NL East Offseason Update: What Teams Have Done to Get Better
It has been a fun and busy off-season for a lot of teams throughout Major League Baseball. Some teams have made big splashes than others. But now it is time to focus on the New York Mets and the teams in their division.
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New York Mets
As you already know, the Mets made the biggest signing of the offseason, signing Juan Soto to a $15-year, $765 million deal. But that isn’t all the team has done. The Mets bolstered their rotation by signing both Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes, in addition to re-signing fan favorite Sean Manaea. Holmes, who was exclusively a high-leverage reliever throughout his 3.5 years with the New York Yankees, is expected to be a starter for the Mets. Will Pete Alonso re-sign with the team as well? We should know sooner versus later.
Other notable moves the Mets have made include trading for center fielder Jose Siri and signing former Los Angeles Angels pitcher Griffin Canning, along with a dozen or so minor-league signings, hoping to strike gold for the bullpen. Steve Cohen and David Stearns could make a few more moves, including a few to fill out their bullpen. They’ve been rumored to be talking to Tanner Scott. It should be a pretty fascinating finish to a monumental off-season for the Mets.
Atlanta Braves
The Braves have had a quiet offseason. Quite a few important pieces have departed Atlanta, most notably Max Fried, Charlie Morton and Travis d’Arnaud. The team did sign outfielder Bryan De La Cruz, a player they will be familiar with dating back to his time with the Miami Marlins. Still, the expectation is that the Braves will be one of the top teams in the National League. Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider will return from their respective injuries, a big boost in the outfielder and the rotation.
The Mets currently are the team with the biggest drop in payroll at $77.9 million, but the Braves are next at $71 million. They’ve shed a ton, but haven’t added back anything yet. Liberty Media, and all.
Jun 16, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Miami Marlins pitcher Jess Luzardo (44) throws a pitch in the first inning during a game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have been in the mix for the top free agents but have yet to land one. Their biggest acquisition was Jesús Luzardo, a very talented starting pitcher with the Miami Marlins. There was some rumblings about the Phillies trading Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos, but nothing has transpired on those fronts. Besides Luzardo, the Phillies have signed Joe Ross, Max Kepler and Jordan Romano to one-year deals. Like the Braves, the Phillies expect to be near the top of the National League in 2025. It should be a fun race in the NL East.
Washington Nationals
The Nationals have made it clear that they hope to take a step forward in 2025. To go along with their young talent, the team has been pretty active so far this off-season. The Nationals traded for first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, one of the best defenders at his position. In addition to him, they have signed four free agents to one-year deals: Michael Soroka, Josh Bell, Amed Rosario and Jorge López. Overall, it has been a solid winter for the Nationals. Let’s see what they do in the coming weeks and months.
Miami Marlins
This off-season has been more of the same for the Marlins. Their two biggest moves to date were both trades, moving Jake Burger to the Texas Rangers and Jesús Luzardo to the Phillies. In terms of additions, first baseman Matt Mervis was traded to the team from the Chicago Cubs. Beyond that, it has been a quiet offseason for the club. Could the Marlins move more of their top players? Interest will certainly exist for the likes of Sandy Alcántara, Eury Pérez, etc… Anything and everything is on the table for the Marlins right now.
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