"Mets have improved with Juan Soto, but they still need protection" - Ex-Phillies GM gives bold prediction on 2025 NL East race 

The New York Mets faithful will harbor grand expectations for the upcoming season after adding Juan Soto to their roster for a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract last month. However, former Philadelphia Phillies General Manager Rubén Amaro Jr. feels they are not the favorites to win the National League East despite signing the All-Star slugger.

Rubén Amaro Jr. had an eight-year major league career in the MLB before joining the Phillies front office upon his retirement. He served as the GM of the franchise from 2009 to 2015.

Amaro Jr. offered his thoughts on the battle for the NL East division title between the New York Mets, Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies during "The Phillies Show" podcast on Monday. He feels that the Mets are still trailing the Phillies even though they will have Juan Soto on their team next season.

"I really like the Phillies compared to the Braves and the Mets," Amaro said. "The Mets have, obviously, improved with Juan Soto, but they still need some protection in the lineup for Soto.

"Their rotation is decent, but it's not great. They don't have a top-of-the-rotation guy. That's why you see so many rumors about them trying to get that number one or number two," he added.

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The Mets have brought Sean Manaea back into their pitching staff besides adding Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes during this off-season. However, they are lacking an ace to lead their starting rotation.

Health of rotation is so important: Rubén Amaro Jr. discusses why Phillies are ahead in NL East despite Mets signing Juan Soto

Juan Soto finished third in the American League MVP last year (Image Source: Imagn)

Rubén Amaro Jr. doesn't think the addition of Juan Soto will be enough to win the highly competitive National League East. He believes the Philadelphia Phillies' starting rotation depth will be the decisive factor in the team retaining its division title this year.

The Phillies have two aces in Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola leading their pitching staff while Ranger Suarez and Christopher Sanchez are both coming off a solid campaign in 2024. Moreover, they have added Jesús Luzardo to their roster from the Miami Marlins during this off-season.

"The health of the rotation is so important," Amaro said. "That's why Luzardo becomes such an important piece to the puzzle.

"If Chris Sanchez or Suarez goes down, or even, God forbid, Wheeler or Nola, they have some more depth there. They don't necessarily have to rely on a guy like Taijuan Walker to step in and try to eat up real innings when they can have a guy like Luzardo there," he added.

The Phillies comfortably won the NL East last year with a 95-67 record. The Mets and Braves were tied at 89-73 after splitting a doubleheader on the final day of the regular season, although both teams still reached the playoffs.