As the 2012 MLB season nears its end, only two teams in the NL East can say they’re in the thick of the playoff race.
Those teams are the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals. The other three will miss the playoffs and are left wondering what might have been.
But, there’s hope for the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Miami Marlins. The offseason will be here before they know it, and each of those three teams will get a chance to spend in free agency to try to make its team better.
The Nationals and Braves are expected to do the same, although probably not with as much money.
Taking free agency and minor league players into account, here is a look at my projected Opening Day lineups for each team in the division.