Predicting Every MLB Team's 2025 Opening Day Lineup, Version 2.0

A lot has happened across Major League Baseball since we rolled out Version 1.0 of our Opening Day lineup predictions back on Nov. 21.

Juan Soto signed a record-setting deal with the New York Mets, Willy Adames became the latest shortstop to sign a nine-figure contract when he joined the San Francisco Giants, and other top bats like Teoscar Hernández, Christian Walker, Tyler O'Neill, Joc Pederson, Gleyber Torres and Paul Goldschmidt have also made their free agency decisions. On the trade market, Kyle Tucker joined the Chicago Cubs, Cody Bellinger went to the New York Yankees, and both Josh Naylor, Nathaniel Lowe and Jake Burger all found new homes as part of a leaguewide carousel at first base. That said, there is still a lot of talent available in free agency, and we've assigned all of the top remaining position players to logical landing spots on the way to predicting each MLB team's Opening Day lineup for the 2025 season.



Lineup data from Baseball Reference, roster data from FanGraphs and a healthy amount of speculation on where free agents will sign went into compiling each team's batting order. This will be updated again at the start of spring training, and once more just before Opening Day, so stay tuned! Note: Names in bold indicate a projected signing or trade pickup. Projected Starting Lineup RF Corbin Carroll LF Jake McCarthy 2B Ketel Marte 3B Eugenio Suárez 1B Josh Naylor DH Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

C Gabriel Moreno SS Geraldo Perdomo CF Alek Thomas SP Corbin Burnes Notes -The D-backs could also use Jake McCarthy in center field and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in left field to get Pavin Smith's bat into the starting lineup at designated hitter. The 28-year-old former first-round pick posted a 145 OPS+ with 20 extra-base hits in 158 plate appearances last season.

-It's unlikely any other outside additions of significance are coming following the Corbin Burnes signing, though they could now look to trade from their surplus of starting pitching if they can find a taker for Jordan Montgomery or Eduardo Rodríguez. Projected Starting Lineup RF Lawrence Butler DH Brent Rooker CF JJ Bleday C Shea Langeliers LF Mark Canha 1B Tyler Soderstrom 2B Zack Gelof 3B Gio Urshela SS Jacob Wilson SP Luis Severino Notes -A reunion with Mark Canha would give the Athletics a respected veteran voice in the clubhouse and another option at first base and in left field, pushing Miguel Andújar and Seth Brown for playing time. -Lawrence Butler, Brent Rooker, JJ Bleday and Shea Langeliers launched a combined 110 home runs last season, and give the Athletics the makings of a strong offensive core.

Another step forward from Tyler Soderstrom, Zack Gelof and Jacob Wilson could make the offense a legitimate strength. Projected Starting Lineup CF Michael Harris III 2B Ozzie Albies 3B Austin Riley 1B Matt Olson DH Marcell Ozuna LF Jarred Kelenic C Sean Murphy RF Bryan De La Cruz SS Orlando Arcia SP Chris Sale Notes -The Braves found their short-term replacement for Ronald Acuña Jr. in right field when they signed Bryan De La Cruz to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract.

The 28-year-old slugged 21 home runs last season with the Marlins and Pirates before he was non-tendered at the start of the offseason. -Top prospect Drake Baldwin should get a long look this spring following a breakout 2024 season and the club's decision to cut ties with veteran catcher Travis d'Aranud when his club option was declined at the start of the offseason. Projected Starting Lineup CF Cedric Mullins C Adley Rutschman SS Gunnar Henderson LF Tyler O'Neill DH Ryan O'Hearn 1B Ryan Mountcastle RF Colton Cowser 3B Jordan Westburg 2B Jackson Holliday SP Zach Eflin Notes -Assuming he stays on the field, Tyler O'Neill is a more well-rounded player than Anthony Santander, providing superior defense and better on-base ability to go along with his 30-homer power.

-It will be interesting to see how infielder Ramón Urias, outfielder Heston Kjerstad and prospect Coby Mayo fit into the team's 2025 plans. Colton Cowser pushed his way into an everyday role with a strong start last year, and any of those guys could do the same. Projected Starting Lineup LF Jarren Duran 3B Rafael Devers 1B Triston Casas 2B Alex Bregman RF Wilyer Abreu SS Trevor Story DH Masataka Yoshida C Connor Wong CF Ceddanne Rafaela SP Tanner Houck Notes -The longer Alex Bregman's free agency drags out, the more likely it seems that he will end up being the Red Sox big addition to the offense.

If they can find a taker for Masataka Yoshida, they could shift Rafael Devers to DH and use Bregman at the hot corner, but for now he is reportedly open to a move to second base. -Top prospects Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer, along with 2024 rookie David Hamilton, represent the team's best in-house options to fill the void at second base if no outside move is made. Projected Starting Lineup LF Ian Happ RF Kyle Tucker DH Seiya Suzuki 1B Michael Busch SS Dansby Swanson 2B Nico Hoerner CF Pete Crow-Armstrong 3B Matt Shaw C Miguel Amaya SP Shōta Imanaga Notes -Matt Shaw hit .

284/.379/.488 with 19 doubles, 21 home runs, 71 RBI and 31 steals in 121 games between Double-A and Triple-A in his first full professional season after going No.

13 overall in the 2023 draft. The 23-year-old has a clear path to the starting third base job if no outside additions are made. -Miguel Amaya and free-agent signing Carson Kelly should see an even split for playing time behind the plate, though big picture both guys are keeping the position warm for top prospect Moises Ballesteros who could debut in 2025.

Projected Starting Lineup RF Mike Tauchman LF Andrew Benintendi CF Luis Robert Jr. 1B Andrew Vaughn 3B Josh Rojas SS Amed Rosario DH Miguel Vargas C Korey Lee 2B Lenyn Sosa SP Jonathan Cannon Notes -The White Sox have already added Mike Tauchman, Josh Rojas and Austin Slater on bargain deals, and Amed Rosario is a logical target to fill the void at shortstop on a similar deal as he looks to rebuild some value. Otherwise, Brooks Baldwin is the leading in-house candidate at shortstop.

-Will any more outside additions be made to a projected starting rotation of Jonathan Cannon, Davis Martin, Sean Burke, Bryse Wilson and Drew Thorpe? Surely there will be a fringe veteran or two willing to jump at the chance to compete for a rotation spot. Projected Starting Lineup CF TJ Friedl SS Elly De La Cruz 2B Matt McLain 1B Spencer Steer C Tyler Stephenson RF Jake Fraley 3B Jeimer Candelario DH Christian Encarnacion-Strand LF Will Benson SP Hunter Greene Notes -The Reds sent Matt McLain (59 PA, .876 OPS, 6 XBH, 12 RBI) and Christian Encarnacion-Strand (32 PA, .

930 OPS, 2 XBH, 7 RBI) to the Arizona Fall League to help make up for injury-plagued regular seasons. The former top prospects could provide a huge in-house boost with a healthy 2025. -A starting rotation of Hunter Greene, Brady Singer, Andrew Abbott, Nick Martinez and Nick Lodolo with Rhett Lowder, Connor Phillips, Graham Ashcraft and Chase Petty waiting in the wings should make the rotation a bona fide strength for the Reds.

Projected Starting Lineup LF Steven Kwan DH Kyle Manzardo 3B José Ramírez 1B Carlos Santana RF Jhonkensy Noel CF Lane Thomas C Bo Naylor 2B Gabriel Arias SS Brayan Rocchio SP Tanner Bibee Notes -Gabriel Arias batted .317/.354/.

544 over 192 plate appearances following a midseason demotion to Triple-A, and he could compete with top prospect Juan Brito for the vacant second base job this spring. Brito, 23, hit .256/.

364/.443 with 40 doubles, 21 home runs and 84 RBI in 144 games at Triple-A in 2024. -After struggling to find his footing in the big leagues during the first half last season, Kyle Manzardo hit .

270/.333/.540 with five home runs in 69 plate appearances as a September call-up.

The 24-year-old looks like a potential breakout candidate heading into the 2025 season. Projected Starting Lineup CF Brenton Doyle SS Ezequiel Tovar 3B Ryan McMahon DH Kris Bryant 1B Michael Toglia LF Nolan Jones 2B Thairo Estrada RF Sam Hilliard C Jacob Stallings SP Germán Márquez Notes -The Rockies non-tendered Brendan Rodgers at the start of the offseason, then brought in Thairo Estrada and Kyle Farmer on one-year deals to compete for the starting second base job, though both will be part of the Opening Day roster. -Will serving as the primary designated hitter help keep Kris Bryant on the field? He has played in just 159 total games over the first three seasons of his seven-year, $182 million deal.

Projected Starting Lineup CF Parker Meadows 2B Gleyber Torres LF Riley Greene RF Kerry Carpenter 3B Matt Vierling 1B Colt Keith DH Jace Jung SS Trey Sweeney C Jake Rogers SP Tarik Skubal Notes -The Tigers have been linked to Alex Bregman all offseason, and if he is unable to secure the long-term deal he has been seeking, he could still land in Detroit on a short-term contract similar to the one Carlos Correa signed when he first joined the Minnesota Twins. For now, he is projected to sign elsewhere. -With the announcement that Colt Keith is shifting to first base following the addition of second baseman Gleyber Torres, former No.

1 overall pick Spencer Torkelson will need to earn his playing time out of a reduced role. Projected Starting Lineup 2B Jose Altuve DH Yordan Alvarez 1B Christian Walker C Yainer Diaz 3B Isaac Paredes SS Jeremy Peña RF Chas McCormick LF Alex Verdugo CF Jake Meyers SP Framber Valdez Notes -The Astros are still searching for a left-handed hitting outfielder to join Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers in the starting lineup, and buying low on Alex Verdugo with a one-year contract could be the answer. A reunion with Jason Heyward to serve as the fourth outfielder also makes sense.

-It's still not out of the question that Framber Valdez could be traded this offseason ahead of his final year of arbitration control. To that point, Dylan Cease was not traded to the Padres until March 13 last year, so late-spring blockbuster deals do happen. Projected Starting Lineup DH Jonathan India SS Bobby Witt Jr.

1B Vinnie Pasquantino C Salvador Pérez 2B Michael Massey RF Hunter Renfroe LF MJ Melendez 3B Maikel García CF Kyle Isbel SP Seth Lugo Notes -The Royals bolstered the offense by swapping Brady Singer for Jonathan India in a one-for-one trade with the Reds, and while he is capable of playing second base and third base, India could see the bulk of his playing time at designated hitter. -Hunter Renfroe and MJ Melendez both have 20-homer power, but both are coming off disappointing seasons, and adding a fourth outfielder capable of stepping into a large role should be a priority. Projected Starting Lineup 1B Nolan Schanuel SS Zach Neto CF Mike Trout DH Jorge Soler C Logan O'Hoppe LF Taylor Ward 3B Anthony Rendon 2B Luis Rengifo RF Jo Adell SP Yusei Kikuchi Notes -The continued development of Zach Neto, Logan O'Hoppe and Nolan Schanuel will be a major X-factor for the Angels, as all three up-and-comers have impact potential at the plate and could transform the offense.

-Versatile infielder Kevin Newman was signed to a one-year, $2.5 million deal, and he will serve as the primary backup to both Luis Rengifo and Anthony Rendon who played a combined 135 games in 2024. Projected Starting Lineup DH Shohei Ohtani SS Mookie Betts 1B Freddie Freeman RF Teoscar Hernández C Will Smith 3B Max Muncy LF Michael Conforto CF Tommy Edman 2B Gavin Lux SP Blake Snell Notes -Recently signed KBO star Hyeseong Kim will fill a super-utility role off the bench to start the year, but he could push Gavin Lux for playing time at second base.

The 25-year-old hit .326/.383/.

458 with 26 doubles, 11 home runs, 75 RBI and 30 steals in 127 games for the Kiwoom Heroes in 2024. -With Austin Barnes, Miguel Rojas, Chris Taylor and Kim seemingly locked into four spots on the Dodgers bench, it will be interesting to see if Andy Pages, James Outman or top prospect Dalton Rushing can force their way onto the roster this spring. Projected Starting Lineup SS Xavier Edwards 3B Connor Norby LF Jesús Sánchez 1B Jonah Bride RF Ramón Laureano DH Deyvison De Los Santos 2B Otto Lopez CF Kyle Stowers C Nick Fortes SP Sandy Alcántara Notes -Rule 5 selection Liam Hicks is currently the only offseason addition projected for a spot on Miami's Opening Day roster, though they could go bargain hunting in the days leading up to the start of spring training in hopes of finding some value.

-Connor Norby, Kyle Stowers and Deyvison De Los Santos were all acquired at the 2024 trade deadline, and that trio breaking camp with a spot on the roster could be the start of a large-scale youth movement for the Marlins. Projected Starting Lineup RF Jackson Chourio DH Christian Yelich C William Contreras CF Garrett Mitchell 1B Rhys Hoskins LF Sal Frelick 3B Paul DeJong SS Joey Ortiz 2B Brice Turang SP Freddy Peralta Notes -The Brewers still have a glaring hole at third base, with Oliver Dunn as the leading in-house candidate after he hit .221/.

282/.316 in 104 plate appearances last season. They could experiment with Sal Frelick at the hot corner again this spring, but veteran Paul DeJong represents a low-cost upgrade who can provide some pop and steady defense.

-Caleb Durbin was named Breakout Player of the Year in the Arizona Fall League before he was traded from the Yankees to the Brewers in the Devin Williams deal. He has split his time between second base and third base, and could be a dark horse option to man the hot corner. Projected Starting Lineup LF Willi Castro SS Carlos Correa 3B Royce Lewis CF Byron Buxton DH Trevor Larnach RF Matt Wallner 1B José Miranda C Ryan Jeffers 2B Brooks Lee SP Pablo López Notes -The Twins could still look to add a bat at first base to replace Carlos Santana, but the current roster construction leaves a clear path for José Miranda and Brooks Lee to break camp in starting roles.

-The versatility that 2024 All-Star Willi Castro provides will allow manager Rocco Baldelli to shuffle the lineup on a daily basis, and 2023 standout Edouard Julien offers a similar profile if he can rebound from a disappointing campaign. Projected Starting Lineup SS Francisco Lindor RF Juan Soto 3B Mark Vientos 1B Pete Alonso LF Brandon Nimmo DH Starling Marte 2B Jeff McNeil C Francisco Alvarez CF Tyrone Taylor SP Sean Manaea Notes -A reunion with the Mets still looks like the most likely outcome for slugger Pete Alonso, though the club could also consider making a run at Alex Bregman to fill that run production spot in the middle of the lineup. Rising star Mark Vientos is a better fit defensively at first base anyway.

-Tyrone Taylor and Jose Siri will likely split time in center field to start the year, but the hot hand will have an opportunity to seize a bigger piece of the pie. Meanwhile, if Luisangel Acuña picks up where he left off in his MLB debut, they could opt to use him at second base, Jeff McNeil in left field and Brandon Nimmo in center field. Projected Starting Lineup 3B Jazz Chisholm Jr.

RF Aaron Judge CF Cody Bellinger 1B Paul Goldschmidt DH Giancarlo Stanton C Austin Wells LF Jasson Dominguez SS Anthony Volpe 2B Donovan Solano SP Gerrit Cole Notes -The Yankees pivoted to signing Paul Goldschmidt and trading for Cody Bellinger after losing Juan Soto in free agency, and they will count on a full season of Jazz Chisholm Jr. and a potential breakthrough from Jasson Dominguez to further bridge the gap. -Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswald Peraza and DJ LeMahieu are all options to step into the starting lineup following the departure of Gleyber Torres in free agency, but signing someone like Donovan Solano or Jose Iglesias to man second base would be a relatively inexpensive way to put the finishing touches on the starting lineup.

Projected Starting Lineup DH Kyle Schwarber SS Trea Turner 1B Bryce Harper 3B Alec Bohm RF Nick Castellanos CF Brandon Marsh C J.T. Realmuto LF Max Kepler 2B Bryson Stott SP Zack Wheeler Notes -There were rumblings of a potential roster shakeup for the Phillies when the offseason began, but now it looks like non-tendering Austin Hays and replacing him with Max Kepler on a one-year, $10 million deal might be the extent of their maneuvering.

-With Jesús Luzardo acquired to serve as the No. 5 starter and Taijuan Walker now relegated to the bullpen, the Phillies have a strong case for the best starting rotation in the National League, with the potential to give the Mariners a run for their money leaguewide. Projected Starting Lineup SS Isiah Kiner-Falefa LF Bryan Reynolds CF Oneil Cruz DH Andrew McCutchen C Joey Bart RF Austin Hays 1B Spencer Horwitz 2B Nick Gonzales 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes SP Paul Skenes Notes -The Pirates have balked at making any major additions to the lineup, despite a starting rotation on the rise, but they did add Spencer Horwitz in a three-team swap with the Blue Jays and Guardians.

The 27-year-old posted a 125 OPS+ with 19 doubles, 12 home runs and 40 RBI in 381 plate appearances last season in his first extended MLB action. -Jack Suwinski and Joshua Palacios are the leading in-house options to start in right field, so adding a corner outfielder should still be on the to-do list. Austin Hays was an All-Star in 2023 and looks like a great buy-low target who could be available for less than the one-year, $10 million deal that Max Kepler signed with the Phillies.

Projected Starting Lineup DH Luis Arraez LF Jurickson Profar RF Fernando Tatis Jr. 3B Manny Machado CF Jackson Merrill SS Xander Bogaerts 1B Anthony Rizzo 2B Jake Cronenworth C Luis Campusano SP Dylan Cease Notes -It feels like only a matter of time before Jurickson Profar and the Padres come to terms on a new deal, as the former top prospect put together a career year in 2024 while playing on a one-year, $1 million deal. Something in the neighborhood of a three-year, $45 million contract might get things done.

-A reunion with Anthony Rizzo makes sense for both sides as the Padres look to add another bat on the left side of the infield and the 35-year-old tries to catch on with a contender. The Padres acquired Rizzo from the Red Sox prior to the 2011 season in the Adrian Gonzalez blockbuster, and he spent a year with the club before he was traded again to the Cubs. Projected Starting Lineup CF Jung Hoo Lee SS Willy Adames 3B Matt Chapman LF Heliot Ramos DH Justin Turner RF Mike Yastrzemski 1B LaMonte Wade Jr.

2B Tyler Fitzgerald C Patrick Bailey SP Logan Webb Notes -The Giants could use at least one more bat, unless they feel comfortable with Wilmer Flores as the primary designated hitter. Veteran Justin Turner had a 114 OPS+ with 24 doubles, 11 home runs and 55 RBI in 139 games last season, and signing him would have the added value of making Dodgers fans everywhere cringe when they see him in a Giants uniform. -Will Jung Hoo Lee deliver on his nine-figure contract after an injury-shortened debut? How far will Tyler Fitzgerald regress? Can Willy Adames still provide top-tier value while playing in a pitcher's park? There are a lot of questions surrounding the Giants lineup and a wide range of possible outcomes.

Projected Starting Lineup 3B Ha-Seong Kim CF Julio Rodríguez C Cal Raleigh DH J.D. Martinez LF Randy Arozarena 1B Luke Raley 2B Jose Iglesias SS J.

P. Crawford RF Victor Robles SP Logan Gilbert Notes -The Mariners have yet to make a major addition to their lackluster offensive attack, and while a full season of Randy Arozarena will help, they are still multiple bats away from being a serious contender. -Versatile veterans Ha-Seong Kim and Jose Iglesias are both contact-oriented hitters who would bring some welcome balance to a team that led the majors with 1,625 strikeouts in 2024.

J.D. Martinez would also bring a nice mix of power, run production and contact skills to the middle of the order.

Projected Starting Lineup SS Masyn Winn 2B Brendan Donovan 1B Willson Contreras 3B Nolan Arenado DH Alec Burleson LF Lars Nootbaar RF Jordan Walker C Iván Herrera CF Victor Scott II SP Sonny Gray Notes -The Cardinals have had a difficult time finding a taker for Nolan Arenado on the trade market, and even with the Rockies chipping in $10 million he is still owed another $64 million over the next three years, including $27 million in 2025. -Slugger Nolan Gorman will need to earn his spot in the starting lineup after hitting .203 with an 85 OPS+ and 37.

6 percent strikeout rate over 402 plate appearances last season. The 24-year-old still has 30-homer upside, and if they do find a way to unload Arenado, he would likely be the starting third baseman on Opening Day. Projected Starting Lineup 1B Yandy Díaz RF Josh Lowe 3B Junior Caminero 2B Brandon Lowe LF Christopher Morel C Danny Jansen DH Eloy Jiménez CF Jonny DeLuca SS José Caballero SP Shane McClanahan Notes -A one-year, $8.

5 million contract for catcher Danny Jansen and a buy-low flier on Eloy Jiménez on a minor league contract has been the extent of the Rays additions on offense this winter, though both players offer upside relative to their cost. -Veterans Yandy Díaz and Brandon Lowe both looked like trade candidates when the offseason started, and there is still a chance they could be dealt as the small market club continues its annual salary shedding. That would open up playing time for former top prospects Curtis Mead and Jonathan Aranda.

Projected Starting Lineup 2B Marcus Semien SS Corey Seager LF Wyatt Langford DH Joc Pederson RF Adolis Garcia 3B Josh Jung 1B Jake Burger C Jonah Heim CF Evan Carter SP Jacob deGrom Notes -The Rangers replaced Nathaniel Lowe and his $10.7 million projected salary with Jake Burger, who is still a year away from reaching arbitration and set to earn something close to the league minimum. It will be interesting to see who ends up having the better 2025 season.

-While he is not penciled into the Opening Day lineup, expect Josh Smith to see something close to everyday playing time between serving as the right-handed hitting side of a DH platoon with Joc Pederson and lining up all over the field in a super-utility role against right-handed pitching. Projected Starting Lineup RF George Springer DH Jesse Winker 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. LF Anthony Santander SS Bo Bichette C Alejandro Kirk 3B Ernie Clement 2B Andrés Giménez CF Harrison Bader SP Kevin Gausman Notes -Daulton Varsho is expected to start the season on the injured list as he continues to recover from rotator cuff surgery in September.

That creates a void in center field, and signing Harrison Bader to hold down the fort and then serve as the fourth outfielder makes sense. Defensive-minded Michael A. Taylor could also be a fit.

-The Blue Jays have long been in search of some left-handed pop to add balance to their lineup, and both Anthony Santander and Jesse Winker fit the mold, though they also represent bat-first options and one of them would have to man left field. Projected Starting Lineup SS CJ Abrams 2B Luis García Jr. LF James Wood 1B Nathaniel Lowe DH Josh Bell RF Dylan Crews C Keibert Ruiz 3B Jorge Polanco CF Jacob Young SP MacKenzie Gore Notes -The Nationals added some proven run production in Nathaniel Lowe and Josh Bell, which should help take some pressure off up-and-comers James Wood and Dylan Crews as they continue to settle in as big leaguers.

-There was a report back in early December that the Astros were kicking the tires on Jorge Polanco as a potential option at third base, and he has experience playing there as recently as 2023. He fits the type of previously productive, buy-low bat the Nationals have targeted in recent years while finding good value in Jeimer Candelario and Jesse Winker..