MLB 2025 Predictions: MVP, Rookie of the Year and more for each league
MLB 2025 Predictions: MVP, Rookie of the Year and more for each league
For The Win's MLB predictions roll on with player (and manager) awards for the 2025 season as Thursday's Opening Day draws near.
Our panel of eight baseball-obsessed writers had at least some consensus with their team predictions, but for the award races we were all over the place. That might just go to show how wide-open most of these campaigns are in 2025. There were five different Cy Young picks in each league, for example.
So someone of us are going to look very foolish this fall and some may just look like geniuses.
Let's get to the picks.
All odds via BetMGM
American League MVP
Blake Schuster: Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros
Charles Curtis: Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals
Mary Clarke: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
Andrew Joseph: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
Bryan Kalbrosky: Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals
Christian D'Andrea: Josh Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays
Prince Grimes: Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals
Meghan Hall: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
National League MVP
Blake Schuster: Francisco Lindor, New York Mets
Charles Curtis: Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds
Mary Clarke: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers
Andrew Joseph: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers
Bryan Kalbrosky: Juan Soto, New York Mets
Christian D'Andrea: Juan Soto, New York Mets
Prince Grimes: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers
Meghan Hall: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers
American League Cy Young
Blake Schuster: Cole Ragans, Kansas City Royals
Charles Curtis: Cole Ragans, Kansas City Royals
Mary Clarke: Garrett Crochet, Boston Red Sox
Andrew Joseph: Max Fried, New York Yankees
Bryan Kalbrosky: Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers
Christian D'Andrea: Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers
Prince Grimes: Garrett Crochet, Boston Red Sox
Meghan Hall: Max Fried, New York Yankees
National League Cy Young
Blake Schuster: Cristopher Sanchez, Philadelphia Phillies
Charles Curtis: Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates
Mary Clarke: Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies,
Andrew Joseph: Chris Sale, Atlanta Braves
Bryan Kalbrosky: Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates
Christian D'Andrea: Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates
Prince Grimes: Corbin Burnes, Arizona Diamondbacks
Meghan Hall: Chris Sale, Atlanta Braves
American League Rookie of the Year
Blake Schuster: Roman Anthony, Boston Red Sox
Charles Curtis: Kristian Campbell, Boston Red Sox
Mary Clarke: Roman Anthony, Boston Red Sox
Andrew Joseph: Jasson Dominguez, New York Yankees
Bryan Kalbrosky: Jackson Jobe, Detroit Tigers
Christian D'Andrea: Jackson Jobe, Detroit Tigers
Prince Grimes: Jasson Dominguez, New York Yankees
Meghan Hall: Jasson Dominguez, New York Yankees
National League Rookie of the Year
Blake Schuster: Matt Shaw, Chicago Cubs
Charles Curtis: Dylan Crews, Washington Nationals
Mary Clarke: Roki Sasaki, Los Angeles Dodgers
Andrew Joseph: Roki Sasaki, Los Angeles Dodgers
Bryan Kalbrosky: Matt Shaw, Chicago Cubs
Christian D'Andrea: Bubba Chandler, Pittsburgh Pirates
Prince Grimes: Dylan Crews, Washington Nationals
Meghan Hall: Matt Shaw, Chicago Cubs
American League Comeback Player of the Year
Blake Schuster: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
Charles Curtis: Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers
Mary Clarke: Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers
Andrew Joseph: Shane McClanahan, Tampa Bay Rays
Bryan Kalbrosky: Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers
Christian D'Andrea: Felix Bautista, Baltimore Orioles
Prince Grimes: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
Meghan Hall: Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers
National League Comeback Player of the Year
Blake Schuster: Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves
Charles Curtis: Matt McLain, Cincinnati Reds
Mary Clarke: Spencer Strider, Atlanta Braves
Andrew Joseph: Spencer Strider, Atlanta Braves
Bryan Kalbrosky: Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins
Christian D'Andrea: Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins
Prince Grimes: Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins
Meghan Hall: Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves
American League Reliever of the Year
Blake Schuster: Lucas Erceg, Kansas City Royals
Charles Curtis: Mason Miller, Athletics
Mary Clarke: Mason Miller, Athletics
Andrew Joseph: Mason Miller, Athletics
Bryan Kalbrosky: Emmanuel Clase, Cleveland Guardians
Christian D'Andrea: Devin Williams, New York Yankees
Prince Grimes: Emmanuel Clase, Cleveland Guardians
Meghan Hall: Mason Miller, Athletics
National League Reliever of the Year
Blake Schuster: Kirby Yates, Los Angeles Dodgers
Charles Curtis: Raisel Iglesias, Atlanta Braves
Mary Clarke: Tanner Scott, Los Angeles Dodgers
Andrew Joseph: Ryan Helsley, St. Louis Cardinals
Bryan Kalbrosky: Edwin Diaz, New York Mets
Christian D'Andrea: Trevor Megill, Milwaukee Brewers
Prince Grimes: Ryan Helsley, St. Louis Cardinals
Meghan Hall: Tanner Scott, Los Angeles Dodgers
American League Manager of the Year
Blake Schuster: Brandon Hyde, Baltimore Orioles
Charles Curtis: Matt Quatraro, Kansas City Royals
Mary Clarke: A.J. Hinch, Detroit Tigers
Andrew Joseph: Stephen Vogt, Cleveland Guardians
Bryan Kalbrosky: Dan Wilson, Seattle Mariners
Christian D'Andrea: A.J. Hinch, Detroit Tigers
Prince Grimes: Brandon Hyde, Baltimore Orioles
Meghan Hall: A.J. Hinch, Detroit Tigers
National League Manager of the Year
Blake Schuster: Terry Francona, Cincinnati Reds
Charles Curtis: Torey Lovullo, Arizona Diamondbacks
Mary Clarke: Carlos Mendoza, New York Mets
Andrew Joseph: Craig Counsell, Chicago Cubs
Bryan Kalbrosky: Carlos Mendoza, New York Mets
Christian D'Andrea: Derek Shelton, Pittsburgh Pirates
Prince Grimes: Torey Lovullo, Arizona Diamondbacks
Meghan Hall: Carlos Mendoza, New York Mets
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But three of the most prominent stadium subsidy deals under consideration now — in Chicago, Kansas City and the district — involve teams looking to move within the same metro area. 'I would appreciate it if lawmakers were that transparent, and they're like, 'I don't care how much this costs, there's no price that's too high for us to pay to keep them here,'' Propheter said. But cities and states have more at stake than raw economics, said Irwin Kishner, a New York attorney who has represented pro teams in multiple stadium deals. He likened the stadium debate to those surrounding the Olympics: Research has found that host cities generally spend well in excess of the revenue generated by the games. But cities and nations still fiercely compete for the chance to host the high-profile event. 'It elevates the status of venues,' Kishner said. 'And I think it's very much the same thing with stadiums and arenas.' He said cities also face potential economic consequences of lost jobs and tax revenues if teams leave altogether. Oakland, California, for example, lost both its pro football and baseball teams to Nevada after local stadium talks fell apart. The NFL's Raiders now play in Las Vegas and MLB's A's are playing temporarily in West Sacramento, California, before moving into their under-construction stadium on the Vegas strip. 'What happened in Oakland is a classic example of what happens when a team doesn't get their building in the way they want it,' Kishner said. And those sorts of relocations can leave lasting marks, he said, pointing to the sour feelings that still persist in Brooklyn decades after MLB's Dodgers left for Los Angeles. Other cities have similarly iconic teams, such as the NFL's Chicago Bears. 'When push comes to shove, municipalities would be embarrassed to lose a team. I mean, could you imagine the Bears playing in St. Louis as an argument?' Kishner said. 'I think Chicago would have something to say about that in a very emotional way. And by the way, these things take generations to get past.' Currently, Chicago's stadium discussions are more localized. After first sharing plans to build a new stadium along Lake Michigan's shore in Chicago, the Bears are now pursuing a massive football stadium development in suburban Arlington Heights. Despite introducing various tax measures aimed to benefit megaprojects such as stadiums, Illinois lawmakers ended their session on May 31 with no action on the matter. My brain tells me it's not that big of a deal, but my heart and soul as a Chicagoan doesn't want them to leave. – Illinois Democratic state Rep. Kam Buckner Democratic state Rep. Kam Buckner, whose district includes parts of Chicago's South Side, said lawmakers have little appetite to invest heavily in stadiums. The MLS' Chicago Fire just announced plans to privately finance a new $650 million professional soccer stadium in the city's South Loop — the same area the MLB's White Sox are also eyeing as they explore a new baseball stadium. 'The days of widespread public money for private stadiums without public benefit — those days are over, and that is not just a sentiment in the state of Illinois. I think this is a sentiment across the country,' Buckner said. Still, he acknowledged the sway emotions can have in the matter. While the Bears leaving the city limits likely would not affect the region's economy, he said, it would still prove a blow to morale. 'My brain tells me it's not that big of a deal,' he said, 'but my heart and soul as a Chicagoan doesn't want them to leave.' Missouri's stadium debate has been simmering for years now: The Royals first announced plans in 2022 to move downtown from their stadium on the outskirts of the city. And the Chiefs — who share the sprawling stadium complex with the Royals — quickly followed with talks of wanting a new or renovated stadium. After voters in a county election last year soundly rejected extending a stadium sales tax to fund those plans, lawmakers across the border in Kansas passed legislation that would fund up to 70% of the costs of new stadiums. That measure expires at the end of June, pushing Missouri legislators to act. Neil deMause, a journalist who has written extensively about stadium subsidies, said such deadlines are arbitrary and meant to exact political pressure. While politicians once had plausible deniability about the pitfalls of stadium subsidies, the research is now overwhelmingly clear and well covered in the media, he said. (It's been nearly a decade since HBO's John Oliver dedicated an episode of his satirical news show to the folly of stadium finance.) Kansas v. Missouri stadium battle shows how states are reigniting border wars But politicians on both sides of the aisle continue to push stadium subsidies — whether they're touting the potential for wider real estate development or intangibles such as team pride and fears of losing franchises. 'It's this prescribed dance, where everybody sort of pretends to be doing due diligence, but at the same time, everybody knows it's going to happen,' deMause said. He said that appears to be the case in the nation's capital. In April, city and team officials for the Washington Commanders announced plans for a 65,000-seat stadium. The proposed deal, which must be approved by the full city council, would cost taxpayers some $1.1 billion over eight years. But deMause's analysis of the plan determined the public will be spending well in excess of that figure because of billions in free rent and hundreds of millions in property tax breaks. He estimates taxpayers will pay or forgo at least $7.5 billion on the deal. 'Everybody in and around the D.C. Council seems to be saying, 'Yeah, it sure is a lot of money, but the mayor really wants it, so it's going to happen. It's just a matter of whether or not we can improve it some,'' he said. 'It's a little bit like saying, 'World War II is going to happen — just try and keep the death toll down.'' Last week, Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser's office released a report it commissioned that projected the stadium would create billions in new economic output and local tax revenue in the coming decades — figures that were quickly disputed by skeptical economists and academics. Still, much of the district's stadium conversation has centered on intangibles such as hometown pride and nostalgia. Even NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell waxed about his childhood memories attending games at the old RFK Stadium at an April event announcing the deal. Sitting in front of a 'WELCOME HOME' banner at that event, the mayor said the RFK site was 'where they belong.' 'I want to start by saying welcome home,' she said. Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy can be reached at khardy@ SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
