Major League Baseball Predictions For 2016
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
In 2015, the National League East was a two-team race between the Mets and Nationals, until the Mets seperated themselves from the pack and took off with the NL East crown and made a World Series appearance. In 2016, much looks to be the same — except with a possible surprise from the Marlins.
Cleaning house, the Marlins conducted a massive overhaul of front office and coaching personnel. For 2016, the Marlins have a new look with Don Mattingly as manager and Barry Bonds as the hitting coach. If that doesn’t provide optimism for Marlins fans, what will? With the greatest hitter arguably, in baseball history helping a young Marlins team that features Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, and Dee Gordon wanting to take the next step, their game should be much improved in 2016.
A new face also to the NL East is Dusty Baker, who is taking overtaking an underachieving Nationals squad. Matt Williams could not control Bryce Harper and Jonathan Papelbon, the clubhouse lacked leadership and are saddled with a GM who is protected by an owner who has deep pockets (Jason Werth’s contract for example).
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Baker is used to big personalities and bigger headcases, and this could be a promising move for a young and immature Harper. If Baker can get Harper to focus more, what could that do for an already impressive MVP season in 2015?
Injuries struck some key players for numerous games and that certainly had an effect on performance. But there will be no Doug Fister, Denard Span, and Ian Desmond for 2016. Instead, youngsters like Trea Turner, Michael Taylor, Lucas Giolito, and Joe Ross will have to develop quick with a window closing in the capital.
While the Braves and Phillies are looking like they’ll finish very similarly to where they finished in 2015, one thing stands out for both teams — young talent. They have won their own games in piling up young players who should help them compete in the next few years. Notable names such as Dansby Swanson, Ender Inciarte, Maikel Franco, Aaron Altherr, Aaron Nola, Vincent Velasquez, and Matt Wisler are names we will see frequently in the coming years. Some we’ll see sooner. While 2016 may be easy to predict, the future of the NL East will soon be balanced and a tough battle for all.
For the defending NL East champion Mets, they look to be in good position to defend their division title with the re-signing of Yoenis Cespedes. What looked to be a rental gave them a return of a slugger who put on one of the more impressive performances from a trade deadline deal history. So dominant was Cespedes, that he received some NL MVP votes while earning a Gold Glove in the American League.
Cespedes had a strong 2016 and the Mets showed their gratitude with the money they will be paying him. But not to worry as the rotation looks to be greater than ever with Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, and Noah Syndergaard setting themselves up to be a three-headed monster and possibly, this era’s Greg Maddux – Tom Glavine – John Smoltz triumverate. The Nationals and Marlins will pose a threat, but the NL East looks open for the Mets to finish on top once again.
Prediction –
- Mets 91-71
- Nationals 88-74
- Marlins 83-79
- Braves 73-89
- Phillies 71-91
Next: National League Central