By the time you read this, pitchers and catchers will have already begun reporting to camp in preparation for Spring Training action and the long season ahead. The offseason provided plenty of excitement thanks to a bevy of free agent transactions, leaving us to predict the impact of major signings and notable departures in the buildup to Opening Day.
The season officially starts on March 18 with a two-game series in Tokyo between the defending World Series champion LA Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs. The hometown star power on display for Japanese fans will create an exciting atmosphere during the first season opener at the Tokyo Dome since 2012.
The rest of the league will begin play on March 27, starting the clock on six months of baseball's regular season that concludes on September 28.
Dodgers +300
Yankees +800
Braves +950
Mets +1200
Phillies +1200
Orioles +1700
Astros +2100
Rangers +2500
Red Sox +2700
Padres +2800
Cubs +3000
Diamondbacks +3000
Mariners +3000
Tigers +3500
Twins +3500
Royals +4000
Guardians +4000
Brewers +5000
Rays +6000
Blue Jays +6000
Giants +9000
Reds +10000
Pirates +12500
Cardinals +13000
Angels +25000
A's +25000
Nationals +32000
Marlins +50000
Rockies +50000
White Sox +50000
The dream scenario for MLB leadership, sponsors, and television broadcasters would come to fruition if the top two teams on World Series odds lists played again for the championship. The Dodgers are unquestioned as the favorites to recapture baseball's biggest prize, while the New York Yankees have the best odds of any AL team by a healthy margin. Los Angeles secured their second championship in five seasons with a 4-1 series win over the Yankees in the 2024 World Series thanks to heroic performances from MVP Freddie Freeman and one-time ace Walker Buehler, among others.
For 2025 in the National League, the loaded Dodgers hope to fend off the Braves, Phillies, and last year's NL runner-up, the New York Mets. LA added two-time Cy Young-winner Blake Snell and Japan's Roki Sasaki to their rotation while letting Buehler go and signed reliever Tanner Scott to bolster their bullpen. No organization spent more this winter than the Mets, who nabbed the cycle's grand prize in outfielder Juan Soto for a staggering sum of $765 million over 15 years. The move robbed the cross-town Yankees of the chance to retain their dynamic duo of Soto and Aaron Judge and was cause for celebration among a fan base that's itching to break a 40-year World Series drought.
Among American League contenders, the Yankees' toughest competition is expected to come from the Astros and Orioles. Following Soto's departure, New York went on an acquisition spree, signing Max Fried to an eight-year deal and trading for closer Devin Williams and lefty bat Cody Bellinger to re-fortify their staff and lineup as best they could.
Houston's streak of seven consecutive ALCS appearances ended in 2024 under first-year manager Joe Espada. Their win total projects them to land right around the 88 they earned a season ago to win the weaker AL West, and new first baseman Christian Walker hopes to take advantage of a hitter-friendly ballpark to lead the charge for the 'Stros.
Baltimore let ace Corbin Burnes walk in free agency along with outfielder Anthony Santander, relying on new signee Tyler O'Neill to replace the power output in their lineup and piecing together a rotation that includes 2024 deadline acquisition Zach Eflin and free-agent additions Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano. The Birds will need steps forward from homegrown pitchers Grayson Rodriguez, Cade Povich, and Chayce McDermott to compensate for the lack of a bonafide ace.
The Phils laid relatively low in the offseason, which says a lot about their belief in the existing roster and its ability to compete for championships. They quietly traded for Jesús Luzardo, hoping the talented young lefty can add depth to a pitching rotation led by Cy Young runner-up Zack Wheeler, workhorse Aaron Nola, and 2024 All-Star Christopher Sánchez.
With an offense that averaged the 5th-most runs per game in baseball, Philadelphia will go as far as their arms allow them. They have as good a chance as any to dethrone LA in the National League and compete with the AL's best for a title.
If we're going to tie our money up for 7+ months, why not make our upside significant? The Tigers are well-managed by A.J. Hinch, have a healthy blend of young talent and veteran production, and proved an ability to perform in high-pressure situations during the homestretch of last season and a brief playoff run.
Detroit brought Jack Flaherty back on a two-year deal after trading him to the Dodgers at last year's deadline and added Alex Cobb and reliever Tommy Kahnle to one-year contracts in an effort to build around Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.
The Tigers won 20 of their last 30 games and 15 of their final 20 en route to a Wild Card berth. After dispatching the Astros 2-0, they fell 3-2 to divisional foe Cleveland in the ALDS as their season ended. We expect them to build on that success in 2025 and have a chance to make even more noise in an American League desperate for a team to rival the Yankees.