Predicting Every MLB Team's 2025 Opening Day Lineup, Version 3.0

It's been almost a month since we published Version 2.0 of our Opening Day lineup predictions on Jan. 6, and things have become much clearer as the free-agent market has been whittled down to just a few notable names.

Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso are both still searching for a new team, and where they sign will have a ripple effect on the rest of the remaining market as the teams that miss out on their services or teams with other holes to fill will go bargain hunting in what's left of free agency.

Jose Iglesias, Randal Grichuk, Anthony Rizzo, Paul DeJong, Alex Verdugo, Harrison Bader, Justin Turner, J.D. Martinez, Ramón Laureano, Brendan Rodgers and Mark Canha are among the other notable hitters who have yet to sign on the dotted line this offseason.

Each of those players were assigned to logical landing spots in this version of Opening Day lineup predictions.

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 once more just before Opening Day, so stay tuned!

Note: Names in bold indicate a projected signing.

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

Notes

-The D-backs plugged the biggest hole on their roster when they acquired Josh Naylor from Cleveland to replace Christian Walker. They led the majors with 886 runs scored in 2024, and return essentially the same lineup outside of what should be more or less a lateral swap at first base in terms of offensive production.

-Alek Thomas and Pavin Smith could battle for playing time during spring training. If Smith hits well enough to warrant regular at-bats, he can slot in as the primary designated hitter with Lourdes Gurriel manning left field and Jake McCarthy shifting over to center field.

Projected Starting Lineup

RF Lawrence Butler
DH Brent Rooker
CF JJ Bleday
C Shea Langeliers
1B Tyler Soderstrom
2B Zack Gelof
LF Colby Thomas
3B Gio Urshela
SS Jacob Wilson

Notes

-The Athletics already have a sneaky good offensive core in place, and if former top prospects Jacob Wilson and Tyler Soderstrom take another step forward in their development it could be a legitimate strength.

-Colby Thomas hit .277/.342/.563 with 44 doubles, 31 home runs and 92 RBI in 132 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season. The 24-year-old currently ranks No. 84 on the B/R Top 100 prospect list, and guys like Seth Brown and Miguel Andújar won't stand in his way if he looks ready this spring.

Projected Starting Lineup

CF Michael Harris III
LF Jurickson Profar
3B Austin Riley
1B Matt Olson
DH Marcell Ozuna
2B Ozzie Albies
C Sean Murphy
RF Jarred Kelenic
SS Orlando Arcia

Notes

-The addition of Jurickson Profar on a three-year, $42 million deal should put the finishing touches on Atlanta's offseason, at least on the position player side of things. They can now use some combination of Profar, Jarred Kelenic and Bryan De La Cruz to handle the corner outfield spots until Ronald Acuña Jr. returns to the lineup.

-It will be interesting to see where they slot Profar into the batting order. He hit mostly second (51 games) and third (51 games) for the Padres last season, and his .380 on-base percentage makes him a logical table-setter ahead of the team's top run producers.

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

Notes

-Replacing Anthony Santander (5/$92.5 million) with Tyler O'Neill (3/$49.5 million) ultimately saved the Orioles a nice chunk of change, and it should give them a vastly improved outfield defense. The question is whether O'Neill can stay healthy, as he has reached 100 games played just twice in his career.

-Young sluggers Heston Kjerstad and Coby Mayo could easily play their way into a regular role if they are swinging a hot bat or if someone goes down with an injury. Both players have little left to prove in the upper levels of the minors, but have yet to carve out a spot in the big leagues.

Projected Starting Lineup

LF Jarren Duran
3B Rafael Devers
1B Triston Casas
SS Trevor Story
RF Wilyer Abreu
DH Masataka Yoshida
2B Jose Iglesias
C Connor Wong
CF Ceddanne Rafaela

Notes

-Veteran Jose Iglesias could be the perfect stopgap to give Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer a bit more time in the minors to begin the 2025 season. The 35-year-old can easily shift into a utility role once one of those top prospects is ready to take over at second base, and he brings a positive clubhouse presence to a team looking to rebound from a disappointing year.

-The Red Sox are extremely left-handed, with only Trevor Story, Connor Wong and Ceddanne Rafaela swinging it from the right side among their projected starting lineup. He is projected to sign elsewhere in this article, but keep an eye on Randal Grichuk as a potential target as he has thrived in a platoon role against lefty pitching.

Projected Starting Lineup

LF Ian Happ
3B Alex Bregman
RF Kyle Tucker
DH Seiya Suzuki
1B Michael Busch
SS Dansby Swanson
2B Nico Hoerner
CF Pete Crow-Armstrong
C Miguel Amaya

Notes

-The Cubs are one of the teams that remain linked to Alex Bregman as his free agency stretches into February. Signing him would block top prospect Matt Shaw, but would also prevent the Cubs from relying on an unproven option in the everyday lineup to begin the year.

-If the Cubs don't sign Bregman and Shaw does not look ready during spring training, they would be left with utility man Jon Berti and Rule 5 pick Gage Workman as the top options to start at third base.

Projected Starting Lineup

RF Mike Tauchman
LF Andrew Benintendi
CF Luis Robert Jr.
1B Andrew Vaughn
3B Josh Rojas
DH Miguel Vargas
2B Lenyn Sosa
C Korey Lee
SS Nick Ahmed

Notes

-The White Sox are a logical landing spot for a long list of veterans who might not have an opportunity to start on a contending team. Guys like Paul DeJong, Tommy Pham and Kevin Pillar ended up on the South Side for that very reason a year ago, and Nick Ahmed makes sense as an upgrade over Brooks Baldwin and other largely unproven options at shortstop.

-Could we still see a Luis Robert Jr. trade before Opening Day? Keep in mind the team did not trade Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres until mid-March a year ago, so it's not out of the question to think they could get a deal in even after spring training is underway.

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 Gavin Lux
LF Austin Hays

Notes

-The additions of Gavin Lux and Austin Hays should put the finishing touches on the Reds lineup, for better or worse. Lux gives the team versatility around the infield, while Hays has worn out left-handed pitching throughout his career, though they will still be relying heavily on their incumbent talent to shoulder the offensive load.

-How does former top prospect Noelvi Marte fit into the 2025 plans? The 23-year-old hit just .210/.248/.301 with 75 strikeouts over 242 plate appearances in the majors last season, and there is no clear path to playing time on the infield with Lux added to the mix and Matt McLain back healthy.

Projected Starting Lineup

LF Steven Kwan
DH Kyle Manzardo
3B José Ramírez
1B Carlos Santana
RF Randal Grichuk
CF Lane Thomas
C Bo Naylor
2B Juan Brito
SS Brayan Rocchio

Notes

-The Guardians are not going to break the bank on any outside additions, but they could bolster their outfield contingent by adding Randal Grichuk on a one-year deal. The 33-year-old posted a 140 OPS+ with 20 doubles, 12 home runs and 46 RBI in 279 plate appearances last season serving mostly as a platoon option against left-handed pitching while playing on a one-year, $2 million deal.

-Unless an outside addition is made, it looks like it will be Gabriel Arias vs. Juan Brito for the starting second base job after Andrés Giménez was traded to the Blue Jays. They had a similar open competition for the shortstop job last spring and Bryan Rocchio ended up being an AL Gold Glove finalist in a 1.9-WAR rookie 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

Notes

-The Rockies only moves so far have been signing Thairo Estrada and Kyle Farmer to handle second base after Brendan Rodgers was non-tendered at the start of the offseason. They could go bargain hunting before the starting of spring training, but don't be surprised if that's the extent of their offseason.

-The Rockies are one of the few teams where a non-roster invitee could legitimately play his way into a regular role with a strong spring. Some names to watch who will be in big league camp include Keston Hiura, Austin Nola, Owen Miller and Nick Martini.

Projected Starting Lineup

CF Parker Meadows
2B Gleyber Torres
LF Riley Greene
DH J.D. Martinez
RF Kerry Carpenter
3B Matt Vierling
1B Colt Keith
SS Trey Sweeney
C Jake Rogers

Notes

-If the Tigers are willing to make Colt Keith, Jace Jung and Spencer Torkelson compete for one spot in the starting lineup, a reunion with J.D. Martinez would give them the proven veteran run producers their lineup is lacking. The versatility of Matt Vierling gives them additional flexibility, as he can play in the outfield when Jung is at third base.

-If Trey Sweeney starts the season strong offensively to go along with his solid glove at shortstop, it might be time for the Tigers to cut their losses with Javier Báez. The 32-year-old is still owed $73 million over the next three seasons, but after logging minus-1.1 WAR in 80 games in 2024 cutting him loose could be a net positive.

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

Notes

-Despite some rumblings that the Astros could shift Isaac Paredes to second base and Jose Altuve to left field to facilitate a reunion with Alex Bregman, it's looking more and more like the door has closed on bringing back the longtime third baseman.

-One to-do list item the team does still need to address is finding a left-handed hitting outfielder who can compete with Taylor Trammell and Mauricio Dubón for the left field job this spring. Alex Verdugo and Jason Heyward are like the most likely fits.

Projected Starting Lineup

DH Jonathan India
SS Bobby Witt Jr.
1B Vinnie Pasquantino
C Salvador Pérez
2B Michael Massey
CF Harrison Bader
RF Hunter Renfroe
LF MJ Melendez
3B Maikel García

Notes

-Kyle Isbel is a terrific defender in center field, logging a combined 18 DRS in 2023 and 2024, but he hit a punchless .234/.285/.373 in 739 plate appearances during that span. Adding Harrison Bader on a one-year deal would allow Isbel to serve as a defensive replacement for MJ Melendez late in games.

-The Royals used Maikel García in the leadoff spot 101 times last year, and he finished the season with a .281 OBP in 626 plate appearances. Swapping Jonathan India and his .357 OBP into that spot in the order ahead of Bobby Witt Jr. should be a major boon to the offense.

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

Notes

-The Angels will once again be largely counting on a healthy season from Mike Trout and a pulse from Anthony Rendon to bolster the offense, though they did add some pop when they acquired Jorge Soler from the Braves at the start of the offseason.

-If Zach Neto, Logan O'Hoppe and Nolan Schanuel can take another step forward in their development and 2024 first-round pick Christian Moore can fly through the minors as expected, there is a promising young core in place behind those overpriced stars.

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 Hyeseong Kim

Notes

-If the Dodgers make any more moves offensively, it will likely be in the form of a reunion with Enrique Hernández to serve in a utility role. They could also explore a right-handed hitting outfielder to serve as a platoon partner for Michael Conforto, though Andy Pages is a solid in-house option for that role.

-Hyeseong Kim hit .326/.383/.458 with 26 doubles, 11 home runs, 75 RBI and 30 steals in the KBO last season. He has racked up 211 steals in the last seven years and could serve as a second leadoff hitter of sorts ahead of Shohei Ohtani when the lineup turns over.

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 James McCann

Notes

-The Marlins are a strong candidate to be the worst offensive team in baseball in 2025, even if they make a few last-minute additions like the ones proposed above. Jesús Sánchez (18 HR) and Jonah Bride (11 HR) are the only returning players who hit more than 10 home runs last season.

-Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers were both acquired in the deal that sent Trevor Rogers to the Orioles last summer, and that has a chance to be a nice win for the rebuilding Marlins if they can stake claim to a starting job in 2025.

Projected Starting Lineup

RF Jackson Chourio
DH Christian Yelich
C William Contreras
CF Garrett Mitchell
1B Rhys Hoskins
LF Sal Frelick
3B Yoán Moncada
SS Joey Ortiz
2B Brice Turang

Notes

-It should not take much more than a one-year, $1 million deal to buy low on Yoán Moncada following an injury-plagued season with the White Sox. Still only 29 years old, the former top prospect could compete with Caleb Durbin, Oliver Dunn and Andruw Monasterio for the third base job during spring training.

-Garrett Mitchell posted an .827 OPS with 11 doubles, seven home runs and 10 steals in 59 games after the All-Star break last season, and he looks like an offensive breakout candidate heading into 2025.

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

Notes

-Unless they find a way to shed salary, it's unlikely the Twins are going to do anything of significance between now and Opening Day, which is a disappointing rebuttal to falling from first to fourth in the AL Central standings.

-There is no shortage of versatility in the projected lineup, which means Edouard Julien and Austin Martin could also see semi-regular action depending on where guys like Willi Castro, Brooks Lee and José Miranda are lined up defensively.

Projected Starting Lineup

SS Francisco Lindor
RF Juan Soto
1B Mark Vientos
LF Brandon Nimmo
2B Jeff McNeil
C Francisco Alvarez
DH Jesse Winker
CF Tyrone Taylor
3B Brett Baty

Notes

-"[Alex] Bregman carries the same aging curve questions as Alonso, without being a popular, homegrown star in New York," wrote Andy Martino of the SNY.tv while throwing water on the idea of a potential pivot to Bregman following reports that a reunion with Pete Alonso were increasingly unlikely.

-If they are in fact out on both star free agents, that means it will be Mark Vientos and Brett Baty at the infield corners, with prospects Ronny Mauricio and Luisangel Acuña also in the mix for infield playing time. In the outfield, Jose Siri will split time with Tyrone Taylor in center field, while Starling Marte looks like a backup corner outfielder and part-time DH.

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 Brendan Rodgers

Notes

-The Yankees have been loosely tied to both Brendan Rodgers and Yoán Moncada this offseason, and both would represent low-cost additions to the uninspiring current group of DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza and Oswaldo Cabrera that is expected to compete for playing time at whichever spot Jazz Chisholm Jr. is not occupying between second base and third base.

-All things considered, pivoting to Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt in the wake of losing Juan Soto, coupled with a full season of Chisholm and another year of development from Austin Wells should still give the Yankees a potent offense.

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

Notes

-The Phillies began the offseason talking about a potential shakeup, with Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos among the names that were floated on the rumor mill, but in the end the only notable change has been signing Max Kepler to man left field after deadline pickup Austin Hays was non-tendered.

-The first three spots in the batting order are likely a lock, but it will be interesting to see how things are lined up behind them. Bohm (102 games), Castellanos (30 games) and J.T. Realmuto (19 games) all saw time in the cleanup spot last year.

Projected Starting Lineup

SS Isiah Kiner-Falefa
LF Bryan Reynolds
CF Oneil Cruz
DH Andrew McCutchen
C Joey Bart
1B Spencer Horwitz
RF David Peralta
2B Nick Gonzales
3B Ke'Bryan Hayes

Notes

-The leading in-house candidates to start alongside Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz in the outfield right now are Joshua Palacios, Jack Suwinski, Ji Hwan Bae and Billy Cook, so expect a veteran signing before Opening Day.

-Veteran David Peralta had a 109 OPS+ with 11 doubles, eight home runs and 28 RBI in 260 plate appearances with the Padres last season, so he is one potential target to bolster the outfield contingent. Jason Heyward, Tommy Pham, Ramón Laureano and Alex Verdugo are also still looking for a new contract.

Projected Starting Lineup

DH Luis Arraez
RF Fernando Tatis Jr.
CF Jackson Merrill
3B Manny Machado
2B Jake Cronenworth
SS Xander Bogaerts
1B Mark Canha
LF Jason Heyward
C Elias Díaz

Notes

-Barring a Dylan Cease trade or some other move to unload salary, the Padres will likely settle for bargain additions to address their needs in left field and at designated hitter/first base. Mark Canha and Jason Heyward might only cost a few million dollars combined, and both are capable of providing a positive veteran presence and roughly league-average production.

-The Padres could also use Jake Cronenworth at first base and target someone like Jose Iglesias to play second base, or they could use Luis Arraez at first base, Cronenworth at second base and go after J.D. Martinez or Justin Turner to be the primary designated hitter.

Projected Starting Lineup

CF Jung Hoo Lee
SS Willy Adames
3B Matt Chapman
LF Heliot Ramos
1B Anthony Rizzo
RF Mike Yastrzemski
DH LaMonte Wade Jr.
2B Tyler Fitzgerald
C Patrick Bailey

Notes

-Injures have limited Anthony Rizzo to 191 games over the past two seasons, and he will almost certainly have to take a significant pay cut from the $17 million he earned a year ago, but he still represents an intriguing buy-low target at the right price. The three-time All-Star is a respected clubhouse voice, standout defender at first base and experienced postseason performer.

-What's next for Marco Luciano? The former top prospect failed to stake his claim to the starting shortstop job last season, and the Giants have now moved on with the addition of Willy Adames. He could be next in line for playing time at second base if Tyler Fitzgerald struggles, or he could be a change of scenery candidate.

Projected Starting Lineup

RF Victor Robles
CF Julio Rodríguez
C Cal Raleigh
DH Justin Turner
LF Randy Arozarena
1B Luke Raley
SS J.P. Crawford
3B Jorge Polanco
2B Donovan Solano

Notes

-The Mariners might need to find a way to dump either Mitch Haniger (423 PA, 84 OPS+, 12 HR, 44 RBI) or Mitch Garver (430 PA, 85 OPS+, 15 HR, 51 RBI) for a Justin Turner reunion to make sense, but after both sluggers underperformed last year, that's something the front office needs to seriously consider.

-Donovan Solano is expected to serve as the right-handed hitting side of a platoon at first base with Luke Raley, but he could also see time at second base where Dylan Moore is the leading candidate to start. Jorge Polanco is expected to play third base after he was re-signed last week.

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

Notes

-It's hard to view the offseason as anything but a failure for the Cardinals, who began the winter intent on getting younger and ended up stuck with essentially the same roster as last year, minus Paul Goldschmidt who departed in free agency.

-Not finding a taker for Nolan Arenado means there is no clear path to playing time for slugger Nolan Gorman, who is entering something of a make-or-break year. The 24-year-old had a 116 OPS+ and 27 home runs in 2023, but he regressed significantly last year and finished with an 85 OPS+ and a staggering 37.6 percent strikeout rate in 107 games.

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 Taylor Walls

Notes

-Ha-Seong Kim will eventually be Tampa Bay's starting shortstop after signing a two-year, $29 million deal in free agency, but he is not expected to be ready for Opening Day as he continues to recover from offseason shoulder surgery.

-The Rays like to mix-and-match lineups as much as any team in baseball, so a few other names worth knowing are Jonathan Aranda, José Caballero, Richie Palacios and Curtis Mead. Any of those guys could end up in an expanded role if they are playing well.

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

Notes

-The addition of Joc Pederson, money-saving move from Nathaniel Lowe to Jake Burger, and healthy seasons from Josh Jung and Evan Carter should give the Rangers an improved offensive attack in 2025.

-Aside from their stocked starting lineup, the Rangers also have one of the better benches in baseball with Kyle Higashioka, Josh Smith, Ezequiel Durán and Leody Taveras all boasting recent starting experience. That should help them smoothly navigate any injury issues that arise.

Projected Starting Lineup

RF George Springer
1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
LF Anthony Santander
DH Pete Alonso
SS Bo Bichette
C Alejandro Kirk
3B Ernie Clement
2B Andrés Giménez
CF Joey Loperfido

Notes

-The Blue Jays have become the most likely landing spot for Pete Alonso, and a middle-of-the-order of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., newly signed Anthony Santander and Alonso might be good for 100-plus home runs. That is also a trio that provides little value outside of what they do in the batter's box.

-Center field will eventually belong to Daulton Varsho once he returns from September shoulder surgery. In the meantime, Joey Loperfido, Myles Straw and Nathan Lukes are the leading candidates to hold down the fort.

Projected Starting Lineup

SS CJ Abrams
2B Luis García Jr.
LF James Wood
1B Nathaniel Lowe
DH Josh Bell
3B Paul DeJong
RF Dylan Crews
C Keibert Ruiz
CF Jacob Young

Notes

-The Nationals won't want to block top prospect Brady House at third base, so if they do pursue an upgrade over current projected starter José Tena, someone like Paul DeJong who can likely be had on a one-year deal makes the most sense.

-If Dylan Crews struggles during spring training, it's not out of the question to think he could start the year back at Triple-A. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 draft hit his way to the majors in his first full professional season, but he looked a bit overmatched once he got there with a .218/.288/.353 line and 82 OPS+ in 132 plate appearances.