NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 08: Commentator Kevin Burkhardt (L) and former MLB players (L-R) Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz and Derek Jeter work the television pre game show before a game between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium on June 08, 2024 in New York City. The Dodgers defeated the Yankees 11-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
As the baseball season gets underway, here is one key to the success of every team this season:
Baltimore Orioles
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 04: Adley Rutschman #35 of the Baltimore Orioles gets a lead-off hit in the first inning during a baseball game against the New York Mets at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 4, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Adley needs to get back to being one of the best offensive catchers in the game.
Boston Red Sox
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 3: Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox follows through on the go ahead RBI sacrifice fly during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on October 3, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Devers has to be willing to DH all season and let the Red Sox use Bregman at 3B and Casas at 1B.
New York Yankees
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 23: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees points to the dugout after hitting his third home run of the game against the Washington Nationals at Yankee Stadium on August 23, 2023 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
This is pretty obvious. Keep your captain and the reigning MVP happy. Without him, your offense is doomed.
Tampa Bay Rays
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 26: Junior Caminero #1 of the Tampa Bay Rays at bat during the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on September 26, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Paul Rutherford/Getty Images)
Caminero needs to be in the running for AL Rookie of the Year and be a driving force in the offense.
Toronto Blue Jays
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 3: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after hitting an RBI double during the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on June 3, 2023 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
Trade Vlad and get a haul before you lose him for nothing in free agency.
Detroit Tigers
Mar 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Detroit Tigers first base Spencer Torkelson (20) reacts after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Your young hitters need to take the next step forward in their development.
Cleveland Guardians
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 29: Emmanuel Clase #48 of the Cleveland Guardians reacts after the Guardians beat the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Coliseum on March 29, 2024 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Clase needs to be lights out once again and help Cleveland have the league’s best bullpen.
Minnesota Twins
CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 04: Royce Lewis #23 of the Minnesota Twins hits a grand slam off Lucas Giolito #27 of the Cleveland Guardians during the second inning at Progressive Field on September 04, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
Get Royce Lewis back and do whatever you can to keep him healthy.
Kansas City Royals
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – APRIL 20: Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of the Kansas City Royals hits an infield single during the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Kauffman Stadium on April 20, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images)
Bobby Witt Jr. needs to be as good, or even better than he was in 2024.
Chicago White Sox
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 08: Luis Robert Jr. #88 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates his home run in the third inning against the New York Yankees during game one of a double header at Yankee Stadium on June 8, 2023 in Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Luis Robert needs to get off to a strong start and then you have to trade him for as much young talent as possible.
Los Angeles Angels
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JULY 01: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 01, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Get 120 or more games played from Mike Trout.
Houston Astros
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 16: Yordan Alvarez #44 of the Houston Astros hits a solo home run against Aroldis Chapman #45 of the Texas Rangers during the eighth inning in Game Two of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Yordan needs to have an MVP season to make up for the loss of Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman.
Texas Rangers
Mar 25, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) delivers a pitch to the Kansas City Royals in the third inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images
Keep your starting pitchers healthy!!
Seattle Mariners
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 28: Julio Rodriguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his solo home run with the trident prop during the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park on September 28, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Julio can’t start slow. He needs to hit right away and be consistent all year long.
Athletics
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 01: Brent Rooker #25 of the Oakland Athletics celebrates a home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the eighth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on October 01, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Brent Rooker has to be one of the best power hitters in the league.
Atlanta Braves
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 14: Spencer Strider #65 of the Atlanta Braves throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning in game three of the National League Division Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 14, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Spencer Strider needs to return healthy and regain his Cy Young form.
Philadelphia Phillies
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 22: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies is congratulated by Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies after hitting a two-run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on August 22, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Harper needs to have an MVP caliber season
New York Mets
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 30: Kodai Senga #34 of the New York Mets reacts after striking out Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies to end the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field on May 30, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Senga needs to make 20+ starts and be the Mets ace
Washington Nationals
JUPITER, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 25: Dylan Crews #3 of the Washington Nationals at bat against the Miami Marlins during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on February 25, 2024 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
The Nats young hitters need to take the next step in their development
Miami Marlins
MIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 30: Sandy Alcantara #22 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch against the New York Mets during the first inning on Opening Day at loanDepot park on March 30, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Sandy Alcantara needs to be an ace again and then the Marlins need to trade him for a haul.
Chicago Cubs
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 01: Shota Imanaga #18 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates after retiring the side in the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies during his MLB debut at Wrigley Field on April 01, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Imanaga has to replicate his 2024 season.
Milwaukee Brewers
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 04: Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers singles during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during Game Two of the Wild Card Series at American Family Field on October 04, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Yelich needs to stay healthy and be a leader
Cincinnati Reds
CINCINNATI, OHIO – APRIL 22: Hunter Greene #21 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park on April 22, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)+
Hunter Greene needs to become a legitimate SP1
St. Louis Cardinals
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – AUGUST 09: Ryan Helsley #56 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates an 8-5 win against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on August 09, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Helsley needs to be dominant all season.
Pittsburgh Pirates
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI – JUNE 11: Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning at Busch Stadium on June 11, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Skenes has to stay healthy and the rest of the Pirates starters need to step up behind him.
Los Angeles Dodgers
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – MARCH 4: Roki Sasaki #11 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch in the fifth inning during a spring training game against the Cincinnati Reds at Camelback Ranch on March 4, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)
Monitor Sasaki’s innings and make sure he is healthy come playoff time.
Arizona Diamondbacks
CHICAGO, IL – JULY 20: Zac Gallen #23 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 20, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Gallen and Burnes need to be one of the best 1-2 punches in MLB.
San Diego Padres
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – MARCH 21: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres hits a grounder resulting in a fielding error of Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 3rd inning during the 2024 Seoul Series game between San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers at Gocheok Sky Dome on March 21, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
Tatis Jr. needs to play 150+ games and contend for NL MVP.
San Francisco Giants
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 16: Robbie Ray (23) of the San Francisco plays catch during the workout at Scottsdale Stadium on February 16, 2024 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Andy Kuno/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images)
Robbie Ray has to remain healthy and be the a solid number 2 behind Logan Webb.
Colorado Rockies
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 30: Ryan McMahon #24 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates in the dugout after scoring in the second inning from a balk from Garrett Crochet of the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 30, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
