What’s next for Mets, Phillies, Braves, Marlins, Nationals
by 0 
Evaluating the National League East’s offseason activity so far begins with what has happened and hasn’t happened in New York.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns set out to make significant changes this winter after a frustrating season (to put it mildly). Running it back wasn’t an option. The result has been a dizzying winter with major upheaval and a dose of drama before their stunning agreement to sign Bo Bichette on Friday.
Elsewhere, the Atlanta Braves addressed their biggest needs, the Philadelphia Phillies retained two significant pieces, the Miami Marlins continue to accumulate young talent to take another step forward in 2026, and the Washington Nationals remain deep in their rebuild.
Let’s take a look at each team’s offseason activity and what might come next. Additionally, we’ve assigned each team an urgency rating — from one to five, based on how much each still needs to accomplish before reporting to camp:
1 — Their work is (basically) done.
2 — They’re having a strong winter, but more would help.
3 — We’ll judge their winter on where it goes from here.
4 — We’re waaaaaiting …
5 — It has been a disaster. Can they turn it around?
Key additions
UTL Mauricio Dubón
RHP Robert Suarez
OF Mike Yastrzemski
What they’ve accomplished so far: The Braves entered the offseason needing to address shortstop and left field after ranking among the worst in the majors in production at those two positions last season. Re-signing Ha-Seong Kim after a 24-game cameo in September and adding Yastrzemski check those boxes. On top of that, they added Dubón for defensive versatility and landed Suarez — one of the best relievers on the free agent market — and re-signed Raisel Iglesias, to fortify the bullpen.
What they still need to do: In addition to upgrading shortstop, left field and the bullpen, the Braves began the offseason intent on fortifying the starting rotation. That hasn’t happened yet. Atlanta’s rotation has potential with Chris Sale, Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach at the top. But each of those three pitchers missed significant time with injuries last season, Sale is entering his age-37 campaign, and the established depth behind them is light.
As it stands, Reynaldo López and Hurston Waldrep would likely round out the rotation. A shoulder injury limited López to one start last season. Waldrep, who turns 24 in March, has made 11 career starts. AJ Smith-Shawver could return from Tommy John surgery in the second half, with Bryce Elder, Grant Holmes and Joey Wentz among the other options.
The Braves, however, are already projected to field a payroll that is $18.9 million over the first competitive balance tax threshold and $1.1 million below the second threshold after staying below the first threshold last season.
Urgency Rating: 2
Key additions
OF Owen Caissie
RHP Pete Fairbanks
What they’ve accomplished so far: For the second time in 18 months, the Marlins traded a quality starting pitcher with multiple years of team control for a package headlined by a young outfielder. Last winter, they dealt Jesús Luzardo to the Phillies. This time, it was right-hander Edward Cabrera, whom they shipped to the Chicago Cubs for Caissie and two other prospects. Then, this week, they traded another talented pitcher, sending Ryan Weathers to the New York Yankees for four prospects. Miami hasn’t just unloaded, however, signing closer Fairbanks to a one-year, $13 million deal.
What they still need to do: Sandy Alcantara, the former Cy Young Award winner, has been the subject of trade rumors for two years. The right-hander is under contract for $17.3 million this season with a $21 million team option for 2027. He rebounded from a dreadful start last season to post a 3.13 ERA over his final 12 outings. He could help a contender. But moving both Cabrera and Weathers means trading Alcantara probably isn’t happening during the offseason. Miami, looking to improve upon its 79-win 2025 season, has the option of waiting until the trade deadline.
Fairbanks helps the bullpen, but teams could always use more help in that department. The lineup is loaded with potential, but first base is a spot that could use an upgrade. Currently, Graham Pauley, who hit four home runs with a .678 OPS in 62 games, projects as Miami’s starting first baseman. Low-cost options are still available in free agency.
Urgency Rating: 2
Key additions
INF Bo Bichette
INF Jorge Polanco
2B Marcus Semien
RHP Luke Weaver
RHP Devin Williams
What they’ve accomplished so far: It was a jarring start to the offseason for fans, who watched their team’s four longest-tenured players land with other clubs and the Mets ultimately fail to get their top offseason target, Kyle Tucker. Gone are Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso, Edwin Díaz and Jeff McNeil — plus Tyler Rogers, Gregory Soto and Ryne Stanek. Until Friday, the replacements included Semien to play second base, Polanco to play first base for the first time in his career, and Weaver and Williams to partner at the back end of the bullpen. Solid, but not enough to satisfy the Mets’ fan base. Bichette, though not a clean fit, is a different caliber of a player who bolsters the middle of the lineup.
What they still need to do: The Mets want to acquire a starting pitcher and maybe an outfielder. Who, exactly, is unclear. For the outfield, they wanted Tucker, the consensus top free agent on the market, whom they offered a competitive short-term contract before he joined the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. They pivoted to sign Bichette to handle third base — a position he has never played as a professional.
Free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger made sense for the Mets, but now that Bichette — and his $42 million average annual value — is on the books, a cheaper alternative is likely, at least as long as Bellinger continues to seek a seven-year deal. Having Brett Baty, who was previously projected to start at third base, play left field is a possibility. Other options include Harrison Bader, a former Met, in free agency, or acquiring an outfielder such as Lars Nootbaar via trade.
As for the rotation, the Mets have expressed interest in free agent left-hander Framber Valdez and Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta, who is owed $8 million this season before reaching free agency.
One thing to keep in mind with Valdez, Tucker and Peralta: The Mets’ front office has deep connections with the Astros and Brewers, starting with Stearns. He was an assistant general manager in Houston when the Astros drafted Tucker in the first round and signed Valdez out of the Dominican Republic in 2015. Stearns then became the Brewers general manager in September 2015, months before Milwaukee acquired Peralta from the Seattle Mariners, and oversaw Peralta’s development into a big league mainstay.
Urgency Rating: 3
Key additions
What they’ve accomplished so far: The Nationals’ extended rebuild is under a new regime. President of baseball operations Paul Toboni’s first major move at the helm was trading closer Jose A. Ferrer to the Mariners for prospect Ford and minor league pitcher Isaac Lyon. Otherwise, it’s been a quiet offseason in the nation’s capital.
What they still need to do: With the Nationals still years away from contention in a competitive NL East, the next significant move for Toboni could be trading left-hander MacKenzie Gore. The former No. 3 overall pick was an All-Star for the first time last season after posting a 3.02 ERA in the first half, before struggling down the stretch. Gore, who turns 27 next month, has two years of team control remaining before reaching free agency.
Moving shortstop CJ Abrams, who, like Gore, was acquired in the blockbuster trade with the San Diego Padres for Juan Soto in 2022, is another possibility. An All-Star in 2024, Abrams has sparkled for stretches since becoming a regular in 2023, but he has graded out as one of the worst defensive shortstops in the majors during that stretch.
Urgency Rating: 3
Key additions
OF Adolis García
RHP Brad Keller
What they’ve accomplished so far: The Phillies handled their top priority early, re-signing their beloved designated hitter, Kyle Schwarber, to a five-year, $150 million contract, but waited until Friday, after missing out on Bichette, to re-sign catcher J.T. Realmuto to a three-year, $45 million deal. They also signed García, who had been non-tendered by the Texas Rangers, to a one-year, $10 million deal, and gave Keller a two-year, $22 million contract.
What they still need to do: Until Friday, the Phillies had a glaring hole at catcher. The rotation should be a strength when Zack Wheeler returns midseason, but losing Ranger Suarez, who agreed to a five-year, $130 million deal with the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, hurts, and the Phillies could look to add depth. Further bolstering the bullpen is always possible with Keller and closer Jhoan Duran already giving Philadelphia one of the best back ends in baseball.
Urgency Rating: 2
