Opening Day is quickly approaching as the regular season is about to kick into high gear. But what should we expect in 2025? Sportsnaut makes one bold prediction for all 30 teams for the season.
Bold Predictions For All 30 MLB Teams
Arizona Diamondbacks: Will get back to postseason in 2025
The Arizona Diamondbacks led baseball in runs scored in 2024 — despite Corbin Carroll’s awful first half of the season— and finished with 89 wins, missing out on the playoffs. They brought on board former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes and first baseman Josh Naylor after Christian Walker departed for the Houston Astros. Expect Arizona to make it back to the postseason this year after securing a Wild Card spot.
Athletics: Will be in postseason contention in September
After dumping Oakland, the Athletics had a surprisingly busy offseason: signing starter Luis Severino and trading for another one in Jeffrey Springs to solidify their rotation. They also inked Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker to extensions. They are an under-the-radar team that will test opponents this season, and because of that, the Athletics will be in postseason contention come September. However, they won’t have enough to push themselves into October.
Atlanta Braves: Austin Riley will hit over 40 home runs
The Atlanta Braves are getting two of their top players back from injury in Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider. But they’re also looking at a healthy season for Austin Riley after a fractured right hand cost him the last six weeks of the season. Look for him to top 40 home runs for the first time in his career in 2025.
Baltimore Orioles: Samuel Basallo will make MLB debut
The Baltimore Orioles are rich in prospects, and one of them will make his MLB debut this season. Samuel Basallo is Baltimore’s top prospect and the No. 13-ranked prospect, according to MLB.com. The catcher and first baseman has been smashing his way through the minors, hitting 19 home runs with a .790 OPS across Double-A and Triple-A in 2024. Baltimore won’t be able to hold his bat back for long, and Basallo will make his MLB debut this season.
Boston Red Sox: Kristian Campbell wins AL Rookie of the Year
With Rafael Devers acquiescing third base to Alex Bregman, the door now opens for Kristian Campbell to become the Boston Red Sox’s second baseman of the future. Campbell has been tearing it up in the minors, and he will be a force at the plate his rookie season. Don’t be surprised when he hits 20 home runs and captures the American League Rookie of the Year Award.
Chicago White Sox: They will set modern-day loss record — again
The Chicago White Sox lost a record 121 games last season and somehow got worse over the offseason after trading away All-Star pitcher Garrett Crochet. It will be a rough first season for new manager Will Venable as the team will lose more games than they did last year, setting a new modern-day loss record.
Chicago Cubs: Will win NL Central for first time since 2020
The Chicago Cubs were able to trade for one of the best outfielders in the game in Kyle Tucker, strengthened their bullpen by acquiring Ryan Pressly, and deepened their rotation with Matthew Boyd. With the NL Central wide open, it’s the perfect time for the Chicago Cubs to pounce, and they will capture the division for the first time since 2020.
Cincinnati Reds: Will secure Wild Card spot
The Cincinnati Reds can be a dynamic team this season after an injury-plagued 2024 doomed their campaign. They are getting back second baseman Matt McLain and Spencer Steer, whose 2025 debut might be delayed due to right shoulder soreness. Elly De La Cruz is one of the most electric players in baseball, and they solidified their rotation by adding Brady Singer. Expect the Reds to finally make the postseason for the first time since 2020.
Cleveland Guardians: Will trade All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase
With the Cleveland Guardians out of contention come the trade deadline, several teams will come knocking on their door to acquire All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase. He’s owed $4.9 million this year, $6.4 million in 2026, and $10 million club options in both 2027 and 2028. The Guardians will get a haul for Clase.
Colorado Rockies: Ezequiel Tovar will hit over 30 home runs
Ezequiel Tovar is a superstar-in-the-making for the Colorado Rockies. The young shortstop led the National League in doubles last year with 45 while hitting 26 home runs and winning his first Gold Glove — and Tovar will only get better. The 23-year-old will have his first 30-home-run season in 2025.
Detroit Tigers: Will win AL Central and advance to ALCS
After their surprising playoff run in 2024, reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers will make the postseason once again. But this time around, they will do so by capturing the AL Central crown for the first time since 2014 and will advance to the ALCS.
Houston Astros: Isaac Paredes will hit 35 home runs
The Houston Astros acquired All-Star infielder Isaac Paredes in the Kyle Tucker trade with the Chicago Cubs. The right-handed batter is an extreme pull-hitter with all 72 of his career home runs hit to left field. With it being only 315 feet down the left field line at Daikin Park, expect Paredes to finish the season with at least 35 home runs.
Kansas City Royals: Jac Caglianone will make MLB debut this season
The Kansas City Royals selected Florida Gators slugger Jac Caglianone with the sixth-overall pick in 2024, and the 22-year-old seems like he’s ready to make the leap. Caglianone had an impressive spring training, hitting three home runs in 22 plate appearances and slashing .529/.636/1.235 in 13 games. He will start the season at Double-A, and if he continues those impressive numbers, he will be in Kansas City sooner rather than later.
Los Angeles Angels: Will trade Mike Trout
The Los Angeles Angels will say goodbye to Mike Trout this season. Trout, one of the greatest players in a generation, will waive his no-trade clause and move on to a playoff contender as he will finally be healthy for the first time in five years. But who will the Angels trade him to? Find out below.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Will win less than 100 games
How do you make a bold prediction for a Los Angeles Dodgers team that seemingly has no flaws and should win a second consecutive World Series? I’ll try this one out—they won’t win 100 games this season.
Miami Marlins: Will have worst record in National League
It’s going to be another long season for the Miami Marlins. After losing 100 games last season, they will once again be one of the worst teams in baseball. Their best hitter in Jesús Sánchez is starting the season on the injured list, they traded Jake Burger to the Texas Rangers, shipped lefty starter Jesús Luzardo to the Philadelphia Phillies, and don’t be surprised when they part with Sandy Alcantara at the trade deadline for a prospect haul.
Milwaukee Brewers: Jackson Chourio will be MVP finalist
Jackson Chourio is a superstar-in-the-making for the Milwaukee Brewers. In his 2024 rookie season, he hit 21 home runs to go along with 22 stolen bases, and slashed .275/.327/.464, with a 117 OPS+ and 3.8 bWAR. There will be no sophomore slump as Chourio will continue delivering for the Brewers and become an NL MVP finalist for the first time in his young career.
Minnesota Twins: Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton and Royce Lewis will play less than 100 games each
Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, and Royce Lewis are three of the most dynamic players in baseball — when healthy — and that’s been the problem for the Minnesota Twins. It’s been a struggle to have all three on the field at the same time. And it will continue into 2025 as Lewis will miss Opening Day due to a hamstring strain. All three players will play less than 100 games each as injuries will ravage them once again.
New York Mets: Will trade for former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara
The New York Mets boast one of the best lineups in baseball after shelling out a record-breaking $765 million contract to Juan Soto and bringing back homegrown All-Star Pete Alonso. However, one of their bigger question marks surrounds the rotation without a true No. 1 starter. That will change at the deadline when the Mets acquire former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara from the Marlins.
New York Yankees: Will miss out on playoffs
After losing Juan Soto to the crosstown-rival Mets, the reigning American League champions still had a very productive offseason. The New York Yankees signed two-time All-Star pitcher Max Fried, brought former National League MVP Paul Goldschmidt on board to play first base, traded for another former NL MVP in Cody Bellinger, and acquired elite closer Devin Williams in a trade with the Brewers. However, once spring training started, everything went wrong. The Yankees lost ace Gerrit Cole for the year due to Tommy John surgery, reigning AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil is out until at least June with a lat strain in his pitching shoulder, and it’s not known when Giancarlo Stanton will resume baseball activities due to severe tennis elbow in both elbows. With the myriad of issues, don’t expect the Yankees to play in October.
Philadelphia Phillies: Will make blockbuster trade for Mike Trout
After failing to sign or trade for a coveted right-handed bat for their left-handed-heavy lineup, the Philadelphia Phillies will make a blockbuster trade to acquire future Hall of Famer Mike Trout. Despite being injury-plagued the last several seasons, Trout will finally be healthy and return to his All-Star form. Owner John Middleton wants his World Series trophy back, and he believes acquiring Trout will do just the trick.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Oneil Cruz will have first 30-homer season
Pittsburgh Pirates fans don’t have much to cheer for outside of Paul Skenes, but they do have another potential superstar-in-the-making in outfielder Oneil Cruz. He’s coming off a 21-home-run season, but his power will elevate to a new level in 2025. Expect Cruz to hit at least 30 home runs for the first time in his young career.
San Diego Padres: Will trade both Dylan Cease and Michael King
Despite their names being floated in trade rumors during the offseason, the San Diego Padres decided to hold onto both Dylan Cease and Michael King to begin the season. However, as the Padres hover around the .500 mark at the trade deadline, they’ll pull the trigger and trade both Cease and King.
San Francisco Giants: Bryce Eldridge will make MLB debut this season
Top San Francisco Giants prospect Bryce Eldridge will start the season in the minors, but he won’t be there long. The Giants selected the 20-year-old with the 16th-overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, and all he has done is rake. Across four minor-league levels last year, MLB.com’s 24th-ranked prospect hit 23 home runs and 27 doubles while slashing an impressive .292/.374/.516.
Seattle Mariners: Will trade for Luis Robert Jr.
Seattle Mariners fans were incredibly disappointed that the ownership group failed to hike the payroll this offseason when All-Star bats in Juan Soto, Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman, Teoscar Hernández, Anthony Santander, and Jurickson Profar were available. Despite missing out on the playoffs by one game, the Mariners essentially stood pat even though they have an elite rotation. That will change at the trade deadline when they acquire Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox to provide pop to a lineup that desperately needs it.
St. Louis Cardinals: Will be unable to trade Nolan Arenado
The St. Louis Cardinals tried desperately all offseason to trade future Hall of Fame third baseman Nolan Arenado to no avail. They thought they had a deal done with the Houston Astros before Arenado nixed it with his no-trade clause. Since Arenado has a limited list of teams he would play for, the Cardinals will not be able to move him and the remaining three years and $74 million of his contract this season.
Tampa Bay Rays: Junior Caminero will hit 30 home runs
Junior Caminero is a very special talent, and he will be showcasing his abilities during his first full season with the Tampa Bay Rays. The 21-year-old will reveal his immense power and connect on 30 home runs in 2025.
Texas Rangers: Jacob deGrom will win AL Comeback Player of the Year
Following nine seasons with the Mets where he established himself as one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball, Jacob deGrom signed a five-year, $185 million deal with the Texas Rangers in December 2022. In his first two seasons in Texas, deGrom has only made nine starts after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023. But the two-time NL Cy Young winner is healthy for the first time in two years, and if he doesn’t have any setbacks, he will be the American League Comeback Player of the Year.
Toronto Blue Jays: Will trade both Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette
The Toronto Blue Jays’ worst nightmare will become reality — they will trade both Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette at the deadline. The Blue Jays, so far, have failed to reach an extension with Guerrero, and according to Bichette, Toronto never reached out to him. With both players becoming free agents at year’s end and the Blue Jays struggling to compete, Toronto will say goodbye to two faces of the franchise.
Washington Nationals: Dylan Crews will win NL Rookie of the Year
Dylan Crews, the Washington Nationals’ second-overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, made his MLB debut last year, playing in 31 games. He had 26 hits in 132 plate appearances, with three home runs and 12 doubles, while slashing .218/.288/.353. The future is now for Crews as he will take the league by storm and capture the National League Rookie of the Year award.
