2015 projected lineups/rotation: NL East
There's already been an exceptional amount of activity this offseason - bad teams appear a lot better, and mediocre clubs are turning into contenders.
Although there promises to be more turnover prior to spring training, the roster upheaval has us curious what lineups and pitching rotations will look like in 2015.
Here's a look at the projected lineups for teams in the National League East:
Related: 2015 projected lineups/rotations: AL Central
Related: 2015 projected lineups/rotations: NL Central
Washington Nationals
The Nationals allowed Adam LaRoche to depart via free agency and will slide former third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and his degenerative shoulder across the diamond to play first base next season.
Projected lineup:
# | POS | PLAYER | AVG/OBP/SLG |
---|---|---|---|
1 | CF | Denard Span (L) | .302/.355/.416 |
2 | 3B | Anthony Rendon | .287/.351/.473 |
3 | LF | Jayson Werth | .292/.394/.455 |
4 | RF | Bryce Harper (L) | .273/.344/.423 |
5 | 1B | Ryan Zimmerman | .280/.342/.449 |
6 | SS | Ian Desmond | .255/.313/.430 |
7 | C | Wilson Ramos | .267/.299/.399 |
8 | 2B | Danny Espinosa (S) | .219/.283/.351 |
Drew Storen was excellent after taking over the closer's role for Rafael Soriano, and will begin the season at the back end of the bullpen for the Nats. The rotation is expected to be at full strength to open spring training and is arguably the best in the majors.
Projected rotation:
ROLE | PLAYER | IP | ERA | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Stephen Strasburg | 215 | 3.14 | 242 |
2 | Jordan Zimmermann | 199.2 | 2.66 | 182 |
3 | Gio Gonzalez (L) | 158.2 | 3.57 | 162 |
4 | Doug Fister | 164 | 2.41 | 98 |
5 | Tanner Roark | 198.2 | 2.85 | 138 |
CL | Drew Storen | 56.1 | 1.12 | 46 |
* added this offseason
Miami Marlins
General manager Dan Jennings was one of the most active executives this offseason, adding Dee Gordon, Michael Morse and Martin Prado to the lineup. The Marlins appear ready to make the jump to postseason contender after a promising 2014 campaign.
Projected lineup:
# | POS | PLAYER | AVG/OBP/SLG |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 2B | Dee Gordon* (L) | .289/.326/.378 |
2 | LF | Christian Yelich (L) | .284/.362/.402 |
3 | RF | Giancarlo Stanton | .288/.395/.555 |
4 | 1B | Michael Morse* | .279/.336/.475 |
5 | 3B | Martin Prado* | .282/.321/.412 |
6 | CF | Marcell Ozuna | .269/.317/.455 |
7 | C | Jarrod Saltalamacchia (S) | .220/.320/.362 |
8 | SS | Adeiny Hechavarria | .276/.308/.356 |
Jose Fernandez isn't expected to return from Tommy John surgery until June or July, but the Marlins have acquired some depth in the rotation to compensate for the 2013 NL Rookie of the Year's absence. Mat Latos provides the Fish with a legitimate No. 2, but whether Dan Haren will be a Marlin on Opening Day is the biggest question surrounding Miami's starting five heading into spring.
Projected rotation:
ROLE | PLAYER | IP | ERA | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jose Fernandez | 51.2 | 2.44 | 70 |
2 | Mat Latos* | 102.1 | 3.25 | 74 |
3 | Henderson Alvarez | 187 | 2.65 | 111 |
4 | Jarred Cosart | 180.1 | 3.69 | 115 |
5 | Dan Haren* | 186 | 4.02 | 145 |
CL | Steve Cishek | 65.1 | 3.17 | 84 |
* added this offseason
New York Mets
The Mets got the offseason started with one of the biggest surprise signings, agreeing to a two-year, $21-million deal with Michael Cuddyer despite the 35-year-old receiving a qualifying offer from the Colorado Rockies. New York's quest for a shortstop has fallen short, however, and it appears the team will head into the season with Wilmer Flores and his limited range occupying the position, much to the dismay of the Mets faithful.
Projected lineup:
# | POS | PLAYER | AVG/OBP/SLG |
---|---|---|---|
1 | CF | Juan Lagares | .281/.321/.382 |
2 | 2B | Daniel Murphy (L) | .289/.332/.403 |
3 | 3B | David Wright | .269/.324/.374 |
4 | 1B | Lucas Duda (L) | .253/.349/.481 |
5 | RF | Michael Cuddyer* | .332/.376/.579 |
6 | LF | Curtis Granderson | .227/.326/.388 |
7 | C | Travis d'Arnaud | .242/.302/.416 |
8 | SS | Wilmer Flores | .251/.286/.378 |
Matt Harvey makes his return from Tommy John surgery and joins last season's NL Rookie of the Year, Jacob deGrom. Top pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard isn't far away from making the permanent jump to the majors, giving the Mets one of the best trios of young arms in the league. Bobby Parnell is expected to resume the closer's role once he returns from his own T.J. surgery.
Projected rotation:
Role | PLAYER | IP | ERA | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Matt Harvey | -- | Tommy John | -- |
2 | Bartolo Colon | 202.1 | 4.09 | 151 |
3 | Jacob deGrom | 140.1 | 2.69 | 144 |
4 | Zack Wheeler | 185.1 | 3.54 | 187 |
5 | Jon Niese (L) | 187.2 | 3.40 | 138 |
CL | Bobby Parnell | -- | Tommy John | -- |
* added this offseason
Atlanta Braves
The Braves' rebuild has caught many by surprise, with Justin Upton (29 home runs, 102 RBIs) and Jason Heyward (11 home runs, 58 RBIs) having both been traded away from their outfield. Rather than get younger, Atlanta signed 31-year-old Nick Markakis to a four-year deal and plans to move catcher Evan Gattis to the outfield. Alberto Callaspo is coming off a disappointing season in Oakland and could be unseated from the lineup by 26-year-old Phil Gosselin if his struggles continue.
Projected lineup:
# | POS | PLAYER | AVG/OBP/SLG |
---|---|---|---|
1 | RF | Nick Markakis* (L) | .276/.342/.386 |
2 | SS | Andrelton Simmons | .244/.286/.331 |
3 | 1B | Freddie Freeman (L) | .228/.386/.461 |
4 | LF | Evan Gattis | .263/.317/.493 |
5 | 3B | Chris Johnson | .263/.292/.361 |
6 | CF | B.J. Upton | .208/.287/.333 |
7 | 2B | Alberto Callaspo* (S) | .223/.290/.290 |
8 | C | Christian Bethancourt | .248/.274/.274 |
Atlanta also parted ways with injured pitchers Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy - each missed last season following Tommy John surgery - and will rely on a young rotation with an average age of 24. Right-hander Shelby Miller is a nice return for Heyward, and gives the Braves a very dangerous one-two punch at the top of the rotation.
Projected rotation:
ROLE | PLAYER | IP | ERA | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Julio Teheran | 221 | 2.89 | 186 |
2 | Shelby Miller* | 183 | 3.74 | 127 |
3 | Alex Wood (L) | 171.2 | 2.78 | 170 |
4 | Mike Minor (L) | 145.1 | 4.77 | 120 |
5 | David Hale | 87.1 | 3.30 | 44 |
CL | Craig Kimbrel | 61.2 | 1.61 | 95 |
* added this offseason
Philadelphia Phillies
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro has yet to blow up his team, as Marlon Byrd, Ryan Howard, Domonic Brown and Chase Utley are all still occupying space on the roster. Amaro conceded earlier in the offseason that a rebuild is in the works, so expect the lineup to look much different come Opening Day. Then again, with Amaro at the helm, you just never know.
Projected lineup:
# | POS | PLAYER | AVG/OBP/SLG |
---|---|---|---|
1 | CF | Ben Revere (L) | .306/.325/.361 |
2 | C | Carlos Ruiz | .252/.347/.370 |
3 | 2B | Chase Utley (L) | .270/.339/.407 |
4 | 1B | Ryan Howard (L) | .223/.310/.380 |
5 | LF | Domonic Brown (L) | .235/.285/.349 |
6 | RF | Grady Sizemore (L) | .233/.299/.354 |
7 | 3B | Cody Asche (L) | .252/.309/.390 |
8 | SS | Freddy Galvis (S) | .176/.227/.319 |
To the surprise of some, Cole Hamels is still a member of the Phillies, as the left-hander is the most valuable trade chip Amaro owns. The three-time All-Star could still be moved, with the team in desperate need of pitching depth. The bottom three in the rotation is not a pleasant sight for Phillies fans.
Projected rotation:
ROLE | PLAYER | IP | ERA | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cole Hamels (L) | 204.2 | 2.46 | 198 |
2 | Cliff Lee (L) | 81.1 | 3.65 | 72 |
3 | Aaron Harang* | 204.1 | 3.57 | 161 |
4 | Miguel Gonzalez | 5.1 | 6.75 | 5 |
5 | Jerome Williams | 115 | 4.77 | 82 |
CL | Jonathan Papelbon | 66.1 | 2.04 | 63 |
* added this offseason