As the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) season unfolds, several significant issues have emerged that may not be resolved quickly. While the gameplay itself has seen improvements, with reduced strikeout rates and an uptick in balls in play, a variety of problems loom over the league, primarily concerning organizational management and competitiveness. This article examines five critical challenges facing MLB and proposes potential solutions to address each issue.

One notable concern stems from a recent report by Jayson Stark and Ken Rosenthal from The Athletic, which highlights a trend of a smaller strike zone in 2025. Although the official rules regarding the strike zone remain unchanged, the interpretation by umpires has evolved, resulting in less generous calls. This has led to an increase in walks and confusion among players, despite the positive effects of a lower strikeout rate. To mitigate this issue, the MLB has tested an Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS) during spring training, achieving promising results that suggest its implementation could enhance the consistency of ball-strike calls in regular and postseason games. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has expressed interest in rolling out this technology next season, pending agreement from the MLB Players Association.

Another pressing issue is player safety, emphasized by incidents like the April 20 collision at first base between Luis Arraez and Mauricio Dubón, which resulted in Arraez sustaining a concussion. While the introduction of larger bases in 2023 aimed to reduce injuries, collisions at first base continue to pose a significant risk. A recommended solution involves the adoption of a double-sided first base bag, as utilized in collegiate baseball and slow-pitch softball. This innovation would provide separate pathways for the runner and the defender, potentially minimizing injuries. Following Arraez's incident, San Diego Padres manager Mike Schildt endorsed this idea, highlighting its merits in promoting player safety.

The collective bargaining agreement established in 2022 included Prospect Promotion Incentives designed to encourage teams to promote their top prospects earlier by offering additional draft picks for Rookie of the Year winners. While there have been some positive outcomes, teams still exhibit a tendency to delay the promotion of potential stars to maximize control periods over these players. Examples include Paul Skenes, Roman Anthony, and Bubba Chandler, who have faced setbacks in being called up. An effective remedy could involve expanding the benefits of the Prospect Promotion Incentives. Teams might be encouraged to promote their prospects if recognition extends to players who rank in the top three for Rookie of the Year voting, thereby providing a financial incentive to act more decisively.

The state of competitiveness in MLB faces scrutiny, particularly illustrated by the Colorado Rockies, whose 9-45 record through the first 54 games of the season threatens to set a new record for the most losses in MLB history. Such prolonged poor performance raises concerns about competitive balance across the league. In an ideal scenario, implementing a relegation-style system would maintain competitive integrity; however, the feasibility of such an arrangement in MLB remains questionable. Instead, introducing a tiered fine system for teams accumulating excessive losses could result in more accountability. For example, imposing financial penalties after a team reaches 100 losses could pressure teams to strive for improvement, thereby enhancing overall competition.

While teams like the Rockies wrestle with poor performance, competitive balance remains a significant concern, particularly regarding payroll disparities. The Los Angeles Dodgers possess a luxury-tax payroll exceeding the combined totals of the league's bottom four teams, illustrating the financial chasm within MLB. A notable pattern emerges where higher payrolls correlate with playoff success; the four highest-spending teams are currently among the top performers in the league. To address these disparities, potential measures may include establishing a salary cap to maintain competitiveness, which, however, would likely face resistance from the MLB Players Association. Additional ideas, such as enhancing revenue-sharing opportunities and limiting deferred compensation, could alleviate financial disparities. Furthermore, introducing accountability measures for owners who consistently field low payrolls alongside poor records may encourage a more competitive atmosphere across the league.