{"id":4824,"date":"2026-01-08T12:47:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T12:47:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ventil.rs\/blog\/sports\/mlb-mid-winter-power-rankings-where-every-team-stands-in-the-new-year\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T12:47:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T12:47:18","slug":"mlb-mid-winter-power-rankings-where-every-team-stands-in-the-new-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ventil.rs\/blog\/sports\/mlb-mid-winter-power-rankings-where-every-team-stands-in-the-new-year\/","title":{"rendered":"MLB mid-winter Power Rankings: Where every team stands in the new year"},"content":{"rendered":"


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We’re a month out from when the first MLB teams report to spring training, and plenty of free agents remain unsigned. So while we wait, let’s look ahead to the start of the 2026 season.<\/p>\n

Where does every team stand heading into spring training? Can anyone catch the reigning back-to-back World Series champion Dodgers for the No. 1 spot? How has a busy offseason boosted Toronto’s standing? And where do the New York teams fall?<\/p>\n

Our expert panel has ranked every team based on a combination of what we’ve seen so far this offseason and what we already knew from 2025. We also asked ESPN MLB experts Buster Olney, David Schoenfield, Jeff Passan, Jesse Rogers, Alden Gonzalez and Jorge Castillo to weigh in with an observation for all 30 teams.<\/p>\n

Way-too-early 2026 Power Rankings<\/a><\/p>\n\n

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Final 2025 ranking:<\/strong> 3
Way-too-early 2026 ranking:<\/strong> 1<\/p>\n

The Dodgers began the offseason with a clear need in the ninth inning and, as they tend to do, shored it up with the best player available. Edwin Diaz<\/a> said goodbye to the Mets to join the Dodgers on a three-year, $69 million contract, and now Timmy Trumpet will supply the soundtrack to L.A. summers, making the two-time defending champions all the more dangerous. The Dodgers still have one big move left — securing another bat, most likely an outfielder. They’re still in on Cody Bellinger<\/a> and Kyle Tucker<\/a>, but if a short-term, high-AAV deal is not attainable, they can pivot to a trade. — Gonzalez<\/em><\/p>\n\n

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Final 2025 ranking:<\/strong> 4
Way-too-early 2026 ranking: <\/strong>2<\/p>\n

After years of falling short in its pursuit of top free agents, Toronto has emerged as the most aggressive team this offseason, using its big money and World Series run to finally become a coveted destination. In addition to Shane Bieber<\/a> exercising his $16 million player option to return to the team, the Blue Jays have so far committed $337 million in free agency to Dylan Cease<\/a>, Cody Ponce<\/a>, Tyler Rogers<\/a> and Japan’s Kazuma Okamoto — over $130 million more than any other club has spent this winter — and they’re probably not done.<\/p>\n

Toronto is still in the mix to sign outfielder Kyle Tucker, the consensus top player in this free agent class<\/a>, or re-sign infielder Bo Bichette<\/a>. Last season, the Blue Jays surpassed expectations to win the American League. They will enter this season as a favorite. — Castillo<\/em><\/p>\n\n

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Final 2025 ranking:<\/strong> 5
Way-too-early 2026 ranking:<\/strong> 3<\/p>\n

The Mariners re-signed Josh Naylor<\/a>, acquired an excellent platoon bat in Rob Refsnyder<\/a> and traded for hard-throwing left-handed reliever Jose A. Ferrer<\/a>. Let’s see if they trade for one more bat — the Brendan Donovan<\/a> rumors won’t go away. One thing that appears certain: They won’t be trading any of their starting pitchers, and if that crew bounces back to its 2024 form, the Mariners could win back-to-back division titles for the first time in franchise history. — Schoenfield<\/em><\/p>\n\n

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Final 2025 ranking:<\/strong> 6
Way-too-early 2026 ranking: <\/strong>4<\/p>\n