Lincoln Zdunich
Philadelphia Phillies
- C J.T. Realmuto
- 1B Bryce Harper
- 2B Bryson Stott
- SS Trea Turner
- 3B Alec Bohm
- OF Brandon Marsh
- OF Justin Crawford
- OF Adolis García
- DH Kyle Schwarber
After being heavily involved in multiple free agents this offseason (including a deal with Bo Bichette that got struck down at the last minute), Philly didn’t do a whole lot. But they did manage to re-sign their key players in Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto.
The forced departure of Nick Castellanos left an opening in the outfield that will be filled by free agency addition Adolis García. Center field duties are likely to be taken by top prospect Justin Crawford.
The Phils have been in search of a return to the World Series stage since their loss to the Houston Astros in 2022. With a lineup that keeps getting older and older, this is marks a win-now season.
New York Mets
- C Francisco Alvarez
- 1B Jorge Polanco
- 2B Marcus Semien
- SS Francisco Lindor
- 3B Bo Bichette
- OF Carson Benge
- OF Luis Robert Jr.
- OF Juan Soto
- DH Brett Baty
The Mets had an incredibly unfortunate ending to their season after being bounced from the postseason on the final day by the Cincinnati Reds in a tiebreaker rule. Incredibly high spending on superstar Juan Soto last season didn’t stop owner Steve Cohen from spending more this time around.
After losing Pete Alonso, New York added Bichette and Polanco in free agency. They also traded for Semien to fill out their infield around Lindor.
In the Semien trade they gave up long-standing outfielder Brandon Nimmo and left a void in the outfield. To fix that problem they traded for Chicago White Sox superstar Robert Jr. to play center field. Top prospects Baty and Benge will see plenty of time as well at the big-league level.
If the Mets fail to make the playoffs two seasons in a row after this much spending and maneuvering, the front office will have to answer for it.
Atlanta Braves
- C Drake Baldwin
- 1B Matt Olson
- 2B Ozzie Albies
- SS Mauricio Dubon
- 3B Austin Riley
- OF Mike Yastrzemski
- OF Michael Harris II
- OF Ronald Acuña Jr.
- DH Eli White
Since winning the World Series in 2021, the Braves have fallen into mediocrity. They’ve managed to stay somewhat relevant but have struggled in the regular season. They last made the playoffs in 2024 but didn’t win a single game.
With National League Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin returning alongside perennial MVP-contender Acuña Jr., Atlanta has incredibly potential. Starting left fielder Jurickson Profar will be out for the season after testing positive for PEDs, making way for White and Yastrzemski to get regular starts.
Washington Nationals
- C Harry Ford
- 1B Andrés Chaparro
- 2B Luis García Jr.
- SS CJ Abrams
- 3B Brady House
- OF James Wood
- OF Jacob Young
- OF Dylan Crews
- DH Daylen Lile
The Nationals traded star pitcher MacKenzie Gore to the Texas Rangers this offseason for five prospects. None of those five figure to start for the club immediately, though it’s possible. Stars Abrams and Wood will return as everyday contributors.
Their trade with the Seattle Mariners for Ford gives them a much better starting catcher option in front of Keibert Ruiz. The infield isn’t inspiring but offers promise but the outfield is filled with three young and exciting-to-watch players in Crews, Wood, and Young.
It’s likely that the Nats will not make the postseason (sorry Washington fans). They’ve not returned to the playoffs since their World Series win in 2019. But there’s certainly room to improve on 2025’s last place finish.
Miami Marlins
- C Agustín Ramírez
- 1B Christopher Morel
- 2B Otto Lopez
- SS Xavier Edwards
- 3B Graham Pauley
- OF Kyle Stowers
- OF Jakob Marsee
- OF Owen Caissie
- DH Javier Sanoja
It’s easy to forget that Miami almost made the playoffs last year. They ended up third in the division after a 35-32 post-All Star break record. For a team made up of lots of emerging young stars, they impressed last year.
In particular, Stowers went to the All Star game for the NL squad. Outfielder Jesús Sánchez was traded away to the Astros at the Deadline, making room for an outfield of Stowers, Marsee, and offseason trade acquisition Owen Caissie.
