MLB Power Rankings: Best & Worst Teams for 2026 Season

Spring training has arrived, signaling that the 2026 MLB season is inching closer.

Teams have had their chance to improve their rosters via free agency and trade. While not every free agent has been signed, it’s a good time to assess where teams stand at this point in the preseason.

MLB Power Rankings 2026

Best & Worst MLB Teams, 2026

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

After winning back-to-back championships, Los Angeles signed the best hitter (Kyle Tucker) and the best reliever (Edwin Diaz) on the market. The Dodgers are looking to become the first team to win three World Series rings in a row since 2000.

2. New York Yankees

Following the re-signing of Cody Bellinger, the Yankees are seemingly running it back after posting the best third-order record (adjusted standings via Clay Davenport) in baseball last year.

3. Toronto Blue Jays

After coming one win away from winning their first World Series since 1993, the Blue Jays spent more than $300 million this offseason to help get them over the hump.

4. New York Mets

Despite missing the playoffs in 2026, the Mets might be the biggest threats to the Dodgers in the National League. Their depth chart ranks fourth in total projected WAR following a complete overhaul of their roster.

5. Seattle Mariners

Seattle pushed Toronto to Game 7 of the ALCS, getting as close as ever to its first World Series appearance in franchise history.

6. Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox might have the best pitching staff in baseball, led by Garrett Crochet, who is one of the top contenders in the early AL Cy Young odds.

7. Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia has increased its win total in four straight seasons, posting a 96-66 record last year before losing to the Dodgers in the NLDS.

8. Atlanta Braves

Everything that could go wrong did go wrong in 2025, as the Braves lost 86 games and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Atlanta will rebound this year.

9. Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore disappointed in 2025 after getting buried by a 21-36 start. Yet it’s important to remember that the Orioles won 192 games in the previous two campaigns.

10. Chicago Cubs

The Cubs haven’t won a full-season division title since 2017, but they are hoping the signing of Alex Bregman will help change that. They certainly have one of the better lineups in the league.

11. Houston Astros

The Astros failed to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016, so they are due for a bounce-back campaign.

12. Milwaukee Brewers

This ranking feels too low for the team that led the majors with 97 wins last year, but it’s difficult to argue the Brewers got better after trading away Freddy Peralta.

13. San Diego Padres

San Diego’s bullpen might have to lead the way in 2026 if the Padres are going to notch a third consecutive postseason berth while playing in a competitive division.

14. Detroit Tigers

As long as Tarik Skubal is on the team, the Tigers have to feel good about their chances after consecutive trips to the postseason. However, could Detroit actually trade him?

15. Kansas City Royals

The Royals are coming off back-to-back winning seasons. They haven’t finished above .500 in three straight years since winning the 2015 World Series.

16. Texas Rangers

The Rangers had the best ERA in baseball last year, but the lineup couldn’t hold up its end. Texas has now missed the playoffs in back-to-back years, following its 2023 World Series win.

17. Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks have missed the postseason in consecutive campaigns after reaching the World Series in 2023.

18. Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays have posted back-to-back losing campaigns. They haven’t finished below .500 for three consecutive seasons since 2007.

19. Minnesota Twins

Despite the firesale at last year’s deadline, Minnesota might be more competitive than expected in a weak division.

20. Cleveland Guardians

Coming off a second straight AL Central title, the Guardians haven’t spent much money this offseason, but at least they locked up José Ramírez through 2032.

21. Cincinnati Reds

Terry Francona’s Reds notched a playoff berth in his first season as the manager. That’s a positive step for a young team with some potential.

22. Athletics

Nick Kurtz and Jacob Wilson have given the Athletics’ fans some reason for optimism following their first year in Sacramento.

23. San Francisco Giants

Let the Tony Vitello era begin. He’s the new manager after guiding Tennessee since 2018, becoming the first college coach to move directly to the majors without previous pro experience.

24. Pittsburgh Pirates

Paul Skenes won the National League Cy Young award in 2025. Now, the Pirates have to provide him with enough offensive help to notch their first playoff berth since 2015.

25. St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals haven’t missed the playoffs in four straight years since 1995, but they are in danger of ending that streak in 2026.

26. Miami Marlins

The Marlins won 79 games last year, but their Pythagorean record of 72-90 suggests they were one of the luckier teams in the league.

27. Los Angeles Angels

Los Angeles hasn’t made the postseason since 2014, a drought that seems unlikely to end after trading away Taylor Ward.

28. Chicago White Sox

The White Sox have lost 100-plus games in each of their last three seasons.

29. Washington Nationals

Blake Butera, 33, is the new Nationals manager. He’s the youngest MLB manager in more than 50 years, which is perfectly fine for a rebuilding team.

30. Colorado Rockies

After losing 119 games in 2025, Colorado hired Paul DePodesta to be its president of baseball operations. It marks his return to baseball after 10 years away from the sport.

Who is the Best MLB team This Season?

According to these power rankings, the Los Angeles Dodgers are the best MLB team in 2026. The Yankees are No. 2, while the Blue Jays are No. 3.

Who is the Worst MLB Team This Season?

Based on these updated power rankings, the Colorado Rockies are the worst MLB team in 2026.