The start of the 2025 MLB season will be here in the proverbial blink of an eye.
In Tokyo, the season will kick off March 18th — where the Chicago Cubs will square off versus the Los Angeles Dodgers. All eyes will be on the grouping of Japanese players set to perform in this game. This would include Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers, Seiya Suzuki, and Shota Imanaga of the Cubs.
Before we get to that point, however, it would be prudent to reflect on the offseason — analyzing which moves were made by contenders to fortify their respective standings as World Series contenders.
In a two-part series, we’ll break down the top 10 teams currently in baseball. This particular installment will focus on the No. 6-10 teams.
10. Texas Rangers
The dreaded World Series hangover certainly hit this team. Texas couldn’t stay healthy, and as such missed out on making the playoffs.
There’s been no shortage of activity this offseason, and with the AL West looking to be wide-open, Texas could assume the mantle once more as the best team in this division. The lineup got even deeper with the additions of Jake Burger and Joc Pederson. Neither will help you win a relay race. Having said that, both gobble up fastballs for breakfast.
The bullpen was revamped considerably with the hopes of adding velocity and youth to a once-aging group. Nathan Eovaldi was re-signed, and the group is expecting Jacob deGrom to be back healthy. Kumar Rocker is a major wildcard in this starting pitching scenario. However, we’d be foolish to bet against Bruce Bochy in any circumstance. Watch out for the Rangers…
9. Baltimore Orioles
There’s no doubting Baltimore’s talent. The Orioles have accumulated arguably the best crop of young players in the sport. However, with Corbin Burnes and Anthony Santander leaving in free agency, one has to wonder whether the Orioles are still in a position to be a World Series contender.
Tyler O’Neill was brought in to account for Santander’s departure. With Burnes in Arizona, Baltimore pivoted to two veteran arms in Charlie Morton and Japanese ace Tomoyuki Sugano. Both are past their respective primes which is a concern for a rotation not exactly featuring elite arms.
With Boston and New York noticeably better, the Orioles would be well served to continue improving the ballclub — particularly the pitching depth.
8. Boston Red Sox
Needing obvious upgrades to its rotation, Boston went out and acquired Garrett Crochet via trade, and Walker Buehler in the free agent market.
Crochet is a legitimate ace — and someone with the stuff good enough to carry a team in a playoff series. Buehler’s postseason exploits are well documented. On a one-year deal, he’s a perfect addition as someone with tons of experience and proven production when it matters most. Aroldis Chapman was added to the bullpen (as was Justin Wilson), and there’s a world where Tanner Scott also becomes a member of the team.
If the Red Sox are able to add Alex Bregman to this lineup, the offseason would undoubtedly receive an A-plus grade. Balancing out the left-handed heavy lineup with Bregman could put the Red Sox in a position to battle the Yankees for the AL East division crown.
7. New York Mets
Of course, the big headline focuses on Juan Soto. Landing the transcendent talent makes the Mets better than they were a year ago. That much is unequivocally true.
Re-signing Sean Manaea was expected. Opting to sign Clay Holmes and Frankie Montas as members of the starting rotation was somewhat surprising. Even with Soto now in the lineup, the team still has a handful of holes to address. Pete Alonso is still a free agent. The rotation, while decently stocked, doesn’t have a true ace. The bullpen also needs some real work.
Having said all of this, there’s palpable excitement in Queens — and for good reason. If the Mets can replicate the chemistry this group exhibited a year ago, they’ll be right there in the thick of things in the National League East.
6. Atlanta Braves
Atlanta needs to get healthy more than anything.
Fortunately for the Braves, Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuna are on their way back — projected to be ready toward the beginning of the regular season. Ian Anderson is also slated to rejoin the starting rotation.
As of Jan. 9, Atlanta hasn’t done anything in free agency. Jorge Soler was traded to the Angels as an obvious salary dump, and Max Fried left to join the Yankees without much resistance. Still, this is a very deep and talented roster. A rotation featuring Anderson, Strider, Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, Grant Holmes, and Spencer Schwellenbach is borderline elite. And don’t forget…this lineup still features Acuna, Michael Harris, Ozzie Albies, Marcell Ozuna, Matt Olson, and Austin Riley.
