The World Champion Florida Marlins
were unable to sign stars like
catcher Iván Rodríguez and closer
Ugueth Urbina but they still have a
good team, however not good
enough to win this division.

By Amaury Pi-GonzálezMarlins were the absolute surprise
of 2003. Nobody took them seriously
but after they eliminated the Giants
in the Divisional Series, the world
took notice that this team lead
by the oldest manager in
baseball Jack Mckeon (72) was
a force. A mixture of old pros
like Iván (Pudge)Rodríguez
who took his 10 Gold Gloves
to Detroit, young Venezuelan
outfielder Miguel Cabrera,
considered by many their real
MVP. Cabrera played left field,
third base and right field.

Atlanta won 101 games in
2003 and won this division.
They figure to be back
and ready. They have a young
right hander by the name of
Juan Cruz who resembles a
very young Pedro Martínez.
I would not be surprised If
Leo Mazzone the superb pitching
coach develops Cruz into a
Martínez type of pitcher.
This is not the land of
Maddux and Glavine,
they are both gone.
Russ Ortíz still their staff
ace with a good bullpen and
middle relievers. Their offense
might be enough to win it again
although they lost slugger
Gary Sheffield and Javy
López.

Then there are the Phillies and
they’re my pick to win the East.
I am expecting a tremendous
season from Bobby Abreu as
well as young Nicaraguan
right hander Vicente Padilla.
With the bat of Jim Thome
in the middle of that very
solid lineup. Mike Lieberthal
still one very underrated
catcher, an all-around
complete player.

This division still could be
wide open and the Braves
might have trouble winning
their 13th consecutive division
title (a record among all top
pro sport leagues in the country)

Meanwhile in Montreal the
Expos continue to have two
homes, Montreal Canada
and San Juan Puerto Rico.
They lost their franchise
player Vladimir Guerrero
who became a multi millionaire
with the Anaheim after he
“fired” the Expos as a team.

The Montreal Expos still
have one of the best players
at second base in Puerto
Rican José Vidro .310
15 home runs 65 RBI and
Cuban veteran right hander
Livá Hernández who was
their best starter in 2003
with 15 wins and led the
NL in innings pitched with
233.1 as well as complete
games with eight.

I am picking the Philadelphia
Phillies to win it followed
by Atlanta(with a real shot
at the Wild Card)

FIRST PLACE: PHILADELPHIA
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