Capsules of National League East teams, listed in order of finish last year:
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New York Mets
2015: 90-72, first place, lost to Kansas City in World Series.
Manager: Terry Collins (sixth season).
He’s Here: 2B Neil Walker, SS Asdrubal Cabrera, LHP Antonio Bastardo, OF Alejandro De Aza, RHP Jim Henderson, OF Roger Bernadina.
He’s Outta Here: 2B Daniel Murphy, LHP Jonathon Niese, LF Michael Cuddyer, SS Ruben Tejada, RHP Tyler Clippard, 3B-2B Juan Uribe, INF-OF Kelly Johnson, RHP Carlos Torres, RHP Bobby Parnell, RHP Dillon Gee, RHP Jenrry Mejia, OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis, C Anthony Recker, LHP Alex Torres, OF Darrell Ceciliani, OF Eric Young Jr., LHP Eric O’Flaherty, LHP Jack Leathersich, RHP Tim Stauffer.
Projected Lineup: RF Curtis Granderson (.259, 26 HRs, 70 RBIs, .364 OBP, 98 runs, 91 BBs, 11 SBs, 151 Ks), 3B David Wright (.289, 5, 17 in 152 ABs, .379 OBP), CF Yoenis Cespedes (.291, 35, 105, 101 runs, 42 2Bs with Tigers and Mets), 1B Lucas Duda (.244, 27, 73, 33 2Bs, 138 Ks), 2B Neil Walker (.269, 16, 71, 32 2Bs with Pirates), C Travis d’Arnaud (.268, 12, 41, .825 OPS in 239 ABs), LF Michael Conforto (.270, 9, 26, .841 OPS in 174 ABs), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (.265, 15, 58 with Rays) or Wilmer Flores (.263, 16, 59).
Rotation: RH Matt Harvey (13-8, 2.71 ERA, 188 Ks, 189 1-3 IP), RH Jacob deGrom (14-8, 2.54, 205 Ks, 191 IP), RH Noah Syndergaard (9-7, 3.24, 166 Ks, 150 IP), LH Steven Matz (4-0, 2.27 in 6 starts), RH Bartolo Colon (14-13, 4.16, 217 hits allowed, 24 BBs, 194 2-3 IP).
Key Relievers: RH Jeurys Familia (2-2, 1.85, 43/48 saves, 76 games, 86 Ks, 78 IP), RH Addison Reed (3-3, 3.38, 4 saves with Diamondbacks and Mets), LH Antonio Bastardo (4-1, 2.98, 1 save, 66 games, 64 Ks, 26 BBs, 39 hits allowed, 57 1-3 IP with Pirates), RH Hansel Robles (4-3, 3.67, 61 Ks, 54 IP), LH Jerry Blevins (1-0, 0.00, 7 games, 5 IP, retired all 15 batters faced; missed almost entire season with broken arm), LH Sean Gilmartin (3-2, 2.67).
Hot Spot: Third Base. Wright missed more than four months with injuries last year and it remains to be seen how much his spinal stenosis might limit him during a full season. He eased into action this spring and was held out of early games, but expects to play third on opening night in the World Series rematch at Kansas City. At the very least, the 33-year-old captain figures to get regular rest throughout the season, with Flores and Eric Campbell the primary options to spell him. A left-handed hitter would be a better fit. Wright had an .814 OPS in 38 games last year but struggled at the plate in the postseason. He’s one of the most respected players in the majors and his leadership in the clubhouse is unquestioned, but his right-handed bat remains important to this lineup, too.
Outlook: Following their first World Series berth in 15 years, the Mets are a threat to repeat as NL champs. This time, they want to finish the job and take home the crown. Keeping all those young, power arms healthy and fresh will be crucial - especially after Harvey, deGrom and Syndergaard carried extended workloads through October. Colon, who turns 43 in May, was brought back as a stopgap to soak up innings until another talented young starter, Zack Wheeler (11-11, 3.54 ERA in 2014), returns from Tommy John surgery. The target date is July 1. Bastardo was signed to help set up Familia, the lineup is balanced top to bottom and there is depth at most spots on the diamond. New York’s shaky defense, however, was exposed in the World Series and might not be much better. Cabrera injured his knee in spring training but still could be ready for the opener. Walker replaces Murphy, the record-setting postseason star who relocated to rival Washington. Robles is suspended for the first two games of the season for throwing near the head of Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp last September. The underdog Mets were a feel-good story last year as they took down an underachieving Washington team. Now the NL East favorites, they should expect a challenge from the rededicated Nationals.
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Washington Nationals
2015: 83-79, second place.
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