Dodgers defeat Blue Jays to win consecutive championships for the first time since 2000
For the first time since 2000, MLB has a back-to-back champion. The Dodgers won consecutive games and solidified their place among baseball’s modern dynasties.
sports pulse
Congratulations to the Los Angeles Dodgers on winning the World Series. Now, what should we do for encore?
Last season was full of surprises, so success in 2025 doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be playoff contenders in 2026. But it’s a great place to start.
We’re aware that free agent signings, trades, and injuries will certainly change the relative strength of clubs between now and the start of the regular season, but we’re still taking a premature look at which teams will be ready to compete in 2026 and which teams will be in contention.
A chance for a three-peat?
Los Angeles Dodgers: There are stars everywhere you look in LA. Sure, they use their economic power to attract the brightest and best talent, but they’re also very good at finding the right complements. As long as Shohei Ohtani is around, it will be difficult to beat the Dodgers. (And he’s under contract until 2033.)
Top candidates
Toronto Blue Jays: Their relentless attack paved the way for the franchise’s first World Series appearance since 1993. Most of those hitters will be back, but will the AL pennant be enough to keep free agent SS Bo Bichette? The pitching staff certainly looks much better with postseason hero Trey Yesavage in the rotation.
Seattle Mariners: The Ems made it to the ALCS with the help of free agents Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suarez, but key cogs on the roster such as Cal Lowry, CF Julio Rodriguez, and starters Brian Wu, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby and Luis Castillo will all return. It’s a solid foundation, and along with a great bullpen, that elusive World Series appearance certainly looks within reach.
New York Yankees: Two-time (maybe three?) MVP Aaron Judge anchors the offensive line, filling Cody Bellinger’s free agent slot. The starting rotation should be among the best in MLB, especially if Gerrit Cole can return from Tommy John surgery in the second half.
Atlanta Braves: The Braves rarely have the best team on the field at the same time all season. OF Ronald Acuña and SP Spencer Strider were out early with injuries, and OF Jurickson Profar was suspended from the midfield. In the second half, SP Spencer Schwellenbach and 3B Austin Riley missed time. With a little more luck, the Braves will come back with revenge.
Milwaukee Brewers: They have a major league-best 97 wins, and almost everyone is back. The midseason pickup of 1B Andrew Vaughn looks like a (typical) stroke of genius. A full season from rookie flamethrower Jacob Misiorowski will make the Brew Crew even more dangerous.
solid foundation
Boston Red Sox: Boston’s future is bright with ace Garrett Crochet and promising OF Roman Anthony, IF Marcelo Mayer, and 2B Christian Campbell. The biggest unknown is what will happen to 3B Alex Bregman, who can opt out in the final year of his contract.
Philadelphia Phillies: Was 2025 the last hurray for this version of the Phils? DH Kyle Schwarber, C.JT Realmuto, and SP Ranger Suarez became free agents. Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and Aaron Nola are entering their age-33 seasons. Ace Zack Wheeler underwent shoulder surgery in September and may not be ready for Opening Day.
Chicago Cubs: Their core is strong and their defense is probably the best in the majors, but will the front office go the extra mile to get them over the hump? OF Kyle Tucker is a free agent, and losing his bat will be a big blow to the offensive line. All-Star Matthew Boyd and Rookie of the Year candidate Cade Horton will lead the rotation, with left-hander Justin Steele likely to return by midseason.
New York Mets: There’s no way a team this talented (and this expensive) would hover around the .500 mark. Juan Soto is only 27 years old, but the big question this offseason is what will happen to slugging 1B Pete Alonso. If they don’t re-sign him, how will they replace the bats on the offensive line? Rookie right-hander Nolan McLean could be the ace in 2026.
Detroit Tigers: They’ve picked up some chips to shore up their postseason roster, but there are several marquee players on the verge of making it to the majors that could help keep the Tigers competitive for years to come. Additionally, teams with Tarik Skubal at the top of their rotation need to be taken seriously.
San Diego Padres: The Padres have a good core in OFs Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill and 3B Manny Machado, but their depth is a bit questionable after several years of short-term upgrades for the stretch run. The most intriguing offseason decision for the front office will be whether Mason Miller, acquired in the fireball trade deadline, will be a starter or a reliever.
Baltimore Orioles: With a new coach and (hopefully) improved health, it should be a bounce-back season in Charm City. Even better if the owners decide to loosen the purse strings for an impact free agent or two. Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish lead the pitching staff, which should be the focus of offseason upgrades.
Cleveland Guardian: Jose Ramirez is a steady rock in all aspects of the game. Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibby are part of a never-ending pitching pipeline. We got a glimpse of the future in this year’s playoffs when young OFs George Varela and Chase DeLauter performed.
I have a question
Cincinnati Reds: The Reds, who are a playoff team for the second time in over a decade, are built around ace Hunter Green and SS Elie Delacruz. Is it on an upward trend? The starting rotation could be special with youngsters Andrew Abbott and Chase Barnes, but they will need more run support from an offense that has been below average in 2025.
Houston Astros: We now know how important a full season for OF/DH Yordan Alvarez will be to the success of the Astros, who missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Father Time is an obstacle for veterans Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Christian Walker and Josh Hader who are over 30 years old. Hunter Brown is a legitimate ace, but losing Framber Valdez to free agency will create a big hole in the starting rotation.
Texas Rangers: Only a handful of players remain from the World Series championship team from two years ago. Skip Shoemaker will be the new manager to replace Bruce Bochy. Led by veterans Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Adris Garcia and Jacob deGrom, the Rangers are one of the oldest teams in the majors. Fun fact: Texas had the lowest ERA (3.47) in MLB last season.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Led by OF Corbin Carroll, 2B Ketel Marte, and SS Gerardo Perdomo, the D-backs have the offensive power to remain competitive. However, the pitching staff is full of question marks. Corbin Burnes was scheduled to be the anchor, but he is recovering from Tommy John surgery and may not be able to pitch again until the end of 2026.
Miami Marlins: The Marlins improved their 2023 record by 17 wins. There’s a lot to like on this roster, especially with the rise of OFs Kyle Stowers and Jacob Marcy. If everyone stays healthy, especially Eury Perez, Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers, the starting pitching will be special.
Kansas City Royals: At the top of the standings, MVP candidate Bobby Witt Jr. and left-handed sluggers Vinny Pasquantino and Jack Carianone have reason to be excited. Depth is a major concern, as is the ability of ace Cole Lagance to bounce back from starting just 13 games in 2025 due to a torn rotator cuff.
Tampa Bay Rays: Although the Rays took a step back this season, there is 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 may struggle overall when the team returns to Tropicana Field, but the above-average pitching staff will welcome the change.
San Francisco Giants: General manager Buster Posey made the bold move of selecting Tony Vitello, a former college player, as the new manager. The bold move of acquiring Rafael Devers midseason didn’t work out, but mid-major sluggers don’t grow on trees. The Giants could have the widest range of results of any major league team in 2026.
Needs improvement
Athletics: The team’s first season at its temporary home in Sacramento brought many surprises. That includes a seven-win jump from 2024. With the rise of rookies Nick Kurtz and Jacob Wilson, the offensive line has become good enough to be dangerous. But pitching…
St. Louis Cardinals: The Chaim Bloom era begins in earnest as he takes over baseball operations from John Mozelak. His first order of business will be to find a trade partner and sign veteran 3B Nolan Arenado. The next important thing is to find more power in an offensive line that has hit fewer home runs than any other team except the Pirates.
Minnesota Twins: Giving up more than half of the major league roster at the trade deadline was certainly a choice. The Twins now have to find a way to reload, perhaps without making a big splash in free agency. CF Byron Buxton is the only true star, but his career has been plagued by injuries. The same goes for 3B Royce Lewis. At least the pitching staff should be able to keep the games close.
It’s still a long way off
Los Angeles Angels: Even in his 16th MLB season, Mike Trout is still unable to win in the postseason and remains stuck in an eternal merry-go-round. SS Zach Neto and OF Joe Adell are exciting but flawed players. But as always, Trout needs more help and the organization doesn’t seem to be giving him any.
Chicago White Sox: After several years of trading veterans and prospects, it’s time for some of those moves to start paying off. C Kyle Thiel and 2B Chase Meidroth are part of the first wave, along with first-rounder SS Colson Montgomery.
Washington Nationals: The youth movement continues with the appointment of 33-year-old Blake Butera as the new coach. OF James Wood has superstar potential, while SS CJ Abrams has shown flashes but lacks consistency. Pitching is the biggest problem. Only the Rockies had a worse ERA in 2025.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Paul Skeens is amazing, isn’t he? All it takes is support from the offensive line. And from ownership,
Colorado Rockies: They don’t have the talent to compete. They don’t have a manager. They are coming off a season with 119 losses. Do they have a plan?
