There are 18 teams that didn’t make the MLB postseason, so while we all enjoy October baseball, I thought I’d power-rank the non-playoff teams based on who is best-positioned to contend in 2025.
I did the same thing a year ago, listing the Padres, Mets and Yankees as three of the top five non-playoff teams most likely to make the postseason this year — and they all did. I also had the Mariners and Reds in that top five, but both underachieved this season, leading to the dismissals of their respective managers.
With trades, free agency, injuries and other developments, a lot will change between now and next spring. But here’s where these clubs stand and how quickly I think they can turn things around and put themselves in position to make the playoffs next year.
1. Seattle Mariners
The Mariners had the best rotation in baseball this year based on scouts’ evaluations, analytics and ERA (3.38). Their overall pitching staff finished first in the American League in ERA and yet they still somehow missed the playoffs. How did that happen? Their offense didn’t produce enough runs and struck out way too much. They finished 21st in runs scored and 30th in strikeouts. The Mariners fired manager Scott Servais and replaced him with Dan Wilson, changed hitting coaches three times before convincing Edgar Martinez to take the job and made key midseason trades to acquire Randy Arozarena and Justin Turner. But by the time they made those moves, it was too late to salvage the season. With arguably the game’s best rotation heading into 2025, they just have to put together an average offense — but reduce the strikeouts significantly — and they’ll be a serious playoff threat for the AL West title and/or a wild-card berth.
2. Arizona Diamondbacks
After struggling to start the year, Corbin Carroll had a .919 OPS in the second half. (Owen Ziliak / The Arizona Republic / USA Today)
The Diamondbacks were not able to defend their 2023 National League championship as they collapsed down the stretch in September, losing five of their final seven games. However, Arizona will be well-positioned to rebound in 2025 thanks to a strong rotation led by Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez, who all dealt with injuries and underperformance this season. Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson took significant steps forward, setting themselves up nicely for next year. Jordan Montgomery, their last-minute free agent signing, finished with a 6.23 ERA and was demoted to the bullpen. He has a player option for 2025 but Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick has said publicly he hopes Montgomery turns it down. Corbin Carroll, the 2023 NL Rookie of the Year, had an inconsistent sophomore season but was much better in the second half than the first. Ketel Marte will finish in the top five, at least, in the NL MVP voting, after a career year. The Diamondbacks also have some key impending free agents, highlighted by first baseman Christian Walker.
3. Texas Rangers
The Rangers’ offense didn’t live up to expectations as Corey Seager was limited to 123 games due to injuries (yet still managed to hit 30 homers) and Adolis García slashed .224/.284/.400 with a 94 OPS+. The biggest disappointments offensively were rookie outfielders Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford who didn’t live up to lofty expectations. Carter was limited to 45 games because of injuries and hit .188 in 144 at-bats. Langford didn’t get going until the second half but showed flashes of his future as he hit 16 homers, drove in 74 runs and stole 19 bases. Nathan Eovaldi was their best starter and the only one with double-digit wins, going 12-8 with a 3.80 ERA. He’s eligible for free agency but would like to return and the feeling is mutual. Jacob deGrom made three starts at the end of the season and looked like he’ll be a comeback player of the year candidate in 2025 if he can stay healthy. Rookie Kumar Rocker made a strong impression in his three September starts and could be the AL’s top rookie pitcher next season if the stars align. The Rangers have some work to do in the offseason to improve their pitching staff and lineup, but the core is there to make a playoff push in 2025.
4. Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox finished the season 81-81 under the leadership of manager Alex Cora, who did what he always does — overachieve. However, his greatest accomplishment this year was the development of Boston’s younger players including outfielders Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu, middle infielder/center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela and first baseman Triston Casas. The Red Sox have a plethora of top prospects who will be ready to make their major-league debuts in 2025 including second baseman Kristian Campbell, shortstop Marcelo Mayer, right fielder Roman Anthony and catcher Kyle Teel, all of whom profile as future All-Stars. However, the key to next season will be the pitching staff. To make the playoffs, Boston needs to land two top-of-the-rotation-type starters this winter. This free-agent class will likely include Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell and Max Fried, and if the Red Sox can land at least one of them and then trade for another front-line starter, they’ll be primed for the playoffs a year from now.
5. Cincinnati Reds
The Reds underachieved the most of any team last season, finishing with a 77-85 record despite an expected win-loss record of 82-80. Manager David Bell was axed near the end of the season and replaced by future Hall of Famer Terry Francona, who has won three pennants, two World Series and 1,950 games in his career. It reminded me of the Cubs hiring Joe Maddon and the Rangers hiring Bruce Bochy, two moves that led to World Series titles. The Reds have a strong young rotation led by Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott and Rhett Lowder. They have young position players with incredible upside, including some who should return from injury-plagued (Matt McLain, Christian Encarnacion-Strand) or suspension-marred (Noelvi Marte) seasons. The Reds will be led by All-Star shortstop Elly De La Cruz, who hit 25 home runs and stole 67 bases, and Spencer Steer, who hit 20 home runs with a team-high 92 RBIs. They need to add another outfield slugger, but it’s clear they have the talent to be next year’s version of the Royals or Tigers.
6. Minnesota Twins
Joe Ryan had a 3.60 ERA in 23 starts before a season-ending injury in August. (Jesse Johnson / USA Today)
I often say this, but it’s true. The Twins just need to find a way to keep their stars healthy, and if they do, they’ll be back in the playoffs next year. However, it’s disheartening to watch their three best position players — shortstop Carlos Correa, center fielder Byron Buxton and third baseman Royce Lewis — frequent trips to the injured list. (Buxton, at least, topped 100 games for the first time since 2017 and the second time ever in his career.) If Joe Ryan can bounce back from his shoulder injury and Pablo López returns to his 2023 form, the Twins’ rotation should be much better next year. Bailey Ober and Simeon Woods Richardson were two other bright spots in the rotation and the Twins have young starters with potential, but the team needs to acquire another middle-of-the-rotation starter this winter; if they do that and stay healthy, they could make it back to the playoffs.
7. Chicago Cubs
Last offseason, the Cubs front office thought if they hired Craig Counsell away from the Brewers and basically kept the same team together, they could win the NL Central this year. They were wrong. The Cubs did finish the year well, tied for second place with the Cardinals (83-79) and 10 games behind the Brewers. (They were six games out of the last wild-card spot.) Counsell acknowledged at the end of the season that his team “has a long way to go” to match the Brewers. Despite the 10-game margin, I’m not sure I agree that they’re “a long way” behind Milwaukee, but I do believe they’ll need to be active this winter to catch them and fend off the improving Reds, Cardinals and Pirates. The Cubs have a strong rotation that includes Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad. They need to bolster their bullpen and have work to do in the middle of their lineup to catch up to the Brewers, but a smart offseason could get them much closer than Counsell’s remarks suggest.
8. Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays had their first losing record since 2017, when they also finished 80-82. However, they rebounded to win 90 games in 2018, and I won’t be surprised if history repeats itself in 2025. The key will be getting the rotation healthy and those starters living up to their potential. It is expected to be led by Shane McClanahan followed by Taj Bradley, Shane Baz, Ryan Pepiot, Jeffrey Springs and Zack Littell. It’s a rotation with huge upside. Offensively, they’ll need a group of their young hitters to have breakout seasons including third baseman Junior Caminero, shortstop Carson Williams and outfielder Josh Lowe. The Rays have one of the best front offices in the sport, led by president of baseball operations Erik Neander, and should never be taken lightly.
9. Toronto Blue Jays
As of now, the Blue Jays have one more season with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. What will they do? (Cary Edmondson / USA Today)
The Blue Jays have a formidable rotation led by Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, Chris Bassitt and the emerging Bowden Francis. They also have two stars in their primes in first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and shortstop Bo Bichette. However, they have more questions than answers. They need to retool their bullpen with power arms and depth and must add at least two legitimate bats around Bichette and Guerrero if they want to contend in 2025. They don’t have a strong or deep farm system and will have to be active in both trades and free agency this offseason to be contenders next year. They also need to extend or trade Guerrero and Bichette as both are eligible for free agency after 2025. This is the most important offseason in the career of general manager Ross Atkins and it will be interesting to see what he does this offseason. Will he make short-term moves to win now or punt with a total rebuild? They are on the clock.
10. Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates are building a strong young starting rotation with soon-to-be NL Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, Mitch Keller and Bubba Chandler. In terms of position players, they have a solid group to build around in center fielder Oneil Cruz, left fielder Bryan Reynolds, shortstop Nick Gonzales and third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes. They’ll be getting back another key top position player prospect in Endy Rodríguez, who missed all of this year after having elbow surgery last offseason. Some of their young position players will need to make significant improvements next year for the Pirates to make a playoff push, but they have potential.
11. Washington Nationals
Rookie James Wood had a 122 OPS+ and 14 steals in 79 games this season. (Geoff Burke / Imagn Images)
The Nationals promoted outfielders James Wood and Dylan Crews this year and next year they will probably promote a few more key prospects, such as third baseman Brady House, outfielder Robert Hassell III and right-hander Cade Cavalli after he finishes his rehab from Tommy John surgery. The Nationals are expected to re-engage in free agency this offseason and will target middle-of-the-order bats. Some executives believe they could make another run at Juan Soto in free agency or target the Orioles’ Anthony Santander. Their rotation is starting to come together with the recent development of MacKenzie Gore, Jake Irvin and Mitchell Parker. The Nationals are making progress and could make some noise earlier than most are expecting.
12. San Francisco Giants
The Giants shook up their front office at the end of the season, firing Farhan Zaidi and hiring three-time World Series champion Buster Posey as president of baseball operations; he plans to hire a GM who will report to him. The Giants will try to retain soon-to-be free agent Blake Snell, which will not be easy considering he’ll be looking for a long-term deal after not getting one last offseason. They have a core of solid starters led by veterans Logan Webb and Robbie Ray to go along with lefty Kyle Harrison and righties Hayden Birdsong and Keaton Winn. They were able to extend third baseman Matt Chapman, which was an important move, but they have a lot of work to do to build the middle of their lineup around him if they want to contend next year.
13. St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals announced president of baseball operations John Mozeliak will step down after the 2025 season and be replaced by Chaim Bloom, who will oversee their player development department in the meantime. They won’t re-sign Paul Goldschmidt this offseason and are expected to listen to offers on Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras and other veterans on the roster. The Cardinals are ready to build around a core of young players that includes shortstop Masyn Winn, DH/outfielder Alec Burleson, second baseman Nolan Gorman, center fielder Victor Scott II and corner infielder/outfielder Jordan Walker. They might have to take a step backward in 2025 as they prepare and build for 2026 and beyond.
14. Miami Marlins
After making the playoffs in 2023, the Marlins endured a rough year as practically their entire rotation dealt with season-ending injuries including 2022 Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara and future Cy Young winner Eury Pérez (Tommy John surgeries), Jesús Luzardo (lumbar stress reaction) and Braxton Garrett (forearm flexor strain), not to mention other injuries to their pitchers. The Marlins traded their best position players — Jazz Chisholm Jr. (Yankees) and Luis Arraez (Padres) in separate midseason deals to fortify their farm system. Ultimately, they were among the most active teams at the trade deadline and took advantage of a strong sellers’ market to add loads of young talent. Manager Skip Schumaker left the club after the season and the Marlins have made sweeping changes throughout the organization, including moving on from their entire coaching staff and firing most of their front office. President of baseball operations Peter Bendix is committed to revamping the organization from top to bottom in line with the Tampa Bay Rays model he’s familiar with from working under Erik Neander. The Marlins have a long way to go but appear to be headed in the right direction for the long term.
15. The Athletics
It’s impossible to think about the Athletics’ present and future without the context of their move to Sacramento. It will be weird to not see “Oakland” in their name, as the team will just be known as “The Athletics” for the next several years until its planned first season in Las Vegas in 2028 or 2029. On the field, the A’s made progress in their rebuild this year, with solid seasons from right fielder Lawrence Butler (22 home runs, 18 steals), catcher Shea Langeliers (29 homers and above-average defense) and center fielder JJ Bleday (20 homers, 120 OPS+). Brent Rooker set career-highs with 39 homers and a 165 OPS+ despite dealing with a right forearm injury that required surgery after the season, and the slugger remains under team control for three more years. Rookie Mason Miller developed into one of the game’s best closers and starting pitchers JP Sears (4.38 ERA, 180 2/3 innings) and Osvaldo Bido (3.41 ERA) both logged solid seasons. The A’s also have more future stars in their pipeline including shortstop Jacob Wilson, first baseman Nick Kurtz and right-handed pitcher Luis Morales.
16. Colorado Rockies
Ezequiel Tovar led the National League with 45 doubles. (John Leyba / USA Today)
The Rockies might have finished last in the NL West again, but several of their young players established themselves this season including shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, who hit 26 homers and played great defense, and center fielder Brenton Doyle, who hit 23 homers and stole 30 bases. They’re hoping outfielder Nolan Jones, who had a disappointing, injury-plagued year, will bounce back and be the player he was in 2023 (.931 OPS, 20 homers, 20 steals). Charlie Blackmon’s retirement will create an opportunity for several of the Rockies’ outfield prospects including Yanquiel Fernandez, Zac Veen and Jordan Beck. They also are excited about second-base prospect Adael Amador and their future right fielder Charlie Condon, the No. 3 pick in this year’s draft, who is a couple of years away. The Rockies’ future looks promising, but to be more competitive next year, the key will be the development of right-handed pitchers Chase Dollander and Gabriel Hughes.
17. Los Angeles Angels
The Angels are optimistic about their young core of position players — which is led by shortstop Zach Neto, catcher Logan O’Hoppe and first baseman Nolan Schanuel — and hope to get a healthy season next year out of Mike Trout, who was limited to 29 games in 2024. They are high on second baseman Christian Moore, whom they took with the eighth overall pick in this year’s draft; there’s a strong possibility he makes it to the big leagues sometime next year. On the pitching side, they got a solid season from lefty Tyler Anderson (3.81 ERA, 179 1/3 innings), but he was the only consistent starter on their staff due to underperformance and injuries. They are also high on rookie starter Caden Dana, who could be key for them next season.
18. Chicago White Sox
The 2024 White Sox were the most embarrassing major-league team I’ve ever seen. They lost a record 121 games. They finished last in the majors in runs scored, with 97 fewer than the 29th-ranked team (Tampa Bay). Their pitching staff finished last in the AL with a 4.67 ERA. Speaking during a game broadcast on NBC Sports Chicago in September, GM Chris Getz indicated the White Sox won’t be heavily involved in free agency. “We’ve got guys out on the field right now who need to improve their game — a lot of these guys are young players and need to make the adjustments to be more productive,” Getz said. If that’s really their game plan, then another 100- to 120-loss season awaits. They don’t have a deep farm system to trade from and will pick 10th in the first round despite their historically bad record because of the new MLB Draft rules in the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement. If they’re not going to be active in free agency and don’t trade their best player assets, outfielder Luis Robert Jr. and left-hander Garrett Crochet, I don’t see much of a path to improve in 2025.
(Top image: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic. Photos: Elly De La Cruz: Michael Reaves / Getty Images; Logan Gilbert: Alika Jenner / Getty Images; Jarren Duran: Cole Burston / Getty Images)
