One storyline to follow for every MLB team in 2025

The Diamondbacks discussed adding a closer in the offseason, but enter the season with the same late-game equation they had to end 2024 led by Justin Martinez, A.J. Puk, and Kevin Ginkel. The three relievers are capable, if somewhat inexperienced in the closer role.

After a sad exit from Oakland, the A's start a new chapter in Sacramento before their ultimate move to Las Vegas. They spent money in the offseason, adding Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs, among others, but the makeshift move and minor league home in the short-term could have interesting consequences.

The Braves will begin the season without arguably their two best players in Ronald Acuna Jr. and Spencer Strider. They shouldn't have to wait long for either player, with a return as early as April, but there will still be questions until the pair finds the field again.

The Orioles fell short in last year's playoffs, and they're counting on their young players even more this season after losing Corbin Burnes and Anthony Santander in free agency. The team has already seen glimpses of stardom from Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg, Colton Cowser, and Grayson Rodriguez, and they hope other youngsters like Jackson Holliday, Heston Kjerstad, and Coby Mayo are close behind.

Red Sox fans have been critical of ownership in recent seasons for their unwillingness to spend money. With loads of young talent ready to arrive in 2025, the team finally made a splash by acquiring Garrett Crochet and signing Walker Buehler and Alex Bregman. Boston looks like a formidable competitor in the loaded AL East.

The Cubs disappointed again last season, falling just short of making the playoffs despite the hire of Craig Counsell. The team didn't have much star power with a sub-par season from Cody Bellinger, but the acquisition of Tucker gives them a surefire star. The former Astro has the ability to put the team on his back in his walk year.

Coming off a historically bad season, the White Sox are happy to turn the page on 2024. The front office is giving regular opportunities to several veterans, but the big question is who will be around for the long term when Chicago hopes to compete again. Among the young players worth watching are Miguel Vargas, Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Sean Burke.

The Reds rarely reached expectations under former manager David Bell. It might be unfair to blame him for the team's shortcomings, but the bar has been raised after the surprising hire of Terry Francona. Francona has brought relevancy and competitiveness wherever he's been, and could turn around his new team in short order.

Cleveland was one of the biggest surprises of 2024, and the contributions of the farm system were a big reason. The Guardians saw strong contributions from Bo Naylor, Brayan Rocchio, Jhonkensy Noel, and others last season. Now the team is counting on the likes of Kyle Manzardo, Johnathan Rodriguez, and Chase DeLauter to return to the playoffs.

The Rockies disappointed again last season, but it shouldn't be overlooked how many significant players they lost to injury. The team is hoping for rebound seasons from Kris Bryant, Nolan Jones, German Marquez, and Antonio Senzatela to return the organization to competitiveness.

The Tigers made the playoffs earlier than expected last season, and even made some noise in October. Detroit still appears invested in the long game after a quiet offseason, and that means contributions from some of their top prospects. To return to the playoffs this year, the Tigers will need young players like Jackson Jobe, Trey Sweeney, Jace Jung, and Hao-Yu Lee to help.

The Astros claimed another division title last season despite some major hiccups. Their championship core was damaged in the offseason, losing Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, and Justin Verlander, yet the team still looks competitive after adding Isaac Paredes and Christian Walker.

It was great to see Salvador Perez return to the playoffs as the Royals saw a huge turnaround in 2024. He remains the team captain, but young superstar Bobby Witt Jr. has slowly but surely taken on more responsibility as a leader. The handoff from Perez to Witt as team leader is inevitable and could happen this season.

Trout was arguably the greatest player of the 2010s, but his health has let him down during this decade. The Angels spent money in the offseason and hope to return to contention in 2025, but can't do so without a healthy Trout.

The Dodgers won the World Series last year, and this year's team looks historically great on paper. Not only will Shohei Ohtani be able to take the mound at some point this year, but the Dodgers also added Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates, and others to a loaded team. With a Vegas win total inching to 105 wins, the team could be historically great.

Alcantara has looked like his old self during Spring Training, touching triple digits as he returns from elbow surgery. The Marlins are expected to handle him carefully early in the year, as they possibly look to trade him in the second half of the season. The rebuilding team could get a huge haul of Alcantara proves he's completely back.

The Brewers surprised last season, and made noise in the playoffs in spite of Yelich being sidelined due to back surgery. Back issues have long been an issue for Yelich, and the hope is that it's finally behind him. The team leader and highest paid player could have something to prove and appears healthy in Spring Training.

The Twins disappointed last year despite a talented roster, and didn't exactly make any statements during the offseason. They had needs in the starting rotation and lean, but will instead lean on young players like Royce Lewis, Matt Wallner, David Festa, and Zebby Matthews as they hope to return to play in October.

It was long expected that owner Steve Cohen would open his wallet to sign Soto, and he didn't disappoint with a historic 15-year, $765 million contract. The pressure is on Soto and the entire Mets roster to deliver wins, but the team has already started in rough waters as starting pitchers Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea are expected to begin the season on the IL.

With Juan Soto going to Queens, the Yankees turned to pitching as they hope to get over the hump. They signed Max Fried and traded for closer Devin Williams, though the additions of Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt to the lineup shouldn't be overlooked.

Phillies owner John Middleton has shelled out substantial money to build up the roster, including huge contracts for Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos, J.T. Realmuto, Zack Wheeler, and Aaron Nola. Yet, the current squad has yet to win a ring, and could be running out of time with several of the stars moving past their primes. Is 2025 the year?

The Pirates rotation has a lot of holes, but the starting rotation looks outstanding. Paul Skenes leads the way, but the rotation has Jared Jones and Mitch Keller to make up their big three with top prospects Bubba Chandler, Thomas Harrington, and Braxton Ashcraft right behind.

The Padres had a relatively quiet offseason, even with stars like Dylan Cease, Luis Arraez, and Robert Suarez mentioned in trade rumors. The team has some holes, which they've tried to fill on the cheap, but it seems like only a matter of time before the aggressive Preller makes a splash one way or another.

The Giants have quietly been big spenders over the last two years, adding Jung Hoo Lee, Matt Chapman, Robbie Ray, Jordan Hicks, Willy Adames, and Justin Verlander. Unfortunately, the team has continued to hover around .500, but they hope for a boost from their spending in 2025.

The M's wasted an outstanding starting rotation last season with a lineup that held them back. Surprisingly, the team hasn't made any significant moves in the offseason, with the hope for bigger years from Julio Rodriguez, Randy Arozarena, J.P. Crawford, and others.

Arenado was mentioned in trade rumors throughout the offseason, but remains with the Cardinals due in large part to his limited no-trade clause. It still feels like the rebuilding Cardinals will move their star third baseman eventually, but the options are limited for now.

Damage to the roof of Tropicana Field has necessitated a move to George M. Steinbrenner Field for the Rays this season. That also means different game start times, a likely more hitter-friendly park, and weather impacts. The Rays return a talented roster, especially the pitching staff, but will have the elements to contend with in 2025.

The Rangers couldn't stay healthy last season as they tried to defend their World Series title, but the lineup and starting rotations look loaded heading into 2025. The bullpen is a different story. After losing several of the team's top relievers, they will lean on Chris Martin, Robert Garcia, Hoby Milner, and other relative unknowns.

The Blue Jays core has failed to meet team expectations, and 2025 could be the swan song with stars Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette heading into free agency next offseason. Toronto's expectations are as lofty as ever, after signing Anthony Santander, Max Scherzer, and Jeff Hoffman, but Guerrero and Bichette will especially be under the microscope.

Washington is beginning to come out of their post-2019 firesale on the other side, but mostly made small moves in the offseason. The team has an interesting lineup on its hands after adding Nathaniel Lowe, Josh Bell, and Paul DeJong to young stars like CJ Abrams, Luis Garcia Jr., James Wood, and Dylan Crews, but that might not be enough to compete in the talented NL East.