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george castillo
Evaluating the National League East offseason activity so far starts with a look at what has happened — and what hasn’t — in New York. Met with President of Baseball Operations David Stearns Be prepared to make significant changes this winter After a disappointing season (to put it mildly). Driving it back was not an option. But in Queens it’s been a shocking — and, so far, incomplete — overhaul that has fans curious, worried kyle tucker emerge from the smoke to choose Los Angeles Dodgers Late Thursday night at the Mets.
elsewhere, atlanta braves their greatest needs are addressed philadelphia phillies Have become active – with a big move potentially on the horizon miami marlins Continue to collect young talents to take another step forward in 2026, and Washington Nationals Stay deep in their rebuilding.
Let’s take a look at each team’s offseason activity and what could be next. Additionally, we’ve given 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 (essentially) completed.
2–They are experiencing severe cold, but more help will be available.
3–We will predict their winter based on where it goes from here.
4– We are roaming…
5–This has become a disaster. Can they turn it around?
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utl mauricio dubon
rhp robert suarez
Of mike yastrzemski
What he has achieved so far: The Braves entered the offseason with a need to address shortstop and left field after ranking worst in production at those two positions last season. to sign again Ha-seong kim Check those boxes after a 24-game cameo in September and the addition of Yastrzemski. On top of that, they added Dubon for defensive versatility and landed Suárez – one of the best relievers on the free agent market – and re-signed Raisel IglesiasTo strengthen the bullpen.
What they still need to do: In addition to upgrading the shortstop, left field, and bullpen, the Braves began the offseason with the intention of strengthening the starting rotation. That hasn’t happened yet. Atlanta’s rotation has potential chris sale, spencer stryder And Spencer Schwellenbach At the top. But each of those three pitchers missed significant time due to injuries last season, Sale is entering his age-37 campaign, and the established depth behind them is light.
As it stands, Reynaldo Lopez And Hurston Waldrep Probably the cycle will be completed. López was limited to one start last season due to a shoulder injury. Waldrep, who turns 24 in March, has made 11 career starts. AJ Smith-Shower May return from Tommy John surgery in the second half bryce elder, Grant Homes And Joey Wentz Among other options.
However, the Braves are already projected to have a payroll that is $18.9 million over the first competitive balance tax threshold and $1.1 million below the second threshold after being below the first threshold last season.
Urgency Rating: 2
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Of owen casey
rhp pete fairbanks
What have they achieved 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 headlined by a young outfielder. Last winter, they dealt Jesus Luzardo to the Phillies. This time, it was right-handed Edward Cabrerawhich he sent chicago cubs For Cassie and two other possibilities. Then, this week, they made a trade sending away another talented pitcher Ryan Weathers till New York Yankees For four possibilities. However, Miami also hasn’t signed Fairbanks to a one-year, $13 million deal.
what they still need to do: : sandy alcantaraThe 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 bounced back from a terrible start last season, recording a 3.13 ERA over his final 12 outings. He can help any claimant. But transferring both Cabrera and Weathers means a trade for Alcantara probably isn’t happening during the 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 can always use more help in that department. The lineup is loaded with prospects, but first base is a spot that could use an upgrade. currently, Graham PollyHitting four home runs with a .678 OPS in 62 games, projects as Miami’s starting first baseman. There are still low-cost options available in free agency.
Urgency Rating: 2
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Information George Polanco
2b marcus semien
rhp luke weaver
rhp devin williams
What he has achieved so far: It was an upsetting start to the offseason for Mets fans, who saw four of their team’s longest tenured players land with other clubs and the Mets failed to land Tucker. have gone Brandon Nimmo, pete alonso, Edwin Diaz And Jeff McNeil — plus tyler rogers, gregory soto And raine stanek. The replacements so far include Semien playing second base, Polanco playing first base for the first time in his career, and Weaver and Williams partnering at the back end of the bullpen. However, none of those players are on Tucker’s level.
What they still need to do: The Mets are going to acquire an outfielder and starting pitcher. Who exactly, is unclear. His top choice among available outfielders was Tucker, the consensus top free agent on the market, to whom he offered a competitive short-term contract before joining the two-time defending World Series champions. Tucker was not a perfect fit – he bats left-handed, last season he was classified as a below average defender and plays in the same position juan soto — but Stearns believed it was important to ignore those flaws in his offensive skill set.
The second obvious free agent option cody bellingerA better and more versatile defender with a lower offensive ceiling. The Yankees want to re-sign Bellinger, but the two sides are at an impasse over contract length; The Yankees have offered him a five-year contract, but Bellinger wants a seven-year contract. Other cheap options include Ex Mate Harrison Bader Acquiring an outfielder in free agency lars nootbaar Through business.
As far as the rotation, the Mets have expressed interest in the free agent left-hander framber valdez And milwaukee brewers right handed batsman freddy peraltaWho 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 ties to the Astros and Brewers, starting with Stearns. Stearns was an assistant general manager in Houston when the Astros drafted Tucker in the first round and Valdez out of the Dominican Republic in 2015. He then became the general manager of the Brewers in September 2015, just months before Milwaukee acquired Peralta. seattle marinersand saw Peralta develop into a big league mainstay.
Urgency Rating: 5
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What he has achieved so far: The extended reconstruction of citizens is under a new regime. President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni’s first major move into the position was joining Jose A. Ferrer was to be traded to the Mariners for closer 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 the competitive NL East, the next important step for Toboni could be trading the left-hander mackenzie gore. The former No. 3 overall pick was an All-Star for the first time last season after struggling down the stretch, posting a 3.02 ERA in the first half. Gore, who turns 27 next month, has two years of team control remaining before reaching free agency.
moving shortstop CJ Abramswho was acquired in a blockbuster trade like Gore San Diego Padres For Juan Soto in 2022, there is another possibility. An All-Star in 2024, Abrams has played brilliantly for stretches since becoming a regular in 2023, but during that stretch he has been graded as one of the worst defensive shortstops in the majors.
urgent rating:3
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Of adolis garcia
rhp brad keller
What he has achieved so far: The Phillies took care of their top priority early, and re-signed their beloved designated hitter. kyle schwarber A five-year, $150 million contract. They signed Edolis Garcia, who was not tendered. Texas Rangersto a one-year, $10 million deal, and signed Brad Keller to a two-year, $22 million contract.
What they still need to do: To start, the Phillies have a glaring hole at catcher. JT Realmuto Still a free agent. They are expected to address that situation – whether that’s re-signing Realmuto or acquiring someone else. The rotation should be a strength when Zack Wheeler returns in midseason, but the Rangers should lose Suárez, who agreed to a five-year, $130 million deal. boston red sox On Wednesday, the pain is there, and the Phillies may look to add depth.
But the biggest move the Phillies can make — especially if they don’t re-sign Realmuto — is to sign bo bichet. Adding an infielder is not a glaring need – the Phillies have tree turner at shortstop, alec bohm on third base and Bryson Stott at second base – but they have met with Bichette and are in the running to sign the two-time All-Star. Bichette, who will turn 28 in March, will play either second base or third base for Philadelphia, perhaps prompting the Phillies to trade Boehm or Stotts.
Urgency Rating: 3
