As we prepare for Opening Day 2025, there are more than a few storylines to talk about. Big trades, big signings, comeback players, and more are all being discussed as we see which teams will emerge as contenders and which will fall by the wayside.
There are always MLB Rumors to discuss, but right now we are focusing on making predictions. When it comes to the most valuable players in baseball, there are a few names that stand at the top. These are the players that should bear close watching when it comes to MVP talks.
Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles
Henderson has been on a rocket ship trajectory so far. He went from the No. 1 overall prospect ahead of 2023 to AL Rookie of the Year that season, to a legitimate superstar in 2024. Henderson finished 4th in MVP voting in 2024, setting the table for him to make a jump forward as an MVP contender in 2025.
Dealing with a right intercostal strain, his Opening Day status is in question. But if he can sustain his scorching hot start in the first half of 2024 – .287, 28 home runs, 14 stolen bases – he will definitely be in the discussion for MVP in 2025.
Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians
Ramirez has been one of the most consistent stars in baseball. He finished 5th in MVP voting a season ago for a Guardians team that surprised everyone. History is against defending MVP Aaron Judge, especially after losing a lethal lineup-mate in Juan Soto. That may be enough to allow a consistently great player like Ramirez to finally get his foot in the door of the MVP race.
Ramirez has finished in the top five of MVP voting five times. He also fell just a double and a homer shy of being the second player in league history to have 40 doubles, 40 homers, and 40 steals in the same season. He’s durable, consistent, and could be primed to finally break through and be the best of the best.
Kyle Tucker, Chicago Cubs
The 28-year-old emerged as a legitimate star for the Houston Astros and has since been traded to the Cubs. He has been a strong, productive, and efficient performer since 2021, but has been overshadowed by major names like Yordan Alvarez, Carlos Correa, and Jose Altuve.
His 2024 season was cut short by injury to just 78 games, but he was on his way to a career year. With the need for a new contract looming, Tucker could not only play his way to an MVP but help get the Cubs back to the postseason for the first time since the 2018 season. That would lead to a payday that will reach the upper-echelon of contracts in the majors.
Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds
Forget about MVP, De La Cruz is already one of the most electric young stars in the game. The crazy part is that he hasn’t even come close to touching his potential ceiling. Last season, he became the fifth player in AL/NL history since 1900 to hit 20 homers and steal 60 bases in the same season. All of this while striking out an incredible 31% of the time.
If De La Cruz can continue his development and bring down that strikeout number, the 23-year-old could definitely emerge as an MVP candidate. He’s up against some tough competition, but De La Cruz has the tools to be one of the best in the game. He will be a major part of what the Reds do this season.
