Phillies last year weren't a fluke, they're old. Philly will be in the playoff hunt, and I wouldn't be shocked if both of the wild cards come from the NL East. Braves and Nationals last year weren't flukes either. Since the advent of Jason Heyward, the Braves have averaged 91.3 wins a season. I can't see any way they're a safe bet to not win 91 or 92 unless they're decimated with injuries like they were in 2011. Can you say the Phillies are better than 91 or 92 wins? I can't. I mean sure perfect world where Utley is healthy and an MVP and Howard is healthy and still a great hitter. Phillies rotation short of injury should be awesome. Halladay should bounce back, his FIP was much lower than his ERA, Lee is one of the 10 best pitchers in baseball and Hamels is great. Unless someone gets hurt their rotation is excellent. As far as their offense goes, this is what they're working with
C - Ruiz - Good but a cheater, lets see how his numbers go from here
1B - Howard - Old coming off a miserable season, who knows where he goes from here
2B - Utley - Old and injury prone.
3B - Michael Young - LOL. Young's value is 100% based on his ability to hit for average. For soem reason I think he'll struggle with that in Philly. Doesn't walk much and his power is in freefall.
SS - Rollins - Old coming off a great season, but I'll bet he doesn't repeat it.
LF - Brown - If he puts it together could be a star.
CF - Revere - Similar, but honestly I don't expect Revere to be more than a poor man's Michael Bourn. At the very least he'll provide great defense for the meh brown and the oh so terrible.
RF - Delmon Young - HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I know he's a former top prospect, and he had some ability, but I don't know where that all went. Can't hit, can't field, can't run the bases. Guy is a bum.
Compare that to the Braves
C - McCann - Risky because he's coming off surgery
1B - Freeman - Young star in the making
2B - Uggla - Solid 2B
3B - Francisco/Johnson - below average 3B
SS - Simmons - Young superstar in the making, may never hit enough to be a superstar but arguably the best defensive SS in baseball.
LF - Justin Upton - Need I say more? Sure he stank a bit last year but him at his worst is still a well above average player
CF - BJ Upton - Not a great defender but can hit really well. Sucks at average but walks and has power.
RF - Heyward - One of the best players in baseball when he's healthy. Kid does it all, hits, walks, steals, homers, plays defense. There's nothing he can't do, except half ass it.
I'll fully admit the Phillies rotation will be better. But that's why the season is interesting.
It's early, but if I had to guess who the best teams in baseball are I'd go with (not in order just trying to pick a top 10)
Nationals
Braves
Phillies
Reds
giants (though never know with the dodgers
Angels
A's
Yankees
Rays
Tigers
Jays could force themselves in that mix as well of course, but they're in a tough division, and a lot of the guys they went out and acquired are risky. First I'll compliment them on getting R.A. Dickey, guy is great, he'll be their ace almost for sure. Also think they made a good low risk signing in DeRosa. Melky is also a good risk signing. Obviously he cheated and that's why he played like an MVP candidate, but his issues were always effort related not talent related so if he puts in the effort, he should be gold. But lets talk about the Marlins trade. Bonafacio is a solid player, like him, Mark Buerhle is a great 3, like him, Josh Johnson is one of the best pitchers when he's healthy, the issue, he's not always healthy. And I loathe Jose Reyes, guy isn't a ball player, he's a show off. Gimme Andrelton Simmons over him any day. One year Reyes can decide to play and be an MVP, the next he can mail it in.