NL East Primed To Be Competitive All Season Long

The National League East last year was one of the best divisions in all of baseball with both the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets winning over 100 games while the third-place Philadelphia Phillies surprised the baseball world by making a run to the World Series after an 87-win regular season. This offseason, all three teams made significant moves in hopes of making World Series runs in 2023.

Below, we take a look at the moves each team made this offseason and their overall outlook for the upcoming season.

Atlanta Braves

Additions: OF/1B Jordan Luplow, RP Nick Anderson, C Sean Murphy, SP Kolby Allard, RP Joe Jimenez, RP Sam Hilliard

Subtractions: SS Dansby Swanson, OF Adam Duvall, OF Robbie Grossman, RP Luke Jackson, RP Jay Jackson, RP Darren O’Day, RP Kenley Janson

The Braves are coming off a 101-61 win season but failed to repeat as World Series champions, being knocked out by the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS in three games. It was a disappointing end to the season for the Braves who made a tremendous second-half push to win the National League East by chasing down the New York Mets after being behind by 10 games in May.

This offseason, the Braves saw the departure of longtime shortstop Dansby Swanson who signed with Chicago Cubs and also saw the departure of outfielders Adam Duvall and Robbie Grossman as well as key relievers Luke Jackson, Darren O’Day ,and Kenley Janson.

They did, however, make one big addition this offseason in trading for catcher Sean Murphy from the Oakland Athletics. One of the best catchers in all of baseball, Murphy will help solidify the Braves catcher position and should provide a more consistent at-bat at the plate.

All in all, the Braves should continue to be one of the league’s best teams and are a true World Series contender in 2023.

Miami Marlins

Additions: RP A.J Puk, RP Matt Barnes, INF Luis Arraez, INF Jacob Amaya, RP JT Chargois, SP Johnny Cueto, 2B Jean Segura

Subtractions: 3B Brian Anderson, SP Nick Neidert, OF JJ Bledary, RP Richard Bleier, SP Pablo Ropez, INF Miguel Rojas

It wasn’t an overly active offseason for the Marlins who made some quality under-the-radar moves but are still looking at an overall tough offseason. They picked up two nice infield pieces in second baseman Jean Segura and the American League’s 2022 batting champ, Luis Arraez. Arraez on top of his great bat will bring versatility to the Marlins with the ability to play both second base and first base. Signing Johnny Cueto was a sneaky but solid signing as well that will help the Marlins make up for the loss of starting pitcher Miguel Rojas.

The Marlins have an opportunity to be competitive again in 2023 but overall lack the higher end talent that will allow them to compete with the upper echelon of the National League. Pushing for .500 isn’t out of the question but a playoff trip is surely a longshot.

New York Mets

Additions: SP Justin Verlander, SP Jose Quitnana, RP David Robertson, SP Kodai Senga, OF Tommy Pham

Subtractions: OF Dominic Smith, RP Trevor May, RP Joely Rodriguez, OF Tyler Naquin, SP Trevor Williams, RP Seth Lugo, SP Chris Bassitt, SP Taijuan Walker, SP Jacob deGrom, RB Mychal Givens, C James McCann

After a red hot start to their season last year, it looked like the Mets were going to run away with the NL East. While the Mets still played strong baseball throughout the second half, going 54-32 from the beginning of July to the end of the season, late season struggles to the Atlanta Braves ultimately cost the Mets the division. They would be knocked out in the National League Wild Card round by the San Diego Padres.

This offseason, the Mets saw the departure of trio starting pitchers in Chris Bassitt, Taijuan Walker, and Jacob DeGrom. In the meantime, they replaced the trio with the likes of defending AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander as well as veteran Jose Quintana and Japanese import Kodai Senga. The only major addition they made in the field was outfielder Tommy Pham who will provide the Mets with a quality depth outfielder this upcoming season.

Another name to watch is outfielder Abraham Almonte who was picked up by the Mets this offseason after spending last year with the Boston Red Sox and signed to a minor league contract with a chance to make the team and add some depth to the line-up. He is off to a hot start in Spring training and is someone to keep an eye on. For Bostonians WynnBET Massachusetts promo will come in handy this season as Massachusetts is about to legalize online sports betting just in time for the MLB season.

While they did lose a talented trio of pitchers, the Mets filling their spots with a trio arguably just as good should keep the Amazins as a true World Series contender in 2023. Like for anyone else in the division, it will be tough to win the National League East but as long as they get to the playoffs, they’ll have a legitimate chance to win the World series again this fall.

Philadelphia Phillies

Additions: SS Trea Turner, RP Matt Strahm, SP Taijuan Walker, RP Craig Kimbrel, INF Josh Harrison, INF Kody Clemens, RP Gregory Soto, RP Yunior Marte

Subtractions: 2B Jean Segura, SP Zach Eflin, OF Matt Vierling, 2B Nick Maton, SP Kyle Gibson, RP Corey Knebel, RP Brad Hand, RP David Robertson

The Phillies made a surprise run to the World Series last year and came two wins short of a title but were not satisfied. This past offseason, they went out and upgraded in several spots including at shortstop, signing Trea Turner, arguably the top player on the market for 11-years and over $300 million. They also signed relievers Matt Strahm and Craig Kimbrel while trading for Gregory Soto from the Detroit Tigers, they also signed Taijuan Walker to help fill out their rotation.

On the departure side, the most impactful departure is likely that of SP Zach Eflin – who not only was a consistent and reliable starter but also had the ability to come in for relief when needed. They also saw the departure of utility men Matt Vierling and Nick Maton to the Detroit Tigers in order to land Soto.

The Phillies once again should be a playoff contender this season, if they do indeed make the playoffs, they’ll have the chance to replicate their National League title run thanks to their high-quality pitching staff and potentially the best lineup in baseball, once Bryce Harper returns from injury. If the Phillies can stay afloat in the National League East or Wild Card standings until Harper’s return, they’ll have an opportunity to make plenty of noise in the second half of the season.

Washington Nationals

Additions: SP Chad Kuhl, SP Wily Peralta, RP Alex Colome, OF Corey Dickerson, 1B Dominic Smith, INF Michael Chavis, 1B Matt Adams, SP Trevor Williams, 3B Jeimer Candelario, OF Stone Garrett,

Subtractions: DH Nelson Cruz, SP Joe Ross, RP Steve Cishek, INF Cesar Hernandez, RP Will Harris, SP Anibal Sanchez, SP Erick Fredde ,1B Luke Voit

Finally, there’s the rebuilding Washington Nationals who are expected to once again be among the worst teams in all of baseball in 2023. They added some quality pieces to their rotation in Chad Kuhl and Wily Peralta but still have one of the worst rosters top to bottom in baseball.

That being said, the Nationals do have some young and intriguing pieces that should keep some of your more dedicated fans entertained for most of the season, names such as C Kiebert Ruiz, SS CJ Abrams, and 2B Luis Gonzalez headline position players to watch while Josiah Gray and MacKenzie Gore will be two young pitchers to keep an eye on this season in the nation’s capital.

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