Great news in today’s New York papers that Jose Reyes has been cleared for baseball activities, at least for the Mets it is. I only saw the Mets three times, but I feel confident in writing that Angel Pagan is no lead-off hitter. While Ruben Tejada could have filled in adequately for a few weeks with his glove, and was holding his own with a bat against some good pitching, nothing beats a healthy Reyes in both spots.

I was hoping Fernando Martinez would get a chance to be the lead-off hitter, but I am guessing the Mets are set on Pagan being the starting center fielder- which leaves little room for Martinez. FMart just looks better in the box leading off the game.

I’m sticking with my brief statement that David Wright doesn’t look all that good. He’s such a good guy, its going to be hard for writers to write that, yet both his bat and his glove looked out of sorts. He’s trying to fill the captain role, I think, and that is splitting his focus. He is trying too hard to be all things to all people.

The Phillies on paper are unbeatable. They also have some depth, which will help fight the injuries that I believe will come. I think its very hard for a team to play at such a high level in this day an age for three years in a row. I think the Mets found that out last year. I think the Phillies may find that out this year. One Phillies scout though pointed out that Howard, Utley and Rollins have all had significant injuries over the past two years and missed playing time. That could help. Cole Hamels came into camp looking ready to go, as opposed to his lacksidasical usual self. And the Phillies are deep, both in position players and in pitching, so if they lose too many pieces they should be able to go out and find another.

That being said, the Braves look good. They are giving off this lightness but this intensity too. It looks like fun for them, yet they still look serious. They have the pitching- everyone will tell you that- but they also have some young talent on the field. As I have said before, this Jason Heyward looks lights out. There is a small chance they will send him down to start the season, but very very small, I think. He just looks that good, and has everyone buzzing.

No one knows what to expect from the Marlins- they could be anything because they are so young. They didn’t look too sharp in they games I saw them, but that’s hard to tell because only a few starters were in the mix at any one time. Josh Johnson should have a great year.

The Nationals will win more games then they ever have before. They have hitters that can take advantage of mistakes. They will not win a lot, but they are heading in the right direction. That being said- who do i think wins the east? All week, I have been saying the Braves, but having sat with a couple of scouts the other night, I am hesitant to write that. We will see how the last week goes.