National League West:

1. Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers are still in a really good spot even after a regular season that wasn’t perfect. They didn’t get a top playoff seed, but it didn’t matter since they still won the World Series. With Shohei Ohtani and some big off season additions like Kyle Tucker and Edwin Diaz, the team looks even better this year. There really aren’t many weaknesses on this roster, and they should be favorites to win the division again. I just don’t see many teams keeping up with them when it matters most.

2. San Diego Padres: Last year San Diego had a good shot at winning the division and got super close late in the season, but in the end, they fell short and ended up losing against the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card round. The Padres still have a strong lineup led by Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts and Jackson Merrill. Losing Luis Arraez is going to hurt, so guys like Gavin Sheets and Miguel Andujar will need to step up. At the end of the day, it’s really going to come down to how their main stars play this season. There’s been some big changes, and the NL West is always tough, so it won’t be easy.

3. San Francisco Giants: The Giants were in the mix for a while last season, but things kind of fell apart after the All-Star break. They didn’t make a ton of big moves, but they’re sticking with their core and adding a few solid pieces like Luis Arraez and Harrison Bader. A full season of Devers and Arráez should help a lot at the top of the lineup, while Bader should bring both defense and some experience to the outfield. Their rotation looks decent too, led by Logan Webb, but it really depends on consistency and health. Overall, their record has been around .500 for a few years now, and it feels like they need to finally take a step forward.

4. Arizona Diamondbacks: Arizona is trying to fix their pitching after struggling last year, bringing back Zac Gallen and adding a few new arms. Their offense was actually really good though, putting up strong numbers in pretty much every category. They added Nolan Arenado and Carlos Santana, but both are coming off down years, so there’s some risk there. Guys like Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte will still be key for them. I think they can compete for a playoff spot, but it really depends on if their pitching improves and the offense stays strong.

5. Colorado Rockies: The Rockies aren’t expected to be very good, but even improving from 119 losses to around 100 would be a big step. They’ve had seasons of 103, 101, and 119 losses recently, so the bar is still low. Most of their changes came in the front office, not really on the field. This year is mainly about developing younger players and figuring out who fits long term. They’re probably not going to compete much in the division. But if they can cut down the losses and show some progress, that’s still a win for them.

National League Central

1. Chicago Cubs: The Cubs made a big move getting Alex Bregman, but they also added Edward Cabrera, who had a 3.53 ERA with 150 strikeouts in 137.2 innings last year. Their rotation looks really solid with guys like Shota Imanaga and Jameson Taillon, especially once Justin Steele is back. The defense should help a lot too, led by Gold Glove players like Ian Happand Nico Hoerner. Pete Crow-Armstrong is coming off a big year with 31 homers, 95 RBIs, and 35 steals, so he’ll be key again. My only concern is the bullpen, especially in close games but I think in the end the Cubs will pull it out due to sheer talent.

2. Milwaukee Brewers: Milwaukee took a hit trading away Freddy Peralta, but they’ve been in this spot before and still found ways to win. Their rotation will look a little different now, with guys like Brandon Woodruff and Quinn Priester stepping up, though there are some injury concerns there. Even with that, this is still a team that knows how to compete in their division. On offense, they’re led by Christian Yelich and some young talent like Jackson Chourio and Brice Turang. They scored a lot of runs last year, so that side of the ball should still be strong. I think they’ll find a way to stay competitive again, even with the changes.

3. Cincinnati Reds: The Reds didn’t hit as many home runs as they probably would’ve liked last year, so bringing back Eugenio Suarez should really help their offense. He adds some much needed power, but they’ll still need younger guys like Matt McLain and Noelvi Marte to step up. The pitching is a strong point for them, even though Hunter Greene will miss some time to start the year. Andrew Abbott is coming off a great season and should help lead the rotation. Overall, they have a solid mix of young talent and pitching. I think it just comes down to if their hitters can be more consistent this year.

4. Pittsburgh Pirates: The Pirates finally have a little bit of hope again, even if it’s not a lot. They added some solid bats like Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn, and Marcell Ozuna to help the lineup. They also have a top prospect in Konnor Griffin who could be a big part of their future. On the pitching side, Paul Skenes is the clear leader after a huge season, with support from guys like Mitch Keller. Overall, they’re not fully there yet, but they’re starting to build something. If things go right, they could be more competitive than people expect.

5. St. Louis Cardinals: St. Louis is clearly heading into a rebuild after trading away key players like Brendan Donovan, Willson Contreras, Sonny Gray, and Nolan Arenado. They brought in a lot of young players and prospects, but most of that won’t really show this season. Guys like Masyn Winn and JJ Wetherholt will get chances to prove themselves, so it’s more about development right now. The biggest issue is their pitching, since they don’t really have a clear ace and there are a lot of question marks. They’re projected around 73 wins, which honestly makes sense based on how the roster looks. I don’t expect them to compete much this year, but it’s more about building for the future.

National League East

1. New York Mets: New York fell apart late last season and missed the playoffs, so they made a ton of changes to the roster. They moved on from big names like Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, and Edwin Diaz, and brought in guys like Marcus Semienand Bo Bichette. The biggest move was adding Freddy Peralta to lead the rotation, which should be a lot better this year. They have a mix of young pitchers and solid veterans, so that could be a strength now. There are still some question marks, especially on defense, but the talent is there. I think they’ll be better, but it won’t be easy outlasting teams like the Phillies.

2. Philidelphia Phillies: The Phillies are still in win-now mode and trying to get back to a World Series. They brought back most of their core like Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and T. Realmuto, so not much has changed there. Their rotation is still strong with guys like Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler, and they’re hoping to stay healthy. They also have some young players who could step in and help. I think they’ll be really good again, but they need to finally get over that playoff hump.

3. Atlanta Braves: The Braves have dealt with a ton of injuries and setbacks already, which makes things tough. They’re missing key players, but they still have a lot of talent with guys like Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, and Austin Riley. Their pitching is still strong at the top with Chris Sale and Spencer Strider. If they can get healthier as the season goes on, they’ll still be dangerous. I wouldn’t count them out at all. This team still has enough talent to make a serious run if things turn around.

4. Miami Marlins: The Miami Marlins were a surprise last year and showed some improvement, even if they’re still kind of in the middle. They don’t have a ton of big names, but they have some young players who could develop into something. Their pitching, led by Sandy Alcantara, gives them a chance to compete in games. They’re still making changes and figuring things out as a team. I don’t expect them to be a top team, but they could be solid again. If their young players keep improving, they could take another small step forward.

5. Washington Nationals: Washington is still in a rebuild and haven’t been very good since their World Series run years ago. They’re focusing on younger players like CJ Abrams and Dylan Crews to lead the future. Their rotation is still a question, but Cade Cavalliis someone they’re counting on. Overall, they’re not ready to compete yet. This year is more about development and seeing what they have going forward. It might take some time, but they’re slowly building toward something better.

American League West:

1. Seattle Mariners: The Seattle Mariners came really close to the World Series but let it slip away late in the ALCS. They still have a strong core led by Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez, who continue to produce at a high level. This team has been consistently winning, with five straight winning seasons. Their pitching is also a big strength, with guys like Luis Castillo and George Kirby leading the way. Overall, they have one of the more balanced rosters in the league. I think they’re right there again and could make another deep playoff run if things go their way.

2. Houston Astros: The Astros lost a key piece in Framber Valdez, but they still made moves to keep the rotation strong. They added Tatsuya Imai, and Hunter Brown is ready to step into a bigger role. On offense, getting a full season from Yordan Alvarez would be huge after he dealt with injuries last year. They also brought back Carlos Correa, which gives them more experience and flexibility in the lineup. There are still a few question marks, especially with injuries early on. But overall, this is still a solid team that should be right in the mix again.

3. Athletics: The Athletics ended last season with some momentum, which gives them a little bit of optimism going into this year. Nick Kurtz is leading the way after a huge rookie season and looks like a future star. They also have some solid veterans like Shea Langeliers and Brent Rooker to help balance things out. The team has also locked up a few young players with big contracts, showing they’re trying to build something long term. They finished 76-86 last year but played better toward the end of the season. I think they’re still a ways away, but they’re starting to move in the right direction.

4. Texas Rangers: The Texas Rangers are starting fresh with new manager Skip Schumaker after missing the playoffs the last couple years. They went 81-81 last season, but their pitching was actually one of the best in the league. The rotation looks strong again with guys like Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi leading the way. They also made some moves in the lineup, bringing in Brandon Nimmo and Danny Jansen. Overall, this looks like a pretty balanced team and truly I think they still have a shot to get back into the playoffs if things go right.

5. Los Angeles Angels: The Los Angeles Angels are trying to turn things around after a long stretch of losing seasons and missing the playoffs. They have a new manager in Kurt Suzuki, but the roster still feels extremely sub par. They added some pitchers like Grayson Rodriguez and Alek Manoah, hoping they can bounce back. On offense, there aren’t a ton of big additions, so a lot will fall on the same guys as last year. Mike Trout staying healthy and Zach Neto continuing to improve will be key if they want to have any success. I obviously don’t fully trust this team yet, but they are still in a rebuild so it’s expected.

American League Central

1. Detroit Tigers: Detroit had a tough end to the regular season but bounced back in the playoffs with a series win over the Cleveland Guardians. They didn’t go all the way, but they showed they can compete with good teams. This year, they’re led again by Tarik Skubal and have a solid lineup with guys like Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson. They also added Framber Valdez and brought back Justin Verlander, which should help the pitching a lot. There’s a good mix of young players and experienced guys on this team. I think they have a real chance to make a deeper playoff run this time and possibly even a trip to the fall classic.
2. Cleveland Gaurdians: Cleveland locked up José Ramírez long term, which is a big move for them. He’s still the clear leader of the team after hitting .283 and stealing 44 bases last season. The problem is the rest of the offense still has a lot to prove. Guys like Steven Kwan will need to step up, especially after hitting .272 last year. They’re also hoping for more from Bo Naylor after a tough season. The pitching looks solid with Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams leading the way, so I think per usual they will still be competitive and give Detroit a run for their money.

3. Kansas City Royals: Kansas City didn’t make the playoffs last year, but they still finished 82-80 after a rough start. They have a strong core led by Bobby Witt Jr., along with Maikel Garcia and Salvador Perez. Their pitching is also solid and can keep them in games. The biggest issue is still the outfield, where they didn’t really make any big upgrades. They’re hoping Jac Caglianone can take a step forward this year. I think they’ll be competitive again, but that weakness and the strength of their division could hold them back from their pursuit to get back to October baseball.
4. Minnesota Twins: The Minnesota Twins had a rough year, finishing 70-92 and missing the playoffs again. The team is going through a lot of changes with a new manager in Derek Shelton and a different front office. Minesota didn’t make many big moves, just adding a few veterans to fill spots. The biggest issue is losing Pablo Lopez for the season, which really hurts their rotation. Now it’s mostly on Joe Ryan to lead their rotation for now. I don’t see them improving too much, especially with everything still in transition. It just feels like a rebuilding year where they’re trying to figure things out, so I don’t have much expectations for them.

5.  Chicago White Sox:  The Chicago White Sox have struggled the last few years, including losing over 100 games for three straight seasons, but it feels like they might be improving a little. Colson Montgomery showed a lot of promise, hitting 21 homers in just 71 games after getting called up. They also have some young talent like Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero starting to develop. The bullpen was a big issue last year, so they made some moves to try and fix that with Seranthony Domínguez who signed a $20 million, two-year contract in free agency, and Jordan Hicks who was acquired in a trade with Boston. They also added Munetaka Murakami to give the lineup more power. I still don’t think they’re ready to compete yet, but they’re at least heading in a better direction.

American League East:

1. 1. New York Yankees: The Yankees look pretty similar to last year, with most of the same roster coming back. They still have Aaron Judge leading the way, and he’s still one of the best hitters in the game. A big boost will be getting Gerrit Cole back after missing last season. They only lost a couple bullpen arms, so the core is still strong. There are also some young players who could make an impact later in the year such as Cam Schlittler, Carlos Lagrange, and a few more young pieces that will need to make their presence known if New York wants to make their way back to the World Series.

2. Toronto Blue Jays: Toronto had a great run last year but fell just short in the World Series. They lost Bo Bichette, but added Dylan Cease to help strengthen the rotation. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is still the main guy in the lineup and is right in his prime. There are some questions with older players like George Springer and how long they can keep producing at a high level. They also have some young talent, but injuries could still be a concern. I think they’ll stay competitive, but I would not pick them to have as successful of a year as they did in 2025.

3. Baltimore Orioles: The Baltimore Orioles are trying to bounce back after a surprisingly disappointing season last year. They still have a strong core with Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman leading the way and they added Pete Alonso to give the lineup more power, which should help a lot. But the big question is still their pitching, after making some changes there with adding Shane Baz and Chris Bassitt. If that improves, they could definitely get back into the playoff mix. It won’t be easy, but they have the talent to compete.

4. Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox had a strong season last year despite some big roster changes. They added Ranger Suarez to a rotation that already looked solid. Garrett Crochet had a great year, and they’ll need more of that again this season. On offense, it really depends on Trevor Story staying healthy and producing consistently now that both Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers are gone. They also have some young players continuing to develop and improve so I think they’re a solid team, but still not quite competing at the top of the division yet.

5. Tampa Bay Rays: Tampa Bay had a losing season last year, finishing 77-85, but they were honestly better than that record shows. They always seem to find ways to stay competitive, especially because of their pitching so getting Shane McClanahan back would be a big boost after he missed time. They’ve made some roster changes such as trading away Brandon Lowe, so there are still a few question marks but this team usually finds a way to overachieve, even if they haven’t been as consistent in the last few years. I still wouldn’t count them out, but they do have some things to figure out before the playoffs are a real possibility.