MLB Spring Training: Can big spenders in NL East take the next step?

• The MLB National League East has three of the top eight teams in payroll this season. All three made the playoffs in 2024. Who will take the next step this year?
• The New York Mets’ payroll will be $325 million thanks to the signings of Juan Soto and Pete Alonso.
• The Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins will be hard-pressed to compete this season.

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Full squad workouts have started across Major League Baseball’s spring training sites, and the big money clubs in the National League East are hoping to take that next playoff step this season. The New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves all rank in the MLB payroll’s top eight, according to Spotrac.

But will all that spending bring those teams a World Series title?

Will $321 million buy the Mets a World Series?

The Mets made the ultimate splash by signing Juan Soto away from the Yankees with the biggest contract in sports history, a whopping $765 million for 15 years. They recently re-signed first baseman Pete Alonso to complete the puzzle, but it will cost owner Steven Cohen a $321 million payroll this year––second only to the Dodgers.

On Tuesday, Feb. 18, he explained his desire to build a winning team through spending.

“I wrestle with that all the time. Even this year, you know, I had a thought of where I want it to be, and I’ve already blown through it,” Cohen said. “I really wanted to be there and just circumstances just created the ––all right? I have got to adapt my thinking.”

Are the Phillies ready to repeat as division champs?

The Phillies aren’t going to give up the division crown without a fight. Bryce Harper, Aaron Nola, Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber are ready to run it back with the addition of outfielder Max Kepler from the Minnesota Twins. They tweaked the bullpen some, but the starting rotation is still one of the best in the National League.

Do the Braves have the best rotation in the division?

Starting pitching will be the strength of the Atlanta Braves as well. After missing all of last season, Spencer Strider should return from an elbow injury to pair with ace Chris Sale, as well as Spencer Schwellenbach. Outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. will return from a torn ACL at some point this summer. That will boost a lineup that added Jurickson Profar from the San Diego Padres, the team that beat them in the Wild Card round last season.

“I seen them play from far, and I know the talent that this outfield has, and you know, all the players here, you know, it’s a very talented group, and I’m excited to join them,” Profar said.

Asked if the Braves could have the best outfield in baseball, Profar responded, “Yes, but we still have to go out there and do it.”

How fast will the Nationals grow up?

There are not as many good vibes in Washington, D.C., where the Nationals have failed to finish above .500 since winning the World Series in 2019. They have a good young core of players this season, led by James Wood, Jacob Young and Dylan Crews, but will struggle to stay in the hunt. There are definite growing pains, says manager Dave Martinez.

“These guys, they understand it. And like I said, they want to get better at it when they do fumble the ball,” Martinez said. “If you could see what I see in the dugout, it’s not pretty, you know, they get pretty upset.”

How long will the Marlins’ rebuild take?

The growing pains in D.C. are nothing compared to what’s happening in Miami, where a complete rebuild has begun for the Marlins. Manager Skip Schumaker is gone, along with veteran players Jake Burger, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Luis Arráez. While the Marlins have a few good young pitchers, those players could be traded at the deadline to provide more draft picks.