NL East Preview - 1980

1979 Standings

Atlanta Braves 105-58 (Division Winner, Lost in NLDS)

Montreal Expos 104-59 (Wild Card, Lost in NLCS)

Philadelphia Phillies 79-83

New York Mets 68-94

Florida Marlins 43-119

Florida Marlins

Having lost 119 games in 1979 the Marlins have no direction to go but up. Florida selected five players in the rule 5 draft (five pitchers and one outfielder). Notable off-season pickups include SS David Morales (OSA #82), CF Logan Hinkle (OSA #76), 2B Jesus Sanchez (OSA #17), and 2B Bobby Vazquez (OSA #12) who were all obtained in a blockbuster prospect swap with the Chicago White Sox which saw the Marlins give up two future stud starting pitchers, Gabriel Ochoa and Kaleb Romero. The Marlins also made a major deal with the California Angels which netted them SS David Morales (OSA #82), SP Jonathan Arellano (OSA #66), CF Adam Cudd (OSA #65), and LF Nate LeCompte (OSA #51) in return for giving up SP Jeremy Miller (OSA #2) to the Angels.

These trades, mostly for players that are currently in Rookie ball, make it apparent that the Marlins are still aiming for a successful future at the cost of another losing season in 1980.

New York Mets

The Mets had a mediocre 68 wins in 1979, but a new GM was brought on at the beginning of the off-season and he has proceeded to sweep away much of the assets of the RLB squad. Notable departures include 3B Josh Tufford (6.7 WAR in 1979), CL Carter Moomey (1.3 WAR), RF Joe Goergen (4.1 WAR), SP Larry Abramowski (6.1 WAR), LF Benito Salgado (3.1 WAR), and SP Joe Johnson (3.7 WAR). These trades gained the Mets a number of exciting prospects including SP Miguel Espinosa, SP Danny Vera, 3B Antonio Rodriguez, RP Josh Hearn, 2B Jim Barnes (OSA #94), RP Omar Rodriguez, CF Oscar Vargas (OSA #71), SP Dave Kearns (OSA #50), RP Matt Betters, and SP Dennis Kane (OSA #4). This offseason the Mets have filled their farm system with exciting prospects, but have done so at the cost of their majors squad. Expect the Mets to compete with the Marlins for last place in the NL East in 1980... but to maybe compete with them for first place in a few years time.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies almost played .500 ball in 1979 with a young team but lost a few good players in free agency including SP Josh Gallery (3.3 WAR in 1970), C Mike Rhea (3.1 WAR) and SP Fred MCDormand (2.3 WAR). The Phillies also made a few pick-ups in free agency such as journeyman catcher Kellen Anis, defensive stud CF John Irving, SS David Gomez, RP Travis Brewer, LF Micah Kimery, captain LF Herb Anderson, and veteran SP Richard Branstetter - all who look to play various roles in the RLB for the Phillies in 1980. The Phillies also acquired an exciting prospect in LF Mike Baird who may be able to join the RLB team as soon as this season.

Of course, many eyes will be watching this season to see if 2B Chase Notch can match or surpass his league leading 107 stolen bases last season. Notch will lead a solid squad of talented players which also includes 3B Brian Johnson who had 5 WAR in 1979. Philadelphia's pitching staff is topped by young ace Aaron Crawley who will be looking to continue his successes from last season where he accumulated 3.2 WAR and an 11-5 record. Crawley will be joined by 21 year old SP Leonardo Martinez (OSA #35).

The Phillies have a roster of above average players but may be missing the offensive superstar they need to break through to the top of the NL East standings. Surely they will accrue a lot of wins over the Mets and the Marlins, but it remains to be seen if they can compete with the heavyweights at the top of their division.

Montreal Expos

The Expos had another great season in 1979 achieving 104 wins and the NL wild card spot after losing a tie-breaker against the Braves for the division crown. They went on to beat the Braves in the NLDS (overcoming a two loss deficit to start the series) before dropping the NLCS to San Francisco. A World Series Championship continues to elude this talented but aging team. Montreal has the oldest major league squad in baseball at an average age of 29.37 years - will this be the year they break through and win it all or will their age start to show with a marked decline?

Montreal did not have a very active offseason adding only 4 total players to their organization including three-time All-Star LF Paul Thacher via free agency, young defensive marvel SS Luke Casey, and journeyman RP Nate Pearson. Team departures include backup and bench bat RF Rob Mullins, backup catcher Julio Ruiz, backup and defensive substitute OF John Irving, and backup SS Tony Garcia.

All in all, the Expos look to have much the same squad as they put on the field in 1979. Fortunately for them, that squad includes stars LF Hideo Tanaka (7.2 WAR in 1979), 1B Travis Pinkard (5.1 WAR), and 2B Kevin Wickham (5.6 WAR). The Expos will also enjoy a solid starting rotation and a talented bullpen led by five time All-Star closer David Teter.

The Expos will compete for their division in 1980, but it remains to be seen if they can finally get the World Series victory they desire.

Atlanta Braves

The Braves put up an NL-best 105 wins in 1979, won the division with a season ending tie-breaker against the Expos, and then proceeded to go up 2-0 in the NLDS... only to watch their season fall apart after losing the next three games straight. Can the Braves improve upon this success in 1980 or will they fall behind their division rival Expos?

Atlanta put on a spectacular offensive show in their hitters park in 1979 led by League MVP 2B Matt Singer (9.2 WAR in 1979), 1B Ricky Robles (6.5 WAR), RF Ricky Palacio (6.1 WAR), CF Joe Garrard (5.6 WAR), and 3B Scott Bisson (5.4 WAR). All of these players will be returning in 1980, though Ricky Robles looks to have to compete for his place in the lineup against newcomer 1B Jason Shirinian. Atlanta's offense hopes to duplicate their 1979 batting fireworks through a strategy of putting the same squad on the same field.

It's the starting rotation and bullpen that have seen the most change for Atlanta this offseason after a middling 1979 campaign. Gone are starters Tim Crall and Chris Mechtel as well as bullpen pieces Cameron Gilyard, Tim Trybus, and Justin DiRaffaele. Replacing them are SP Miguel de Alba (obtained via free agency), SP Andy Carroll (via a trade with Toronto), and a smattering of bullpen arms. Atlanta did sacrifice some future prospects including RP Chris Gabriel, RP Guillermo Martinez, SP Travis Marco, and 1B Mike Szwarc to both obtain new blood for their bullpen and move on from Crall and Mechtel's contracts. Joining the starting rotation full time this season will be SP Jeremy Melin (OSA #34).

Atlanta will likely be an offensive powerhouse again in 1980, but to win the division and attempt another playoff run their new pitchers will need to step up in a big way.