Top 10 MLB spring training storylines
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Julian Guiliarte, New York correspondent
- February 18, 2025
Juan Soto bolsters Mets lineup
Now that all 30 MLB teams have started full-squad workouts in the Grapefruit League and the Cactus League, here are the Top 10 storylines this spring.
There were a lot of notable transactions this off-season, especially in the American League East to the National League West. The Dodgers, Mets, and Yankees topped off-season spending.
Several other teams emerged such as the Red Sox, Cubs and Rangers. They could challenge last season’s division winners and make a push into the postseason.
1. How will Roki Sasaki look in a loaded Dodgers rotation?
Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki gives the defending World Series champion Dodgers another weapon in their starting rotation. Sasaki, 23, is the youngest pitcher in NPB history to move to MLB.
The Dodgers could run a six-man rotation with him and also added Blake Snell to the mix. Sasaki could also get eased into the rotation by starting in the minors. He is rated the top prospect on MLB Pipeline.com.
The Dodgers are looking like a strong bet to be the first back-to-back World Series winners since the Yankees did it from 1998-2000.
2. Can the Diamondbacks or Padres push the Dodgers in NL West?
The Diamondbacks and Padres will be the biggest threat to the Dodgers in the NL West. The Diamondbacks‘ starting rotation has the potential to be even better than the Dodgers with the addition of Corbin Burnes.
The Diamondbacks missed the playoffs by one game last season. Improved health by Corbin Carrol could also go a long way for their 2025 hopes. They made the World Series in 2023 and lost to the Texas Rangers.
The Padres signed Nick Pivetta to round out their rotation. They lost closer Tanner Scott to the rival Dodgers. Ha-Seong Kim and outfielder Jurickson Profar also departed in free agency.
The Padres will have a different look after taking the Dodgers to five games in the NLDS.
3. How will Juan Soto transform the Mets, and is it enough to win the NL East?
Juan Soto left the Yankees and crossed town for Queens and signed a record-breaking deal with the Mets for 15 years, $765 million.
Soto will transform the Mets’ lineup with his power, on-base percentage and ability to wear down pitchers.
The Mets have the potential to have one of the best lineups in MLB. They will look to get revenge against the Dodgers for the NLCS loss last season.
However, their starting rotation leaves a lot to be desired. They will have to replace Frankie Montas,who is out for at least 6-8 weeks with a lat injury.
The Phillies traded with the Marlins and acquired Jesus Luzardo to solidify their starting rotation. The Mets have to fix their pitching to make a serious run at the NL East.
4. How will the Yankees recover from losing Soto?
The Yankees went up to 16 Years, $760 million for Soto, but it wasn’t enough to stop him from skipping the Bronx.
Their Plan B was focused on improving defense and pitching. The Yankees’ big additions were Max Fried, Devin Williams, Cody Bellinger, and Paul Goldschmidt.
They are viewed as AL favorites although Giancarlo Stanton is hurt again with tennis elbows. His opening day status is in doubt. Third base remains a huge question mark for the Yankees.
The Yankees will need to make offensive additions to hang with the likes of the Dodgers.
5. When will Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider return to Braves?
The Atlanta Braves missed two huge pieces for the majority of last season. Ronald Acuña Jr. tore an ACL again last season.
Spencer Strider had Tommy John surgery after two starts in 2024. Acuña Jr. will not play in Grapefruit League games. It’s possible he could be a designated hitter in some of the Braves’ minor league games this spring. Right now the target date for him to return to MLB action is at some point in May.
Strider has no timetable to return to MLB action. He has been throwing bullpens and could ramp up to face live hitters shortly. The 26-year-old All-Star right-hander could put the Braves’ rotation over the top whenever he returns.
6. Red Sox sign Alex Bregman and will Rafael Devers still play 3B?
The Red Sox made a splash by signing Alex Bregman to a 3-year, $120 million deal on February 12. This deal has opt-outs after each year, with deferred money as well.
Bregman is a much better defender than Rafael Devers at third base, but he can also play second base. Red Sox manager Alex Cora was a bench coach with the Houston Astros when Bregman was there in 2017. Devers doesn’t want to move off third base, but Cora hasn’t decided who will play third base yet.
The Red Sox are set up to push the Yankees at the top of the AL East. The Red Sox also traded for White Sox starting pitcher Garett Crochet and signed Walker Buehler this offseason. In a weak AL, there is a very realistic path for them to return to the postseason. Their last postseason appearance was four years ago in 2021.
7. How will the Astros respond to losing Bregman and Kyle Tucker?
The Astros filled their infield up with the signing of first baseman Christian Walker and the acquisition of third baseman Issac Paredes. Parades was part of the deal that sent star outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Cubs.
The Astros also got back a top 100 prospect on MLB Pipeline with third baseman Cam Smith (No.59) and Houston native right-handed Hayden Wesnseki. Their outfield is thin without Tucker. Nine-time All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve could see some time in left field.
Their AL West rival the Texas Rangers added Jake Burger, and Joc Pederson. It will also get Jacob deGrom back this season. After missing out in 2024, the Rangers have a strong chance to return to the postseason.
8. What will the Cubs do with Tucker, and can they make the playoffs?
The Cubs will be viewed as the favorites in the NL Central coming into the season with Tucker. They also acquired Ryan Pressly from the Astros in a separate deal. Pressly will be the Cubs’ new closer. They could take advantage of a weak NL Central and make the postseason. They don’t appear to stack up with the elite NL teams.
They might not have done enough to fully maximize their one guaranteed year with Tucker.
The Cubs’ rotation has quality arms with Justin Steele and Shota Imanaga. On the other hand, missing out on the trade for Jesus Luzardo could prove costly.
9. Will Pirates star Pitcher Paul Skenes win the NL Cy Young?
Pirates ace Paul Skenes has added new pitches to his elite arsenal. He is now throwing a cutter and a two-seam fastball. Skenes dominated in his rookie seasons and is the favorite to win the NL Cy Young at +220 via FanDuel Sportsbook.
Skenes pitched 133 innings, with 170 strikeouts, and an ERA of 1.96 last season. If Skenes can get up to around 170 innings this season he has the ability to strike out well over 200 batters.
10. Blue Jays don’t extend Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and will they lose him next year?
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a self-imposed deadline for a contract extension on Feb. 18 that the Toronto Blue Jays didn’t meet. This was the first day their full squad began workouts in Dunedin, Fla.
Guerrero Jr. addressed the media to express that the number he wanted wasn’t close to what the Blue Jays offered him. Guerrero Jr. is not closing the door on returning to the Blue Jays after this season. The problem for the Blue Jays is that they will no longer negotiate this season.
Guerrero and Tucker are expected to be the best hitters on the free-agent market in 2026.
Julian Guiliarte
New York correspondent
Julian is a New Jersey-New York based reporter who has experience covering the Yankees and Mets. He is also very knowledgeable with the Mets and Yankees’ farm systems.
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