Frustrated that the Mets traded away a clutch chemistry guy like Ryan Church for the enigma that remains Jeff Francoeur -- whose swing made him the best football player the Braves employed since Brian Jordan -- SportsNation blogger BirishB says the trade effectively sums up a year of things going wrong in New York.
We think that's selling it short; it pretty well sums up the entire NL East.
Only in the NL East could a team with a losing record at home and some of the worst pitching numbers in baseball find itself in control of the race. And only in the NL East could a pair of Braves pitchers who reached the break ranked in the top 10 in ERA have a combined 13-14 record.
But through it all, the Phillies have maintained SportsNation's support. On June 22, the team woke up having lost six in a row and with a scant 1.5-game lead on the Mets but still held a commanding lead among voters.
- If the Rays switched leagues, they would edge the Phillies in the NL East.
- SportsNation still confident Nationals will sign Stephen Strasburg.
- Which of the Phillies' All-Stars is team MVP? Vote on the NL East.
- More midseason reviews: AL East | AL Central | AL West | NL West | NL Central
- Groups: Florida Marlins Rock | Top of the Chop | Die Hard Phillies Phans
“im a braves fan that loved frenchy but this was a great trade for the braves. no one in the braves system could get his swing worked out and he was turning into andruw jones with less power. to bring in a good quality bat and teammate such as church is a great trade. now we just need to find a power bat to stick in the middle of the lineup
” -- nrbradley
“I think people have a hard time staying marlin fans because you can't get attached to players. Everytime we have a solid group of guys, or some great young prospects we get rid of them. It's hard to watch a team, when the players you like keep leaving....just my opinion.
” -- mblally
“The NY Mets have an excuse for having poor years the last 3 years. Especially this year has been the worst because of countless injuries to their Top Players. Not like the NY Yankees and Other top teams whose Top Players are perfectly healthy and should be way ahead of the Dodgers as the best team in MLB. But they are not because they are a bunch of spoiled brat punk era generation of overpaid players no thanks to what Curt Flood and Donald Fehr started.
” -- ontario925
“Last year getting inning eater Blanton worked for the Phils instead of getting Sabathia or Harden. They're trying to do it again this year. Get a less expensive, worse pitcher who will give you innings. The Phils won't try to get Halladay with or without possibly getting Pedro. This year is different. While the NL is terrible this year the Phils need better pitching to get past the Dodgers.
” -- eaglesandceltics
“Acta is just the scapegoat. The manager is always the one who gets thrown under the bus. Either way, that roster is capable of winning more games than they have, but nowhere near playoff contenders. I don't care if you resurrect Connie Mack, no one would have led the Nationals to anything more than a 90 loss season.
” -- tybae40
Showing: 0 of 0 comments
"SportsNation" on ESPN2!
WE'RE OFF UNTIL MONDAY, NOV. 30! BUT KEEP SENDING US WEIRD WEB CLIPS!
SPORTSNATION GRIDIRON CENTRAL
-
- NFL Coach Ratings
- Week 11: Wade Phillips at 29 percent after win
-
- NFL Pick 'Em Week 12 (Tue.)
- SN last week: 9-6
SN this season: 99-45
-
- NFL Power Rankings (Tue.)
- Colts return to No. 1
Jets down to No. 21
-
- NFL MVP Watch (Wed.)
- Last week's notables
No. 1 Drew Brees
No. 7 Ben Roethlisberger
-
- College Football Fan Top 25
- TCU holds at No. 4
LSU drops to No. 16
-
- College Football Pick' Em
- SN last week: 17-3
SN this season: 204-41
-
- Heisman Watch (Tue.)
- Last week's notables
No. 2: Toby Gerhart
No. 4: C.J. Spiller
Send us weird Web clips, vote on the best of the month and visit the archive.
FEATURED FAN
FEATURED GROUPS
FEATURED PHOTOS
GREATEST HITS ALBUM
-
- Friday, November 13
- LeBron says the No. 23 should be off-limits. What should his new number be?
-
- Thursday, November 12
- Does the Nintendo Game Boy deserve a spot in the toy Hall of Fame?
-
- Wednesday, November 11
- SportsNation salutes our Veterans with pictures posted by fans in uniform.
-
- Wednesday, November 11
- Do Gold Gloves matter? Jeter might want to put on earmuffs for this answer.
Member comments together with Member Names may be used on TV and other ESPN media platforms.