1987 NL East Preview

The 1986 season ended with the first World Series win for an NL East team since 1972. The Atlanta Braves defeated the California Angels in game 7 of the World Series in dramatic fashion when first baseman Mike Hastings hit a 3 run walk-off homerun with two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning. But now the fireworks are over and the confetti has been swept up - the 1987 season is about to begin and it remains to be seen if Atlanta will stay on top or be overtaken by a division rival.

1986 NLE Standings Atlanta, 104-58

Philadelphia, 87-75

New York Mets, 82-80

Montreal, 67-95

Florida, 55-107

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Atlanta Braves

1986 Record: 104-58 Won World Series Key Additions

C Mike Allen (trade with SEA) RP Vincent Martinez (trade with PIT)

Key Losses

RP Dylan Linton (trade with PIT) SP Justin Samuel (Free Agency) Top Players

1B Mike Hastings (5.7 WAR) DH Brian Arnaut (8.1 WAR, set the single-season HR record with 87 in 1986) LF Pat Fernandez (5.1 WAR)

There is one key question for the Atlanta Braves: How much was their spectacular 1986 season and World Series championship fueled by rabbit ball? If the answer is "a lot" then Atlanta will need to find new ways to win or they will certainly face still competition from other NL East teams who are poised to strike now that the dinger isn't a sure path to offensive success. The key off-season move for the Braves was to acquire one of the best young catching talents in the game from Seattle: 25 year old Mike Allen. Allen showed how special he can be in the '85 season when he posted a 134 OPS+ and accumulated 4.8 WAR. If he can replicate those numbers in Atlanta he will boost an already fearsome offense.

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Philadelphia Phillies

1986 Record: 87-75

Key Additions

C Matt Leroy (Trade with CLE) RP Travis Algie (Trade with SD)

Key Losses 3B Shawn Bates (Free Agency)

Top Players

LF Morgan Hughes (3.1 WAR)

2B Chase Notch (2.8 WAR) SP Nate Drzewiecki (6.0 WAR) Despite finishing well behind Atlanta for the NLE crown the Phillies stuck around the top of the standings for much of the first part of the 1986 season. With the rabbit ball dead and buried they certainly plan to do so again this season behind one of the most talented starting rotations in baseball. Nate Drzewiecki had a commanding season racking up 6.0 WAR and he is joined by some other dominant starting pitchers such as Aaron Crawley (2.5 WAR in 1986), Leonardo Martinez (3.3 WAR), Beau Reedy (2.6 WAR), and young stud Milt Warburg (1.6 WAR).

On offense the Philly faithful will once again watch a legend practice his craft as Chase Notch looks to get within range of breaking the career stolen bases record. The record is currently at 726 (held by Hector Arias who is still active with the White Sox), but Notch is at 673 and has led the majors in stolen bases in the last several years (except for his mysterious disappearance in 1985).

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New York Mets

1986 Record: 82-80

Key Additions

None

Key Losses

C Brett Stawarz (Free Agency)

RF Gary Armer (Free Agency) Top Players

3B Jason Davis (5.5 WAR) CF Nick Chambers (0.7 WAR in 1986, but had 5.3 WAR in '85 and won the NL RotY)

SP Jesus Rodriguez (5.6 WAR)

The major off-season news story for the NLE was the hiring of two new general managers. One of them has taken the helm at Shea Stadium and he will look to right a ship that has a lot of talent and several holes to fill. For the Mets to compete this season they will need stellar performances from 3B Jason Davis, CF Nick Chambers, and the starting rotation led by Jesus Rodriguez and Dennis Kane.

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Montreal Expos 1986 Record: 67-95

Key Additions

None Key Losses

CF Fernando Castellanos (Free Agency)

Top Players

RF Alan Gatto (4.4 WAR) SP Dusty McCarl (3.6 WAR) SP Alex Midence (2.3 WAR)

It was a quiet off-season for the Expos, with the only true major addition being their new GM. The last few seasons have been a struggle for Montreal after last making the playoffs in 1983. The Expos dominated the division for several years in the late 1970s but have not found the formula for success after the departure of the veterans of that era. However, the Expos have the 7th pick in the amateur draft and will be looking to build towards a brighter future.

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Florida Marlins

1986 Record: 55-107

Key Additions

1B Elias de la Cruz (Rule 5 Draft pick from SF)

Key Losses

1B Jesus Sanchez (Trade SD) C Jordan Coles (Trade SF) 1B Brent Wagner (Trade PIT)

Top Players

2B Tristan Scott (2.6 WAR)

The Marlins made a decision to tear down a few weeks into the 1986 season trading away SP Bob Ford, OF John Bar, OF Nate Bannister, and 2B Brandon Perko. The team transformation continued in the off-season with the trades of Jesus Sanchez, Jordan Coles, and Brent Wagner to other NL teams. This has left the Marlins a mere shadow of the team that entered 1986 with high hopes. However, they are building to compete in the future with #10 OSA Prospect LHP SP Casey Edwards starting the season in AAA and the selection of slugger Pat Goosby in the 1987 amateur draft. However, any success likely remains a few seasons in the future as the Marlins will start the 1987 with a lack of serious talent on their major league roster.