We’re less than two months from non-fake baseball. And almost every gain to be had over the winter has been spoken for.
With that, USA TODAY Sports rolls out its first power rankings for 2026, an alignment with many nods to the year that passed, yet allowances for all that transpired since the Los Angeles Dodgers converged in a disbelieving dogpile on the Rogers Centre infield, their consecutive World Series championships narrowly secured.
No, nobody ‘wins the winter,’ but it’s impossible to ignore the many seismic shifts that unfolded. Check back around Opening Day, but for now, here’s how Major League Baseball’s 30 title hopefuls (well many have such hope) stack up:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
If you think a threepeat is a fait accompli, keep in mind: These guys finished fifth in these here power rankings at the end of last season.
2. Philadelphia Phillies
A tentative bet on contributions from Aidan Miller and Justin Crawford.
3. Toronto Blue Jays
A very different look in 2026 – but perhaps an even more consistent one.
4. Seattle Mariners
They gotta hope the conviction gained from best season ever outweighs ALCS Game 7 hangover.
5. New York Yankees
Assuming the winter rehabs of Cole, Rodón, Judge and Volpe continue apace.
6. Chicago Cubs
Not much boom, more bust potential for pitching staff.
7. Boston Red Sox
Wilyer Abreu set for All-Star campaign. And these guys probably need that.
8. New York Mets
Not often a team with a half-billion dollar luxury tax payroll also has a ‘so crazy, it just might work!’ vibe.
9. Detroit Tigers
Tarik Skubal arbitration hearing not the sort of preseason spice a fan hopes for.
10. Milwaukee Brewers
Famous Wisconsinite Harry Houdini would be impressed if the Brewers can pull off their next trick.
11. San Diego Padres
Wild to see how long they can keep this going.
12. Houston Astros
The Framber Valdez-Tatsuya Imai de facto swap will be fascinating to track.
13. San Francisco Giants
Harrison Bader and Luis Arráez fill highly specific needs at little commitment beyond this year.
14. Texas Rangers
Some aggressive and potentially strong moves (hello, MacKenzie Gore), but ’24 additions Joc Pederson and Jake Burger need to get going.
15. Cincinnati Reds
Almost like they expected an ‘At Least You Tried’ cake for pursuing Kyle Schwarber.
16. Baltimore Orioles
Gunnar Henderson getting over a shoulder impingement a significant winter development.
17. Kansas City Royals
If Tigers underachieve again, they can take advantage.
18. Arizona Diamondbacks
Seemed inevitable they’d wind up with Nolan Arenado.
19. Cleveland Guardians
The Jose Ramírez track record: Six division titles, six Silver Sluggers, seven All-Star selections.
20. Tampa Bay Rays
Shane McClanahan aiming once again to get to the starting line.
21. Atlanta Braves
Still expecting a pitching addition before that Grapefruit League tipoff.
22. Miami Marlins
Swapping a mid-rotation starter for Owen Caissie’s upside is wise.
23. St. Louis Cardinals
Arrival of the J.J. Wetherholt train worthy of excitement.
24. Pittsburgh Pirates
Crazy experiment they got going, aiming to pair a great pitching staff with a potentially league-average offense.
25. Athletics
Jacob Wilson joins Tyler Soderstrom, Lawrence Butler Jr. and Brent Rooker in the group of Yolo County survivors bound for Las Vegas.
26. Los Angeles Angels
Yoan Moncada is back, in case you were waiting on that decision.
27. Minnesota Twins
Manager fired. New ownership control person. President of baseball operations nudged out. Your basic slow drip of news.
28. Chicago White Sox
Raise your hand if you’ll miss all the Luis Robert Jr. trade rumors. Anybody?
29. Washington Nationals
There does appear to be a framework of a plan, but this year? Avert the eyes, perhaps.
30. Colorado Rockies
(Hands keys to No. 30 to Paul DePodesta) ‘Not much to it, but we can get you two hots and a cot. Try not to stay here too long.’
