The Dodgers and Cubs will open the 2025 season with the two-game Tokyo Collection on March 18-19. We’ll be counting right down to that date with our annual preview sequence, with every story looking forward to the approaching season by breaking down a selected subject, division by division.
Each participant needs to construct a legacy. One of the simplest ways to do that is win a World Collection: You’ll be welcomed again with like to your metropolis the remainder of your life in case you win a kind of. However the different path to immortality is to win an award. Each baseball you signal from then on can have just a little “MVP” or “RoY” subsequent to it, without end. Your home in baseball historical past is secured.
Thus, at the moment, as a part of our ongoing season preview sequence, we take a look at the very best award candidates from each division. These are the gamers most certainly to etch their names within the baseball annals for many years to return. We’re sticking right here to the 4 main Baseball Writers’ Affiliation of America (BBWAA) Awards: MVP, Cy Younger, Rookie of the Yr and Supervisor of the Yr.
And one rule to bear in mind earlier than we start: No a couple of candidate per group.
MVP: Gunnar Henderson, SS, OriolesHenderson was excellent in 2023, however he made a meteoric leap ahead in 2024, establishing himself as the very best younger participant on a group that’s stacked with them. If he takes one other leap like that in 2025, he’ll end larger than the fourth place he did in AL MVP voting final 12 months. If Aaron Decide can’t keep wholesome all 12 months — and he’s getting older, , although I suppose all of us are — Henderson might even be primed to win it.
Cy Younger: Garrett Crochet, LHP, Purple SoxThe Purple Sox get to reap the advantage of Crochet and the White Sox pumping the brakes on his innings final 12 months. He threw 146 in 2024 after changing from the bullpen and may have any potential limits lifted in 2025. That’s precisely what the Purple Sox — a group that loved a wonderful offseason — want. Might Crochet do what fellow lefty Chris Sale by no means might and win a Cy Younger after a commerce from Chicago to Boston?
Rookie of the Yr: Jasson Domínguez, OF, YankeesYankees followers have been calling for The Martian for years, and now he’s right here. He could have each alternative to succeed for this group, which wants him much more than it did final 12 months. Can he grow to be this group’s trusted leadoff man, getting on base in entrance of Decide? If he can grasp within the lineup for the Yankees all 12 months, this might be his award to lose.
Supervisor of the Yr: John Schneider, Blue JaysIt’s increase or bust for Schneider and his group. If the Blue Jays get off to a sluggish begin, there might be a large selloff, and Schneider, now into his fourth 12 months, might be tossed apart as effectively. But when this group climbs from final place into the playoffs — and that’s 100% the plan right here — he might be well-positioned for this award. Voters find it irresistible when a last-place group makes a cost.
MVP: Juan Soto, RF, MetsNo purpose to get fancy with this decide. Soto hasn’t gained one but, regardless of 4 top-six finishes. Each eye is on him from Day 1 with the Mets. If he places up the 12 months he did in 2024 — and he could put up a greater one — it’ll be tough to not vote for him.
Cy Younger: Zack Wheeler, RHP, PhilliesSpeaking of people that have by no means gained the large award, Wheeler has come near a Cy Younger — he has completed second twice, together with final 12 months — however has by no means fairly damaged via. This may be the 34-year-old’s final, greatest likelihood to earn the dignity earlier than the Paul Skenes Period absolutely begins.
Rookie of the Yr: Dylan Crews, RF, NationalsCrews skilled some rising pains in a 31-game debut final 12 months, however that’s what the cup of espresso the 12 months earlier than your official rookie season is all about: getting your ft moist. Crews appears to be locked and loaded within the Nats’ 2025 lineup and is primed to push this group again towards competition.
Supervisor of the Yr: Brian Snitker, BravesSnitker has completed within the high 4 in Supervisor of the Yr voting six completely different occasions, profitable as soon as (2018). Nevertheless, you would make an argument that his greatest efficiency truly got here final 12 months, when he navigated the Braves again to the playoffs regardless of large damage points (he completed sixth). The Braves gained 101 video games or extra in each 2022 and 2023. In the event that they do it once more, that will likely be a 12-or-more recreation enchancment on final 12 months. With all of the Mets and Phillies hype, the Braves virtually really feel like they’re sneaking up on folks.
MVP: Julio Rodríguez, CF, MarinersThe Mariners broke out in Julio’s 2022 AL Rookie of the Yr season, ending a 20-season playoff drought. It made you are feeling like this was simply the beginning for the Mariners, and for him. They haven’t been again to the postseason since, nevertheless, and Julio, whereas nonetheless being a terrific participant, hasn’t truly put collectively a season nearly as good as that first one. However he’s nonetheless solely 24 years outdated (how is that potential?) and we have now seen what occurs when he will get on a sizzling streak: He appears like the very best participant in baseball. One in all these years, that sizzling streak goes to final all season. If that occurs, he gained’t simply push the Mariners again to the postseason; he’ll win himself an MVP.
Cy Younger: Jacob deGrom, RHP, RangersHe’s wholesome, and what occurs when Jacob deGrom is wholesome: He destroys something and every thing in his path. The Astros’ Framber Valdez is another choice there — and we do really feel unhealthy not getting any Astros into this checklist — however we’ve seen what deGrom is able to when he’s deGrom. This might quietly be the story of the season for the Rangers, and possibly for this entire division.
Rookie of the Yr: Jacob Wilson, SS, AthleticsMLB Pipeline’s No. 31 general prospect received into 28 MLB video games final 12 months, and whereas he didn’t precisely set the world on hearth (.250/.314/.315), he held his personal regardless of some nagging accidents (together with one sustained in his first recreation). He appears greater and stronger at camp, and the A’s appear greater than prepared handy over shortstop to him. This might sneakily be one of many extra enjoyable groups in baseball this 12 months, and Wilson is among the the reason why.
Supervisor of the Yr: Ron Washington, AngelsOK, hear me out. At the moment, FanGraphs offers the Angels a 9.4% likelihood to make the playoffs. That’s low, clearly; there are solely 4 groups in baseball decrease. However the Angels have been aggressive this offseason, and Mike Trout does look wholesome, and this division isn’t that imposing, all informed. FanGraphs additionally initiatives the Angels for 75 wins, which might be six greater than they’d final 12 months, and that’s baking in a whole lot of skepticism for Trout. Might the Angels push in the direction of .500 this 12 months? They may, proper? In that case, Washington — who stays beloved all through baseball — will likely be ripe for credit score. And if the Halos can grasp within the playoff race all season … effectively, he might effectively appear to be a genius. This can be a powerful job, however in case you discover a method to win, there are spoils to be gained.
MVP: Fernando Tatis Jr., RF, PadresTatis would have been an MVP candidate had he been wholesome final 12 months, his second since getting back from a PED suspension. He’s nonetheless on the early aspect of his prime, heading into his age-26 season, and it’s clear he’s rounding into the participant all of us thought he would grow to be. He could also be able to be that star once more. This might very a lot be his time.
Cy Younger: Corbin Burnes, RHP, D-backsThe Diamondbacks have been a shocking vacation spot for this offseason’s high free agent pitcher, however Burnes is an ideal match right here atop a rotation that’s as deep as any in baseball. Even in a supposedly “down” 12 months in 2024, he nonetheless completed fifth within the AL Cy Younger voting. If he’s on the lookout for a possible Corridor case down the road, a second Cy would do wonders.
Rookie of the Yr: Roki Sasaki, RHP, DodgersUnlike a whole lot of different Japanese gamers coming over to america for the primary time, Sasaki is definitely an affordable age for a Rookie of the Yr candidate (23), which could assist voters really feel higher about selecting him. The one query: Will he get sufficient innings on this already-crowded rotation?
Supervisor of the Yr: Bob Melvin, GiantsDo you notice he has gained this award thrice already? Is it bizarre to say that he could also be well-positioned for a fourth? You gained’t discover many predictions that don’t have the Giants fourth on this division, however there are veterans right here that would assist this group shock, and there’s a brand new entrance workplace that will likely be aggressive to assist him out at each alternative.
MVP: José Ramírez, 3B, GuardiansRemember the principles of this train: Just one candidate per group. On condition that, and the best way this division traces up, I went with Ramírez over Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., although clearly each are critical MVP contenders (they have been each within the high 5 final 12 months). Ramírez, who will likely be 33 by season’s finish, is because of break via certainly one of these years, whereas Witt will possible get extra probabilities shifting ahead than his Guardian counterpart.
Cy Younger: Cole Ragans, LHP, RoyalsHe was fourth within the AL voting final 12 months and appears arrange for a substantial leap ahead this 12 months. This must be his prime, and if he can get his walks just a little bit underneath management, 2025 might be his consolidation 12 months. Ragans threw greater than 180 innings final 12 months, and if he ups that quantity, he might cross different contenders on quantity alone.
Rookie of the Yr: Jackson Jobe, RHP, TigersIt’s not solely sure he’s going to make the Opening Day rotation now that Jack Flaherty is again with the group, however by way of expertise, he’s simply certainly one of Detroit’s high 5. He might find yourself being too good for the Tigers, and the remainder of baseball, to disregard.
Supervisor of the Yr: Rocco Baldelli, TwinsBaldelli already gained the award, again in his first season (2019), and he’s been round sufficient that you simply marvel if he’s already being forgotten as a contender. However that is the one non-White Sox group on this division that didn’t make the playoffs final 12 months, which supplies them (and Baldelli) the comeback narrative that nobody else has. If his group can keep wholesome, it might completely win this division and make him look very sensible.
MVP: Elly De La Cruz, SS, RedsDe La Cruz is fixing his deficiencies — plate self-discipline, largely — just a little bit extra every year. The bodily expertise are unmatched, the group round him is promising, and new supervisor Terry Francona ought to make a distinction. If the Reds are a power on this division, it’ll be due to Elly. And look out: The numbers may simply be astronomical.
Cy Younger: Paul Skenes, RHP, PiratesHe’s your odds-on favourite, and the way might he not be? He says he’s going to be even higher than in his 2024 NL Rookie of the Yr marketing campaign, and it’s not exhausting to consider. That’s fairly scary.
Supervisor of the Yr: Oliver Marmol, CardinalsWhen was the final time expectations have been this low heading right into a season for the Cardinals? The mid-’90s? Pre-Mark McGwire, that’s for certain. That is all for a superb purpose: The Cardinals waved goodbye to Paul Goldschmidt, amongst others, and made no important acquisitions. However there’s nonetheless expertise on this group, particularly younger expertise, and in the event that they get long-awaited breakthrough seasons from the likes of Jordan Walker and Nolan Gorman, the Cardinals might doubtlessly contend in a division that isn’t all that daunting. Marmol has been embattled throughout his Cardinals tenure, however with expectations so low, he has an opportunity to information his group to a shocking playoff run.
