How do the NL East Power Rankings look after the New York Mets signed Justin Verlander, and the Phillies signed Trea Turner?
Justin Verlander is coming to the National League for the first time in his career. Specifically, it’s the National League East. The New York Mets went out and signed Verlander as a replacement for Jacob deGrom. Suddenly, the NL East Power Rankings feel a little bit different.
The NL East was a special division in 2022. Two teams won 100+ games. Another finished third and represented the National League in the World Series against Verlander’s Houston Astros.
The Mets are hoping to creep up closer to the top of the NL East Power Rankings with this addition. The Phillies, meanwhile, signed Trea Turner and acquired their shortstop for the next decade. Are either team now No. 1?
5) NL East Power Rankings: Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals might actually take it as a compliment to see themselves in fifth place in the NL East Power Rankings. They’re in rebuild mode. Finishing higher than last in the division would be an overachievement.
The Nationals have the capacity to finish with the worst record in baseball next season. Again, it’s not such a bad piece of news for them. It’s kind of their goal. No amount of free agent signings for the rest of the division, good or bad, will change this.
4) NL East Power Rankings: Miami Marlins
For the Miami Marlins, the only question for them is whether or not they’re closer to fifth place or third. Right now, it’s fifth. They haven’t had an active offseason just yet although they could be one of those teams to surprise us and possibly make a big splash.
The Marlins have “spoiler potential” in their blood. Miami finishing any higher than fourth-place is a larger declaration to the failings of the other teams within the division. They are in a different class than the three leftover playoff clubs.
3) NL East Power Rankings: Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are contemplating their next move after seeing Justin Verlander enter the NL East. He helped take them down in the World Series. Their latest addition of Trea Turner makes them extremely better but there are some huge questions remaining with the rotation depth and lineup.
The Mets can still muff things up with some unwise signings. The Phillies can pass them and even climb into first place with some wise ones. There’s a lot of offseason left for these top three clubs to trade spots. The Phillies, by a hair, fall behind the Mets in the NL East Power Rankings.
2) NL East Power Rankings: New York Mets
The Justin Verlander signing helps the New York Mets get back to where they were. He’s a Jacob deGrom replacement. It doesn’t move them any closer to first place in the NL East Power Rankings than prior to when free agency began.
Fear not, the Mets should still add to the starting rotation and bullpen before Opening Day. They have a lot of work to do, but are only a tie-breaker away from catching the top team.
1) NL East Power Rankings: Atlanta Braves
Still number one, the Atlanta Braves didn’t lose much of significance in free agency outside of shortstop Dansby Swanson. They’re expected to be busy this winter in an attempt to reclaim their National League East crown. The disappointing ending to their 2022 season should have them pushing hard to remind the rest of the division who owns it.
The Braves may not end up with a player like Verlander on their roster. That’s because the rotation is already pretty complete and so is the starting lineup. Nonetheless, they will fill up any holes on the roster in the ways they usually do: wisely and with a team-friendly contract.