StonesJournal

What should your favorite team focus on this year? While the average Joe might want to get in the gym more often or work on his dodgeball skills, some baseball fandoms have it cut out for them when it comes to the New Year. In this piece, AJ Stone explores the possibilities that 2026 will bring to each and every one of your favorite teams.

Written By: AJ Stone (1/4/26)

AL East: 

New York Yankees: 28 in 2026? 

The clean-shaven sluggers in the Bronx have been in a World Series drought that’s going on 17 years. New York built a legacy rooted in dominance long ago, and it’s starting to sound like the stuff of fables. At the bare minimum, the Yankees need to make the World Series in 2026, or it could be time to shake things up in the Big Apple. 

Baltimore Orioles: Bounce Back and Make the Playoffs 

The Orioles had finally done it; they had finally climbed back into the playoff scene. After years of harrowing play and borderline tanking, the O’s had turned themselves into what looked to be MLB’s team of the future. Some of the previously assumed mainstay offensive pieces have stalled, and the pitching wasn’t built to carry the team. The future still looks bright in Baltimore, but without immediate success, that light will continue to dwindle until it goes out for good. 

Toronto Blue Jays: Revenge

I don’t think it has completely set in across baseball just how heartbreaking the loss of the 2025 World Series was. It was in the palm of Toronto’s metaphorical hand. Unfortunately, a World Championship slipped right through their fingers and fell into the Dodgers’ lap. The Blue Jays have responded with a very active offseason that’s seen them sign NPB slugger Kazuma Okamoto and frontline strikeout artist Dylan Cease while also bolstering their bullpen. Outfielder Anthony Santander should be healthy and ready for a bounce-back 2026 as the Blue Jays look to rectify the gut-wrenching ending that the country of Canada had to endure. 

Tampa Bay Rays: Get Shane McClanahan Healthy

As the rest of the AL East gears up for what’s looking like a complete bloodbath in 2026, the Rays have been eerily quiet. Tampa Bay has built up a reputation as more of a silent assassin, and I’m not surprised they are keeping their cards close. If there’s one thing the Rays need in 2026, it’s good health for ace pitcher Shane McClanahan. Penciling in the dominant lefty at the top of their rotation for 25+ starts would make a world of difference in Tampa. 

Boston Red Sox: Make a Big Signing! 

The Red Sox have now watched the following players sign elsewhere: Pete Alonso, Tatsuya Imai, Kazuma Okamoto, Munetaka Murakami, Dylan Cease, Michael King, and more! Granted, Boston has made a few nice moves in the trade market, acquiring both veteran starter Sonny Gray and power-hitting first baseman Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals. This doesn’t excuse their lack of movement in the free agent pool. Beantown needs another star. Whether it’s an ace-type pitcher to pair with Garret Crochet at the top of their rotation or the return of clubhouse leader and All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman, the Red Sox need to wake up before the rest of their division passes them by. 

AL Central: 

Cleveland Guardians: Win the AL Central

The Guardians continue to do the bare minimum when it comes to free agency, and at this point, we should expect nothing less. Cleveland is coming off a 2025 season that saw them atop their division after an astounding late-season collapse from the Detroit Tigers. The Guardians need to replicate their past success to justify the lack of spending. Superstar third-baseman Jose Ramirez’s team-friendly deal looks more legendary by the year, and they’ve yet to capitalize on his generosity. They owe it to him and their loyal fanbase to find themselves trouncing the rest of the AL Central once again in 2026. 

Chicago White Sox: Have a Productive Trade Deadline

The south side of Chicago got an early Christmas present by dipping into the Japanese talent pool and enlisting the powerful presence of infielder Munetaka Murakami. Although this is no small feat and the Chi-Town faithful should be ecstatic, let’s be realistic. Unless the South Siders make an unprecedented leap, Murakami should be trade bait, along with any other expiring contracts or disposable pieces. Chicago has the opportunity to pull off one of the best sign-and-trades of the 2000s and can continue to build up an exciting young core in the process. 

Kansas City Royals: GET AN OUTFIELDER!

It can be a trade. It can be a free agent. For all I care, it could be my buddy Logan. Whatever direction Kansas City picks needs to result in a quality MLB outfielder. Perfect fits include: Jarren Duran (Boston Red Sox), Cody Bellinger (Free Agent), Harrison Bader (Free Agent), Miguel Andujar (Free Agent), and Lars Nootbaar (St. Louis Cardinals). Those are just a few names the Royals could consider when addressing their gaping holes in the outfield. Kansas City has lucked out with a generational talent in Bobby Witt Jr. and is witnessing the twilight of Captain Salvador Perez’s career. The time is now to compete, and it starts in the outfield. 

Detroit Tigers: Go For It. 

I want to kick off my blurb about Detroit by saying I understand why they are considering dealing Tarik Skubal. It makes business sense. But for a city that hasn’t seen playoff competence since prime Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander, it’s blatantly disrespectful to their fanbase. I don’t doubt that Skubal will leave in free agency, but that’s out of the organization’s control. The Tigers should be the clear favorites to win the AL Central if they keep Skubal and make a few supplemental adds to an already well-endowed roster. To throw away a year of competitiveness for the sake of business isn’t something the fanbase should have to deal with. It’s well within the Tigers’ price range to retool when Skubal departs and remain competitive. That being said, uncage the animal and let the good Tiges’ roll.

Minnesota Twins: Pick a Direction

The Twins made a statement at last year’s trade deadline by moving on from an entire contingency of solid MLB players. It looked to be the start of a huge overhaul in Minnesota that would redefine their timeline and build around young talent. Now that the offseason has rolled around, the Twins currently still hold the likes of Byron Buxton, Joe Ryan, Pablo Lopez, Trevor Larnach, and Ryan Jeffers. All of whom are legitimate trade chips. The roster they have right now isn’t necessarily far off from competing in a weak AL Central, so if they choose to build and go for it, I wouldn’t bat an eye. However, if the Twins truly want to rebuild, this upcoming season should see them move on from their stars before they lose value or hit free agency altogether. 

AL West: 

Los Angeles Angels: Extend Zach Neto

It may be a year too early in Anaheim to outright go for it. The Halos’ offseason has consisted of mediocre moves that could prove pivotal if they go perfect, but won’t be a detriment to the team’s 2026 campaign if they go sour. I like the soft additions the Angels have made, but I still don’t see a clear future outlined for a team with such an exciting young core. Zach Neto has all but earned his extension to be the long-term solution at shortstop for Los Angeles, and if he continues his uproar in the 2026 season, they should ink his services for the long run and build around him. 

Seattle Mariners: Bolster the Lineup via Trade

The Mariners’ offseason got off on the right foot with the re-signing of fiery first baseman Josh Naylor. This early addition gave Seattle time to continue adding to their roster throughout the winter and into spring training. Since Naylor’s signing, however, the M’s have gone silent. Seattle may not hold the funds or roster flexibility to add from the free agent pool, but what they do have is a surplus of MLB arms. Luis Castillo, George Kirby, and potentially Logan Gilbert all have ace upside and could be expendable at the right price. Seattle should explore all options when it comes to assisting Julio Rodriguez and his merry band of Trident-armed sluggers. 

Houston Astros: Win the AL West

The big, bad Houston Astros had a divorce from success in 2025. Or did they? Houston was injury-riddled all season and rarely saw its superstar cleanup hitter, Yordan Alvarez, on the field. Despite all this, Houston still managed to rack up 87 wins and almost made the Wildcard. The Astros’ modern dominance is far from over. Emerging stars like Jeremy Pena, Cam Smith, and Hunter Brown have made sure of it. Houston recently added Japanese hurler Tatsuya Imai to the mix alongside the addition of young starter Mike Burrows from Pittsburgh in an underrated trade. Expect to see the Astros custom-fit the AL Central crown to their own liking once again in 2026. 

Texas Rangers: Trade Corey Seager

The Rangers have become one of baseball’s more intriguing stories after their unexpected World Series win in 2023. The wild west’s finest have hit a wall that feels impenetrable for the current roster in Arlington. Playoff legends Adolis Garcia and Jonah Heim will don different threads in 2026, and team leader and All-Star Marcus Semien was flipped for outfielder Brandon Nimmo from the Mets. Corey Seager has no place in this equation for the Rangers and deserves a chance to compete for a World Series. The aging shortstop has continued to be bitten by the injury bug time and time again, but his otherworldly play when he’s healthy has maintained his value. Texas might have to eat some of the contract, but the return should be massive. These moves allow the next wave of Rangers talent to orbit around young star outfielder Wyatt Langford and a rotation full of promising, youthful starters. 

Athletics: Make the Wildcard 

FINALLY! It’s time to daydream about the A’s making a playoff run. After a breakout rookie year from first baseman Nick Kurtz and some other young players continuing their ascensions to big-league stardom, the Athletics look primed to pursue the playoffs. The A’s young lineup is powerful and exceedingly underrated across the league. Their bullpen has taken shape, and the rotation is consistent for the most part, even if it lacks upside. With a few small signings and a good trade deadline, this could be the A’s team to bring back the Green and Gold of old. 

NL East: 

New York Mets: Do Something? 

The Mets have been the prolific losers of the offseason to this point. New York has seen off the likes of veteran outfielder Brandom Nimmo, elite closer Edwin Diaz, power-hitting polar bear Pete Alonso, All-Star reliever Ryan Helsley, funky side arm specialist Tyler Rogers, and rangy centerfielder Cedric Mullins. To supplement their losses, relievers Luke Weaver and Devin Williams join the fun from the team in pinstripes across town. The Mets also added veteran All-Star second baseman Marcus Semien in the same deal that sent Brandon Nimmo packing. New York has added players that will be effective in 2026, but to this point, I don’t think it offsets the talent that has left town. The Metropolitans need a big fish to reclaim the throne in the Big Apple. 

Philadelphia Phillies: Be Elite Again

Phillies General Manager Dave Dombrowski went viral in 2025, saying that star first baseman Bryce Harper “wasn’t elite” last season and that Harper would agree. Whether that’s true or not is a moot point. Although it is egregious to speak about your team’s clubhouse leader publicly in that tone. I would argue to Dombrowski that his TEAMS haven’t been elite. For him to say Harper hasn’t lived up to expectations is a tad hypocritical when the teams he builds fall short time and time again. It’s time to ring the bell or get to retooling. Philadelphia hasn’t been elite for a few years now, and in my mind has become more of a ravaging regular-season unit than a Red October to dread. 

Atlanta Braves: Reclaim the Division

The talent on the Braves’ current roster is undeniable. There is no other team in baseball that possesses so many team-friendly deals and can capitalize on a generational talent in Ronald Acuna Jr. Atlanta needs to make do in the now. The Braves can’t afford to continue to meddle in mediocrity while their players continue to age. The addition of Robert Suarez and the re-signing of 2025 closer Raisel Iglesias are a great jumping-off point. Additionally, inserting outfielder Jurickson Profar back into the lineup for a full season should be a breath of fresh air. However, Atlanta needs to add a big bat to their top-heavy lineup and hope that recent signing Ha-Seong Kim can clean up the issues they’ve had with the shortstop position. If all goes right for Atlanta in 2026, they’ll chop on to an NL East division title.

Miami Marlins: Prove 2025 wasn’t a Fluke

The fish came out of seemingly nowhere to win 79 games in 2025 and compete down the stretch for a potential playoff bid. Miami has found some young pieces to build around, including outfielder Kyle Stowers, catcher Agustin Ramirez, and the always competent starting rotation. The Marlins recently added veteran closer Pete Fairbanks from the other team in Florida to pad a bullpen that overachieved in 2025. For me to buy into this group, I need to see some consistency on a year-to-year basis. That doesn’t necessarily entail the playoffs, just being competitive. If Miami does it again, I’m ready to see the fish go out and sign a big marlin. 

Washington Nationals: Trade Mackenzie Gore

Our nation’s capital has turned into an absolute rollercoaster of a baseball experience. The Nats finally found some promising young talent in 2025, and it’s all taking shape. Mackenzie Gore, however, doesn’t seem to fit their current timeline. Gore, 26, has always had the potential to be a frontline starter but has lacked the consistency to warrant an extension. If the Nationals want to build around emerging star James Wood and breakout youngster Daylen Lile, along with all the rest of their youth movement, it’s an opportune time to cash in on Gore and bring back some players who fit the clock that’s inevitably ticking down to competitiveness in Washington. 

NL Central: 

Chicago Cubs: Be the Cubs Again

Chicago used to operate as the only big-market team in a central division that’s riddled with mediocrity and low-budget owners. The Baby Bears have strayed from this mentality the past couple of seasons, opting to add on the margins rather than subscribe to the big-ticket mentality. The Cubs are currently losing the services of All-Star Kyle Tucker, relievers Brad Keller and Andrew Kittredge, and are betting on the resurgence of first-half MVP candidate Pete-Crow Armstrong. Chicago had a lot of things go right for them in 2025, yet didn’t manage anything substantial. Their catching tandem saw career highs across the board, a bullpen full of unproven talent kept them in games, and their lineup exploded in synchrony to become a fearsome unit. Although I expect the Cubs to be good again in 2025, the playoffs might not be as sure as most people think without some big names adhering to the north side of Chicago this offseason. 

Milwaukee Brewers: Win the Division

There is no doubt in my mind that the Milwaukee Brewers will win the NL Central in 2026. Milwaukee has become a team that initiates the creative curve rather than following it. They demonstrate this in their player development, year-in and year-out success, and “diamond in the rough” mentality. The Brewers have the benefit of a team-friendly contract extension that keeps Jackson Chourio in Cream City until at least 2032. This window should see success for the Brew Crew, but it starts with another playoff bid in 2026 and winning the weak NL Central.  

St. Louis Cardinals: Trade Brendan Donovan

The new king of the court in the Cardinals’ front office, Chaim Bloom (President of Baseball Operations), made fans aware of his presence by dealing away both right-hander Sonny Gray, 36, and first baseman Willson Contreras, 33. The Cardinals are making it known they want young, controllable talent to build around. The last piece to deal this offseason is 2025 All-Star Brendan Donovan. The Gold Glover has solidified himself atop MLB’s Swiss Army Knife group of utility talent and has been checked in on by over half the league. St. Louis should trade Donovan before he potentially gets hurt or underperforms in 2026. 

Pittsburgh Pirates: Be the 2025 Marlins

Look at the Buccos go! All-Stars Brandon Lowe, Gregory Soto, and Ryan O’Hearn have all made their way to the Steel City via trades and free agency. Pittsburgh also added outfielders Jake Mangum and Jhostynxon Garcia, along with flamethrowing reliever Mason Montgomerey, to a roster full of opportunity. The Pirates don’t need to make the playoffs in 2026 to make it all worth it; that would be a lunatic’s request. Although fans have a right to be frustrated with the front office in Pittsburgh, they have to respect the effort they’ve made going into 2026. If the Pirates can compete down the stretch for a Wildcard spot, even if they fall short, it will give the basis to the claim that it’s time to raise the jolley roger and sail towards a playoff berth. 

Cincinnati Reds: Make the Playoffs 

The Reds have been a puzzling bunch, to say the least. There isn’t a team in baseball that holds more homegrown talent than Cincinnati, and even so, they find themselves stalling. Elly De La Cruz has lived up to the hype, and the Reds must build around him before he speeds off to a bigger market in free agency. If Cincinnati really doesn’t have the budget to add in free agency, they could easily dip into their surplus of young pitching to make a trade for a young controllable slugger to back up the likes of De La Cruz and Spencer Steer. Veteran free agents could soothe the uncertainty of sophomore slumps and struggling youngsters. The Reds’ roster feels like a runaway jet. They’ll either fly or nose-dive; let’s find out if the Redlegs can reclaim control. 

NL West: 

Colorado Rockies: Fix Chase Dollander

I could list off twenty legitimate questions I have for the Rockies ahead of 2026. Instead, I’ll take the high road and talk about Chase Dollander. There’s no use in kicking a Rockies fan while they’re down. Dollander, 24, was the Rockies’ 2023 first-round pick out of Tennessee. Since his MLB debut, Dollander has been rocked by big-league hitters. Through 21 games started, the youngster owns a record of 2-12 and a pathetic 6.52 ERA. Now, when I say pathetic, it isn’t directed at the likes of Dollander. It’s more so towards the coaching staff who have been working with him. Pitching at Coors Field has left pitchers bewildered since it was erected in the heart of downtown Denver in 1995. Dollander has all the tools to conqueror baseballs bermuda triangle. His fastball sat in the 94th percentile in terms of velo in 2025, and he generates above-average exit velocities against. Even though his arm strength has remained in top shape during his big league tenure, hitters have been all over his four-seamer. Why is that, you ask? It’s flat and up in the zone. A 100mph fastball that’s straight turns into a heat-seeking missile just waiting for the impact of a fat barrel against MLB talent. The velocity that Dollander exudes showcases that he has the arm talent to create drastic movement on his pitches. Adjustments to pitch selection, location, and likely some changes in how he grips the baseball could all benefit the young righty headed into 2026. If Dollander can pan out and become a reliable MLB starter, it’ll be the first piece of the Rockies’ large puzzle to return to productive baseball. 

Los Angeles Dodgers: Build a Shohei Ohtani Statue 

It would be easy for me to jump on the train of the Dodgers winning it all again in 2026. Instead, I’d like to focus on why they are such heavy favorites. The legacy of Shohei Ohtani knows no limitations, and he’ll likely go down as the greatest player to ever grace the diamond. His first two seasons in Hollywood have been nothing short of a movie. If I had to guess, I’d say this is a Tarantino film, the way Ohtani violently demolishes baseballs and then ventures to the mound to dismantle the game’s greatest bats. The Dodgers can’t praise his humble nature and all-encompassing ability enough, and I say build the statue before he even leaves. Make a statement. Embrace the greatness. 

San Francisco Giants: Decide on Bryce Eldridge

The Giants’ #1 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, has been at the center of trade talks for years now. His natural position is first base, which is obviously under the command of superstar slugger Rafael Devers at the moment. If the Giants plan on making Eldridge a mainstay piece, they need to commit. He is ready for playing time in 2026, and if San Francisco can’t make space for him, they need to move on from him at peak value to bolster their playoff odds headed into next year. 

Arizona Diamondbacks: Snake Bite the NL West

The Diamondbacks might not hold the hand to route their way into the playoffs, but they could deal out fatal blows to the rest of the NL West. This roster is undeniably talented, and due to the Corbin Carroll extension, their window to compete is far from closed. However, I don’t see Arizona making the playoffs in 2026. This doesn’t mean they should sell, nor does it mean they shouldn’t try. What it does mean is they have an opportunity to fight for a Wildcard spot while being a thorn in the side of their immediate rivals. The Diamondbacks have always played the role of little brother to the rest of the NL West. It’s time to embrace that underdog mentality and poison other teams’ success while building towards their own future. 

San Diego Padres: #BeatLA

The Padres might be the one team that I could see Daviding the Dodgers Goliath. San Diego’s bullpen is built for a postseason series, and on top of that, they’ve built a rotation with top-end talent and strikeouts to spare. Any offensive unit that knows the likes of future Hall-of-Famer Manny Machado, young stud Jackson Merrill, and face-of-the-franchise Fernando Tatis Jr. is going to torment opposing arms. San Diego has struggled to perform under the bright lights in the past. Their one goal should be to cancel the Parade in LA. If they somehow manage to knock off the Dodgers, who’s to say this team can’t go all the way?