MLB: Will the Revitalized Philadelphia Phillies Repeat as NL East Champions?

Possibly the most competitive conference in the National League, the NL East brings excitement to the game year-in and year-out.

In 2010, both the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves earned a trip to the playoffs, while the New York Mets, Florida Marlins and Washington Nationals were left to stay home and improve their short games on the golf course.

As winter comes to a close and spring looms in the very near future, the intensity and tenacity of the five teams are beginning to pick up. The 2011 season is sure to bring exciting play from all five teams in the National League East division.

5. Washington Nationals

Roy Halladay of the Phillies

Although the Nationals are making great strides in improving their team, I still have them finishing last in the division.

Last year, the Nationals selected Stephen Strasburg with the first pick of the draft. A year later, when they were again handed the first pick, they selected 18-year-old Bryce Harper.

The Nationals have two of the most promising prospects in both of these players. Once Strasburg and Harper can mature and begin to contribute on a steady basis, the Nationals could be a real threat in the NL East.

For now, Washington has to rely on newly-acquired outfielder Jayson Werth and their All-Star third baseman Ryan Zimmerman to stay afloat in the division.

Watch out for the Nationals two or three years down the road.

4. Florida Marlins

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NEW YORK - AUGUST 25: Hanley Ramirez #2 of the Florida Marlins watches the ball as he successfully steals second and third base in the third inning on August 25, 2010 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Ph

Surprised to see the Marlins in the No. 4 spot? Well you shouldn't be.

The Marlins have shown time and again they are an average ball club.

Since 2000, the Marlins have only been above third place twice and have never been atop the division. The Marlins do have some key up-and-coming players in Gaby Sanchez and Mike Stanton, but these players will not let the Marlins survive in a competitive division like the NL East.

Chris Coghlan, who won Rookie of the Year two years ago, saw his batting average drop from around .320 to .260. Coghlan's rookie season was a fluke, and I would not be expecting anything like his first season for a while.

Florida also has some strong pitching in Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco, but with the devastating loss of powerful second baseman Dan Uggla, the Marlins will finish fourth in the division.

3. New York Mets

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PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Third baseman David Wright #5 bats against the Atlanta Braves at Digital Domain Park on February 26, 2011 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

It is the first time in what seems like forever that the New York Mets are healthy and as vibrant as ever.

For the last two years, the Mets have had a solid lineup on paper. With Reyes, Wright and Bay making up the left side of the field, one would think the Mets would be a threat to make the playoffs.

However, due to injuries and mishaps, New York has struggled over the last few years to pose any kind of threat to teams in the National League. With power-hitting first baseman Ike Davis on the rise and agile Angel Pagan in the outfield, the Mets could be a real force to be reckoned with in the division.

Do not be surprised if the Mets do better than third place this year. No one has seen this team completely healthy yet, and they could be real playoff contenders if everything goes according to plan.

2. Atlanta Braves

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KISSIMMEE, FL - MARCH 01: Jason Heyward #22 of the Atlanta Braves hits a 2nd inning double during a Spring Training game against the Houston Astros at Osceola County Stadium on March 1, 2011 in Kissimmee, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Bobby Cox, truly one of the greatest managers of all time, retired at the end of last season and will now be replaced by former Braves third base coach, Fredi Sanchez.

I am optimistic about the Braves in the 2011 season, and the NL Wild Card spot is a certain possibility for the second year in a row.

Tommy Hanson, an up-and-coming pitcher, is more comfortable after getting a year of professional experience under his belt. The same can be said about Jason Heyward, who had the potential for Rookie of the Year season last year, but was plagued by a thumb injury in June.

Watch out for the Braves in 2011. With the wisdom of Cox still lingering throughout the club, and a new energy coming in with Sanchez, the Braves could seriously make a run for the NL East title late in the year.

1. Philadelphia Phillies

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CLEARWATER, FL - FEBRUARY 19: Pitcher Cliff Lee #33 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws from the mound during a spring training workout February 19, 2011 the Carpenter Complex at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty

Not much has to be said about the Philadelphia Phillies. They have one of the best rotations in the history of professional baseball in Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels and Joe Blanton. Contrast that with a solid middle infield, along with power-hitting first baseman Ryan Howard, and you've got yourself a real championship-bound team.

The only thing that could really put a damper on the Phillies' season is a cocky attitude; a much easier said than done task for a team that's won its division four times in a row and have gone to the World Series twice in the last three years.

If the Phillies can maintain a good work ethic and determination to get back to the World Series, then there is nothing standing in the way of reaching their goal.