Key Players For Each National League East Team

Two years ago I started a series that featured the “Key” player for each team. A “Key” player is someone who was injured or had a down year the year before and if they can come back to form, their respective team would be vastly improved.

This year I thought I would continue this series and go division by division to identify the “Key” player for each team.

Here is the “Key” player for each National League East team:

Rollins needs to step up for the Phillies.

 

Philadelphia Phillies: Jimmy Rollins.

Rollins won the NL's MVP back in 2007 and since then, he has been poop. His OPS has declined four years in a row and looks like a very old 32-years-old.

With Jayson Werth off to Washington, Chase Utley‘s knee in shambles, Domonic Brown‘s finger in a cast, and with the ghost of Raul Ibanez manning left field, the Phillies need Rollins to come back to life more than ever. If he continues his decline in 2011, the Phillies’ offense may be in big trouble.

If there is reason to believe Rollins can turn it around, it would be the fact that he is a free agent after the 2011 season. Perhaps the idea of one last big payday, will motivate him.

Atlanta Braves: Nate McLouth.

The reality is, is McLouth that has been a complete disaster since coming over to the Braves from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2009. He's been injured a lot, and even when he is on the field, he hasn’t been very good. He has a .229/.330/.379 slash line with 17 HR’s in 169 games with the Braves.

But McLouth is healthy now and will be a key piece in the Braves’ offense in 2011. If he can return to somewhat resemble the player he was in Pittsburgh, the Braves will get a solid boost to go along with Dan Uggla, Brian McCann, and Jason Heyward.

McLouth was batting .324 in 41 at-bat’s going into Saturday’s game this spring.

Florida Marlins: Chris Coghlan.

The Marlins are asking a lot of Coghlan. They're asking him to bat lead-ff and start in centerfield this year.

Not only has Coghlan never played center in his professional career, but to compound the issue, he is coming off of knee surgery. To double compound the situation, center field in Florida’s ballpark is very difficult to play because there is so much ground to cover.

To add the cherry on top, Coghlan has an injured shoulder and Opening Day is in doubt for him.

The Marlins’ overall defense, quite frankly, stinks and if Coghlan can’t get the job done in center in 2011, it’s going to get even worse.

New York Mets: Carlos Beltran.

The Mets probably have 15 guys who could qualify for this title. Including their entire starting rotation. But, I am going to go with Beltran as the “key” player for the Mets.

Here's why:

Beltran has played in a grand total of 145 games the last two years for the Mets. And so, Beltran will be moving over from center to rightfiled in hopes of alleviating some of the wear and tear on his knees.

GM Sandy Alderson believes it’s “realistic” that Beltran will be ready for Opening Day and if the Mets plan to make any type of playoff push in 2011, they're going to need Beltran to be healthy and productive.

Washington Nationals: Jordan Zimmermann.

When I look at the Nationals franchise since moving to Washington, I see a team that hasn’t developed a single starting pitcher. And I don’t want to hear about Stephen Strasburg. A guy who has 12 starts under his belt, isn’t developed.

One pitcher the Nationals have a chance to develop is Zimmermann. Before undergoing Tommy John surgery, Zimmermann showed tremendous potential in 2009. He averaged 9.1 K/9 and 93 mph on his fastball in 91.1 IP.

The Nationals can add all the offense they want, but solid pitching is what wins games. It will be important for them to develop Zimmermann in 2011, so they can start resembling a Major League pitching staff.

Tomorrow we will take a look at the “key” players for each National League Central team.

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