Each Teams Biggest Offseason Needs: NL East
New York Mets: Quality Starter and Juan Soto
The New York Mets had a interesting year. They have a lot of good players on offense, but the pitching is where it lacked the most. They hit a hot streak after the McDonalds mascot named Grimace, made a guest appearance at Citi Field. Francisco Lindor had an MVP-level season, Pete Alonso hit 30+ home runs again, and Mark Vientos had an incredible year after his call-up in May. Their bullpen was a big issue, but I believe they will address that in the background this offseason. Steve Cohen has a lot of money, and he wants to spend it. Their main objective should be, and will be, Juan Soto. Steve Cohen will let Soto say his own number. Other than Soto, they need a good starter. Sean Manaea and Jose Quintana are free agents, who were staples in their rotation last year. I believe that they need to bring those guys back, and try to repeat the success they had in 2024.
Washington Nationals: Spend Money in Free Agency
The Nationals are nearing the end of their rebuild. I believe that they are one good offensive piece, and one good piece on the mound away from being a good team. With CJ Abrams being an All-Star level talent, and Dylan Crews and James Wood coming up and showing positive flashes, I think they are a star or two away from being very good. If they can sign Pete Alonso or Christian Walker to hold down first base and slug in the middle of that order, that lineup will be dangerous. I would also like the Nationals to get another starter. They are pretty thin on the mound. Jake Irvin and Mackenzie Gore were solid, but they need an Ace to take some pressure off of those young guys. I would like to see them go after Blake Snell or Walker Buehler.
Miami Marlins: Continue the Rebuild
The Miami Marlins know where they are at. I don't think they have any room to spend a lot of money in free agency, or make trades to try and improve their team a whole bunch. They have a ton of young guys that I think will only improve with another year under their belt playing in 2025. In 2025, they will get Sandy Alcantara back from Tommy John, and towards the end of the year they might get Eury Perez back from Tommy John as well. I believe that the Marlins need 2025 to be a bridge year, where they play a bunch of young guys and wait for their studs on the mound to get healthy.
Atlanta Braves: Sign a Starting Pitcher
The Atlanta Braves are the top five team on paper in the MLB. 2024 was a disappointing year for the Braves for a number of reasons. Losing Ronald Acuña Jr. for a second season and three years was a big blow. Losing Spencer Strider to Tommy John after only a couple of stars was a big blow. Even Austin Riley and Sean Murphy were banged up for big chunks of the year. I do not believe that the Braves need to add any offense. When you have a lineup of Austin Riley, Marcell Ozuna, Matt Olson, Ronald Acuña Jr., and everyone else, I don’t think they need to improve. Where I believe they can improve, is in the starting rotation. Signing a big free-agent arm will boost that rotation to be very good. Losing Max Fried to free agency will be a tough loss, but I think they need to combat that with signing another big arm. Going after Walker Buehler or Blake Snell would make a great 1-2 punch with the eventual 2024 Cy Young winner Chris Sale.
Philadelphia Phillies: A 5th starter or Good Depth Piece
The Phillies are the most well-rounded team in the MLB. They have a top five starting rotation, top-five bullpen, top five offense, there is nothing that the Phillies aren't good at. If they were to make moves this off-season, I would like to see them get a good-hitting utility player, like a Tommy Edman. Although I still believe in Bryson Stott and Johan Rojas, their offensive production just continues to get worse. I believe that they could sign a good fifth starter for cheap if they wanted to as well. It seems like Taijuan Walker is a gamble every time he makes a start, so they might want a fifth starter that will give them a chance.
We cover the NL Central tommorrow, see you then.
