The Seattle Mariners' pitching staff faces high expectations following a stellar 2024 season. Their starting rotation led the league in quality starts, innings pitched, and featured four pitchers making 30 or more starts. Leading the charge was Logan Gilbert, who boasted a 3.23 ERA with 220 strikeouts in 208.2 innings over 33 starts, earning his first All-Star selection and finishing sixth in the AL Cy Young race.

Gilbert ranked in the top 10 for ERA and WHIP, prompting discussions about his Cy Young candidacy for 2025. His teammate Bryce Miller expressed confidence in Gilbert's abilities. The Mariners’ rotation includes several pitchers with promising Cy Young odds for the upcoming season; DraftKings lists Gilbert and fellow pitchers George Kirby, Luis Castillo, Bryce Miller, and Bryan Woo among the top candidates. The Mariners’ success hinges on this elite pitching core continuing to excel.

As the Minnesota Twins embark on spring training, they face a myriad of questions after a quiet offseason. Key changes in management, including a new general manager and hitting coaches, aim to elevate the team's performance following a disappointing end to last season. The most pressing issue is identifying a solid first baseman to fill the void left by Carlos Santana. Jose Miranda, despite defensive concerns, is a frontrunner. Trade speculations linger around players like Chris Paddack and Christian Vázquez, while the performance of rookies and the impact of new coaching strategies will also play a significant role in the Twins' 2025 campaign.

The Minnesota Twins have signed veteran first baseman Mike Ford to a minor league deal as they navigate uncertainty at the position after Carlos Santana's departure to the Cleveland Guardians. Ford, who has played for six teams in 251 career games, adds depth to a competition led by Jose Miranda and Edouard Julien. Manager Rocco Baldelli emphasized the need for these young players to step up defensively as the Twins look to fill a significant gap on their roster.

With a payroll commitment of around $136 million for 2025, the Twins are exploring trades to free up funds for potential major league signings. Santana, who excelled last season, was a target but ultimately signed with a rival. The Twins' options are limited, with other teams aggressively pursuing first base upgrades. Both Miranda and Julien struggled offensively towards the end of the previous season, raising concerns about their readiness for the role.

The Minnesota Twins are gearing up for an active offseason, focusing on trades rather than a rebuild. With a payroll around $130 million, they aim to reallocate funds while keeping most of their roster intact, despite recent struggles.

Top trade candidates include pitcher Chris Paddack, catcher Christian Vázquez, and utilityman Willi Castro. The Twins are considering internal options for first base, with Jose Miranda and Edouard Julien leading the charge, while exploring potential free-agent signings.

The Minnesota Twins have appointed Matt Borgschulte as their new lead hitting coach, hoping he can revitalize their struggling young hitters following a disappointing end to the 2024 season.

Borgschulte, who previously worked with the Twins' minor league system and spent three years with the Baltimore Orioles, is recognized for his ability to develop offensive talent. Manager Rocco Baldelli emphasized Borgschulte's command of hitting mechanics and his strategic approach.

With the Twins experiencing a significant slump, Borgschulte's primary challenge will be to enhance the performance of players like Royce Lewis and Jose Miranda, who struggled offensively last season.