My Early NL East Baseball Super Team for 2011

The big news for the National League East before the season began was the signing of Cliff Lee to the Philadelphia Philles, making their starting rotation of pitchers quite formidable. However, there is going to be some tight competition in the division with the Florida Marlins making their presence felt and the Atlanta Braves always being competitive. If I were to make a super team here early in the 2011 baseball season, comprised of players only from the National League East division, the following would be what it would look like; with some players magically back off of the DL.

PITCHER - Josh Johnson: Josh Johnson of the Florida Marlins stole headlines away from the stacked Phillies starters and has been a dominate pitching force. As I write this he is on the disabled list, but recovering to return soon and help push the fish forward.

CATCHER - Brian McCann: In 2010 the Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann helped the National League win the All-star game and then went on to be a leader in the playoffs. As a San Francisco Giants fan I was nervous during the playoffs every time Brian McCann came up to the plate, he is a serious threat with the bat. He has continued to be a leader behind the plate for the Braves into 2011 and was easily my first choice for the catching position.

FIRST BASE - Gaby Sanchez: Somehow Gaby Sanchez of the Florida Marlin seems to fly under the radar for many baseball fans, but he should be known for more than having cleaned Nyjer Morgan's clock after the later attacked the pitcher. Gaby Sanchez is a hot bat to have in the lineup.

SECOND BASE - Chase Utley: He began 2011 on the Philadelphia Phillies DL, but this just shows the respect I have for his talent compared to the other second base options of the National League East. He does tend to have a smug look on his face a majority of the time though, that kind of annoys me.

SHORTSTOP - Jimmy Rollins: This veteran shortstop for the Philadelphia Phillies can still do it all. Even with knees that have not been in the best of shape in the past years he is a threat on the base paths, if he even has to run, because if you don't find your location right with a pitch he has the pop to go yard.

THIRD BASE - Chipper Jones: The Atlanta Braves look to Chipper Jones for leadership and that's one of the main reasons I would have him as my starting third baseman. He has had some injury issues in the past few years, but he is still solid as he possibly nears retirement.

RIGHT FIELD - Mike Stanton: Power. Mike Stanton is a beast in the Florida Marlins' lineup. In 2010, some scouts were saying Mike Stanton would be the future Albert Pujols, this remains to be seen, but he is an easy add into right field.

CENTERFIELD - Chris Coghlan: The centerfield position is not lit up with stars in the National League East and I went with Chris Coghlan based off of what I saw from him in the Florida Marlins games I watched. He is an apt defender and was lively with the bat, due to raise his average as the year progresses.

LEFT FIELD - Logan Morrison: Another Florida Marlin making my super team, Logan Morrison is playing solid ball and is a solid choice amongst all of the options.

BENCH - Matt Stairs: Matt Stairs is a hitting off of the bench specialist, having been around for seemingly forever, he is ancient to some in baseball years, but that just means his batting skills are due your full respect. Matt Stairs plays for the Washington Nationals.

RELIEF PITCHER - Drew Storen: This young pitcher has a lot more going for him than against him as he pitches a solid game of relief for the Washington Nationals. I look for him to improve even more as opposed to being a burn out, so his strong arm goes into my bullpen.

CLOSER - Craig Kimbrel: Closers have been having some trouble thus far in 2011, but Craig Kimbrel for the Atlanta Braves as been quit dependable. As I write this he is tied for the third most saves in all of the National League with 14.


Back Ups:
Pitcher - Roy Halladay - Phillies
Catcher - Ivan Rodriguez - Nationals
First - Ryan Howard - Phillies
Second - Dan Uggla - Braves
Shortstop - Hanley Ramirez - Marlins
Third - David Wright - Mets
RF - Jayson Werth - Nationals
CF - Rick Ankiel - Nationals
LF - Raul Ibanez - Phillies
Bench - Eric Hinske - Braves
Relief - Michael Dunn - Marlins
Closer - Francisco Rodriguez - Mets