The Biggest Red Flag for Every MLB Team Right Now
It won't be long before MLB's 2025 regular season is over, and teams aren't just feeling the literal heat of August at this point.
Every team in the league has some kind of red flag that can't be ignored, and the idea here is to point them out and examine them properly.
For contenders, it's about problems and weaknesses that spell trouble for their pursuits of postseason glory. For everyone else, it's about issues that don't bode well for the future beyond the 2025 season.
We'll go division by division, starting in the American League East and ending in the National League West.
American League East
1 of 6
Baltimore Orioles: Adley Rutschman isn't their glue anymore
Record: 59-67
This season has put the kibosh on the notion of the Orioles as a rising power in the American League, and one need look no further than Rutschman for a microcosm of their decline. His last 162 games have yielded a .211 average and an 80 wRC+.
The 27-year-old won't be a free agent until after 2027, but it's already fair game to wonder about his status as a foundational player in Baltimore. The recently promoted Samuel Basallo is also a catcher, after all, and the O's just drafted two more backstops in July.
Boston Red Sox: The bullpen is suddenly very hittable
Record: 68-59
The Red Sox bullpen deserves its share of the credit for putting a playoff spot well within reach. It has a solid 3.50 ERA for the season, and it also ranks third in the league in fWAR.
August is proving to be a different story, though, with Boston relievers posting a 4.69 ERA and a dangerously low strikeout rate of 7.31 per nine innings. And it's costing the team, which has sunk into the third wild-card spot.
New York Yankees: Aaron Judge hasn't been himself since the IL
Record: 68-57
The Yankees have steadied themselves with wins in back-to-back series, but questions persist about the quality of their pitching and of Aaron Boone's management. Such things may yet trip them up again.
Right now, though, the most pressing issue concerns Judge and how he's been short of his usual sky-high standards since returning from a flexor strain in his right elbow. The two-time AL MVP is batting just .250 in 12 games, and even his hitting metrics have taken a turn for the worse.
Tampa Bay Rays: Shane McClanahan's future is up in the air
Record: 61-65
It has now been two years since McClanahan last appeared on a major league mound on August 2, 2023. His road back from Tommy John surgery has been fraught with peril, and it got worse with a season-ending procedure on his triceps.
Apparently, it's not a sure thing that the procedure will fully resolve the nerve issues that had been keeping the lefty out of action. As such, the Rays have every right to worry about whether McClanahan will ever be their ace again.
Toronto Blue Jays: Their bullpen has devolved into a mess
Record: 74-53
The Blue Jays got a scare when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. made an early exit on Monday, but it doesn't sound like the team is worried about his hamstring tightness. So, for the meantime, their bigger concern is how their bullpen has been pitching.
It's been ugly for Blue Jays relievers since the All-Star break, with their 5.96 ERA sitting as the highest in the American League. Their offense has thus far allowed them to outrun serious damage, but that won't last forever.
American League Central
2 of 6
Chicago White Sox: A lost year for their top pitching prospect
Record: 45-81
It's all about what the future holds for the White Sox, so they should be thrilled that now-former prospects Colson Montgomery (110 wRC+) and Kyle Teel (113 wRC+) have gotten off to strong starts in the majors.
Noah Schultz, their top pitching prospect, hasn't been so lucky. He posted a 4.76 ERA with a subpar 1.61 strikeout-to-walk ratio when he was able to pitch, and he hasn't taken the mound since July 3 because of a knee injury.
Cleveland Guardians: The offense isn't helping the playoff push
Record: 64-61
It's commendable that the Guardians are still in the AL playoff race. They seemed willing to blow it up at the trade deadline, which came soon after Emmanuel Clase was placed on leave amid a betting probe.
It's therefore too bad that their offense has gone icy in August, thus far posting a .285 OBP and 81 wRC+. Even José Ramírez and Steven Kwan, who normally shoulder the offensive burden for Steven Vogt, have cooled off amid the dog days.
Detroit Tigers: The rotation has gone wonky
Record: 75-53
With 15 wins in their last 22 games, the Tigers have pulled out of the rut they fell into in July. But they can only be so confident in their rotation right now, as it ranks 19th in the league with a 4.53 ERA since the All-Star break.
Tarik Skubal is still pitching well, but Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize and the newly acquired Chris Paddack have had more downs than ups. It all serves as a reminder of a question that has lingered all year: Who is this team's Game 2 starter?
Kansas City Royals: The extension seems to have broken Seth Lugo
Record: 65-61
The Royals have been chipping away over the last two months, going 26-15 since the start of July. As usual, their pitching and defense have carried them in allowing only 4.1 runs per game in this span.
Yet whereas Lugo is normally at the tip of the spear, he has a 7.44 ERA since shocking everyone by agreeing to an extension in late July. He even fell short of six innings in three straight outings, something he failed to do just twice in his previous 20 starts.
Minnesota Twins: It's been a painful year for their best prospects
Record: 58-67
The franchise feels as if it's in utter disarray right now, as a trade deadline fire sale was swiftly followed by an unwelcome announcement that the Pohlad family would not be selling the team after all.
That the Twins have MLB Pipeline's No. 2 farm system is the good news, but even that comes with an asterisk. Three of their top prospects are Walker Jenkins, Luke Keaschall and Emmanuel Rodriguez, and all three have had injury issues in 2025.
American League West
3 of 6
Athletics: They can't win in Sacramento
Record: 57-70
The A's broke ground on their eventual home in Las Vegas in June, but they're still looking at an ETA of 2028. That gives them two more seasons in Sacramento to try to put some wind in their sails before heading to the desert.
That they have a young and exciting lineup is the good news, but it won't matter for much if they can't start winning at Sutter Health Park. They have an AL-worst 26-37 record at home, and the testimonials don't make it sound as if bad luck is to blame.
Houston Astros: Their pitching staff is buckling under the injuries
Record: 69-57
The Astros have done a remarkable job weathering injuries throughout 2025, and there is finally some hope on the horizon for the offense. Yordan Alvarez and Isaac Paredes could both be back in a matter of weeks.
The pitching, on the other hand, remains short-staffed and just lost ace closer Josh Hader for the rest of the regular season. And with a 4.84 ERA since the All-Star break, serious damage is no longer being staved off.
Los Angeles Angels: The farm is stuck at the bottom of a well
Record: 60-66
The Angels have also shown remarkable resilience in 2025, though theirs has more to do with simply refusing to plummet down the standings. It's been three months since they were a season-high eight games under .500 on May 8.
This is nonetheless shaping up to be the their 10th straight losing season. They need a strong talent base in the worst way, and the likelihood of it coming together soon is not high. Per MLB Pipeline, their farm system has been stuck in the league's bottom five since the middle of 2023.
Seattle Mariners: Their rotation still isn't what it should be
Record: 68-59
Starting pitching was supposed to be the Mariners' primary strength in 2025, and it may yet live up to that billing. With Bryce Miller's return on Tuesday, the rotation reached 100 percent strength for the first time all year.
And yet, Seattle starters have hit a wall with a 4.62 ERA thus far in August. Bryan Woo has continued his run of excellence, but every other starter the M's have used has at least a 4.50 ERA for the month.
Texas Rangers: Marcus Semien is no longer a slump-buster
Record: 62-65
Perhaps it's premature to treat the Rangers as being out of the AL playoff race, but they're not exactly winning hearts and minds amid a 2-10 stretch since August 6. And given how much their offense has struggled this year, they need to be thinking about how to fix it for 2026 either way.
To this end, it's time to worry about Semien. He usually starts slow and finishes strong, but this being his second straight season with an OPS in the .600s feels like writing on the wall that the 34-year-old is washed.
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National League East
4 of 6
Atlanta Braves: Their offensive core is no longer tenable
Record: 57-69
After starting out at over 90 percent at FanGraphs, the Braves' odds of making the playoffs have been in the single digits for over a month now. Their season is effectively over, so it's time to look ahead to 2026.
To this end, the first order of business should be deciding whether to break up their offensive core of Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies, Michael Harris II and Sean Murphy. They combined for a 141 wRC+ in 2023, but they have since fallen to 105 in 2024 and 108 this year.
Miami Marlins: They still don't have offense figured out
Record: 59-67
Even with the strides the Marlins have made this year, you can still see uncertainty in their future. They're going to need more offense if they want to compete in the NL East, and none of the key indicators are promising.
Believe it or not, this year marks the 31st season in 33 tries that they have had a below-average offense in terms of wRC+. And save for catching prospect Joe Mack, there isn't much in the way of help coming from the farm system in 2026.
New York Mets: They need a lot more from their starting rotation
Record: 67-58
The Mets aren't the offensive juggernaut they should be. And for that, it's fair to point at Juan Soto, and specifically at his shocking inability to come through in the clutch. He should not be batting just .185 with men on base.
As Mets fans know, though, the real problem right now is a rotation with a 6.22 ERA for August. Nolan McLean's arrival provided a much-needed boost, but he's only one guy amid a sea of struggling starters.
Philadelphia Phillies: Zack Wheeler's absence is huge
Record: 73-53
All the Phillies know right now is that Wheeler had a procedure on Monday to remove a blood clot in his right arm. They do not know when (or if) he'll be able to return this season.
It's never ideal to lose a guy who has posted ERAs in the 2.00s and NL-best WHIPs in each of the last two seasons. And if the Phillies don't get him back for the playoffs, someone else will have to fill his spot as their Game 1 starter.
Washington Nationals: James Wood's bat has vanished
Record: 50-75
Wood is worth focusing on just because he has been the best part of an otherwise forgettable season for the Nationals. He was a first-time All-Star in July, at which time he had 24 home runs.
Since then? Just one. As that lack of power goes hand-in-hand with a catastrophic 38.3 strikeout percentage since the break, the Nats should be worried about whether the 22-year-old is merely tired, or if he's been solved by opposing pitchers.
National League Central
5 of 6
Chicago Cubs: Kyle Tucker's slump has gotten ugly
Record: 72-54
Remember when the Cubs had arguably the best offense in MLB? That hasn't been the case for a while now, as they have scored just 3.5 runs per game since July 20. And for his part, Tucker has been struggling for even longer.
He's only a .191 hitter with a single homer since June 29, and now he's finally hit the pine after letting his frustration show on Monday. He says the finger everyone is focused on is fine, but he'll eventually need to start hitting to quiet the speculation.
Cincinnati Reds: Their offense has vanished
Record: 67-60
Speaking of offenses that have run aground, the Reds are slugging .372 with a 90 wRC+ since the All-Star break. They don't really have a hot hand, though it's especially damning that Elly De La Cruz has a .663 OPS and one homer in the second half.
Good pitching has allowed the Reds to win 17 out of 30 in the second half anyway, but that may not last forever. And try as the Mets might to blow the NL wild-card race, Cincinnati can't count on that lasting forever, either.
Milwaukee Brewers: They're in for a rough landing
Record: 79-47
The Brewers have won 30 out of their last 37 games, and it's impossible to spot a cylinder on which they aren't clicking. So, apologies for finding it difficult to come up with a good answer for what their red flag is supposed to be.
That said, only the Reds have a tougher remaining schedule among the five teams in the NL Central. Such a thing can't possibly sink the Brewers altogether, but it's conceivable that it could cost them the NL's top seed.
Pittsburgh Pirates: A mind-blowing stat says it all
Record: 53-74
We talked earlier about what a sad sack the Marlins are offensively, but they look like the 1927 Yankees compared to the Pirates. They're scoring an MLB-low 3.52 runs per game, and that isn't even their worst statistic.
They have zero hitters with at least a 100 OPS+, whereas the other 29 teams each have at least three. If the Bucs want to ascend to contention while Paul Skenes is still around, the batter's box must be the starting point for ignition.
St. Louis Cardinals: It's time to move on from Jordan Walker
Record: 63-64
A 16-26 run since June 30 has turned this into yet another lost year for the Cardinals. Up next is a transition to a Chaim Bloom-led front office, and you can rest assured there will be major shakeups to the roster as well.
Among other things, it'll be time to admit Walker just isn't going to break through in St. Louis. The erstwhile top prospect has had ample opportunities to do so, but his .582 OPS in August is merely the latest case of him digging his hole deeper.
National League West
6 of 6
Arizona Diamondbacks: They might have to trade their best player
Record: 61-66
As if the Diamondbacks' season needed another dark turn, everyone is still buzzing over the report on Ketel Marte from Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. In it, he covers internal discontent stemming from his tendency to miss games.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today subsequently reported the Diamondbacks plan to listen to trade offers for the 31-year-old this winter. A trade can only happen if he approves it, and now you have to wonder if he would. The alternative would be willingly returning to a clubhouse that aired beef with him through the media.
Colorado Rockies: It actually is worse than you think
Record: 36-90
The Rockies have dramatically improved their win pace lately, and they are no longer on track for a record 121 losses. But this is still a miserable season, and it feels even worse when you stop to ponder where they're supposed to go.
There isn't much for them to mine from their farm system, and it's been a rough year for their two most promising talents. Right-hander Chase Dollander has gotten crushed in the majors, while outfielder Charlie Condon hasn't been the power threat (7 HR in 77 G) he was meant to be in the minors.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Healthy arms won't help the offense
Record: 72-54
Given the Dodgers entered 2025 with the most hyped pitching staff of the 21st century, it's remarkable to see them in the bottom 10 of the league for rWAR. But on this front, at least, reinforcements are coming for the stretch run.
The offense will prove harder to fix. It's on an upswing in August after an ice-cold July, but Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernández haven't been an effective tandem since May, and now even Will Smith is cold with a .132 average for the month.
San Diego Padres: What good are they if they can't beat the Dodgers?
Record: 70-56
The Padres could not have picked a better time to face the Dodgers than last Friday for the start of a three-game set in Los Angeles. The Dodgers had already hit a wall, and San Diego had already taken advantage by moving into first place.
Well, the Padres then got swept to run their record against the Dodgers to 2-8 for the year. They have already missed out on a tiebreaker, and otherwise just haven't convinced anyone they can avenge last October's embarrassing defeat in the NLDS.
San Francisco Giants: Their top prospect has hit a wall
Record: 61-65
Though Rafael Devers has come around, the trade for him still marks the beginning of the end for the Giants' 2025 season. They're just 20-34 for the 54 games he's played in, and their playoff odds are just about down to zero.
All this has fans looking to 2026, when the club conceivably stands to get a boost from top prospect Bryce Eldridge. But he must first conquer Triple-A, which is instead mostly conquering him. He has a 33.3 K% overall in 43 games there, and he is also 6-for-40 since August 6.
Stats courtesy of Baseball Reference, FanGraphs and Baseball Savant.
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