By Daniel 
Here’s your article rewritten in a more informal, engaging style:
MLB Season Kicks Off in Tokyo, But the Hot Stove is Still Burning
The 2025 MLB season is officially underway! The Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs got things started with Game 1 of the Tokyo Series, and it was a battle of Japanese pitching aces—Yoshinobu Yamamoto for the Dodgers and Shota Imanaga for the Cubs.
But the real star of the night? Shohei Ohtani. The two-way sensation delivered two hits, scored twice, and helped the Dodgers lock in the win. These teams will face off one more time in Tokyo before heading back to the U.S. to prep for the full league-wide Opening Day on March 27.
Even with the season kicking off, there are still some big questions hanging over the league. Free agents J.D. Martinez and Alex Verdugo are still waiting for a call, and potential blockbuster trades involving Luis Robert Jr. and Sandy Alcántara could shake things up. Plus, the fate of Cardinals’ third baseman Nolan Arenado remains uncertain.
Let’s dive into some of the biggest storylines still developing as we count down to Opening Day.
Tigers Feeling the Heat After Missing Out on Bregman
Detroit had a shot at landing superstar Alex Bregman this offseason but didn’t push hard enough, and now they’re paying the price. The Red Sox swooped in and locked him up on a three-year, $120 million deal—something the Tigers could have easily afforded but failed to secure.
Now, with starting third baseman Matt Vierling sidelined by a rotator cuff strain, the Tigers are scrambling. Top prospect Jace Jung? Not ready yet—he’s been sent back to Triple-A. That leaves Trey Sweeney holding down shortstop and a struggling Javier Báez shifting to third. Yikes.
Bregman would have been a massive upgrade, and Detroit fans will likely be feeling this one all season long.
Cardinals Might Lose Nick Anderson Thanks to an Odd Contract Clause
The Cardinals have been making moves this offseason, cutting ties with veterans like Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson and testing the trade waters for stars like Nolan Arenado and Sonny Gray. But they might have just backed themselves into a tough spot with right-handed pitcher Nick Anderson.
St. Louis reassigned Anderson to minor league camp, but thanks to a unique “upward mobility” clause in his contract, the rest of the league has a shot at claiming him. On March 23, teams can swoop in and add him to their 40-man roster, forcing the Cardinals to either do the same or let him walk.
It’s not a franchise-altering move, but it’s another headache for St. Louis. If another team snatches up Anderson, it’ll be a clear sign the Cardinals undervalued him.