After being one of the least competitive divisions in the majors throughout the 2013 season, the teams in the National League East will look to develop young talent, weather the storms of free agency and arbitration, and make splashes in the form of offseason acquisitions. The East was, in terms of winning percentage, the worst division in the National League last season, so we can be sure that owners and general managers are looking to shake things up during the offseason. Let’s get right down to it and try to break down all of the latest rumors regarding the National League East.
Atlanta Braves
After nine seasons pitching for the Braves, reports indicate that Tim Hudson and the San Francisco Giants have agreed in principle to a two-year contract worth $23 million. This signing still leaves the Braves with a solid five-man rotation assuming Brandon Beachy remains healthy and Paul Maholm re-signs, but they will need to add another potential starter in the offseason to provide some depth to the rotation. The absence of Hudson will free up some money to potentially go after a second baseman or a reliever to reinforce the bullpen. I would not be surprised to see the Braves make an offer to free agent second baseman Omar Infante.
The latest rumors seem to have Brian McCann being targeted the heaviest by the NewYork Yankees and Texas Rangers. Both teams are desperate for an offensively productive catcher, and both teams are willing to pay around $75 million over five years to get one. Some other names to look out for in regards to the Braves are Eric O’Flaherty, Luis Ayala, and Scott Downs. All three were part of an amazing Atlanta bullpen in 2013 and all three are currently free agents.
Washington Nationals
The Nationals haven’t been involved in much hot stove conversation so far this season, mostly due to the fact that the majority of their roster is either under contract or set to get paid through arbitration. However, don’t be surprised to see some big name pitchers such as David Price and Max Scherzer mentioned in the same breath as the Nationals as the winter progresses. Washington is also expected to deal one of their right handed bullpen studs. Both Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen are starting to get expensive via arbitration, and the bullpen desperately needs a few quality southpaws to eat some innings. Rafael Soriano could be dealt in place of Clippard or Storen to try and accomplish the same thing.
It would also make sense for Washington to try and acquire a first baseman to replace the inconsistency that Adam LaRoche brings to the position. The Nationals could go after Michael Morse or Corey Hart, both of whom are free agents and both of whom are injury prone. Chad Tracy, primarily a pinch hitter and spot starter in 2013, is a free agent so it would be smart to sign either Morse or Hart and designate LaRoche to Tracy’s role for 2014.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies made the first big splash in the East this offseason by signing free agent Marlon Byrd to a two year contract worth $16 million.
Philadelphia struck again on Monday when they re-signed 34 year old catcher Carlos Ruiz.
They’ll pay him $26 million over three seasons, with a $4.5 million team option for a fourth year.
If I were a Phillies fan, I wouldn’t feel too great about signing two players in their mid-30’s who have passed their prime, to lucrative contracts.
The Phillies will be lucky to get 120 games out of each of them in 2014.
It seems like the club is willing to let former Cy-Young winner Roy Halladay test the free agent market after not extending him a qualifying offer. They don’t have the money to go after a big name starter such as Price or Scherzer, so look for them to grab an inexpensive veteran with some mileage left such as Freddy Garcia or Barry Zito.
New York Mets
Most of the talk regarding the Mets this offseason revolves around three things; finding a bat to protect David Wright, bolstering their starting pitching staff, and peddling one of their first basemen. They are looking to move either Ike Davis or Lucas Duda while accomplishing one of the other two goals. The Milwaukee Brewers have showed interest, along with the Houston Astros, Colorado Rockies, Tampa Bay Rays, and Baltimore Orioles.
Free agent pitcher Bronson Arroyo has said he would consider signing with the Mets, but the team has made no effort to contact him. If a deal is made, it would likely be a two or three year agreement. No names have surfaced as official targets for a bat to protect Wright in the lineup, but some names that would make sense are free agents Nelson Cruz and Shin-Soo Choo, as well as Los Angeles Dodgers’ outfielder Andre Ethier.
Miami Marlins
After a 100 loss season, the Marlins most likely need several years to get back in the thick of things in the East. They need to start this offseason, but buzz has been limited so far in south Florida.
The team has said that slugger Giancarlo Stanton is not available for trade and WILL be the Marlins right fielder on Opening Day. However, it seems that first baseman Logan Morrison is available and is drawing some interest from the Tampa Bay Rays.
It also makes sense for the Washington Nationals and Milwaukee Brewers to be potential suitors. The first baseman market this offseason is fairly thin, so Morrison could be a valuable commodity for the Marlins.
Miami is also in need of a third baseman for the 2014 season and could be targeting David Freese in a trade with the Cardinals or Juan Uribe off the free agent market.
They received limited production from the position in 2013 including only five homeruns and 33 extra base hits, so adding a bat at the hot corner is a priority. The Marlins also would like to re-sign veteran right handed free agent Chad Qualls, but he seems content right now with testing the free agent market.