By Joe Browne

Philadelphia Phillies: B+

For the first time since 2011 the Phils captured the NL East crown after a very strong regular season. After that, they were handled by the upstart division rival Mets in a four game division series. The postseason performance was very disappointing especially on the offensive side of the ball but it still does not entirely take away what was accomplished this year. Ultimately, Philly was never able to recapture the dominance that they displayed in the first half of the season. This core just had their most successful regular season yet, but their most disappointing postseason. So, what does Dombroksi have in mind to shake it up and find the right pieces to solve the puzzle in 2025?

Atlanta Braves: B-

Nobody was bitten harder by the injury bug in baseball this year than the Atlanta Braves and it showed. They quickly lost their two best players in Strider and Acuna and had down years from pretty much everyone besides Ozuna. Despite all of this, still came in second and made a seventh straight postseason appearance. Though they were swiftly handled by San Diego in the wild card, just to get to that point after a tumultuous year is impressive. The starting pitching carried them the entire season; the emergence of Sale, Lopez and Schwellbach were key. This core of hitters with definitely be back next year and Atlanta hopes that they can get their proven performers to return to form in 2025.

New York Mets: A

Yes, the third place team grades out the highest here and that is because of what was originally expected and then later overcome by this group. 2024 was the most successful season the Mets have seen in almost a decade and the start of a new era in Queens. They could not have asked for a better performance from a rookie manager then what they got in Mendoza, he did an exceptional job. The emergence of Vientos as an elite big league slugger and Lindor establishing himself as a perennial MVP candidate led the charge on offense. Plus the ability for them to piece together a really good rotation on a budget last offseason was remarkable. They have a surplus of free agents which means that David Stearns and co. have a ton of decisions to make this winter. On top of that, Steve Cohen will not be holding back this offseason he is going to do whatever it takes to win. The future has never been brighter in Flushing then right now, the Mets have to push the right buttons in order to be legit contenders come 2025.

Washington Nationals: C-

Washington earns themselves this grade simply because they did not hesitate to let the kids play in 2024. Being aggressive in the call ups of both Woods and Crews was the right thing to do. They, along with Abrams, are the future of this franchise and need as many big league AB’s as they can get. Also, Washington is beginning to carve out a young staff that has some potential. It will certainly be a thing to keep and eye on in 2025 especially now that Patrick Corbin is finally off the books. Let’s see if Mike Rizzo gets aggressive this winter and goes out and spends some money in an attempt to fill out this roster and hopefully compete for a Wild Card in 2025. 

Miami Marlins: D-

Really rough year for Miami following a promising 2023. So bad, that Skip Schumaker jumped ship as soon as the season ended to try and get himself into a better organization. Another year with really poor offensive production for the Marlins. Xavier Edwards emerging out of nowhere was fun to watch, but the rest of the hitters are just not great. If the rotation can stay healthy next year, it’s hard to see them losing 100 games again but anything is possible. I believe in Peter Bendix, he has a proven track record with limited resources. Somehow, someway he has got to try and find a way to get more production out of these players and make it translate into somewhat of a winning culture in South Beach.