The Mets are a testament that an offseason cannot be judged within the first two months.
In totality, the Mets had a seismic offseason, watching Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz and Brandon Nimmo depart New York while building the foundation back a month and a half later by making a pair of pivotal trades to address their starting rotation and outfield and a blockbuster signing to fortify the heart of the lineup.
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It is not totally the early vision of president of baseball operations David Stearns, who discussed the need for run prevention after the 2025 season capsized. Several players will be learning new positions heading into 2026 but the pieces remain exciting ones.
This season’s version of the Mets will be an unfamiliar one but it does not lack in intrigue. The Mets were one of the most active clubs this offseason but how do they stand up in their race for their first NL East crown since 2015?
Here is how each of the division’s teams have fared this offseason:
Bo Bichette, right, is introduced as a member of the Mets by president of baseball operations David Stearns on Jan. 21, 2026, at Citi Field.
Notable additions for 2026: RHPs Freddy Peralta, Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, Tobias Myers, INFs Bo Bichette, Marcus Semien, Jorge Polanco, OF Luis Robert Jr.
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Notable subtractions from 2025: 1B Pete Alonso, RHPs Edwin Diaz, Ryne Stanek, Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers, Brandon Sproat, OFs Brandon Nimmo, Cedric Mullins, Starling Marte (free agent), INF Jeff McNeil, DH Jesse Winker (free agent)
One roster question: Are the Mets content with the way their starting rotation is set up heading into the 2026 season?
Bottom line: The Mets grabbed the current jewel of the starting pitching trade market when they acquired Peralta in a trade with the Brewers that also netted Tobias Myers for the bullpen but sent away Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat, two top 100 prospects.
It capped off a feverish five-day stretch that saw the Mets add Bichette on a three-year, $126 million deal and acquire outfielder Luis Robert Jr. in a trade with the White Sox.
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A question could persist in left field where the Mets could look to lean on Brett Baty, prospect Carson Benge or Tyrone Taylor. The Mets also have a glut of infielders behind their starters in Baty, Ronny Mauricio and Mark Vientos and a deep cupboard of starters. Could they elect to trade from those positions of depth to fortify another area of their roster?
Philadelphia Phillies
Jul 25, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) scores after hitting a two run home run during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Notable additions for 2026: OF Adolis Garcia, RHP Brad Keller, Jonathan Bowlan, Zach Pop, Chase Shugart
Notable subtractions from 2025: LHP Ranger Suarez, RHP Matt Strahm, David Robertson (free agent) Walker Buehler (free agent), OF Harrison Bader, Max Kepler (free agent)
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One roster question: Has there been enough turnover to get the Phillies over the hump after a pair of early playoff exits despite consecutive NL East pennants?
Bottom line: The biggest moves for the Phillies this offseason have been who they are bringing back in Kyle Schwarber (five years, $150 million) and J.T. Realmuto (three years, $45 million).
There was stiff competition for the former, who led the NL with 56 home runs and MLB with 132 RBI. The latter might have been a direct response to losing out on Bichette to the Mets. The Phillies gambled on the upside of Garcia to plug an outfield hole.
The Phillies’ rotation remains deep, headed up by Cristopher Sanchez, Zack Wheeler and Jesus Luzardo, but took a hit when Suarez departed on a five-year, $130 million deal with the Red Sox. Prospect Andrew Painter could be due for a long-awaited debut.
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Atlanta Braves
Notable additions for 2026: INF/OF Maurcio Dubon, RHP Tyler Kinley, LHP Danny Young, OF Mike Yastrzemski
Notable subtractions from 2025: RHP Pierce Johnson, SS Nick Allen, DH Marcell Ozuna, OF Jarred Kelenic,
One roster question: Does the health of the starting rotation mean that the Braves are due to sign one of the remaining starting pitching free agents?
Bottom line: A lot has changed within the Braves’ rotation since they won their last NL East crown in 2023 when they won 105 games. Spencer Strider, the only one left from that unit, struggled in his return from Tommy John surgery.
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Chris Sale, who won the Cy Young in 2025, remains the ace, but is entering his age-37 season. Spencer Schwellenbach suffered a fractured elbow late last season, so adding some reinforcements might not be so bad.
Now, former Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, along with first-base coach Antoan Richardson, will be on the staff of the rivals.
On offense, the Braves could lose Ozuna, who provided 123 home runs over the last four seasons. Kim is expected to fill the shortstop hole but suffered a freak torn finger tendon injury while slipping on ice and may not return until May or June.
Miami Marlins
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Pete Fairbanks (29) celebrates after defeating the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 13, 2025, at Wrigley Field.
Notable additions for 2026: OFs Christopher Morel, Esteury Ruiz, Owen Caissie, RHP Pete Fairbanks, Bradley Blalock
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Notable subtractions from 2025: RHP Edward Cabrera, LHP Ryan Weathers, 1B Eric Wagaman, OFs Joey Wiemer, Dane Myers
One roster question: When will the prospects be ready that the Marlins acquired by offloading two of their rotation pieces?
Bottom line: The Marlins front office dipped into the top of its starting rotation with an aim of bringing some firepower back to its lineup in the future.
When the Marlins sent Cabrera, who has three more years of team control, to the Cubs in a trade, they received their top prospect, Caissie, MLB’s No. 42 prospect who is on the path to MLB, plus a pair of another position player prospects. They received four prospects in the deal with the Yankees for Weathers, including two outfielders that will slot into the middle of their top 30.
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The Marlins will continue to lean on their young core after promising campaigns by Kyle Stowers, Agustin Ramirez and Jakob Marsee. They addressed a rough bullpen by bringing in the dependable Fairbanks, who has at least 23 saves in the last three seasons, on a $13 million deal.
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (5) crosses home plate ahead of a tag by New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) to score the game winning run on an RBI single by Nationals outfielder James Wood (not pictured) during the ninth inning on April 25, 2025, at Nationals Park.
Notable additions for 2026: C Harry Ford, Mickey Gasper, LHP Foster Griffin, OF Joey Wiemer
Notable subtractions from 2025: LHP MacKenzie Gore, RHP Jose A. Ferrer, Derek Law, INF Paul DeJong, 1B Josh Bell,
One roster question: Will the Nationals make another splash move and ship away CJ Abrams?
Bottom line: The biggest move of the Nationals’ offseason came last week when they traded away two years of Gore, an All-Star last season, to the Rangers for five prospects, including two among their top 10.
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Shortstop prospect Gavin Fien and right-hander Alejandro Rosario were the prizes in the deal. The 18-year-old Fien had been the Rangers’ No. 2 prospect and their first-round pick last year. The 24-year-old Rosario was a 2023 fifth-round pick who pitched to a 2.40 ERA in High-A last season.
On the heels of a 66-win season, the Nationals appear keen on cultivating a young core, led by James Wood, Dylan Crews and Daylen Lile.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Analyzing NY Mets’ offseason moves and standing in NL East