Mets among National League teams who have improved this winter despite quiet offseason

Although the hot stove continues to be rather cold, spring training is just around the corner with teams beginning workouts in about a month.

The Mets are among the teams that had been quiet until adding Jay Bruce late Wednesday, but some have made splashy moves in hope of rebounding in 2018.

Here's a look at the teams in the National League that have improved, taken a step back or are in about the same spot as they were last season. These assessments are based solely on players the teams have either acquired or lost this offseason.

Improved

1. Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies are still rebuilding, but it seems ownership is ready to start taking steps to contend. They turned heads by signing Carlos Santana to a three-year deal, and shored up a porous bullpen by adding Pat Neshek and Tommy Hunter. The Phillies have the available money and prospects to continue to add this offseason.

2. St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals needed to add power to their lineup, and they acquired Marcell Ozuna following the best season of his career. They also inked Miles Mikolas to fill the rotation spot vacated by Lance Lynn, and Luke Gregerson can help their bullpen. The team has lost several players including Juan Nicasio and Stephen Piscotty, but is still improved.

3. Colorado Rockies

The Rockies' improvement comes via their pricey bullpen which the team has invested heavily into this offseason. They signed top closer Wade Davis and setup man Bryan Shaw, and re-signed Jake McGee. Losing Tyler Chatwood hurts the rotation, but an improved bullpen will help in a park where leads can disappear rather quickly. The offense, however, needs a bat after losing Carlos Gonzalez and Jonathan Lucroy.

4. San Francisco Giants

The Giants made one of the more puzzling moves of the offseason when they traded for Evan Longoria due to the long-term commitment to an older player, but the deal certainly improves the team for 2018. Denard Span is replaceable in center field, and Matt Moore was one of the worst starters in the majors. The Giants still need another bat.

5. New York Mets

Mets fans may disagree with the Mets being ranked as one of the teams that has improved, but the team has improved its bullpen and only lost Jose Reyes. Anthony Swarzak had a breakout season last year, and the Mets signed him for two years. While Reyes played more than expected in 2017, he had a -0.6 WAR per Baseball Reference. The Mets still may need to add at least one more bat in addition to Bruce, and perhaps another reliever.

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Step back

1. Miami Marlins

The Marlins finished second in the NL East in 2017, but appear more likely to finish with the second-worst record in the sport in 2018. Trading Ozuna, Giancarlo Stanton and Dee Gordon rid the team of three of its best players, including the MVP in Stanton. It's going to be another rough season for Marlins fans as the team begins a rebuild.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers accomplished a major goal by getting under the luxury tax, but their team is not as strong as it was last season. Yu Darvish is a free agent, and Brandon Morrow signed with the Cubs. Acquiring Scott Alexander could prove to be a shrewd move. Matt Kemp is on their roster but it's unknown if he will actually play for his new team.

3. Arizona Diamondbacks

J.D. Martinez is no longer on their roster, and losing one of the premier power hitters in the sport is a blow. The Diamondbacks are rumored to still be in the mix for the righty, though, and re-signing him would change their offseason. Arizona has otherwise been pretty quiet, losing Chris Iannetta but signing reliever Yoshihisa Hirano.

4. Chicago Cubs

The Cubs are not easy to grade due to their flurry of activity, but it seems their roster has taken a step backward this offseason. However, the Cubs have found ways to replace several players who have departed. Davis is gone as the closer, but Morrow and Steve Cishek have been added. Chatwood fills a spot in the rotation while Jake Arrieta and John Lackey are free agents. Jon Jay also is currently free agent . The Cubs still have a good roster and can made adds, but at the moment they've taken a hit.

5. Cincinnati Reds

Another team that has been quiet, but losing Zack Cozart and signing Jared Hughes has not improved the team. The Reds do not expect to contend in 2018 and don't need to make splashy moves, but losing their starting shortstop will not help their cause.

In the middle

1. Washington Nationals

The Nationals have re-signed Brandon Kintzler, and inked Matt Adams to fill Adam Lind's spot. Losing Jayson Werth likely hurts more in the clubhouse than on the field, and Howie Kendrick was not with the team that long to make a difference.

2. Atlanta Braves

The Braves have traded Kemp and Jim Johnson, and R.A Dickey is a free agent. In the Kemp deal, the Braves acquired Brandon McCarthy and Scott Kazmir along with infielder Charlie Culberson. While trading Kemp will hurt the Braves offense, he struggled defensively. The Braves don't appear noticeably better or worse.

3. San Diego Padres

The Padres have been active this offseason, especially on the trade front. They've acquired Freddy Galvis and Chase Headley, but also traded away Yangervis Solarte. Losing Jhoulys Chacin will hurt, but it seems the Padres are about in the same spot.

4. Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers signed Boone Logan after losing Swarzak to the Mets, and have signed Chacin and Yovani Gallardo to upgrade the rotation. Neil Walker is still available as a free agent, and a reunion could make sense. The Brewers appear to be a team that's ready to take the next step, but they have played it slow so far this winter.

5. Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates have not added anyone of note while John Jaso and Joaquin Benoit are free agents. Their outlook will be determined by whether they trade Gerrit Cole, Andrew McCutchen and Josh Harrison. In a tough NL Central, it could be time to reboot.