NL East

Now that the Braves' 2010 season has come to a close, it's time to take a look at what we should do this offseason.

First off, let's look at who's currently on the Braves and may or may not be back next year.

Retirees

Wagner: $6.5 million saved

Non-Tenured Players

Melky: $3.1 million saved

Diaz: $2.55 million saved

Free Agent Departures

Saito: $3.2 million saved

Glaus: $2.35 million saved

The Atlanta Braves had a good year this season by most means. Won the Wild Card, overcame a plethora of injuries, and could have easily beaten the San Francisco Giants in the NLDS if a few more things went their way.

Following Bobby Cox's retirement, the Braves organization has already made a good move in hiring former Marlins manager and Braves third base coach Fredi Gonzalez. Despite his 276-279 record with the Marlins the last 3 1/2 years, Gonzalez has garnered a good amount of respect in the league, and was Cox's No. 1 choice to take over the Braves.

Three years ago, I couldn't watch a single pitch of playoff baseball. The sting of the Mets collapse was too much for me. Observing other teams pursue a world championship (especially the Phillies), caused me to think about all of the "what ifs".

What if Tom Glavine didn't blow up in the final game?

What if the Mets won just one or two more games during season?

What if, what if, what if..........

The 2010 National League Championship has some compelling story lines. 

The Philadelphia Phillies seek to be the first team in 66 years to win three consecutive NL Championships. They also look to move one step closer to staking their place amongst baseball's greatest teams.

With the Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants ready to get the 2010 NLCS underway Saturday night, the Phillies are the heavy favorites. San Francisco beat a fiercer first-round foe than did Charlie Manuel's club, but the Phillies are a full-fledged National League dynasty. They will attempt to reach their third straight World Series this fall, after already having claimed their fourth straight division title.

2010 was a moderate success for the Atlanta Braves. However, with retirement, free agency and trades, there's always the question of who will or will not be back playing for Atlanta in 2011.

We'll take a look at free agents, potential retirees and trade bait.

We expect that core players like Tommy Hanson, Tim Hudson, Brian McCann, Jason Heyward and Chipper Jones will be back because there's no logical reason why they wouldn't be.

Look around the locker room of any club after their season is over, and you will see a common sight. Guys are cleaning out their lockers and saying goodbye to teammates, others are staring at the wall pondering what might have been and yet others are thinking to the future—looking off into the next season that awaits.

One of the MLB’s all-time greats is walking away from the game.

The Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants split their season series this year, 3-3.

In order to better preview the NLCS, it is important to look at each of those six games. 

Which pitchers dominated?  Were the Phillies able to hit Lincecum? Were the Giants able to hit Halladay? 

Game 1: Lincecum vs. Halladay.  It is a matchup that baseball enthusiasts dream of.   

Game 2: Sanchez vs. Oswalt.  

Sanchez has earned two wins against the Phillies this year, but how well did he actually pitch? 

We all know, and will be reminded again throughout the NLCS, about the greatness of Roy Halladay and the precision of Roy Oswalt.

Experts and baseball analysts will pound it into your head how prominent the Phillies 1-2-3 punch is on the mound. My two-year-old nephew knows they are good.