At the start of February, roughly two weeks earlier than the beginning of spring coaching video games, hope springs everlasting for followers of most MLB franchises. Tooth-gritting Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals followers, nevertheless, could also be approaching this season with a way of dread or anger.
Forward of this particular time on the sports activities calendar, Yardbarker MLB writers price the angst of fan bases of all 15 NL groups on a scale from “1” (Worries? What worries?) to “5” (OMG!). Final season’s data are in parentheses.
NL East
ATLANTA BRAVES (89-73) | Score: 2 | In 2024, the Braves ended the season tied with the Mets for second within the division earlier than a fast elimination from the playoffs. Nevertheless, they achieved this regardless of lacking RHP Spencer Strider and OF Ronald Acuna Jr., who’re anticipated to return totally wholesome in 2025, making Atlanta a powerful contender once more. That’s one thing for followers to rejoice.
MIAMI MARLINS (62-100) | Score: 4 | If the Marlins had followers, they’d in all probability be sad. Coming off a dreadful 2024, Miami hasn’t finished a lot this winter to earn it extra wins in 2025.
NEW YORK METS (89-73) | Score: 3 | After and unimaginable second half and a Cinderella playoff run, New York’s 2024 ended within the NLCS. Fortunately for New York followers, the Mets added slugger Juan Soto this offseason, though they seemingly might’ve added extra on the pitching entrance.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (95-67) | Score: 4 | The 2024 common season was candy for Phillies followers, however the elimination in 4 video games by the Mets within the NLDS was not. Philadelphia followers have relished success lately, however their workforce hasn’t received the World Collection since 2008. They’re rising impatient.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS (71-91) | Score: 2 | Since profitable the World Collection in 2019, the Nats have entered a rebuild. The long run is vivid with outfielders James Wooden and Dylan Crews main the best way. Nationals followers are affected person. — Lauren Amour
NL West
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (89-73) | Score: 2 | A pair of pitchers named Corbin (Burnes and Carroll) will give the Diamondbacks an ideal likelihood to be within the postseason hunt. Nevertheless, with the Dodgers within the division, that could be the extent of the ceiling within the desert. Sorry, D-back followers.
COLORADO ROCKIES (61-101) | Score: 1 | Come to Coors Area for the scenic views and the protection displayed by Gold Glovers Brenton Doyle, a middle fielder, and Ezequiel Tovar, a shortstop. Potential call-ups for pitcher Chase Dollander and outfielder Zac Veen will give Colorado a glimpse of the long run in one other rebuilding season.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS (98-64) | Score: 1 | A franchise that simply received the World Collection and has dedicated an eye-popping amount of cash — more than $450M guaranteed, per ESPN — to the roster for 2025 has Dodgers followers feeling fairly assured. The largest fear in Los Angeles for followers is site visitors heading to Dodgers Stadium.
SAN DIEGO PADRES (93-69) | Score: 5 | It’s been a tough offseason for the Padres, with Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki selecting the rival Dodgers and a lawsuit over the possession of the franchise dominating current headlines. San Diego was near knocking off the Dodgers within the NL Division Collection final season, however the hole between the franchises appears to have widened.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (80-82) | Score: 2 | New president of baseball operations Buster Posey lastly helped San Francisco land a big-name free agent in shortstop Willy Adames, however that’s the lone spotlight of the offseason. Giants followers are merely hoping their workforce will play spoiler in a stacked division. — Kevin Henry
NL Central
CHICAGO CUBS (83-79) | Score: 3 | After reshaping the roster with trades for RF Kyle Tucker and RHP Ryan Pressly, amongst different strikes, the Cubs are ready to compete for the division title. Add that to a winter the place Sammy Sosa has been welcomed again into the franchise and Cubs followers are feeling prepared (and dare we are saying…hopeful?) for spring.
CINCINNATI REDS (77-85) | Score: 2 | Terry Francona, who has a 1,950-1,672 file in 23 seasons as a big-league supervisor, is on the helm for the Reds, who’ve made strikes to beef up the roster (drawing praise from ESPN insider Buster Olney). However that is nonetheless a workforce that isn’t more likely to contend in Francona’s first season the helm. Getting nearer to .500 can be a step in the correct route.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS (93-69) | Score: 4 | The Brewers collapsed within the NL wild-card spherical collection in opposition to the New York Mets, then traded nearer Devin Williams this offseason (touchdown beginning pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr. from the New York Yankees in return). Outdoors of that, it has been a quiet winter in Milwaukee, and followers are questioning why.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (76-86) | Score: 5 | Pitcher Paul Skenes has rapidly turn out to be the face of the franchise in Pittsburgh, however there’s not a lot else to speak about in relation to the Pirates, whose low cost possession drives followers nuts.
ST, LOUIS CARDINALS (83-79) | Score: 5 | 3B Nolan Arenado continues to be on the roster, regardless of the entrance workplace saying it’s a precedence to maneuver him. St. Louis is supposedly in the course of a “reset,” irritating followers because the franchise seems to be caught in impartial and caught between a youth motion and attempting to determine which veterans to maintain or to commerce. — Kevin Henry
