The Atlanta Braves have enjoyed a relatively quiet offseason so far, a stark contrast to their division rivals, the New York Mets. While the Braves have largely stayed the course, the Mets have thrown caution (and cash) to the wind.
Mets Monster Contract
The Mets signed Juan Soto to the richest contract in baseball history and are aggressively pursuing top talent across the league. Steve Cohen’s Mets are clearly gearing up for a monster 2025 season.
Despite all the noise surrounding New York, the Braves have been in a strong position to hold their own. Soto’s arrival certainly raises the Mets’ profile. Questions still linger about the sustainability of their roster, especially with significant changes looming for their pitching staff.
Soto can be every bit the superstar the Mets envision, but his presence alone doesn’t guarantee an overall improvement compared to their 2024 lineup. It seemed like Atlanta could capitalize on this for a while, maintaining their edge in the NL East.
Then, the Mets made another move to tighten the race, bringing back Sean Manaea on a three-year, $75 million deal.
Sean Manaea: A Key Piece Stays in New York
Manaea may not have the star power of some other pitchers, but his importance to the Mets last season was undeniable. In 2024, he posted a solid 3.47 ERA over 181.2 innings, making 32 starts and finishing 11th in the Cy Young race.
His consistency down the stretch was critical, stabilizing a Mets rotation that needed reliability. Losing Manaea would have left a significant hole, but New York avoided that fate, leveraging his qualifying offer status to retain him.
While the Braves were reportedly in the market for a starter, this offseason’s escalating prices likely priced them out of the Manaea sweepstakes. For the Mets, though, the deal shores up a major weakness, ensuring they don’t lose ground in the divisional arms race.
The Braves Rotation: Still Strong but Under Pressure
The Braves can still claim a stronger rotation on paper, but the margin for error has narrowed with Manaea back in New York. The durability concerns surrounding Manaea could work in Atlanta’s favor, but the Mets’ willingness to spend and address their weaknesses is an undeniable threat.
With plenty of offseason left, the Braves will need to find ways to stay ahead of their big-spending rivals. While they haven’t made a splash yet, their path back to NL East supremacy will hinge on smart, calculated moves to reinforce their standing in what is shaping up to be an intense divisional race.
