Post by Rockies GM (Harris) on Dec 22, 2010 22:46:26 GMT -5
Christmas Power Rankings #1- NL EAST
1.) Atlanta Braves
Grade: A
Key Additions: Basically the whole team
Key Losses: Basically the whole original 50 man roster
Analysis: The Braves made a ton of deals, and finished with an end product of great players at each position, and a very good farm system. Mike Stanton, Clayton Kershaw, Matt Weiters are very good young players with a good future. He also has players in their prime such as Jered Weaver, Ethier, Granderson, Liriano, and Scherzer. Then the Braves have a big bat like Ryan Howard. The combination of youth, great players, and stud vets make this team one of the best in the league.
2.) New York Mets
Grade: A-
Key Additions: Ubaldo Jimenez, Josh Johnson, Chad Billingsly, Brian Matusz, Torii Hunter
Key Losses: Ike Davis, Jason Bay, Carlos Beltran, Mike Pelfrey
Analysis: This team did an excellent job keeping the valuable players together, such as Wright, Reyes, Mejia, and trading the older overpaid players such as Bay, and Beltran. This pitching staff is flat out nasty. He owns 2 of the top 5 most valuable pitchers in the league. The staff, along with the excellent Mets core should be able to lead this team atop the NL. Only needs are depth at MI, CI, and C along with RP.
3.) Florida Marlins
Grade: B
Key Additions: Jose Bautista, Carlos Gonzalez, Delmon Young
Key Loses: Michael Stanton, Hanley Ramirez, Josh Johnson
Analysis: This team no longer really resembles the old Marlins with 3 great young valuable players in Stanton, Han Ram, and Josh Johnson. Instead, it is a team of breakout players in 2010. Carlos Gonzalez, Bautista, and Delmon were all guys that had career seasons in 2010, and the Fish are hoping they could continue those numbers. Overall, I believe this team has as good a chance as any other teams to win the NL East. It should be a very close battle.
4.) Washington Nationals
Grade: A++
Key Additions: Arod, Joey Votto, Adam Dunn, Berkman
Key Loses: Ryan Zimmerman, Ian Desmond, Danny Espinosa
Analysis: Excellent, excellent job by the Nats to turn themselves into a legitimate contender. This team is a few pieces away from being one of the best teams in the league. This team was able to hold onto 3 of their most valuable pieces, and still add huge names such as Votto, Arod, Dunn, and Berkman. I look forward to seeing how this team will contend in a tough NL East.
5.) Philadelphia Phillies
Grade: C+
Key Additions: Prince Fielder, Michael Young, Justin Verlander
Key Losses: Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Roy Halladay
Analysis: This team didn't necessarily do a bad job, but they are probably the low of the unbelievably tough NL East right now. They probably should have held on to a few more pieces, since the Phillies were probably one of the best teams to start out with, but they added several nice pieces such as Fielder and Verlander. This team has a good, but not dominant rotation, and they have a solid, but not frightening lineup. If this team could add a few more pieces, they might fare better in the NL East.
