The starting pitching market has been busy since the last time we updated our Opening Day starting rotation predictions.

Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Sean Manaea and several other top arms were still looking for a new home when Version 1.0 of these predictions was released on Dec. 4, and Garrett Crochet was still a member of the Chicago White Sox.

That said, there are still some impact starters available in free agency, led by Jack Flaherty, Nick Pivetta, Andrew Heaney, Max Scherzer, Kyle Gibson, José Quintana and Lance Lynn, though the biggest 2025 impact among available pitchers could come from posted Japanese League star Roki Sasaki.

For now, we've assigned all of the top remaining free agents to logical landing spots on the way to predicting each MLB team's Opening Day starting rotation for the 2025 season.

This will be updated throughout the offseason, so there is still time for further shuffling.

Note: Names in bold indicate a projected signing or trade pickup.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Corbin Burnes
2. RHP Zac Gallen
3. RHP Merrill Kelly
4. LHP Eduardo Rodriguez
5. RHP Brandon Pfaadt

Quick Thoughts: The D-backs pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the offseason when they signed Corbin Burnes to a six-year, $210 million deal, and he will join Zac Gallen to form an elite one-two punch.

It's unlikely they will use a six-man rotation, which leaves Jordan Montgomery and Ryne Nelson on the outside looking in heading into spring training. Starting pitching depth is never a bad thing, but Montgomery is potentially an uber-expensive long reliever with a $22.5 million salary.

Other Internal Candidates: LHP Jordan Montgomery, RHP Ryne Nelson, LHP Tommy Henry, RHP Yilber Diaz, LHP Blake Walston, RHP Cristian Mena

Athletics

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Luis Severino
2. LHP Jeffrey Springs
3. LHP Andrew Heaney
4. LHP JP Sears
5. RHP Joey Estes

Quick Thoughts: The Athletics rotation is already vastly improved following the additions of Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs, and adding at least one more veteran arm could go a long way for a team that finished 26th in the majors with a 4.76 ERA from the starting staff in 2024.

Andrew Heaney signed a two-year, $25 million deal with the Rangers last time he hit the open market, and a similar contract would make him a budget-friendly addition to the middle of the rotation.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Mitch Spence, RHP J.T. Ginn, RHP Osvaldo Bido, LHP Hogan Harris, RHP Gunnar Hoglund

Atlanta Braves

Projected Starting Rotation

1. LHP Chris Sale
2. RHP Reynaldo López
3. RHP Spencer Schwellenbach
4. RHP Kyle Gibson
5. RHP Grant Holmes

Quick Thoughts: A mid-level workhorse like Kyle Gibson could be the perfect addition to help bridge the gap to Spencer Strider's eventual return from Tommy John surgery, especially if he can be had on a one-year deal.

Grant Holmes and Ian Anderson are both out of minor league options, so they will need to find their way onto the Opening Day roster or be exposed to waivers and potentially lost to another team.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP A.J. Smith-Shawver, Bryce Elder, RHP Ian Anderson, RHP Hurston Waldrep, RHP Davis Daniel, RHP Allan Winans, LHP Dylan Dodd

Baltimore Orioles

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Zach Eflin
2. RHP Grayson Rodriguez
3. RHP Charlie Morton
4. RHP Dean Kremer
5. RHP Tomoyuki Sugano

Quick Thoughts: Will Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano be enough to replace the loss of Corbin Burnes in free agency?

The bigger question for the Orioles might be whether Grayson Rodriguez can stay healthy and emerge as the frontline starter, as he has flashed plenty of potential during his first two seasons in the majors. A step forward from him and a full season of Zach Eflin could potentially make this an improved rotation overall.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Albert Suárez, LHP Trevor Rogers, LHP Cade Povich, RHP Chayce McDermott

Boston Red Sox

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Tanner Houck
2. LHP Garrett Crochet
3. RHP Walker Buehler
4. RHP Brayan Bello
5. RHP Kutter Crawford

Quick Thoughts: After swinging a blockbuster deal to acquire Garrett Crochet from the White Sox in exchange for a package of prospects that included Kyle Teel and Braden Montgomery, the Red Sox are now working to try to extend the 2024 All-Star.

Don't sleep on Quinn Priester as a candidate for the No. 5 starter job this spring. The former consensus Top 100 prospect was acquired from the Pirates last summer in exchange for infielder Nick Yorke.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Quinn Priester, RHP Cooper Criswell, RHP Richard Fitts

Chicago Cubs

Projected Starting Rotation

1. LHP Shōta Imanaga
2. LHP Justin Steele
3. RHP Jameson Taillon
4. LHP Matthew Boyd
5. RHP Colin Rea

Quick Thoughts: The Brewers made the surprise decision to non-tender Colin Rea after he went 12-6 with a 4.29 ERA in 167.2 innings last season, and the Cubs scooped him up on a one-year, $4.25 million deal that includes a $6 million option and $750,000 buyout for 2026.

A six-man rotation is not out of the question with Javier Assad coming off a solid 2024 campaign, though he also has experience pitching out of the bullpen and could fill a long relief role.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Javier Assad, RHP Ben Brown, LHP Jordan Wicks, RHP Cody Poteet, RHP Caleb Kilian

Chicago White Sox

Projected Starting Rotation

1. LHP Martín Pérez
2. RHP Spencer Turnbull
3. RHP Jonathan Cannon
4. RHP Bryse Wilson
5. RHP Drew Thorpe

Quick Thoughts: The White Sox found a de facto staff ace when they signed veteran Martín Pérez to a one-year, $5 million deal, and another low-cost addition to the rotation would help soak up some innings and take pressure off their young arms.

Spencer Turnbull pitched extremely well over the first month of the 2024 season in the Phillies rotation while filling in for Taijuan Walker, and while he missed the entire second half with a lat strain, he offers some nice buy-low upside.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Davis Martin, RHP Sean Burke, RHP Jairo Iriarte, RHP Nick Nastrini, LHP Ky Bush, LHP Jake Eder

Cincinnati Reds

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Hunter Greene
2. RHP Brady Singer
3. LHP Andrew Abbott
4. RHP Nick Martinez
5. LHP Nick Lodolo

Quick Thoughts: The Reds rotation got a nice boost when Brady Singer was acquired in a one-for-one swap that sent Jonathan India to the Royals. The 28-year-old had a 3.71 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 170 strikeouts in 179.2 innings last year, and he comes with club control through the 2026 season.

Rhett Lowder has a case for being the top pitching prospect in all of baseball after the 2023 first-round pick flew through the minors and debuted with a 1.17 ERA in 30.2 innings over six starts in his first MLB action. Will he force his way into the picture?

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Rhett Lowder, RHP Graham Ashcraft, RHP Connor Phillips, RHP Owen White

Cleveland Guardians

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Tanner Bibee
2. RHP Gavin Williams
3. RHP Ben Lively
4. RHP Luis L. Ortiz
5. RHP Triston McKenzie

Quick Thoughts: The projected staff above does not include Shane Bieber, who is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery last April, but barring any setbacks he should be back before the All-Star break.

Right-hander Luis L. Ortiz was acquired in the three-team deal that sent Andrés Giménez to the Blue Jays, and he quietly had a 3.0-WAR season in 2024, posting a 3.32 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 135.2 innings with the Pirates last year.

Other Internal Candidates: LHP Joey Cantillo, LHP Logan Allen, RHP Slade Cecconi

Colorado Rockies

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Germán Márquez
2. RHP Ryan Feltner
3. LHP Kyle Freeland
4. RHP Antonio Senzatela
5. LHP Austin Gomber

Quick Thoughts: Germán Márquez and Antonio Senzatela pitched just 16.1 combined innings in 2024, so getting them both back healthy will be the equivalent of two major offseason additions for the Rockies.

After posting a 2.59 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 169 strikeouts in 118 innings between High-A and Double-A in his pro debut last season, Chase Dollander is now one of baseball's elite pitching prospects. The Rockies don't need to rush him, but he could force their hand in the not-too-distant future.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Tanner Gordon, RHP Bradley Blalock, LHP Carson Palmquist, RHP Chase Dollander

Detroit Tigers

Projected Starting Rotation

1. LHP Tarik Skubal
2. RHP Jack Flaherty
3. RHP Alex Cobb
4. RHP Reese Olson
5. RHP Casey Mize

Quick Thoughts: Right-hander Jack Flaherty is reportedly open to a short-term, high-AAV deal in free agency, and a reunion with the Tigers would make sense for both the player and the team. The 29-year-old had a 2.95 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 133 strikeouts in 106.2 innings with the Tigers last year before he was traded to the Dodgers at the deadline.

Top prospect Jackson Jobe will get a long look during spring training, and he has the stuff and upside to join Tarik Skubal at the top of the rotation in the near future.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Jackson Jobe, RHP Keider Montero, RHP Kenta Maeda, RHP Matt Manning, RHP Ty Madden

Houston Astros

Projected Starting Rotation

1. LHP Framber Valdez
2. RHP Hunter Brown
3. RHP Max Scherzer
4. RHP Ronel Blanco
5. RHP Spencer Arrighetti

Quick Thoughts: Could the Astros swap out one future Hall of Famer for another?

Justin Verlander signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Giants earlier this month, and Max Scherzer could be available at a similar price point. His days of chewing through 200 innings are likely behind him, but he can help bridge the gap while the Astros wait on Luis García to finish his Tommy John recovery.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Hayden Wesneski, RHP Luis García, LHP Colton Gordon, RHP Ryan Gusto, RHP A.J. Blubaugh

Kansas City Royals

Projected Starting Rotation

1. LHP Cole Ragans
2. RHP Seth Lugo
3. RHP Michael Wacha
4. LHP Kris Bubic
5. RHP Michael Lorenzen

Quick Thoughts: The Royals intend to shift Kris Bubic back to a starting role after he logged a 2.67 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 39 strikeouts in 30.1 innings out of the bullpen last year. Between that and the decision to re-sign Michael Lorenzen, they now have solid rotation depth.

A healthy Kyle Wright and Alec Marsh will both be stretched out as starters during spring training, and one or both could wind up serving as a multi-inning arm out of the bullpen if they don't secure a starting role.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Alec Marsh, RHP Kyle Wright, LHP Noah Cameron, RHP Jonathan Bowlan, RHP Luinder Avila

Los Angeles Angels

Projected Starting Rotation

1. LHP Yusei Kikuchi
2. LHP Tyler Anderson
3. RHP José Soriano
4. RHP Lance Lynn
5. RHP Kyle Hendricks

Quick Thoughts: The Angels have already added Yusei Kikuchi and Kyle Hendricks this offseason, though they could still look to add one more veteran arm to the mix rather than relying on a rebound from Reid Detmers or a young, unproven up-and-comer to fill the No. 5 starter job.

That said, Caden Dana, Jack Kochanowicz and Sam Aldegheri all have a chance to be long-term rotation pieces, so expect to see them in the majors at some point, whether it's on Opening Day or once a spot opens up.

Other Internal Candidates: LHP Reid Detmers, RHP Jack Kochanowicz, RHP Caden Dana, LHP Sam Aldegheri, RHP Chase Silseth, RHP Dakota Hudson

Los Angeles Dodgers

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Tyler Glasnow
2. LHP Blake Snell
3. RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto
4. RHP Shohei Ohtani
5. RHP Tony Gonsolin
6. RHP Dustin May

Quick Thoughts: Will the Dodgers land Roki Sasaki? Will Clayton Kershaw return on another one-year deal? Those are the two big questions surrounding the starting rotation, though the returns of Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May give the Dodgers a quality six-man staff even if no other additions are made.

The X-factor is Bobby Miller, who looked like a rising ace during his rookie season in 2023 before he struggled to an 8.52 ERA and 1.77 WHIP in 56 innings last year.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Bobby Miller, RHP Landon Knack, LHP Justin Wrobleski, RHP Ben Casparius

Miami Marlins

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Sandy Alcántara
2. LHP Ryan Weathers
3. RHP Edward Cabrera
4. RHP Max Meyer
5. RHP Valente Bellozo

Quick Thoughts: With Jesús Luzardo traded to the Phillies, Braxton Garrett out for the year after undergoing UCL revision surgery in December and Eury Perez still recovering from Tommy John surgery last April, the Marlins rotation depth has evaporated.

After keeping Max Meyer on a strict innings limit last year in his return from Tommy John surgery, he could be turned loose in 2025. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 draft has electric stuff and the potential to be a frontline starter.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Adam Mazur, LHP Patrick Monteverde

Milwaukee Brewers

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Freddy Peralta
2. RHP Brandon Woodruff
3. LHP Nestor Cortes
4. RHP Aaron Civale
5. RHP Tobias Myers

Quick Thoughts: Between a healthy Brandon Woodruff, a full season of Aaron Civale and newcomer Nestor Cortes, the Brewers should have an improved starting rotation in 2025 after finishing 17th in the majors with a 4.09 ERA last year.

DL Hall, Aaron Ashby and Jacob Misiorowski all have plus stuff and could be a major factor out of the bullpen if they don't secure a starting role.

Other Internal Candidates: LHP DL Hall, LHP Aaron Ashby, RHP Carlos Rodriguez, RHP Jacob Misiorowski, RHP Logan Henderson

Minnesota Twins

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Pablo López
2. RHP Joe Ryan
3. RHP Bailey Ober
4. LHP José Quintana
5. RHP Simeon Woods Richardson

Quick Thoughts: The Twins do not have much in the way of financial flexibility, but they could still prioritize adding another veteran, and left-hander José Quintana would bring some balance to a staff of right-handers.

David Festa, Zebby Matthews and Marco Raya all have significant upside and could easily slot into the No. 5 job if no one else is added to the mix, while Chris Paddack had a 4.99 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 88.1 innings in 2024.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Chris Paddack, RHP David Festa, RHP Zebby Matthews, RHP Louie Varland, RHP Marco Raya, RHP Huascar Ynoa

New York Mets

Projected Starting Rotation

1. LHP Sean Manaea
2. RHP Kodai Senga
3. RHP Frankie Montas
4. LHP David Peterson
5. RHP Clay Holmes
6. RHP Tylor Megill

Quick Thoughts: The Mets re-signed Sean Manaea and added Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes to shore up the starting rotation around a healthy Kodai Senga and 2024 breakout starter David Peterson, giving them one of the deepest rotations in baseball even if they do not have a top-tier ace.

The battle for the No. 5 starter job between Tylor Megill, Paul Blackburn, Griffin Canning and top prospect Brandon Sproat will be one to watch this spring.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Paul Blackburn, RHP Griffin Canning, RHP Brandon Sproat, RHP Blade Tidwell

New York Yankees

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Gerrit Cole
2. LHP Max Fried
3. LHP Carlos Rodón
4. RHP Clarke Schmidt
5. RHP Luis Gil

Quick Thoughts: The Yankees already traded Nestor Cortes, and they are now working to move Marcus Stroman with a willingness to pay down some of his remaining salary to facilitate a deal. That leaves little question who will make up their starting rotation when the season begins.

Keep an eye on JT Brubaker. The Yankees acquired him in an under-the-radar deal with the Pirates last March. The 31-year-old has spent most of the past two years recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he had a 4.69 ERA with 147 strikeouts in 144 innings over 28 starts in 2022 when he last appeared in the majors.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Marcus Stroman, RHP Will Warren, RHP Clayton Beeter, RHP JT Brubaker

Philadelphia Phillies

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Zack Wheeler
2. RHP Aaron Nola
3. LHP Cristopher Sánchez
4. LHP Ranger Suárez
5. LHP Jesús Luzardo

Quick Thoughts: After trading for Jesús Luzardo and signing Joe Ross to a one-year, $4 million deal, the Phillies might choose to simply cut their losses and release Taijuan Walker with two years and $36 million left on his contract. The 32-year-old had a 7.10 ERA in 83.2 innings in 2024.

Andrew Painter is finally healthy after missing the 2023 and 2024 seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 21-year-old shook off some rust in the Arizona Fall League where he won Pitcher of the Year honors, and he could be utilized as a bullpen weapon this year to help control his workload.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Taijuan Walker, RHP Joe Ross, RHP Andrew Painter, RHP Tyler Phillips, RHP Seth Johnson

Pittsburgh Pirates

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Paul Skenes
2. RHP Mitch Keller
3. RHP Jared Jones
4. LHP Bailey Falter
5. RHP Jakob Junis

Quick Thoughts: The Pirates cashed in some of their starting pitching depth when they sent Luis L. Ortiz to the Guardians in the three-team deal that brought back controllable slugger Spencer Horwitz from the Blue Jays.

That leaves an open competition for the No. 5 starter job that could feature top prospect Bubba Chandler, and adding a swingman like Jakob Junis to that competition would provide a veteran option who can just as easily slot into a bullpen role.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Johan Oviedo, RHP Bubba Chandler, RHP Mike Burrows, RHP Braxton Ashcraft, RHP Thomas Harrington

San Diego Padres

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Dylan Cease
2. RHP Michael King
3. RHP Yu Darvish
4. RHP Roki Sasaki
5. RHP Matt Waldron

Quick Thoughts: The Padres still need to add at least one starting pitcher to the mix this offseason, and they are also listening to offers on Dylan Cease, who is set to reach free agency following the 2025 season and is headed for a massive payday.

They have long been viewed as one of the favorites to sign Japanese League star Roki Sasaki, though they face steep competition from the Dodgers among a long list of teams with interest in the young star.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Randy Vásquez, RHP Jhony Brito, RHP Ryan Bergert

San Francisco Giants

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Logan Webb
2. LHP Robbie Ray
3. RHP Justin Verlander
4. RHP Jordan Hicks
5. LHP Kyle Harrison

Quick Thoughts: The Giants lost Blake Snell to free agency and have so far replaced him with 41-year-old Justin Verlander on a one-year, $15 million deal. The future Hall of Famer has been written off in the past, only to return to ace form, but he struggled to a 5.48 ERA in 90.1 innings last year before getting left off the Astros playoff roster.

A healthy Robbie Ray is the X-factor here, as he has made just eight starts and pitched 34 innings the past two years. The 2021 AL Cy Young winner is capable of serving as a co-ace alongside Logan Webb, and the Giants at least need him to perform like a middle-of-the-rotation arm.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Landen Roupp, RHP Hayden Birdsong, RHP Mason Black

Seattle Mariners

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Logan Gilbert
2. RHP Luis Castillo
3. RHP George Kirby
4. RHP Bryce Miller
5. RHP Bryan Woo

Quick Thoughts: The Mariners led the majors with a 3.38 ERA from the starting rotation last year, and the five guys listed above accounted for 149 of 162 starts over the course of the 2024 season.

The question is whether Luis Castillo will be traded, as he has been a popular name on the rumor mill this offseason as the club searches for offensive upgrades. While the projected five-man staff is as good as any in baseball, they are lacking in experienced depth if they are less successful at avoiding the injury bug.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Emerson Hancock

St. Louis Cardinals

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Sonny Gray
2. RHP Erick Fedde
3. RHP Miles Mikolas
4. RHP Andre Pallante
5. LHP Steven Matz

Quick Thoughts: Erick Fedde and Steven Matz remain potential trade chips between now and Opening Day, and Miles Mikolas could also find himself on the trade block by midseason if he rebounds in the final season of his three-year, $55.75 million deal.

Veteran Sonny Gray would also be an obvious trade candidate if not for his preference to stay in St. Louis and no-trade clause, but the Cardinals are headed for a youth movement and Michael McGreevy, Quinn Mathews and Tink Hence all have the potential to be long-term rotation pieces.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Michael McGreevy, RHP Roddery Munoz, LHP Quinn Mathews, RHP Sem Robberse, RHP Tink Hence

Tampa Bay Rays

Projected Starting Rotation

1. LHP Shane McClanahan
2. RHP Taj Bradley
3. RHP Ryan Pepiot
4. RHP Zack Littell
5. RHP Shane Baz
6. RHP Drew Rasmussen

Quick Thoughts: Since the start of last offseason, the Rays have traded Tyler Glasnow, Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale and Jeffrey Springs, yet they still have enough quality rotation depth to be a strong candidate to go with a six-man rotation.

The return of Shane McClanahan and post-hype emergence of Shane Baz gives the staff a major in-house boost, and flame-thrower Joe Boyle is a dark horse contributor to watch after he was acquired from Oakland in the deal that sent Springs the other way.

Other Internal Candidates: LHP Mason Montgomery, RHP Joe Boyle, LHP Ian Seymour

Texas Rangers

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Jacob deGrom
2. RHP Nathan Eovaldi
3. RHP Jon Gray
4. RHP Tyler Mahle
5. RHP Kumar Rocker

Quick Thoughts: The Rangers re-signed Nathan Eovaldi to a three-year, $75 million deal after he declined a $20 million player option at the start of the offseason, and he will help take some pressure off Jacob deGrom and Tyler Mahle who are both coming off injury-shortened seasons.

For the first time in years, there is serious starting pitching depth in the Rangers farm system, and former Vanderbilt teammates Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter will compete with Cody Bradford, Dane Dunning and non-roster invitee Adrian Houser for the No. 5 starter job.

Other Internal Candidates: LHP Cody Bradford, RHP Dane Dunning, RHP Jack Leiter, RHP Emiliano Teodo, RHP Adrian Houser

Toronto Blue Jays

Projected Starting Rotation

1. RHP Kevin Gausman
2. RHP José Berríos
3. RHP Nick Pivetta
4. RHP Chris Bassitt
5. RHP Bowden Francis

Quick Thoughts: The Blue Jays remain a sleeping giant after whiffing in their pursuit of Juan Soto, and while they could focus their efforts on upgrading the offense, there is also a case to be made to add another veteran arm to the rotation.

Nick Pivetta declined a qualifying offer at the start of the offseason, so signing him will cost a draft pick, but he has swing-and-miss stuff and would add quality depth to a good staff after posting a 4.14 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 172 strikeouts in 145.2 innings last year.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Yariel Rodríguez, RHP Jake Bloss, LHP Eric Lauer

Washington Nationals

Projected Starting Rotation

1. LHP MacKenzie Gore
2. RHP Jake Irvin
3. RHP Trevor Williams
4. LHP Mitchell Parker
5. RHP Michael Soroka
6. LHP DJ Herz

Quick Thoughts: The Nationals are a prime candidate to utilize a six-man rotation with their young arms joined by free-agent addition Michael Soroka and a healthy Trevor Williams who was brought back on a two-year, $14 million after injuries cut his 2024 short following a strong start.

Can former top prospect Cade Cavalli make an impact? The No. 22 overall pick in the 2020 draft has pitched just 12.2 innings over the last three years, but he was a Top 100 prospect prior to the 2022 and 2023 seasons and is expected to be healthy heading into the year.

Other Internal Candidates: RHP Cade Cavalli, RHP Joan Adon, RHP Jackson Rutledge, RHP Andry Lara