EDITOR’S NOTE: Boyd Bergquist was the sports director at KETS-TV in East Tree Stump, Nebraska for almost 40 years.  Known across the Husker state as the voice of the Boy’s High School Basketball Tournament, Bergquist was a four-time winner of the Marv J. Butz “Golden Cob” Award For Excellence In Nebraska Broadcast Journalism. That background, along with his quick if not cliché-riddled wit and love of single-malt scotch makes Bergquist a perfect fit to be our “Question” guy, but today, he’s here to dish up a preview of the upcoming baseball season.

Baseball season is back! Now that the calendar has finally flipped to Opening Week, we finally get a look at what these teams will be working with for the 2025 campaign.  That’s because this isn’t spring training anymore. Everybody’s played a couple of series, which means we can get a better idea of who the heck is any good?

But here’s the deal. I’m not into the usual “power ranking” stuff.  Instead, I’ve broken down all 30 major league squads into six easy-to-understand groups based on what we can realistically expect from them.

Ready to Win Right Now

These are teams ready to pop the corks this year…no ifs, ands or buts.

Los Angeles Dodgers

If the Dodgers aren’t the definition of “loaded,” then the term has no meaning. This team is fresh off a non-pandemic World Series win, and added depth to that championship roster with Blake Snell, Hye-Seong Kim, and Michael Conforto. The Dodgers also managed to keep would-be free-agents Teoscar Hernández and Blake Treinen. On top of that, there’s that whole “you’re the champ until somebody beats you.”

And don’t forget about that whole Shohei Ohtani thing…

Philadelphia Phillies

Another Dodger-like case of the rich getting richer. The Fightin’ Phils also feature a loaded core around which they added depth in the form of Max Kepler, Jesús Luzardo, Jordan Romano, and Joe Ross. The difference is given the Phillies recent post-season history, this season has a distinct “World Series or Bust” feel to it.

San Diego Padres

The theme for this team is the same as it ever was. What plot twists are coming with a franchise that is the best soap opera outside of baseball’s main stages? The Padres spend like the “big boys,” and they occasionally put on a big boy showing, but like any good soap opera, something always gets in the way. Honestly, this may be the “golden” era for Padre baseball, but who knows whether it will ever result in a championship?

There’s only one way to find out…stay tuned…

Arizona Diamondbacks

Despite the Jordan Montgomery situation, this might be the best team they’ve had in a decade…don’t forget this team went to the World Series two years ago. Adding Corbin Burnes to a rotation that was already in baseball’s upper end only made it that much better…unless he goes full Montgomery.

Detroit Tigers

Even I will admit I’m a bit optimistic here, but hear me out. The reason why Tigers fans have more reason for hope than any other time in the last decade is this team had a legitimate shot at being in the World Series last year. Only time will tell how much Detroit improved with the addition of Gleyber Torres and Alex Cobb, but they certainly didn’t get any worse. Coming from a weak division, a spot in October is more than plausible, and the 2025 Tigers showed anything is possible in post-season play. In other words, if this team makes the play-offs, they’ve got enough to be dangerous.

Heads up, they aren’t the only team that applies to…

There’s Just One Thing Missing

Did you ever almost complete a jigsaw puzzle, but the three pieces you have remaining don’t fit the holes you have left? Welcome to the stories of these teams…

New York Yankees

What’s Missing: Healthy Starting Pitching. Forget about the loss of Juan Soto. As long as the Yanks have Aaron Judge in the lineup and enough around him for protection (like the additions of Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt) the offense should be just fine…forget about that “Torpedo Bat” crap. Adding Max Fried to the rotation was supposed to be the key to this team’s front-runner status in the AL East, but long-term injuries to Luis Gil, Jonathan Loáisiga, and Gerrit Cole means the Pinstripes may be shopping for arms well in advance of the deadline.

Baltimore Orioles

What’s Missing: See “New York Yankees.” The Orioles are really just the “house brand” version of the Yankees. The Bronx has the “name brand” and has the big price tag, but Baltimore has basically the same team. Offensively, the Birds are built around a few “star” bats with a talented supporting cast. The difference is the O’s have so much home-grown talent with a seemingly endless supply coming from farm system. No matter what, Baltimore will remain as a major player in the October Derby.

Houston Astros

What’s Missing: Star Power. I know this is ironic given the recent past in Star City,  but it’s real. Losing top-end guys like Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman has to sting,  unless you really believe Isaac Paredes and Christian Walker can make up that difference. Not to mention, how will Jose Altuve handle the position change to left field?

Atlanta Braves

What’s Missing: Starting Pitching.

Losing Max Fried and Charlie Morton makes the Braves’ rotation thinner than an Ethiopian swimsuit model with a tapeworm. Look for Atlanta to be buying early and often because the lineup will keep them in contention.

Cleveland Guardians

What’s Missing: Depth in General.

The Guardians didn’t make much of a splash in the off-season, but with some cosmetic changes, this the same team that won the AL Central in 2024. Whether it’s the lineup, the rotation, or the bullpen, Cleveland is led by some of the best in the game, but the supporting roster really has to step up again for a repeat to happen.

Need Some Things To Go Their Way

Welcome to a collection of clubs who almost have the goods to win on their own; but anything is possible if they get more than one “lucky break.”

Chicago Cubs

You pretty much have to look at the Cubs as the class of the NL Central. They’ve got the best top-to-bottom pitching staff in the division, They’ve got an offense led by Kyle Tucker and Seiya Suzuki, plus Pete Crow-Armstrong looks like a star waiting to happen. Are they on the same level with the Dodgers and the Phillies? No…but they don’t need to be because they can still be what? Dangerous come October.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Is this finally the year it all pays off in Pittsburgh? If it isn’t, the reason won’t be from not having the right pieces. The Pirates roster includes a rotation featuring a 1-2-3 of Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, and Jared Jones, a solid bullpen despite David Bednar’s struggles and an offense with rising young stars like O’Neil Cruz, Ke’Bryan Hayes, and Brian Reynolds. That’s as much as other teams I think could be dangerous, but Pittsburgh has to show they can contend.

New York Mets

Yeah, I get it…the addition of Juan Soto has Mets fans all in a frenzy…for now. Sure, adding one of the best players in the game to a 90-ish win playoff team should generate excitement. But these are the New York Mets, and my official stance on this team has not changed.

Until further notice, my official position on optimism concerning the New York Mets is this: I’ll believe when I see it. It’s already looking like another promising spring in Port St. Lucie might become another long summer in Queens. Sure, I understand the excitement over new owner Steve Cohen’s spreading money across the free-agent market like a lawn sprinkler, but come on, Mets fans. Haven’t you seen this movie before?

~ Everyone of my baseball previews in the Steve Cohen era

The harsh reality is the optimism in Queens to start 2025 is always subject to the usual “Mets doing Mets things.” That’s why I will use this meme of WFAN’s Gregg Giannotti every chance I get.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then what can you say about a picture with words?

Seattle Mariners

It’s crossroads time in Seattle. This is a team that had holes big enough to keep them just shy of a playoff spot, and they didn’t do much in this off-season, although the recent extension of Cal Raleigh is something. Julio Rodríguez is still an MVP waiting to happen, but will that be enough?

Texas Rangers

This team could be a serious contender…or this team could lose 95 games. Your guess is as good as mine, and it all depends on how much the Rangers depend the shaky health of Jacob DeGrom.

At Least They Don’t Suck

Do I really need to explain this one? They aren’t terrible, but they also aren’t great. These are teams you can expect to be somewhere around the .500 mark.

Boston Red Sox

This team might be the poster-child for this group because their pitching alone will make them formidable, especially with the additions of Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler. But they probably need to add some lumber if they intend to contend.

Kansas City Royals

Was last year’s play-off appearance a fluke? Was the addition of Jonathan India enough to establish Kansas City among baseball’s royalty? We’ll find out soon…

San Francisco Giants

Year One of the Buster Posey administration in San Francisco saw the club take a measured approach during the off-season to build a team that seems perfectly capable of winning 90 games. The problem they are in a division which might have two 100-game winners.

Cincinnati Reds

Adding the likes of Gavin Lux to budding superstars like Elly DeLa Cruz and Hunter Greene is the road the Reds need to follow to get to contention. A couple more moves like that and having Terry Francona at the helm make for a bright future…which unfortunately isn’t today.

Oakland Las Vegas Sacramento U-Haul Athletics

Don’t look now, but this team isn’t a rolling garage sale anymore. This offseason saw the A’s bring in Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs, and Gio Urshela. They extended Brent Rooker and they didn’t trade Mason Miller. This looks suspiciously like an attempt to move into the new permanent home in Vegas with an honest-to-goodness major-league roster.

Why Wait For Next Year?

One way or another, these teams need to make a decision about their future.

Toronto Blue Jays

Even on the few day a year when the roof is open at Rogers Centre, the window for winning has closed in Toronto. It’s time to admit it didn’t work and deal everybody…including Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Milwaukee Brewers

Nestor Cortes, Jackson Chourio, and the remnants of Christian Yelich…that’s all there is. With no Bob Uecker, the racing sausages will be more interesting to watch.

St. Louis Cardinals

Nobody remembers the Redbirds had a winning season last year because it didn’t matter. This team didn’t go the the play-offs for the second straight year, and that’s not changing anytime soon. We all know they’re going to trade Nolan Arenado, so they might as well get it done.

Minnesota Twins

Byron Buxton was healthy all winter and hasn’t gotten hurt yet. How long will that last? Speaking of this off-season, it became clear the Falvey regime is reticent to pry open the the payroll budget, so why not liquidate the assets now? What do you think Matt Wallner is worth on the open market? (that’s a serious question…)

Tampa Rays

This is the first time since 2018 the Rays will be coming off a sub-.500 season. This is also the first time they will playing their home games in the conference room of a Best Western. What hasn’t changed is Tampa did nothing in the off-season and will rely on it’s perennially productive farm system for internal development…and subsequent dealing.

It’s Going To Be A Long Summer

Everybody has hope during Opening Week, but some lose it far faster than others. But that begs the question: Can you have “heartbreak” if you never had expectations to begin with?

Washington Nationals

Here’s where the hauls from the Trea Turner/Max Scherzer/Juan Soto deals are starting to shine. The Nats could easily be the most-talented 70-win team we’ve seen in quite some time (think 2014 Astros and you get the idea). This year’s squad is the first stage in the rocket propelling this team out of the NL East cellar; the fuel being all that young talent. They’ve also built a nice core of veterans in Josh Bell, Nathaniel Lowe, Amed Rosario, and Michael Soroka. Pencil in 2027 if you’re a Nats fan.

Los Angeles Angels

J-Dub has been an Angels fan dating back to Nolan Ryan, and he’s probably the most ardent Arte Moreno detractor. Because Moreno loves to spend money on the wrong people, J-Dub calls the Angels “the Red Mets” because both teams love to spend themselves into 4^th place.

This year’s roster looks like another example proving J-Dub’s theory on the Angel payroll. Nobody is excited by the likes of Jorge Soler, Travis d’Arnaud, Yusei Kikuchi, Kyle Hendricks, and Scott Kingery. Not to mention, none of it will matter if Mike Trout can’t stay healthy…which we all know he won’t.

Colorado Rockies

This franchise is basically irrelevant. They are the Jacksonville Jaguars of major league baseball. They’ve never won anything, and they only give you occasional reason to pay attention to them. The Rockies have only had 2 winning seasons in the last 15 years, and the odds of that changing are thinner than that mountain goat piss in a can called Coors.

Miami Marlins

Sandy Alcantara is back. Other than that, what else do Marlins fans have to get excited about? Waiting for him to get traded?

Chicago White Sox

Even thought the Not-So-Mighty Whiteys just set the record for losing the most games in a season in modern major league history, then traded their ace Garret Crochet, they still have more hope than any other team in this group. They literally have no where to go but up.

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Got a question for our 70’s TY Sports Anchor? Got your own take? Nothing is “off-limits,” and no take is “too hot.” The only questions or comments Boyd Bergquist can’t handle are the one you don’t send him!