Fans felt shock after 2025 grades landed and toppled several season narratives. This matters now because the final week will decide playoff seeding and front-office plans. ESPN’s David Schoenfield published the full regular-season grades on Sep 24, 2025, assigning only one A and multiple failing marks. My take: these grades crystallize which clubs must act this offseason rather than tinker. Which teams will overhaul rosters, escalate trades, or ride momentum into October – and what should you expect next?
What changes for fans after 2025 MLB grades and playoff shake-up
- Milwaukee Brewers finished with 97 wins; best regular season in franchise history.
- Philadelphia Phillies clinched the NL East and added deadline help Jhoan Duran.
- New York Mets collapsed from 96% odds to a late stumble; payroll pressure rises.
Why these 2025 grades land at the season’s most critical week
This week decides seeding, home-field advantages and which front offices must pivot immediately. Grades published now compress months of scouting, injuries and deadline moves into one public verdict. For fans, an A or F can change expectations for October and ticket-market demand. For GMs, the visible grades increase pressure to trade, fire, or extend before the winter meetings.
How players, pundits and fans reacted to the grades this week
Many commentators seized on extremes – a single A for the Brewers and multiple F/F- marks for the Braves, Twins and Rockies. Some players pushed back on social media while analysts used the grades to reframe playoff odds and offseason urgency.
On our special trade deadline edition podcast, in which we give 30 team grades in 35 minutes and talk with Cubs exec Jed Hoyer. https://t.co/WIEhBtY122@JeffPassan @kurkjian
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) August 1, 2025
Which 2025 stats explain the most surprising team grades today
Two clear patterns drive the grades: runaway run differentials and late-season surges or collapses. Teams with extreme run differentials rose to the top, while clubs that collapsed in August-September received punitive grades. This compresses narrative value for trades and contract evaluations ahead of winter.
The numbers that change playoff odds in 2025 and what to watch
| KPI | Value + Unit | Change/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Wins (Brewers) | 97 wins | +1 vs franchise best |
| Run differential (Brewers) | +173 runs | League-leading margin |
| Juan Soto HRs | 42 HR | Key offensive driver |
These figures show clearer separation between contenders and rebuilders entering October.
What will the 2025 grades force teams to do this offseason?
Expect at least three playoff-chasing clubs to pursue frontline pitching and one marquee trade to reshape the wild-card picture. Bold roster moves are likelier for teams graded C- or worse, while the Brewers and Phillies face tougher retention choices. Will your team spend big, flip prospects, or roll the dice with internal fixes this winter?
Sources
- https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46346687/mlb-2025-full-season-grades-all-30-teams-brewers-phillies-dodgers-mets-yankees
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Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.