By Jacob Becquey

The MLB season is so close we can taste it. With Spring Training underway this weekend, what better time is there than now to look ahead?

The dust of free agency has settled, and now we can evaluate every team’s outlook for 2026. While many hope to and realistically could get to a World Series, some teams just don’t have what it takes in our eyes. Here’s 3 teams that will underperform in 2026:

#1: Texas Rangers

The Rangers had 2 major trades this offseason, bringing in Brandon Nimmo and Mackenzie Gore while sending away Marcus Semien and their former first-round pick Gavin Fein. With a seemingly strong rotation and intimidating lineup, it’s easy to think the Rangers will be a playoff team come October.

However, we have some major concerns. Firstly, the health of the rotation is questionable. Jacob DeGrom had his first healthy season since 2019 last year, but his history and age suggest some sort of regression and/or unavailability. The same can be said for Nathan Eovaldi, who’s entering his age 36 season. Mackenzie Gore definitely provides a cushion, but an injury to one of/both of Texas’s frontline starters could deal some real damage to their outlook.

Secondly, this lineup has a lot to prove. In 2025, Texas ranked 26th in OPS, while finishing 11th in strikeouts. While the Rangers have stars in the form of Corey Seager and Wyatt Langford, the offense still has a lot of question marks.

Texas could still compete for the AL West, but with so many questions, and underperformance can be reasonable as well.

Prediction: Misses the Postseason

#2: Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles had arguably the best offseason in the AL, bringing in difference makers like Pete Alonso, Shane Baz, and Taylor Ward. With a seemingly improved rotation and a heavy lineup, many assume the Orioles will play better in 2026. We do not think so.

Even with the addition of Pete Alonso, the offense has issues. On paper, this unit of Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday, Jordan Westburg, Tyler O’Neil, and more seemed to be the scariest offense going into 2025. Instead, they finished 21st in OPS. Sure, Alonso and Ward help with that, but a bad offense needs more than 2 bats to become great.

The pitching also seems suspect. The O’s ranked 26th in team ERA and 27th in WHIP last year, making it one of the worst staffs in the Majors. Again, Shane Baz and even Ryan Helsley help, but an overall poor unit cannot be saved by a couple of arms (especially after Baltimore sold some key pieces of their bullpen at last year’s deadline).

Overall, the Orioles have major offensive issues that need solving before they come back to contention, let alone their pitching. Last season was a nightmare regression, and things may just stay bad in Baltimore.

Prediction: Misses the Postseason

#3: New York Yankees

While almost every other team brought in some new pieces, the Yankees stayed mostly the same over the winter, bringing in Ryan Weathers and bringing back Amed Rosario, Cody Bellinger, and Trent Grisham. That may turn out fine, as New York housed the number one offense in the majors last year, but a regression is likely for the Yanks.

First things first, we are not predicting the Yankees to miss the playoffs, the offense is too good for that. However, we are predicting an early exit for the 2024 AL Champions, as “running it back” is risky.

Bats like Trent Grisham and Giancarlo Stanton massively outperformed their expectations last season, knocking 34 and 24 homers respectively. However, by retaining these pieces without bringing in new talent, you run the risk of a regression seriously hurting your team. This is likely for the pair, as Grisham’s history indicates a lower homerun total and Stanton is entering his age 36 season.

Not only is the offense the same, but the pitching is incredibly similar to 2025, which was a middle-of-the-road group on both ERA and Whip. Gerrit Cole is coming back, but from Tommy John surgery, which is historically difficult to return from. The Yankees also lost both Luke Weaver and Devon Williams, who, despite Williams’s poor year, were two very good bullpen arms.

Overall, the Yankees got worse this offseason, banking on a progression year from an aging core. While they may make the dance, we do not expect a deep run.

Prediction: Wild Card Exit

Which teams will underperform in 2026? Lets us know on X, @Full_Count_Blog