MLB The Show 25: Release Date And 8 Important Franchise Mode Details

MLB The Show 25 will release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch on March 18, 2025. Players who pre-order the Digital Deluxe Edition can access the game early, beginning on March 14, 2025.

Many PC users wish Sony would unleash a version for Steam, but as of now, that’s not happening. Likewise, if the rumors are true that the game’s visual development is being held up by the Nintendo Switch’s outdated hardware, many others can’t wait for the Switch 2 to drop so The Show can take a major leap visually.

In any case, The Show has been a steady title from a pure gameplay standpoint. Its franchise mode hasn’t been as detailed as NBA 2K’s, but it has been ahead of Madden’s version—though EA’s football title closed the gap considerably with Madden 25.

Let’s take a look at the 10 biggest things you should know about franchise mode in MLB The Show 25.

MLB The Show 25 Franchise Mode New Features and Improvements

Sony San Diego has seemingly placed an emphasis on adding a strategic element to most of the mechanics during the offseason. Here’s a peek at what changed, as well as some new presentation elements specific to franchise mode.

MLB The Show 25 Revamped Free Agency System

The new free agency system introduces a “Motivation” tracker, reflecting how interested a player is in joining a team. Players also have tags that can give a team an edge in signing them in free agency. Lowball offers can kill your team’s chances of inking a free agent if they feel insulted. I love it when free agent or recruiting tools give the players a bit of personality.

It’s excellent for immersion.

To bring some order and restrictions, users can only submit contract offers once per week, specifically on Fridays, adding a new layer of strategy. Each free agent has a maximum motivation level, meaning no team can fully convince every player to sign—regardless of the offer.

MLB The Show 25 Big Board Feature

The Big Board feature provides a centralized tool for tracking and planning free agent acquisitions. I’ll admit this is a hardcore franchise feature, but if it works as designed and is used properly, it could sink you even deeper into the experience of running a baseball club.

It offers visual insights into available players, updates weekly during the offseason, and helps teams prioritize signings based on organizational needs.

MLB The Show 25 Realistic Contract Negotiations

It’s tough for sports video games to nail the contract concepts. In MLB The Show 25, contract negotiations have been reworked to closely mirror real-world scenarios. Players now demand salaries based on market values, and if no agreement is reached, arbitration hearings become an option. This change will hopefully force players to balance finances carefully, ensuring payroll decisions align with long-term roster goals.

In SSD’s presentation of the feature, they explained that top players will set the market as they do in real life. I can’t wait to see how that evolves over the life of a franchise mode experience.

MLB The Show 25 Improved Trade Logic

This is a huge one. The new trade logic system has been enhanced to ideally provide fairer and more competitive offers. I am guilty of fleecing the CPU on some trades in my day, and I want to be held in check in MLB The Show 25.

According to SSD, teams must now strategically manage assets, as overspending triggers budget warnings, preventing unrealistic trade outcomes.

MLB The Show 25 Dynamic Market Influence

Free agency in MLB The Show 25 has been designed to reflect real-world economics, with top teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees leading the charge in player signings. This creates a dynamic market, forcing other teams to adjust their roster-building strategies accordingly.

Many users will want to change this or adjust it in the settings to give every team the level playing field they wish existed in the real MLB. I prefer it to mimic real life so that I can take down the Dodgers with the Chicago Cubs.

MLB The Show 25 New Dynamic Stories and Rookie Updates

According to SSD, MLB The Show’s commentary will feature dynamic league stories and rookie updates. It’s hard to quantify the importance of having Jon Sciambi and Chris Singleton referring to something that’s happening in your alternate baseball universe from game to game.

If that and rookie updates function smoothly, it’ll make the commentary all the more digestible over the course of your franchise mode.

MLB The Show 25 Enhanced Player Cards

This might seem small, but in franchise mode, the data provided on the back of a card can be cool. SSD says player cards in MLB The Show 25 will now show last-10-game performance, draft history, and Rule 5 draft eligibility.

MLB The Show 25 Prospect Rankings

Prospect rankings are adjusted to match real-world MLB draft trends, ensuring relievers and closers are valued more accurately. In previous versions, relievers and closers were often devalued.

Be on the lookout for more info on legends and Diamond Dynasty.