Major League Baseball is gearing up for an exciting 2025 season, with Opening Day set for March 27. The Los Angeles Dodgers, fresh off their World Series win, are favored to repeat, with contenders like the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, and San Diego Padres ready to challenge their dominance. The Braves will need to navigate early season without key players like Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr., focusing on depth and strategic roster decisions. Meanwhile, the Miami Marlins are pinning hopes on the return of Sandy Alcantara, while the Mets landed Juan Soto in a blockbuster deal, forming a powerful duo with Francisco Lindor. The Philadelphia Phillies aim to recover from a disappointing end to the last season, with a need for increased production from key hitters. The Nationals are on a rebuilding path, and the Chicago Cubs are looking to capitalize on their acquisition of Kyle Tucker. As teams finalize their lineups and strategies, the upcoming season promises to deliver intense competition and thrilling gameplay.

The Rome Emperors are set to embrace nostalgia with their throwback uniforms for the 2025 season, honoring the 1974 Atlanta Braves. Each Thursday home game will showcase these eye-catching threads, which mirror the vintage designs worn by the Braves today. This season's excitement is heightened by the addition of Horacio Ramirez, a former major league pitcher with experience on multiple teams, who has taken the role of pitching coach. Ramirez holds a career record of 40-35 and a 4.65 ERA, with notable contributions during his time with the Braves in 2003 and 2005. The coaching staff also features manager Angel Flores and hitting coach Connor Justus, as they look to mentor the next generation of players.

Meanwhile, the Braves expect to remain a powerhouse within the MLB, building off their strong performance last season where they finished second in the American League East. The anticipated return of star players like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider during the first half of the year adds to their championship aspirations.

The Atlanta Braves are eyeing free-agent starter Kyle Gibson as they seek to bolster their pitching depth for the upcoming season. With injuries hampering player availability, Gibson would provide significant stability in the rotation, allowing the Braves to rely on their returning key players like Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr. This offseason has been relatively quiet for the Braves, with only Jurickson Profar joining the roster so far.

Gibson's recent track record includes 30 starts and nearly 170 innings pitched with a 4.24 ERA and 150 strikeouts in 2024, which aligns well with the Braves' current starters. Now tasked with managing an average pitching staff amidst injury concerns, the Braves need to weigh Gibson's projected $13.4 million salary against other options available on the market.

The excitement for the 2025 MLB season is palpable as RotoBaller unveils its early fantasy baseball outfield rankings for 5x5 mixed roto leagues. Highlighting the offseason's most significant event, Juan Soto's record-breaking 15-year, $765 million deal with the New York Mets places him among the top outfielders. Despite this, Soto ranks second behind Aaron Judge, last season's AL MVP, who posted impressive stats with 58 homers and 144 RBIs.

Other notable talents include Corbin Carroll and Fernando Tatis Jr., both shining brightly in the rankings. As drafts approach, players like Dylan Crews and Jasson Dominguez emerge as potential late-round gems, poised to outperform their average draft positions. Comprehensive fantasy resources, including a dedicated Draft Kit, are available to assist players in maximizing their draft strategies for a successful season.