It's the most wonderful time of the year! December is a time filled with giving and receiving gifts to celebrate the holidays.
There are only a few days left until the Winter Meetings are over and the page is turned on Christmas and 2025. Each team has a question mark worth answering, and some have presents under the tree for you and me.
Without further ado, here are some of the most pressing topics surrounding each team in the National League.
eastern north carolina
Atlanta Braves – Starting Rotation
The Braves watched as 2022 Cy Young runner-up Max Fried signed an eight-year contract with the Yankees, creating a hole at the top of their rotation. Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez and Spencer Schwellenbach will anchor the rotation. Spencer Strider is not expected to return until mid-summer due to Tommy John surgery. The Braves, who are masters of acquiring star players and tying them to team-friendly contracts, should look to avoid risk by making a similar gamble with Lopez last year.
Miami Marlins – Establishing the Culture
Major changes occurred in Miami under manager Skip Shoemaker, and the Marlins parted ways after two seasons. Miami lost 100 games and traded star left-hander Jesus Luzardo to the rival Phillies. The move comes a week after the team released Jake Berger to the Texas Rangers. The Marlins took the No. 7 pick in the 2025 MLB Draft even though they had the best odds of getting the No. 1 pick. Organizations need breaks and luck on their side to continue on their path. Former Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough joins the team, which needs to establish an identity as the Marlins embark on a rebuild.
New York Mets – Cherry on Top
What do you give to someone who already has it all and can afford otherwise? Steve Cohen's New York Mets are arguably the most aggressive franchise in sports. They signed superstar Juan Soto to a massive $765 million contract in hopes of “growing a dynasty” in New York. The Mets also signed right-hander Frankie Montas and Yankees closer Clay Holmes with the intention of returning him to the rotation. They also brought back Sean Manaea on a three-year, $75 million contract. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Mets are interested in trading right-hander Luis Castillo of the Mariners. New York City significantly exceeds the luxury tax, but Cohen doesn't seem to be affected by it, and the current economic situation in baseball won't be dire enough to prevent it, so the Mets won't have a piece. You can continue to increase it. They should look to their bullpen, compliment Edwin Diaz, and compete to win more than 95 games.
Philadelphia Phillies – Timely Moments of the Playoffs
The Phillies have been busy, signing outfielder Max Kepler to a one-year contract a few days ago to improve their offense. O'Hiley's offense shined during the regular season, averaging 8.8 hits (tied for fourth in baseball), 4.8 RBI (fifth), a batting average of .257 (fifth), an on-base percentage of .325 (fifth), and a slugging percentage of .425. (5th place). However, the Phillies' offense settled down in the playoffs, scoring a total of five points in three of four games.
A star-studded lineup and rotation with Jesus Luzardo should solve a lot of problems. The Phillies need to pick up some internal giveaways to set themselves up for next October and attack during good times to complete a pennant run.
Washington Nationals – Pitching and Defense, Let the Kids Play
One of the oldest ways to win in baseball is to pitch well and play good defense. The rest will fall into place. The Nationals finished 2024 tied for 23rd in earned run average (4.30), tied for 24th in runs allowed (4.7), and tied for 28th in fielding percentage (.981). Washington has stolen 223 bases, the most in baseball, and named first baseman Nathaniel Rowe on Sunday. The Nats need to add to their rotation and bullpen, but the biggest demands on their Christmas list would be for James Wood and Dylan Cruz to become stars during their first full seasons. CJ Abrams needs to become a better hitter and fielder to compensate for his elite speed.
central north carolina
Chicago Cubs – Locked up Kyle Tucker
The Cubs surprised the baseball world by acquiring star outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Astros in a trade. According to Megan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune, Tucker is open to a long-term deal in Chicago. The Cubs traded Cody Bellinger to the Yankees, and Tucker added as much production as Bellinger produced, if not more. Tucker batted .289 with 23 home runs and 49 RBIs in 78 games. Chicago should prioritize signing Tucker and trading for a phenomenal pitcher like Luis Castillo to take over the NL Central division.
Cincinnati Reds – Tito rallies behind first baseman
The Reds made several management changes in the offseason, hiring former World Series champion Terry Francona as team manager. Francona led the Cleveland Indians (now the Guardians) to a thrilling victory in the 2016 World Series, but they lost to the Cubs in Game 7. Francona is a culture builder who has won everywhere he has led. He would be a great addition for the Reds, leading Elie Delacruz and TJ Friedl's ship to a winning culture with a talented young core.
Cincinnati needs to find answers at first base and DH. The DH spot had a -3.0 WAR, and both positions ranked last in baseball in WAR. The Reds could start with Spencer Steer or Christian Encarnacion-Strand, but signing 37-year-old J.D. Martinez to strengthen the lineup is an underrated solution to consider. You should.
Milwaukee Brewers – Signs healthy Christian Yelich, Aki Sasaki
Milwaukee won the National League Central Division despite Christian Yelich missing half the season with a back injury. Yelich's health is essential if the Brewers are to become champions again, especially after losing Willie Adames in free agency and needing to improve their offense. Japan's star pitcher, Roki Sasaki, is currently in the posting window to sign with an MLB team, and his agent, Joel Wolfe, said he would prefer “a small or medium-sized club” to a large-market club. There is an argument that it may be more beneficial to sign with a team of that size.'' The Brewers should jump at this opportunity and sell Sasaki on a model of consistency, especially over the departed former manager in the same department.
Pittsburgh Pirates – Hitter and Bullpen Help
Pittsburgh needs to do everything it can to make the most of the Paul Skeens era over the next five years. The Pirates finished 76-86 for the second year in a row despite Skeens, O'Neal Crews and Jared Jones playing most of the season. According to various reports in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Bucks are interested or at least interested in trading Mitch Keller or Jared Jones to create flexibility and acquire bats. The Pirates need help at first base, third base, shortstop, right field, and bullpen. Jose Iglesias and Paul DeJong make some sense as infielders, and Harrison Bader, Randal Grichak, or Jurickson Profar would immediately improve the Bucks' offense and defense. The Pirates returned Andrew McCutchen to DH for the final season, but they need to expand their batting lineup to protect top batters Bryan Reynolds and Cruz.
St. Louis Cardinals – Where do we go from here?
The St. Louis Cardinals are in an all too familiar and unfamiliar place. What does that mean? Although the Cardinals won 83 games, they once again missed the playoffs. Paul Goldschmidt has signed with the Yankees, and the team is seeking closer Ryan Helsley. Nolan Arenado reportedly blocked a deal from signing with the Astros, but the Cardinals have shown a willingness to trade one of the best defenders of all time. Gone are the days when Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina righted the ship. St. Louis needs to add offensive power in the corners of the infield and outfield to a team that finished tied for 22nd in runs scored and home runs, which is very un-Cardinal-like.
western north carolina
Arizona Diamondbacks – Adding star players
Arizona acquired Josh Naylor from Cleveland the year after he hit 31 home runs and had 108 RBIs. Naylor replaces star first baseman Christian Walker. Joc Peterson has reportedly signed with the Rangers and Randal Grichuk will become a free agent, leaving holes in the outfield and DH. It's not easy to replace a reliable veteran hitter, but the Diamondbacks have found a way to remain competitive under manager Torey Lovullo. The names J.D. Martinez, Ramon Laureano, and Harrison Bader might make sense.
Colorado Rockies – Pitcher
Colorado needs a pitcher. That may be an exaggeration for this year. The Rockies finished last in runs allowed (5.7), hits allowed (9.9), batting average (.285), ERA (5.47), WHIP (1.51), home runs (221), and strikeouts (9) (7.06). . A big splash in the pitching market might draw some attention, but the Rockies need to develop internal options and add veteran returning prospects to rebuild in a positive direction.
Los Angeles Dodgers – Home run for Walker Buehler
What do you get for a player who already has it all, like the Mets? The defending World Series champions have stars everywhere, but holes are kept to a minimum. The Dodgers staff allowed the fifth-most home runs a year ago, so they need to keep the ball in the park. Starter Walker Buehler was signed to a one-year, $20 million contract a few months after his World Series success with a shutout in the final game against New York. The most pressing issues are finding Buehler's replacement and Clayton Kershaw's decision to pitch or retire. Other than that, the Dodgers can enjoy the offseason with the intention of being a championship contender again.
San Diego Padres – The Lost Part
Every year, I think the Padres are going to break through and make it to the World Series. What I experience with the Padres and Buffalo Bills in the NFL is a never-ending cycle. San Diego is loaded with talent all over the field and on the diamond. What's holding them back? Injuries have hurt them, especially without Joe Musgrove and Dylan Cease, who have struggled in the playoffs. The Padres need some improvement in their bullpen and will rely on experience to break through the top. It would have been nice if the solution had been obvious sooner, but the Padres will need to put together some timely plays in the postseason to reach the promised land.
San Francisco Giants – Buster Posey Era
The Buster Posey era began in style by signing Willie Adams to a record-breaking $182 million contract. Ace Logan Webb believes San Francisco is the best fit for Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes. If Posey acquires Barnes, the Giants will officially be back as a big player in the National League free agency world. The Giants have the pieces to take a step forward, but they rank in the bottom third of the league in hits per game, average and on-base percentage. With a few more Butts and Barnes, the Giants could threaten the top Wild Card spot.
