Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals won only 82 games with Bryce Harper final year. Now it appears inevitable he’ll become an ex-Nat.
However, the additions of Patrick Corbin, Anibal Sanchez, Trevor Rosenthal and Kyle Barraclough deepened the casting staff around Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg. People of Brian Dozier, Yan Gomes, Kurt Suzuki and Matt Adams did the Exact Same for the offense.
Meanwhile, the top prospect Victor Robles is standing by to fulfill Harper’s shoes. Fellow young outfielder Juan Soto can develop into a superstar after attaining historic success as a teenager.
The National League East is too deep for any team to win much more than 90 games. However, the Nats have the best chance of accomplishing that threshold and therefore the best chance of winning the division.
Playoff opportunities: 60 percent
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves won the NL East last year precisely because they took advantage of their division’s weaknesses with a 49-27 record. That will not happen again in 2019.
The Braves fostered their veteran depth by bringing in Josh Donaldson and Brian McCann and re-signing Nick Markakis, but they could still use a starter (e.g., Dallas Keuchel) and/or tried-and-true relief genius (e.g., Craig Kimbrel).
Instead, they seem content to bet on their youthful talent. That is insecure yet not completely unreasonable. Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies can be the National League’s answer to Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez, also included within the team’s No. 2 farm process is MLB-ready pitching galore.
The wild-card race won’t necessarily be present to catch the Braves–or some other NL East team–if they fall short in the branch. However they can manage competing with the Nats.
Playoff chances: 50 percent
New York Mets
Even the New York Mets could have torn it all down after dropping 85 matches this past year. Instead, they hired a new general manager and went all-out to include stars and depth to the roster.
For an offense that scored just 4.2 runs per game in 2018: Robinson Cano, Wilson Ramos, Jed Lowrie and Keon Broxton. For a pitching staff that was overly reliant on Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler: Edwin Diaz, Jeurys Familia and Justin Wilson.
Questions remain about how the Mets are going to match all of their offensive pieces together. There is also still lingering doubt about a defense that’s been a weakness for years.
But altogether, the Mets should be right there with the Braves in compelling the Nats for the NL East crown.
Playoff chances: 50 percent
Philadelphia Phillies
Everything will change if the Philadelphia Phillies stop dilly-dallying and finally bring Harper aboard. Adding the 2015 NL MVP will boost their upside tremendously.
To their credit, the Phillies have greatly enhanced a roster which produced 80 wins last year. Specifically, J.T. Realmuto, Andrew McCutchen and Jean Segura will improve both an offense and a defense that struggled in 2018. For his role, David Robertson should stabilize the bullpen.
Nevertheless some concerns persist. There is a drop-off at the turning after Aaron Nola and Jake Arrieta. Likewise, there is a drop-off in offensive upside after the newest improvements and incumbent slugger Rhys Hoskins.
So at least till Harper is in the fold, the Phillies would be the fourth-best team from the NL East.
Playoff opportunities: 40 percent
Miami Marlins
And then there are the Miami Marlins, who are going into 2019 as the clear black sheep of the NL East.
Together with Realmuto gone, Miami’s ongoing reconstruct has rendered the significant league roster with no stars. But given that the team’s farm system only checks in at No. 25 in MLB, further trimming via the trade market is unavoidable.
It is hard to go backward by a 98-loss season, but the Marlins should do exactly that in 2019.
Playoff opportunities: 0%

Read more: baltimore ravens betting odds