By Jacob Becquey

With the 2025 season freshly complete and a tantalizing offseason coming, there’s no better time to be a Baseball fan. However, games are moths away from commencing, so why don’t we have an early look at the 2026 season? Here are The Full Count Blog’s Pre-Agency predictions for 2026:

Division Predictions

AL East:

#1: Boston Red Sox (Record: 92-70)

It’s hard not to fall in love with the Red Sox this year; Boston has a young core prime for a breakout in Roman Anthony and Marcello Mayer, a solid rotation in Garret Crochet and Bryan Bello (with reinforcements likely to come) and steady veteran leadership with players such as Trevor Story. If they can just sign a corner infielder and pitcher behind Crochet, this team will be terrifying on both sides of the inning.

#2: Toronto Blue Jays (Record: 90-72)

Nobody expected the Blue Jays to make a run for the World Series last year, but some solid bounce-backs from George Springer and Bo Bichette, along with some breakouts and surprises in Addison Barger, Ernie Clement, and Nathan Lukes, got them all the way to their first Fall Classic in 32 years. While a regression from some of these bats can be expected, a full year of Shane Bieber and Trey Yesavage gives the Blue Birds a chance at a runback.

#3: New York Yankees (Record: 89-73)

The Yankees had a rather disappointing season at the end of the day, falling just short of a second straight division crown and failing to reach the ALCS. Despite that, the Yankees remain an extremely intimidating force powered by Aaron Judge, Max Fried, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. While their fundamentals may have appeared flimsy, especially to Buck Martinez, a solid offseason can and will bounce the Bronx Bombers back to World Series contention.

#4: Baltimore Orioles (Record: 85-77)

Speaking of disappointing seasons, the Orioles had perhaps the worst season relative to expectations in 2025, only rivaled by the Braves. With star bats like Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday still in Baltimore, a couple bounce-backs and free agent signings could propel Birdland to a positive record. The pitching, however, needs some serious addressing, as they were one of the worst units in Baseball last year.

#5: Tampa Bay Rays (Record: 79-83)

For years, the Rays have defied all writers and predictors with great seasons from a rather mediocre-looking roster, but they came back down to Earth for the past 2 seasons. With a front office allergic to free agency, it’s likely that Tampa will roll out a very similar roster to last year, hence the similar record. Junior Caminero and Jonathan Aranda are star players, but the Rays just fail to impress in every other aspect of the game.

AL Central:

#1: Detroit Tigers (Record: 88-74)

Amongst the rapid rumors and Skubal mock trades, the Tigers remain as the most powerful force in the AL Central. With a lineup bolstered by players like Riley Green and a rotation headlined by Tarik Skubal, it’s hard to bet against Detroit this year. While the team struggled with inconsistency in 2025, they still proved to be the best team in their division during the playoffs.

#2: Cleveland Guardians (Record: 84-78)

The Guardians seem to have developed a solid formula in the past few seasons: cut payroll, get good seasons out of role players, win the AL Central. While our predictions have them falling short of a division crown, its hard to predict records with this team; Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez highlight a lineup of misfits that seem to play tremendously together, similar to how the Rays and Blue Jays of the past have competed.

#3: Kansas City Royals (Record: 82-80)

The Royals seem to exemplify .500 Baseball with a solid lineup and rotation; Mikael Garcia, Bobby Witt Jr, and Salvador Perez lend themselves to a rather mediocre lineup, while Michael Wacha and Chris Bubic prove to be good starters in an alright rotation. It’s gonna take a lot of work to turn the Royals into true contenders, but the team has a history of doing so.

#4: Minnesota Twins (Record: 71-91)

Minnesota had a surprising flash sale during the 2025 trade deadline, sending key pieces such as Carlos Correa, Harrison Bader, and practically their entire bullpen across the league. With those trades in the books and more expected to come (namely regarding Joe Ryan and Pablo Lopez), the Twins seem to be in a difficult situation that will very likely involve a losing season.

#5: Chicago White Sox (Record: 64-98)

Was there ever any doubt? Chicago has had a truly terrible couple of seasons, with the last 2 both exceeding 100 losses. Kyle Teal and Grant Taylor may prove to give the Sox life for the future, but the truth is Chicago will be the capital of sports misery again in 2026. At least the Bulls look good.

AL West:

#1: Houston Astros (Record: 87-76)

While we project the west to be one of the easier divisions to win, it may be a shock that Houston edges out the Mariners. But looking at the rosters, it’s not very surprising; Jeremy Pena, Hunter Brown, Jose Altuve, Isaac Parades, and more prove to be a solid core, with heavy potential for bounce backs/breakouts from players like Carlos Correa, Cam Smith, and Jesus Sanchez.

#2: Seattle Mariners (Record: 86-76)

After a great 2025 season, many see the Mariners reclaiming the AL West in 2026. However, there is a lot of room for regression and a lot of potential free agent losses, such as Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suarez. Will Raleigh hit 60 home runs again? Most likely not, but the stars in Seattle should be able to lift the M’s to the playoffs.

#3: Texas Rangers (Record: 78-84)

Ever since 2023, the Rangers have been one of the biggest disappointments each year. While some may think the offense will be better, we suspect a similar disappointment, with factors like a likely regression in the pitching department and a continued struggle from the offense holding them to a below-.500 record.

#4: The Athletics (Record: 69:93)

Don’t get us wrong, the Athletics are gonna be a bad team in 2025. However, the future looks bright for the Vegas-bound A’s, with incredible rookie seasons from Jacob Wilson and Nick Kurtz. While they will likely struggle in the pitching department, the offense should shine with players like the aforementioned Kurtz and Wilson, Soderstrom, and Langeliers. With some key prospects like Leo De Vries still in the system, it will likely take a few years for the A’s to get a winning season.

#5: Los Angeles Angels (Record: 68-96)

The Angels have been in a terrible spot for years, owning the largest active playoff drought in the league. It’s not surprising, as some lackluster pitching, an aging superstar in Mike Trout, and an overall dismal offense projects this team to finish second-to-last in the AL.

NL East:

#1: Philadelphia Phillies (Record: 89-73)

The Phillies have been perennial contenders for a while now, with their only true playoff success coming in the form of a 2022 triple to the World Series. While their core is aging, 2026 should prove to be another year of contention, with an elite pitching staff (Zach Wheeler, Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola) and a serviceable offense (Bryce Harper, Trea Turner) leading the pack.

#2: New York Mets (Record: 86-76)

The Mets had one of the most disappointing seasons in recent memory, with a $300,000,000 payroll unable to boost them to October. This team still has immense talent in Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, and others, but the pitching and free agents could prove 2026 to be another nightmare year. However, New York will likely address all of these issues in free agency, so their issues could be at the very least mitigated in their 2026 run.

#3: Atlanta Braves (Record: 84-78)

Speaking of disappointing seasons, Atlanta’s 2025 was a terrible nightmare that no fan wants to live again. Despite the issues last year, some bounce-backs and free agent bats should pick up an already talented roster in 2026. You can never count out a team with players like Ronald Acuña Jr, Spencer Strider, and MattOlson, after all.

#4: Miami Marlins (Record: 77-85)

The Marlins entered 2025 with dismal expectations, but they were able to exit with a brighter future, especially with an insane breakout from Kyle Stowers. While the rest of their young core is a few years away, don’t be surprised if Miami plays the role of spoiler throughout 2026, because this team has more talent than most fans realize (even if they trade Alcantara and Cabrera)

#5: Washington Nationals (Record: 73:89)

As one of the youngest teams in MLB, the Nationals have the ability to break out in a major way in 2026, with stars such as CJ Abrams, James Woods, and McKenzie Gore showing true promise. However, it’s hard to feel like this team isn’t at least a year away, as a true lack of veteran leadership and stability really holds them back.

NL Central:

#1: Chicago Cubs (Record: 91-71)

The Cubs had an electric offensive showing throughout 2025, even including a dark month in the wake of Summer. The young studs, like PCA, Cade Horton, and Michael Busch, combine with veterans like Carson Kelly and Dansby Swanson to create a truly well-balanced blend of talent that should prove excellent in 2026.

#2: Milwaukee Brewers (Record: 88-74)

The Brew Crew always proves to surprise MLB, with low expectations turning into true success. Coming off an excellent 2025, a powerful offense headlined by Jackson Chourio and William Contreras and a great pitching staff with Freddy Peralta and Brandon Woodruff should give the Crew a nice outlook for 2026.

#3: Cincinnati Reds (Record: 85-77)

The Reds feel like an overall decent team, with stars like Eloy De La Cruz, Hunter Greene, and Chase Burns giving a great ceiling for 2026. However, a lack of depth in the lineup and pitching department leaves this team just out of the playoffs in our eyes.

#4: St. Louis Cardinals (Record: 80-82)

While other teams in the Central seem to have a lovely mix of veterans and fresh talent, the Cards seem to have a rather poor mesh of their own. Nolan Arenado and Sonny Gray are well past their prime, and the young studs like Mason Wynn seem underdeveloped at this point. St. Louis embodies a .500 team in our eyes, just good enough to win but also bad enough to finish with just 80 wins.

#5: Pittsburgh Pirates (Record: 61-101)

With arguably the worst front office in sports, a star wasting his prime, and an offense that can’t hit, Pirates fans have their work cut out for them when it comes to rooting for their team. Paul Skenes gives this dismal team some sort of ceiling, but with this ownership, we wouldn’t be shocked if they found a way to trade him.

NL West:

#1: Los Angeles Dodgers (Record: 96-66)

Is anybody surprised at this one? The Dodgers have spent so much money the past few years that they seem unbeatable. With a rotation of 5 aces and a lineup bolstered by Shohei Ohtani, Freddy Freeman, and Will Smith, LA has a serious chance at the first 3-peat since the Yankees in 2000. That being said, their offense has struggled and the bullpen needs to be addressed, but there’s no doubt that LA’s owners have the money to do just that.

#2: San Diego Padres (Record: 91-71)

The Padres feel like the younger brother to the Dodgers, where both spend a ton of money and only the latter gets the success. San Diego has a very good team with the likes of Fernando Tatis Jr, Manny Machado, and Jackson Merrill, but they’ll need to spend some money to address the pitching staff, but there’s no doubt that San Diego’s owner is willing to make some bold moves.

#3: San Francisco Giants (Record: 85-77)

With a very talented rotation and decent lineup, the Giants could prove to be a playoff contender in 2026. While we have them just missing out, the likes of Rafael Devers, Logan Webb, and Robbie Ray could prove us wrong in a big way.

#4: Arizona Diamondbacks (Record: 83-79)

Although they’ve arguably preformed better than their 2023 World Series opponent, the D-Backs have faltered from their crazy playoff run just 2 years back. With a talented young core in Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll, along with a strong veteran presence in players like Lourdes Gurriel Jr and Corbin Burnes, Arizona has the talent to win games, but a faltering rotation, bad bullpen, and lack of depth really hurt this team’s chances at being more than a .500 club.

#5: Colorado Rockies (Record: 49-113)

Again, is there really any surprise? With an absolutely atrocious offense, defense, rotation, bullpen, future, and front office, there is almost nothing to look forward to with Colorado. At least Busch Stadium is beautiful.

Is there any prediction that you disagree with? Follow us on X, @Full_Count_Blog, and share your thoughts!