Mets: Ranking the top players at every position in the NL East

Bullpen: Washington Nationals

The Mets win the award for the most improved bullpen, but Nationals still feature the best bullpen. With returning closer Sean Doolittle and new addition Trevor Rosenthal, the Nationals appear set at the back end of the bullpen. Kyle Barraclough will look to rebound from a rough year in Miami and Koda Glover will aim to be more consistent and limit the long ball. He showed closer-type stuff in flashes last season. Lefthander Matt Grace is the only other lock for the bullpen. A handful of hopefuls will compete for the final two spots. The Nationals are positioned to have a big season and will likely improve on a season where their bullpen was in the middle of the pack.

The Mets tightened up the back end of their bullpen as well when they traded for former Seattle closer Edwin Díaz and signed familiar face Jeurys Familia. Díaz was a 2018 All-Star and has the fourth lowest WHIP (0.79) among relief pitchers who threw at least 30 innings. He also finished 4th in K/9 (14.46) in this group. Jeurys Familia 3rd all-time in saves for the franchise and led the Mets to a 2015 National Leauge Pennant. These additions along with the signings of Luis Avilán and Justin Wilson fortify an already solid bullpen that will feature duel-threats Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo. Rule 5 Draft pick Kyle Dowdy will compete for a spot in the bullpen.

The biggest bullpen move made by a team other than the Mets was right-hander David Robertson to the Phillies. Robertson will solidify a bullpen that struggles last season; the Phillies 4.19 bullpen ERA was towards the bottom of the National League. Their best returning bullpen arm is arguably Seranthony Domínguez who held opponents to a .157 batting average while only allowing four home runs. Domínguez appeared in 53 games for the Phillies and will likely be pushed to a setup role with the addition of Robertson.

Veteran Sergio Romo will suit up for his fourth major league team in as many years. Romo had the highest ERA, WHIP and BB/9 of his career during the 2018 season and will try to boost his stock in Miami. Drew Steckenrider will be inserted into the closer role after the trades of Kyle Barraclough and Brad Ziegler, each of whom led the Marlins with 10 saves last season.

Arodys Vizcaíno enjoyed a breakout 2018 season in which he only allowed 9 runs in 38.1 innings. Vizcaíno will return to the closer role and will likely throw more innings in 2019. If Atlanta is out of contention, Vizcaíno can be a valuable trade asset. Veteran Jonny Venters and breakout pitcher A.J. Minter will help carry a Braves bullpen that was average at best last season.

Finally… who would make the All-NL East 25 man roster?

All NL East 25-Man Roster

Lineup

1. SS- Jean Segura (R),
2. 2B- Anthony Rendon (R), Nationals
3. 1B- Freddie Freeman (L), Braves
4. RF- Bryce Harper (L), Phillies
5. 2B- Robinson Canó (L), Mets
6. CF- Ronald Acuña Jr. (R), Braves
7. C- J.T. Realmuto (R), Phillies
8. CF- Ender Inciarte (L), Braves

Bench

C- Wilson Ramos (R), Mets

OF- Michael Conforto (L), Mets

3B- Josh Donaldson (R), Braves

SS- Trea Turner (R), Nationals

Starting Rotation

1. Jacob deGrom (R), Mets
2. Max Scherzer (R), Nationals
3. Aaron Nola (R), Phillies
4. Noah Syndergaard (R), Mets
5. Mike Foltynewicz (R), Braves

Bullpen

CL Edwin Diaz (R), Mets

RP Sean Doolittle (L), Nationals

RP Arodys Vizcaíno (R), Braves

RP Jeurys Familia (R), Mets

RP Matt Grace (L), Nationals

RP Seranthony Domínguez (R), Phillies

RP David Robertson (R), Phillies

RP Seth Lugo (R), Mets

Want your voice heard? Join the Rising Apple team!

Write for us!

What would your all-NL East roster look like?