The future of Major League Baseball (MLB) may one day arrive when the concerns surrounding the sport are minimal, but for now, unresolved issues are evident as the 2025 season unfolds. While the gameplay aspect has shown improvement, with shorter games and fewer 'three-true-outcomes' scenarios, deeper questions reside at the organizational level. This article examines five primary issues facing the league, emphasizing the need for leadership accountability and innovative solutions.

One notable report by Jayson Stark and Ken Rosenthal from The Athletic has highlighted an interesting shift in the strike zone during the 2025 season. The actual regulations regarding the strike zone remain unchanged; however, there has been a discernible change in how MLB assesses the understanding of this zone by umpires. This has led to a more restrictive interpretation of the strike zone, resulting in decreased strikeout rates and an increased frequency of balls put in play, the highest since 2018. Nevertheless, this shift has introduced confusion among hitters and pitchers alike, as the elevation in walk rates comes alongside more balls being called inside the strike zone.

A potential remedy for this dilemma lies in the implementation of the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS), recently tested during spring training. The results showed that 52.2 percent of ball-strike challenges were successful, with an average time of 13.8 seconds taken for each decision. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has expressed a desire to have the ABS in place for the upcoming regular and postseason matches. The pivotal factor moving forward will be the agreement of the MLB Players Association regarding its broader adoption.

Another significant concern is player safety, particularly in these early weeks of the season. A collision at first base involving Luis Arraez and Mauricio Dubón on April 20 led to Arraez suffering a concussion, highlighting the ongoing risks associated with such encounters. While the first base bag was designed to be larger to reduce injury occurrences, the frequency of collisions still poses a preventable risk. A straightforward approach to address this issue would be to adopt a double-sided first base bag, a concept currently implemented in both slow-pitch softball and NCAA baseball. This design separates the baserunner and the defender, potentially reducing injury risks significantly. Following the injury to Arraez, San Diego Padres manager Mike Schildt indicated he would not oppose the adoption of this system, which merits serious consideration.

The collective bargaining agreement established in 2022 instituted the Prospect Promotion Incentives (PPI), aimed at encouraging teams to promote top prospects earlier. So far, this model has yielded some success, as demonstrated by Julio Rodríguez of the Seattle Mariners, who won a draft pick for his team after an impressive showing on the Opening Day roster. Nonetheless, some teams have continued to delay calling up promising players to extend their control periods, evidenced by Paul Skenes and this year's Roman Anthony and Bubba Chandler. To further incentivize timely promotions, expanding PPI benefits could prove effective, integrating rewards for players who achieve top three placements in Rookie of the Year voting.

The ongoing performance of the Colorado Rockies raises alarms as they threaten to break the record for the most losses in a single season. Their 9-45 record through the first 54 games of the season is unprecedented, and it symbolizes a concerning trend in the league as it reflects poorly on MLB's competitive balance. This marks the third consecutive year where a team stands out for its poor performance, following the 121-loss season of the Chicago White Sox, and the Oakland Athletics' similarly dismal start in 2023. A solution to address habitual underperformance might involve implementing financial penalties for teams that accrue a significant number of losses, which could take the form of escalating fines for teams exceeding 100 losses in a season.

Despite the Rockies' struggles, competitive balance in MLB seems largely stable. Yet, payroll disparities continue to be a point of contention. The Los Angeles Dodgers maintain a luxury-tax payroll surpassing that of the combined totals of the bottom four teams. Although financial expenditure is not the sole determinant of success, it often correlates with performance outcomes. The top teams in the recent 2024 playoffs included the league's highest spenders, which included the Dodgers. Suggestions have emerged, including potential salary cap discussions for future collective bargaining agreements, a controversial topic for the MLB Players Association. A mix of measures, including increased revenue-sharing, could provide a more equitable financial environment for all teams, yet accountability for persistent underperforming owners remains elusive. This situation calls for thoughtful discussions and proactive measures in the pursuit of a more balanced competitive landscape.