NL East

On December 29, 2009, the Mets and free agent outfielder Jason Bay agreed to a four-year, $66 million deal with a fifth year vesting option that could bring the deal over the $80 million plateau.

He was coming off an All-Star year in Boston, and even won a Silver Slugger award. He finally earned the contract he deserved after some great years being buried in Pittsburgh.

In a season plagued by underachievement, inconsistency, and injuries, one controllable aspect of the Philadelphia Phillies' 2010 is the bullpen.

From the dominant bullpen that lead the Phillies to a World Series title in 2008, earning the nickname the "Bridge to Lidge," the Phillies' relief corps of 2010 took a big step back, finishing 18th in ERA despite pitching the fewest innings in the National League—with only the Seattle Mariners logging more out west in the American League.

Welcome to my annual Thanksgiving list!  As you are spending time with family and filling your bellies, take a few moments to think about all we can be thankful for.  I am very thankful for:

- Family, friends, food and fun!

- I am not a Washington Nationals fan

- A Phillies team that is filled not only with quality players, but quality people as well

- Four straight years of October baseball

Jayson Werth's free agency and impending contract is one of the hot topics in Philadelphia these days. Recently, Werth's agent Scott Boras (maybe you've heard of him) was on talk radio and had the following to say about his client and his time in Philadelphia:

As a fan of the Atlanta Braves, we have had much to complain about for the past few years.  However, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I believe we should also consider a few things that we can give thanks for as fans of this great franchise.

The fact is that 2010 was just a starting point for what should be a nice few years of success in Atlanta.  I do predict the Braves should be very competitive in 2011 and battle the Phillies again for the NL East title.  I honestly think this year the Braves should win the division as long as there are no major injuries.

The Mets hired their new manager on Tuesday, as Terry Collins was named the 20th skipper in franchise history. The Mets fired Jerry Manuel immediately following the season after two-and-a-half years in the dugout.

There were options for the Mets other than Collins, as they interviewed 10 candidates, but they went with the least known name, not giving the fans Wally Backman or Bob Melvin.

It just doesn't seem like this is the right fit for the Mets after years of struggles. There are five reasons the Mets shouldn't have hired Collins, and here they are.

Blood dripped from Zombie Frank Cashen’s chin.  He sat across from Fred Wilpon, sole owner of the New York Mets since 2002, who squirmed uncomfortably in his chair behind a large, dark brown desk spattered with crimson droplets.

“Argghh,” growled Zombie Frank Cashen (which translated to "Do it now”).  He nodded at the desk.

“OK,” Fred peeped.  He picked up the phone and dialed ESPN. 

When the New York Mets take the field for the first time in 2011, the one face fans don't want to see is that of Luis Castillo. Castillo has been a black eye at second base since the Mets signed him to a four-year, $25 million deal in 2007.

You know, it wasn't that long ago that Andruw Jones was ruling the NL East alongside his buddy Chipper Jones (no relation).

Andruw played 11 full seasons from 1997-2007 with the Braves after getting a call-up late in the 1996 for the Braves' playoff push.

In seven of those 11 full seasons, Andruw eclipsed the 30-plus home run mark. Once he hit 41 and another time 51. Andruw was, no doubt, a slugger.

Braves fans everywhere remember Ryan Klesko's 1994 season. Robbed of finishing a solid rookie campaign by the strike-shortened season, Klesko still managed to hit 17 homeruns in just 245 at bats in his first "full" major league season.