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Posted By: Bob

While you have to give kudos to the Washington Nationals and Florida Marlins for playing so hard the last 2 weeks when they had absolutely nothing to gain, the real credit should be given to the Milwaukee Brewers. Having their hearts broken when they were eliminated, they could have simply folded their tent and gone home but instead played like demons the last week to knock out the Mets.
Watching the Marlins late in the year, they look like a team which could bounce back and contend next year if they develop their young pitching. Another bounce back team next year could be the Twins. Santana and Nathan are in the final year of their contracts and will want to have career years next year for the bidding teams. Soriano comes back healthy and he was better than Santana in 2006. Baker, Garza and Slowey matured and all pitched well this year. If they would loosen the purse strings (if they don't sign Hunter and they have let Castillo's, White's, Cirillo's and probably Silva's contract go) and spend a little of the money they have been saving up, maybe they sign a 3rd baseman and DH and if Mauer, Morneau and Cuddyer stay healthy for a change, they may be tough.