Our National League East rankings for 2016 continue as we take a look at the second base position.
As we progress with our NL East 2016 Preview ranking the top performers at each position. In our final installment, we will rank the teams based on a system in which each club is awarded five points for a player ranked first place, four points for a player ranked second place, and so on. After taking a look at our third base, center field, and shortstop rankings, read on to see how the Nats’ Daniel Murphy ranks among second basemen in the division.
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Only two National League East starting second basemen from last season remain in the division today. In 2015, the Phillies’ Chase Utley headlined the rankings coming off an All-Star season at age-35. New York’s Daniel Murphy slotted in at second, entering his free agent year at age-30. Following him was the Marlins’ Dee Gordon, who is the only player from last season’s rankings not to change teams. Rounding out the list was Washington’s Yunel Escobar, who did not even record a single inning at second base due to injuries, and switch hitting Alberto Callaspo of the Braves.
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This season, the NL East finds itself with five very different second basemen. The Nationals stole away Daniel Murphy from the Mets with a three year, $37.5 million deal this offseason. New York, in order to fill the void left by Murphy, traded with the Pittsburgh Pirates for one year of Neil Walker. The Marlins re-signed their All-Star second baseman Dee Gordon to a five year, $50 million extension following his 2015 campaign in which he won the batting title and made a second consecutive All-Star appearance.
While Atlanta and Philadelphia rebuild, both teams will be sending players under the age of 27 out onto the field at second base on Opening Day. The Braves’ Jace Peterson will be entering his second season as a full-time starter, while Cesar Hernandez will be handling duties up the middle alongside Freddy Galvis for the Phillies until their top prospect J.P. Crawford hits the majors.
Stepping at No. 5 in our rankings…
Next: #5 Second Basman in the NL East