By Joe Browne

New York Yankees: A-

For the first time in fifteen years the Yankees made the World Series in 2024. They came up short though, and failed the case for 28 once again. A combination of subpar managing from Boone, Judge’s sudden disappearance and probably the most disastrous inning in the franchise’s history all led to the shortcoming. Nevertheless, they finally got over the hump and returned to the fall classic following a good regular season. I said good, not great. Reason being is that they played phenomenal in the first half of the season but the second half was a different story. When it mattered most in September the Yankees won some big ones to lock up this division but they limped to the finish line. In Yankee standard’s any season where they do not hoist the Commissioner’s trophy is a failure. Seeing as they did not do it this year, 2024 would be a failure in some people’s eyes. The story of the offseason will be Juan Soto’s free agency. Will Hal Stienbrener and Brian Cashman be ready to give Soto whatever he wants to keep this AL Champion core together? We shall see.

Baltimore Orioles: B

Baltimore won ten less games in 2024 than they did in 2023 from 101 wins to just 91. The offense fell off big time in the second half of the season and they failed to take advantage of the Yankees struggles midsummer. For the second straight season, they were swept in the first round of the playoffs and this year they scored one run in two games against the Royals. Corbin Burnes gave them an absolute gem in game one he tossed eight plus innings. The Orioles still lost that game. If you asked anyone before the season who the best catcher in the game was, the consensus answer would have been Adley Rutschman. However, he just did not take that big leap in year three like everyone expected. He actually took a step back offensively and struggled through a down year. Gunnar Henderson had an MVP caliber first half, but his second half was a different story. He popped twenty eight homers in the first half compared to just nine in the second half. Across the board, the O’s will need a more consistent offensive attack over a full 162 in 2025 if they want to be considered serious contenders again.

Boston Red Sox: B

The Red Sox were the definition of mediocre in 2024 but I give them a higher grade for one main reason. Their core of hitters is coming together really nicely. Duran had a monstrous breakout that pretty much nobody saw coming. Devers continued to be one of the best pure hitters in the game and when healthy Casas produced again. They got the higher mark from me because the best move the Red Sox made all season was the move they did not make at all. That being to stupidly trade away top prospects for any reason. The Sox have a loaded farm system stocked with guys who are going to contribute to winning in 2025. The three headed monster of Anthony, Mayer and Teel are waiting in the wings to slot into every day roles in the bigs. The pitching staff is still a work in progress but overall this season could have been a lot worse for Boston. 

Tampa Bay Rays: C-

For the first time in a while, the Rays looked formidable in 2024. That can mainly be attributed to their starting pitching seemingly never being remotely healthy and this year they did not have good enough depth to cover it. When healthy, the Rays staff is going to dominate and keep them in almost every game. Here’s to hoping we can see that in 2025. Trading Issac Paredes when he had multiple years of control left was definitely interesting. Especially for a player like Chrstopher Morel because he does not necessarily fit the classic Rays mold. You will never see me doubting the Rays on the trade market so all we can do is wait and see how that one works out for them. Personally, I can’t wait to watch Junior Camerinero in 2025. He is electric and very talented. It was a rare down year for the Rays in ‘24 but barring health a major bounceback is likely in ‘25.

Toronto Blue Jays: D-

Toronto gets dangerously close to getting a big old “F” for their grade this season. Top to bottom it was a disaster. They only managed 74 wins this year which was a major disappointment. Despite Vladimir Guerrero having an absolutely stellar season. Unfortunately for him, he was a one-man band this season. There was not another player on the offensive side of the ball that had a noteworthy performance at all. The other major positive was Bowden Francis establishing himself as a dominant force in the dog days and down the stretch. Francis is very good and a treat to watch pitch. Keep your eye on him every fifth day in 2025. Toronto has got to find some way to make this roster competitive again in 2025 because of the money they have invested into this core. However, that definitely won’t be an easy task.

By Joe Browne

Philadelphia Phillies: B+

For the first time since 2011 the Phils captured the NL East crown after a very strong regular season. After that, they were handled by the upstart division rival Mets in a four game division series. The postseason performance was very disappointing especially on the offensive side of the ball but it still does not entirely take away what was accomplished this year. Ultimately, Philly was never able to recapture the dominance that they displayed in the first half of the season. This core just had their most successful regular season yet, but their most disappointing postseason. So, what does Dombroksi have in mind to shake it up and find the right pieces to solve the puzzle in 2025?

Atlanta Braves: B-

Nobody was bitten harder by the injury bug in baseball this year than the Atlanta Braves and it showed. They quickly lost their two best players in Strider and Acuna and had down years from pretty much everyone besides Ozuna. Despite all of this, still came in second and made a seventh straight postseason appearance. Though they were swiftly handled by San Diego in the wild card, just to get to that point after a tumultuous year is impressive. The starting pitching carried them the entire season; the emergence of Sale, Lopez and Schwellbach were key. This core of hitters with definitely be back next year and Atlanta hopes that they can get their proven performers to return to form in 2025.

New York Mets: A

Yes, the third place team grades out the highest here and that is because of what was originally expected and then later overcome by this group. 2024 was the most successful season the Mets have seen in almost a decade and the start of a new era in Queens. They could not have asked for a better performance from a rookie manager then what they got in Mendoza, he did an exceptional job. The emergence of Vientos as an elite big league slugger and Lindor establishing himself as a perennial MVP candidate led the charge on offense. Plus the ability for them to piece together a really good rotation on a budget last offseason was remarkable. They have a surplus of free agents which means that David Stearns and co. have a ton of decisions to make this winter. On top of that, Steve Cohen will not be holding back this offseason he is going to do whatever it takes to win. The future has never been brighter in Flushing then right now, the Mets have to push the right buttons in order to be legit contenders come 2025.

Washington Nationals: C-

Washington earns themselves this grade simply because they did not hesitate to let the kids play in 2024. Being aggressive in the call ups of both Woods and Crews was the right thing to do. They, along with Abrams, are the future of this franchise and need as many big league AB’s as they can get. Also, Washington is beginning to carve out a young staff that has some potential. It will certainly be a thing to keep and eye on in 2025 especially now that Patrick Corbin is finally off the books. Let’s see if Mike Rizzo gets aggressive this winter and goes out and spends some money in an attempt to fill out this roster and hopefully compete for a Wild Card in 2025. 

Miami Marlins: D-

Really rough year for Miami following a promising 2023. So bad, that Skip Schumaker jumped ship as soon as the season ended to try and get himself into a better organization. Another year with really poor offensive production for the Marlins. Xavier Edwards emerging out of nowhere was fun to watch, but the rest of the hitters are just not great. If the rotation can stay healthy next year, it’s hard to see them losing 100 games again but anything is possible. I believe in Peter Bendix, he has a proven track record with limited resources. Somehow, someway he has got to try and find a way to get more production out of these players and make it translate into somewhat of a winning culture in South Beach. 

By Jonah Drew

Dallas Mavericks: 54-28

The Dallas Mavericks have the best backcourt in basketball, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have aggregate offensive creation at a level that I’m not really sure we have seen in the history of the league. Obviously, they are the engine of this team, but the backbone is actually the center play, whether it is Gafford or Lively. After Nico Harrison made the move for P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, they went 21-9 the rest of the way. They took this momentum all the way to the NBA Finals where they ran into a buzzsaw in the Boston Celtics headed into this year. I believe they actually upgraded this past offseason too, outside of losing Derrick Jones Jr., they largely retained their NBA Finals roster. They notably added Klay Thompson, who will of course provide floor spacing and elite C&S 3 Point Shooting. They also made probably my favorite addition on the offseason, signing Naji Marshall away from New Orleans. Naji can do it all, he is an elite defender, great playmaker, great penetrator, and improving 3 point shooter, all at 6’7. In conclusion, this team has a clear, sustainable offensive formula to boast a Top 10 offense. They also have great defense personnel on the inside to counteract the lackluster defense in the back court.

Houston Rockets: 44-38

The Rockets are probably the team I’m most excited to see in the upcoming 2024-25 season. They have taken a quantity over quality approach with this rebuild. Not that the quality is anything to scoff at, but they have a laundry list of young pieces to carry them into the future. Rookie Reed Sheppard, Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, Cam Whitmore, Jae’sean Tate, and Alperen Sengun. Sheppard, Green, Whitmore, and Sengun all have potential to blossom into real stars, and probability wise it is more likely one of them does then not. They also have current skills that will help them compete in the short term. On top of that, they roster a slew of veterans that can impact winning, Fred Vanvleet, the notorious Dillon Brooks, Steven Adams and Aaron Holiday. In Houston, the future is as bright as the sun, but the present still looks pretty.

Memphis Grizzlies: 47-35

2023-24 was a lost season for Memphis, with Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, Vince Williams, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Brandon Clarke all missing significant time. It felt like at times it was the Memphis Hustle out there and not the Memphis Grizzlies, leading to a 27 win season. Don’t let that cloud your memory though, as we are not far removed from a second place Western conference finish for Memphis and with largely the same core, they will be looking to return to contention. Ja, while slightly overrated in my opinion, is an elite downhill driver and is prone to create advantages elsewhere. Desmond Bane is highly underrated and is a serviceable second option. The frontcourt of Edey and JJJ will be dominant on the interior, boasting supreme size, rim protection, and touch around the rim. Overall, this Grizzlies team will be back with a vengeance next season.

New Orleans Pelicans: 38-42

This Pelicans team actually had a pretty solid season last year. They won nearly 50 games but in a tough west, they earned the 8 seed and were quickly bounced by OKC in the first round. This team feels like one that will regress to me, BI and CJ McCollum are just not winning players, they both rely on tough mid range shots which are naturally inefficient. Zion has to stay healthy, but if he does he could be a star. The saving graces of this team are on the wings, Trey Murphy and Herb Jones are both elite role players who bring significant 2 way impact. This team has a wide variety of outcomes, but I think they end up on the lower end.

San Antonio Spurs: 32-50

Last year, the Spurs hit the lottery, landing the Alien, Victor Wembanyama. He really is elite, boasting absurd potential especially on the defensive end. Outside of him though, this roster is pretty bleak. Devin Vassell and Steph Castle should be solid complementary pieces but they really are nothing special at least yet. Chris Paul was the perfect fit though, he brings the playmaking that served Victor Wembanyama so well last season. As of now, this team is Wemby and not much else. Although I would love to see that change because the world needs Wembanyama playoff hoops.

Sources

Basketball Reference

ESPN