MLB 2025 preview: Conclusion

 Wrapping things up today with thumbnails of the AL Central & West and NL Central & West.

AL Central:

After a historically wretched 2024 season in which the Chicago White Sox erased the Mets from the record books with the worst record in the history of ever, the Southsiders have to reload and regroup. Will Venable, a first time manager, takes over the reins, but no one is expecting the ChiSox to improve all that much, not when their best pitcher, Garret Crochet, is in Boston. Jared Shuster came over from Atlanta, and Martin Perez from San Diego, to compete for spots in the rotation. Not that it'll help.

Cleveland didn't really do anything to bolster their roster after winning the Central last year, Stephen Vogt's 1st year as manager, but they welcome back their ace, Shane Bieber, who missed most of 2024 with an injury. Paul Sewald was a closer with Seattle & Arizona last year, but now will be asked to set up Emmanual Clase. The only damage to the offense was the departure of Josh Naylor (Arizona). Detroit, which got as far as the Division Series before losing to Cleveland, picked up Gleyber Torres & Tommy Kahnle in separate deals from the Yankees. Kenta Maeda (Minnesota) is angling for a spot in the rotation, but hasn't looked good so far this spring.

Kansas City bolstered their defense by acquiring Jonathan India from Cincinnati to pair him with Bobby Witt, Jr., while Nelson Velazquez (Cubs) will challenge for an outfield spot. Michael Lorenzen (Texas) joins a promising rotation fronted by a resurgent Seth Lugo, now in his 2nd season in KC. Over in Minnesota, the news is not good regarding Royce Lewis, who will likely start the season on the IL with a hamstring injury. After a stellar season with the Mets, Harrison Bader comes to Minnesota to get time in the outfield. Mets should've retained him, in this writer's opinion.

Projected order of finish:

1. Cleveland.

2. Detroit.

3. Kansas City.

3. (tie) Minnesota.

5. Chicago.

AL West:

Houston lost a ton of offense with the departures of Alex Bregman (Boston) & Kyle Tucker (Cubs), and Justin Verlander's 2nd tour abruptly ended when the former Cy Young winner returned to the NL (San Francisco). The Astros brought in Christian Walker (Arizona) to fill the power bat slot Bregman vacated, and acquired Hayden Wesneski (Cubs) to replace Verlander, possibly, in the rotation. The Athletics will call Sacramento home for the next three seasons, hoping to move to Las Vegas in '29. They picked up Luis Severino (Mets) & Jeffrey Springs (Tampa Bay) to help bolster the rotation. Not that it'll help much.

The big news in Los Angeles is the return of Mike Trout from injury, but the Angels really haven't done much to help him offensively, as there is still a void from Shohei Ohtani's departure prior to last season. Similarly, Jacob deGrom is healthy again to help Texas, but his tag team partner, if you will, Max Scherzer, is gone (Toronto). DeGrom needs to regain his Cy Young form to carry the Rangers back to the postseason. Seattle pretty much remains as it was at the end of last season.

Projected order of finish:

1. Houston.

2. Texas.

3. Los Angeles.

4. Seattle.

5. Sacramento.

NL Central:

It appears that, to fill the void created by Jonathan India's departure to Kansas City, Cincinnati is banking on Gavin Lux (Dodgers) to play second and provide some power. Jeimer Candelario (Washington) is also in line for an infield spot. In Chicago, they didn't need a lot of non-roster guests vying for spots, figuring they've got their roster already set. Still, the Cubs added Kyle Tucker, plus Vidal Brujan (Miami) & Jon Berti (Yankees), the latter to fill the infield. However, the crown jewel of the offseason was Justin Turner, who split 2024 between Toronto & Seattle. Carson Kelly (Arizona) will press Miguel Amaya behind the plate. Nestor Cortes' punishment for costing the Yankees the World Series was going to Milwaukee. His loss in the Series finale vs. the Dodgers should've also been the end for Aaron Boone, but we've already discussed loyalty in the Bronx. Jose Quintana (Mets) had a hand in the Brewers' 1st round exit in October. Otherwise, everything stays put.

Pittsburgh is building their rotation around prodigy Paul Skenes. There's not much else. St. Louis tried shopping Nolan Arenado in the offseason, but found no takers. Good thing, as they need him as an offensive leader with Paul Goldschmidt gone (Yankees). After finishing last season with the Mets, Phil Maton will settle into the Cardinal bullpen. The Redbirds are still a year or three away from the playoffs.

Projected order of finish:

1. Milwaukee.

2. Cincinnati.

3. Chicago.

4. Pittsburgh.

5. St. Louis.

NL West:

In Los Angeles, the rich just got richer. The Dodgers won the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes, and they'll soon have three Japanese pitchers in their rotation once MVP Shohei Ohtani is cleared to pitch, which should be May or June. That the Dodgers also signed Blake Snell (San Francisco) is just a sidebar. Speaking of San Francisco, not only did the Giants gain Justin Verlander, but they brought in Robbie Ray (Seattle) to help with the rotation as well. They strengthened the infield with Willy Adames (Milwaukee), and it was reported the other day that Wilmer Flores will start the season in the minors, barring an injury. Arizona is counting on Corbin Burnes (Baltimore) to be their ace, and if Jordan Montgomery doesn't regain his form from prior to 2024, he will end up back in the bullpen. Grae Kessinger (White Sox), Don Kessinger's grandson, is vying for a roster spot. San Diego & Colorado will not be factors.

Projected order of finish:

1. Los Angeles.

2. San Francisco.

3. Arizona.

4. San Diego.

5. Colorado.

Of course, I could be wrong.