Athletics
2025 Recap
Final record: 76-86
Division finish: 4th
Biggest Strengths
A young position player core led by Nick Kurtz. The A’s went 41-34 with a +56 run differential over their final 75 games last season, a stretch powered largely by Kurtz, Brent Rooker, Tyler Soderstrom, and Shea Langeliers.
Biggest Weaknesses
The rotation, 27th in ERA and 29th in FIP, and the non-first base infielders were the Athletics’ primary problems in 2025. Only the Reds got less production from third base, and for all the hype around Jacob Wilson, the A’s were still comfortably below average at shortstop.
Key Additions
Jeff McNeil arrived via trade to address one of those infield holes. Aaron Civale slots in behind Jeffrey Springs in an underwhelming rotation, and the bullpen was fortified with veterans Scott Barlow and Mark Leiter Jr.
Prospects Likely to Contribute
Leo De Vries is one of the top prospects in baseball and should be part of the A’s infield in 2026 if all goes to plan after putting up big numbers following his arrival in the Mason Miller blockbuster.
Tommy White, a corner infielder, needs to show more in the high minors but has a path to the big leagues.
The pitching staff should get much needed reinforcements from Gage Jump, Gunnar Hoglund, and Mason Barnett.
Key Losses
Sean Newcomb, Gio Urshela, and JJ Bleday left via free agency. None leave gaping holes on the roster.
Projected Lineup
Tyler Soderstrom
Nick Kurtz
Shea Langeliers
Brent Rooker
Lawrence Butler
Jeff McNeil
Jacob Wilson
Denzel Clarke
Max Muncy
Projected Pitching Staff
Rotation
Luis Severino
Aaron Civale
Jeffrey Springs
Jacob Lopez
Luis Morales
Bullpen
Mark Leiter Jr.
Scott Barlow
Hogan Harris
Justin Sterner
Michael Kelly
Elvis Alvarado
Luis Medina
Biggest Question Mark
While the bullpen was better than the rotation last year, the starting pitching group has a higher floor in 2026. This bullpen has very limited high-leverage experience and ranked in the bottom eight in xERA and FIP in 2025. There’s a world where the offense and rotation are good enough to compete for a wild card berth, but it’s hard to say that about the bullpen.
Breakout Candidate
If the A’s are going to have a solid bullpen, Justin Sterner will need to play a major role. He is likely to get late inning reps and has posted a 3.13 ERA across 61 big league outings. With an elite slider and sweeper and a 110 Stuff+ fastball, he has the profile to take another step in 2026. He already generates plenty of whiffs, and if he limits hard contact, he could become a reliable back-end bullpen arm.
Projected record: 79-83
Houston Astros
2025 Recap
Final record: 87-75
Division finish: 2nd
Biggest Strengths
Relief pitching was Houston’s greatest strength in 2025. Only the San Diego Padres collected more wins above average, and their 3.58 xERA was the second-best in the big leagues.
Biggest Weaknesses
The outfield and first base were Houston’s biggest issues last year. The Christian Walker signing didn’t work out, with the veteran posting his worst OPS+ since 2021. Jake Meyers was the only outfielder who provided positive value.
Key Additions
Tatsuya Imai arrived on a much lower deal than was initially projected. Mike Burrows and Ryan Weiss round out the rotation, and Joey Loperfido will get a chance to earn outfield plate appearances.
Nate Pearson provides another right-handed option out of the bullpen.
Prospects Likely to Contribute
Brice Matthews will get an opportunity at either a middle infield spot or in the outfield after posting an .830 OPS in Triple A last season as a first round pick three years ago.
Despite struggling in his previous big league appearances, Shay Whitcomb is likely to get another shot following a strong year in Triple A.
Key Losses
There aren’t many more damaging losses than seeing Framber Valdez join an AL foe in free agency. Houston also lost Craig Kimbrel, Ramón Urías, and Victor Caratini, and so far it does not look like they have done enough to offset Valdez’s departure.
Projected Lineup
Jeremy Peña
Jose Altuve
Carlos Correa
Yordan Alvarez
Joey Loperfido
Yainer Diaz
Christian Walker
Zach Cole
Jake Meyers
Projected Pitching Staff
Rotation
Hunter Brown
Tatsuya Imai
Cristian Javier
Mike Burrows
Lance McCullers Jr.
Bullpen
Josh Hader
Bryan Abreu
Nate Pearson
Steven Okert
Bryan King
Enyel De Los Santos
Roddery Muñoz
Biggest Question Mark
Who backs up Hunter Brown? Even with Brown and Valdez, Houston’s rotation was middling by ERA, FIP, and xERA. A reliable arm is gone and replaced by a relative unknown in Imai. There is real downside here, especially if Brown cannot make 30 or more starts.
Breakout Candidate
Astros fans got a taster of what Zach Cole can be in his 15 games last season. Boasting great speed, near-elite bat speed, and exceptional raw power, it’s not far-fetched that Cole has a 30-30 season in 2026. An aggressive approach means there’s a low floor, too, but he’s a potential difference-maker.
Breakout Candidate
Astros fans got a taste of Zach Cole’s upside in 15 games last season. With plus wheels, near elite bat speed, and exceptional raw power, a 30-30 season in 2026 is not out of the question. His aggressive approach creates a low floor, but he has the tools to be a difference maker.
Projected record: 81-81
Los Angeles Angels
2025 Recap
Final record: 72-90
Division finish: 5th
Biggest Strengths
Los Angeles was above average at only two positions last season, shortstop and left field. Everyday left fielder Taylor Ward has since been dealt.
Biggest Weaknesses
Their defense was the worst in baseball by a wide margin at -54 outs above average. Both the rotation and bullpen ranked 28th. It is hard to narrow the Angels’ struggles to just a couple of weaknesses, but poor pitching and abysmal defense is not a winning combination.
Key Additions
Grayson Rodriguez and Alek Manoah are upside bets in the rotation, and Josh Lowe lengthens the lineup. A previously poor bullpen has been completely revamped with Drew Pomeranz, Kirby Yates, Jordan Romano, and Brent Suter.
Prospects Likely to Contribute
Denzer Guzman got a brief look in the big leagues last year and will get another crack in 2026. Nelson Rada did not put up eye catching fall ball numbers, but he showed enough in Triple-A to step in if needed.
George Klassen has been piling up strikeouts in the minors and should get at least a handful of MLB starts if all goes to plan.
Key Losses
Neto and Mike Trout were the only Angels with a better OPS+ than Ward in 2025, and he is now with the Baltimore Orioles. Kenley Jansen is now a Tiger, Luis Rengifo is a Brewer (opening a spot for Guzman), and Connor Brogdon became a Guardian.
Projected Lineup
Zach Neto
Mike Trout
Nolan Schanuel
Yoan Moncada
Jo Adell
Josh Lowe
Jorge Soler
Christian Moore
Logan O’Hoppe
Projected Pitching Staff
Rotation
Yusei Kikuchi
José Soriano
Grayson Rodriguez
Reid Detmers
Alek Manoah
Bullpen
Drew Pomeranz
Kirby Yates
Robert Stephenson
Jordan Romano
Brent Suter
Chase Silseth
Ryan Zeferjahn
Biggest Question Mark
Can José Soriano and Grayson Rodriguez reach their All-Star ceilings? Soriano was 12th in Pitching+ last year and features a strong splitter and slider. Rodriguez owns a 112 Pitching+ for his career and was one of the game’s top pitching prospects not long ago. If both take a step forward, the Angels could push into the fringe wild card race.
Breakout Candidate
Two Angels made our breakout list for 2026, and Ryan Zeferjahn is the choice here. His overall numbers were ugly last year, including an FIP in the fives, but he has three quality pitches. If he limits the walks, he could emerge as one of the better relievers in the American League.
Projected record: 78-84
Seattle Mariners
2025 Recap
Final record: 90-72
Division finish: 1st
Biggest Strengths
Seattle possessed a potent offense (third in wRC+) and a great outfield in 2025. Only four teams generated more wins above average from the outfield spots than the Mariners.
Biggest Weaknesses
Despite a rotation that looks like an elite group on paper, Seattle’s starting pitchers were 20th in WAA and 13th in ERA in 2025. It still projects to be one of the best rotations in the majors this year, however.
Key Additions
Brendan Donovan was acquired via trade to plug the hole at third base. Josh Naylor re-signing was a major move in Seattle’s offseason, particularly with Jorge Polanco becoming a Met. Southpaw Jose A. Ferrer helps to balance the bullpen as a late-inning arm.
Prospects Likely to Contribute
Colt Emerson, ranked 11th among all prospects by FanGraphs, is the headliner of the Mariners’ rotation. Another middle infielder, Michael Arroyo, could find his way to the big leagues if he impresses in Double-A to start the year.
Lazaro Montes could also earn outfield plate appearances if his 2025 performance is any indication.
Key Losses
Eugenio Suárez, after struggling as a Mariner, left for the Reds in free agency. Polanco signed with the Mets, and Leody Taveras agreed to a one year deal to be the Orioles’ fourth outfielder. Harry Ford, one of the top catching prospects in the sport, was sent to the Nationals in the Ferrer trade.
Projected Lineup
Brendan Donovan
Julio Rodríguez
Cal Raleigh
Josh Naylor
Randy Arozarena
Dominic Canzone
J.P. Crawford
Victor Robles
Cole Young
Projected Pitching Staff
Rotation
Logan Gilbert
Bryan Woo
George Kirby
Luis Castillo
Bryce Miller
Bullpen
Andrés Muñoz
Jose A. Ferrer
Matt Brash
Eduard Bazardo
Gabe Speier
Carlos Vargas
Cooper Criswell
Biggest Question Mark
What does Cal Raleigh have in store? It would have helped to add a high end backup catcher to give the Mariners more flexibility with his workload. It is a big ask for him to catch or DH every day.
A repeat of his historic 2025 is almost impossible, but how good can the Big Dumper be in 2026? A return to his 116 OPS+ from 2023-2024 would lower Seattle’s offensive floor and ceiling.
Breakout Candidate
Forget the 6.05 ERA across 65 big-league appearances. Casey Legumina is a legitimate breakout candidate. He has a wicked sweeper, 123 Stuff+, and a more than serviceable fastball. Only 13.1 percent of batted balls against him were pulled in the air last year, and a 102 Location+ suggests his elevated walk rate can come down.
Projected record: 95-67
Texas Rangers
2025 Recap
Final record: 81-81
Division finish: 3rd
Biggest Strengths
The top of the rotation, led by Jacob deGrom, was among the best in baseball. Despite Adolis Garcia posting just a 94 OPS+, the outfield was a clear strength thanks to highly productive seasons from Wyatt Langford and Evan Carter.
Biggest Weaknesses
Some metrics were oddly low on the Rangers’ bullpen, but you can’t argue with the results. The more obvious weakness last year was production from the corner infield spots, with underwhelming returns from Jake Burger and Josh Jung.
Key Additions
Brandon Nimmo fills the right-field spot, MacKenzie Gore is a high-upside third starter behind deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi, and Danny Jansen should be a nice upgrade behind the plate.
Tyler Alexander, Alexis Diaz, and Jakob Junis join the bullpen after a couple of key departures.
Prospects Likely to Contribute
Sebastian Walcott is ranked as the seventh-best prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline. With elite speed and a great eye at the plate, he has a chance to make the Opening Day roster out of camp.
MLB-ready talent is lacking across the farm after several good prospects were sent out in the Gore trade. David Davalillo and Winston Santos are the pitching prospects to watch.
Key Losses
Marcus Semien was swapped for Brandon Nimmo. Adolis Garcia and Jonah Heim were non-tendered before signing with the Phillies and Braves, respectively. Merrill Kelly returned to the Diamondbacks, and Tyler Mahle is now a Giant. Shawn Armstrong and Hoby Milner also departed in free agency.
Projected Lineup
Brandon Nimmo
Wyatt Langford
Corey Seager
Joc Pederson
Jake Burger
Evan Carter
Josh Jung
Josh Smith
Danny Jansen
Projected Pitching Staff
Rotation
Jacob deGrom
Nathan Eovaldi
MacKenzie Gore
Jack Leiter
Jacob Latz
Bullpen
Robert Garcia
Chris Martin
Cole Winn
Jakob Junis
Alexis Diaz
Tyler Alexander
Josh Sborz
Biggest Question Mark
How real was Jack Leiter’s second half? A 3.28 ERA after the break reflected the promise Leiter had as a prospect. Consistency has been hard to come by in the big leagues and his command has been subpar.
What if, though, Leiter is a sub-4.00 ERA guy? The Rangers could feasibly have a top five rotation if, and that’s an even bigger if, deGrom and Eovaldi are healthy.
How real was Jack Leiter’s second half? A 3.28 ERA after the break reflected the promise he showed as a prospect. Consistency has been hard to come by in the big leagues, and his command has been subpar. What if, though, Leiter is a sub-4.00 ERA arm? If that happens, and deGrom and Eovaldi stay healthy, the Rangers could have a top five rotation.
Breakout Candidate
Yes, despite a 1.51 ERA in 2025, Cole Winn still qualifies as a breakout candidate. His xERA was 4.22 last season, and he appeared in only 33 games.
The signs are there for Winn to bring that xERA down below 3.20. He has a high velocity fastball, a great sinker (122 Stuff+) and solid off-speed pitches in a splitter and curve. Don’t be surprised if he becomes a valuable multi inning arm out of the bullpen.
Projected record: 86-76
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