Steve Sica- Behind Enemy Lines: A look at the NL East

It’s been an off-season of change and shaking up the core for the Mets. While they still have work to do before Opening Day, let’s take a look at what the other four NL East teams have done to improve before 2026.

After a disappointing year that saw the Braves start 0-7 and end with a record of 76-86, which ended their seven-year postseason streak, Atlanta has arguably been the most aggressive NL East team this offseason. 

Their biggest move came in the bullpen, where they signed Robert Suarez to anchor the ninth inning. Suarez gives the Braves a proven closer going into 2026. They also added multiple relievers, including Ian Hamilton and Danny Young, signaling a full-scale attempt to rebuild bullpen depth, which was their weak point in 2025.

Atlanta also made a quiet but notable position player move by signing Mike Yastrzemski. It is not a headline grabber, but it is very on brand for the Braves. They value versatility, defense, and professional at bats, and Yastrzemski checks those boxes.

I can’t imagine the Braves being as bad as they were this past season. Any team that has Ronald Acuna Jr. and Matt Olson in its lineup is going to be a problem. The Mets will have their hands full with their longtime rival from the South.

The biggest move from the Philadelphia Phillies wasn’t an addition at all. They brought back Kyle Schwarber on a five-year, $150 million dollar deal. One of the best hitters in baseball returns to Philly. 

As for additions, they took a flyer on 2023 ALCS MVP, Adolis Garcia, on a one-year deal. Garcia hasn’t put up the numbers he did for the 2023 World Champion Rangers over these last two years, but for a one-year deal, the Phillies are taking a low-risk, high-reward chance on Garcia. Citizens Bank Park is a hitter ballpark, and Garcia, could find his swing again in that bandbox. Hitting in the same lineup as Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Kyle Schwarber won’t hurt either.

The Phillies also made some additions to their bullpen. A bizarre trade sent reliable reliever Matt Strahm to Kansas City for Jonathan Bowlan. The move saves the Phillies $7.5 million owed to Strahm, but also is a downgrade. They did sign Brad Keller to a deal, and they’ll see the return of José Alvarado. The Phillies still remain the biggest threat in the NL East.

The Miami Marlins surprised everyone last year, going 79-83 with a young and exciting core group of players. In typical Miami fashion, though, they haven’t done much this offseason to bolster that roster. 

Their lone notable addition has been Christopher Morel on a one-year deal. Morel brings power and defensive flexibility, but also inconsistency. For Miami, this move feels less about contending and more about maintaining roster flexibility while seeing if Morel can unlock something more.

The Marlins won’t spend money quite like the Mets and Phillies of the division, but if last year showed us anything, they’re a threat, and I’d say the most up-and-coming team in the NL East.

The Washington Nationals still remain in the slow rebuild phase. Their most notable move was signing left-hander Foster Griffin, a pitcher who rebuilt his value overseas. It is a low-risk, depth-oriented signing that fits where Washington currently sits. 

The Nationals are not trying to win the division this winter. But they’re trying to create a core group of players that’ll compete for it sooner than later. The Nats haven’t been to the playoffs since they won the World Series in 2019. While 2026 will likely be a continuation of that drought, like the Marlins, the Nats are a young and exciting team that might only be a year or two away from punching with the division heavyweights.