Every MLB Team's Biggest Roster Decision This Spring Training
The start of the 2025 MLB season is just a few short weeks away, and as teams start to option more and more players to minor league camp, Opening Day rosters are starting to become clearer by the day.
However, every team still faces at least one major roster decision that needs to be sorted out.
Whether it's choosing the winner of a position battle, deciding who fills in for an injured player, adding non-roster invitees to the 40-man roster, potentially carrying a top prospect on Opening Day or even pursuing a late-spring extension with an in-house star, there is still a lot of work to be done across the MLB landscape.
Ahead, we've highlighted each team's biggest remaining decision at roughly the midway point in the spring training schedule.
AL East
1 of 6
Baltimore Orioles: Albert Suárez or Cade Povich for the No. 5 starter job?
With Grayson Rodriguez expected to start the season on the injured list with elbow inflammation, the Orioles need to decide who fills out the starting rotation behind Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton, Dean Kremer and Tomoyuki Sugano. If Cade Povich wins the job, Albert Suárez will slot into the bullpen as a long reliever. If Suárez wins the job, Povich likely returns to Triple-A to stay stretched out as a starter, opening up another bullpen spot.
Boston Red Sox: Does Trayce Thompson make the team?
The Red Sox opened camp with a crowded outfield, but an injury to Wilyer Abreu has created an opportunity for non-roster invitee Trayce Thompson to make the team. Rob Refsnyder is expected to be the primary right fielder while Abreu is sidelined, and his bench spot could go to Thompson, who is 9-for-24 this spring and leads all hitters across baseball with six home runs.
New York Yankees: Is Will Warren the answer to replace Gerrit Cole?
The Yankees were dealt a crushing blow when it was announced earlier this week that Gerrit Cole will need Tommy John surgery, and with Luis Gil also headed for the injured list, the club's starting pitching depth will be put to the test. Will Warren is the only other starting pitcher on the 40-man roster outside of the four rotation locks, and he has made a compelling case with a 1.54 ERA and a 12-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 11.2 innings. Non-roster invitees Carlos Carrasco is the other leading internal candidate, while Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynn and Spencer Turnbull headline what's left of the free-agent market.
Tampa Bay Rays: How does Curtis Mead fit the lineup?
Curtis Mead was a consensus Top 100 prospect prior to the 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons, and while he showcased a promising hit tool in the minors, he batted just .244/.300/.312 for a 75 OPS over 224 plate appearances in the big leagues the last two years. Still only 24 years old, he was on the outside looking in for a roster spot heading into camp, but he has gone an absurd 16-for-26 at the plate this spring to force his way onto the roster. Could he emerge as the primary DH?
Toronto Blue Jays: What does the outfield look like until Daulton Varsho returns?
As he continues his recovery from shoulder surgery, 2024 AL Gold Glove winner Daulton Varsho is not expected to be ready to play center field on Opening Day, though he could still be on the roster and limited to DH duties early in the year. In his absence, the Blue Jays need to decide between Joey Loperfido, Nathan Lukes and non-roster invitees Myles Straw and Alan Roden who handles center field. Two of those players will likely make the Opening Day roster.
AL Central
2 of 6
Chicago White Sox: Who starts at shortstop?
With top prospect Colson Montgomery officially optioned to the minors on Tuesday, the White Sox need to decide who will break camp as the team's starting shortstop. The most likely alignment appears to be Lenyn Sosa at second base, Josh Rojas at shortstop and Miguel Vargas at third base to start the year. However, Brooks Baldwin and non-roster invitee Nick Maton are also in the mix.
Cleveland Guardians: Who starts at second base?
The Guardians had an open competition at shortstop last spring between Brayan Rocchio and Gabriel Arias, and a year after losing that battle, the latter is now trying to hold off top prospect Juan Brito at second base as the club decides on who will replace Andrés Giménez. Utility players Daniel Schneemann and Tyler Freeman could also see time at second base if the team opts for more of a committee approach early on.
Detroit Tigers: Does Jackson Jobe make the Opening Day roster?
The Tigers have Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty and Reese Olson locked into the first three spots in their starting rotation, while Casey Mize has tossed 11 scoreless innings this spring and can safely be penciled into the No. 4 spot. With Matt Manning optioned to the minors and both Alex Cobb and Ty Madden headed for the injured list, that appears to leave Keider Montero, Kenta Maeda and top prospect Jackson Jobe as the candidates for the fifth starter job.
Kansas City Royals: What happens with out-of-options players?
Every team has at least one or two decisions to make on players who are out of minor league options, but the Royals have a more compelling list than most. First baseman Nick Pratto, outfielder Nelson Velazquez and relievers Sam Long and Carlos Hernández all risk being exposed to waivers and lost to another team if they are not included on the Opening Day roster.
Minnesota Twins: Is Chris Paddack a lock for the No. 5 starter job?
In his first reasonably healthy season since 2021, Chris Paddack made 17 starts and posted a 4.99 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 88.1 innings, and he entered spring training as the presumptive No. 5 starter once again. The 29-year-old will be on the roster one way or another, but the Twins need to give some serious thought to Zebby Matthews being the fifth starter as he has tossed 9.1 scoreless innings this spring with just four hits allowed and a 12-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
AL West
3 of 6
Athletics: Mitch Spence or Joey Estes for the No. 5 starter job?
The A's should have a vastly improved starting rotation with Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs joining JP Sears to form a solid trio atop the staff and Osvaldo Bido expected to be the No. 4 guy. That leaves Mitch Spence (4.58 ERA, 4.21 FIP, 151.1 IP) and Joey Estes (5.01 ERA, 4.94 FIP, 127.2 IP) as the leading candidates to round out the rotation, and both are throwing the ball well this spring.
Houston Astros: Is Mauricio Dubón going to be the primary second baseman?
With Jose Altuve shifting to left field, the Astros have a hole to fill at second base and several in-house candidates. Versatile Mauricio Dubón got the start in 13 of the 15 games that Altuve did not start at second base last year, but the team could decide he is more valuable in a super-utility role. That would leave a path for non-roster invitees Brendan Rodgers and Luis Guillorme to potentially make the team and see at least semi-regular action.
Los Angeles Angels: Who will be the No. 5 starter?
Newcomers Yusei Kikuchi and Kyle Hendricks will likely join holdovers José Soriano and Tyler Anderson to fill the first four spots in the Angels rotation, but the fifth starter job is up for grabs. Reid Detmers, Chase Silseth and Jack Kochanowicz are the leading contenders, while prospects Caden Dana and Samuel Aldegheri will be waiting in the wings at Triple-A.
Seattle Mariners: Is a Logan Gilbert extension coming before Opening Day?
The Mariners roster appears to be more or less set, with Emerson Hancock as the No. 5 starter while George Kirby deals with shoulder inflammation and some combination of Ryan Bliss and Dylan Moore expected to handle second base. However, they could still try to get an extension done with Logan Gilbert before the start of the new season. The 27-year-old will be a free agent after the 2027 season, and there have been some "loose talks" about a potential long-term deal already this offseason.
Texas Rangers: Does Adrian Houser make the team?
With just four hits and two earned runs allowed over eight innings this spring, Adrian Houser is making a compelling case to break camp with a spot on the Rangers roster. The 32-year-old has a 4.21 ERA and 100 ERA in 608.2 career innings with the Brewers and Mets, so he brings significant big league experience and the ability to start games. He could be an option for the No. 5 starter job with Cody Bradford dealing with elbow soreness, or he could push Dane Dunning for a bullpen spot since Dunning still has a minor league option remaining.
NL East
4 of 6
Atlanta Braves: Is Drake Baldwin the starting catcher?
With Sean Murphy sidelined and Chadwick Tromp best utilized as a backup, Drake Baldwin suddenly has a clear path to the Braves' starting catcher job. The 23-year-old hit .276/.370/.423 with 16 home runs and 88 RBI in 124 games in the upper levels of the minors last year, and also logged a .942 OPS over 13 games in the Arizona Fall League. Veterans Sandy León and Curt Casali are also in camp as non-roster invitees, while Yasmani Grandal and James McCann are unsigned free agents.
Miami Marlins: Which outfielders make the team?
Jesús Sánchez will fill one of the Marlins' corner outfield spots, but the other two starting jobs and at least one bench spot have yet to be decided. Kyle Stowers, Derek Hill, Dane Myers and Griffin Conine are the other 40-man roster outfielders in camp, while non-roster veteran Albert Almora Jr. is also in the mix. Hill is out of options and the front-runner for the center field job, while Myers performed well in limited action in 2024. It could come down to Stowers vs. Conine for the final spot.
New York Mets: What does the starting rotation look like on Opening Day?
With Sean Manaea (oblique) and Frankie Montas (lat) both headed for the injured list, an already questionable Mets rotation will be put to the test early. Kodai Senga, David Peterson and Clay Holmes will fill three of the spots on the staff, leaving Tylor Megill, Griffin Canning and Paul Blackburn battling for two starting jobs. Megill is the only one with a minor league option remaining, but it is also very possible the club carries all three guys to start the year.
Philadelphia Phillies: Will Rafael Marchan or Garrett Stubbs be backup catcher?
The battle for the backup catcher job is rarely a team's most compelling roster decision, but it is shaping up to be a tough one for the Phillies. Garrett Stubbs is a well-respected clubhouse voice and has spent the last three years as the backup, but Rafael Marchan is out of minor league options and would likely be claimed by someone off waivers. On the other hand, Stubbs does still have one option remaining.
Washington Nationals: Who will be the No. 5 starter?
With MacKenzie Gore, Jake Irvin, Trevor Williams and Mike Soroka expected to be the first four starters in the Nationals rotation, the club will be choosing between Mitchell Parker, DJ Herz and Shinnosuke Ogasawara for the No. 5 starter job. Parker has been the best of the bunch so far this spring, and since all three still have minor league options remaining, it will come down to performance.
NL Central
5 of 6
Chicago Cubs: Who will win the final bullpen spots?
With Nate Pearson and Eli Morgan battling with the out-of-options duo of Julian Merryweather and Keegan Thompson for roster spots, and non-roster invitee Brad Keller also making a strong case for a role on the staff, the Cubs will have some tough decisions to make when it comes to finalizing their relief corps.
Cincinnati Reds: Will Christian Encarnacion-Strand see everyday playing time?
Slugger Christian Encarnacion-Strand was hitting a paltry .190/.220/.293 over 123 plate appearances last season when a fractured bone in his wrist brought his season to an early end in May. The 25-year-old is now looking to play his way back into a prominent role, and he is 8-for-27 with three home runs this spring. With Spencer Steer sidelined, he could open the season in an everyday role.
Milwaukee Brewers: Who joins Rhys Hoskins, Brice Turang and Joey Ortiz on the infield?
Regardless of whether it ends up being Joey Ortiz or Brice Turang who changes positions and starts at shortstop, the Brewers still need to figure out who joins that duo and first baseman Rhys Hoskins on the dirt. Oliver Dunn, Caleb Durbin, Vinny Capra and Andruw Monasterio are all in the running for the starting gig and what could be two bench spots. Capra has put his name in the conversation by going 8-for-25 with five home runs this spring.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Who will play first base until Spencer Horwitz returns?
The Pirates acquired Spencer Horwitz from the Blue Jays this offseason to serve as the team's everyday first baseman following his 2024 breakout performance, but he will start the year on the injured list after undergoing wrist surgery in February. Non-roster invitee DJ Stewart might be the front-runner, while veteran Adam Frazier, utility man Jared Triolo and rookie Billy Cook are also potential options.
St. Louis Cardinals: Which young starter will round out the starting rotation?
The Cardinals were unable to move any of their veteran starters during the offseason, leaving Sonny Gray, Miles Mikolas, Erick Fedde and Steven Matz still on the books for a combined $62.7 million in 2025 and presumably locked into rotation spots. That leaves one spot for Andre Pallante, Matthew Liberatore and Michael McGreevy. Liberatore and Pallante could also both wind up in the bullpen, while McGreevy will return to Triple-A and stay stretched out as a starter if he does not win the job.
NL West
6 of 6
Arizona Diamondbacks: Who is going to close games?
The D-backs spent most of the 2024 season with Paul Sewald in the closer's role, but now that he is gone, it will be up to some combination of Kevin Ginkel, A.J. Puk and Justin Martínez to slam the door in the late innings. Martínez has the prototypical stuff with a fastball that averaged 100.2 mph last year, while Puk was lights out with a 1.32 ERA and 14.2 K/9 in 30 appearances after he was acquired at the deadline.
Colorado Rockies: Can Zac Veen force his way onto the roster?
The No. 9 overall pick in the 2020 draft and a consensus Top 100 prospect prior to the 2021, 2022 and 2023 seasons, outfielder Zac Veen saw his prospect stock take a major hit during a disappointing 2023 campaign. The 23-year-old rebounded last year to re-enter the top prospect conversation, and he is hitting .313/.389/.656 with six extra-base hits, 11 RBI and four steals this spring. Jordan Beck entered camp as the favorite to start alongside Brenton Doyle and Nolan Jones in the outfield, but Veen is making a strong case.
Los Angeles Dodgers: How will playing time at second base, center field play out?
The Dodgers brought some clarity to this question when they optioned Hyeseong Kim to the minors on Tuesday, but it remains to be seen who will start at second base and in center field on Opening Day. Tommy Edman will fill one of those spots. If he's at second base, James Outman and Andy Pages have a path to start in center field. If he's in center field, Miguel Rojas or Chris Taylor could start at second base. Utility man Enrique Hernández could also potentially start in either spot.
San Diego Padres: Who will be the No. 5 starter?
The Padres have knuckleballer Matt Waldron, KBO returnee Kyle Hart and their latest reliever-turned-starter experiment Stephen Kolek all vying for the final spot in the starting rotation behind Dylan Cease, Michael King, Yu Darvish and Nick Pivetta. If Waldron ends up optioned back to Triple-A, Kolek and Hart could both make the team with someone pitching in a swingman role out of the bullpen.
San Francisco Giants: Is Kyle Harrison a lock for the No. 5 starter job?
Kyle Harrison began the 2024 season as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, and he posted a 4.56 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 118 strikeouts in 124.1 innings over 24 starts as a rookie. The 23-year-old seemed like a safe bet to be the No. 5 starter when camp started, but his velocity is down and he has allowed nine hits and five earned runs in 3.2 innings this spring. That could be opening the door for Landen Roupp, Hayden Birdsong or Keaton Winn, with that trio of young arms also potentially pitching for bullpen jobs.
