With the MLB Season coming up, I figure I’d give my overall thoughts on every team. I’ll probably make these monthly during the season, so let’s see how bad my predictions are!

Tier 1: Dodgers

• Los Angeles Dodgers

They’re the Dodgers. Defending WS champs, signed Kyle Tucker, have the best rotation, hitting lineup, etc.

Tier 2: Contenders to either lose the WS or NLCS to the Dodgers

• Cubs
• Mets
• Yankees
• Blue Jays

Cubs just signed Alex Bregman and added Edward Cabrera (MLB The Show Legend), and have a strong hitting lineup. Mets have added Marcus Semien, Bo Bichette, Gregory Polanco and Freddy Peralta, albeit losing Pete Alonso to Baltimore. One concern for those two is I don’t think their rotation is as strong as the other teams in this category, being the Yankees and Jays. I think the Yankees rotation is going to be really strong with Gerrit Cole back and Cam Schlittler only going to get better. Jays look strong too. Rotation is solidified, losing Bo Bichette hurts but Kazuma Okamoto should help replace some of that hitting production, and Santander can hopefully get back on track.

Tier 3: Should be playoff locks (should)

• Mariners
• Phillies
• Red Sox

Mariners have kept their core, only losing Eugenio Suarez and Gregory Polanco to FA. Trading for Brendan Donavan helps them a lot to. Do we think Raleigh can replicate last season? Phillies resigned Kyle Schwarber and J.T Realmuto, so they should have a solid team. Is there time to contend running out though, is my question. Red Sox look real good. My only worry for them is they are in such as stacked division, so playoffs might be tough for them, but I believe they have the pieces. (side note, Sonny Gray’s FanGraphs projections are crazy. look em up.)

Tier 4: Could they?

• Brewers
• Padres
• Tigers

I should probably stop underestimating Milwaukee… but here I am. I mean, they lost Freddy Peralta, Isacc Collins and Caleb Durbin. And they haven’t added anyone of note, either. Anyway, they’ll probably win 90+ games and make me look stupid. Padres are just… I dunno. They lost Dylan Cease, and haven’t really done much. I’m unsure about them. Tigers have added Framber Valdez, and didn’t trade their Messiah and savior in Tarik Skubal, so they look like they have a nice rotation. Hitting looks real underrated too. Is Max Clark the real deal?

Tier 5: We are so back

• Orioles
• Braves

Both teams had abysmal 2025 seasons but I firmly believe that they will be strong teams in 2026. I think Baltimore especially could win the AL East. That rotation is a cause for concern however. Braves, if healthy are a stacked team. They got steamrolled by injuries last season, but I believe they have the pieces to contend for the division again. The Kim freak injury is a bad sign though.

Tier 6: Lowkey mid

• Astros
• Reds
• Rangers
• Guardians
• Royals
• Giants
• Diamondbacks
• Rays

Astros lost their ace in Frambler Valdez, but look to replace with Tatsuya Imai. Infield depth looks a bit weak. Reds rotation is top 5 in MLB imo, and adding Eugenio Suarez helps. Still, the hitting looks a bit average to be a playoff contender. Rangers have a real nice rotation, but can the hitting deliver, especially without Marcus Semien? Guardians I’ve learned to never underestimate despite cheap ownership, especially after locking up Jose Ramirez. Royals are interesting to me, because I think Ragans can rebound and Jac Caglianone will be really elite. I think the Giants are interesting. Logan Webb is elite, and Rafeal Devers can still do big damage. Still, I think this team is extremely mid, but is Posey cooking? Diamondbacks’ rotation is pretty weak, but look at their hitting core. Can’t count that out of their pitching gets hot. I also probably shouldn’t count out the Rays, despite losing a ton of players. They always find a way, and Junior Caminero is going to be a star.

Tier 7: On the rise

• Pirates
• Marlins
• Athletics

Are the Pirates actually decent this year? Who knows. They have signed a few good hitters such as Marcel Ozuna from the Pirates, Ryan O’Hearn, and others. And they still have the best pitcher in baseball, in Paul Skenes. Marlins were decent last season, and they can build around their young guns like Eury Perez, Kyle Stowers, Jakob Marsee and Owen Caissie. They’ll probably trade them though. Athletics hitting is really good. Like really good. They have their stars locked up to long term deals, but their rotation is probably worse than my local little league team.

Tier 8: If you win the World Series, the world ends.

• Cardinals
• Nationals
• Angels
• White Sox
• Rockies
• Twins

Who’s on the Twins besides Byron Buxton, Joe Ryan, and a few others? Cardinals have traded away their entire core and look to be rebuilding, Nationals are in another rebuild as they traded away Gore, Angels just don’t seem all that special and are poor in every position except for outfield and shortstop, White Sox have added Japanese slugger Muneteka Murakami and look to be getting better, but still look painfully weak, and Rockies are the Rockies.

Preseason Rankings

1. Dodgers
2. Yankees
3. Mets
4. Blue Jays
5. Cubs
6. Mariners
7. Phillies
8. Red Sox
9. Braves
10. Padres
11. Brewers
12. Orioles
13. Tigers
14. Reds
15. Astros
16. Rangers
17. Guardians
18. Royals
19. Pirates
20. Giants
21. Diamondbacks
22. Rays
23. Marlins
24. Athletics
25. Angels
26. Cardinals
27. Twins
28. White Sox
29. Nationals
30. Rockies