MLB Previews: Breaking Down the AL and NL East Divisions

But where the Mets come out second-best are not because of the moves they made, but those they did not. The Mets could certainly use another top bat in the outfield, and Manny Ramirez is still on the market. The fans want him, the players want him, and it makes too much sense from an offensive standpoint for the team not to pull the trigger on a deal. The Mets will also struggle at second base, once again, this season. Orlando Hudson is still available, and is younger and more talented than Luis Castillo. This one's another no-brainer.  

3. Florida Marlins

This team is hungry, young, and better than you may think. Yes, they traded Josh Willingham and Scott Olsen in a trade to Washington, which will make the Nats a better last-place team, and receiving Emilio Bonifacio in return signals the possibility of moving Dan Uggla, a defender with limited range and confidence issues at second base, over to first. After all, they did trade away Mike Jacobs to Kansas City for nuts and bolts.

But there's a spark of arrogance to this Marlins team that is well deserved after knocking the Mets out of the playoffs two years in a row. Look for the start of Cameron Maybin's career this season, as well as continued production from Jorge Cantu at third base.

The loss of Kevin Gregg to Chicago will signal the need for a new closer, a spot that currently belongs to team USA's Matt Lindstrom. Depending on Lindstrom's role with USA (middle relief) will depend on how ready he is to close come April.

4. Atlanta Braves

Tim Hudson's return from Tommy John surgery could equate a major trade deadline acquisition come July, as that is his expected timetable now that he has started throwing again. The Braves, after failing to sign Burnett, paid Derek Lowe $60 million and, more importantly, kept him away from the Mets (whose 3-year, $36 million offer went instead to Oliver Perez). The fourth year and extra $3 million meant that much in the offer, and as a result, Burnett is in Atlanta.

The Braves also acquired Javier Vazquez from Chicago in hopes that he could re-establish himself as a reliable starter in the National League. Expect a slight drop-off from Brian McCann coming off a career year even though he shed a great deal of weight this offseason, taking his conditioning seriously for the first time in his career, according to the catcher. Jeff Francoeur changed his swing as well and underwent a more baseball-like offseason conditioning program in the offseason. The swing, according to Francoeur, mirrors Mark Teixeira's, a former teammate, from the right side of the plate.

5. Washington Nationals

The baseball culture in the Nation's Capital has changed a great deal. The Nats are still bottom-feeders, but at least now they are doing something about it. They have become somewhat relevant in recent years with deals for Alfonso Soriano and the failure that was Jose Guillen's tenure there.

This offseason, they acquired Josh Willingham and Scott Olsen from Florida and recently signed power-hitting outfielder Adam Dunn to ta 2-year, $20 million deal. He should complement Ryan Zimmerman, the face of the franchise, and provide protection in an otherwise anemic lineup. Bottom line: Washington got slightly better, but is still years away from playing meaningful baseball. But at least now Major League Baseball takes them (slightly) seriously.     

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