Congratulations are in order to the Los Angeles Dodgers for winning the World Series. Now, what are you going to do for an encore?
There were plenty of surprises this past season, so success in 2025 doesn’t necessarily translate into being a playoff contender in 2026. But it’s as good a place as any to start.
While acknowledging that free agent signings, trades and injuries will certainly shift the relative strengths of the clubs between now and the start of the regular season, we’re diving right in with a way-too-early look at which teams should be poised to compete in 2026 and which ones figure to scuffle.
Chance for repeat/three-peat?
Los Angeles Dodgers: You see stars everywhere you look in L.A. Sure, they flex their financial muscle to attract the brightest and the best, but they’re also very good at finding the right complementary pieces. As long as Shohei Ohtani is around, the Dodgers will be tough to beat. (And he’s under contract through 2033.)
Top contenders
Seattle Mariners: The M’s made it to the ALCS with the help of free agents Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suarez, but the key cogs on the roster – C Cal Raleigh, CF Julio Rodriguez and starters Bryan Woo, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby and Luis Castillo – will all be back. That’s a solid foundation, and along with a fantastic bullpen, that elusive World Series appearance definitely appears within reach.
New York Yankees: Two-time (perhaps three-time?) MVP Aaron Judge anchors an offense that will look to fill Cody Bellinger’s spot in free agency. Starting rotation should be among MLB’s best, especially if Gerrit Cole can return from Tommy John surgery in the second half.
Atlanta Braves: The Braves hardly ever put their optimal squad on the field at the same time all season. OF Ronald Acuña and SP Spencer Strider were sidelined early with injuries, OF Jurickson Profar sat out the middle part with a suspension. SP Spencer Schwellenbach and 3B Austin Riley missed time in the second half. Just a little better luck and the Braves are back with a vengeance.
Solid foundation
Boston Red Sox: With ace Garrett Crochet and top prospects OF Roman Anthony, IF Marcelo Mayer and 2B Kristian Campbell, the future looks bright in Boston. The biggest unknown is what happens with 3B Alex Bregman, who can opt out of the final year of his contract.
Philadelphia Phillies: Was 2025 the final hurrah for this version of the Phils? DH Kyle Schwarber, C J.T. Realmuto and SP Ranger Suarez are free agents. Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and Aaron Nola are entering their age-33 seasons. Ace Zack Wheeler had shoulder surgery in September and may not be ready for opening day.
Detroit Tigers: They cashed in some chips to bolster the postseason roster, but there are several impact prospects on the verge of the majors who could help keep the Tigers competitive for years to come. Plus, any team with Tarik Skubal at the top of the rotation must be taken seriously.
Baltimore Orioles: A new manager and (hopefully) better health should make for a bounce-back season in Charm City. Even better if ownership decides to loosen the purse strings for an impact free agent or two. Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish front a pitching staff that should be the focal point of offseason upgrades.
Cleveland Guardians: Jose Ramirez is a rock of consistency in all facets of the game. Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibee are part of a pitching pipeline that seemingly never ends. We saw a glimpse of the future in this year’s playoffs when young OFs George Valera and Chase DeLauter got their feet wet.
We have questions
Houston Astros: We saw just how important a full season from OF/DH Yordan Alvarez is to the Astros’ success when they failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Father Time is an obstacle for over-30 vets Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Christian Walker and Josh Hader. While Hunter Brown is a legit ace, losing Framber Valdez to free agency will create a huge hole in the starting rotation.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Led by OF Corbin Carroll, 2B Ketel Marte and SS Geraldo Perdomo, the D’backs have an offense that can keep them competitive. The pitching staff, however, is filled with question marks. Corbin Burnes was supposed to be the anchor, but he’s recovering from Tommy John surgery and may not pitch again until late 2026.
Kansas City Royals: The top of the order is reason for excitement with MVP candidate Bobby Witt Jr. and lefty power bats Vinnie Pasquantino and Jac Caglianone. Depth is a major concern, as is ace Cole Ragans’ ability to bounce back from a torn rotator cuff that limited him to just 13 starts in 2025.
Tampa Bay Rays: The Rays took a step backward this season, but there’s optimism surrounding a budding superstar in 3B Junior Caminero (45 HR, 110 RBI). He may not be able to replicate those power numbers – and the offense could struggle overall – when the team moves back to Tropicana Field, but an above-average pitching staff will welcome the change.
San Francisco Giants: GM Buster Posey made a bold move in plucking Tony Vitello from the college ranks to be his new manager. The bold move at midseason to acquire Rafael Devers didn’t quite work out, but middle-of-the-order sluggers don’t grow on trees. The Giants may have the widest range of outcomes of any major league team in 2026.
Needs improvement
Athletics: The first season in their temporary Sacramento home provided plenty of surprises – among them a seven-win jump from 2024. Emergence of rookies Nick Kurtz and Jacob Wilson makes the offense just good enough to be dangerous. But the pitching …
St. Louis Cardinals: The Chaim Bloom era begins in earnest as he takes over baseball operations from John Mozeilak. His first order of business will likely be to find a trade partner and deal veteran 3B Nolan Arenado. Second order of business is to find more power for an offense that had fewer homers than any team except the Pirates.
Minnesota Twins: Jettisoning more than half the major league roster at the trade deadline was certainly a choice. Now the Twins have to find a way to reload, most likely without making a big splash in free agency. CF Byron Buxton is the only true star, but his career is peppered with an assortment of injuries. Same with 3B Royce Lewis. At least the pitching staff should be able to keep games close.
Still a ways off
Los Angeles Angels: Mike Trout remains stuck on a perpetual merry-go-round as he enters his 16th MLB season, still without a postseason win. SS Zach Neto and OF Jo Adell are exciting, yet flawed players. But as usual, Trout just needs more help, and the organization never seems to give him any.
Chicago White Sox: After several years of swapping veterans for prospects, it’s time to start seeing some of those moves pay off. C Kyle Teel and 2B Chase Meidroth are part of the first wave, along with first-round SS Colson Montgomery.
Washington Nationals: The youth movement continues with the hiring of 33-year-old Blake Butera to take over as manager. OF James Wood has superstar potential, while SS CJ Abrams has shown flashes but has lacked consistency. Pitching is the biggest issue; only the Rockies had a worse ERA in 2025.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Isn’t Paul Skenes amazing? If he only had some support from the offense. And from ownership,