While Road to the Show lets you have a full career with a created player and Diamond Dynasty allows you to make up an ultimate fantasy team including legends, there's another mode that stands out in the MLB The Show series. That would be franchise mode, which puts you in control of real major league teams for decades.
This list looks at the teams that are worth using in this mode. It's not just the best current teams since everybody knows who they are (like the Dodgers). These are the teams that are the best to control for such a long period of time, as well as the ones to stray away from.
Avoid: Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim
On paper, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have a few reasons they're worth using. They possess the best player in the entire world in Mike Trout, who is always fun to control in a video game. They also have two-way stud Shohei Ohtani, arguably the best third baseman in the league in Anthony Rendon, and the legendary Albert Pujols who is about to shatter some records.
That being said, the team really doesn't have anything else going for them. They've been stuck in a rut, finishing just below mediocrity for years, so it's not like they've loaded up on prospects. Their pitching is weak and they don't have much financial flexibility.
Worth Using: Seattle Mariners
On the flip side, it feels like the Seattle Mariners would be a team to avoid. After all, they have the longest postseason drought in the entire league right now. That's part of what makes them so appealing though, as turning them around would feel pretty satisfying.
It's not like the team isn't ripe with talent. Young arms like Marco Gonzales and Justus Sheffield are guys to build around, as are Kyle Lewis and J.P. Crawford. Plus, veterans like James Paxton and Kyle Seager could be sold off to contending teams for more valuable pieces.
Avoid: Colorado Rockies
While there is always something fun about attempting to turn around a hapless franchise, some are just in major trouble. One of those is the Colorado Rockies. They have been, at best, a middle-of-the-pack team over the past several years but that was with Nolan Arenado.
After dealing away one of the best players in the world, there isn't much left. Trevor Story is a top shortstop but the rest of the team lacks and they're projected by many to have the worst record in the league in 2021. There also aren't that many prospects in the pipeline.
Worth Using: Toronto Blue Jays
The American League East is a tough place to be. The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off of a World Series appearance and the New York Yankees are always a threat. Toronto ranks just below them but way ahead of the rest of the division. They're in good shape now and great shape for the future.
The Blue Jays have an immense level of young talent. That includes second-generation major leaguers like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and Cavan Biggio. They also recently inked former MVP candidate Marcus Semien and World Series MVP George Springer.
Avoid: Boston Red Sox
It seems like the Red Sox never have a middle ground. Either they're contending for a World Series or they rank at the bottom of their division, rarely finishing around a .500 record. Right now, they're in one of their funks.
The team has recently shipped out MVP Mookie Betts and popular players like Andrew Benintendi. Meanwhile, they still have expensive guys who have slipped in terms of their performance like Chris Sale and J.D. Martinez. Throw in their tough division and this would be a struggle.
Worth Using: Chicago White Sox
Last year, the Chicago White Sox made the playoffs for the first time in a while and there was good reason. They are simply stacked with talent. When MLB Network put together their list of the Top 100 Players for 2021, the White Sox tied with the defending champion Dodgers for the most entries.
Tim Anderson has won a batting title, José Abreu is a great run producer, Eloy Jiminez is a young stud, Lucas Giolito threw a no-hitter, and that's just scratching the surface. They also have a strong closer in Liam Hendricks, added World Series winner Adam Eaton, and more. Anyone can win in baseball and the White Sox have a great shot.
Avoid: Philadelphia Phillies
Similar to the aforementioned Angels, the Philadelphia Phillies are basically in the same boat. They have reasons for some optimism and feature one of the best players in the world in Bryce Harper, as well as talents like J.T. Realmuto and Rhys Hoskins.
The problem is that their pitching continues to be mediocre. Other than Aaron Nola, nobody on the staff stands out. That means they remain a team hovering around .500 and without many prospects set to debut. The Washington Nationals, despite winning a World Series two years ago, are in a similar boat but they at least have Juan Soto, Trea Turner, and several other great stars.
Worth Using: Atlanta Braves
The National League East is filled with quality teams as the Phillies and Nationals are good, the Marlins made the postseason last year, and the Mets are on come-up. However, the toast of the division is certainly the Atlanta Braves, who are loaded in every sense.
Freddie Freeman won MVP and Ronald Acuña Jr. is someone to build around as one of the best young players on the planet. They have quality pitching, a decent crop of prospects, and youthful stars who make up a fantastic core. They have a realistic shot at winning it all for several years.
Avoid: Kansas City Royals
It's obvious that the Detroit Tigers are also a basement team in the AL Central. However, they have high-ranking prospects and several veterans to move if needed. Unfortunately, the Kansas City Royals are in a slightly more difficult position with their current roster.
They keep adding names like Carlos Santana and Benintendi, who make it seem like they're trying to contend despite clearly being the fourth-best team in their division. It would be cool to use them to try and get 200 hits with Whit Merrifield but that's about it.
Worth Using: San Diego Padres
The game's cover athlete is Fernando Tatís Jr., star shortstop of the Padres. He has the talent, skills, and swagger to be the face of baseball. That automatically makes the Padres a team worth picking but there's so much more to it than that. They're the definition of a team on the rise.
Many expect them to contend with the Dodgers for the NL West crown. Names like Dinelson Lament, Mike Clevinger, and former Cy Young winner Blake Snell make up a great young pitching core. They have quality hitters, good veterans, and some top prospects lined up as well.