The story below is a collaboration between writers from MLB.com and Yahoo Sports, who are joining forces this season to cover topics from around baseball.
Fortunes can change quickly in Major League Baseball.
Look no further than the Royals. They lost 106 games in 2023, but between an aggressive hot stove season, steps forward from young players, such as superstar shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., and some good breaks, they look like a near-lock for the postseason in 2024.
Not every example is so dramatic, of course. But in 2023, half of the 12 playoff teams (including both World Series participants) had not made the postseason in 2022. And it’s nearly certain that at least four playoff spots will turn over from ‘23 to ‘24.
Given that dynamic, we tasked six writers from MLB.com and Yahoo Sports with drafting teams that are out of the race this year but have the best chances of leaping into October in 2025. Available for consideration were the 13 teams with postseason odds below 1% as of Wednesday: the Rays, Rangers, Cardinals, Giants, Reds, Pirates, Blue Jays, Nationals, A’s, Angels, Rockies, Marlins and White Sox.
Here is a look at who we selected and why.
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This prediction puts a lot of faith in the Pirates’ starting rotation — but what’s not to like about that group? You know about possible National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes. He and fellow rookie Jared Jones are a pair of legitimate aces. 2024 Opening Day starter Mitch Keller, the savvy veteran of the bunch at age 28, has turned in another solid season. And perhaps you haven’t noticed that right-hander Luis L. Ortiz ranks among the top 20 starters by pitcher run value since he moved into the Bucs’ rotation on July 7. Bailey Falter might not stick in the rotation next year, but he has been exactly league-average this season (100 ERA+), and you could do a lot worse with your No. 5 spot.
With that staff serving as the franchise’s foundation, the Pirates can succeed without a top-flight offense. Pittsburgh has scuffled all year at the plate, but Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds remain as quality building blocks. Andrew McCutchen knows he can still get it done and wants to return in 2025. The team should expect to get more from Ke’Bryan Hayes and Bryan De La Cruz, both of whom will be 28 next season. And catcher Joey Bart, the No. 2 pick in the 2018 draft by the Giants, seems to have finally unlocked his power potential with Pittsburgh,…