NL East

Mets fans have wanted Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo off the team for a long time now.  They might get their wish very soon.  With all the negativity swirling around the Mets ownership with the Bernie Madoff situation, the team might be desperate to give the fan base something to be happy about.

Mets owner Fred Wilpon owes lots of people lots of money. According to published reports, his total sports-related investment debt exceeds $1.5 billion dollars. Add to that a $300 million-$1 billion exposure in lawsuits filed against him by the victims of Bernie Madoff, and he finds himself in a significant hole.

The injury bug was biting in Philadelphia in 2010 and the fallout was dramatic. Over the course of the regular season, three quarters of the Philadelphia Phillies' everyday regulars spent time on the disabled list for extended periods of time.

The Atlanta Braves organization has always been one to either stand out from the crowd and wait for someone to knock their crown off; or it's been one to fly under the radar and not really be recognized as a playoff contender.

The Braves are going into 2011 with some great off-season moves (Dan Uggla in particular), but they're also going into this new season with some unproven rookies.

Earlier today Jayson Stark of ESPN wrote an article handing out offseason grades for all five of the National League East teams. While Stark is a great baseball journalist I have to disagree with his C- grade for the New York Mets. 

Who was the greatest catcher in Philadelphia Phillies history, at least based on their contributions while they played for the Phillies? If we limit our discussion to those backstops who played for the Phillies in a minimum of five major league seasons, it’s a position that has nine receivers worth mentioning, and one that has some quality depth.

How deep? The one-time major league career leader in games played behind the plate, and a fine defensive catcher, Bob Boone, doesn't even make the first cut.

Going into the 2010-2011 offseason, it was clear that the New York Yankees and New York Mets were in need of a pitching boost.

In the Bronx, Andy Pettitte was strongly leaning towards retirement, and Cliff Lee chose to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies.

In Flushing, Johan Santana continued rehabbing his arm, and John Maine left as a free agent.  Both teams were in desperate need of starting pitching.   However, neither team went for any established starter.

As we've all heard by now, the New York Mets, specifically principal owner Fred Wilpon and his son-in-law, Saul Katz, are being sued by Irving H. Picard, the trustee for victims of Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme, which stole as much as $65 billion from investors.

According to reports published by the New York Times, the Mets invested as much as $523 million with Madoff, withdrawing $571 million, a net profit of $48 million.

When the Washington Nationals signed Jayson Werth to a $126 million contract this past offseason, they plugged a hole in their outfield and brought in one of the few true five-tool players in baseball.

And because their first-round pick was protected thanks to their dismal 2010 record, all they had to give up was their second-round pick in this June’s MLB Amateur Draft.

The Phillies have pulled off some trades for some top pitching talent over the past few seasons. 

In 2008, the Phillies traded Josh Outman, Adrian Cardenas and one other to acquire Joe Blanton. 

In 2009, the Phillies traded Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald and Jason Knapp to acquire Cliff Lee. Then, in the offseason that year, the Phillies traded Kyle Drabek, Michael Taylor and Travis D'Arnaud for Roy Halladay.  

During the 2010 season, the Phillies traded J.A. Happ, Anthony Gose and another player for Roy Oswalt.