What do the NL East Power ratings look like after the New York Mets sign Justin Verlander, and the Phillies sign 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 came out and signed Verlander as a replacement for Jacob DeGrom. Suddenly, the NL East Power’s rankings seem a little different.
The NL East was a special division in 2022. Two teams have won over 100 games. Another finished third and represented the National League in the World Series against Verlander’s Houston Astros.
The Mets are hoping to sneak near the top of the NL East Power ratings with this addition. Meanwhile, the Phillies signed Trea Turner and took over their shortstop position for the next decade. Is either team now #1?
5) NL East Power Rankings: Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals might actually take it as a compliment to see themselves fifth in the NL East Power standings. They are in rebuilding mode. Finishing higher than last in the division would be an overachievement.
The Nationals have the potential to finish the season with the worst record in baseball. Again, not bad news for them. It’s kind of their goal. No amount of this will change the free agent signings for the rest of the division, good or bad.
4) NL East Power Rankings: Miami Marlins
For the Miami Marlins, the only question for them is whether or not they are closer to fifth or third place. Now, it’s the fifth. They haven’t had an active off season yet although they could be one of those teams to surprise us and possibly make a big push.
The Marlins have “spoiler potential” in their blood. Miami finishing any higher than fourth is an even bigger advertisement for the failures of other teams within the division. They are in a different category than the remaining three clubs.
3) NL East Power Rankings: Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies contemplate their next move after seeing Justin Verlander enter the NL East. He helped land them in the World Series. Their latest addition of Trea Turner makes them so much better but there are some huge questions remaining with spin depth and lineup.
The Mets can still screw things up with some ill-advised gestures. The Phillies could pass them and climb to first place with some wisecracking. There is plenty of offseason left for these top three clubs to trade in. The Phillies are, by a hair, trailing the Mets in the NL East Power ratings.
2) NL East Power Rankings: New York Mets
The signing of Justin Verlander helps the New York Mets get back to where they were. It is a replacement for Jacob deGrom. It doesn’t get them any closer to #1 in the NL East Power rankings than it was before free agency started.
Fear not, the Mets still have to add to their starting and bullpen rotation before Opening Day. They have a lot of work to do, but they are some distance away from catching up with the first team.
1) NL East Power Rankings: Atlanta Braves
Still a top-ranked team, the Atlanta Braves haven’t lost much prominence in free agency outside of Dansby Swanson. They are expected to be busy this winter trying to regain the National League East crown. The disappointing end to the 2022 season should prompt them to press 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. This is because the rotation is already complete and so is the starting lineup. However, they will fill in any gaps in the roster in the ways they usually do: wisely and with a team-friendly contract.
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