisit the old Astros divisional digs?</p> <p>Let's continue our tour of the rest of baseball by stopping in to see the <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Astros</a> old digs. <gs id="0c5f2e14-704d-45dc-b519-8473e2038edb" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="2a92040a-3141-4f2c-8a4d-24cecbc9089a" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">here's</gs> some quick hits on how the National League Central could shape up this season.</p>
<h4>1) Do the <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pirates</a> have the best outfield in MLB?</h4>
<p>That's the question Jayson Stark posed earlier this <gs id="8b80f984-0f88-4090-a236-48689b09e95a" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="a121479a-3d05-4bc1-9198-27296112b272" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">offseason</gs>. With Andrew McCutchen, <span>Starling Marte</span> and <span>Gregory Polanco</span>, the Pirates can legitimately boast three five-tool outfielders that could play any of <gs id="5eda1497-bca3-4c17-bc81-268b6457514b" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="2a9c5992-ace2-4241-9078-09e3e60bb2cb" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">three spots</gs>.</p>
<p>One of them, McCutchen, is a bona fide superstar. Another, Polanco, is a top prospect who could easily turn into a star. A third is a young player who is signed to a team-friendly extension.</p>
<p>Together, though, they represent the core of Pittsburgh's offense. All three can hit for power and run the bases. They all get on base at a nice clip and can play pretty good defense.</p>
<p>There aren't many outfields who can boast that kind of corner-to-corner talent. Maybe Mike Trout and two other guys <gs id="ddb33b0e-3344-4e4b-9141-0f06ffa8ce13" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="8d470416-648c-4a63-a912-94a62ec591fa" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">makes</gs> a case.</p>
<p>If the Pirates dethrone the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cardinals</a> at the top of the division this year, it'll be because this outfield clicks into the best in the league.</p>
<h4>2) Winter's best FA signing</h4>
<p>That would be <span>Francisco Liriano</span>, who the Pirates kept around on a three-year, $39 million deal that included a $2 million <gs id="719d4e0e-2961-4628-9e06-9f1eb4918299" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="a1ba2c82-3753-49bc-b6f7-1b21d60f8ca0" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">singing</gs> bonus. Liriano will get $11 million in 2015 and his salary will rise in each of the next two years.</p>
<p>That comes after he pitched two years for the Pirates for $9 million total after finishing his injury-plagued final years in Minnesota.</p>
<p>Since hitting the Three Rivers, Liriano has thrown 160 innings each year with an ERA under 3.40. He's rediscovered his elite strikeout rate, topping 25 percent in each of his two Pittsburgh seasons. <gs id="7ea62c64-5b63-4702-8827-94147278b153" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="c63294fa-5125-43d2-8cf2-736735032c12" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">Lirano</gs> has also coupled that with a return to his lower walk rates from when he was effective with the <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Twins</a> in his first go-round.</p>
<p>Add all that up and <gs id="9c0252aa-966e-4e4d-aeba-75e3ffa90bed" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="38e988a0-ad37-488d-b182-2ac5ece0db31" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">for</gs> 18 percent of what the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nationals</a> paid Max Scherzer, the Pirates get a pitcher who should give them 80 percent of Scherzer's production.</p>
<p>That's not a bad bargain, especially when you consider that Ervin Santana signed with the Twins <gs id="6d1d2bd8-0283-4054-b08c-f5fe361fedf5" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="8f1e8633-49af-4aca-984a-a9b9ac7e5563" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">for</gs> $15 million (on a four-year deal).</p>
<h4>3) The cardinal rule is pitching</h4>
<p>If the St. Louis Cardinals top the NL Central again, it'll be on the strength of their pitching staff. Under general manager John Mozeliak, the Cards <gs id="2bf80ce0-90ff-40d6-ad00-2a4916ebb380" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="4f5e202f-9d9b-42f3-9fbf-f31e04887434" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">have build</gs> a deep staff filled with young, inexpensive talent.</p>
<p>That depth is why Mozeliak felt confident enough to spin one of those pieces (<span>Shelby Miller</span>) to Atlanta for soon-to-be free agent slugger <span>Jason Heyward</span>.</p>
<p>It's a risky move, because Heyward could walk after this season for the $200 million contract that the Cards probably won't be able to give him. But, St. Louis also didn't lose much out of its staff. They've still got <span>Adam Wainwright</span> at the top with <span>Lance Lynn</span> just behind him. <span>John Lackey</span>, a nice <gs id="a4f7f4fa-fc26-4ef8-aa0f-770cfceba473" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="ef99adcd-5e29-4e3c-941a-c57483a9ab81" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">midseason</gs> acquisition from Boston last year, is the third starter while former Texas A&M pitcher <span>Michael Wacha</span> is an overqualified fourth starter.</p>
<p>Then, the Cards have three guys competing for the fifth <gs id="57508c7c-fb00-4ec5-8a52-14dc60502ff6" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="87a7a442-36c6-4d57-bc83-841bb293899a" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">start</gs> that could pitch in the middle of the Astros rotation. <gs id="b609dcdc-747d-4631-b90d-b30e3b9d58fc" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="9085eadb-9680-4dcf-a962-0fbaf4ea2fb9" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">Highly</gs> touted prospect <span>Carlos Martinez</span> is trying to transition from the bullpen to the rotation. Lefty Marco Gonzales hasn't given up anything this spring while <span>Jaime Garcia</span> was very effective before hitting an injury skid the past couple of seasons.</p>
<p>That's enviable depth and should provide a bedrock for the St. Louis climb to <gs id="09412f5a-22d5-43fe-9f08-9df05b70e4be" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="cbbcd3f6-30c6-4527-97fe-8a4f9a6b276e" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">contention</gs> this year.</p>
<h4>4) <span>Kolten Wong</span>=bae</h4>
<p>One of my favorite draft prospects finally has a spot locked up in the regular lineup. Hawai'i's favored son Kolten Wong will be the Cardinals starting second baseman. He should be a pretty good one, too.</p>
<p>Wong's projected to hit<gs id="6f56de91-e4dc-498d-a228-1e358aea6f25" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="af242ea7-fcfa-43b8-941d-766d0b60f113" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark"> .</gs>264/<gs id="213245f2-e4de-40ee-b8cd-5600abee5cda" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="af242ea7-fcfa-43b8-941d-766d0b60f113" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">.</gs>310/<gs id="c9162318-f9fd-4cf0-ac29-4f6e7ddb635d" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="af242ea7-fcfa-43b8-941d-766d0b60f113" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">.</gs>389 this season by ZiPS with 11 home runs and 21 steals. He was a<gs id="6236661f-1f30-49e4-b3a0-6c36dcd9640d" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="9e55bf9f-95e5-43a5-8127-b8172197c41d" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark"> .</gs>305/<gs id="18bce4d7-a16b-4a38-969a-a5be00a246c9" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="9e55bf9f-95e5-43a5-8127-b8172197c41d" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">.</gs>367/<gs id="8b15a129-7ac8-4a65-b153-ba7ca3ed94bc" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="9e55bf9f-95e5-43a5-8127-b8172197c41d" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">.</gs>451 hitter in four seasons in the minors and had a<gs id="4c34443d-6b76-4879-80f7-48b0e0ac0909" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="9e55bf9f-95e5-43a5-8127-b8172197c41d" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark"> .</gs>303/<gs id="5fe531a6-a3fb-4319-94b6-80dd226fec9f" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="9e55bf9f-95e5-43a5-8127-b8172197c41d" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">.</gs>369/<gs id="7cb6f177-df66-4fc1-9ffa-f025df959a1d" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="9e55bf9f-95e5-43a5-8127-b8172197c41d" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">.</gs>466 line in his final full season at Triple-A before giving way to the majors last year.</p>
<p>Wong struggled to make consistent contact last season, managing just a<gs id="d4bd46d8-1a9a-4c0f-b6e6-a9f019b54add" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="9736ab45-2d73-4278-830e-82b79b8ed12a" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark"> .</gs>292 on-base percentage, but he did have some pop, slugging 12 home runs and adding 29 total extra-base hits in 433 plate appearances.</p>
<h4>5) No one rebuilds like the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cubs</a>
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<p>Theo Epstein appears to have worked his magic with the Cubs. The perennial sad-sack franchise <gs id="574efca3-09a2-4820-b2ea-a54d657d57b3" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="b3d03c38-aeac-445b-9d47-3ff426848eac" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">of</gs> baseball has exciting talent on the farm, a powerful lineup and an emerging rotation. <span>Kris Bryant</span> could be the best prospect in baseball and should murder baseballs very soon in Wrigley.</p>
<p>But, for all that hype, the Cubs have seen some of their high-profile prospects struggle already. <span>Javier Baez</span> has really had trouble making contact in the majors while <span>Arismendy Alcantara</span> doesn't have a set <gs id="e1434801-d1c2-4669-b7c1-e42d1397f101" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="a06db838-3be1-4692-9258-51a64aa740eb" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">position nor</gs> a bat that justifies a nomadic existence.</p>
<p>Still, the <gs id="073fa6c3-fd62-4b41-8125-e12239e40611" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="27a64010-c616-42df-9b68-bc37aeac4ef0" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">Cubbies</gs> do have impressive depth. If Baez falls down, they can just bring up <span>Addison Russell</span>. If Alcatara doesn't work out, <span>Jorge Soler</span> will be there instead.</p>
<p>Add in stalwart performances from <span>Anthony Rizzo</span> and <span>Starlin Castro</span> and the Cubs should make it over<gs id="b25babbd-e024-459d-a215-4a056933a881" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="8c8eee3a-add9-43c7-8398-4f2b82af728e" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark"> .</gs>500 this year. They may need another year before they can play with the big boys at the top of this division, but if things break right for them, 2015 may see the Cubs make a run at a wild card spot.</p>
<h4>6) Three teams for Brother Lester</h4>
<p><span>Jon Lester</span> may have been the most coveted pitcher on the free agent market for one reason: he didn't come with draft pick compensation. The left-hander was traded from Boston to Oakland <gs id="0444527c-6284-470c-8b83-27b90c0c5707" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="0d80c802-9dba-4a48-b847-471f470a1097" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">midseason</gs> last year, which meant that he would not be eligible for a qualifying offer from the A's.</p>
<p>Thus, he was free of any restrictions to sign with any team that wanted him.</p>
<p>That team turned out to be the Cubs, where his former boss Epstein works now.</p>
<p>It's a bad contract, just because any contract that runs that long and for that much money is bad. But, Lester should be able to give the Cubs a top-of-the-line arm for their rotation, while they usher some of the younger players up the ladder.</p>
<h4>7) Something Brewing</h4>
<p>Where are the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Brewers</a>? Are they rebuilding or contending?</p>
<p>The team itself doesn't seem to know. After winning 82 games last season, Milwaukee didn't do a whole lot to improve the 2015 product. They traded for <span>Adam Lind</span>, signed a few minor league free agents, sent rotation mainstay Yovani Gallardo for prospects and then picked up closer Fransisco Rodriguez after flirting with a <span>Jonathan Papelbon</span> trade.</p>
<p>By FanGraphs Base Runs projections, the Brewers improved by minus-3 wins. That's right, they got worse.</p>
<p>There are nice pieces here. <span>Jean Segura</span> is a very good, young shortstop. Khris Davis provides some pop in left field. <span>Carlos Gomez</span> and <span>Ryan Braun</span> are stars and <span>Jonathan Lucroy</span> could be the best all-around catcher in baseball.</p>
<p>But, the rotation is fronted by <span>Kyle Lohse</span> and <span>Matt Garza</span>, the bullpen has been pieced together and there's little help on the farm.</p>
<p>So what do the Brewers do? With that second wild card spot, it's easier than ever to make a playoff run. Should the Brewers tear things down and go all-in on a rebuild? They still have a few stars in their prime. Shouldn't they make a run?</p>
<p>It's a fascinating place to be and a fascinating team to watch. I just wouldn't want to be a Brewers fan. Reminds me too much of the 2006-08 Astros.</p>
<h4>8) The Red Menace</h4>
<p>It's easy to see what the <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Reds</a> are doing.</p>
<p>They have exciting young players like Devin Mesoracom, Aroldis Chapman and Billy Hamilton, but they've also actively acquired older, <gs id="7120e6c4-ce58-4d85-8fa5-edad65c75b93" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="e5d322a6-3a25-457e-8afd-a27821942aa8" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">worser</gs> players like Skip Schumaker and Marlon Byrd. They appear ready to let Johnny Cueto walk into a huge free-agent payday next winter while shepherding a few young players along.</p>
<p>With all that, they must recognize that this is a bit of a transition year. They have some nice talent, but Joey Votto may not be as transcendent a player as he was, Brandon Phillips could be washed up and Jay Bruce may be past his prime. By taking a step back and giving some younger players a chance to establish themselves.</p>
<p>It also means that it could be a long season for Reds fans. This division is pretty deep and the Reds could be at the bottom for much of the year.</p>
<h4>9) Prospect to watch</h4>
<p>The baseball world doesn't get shocked by much. It's seen some things, man. Like, heavy things.</p>
<p>When the A's flipped Addison Russell to the Cubs for <span>Jeff Samardzija</span>, though, it shocked plenty of people. Teams in this day and age just don't flip super prospects at all, much less for players with little control left.</p>
<p>Yet, that's exactly what happened. Russell immediately gave the Cubs the best farm system in baseball and adds more infield depth to a team loaded with position players.</p>
<p>Russell doesn't excel in any one area, but he should give the Cubs a well-rounded player who can hit for average, play good defense and run the bases. He doesn't have a spot yet, and the Cubs could bring him along slowly to allow them time to sort out who's playing where <gs id="a609596e-150d-4cb9-9aa1-4954a86576e9" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="80492a05-d1aa-4b9e-bfa0-e00546c039ba" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">on</gs> that infield.</p>
<h4>10) Predictions</h4>
<p>1. Pirates</p>
<p>2. Cardinals</p>
<p>3. Cubs</p>
<p>4. Brewers</p>
<p>5. Reds</p>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2015/3/24/8265693/mlb-division-preview-10-things-about-the-nl-centralDavid Coleman2015-03-20T10:00:06-05:002015-03-20T10:00:06-05:00Previewing the NL East
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<p>It's the Nats world and we're all just living in it.</p> <p>The regular season is fast approaching. In an attempt to take stock of the rest of the league, we'll give you a rapid-fire tour of the rest of baseball. Kicking things off is a look at the National League East and its new overlords, the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nationals</a>.</p>
<h4>1) It's Washington's world</h4>
<p>Don't be surprised if the Nats win 100 games this season. Heck, don't be surprised if they make a run at 110.</p>
<p>The reason isn't that they're clearly the best team in the National League. They are neck-and-neck with the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a> for that crown, and I wouldn't put it past the <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pirates</a> or <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cardinals</a> to say something about that this summer, either.</p>
<p>No, the reason that the Nats could win oodles of games is that the rest of the National League East stinks.</p>
<p>Judging by FanGraphs' Base Runs projection method, the Nats are the only team who will finish above<gs id="544425a9-d695-413d-a948-8c6ea32035b9" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="9032fbca-a779-436b-8b76-fed78612d651" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark"><gs id="85a67454-2bef-4697-8b69-265f47963fd6" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="3af132a5-7c39-4f74-b7eb-b35f19fb515c" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark"> .</gs></gs>500 in the division. Only the <a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Marlins</a> and <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mets</a> are projected to finish at<gs id="53e7bf30-4cdb-4074-b985-5be0274195c9" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="247afe36-ad2d-4bee-937a-1b11878dda39" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark"><gs id="3726a0cc-aa51-456e-b275-333903dbdb78" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="133b7abd-0ae6-494c-8504-79d5bec63061" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark"> .</gs></gs>500 while the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Braves</a> and the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Phillies</a> will flirt with 90 or more losses.</p>
<p>If either the Marlins or the Mets take a step back? All your wins <gs id="6d7d7935-50dd-44b0-b287-78c6f6c69201" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="32d07347-9643-4f24-b035-e8cba8a655e3" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark"><gs id="b782cfec-cdf0-4437-bcce-34a01c5f6462" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="1c0ceb9a-8a40-4f55-ba11-7711cd64cd67" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">are belong</gs></gs> to the Nats.</p>
<p>The projection systems don't tend to go out on limbs for teams with big win totals. Yet, Base Runs <gs id="4f9d8047-5ef9-4fa1-8e8a-45928c7ff958" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="e9173bae-85af-4833-b5b5-b5f5cf9ecefe" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark"><gs id="6cad643f-0fe0-430c-bc2f-1e24f98cedce" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="b78959a0-dd1b-4935-8f1f-8e8c66ab3ec9" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">has</gs></gs> the Nats winning 94. All those in-division games should help that number creep up.</p>
<p>No team has won 100 or more games in a season since the 2011 Phillies. No team in the history of the Montreal/Washington franchise has won more than 100 games in a season. The franchise record was 94 wins in 1993.</p>
<p>That '94 team could have won 100, had the strike not shut down baseball. That team had a rotation of Ken Hill, <span>Pedro Martinez</span>, <span>Jeff Fassero</span>, Butch Henry and Kirk Rueter. This year's Nats rotation may be better.</p>
<h4>2) <gs id="21d4c1bd-49ad-4fa3-b3a7-efcdacf76349" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="8c877b98-31f5-4a73-9461-98e1f6659d90" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">Dat</gs> Nats rotation</h4>
<p><gs id="54f4bb80-37e1-4aa1-83c6-8b20c3991825" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="d36a88dc-9ea9-4a8e-80a8-2137c3ce6952" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark"><gs id="926471db-54bf-4c87-9f81-0e0fdd37a89b" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="135d29f3-bb1d-4560-91fb-dccfe1c5773c" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">Mmhmmm</gs></gs>. Yeah. I like it</p>
<p><span>Stephen Strasburg</span></p>
<p><span>Max Scherzer</span></p>
<p>Jordan Zimmerman</p>
<p><span>Doug Fister</span></p>
<p><gs id="e595534d-7423-4bf6-bed6-918ce2b95033" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="750b2abd-227d-4163-b4a3-95cda66426ec" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark"><gs id="5126695d-a7e7-4664-8aa3-a6c47cae38e6" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="8333731c-fc15-4396-9cc2-2423ab4e64e8" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">Gio</gs></gs> Gonzalez</p>
<p>The Nats' rotation is so deep.</p>
<p>How deep is it?</p>
<p>It's so deep that a very good, young pitcher named <span>Tanner Roark</span> won't be in it after throwing 198 innings last season with an ERA of 2.85.</p>
<p>Injuries could crash this thing down before we get to see it in action. Fister and Zimmerman are also free agents after this season, so it pays for the Nationals not to trade anyone away.</p>
<p>But, dang.</p>
<p>Dang.</p>
<h4>3) The emergence of the Phish</h4>
<p>If you want a sneaky contender to knock the Nationals off their perch atop the division, it's the Miami Marlins. Led by young starts like <span>Giancarlo Stanton</span>, <span>Christian Yelich</span> and <span>Jose Fernandez</span>, the Fish could surprise.</p>
<p>For them to do that, Miami needs a number of young players to take steps forward. They need Marcel Ozuna to continue his power-hitting in the outfield and for the infield acquisitions of <span>Martin Prado</span>, Mike Morse and <span>Dee Gordon</span> to work out.</p>
<p>Oh, and for Dan Haren to not miss the West Coast so much that he can pitch in Miami. Adding Mat Latos gives the Marlins some much needed depth in the rotation and lets <span>Jarred Cosart</span> continue to develop at the back end of the rotation.</p>
<p>But, let's be honest. If Jose Fernandez doesn't go back to pitching like an ace or if Stanton has an off-season, the Marlins won't contend.</p>
<p>They sure have some interesting pieces, though.</p>
<h4>4) Yelich's big deal</h4>
<p>After locking up Giancarlo Stanton to a huge <gs id="4fc89f10-814c-475d-a8bc-563a141953ea" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="50570e2f-39e7-42ad-b88a-10e26d74f544" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark"><gs id="38c6c82c-06c9-4e8c-9c57-c5b8bc371041" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="a43d8894-36f9-4dd6-906a-8da4ea619970" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">offseason</gs></gs> deal, the Marlins paid for another homegrown star when it signed outfielder Christian Yelich to a seven-year, $50 million deal.</p>
<p><gs id="ad87b24f-cc20-4a27-9925-45e57712f8d3" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="45f7dd45-7cb7-4b5d-aba2-a6170cefcb4d" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">Yelich</gs>, 23, hit<gs id="f8c07b50-00a3-416a-b185-0cdab8508bb1" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="45f7dd45-7cb7-4b5d-aba2-a6170cefcb4d" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark"> .</gs>284/<gs id="17e974fc-9002-47ce-8c14-d15c312fc76e" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="45f7dd45-7cb7-4b5d-aba2-a6170cefcb4d" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">.</gs>362/<gs id="14ea2eb2-fd62-4b3c-808d-9187e88e8a3b" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="45f7dd45-7cb7-4b5d-aba2-a6170cefcb4d" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">.</gs>402 last season with nine home runs and 21 stolen bases. He hit nearly the same in 273 plate appearances during his debut season in 2013.</p>
<p>It locks up two of the Marlins' young outfielders for a long time, as Stanton signed a 13-year, $325 million deal over the winter.</p>
<p><gs id="5923c79a-be38-4295-8209-e2512a51b050" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="32fdf5c7-e4c5-4376-b5c3-62212f99166a" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">Yelich</gs> hit<gs id="a4d7cc66-a991-4a89-90bd-f47beace2c26" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="32fdf5c7-e4c5-4376-b5c3-62212f99166a" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark"> .</gs>311/<gs id="777d0230-103c-47a9-a6cc-864e70e8bb08" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="32fdf5c7-e4c5-4376-b5c3-62212f99166a" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">.</gs>386/<gs id="cfd5b0f9-70ae-43c5-9f3d-72538193ef13" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="32fdf5c7-e4c5-4376-b5c3-62212f99166a" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">.</gs>497 in five seasons in the minors, so he may have a little room for growth and should play in front of Stanton for a long time.</p>
<h4>5) <span>Matt Harvey's</span> return</h4>
<p>Call it a comeback and mark down Matt Harvey as the Comeback Player of the Year in the NL East, if such a thing existed.</p>
<p>The precocious pitcher returns from elbow surgery in 2015 and has shown no signs of slowing down in spring training.</p>
<p>In his first full season in the big leagues, the 25-year-old struck out 191 in 178 innings in 2013 with a 2.27 ERA. He missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.</p>
<p>This spring, he's been touching 99 mph with his fastball, though, and appears to be completely recovered. If so, he gives the Mets a true ace at the top of the rotation to pair with 2014 breakout Jacob deGrom. Unfortunately, another Mets hurler, Zach Wheeler, also went down with an elbow injury this spring.</p>
<p>Look for Harvey to dominate again and for his starts to be Must See TV this summer.</p>
<h4>6) ATL's not-so-stealthy rebuild</h4>
<p>The Braves finished second to the Nationals last season, but only won 79 games and finished 17 games out of first place.</p>
<p>That got GM Frank Wren fired. John Hart took over and has started a sort-of rebuild of the Braves, trying to be competitive in 2017, when Atlanta will have a new ballpark.</p>
<p>So, he traded away three of the Braves' top four offensive players last season in outfielders <span>Justin Upton</span> and <span>Jason Heyward</span> and catcher/left fielder/designated hitter <span>Evan Gattis</span>.</p>
<p>In return, Hart stocked up on power arms. From Max Fried to Mike Foltynewicz, the Braves can throw the heat. Whether they can miss bats has yet to be determined.</p>
<p>Still, the biggest acquisition could lead to the quickest results. Atlanta got young Texas native <span>Shelby Miller</span> from the Cardinals in the Heyward deal. Miller immediately jumps to the front of the Atlanta rotation and could break out this season. Too bad his team will be lucky to win 79 games again this season.</p>
<h4>7) Don't call me B.J.</h4>
<p>Call this the LVP category. Do you know who was the worst qualified everyday player in the NL East last season?</p>
<p>It was <gs id="0b51c459-e0fb-4521-89cc-f4ec381fbb18" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="70132ec1-f917-46f3-a941-b178992ff50a" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">Domonic</gs> Brown of the Phillies (tied with Matty D, btw. Love you, <span>Luis Valbuena</span>!).</p>
<p>Do you know who the second-worst was?</p>
<p><span>Ryan Howard</span>, also of the Phillies.</p>
<p>Okay, but who was the worst player in the NL East who also changed his name?</p>
<p>That'd be Melvin Upton, Jr., formerly B.J. Upton, currently making $15 million per season in the third year of a five-year deal.</p>
<p>Upton at least has <gs id="c54c83f7-6192-41a6-ac06-02c090645474" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="e8cbc9d8-1e3e-4384-b511-8e2bf72d7212" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">defensive value</gs> and has been at least average for the Braves in the outfield over the past two seasons. But, he hasn't hit nearly well enough to justify his contract, failing to hit over<gs id="7c18f35c-7058-471a-9c7d-9dcfb3877e23" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="70228f81-588e-4020-bec5-1fa20b9c6141" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark"> .</gs>210 in either of his Atlanta seasons.</p>
<p>While Howard and Brown are still around in Philly, count on Melvin to be the worst player in the NL East this season.</p>
<h4>8) LOLPhils</h4>
<p>Imagine the <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Astros</a> were run by Tim Purpura for more than just a few years. Imagine he was in charge of a rebuild, of trading away the best players on the roster. Imagine signing <span>Carlos Lee</span> to an incredibly onerous contract after his offensive skills deteriorated.</p>
<p>That should put you in the shoes of all those Phillie <gs id="35ee165d-eccb-4519-be8b-1b31b8f27cec" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="0c4eae81-cdff-44b7-a3fd-d4a2a9e72c1b" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">phans</gs> this year. Philadelphia, stuck with an old <gs id="89c08300-ab65-4687-90b7-842b916d5fac" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="94ee7b7a-0c06-4f81-a371-cb6c319eb439" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">roster</gs> and without many impact prospects, is the only team in baseball projected by Base Runs to finish with less than 70 wins. By all the projection systems, the poor Phanatic will watch the worst team in baseball this year.</p>
<p>Over the winter, Philly jettisoned longtime shortstop Jimmy Rollins. They still have <span>Jonathan Papelbon</span> as closer, but it's unclear how long that will last. They'd give up Ryan Howard for a song, if anyone would pay even half of the money still owed him. <span>Cliff Lee</span> will miss time with <gs id="a670f29b-e11d-4ccb-9612-e913f5d0eb60" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="11ede4a8-35c9-414c-818a-748566b9b4eb" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">another</gs> elbow injury that probably requires Tommy John surgery, though Lee will not get the surgery done. <span>Jerome Williams</span> is listed as the third starter. Oh, and <span>Grady Sizemore</span> could play a prominent role for them.</p>
<p>Things are bad.</p>
<p>The biggest highlight for Philadelphia this summer could be the inevitable <span>Cole Hamels</span> trade.</p>
<h4>9) Prospect to watch</h4>
<p><gs id="9de9774c-5da6-4d60-904c-d1980c331e2e" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="b8b60a3c-caec-4e13-bd1d-cdff34c67f2d" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">Maikel</gs> Franco, a third baseman for the Phillies, is probably the most interesting one. He's probably going to play the majority of Philly's games there.</p>
<p>The 22-year-old hit<gs id="57dbdfe6-eead-4fab-b665-a9dce040287d" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="d8da826d-4405-4d73-b272-4445e7c9d285" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark"> .</gs>178/<gs id="520162ae-1e7e-4b10-98e2-35143e1bc439" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="d8da826d-4405-4d73-b272-4445e7c9d285" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">.</gs>190/<gs id="a2bc735f-5769-4736-8c6e-10ba966ab7e0" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="d8da826d-4405-4d73-b272-4445e7c9d285" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">.</gs>214 in 58 plate appearances last season with Philly, but had a career line of<gs id="0925f8aa-2959-41c4-909d-21fef69f68ec" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="d8da826d-4405-4d73-b272-4445e7c9d285" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark"> .</gs>274/<gs id="d2d003b4-725f-45c2-aee9-1243360faf7e" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="d8da826d-4405-4d73-b272-4445e7c9d285" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">.</gs>325/<gs id="999227a4-8bd7-40e9-ad56-d65a34c76781" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="d8da826d-4405-4d73-b272-4445e7c9d285" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">.</gs>450 in the minors and hit<gs id="3c301461-9bcc-4c62-b33a-02b7ac8d13c9" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="d8da826d-4405-4d73-b272-4445e7c9d285" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark"> .</gs>257/<gs id="d96a487c-17ed-454f-896d-4fd7324900f5" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="d8da826d-4405-4d73-b272-4445e7c9d285" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">.</gs>299/<gs id="93ee1a73-c4f0-46d1-9196-1b9699f486ed" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="d8da826d-4405-4d73-b272-4445e7c9d285" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">.</gs>428 last season at Triple-A while he was six years younger than the league average.</p>
<p>Baseball America rated Franco as the No. 56 <gs id="a716551e-1371-472e-a3a6-f26ff20db3cd" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="a254a2ae-9323-4fbf-9402-b8843630377a" class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">prospect</gs> this season, dropping him from No. 17 in 2014.</p>
<h4>10) Predictions</h4>
<p>1. Washington</p>
<p>2. Miami</p>
<p>3. NY Mets</p>
<p>4. Atlanta</p>
<p>5. Philadelphia</p>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2015/3/20/8259293/mlb-division-preview-10-things-about-the-nl-eastDavid Coleman