Here’s an inside look at the Mets’ NL East foes:
Atlanta Braves
2020: 35-25
Manager: Brian Snitker (sixth season)
Spring training site: North Port, Fla.
Key additions: The three-time defending NL East champs added some veteran depth to their young rotation by signing Charlie Morton and Drew Smyly. But their biggest move of the offseason was bringing back Marcell Ozuna on a four-year, $65 million deal after it looked as if the outfielder, who led the NL in home runs last season (18), would be going elsewhere.
Key losses: The Braves non-tendered slugger Adam Duvall, allowing him to sign with the Marlins, while fellow veteran outfielder Nick Markakis and reliever Shane Greene remain free agents. Closer Mark Melancon agreed to a deal with the Padres while reliever Darren O’Day signed with the Yankees.
Storylines to watch: All-Star right-hander Mike Soroka tore his Achilles last August. Will he show enough in spring training to be ready for Opening Day, or will he begin the season on the injured list? And after their bullpen took some hits, who will win the job as the Braves’ closer?
Miami Marlins
2020: 31-29
Manager: Don Mattingly (sixth season)
Spring training site: Jupiter, Fla.
Key additions: The Marlins hired Kim Ng as their new general manager in November. In the following months, she traded for sidearm reliever Adam Cimber from the Indians and signed outfielder Adam Duvall and reliever Anthony Bass, who is expected to compete to be the new closer.
Key losses: Miami lost some starting pitching depth after releasing Jose Urena and trading Jordan Yamamoto to the Mets. The Marlins’ 2020 closer, Brandon Kintzler, and starting outfielder Matt Joyce both signed with the Phillies on minor league deals.
Storylines to watch: How will the Marlins’ brush with success in 2020 — surprisingly making the playoffs and beating the Cubs in a wild-card series — carry over to 2021? Their rotation will be young, but they have a number of promising arms vying to make it behind Pablo Lopez, Sandy Alcantara and Sixto Sanchez.
Philadelphia Phillies
2020: 28-32
Manager: Joe Girardi (second season)
Spring training site: Clearwater, Fla.
Key additions: Dave Dombrowski was hired as president of baseball operations and found a way to re-sign both J.T. Realmuto and Didi Gregorius. He also bolstered the bullpen, signing Archie Bradley, Jose Alvarado and Brandon Kintzler, and augmented the rotation depth, signing Chase Anderson and Matt Moore.
Key losses: Ex-Met Jay Bruce, who started in 24 games for the Phillies last season, signed a minor-league deal with the Yankees on Saturday, while right-hander Jake Arrieta is reportedly headed back to the Cubs.
Storylines to watch: The Phillies’ bullpen was one of the biggest culprits in the team missing the playoffs last season. It will surely be a priority for Girardi to get straightened out early this year. Right-hander Spencer Howard, 24, will be trying to make the rotation out of camp while Rookie of the Year runner-up Alec Bohm will be looking for an encore.
Washington Nationals
2020: 26-34
Manager: Dave Martinez (fourth season)
Spring training site: West Palm Beach, Fla.
Key additions: The 2019 champs stayed active this offseason, signing ex-Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber and left-hander Jon Lester, plus reliever Brad Hand. They also traded for Pirates first baseman Josh Bell, hoping he is in for a bounce-back season after being an All-Star in 2019.
Key losses: After four years in Washington, right fielder Adam Eaton became a free agent and signed with the White Sox. The Nationals also lost reliever Sean Doolittle (Reds), DH/first baseman Howie Kendrick (retirement), catcher Kurt Suzuki (Angels) and outfielder Michael A. Taylor (Royals).
Storylines to watch: After pitching just five innings in 2020, Stephen Strasburg will be in the spotlight as he makes his return from a nerve issue in his pitching hand — especially after the 32-year-old signed a seven-year, $245 million contract after the 2019 season. Schwarber and Bell will also be looking to make good first impressions.