Second place?

[Edgy MD]

Squadron	Pyth W	Pyth L	Pyth Win %	Pyth GB
Washington	98	64	.604	---
Mets	82	80	.509	16
Atlanta	78	84	.479	20
Miami	77	85	.478	21
Philadelphia	73	89	.448	25

Terry speaks of needing to get 10 or 12 games better. The good news might be that some of that could (could) happen just by standing still. The bad news is that getting 16 games better is probably a better target.

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: Squadron Pyth W Pyth L Pyth Win % Pyth GB Washington 98 64 .604 --- Mets 82 80 .509 16 Atlanta 78 84 .479 20 Miami 77 85 .478 21 Philadelphia 73 89 .448 25 Terry speaks of needing to get 10 or 12 games better. The good news might be that some of that could (could) happen just by standing still. The bad news is that getting 16 games better is probably a better target.

well, all things being equal, sure. But are the Nationals as good? Plus, it's also equally important that some of those 12 wins are also Nationals losses, so that'll bridge that gap too.

[Frayed Knot]

Except that the Nationals are a MUCH better team right now so that's a huge bridge.
Their biggest decision next year is Adam LaRoche. I think the plan all along was to move Zimmerman and his throwing problems over to 1B, but losing LaRoche will be a loss for them and losing Zimmerman isn't an option.
They'll also need to figure out 2B. Asdrubal Cabrera was a stop-gap and it's clear they have no faith in Danny Espinosa.

But Rendon's a future MVP candidate (hell, he's a current one), Harper was still the youngest regular in the majors, Span turned into the leadoff/CF they needed, and that pitching staff is awesome, young, and all under control.

[Ceetar]

Frayed Knot wrote: Except that the Nationals are a MUCH better team right now so that's a huge bridge. Their biggest decision next year is Adam LaRoche. I think the plan all along was to move Zimmerman and his throwing problems over to 1B, but losing LaRoche will be a loss for them and losing Zimmerman isn't an option. They'll also need to figure out 2B. Asdrubal Cabrera was a stop-gap and it's clear they have no faith in Danny Espinosa. But Rendon's a future MVP candidate (hell, he's a current one), Harper was still the youngest regular in the majors, Span turned into the leadoff/CF they needed, and that pitching staff is awesome, young, and all under control.

It's a long way to next April. Certainly they're better, but to say they couldn't take a step back for any number of reasons, and that the Mets can't actually beat them occasionally making it even closer?