MLB The Show 25 has raised the bar for baseball video games in terms of realism, gameplay mechanics, and presentation. As fans, we get to enjoy one of the best simulations of the sport today. However, when itmlb the show 25 stubs comes to franchise mode, there’s a stark contrast between the detailed, exciting on-field gameplay and the underwhelming off-field experience. While the game’s mechanics make the on-field experience feel authentic, the franchise mode still lacks the necessary depth to make it a truly comprehensive management simulation.



Franchise Mode: A One-Dimensional Experience



At its core, MLB The Show’s franchise mode is about managing a baseball team across multiple seasons. You’ll sign players, make trades, manage your roster, and try to build a championship-caliber team. But, when you break it down, these actions only scratch the surface of what it means to run a professional sports team. There’s far more to team management than just building a roster and making tactical decisions on the field.



In real baseball, front-office personnel juggle a multitude of responsibilities, from managing team finances to making business decisions that affect the entire organization. Unfortunately, MLB The Show 25 doesn't give players the opportunity to take on these critical off-field aspects of team management. For example, fans of other sports games have long been able to engage in intricate negotiations with sponsors, make decisions about stadium upgrades, and oversee aspects of a team’s operations that go far beyond just signing players. In contrast, MLB The Show 25 offers a limited system where finances and contracts are basic and uninvolved.



Lack of Sponsorships, Merchandising, and Fan Interaction



A major area where MLB The Show 25 could improve is the integration of sponsorships, merchandising, and fan engagement. Major League Baseball teams make millions of dollars through television deals, merchandise, and ticket sales, yet the franchise mode in MLB The Show doesn’t reflect this. In real life, a team’s success off the field is just as important as its success on it.



Imagine being able to sign sponsorship deals with major companies, run promotional events for fans, or adjust ticket prices based on team performance. These types of off-field interactions would add layers of complexity and realism to the game, making it feel more like the day-to-day operations of a real baseball team. Unfortunately, MLB The Show 25 doesn’t incorporate these features, leaving a hole in the franchise experience that many players are longing for.



Player Development and Scouting: Beyond the Stats



Another key aspect of running a successful franchise in real life is player development, both on and off the field. In MLB The Show 25, the development system is fairly basic, focusing primarily on player statistics and performance. While this is great for tracking a player's progress on the field, it misses the larger picture. Real teams spend a great deal of time fostering not only the skills of their players but also their personal growth, mental health, and readiness for the major league spotlight.



Adding off-field factors like player morale, media interactions, and personal challenges would make the player development system feel more robust and lifelike. Players in real life have off-field distractions and issues that impact their performance—why shouldn’t that be reflected in MLB The Show 25?



A Call for Change



It’s clear that MLB The Show 25 is an incredible game with excellent on-field gameplay, but its franchise mode still lacks the off-field depth that would make it a truly complete simulation. Fans are hoping that future updates will add more off-field mechanics, including sponsorships, merchandising, and deeper player development systems. Until these features are added, the franchise mode will continue to feel like it’s only half the experience it could be.



As the developers continue to improve the series, we can only hope that the next iteration of MLB The Show takes a more holistic approach to team management, one that doesn’t just focus on the players but also on the business side of running a baseball team. Until then, players will have to make do with the solid, yet somewhat limited, franchise mode offered in MLB The Show 25.