NL East: 10 Burning Questions Heading into the 2012 Season

This offseason, the National League East has become, arguably, the best division in baseball.

With the Marlins re-tooling their whole franchise, and even the Nationals making some waves, the East could very well prove to be home to both wild card teams in the National League, with playoff expansion being agreed to by Major League Baseball executives. 

Let's analyze the 10 biggest questions going into the season for a division full of story lines to follow. 

Washington: Do Their Offseason Acquisitions Make Them Contenders?

The Nationals have not endured much success since moving to the nation's capital, but the outlook is extremely bright for this franchise.

Gio Gonzalez was an unheralded superstar in Oakland, where he posted a 3.12 ERA last season with 16 wins for a horrible team in the American League.

Edwin Jackson, acquired via free agency, is a very solid starter, and will only be asked to be the No. 4 or No. 5 pitcher in a rotation that features Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmerman, and the aforementioned Gonzalez. 

Can the Nats stay healthy enough to make a playoff push?

It may depend on the next question. 

Can Strasburg and Bryce Harper Live Up to the Hype?

We know Stephen Strasburg has incredible talent and can dominate hitters at an incredible rate.

But, making it back from shoulder surgery is no easy task, and it remains to be seen if he can ever stay healthy enough to make 30-35 starts in a season. 

Then there's Bryce Harper, baseball's version of Andrew Luck—the once-in-a-generation prospect.

The phenom.

Can a 19-year-old kid step into the lineup of a big league team and be as good as advertised?

If both Strasburg and Harper are close to the level they could one day reach, the Nationals could be a team to watch in 2012. 

Miami: How Will the Change in Spending Philosophy Work Out?

The Marlins are the most intriguing team in all of baseball.

The most unlikely team to go on a spending binge in the offseason, the Marlins payroll is going to exceed $100 million this season. By adding Jose Reyes, Mark Buerhle, Heath Bell, and manager Ozzie Guillen, the message is clear—the Marlins want to win now. 

With a lineup that could provide as much offense as any in baseball, the Marlins are hoping the cast of characters they've assembled can mesh well enough to put them into the playoffs for the first time since 2003. 

Will Hanley Ramirez Adapt to Third Base?

The acquisition of Jose Reyes means Hanley Ramirez, face of the Marlins franchise for years now, will have to move to third base.

Initially, Ramirez did not give his public approval of the move, but, eventually came around and will start the season at the hot corner for the Marlins. 

But we all know Hanley can be petulant.

As gifted as he is, he can not let a position change, or the fact the spotlight is no longer his, deter him from having a great season for a team that desperately needs him.

It will be interesting to see how Hanley fares, and if he can stay healthy. 

How Will the New Marlins Ballpark Play out in Its First Year?

That ballpark is the crown jewel of the new Miami Marlins franchise, and why not? It is about as creative and innovative a park as any sport has ever seen, and the Marlins are selling tickets at a pace unheard of in franchise history. 

But how will the new ballpark play out?

We know it's big. We know it will be pitcher-friendly. And we know the grass is going to be Central-cut, allowing for the Marlins speed to be in full effect. 

How often will the roof be open? How will the retractable glass panels in left field (when open) affect play? Will the crowds dwindle quickly if the Marlins are not in contention?

There are many questions to be addressed. 

New York: Can the Mets Somehow Avoid a Season of Irrelevance?

Let's be clear: It's not that the Mets don't have talent to work with.

The veterans like David Wright, Jason Bay, Johan Santana, among others, must stabilize this locker room and be the glue that holds a very young team together. 

With many question marks, especially on the pitching staff, and a fan base that is not filling Citi Field nearly as much as the franchise needs it to, the Mets could be in for a long season.

Having said that, they have some prospects who could be ready for some playing time this season, and their energy could be needed quickly. 

Philadelphia: Do They Have Enough Offense?

This question has two meanings. Can the Phillies offense overcome the loss of Ryan Howard for an indefinite period of time?

With not a lot of pop surrounding the big man, can the core of this team like Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Shane Victorino, step up and put up big numbers until Howard returns?

Also, when he does return, the question could be if they have enough offense even with him to contend for a championship.

After Game 1 of the NLDS last season, the Phillies only put up 2.5 runs per game, including being shut out at home in Game 5. 

How Long Will Ryan Howard Be Out?

A recent setback in the recovery for Ryan Howard has left even more questions about when the perennial all-star will be available for the Phillies this season. 

Although the infection was cleaned out, and did not lead to any more structural damage, it is expected Howard will not be available for at least the first two months of the regular season.

Do the Phillies have anyone who can hit in the clean up spot?

It may have to be Hunter Pence, or occasionally a spot start for Jim Thome could land him hitting fourth. 

Atlanta: Can Jason Heyward Rebound?

Last season, that frustrating look on Heyward's face was seen all too often.

The sophomore slump hit the slugger hard, as he hit below .230 and dealt with injuries much of the season.

The Braves have the talent to be one of the best teams in baseball, but if they are going to be considered elite, Heyward needs to build upon his rookie season, and guys like Dan Uggla and Martin Prado cannot hit 20 or 30 points below their career averages. 

Can the Braves Rebound from Their September Collapse?

This is the hardest, most unpredictable question heading into the 2012 season.

The Braves were in the playoffs—it was pretty much a lock to happen. With a month to play in the regular season, they held a 10 game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in the Wild Card. 

Then, everything caved in, and one of the most historic collapses in the history of baseball ensued.

Luckily for the Braves, the Red Sox were busy with their own unfathomable collapse, taking much of the attention off Atlanta.

But mentally, it has to weigh on these players. The nucleus of the 2011 team is all back, and there is no gaping weakness.

Can the Braves overcome last season's finish in 2012?