MLB Power Rankings For All 30 Teams Entering 2025-26 Free Agency
The Los Angeles Dodgers are World Series champions for the second year in a row following a thrilling seven-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays, capped off by an extra-inning thriller in Game 7.
The focus now shifts to the offseason, which means it's time for an updated version of our MLB power rankings to set the stage for what's to come this winter.
For our first reshuffling of these rankings, teams are ranked based on their 2026 outlook. That includes how complete the roster is heading into free agency, how active the club is expected to be in the coming months and the overall direction the franchise is headed.
We'll put together fresh versions of these power rankings throughout the offseason, with clubs shifting according to their wheeling and dealing.
For now, this serves as a baseline for those future editions of our leaguewide rankings.
30. Colorado Rockies
1 of 30
2025 Opening Day Rank: 28
2025 Finish: 43-119, Fifth in NL West
Key Free Agents: SP Germán Márquez, IF Kyle Farmer (mutual option)
Outlook: First things first, the Rockies need to hire a new general manager, and that search is reportedly winding to a close. The question then becomes whether the new GM will actually be allowed to try to improve the team. Alternatively, he may simply be another yes man to an ownership group that has shown little interest in improving the on-field product.
29. Chicago White Sox
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 30
2025 Finish: 60-102, Fifth in AL Central
Key Free Agents: RP Tyler Alexander, SP Martín Pérez (mutual option)
Outlook: The White Sox youth movement is in full swing, with Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, Miguel Vargas and Grant Taylor among the players to emerge as potential impact contributors in 2025. More prospect talent is on the way, but they are likely still a few years from being an attractive landing spot for free agency talent.
As for this winter, expect them to exercise a $20 million club option on Luis Robert Jr. in hopes of a return to form, while continuing to shop the bargain bin.
28. Los Angeles Angels
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 27
2025 Finish: 72-90, Fifth in AL West
Key Free Agents: SP Tyler Anderson, RP Kenley Jansen, IF Luis Rengifo, 3B Yoán Moncada, RP Andrew Chafin, RP Luis García
Outlook: With 11 straight losing seasons, there is no reason to expect anything different for the Angels in 2026.
They are a prime candidate to spend on one of the second-tier starting pitchers, in the mold of last offseason's three-year, $63 million deal for Yusei Kikuchi, and they could shop slugger Taylor Ward ahead of his final year of arbitration. However, all signs point to this being a 70-75 win team again in 2026.
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27. Pittsburgh Pirates
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 25
2025 Finish: 71-91, Fifth in NL Central
Key Free Agents: DH Andrew McCutchen, OF Tommy Pham
Outlook: With generational talent Paul Skenes headlining a promising young pitching staff that also includes Bubba Chandler, Braxton Ashcraft, Mike Burrows and eventually Jared Jones, the Pirates desperately need to find some offensive support.
Trading Mitch Keller for a controllable bat is one potential play, but it's going to take multiple outside additions to improve a lineup that ranked dead last in the majors with 583 runs scored.
26. Washington Nationals
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 26
2025 Finish: 66-96, Fifth in NL East
Key Free Agents: 1B Josh Bell, IF Paul DeJong
Outlook: The Nationals saw their win total dip from 71 to 66 in 2025 while falling back to the NL East cellar for the fifth time in six years, but there is still some reason for optimism going forward.
Offensively, they have a promising young core built around James Wood, CJ Abrams and second-half standout Daylen Lile. Now they need to build a competent pitching staff around ace MacKenzie Gore after finishing 29th in the majors with a 5.35 ERA.
25. St. Louis Cardinals
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 24
2025 Finish: 78-84, Fourth in NL Central
Key Free Agents: SP Miles Mikolas
Outlook: The Cardinals were expected to trim payroll last offseason, but a lack of market for Nolan Arenado and no-trade clauses for Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras stopped them in their tracks. All three of those players could be shopped this winter, along with All-Star Brendan Donovan and outfielder Lars Nootbaar.
Meanwhile, the focus from an addition standpoint will be building out the rotation around Matthew Liberatore and Michael McGreevy.
24. Minnesota Twins
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 19
2025 Finish: 70-92, Fourth in AL Central
Key Free Agents: C Christian Vázquez
Outlook: The Twins will need to pick a lane this offseason after one of the more aggressive trade deadline fire sales in recent memory. Are they going to retool the current roster, or continue selling by shopping Joe Ryan, Pablo López and perhaps even Byron Buxton if he is willing to waive his no-trade clause?
In a wide open AL Central, they could just as easily add a handful of second-tier free-agency pieces and be right back in the thick of the playoff picture.
23. Arizona Diamondbacks
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 3
2025 Finish: 80-82, Fourth in NL West
Key Free Agents: SP Zac Gallen, RP Jalen Beeks
Outlook: Corbin Burnes is recovering from Tommy John surgery, Merrill Kelly was traded, and Zac Gallen is headed for free agency. The D-backs have a lot of work to do retooling their rotation.
They also need to upgrade a bullpen that had 29 blown saves, a total that trailed only the Angels (33) for most in the majors. Add in finding replacements for Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez, and the loss of Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to a torn ACL, and this team is a long way from contention as things stand.
22. Miami Marlins
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 29
2025 Finish: 79-83, Third in NL East
Key Free Agents: None
Outlook: The Marlins went 35-32 after the All-Star break, and finally have some potential building blocks on offense with Kyle Stowers, Xavier Edwards, Otto Lopez, Jakob Marsee, Agustín Ramírez and Connor Norby all providing some level of upside.
A rotation of Sandy Alcantara, Edward Cabrera, Eury Pérez and Ryan Weathers also has a chance to be a strength, though one or more of those arms could be shopped on the trade market.
21. Baltimore Orioles
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 7
2025 Finish: 75-87, Fifth in AL East
Key Free Agents: SP Zach Eflin, SP Tomoyuki Sugano, C Gary Sánchez
Outlook: The Orioles were one of baseball's most disappointing teams in 2025, tumbling from 91 to 75 wins and falling to the AL East cellar. A full season of Trevor Rogers (18 GS, 1.81 ERA, 109.2 IP) and a healthy Kyle Bradish (6 GS, 2.53 ERA, 32.0 IP) gives the rotation upside, but they still need at least one more impact starter. Will they shop Adley Rutschman this winter after signing fellow catcher Samuel Basallo to a long-term extension?
20. Athletics
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 23
2025 Finish: 76-86, Fourth in AL West
Key Free Agents: RP Sean Newcomb
Outlook: Nick Kurtz, Brent Rooker, Tyler Soderstrom, Jacob Wilson and Shea Langeliers all had an OPS of 125 or higher last season, giving the Athletics one of the most dynamic young offensive cores in baseball.
Now they need to assemble a competent starting rotation after finishing 27th in starters' ERA (4.85) and 25th in quality starts (43), and even a couple mid-level starters could go a long way.
19. Tampa Bay Rays
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 21
2025 Finish: 77-85, Fourth in AL East
Key Free Agents: SP Adrian Houser
Outlook: The Rays operate on a tight budget better than perhaps any other small market team in the sport, and those financial restrictions likely mean that one or more of Pete Fairbanks ($12.5 million club option), Yandy Diaz ($12 million) and Brandon Lowe ($11.5 million club option) will be on the move this winter.
With a good young rotation and an offensive cornerstone to build around in Junior Caminero, this could easily be a playoff team in 2026.
18. Kansas City Royals
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 17
2025 Finish: 82-80, Third in AL Central
Key Free Agents: OF Mike Yastrzemski, RP Hunter Harvey, IF/OF Adam Frazier, SP Michael Lorenzen (mutual option), OF Randal Grichuk (mutual option)
Outlook: The Royals have a standout rotation and quality arms at the back of the bullpen, so the focal point this winter will be upgrading the offense.
Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia, Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez are all productive bats, while Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen offer untapped upside, but there is room for improvement around them.
Mike Yastrzemski is a candidate to be re-signed after he logged a 131 OPS in 186 plate appearances after he was acquired at the deadline.
17. Texas Rangers
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 16
2025 Finish: 81-81, Third in AL West
Key Free Agents: SP Merrill Kelly, SP Tyler Mahle, SP Jon Gray, SP Patrick Corbin, RP Phil Maton, RP Danny Coulombe, RP Chris Martin, RP Shawn Armstrong, RP Hoby Milner
Outlook: With Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi back atop the starting rotation and Corey Seager, Marcus Semien and rising star Wyatt Langford anchoring the offense, the Rangers have a strong core in place.
However, a lot of big decisions await this offseason, including whether to tender a contract to Adolis García, whether to trade Josh Jung and how to rebuild the bullpen. The window is closing, but it hasn't slammed shut yet.
16. San Francisco Giants
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 20
2025 Finish: 81-81, Third in NL West
Key Free Agents: SP Justin Verlander, IF Wilmer Flores, 1B Dominic Smith
Outlook: In his short time running the front office, Buster Posey has inked Matt Chapman to an extension, signed Willy Adames to a long-term deal and swung a blockbuster trade to acquire Rafael Devers. That provides hope they can continue adding impact talent after years of coming up empty at the top of the market.
A third quality starter to join Logan Webb and Robbie Ray, a corner outfielder to replace Mike Yastrzemski, and multiple bullpen arms are on the shopping list.
15. Cincinnati Reds
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 22
2025 Finish: 83-79, Third in NL Central
Key Free Agents: RP Emilio Pagán, SP Zack Littell, SP Nick Martinez, OF Miguel Andújar, RP Scott Barlow (club option), RP Brent Suter (club option)
Outlook: The Reds don't have a glaring hole in their lineup, but they also need to do something about a middle-of-the-road lineup that lacked a true star during the second half last season when Elly De La Cruz went ice cold.
The starting rotation is in great shape, but the bullpen is a huge question mark aside from setup reliever Tony Santillan and Graham Ashcraft, and re-signing or replacing Emilio Pagán in the closer's role is a must.
14. Detroit Tigers
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 13
2025 Finish: 87-75, Second in AL Central
Key Free Agents: 2B Gleyber Torres, RP Tommy Kahnle, RP Kyle Finnegan, RP Rafael Montero, SP Chris Paddack, SP Jack Flaherty (opt-out)
Outlook: With Tarik Skubal entering his final year of club control and a massive gap in contract negotiations, the Tigers could view 2026 as a make-or-break season in their pursuit of a title. It's not dissimilar to the Blue Jays situation with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. a year ago, so a lot can change in the coming months.
As for building out the roster around baseball's best pitcher, another innings eater in the rotation and multiple bullpen arms to replace their outgoing free agents will be the top priority.
13. Houston Astros
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 15
2025 Finish: 87-75, Second in AL West
Key Free Agents: SP Framber Valdez, C Victor Caratini, RP Craig Kimbrel
Outlook: The Astros are at a crossroad following a second half where they went 31-35 with a minus-35 run differential and missed the postseason.
They could push to re-sign Framber Valdez and look for an outfield bat and another starter in free agency, but they could also pull back and opt for a reset.
Hunter Brown and Yainer Díaz are arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter, while Jeremy Peña continues to get more expensive. All three are extension candidates, or could be the prized trade chips in a forward-looking rebuild.
12. Cleveland Guardians
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 14
2025 Finish: 88-74, First in AL Central
Key Free Agents: RP Jakob Junis, OF Lane Thomas
Outlook: Over the past eight years, the only multi-year deals the Guardians handed out in free agency went to Josh Bell (2/$33M) and Shane Bieber (2/$26M), and both were traded before those contracts ended.
Expecting them to do anything of significance to improve the roster is probably wishful thinking. In fact, the most likely move might be trading away Steven Kwan, who is a free agent after the 2027 season and saw his name surface in trade rumors this summer.
They do a great job developing their own in-house talent, but that has yet to push them over the top.
11. Atlanta Braves
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 4
2025 Finish: 76-86, Fourth in NL East
Key Free Agents: DH Marcell Ozuna, RP Raisel Iglesias, SS Ha-Seong Kim (player option)
Outlook: There is no team in baseball with more room for in-house improvement than the Braves.
Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, Sean Murphy, Chris Sale and Spencer Schwellenbach all spent extended time on the injured list, while Spencer Strider struggled to shake off the rust in his return from Tommy John surgery.
With $32 million coming off the books in Marcell Ozuna and Raisel Iglesias, they will have some spending power, and a shortstop is atop their wish list.
10. New York Mets
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 5
2025 Finish: 83-79, Second in NL East
Key Free Agents: RP Ryan Helsley, RP Tyler Rogers, RP Gregory Soto, OF Cedric Mullins, OF Starling Marte, RP Ryne Stanek, 1B Pete Alonso (opt-out), RP Edwin Díaz (opt-out)
Outlook: The Mets went 21-35 over their final 56 games, going from a 1.5 games up in the NL East standings to missing the playoffs entirely in the process.
There is no reason to think Steve Cohen is going to stop spending, and his focus this winter will first and foremost be on retaining Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz who are both expected to exercise opt-out clauses in their contracts.
Adding multiple relievers around Díaz, a frontline starter and a center fielder should all be on the to-do list.
9. San Diego Padres
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 6
2025 Finish: 90-72, Second in NL West
Key Free Agents: SP Dylan Cease, IF Luis Arraez, 1B/OF Ryan O'Hearn, SP Nestor Cortes, IF Jose Iglesias, SP Michael King (mutual option), RP Robert Suárez (opt-out)
Outlook: Replacing Dylan Cease and Michael King in the starting rotation will be No. 1 on the Padres' offseason shopping list, while they will also be in the market for a corner outfielder and a bat they can plug in either at first base or designated hitter.
There is a lot of talent on this roster, but also some rather glaring holes that need to be filled, so they have a lot of room to climb in these rankings as the offseason unfolds.
8. Milwaukee Brewers
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 10
2025 Finish: 97-65, First in NL Central
Key Free Agents: RP Shelby Miller, SP Brandon Woodruff (mutual option), C Danny Jansen (mutual option), 1B Rhys Hoskins (mutual option)
Outlook: Free-spending teams like the Dodgers and Mets are not what's wrong with baseball. Teams like the Brewers are what's wrong with baseball.
After winning 97 games and reaching the NLCS, the first major story of the offseason surrounding the NL Central champs was that they are expected to consider offers for ace Freddy Peralta. Rather than extending him or trying to make one final push with him on the roster, they are going to cry poor, cut their losses and trade him a year before he's a free agent, just like they did with Corbin Burnes.
It's a tried and true blueprint for coming up short in pursuit of a title.
7. Boston Red Sox
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 11
2025 Finish: 89-73, Third in AL East
Key Free Agents: SP Dustin May, RP Steven Matz, RP Justin Wilson, OF Rob Refsnyder, 3B Alex Bregman (opt-out), SS Trevor Story (opt-out), SP Lucas Giolito (mutual option)
Outlook: From Alex Bregman's opt-out to an outfield logjam that could see Jarren Duran or Wilyer Abreu shopped this winter, it's going to be a busy offseason for the Red Sox.
The team could go with Ceddanne Rafaela at second base and Marcelo Mayer at third base. However, Rafaela is more valuable in center field, and flipping one of those outfielders for a controllable starter would make sense.
A healthy Patrick Sandoval is a potential X-factor in the rotation.
6. Chicago Cubs
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 12
2025 Finish: 92-70, Second in NL Central
Key Free Agents: OF Kyle Tucker, RP Brad Keller, RP Drew Pomeranz, RP Caleb Thielbar, RP Ryan Brasier, RP Taylor Rogers, UT Willi Castro, SP Michael Soroka, SP Aaron Civale, SP Shota Imanaga (club option), SP Colin Rea (club option), RP Andrew Kittredge (club option)
Outlook: The Cubs made one of the biggest splashes of the offseason last year when they acquired Kyle Tucker, but now he is set to depart in free agency and the expectation is that he will land elsewhere.
Using Seiya Suzuki in right field or giving top prospect Owen Caissie a long look for the starting job could mean the team doesn't need an outside addition. Instead, they can focus on rebuilding the bullpen from the ground up.
The starting rotation could also have a new look, depending on how they approach option decisions for Shota Imanaga and Colin Rea.
5. Philadelphia Phillies
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 2
2025 Finish: 96-66, First in NL East
Key Free Agents: DH Kyle Schwarber, SP Ranger Suárez, C J.T. Realmuto, OF Max Kepler, RP Jordan Romano, OF Harrison Bader (mutual option)
Outlook: The Phillies have three of the biggest free agents on the market in Kyle Schwarber, Ranger Suárez and J.T. Realmuto.
Schwarber will be almost impossible to replace in the lineup and in the clubhouse, while there is no real contingency plan at catcher behind Realmuto or on the open market, so re-signing both of them is a possibility.
With an aging veteran core that is still capable of contending for a title, they can't afford to not continue spending.
4. New York Yankees
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 8
2025 Finish: 94-68, Second in AL East
Key Free Agents: OF Trent Grisham, RP Luke Weaver, RP Devin Williams, 1B Paul Goldschmidt, RP Ryan Yarbrough, IF Amed Rosario, OF Cody Bellinger (opt-out)
Outlook: With Cody Bellinger expected to opt-out, Trent Grisham headed for free agency and Jasson Domínguez a non-factor down the stretch, the Yankees outfield needs to be addressed around Aaron Judge.
The bullpen is also in need of multiple arms, while the rotation will get a huge boost from a healthy Gerrit Cole, but could still use at least one more back end arm to bridge the gap. Will top prospect Spencer Jones be a factor in 2026?
3. Seattle Mariners
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 9
2025 Finish: 90-72, First in AL West
Key Free Agents: 1B Josh Naylor, 3B Eugenio Suárez, RP Caleb Ferguson, 2B Jorge Polanco (player option), C Mitch Garver (mutual option)
Outlook: The Mariners have a lot of offense to replace with deadline pickups Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez both headed for free agency, along with a rejuvenated Jorge Polanco who will almost certainly decline his end of an $8 million mutual option.
Re-signing Naylor looks like a no-brainer, while there is enough rising prospect talent in one of baseball's best farm systems to think they might be able to plug the other holes in-house.
The stacked starting rotation returns intact, along with the back end of the bullpen, so they can focus their offseason on offense.
2. Toronto Blue Jays
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 18
2025 Finish: 94-68, First in AL East
Key Free Agents: SS Bo Bichette, SP Chris Bassitt, SP Max Scherzer, RP Seranthony Domínguez, IF Isiah Kiner-Falefa, 1B Ty France, SP Shane Bieber (player option)
Outlook: After locking up Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and capturing their first division title since 2015, the Blue Jays came one win short of a World Series title, but it was still a wildly successful season.
Trey Yesavage looks like a budding star in the rotation, they have proven they can get by without Bo Bichette if he opts to sign elsewhere and they will have money to spend with outgoing free agents Bichette, Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt earning a combined $55.1 million in 2025.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
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2025 Opening Day Rank: 1
2025 Finish: 93-69, First in NL West
Key Free Agents: RP Michael Kopech, RP Kirby Yates, UT Enrique Hernández, IF Miguel Rojas, OF Michael Conforto
Outlook: The Dodgers are now a bona fide dynasty with three World Series titles in six years and the first back-to-back wins since 2000.
The starting rotation is in good shape, even with Clayton Kershaw riding off into the sunset, but the bullpen is an area where more than a few dollars will be committed this winter.
There is also a glaring need for a corner outfield bat, with Kyle Tucker atop the wish list. Is there any reason to think they won't also be major players for Japanese stars Munetaka Murakami and Tatsuya Imai, given the NPB pipeline they have built?
The present is historic, and the future is bright.
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