Griff’s 2025 pre-Season MLB Power Rankings

Blue Jays in large group fighting for AL wildcard

BLUE JAYS 26-MAN ROSTER:

Starting Pitchers: RH Jose Berrios; RH Kevin Gausman; RH Max Scherzer; RH Chris Bassitt; RH Bowden Francis; (RH Yariel Rodriguez)

Summary: One of the deepest, most durable, veteran rotations in the AL, the Top 3 have remained healthy and held together into their third season. Francis stepped up in his final nine starts a year ago to force his way into the mix. The wild-card is Scherzer, the future Hall-of-Famer, on a one-year deal, but with a wonky right thumb that is a red flag stopping anyone from being 100% optimistic about this group. If the Top 5 can make 25+ starts, the Jays rank with the M’s and the Twins as AL’s deepest and best.

Bullpen: CL Jeff Hoffman; RH Yimi Garcia; RH Chad Green; RH Nick Sandlin; LH Brendon Little; RH Yariel Rodriguez; LH Richard Lovelady; RH Jacob Barnes; (IL Erik Swanson; IL Ryan Burr; IL Zach Pop).

Summary: Every winning bullpen must be deep enough in high leverage talent to support late innings for at least one 5-8 game win streak that is mandatory to contend. In the modern version of MLB, the same closer is not going to be called on to finish all those winnable games in a row. The Jays No. 1 option out of the pen is Hoffman, being given his first career opportunity in that role, but others joining him, with closing experience, are Garcia and Green. Little is also able to close it out in the proper left-on-left situations. Don’t forget that entering the 2024 season, the Jays bullpen also seemed capable of such depth, but early injuries, unanticipated failures and deadline deals sent the relief corps into a death spiral that resulted in their last place finish and 74 wins. It was expected this spring that LH Ryan Yarbrough would reprise his multi-inning role as another lefty option, but he surprisingly opted out and ended up signing with the hated Yankees.

Catchers: Alejandro Kirk; Tyler Heineman.

Summary: The clear starter behind the plate, ever since Danny Jansen was traded to Boston at the ’24 deadline, Kirk has been rewarded with a five-year contract extension, $58-million that takes him through the 2030 season. He was already earning $4.6M in ’25 and will receive a $6M signing bonus as part of the deal. The leap-of-faith is that he is being counted on as a 120-game starter by MGR John Schneider but at 5-8, 245 lbs., Kirk has never made more than 89 starts in a season. Heineman, his current backup, is a switch-hitter, but does not have the offence or the defence to match Kirk, which creates a concern. Back in a pandemic-influenced 2020, when Kirk first appeared on the radar, he was an out-of-nowhere bat-to-ball savant looking for a future, other than batter’s box. His defence recently surpassed his offensive contributions, but his hitting could easily bounce back.

Infielders: 1B Vlad Guerrero Jr, 2B Andres Gimenez; SS Bo Bichette; 3B Ernie Clement; 3B-1B-2B Will Wagner; 2B-LF Davis Schneider.

Summary: On the precious metal front, this revamped Jays infield has invested in more career Gold (Gloves) than Silver (Sluggers) which, as fans know, has been the recurring problem since the remarkable team offensive outburst of 2021, led by Vlad and Marcus Semien. A healthy, energized Bichette, plus a better-than-advertised linedrive bat in Gimenez gives this infield unit a chance to be more productive offensively than one might expect. Vlad’s Contract: The Jays’ president Mark Shapiro, last week, expressed confidence that they would make every effort to sign Guerrero Jr to an extension. The fact Shapiro called it an extension rather than a new contract lends to optimism that it will be sooner rather than later. But if it goes beyond the end of this homestand without conclusion, all bets are off and odds become more likely he will test his free-agency.

Outfielders: LF-RF Anthony Santander; RF-LF George Springer; CF Myles Straw; OF Alan Roden; OF Nathan Lukes; (IL Daulton Varsho).

Summary: All of a sudden, the Jays’ minor-league system seems to be teeming with outfield prospects, above all other positions. Straw’s presence while Varsho rehabs the throwing shoulder is an insurance policy, despite the embarrassment of how he was acquired from Cleveland in a failed bid to round up international signing money for Roki Sasaki. Springer’s days as a productive leadoff man seem over, while Santander may not be a liability in the outfield, but may see significant time at DH. If Roden is given a chance to play and if he continues the upward career arc that began last season in the minors and at camp, this spring, he may be the surprise of the year. Varsho is expected back later in April as he builds strength in his throwing arm. The decision will then be which man leaves, among Roden, Lukes and Straw.

PREDICTION: The forecast here is wide open, suggesting that the Blue Jays will finish with a win total anywhere between last year’s dismal 74 and the previous season’s 89 Ws, which qualified for a wildcard spot and an opportunity to be swept by the Twins in the first round. Griff not going out on enough of a limb, you say. Perhaps not, but the standings in late July and reality at the trade deadline is key.

2024 Division Rankings by Combined Record

1-NL West +32 … 2-AL East +30…

3-NL Central +14 … 4-NL East +2

5-AL Central minus-35 … 6-AL West minus-43

Griff’s 2025 Power Rankings (’24 Record in parentheses)

1-Dodgers (98-64) … Apparently, money CAN buy happiness. But SS Mookie Betts health is concerning from a human, as well as baseball standpoint … MGR: Dave Roberts … Top 2025 FA: RH Roki Sasaki … Most Important Players: DH Shohei Ohtani; LH Blake Snell … Highest Paid: Ohtani $70.0M.

2-Rangers (78-84) … Potent offence able to support a completely rebuilt bullpen. Respect must linger for amazing ’24 WS win … MGR: Bruce Bochy … Top ’25 FA: DH Joc Pederson … Most Important Players: SS Corey Seager; RH Nate Eovaldi … Highest Paid: RH Jacob deGrom $40.0M

3-Diamondbacks (89-73) … Will benefit in 2^nd season of having to play fewer intramural games in the powerful NL West. Talented, deep rotation … MGR: Torey Lovullo … Top ’25 FA: RH Corbin Burnes … Most Important Players: OF Corbin Carroll; RH Burnes … Highest Paid: RH Burnes $35.0M

4-Phillies (95-67) … One of these years this talented Dave Dombrowski roster will break through in October … MGR: Rob Thomson … Top ’25 FA: CL Jordan Romano … Most Important Players: C J.T. Realmuto; RH Zack Wheeler … Highest Paid: RH Wheeler $42.0M

5-Braves (89-73) … Inclusion of this Braves team in any projected Top 10, every pre-season, is a given … MGR: Brian Snitker … Top ’25 FA: OF Jurickson Profar … Most Important Players: 3B Austin Riley; LH Chris Sale … Highest Paid: LH Sale; 3B Riley; 1B Matt Olson $22.0M.

6-Twins (82-80) … In November’s presidential election, Minnesota was listed as a swing-state. This strong-armed bullpen is a swing-and-miss state … MGR: Rocco Baldelli … Top ’25 FA: OF Harrison Bader … Most Important Players: CF Byron Buxton; RH Pablo Lopez … Highest Paid: SS Carlos Correa $37.3M

7-Orioles (91-71) … There are warning signs this team recently on the rise may be due for a hiccup … MGR: Brandon Hyde … Top ’25 FA: RH Charlie Morton … Most Important Players: C Adley Rutschman; CL Felix Bautista … Highest Paid: RH Zach Eflin $18.0M

8-Mariners (85-77) … Betting the “Under” for every M’s game may be a consistent money-maker … MGR: Dan Wilson … Top ’25 FA: 3B Jorge Polanco … Most Important Players: CF Julio Rodriguez; CL Andres Munoz … Highest Paid: RH Luis Castillo $24.2M

9-Padres (93-69) … Tough sledding in a division with already two of the Top 5 teams in baseball, but are fun to watch in a great ballpark … MGR: Mike Shildt … Top ’25 FA: RH Nick Pivetta … Most Important Players: 3B Manny Machado; RH Michael King … Highest Paid: SS Xander Bogaerts $25.5M

10-Yankees (94-68) … Not the same Bombers that went to WS. Lost a dozen free agents and have suffered several key injuries … MGR: Aaron Boone … Top ’25 FA: LH Max Fried … Most Important Players: OF Aaron Judge; LH Fried … Highest Paid: OF Judge $40.0M

11-Reds (77-85) … Team on the rise, they added top free agent available, Terry Francona, in a division that’s forever winnable … MGR: Francona … Top ’25 FA: C Jose Trevino … Most Important Players: SS Elly de la Cruz; RH Hunter Greene … Highest Paid: RH Nick Martinez $21.1M

12-Red Sox (81-81) … Elbow-to-elbow, tight quarters in an intimate Fenway clubhouse, with plenty of internal friction, but a lot of talent. Elbows up … MGR: Alex Cora … Top ’25 FA: IF Alex Bregman … Most Important Players: CF Jarren Duran; RH Garret Crochet … Highest Paid: IF Bregman $40.0M

13-Blue Jays (74-88) … Defence was never a problem, so adding 2B Andres Gimenez is like bringing Darnell Coles to Newcastle … MGR: John Schneider … Top ’25 FA: OF Anthony Santander … Most Important Players: SS Bo Bichette; RH Kevin Gausman … Highest Paid: 1B Vlad Guerrero Jr. $28.5M

14-Guardians (92-69) … Late-inning bullpen is unrivalled. Getting to them with a lead will be the difficult part … MGR: Stephen Vogt … Top ’25 FA: 1B Carlos Santana … Most Important Players: 3B Jose Ramirez; CL Emmanuel Clase … Highest Paid: 3B Ramirez $19.0M

15-Astros (88-73) … Big drop. How does converting the worst defensive 2B in MLB into the worst defensive LF make you better … MGR: Joe Espada … Top ’25 FA: 1B Christian Walker … Most Important Players: LF Jose Altuve; CL Josh Hader … Highest Paid: LF Altuve $33.0M

16-Mets (89-73) … Teams with Juan Soto have finished last and have also won the WS. This team’s success will rely on other factors … MGR: Carlos Mendoza … Top ’25 FA: OF Soto … Most Important Players: SS Francisco Lindor; RH Kodai Senga … Highest Paid: OF Soto $61.9M.

17-Cubs (83-79) … There’s an unproven rule I live by that teams with the most ex-Jays pitchers will not win. That’s the ’25 Cubs … MGR: Craig Counsell … Top ’25 FA: LH Matt Boyd … Most Important Players: CF Pete Crow-Armstrong; LH Shota Imanaga … Highest Paid: SS Dansby Swanson $28.0M.

18-Giants (80-82) … Sitting as MLB’s only Bay Area team, the problem is that other than the left side of the infield, this middle-of-the-pack group is offensively challenged … MGR: Bob Melvin … Top ’25 FA: SS Willy Adames … Most Important Players: 3B Matt Chapman; LH Robbie Ray … Highest Paid: 3B Chapman $25.2M

19-Royals (86-76) … Quite often, the year following a surprising breakout season, teams can take a step back … MGR: Matt Quatraro … Top ’25 FA: CL Carlos Estevez … Most Important Players: SS Bobby Witt Jr; LH Cole Ragans … Highest Paid: C Sal Perez $22.0M

20-Tigers (86-76) … Looked to be waving white flag at the ’24 deadline, but Cy guy Tarik Skubal and the benching of Javy Diaz keyed a turnaround. Jury still out … MGR: A.J. Hinch … Top ’25 FA: RH Jack Flaherty … Most Important Players: OF Riley Greene; LH Skubal … Highest Paid: SS Baez/Flaherty $25.0M

21-Pirates (76-86) … Beautiful ballpark, underrated city, overrated roster. Need 1B Spencer Horwitz healthy … MGR: Derek Shelton … Top ’25 FA: LH Andrew Heaney … Most Important Players: CF Oneil Cruz; RH Paul Skenes … Highest Paid: RH Mitch Keller $15.4M

22-Rays (80-82) … Florida outdoor baseball in August is the ultimate X-factor for a team more used to the simple indoor comforts of the Trop … MGR: Kevin Cash … Top ’25 FA: C Danny Jansen … Most Important Players: 3B Junior Caminero; RH Taj Bradley … Highest Paid: IF Ha-Seong Kim $13.0M

23-Brewers (93-69) … Somehow the Brew Crew’s ’24 winning result seemed like a mirage. Reds, Cubs and Pirates all feel they improved … MGR: Pat Murphy … Top ’25 FA: LH Jose Quintana … Most Important Players: RF Jackson Chourio; RH Freddy Peralta … Highest Paid: OF Christian Yelich $26.0M

24-Athletics (69-93) … A trendy pick to contend but the Coliseum was a pitcher’s park and the yard in Sacramento is far from that … MGR: Mark Kotsay … Top ’25 FA: RH Luis Severino … Most Important Players: RF Lawrence Butler; CL Mason Miller … Highest Paid: RH Severino $15.0M

25-Nationals (71-91) … Fact that 6 players in batting order are 26 or younger loses its lustre when realizing Paul DeJong (31) may be everyday 3B … MGR: Dave Martinez … Top ’25 FA: DH Josh Bell … Most Important Players: SS CJ Abrams; RH Trevor Williams … Highest Paid: 1B Nathaniel Lowe $10.3M

26-Cardinals (83-79) … Most loyal fanbase in MLB but somehow unable to sell out Opening Day, early. The fans know … MGR: Oliver Marmol … Top ’25 FA: RH Phil Maton … Most Important Players: 1B Willson Contreras; RH Sonny Gray … Highest Paid: 3B Nolan Arenado $32.0M

27-Angels (63-99) … The Rendon contract is an albatross that continues to tie the hands of GM Perry Minasian to make other moves … MGR: Ron Washington … Top ’25 FA: LH Yusei Kikuchi … Most Important Players: RF Mike Trout; CL Kenley Jansen … Highest Paid: *3B Anthony Rendon $38.6M

28-Rockies (61-101) … When acquiring former Rockies, try to grab young pitchers who suffered at mile-high altitude. Tough for Rox to recruit arms … MGR: Bud Black … Top ’25 FA: *2B Thairo Estrada … Most Important Players: CF Brenton Doyle; RH Kyle Freeland … Highest Paid: OF Kris Bryant $27.0M

29-White Sox (41-121) … There is no way they can be any worse than 41 wins. Can they? Any improvement will be gradual and minimal … MGR: Will Venable … Top ’25 FA: OF Michael A. Taylor … Most Important Players: CF Luis Robert Jr; LH Martin Perez … Highest Paid: OF Andrew Benintendi $17.1M

30-Marlins (62-100) … The Fish will likely spend the season looking into trades for their limited talent in exchange for prospects … MGR: Clayton McCullough … Top ’25 FA: RH Cal Quantrill … Most Important Players: SS Xavier Edwards; RH Sandy Alcantara … Highest Paid: RH Alcantara $17.3M