Now that the countdown to the brand new 12 months is within the rearview mirror, MLB followers are marking off the times to spring coaching and the beginning of the 2025 common season.
It has already been a busy winter of huge names signing huge contracts and rumors swirling about offers that would occur. MLB rosters are nonetheless removed from being accomplished as all 30 franchises attempt to place themselves to win in 2025.
So what lies forward for the remainder of the offseason and the 2025 season as nicely? Listed here are 20 daring predictions targeted on MLB groups and gamers.
1. Nolan Arenado will likely be traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers
Trying to lower payroll, the Cardinals should discover a house for his or her All-Star third baseman. Arenado is a Southern California native. so he’ll welcome a commerce again to the Nationwide League West, and the Dodgers’ expertise pool will get even deeper earlier than the season begins.
2. Pete Alonso will return to the New York Mets
The Mets have already completed the work this offseason by means of acquisitions to spice up the lineup and rotation. Bringing again Alonso to imagine his acquainted place at first base will give Juan Soto much more safety within the lineup. Proprietor Steve Cohen’s deep pockets will proceed to learn his franchise.
3. Roki Sasaki will signal with the San Diego Padres
The Padres are assured they’ll land the Japanese pitching phenom, and they’ll just do that to maintain their rotation in keeping with their NL West rivals in Los Angeles and Arizona. Search for Sasaki to shortly make an impression in San Diego, each on the mound and within the variety of Padres jerseys offered.Â
4. The Toronto Blue Jays will go into rebuild mode
With Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. scheduled to be free brokers in 2026, the Blue Jays will use each as commerce items this season to construct for the long run. After ending final within the American League East final season, Toronto will wrestle once more this season earlier than reworking its roster.
5. Mike Trout will play in additional than 100 video games
Because the pandemic-shortened 2020 marketing campaign, accidents have stored the long run Corridor of Famer from enjoying in additional than 100 video games besides simply as soon as (119 in 2022). This 12 months, the well being of the Los Angeles Angels star will enable him to construct upon his Cooperstown resume.
6. The Baltimore Orioles will miss the postseason
Dropping 2021 Cy Younger winner Corbin Burnes (15-9, 2.92 ERA final season) and watching each the New York Yankees and Boston Purple Sox make huge strikes will find yourself costing the Orioles an opportunity to play significant October baseball. After ending 91-71 final season, will Baltimore’s younger core regress in 2025?
7. The Kansas Metropolis Royals will win their division
Final season, Kansas Metropolis took the steps to get again into the postseason, together with a giant rise in payroll to greater than $122M, per Spotrac. After ending second final season with an 86-76 file, the Royals will sit on the American League Central throne … and do some harm within the postseason as nicely. Search for Bobby Witt Jr. (32 HRs, .332 BA final season) to as soon as once more be within the AL MVP dialog in 2025 after ending second in 2024.
8. The Colorado Rockies will lower 3B/OF Kris Bryant
In three seasons since signing a seven-year, $182M deal, Bryant has performed in simply 160 video games and been ineffective in these (mixed OPS+ of 89). A wide range of well being points has stored the previous NL MVP off the sphere, and people issues will proceed this season, forcing Colorado to surrender on the Bryant experiment.
9. The Los Angeles Dodgers will win greater than 100 video games
The entire expertise introduced the Dodgers “simply” 98 wins final season in what was a tricky NL West. The Dodgers will high the century mark this season thanks to raised well being from their star pitchers (together with Tyler Glasnow) and an excellent deeper bench.
10. The New York Yankees will win fewer than 90 video games
Final season, the Yankees went 94-68 within the common season. This season, strive as they may, the Yankees will not be capable to exchange Soto’s productiveness because the Bronx Bombers take a step again from their 2024 World Sequence run. Max Fried, New York’s huge pitching acquisition this offseason, will wrestle together with his well being. inflicting ripple results all through the rotation.
11. The Chicago White Sox will lose simply 101 video games
Hey, that is a 20-game enchancment on the South Facet of Chicago. Adjustments to the roster with a mixture of touted prospects and veterans pays dividends, as will a change in philosophy at supervisor. The White Sox say they’re “hungry” in 2025, and they’ll have extra success this season than they did throughout a traditionally unhealthy 2024 (41-121).
12. Minor league stadiums will likely be an issue
With each the A’s and Tampa Bay Rays enjoying this season in minor league stadiums, MLB should navigate participant complaints in regards to the services. Specific consideration will give attention to the A’s and easy methods to enhance their short-term house in Sacramento earlier than a possible transfer to Las Vegas.
13. Atlanta Braves would be the shock crew within the NL East
There was loads of discuss in regards to the Mets and Phillies this winter whereas it has been quiet in Atlanta. Braves basic supervisor Alex Anthopoulos will as soon as once more do some work this winter and on the MLB commerce deadline, ensuring his crew is within the hunt for an additional division title after seeing his membership’s six-year reign snapped by Philadelphia final season.
14. Shohei Ohtani’s return to the mound will simply be OK
After Tommy John surgical procedure following his closing begin with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani has but to pitch with the Dodgers. With a profession ERA of three.01 in 86 begins, Ohtani will not match that in his return to the mound, struggling to maintain his ERA under 5.00. Will Ohtani’s near-term future embrace simply being a hitter?
15. Ohtani will, nonetheless, repeat as NL MVP
He could not put up the historic numbers he did final season on the plate and on the bases (first participant in MLB historical past with 50 homers and 50 stolen bases), however Ohtani will as soon as once more make the Dodgers hum in 2025. He may even get a lift within the eyes of voters from pitching once more this season, even when the numbers aren’t eye-popping.
16. Aaron Choose won’t repeat as AL MVP
Choose will not put up the numbers he did final season (main all MLB gamers with 58 homers and 144 RBI), however he’ll end within the high 5 of AL MVP voting. Well being and the pressures of making an attempt to repeat as AL champions will put on on the crew captain, as will the questions that can proceed about his poor efficiency within the World Sequence.
17. The Boston Purple Sox will win the AL East
Name it the Garrett Crochet impact in Boston after one of many offseason’s greatest trades or a World Sequence hangover for the Yankees, however the Purple Sox would be the shock AL crew this season, pushing Boston again into the postseason for the primary time since 2021. After a disappointing 2024 common season (1-6, 5.38 ERA in simply 16 begins), Walker Buehler may even return to type and develop into one of the crucial significant pickups by any crew this offseason.
18. Christian Walker will win AL MVP
The Astros lastly have their reply at first base. Walker will thrive in his new surroundings as he paces Houston deep into the postseason. He by no means completed increased than twenty third in MVP voting throughout his time in Arizona (the place he hit 26 or extra homers in every of the previous three seasons), however Walker will skyrocket to the highest as he paces a new-look offense.
19. Kyle Tucker will shortly develop into a favourite at Wrigley Subject
Coming over in a commerce with the Astros, Tucker will shortly present his value with the Cubs … and also will earn a brand new contract to remain long run in Chicago. Coming off an injury-filled season, Tucker will flex his energy, hitting 30 or extra homers for the third time prior to now 5 seasons.
20. Philadelphia will beat Houston within the World Sequence
The Phillies, coming in as a wild-card crew, will erase the ache of shedding to the AL West champion Astros within the 2022 Fall Basic as Bryce Harper (30 HR, .285 BA final season) slugs his strategy to World Sequence MVP honors.
