Winners & Losers: Grading Each NL East Team’s Biggest Offseason Add
Sportsgrid Staff
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5. Philadelphia Phillies: Kolby Allard
While the Philadelphia Phillies may be the second-best team in the division, they did not really tinker much with their roster. Kolby Allard gets a slight bump up over middle relievers Michael Rucker and Max Castillo because he is a lefty and has experience in the starter's role.
Still, Allard's numbers leave much to be desired, as the former Ranger has a career ERA of 6.57. He is only 26 and a former first-round draft pick, so there is a chance he will figure things out, but his one-year $1 million two-way deal doesn't suggest Philly is expecting much.
Phillies Futures Odds at FanDuel:
- World Series Winner: +1500 (6th shortest odds)
- NL Winner: +800 (3rd shortest odds)
- NL East Winner: +330 (2nd shortest odds)
- MLB Best Record: +2000 (5th shortest odds)
- 89.5 Reg. Season Wins: O -110 | U -110
1. Atlanta Braves: Chris Sale
In a year when the entire NL East was very quiet in the offseason, the best team in the division also made the biggest acquisition. The Atlanta Braves picked up Chris Sale in a December trade with the Boston Red Sox, solidifying their front of the rotation.
Both in terms of potential and pedigree, Chris Sale blows away any other offseason pickup in the East. Yes, he's had injury issues, specifically over the past few years, but he is a former Cy Young winner who is still highly effective when he takes the mound.
Last season, the veteran lefty threw the most innings (102.2) in a season since making. 25 starts in 2019. Sale numbers were very respectable, with 125 Ks, a 1.13 WHIP, and six quality starts. A 3.72 xFIP and 3.50 SIERA in 2023 suggest the seven-time All-Star could be even better with a more capable defense behind him. The Red Sox committed the third-most errors (102) in the league last year while ranking 28th in defensive efficiency.
Getting out of the meat-grinder that was the AL East, full of potent offenses and hitter parks, could also benefit Sale. The Mets, Marlins, and Nationals ranked in the bottom 11 in runs scored last year, and as you'll see by their "top acquisition," none of these teams got any better.
Having 2023's top offense behind you in Atlanta should also give Sale a boost in the win department. While another Cy Young (+6000) isn't likely, you couldn't be better set up for a career bounceback than with the Braves.
Braves Futures Odds at FanDuel:
- World Series Winner: +450 (2nd shortest odds)
- NL Winner: +250 (2nd shortest odds)
- NL East Winner: -290 (shortest odds)
- Best Reg. Season Record: +260 (2nd shortest odds)
- 101.5 Reg. Season Wins: O -105 | U -115
2. New York Mets: Luis Severino
As mentioned, the rest of the division did not get splashing in the free agency or trade markets this offseason. You are probably gathering that when a former New York Yankees starter's crosstown move qualifies as the Met's' biggest acquisition.
Like Chris Sale, Luis Severino has had issues staying on the field. The once-heralded Dominican prospect started just seven games between 2019 and 2021 and missed all of 2020 after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
He looked good two years ago, putting up 112 Ks in 102 innings with a 3.18 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over 19 starts, but regressed in 2023. The strikeout numbers were still there last year, but a 6.65 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, and 3.01 opponents batting average made Severino a completely unreliable starting pitcher.
Oblique and lat injuries plagued his final season in the Bronx, which allowed the Mets to scoop him up on a club-friendly one-year, $13 million deal. Moving from Yankees Stadium to Citi Field could keep some long fly balls in the park, but it all comes down to health with Severino.
Mets Futures Odds at FanDuel:
- World Series Winner: +5000 (14th shortest odds)
- NL Winner: +2100 (8th shortest odds)
- NL East Winner: +1200 (3rd shortest odds)
- 81.5 Reg. Season Wins: O -105 | U -115
3. Washington Nationals: Joey Gallo
Another former Yankee hopes some new scenery can jump-start his career. Joey Gallo hit 38 home runs in 2021, 12 in pinstripes, after being dealt to New York by the Texas Rangers. The problem with Gallo is for every long ball, expect four or five strikeouts. The lefty bopper has 198 career round-trippers and almost 1,200 Ks. Gallo's career batting average is below the Mendoza Line at .197.
On his fifth team in three years, Gallo won't move the needle much but does provide the Nats with some pop from the left side and defensive flexibility. The former Twin can play all three outfield positions and first base.
It is clearly a show-me deal at $5 million for one year, so the rest is up to Joey Gallo.
Nationals Futures Odds at FanDuel:
- World Series Winner: +25000 (2nd longest odds)
- NL Winner: +12000 (2nd longest odds)
- NL East Winner: +12000 (longest odds)
- MLB Worst Record: +750 (4th shortest odds)
- 66.5 Reg. Season Wins: O -105 | U -115
4. Miami Marlins: Christian Bethancourt
The Miami Marlins stuck with their traditional thrifty ways, making minimal moves this offseason. Take your pick between pitcher Calvin Faucher, utility bats Vidal Brujan and Jonah Bride, and veteran catcher Christian Bethancourt. We went with Miami, filling their most significant need, and that was behind the plate.
The Marlins acquired Bethancourt in a trade with the Cleveland Guardians, who picked him up via waivers after spending all last season with the Tampa Bay Rays. The 32-year-old put up career-bests in games played (104), home runs (11), doubles (13) and RBI (33) in 2023 and brings a veteran presence behind the plate.
Marlins Futures Odds at FanDuel:
- World Series Winner: +9000 (8th longest odds)
- NL Winner: +7500 (4th longest odds)
- NL East Winner: +27000 (2nd longest odds)
- MLB Worst Record: +750 (4th shortest odds)
- 78.5 Reg. Season Wins: O -108 | U -112
5. Philadelphia Phillies: Kolby Allard
While the Philadelphia Phillies may be the second-best team in the division, they did not really tinker much with their roster. Kolby Allard gets a slight bump up over middle relievers Michael Rucker and Max Castillo because he is a lefty and has experience in the starter's role.
Still, Allard's numbers leave much to be desired, as the former Ranger has a career ERA of 6.57. He is only 26 and a former first-round draft pick, so there is a chance he will figure things out, but his one-year $1 million two-way deal doesn't suggest Philly is expecting much.
Phillies Futures Odds at FanDuel:
- World Series Winner: +1500 (6th shortest odds)
- NL Winner: +800 (3rd shortest odds)
- NL East Winner: +330 (2nd shortest odds)
- MLB Best Record: +2000 (5th shortest odds)
- 89.5 Reg. Season Wins: O -110 | U -110
1. Atlanta Braves: Chris Sale
In a year when the entire NL East was very quiet in the offseason, the best team in the division also made the biggest acquisition. The Atlanta Braves picked up Chris Sale in a December trade with the Boston Red Sox, solidifying their front of the rotation.
Both in terms of potential and pedigree, Chris Sale blows away any other offseason pickup in the East. Yes, he's had injury issues, specifically over the past few years, but he is a former Cy Young winner who is still highly effective when he takes the mound.
Last season, the veteran lefty threw the most innings (102.2) in a season since making. 25 starts in 2019. Sale numbers were very respectable, with 125 Ks, a 1.13 WHIP, and six quality starts. A 3.72 xFIP and 3.50 SIERA in 2023 suggest the seven-time All-Star could be even better with a more capable defense behind him. The Red Sox committed the third-most errors (102) in the league last year while ranking 28th in defensive efficiency.
Getting out of the meat-grinder that was the AL East, full of potent offenses and hitter parks, could also benefit Sale. The Mets, Marlins, and Nationals ranked in the bottom 11 in runs scored last year, and as you'll see by their "top acquisition," none of these teams got any better.
Having 2023's top offense behind you in Atlanta should also give Sale a boost in the win department. While another Cy Young (+6000) isn't likely, you couldn't be better set up for a career bounceback than with the Braves.
Braves Futures Odds at FanDuel:
- World Series Winner: +450 (2nd shortest odds)
- NL Winner: +250 (2nd shortest odds)
- NL East Winner: -290 (shortest odds)
- Best Reg. Season Record: +260 (2nd shortest odds)
- 101.5 Reg. Season Wins: O -105 | U -115
