What’s next for the Mets, Phillies, Braves, Marlins and Nationals

Evaluating the National League East’s offseason activity thus far starts with what has and hasn’t happened in New York.

Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns has decided to make some significant changes this winter after a frustrating (to put it mildly) season. Turning him back wasn’t an option. The result was a dizzying winter with major upheaval and a dose of drama before their stunning deal to sign Bo Bichette on Friday.

Elsewhere, the Atlanta Braves addressed their biggest needs, the Philadelphia Phillies retained two important pieces, the Miami Marlins continue to accumulate young talent to take another step forward in 2026, and the Washington Nationals remain in the midst of a rebuild.

Let’s take a look at each team’s offseason activity and what could come next. Additionally, we assigned each team an urgency rating – from one to five, based on what each team still needs to accomplish before reporting to camp:

1 — Their work is (essentially) done.

2 — They have a harsh winter, but this would help more.

3 — We will judge their winter by where it goes from here.

4 — We wait…

5 — It was a disaster. Can they turn the situation around?

Key additions

UTL Mauricio Dubon
RHP Robert Suarez
BY Mike Yastrzemski

What they have 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 appearance in September and adding Yastrzemski check those boxes. On top of that, they added Dubón for his defensive versatility, 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 improving shortstop, left field and the bullpen, the Braves began the offseason with the intention of strengthening the starting rotation. This 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 due to injuries last season, Sale enters his campaign at age 37, 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 just 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 have a payroll $18.9 million above the first competitive tax threshold and $1.1 million below the second threshold after remaining below the first threshold last season.

Emergency rating: 2

Key additions

DE Owen Caissie
RHP Pete Fairbanks

What they have accomplished so far: For the second time in 18 months, the Marlins traded a quality starting pitcher with several years of team control for a package led by a young outfielder. Last winter, they dealt Jesús Luzardo to the Phillies. This time it was right-hander Edward Cabrera, whom they dealt to the Chicago Cubs in exchange 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 didn’t just swoop in, however, signing a one-year, $13 million deal with Fairbanks.

What they still have to do: Former Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara 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 terrible start last season to post a 3.13 ERA over his last 12 outings. It could help a competitor. But moving Cabrera and Weathers means the Alcantara trades likely won’t happen this offseason. Miami, looking to improve on its 79-win 2025 season, has the option to wait until the trade deadline.

Fairbanks helps the bullpen, but teams could still use more help in that department. The lineup is full of potential, but first base is one spot that could use an upgrade. Currently, Graham Pauley, who has 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.

Emergency rating: 2

Key additions

INF Bo Bichette
INF Jorge Polanco
2B Marcus Semien
RHP Luke Weaver
RHP Devin Williams

What they have accomplished so far: It was a jarring start to the offseason for fans, who saw their team’s four longest-tenured players land with other clubs and the Mets ultimately failed to land their top offseason target, Kyle Tucker. Gone are Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso, Edwin Díaz and Jeff McNeil – as well as Tyler Rogers, Gregory Soto and Ryne Stanek. Through 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 in the back of the bullpen. Solid, but not enough to satisfy the Mets fan base. Bichette, while not a perfect fit, is a player of a different caliber who strengthens the middle of the lineup.

What they still need to do: The Mets want to acquire a starting pitcher and perhaps an outfielder. We don’t know exactly who. For the outfield, they wanted Tucker, the consensus top free agent on the market, whom they offered a competitive short-term contract before joining the two-time defending World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers. They decided to recruit Bichette to handle third base – a position he never played professionally.

Free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger made sense for the Mets, but now that Bichette — and his average annual value of $42 million — 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 expected 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 hitting free agency.

One thing to keep in mind with Valdez, Tucker and Peralta: The Mets front office has deep ties to 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.

Emergency rating: 3

Key additions

C Harry Ford

What they have accomplished so far: The Nationals’ prolonged rebuild is taking place under a new regime. President of baseball operations Paul Toboni’s first major move at the helm was to draft closer Jose A. Ferrer from 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 competing in a competitive NL East, the next big move for Toboni could be trading left-hander MacKenzie Gore. The former No. 3 overall pick was a first-time All-Star 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 he hits free agency.

Moving shortstop CJ Abrams, who like Gore was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the San Diego Padres for Juan Soto in 2022, is another possibility. An All-Star in 2024, Abrams has shined for stretches since becoming a regular in 2023, but he has established himself as one of the worst defensive shortstops in the majors during that span.

Emergency assessment:3

Key additions

By Adolis Garcia
RHP Brad Keller

What they have 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 JT Realmuto to a three-year, $45 million contract. They also signed García, who was non-tendered by the Texas Rangers, to a one-year, $10 million contract, 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 contract with the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, hurts, and the Phillies could look to add depth. Further strengthening the bullpen is still possible with Keller and closer Jhoan Duran already giving Philadelphia one of the best backs in baseball.

Emergency rating: 2