Making the NLCS, after a brutal opening to the season and at one point being 11 games under .500, is nothing for the New York Mets to sneer at. This Mets team, regardless of the final outcome or destination, has jolted the fan base and has them feeling hopeful that something special is finally starting to brew in Queens. The other three teams to reach the LCS are also feeling a similar pang of magic, as they each look to overwrite negative narratives of their own. The New York Yankees are trying to prove that their offseason Juan Soto gamble was worth it, the Los Angeles Dodgers are trying to prove that they can finish the job, and the Cleveland Guardians are trying to end the longest championship drought in the sport. Each of the teams is also packed with lessons to be learned when constructing your team.
Los Angeles Dodgers- The Dodgers suffered a glut of injuries to their starting pitching rotation as the 2024 season progressed. Throughout the course of the season, 13 of their starters were placed on the injured list, including Clayton Kershaw and Tyler Glasnow. This meant that they were rolling into the playoffs with a starting trio of Jack Flaherty, Yoshinobu Yammamoto, and Walker Buhler. You’d think that this would mean most teams would have the upper hand in pitching in a series. However, the strength of the bullpen has carried the team through a tough matchup against the San Diego Padres, and has at times handled the Mets with ease.
This should underscore to the Mets that when it comes to bullpen arms, you can’t get enough quality. The Dodgers let their bullpen carry them through a near-record 33 consecutive scoreless innings against the Mets and Padres. The Mets have been the opposite this postseason, as their bullpen has proven to be shaky at times, while their starters have been terrific for the most part. In an era where bullpens are built for success in the playoffs, the way the Dodgers and the Yankees have handled their bullpen builds should be studied.
New York Yankees- The Yankees were responsible for the largest trade this past offseason, landing Soto and his one year left on his contract in exchange for Michael King, and a handful of prospects. Soto has been an incredible compliment to the Yankee lineup, and to no one’s surprise, has had one of the best seasons of his career during his walk year. Midseason, needing another jolt, they traded for the sparkplug Jazz Chisolm, who has provided some excitement to the team.
In this all-in year for the Yankees, Brian Cashman has signaled to his team and fanbase that he is pushing all of his chips to the table. While this season was not one of those all-in years for the Mets, the 2025 season very well could be based off of their momentum this postseason and who they sign during the offseason. Regardless, David Sterns has to be ready to strike while the iron is hot if the right deal approaches to improve their roster. It has so far worked for the Yankees this season, and could benefit the Mets next season.
Cleveland Guardians- The Guardians, compared to the other three teams still in the postseason, spend significantly less on their payroll. They’re the perfect example of a team not needing to back up the Brinks truck to have success throughout the course of the season. Instead of focusing on the addition of more expensive players to make their roster better, they instead seeked players who would fit their style of play. Their offense was mostly middle of the road, and their pitching was above average. Throw in an elite player in Jose Ramirez or Emmanuel Clase, and you have a team ready to compete for the division crown.
Once the postseason concludes, the Mets will have a lot of interesting decisions to make about their roster. With a large amount of money coming off of the payroll, they are going to be poised to chase big names like Soto or Corbin Burnes. With money seemingly ready to burn in Steve Cohen’s pockets, he and Sterns will have to decide if they will try to build a champion by spending money, or by building a scrappy squad like the Guardians.
No one would have been able to predict the Mets would make it this far, let alone even make the postseason. To continue their momentum, they need to make sure they learn from their fellow LCS participants.