National League East 2020 preview

Baseball is back! At least most of the players are, for now. There is a 60-game schedule, and we’ll see how much of it is played this year. But with the Winter Meetings having happened over eight months ago, you have probably forgotten who is on what team. Today we’ll begin a division-by-division preview to refresh you on what teams look like in this bizarre truncated season.

Atlanta Braves

2019 record: 97-65

2019 pythag: 91-71

2020 ZIPS projection: 33-27

Notable additions: 1B Yonder Alonso, C Travis d’Arnaud, LF Marcell Ozuna, LHP Will Smith

Notable losses: LHP Jerry Blevins, 3B Josh Donaldson, RHP Felix Hernandez (opted out), OF Matt Joyce, LHP Dallas Keuchel, RF Nick Markakis (opted out), C Brian McCann, RHP Anthony Swarzak, RHP Julio Teheran

The Nats may have won the World Series, but it was the Braves who actually finished in first place last year. They return much of their young, talent-laden team with Marcell Ozuna replacing Josh Donaldson as the big bat in the lineup. Atlanta revamped their bullpen at the trade deadline last summer and continued that this off-season by signing Will Smith. However Smith, All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman, and pitcher Touki Toussant are all out indefinitely with COVID-19.

Miami Marlins

2019 record: 57-105

2019 pythag: 61-101

2020 ZIPS projection: 26-34

Notable additions: 1B Jesus Aguilar, RHP Brad Boxberger, C Francisco Cervelli, OF Corey Dickerson, RHP Yimi Garcia, OF Matt Joyce, RHP Brandon Kintzler, OF Jonathan Villar

Notable losses: RHP Austin Brice, 2B Starlin Castro, LHP Wei-Yin Chen, OF Austin Dean, OF Curtis Granderson, RHP Tayron Guerrero, RHP Tyler Kinley, IF Martin Prado, IF Neil Walker

The rebuild continues in Miami, but they did add some veteran hitters like Jesus Aguilar, Corey Dickerson, and Jonathan Villar to an offense that finished dead last in runs scored in 2019. The young pitching staff holds some promise and it is not inconceivable that 2020 first-round pick Max Meyer could join the staff at some point this year. Still, the only thing keeping the Marlins from losing 100 games is the shortened schedule.

New York Mets

2019 record: 86-76

2019 pythag: 86-76

2020 ZIPS projection: 32-28

Notable additions: OF Jake Marisnick, RHP Rick Porcello, RHP Michael Wacha

Notable losses: LHP Luis Avilan, 3B Todd Frazier, CF Juan Lagares, 2B Joe Panik, RHP Zack Wheeler

Say what you will about the Mets, but they certainly are interesting. They smashed a club-record 242 home runs last year, paced by Rookie of the Year and National League home run champ Peter Alonso, who hung 53 dongs. Defense could be an issue and the pitching staff will need contributions from free agents Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha, but the Mets could be in a good position to make a Wild Card run, if not a challenge for first place.

Philadelphia Phillies

2019 record: 81-81

2019 pythag: 79-83

2020 ZIPS projection: 30-30

Notable additions: IF Logan Forsythe, SS Didi Gregorius, IF Josh Harrison, IF Neil Walker, RHP Zack Wheeler

Notable losses: OF Corey Dickerson, 2B Cesar Hernandez, 3B Maikel Franco, RHP Jerad Eickhoff, RHP Juan Nicasio, LHP Drew Smyly, LHP Jason Vargas

The Phillies won 102 games in 2011 and haven’t had a winning season since. They finished right at .500 last year, short of expectations after landing mega-free agent Bryce Harper. They spent again this past winter, signing pitcher Zack Wheeler to a five-year, $118 million contract. He’ll join Aaron Nola who could be poised to be among the best pitchers in the league, but the rest of the Phillie rotation looks rather thin.

Washington Nationals

2019 record: 93-69

2019 pythag: 95-67

2020 ZIPS projection: 33-27

Notable additions: 2B Starlin Castro, RHP Ryne Harper, RHP Will Harris, 1B Eric Thames

Notable losses: 1B Matt Adams, 2B Brian Dozier, LHP Matt Grace, RHP Jeremy Hellickson, OF Gerardo Parra, 3B Anthony Rendon, RHP Fernando Rodney, RHP Joe Ross (opted out), RHP Hunter Strickland, 1B Ryan Zimmerman (opted out)

The Nationals began the season 19-31, but ended the season hoisting the championship trophy. They were able to retain free agent pitcher Stephen Strasburg, but third baseman Anthony Rendon signed with the Angels. Washington will replace him with Carter Kieboom, who was ranked as the #15 prospect in the game by Baseball America after hitting .303/.409/.493 with 16 home runs for Triple-A Fresno. The Nats had the second-worst bullpen ERA in baseball last year at 5.68, and brought in Daniel Hudson at the deadline last year, and Will Harris over the off-season to stabilize the pen.