Now that the countdown to the new year is in the rearview mirror, MLB fans are marking off the days to spring training and the start of the 2025 regular season.
It has already been a busy winter of big names signing big contracts and rumors swirling about deals that could happen. MLB rosters are still far from being completed as all 30 franchises try to position themselves to win in 2025.
So what lies ahead for the rest of the offseason and the 2025 season as well? Here are 20 bold predictions focused on MLB teams and players.
1. Nolan Arenado will be traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers
Looking to cut payroll, the Cardinals must find a home for their All-Star third baseman. Arenado is a Southern California native. so he will welcome a trade back to the National League West, and the Dodgers’ talent pool will get even deeper before the season begins.
2. Pete Alonso will return to the New York Mets
The Mets have already done the work this offseason through acquisitions to boost the lineup and rotation. Bringing back Alonso to assume his familiar position at first base will give Juan Soto even more protection in the lineup. Owner Steve Cohen’s deep pockets will continue to benefit his franchise.
3. Roki Sasaki will sign with the San Diego Padres
The Padres are confident they can land the Japanese pitching phenom, and they will do just that to keep their rotation in line with their NL West rivals in Los Angeles and Arizona. Look for Sasaki to quickly make an impact in San Diego, both on the mound and in the number of Padres jerseys sold.
4. The Toronto Blue Jays will go into rebuild mode
With Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. scheduled to be free agents in 2026, the Blue Jays will use both as trade pieces this season to build for the future. After finishing last in the American League East last season, Toronto will struggle again this season before transforming its roster.
5. Mike Trout will play in more than 100 games
Since the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, injuries have kept the future Hall of Famer from playing in more than 100 games except just once (119 in 2022). This year, the health of the Los Angeles Angels star will allow him to build upon his Cooperstown resume.
6. The Baltimore Orioles will miss the postseason
Losing 2021 Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes (15-9, 2.92 ERA last season) and watching both the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox make big moves will end up costing the Orioles a chance to play meaningful October baseball. After finishing 91-71 last season, will Baltimore’s young core regress in 2025?
7. The Kansas City Royals will win their division
Last season, Kansas City took the steps to get back into the postseason, including a big rise in payroll to more than $122M, per Spotrac. After finishing second last season with an 86-76 record, the Royals will sit on the American League Central throne … and do some damage in the postseason as well. Look for Bobby Witt Jr. (32 HRs, .332 BA last season) to once again be in the AL MVP conversation in 2025 after finishing second in 2024.
8. The Colorado Rockies will cut 3B/OF Kris Bryant
In three seasons since signing a seven-year, $182M deal, Bryant has played in just 160 games and been ineffective in those (combined OPS+ of 89). A variety of health issues has kept the former NL MVP off the field, and those problems will continue this season, forcing Colorado to give up on the Bryant experiment.
9. The Los Angeles Dodgers will win more than 100 games
All of the talent brought the Dodgers “just” 98 wins last season in what was a tough NL West. The Dodgers will top the century mark this season thanks to better health from their star pitchers (including Tyler Glasnow) and an even deeper bench.
10. The New York Yankees will win fewer than 90 games
Last season, the Yankees went 94-68 in the regular season. This season, try as they might, the Yankees won’t be able to replace Soto’s productivity as the Bronx Bombers take a step back from their 2024 World Series run. Max Fried, New York’s big pitching acquisition this offseason, will struggle with his health. causing ripple effects throughout the rotation.
11. The Chicago White Sox will lose just 101 games
Hey, that’s a 20-game improvement on the South Side of Chicago. Changes to the roster with a mix of touted prospects and veterans will pay dividends, as will a change in philosophy at manager. The White Sox say they’re “hungry” in 2025, and they will have more success this season than they did during a historically bad 2024 (41-121).
12. Minor league stadiums will be a problem
With both the A’s and Tampa Bay Rays playing this season in minor league stadiums, MLB must navigate player complaints about the facilities. Particular attention will focus on the A’s and how to improve their temporary home in Sacramento before a potential move to Las Vegas.
13. Atlanta Braves will be the surprise team in the NL East
There has been plenty of talk about the Mets and Phillies this winter while it’s been quiet in Atlanta. Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos will once again do some work this winter and at the MLB trade deadline, making sure his team is in the hunt for another division title after seeing his club’s six-year reign snapped by Philadelphia last season.
14. Shohei Ohtani’s return to the mound will just be OK
After Tommy John surgery following his final start with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani has yet to pitch with the Dodgers. With a career ERA of 3.01 in 86 starts, Ohtani won’t match that in his return to the mound, struggling to keep his ERA below 5.00. Will Ohtani’s near-term future include just being a hitter?
15. Ohtani will, however, repeat as NL MVP
He may not put up the historic numbers he did last season at the plate and on the bases (first player in MLB history with 50 homers and 50 stolen bases), but Ohtani will once again make the Dodgers hum in 2025. He will also get a boost in the eyes of voters from pitching again this season, even if the numbers aren’t eye-popping.
16. Aaron Judge will not repeat as AL MVP
Judge won’t put up the numbers he did last season (leading all MLB players with 58 homers and 144 RBI), but he will finish in the top five of AL MVP voting. Health and the pressures of trying to repeat as AL champions will wear on the team captain, as will the questions that will continue about his poor performance in the World Series.
17. The Boston Red Sox will win the AL East
Call it the Garrett Crochet effect in Boston after one of the offseason’s biggest trades or a World Series hangover for the Yankees, but the Red Sox will be the surprise AL team this season, pushing Boston back into the postseason for the first time since 2021. After a disappointing 2024 regular season (1-6, 5.38 ERA in just 16 starts), Walker Buehler will also return to form and become one of the most meaningful pickups by any team this offseason.
18. Christian Walker will win AL MVP
The Astros finally have their answer at first base. Walker will thrive in his new environment as he paces Houston deep into the postseason. He never finished higher than 23rd in MVP voting during his time in Arizona (where he hit 26 or more homers in each of the past three seasons), but Walker will skyrocket to the top as he paces a new-look offense.
19. Kyle Tucker will quickly become a favorite at Wrigley Field
Coming over in a trade with the Astros, Tucker will quickly show his worth with the Cubs … and will also earn a new contract to stay long term in Chicago. Coming off an injury-filled season, Tucker will flex his power, hitting 30 or more homers for the third time in the past five seasons.
20. Philadelphia will beat Houston in the World Series
The Phillies, coming in as a wild-card team, will erase the pain of losing to the AL West champion Astros in the 2022 Fall Classic as Bryce Harper (30 HR, .285 BA last season) slugs his way to World Series MVP honors.
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