This Year's Off-Season Has Left the National League to Be Determined
Jonathan Stone
Issue date: 4/5/06 Section: Sports
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The National League has seen some changes during the past five months. The Braves are no longer the favorite to win the NL East, the Astros are considered to be a major threat to the Cardinals run at another NL Central division title and the NL West seems to be a three team race between the Padres, Giants and Dodgers.
The Braves, the NL division champions for the past decade, have lost three major assets to their team: shortstop Rafael Furcal, catcher Johnny Estrada, and ageless first baseman/pinch hitter Julio Franco (who signed with their rivals, the Mets). To make up for their loss at shortstop they traded for Edgar Renteria. The two other spots left by departures are going to be filled with rookies.
With the Braves being depleted, three teams now have a chance to win the division. The favorites are the Mets. The Mets legitimized their playoff hopes by importing four major assets: closer Billy Wagner from the Phillies, setup man Duaner Sanchez, catcher Paul LoDuca and first baseman Carlos Delgado from the Marlins.
Despite losing closer Billy Wagner, the Phillies were able to improve their team. The emergence of Ryan Howard as a premier player last year made Jim Thome expendable, causing him to be dealt for centerfielder Aaron Rowand. The Nationals are also competing for the title. After trading third baseman Vinny Castilla for pitcher Brian Lawrence, trading Terrmel Sledge and Brad Wilkerson for Alfonso Soriono, and pushing rookie Ryan Zimmerman as the starting third baseman, the Nationals have better pitching and a more potent offense.
With the Marlins trading all their stars away in order to rebuild the franchise, they are slated to finish in last place. The Nationals and Braves will probably finish in third and fourth place. The division title will be a battle between the Mets and Phillies, with the loser competing with the team that finishes in second place from the NL Central for the wild card.
The NL Central appears to have the same race as last year. The Cardinals and Astros are the two leading contenders for the title, with the Cubs as a long shot. The Cardinals lost right fielder Larry Walker to retirement, but replace him with Juan Encarnacion; they decided not to resign second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, but replaced him with Junior Spivey; and they lost ace pitcher Matt Morris to free agency.
The Braves, the NL division champions for the past decade, have lost three major assets to their team: shortstop Rafael Furcal, catcher Johnny Estrada, and ageless first baseman/pinch hitter Julio Franco (who signed with their rivals, the Mets). To make up for their loss at shortstop they traded for Edgar Renteria. The two other spots left by departures are going to be filled with rookies.
With the Braves being depleted, three teams now have a chance to win the division. The favorites are the Mets. The Mets legitimized their playoff hopes by importing four major assets: closer Billy Wagner from the Phillies, setup man Duaner Sanchez, catcher Paul LoDuca and first baseman Carlos Delgado from the Marlins.
Despite losing closer Billy Wagner, the Phillies were able to improve their team. The emergence of Ryan Howard as a premier player last year made Jim Thome expendable, causing him to be dealt for centerfielder Aaron Rowand. The Nationals are also competing for the title. After trading third baseman Vinny Castilla for pitcher Brian Lawrence, trading Terrmel Sledge and Brad Wilkerson for Alfonso Soriono, and pushing rookie Ryan Zimmerman as the starting third baseman, the Nationals have better pitching and a more potent offense.
With the Marlins trading all their stars away in order to rebuild the franchise, they are slated to finish in last place. The Nationals and Braves will probably finish in third and fourth place. The division title will be a battle between the Mets and Phillies, with the loser competing with the team that finishes in second place from the NL Central for the wild card.
The NL Central appears to have the same race as last year. The Cardinals and Astros are the two leading contenders for the title, with the Cubs as a long shot. The Cardinals lost right fielder Larry Walker to retirement, but replace him with Juan Encarnacion; they decided not to resign second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, but replaced him with Junior Spivey; and they lost ace pitcher Matt Morris to free agency.