Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Spring Training kicked off this weekend with teams taking to the fields in Florida and Arizona for Grapefruit and Cactus League games. The highly anticipated event marks the beginning of the end of the offseason, where teams prepare for another season of competition.
For fans of various MLB teams, including those who missed out on making the playoffs last year, Spring Training represents a new opportunity to jump into contention. The Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and Texas Rangers have all made significant free agent signings or trades in hopes of putting their squads back into playoff contention.
The Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, and Washington Nationals are also hopeful that their rebuilding processes will pay off this season. Young stars such as Paul Skenes in Pittsburgh, Elly De La Cruz in Cincy, and James Woods in Washington are expected to make a major impact.
Meanwhile, the New York Yankees have been busy reloading their roster without Soto’s departure. The team signed first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and starting pitcher Max Fried, acquired outfielder Cody Bellinger, and added reliever Devin Williams through trades. They also brought in fresh blood from outfielder Jasson Domínguez and infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr.
The Houston Astros’ offseason was marked by an exodus of some of their stalwarts, including Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, who left for Chicago and Boston respectively. However, the team’s core talent remains strong, with Jose Altuve at second base, Yordan Álvarez in the lineup, and Framber Valdez on the mound.
As Spring Training progresses, teams will be putting their new rosters to the test against each other. With money flying around the league like never before, it raises questions about how teams that don’t spend mega-dollars can compete throughout the entire season.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/21/sport/spring-training-mlb-preview-spt/index.html