National League Predictions

National League:

NL East:
1. New York Mets
2. Philadelphia Phillies
3. Florida Marlins
4. Atlanta Braves
5. Washington Nationals

NL Central:
1. Chicago Cubs
2. St. Louis Cardinals
3. Cincinnati Reds
4. Milwaukee Brewers
5. Pittsburgh Pirates
6. Houston Astros

NL West:
1. Los Angles Dodgers
2. Arizona Diamondbacks
3. San Francisco Giants
4. Colorado Rockies
5. San Diego Padres

MVP: David Wright. Wright is arguably the best third baseman in baseball. He is at the heart of the Mets order and should easily hit for 30+ home runs and bat over .300. Wright is one of baseball's top young stars and has only continued to get better. Dark Horse: Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez won't have the same profile as Wright given that the Marlins aren't expected to compete this year, but he is just as talented. Ramirez is a true 5-tool talent and has 40/40 potential.

Cy Young: Johan Santana. Santana already has two Cy Young awards and should look to add his third this season. Santana is one of the best pitchers in the game and with his talent combined with the Mets lineup and improved bullpen, Santana should be among the league leaders in wins. Dark Horse: Matt Cain. Cain doesn't get the hype of his teammate 2008 Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum but he can be just as good of a pitcher. Cain is actually younger than his teammate and at 24 could be primed for a breakout. The Giants made some improvements to their bullpen and lineup this season which should help Cain in the win column.

ROY: Colby Rasmus: Rasmus is probably the best center fielder prospect in the game. He combines power, speed and excellent defense. He will probably get time at all three spots in the Cardinals crowded outfield this season but will be playing most days. Rasmus is a star in the making and should be a big part of St. Louis's lineup this season. Dark Horse: Jordan Schafer. Schafer is another one of the top young center field prospects in the National League this year. He may not have the same tools as Rasmus but is still a quality prospect. He is a good hitter with 20/20 ability. Schafer will give the Braves some much needed production from the outfield and should be a strong candidate to win the Rookie of the Year award.

NL East Preview: Washington Nationals

Prediction: Washington Nationals: 5th place finish

Strengths: The Nationals have the potential to have a pretty good line-up. First baseman Nick Johnson, and outfielders Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham are all middle of the order hitters that have power and on-base ability. These veteran players are supplemented by the Nationals talented young core, led by third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, and outfielders Lastings Milledge and Elijah Dukes. Zimmerman, already one of the best defensive third baseman in the league, has the ability to be an offensive force as well and should hit between 25-30 home runs with a high average. Washington also has a number of talented young arms with a lot of upside.

Weaknesses: The Nationals biggest weakness is their inability to stay healthy. Johnson should be their best offensive player but since he has missed a year and a half of the last two seasons isn't being counted on as a big run producer. Last season every starter but shortstop Christian Guzman spent time on the disabled list, and Guzman still missed 24 games throughout the season. Another area of concern is the fact that the Nationals have four starting caliber outfielders for only three positions. This could lead to unrest in the locker room and could necessitate a trade. Defense was a major problem for the Nationals last season as only Zimmerman and Johnson are considered good defensively. Though the Nats have a number of talented young arms in the rotation, none of them are proven as a sure thing. Washington's bullpen is a major red flag even after the free agent addition of Joe Biemel.

Farm Aid: Two of the Nationals young starters will be a pair of 22 year old rookies, right handers Shairon Martis and Jordan Zimmermann. Zimmermann is top young pitcher and could in all likelihood be the Nationals ace this season. Martis doesn't have as big an upside as Zimmermann but can still be a very solid starter. Unfortunately beyond those two starters the Nationals don't have much else in the way of help from the farm.

Outlook: Given the deficiencies on defense and in the bullpen, along with the injury concerns and an unproven rotation the Nationals will likely spend another year in the cellar of the NL East.

NL East Preview: Atlanta Braves

Prediction: Atlanta Braves: 4th place finish

Strengths: Atlanta rebuilt their rotation in the off season with free agent signings Derek Lowe and Kenshin Kawakami (Japan) and a trade for Javier Vasquez. These additions combined with rookie sensation Jair Jurrjens should give the Braves one of the better rotations in the National League. Third baseman Chipper Jones and catcher Brian McCann are a formidable pair in the middle of the Braves batting order.

Weaknesses: While the Braves have a solid starting line-up they lack the offensive firepower of the rest of the NL East. Outside of Jones and McCann, there aren't any true offensive weapons. The Braves outfield production is especially bad, their three projected starters combined for just 19 home runs last season. The Braves sorely need more lumber in their line-up.

Farm Aid: The Braves have a very good minor league system and have the pieces to acquire another bat or two during the season. Atlanta will also likely have two rookies make a significant impact this season. Starting pitcher Tommy Hanson is one of the best pitchers in the minors and should be in the Braves rotation by mid-season. Center fielder Jordan Schafer will also likely make the jump to the big leagues early in the season. His bat should provide a much needed boost to the Braves anemic outfield production.

Outlook: Even with an improved rotation the Braves will struggle to finish better than 4th in the East without improving their offense.

NL East Preview: Florida Marlins

Prediction: Florida Marlins: 3rd place finish

Strengths: The three returning starters of the Marlins infield, first baseman Jorge Cantu, shortstop Hanley Ramirez and second baseman Dan Uggla, combined for 94 home runs last season. They represent the core of a very talented line-up top to bottom. Ramirez is the face fo the franchise and is among baseball's elite hitters. While the Marlins lack a true "Ace" their rotation is loaded with talented young arms. Florida's farm system may be their biggest strength. Their minor league teams are stacked with top prospects at every position.

Weaknesses: While the Marlins offense is first rate their defense leaves much to be desired. Given their young rotation their defensive woes are even more pronounced and is a problem that Florida needs to address. The Marlins biggest weakness is their ownership's unwillingness to spend money to improve their team. Florida has had the lowest payroll in baseball over the last three season and has been a complete non-factor in free agency. If the Marlins would add just 2-3 solid players they would be a serious contender in the NL.

Farm Aid: The Marlins have a lot of help on the way from the minors, but their brightest star may be center fielder Cameron Maybin. Maybin, who is just 22 years old, should patrol center field for years to come for the Fish and be a big part of Florida's offense. Emilio Bonifacio, who was acquired in a trade with the Washington Nationals this offseason, won the starting job at third base in spring training. Though a second baseman by nature, Bonifacio should add another stolen base threat to the Marlins athletic line-up.

Outlook: The Marlins have a lot of talent but probably lack the experience to compete with the Mets and Phillies for the NL East title. Given their depth in the minors don't be surprised to see the Marlins trade off some of their young starters for additional prospects.

NL East Preview: Philadelphia Phillies

Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies: 2nd place finish

Strengths: The Phillies line-up may be the best in the National League. They are led by a pair of former MVP winners, first baseman Ryan Howard and shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Second baseman Chase Utley is a perennial all-star and probably the best second baseman in the league. Though not as heralded as the three big stars, left fielder Raul Ibanez and center fielder Shane Victorino are top offensive producers as well. The top four starters in the Phillies rotation are all pretty good, with 25 year old Cole Hamels the ace of the group. The 8th and 9th innings are pretty set for the Phillies as well, with Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge being lights out in close situations.

Weaknesses: Philadelphia is set up the middle defensively with Rollins, Utley and Victorino but is pretty below average across the rest of the diamond. The Phillies also need consistent offensive production out of their third base and catcher positions in their line-up. The 5th starter spot is another weak area for the Phillies and will likely need to be upgraded during the season.

Farm Aid: The Phillies farm system is pretty talented top to bottom and should offer some reinforcements to the big league club throughout the season. Shortstop Jason Donald, could slide over and be the Phillies answer at third base or could headline a trade package. Catcher Lou Marson should be an offensive upgrade at the position and will likely take over as a starter at some point this season. The answer to the Phillies 5th starter might be in the minors as well, in right hander Carlos Carrasco. Though he will start the year in the minors Carrasco should be in the majors by mid-season.

Outlook: The World Series champs should be in a tough fight with the Mets for the Division title. Look for Philadelphia to come up just short but to return to the playoffs with a Wild Card berth.

NL East Preview: New York Mets

Prediction: New York Mets: 1st place finish

Strengths: Shortstop Jose Reyes, third baseman David Wright and center fielder Carlos Beltran are among the best young players in the league and represent the core of the Mets line-up. Starting pitcher Johan Santana, has the stuff to be the most dominate pitcher in the majors and anchors a solid front of the Mets rotation. The Mets bullpen was a weakness going into the off season but with the additions of a pair of closers, J.J Putz and Francisco Rodriguez, should now turn into a strength of the team.

Weaknesses: While New York has a playoff caliber team, they do have some holes on their roster. Second baseman Luis Castillo and catcher Brian Schneider are below average offensively. The back of the Mets rotation is unsettled as well. Oliver Perez has struggled in Spring Training and the 5th spot is up for grabs.

Farm Aid: The Mets don't have much in terms of immediate help in their minor league system. New York does have the depth in their lower minors to make a trade or two if they need a player for a playoff run. A pair of pitchers are the best bet to help out the Mets this season. Left-hander Jonathon Niese may become their 5th starter before the year is out. Righty Bobby Parnell is likely to make the roster as a middle reliever and could be a bridge to the 8th and 9th inning guys.

Outlook: The Mets are opening a new ballpark in 2009 and should christen it with an NL East division title.