The future of Major League Baseball (MLB) may eventually hold promise, but the present reality indicates that significant challenges persist, especially in 2025. With pressing issues that cannot be addressed overnight, the league finds itself grappling with multiple concerns that have overshadowed the early months of the season. Notably, only two of these challenges are directly tied to the gameplay, which has seen improvement, particularly after years of drawn-out games and the prevalence of the three-true-outcomes approach. More critical issues appear to stem from leadership decisions within organizations, particularly regarding their commitment to assembling competitive teams. The following analysis will discuss five key issues facing MLB and propose potential solutions for each.

One significant issue that emerged was highlighted in a report by Jayson Stark and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic concerning the shrinking strike zone in 2025. While the official rules governing the strike zone have not changed, the evaluation of umpires' perceptions has led to a more restrictive interpretation of the zone. This adjustment has resulted in a decrease in the strikeout rate, along with an increase in the frequency of balls in play—the highest since 2018. However, the trade-off includes a rise in walks and confusion from both hitters and pitchers about the changing nature of calls. To resolve this, implementing the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS), which was successfully tested during spring training, appears to be a viable path forward. The ABS demonstrated an effectiveness rate of 52.2 percent in overturning bad calls, taking an average of just 13.8 seconds per challenge. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has expressed hope for the ABS's integration into regular-season games as early as next year, pending approval from the MLB Players Association.

Another area of concern is player safety, especially evident after the collision between Luis Arraez and Mauricio Dubón at first base on April 20, which resulted in Arraez suffering a concussion. Although such incidents cannot be classified as an epidemic due to a lack of statistical evidence, they remain a preventable risk factor. While the introduction of larger bases in 2023 aimed at reducing injuries, safety could be further enhanced by adopting a double-sided first base bag. This design separates the baserunner and the defender, minimizing the risk of collisions. San Diego Padres manager Mike Schildt has already indicated support for this idea, which is gaining traction as a potential improvement to player safety.

The implementation of Prospect Promotion Incentives in the 2022 collective bargaining agreement was intended to allow teams to earn extra draft picks when a player wins Rookie of the Year. Although some teams have successfully promoted top prospects early, the reluctance to fully embrace this system remains apparent. While players like Julio Rodríguez and the Seattle Mariners benefitted from this approach, others, such as Paul Skenes and Roman Anthony, were held back to extend club control. The league could enhance the incentive structure by linking draft picks not only to Rookie of the Year winners but also to players who finish in the top three of voting. This would motivate teams to promote their best talent earlier and serve to mitigate service-time manipulation tactics.

In terms of overall competitiveness, the Colorado Rockies are currently on track to set a troubling record for losses, standing at 9-45 through their first 54 games of the season—the worst such record in history. This situation echoes back to the Chicago White Sox's modern record of 121 losses last season and the Oakland Athletics' dismal performance the year prior. Recognizing the need for accountability, the league could explore implementing financial penalties for teams suffering 100 or more losses in a season. Such a system could discourage excessive losing by imposing fines that increase with each additional loss, ultimately creating a disincentive for teams to stay at the bottom of the standings.

On a broader scale, while competitive balance in MLB shows promise with no team winning 100 games in 2024, discrepancies in payroll continue to raise eyebrows. The Los Angeles Dodgers boast a luxury tax payroll that exceeds the combined total of the bottom four teams, creating a notable disparity within the league. This trend highlights the correlation between spending and success, as evidenced by the teams that made it to the playoffs last season. With potential discussions surrounding a salary cap in future collective bargaining negotiations, the MLB could address the structural issues impacting competitive balance. Suggestions, such as increased revenue sharing, heightened penalties for luxury tax violations, and enhanced accountability for owners with consistent low payrolls, are worthy of consideration. Establishing penalties for teams that fail to invest properly could motivate ownership to prioritize competitiveness on the field.