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For all the wild storylines, bloopers and spectacles that took place during the 2024 MLB season, half of the fun likely has not started. As any hardcore baseball fan will know, the offseason is where the real drama often begins.
From award winners to contract blockbusters, fans better fasten their seatbelts for what the next month may hold. Today, we will be putting forth four wild and wacky predictions for what could happen around MLB over the next month.
#1 Aaron Judge feels the heat
Aaron Judge's fateful error for the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series is something he will never forget. The error, coupled with a very lackluster postseason, has fans putting the captain in the crosshairs.
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"This was Aaron Judge’s first and only error all year (regular and postseason)." - Danny Vietti
After dinging 62 homers in 2022, Judge was named captain and signed to a deal that made him the highest-paid non-pitcher in MLB history. However, if the calls against Judge get loud enough, the former MVP could resign his captaincy as a way to repent for what many in the fanbase see as self-sabotage.
#2 Juan Soto crosses the border
As Juan Soto's one-year, $30 million deal with the Yankees expires this season, the 25-year-old has claimed that he is open to "listening to all thirty teams." Expected to sign a deal worth several hundred million, some pundits are overlooking a contending MLB club.
The Toronto Blue Jays' front office angered their fanbase after failing to nab Shohei Ohtani during last year's sweepstakes, despite appearing to be close to doing so. After a horrendous 2024 season, GM Ross Atkins knows he needs to do something big. Adding Juan Soto to a roster that was bruised and battered in 2024 will drive ticket sales, and give fans of MLB's only Canadian club something to cheer about again.
#3 Francisco Lindor competes for MVP
To predict that Francisco Lindor will beat out Shohei Ohtani for NL MVP borders on the delusional. After shattering history with his 50/50 season and subsequently winning the World Series, it is difficult to imagine a scenario in which Ohtani is snubbed.
However, Francisco Lindor put up an incredible season. In addition to boasting his most home runs and highest OPS since 2018, the New York Mets shortstop hit .273/.344/.500 with 33 dingers, 29 steals, and 91 RBIs. When the BBWAA announces their NL MVP choice on Nov. 21, do not be surprised to see Lindor garner more votes than expected.
#4 Paul Skenes is snubbed for Rookie of the Year
The season posted by Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Paul Skenes was one for the ages. Making his debut at just 21 years old, the 6-foot-6 right-hander dazzled from the get-go. In 23 starts, Skenes went 11-3, pitching to a 1.91 ERA and striking 170 in 133 innings.
However, the fact that Paul Skenes did not make his MLB debut until May could come back to hurt him. As opposed to other freshmen - such as Jackson Merrill of the San Diego Padres - Skenes simply does not have enough innings logged. However, if he keeps pitching the way he has been, then fans can certainly expect the LSU grad to bring home some hardware after the 2025 MLB season.
