David Schoenfield, ESPN Senior Writer 9y

Random thoughts and notes: NL East

Let's try this this today and Friday ... just whatever pops into my head for each team or a chance to look at some of the minor transactions. We'll do one division per post. We'll start with the NL East ...

Washington Nationals: Considering Ryan Zimmerman has been injury-prone and Anthony Rendon has been injury-prone in his college and minor league days, the Nationals may need a strong bench. I guess Kevin Frandsen is the backup at third and Tyler Moore the backup at first, neither of whom is too inspiring. ... Without Adam LaRoche, who hit cleanup in 134 games, it will be interesting how your National League manager of the year constructs his lineup. ... Will Bryce Harper be old enough yet to bat higher than sixth? ... Are you willing to trust Drew Storen in a save situation in the postseason? Wonder if the Nats could be in on David Robertson. ... How about Steven Souza Jr. to the Mariners for Brad Miller, with Miller playing second base? Mariners need right-handed outfield bats and are reportedly very interested in Hanley Ramirez. ... They released Matt Purke. He was left-hander the Rangers drafted 14th overall in 2009, didn't sign, went to TCU and the Nationals gave him a huge bonus in 2011 as a draft-eligible sophomore they took in the third round. He has a career 5.00 ERA in the minors. ...

New York Mets: It looks like the Mets will do with Matt Harvey what the Nationals should have done with Stephen Strasburg in 2012: limit his innings by skipping an occasional start but keeping him in the rotation all season. ... I'm not sure Dilson Herrera gets enough prospect love. ... Speaking of Miller, Jim Bowden predicts a Mariners-Mets trade involving Miller or Chris Taylor, with one of New York's back-end starters going to Seattle. Makes sense. ... You know what the Mets really need more than anything? David Wright to hit. He's only season removed from a .307/.390/.514 line. ... The fences are moving in again, the second time since Citi Field opened in 2009. Citi Field ranked 18th in home run park factor in 2014, although it did rank 28th in runs factor. Home runs are just one reason it's difficult to hit there; the park also seems to suppress singles and doubles (much like Shea, where the lighting was never great). ... Ruben Tejada had a .342 OBP last year, second on the Mets. ...

Atlanta Braves: Braves keep saying they need pitching. They were fourth in the NL in rotation ERA in 2014 and third in strikeout percentage, so I don't quite get it. ... Yes, I realize Ervin Santana and Aaron Harang are free agents, but those are the kind of veterans you can get in free agency. ... It's not that the Jason Heyward trade was bad (since the Braves had apparently given up on re-signing him), but it doesn't help the offense and makes the outfield defense a lot worse if Evan Gattis ends up there regularly. ... Still think Justin Upton gets traded, but maybe John Hart has some sort of secret sauce plan brewing. ... Jonny Venters designated for assignment. Many will say he was abused in 2010 and 2011 when he pitched 79 and 85 games and topped 80 innings both years, but that would be speculation. ... Jose Peraza was added to the 40-man roster. He's considered the second baseman of the future after hitting .339 in Class A and Double-A. With two home runs. And 17 walks. Yes, he's young (21 in April) and stole 60 bases, but call me skeptical that's he going to be an impact player. ... Steamer projection system has Freddie Freeman hitting .285/.376/.481 in 2015, very good but not MVP-level production for a first baseman. If Braves lose Upton after 2015, not sure all the pitching in the world will cover up for the offense. ...

Miami Marlins: Whether you think the Giancarlo Stanton contract made perfect sense for the Marlins or whether Marlins ownership still can't be trusted, I'm just glad to see a small-revenue team lock up their star player. ... Reports have the Marlins offering two years and $20 million for LaRoche; I think it will take more like two and $28 to get him. ... Relievers A.J. Ramos and Mike Dunn went a combined 17-6 in 2014. Read between the lines. ... The Marlins say they will increase payroll to $60 million. Baseball-Reference estimates they're already at $52 with estimated arbitration raises; MLB Trade Rumors estimates they're at $42 million with arbitration players. ... Not sure that leaves money for both LaRoche and James Shields, although it's possibly a long-term Shields deal could be heavily backloaded. ... Still think third base is going to be a problem in 2015. Just don't trust Casey McGehee, who wasn't really that good in 2014 anyway. You need more than four home runs from your third baseman and cleanup hitter. ... Can't wait for Jose Fernandez to return. ...

Philadelphia Phillies: Reports have the Phillies checking out the makeup of Red Sox prospects like second baseman/outfielder Mookie Betts, catcher Christian Vazquez and pitcher Matt Barnes. ... Sorry, Phillies, you're not getting Betts for Cole Hamels, even straight up. ... Hamels' salary PLUS a future star like Betts isn't worth the price for the Red Sox. ... Vazquez, a defense-first catcher, certainly makes sense as the Red Sox have a better prospect in Blake Swihart. ... Phillies fans will be surprised that if/when Hamels is traded, the haul is nearly what they think it will be. ... I still think the Phillies' cream jerseys are the best in the game. ... Can't wait to see why Kenny Giles can do over a full season in the bullpen. ... You know, Mike Schmidt is kind of underrated as an all-time great. You can make a case he's a top-10 position player. ... Steve Carlton's 1972 season (27-10 for a team that went 59-97) was one for the ages, but his 1980 season when the Phillies won the World Series was nearly as great. ... Jeff Francoeur signed to a minor league contract. Hey, he drove in 100 runs back in 2006 and 2007! ... Marlon Byrd to the Reds or Mariners could happen. ... Imagine what Schmidt and Carlton would make today. ... Whatever happened to Jeff Stone and Len Matuszek? ...

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