Nationals: What To Expect From The Rest Of The NL East

Since 2018, the NL East has become increasingly competitive, with the Braves winning the last three division titles. Thanks to Mike Rizzo, Washington has found ways to keep up, with the team even winning the World Series in 2019. However, heading into 2021, the NL East arms race will reach a new high, being the toughest it has ever been in recent memory. All five teams have made significant strides, be it free agency, trades, or shrewd drafting.

Even the Marlins have started to show major improvements in their rebuild, reaching the playoffs last year for the first time since 2003. The Mets have bolstered their roster immensely, while the Phillies decided to re-sign their big bats in order to keep the gang together. Throw in Atlanta is still the team to beat and Washington is facing an uphill battle.

With all five teams improving their roster, the NL East is undoubtedly the best division in baseball. Here is a breakdown of the Nationals rivals for the 2021 season.

Atlanta Braves

2020 Record: 35-25

Notable Players Acquired/Re-signed: Charlie Morton, Drew Smyly, Marcell Ozuna, Jake Lamb

Notable Players Lost: Mark Melancon, Adam Duvall, Cole Hamels

Until further notice, the Braves are still the team to beat. Fresh off of winning their third straight NL East title, the Braves were a win away from reaching the World Series in 2020. Unfortunately for them, they blew a 3-1 series lead to the Dodgers, who went on to win it all.

The Brave’s only weak point has been their starting rotation, but now it projects to be one of the best in the league. Max Fried is the ace of the rotation, with Ian Anderson looking to build upon his successful playoff campaign. Against the Reds and Marlins, Anderson had a playoff scoreless streak of 18 1/3 innings, which is the second-longest in Braves history. Atlanta brought in reinforcements in the form of veterans Charlie Morton and Drew Smyly.  Throw in that Mike Soroka should return at some point after tearing his Achilles last season and the Braves rotation will be able to go toe to toe with anyone in the division.

Atlanta’s bullpen has taken a step back with both Melancon and O’Day leaving in free agency. However, they still have Shane Greene and Will Smith to close out games.

Atlanta’s offense is still a force to be reckoned with and they re-signed slugger Marcell Ozuna after he overperformed on his one-year deal in 2020. The lineup led by Ronald Acuna Jr. Ozzie Albies, Freddie Freeman, Dansby Swanson, and Travis d’Arnaud pales to only the Dodgers and Padres.

Overall, Atlanta had an underrated off-season, adding depth to the starting rotation and re-signing their slugger.

Prediction: Atlanta wins the NL East for the fourth straight year

Miami Marlins

2020 Record: 31-29

Notable Players Acquired/Re-signed: Adam Duvall, Dylan Floro, John Curtiss

Notable Players Lost: Brandon Kintzler

Thanks to the shortened season, Miami was able to sneak into the playoffs. To cap things off, they swept the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card round before being eliminated by a superior Braves team. Similar to Washington, Miami will be led by their up-and-coming starting rotation, headed by the trio of Sixto Sanchez, Sandy Alcantara, and Pablo Lopez. Acquired as the headliner in the J.T. Realmuto trade, Sanchez is the future ace of the rotation. He made his MLB debut in 2020, going 3-2. with a 3.46 ERA, 33 strikeouts, and a 3.50 FIP in seven starts. Sanchez made headlines in the playoffs, throwing five shutout out innings, with six strikeouts in game two against the Cubs.

Similar to Sanchez, Alcantara was acquired when the Marlins decided to strip down the roster, being a part of the Marcell Ozuna trade. Since arriving in Miami, Alcantara has taken over as the team’s ace and built upon his early success in 2020. He finished the season 3-2, with a 3.00 ERA, 39 strikeouts, and a 3.71 FIP in seven starts. Rounding out the trio is Pablo Lopez. While he’s the lesser-known of the three, Lopez impressed in 2020. He went 6-4, with a 3.61 ERA, 59 strikeouts, and a 3.09 FIP. Behind the trio is Elieser Hernandez, who in six starts, posted a 3.16 ERA. Recently, Miami signed veteran old friend Gio Gonzalez to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training. On the back nine of his career, it will be interesting to see if he has anything left in the tank. Other names to keep an eye on for the fifth spot are Daniel Castano and Nick Neidert.

The offense is a work in progress, with the lineup littered with veterans. Corey Dickerson, Garrett Cooper, Jorge Alfaro, Jesus Aguilar, Miguel Rojas, Adam Duvall, and Starling Marte add much-needed veteran leadership, while the Marlins slowly start to promote their top prospects. Jazz Chisholm, Isan Diaz, Jesus Sanchez, and Braxton Garrett are all looking to break into the lineup and are seen as the future of the club.

Miami’s bullpen is nothing special, especially after closer Brandon Kintlzer left in free agency. In his place are Dylan Floro and John Curtiss. Both are coming off of successful years with their 2020 clubs and will add some much-needed depth.

While the Marlins are unlikely to compete this year, keep an eye on their stacked farm system. Sixto Sanchez will become a full-time member of the Marlins roster, while Jesus Sanchez, Chisholm, Diaz, and Neidert could all be called up this year at some point. J.J. Bleday, the Marlins top position player prospect is another name to keep an eye on. He flourished at Vanderbilt and could become a September callup.

Miami is no longer an easy win on the schedule and will be a tough challenge for anyone they face.

Predictions: Miami finishes last in the NL East.

Philadelphia Phillies

2020 Record: 28-32

Notable Players Acquired/Re-signed: J.T. Realmuto, Didi Gregorius

Notable Players Lost: Brandon Workman, Tommy Hunter, Jay Bruce,

Since 2019, the Phillies have acquired Didi Gregorius, J.T. Realmuto, Jean Segura, Andrew McCutchen, Bryce Harper, and Zack Wheeler, but have yet to finish above .500. This off-season, the Phillies double down, signing Dave Dombrowski to be the team’s new president, and decided to run it back. He accomplished this by re-signed both Gregorius and Realmuto.

In 2020, the Phillies bullpen was last in ERA with an abysmal 7.06 ERA. So it should come as no surprise that the Phillies drastically revamped the relief core. Archie Bradley was signed to a Major League deal, while veterans Hector Rondon, Brandon Kintzler, and Tony Watson were all brought in on Minor League deals. Throw in flame thrower Jose Alvarado and Sam Coonrod, and the Phillies 2020 bullpen problems seem to be a distant memory.

Unlike the Mets, Nationals, and Braves, the Phillies rotation isn’t the team’s strength. At the front is Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler who are a formidable duo, but the rotation lacks depth behind them. Zach Eflin, Matt Moore, Chase Anderson, Vince Velasquez, and top prospect Spencer Howard will all be vying for a spot in the rotation.

Philadelphia will go as far as their offense will carry them. A lineup of Bryce Harper, Jean Segura, J.T. Realmuto, Andrew McCutchen, Didi Gregorius, Alec Bohm, and Rhys Hoskins is one of the best in the league, but the team has too many holes to overcome.

The Phillies have yet to do enough to push the needle in the division. Expect them to finish towards the bottom.

Prediction: Finishes fourth in the division