The 1988 season saw two teams from the NLE make the playoffs for the first time since 1983. These two teams, the Braves and the Expos, met in the NLDS where the division-winning Braves seemed to have the series well in hand, going up 2-0 in the best of five series to start things off. However the Expos then won three straight games to advance to their first NLCS since 1979. But the run ended there as the Expos were swept by the eventual World Series champion Rockies.
1988 NLE Standings
Atlanta, 108-54
Montreal, 94-68
Florida: 72-90
Philadelphia: 63-99
New York Mets, 58-104
Atlanta Braves
1988 Record: 108-54; Lost NLDS to Montreal
Key Additions
None
Key Losses
RF Mike Jones (Trade to COL)
Top Players
1B Mike Hastings (10.2 WAR; 1988 NL MVP)
SP Ryan Blair (7.3 WAR; 1988 NL Pitcher of the Year)
3B Bryan Blackburn (7.9 WAR; 1988 Gold Glove and Silver Slugger)
Atlanta, using basically the same squad that will take the field for them this season, has won 100 games three seasons in a row, won championships in two of the last three seasons, and won the division crown five seasons in a row. It's been a very quiet off-season at the major league level for the Braves as they clearly look to continue to use their current major league talent to extend this run of success.
The only major shakeup was the departure of right fielder Mike Jones (1.7 WAR) who was traded to Colorado for prospects. Jones was acquired from San Diego before the 1988 season started and was already signed to a mildly expensive contract. By shedding Jones Atlanta was able to use that money to extend SP Rich Esparza (6.2 WAR), SP Danny Cervantes (3.9 WAR), and C Mike Allen (2.5 WAR). Atlanta is surely also looking to work out a long-term deal with superstar Mike Hastings in the upcoming off-season which is unlikely to come cheap.
Atlanta looks to replace Jones in right field with his former backup Rogelio Martinez and recently acquired minor leaguer Jesus Nieves. Both, at least as far as the ratings go, look to be a downgrade from Mike Jones - especially in the homer friendly Atlanta stadium. However, Atlanta management seems to be betting that with the rest of the talent on the team the loss of Jones simply won't matter.
Montreal Expos
1988 Record: 94-68; Lost NLCS to Colorado
Key Additions
None
Key Losses
SP Paul Reeves (Free Agency)
Top Players
RF Justin Treadway (5.0 WAR)
3B Manuel Gonzalez (4.7 WAR)
C Jimmy Edwards (4.4 WAR; NLDS MVP)
After four consecutive losing seasons the Expos stormed to 94 wins and a Wild Card berth in 1988. They took full advantage of this sudden success by sweeping the Padres in the NL Wild Card series and coming back from a 2 game deficit to beat the Braves in the NLDS before finally succumbing to the Rockies in the NLCS.
Montreal is clearly looking to follow the same game plan again in 1989 as they had a calm off-season; the only major loss being SP Paul Reeves (1.8 WAR) to free agency after he declined a Qualifying Offer. The Expos seem likely to replace Reeves from within as talented minor leaguers SP Ben Wilson (2.4 WAR in AAA) and SP Danny Walker (3.1 WAR in AAA) currently sit on their active roster.
Florida Marlins
1988 Record: 72-90
Key Additions
SP Dave Serrano (Trade SF)
SP Bob Ford (Free Agency)
Key Losses
CF Craig Kear (Trade SF)
Top Players
2B Tristan Scott (3.1 WAR)
SP Josh Leonard (2.9 WAR)
LF Tyler Hand (2.6 WAR)
Bob Ford is back in Florida after signing a one-year deal this off-season. Ford was drafted by the Marlins in 1980 and came up through their farm system, eventually amassing 15.6 WAR in four seasons between 1982 and 1985. He started the 1986 campaign strong but was traded to San Diego for prospects as the team tore down mid-season. Ford never found the same footing outside of Florida, though he did enjoy some mild success in San Diego and Cincinnati. He now looks to reclaim his status as captain and ace of the Florida Marlins.
Florida also looks to debut star catching prospect Kyle Pero this season. Considered one of the best framers in the minor leagues Pero also has a decent enough bat to potentially make him a franchise cornerstone.
Philadelphia Phillies
1988 Record: 63-99
Key Additions
SP Charles Ashley (Free Agency)
Key Losses
2B Chase Notch (Free Agency)
C Matt LeRoy (Free Agency)
SP Jonathan Flores (Free Agency)
Top Players
LF Morgan Hughes (2.4 WAR)
SP Justin York (3.9 WAR)
SP Beau Reedy (1.3 WAR)
The Phillies put together solid seasons in 1986 and 1987, winning 87 and 82 games respectively but then fell off the wagon hard in 1988 putting up a 63-99 record. However, the strategy was clear: move on from talented major leaguers in order to acquire promising prospects and high draft picks. For instance, ace Nate Drzewiecki was traded to San Diego during the 1988 season in return for top 50 prospect RF Marcos Velez. The Phillies' farm system is currently full of young talent and they have the 4th pick in the 1989 amateur draft.
But what product will the Philly faithful see on the field this season? They can be excited about the return of mainstay LF Morgan Hughes and the (potential) debut of elite defensive SS Alex Aviles. The Phillies also added SP Charles Ashley who is certainly looking to get back to the glory days he enjoyed with the Cubs from 1980 through 1984 which saw him amass 12.7 WAR,
New York Mets
1988 Record: 58-104
Key Additions
None
Key Losses
RP Roy Cunningham (1.1 WAR)
Top Players
SP Dennis Kane (2.8 WAR)
SP Jesus Rodriguez (2.4 WAR)
It appears that Mets fans should be prepared to see some young, new faces on the field this season as there are a number of minor leaguers who look to make their debuts. Among this crowd is SP Fernando Chavez (2.5 WAR in AAA, 3.1 WAR in WL), SP Jon Salas (4.6 WAR across A, AA, and AAA; 3.6 WAR in WL), CL Seth Sink (0.8 WAR in AAA, 1.2 WAR in WL), and defensive asset CF Jeremy Hynes (3.2 WAR in AA and AAA, 2.3 WAR in WL). Top 10 prospect SS Carlos Mendez is also waiting in the wings but it is unknown if he will make his major league debut in 1989 as he appears to be starting the season at AAA.
After disappointing 1987 and 1988 seasons the Mets are still clearly building for the future. Perhaps the biggest question, aside from which young players will step up, is what will happen with Jason Davis? The 32 year old, one-time NL MVP (1981) now seems to be a dead weight around the neck of the team. After posting over 30 WAR in his first 7 seasons Davis played below replacement level in 1987 and 1988. His contract is through 1993, though he can opt out after the 1989, 1991, and 1992 seasons - but this seems unlikely if his below-average play continues. Davis has spent a lot of time recently on waivers, but so far there have been no takers. On the other hand, third base, where Davis has stated 1,227 games in his career, appears to be one place where the Mets do not have a fresh face waiting to take over. Maybe this will give Davis the opportunity he needs to return to the stellar play of his youth.
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