"A well-read Washington Nationals fan should take it upon themselves every once in a while to check in on the team's National League East division rivals, just to see what they're up against. The Nats don't figure to compete in 2026, but this upcoming season is likely when we're going to start to see what the club's identity looks like going forward after years of wandering through the wastes searching for some sense of self."
"Out of the gate, the Phillies look again like the frontrunners to take the NL East. There's still a few burning questions, though. The Phillies are, as ever, thin on catching depth. Bringing back J.T. Realmuto, given his declining performance, might not solve that issue, and even if they find a starter they're still stuck between Rafael Marchán and Garrett Stubbs as the backup. Nick Castellanos is currently rostered as a formality, with the team all but openly having no intent on him being with the team by Opening Day."
A Nationals fan should monitor NL East rivals to assess competitive context as the offseason progresses. The Nationals are not expected to contend in 2026, but the upcoming season will reveal the club's developing identity after years of instability. Much of the roster and transaction information comes from FanGraphs' Offseason Tracker and RosterResource. The Philadelphia Phillies finished 96-66 in 2025 and experienced multiple departures and additions, including losing J.T. Realmuto and adding Adolis García. The Phillies still project as division frontrunners despite lingering catching-depth concerns and uncertain roles for some veterans.
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