The Phillies’ long-awaited addition of free agent Bryce Harper on a 13-year, $330 million deal put an exclamation point on a busy offseason for teams in the NL East. Not only had the Philadelphia club already acquired two All-Star everyday players via trade, but the Mets and Nationals made major moves over the winter in their efforts to keep pace with the 2018 division champion Atlanta Braves in what should be MLB’s most competitive division.
Other major baseball storylines to watch this season include extension talks for Mike Trout, the best player in the sport, and the Yankees’ attempt to unseat the world champion Red Sox in the perpetually loaded AL East.
