Chris Elwell
Staff Writer
Photo Courtesy of MLB.com
As we look ahead to the 2025 MLB season, every team is looking to add more impact players to their organization and build a roster that will help them be competitive and well-rounded. Whether it is through free agency, making a trade, or looking internally for a player to contribute at the big-league level, there are needs to fill for teams to make a run at the World Series.
There is talent to be found at all levels of professional baseball, and a certain team’s needs may require them to look in different places. So far this offseason, there have been surprising signings and trades that have shifted the league’s outlook for 2025, and for teams that have fallen short of bringing in some of the top-tier talent on the market, there are still players available that can help influence a winning culture by bringing their style of play to a team that may be lacking in that area.
Spring training is right around the corner, and as it comes closer, there will be more moves made by teams that are looking to bring more talent to their roster. The expectations of which teams will bring in which players are largely up for interpretation as of right now, but as we get closer to the season, some of these questions will be answered.
Arizona Diamondbacks - Right-handed reliever
Bringing in Corbin Burnes was a major step in the right direction to help Arizona get back to their status in 2023 as a World Series team, but there is more work to be done in the bullpen to help them make another deep playoff run. The emergence of Justin Martinez as a flamethrowing ninth-inning option was a pleasant surprise in 2024, and this bullpen could take another huge leap in 2025 by bringing in another power arm to bolster the back end of the bullpen.
Atlanta Braves - Health of star players
2024 was a down year by Atlanta’s standards headlined by the extended amount of time missed by former MVP Ronald Acuna Jr., Spencer Strider, and Austin Riley, but the depth of the roster still propelled them to a playoff berth. For this team to get back to the top of the National League, they will need their stars back in action, especially in the loaded NL East.
Baltimore Orioles - Frontline starting pitcher
The young core is fully in place for Baltimore to go out and make a run at the American League pennant, but the new ownership’s hesitance to bring in more top-tier talent on the mound to match the firepower in the lineup is hurting this team’s outlook for 2025. With Corbin Burnes walking out the door, there is a glaring hole at the top of the rotation that needs to be filled for the Orioles to make any sort of noise in an American League that is very much up for grabs.
Boston Red Sox - Impact right-handed bat
A glaring hole in the roster in 2024 for Boston was in the starting rotation, which now looks to be their biggest strength after bringing in Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler, and Patrick Sandoval. The return of Lucas Giolito from the Injured List will be another complementary depth piece for Boston, but now the attention turns to the lineup and bringing in a premier right-handed bat to balance out the six left-handed bats projected to be in the Opening Day lineup.
Chicago Cubs - Production from the bottom of the lineup
After the blockbuster trade that brought Kyle Tucker to Chicago, the Cubs now have a dangerous power presence at the top of their lineup to pair with Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki. The production from the bottom of their lineup needs to improve for the Cubs to contend for the NL Central, most notably Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner, who combine for one of the best defensive middle infields in baseball, but had average offensive seasons at best. Top prospect Matt Shaw projects to make the Opening Day roster, which could provide another quality bat to round out the lineup.
Chicago White Sox - Continue building the farm system
Trading Garrett Crochet was a great move for Chicago this offseason, acquiring two top 100 prospects in catcher Kyle Teel and outfielder Braden Montgomery from Boston, but there is still a lot of work to be done for the team that just set the record for the worst individual baseball season in MLB history with a 41-121 record. 2025 will be a pivotal season for the White Sox to continue building up a winning culture, which could include the departures of players like Luis Robert Jr. and Andrew Benintendi.
Cincinnati Reds - Bullpen depth
Trading Fernando Cruz to the Yankees left a need in the back end of the bullpen that ultimately led to Alexis Diaz in the ninth. With a young, up-and-coming lineup and formidable rotation, the bullpen needs to see another quality arm or two walk in the clubhouse and take a role in the late innings as a reliable option.
Cleveland Guardians - Call up top prospects
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Coming off a strong 2024 making it to the ALCS, the Guardians saw one of their clubhouse leaders depart as second baseman Andres Gimenez was dealt to Toronto. With a void in the middle of their infield, Cleveland could fast-track last year’s number one overall pick Travis Bazzana to the majors to fill that hole. With Bazzana at the top of their farm system is outfielder Chase DeLauter who is currently ranked as the number 10 prospect in all of baseball, who could make an impact on the team in 2025.
Colorado Rockies - Starting pitching
The question revolving around Colorado every year is whether they will be able to build a strong rotation to counteract one of the most hitter-friendly stadiums in the league, Coors Field. Their projected starting rotation had a 5.56 ERA in 2024, and currently sitting at the bottom of a powerful NL West division, they project to be at the bottom once again unless they figure something out to bolster their pitching staff.
Detroit Tigers - Right-handed corner infielder
Detroit was one of the surprise teams in 2024, making the ALDS and sweeping the Houston Astros in the Wild Card series. Top prospect Jackson Jobe is one of the preseason favorites to win AL Rookie of the Year and will play a role on the mound, but there is still a glaring hole in the infield for a right-handed bat to slot in the middle of the lineup. Third baseman Alex Bregman has been heavily linked to the team in free agency and would provide a dangerous presence in the field and at the plate.
Houston Astros - Left-handed outfielder
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The departure of Kyle Tucker leaves a massive void in the outfield in Houston, and while they got a strong return from Chicago in the trade that sent Tucker to the Cubs, it was certainly a head-scratcher among fans. Tucker will be a free agent after the 2025 season, but Houston’s adamance to not retain star players on long-term contracts has led to the departures of cornerstones from their World Series teams in Carlos Correa, George Springer, and now Alex Bregman. The current projected outfield for Houston is filled with role players, and their answer in right field may come from within the organization.
Kansas City Royals - Power-hitting outfielder
Kansas City took a major leap forward in 2024, going from a 56-106 record in 2023 to finishing tied for second place in the AL Central with 86 wins and making the ALDS. With a loaded infield built around MVP candidate Bobby Witt Jr., the Royals have a glaring need in the outfield for a power bat that provides a spark in the middle of the lineup.
Los Angeles Angels - Deepen the farm system
The Angels again find themselves at a crossroads in 2025, as their roster lacks depth to make them a playoff contender. 2024 first-round pick Christian Moore tracks to make an impact at the big-league level this season as their record of drafting MLB-ready bats continues, but their farm system lacks the upside to give them a positive outlook for the future. The lineup is still built around Mike Trout who has missed a majority of the past four seasons, but with the face of the franchise coming back healthy, it raises the age-old question: could the Angels trade Trout to give him a chance at a World Series and build their organization in the process?
Los Angeles Dodgers - Keep Mookie Betts in the outfield
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The defending World Series champions seemingly have no holes going into 2025, so it’s difficult to find a big need for them. Trea Turner's signing with Philadelphia before the 2023 season has left a revolving door at shortstop that they looked to fill by moving Mookie Betts back to his original position when he was drafted. Betts’ defense struggled when he manned the position this past season before moving him back to the outfield where he saw much more success.
Miami Marlins - Develop pitching to a position of strength
Just a year removed from a playoff berth in 2023, the Marlins took a step back in 2024 that left them with a 62-100 record and trading key players like Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jake Burger. Miami’s success was built around their pitching, and with the return of Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara from Tommy John surgery, the team will be getting their ace back and if they have any success in 2025, they will need to limit runs on the mound and see contributions from young arms like Edward Cabrera and former first-round pick Max Meyer.
Milwaukee Brewers - Find a way to replace Devin Williams
Trading their star closer Devin Williams to the Yankees for Nestor Cortes Jr. and Caleb Durbin was a surprise over the offseason and left a void in the back end of their bullpen. Right-hander Trevor Megill looks to take over the closer spot, but there is still room for the team to grow and move forward in the later innings coming off a first-place finish in the NL Central winning 93 games.
Minnesota Twins - Stay healthy
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Minnesota has the pieces in place in the lineup to be one of the top teams in the American League, but the continued injuries from Royce Lewis, Carlos Correa, and Byron Buxton have left the team turning to their depth far too early in the season. Much of their pitching staff will return in 2025 with it being perhaps their biggest strength, the Twins will look to their stars to stay on the field and give the team a chance to win every day.
New York Mets - Proven corner infielder
The Pete Alonso situation has been confusing for all parties involved, and it has left the Mets seemingly with a hole in the corner infield positions. Mark Vientos projects to slide over to first base if the team does not re-sign Alonso, which now opens the door for options like Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio to take over the third base spot. Neither player has had much success in the majors in their brief stints, and New York is still in a position to bring in an established player in free agency.
New York Yankees - Third base
After losing out on Soto in free agency, the Yankees pivoted to bring in more depth to build a complete roster for 2025, but there is still concern as to what the team will do at third base. Chisholm playing third base in his stint with the team in 2024 gives the team options, but their overall team defense needs to be figured out if they will make another run at winning their first World Series since 2009. New York has options they could go with, but unless they bring in another infielder, there will be a hole elsewhere that will need to be filled.
Philadelphia Phillies - Find a way to replace Jeff Hoffman
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The emergence of Jeff Hoffman in the back end of Philadelphia’s bullpen was a welcomed sight for a team that has struggled in recent years in the late innings. With him signing in Toronto in free agency, Philadelphia now is searching for a closer once again to complete their roster and cement themselves at the top of a loaded NL East. The class of relief pitchers in free agency has thinned out, but the Phillies are in dire need of a shutdown late-inning bullpen arm.
Pittsburgh Pirates - Don’t waste the window of opportunity
The outlook of the Pirates in 2025 is largely based on the production of the lineup to go with their loaded top of the rotation. With reigning Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes and frontline starters Jared Jones and Mitch Keller being one of baseball's top trios on the mound, there is a severe lack of quality bats in the lineup around Oneil Cruz. Pittsburgh’s unwillingness to spend money in free agency to address their needs could be their fatal flaw and ultimately waste a year of Skenes and Jones on their rookie contracts.
Sacramento Athletics - Keep bringing in talent
After moving out of Oakland, owner John Fisher and the front office have finally decided to start spending on free agents to put the team back on the map. With their relocation going to Sacramento before their stadium is built in Las Vegas, the team is starting to take shape as they brought in Luis Severino in free agency on the highest free agent deal in franchise history and traded for left-handed pitcher Jeffrey Springs to lead their rotation. As they move forward with their future, the team needs to continue attracting talent to get the team back in contention.
San Diego Padres - Lineup depth
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San Diego’s lineup is mainly built around their superstars in Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Xander Bogaerts, but there is a drop-off from their cornerstones to the bottom of their lineup. Jackson Merrill’s rise to stardom in center field was crucial for the Padres in 2024, and for them to make another deep playoff run, they will need more production from the bottom third of the lineup to take pressure off their stars.
Seattle Mariners - Sign Pete Alonso
Seattle possesses perhaps the best pitching staff in all of baseball but severely struggled at the plate this past season. A down year from Julio Rodriguez left the top of the Mariners lineup towards the bottom of the league in terms of production and desperately in need of a middle-of-the-order presence that will allow the rest of the lineup to get on base and score more runs.
San Francisco Giants - Bring in another power bat
Three-time World Series champion Buster Posey has found a new role within the Giants organization as the president of baseball operations and has already made a splash, bringing in free agent shortstop Willy Adames to a seven-year, $182 million contract. Since 2004, San Francisco has not had a single player eclipse 30 home runs in a season and is still lacking a big-time power threat in the middle of the lineup to help bring the team into contention in a loaded NL West.
St. Louis Cardinals - Build around young talent
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St. Louis finds themselves in an interesting spot in 2025 after the departure of former MVP Paul Goldschmidt in free agency and coming off an 83-79 season. The Cardinals are only returning two players in the lineup over the age of 30 and while they are stuck in the middle of contention and rebuilding, they need to build around their young players and find a way to get them on the field every day to develop and get back to the top of a wide-open NL Central.
Tampa Bay Rays - Find more hidden gems on the mound
The strength of Tampa Bay has always been developing arms and winning with their pitching and defense, which took a huge hit in 2024 with injuries sustained by their top pitchers Shane McClanahan, Shane Baz, Drew Rasmussen, and Jeffrey Springs. The AL East features three of the top teams in the American League, but they could pose a serious threat with their returning arms and finding more quality contributors despite their tight budget.
Texas Rangers - Bounce back seasons from Semien and Garcia
Texas was one of the bigger disappointments in 2024 with a 78-84 record coming off their first World Series victory in franchise history. The regression of key players in the lineup from second Marcus Semien and right fielder Adolis Garcia played a big role in their down season, but with the addition of Joc Pederson and assuming Semien and Garcia bounce back to have strong seasons, the Rangers could regain their status as one of the top teams in the American League.
Toronto Blue Jays - Find trade destinations for star players
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette’s tenures with Toronto have been viewed as a disappointment from the team’s perspective as they failed to build a perennial contending roster around their franchise cornerstones. With Guerrero Jr. entering free agency after the season and Bichette coming off the worst season of his career, Toronto may find themselves near the bottom of the AL East once again with the 27th-ranked farm system in baseball. It may be time to ship off their stars and rebuild the organization from the ground up.
Washington Nationals - Let the kids play
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Washington’s overhaul of young stars features 2024’s number two overall pick Dylan Crews and outfielder James Wood, who was acquired in the team’s trade with San Diego for Juan Soto. With pieces already in place like shortstop CJ Abrams and frontline starter MacKenzie Gore, the Nationals are trending upwards and have the potential to be one of the biggest surprise teams in baseball coming off a 71-91 season. The development of young players will be a common theme for the Nationals in 2025 and has the potential to be a great season for the team.