Gunnar Henderson talks all things Baltimore Orioles and the upcoming MLB season
Gunnar Henderson stops by to talk about the upcoming season with the Orioles and being on the cover of MLB The Show 25.
Sports Seriously
Major League Baseball’s proper Opening Day is set for Thursday, March 27, with 14 games starting at 3 p.m. ET.
The Los Angeles Dodgers will raise their World Series banner in Chavez Ravine, entering 2025 as the heavy favorites to repeat as champions. Their biggest threats should come from within the National League, with teams like the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets and San Diego Padres looking to dethrone Los Angeles.
In the NL Central, the Milwaukee Brewers look to continue their division domination, but the Chicago Cubs might have something to say about it after acquiring All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker this winter.
Here’s a look at every NL team’s three keys to victory for the upcoming season:
National League East
Atlanta Braves
Be at your best come October: The Braves will start the season without Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr. as they continue to rehab from season-ending surgeries in 2024. It’s important Atlanta give them extended time to ramp up and then get back into the everyday grind upon their return. The Braves plan to have two of the best players in the game at their peak come the heat of the pennant race.
Add depth as the season goes on: The bench could be light, but the Braves have a history of making shrewd moves. Last season for instance, castoff outfielder Ramon Laureano became an everyday player, batting .296 with 10 home runs in 67 games, helping the Braves reach the playoffs for the seventh year in a row. Signed in the offseason, outfielder Bryan De La Cruz could earn playing time and make major contributions after averaging 20 home runs and 73 RBIs over the past two years.
Don’t worry about the Phillies and Mets: MLB’s balanced scheduling has resulted in less games against division foes, meaning the Braves shouldn’t concern themselves too much with the other co-favorites to win the National League East. Even without the departed left-handed pitcher Max Fried, the Braves probably have the most talented roster in the division when everybody gets healthy. There is room for all three teams in the playoffs (like last year), and if Atlanta gets in again, it will pose matchup problems for just about every other team in the NL.
– Jesse Yomtov
Miami Marlins
Alcantara’s return: The Marlins were without perhaps their best player for all of last season with ace Sandy Alcantara having Tommy John surgery in October 2023. He was ahead of schedule in his recovery and even faced live hitters last September, but with the team out of playoff contention, it made no sense to have him return to action then. Back on the mound this spring, the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner has had ample time to get back in the groove and he’s looked good so far. Alcantara is not expected to face any workload restrictions over the course of the season.
Edwards sets table: Shortstop Xavier Edwards got a taste of the majors in 2023, but he returned to Miami in the second half of last season and quickly established himself as an integral part of the offense, taking over as the Marlins’ leadoff hitter in July. The 2018 first-round pick makes frequent contact and has excellent speed. If he can continue to get on base at a high rate, the Marlins should improve upon their NL worst of 3.93 runs per game.
Prospects blossom: Despite two playoff appearances in the pastfive seasons, the Marlins are undoubtedly in a rebuilding phase after trading away proven players such as Pablo Lopez, Luis Arraez, Trevor Rogers and Jazz Chisholm for prospects. At some point those prospects need to pan out. It is up to pitcher Ryan Weathers, outfielder Kyle Stowers and third baseman Connor Norby to follow Edwards.
New York Mets
Top it off: The Mets made the biggest splash of the offseason when they landed Juan Sotoon a historic 15-year, $765 million deal. The 26-year-old superstar will be joining forces with NL MVP runner-up Francisco Lindor atop the team’s lineup to form one of the most dynamic 1-2 punches in the NL. Both boast the potential to score 100 runs and plate 100 RBIs. Beyond that is where the biggest waves can be made. After signing a two-year, $54 million deal, can Pete Alonso bounce back after his lowest homer total (34) of his career? Mark Vientos is looking to build off a transformative season, while Brandon Nimmo has found power at the expense of reaching base to his usual clip.
Weather early storm: The club has been hit hard by injuries early in spring training, with Frankie Montas and Francisco Alvarez each expected to be out until at least May. Sean Manaea and Jeff McNeil are also dealing with oblique injuries that will put them on the IL early in 2025. The Mets got off to an ugly start through the first two months in 2024 and found themselves 11 games under .500. They played catch-up for the remainder of the season.
Find their legs: Kodai Senga, who finished seventh in NL Cy Young voting in 2023, is returning after he worked through shoulder and calf injuries. Clay Holmes is moving from the bullpen to a starting role for the first time since his rookie season in 2018. How will an expanded repertoire and additional workload affect him?
– Andrew Tredinnick, NorthJersey.com
Philadelphia Phillies
Their better half: No team was more dominant through July than the Phillies, who sent a record seven players to the All-Star Game and rarely had their NL East advantage slip below six games. But a listless September and a gut punch of a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the New York Mets in the NL division series round set forth a winter of soul-searching. There were nice tucks around the edges, with Jesus Luzardo added to the back of the rotation and Max Kepler enhancing the outfield’s offensive production, but the bulk of improvement must of course come from the team’s core.
Nick of time: While Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto are pending free agents, the greater roster overhaul might not occur until after the 2026 season, when Nick Castellanos, Alec Bohm and Taijuan Walker, among others, are eligible for free agency. In the meantime, the Phillies could use a surge in production from their right fielder. Castellanos, 33, saw his OPS dip from .788 to .742 and his homers drop from 29 to 23 while replicating his .311 OBP. If he can at the least avoid any further slippage, the Phillies should go a long way toward defending their title.
Reliever merry-go-round: Jordan Romano was an All-Star in 2022 and 2023, but he tried to pitch through a balky elbow before having surgery last year. The greater question is how the bullpen – which was so good until the final month and playoffs of last year – lines up in front of him.
Washington Nationals
Show noticeable progress: The Nationals have been in a rebuilding stage since the 2021 season, which followed their World Series title. General manager Mike Rizzo has rebuilt the franchise from the ground up and it has nudged from 55 wins in 2022 to 71 the past two seasons. However, the franchise broke through in 2012 when it showed it was willing to add bigger-name veterans to its prospect base. That process hasn’t begun with the most recent version of the franchise. It may take a push from the group it has to get the Lerner family to fully buy into another run. Or, after settling a long-standing TV rights dispute with the Orioles, are the Lerners considering selling the team?
Growth from cornerstones: Rizzo has assembled high-end pieces such as CJ Abrams, James Wood, Dylan Crews and MacKenzie Gore. Abrams has established himself as a highly productive major leaguer over the last two seasons, but the other top prospects, including some other young arms like DJ Herz and Cade Cavalli, all may need to take a big step for the team to contend.
Get the buzz back: Fans proved in the lead-up to the 2019 title they would come out in large numbers to support a winner and give the Nats a home-field advantage. Tangible signs of one past the early stages of the season could bring more energy. A vote of confidence from ownership it is committed to putting more financial resources into another run would also help.
National League Central
Chicago Cubs
Make the most of Kyle Tucker: The Cubs acquired one of the best players in baseball but he’s free agent after this season. An extension with Tucker isn’t out of the question for the Cubs, but he could push $400 million on the open market if he has a good year. He was limited by injury to 78 games last season but hit 23 homers with 49 RBIs and a .993 OPS. That was good for a staggering 4.7 WAR.
Sort out the bullpen early: Manager Craig Counsell has some new faces, including two-time All-Star closer Ryan Pressly, acquired in an offseason trade with the Astros. Porter Hodge, 24, should be the primary setup man, coming off a stellar rookie season with a 1.88 ERA in 43 innings. Can he come anywhere close to replicating that? Ryan Brasier and lefty Caleb Thielbar were nice veteran additions, with holdovers Tyson Miller and Nate Pearson also expected to see significant middle-inning work.
Stick with Matt Shaw at third: The Cubs’ top prospect has been transitioning to third base from middle infield and the organization opened his path to the majors by trading Isaac Paredes and prospect Kevin Smith in the package for Tucker. Shaw, 23, has dealt with an oblique injury that has limited his playing time in spring training but made the roster for the Japan Series and will likely be the opening-day third baseman. He had a .303 average and .906 OPS in 600 minor league at-bats, with 21 homers and 31 steals in 2024.
– Jesse Yomtov
Cincinnati Reds
Matt McLain: The Reds’ best player during the three months he was on the field as a rookie in 2023 is back healthy and batting second after missing all of last season because of an injury to his non-throwing shoulder. The second baseman is the team’s top threat to win a Gold Glove, and if he’s even close to as good as he was at the plate in 2023, he’ll take on the look of a big-ticket acquisition.
Tito bounce: The Reds wasted no time landing the best available manager, hiring Terry Francona out of retirement in 11 days flat after firing David Bell. The three-time Manager of the Year and two-time World Series champion set a palpable tone of high expectations and attention to detail from the first day of camp that continues to resonate into the season.
Sneaky rotation depth: The Reds brought back Nick Martinez on a qualifying offer and added Brady Singer in a trade to boost a Hunter Greene-led starting staff that was the strength of last year’s team. Beyond the experienced first five, the Reds added veteran free agent lefty Wade Miley, who’s expected back on the mound from Tommy John surgery in May. Also, 2023 No. 7 overall draft pick Rhett Lowder, who produced a 1.17 ERA in a six-start debut down the stretch last year, is in the wings for a potential season debut a month or so into the season, as needed. Chase Burns, the No. 2 overall pick in last year’s draft, might make his presence felt in the big leagues by the end of the season.
– Gordon Wittenmyer
Milwaukee Brewers
Where is the offense? No longer a Brewer is shortstop Willy Adames, who signed with San Francisco in the offseason. Even though that’s just one lost player on offense, that’s a lot of production at a key position. Between breakout candidates Joey Ortiz, Garrett MItchell and Sal Frelick along with mainstays Jackson Chourio, William Contreras and Christian Yelich, is there enough power production to fill Adames’ void? Rhys Hoskins remains a key figure in 2025 coming off a pedestrian first year in Milwaukee.
Rotation health: The Brewers had to use 17 pitchers as starters in 2024. They improved their rotation depth by signing Jose Quintana and trading for Nestor Cortes, but it’s going to be tough to survive that many injuries should they strike again. Brandon Woodruff’s form in his return after missing 2024 with shoulder surgery remains a pivotal factor. The Brewers already saw Aaron Ashby and DL Hall go down with injuries early in spring.
Finding a closer: The Brewers traded away their second all-league closer in a three-year span by sending Devin Williams to the Yankees. The bullpen has long been one of the team’s top strengths, but who will replace Williams? Can Trevor Megill assume the role seamlessly? Will a dark horse, such as Nick Mears or Joel Payamps, take over? Could it be a prospect, such as the late-blooming Craig Yoho? Or will the Brewers be left with a hole in the ninth inning?
– Curt Hogg
Pittsburgh Pirates
Cruz control in center: Oneil Cruz reached the majors four years ago as a rarity: a 6-foot-7 shortstop. Although he showed he had the athleticism for the position, his defense was erratic at best. So with a month to go in the 2024 season, the organization decided to move Cruz to the outfield. The results were encouraging enough to make the switch permanent. The next developmental step is to see if he can cut his strikeout rate (30.2%) while still maintaining elite exit velocity (95.5 mph average).
Skenes, Jones and find some clones: The Pirates will likely go as far as their young pitching will carry them. That could be pretty far, considering they have the reigning NL rookie of the year in Paul Skenes, who posted a 1.96 ERA in his first 23 major league starts. Right behind him, Jared Jones showed flashes of brilliance in his debut season. They could soon be joined in the rotation by prospects Bubba Chandler and Thomas Harrington. All four right-handers are 23 or younger.
More firepower: The Pirates finished last in the NL in slugging (.371) and 14th in on-base percentage (.301). After averaging just over four runs per game, additional run support for that emerging pitching staff would be rather helpful. Unfortunately, the improvement will mostly have to come from within. Their biggest offensive moves this winter were re-signing DH Andrew McCutchen and adding veteran outfielder Tommy Pham and utilityman Adam Frazier.
– Steve Gardner
St. Louis Cardinals
Smooth transition at first: The big offseason experiment in St. Louis was moving catcher Willson Contreras out from behind the plate and having him take over at first base for departed free agent Paul Goldschmidt. It’s a pretty risky move with the 32-year-old Contreras playing a total of just 11 games at first in his nine-year MLB career. One thing it will do is open up regular playing time for Ivan Herrera, 24.
Develop an offensive identity: It’s hard to know exactly what to expect from the lineup. It’s not overly powerful and not based on speed with only the Rockies, Braves and Giants stealing fewer bases. The key could be how much Masyn Winn can give the Cardinals from the leadoff spot. Although he said he wants to steal 30 to 40 bases, he has to get on first. Winn has endured a rough spring, hitting just .102 with three walks and no extra-base hits in his first 42 plate appearances.
Attain franchise stability: The Cardinals seem to be in a period of transition on the field and in the front office. The team’s longtime head of baseball operations, John Mozeliak, will be stepping aside at the end of the season and turning control of the front office over to former Red Sox and Rays exec Chaim Bloom. There were hints a roster makeover might begin sooner when they didn’t make an offer to Goldschmidt and nearly traded their other veteran cornerstone, third baseman Nolan Arenado. Closer Ryan Helsley could also be on the move.
– Steve Gardner
National League West
Arizona DIamondbacks
Bouncing back: The Diamondbacks somehow managed to have the best offense in baseball last year despite a disappointing season from star outfielder Corbin Carroll. If Carroll can get closer to his 2023 production, it would go a long way toward helping the lineup remain potent, particularly with first baseman Christian Walker and slugger Joc Pederson having left via free agency. Carroll finished on a positive note – he had a .919 OPS in the second half – and started off spring training on a hot streak, so there are plenty of reasons to believe.
Better health: The rotation seems like a safe bet to be better if for no reason other than the addition of Corbin Burnes, who signed a six-year, $210 million deal. But the unit would also benefit from better health luck, namely with Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez. Lefty Jordan Montgomery and right-hander Ryne Nelson each also spent time on the injured list last year. If the group, which also includes Zac Gallen and Brandon Pfaadt, can stay healthy, it could be one of the majors’ better rotations.
Marte for MVP? If Ketel Marte hadn’t landed on the injured list in August, he might have given Shohei Ohtani a bit of competition in the NL MVP race. Despite missing a few weeks with an ankle sprain, Marte still finished third in the voting. He never seems to get the attention of other players – and is sometimes overshadowed on his own team – but when he is healthy and productive, the Diamondbacks tend to be a good team.
– Nick Piecoro, Arizona Republic
Colorado Rockies
Stay out of cellar: It may seem inevitable for a team that hasn’t won more than 68 games since 2021. It also has finished last in the NL West the last two seasons, not coming within 19 games of fourth place. The Rockies aren’t positioned to contend with the Dodgers, Diamondbacks or Padres, but a talented offensive core could set their sights on the Giants. A push to play .500 in their 52 games within their division could generate some optimism. Maybe they could time the debut of right-hander Chase Dollander, a prized first-round pick in 2023, for August. They have 27 of those division games over the season’s final two months.
Get Bryant going: Since signing his seven-year, $182 million contract before the 2022 season, the former NL MVP has played 159 games. That’s a full-season sample size, and he has hit .250 with 17 homers, 60 RBIs and .713 OPS. Injuries appear to have reduced him to a far lesser player than the Cubs’ World Series winner. If Bryant, 33, can get closer to what he once was, though (.886 career OPS with the Cubs), he could certainly provide more of the wins for which the Rockies invested in him.
Bang the ball around: A cornerstone of previous Rockies contenders is a monster offense to go with just enough pitching. Colorado has many capable young bats (Michael Toglia, Brenton Doyle, Ezequiel Tovar, Hunter Goodman) who need to push the Coors Field levels of scoring we’ve seen in the past to move it closer to .500.
– Stephen Borelli
Los Angeles Dodgers
Pitching health: The Dodgers are opening the season with starting pitchers Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Michael Grove, Gavin Stone, River Ryan and Emmet Sheehan and relievers Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech and Brusdar Graterol on the injured list. They signed two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell and Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki for the rotation, and closers Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates for the bullpen. They are delaying Shohei Ohtani’s return to the mound until likely June and may not have a starter pitch more than 150 innings this year.
Betts experiment: The Dodgers once again are going to try six-time Gold Glove right fielder Mookie Betts at shortstop. The Dodgers believe his athleticism can handle the adjustment, but still, for a team with World Series title aspirations, it’s a gamble. He played only 65 games at shortstop last season and was erratic defensively with nine errors, eight on his throws. If Betts can’t handle it, he likely will go to second base and they’ll insert Miguel Rojas at shortstop. They may even return Betts to the outfield. Stay tuned.
When to pitch Ohtani: The plan was for him to return to the rotation opening day until he dislocated his left shoulder in the World Series. Now they have shut down his throwing program until the start of the season and are in no hurry of returning him to the mound until June, or perhaps later. They want to save those bullets until October.
– Bob Nightengale
San Diego Padres
Run your own race: The Padres had the Dodgers on the brink of elimination in last year’s NLDS but failed to put the eventual World Series champions away. Los Angeles made huge additions in the offseason while San Diego largely stood still. The gap in talent between the two clubs is bigger than it’s been in the last few years and the Padres need to focus their energy on simply getting into the postseason, rather than competing directly with the presumed NL West champions. They’ll be a tough out in the playoffs with their lineup, rotation and bullpen if everybody is healthy.
Trade an upcoming free agent: San Diego has done a terrific job on the trade market in recent years to acquire key players, while also having the foresight to trade Juan Soto and get a huge return a year before he hit free agency. The Padres should do the same with All-Star pitcher Dylan Cease and/or three-time batting champion Luis Arráez, both of whom will become free agents after the 2025 season. Perhaps Gerrit Cole’s injury puts some impetus on the Yankees to make another deal with the Padres, this time for Cease.
Add another outfielder: Two weeks before opening day, Jason Heyward was penciled in as the starting left fielder, not a great look for a club with World Series aspirations. The stars in the lineup are there for the Padres, but their bench is light and the team will need more bats on the roster if they hope to get back to the playoffs.
– Jesse Yomtov
San Francisco Giants
Left side lockdown: The Giants signed third baseman Matt Chapman to a six-year, $151 million extension before last season ended. They further solidified their infield this offseason by signing shortstop Willy Adames to the largest contract in team history (seven years, $182 million). They should be infield mainstays and provide punch to the middle of the batting order for a team that was 10th in runs scored in the NL last season.
Justin justifies flier: With LHP Blake Snell leaving via free agency, the Giants turned to right-hander Justin Verlander, signing the 42-year-old three-time Cy Young winner to a one-year, $15 million deal. The future Hall of Famer was plagued by shoulder and neck injuries last year. Can Verlander regain some version of the form he showed as recently as 2023 with the New York Mets and Houston Astros (combined 13-8, 3.22 ERA)?
Camilo coming back: Right-hander Camilo Doval returns to the All-Star form he showed before he lost the closer’s job last season and fortifies the back end of the Giants bullpen. After tying the NL lead with 39 saves in 2023, Doval struggled in 2024 and had a career-worst 4.70 ERA when he was optioned to Class AAA for two weeks in August. Ryan Walker took over as the closer and remains in that role. But Buster Posey, the team’s new president of baseball operations who caught Doval when he debuted in 2021, has said he is “pretty bullish on (Doval) coming back.”
– Cesar Brioso
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