[njpsufan]

Article in the Philly papers ranking the NL East by position.
Starting staff
1. Marlins: Ricky Nolasco, Josh Johnson, Chris Volstad, Anibal Sanchez, Andrew Miller (L)
2. Phillies: Cole Hamels (L), Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer (L), Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ (L) or Chan Ho Park
3. Braves: Derek Lowe, Javier Vazquez, Jair Jurrjens, Kenshin Kawakami, Tom Glavine (L)
4. Mets: Johan Santana (L), Mike Pelfrey, John Maine, Oliver Perez (L), Livan Hernandez
5. Nationals: John Lannan (L), Scott Olsen (L), Daniel Cabrera, Jordan Zimmermann, Shairon Martis

Guy said Florida has the best starting staff. I disagree.. of course. Yes Phils do have some questions, i.e. which Myers shows up? Moyer is 46 yrs old and his fast ball couldn't break glass. Hamels does have a history of injuries and despite a great October, he has never put together a "dominant" season.
Florida guys are young with great potential but its just that...potential. Who knows which way they will go. Santana is the best.. hands down. But rest of Mutts staff is big question marks. I rank it:
1. Phils
2. Marlins
3. Mutts
4. Braves
5. Nats

[Zip Spin]

I'm definitely not in agreement with the Marlins having he best pitching staff. None of those names really jump out at me too much, and the ones that do aren't fully proved to me yet. I gotta say the Mets have this one,the Mets have Johan Santana, possibly the most talented hurler in the game, John Maine, a reliable guy, and Mike Pelfrey who I think is underrated. If Nolasco and Sanchez really pitch well for the Marlins, then maybe I will consider having their rotation first in the NL East.

As for the rankings, here are mine-
1. Phillies
2. Mets
3. Marlins
4. Braves
5. Nationals

I think the Nationals will once again have an atrocious year. That pretty much goes for the Braves as well. The Marlins will surprise people and make a run at the play-offs, however this year just isn't the year of the Marlin. Not yet. I see the Mets making the play-offs and being behind the Phillies by 2.5 games.

[Phils20]

Thanks for posting this. I've been lax in this forum, and it needed posting!

I thought all the rankings were pretty interesting!

[njpsufan]

Yes it has been the slow season. My parents are over from Delaware right now... they have avoided all the snow so they are happy. My Dad and I talk baseball and football every night so feels like home. We both feel that the Phils by far are the most talented overall team. Marlins are the team to watch as they have some great young players.. but don't think they are this years TB. Ramirez is the best SS in baseball and only getting better. If Phils get something approaching normal from Feliz they will be unstoppable. Only question remains pitching.... but isn't that always true?? Hamels had a great post-season but he needs to take the next step up this year. Myers is playing for a new contract and no way he is going to get $12.5M/yr. However if he can win 15 games then think Phils do sign him to a multi-yr deal. Moyer will not be as good as last year... he will do well agst certain teams, but the good hitters will light him up. Blanton pitched well and with that HR he is popular.. kinda like our own version of David Wells, without the drama. I like Haap at #5 instead of Park because think Park can give us more out of pen or as a spot starter. As far as the Mutts, Santana is a given, Pelfrey has pitched well but Maine has had a horrible spring. He needs to step up this year as does Perez if the Mutts have any hope. Both are just too unpredictable. I think NY is the wrong place for both of them... the media attention is too much.