2012 MLB Free Agency: 15 Moves for NL East Teams to Rebound Next Year

The National League East division was home to the only team in major league baseball to win over 100 games this season.

However, the division also saw a 30-game difference between its first and fifth place teams.

But as the postseason continues on to the World Series, no team from the National League East remains in contention.

A team from the National League East has played in 11 of the last 20 World Series and claimed four World Series titles.

After the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves finished with two of the five best records in the National League, the chances appeared high that this season’s World Series would include another NL East team.

However, for the first time since 2007, the National League East did not have any teams playing in the NLCS.

Here are 15 moves that NL East teams can make in order to rebound next year.

Philadelphia Phillies Resign Jimmy Rollins

Jimmy Rollins may be too expensive for the Phillies to resign this offseason.

However, after Jose Reyes, Rollins may be the best shortstop on the free agent market.  And if the Phillies don’t feel that minor league shortstop Freddy Galvis is ready to be an everyday player, they may have to find a way to keep Rollins in a Phillies’ uniform.

Rollins batted .268 this season with 16 home runs and 63 RBI while playing in 142 games.

Rollins also batted .450 for the Phillies during their NLDS series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Unless the Phillies decide to sign a shortstop to help ease the transition until Galvis is ready to takeover full time, resigning Rollins may be their top priority this offseason.

New York Mets Resign Jose Reyes

Reyes will be one of the top free agents available this offseason along with Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, and potentially CC Sabathia.

As the Mets try to improve on their 77-85 record this season, resigning Reyes may give them the best chances of doing so.

Reyes led the National League with a .337 batting average this season and also stole 39 bases and scored 101 runs, both of which put him in the top 10 in the National League.

However, the team also has three players in Jason Bay, David Wright and Johan Santana who are set to make over $50 million combined next season.

Reyes’ price tag may no longer make him a candidate to resign with New York.

As the team looks towards 2012, their best chances of improving may result from having two of their current players back on the field in Reyes and Johan Santana.

Florida Marlins Sign a Top Free Agent as They Enter New Stadium

The Florida Marlins are set to open the 2012 season in a new stadium after finishing this season with a 72-90 record.

Having one of this offseason’s top free agents take the field when the team opens this new stadium may be one of Florida’s top priorities.

C.J. Wilson, Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder may be free agents who Florida attempts to sign.

Wilson went 16-7 with a 2.94 ERA for the Texas Rangers this season, while Pujols and Fielder batted .299 for the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers, respectively.

Adding Wilson to a rotation that will also have Josh Johnson back after he made nine starts this season, or including Pujols or Fielder in their lineup, may give the Marlins a chance to improve on their standing among teams in the National League.

Florida had the 10th-best ERA in the National League this season and the 11th-best team batting average.

This offseason’s group of free agents will give Florida a chance to open their new stadium with a lineup that features added talent.

Washington Nationals Sign a Starting Pitcher

The Washington Nationals have a starting rotation that includes Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann.

If they add a pitcher such as CC Sabathia or C.J. Wilson, their rotation may take a giant leap forward.

Washington had the sixth-best team ERA in the National League last season, although they also had the second-fewest number of strikeouts.

Adding Sabathia or Wilson to their rotation, as well as having a young lineup continue to grow, would give Washington a chance to make a run at the National League East title within the next few seasons.

New York Mets Sign a Closer

The New York Mets traded closer Francisco Rodriguez to the Milwaukee Brewers nearly three months ago.

In the next few months, the team may attempt to sign him again as they look to fill their closer role.

Rodriguez, as well as Heath Bell, Jonathan Papelbon and Francisco Cordero are among this offseason’s group of free agent closers.

New York had seven different pitchers record a save for them last season; Rodriguez had 23 saves prior to the trade, while the remaining pitchers combined for 20.

Atlanta Braves Acquire a Shortstop

The Atlanta Braves may not attempt to sign Jose Reyes given the potential bidding war that could result once free agency starts.

However, acquiring a shortstop this offseason may still be a top priority for Atlanta.

Alex Gonzalez, Atlanta’s current shortstop, batted .241 with 15 home runs and 56 RBI this season.  He is also set to hit the free agent market this offseason.

If Atlanta decides to pass on Reyes and Jimmy Rollins, the team may attempt to trade starter Derek Lowe in order to acquire a shortstop for the 2012 season.

Atlanta had the 13th-best team batting average in the National League this season, and only Freddie Freeman played in over 50 games while batting over .280.

Improving their lineup while receiving similar numbers from their bullpen next season may allow Atlanta to improve on their 36-36 record against the National League East this season.

Philadelphia Phillies Strengthen Their Bench

The Phillies saw more than ten players spend time on the disabled list this season and may begin next season with Ryan Howard missing spring training and part of the regular season.

Ross Gload and Brian Schneider are also going to be free agents, which means the Phillies may attempt to sign free agents who add depth to their roster.

The Phillies were only able to play their everyday lineup 18 times this season.

Players such as Gload, Ben Francisco, Wilson Valdez and Michael Martinez all played in over 80 games for the team.

Following the number of players who spent time on the disabled list, the Phillies may want to fill their bench with versatile players who will allow for the team’s starters to get more rest throughout the season.

Washington Nationals Sign Michael Morse to a Long-Term Deal

Michael Morse batted .303 and hit 31 home runs and 95 RBI for the Washington Nationals in 2011.

He also made just more than $1 million.

Morse, who is eligible for arbitration this offseason, finished in the top 10 in the National League in home runs, RBI, slugging percentage and OPS.

Washington may decide to attempt to sign Morse long-term as the team looks to make a charge for the National League East title in the next few seasons.

Morse primarily played first base this season but also played over 50 games in left field, as he appeared in over 90 games and batted over .280 for the second consecutive season.

Atlanta Braves Acquire an Outfielder

Following Jason Heyward’s second season in the major leagues, in which his batting average, number of home runs and RBI total all declined, the Atlanta Braves may attempt to acquire another outfielder to provide insurance for the 2012 season.

Atlanta may continue to play Martin Prado, who batted .260 with 13 home runs and 57 RBI this season, in the outfield, but another potential starter or fourth outfielder could prove beneficial if Heyward doesn’t put up numbers similar to his rookie season.

Adding another player to an outfield that has Heyward and Michael Bourn may help Atlanta close the gap behind the Philadelphia Phillies.

New York Mets Make a Decision on David Wright

The New York Mets may open the 2012 season without one of the best players in the major leagues if Jose Reyes signs elsewhere.

However, they may also open the season with different starters on the entire left side of the infield if they decide to trade third baseman David Wright.

Wright is set to make nearly $15 million next season after batting .254 with 14 home runs and 61 RBI in 2011.

However, prior to this season, Wright had never batted below .280 in a season, including five consecutive seasons in which he batted over .300.

Trading Wright would save New York additional money should Reyes sign elsewhere and would allow the team to move forward while focusing on other areas of the team.  New York could also keep Wright and move forward with him.

Either way, a decision on Wright’s future with New York may play a big role in how the team moves forward.

Florida Marlins Acquire an Outfielder

The Florida Marlins saw Mike Stanton hit 34 home runs and 87 RBI this season.

If they can add another outfielder with similar offensive numbers this offseason, as well as one of the top overall free agents, the team may be able to improve on their record from this season.

Florida may attempt to sign players such as Carlos Beltran, David DeJesus or Coco Crisp.

Florida had the 11th best team batting average in the National League this season and finished with a 32-40 record against the National League East.

Adding another outfielder may help improve both of these rankings.

Philadelphia Phillies Sign Cole Hamels to a Long-Term Deal

Cole Hamels will not become a free agent until after the 2012 season and is eligible for arbitration this offseason.

However, after Hamels’ performance this season, Philadelphia may attempt to sign him to a long-term deal sooner rather than later.

Hamels went 14-9 with a 2.79 ERA this season.  He also finished in the top 10 in the National League in wins, strikeouts, ERA, innings pitched, WHIP and complete games.

Hamels, along with Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee, gives Philadelphia one of the best starting rotations in the major leagues.

However, Philadelphia must also make a decision on Roy Oswalt, by either paying him $16 million next season or a $2 million buyout.

By signing Hamels to a long-term deal, Philadelphia would have one less free agent signing to make next offseason, while also solidifying the starting rotation for the next few seasons and focusing on their lineup.

Atlanta Braves Decide on Their Starting Rotation

The Atlanta Braves had nine pitchers make starts last season, including three players who reached double-digit win totals.

Tim Hudson, Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson all finished with at least 11 wins, while Derek Lowe, Brandon Beachy, Mike Minor, Randall Delgado and Julio Teheran also made starts for the team.

However, if Atlanta decides to move Lowe from the rotation, the team will have to decide on which pitchers to start behind Hudson, Jurrjens and Hanson.

The decision may impact their standing in the National League East next season, as Atlanta finished second in the division behind Philadelphia this season.

Whether Beachy and Minor, who made 25 and 15 starts this season, respectively, or Teheran, who won 15 games at triple-A, are included in the rotation, Atlanta may once again have one of the best team ERAs next season.

Washington Nationals Hire Davey Johnson

Davey Johnson led the Washington Nationals to a third-place finish in the National League East after being named the head coach just before the mid-way point of the season.

As the team moves forward and attempts to improve on their 80-81 record, Johnson may be the best choice to lead the team.

Washington finished with their best record since the 2005 season and had the sixth-best team batting average in the National League.

Washington will begin the season with Stephen Strasburg in the rotation for the first time since he was drafted and may add one of this offseason’s top free agents.

As Washington looks to improve on their record while building around young talent and potential offseason signings, Johnson may be the manager to guide the team forward.

Florida Marlins Add to Their Starting Rotation

The Florida Marlins had three pitchers make over 30 starts this season and saw two pitchers reach double-digits in wins.

However, they did not have a starter with an ERA under 3.60.

Florida had the tenth-best team ERA in the National League and finished in the top 10 in the league in shutouts and strikeouts.

If Florida can add another starting pitcher to their rotation, as well as Josh Johnson, the team may improve their National League East standing.