NL East topics to watch at Winter Meetings

The Winter Meetings may be all virtual this year, but big league front offices -- particularly those in the National League East -- figure to be just as busy as any other offseason.

• MLB Hot Stove Tracker

All five NL East teams have significant decisions to make this offseason, and some of the biggest names on the free-agent market have been tied to teams within the division. Below is one topic to watch and where each club stands, as well as what moves might get made and/or possible reasons they might not until the calendar flips to 2021.

• MLB rumors, trades, signings

Braves: Find a power bat
By quickly signing Charlie Morton and Drew Smyly, the Braves added quality experience to their young starting staff and gained the rotation depth that teams are coveting, all while heading toward 2021 with uncertainty about the lingering effects of this year’s shortened season. The club’s last true need is to find a power hitter capable of providing the value Josh Donaldson and Marcell Ozuna did while hitting behind Freddie Freeman the past two seasons. Ozuna’s potential return depends on whether NL teams will continue to use the designated hitter. If he is not a fit, the club may look to fill this need via the trade market. There doesn’t seem to be any interest in trading for one year of Kris Bryant. If the Rockies are serious about moving Nolan Arenado, the Braves should listen. But as the team looks to sign Freeman to an extension, there’s not much room to enter into thoughts of creating a long-term commitment to Arenado or top free-agent outfielder George Springer. -- Mark Bowman

Marlins: Fortify the bullpen
General manager Kim Ng reaffirmed that bullpen help is the organization’s top offseason priority. More specifically, the search is on for an established closer, or at least a reliever with big league experience who has handled high-leverage innings. Now, does that mean Miami will make a serious push for free agent All-Star left-hander Brad Hand? Hand, of course, was drafted by the Marlins in 2008 and he made his MLB debut with the club in '11. Whether Miami wants to shop at the top of the free-agent market for a closer is unclear. But the Marlins do want to find a dependable option for save situations. Brandon Kintzler handled the role in '20, logging 12 saves, but Miami declined the 36-year-old’s $4 million club option for ‘21, and they are looking at available free agency and/or trade options. -- Joe Frisaro

Mets: Find a starting catcher
In a perfect world, the Mets would figure out their answer at catcher before moving on to starting pitching, so that they’ll have a better idea of their rotation budget. Barring a trade, New York's two most logical options behind the plate are free agents J.T. Realmuto and James McCann. While neither will come cheap, Realmuto is certainly the more expensive -- and more accomplished -- option. No matter which catcher the Mets woo most ardently, they’re likely to encounter fierce competition from around the league -- and even within the division. Will it matter? New owner Steve Cohen has indicated a commitment to flex some financial muscle this winter, and the team’s pursuit of a catcher may be the first significant test of that. -- Anthony DiComo

Nationals: Determine the catcher scenario
With Kurt Suzuki hitting the free-agent market, that leaves Yan Gomes as the lone catcher from the Nationals' 2020 roster. Gomes, 33, shared the starting job and played in 30 games this past season. The Nats could find him a platoon partner, or they could pursue an everyday starting catcher and slide Gomes into a veteran backup role. The player headlining the position is the 29-year-old two-time All-Star J.T. Realmuto. The question is, how much will Realmuto garner in his next deal? Will the Nationals be willing to spend that much, and if not, what will the trickle-down effect be on the contract value of the remaining free-agent catchers? Washington does have an in-house option in Tres Barrera, the club's No. 19 prospect, but that would be more of a developmental pairing with Gomes, as Barrera has spent just two innings behind the plate at the big league level. -- Jessica Camerato

Phillies: Fill GM void, start making moves
The Phillies said they would not be aggressive early this offseason. So far, they have been true to their word. Sources recently told MLB.com that the Phils were not seriously engaged with free-agent pitchers Charlie Morton, Drew Smyly and Trevor May, each of whom already signed with NL East rivals. Perhaps Philadelphia is waiting to hire a president of baseball operations before it makes any moves to upgrade a roster looking for its first winning season since 2011. On that front, the Phillies are making progress. There was a report last week that Michael Hill and Josh Byrnes each received second interviews for the job. Once that happens, it will be interesting to see if the Phils pick up the pace and begin to make moves to help them compete with the rest of the NL East. It might start with J.T. Realmuto, but it also must include a shortstop and bullpen and rotation help. -- Todd Zolecki