Hope springs everlasting for many MLB followers this time of yr. However all groups have issues — some huge, others comparatively minor.
Forward of this week’s begin of spring coaching video games, Yardbarker MLB writers establish the most important concern for every Nationwide League group. (2024 regular-season data are in parentheses.)
NL East
ATLANTA BRAVES (89-73) | Stars staying wholesome | Certain, it is a concern for each membership, however a lot of Atlanta’s roster landed on the damage checklist final season. The return (and well being) of outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. and pitcher Spencer Strider will probably be key to the membership’s pennant hopes.
MIAMI MARLINS (62-100) | A league-worst offense? | It is onerous to imagine a group that’s coming off a 100-loss season may worsen, however which may be the case for the Marlins. Their projected 2025 lineup is younger and lacks expertise and pop.
NEW YORK METS (89-73) | Can Clay Holmes succeed as a starter? | Nearer Holmes, who went 3-4 with a 3.14 ERA final season for the New York Yankees, will be part of the beginning rotation in 2025. The 31-year-old hasn’t began a sport since his rookie season in 2018, when he had 4 begins.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (95-67) | Power of bullpen | The Phillies will rely upon nearer Jordan Romano returning to dominant kind after shedding a significant piece of their bullpen, Jeff Hoffman, to the Blue Jays this offseason. Jose Alvarado, Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering should additionally step up.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS (71-91) | Inexperience | Just like the Marlins, the Nationals are younger, with an average age of 26.7 (h/t: FanSided). Nevertheless, they’ve ample expertise that may be stronger with a veteran presence on the roster. — Lauren Amour
NL West
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (89-73) | Ending video games | Final season, Arizona’s bullpen completed twenty third in ERA (4.16) and twenty sixth in WHIP (1.37) within the eighth inning or later. Exterior of taking a one-year flyer on former nearer Kendall Graveman (who missed final season with a shoulder damage), the Diamondbacks have most of the similar high-leverage relievers as in 2024, so inside enchancment have to be made.
COLORADO ROCKIES (61-101) | Profiting from Coors Discipline | The Rockies completed with the second-highest strikeout complete (1,617) of any MLB group final season, a part of the rationale why Colorado completed 37-44 at dwelling and was outscored in these video games by 76 runs. Taking part in 81 video games at altitude, Colorado should get again to the fundamentals and put the ball in play to have Coors Discipline as a real home-field benefit.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS (98-64) | Will the expectations be an excessive amount of? | It’s onerous to think about a situation during which the talent-laden Dodgers stumble in 2025, however this would be the first yr the present rendition of the group enters the common season because the defending world champions. With L.A. within the fixed crosshairs of their 29 rivals and anticipated to get again to the Fall Basic once more, may the burden of the crown trigger cracks in group chemistry?
SAN DIEGO PADRES (93-69) | Shortstop turns into an issue | The Padres have quite a lot of gamers who may play shortstop, however just one is definitely scheduled to man the place in 2025: Xander Bogaerts. Coming off an injury-filled season during which he posted an OPS+ of 92, the 32-year-old Bogaerts not has Ha-Seong Kim as a safety blanket, so eyes will probably be on him to rebound and stay as much as his 11-year, $280M contract.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (80-82) | Younger pitchers don’t carry out | The Giants are veteran-loaded on the entrance of the rotation (Logan Webb, Robbie Ray and Justin Verlander), however 23-year-old pitchers Kyle Harrison and Hayden Birdsong will play a giant function in how profitable the again finish of the rotation will probably be. Each posted ERAs over 4.50 final season of their first true expertise within the massive leagues, so how a lot enchancment will they present in 2025? — Kevin Henry
NL Central
CHICAGO CUBS (83-79) | Weak scorching nook | The acquisition of three-time All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros got here at the price of a bundle that included All-Star third baseman Isaac Parades. With infielder Alex Bregman accepting Boston’s offer over Chicago’s, it leaves Jon Berti — who performed simply 25 video games final season with the Yankees — because the starter at 3B.
CINCINNATI REDS (77-85) | Elly De La Cruz stays put | After a 2024 season with the fifth- most errors (96) and third-worst fielding percentage (.983) in the majors, Cincinnati’s protection stays one of many worst. The concept of shifting shortstop De La Cruz to middle discipline — one thing division rival Pittsburgh Pirates did with shortstop Oneil Cruz late within the 2024 season with significant success — appears unlikely regardless of Cruz main the MLB with 29 errors final season.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS (93-69) | Infield’s offensive manufacturing | With the departure of SS Willy Adames (32 dwelling runs, 112 RBI in 610 at-bats final season) to San Francisco, the Brewers misplaced the primary energy supply within the infield. In 1,448 mixed at bats, the remaining three beginning infielders from the 2024 season — 1B Rhys Hoskins, 2B Brice Turang and 3B Joey Ortiz — collectively batted .247 with 44 dwelling runs and 199 RBI.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (76-86) | Stingy possession | After profitable simply 76 video games for the second straight season, the group spent little within the offseason. The Pirates have a roster filled with younger expertise, highlighted by NL Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes (11-3, 1.96 ERA final season), however minimal strikes have been made to construct on that basis, main Pittsburgh to carry the worst odds to win the NL Central, per Bet MGM.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (83-79) | Nothing added | The Cardinals, who misplaced 2022 NL MVP first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and righty Andrew Kittredge within the offseason, are the lone group to spend no money in the offseason. St. Louis is projected by Bet MGM to complete fourth within the NL Central. If 3B Nolan Arenado, a six-time Platinum Glove winner, is traded earlier than Opening Day, issues may flip much more bleak for the Cardinals. — Taylor Bretl
