As the MLB offseason rolls on and teams shape their rosters for the 2025 campaign, one question looms large: Who’s the team to beat? ESPN senior baseball writer Buster Olney weighs in with his early power rankings, placing the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers atop the heap. But with plenty of moves still to come, the baseball landscape could shift dramatically by Opening Day.
Dodgers Aim to Repeat Atop Stacked NL Field
The Dodgers enter 2025 as the presumptive favorites after capturing their second straight World Series crown. With a star-studded rotation featuring Shohei Ohtani, Clayton Kershaw, and newcomers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow, LA boasts unmatched pitching depth. Rumors swirl that they’re the frontrunners to sign Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki, which would solidify their status as prohibitive title favorites.
But the Dodgers will face stiff competition in a loaded National League. The Phillies, who fell just short in a thrilling 2024 NLCS rematch, return mostly intact with a lineup anchored by MVP candidates Bryce Harper and Trea Turner. And you can never count out the Braves, especially with Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider back from injury to join a still-dangerous core.
Can the Yankees Bounce Back?
In the American League, all eyes are on the Yankees after a seismic offseason shakeup. Gone is lineup linchpin Juan Soto, off to Queens on a record-shattering deal. In his place, the Bombers quickly pivoted to sign former NL MVP Cody Bellinger, who should provide positional flexibility and pop from the left side. With Aaron Judge now the unquestioned focal point, the pressure is on the rest of the lineup to step up and support an impressive rotation fronted by Gerrit Cole and Max Fried.
The response of the Yankees’ front office to the loss of Soto has been swift and bold, reflecting GM Brian Cashman’s belief that the team would be fine even if Soto departed.
Buster Olney, ESPN
Rounding out the top 10: The Padres and Mets, two of 2024’s biggest surprises, return most key pieces and should again factor heavily into the playoff mix. The Guardians, coming off a deep postseason run, boast one of the game’s best young cores. And the Mariners, Orioles, and upstart Royals all have the talent to crash the party in a wide-open AL.
Ranking Shakeup Could Loom as Offseason Unfolds
Of course, these rankings are far from set in stone. Blockbuster trades and free agent signings could dramatically alter the baseball hierarchy before pitchers and catchers report. Teams to watch on the market include:
- Astros — Will they pony up to keep Alex Bregman or deal him for a king’s ransom?
- Mets — How will the Soto signing impact the rest of their winter plans?
- Mariners — Rumblings persist about a Luis Castillo trade to replenish the farm.
One thing’s for certain: Baseball’s balance of power is more fluid than ever. The gap between the top teams is razor-thin, and a few key moves could vault a team from the middle of the pack to World Series frontrunner status. Buckle up — the 2025 MLB season is shaping up to be a wild ride.
