NL East

The forecast is still lousy. There's a 90 percent chance of rain at 5 p.m. and 90 percent at 8 p.m.

As I mentioned in the 5 Reasons Friday's Game Won't Be Rained Out I expect we'll be sitting in our seats tomorrow. 

The reason for this post is because I'm getting asked what will happen if the game isn't played.

On Sunday I read some comments from David Howard, VP of business operations with the Mets, which got me wondering.

Sorry, Jason!

This is exactly why you give a guy a three-year/$42 million dollar extension at age 36.

Chipper Jones, via ESPN:

On April Fool’s Day, 1985, George Plimpton gave us the fictional tale of Mets super prospect Sidd Finch. The article was was published in Sports Illustrated under the guise of reality, and as legend has it, many readers believed the story to be true.

Including myself. 

When I go back and read the prose again, it's easy to believe every word, because Plimpton’s pen is that well-crafted, although some of the facts seemed too gaudy to believe.

Note: The lineups and rotation order are done by my discretion. The projected lineups are done the way I would have them if I was the team's manager.

ATLANTA BRAVES

LINEUP

1. Kelly Johnson 2B .287 12 HR 69 RBI

2. Yunel Escobar SS .288 10 HR 60 RBI

3. Chipper Jones 3B .364 22 HR 75 RBI

4. Brian McCann C .301 23 HR 87 RBI

5. Casey Kotchman 1B .272 14 HR 74 RBI

6. Garret Anderson LF .293 15 HR 84 RBI

7. Jeff Francoeur RF .239 11 HR 71 RBI

8. Gregor Blanco CF .251 1 HR 38 RBI

9. PITCHER

On Tuesday, March 31, the Phillies parted ways with veteran outfielder Geoff Jenkins, an underproducing hitter who wasn't worth the eight million dollars he commanded in 2008.

The Atlanta Braves just made their smartest move since Frank Wren was hired as General Manager. They signed their star third baseman, Chipper Jones, through 2012 for $42 million.

The 36 (nearly 37) year old third baseman has been the heart and soul of the Atlanta Braves organization for over 10 years, and it seems that it will stay that way until he decides to call it quits.

Let’s take a look at the NL East, where anyone, well, almost anyone can emerge as the winner. I’ll take a look at the teams in alphabetical order, saving the Nats for last, where they belong. The Marlins, Mets, Phillies, and Braves will all be contending this year, with question marks on every team. Who will emerge as the NL East champion?

Atlanta Braves

Once upon a time, Will Ohman was considered to be one of the best relief pitchers on the free agent market.

Once upon a time, Will Ohman thought he had a market for his services.

Once upon a time, Will Ohman actually had a major league contract offer from the Atlanta Braves.

Once upon a time, Will Ohman thought he was in line for a huge contract similar to those given out to Jeremy Affeldt and Damaso Marte.