The Post previews the NL East with MLB spring training set to begin:
Atlanta Braves
2025
76-86
Manager
Walt Weiss (first season)
Spring training site
North Port, Fla.
Key additions
Robert Suárez was signed after leading the National League with 40 saves last season for San Diego to pair with Raisel Iglesias at the back of the bullpen. Atlanta traded with Houston for the versatile Mauricio Dubón and signed former top Yankees prospect Jorge Mateo to provide depth in the infield. They also signed OF Mike Yastrzemski and brought in Walt Weiss as their new manager.
Key losses
Nick Allen, the team’s starting shortstop most of last year, was sent to Houston in exchange for Dubón and righty reliever Pierce Johnson went to Cincinnati. Marcell Ozuna signed with the Pirates after hitting 21 homers for the Braves in 2025. Manager Brian Snitker opted to retire after last season.
Storylines to watch
Dubón, acquired to fill more of a utility role, will likely be forced to play shortstop to open the season while Ha-Seong Kim, who got a one-year, $20 million deal in the offseason, recovers from surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger after slipping on ice. Weiss, 62, gets a second shot at managing.
Miami Marlins
2025
79-83
Manager
Clayton McCullough (second season)
Spring training site
Jupiter, Fla.
Key additions
They signed just three players — Pete Fairbanks, Chris Paddack and Christopher Morel — to major league free agent deals, while trading for top Cubs outfield prospect Owen Caissie and light-hitting, but speedy, Esteury Ruiz, from the Dodgers. Fairbanks will serve as the closer.
Key losses
The pitching staff took a beating when the Marlins traded Edward Cabrera to the Cubs and Ryan Weathers to the Yankees. First baseman Eric Wagaman was traded to the Twins and Dane Myers to the Reds.
Storylines to watch
How will Sandy Alcantara rebound from a rough season, his first after Tommy John surgery? That may dictate whether the Marlins — who exceeded almost all expectations last season — finally trade the 30-year-old former Cy Young Award winner, who has a $21 million team option for 2027.
Philadelphia Phillies
2025
96-66
Manager
Rob Thomson (fifth season)
Spring training site
Clearwater, Fla.
Key additions
In what’s been a lackluster offseason in Philadelphia, they signed right-hander Brad Keller after a solid season in the bullpen with the Cubs, as well as OF Adolis García.
Key losses
Ranger Suárez left for Boston after another solid season in the rotation, while the bullpen took a hit with the loss of Matt Strahm — traded to the Royals — as well as Jordan Romano, who signed with the Angels, and the retired David Robertson. Harrison Bader signed with the Giants.
Storylines to watch
The defending division champs haven’t been able to bring in any major players this offseason and lost out on Bo Bichette, who went to the Mets, so they’re counting on familiar faces like J.T. Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber, both re-signed this offseason, to figure out a way to do it again. The return of Zack Wheeler from August surgery is expected in the first half of the year, which would be huge for the rotation. And Nick Castellanos remains on the roster despite the outfielder and organization seemingly headed for a divorce since late last season. And how does Bryce Harper react after team president Dave Dombrowski raised eyebrows by questioning whether the star was still “elite?”
Washington Nationals
2025
66-96
Manager
Blake Butera (first season)
Spring training site
West Palm Beach, Fla.
Key additions
To the roster? Not much of note. But they hired Paul Toboni as their new president of baseball operations. At 35, he’s the youngest head executive in the sport and Toboni brought in Blake Butera as the youngest manager in MLB at 33. Harry Ford, a 22-year-old catcher, was acquired in a trade from Seattle in exchange for lefty Jose Ferrer.
Key losses
In addition to Ferrer, who led the staff in appearances with 72, the Nationals traded 26-year-old lefty MacKenzie Gore to Texas for a handful of minor league prospects. Josh Bell signed with Minnesota.
Storylines to watch
As Washington moves on from Mike Rizzo and Dave Martinez, both fired last July, CJ Abrams is still in Washington — for now. The rebuilding team hasn’t ruled out moving the 25-year-old shortstop, despite the fact he can’t be a free agent until 2029. And if you have to watch the Nationals, at least there’s James Wood, who’s 23, hit 31 homers last season and also led the majors with 221 strikeouts.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
