The Athletic MLB Staff
By Chad Jennings, Andy McCullough and Stephen J. Nesbitt
With a classic World Series behind us, it’s full steam ahead toward Hot Stove season.
This is the time of year when free agents hit the open market and future rosters begin to take shape. Kyle Tucker, Kyle Schwarber, Pete Alonso, Bo Bichette and Alex Bregman are available. So are Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez and Dylan Cease. Smaller signings will start trickling in soon, and splashier ones will be coming together over the winter. Trade talks will commence, too. But before all that, it’s worth getting the lay of the league.
As the back-to-back champs parade through downtown Los Angeles, let’s turn the page by ranking all 30 MLB teams entering the offseason. This list, which includes each team’s notable free agents and option/opt-out decisions, is our attempt at taking stock of the playing field at the outset of the offseason. We assessed teams as their rosters currently stand, making no assumptions about where free agents will land.
Here’s our last MLB Power Ranking in 2025, and the first about 2026.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2025 Record: 93-69
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 3
Notable free agents and options: 3B Max Muncy (option), SS Miguel Rojas, RP Kirby Yates, OF Michael Conforto, UTIL Kiké Hernández
Winning the World Series last year only further fueled the team’s spending. So expect the Dodgers to be in the market for outfielder Kyle Tucker, even if the club may be wary of another long-term commitment. There will be some roster turnover. The front office needs to rebuild a bullpen that left manager Dave Roberts with few reliable options during the postseason. But the rotation looks menacing, especially if Roki Sasaki can use his bullpen breakout to fuel a return to starting. And, of course, they still have that Ohtani guy. The Dodgers are going to be preseason favorites every preseason for quite a while. — Andy McCullough
2. Toronto Blue Jays
2025 Record: 94-68
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 4
Notable free agents and options: SS Bo Bichette, SP Chris Bassitt, SP Max Scherzer, SP Shane Bieber (player), IF Isiah Kiner-Falefa, RP Serathony Domínguez
We would be embarrassed to report that we ranked the Blue Jays 22nd when we did this exercise a year ago, except that was mostly a reflection of their uncertainty. Here’s what we wrote: “The Blue Jays could be a playoff team next fall. Or they could finish in fifth place again. Both are entirely believable outcomes.” Both were believable, but Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signed long-term, Bichette returned to form, Trey Yesavage emerged and the Blue Jays had more depth than we realized. Now, they have some substantial holes to fill at shortstop and in the rotation, but there’s no doubt they’re starting from a stronger point than at this time last year. — Chad Jennings
3. New York Yankees
2025 Record: 94-68
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 7
Notable free agents and options: OF Cody Bellinger (player), CF Trent Grisham, 1B Paul Goldschmidt, RP Devin Williams, RP Luke Weaver
The Yankees had the same regular-season record as the Blue Jays but were no match for Toronto in the playoffs. Attempts to build a powerful bullpen fell flat, key starters got hurt, Jasson Domínguez was not the difference maker many expected and Anthony Volpe struggled late before having surgery. But, hey, Aaron Judge is still really good. Ben Rice might have hit his way into an everyday role, and trade deadline pickup David Bednar is returning, but the Yankees are otherwise back to the drawing board in the bullpen, and they’ll need to replace key pieces of their outfield. How far will Brian Cashman go to make sure this year’s vulnerabilities don’t become next year’s trends? — Jennings
4. Milwaukee Brewers
2025 Record: 97-65
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 1
Notable free agents and options: SP Freddy Peralta (club), SP Brandon Woodruff (mutual), 1B Rhys Hoskins (mutual), SP Jose Quintana (mutual), C Danny Jansen (mutual), SP Erick Fedde
The Brewers had the best record in baseball this season, and none of the players hitting free agency in November were key to their success. However, the team will have work to do in the rotation if it trades ace Peralta or see Woodruff decline a $20 million mutual option. The lineup could return nearly intact. Your mileage will vary on whether that lineup will one day survive October pitching. But the Brewers aren’t going to change their stripes now, and it’s hard to argue that they must. — Stephen J. Nesbitt
5. Seattle Mariners
2025 Record: 90-72
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 6
Notable free agents and options: 3B Eugenio Suárez, 1B Josh Naylor, 2B Jorge Polanco (player), RP Andrés Muñoz (club), RP Caleb Ferguson
When the pain from the American League Championship Series fades … well, that might take quite a while. That sort of pain may never go away — unless the Mariners roar back and win it all in 2026. They certainly have the talent to do so. The starting rotation is still stacked and could be dominant with better health. Julio Rodríguez repaired his value after his offensive production dipped in 2024. If manager Dan Wilson could take a crash course in recognizing high-leverage situations, the team should be in good shape. — McCullough
6. Boston Red Sox
2025 Record: 89-73
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 9
Notable free agents and options: 3B Alex Bregman (opt-out), SS Trevor Story (opt-out), SP Lucas Giolito (mutual), OF Rob Refsnyder, RP Steven Matz, RP Justin Wilson
This season marked a step forward, culminating in the Red Sox’s first playoff appearance since 2021. Roman Anthony looks like a legitimate lineup anchor, Garrett Crochet and Aroldis Chapman signed extensions, and some other young players showed promise (Carlos Narváez, Marcelo Mayer, Payton Tolle, Connelly Early, etc.). There are good pieces in place, but replacing or re-signing Bregman seems to be an obvious offseason priority, and another impact starter would certainly help. Is this the winter the Red Sox trade from their outfield depth to get an arm? — Jennings
7. Philadelphia Phillies
2025 Record: 96-66
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 2
Notable free agents and options: DH Kyle Schwarber, C J.T. Realmuto, OF Max Kepler, OF Harrison Bader (mutual), SP Ranger Suárez, RP David Robertson, RP José Alvarado (club)
The Phillies have had the same core for a few years now, but it’s starting to fall apart as Schwarber, Realmuto and Suárez head for free agency while Nick Castellanos seems to be on his way out one way or another. Zack Wheeler is also facing some uncertainty coming off thoracic outlet surgery and approaching his 36th birthday, but prospects Andrew Painter, Justin Crawford and Aidan Miller are knocking on the door. A strong regular season followed by a playoff letdown has become the norm for the Phillies. Can they change that with an offseason shakeup, or is their competitive window closing? — Jennings
8. Chicago Cubs
2025 Record: 92-70
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 5
Notable free agents and options: OF Kyle Tucker, SP Shota Imanaga (club/player), UTIL Willi Castro, SP Colin Rea (club), SP Aaron Civale, SP Michael Soroka, RP Caleb Thielbar, RP Andrew Kittredge (club), 1B Justin Turner (mutual), RP Brad Keller
The Cubs’ lone season with Tucker before he hit free agency ended with Chicago’s bats going quiet in Game 5 of the NLDS. The Cubs have the pieces in place to be a contender again in 2026. To challenge the Brewers for the division crown, the Cubs will need a healthy return from starter Justin Steele and a bullpen stocked with swing-and-miss arms. They have several top position player prospects primed to make an impact in the majors next season, making it less likely that club ownership will pay the price to acquire (or reacquire) a middle-of-the-order bat this offseason. — Nesbitt
9. Texas Rangers
2025 Record: 81-81
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 16
Notable free agents and options: SP Merrill Kelly, SP Patrick Corbin, DH Joc Pederson (player/club), 2B Dylan Moore, SP Tyler Mahle, RP Shawn Armstrong, RP Hoby Milner, RP Phil Maton, RP Chris Martin, RP Danny Coulombe, SP Jon Gray
It’s hard to know what to make of the Rangers after this past season, and it’ll be interesting to see how the team tackles free agency. Owner Ray Davis authorized massive contracts to Corey Seager and Marcus Semien in hopes of making the club competitive, but then held the reins tight after the team won the World Series in 2023. The offense underachieved in 2025 and wasted a strong season from the starting rotation. Heading into this coming season, it will be hard to bank on a full year of good health for injury-prone veterans Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi. — McCullough
10. Detroit Tigers
2025 Record: 87-75
Final 2025 Power Ranking: T-10
Notable free agents and options: SP Jack Flaherty (player), 2B Gleyber Torres, SP Chris Paddack, RP Kyle Finnegan, RP Paul Sewald (mutual), SP Alex Cobb, RP Tommy Kahnle
The delta between where the Tigers rank today and where we have them in our first edition of the 2026 power rankings next March depends greatly upon whether they still employ Tarik Skubal. There was much to be concerned about the Tigers after they crashed down the stretch. But where there’s a Skubal, there’s a way. Detroit woke up in time to advance to the bitter end of the ALDS before the Mariners prevailed. The Tigers have top prospects ready to contribute, but, assuming they opt not to trade Skubal, they also need to invest in free agency to add a middle-of-the-order bat and fortify the bullpen. — Nesbitt
11. Houston Astros
2025 Record: 87-75
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 12
Notable free agents and options: SP Framber Valdez, C Victor Caratini
After missing the postseason for the first time since 2016, the Astros look like a team in transition. General manager Dana Brown will need to be active in the starting pitching market, aiming to both replace departing free agent Valdez and add depth to the unit. The future still looks bright for Cam Smith, the prize acquired for Kyle Tucker last offseason. But the best days may be behind Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa. A full season from Yordan Alvarez would help matters. — McCullough
12. San Diego Padres
2025 Record: 90-72
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 8
Notable free agents and options: SP Dylan Cease, SP Michael King (mutual), 1B Ryan O’Hearn, OF Ramón Laureano (club), RP Robert Suarez (opt-out), 1B Luis Arraez, C Elias Díaz (mutual)
It’s another normal offseason for San Diego: The Padres are looking for a manager. General manager A.J. Preller tends to keep the club in the mix, even if the manager’s office might as well come equipped with a revolving door. He’ll have a tough job this winter, especially with the rotation losing Cease and King. The days of the team vying at the top of the free-agent market may have ended, placing more of a burden on Preller to use his productivity in crafting trades to plug holes in the roster. — McCullough
13. New York Mets
2025 Record: 83-79
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 14
Notable free agents and options: 1B Pete Alonso (player), RP Edwin Díaz (player), OF Cedric Mullins, SP Frankie Montas, RP Ryan Helsley, RP Tyler Rogers, RP Gregory Soto, RP Brooks Raley (club), OF Starling Marte
First baseman Alonso has already declared his intention to opt out, meaning the Mets will have to either re-sign him — which is what they did last winter — or else find some way to replace his power production. Maybe they’ll want to shake up their offensive core, anyway. The Mets also have little choice but to address this bullpen. Not only does closer Díaz have an offseason opt-out, but also all of the team’s midseason bullpen additions — which backfired, anyway — are heading to free agency. Will president of baseball operations David Stearns break from form and invest in a high-end starter? The Mets have rotation depth, but they lack a true No. 1. — Jennings
14. Tampa Bay Rays
2025 Record: 77-85
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 17
Notable free agents and options: 2B Brandon Lowe (club), RP Pete Fairbanks (club), SP Adrian Houser
At some point, the Rays are going to have to figure out where exactly they’re going to play — is the Trop definitely going to be ready, or can new ownership build a new park? — but those are familiar questions in Tampa. So are the questions about whether the Rays’ brand of roster tweaking can work again in making the team competitive in the AL East. Shane McClanahan has missed two straight seasons with injuries, but the rest of the rotation stayed healthy this year, and some young players emerged (as so often happens with this team). It’s the Rays. They’re going to do what they do. — Jennings
15. Cincinnati Reds
2025 Record: 83-79
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 13
Notable free agents and options: SP Nick Martinez, SP Zack Littell, OF Miguel Andujar, RP Emilio Pagán, OF Austin Hays (mutual), RP Brent Suter (club), RP Scott Barlow (club)
Credit the Reds for making their front office’s second-half investments in the roster count, as they outlasted the cratering Mets to claim the last wild-card spot. But Cincinnati was badly outmanned in the postseason and still has not won a playoff game since 2012. The Reds have a core formed, led by several top-end starters and star shortstop Elly De La Cruz, but their long list of homegrown hitting prospects has not amounted to much in the way of impact bats in recent years. This winter, the Reds must lengthen the lineup and add leverage relief arms. — Nesbitt
16. Atlanta Braves
2025 Record: 76-86
Final 2025 Power Ranking: T-20
Notable free agents and options: SP Chris Sale (club), SS Ha-Seong Kim (player), 2B Ozzie Albies (club), DH Marcell Ozuna, RP Raisel Iglesias, RP Tyler Kinley (club), RP Pierce Johnson (club)
For the first time in almost a decade, the Braves need a new manager. Brian Snitker is out after taking over in the middle of the 2016 season. The team also acquired some offseason uncertainty when it claimed Kim off waivers in September. The 30-year-old has a player option for next year, and even after a limited season, he could be tempted by the thin shortstop market (leaving few alternatives for the Braves). The Braves also have a clear need for impact and reliability in the rotation. There’s still a lot of talent in Atlanta, but the Braves missed the playoffs and they’ve won only two postseason games since winning the World Series in 2021. This could have been a Golden Era, but the Braves haven’t shone the way they were supposed to. — Jennings
17. San Francisco Giants
2025 Record: 81-81
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 18
Notable free agents and options: SP Justin Verlander, 1B/OF Dominic Smith, 1B Wilmer Flores
The Tony Vitello Show should be fascinating to watch, as the new manager navigates the transition from college baseball. His boss, Buster Posey, is expected to go searching for a big-name starting pitcher to join Logan Webb and a resurgent Robbie Ray. Plus, the team will have a full season of Rafael Devers. The National League West won’t make life easy on the Giants, but they should be competitive again. — McCullough
18. Arizona Diamondbacks
2025 Record: 80-82
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 15
Notable free agents and options: SP Zac Gallen, OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (opt-out), RP Jalen Beeks
Through trades and free-agent attrition, the Diamondbacks are likely to enter 2026 without starter Gallen, starter Merrill Kelly, first baseman Josh Naylor and third baseman Eugenio Suárez. And the team could explore a trade for second baseman Ketel Marte. General manager Mike Hazen blamed himself for not bolstering the club’s depth in 2025, which contributed to a disappointing fourth-place finish. The Diamondbacks still have plenty of talent, but Hazen will need to improve the margins of his club’s roster to bring them back to contention. — McCullough
19. Kansas City Royals
2025 Record: 82-80
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 19
Notable free agents and options: OF Mike Yastrzemski, C Salvador Perez (club), SP Michael Lorenzen (mutual), OF Randal Grichuk (mutual), RP Hunter Harvey, UTIL Adam Frazier
The Royals have already said they plan to have Perez back next season, so that’s settled. They will need to backfill some of the roster spots that were occupied by rentals in the second half of the season, when Kansas City made a reasonable effort to add at the trade deadline. If Cole Ragans and Kris Bubic are healthy in 2026, the rotation should again be a strength. The back end of the bullpen is stout, yet the lineup is dreadfully short. Bobby Witt Jr. is a star; Maikel García broke out this season and Vinnie Pasquantino had his first 30-homer season. But they’ll need more next year from Jac Caglianone and Jonathan India, plus, ideally, offseason additions. — Nesbitt
20. Cleveland Guardians
2025 Record: 88-74
Final 2025 Power Ranking: T-10
Notable free agents and options: OF Lane Thomas, RP Jakob Junis, SP John Means (club)
The departures listed above will not meaningfully impact the 2026 Guardians. The potential long-term absences of closer Emmanuel Clase and starter Luis Ortiz certainly will. But Cleveland has a knack for developing pitchers — particularly relievers — and so the primary concern this offseason remains the lineup. The Guardians were among the worst clubs in many offensive categories this season, and it was the bats that sank them in the Wild Card Series against Detroit. At this point, it’s foolish to count out the Guardians, especially after they worked miracles to win the division this season. But they’ll need an infusion of impact hitters to be true World Series contenders. — Nesbitt
21. Baltimore Orioles
2025 Record: 75-87
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 24
Notable free agents and options: SP Zach Eflin, OF Tyler O’Neill (opt-out), C Gary Sánchez, SS Jorge Mateo (club)
The notable free agents list is shorter than it should be because the Orioles traded most of their departing players at the deadline. And why, you might ask, would they do that? Because their season was an overwhelming disappointment that saw many of their offensive cornerstones underperform and many of their pitching shortcuts came back to bite them. Their offseason surely starts with actually building a rotation — the late-season returns of Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells gave them a head start — and figuring out what they really have in the lineup. Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday were the only Orioles position players who played more than 94 games this season. — Jennings
22. Pittsburgh Pirates
2025 Record: 71-91
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 25
Notable free agents and options: DH Andrew McCutchen, OF Tommy Pham
With soon-to-be Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes now four seasons from free agency, this is the time for owner Bob Nutting to push as many chips as he has to the center of the table to ensure he won’t waste any more years of the ace’s healthy and controllable prime. Will the Pirates finally sign a free agent to a multiyear deal? Or will they trade pitching to improve a woeful lineup? They clearly can’t run it back, but they also haven’t yet shown a willingness to act with urgency to chart a new course. The fate of the Skenes era is in the hands of an owner who has historically been unwilling to spend. — Nesbitt
23. Athletics
2025 Record: 76-86
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 23
Notable free agents and options: RP Sean Newcomb, RP José Leclerc
This offseason will not solve the primary problem for the team’s pitching staff, which is trying to make a living in West Sacramento. But there is reason to feel good about the club’s offensive core, especially after the remarkable breakout of rookie Nick Kurtz. Between Kurtz, catcher Shea Langeliers, designated hitter Brent Rooker and outfielder Tyler Soderstrom, you can envision the Athletics doing a lot of damage to opposing pitchers in 2026, extending the string of good baseball that the team played in the second half of 2025. — McCullough
24. Miami Marlins
2025 Record: 79-83
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 22
Notable free agents and options: None
The Marlins’ biggest offseason question isn’t about free agents and player options — it’s whether or not Sandy Alcantara has thrown his last pitch for the franchise. The 2022 Cy Young Award winner had a mostly awful return from Tommy John surgery, but his final eight starts were good — 2.68 ERA, suggesting a contender should have traded for him after all — and now his contract has one year plus a team option remaining. The Marlins might be too far from contention to justify keeping him. Even Edward Cabrera, under control through 2028, could generate additional trade talk. — Jennings
25. St. Louis Cardinals
2025 Record: 78-84
Final 2025 Power Ranking: T-20
Notable free agents and options: SP Miles Mikolas
With a new president of baseball operations and further investments in the player development department, the Cardinals seem to be headed in the right direction. Yet it’s a long way back to the promised land. St. Louis is still on the hook for three long-term deals: Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras and Nolan Arenado, who blocked a trade to Houston last offseason but could be open to waiving his no-trade clause this winter. With some version of a rebuild underway, trading those established vets is a logical priority this offseason. — Nesbitt
26. Minnesota Twins
2025 Record: 70-92
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 26
Notable free agents and options: C Christian Vázquez
After tearing down their roster at the trade deadline, the Twins have flung themselves into a rebuild. Out went manager Rocco Baldelli, and in came Derek Shelton, who managed the Pirates through the ruins of a rebuild before being fired early this season when winning became expected. After proceeding for years as a fringe playoff team, the Twins have taken themselves out of the running. They will likely try to trade some more veterans this offseason, including Pablo López, and could be persuaded to move Joe Ryan. — Nesbitt
27. Los Angeles Angels
2025 Record: 72-90
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 27
Notable free agents and options: RP Kenley Jansen, SP Tyler Anderson, SP Kyle Hendricks, 2B Luis Rengifo, 3B Yoán Moncada, RP Luis García, RP Andrew Chafin
Here were the priorities for the Angels heading into the offseason:
1. Hire a new manager for the fifth time since 2018.
2. Get the air conditioning fixed.
The hiring of former catcher Kurt Suzuki, who spent the past two seasons as a special assistant to general manager Perry Minasian, clears the decks to get the A/C figured out. Under the stewardship of owner Arte Moreno, the franchise has been spinning its wheels for more than a decade and has not won its division since 2014. There is little reason to believe 2026 will be different. But at least, maybe, the weight room will be very cold. — McCullough
28. Washington Nationals
2025 Record: 66-96
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 28
Notable free agents and options: DH/1B Josh Bell, INF Paul DeJong
New president of baseball operations Paul Toboni recently checked one item off his to-do list when he hired 33-year-old Blake Butera as the new Nationals manager. Next up is to actually build a roster for Butera to manage. The Nationals are starting with a strong core of James Wood, CJ Abrams and MacKenzie Gore, but perhaps not much else after first-round picks Dylan Crews and Brady House struggled, and only the Colorado Rockies had a higher team ERA. What’s Toboni’s timeline? Gore has only two more years of team control. Will the Nationals be competitive before he’s gone? — Jennings
29. Chicago White Sox
2025 Record: 60-102
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 29
Notable free agents and options: OF Luis Robert Jr. (club), SP Martín Pérez (mutual), RP Tyler Alexander
Welcome to another window of time for the White Sox in which the prevailing question will be: Is this when Robert is traded? A riveting way to follow your favorite baseball club, I’m sure. Chicago will certainly pick up Robert’s club option. Given that he had a .808 second-half OPS (after a .599 first-half OPS) before a season-ending hamstring strain in late August, this seems as good a time as any to cash in on his trade value. Elsewhere on the roster, the White Sox have a ton of young talent, but they are a long way from relevance. But at least we’re not ranking them last this year. — Nesbitt
30. Colorado Rockies
2025 Record: 43-119
Final 2025 Power Ranking: 30
Notable free agents and options: SP Germán Márquez
Credit to owner Dick Monfort for finally reconciling with the reality around his team and opening up the search for a new baseball operations leader to candidates who are not currently employed by the Rockies. That, unfortunately for Rockies fans, was the easy part. The hard part will be landing the right leader. And even harder, the task ahead for that leader. Coors Field presents challenges. The farm system isn’t particularly strong. The National League West is a bear. The road back to respectability may take a while. — McCullough
