Spring Training 2025: The Boys of Summer Return
The Start of a New Season: Spring Training Begins
The crack of the bat, the smack of the ball, and the roar of the crowd signal the arrival of spring as Major League Baseball (MLB) kicks off its highly anticipated Spring Training. After a long offseason filled with drama, trades, and massive contracts, the boys of summer are back in action. This weekend, teams across Florida and Arizona will take to the fields for the Grapefruit and Cactus League games, respectively. The first pitch of Spring Training was thrown on Thursday, February 15, as the Los Angeles Dodgers faced off against the Chicago Cubs in the opening game. While the regular season doesn’t officially begin until March 18 and 19, when the Dodgers and Cubs meet again in Tokyo, Japan, for the season’s first series, the next few weeks are packed with storylines that will shape the 2025 season.
Juan Soto: The Star Who Changed the Game in New York
The biggest storyline of the offseason was undoubtedly the signing of Juan Soto, one of the most dominant young players in the game, by the New York Mets. Soto, who helped lead the New York Yankees to the World Series in 2024, became a free agent and sparked a heated bidding war. After Shohei Ohtani set the bar with a 12-year, $700 million contract, Soto sought an even more lucrative deal—and he got it. Mets owner Steve Cohen made history by signing Soto to a 15-year, $765 million contract, making him the highest-paid player in U.S. sports. At just 26 years old, Soto has already amassed over 200 home runs, nearly 600 RBIs, and a .285 batting average. His move to the Mets not only shifts the power dynamics in New York baseball but also solidifies the Mets as World Series contenders. As Spring Training begins, Mets fans will get their first glimpse of Soto in action alongside stars like Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Brandon Nimmo.
The Dodgers: A Juggernaut Gets Even Stronger
The Los Angeles Dodgers, the defending World Series champions, are looking stronger than ever. They made a significant splash in the offseason by signing Roki Sasaki, one of the most sought-after free agents, to bolster their already formidable rotation. Sasaki joins a lineup that includes Japanese stars Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the returning Clayton Kershaw. Shohei Ohtani, who missed much of the 2024 season with a UCL injury but still managed to put together an unprecedented 50-50 season (54 home runs and 59 stolen bases), is expected to return to the mound later in the season. The Dodgers also retained fan favorites like Freddie Freeman, who is fully healthy after an injury-plagued 2024 season, and brought back outfielder Teoscar Hernández. While some key players like Gavin Lux and Walker Buehler have moved on, the Dodgers remain a team to watch as they aim to defend their title.
Hope Springs Eternal: Teams Looking to Contend in 2025
For many teams, Spring Training represents a fresh start and a chance to prove they belong in the playoff race. Teams like the Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and Texas Rangers made significant moves in the offseason, acquiring top talent like Corbin Burnes, Walker Buehler, and Kyle Tucker. These teams are hoping their new additions will propel them into contention after disappointing finishes in 2024. Meanwhile, younger teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, and Washington Nationals are banking on their young stars—Paul Skenes, Elly De La Cruz, and James Woods—to take major strides in 2025. While these teams may not have broken the bank, they are counting on their homegrown talent to make noise in the standings. The question remains: Can small-market teams compete in an era where contracts are reaching unprecedented heights?
The Yankees: Reloaded and Ready to Compete
Despite losing Juan Soto to the Mets, the New York Yankees had a busy offseason, addressing key weaknesses that were exposed during their World Series loss to the Dodgers. The Yankees signed Paul Goldschmidt and Max Fried, two players who will significantly bolster their lineup and rotation. They also traded for outfielder Cody Bellinger and reliever Devin Williams, shoring up their depth and bullpen. With Gerrit Cole anchoring the rotation and Aaron Judge back in the lineup, the Yankees remain the team to beat in the AL East. Young players like Jasson Domínguez and Jazz Chisholm Jr. are expected to make major contributions, but the Yankees will face stiff competition from the Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox, both of whom have made significant moves to challenge for the division title.
The Astros: The End of an Era?
The Houston Astros, who dominated the American League for much of the last decade, are facing a new reality. After being eliminated in the wild-card round last season, the Astros saw several key players depart, including Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, and Justin Verlander. The only major addition was Christian Walker, who will take over at first base. While the Astros still have stars like Jose Altuve, Yordan Álvarez, and Framber Valdez, the team’s roster looks markedly different from the one that won two World Series and made four appearances since 2017. As the Astros enter Spring Training, it’s clear that an era has come to an end. The question now is whether the remaining talent can keep the Astros competitive or if a rebuild is on the horizon.
