(Photo by CNN)

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Geez, for the second straight season, the Orioles would be at the top of the league, and once again, Baltimore failed to win a playoff game. They added Tyler O'Neill, but lost Corbin Burnes. With a great nucleus, can the O's finally breakthrough in 2025?

BOSTON RED SOX

The Red Sox decided that it was time to improve the team in the off-season. Trading for Garrett Crochet, signing Walker Buechler, Patrick Sandoval and Alex Bregman has helped Boston become a playoff contender, hopefully. Also, they have that wicked good farm system.

NEW YORK YANKEES

The MLB Pandora's Box has opened, but not fully. The Yanks were done in with an epic grand slam and a Game 5 collapse. The Bronx Bombers have seemed to improve with acquisitions of Max Fried, Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger. New York looks to finally reach the top of the AL again in 2025.

TAMPA BAY RAYS

If there was a team that goes hard against adversity, it's the Rays. 2025 will be a season where more of that adversity will come in bunches as Tampa Bay will call George Steinbrenner Field home since Hurricane Milton destroyed the Trop. Their future after this season is in doubt since their once-guaranteed stadium isn't guaranteed anymore.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

Well, it was fun while it lasted. The announcement of Vlad Jr. and the Jays not coming to an agreement for an extension has signaled the end. Even if Toronto breaks through this season, the dark cloud of his looming free agency will hover over the team.

CHICAGO WHITE SUX

I'm going to be positive, looking at the projected lineup, rotation and bullpen, I say that they could win about 63 games this season, which is 22 more than last year. Also, they received top prospects Kyle Teel and Braden Montgomery in the Garrett Crochet trade, so that's cool. Just try to stay positive, South Side fans.

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS

The Guardians are reaching their potential, but continue to tinker with the roster when they really shouldn't. Trading Andres Gimenez makes sense because of top prospect Travis Bazzana, but trading Josh Naylor? If this franchise thinks it can help them get over the hump, by all means.

Also, 76 years and counting.....

DETROIT TIGERS

The Tigers showed (Sigh) some bite by storming into the playoffs and giving the Guardians all they could handle. Tarik Skubal became a pitching god and the rest of the young nucleus can continue their progress into 2025. They weren't really going to get Alex Bregman.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

KC went back to the time machine to recapture their success from ten years ago. Bobby Witt Jr. is about to become the best player in the league as the Royals hope to end 2025 like they did in 2015, holding up that piece of metal.

MINNESOTA TWINS

Since the Twins were successful in 2023, that means they floundered in 2024. An epic collapse down the stretch caused Minnesota to miss out on the postseason. If the trajectory is correct, the Twins will prosper in 2025. Also, please sell the team, Pohlad family.

HOUSTON ASTROS

It has ended, guys. The era of uncertainty has begun for the Stros as Kyle Tucker, Justin Verlander and Alex Bregman are off to other places. Also, the Minute Maid Park era is gone and the Daikin Park era begins. Could be a long few years for Houston.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS

If the Dodgers are relaxed, the Angels are stressed to the max. They signed players that can help (Yoan Moncada), but will it? Probably not. Baseball gods, please protect Mike Trout from all of this madness. Also, Anthony Rendon could miss the season due to a hip injury. What a shocker.

Excuse me for a second as I talk to my associate, JN

ME: So, they are called the Sacramento A's?

JN: No, they are called the Athletics.

ME: Really, nothing to do with Sacramento.

JN: Nope, just the Athletics.

ME: Alright

ATHLETICS

John Fisher's dream has begun as the A's represent Sacramento for a few years as a pit stop towards Vegas. Oh, and they decided to throw money at Luis Severino and Brent Rooker. From a distance, you can hear Oakland fans punching walls right now.

SEATTLE MARINERS

On paper, this team should be a contender. Somehow, they tend to fall into a backbreaking slump. This cost Scott Servais his job as Seattle will try to figure it out. Their rotation is one of the best, but the offense needs to catch up. I just figured out the problem.

TEXAS RANGERS

The Rangers fell into a hangover in their title defense. Adding Jake Burger could bring power to their lineup as the hope for a healthy roster can happen in 2025. We are looking at you, Jacob de Grom. This is the key to a return to their championship form in '23.

ATLANTA BRAVES

Gosh, the Braves' 2024 was full of inconsistently and another season of Ronald Acuna Jr. tearing an ACL tear. If he comes back to top speed, Atlanta could go back to World Series contenders. Also, Spencer Strider's recovery is paramount.

MIAMI MARLINS

There is a tweet by an "expert" stating that they couldn't name three players on the Marlins. If Sandy Alcantara can recover, Eury Perez can break through, and Jesus Sanchez can realize his offensive potential, Miami can avoid 120 losses. Hey, I just named three, yay to this guy.

NEW YORK METS

After a surprising NLCS visit, the Mets and specifically, Daddy Cohen decided to open the financial flood gates and lure Juan Soto from their cross-town rivals for $765 million and by the grace of God, was able to bring back the great Peter Alonso. New York should stay in the upper echelon of the NL.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

The Phillies had another season where they phail expectations in the playoffs. They didn't do much to improve, but they didn't need to as their only hurdle is phinshing the prophecy in a World Series title. Hopefully, in 2025, they can phinally phulfill that phinal destination.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS

The Nats continue to develop their young talent and was able to win the draft lottery to add to that equation. Don't be surprised if Washington makes a mini playoff run during this campaign as CJ Abrams and Dylan Crews continue to ascend.

CHICAGO CUBS

I'm really confused with what the Cubs did this off-season. They traded a lot to get Kyle Tucker, but will they be able to sign him to an extension? It's going to take their 2025 performance to see what type of team this is going forward.

CINCINNATI REDS

Okay, the Reds made some moves to help the team by trading for Brady Singer and Gavin Lux. Getting Terry Francona as manager gives Cincinnati hope for a playoff push. I see Elly De La Cruz in the top 3 in MVP consideration this season.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

The Brew Crew once again submitted to an underdog squad in the Wild Card, now the time is now for them to break through before Christian Yelich's body breaks down. Unfortunately, this will be the first season without their ironic announcer, Bob Uecker. You will be missed, Bob.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

Another year, another plea for owner Bob Nutting to sell the team, which will not happen. So, hopefully, they power through and give fans some hope in 2025. I won't even get into that trading card fiasco since it's just a sign of what the franchise is right now.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

It looks like the mighty have fallen. The Cardinals are in the phase where it's time to blow it up, that's right, a good old-fashioned rebuild. Paul Goldschmidt is gone, and Nolan Arenado is close to being gone. St. Louis will have to stare into an abyss for a few seasons.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Well, that was fun while it lasted.....but Arizona and specifically, GM Mike Hazen decided to make some zesty moves by signing Corbin Burnes and trading for Josh Naylor. The D-Backs could come back and shock everyone again. Seriously, it could happen.

COLORADO ROCKIES

There are times when I wonder if this franchise is just going through the motions. Sure, they have talent in the farm system, but will their future be long in Denver? I hope this baseball squad can prosper one day........it won't be this year.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

They did what was expected, destroy everyone en route to a World Series title. So, what did they do during this off-season? They opened more vaults to bring in more elite talent to add to an already stacked roster. The dynasty should be ahead on the horizon.

SAN DIEGO PADRES

Well, this is a nightmare. No marquee free agents and trades, sprinkled with a dose of friction between the late Peter Seidler's brothers and his widow over ownership of the franchise has the Padres on thin ice. Yikes!

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

The Giants are looking for an identity but was able to finally snag a top free agent in signing Willy Adames. San Francisco could be on the outside looking in the NL West, unless the farm system can improve. That's up to you, Buster Posey.

So, that is the preview of the 2025 season. Also, after 35 years, this will be the last year that ESPN will broadcast MLB. It was fun while it lasted.

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