The baseball season, known for its long and demanding schedule, sees constant changes within teams as they navigate wins, losses, injuries, and setbacks throughout the 162-game journey. As the season winds down, each team’s management begins the process of evaluating what went well and what didn’t, and planning for improvements in the future. Ultimately, only one team out of the league’s thirty achieves the ultimate goal of winning the championship each year.
With the 2025 MLB season nearing its end, let’s examine several teams that have been eliminated from playoff contention. We’ll explore the key events of their 2025 season and look ahead to their plans for the upcoming off-season.
Colorado Rockies
The Rockies faced a difficult start to the season. By June 1st, they had the fewest wins in baseball. Although their performance improved slightly afterward, the early struggles set the tone for a challenging year.
The Rockies’ pitching staff struggled throughout the season. Their pitchers had difficulty both at home and on the road. Few pitchers managed to maintain a low ERA.
Chicago White Sox
The White Sox showed improvement in 2025, surpassing their win total from the previous year. While still far from being a contender, the team’s fans are beginning to see progress.
The team’s improved performance was driven primarily by their pitchers. Shane Smith, Davis Martin, and Sean Burke formed the core of the pitching rotation. While none of them appear to be top-tier pitchers, they contributed consistently.
Washington Nationals
The season was disappointing for the Nationals. The team struggled to win games, falling behind in a competitive division.
Pitching was a major problem, with issues across the entire staff. Several pitchers experienced setbacks, preventing the team from achieving greater success.
Minnesota Twins
Several Twins players failed to meet expectations. Royce Lewis faced injuries and struggled with consistency.
Carlos Correa also underperformed. Due to these issues, the team decided to trade him. The Twins’ season could have been different if Lewis and Correa had performed as expected.
Pittsburgh Pirates
A major positive point for the Pirates was the performance of Paul Skenes. He performed very well, possibly being the best pitcher in baseball.
Mitch Keller also contributed to the pitching rotation. Bubba Chandler joined the team later in the season, adding to their pitching depth. As a result, the Pirates are expected to have one of the league’s best ERAs.
Los Angeles Angels
The Angels’ pitching staff struggled. Starting pitchers had difficulty preventing runners from getting on base. The team’s relief pitchers also struggled. The staff lacked a pitcher who could consistently deliver strong performances.
While the Angels’ offense improved, some hitters disappointed. Luis Rengifo’s offensive output declined. Jorge Soler, expected to be a key contributor, also struggled and spent time on the injured list.
