Atlanta Braves:

2009 Team Record: 86-76; 3rd NL East

2009 Key Players: Javier Vazquez and Jair Jurrjens solidified this pitching staff to lead them to a 2nd place finish and almost a playoff berth.  Both pitched 200 innings and had 14 wins a piece.

2010 Needs: They need to re-sign a healthy Tim Hudson and NOT try to trade away Vazquez.  I don’t know why the Braves would actually do this, but rumors have been floating around since the All-Star Break that the Braves wanted to dump Vazquez.  They also need to re-sign LaRoche, he hit 12 HRs in 57 games with Atlanta.

2010 Outlook: If Hudson pitches the entire year I think the Braves could have a top 3 staff in the NL (depending on who the Phillies sign/re-sign).  This team looks promising early on and with this being Bobby Cox last year you never know what may happen.

2010 Prediction: 2nd in the NL East

Florida Marlins:

2009 Team Record: 87-75, 2nd NL East

2009 Key Players: Hanley Ramirez put up another stellar year in Florida.  He led the league in hitting and transitioned nicely to the #3 hole to hit 24 HRs and 106 RBI.

2010 Needs: The Marlins need a closer, period.  Their rotation is decent and their offense is above average.  Their closer situation on the other hand is a joke.  Lindstrom lost his closers role in about 2 weeks and Leo Nunez stepped in and didn’t pitch so hot, especially down the stretch.

2010 Outlook: The Marlins appear that they will be fielding another team that will finish amongst the middle of the strong NL East.  They just need that one closer and one more great starter to put them over the top.

2010 Prediction: 4th in the NL East

Philadelphia Phillies:

2009 Team Record: 93-69, 1st NL East

2009 Key Players: Cliff Lee was flat out the best aquisition in the last 10 years in a trade deadline deal.  Lee brought this team from a playoff team who may not have been capable of advancing out of the divisonal series to a World Series team.  He carried the Phillies rotation on his back and proved that he is one of the best in the Majors.

2010 Needs: They really don’t need to improve on much.  Their role players are good enough with the production from their superstars.  The Phillies just need to set a 5-man rotation for next year and stick with it (pending injury of course).

2010 Outlook: The Phillies have a lot of question marks with their rotation.  The organization wasn’t sure about a Lee extension which would be one of the WORST moves in the last 10 years no matter what it costs them.  Another question is will Pedro re-sign with the Phillies and pitch a full year?  Will JA Happ win 14 games again?  Will Brad Lidge recover and NOT blow 11 saves in ’10?

2010 Prediction: 1st in the NL East