A month into the start of MLB spring training, several free agents still haven’t signed. While we wait, let’s analyze how the 2026 season is shaping up. How are the teams doing heading into spring training? Will anyone be able to dethrone the Dodgers, two-time World Series champions, from first place? How has the active offseason boosted Toronto? And where do the New York teams stand? Our expert panel has ranked each team based on what we’ve seen this offseason and what we already knew from 2025. We also asked the experts at Alofoke Deportes to give us their opinion on the 30 teams.
2026 Power Rankings (Preliminary)
1. Los Angeles DodgersFinal ranking 2025: 3 Preliminary Classification 2026: 1 The Dodgers began the offseason with a clear need in the ninth inning and, as they often do, they solved it with the best player available. Edwin Díaz left the Mets to join the Dodgers with a three-year, $69 million contract, and now Timmy Trumpet will provide the soundtrack to Los Angeles summers, making the two-time defending champions even more dangerous. The Dodgers still have a big move to make: securing another bat, most likely a outfielder. They remain interested in Cody Bellinger and Kyle Tucker, but if they can’t reach a short-term, high-value deal, they could opt for a trade.2. Toronto Blue JaysFinal ranking 2025: 4 Preliminary Classification 2026: 2 After years of falling short in their pursuit of top free agents, Toronto has become the most aggressive team this offseason, utilizing its large budget and World Series run to finally become a coveted destination. In addition to Shane Bieber exercising his $16 million player option to return to the team, the Blue Jays have so far committed $337 million in free agency for Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, Tyler Rogers, and Kazuma Okamoto from Japan, more than $130 million more than any other club this winter, and they’re likely not done. Toronto is still in the running to sign outfielder Kyle Tucker, or re-sign infielder Bo Bichette. Last season, the Blue Jays exceeded expectations to win the American League. They will enter this season as favorites.3. Seattle MarinersFinal ranking 2025: 5 Preliminary Ranking 2026: 3 The Mariners re-signed Josh Naylor, acquired an excellent bench bat in Rob Refsnyder, and traded for hard-throwing left-handed reliever José A. Ferrer. Let’s see if they trade for another bat; the Brendan Donovan rumors don’t go away. One thing that seems certain: they won’t trade any of their starting pitchers, and if that group returns to its 2024 form, the Mariners could win consecutive division titles for the first time in franchise history.4. New York YankeesFinal ranking 2025: 6 Preliminary Ranking 2026: 4 The New York offseason so far has been defined by what it hasn’t done. The Yankees have made moves, but they’ve all been minor and almost all have been to retain players. Trent Grisham accepted the qualifying offer. Ryan Yarbrough, Amed Rosario, and Paul Blackburn re-signed to one-year contracts, each for less than $3 million. The Yankees made Cade Winquest, who has never pitched above Double-A, their first Rule 5 selection in 15 years. Veteran infielder Paul DeJong signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. It’s hard to imagine the Yankees not making more substantial additions before spring training. That could include re-signing Cody Bellinger and/or acquiring a starting pitcher to bolster a rotation that won’t have Carlos Rodon, Gerrit Cole, and Clarke Schmidt to start the season. Adding to the bullpen is another possibility after Devin Williams and Luke Weaver left to sign with the Mets.5. Philadelphia PhilliesFinal Ranking 2025: 2 Preliminary Classification 2026: 9 Philadelphia has yet to resolve its catcher position for next season, with J.T. Realmuto still unsigned. But the Phillies’ rotation should be formidable again, and there is a belief in the organization that Zack Wheeler could return to the mound for the start of the 2026 season. That schedule could be adjusted to give Wheeler more time to recover, given the nature of his injury, but so far, everything is going well in the right-hander’s rehabilitation.6. Boston Red SoxFinal ranking 2025: 9 Preliminary Classification 2026: 5 The Red Sox are the only team that hasn’t signed a free agent to a Major League contract this offseason, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t been active. They acquired right-hander Sonny Gray and first baseman Willson Contreras in separate trades with the Cardinals, and right-hander Johan Oviedo from the Pirates. Looking ahead, Boston is interested in re-signing third baseman Alex Bregman. Trading an outfielder to break the logjam and adding another starting pitcher (the Red Sox are one of the teams interested in acquiring right-hander Freddy Peralta from the Brewers) are also possibilities.7. Milwaukee BrewersFinal ranking 2025: 1 Preliminary ranking 2026: 7 Although Milwaukee lost some players like Rhys Hoskins and Jose Quintana in free agency, the core of a team that produced the best regular season record in 2025 is intact, except for outfielder Isaac Collins, who was traded to Kansas City for left-hander Angel Zerpa. Retaining Brandon Woodruff and Freddy Peralta instantly makes the Brewers contenders in the National League Central again, assuming both pitchers break camp with the team.8. Atlanta BravesFinal ranking 2025: 21 Preliminary Ranking 2026: 14 Atlanta will continue to look for pitchers, but most of their winter work is complete, with the retention of Ha-Seong Kim at shortstop and the addition of closer Robert Suarez and outfielder Mike Yastrzemski. The big questions that arise for next season will revolve around the health of key players like Chris Sale, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Austin Riley. But the Braves seem prepared for a comeback season.9. Chicago CubsFinal ranking 2025: 7 Preliminary Classification 2026: 6 Chicago rebuilt its bullpen this winter, saying hello to no fewer than four new relievers, but those were just replacements, as Brad Keller, Drew Pomeranz, and others left. The Cubs still hadn’t made that big winter signing until they acquired Edward Cabrera from Miami this week. It deepens their starting staff significantly. Now they need to replace a bat after trading Owen Caissie for Cabrera. They are a bit thin at the plate.10. Baltimore OriolesFinal ranking 2025: 24 Preliminary Classification 2026: 20 Baltimore’s busy winter after a tremendously disappointing 2025 season began with the hiring of Craig Albernaz as manager. Baseball operations president Mike Elias then began working on a checklist to improve the roster: a front-line starter, a closer, and a right-handed hitter, preferably in the outfield. He then signed closer Ryan Helsley, acquired outfielder Taylor Ward and right-hander Shane Baz in trades, and signed first baseman Pete Alonso to double right-handed hitting power. Although Baz doesn’t have the history of a top opener, he has the talent, and the Orioles could still sign Framber Valdez or Ranger Suarez to accompany Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Zach Eflin and Baz in the rotation. Anyway, the Orioles have improved a lot with one of the deepest lineups in baseball and a talented young core.11. Houston AstrosFinal ranking 2025: 12 Preliminary Classification 2026: 23 After injuries devastated three-fifths of the rotation in 2025, the Astros have added reinforcements: Tatsuya Imai from Japan, Mike Burrows from the Pirates, and Ryan Weiss, who starred in Korea. But it seems almost certain that free agent Framber Valdez is leaving and nothing has been done to improve a mediocre offense that is too right-handed and too reliant on a healthy Yordan Alvarez. A logjam of Carlos Correa/Isaac Paredes at third base also generates some defensive problems, as Alvarez, Paredes, and Jose Altuve cannot be designated hitters at the same time.12. Detroit TigersFinal ranking 2025: 11 Preliminary Classification 2026: 10 The Tigers resurrected themselves after a September collapse to push Seattle to a Game 5 in the divisional series, and while some elements of their bullpen performed well in the postseason, they brought back Kyle Finnegan and added Kenley Jansen in free agency to ensure their viability. Newly acquired free agent Drew Anderson almost matched Cody Ponce’s numbers in Korea last year, and signed for a quarter of the guaranteed price that Toronto paid for Ponce. But most notably for the Tigers this offseason is what they haven’t done: trade Tarik Skubal. The two-time reigning American League Cy Young winner remains with the Tigers for now, and the industry is waiting to see if anyone makes them the godfather offer that would be needed to get him.13. San Diego PadresFinal ranking 2025: 8 Preliminary Classification 2026: 15 The Padres’ offseason began with the news that the late Peter Seidler’s family was exploring the sale of the team, which, at the very least, indicated that money would be tight again. It has created a kind of dilemma for general manager A.J. Preller, who has holes to fill, few prospects to trade, and little money to spend. The Padres covered a massive need in the rotation by bringing back Michael King in what could be a low-cost deal if he opts out after 2026, but they need more. Korean infielder Sung Mun Song was signed, but they still need another bat. Preller will have to be creative. Again.14. New York MetsFinal ranking 2025: 14 Preliminary ranking 2026: 12 Rival executives and agents keep waiting and waiting for owner Steve Cohen’s money to manifest itself in a more significant way than the contracts the Mets gave to Devin Williams and Jorge Polanco. Will it be a short-term deal with Kyle Tucker? A long-term deal with Ranger Suárez? A bet on Cody Bellinger, to get another former Yankee? The bottom line: baseball operations president David Stearns has a lot of work to do to improve the team.15. Kansas City RoyalsFinal ranking 2025: 18 Preliminary Classification 2026: 11 Last winter, Kansas City seemed to be done adding, and then offered Anthony Santander three years and 66 million dollars. He had already committed to sign with Toronto, but it’s a reminder that, while the Royals aren’t always in the midst of high-profile negotiations, they are always lurking. And while they’ve done a good job of adding Matt Strahm and Nick Mears to their bullpen, and Isaac Collins to their outfield via trades and Lane Thomas in free agency, in addition to securing All-Star third baseman Maikel Garcia with a long-term extension, more could be done. Don’t sleep on future trades: teams continue to express interest in lefty Kris Bubic and would love for the Royals to part with ace Cole Ragans.16. Cincinnati RedsFinal ranking 2025: 13 Preliminary classification 2026: 8 The core of Cincinnati’s playoffs remains intact, although the team hasn’t acquired a major name this offseason to boost things. Re-signing reliever Emilio Pagan was important, but pitching isn’t the problem: the offense is. The Reds have more work to do in that area after their flirtation with Kyle Schwarber ended quickly.17. Arizona DiamondbacksFinal ranking 2025: 15 Preliminary Classification 2026: 22 Rumors of a Ketel Marte trade have dominated the D-backs’ offseason, and now we might be close to a resolution, one way or another. With or without Marte, the D-backs’ goal remains the same: to accumulate pitching depth, build a team that can stay in the race while Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Cobrin Burnes, Justin Martinez, and A.J. Puk return from injury, and make another push for the playoffs down the stretch. The big question is whether they will actually get star third baseman Alex Bregman. That might only be possible if Marte and his contract are off their books.18. Cleveland GuardiansFinal ranking 2025: 10 Preliminary Classification 2026: 16 From their unexpected run to win the American League Central Division, the Guardians have signed three right-handed relievers (Shawn Armstrong, Colin Holderman, and Connor Brogdon), re-signed backup catcher Austin Hedges, and have done nothing to address the team-wide .226/.296/.373 triple-slash in 2025. Each of those figures ranked 29th in the majors, and as good as Cleveland’s pitching has been, expecting manager Stephen Vogt to win with an offense like that, even with the long-awaited arrival of Chase DeLauter as a full-time outfielder, is a difficult task. The problem is that Cleveland doesn’t have much more salary flexibility, so no further improvements are expected to be substantial.19. Texas RangersFinal ranking 2025: 16 Preliminary Classification 2026: 18 The Rangers’ moves so far have been money-oriented: they didn’t bid on Adolis García and Jonah Heim (both after difficult seasons) and traded Marcus Semien for Brandon Nimmo (assuming more money in the long run but reducing the payroll for 2026). They have a new manager in Skip Schumaker and the payroll is about 50 million dollars below where it was in 2025, so there could be room for a couple more major signings. Texas needs to improve an offense that ranked 26th in OBP, but the rotation also lacks depth, with Nathan Eovaldi, Jacob deGrom, and Jack Leiter as the only locks at the moment.20. San Francisco GiantsFinal ranking 2025: 17 Preliminary Classification 2026: 17 After a previous winter marked by the signing of Willy Adames and a summer highlighted by the Rafael Devers trade, Buster Posey has followed the most conservative route in his second offseason as president of baseball operations. Tyler Mahle (one year, $10 million) and Adrian Houser (two years, $22 million) were brought in to join Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, and Landen Roupp, completing the rotation and perhaps pushing some young starters to the bullpen. The Giants would still like to add a second baseman, or maybe an outfielder, but this doesn’t seem to be a flashy offseason in San Francisco.21. Tampa Bay RaysFinal ranking 2025: 19 Preliminary Classification 2026: 13 Tampa Bay’s approach under new ownership so far has resembled its approach under previous ownership: a combination of additions and subtractions designed to keep the payroll low while trying to compete in a loaded American League East. The Rays were especially active in mid-December, executing three major trades that included Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum, Shane Baz, and Mason Montgomery and heading elsewhere for a total of six players, after signing three players in free agency (left-hander Steven Matz to a two-year contract and outfielders Jake Fraley and Cedric Mullins to one-year deals). On paper, the Rays are the weakest team in the division. But there is talent (Yandy Diaz, Jonathan Aranda, and Junior Caminero are a powerful trio in the middle of the lineup) and Tampa Bay has a history of defying low external expectations.22. AthleticsFinal ranking 2025: 23 Preliminary Classification 2026: 19 The A’s signed Tyler Soderstrom, who came off an impressive 4.3 WAR season, to a seven-year extension, so congratulations to the organization for that move. They also acquired Jeff McNeil from the Mets to get some much-needed infield depth, but the only significant addition addressing the pitching staff has been veteran reliever Mark Leiter Jr. This is a young and exciting group of position players, but the pitching still looks very short for a playoff contender.23. Pittsburgh Pirates
Final ranking 2025: 25 Preliminary Classification 2026: 25 It was reported that the Pirates wanted to add offense this winter, and they delivered when they signed first baseman Ryan O’Hearn and traded for second baseman Brandon Lowe and outfielder Jake Mangum. And if newcomer Jhostynxon Garcia can also produce, Pittsburgh will have
