NL East Power Rankings: Where the NY Mets stand after signing Bo Bichette

A lot can change in a couple of weeks. When we looked at where the New York Mets stood against their NL East rivals on New Year's, things looked pretty bleak. Since then, we've seen Kyle Tucker heartbreak, a quick pivot to Bo Bichette that should have fans ecstatic for many reasons, and the possibility that things are only beginning to heat up (finally) in Queens. Wild times.

As a result, we now need to go back and re-evaluate where things stand within the division. Is the pecking order that much different? Or is Bichette simply a blip on the radar?

NL East Power Rankings following the Mets' signing of Bo Bichette

5. Washington Nationals (66-96 record in 2025)

The Washington Nationals still find themselves in the cellar, though the gap between them and the next lowest-ranked team has lessened. That's not because of anything Washington has done, however.

If anything, things will get worse in our nation's capital before they get better. MacKenzie Gore trade rumors are circulating more than ever, and if the Nats move the ace southpaw, they'll be in for an even more dismal time in 2026.

4. Miami Marlins (79-83 record in 2025)

The Miami Marlins are a difficult beast to figure out. They opened the offseason claiming they'd spend more than they have historically, but unlike the Pittsburgh Pirates, they haven't been very aggressive. Adding 32-year-old closer Pete Fairbanks was a step towards trying to compete. Trading Edward Cabrera was not.

To be fair, the haul they received for Cabrera, led by Chicago Cubs' top prospect Owen Caissie, was impressive, but that's more of an eye to the future type trade, even though there's a chance that Caissie hits the ground running and contributes in 2026. Overall, they're just a strange team.

3. Atlanta Braves (76-86 record in 2025)

Here's a change! The Atlanta Braves have done nothing of consequence since our last update. They edged the Mets out the last time, but the race was truly neck-and-neck. Atlanta still figures to be better in 2026, and they must be taken seriously.

However, the Braves still could use another starter, and free-agent options are dwindling. They've been linked to Freddy Peralta on the trade market. If they land that plane, we could see them rise again.

2. New York Mets (83-79 record in 2025)

Bo Bichette is fascinating for many reasons. For one, this is a big pivot from the type of bat they lost in Pete Alonso. However, that's a good thing. The Mets' offense could be caught waiting for the three-run homer a little too often last season. Bichette has power, but he's a low-strikeout, high-contact hitter who is going to keep the lineup moving. If New York can also nab Cody Bellinger for the outfield, the club will add another such bat and truly transform the offense.

On the downside, Bichette's a poor defender moving to a position he's never played before. Is that a disaster waiting to happen? Also, what about the rotation? The Mets still have a big need there, and time is ticking.

1. Philadelphia Phillies (96-66 record in 2025)

The Philadelphia Phillies still take the top spot here, and it's a bit of a number one until proven otherwise situation. It seemed that the Phils were poised to put some real distance between themselves and the pack by landing Bichette, so walking away with their tails between their legs has to hurt.

They did manage to re-sign catcher J.T. Realmuto. That's important, but not quite the pivot they were looking for in Bichette. In fact, reuniting with Realmuto was likely going to happen regardless of what happened with Bichette. The question is, are they done? The newest Mets star represented a unique opportunity for them rather than a true solution to a need. There doesn't seem to be another such player left on the market. If they are done, they're strong, but not invisible.