NL East

You have to possess a certain level of patience if you are a fan of the New York Mets these days.

They haven't had a winning season since 2008 and have actually taken a step back each of the past two years.

Better days are ahead, however, judging by their minor league system, which was recently ranked No. 14 overall in the major leagues.

General manager Sandy Alderson is not one to be persuaded by public opinion, as he has been slowly but surely improving the edges of the roster and, more importantly, the farm system.

The New York Mets’ Dillon Gee was struck by serious injury last year just as he was establishing himself as one of baseball’s best young pitchers, but as 2013 spring training approaches, he is primed for a full comeback.

The right-handed Gee joined the Mets’ organization as a 21st-round draft choice in 2007. He was solid, yet unspectacular, in the minors, earning a brief stint in the majors in 2010, where his 2.18 ERA in 33 innings made him seem like a veteran.

Spring training is all about competition, and there will be no better competition to watch in Mets camp than in the outfield.

Lucas Duda, who was sent down to AAA last year because of his struggles at the plate, is the only outfielder to secure a starting job. But even his role is unclear—is he the full-time starter in left, or will he platoon with a right-handed bat?

Though the offseason still has a few days remaining before pitchers and catchers descend on Florida and Arizona, most teams have already completed the majority of their winter shopping. Save a couple of key free agents still searching for work, rosters have been shaped for what should be an interesting season in the National League East.

The Philadelphia Phillies’ failure to sign B.J. Upton and Dan Haren in free agency may ultimately doom their 2013 playoff hopes.

It is not only that the Phillies will be without the benefits of those players’ services. It is that their division rivals, the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals, ended up with them.

This series will evaluate one team per day, starting on January 23, 2013 and ending on February 22, 2013 (the first game of spring training). It is based on last season's performance, offseason changes since and the author's outlook for the team in 2013. Please keep in mind that rosters can, and will, change before Opening Day. We started in the AL East and now go to the NL side, starting in the East and going in alphabetical order.

Have the Philadelphia Phillies made enough improvements to their roster to compete with the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves in the NL East? 

The Atlanta Braves' lineup with newly acquired outfielder Justin Upton has been analyzed to the 10th degree.

Consequently, It is time to break down the team's pitching rotation as we head closer to spring training. 

The Washington Nationals' hopes for a World Series title in 2013 remain unaffected despite Gio Gonzalez being linked with performance-enhancing drugs.

This series will evaluate one team per day, starting on January 23, 2013 and ending on February 22, 2013 (the first game of spring training). It is based on last season's performance, offseason changes since and the author's outlook for the team in 2013. Please keep in mind that rosters can, and will, change before Opening Day. We started in the AL East and now go to the NL side, starting in the East and going in alphabetical order. Next up, the Miami Marlins.