MLB The Show 25 does a great job of showcasing the excitement of the crowd, the crack of the bat, and the suspense of competing for a championship. However, there's also a lot of drama off the field, like negotiations, trades, and tough decisions that can change the fate of a team. MLB The Show's Franchise mode has given players a taste of this, but MLB The Show 25 takes it to a whole new level.

The developers have listened to player this year and completely revamped the Franchise experience and the March to October mode. You can expect a more detailed and realistic simulation of managing a baseball team. It’s no longer just about winning games; it’s about creating a successful team over time. The Franchise mode has many changes and new features in this year's installment that are great to see.

MLB The Show 25: Everything New In Franchise Mode

The Front Office Experience

MLB The Show 25 offers a much deeper experience in Franchise mode by improving how players manage their teams. It goes beyond just managing player rosters and introduces more strategic elements to running a team. Players will need to think carefully about various situations and what motivates them, making them feel more like a real general manager.

The way player trades work has also been improved, making trading more complex and challenging. Players can't just grab good players; as a GM, you have to think about money and how your decisions will affect the team in the long run. This means players will need to plan strategically and manage resources wisely.

Free Agency

MLB The Show 25 makes free agency in Franchise mode much more interesting by moving past just comparing player statistics. Now, how MLB players feel and what motivates them will play a big role in negotiations, adding more strategy to being a GM. The best free agents set the market, meaning their gs can affect other teams.

Teams that act quickly can gain an advantage, but it might not work out well if they rush into a deal. Making a low offer can hurt your team's chances of g a top player. Timing is crucial: offering too soon might leave the player uninterested, while waiting too long could mean losing them to another team. Sometimes, an unexpected team might the bidding, increasing the uncertainty. Free agents might reach out or come back with better offers, giving GMs chances to improve their teams unexpectedly.

Big Board

MLB The Show 25 is introducing the Big Board, which is a helpful tool for general managers to better plan for the offseason and build their teams. It goes beyond just listing free agents; the Big Board helps GMs figure out which players they really need and how well those players would fit in with their current roster.

This makes roster management much more efficient, saving time and effort that might be wasted on players who aren't a good match. The Big Board also allows GMs to analyze each free agent more thoroughly. With weekly updates on player motivation, you can adjust your strategies as the offseason goes on.

General Manager

In MLB The Show 25’s Franchise mode, the GM has a big job beyond negotiating deals. They are responsible for creating a successful baseball team. The GM needs to think strategically and make tough choices to build a well-rounded roster, use resources wisely, and plan for the organization's future. When assembling the team, the GM must consider player skills, what positions are needed, and how the players work together.

They have to decide which young players to develop, which experienced players to keep, and which ones to trade, all while staying within a budget. Managing resources also involves improving scouting and training facilities, funding player development programs, and investing in new technology to stay competitive.

Salaries & Contracts

MLB The Show 25 makes the Franchise mode feel more realistic, especially regarding player salaries and contracts. The game has updated player salary figures to better match real life, which makes the financial side of things more believable. When teams can’t reach a contract agreement with a player, there’s now a hearing that decides the final salary, just like in real life.

Contract negotiations are also more realistic, as players now ask for salaries that align with what they would earn in the real world. This means GMs have to make tougher decisions. Spending too much on a top free agent could lead to a big contract but might limit the team’s financial flexibility if it becomes hard to trade that player later on.

Presentation & Commentary

MLB The Show 25 makes big improvements to how Franchise mode looks and sounds, giving players a better experience. The familiar commentators, John Sciambi and Chris Singleton, return with helpful analysis. Additionally, new public address announcers Adrienne Roberson and Renel Brooks-Moon, who will Alex Miniak, will add fresh voices that enhance the stadium atmosphere.

One of the standout changes is the revamped franchise introductions. Instead of just a simple screen, players can now enjoy a cinematic experience that showcases important storylines for their franchise, setting the stage for the season. Now, players get real-time updates on league stories, minor league reports, and game match-ups, all integrated into the entry process.

Why You Should Be Excited For MLB The Show 25's Franchise Mode

A Lot of Cool Things Are Coming

I'm excited for MLB The Show 25's Franchise mode because the updates sound amazing. I like making businesses successful in video games, and Franchise mode seems like it will scratch my strategic itch by figuring out who’s worth g and when to act, so it will mean feeling like a winner when g someone at the right time. It makes me curious how they updated Franchise mode and put added a first-person mode in just a year.

The Big Board feature also sounds great for people like me who need organization. It’s the perfect way to compare and contrast without going in and out of menus. MLB The Show 25 did a great job making the game a lot more welcoming while still being immersive.

Source: Sony San Diego/YouTube