Rating the NL East

BY KATIE WOO

Washington Nationals

Last year: 82-80 – Second Place

Key losses: RHP Tanner Roark, OF Bryce Harper

Key newcomers: INF Brian Dozier, LHP Patrick Corbin, 1B Matt Adams, RHP Anibal Sanchez, C Yan Gomes

Best-case scenario: By acquiring arguably the best left-handed starting pitcher on the market in Patrick Corbin, along with rising stars Juan Soto and Victor Robles, the Nats are able to contend in a tight division.

Worst-case scenario: The hole left by Harper, below, is just too big to fill and the Nationals continue their reputation of good, but not good enough.

PhiladelphiaPhillies

Last year: 80-82 – Third Place

Key losses: 1B Carlos Santana, INF J.P. Crawford, 1B Justin Bour, INF Asdrubal Cabrera, C Wilson Ramos

Key newcomers: C J.T. Realmuto, OF Andrew McCutchen, OF Bryce Harper, INF Jean Segura, RHP David Robertson Best-case scenario: Winners of the Harper sweepstakes, the Phillies’ revamped roster catapults the team to its first division title in eight years. Worst-case scenario: After leading the division most of the regular season, Philadelphia falls apart in the last two months of the season and misses the playoffs entirely … just like last year.

New York Mets

Last year: 77-85 – Fourth Place

Key losses: OF Jay Bruce

Key newcomers: INF Robinson Cano (below), RHP Edwin Diaz, C Wilson Ramos, INF Jed Lowrie, OF Keon Broxton

Best-case scenario: Faced with the possibility of a rebuild, new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen made it clear he wanted the exact opposite. With Cano’s bat joining a pitching staff that includes 2018 Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard, the Mets are all in for a postseason run.

Worst-case scenario: Offensive woes continue to plague the lineup and the Mets fall out of contention, possibly forcing a rebuild, period.

Miami Marlins

Last year: 63-98 – Fifth Place

Key losses: C J.T. Realmuto

Key newcomers: OF Curtis Granderson, RHP Sergio Romo, 1B Neil Walker

Best-case scenario: In the midst of a long revamping process, young guys like Lewis Brinson and Brian Anderson start to find their footing.

Worst-case scenario: Despite a few veterans such as Martin Prado and Starlin Castro, the Marlins remain one of baseball’s worst franchises.

Milwaukee Brewers

Last year: 96-67 – First Place – Lost to Dodgers in Game 7 of NLDS

Key losses: 2B Jonathan Schoop

Key newcomers: C Yasmani Grandal, 3B Cory Spangenberg

Best-case scenario: After a heartbreaking finish to a Cinderella year last season, the Brewers and NL MVP Christian Yelich take the division by storm and return with a vengeance to the playoffs.

Worst-case scenario: Jhoulys Chacin and the rest of the starting rotation struggle and the Cubs sneak past the Brewers to win the Central.