By Grant Brisbee, Andy McCullough, and Stephen J. Nesbitt
Each week, we gather a panel of our baseball writers—both local and national—to rank the teams from best to worst. Here are the latest rankings.
Offseason Transformations
It’s been 139 days since the New York Yankees stumbled in Game 5 of the World Series, allowing the Los Angeles Dodgers to claim the championship. The offseason has seen numerous teams reconfigure their rosters, with the Dodgers gearing up for a title defense, the Yankees losing a star and a top pitcher, the Mets making significant free-agent investments, and the Red Sox also opening their wallets. Additionally, the Diamondbacks managed to convince a Cy Young Award winner to stick around in Arizona with a staggering $210 million deal.
2025 MLB Season Begins
As the 2025 MLB season kicks off in Tokyo, our offseason predictions transition into the reality of wins and losses. It’s time for the inaugural The Athletic MLB Power Rankings, which will be updated weekly throughout the regular season.
Power Rankings Overview
Below is a summary of all 30 teams along with their current playoff probabilities, powered by Austin Mock’s MLB projection model.
Team Playoff Odds
Playoff odds: 97.6 percent
The Dodgers clearly stand out as the top team. Even with minor scouting errors, they hold the best roster I’ve witnessed in my three decades of following baseball. It’s no surprise they top the rankings. — Grant Brisbee
Playoff odds: 90.1 percent
The Braves have high projections, especially as they look to recover from last season’s injuries. The team is hopeful for bounce-back performances from former All-Stars, while Jurickson Profar’s addition could provide a spark. — Andy McCullough
Playoff odds: 43.9 percent
After missing the postseason last year, the Diamondbacks may not be as surprising on this list. Their potent offense and the addition of ace Corbin Burnes have many optimistic about their chances. — Brisbee
Playoff odds: 78.4 percent
The Phillies were relatively quiet in the offseason despite an early exit last fall. They will look for improved performances from key players to maintain their strong pitching rotation. — McCullough
Playoff odds: 69.7 percent
The Mets are embarking on the Juan Soto era and aim for a repeat of their successful run from last year, despite losing some players. Their roster remains strong, setting up a fierce NL East competition. — McCullough
Conclusion
As teams prepare for the season ahead, the MLB landscape has undoubtedly shifted, bringing new challenges and expectations. The rankings reflect not just the current rosters but the evolving strategies each team has employed during the offseason.
