If you can believe it, I just saw Frank Capra’s classic film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington for the first time last night. Here’s what I thought… (more…)
2007 NL Preview
February 21, 2007 · Leave a Comment
Part two of yesterday’s preview… today, the Senior Circuit.
NL East
1. Philadelphia Phillies
I’m drinking the Jimmy Rollins Kool-Aid on this one. The Phils have the best infield in the NL (maybe even in the majors) with Howard, Utley, and Rollins. Freddy Garcia, Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Adam Eaton, and Jamie Moyer comprise a hell of a rotation — and they have Jon Lieber as trade bait too. The Mets and Braves didn’t get better enough. Fantasy Sleeper: Cole Hamels (SP) Hamels got a lot of mid-season hype last year, but struggled with injuries. He’s got all the tools to really make a splash this season.
2. New York Mets
Last year’s East champs still have a fantastic offense, headlined by two of the best young players in the league: Jose Reyes and David Wright. That isn’t to mention, of course, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, and new import Moises Alou. However, the pitching is a shambles; the only free agent they brought in to replace the injured Pedro Martinez (who will be missing most of the season) was Chan Ho Park. Not good. Fantasy Sleeper: Lastings Milledge (CF) Super-prospect Milledge will start the season in the minors, but if one of the outfielders (Alou, Beltran, or Shawn Green) goes down with injury, or if the Mets decide they need more speed, Milledge will most likely be the first one called up.
3. Florida Marlins
The Marlins have bar none the best young pitching staff in the National League. Dontrelle Willis is the veteran ace, leading the way with Josh Johnson, Scott Olsen, Ricky Nolasco, and Anibal Sanchez (who pitched a no-hitter last season). Last year, those four rookies all won 10 games, making them the first group of more than two rookie teammates to do that in MLB history. The pitching staff alone probably helped them into contention last year, not to mention the offensive production of rookies like NL ROY Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla, and Josh Willingham. Oh, and they still have Miguel Cabrera. Next year, expect them back in the postseason, if not back in South Florida. Fantasy Sleeper: Jeremy Hermida (RF) Those who drafted Hermida last year with high hopes were probably disappointed, but he’ll continue to blossom this season. He might be worth a bench spot.
4. Atlanta Braves
Although the Braves bullpen promises to be a huge strength (along with acquiring Mike Gonzalez from the Pirates ,they absolutely FLEECED the Mariners in the offseason with that Horacio Ramirez-Rafael Soriano trade), I’m not convinced about their starting pitching behind John Smoltz and their offense past Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones, and Brian McCann. Fantasy Sleeper: Mike Hampton (SP) Hey, why not? If you have a late draft pick and are looking for a throwaway pitcher, you could probably do worse. Fact is, the big names mentioned above plus Jeff Francoeur are really the only hitters worth drafting, and then Smoltz and Tim Hudson in the rotation, and Bob Wickman, Soriano, and Gonzalez in the bullpen.
5. Washington Nationals
This team is a mess. They don’t have a rotation to speak of, with 2006 one-game winner John Patterson as the de facto “ace.” They’re going to need another couple of years in order to be ready to compete. Fantasy Sleeper: Patterson (SP) Patterson has a lot of talent, if he can keep healthy. Keep an eye on him. Otherwise, Ryan Zimmerman and Chad Cordero are the only Nationals you need to worry about fromink the a fantasy standpoint.
Categories: baseball
