A couple of weeks can feel like a lifetime in baseball’s offseason, and nowhere is that more evident than in the NL East. At the start of the year, the New York Mets looked like they were stuck in neutral, watching their rivals gear up while they stood still.
But then came a twist: the Kyle Tucker pursuit fell short, the front office pivoted fast, and suddenly Bo Bichette is calling Queens home. That’s not just a headline - that’s a potential turning point.
So with Bichette now in the fold and the hot stove still simmering, it’s time to reassess the NL East power rankings. Has the division’s hierarchy shifted? Or is this just a ripple in the water?
NL East Power Rankings (Post-Bo Bichette Edition)
5. Washington Nationals (66-96 in 2025)
No surprises here - the Nationals remain at the bottom of the division. The gap between them and the rest of the NL East may have shrunk slightly, but that’s more about other teams shifting than Washington making real moves.
The biggest storyline in D.C. right now? MacKenzie Gore trade rumors.
If the Nats move their talented lefty, it’s hard to see how they avoid another long, painful season. They’re still deep in the rebuild phase, and unless they pull off a surprise, 2026 could be another year of growing pains.
4. Miami Marlins (79-83 in 2025)
The Marlins are a puzzle - and not the kind that’s easy to solve. They came into the offseason talking about spending more aggressively, but so far, the moves haven’t exactly screamed "win-now."
Signing 32-year-old closer Pete Fairbanks was a solid addition, a signal that they want to stay competitive. But trading Edward Cabrera?
That’s a head-scratcher - unless you’re thinking long-term. The return was strong, especially with Cubs prospect Owen Caissie headlining the deal.
If Caissie hits the ground running, Miami could surprise. But right now, they look like a team trying to straddle two timelines: compete and rebuild.
That rarely works cleanly.
3. Atlanta Braves (76-86 in 2025)
Here’s where things get interesting. The Braves haven’t made a major splash since our last check-in, but they’re still dangerous. They were neck-and-neck with the Mets in our previous rankings, and while New York’s addition of Bichette gives them a boost, Atlanta still has the bones of a contender.
The rotation, though, remains a question mark. The Braves have been linked to Freddy Peralta on the trade market, and landing him could change the narrative in a hurry. But until they shore up that starting staff, they’re stuck in the middle - talented, but incomplete.
2. New York Mets (83-79 in 2025)
Bo Bichette changes things. Not just because he’s a star - though he is - but because he brings a different offensive profile than what the Mets had last season. Pete Alonso’s power will be missed, but Bichette offers something this lineup needed: contact, consistency, and a bat that doesn’t wait around for the long ball.
He’s not just a splash - he’s a fit.
That said, there are still question marks. Bichette’s moving to a new position, and his defense has never been his calling card.
Could that become a liability? And what about the rotation?
The Mets still need an arm or two to feel like a true threat to the Phillies. If they add Cody Bellinger to the outfield mix, this offense could be one of the most balanced in the National League.
But for now, they’re a team on the rise - not quite at the top, but closing the gap.
1. Philadelphia Phillies (96-66 in 2025)
The Phillies hold onto the top spot - for now. They were in the mix for Bichette themselves, and missing out stings.
That kind of move could’ve widened the gap between them and the rest of the division. Instead, they watched a key target land with a rival.
Still, they managed to retain J.T. Realmuto, and that’s no small feat.
The veteran catcher remains a key piece, both at the plate and behind it. But let’s be honest: re-signing Realmuto was expected.
It doesn’t move the needle the way a Bichette signing would have.
So where do they go from here? If the front office is done making moves, the Phillies are still the team to beat - but they’re not untouchable.
The Mets are gaining ground, the Braves are lurking, and the Marlins are unpredictable. The NL East might not be the deepest division in baseball, but it’s shaping up to be one of the most intriguing.
Bottom Line:
The Mets made a statement with Bichette.
The Phillies are still the standard. The Braves are a move away.
The Marlins are a mystery. And the Nationals… well, they’re still rebuilding.
Buckle up - the NL East race is just getting started.