There is little question that early in the 2025-26 offseason, the National League East appears to be shaping up to be a two-team race. While the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies are making moves to improve, the New York Mets roster is falling apart after a season in which the Atlanta rival already collapsed in the 2025 season and delivered far below expectations.
Now, the franchise has already lost star closer Edwin Diaz to the Los Angeles Dodgers and first baseman Pete Alonso to the Baltimore Orioles. Two of the team's most important roster pieces are now gone, and the Mets have yet to make a move to replace the lost offense.
Adding to this is the fact that earlier in the offseason, the Mets traded away Brandon Nimmo despite clearly needing help in the outfield. This trio of moves can't help but leave Braves fans amused at the helpless Mets, who simply cannot catch a break. Despite signing Juan Soto the previous offseason, it has become clear what a dumpster fire this roster has become.
For the Braves, it is amusing to sit and watch their rival stumble and lose key pieces they simply couldn't afford to let walk away. It opens the door for Atlanta to continue to improve and be the lone challenger to the Phillies in the NL East. This appears to be the path the offseason is heading, barring an unlikely turnaround from New York.
Mets' Disastrous Offseason Is a Huge Braves Win
Not having to deal with the power of Alonso or facing the flame-throwing Diaz in the final frame are both boosts in Atlanta's favor in the rivalry. While it must be noted that top reliever Devin Williams was signed by the Mets, this hardly offsets the loss of the trio of starting players already jettisoned. Even if fans were to talk themselves into Williams being an improvement over Diaz, this doesn't solve the loss of two key pieces in your lineup, a struggling rotation, or the lack of bullpen depth.
Signing Soto, perhaps, might have caught the ire of some Braves fans; however, it seems that it has worked in the Braves' favor. Since adding the star outfielder, there has been some level of complacency or inability to solve obvious shortcomings, with the early offseason serving as a great example.
This works out perfectly for the Braves, who now have one clear threat to catch in the division and have already surpassed the flailing Mets. It speaks to Atlanta's roster getting healthier as well as a handful of offseason moves that have helped answer depth concerns. No question, Braves fans can't help but enjoy watching the Mets fall apart in what was supposed to be a pivotal offseason for the hated rival.