Philadelphia Phillies
Despite making consecutive NLCS appearances and a 2022 World Series berth, Philadelphia hadn’t been able to be the best team in the division before last year. The Phillies finally got over the hump, winning their first division title since 2011, though the postseason was short-lived.
In his first full season at the position, Bryce Harper thrived defensively at first base, with his bat continuing to be one of the best in the game. A second half fall off dampened what would’ve been an MVP caliber year from Trea Turner in his second season in Philly. Similarly to Turner, Alec Bohm’s best season was ruined by a slow stretch at the end of the season, as he enters 2025 after having his name swirling around trade talks. Despite producing his second best on-base percentage, Kyle Schwarber is being rumored to move down in the Philadelphia lineup. J.T. Realmuto remains a top catcher in baseball, though age could be getting the better of him, as knee pain caused him to play in less than 100 games for the first time in a full season in his career. The young trio of Bryson Stott, Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas all flashed solid leather and stellar base running, though mixed results at the dish was the trend for the three.
For the second time in his Phillies tenure, Zach Wheeler finished as runner up to the NL Cy Young. Even year Aaron Nola struck again, drawing Cy Young votes for the fourth straight year ending in an even digit, having none in odd years. Late season struggles, paired with a back injury ruined what was Ranger Suárez’s career year, looking for an encore in a contract year. After a solid showing in 2023, Christopher Sánchez proved his success wasn’t a flash in the pan, finishing top-10 in NL Cy Young voting and earning his first All Star nomination. Rocking the Phillies’ pinstripes, Jesús Luzardo looks to bounce back from a tragic 2024 year, with two separate injuries slowing the success from the beginning of his stint in Miami. Top prospect Andrew Painter enters 2025 on the verge of joining the big club, a feat he neared in 2023, before Tommy John surgery delayed the Florida native. Looking for a return to his once dominating presence, Jordan Romano joins José Alvardo, Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering as the late inning arms for the 2025 Phillies.
Philadelphia didn’t make any flashy moves, though they brought in solid pieces to supplement the current roster, in hopes that the success from years past will roll over to 2025 and result in the club’s third World Series title.
New York Mets
Despite entering the postseason as a Wild Card team, New York finished their year just two games shy of a World Series appearance. The Mets look to finish the job from a year ago.
The biggest piece to the team’s quest to the World Series is Juan Soto, who was exceptional in his lone season across town with the Yankees, joining the Mets on the largest contract in American sports history. Pairing with the $750 million man is Francisco Lindor, who has continued to improve in every season in Queens, falling just short of his first MVP award. Returning to the lineup is Pete Alonso, who had a bad year for his standards, though still smacking 31 doubles, 38 home runs and driving in 88 runs. After a pair of early season demotions to Syracuse, Mark Vientos made sure he didn’t return to upstate New York, launching 27 home runs in his breakout year. A second half which saw Brandon Nimmo hit below “The Mendoza Line” ruined what could’ve been his best year as a professional. Francisco Alvarez couldn’t seem to get going after an early thumb injury took the first two months away from him. Luisangel Acuña looks to replicate his cup of coffee from 2024, as he’ll battle with Jeff McNeil for reps at second base.
A shoulder injury took all but one start away from Kodai Senga, who enters 2025 in full health, looking to regain the prowess he displayed in his rookie year. After the end of his Yankees tenure ended unceremoniously, Clay Holmes joins the Mets with a new task: transforming from a lights out closer to a viable starting arm. Following a career year, Sean Manaea was prepared to become a top tier lefty, before an oblique injury ruined his Spring Training. Fellow lefty David Peterson was a pleasant surprise for the Mets starting rotation, with Griffin Canning and Paul Blackburn looking to do the same this year. After missing all of 2023 with an injury suffered during the World Baseball Classic, Edwin Díaz returned to his place as one of baseball’s best closers.
New York overachieved last season, but now enters 2025 with anything less than a repeat of a season ago as a failure.
Atlanta Braves
For the first time since 2018, the Braves didn’t finish as the top team in the NL East. Though injuries were the main factor in the ending of the streak, Atlanta was still a premier team in the game.
Following his 40-home-run, 70-stolen-base 2023 NL MVP season, Ronald Acuña Jr. suffered his second ACL tear and will look to bounce back from the injury, though it’s not likely he’ll be ready by Opening Day. For the fifth time in his career and third straight year, Matt Olson played every regular season game, though his offensive output worsened from the past two years. Like Olson, Marcell Ozuna played in all 162 in 2024, however performing at arguably the best rate of his career. An August hand fracture didn’t help a down season from Austin Riley, producing the worst full season numbers since becoming the everyday third baseman. The trend of a lengthy injury every other year continued for Ozzie Albies, causing the second baseman to miss 63 games. Even with significant dips in his offensive production, Michael Harris II patrolled the outfield with ease, totaling 11 defensive runs saved. Fresh off a career best season in year 11, Jurickson Profar joins the Braves lineup looking to repeat his Silver Slugger stats. Braves’ top prospect Drake Baldwin is looking to break camp as the next great catcher for Atlanta, battering pitching in AAA and the Arizona Fall League in 2024.
For the first time since 2020, injuries didn’t ruin a Chris Sale season and he showed what happens when he’s healthy, leading baseball in K/9 (11.4), FIP (2.09) and ERA+ (174), as the lanky lefty won his first Cy Young. Tommy John surgery stole the 2024 season from Spencer Strider, who enters 2025 ready to reassert himself as one of the best starters in the game, once he returns from injury. Reynaldo López was nothing short of exceptional in 2024, tossing for a sub-two ERA in first season as a full time starter since 2020. In his first year with the big club, Spencer Schwellenbach sliced opponents across his 21 starts. The combination of Grant Holmes, Ian Anderson, AJ Smith-Shawver and Bryce Elder are vying for the final two rotation roles. With little room to improve, Raisel Iglesias found a way, matching his career best 34 saves, while having 1.95 ERA.
If injuries don’t deplete the Atlanta roster again, the Braves could very easily return to the throne of the NL East.
Washington Nationals
Since the franchise’s first World Series title in 2019, the Washington Nationals haven’t sniffed the postseason. With the current roster construct, playoffs don’t seem obtainable, but this year could be a good timetable for how far away Washington is from playing extra baseball.
Apart from a late season demotion, due to a casino trip prematurely ending his season, CJ Abrams had his best overall season, besting most of his offensive stats and earning an All Star selection. His double play mate Luis García Jr. had his best season, stealing 22 bases and spanking 44 extra base hits. Across his first 79 MLB games, James Wood showed a glimpse of why he recently graduated as a top prospect. The first month of Dylan Crews’ career didn’t display the talent that he possesses. Despite a regression offensively, Nathaniel Lowe was still a productive bat and remained one of the better defending first baseman. Almost every ball sent to centerfield was tracked by Jacob Young, who produced 20 defensive runs saved, still looking for offensive rhythm.
MacKenzie Gore continued the trend of improvement, entering 2025 as the ace of the rotation. Struggles down the stretch ruined what seemed to be a breakout year for Jake Irvin. DJ Herz and Mitchell Parker showed promise of being solid southpaws to slot behind Gore. Although it was only 13 starts, Trevor Williams was untouchable at the end of the Washington rotation. In his first year stateside, Shinnosuke Ogasawara has a chance to grab a starting job for D.C. A lingering forearm injury will keep Josiah Gray on the sideline for the majority of 2025. He hopes to recreate his performance from 2023 once he returns. After a long time on the free agency market, Kyle Finnegan returned to reclaim his role as closer of the Nationals, slamming 38 games shut in 2024, with Derek Law set to help transfer the game to Finnegan.
With the youth of the Nationals roster, they aren’t where they need to be to be a threat in the NL. Still, Washington’s core could be the next great one to lead the Nats to the World Series down the road.
Miami Marlins
Since their 2003 World Series victory, the Marlins have been disappointing, having more 100+ loss seasons than playoff appearances. The 2025 roster could widen the gap in said time span.
An early season foot ailment shortened Xavier Edwards’ burst onto the scene. Working up the middle with Edwards will be Otto López, who was a defensive whiz in his rookie season. After a brief, yet successful run with Baltimore in 2024, Kyle Stowers was shipped south, where he struggled the remainder of the year. Opposite to his trademate, Connor Norby improved after being dealt to Miami, tallying 36 hits in his 36 games with Miami. Son of Marlins’ great Jeff, Griffin Conine had a solid 30 games with the big club. Even with 130 extra at bats, Jesús Sanchez saw just a slight increase in his counting stats, with decreases across his slashline.
Elbow surgery at the end of 2023 cost Sandy Alcántara all of 2024, as he enters the new year looking to dominate baseball the way he did in his NL Cy Young campaign. After the All-Star break, Edward Cabrera dazzled to the tune of a 3.57 ERA. Woes arose across his first four seasons, before 2024 saw Ryan Weathers rally 16 good outings. In 11 starts back from injury, Max Meyer struggled, as he tries to live up to the potential from his once top prospect ranking. A second half collapse ruined a decent 2024 year from Cal Quantrill. Calvin Faucher, Jesús Tinoco and Anthony Bender will be responsible for making sure games go in favor of Miami in later innings.
Miami is far from being relevant in the grand scheme of the MLB. Talent is sprinkled throughout the roster, but not nearly enough to be scary to any opponents.
All stats are from Baseball Reference and FanGraphs as of Feb. 27.
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