NL East

Don’t despair Phillies fans. What has all of the makings of a long, frigid, snowy winter will soon be interrupted with this announcement: “Pitchers and catchers report today!”

With Chris Coghlan and his repaired knee heading into new territory in center field, the Florida Marlins have made their move in assuring they will have a backup plan in case it doesn't pan out.

The Marlins have signed outfielder DeWayne Wise to a minor league contract.

The Mets have made yet another small move: They have agreed to a minor league contract with Willie Harris.

In addition to this, he will be invited to spring training for a chance to make the major league team.

Harris has spent the last three years with the Washington Nationals. During that time period, he has made many great defensive plays in games against the Mets.

There’s no question about it; given the team’s underwhelming performance in 2010, coupled with the shake up in the front office and their on-field staff, the New York Mets are in a period of transition. 

With transition comes change, and change brings uncertainty. 

However, here are five predictions that you can be sure will come to fruition for the Mets in 2011.  

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Are you disappointed in how the Nationals’ offseason went?

So many seem to be, suggesting that the team’s relative inaction was the result of an ongoing malfeasance of management that still carries the stink of the Jim Bowden era.

But really, that isn’t true at all. All the non-deals left the team better off in the long run. Why wait all these years for the fruits of the farm system to ripen and then block their entry to the major leagues?

With the majority of the country under a snowy blanket, it is nice to think of spring training being not too far away.

This tune-up to the baseball season is normally a laid-back, low-pressure month in which fans get a closer look at their team in a comfortable, and warm, environment.

With a strong emphasis on young talent and question marks in the outfield and on the bench, the Atlanta Braves seem to be opening spring training with what may be some very strong competition.

It was announced yesterday that the Philadelphia Phillies have shown interest in signing right handed pitcher John Maine.  The team has allegedly had discussions with Maine's agent Rex Gary. 

Maine is a decent pitcher in the back end of rotations.  Over his career Maine has posted a 41-36 record with a 4.35 ERA in 105 starts. 

Dan Uggla tends to be a rather polarizing player.  The people who like him really, really like him. 

The people who are not as high on him may not “hate” him, per se, but they devalue him based on the potential for a low average. 

The question is: are some people underappreciating the skill set that Uggla brings to the table?

Before we can fully answer that question, let’s take a look at what he accomplished in 2010:

In 2010, the Philadelphia Phillies held off the Atlanta Braves to capture the NL East crown for the fourth straight year.  With the addition of Cliff Lee, everyone has already proclaimed them 2011 NL East champs.

But in the words of Lee Corso: "Not so fast my friend."

The 2011 Atlanta Braves are much improved as well, and should not be disregarded so fast.  The 2010 Wild Card showed the young Braves how to win, and 2011 should be another step forward to winning the division.

It's been hard to read or hear anything about the Philadelphia Phillies this offseason without the words "Cliff Lee" or "four aces" or something of the sort attached to it. Oops, it looks like this isn't helping.