Spring training is right around the corner, and that means new storylines and things to watch all across baseball.
Here are the top storylines to watch for all 30 MLB teams this spring.
Jump to a team by clicking on the links below:
NL West: Dodgers | Padres | Giants | Diamondbacks | Rockies
Toronto Blue Jays: The quest for another World Series appearance begins
The Blue Jays did everything right in 2025. They secured their young superstar on a long-term extension, delivered a strong regular season and enjoyed a magical run to the World Series. Unfortunately for Toronto, it ended in heartbreak in Game 7 against the Dodgers.
So this offseason wasn't about resting on the laurels of what they did in 2025; it was about improving and making sure this team gets another bite at the apple.And the Blue Jays were aggressive this offseason. They added starting pitching by acquiring Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce,boosted their offense by signing Japanese star Kazuma Okamotoand got bullpen help by adding Tyler Rogers.
The Blue Jays go into 2026 as one of the best teams in baseball. And even though they again finished as runners-up for the top free agent of the winter, they're well-positioned for success going forward. Plus, assuming they have a strong first half, they'll have the resources to make a splash at the trade deadline.
New York Yankees: Similar team, similar results?
The Yankees had a clear vision for what they wanted their offseason to look like, and for the most part, general manager Brian Cashman followed through on those objectives. It was clear that re-signing free-agent outfielder Cody Bellinger was a top priority. And while it took longer than some expected,Bellinger signed a five-year, $162.5 million deal to stay with the Yanks for the foreseeable future.
Now the Yankees go into spring training with what is very close to the same roster they had in 2025. Did they do enough to improve this winter? And will the 2026 version of the Yankees be better than the Toronto Blue Jays, who improved a roster that reached the World Series?
Any team that has a healthy Aaron Judge is going to have an opportunity to succeed. But for the Yankees to be the AL's best, continuing to build around Judge and finding enough starting pitching until Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón get healthy will be key.
Boston Red Sox: Roster construction problems
The Red Sox are an enigma. It's not like they don't have talent, but their moves this offseason have left a lot to be desired. They brought in Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals, as well as signing Ranger Suárez to a long-term deal. Butallowing Alex Bregman to walk and sign with the Cubs feels like a big miss. Not to mention, the logjam in Boston's outfield still exists, as Roman Anthony, Ceddane Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, Masataka Yoshida and Jarren Duran are all still on the roster.
There's time left to sort these things out before the season starts, but it's difficult to say the Red Sox's offseason has gone as planned. After all, they still have a hole left by Bregman at third base that they have to fill.
Is this a bad baseball team? Certainly not. But roster construction, as we saw last season, is extremely important to a team's success, and the Red Sox haven't figured theirs out. If they truly want to compete in a strong AL East, they have to solve that puzzle.
Tampa Bay Rays: Getting Shane McClanahan back healthy
When Shane McClanahan is healthy, he's one of the best starting pitchers in baseball. The Rays' ace was an All-Star in two of his first three seasons, and he has the stuff every team wants at the top of the rotation. But the road to get back to being that player has been a challenge for Tampa's southpaw. McClanahan underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2023 and hasn't pitched since, as his recovery has been delayed by nerve issues in his arm, including surgery to address those issues in August.
Just getting healthy is step one for McClanahan and the Rays. And the team will be extremely careful as he works his way back to pitching in the big leagues full-time. But the Rays are significantly better with McClanahan pitching and having him back in the fold will be a huge part of the 2026 plans in Tampa.
Baltimore Orioles: The time is now
The story for the Orioles for the past three seasons has been that their time is coming, and with a young nucleus of talent, their window is wide open. But Baltimore learned last season that just because you have a young core doesn't mean development will follow a linear path. The Orioles were arguably the most disappointing team in baseball last season, losing 87 games and missing the postseason after back-to-back 100-win seasons.
This offseason, Orioles GM Mike Elias and ownership finally did what many had been begging them to do: Open the checkbook and add talent to a promising but flawed roster.Adding first baseman Pete Alonso on a five-year, $155 million dealwas significant, giving Baltimore some much-need thump from the right side and a veteran presence for a young group. The O's also added closer Ryan Helsely, starter Shane Baz and outfielder Taylor Ward, making a statement to the rest of the AL East that they're ready to compete. The Orioles' core of Gunnar Henderson, Samuel Basallo, Adley Rutchman and Jackson Holiday still have upside on their side, and now it's time to start seeing that upside come to fruition in the toughest division in baseball.
Cleveland Guardians: Travis Bazzana watch
Let's be honest. Beyond José Ramirez and Steven Kwan,the Guardians' lineup could really use some more juice. And who better to provide it than the Aussie sensation himself, Travis Bazzana? The Guardians' top prospect was drafted No. 1 overall in 2024 and viewed as a foundational piece of Cleveland's future. And 2026 could be the year he makes his debut at Progressive Field.
Bazzana reached Triple-A last season and recorded an .858 OPS in 26 games. He'll likely start the season there, but if he shows he can hold his own, it won't be long before people are calling for the second baseman to make his long-awaited arrival in Cleveland.
Detroit Tigers: The Skubal saga
The $400 million question this season is will 2026 be the last season Tarik Skubal wears a Tigers uniform? That question has swirled around Detroit for some time, and it won't be going away anytime soon. The world's best starting pitcher has only gotten better over the past three years, and his looming free-agent price has continued to rise.
Thelatest chapter in the Skubal saga is his arbitration hearing against Detroit. Having filed for $32 million in arbitration while the team filed for $19 million, Skubal could become the highest paid arbitration player in MLB history going into his final season before free agency.
But beyond the arbitration hearing, the Tigers are at a crossroads. After making back-to-back postseason appearances, they've made very few additions to their roster this winter. At some point, the Tigers' front office is going to have to be honest with themselves about Skubal's future and whether the team's direction includes him or not.
Kansas City Royals: A fresh start for Jac Caglianone
We sometimes get spoiled in baseball by young players who take off and become stars right away. One example of that is Royals' superstar Bobby Witt Jr., who has quickly become one of baseball's best players. Witt's young teammate Jac Caglianone did not have quite that immediate impact.Caglianone's arrival came with plenty of hype and anticipation, as the Royals' 2024 first-round pick tore up the minor leagues in his short time there. But in 62 games in the majors last year, he struggled mightily, with a .157/.237/.295 slash line and just seven homers.
But here's the good news for Royals fans: Plenty of All-Stars, MVPs and even Hall of Famers struggled in their first cup of coffee in the big leagues. Caglianone's early struggles are not uncommon, and the Royals' slugger has plenty of tools to be a cornerstone with Witt and Vinnie Pasquantino for years to come. Give him time.
Minnesota Twins: Star trade watch
The Twins have gone through quite the rebrand over the past year. Minnesota traded superstar Carlos Correa back to the Houston Astros, fired manager Rocco Baldelli and now looks like a team about to go through some type of rebuild. But even in what will likely be a down year, they still have two talented players on the roster: starter Joe Ryan and center fielder Byron Buxton.
Ryan's name has come up in conversations since the trade deadline. But with two years until he hits free agency, the Twins are not going to give up their ace easily. Buxton is coming off the best season of his career and is the type of offensive player several teams would love to get their hands on. The Twins' center fielder has stated that he has no desire to leave Minnesota and would use his no-trade clause to veto a potential trade. But you wonder if a daunting start to what will likely be a down 2026 in the Twin Cities will change his mind.
Chicago White Sox: Fun times coming to the South Side
Believe it or not, the White Sox had one of the better offseasons in the entire sport. Their biggest move wassigning Japanese star Munetaka Murakami on a two-year deal to play first base, but they didn't stop there, adding veteran reliever Seranthony Dominguez to be the team's closer and lefty starters Sean Newcomb and Anthony Kay. They also acquired young utility man Luisangel Acuña in their trade of Luis Robert Jr.
The White Sox showed last season that while they're still young and rebuilding, they have some young talent to be excited about. Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero got valuable big-league experience last season, and there's plenty more talent in the farm system getting closer to arriving in Chicago. They might not be a playoff team just yet, but in 2026, the White Sox will be a fun watch for fans all summer.
Seattle Mariners: Can they build on 2025?
Almost everything went right for the Mariners last season. They won the AL West for the first time since 2001 and took the Toronto Blue Jays to Game 7 of the ALCS. And while they finished a game short of reaching the World Series for the first time in franchise history, they proved that they could compete with the very best in the American League.
TheMariners didn't do much this offseason in terms of transactions, but their biggest move was keeping trade-deadline acquisition Josh Naylor in Seattle long-term. The team re-signed the first baseman on a five-year, $92.5 million deal. And while we can't expect another 60-homer season out of superstar Cal Raleigh, the Mariners know have an MVP-caliber catcher who can lead them. Plus, they have another star in Julio Rodríguez, who has also shown he can play at an MVP level.
Sometimes special seasons have to be cherished, and they're difficult to replicate. But the AL West is once again as wide open as it's ever been, so the Mariners should go into 2026 expecting to build on what they accomplished last year.
Houston Astros: The health of Yordan Álvarez
The Astros didn't have a splashy offseason, and much of their hope for 2026 will hinge on members of their current roster having better campaigns than they did in 2025. Most notably, that includes Yordan Álvarez, who missed the majority of last season while dealing with a nagging right-hand injury that limited him to 48 games.
When Alvarez is healthy, he's one of the most feared hitters in baseball. Getting him back in the every-day lineup is a must if Houston wants to once again be in contention in the AL West. Before last season, the Astros hadn't missed the postseason since 2016 before last season, and getting back to October will be the main priority in 2026. A healthy Álvarez will be key to achieving that goal.
Texas Rangers: Getting back to contention in the AL West
2025 was not the season the Rangers thought they would have. The team finished 81-81 as a combination of injuries and underperformance caused the Rangers to finish third in the AL West. This winter, there have been plenty of changes in the Lone Star State. Skip Schumaker is now at the helm as the manager, leading a new era after three seasons under Bruce Bochy. Marcus Semien departed, as his trade to the Mets brought the arrival of Brandon Nimmo, and most recently,MacKenzie Gore was added to the rotation via trade with the Nationals.
Getting younger was a goal for the Rangers this offseason, and their moves followed through on that, with incumbent young players such as Wyatt Langford, Evan Carter and Josh Jung all expected to be key contributors. But with veterans such as Nimmo, Corey Seager, Jake Burger, Joc Pederson and Jacob deGrom still on the roster, it's clear that Texas is still looking to win and get back in the conversation in the American League.
Athletics: What's in store in Year 2 in Sacramento?
After a strong finish to the 2024 season, the 2025 A's left a lot to be desired in the first year in their temporary home in West Sacramento. While a team's home ballpark is usually where they have most of their success, the opposite was true for the A's, who struggled mightily at Sutter Health Park last season. In particular, A's pitchers struggled with the offensive environment, recording a 4.96 ERA that was the worst by any home team in the American League.
With the A's in Sacramento for the foreseeable future, they're going to have to find a way to remedy that and help their pitchers have more success in year two. Their lineup features a fun core of talented players such as Brent Rooker, Nick Kurtz, Lawrence Butler, Tyler Soderstrom, Shea Langaliers and Jacob Wilson. But needing to score seven runs on a nightly basis just to stay in games is a tall task for any offense.
Los Angeles Angels: What will they get from Mike Trout?
There is no question that Mike Trout is one of the best players in MLB history, yet it's unfair to hold him to that standard. Father Time waits for no man, and unfortunately for the three-time MVP, injuries have become a permanent part of his story. While his 130 games last season were the most Trout had played since 2018, there was a big drop-off in his production. Trout hit just .232 with 26 homers and 64 RBI, and he had the lowest full-season OPS of his career (.797).
Going into his age-32 season, the days of Trout being the world's best player are behind him. But that doesn't mean that he can't still be productive for the Angels. Even with his struggles last season, he still got on base at a strong clip and hit for power, two things that can help any team. If his body holds up and keeps him on the field, history shows Trout will produce. But that's still a big if.
Philadelphia Phillies: Keeping up in an improving National League
There's no question that this was a disappointing offseason for the Phillies. Yes, they were able tokeep clubhouse leader and NL MVP runner-up Kyle Schwarber on a five-year, $150 million deal. But outside of Schwarber, the rest of the winter fell flat. They didn't replace Ranger Suárez, the Metssigned Bo Bichette when Philly thought they had him, and the team stillhasn't found a resolution to the Nick Castellanos situation.
The Phillies are clearly talented and have a roster of established stars who, when healthy, could make any team a real contender. But with the National League improving and their NL East competitors getting stronger, it's not unfair to ask if the Phillies still have a roster that can be one of the National League's best or if their window has closed.
New York Mets: New-look roster makes its debut
2025 was a huge disappointment for the Mets, who missed the postseason after signing Juan Soto to the largest contract in the history of professional sports. So going into this offseason, something drastic needed to happen in Queens. For a while, things looked bleak, as it seemed the Mets would be left without major free-agent dance partners. But sometimes it takes just a few days to make a lot happen in the offseason, andpresident of baseball operations David Stearns made his presence felt this winter in a short amount of time.
In one week, the Metspried free-agent Bo Bichette away from signing with the NL East rival Phillies, acquired Luis Robert Jr. via trade from the White Sox and landed ace Freddy Peralta from the Brewers. Not to mention, they kicked off the offseason byswapping Brandon Nimmo for Marcus Semien at second base, signing Jorge Polanco in the infield and adding Devin Williams and Luke Weaver in the bullpen.
The National League improved significantly this winter, and the Mets were a big part of that with their acquisitions. Now we'll wait to see just how far those moves get them.
Miami Marlins: Taking another step
If you weren't paying attention, you probably didn't realize that the Marlins won 79 games last season — a 17-game improvement from 2024. Manager Clayton McCullough clearly made an impact in his first season, and even with a roster that doesn't move the needle in terms of payroll, the Marlins have quietly built a young team with quality starting pitching and struck gold in outfielder Kyle Stowers.
The NL East has continued to improve this offseason, and the Marlins are not close to being contenders, but their improvement last year shouldn't be discounted. Their ability to consistently develop young starting pitching is an area of strength,one that helped them acquire top prospect Owen Caissie, who will likely be their starting right fielder on Opening Day.
Atlanta Braves: The core needs to bounce back
Just a few seasons ago, the Braves were the team many wanted to be. They had a young core secured long-term, a superstar in Ronald Acuña Jr. and a rotation led by Spencer Strider. But in baseball, that doesn't always guarantee success, and the Braves' 2025 season was characterized by serious underperformance from stars such as Austin Riley, Michael Harris II and Ozzie Albies.
This season, they geta fresh start with new manager Walt Weiss taking over for Brian Snitker. The Braves still have plenty of talent on their roster, including several All-Stars around the diamond. If those players stay healthy and play to their potential, Atlanta has an opportunity to turn the tide after a disappointing 2025. It certainly won't hurt to have a healthy Acuña and Chris Sale to lean on, either. Both will be crucial to get the Braves where they want to go.
Washington Nationals: CJ Abrams trade watch
The Nationals are once again in a full rebuild, and after new president of baseball operations Paul Toboni turned over the coaching staff, he's starting to turn the roster over as well. Toboni crossed his first major order of business off the list by dealing left-hander MacKenzie Gore to the Rangers for a five-player prospect package. The next domino to fall will likely be shortstop CJ Abrams.
Abrams has plenty of tools and has shown All-Star ability, but it remains to be seen if the Nationals' asking price will be met before the start of the season. Beginning the 2026 season with Abrams as the team's starting shortstop isn't the worst possible outcome, especially if he plays well leading up to the trade deadline.
Milwaukee Brewers: The post-Freddy era begins
The Brewers have made a habit of moving players in their final year before free agency, and this offseason was no different,with ace Freddy Peralta traded to the New York Mets. In past years when Milwaukee traded stars such as Corbin Burnes or Josh Hader, they were able to backfill the lost production at close to equivalent levels. Will they be able to do that again this time?
The Brewers were the youngest team in MLB last year and managed to go on an incredible run. They won 97 games en route to an NL Central championship and a run to the NLCS before they were swept by the Dodgers. The Cubs have improved their roster this offseason and look like the team to beat in the NL Central going into spring training. But the Brewers usually have some surprises up their sleeve. We'll see if they can once again pull a rabbit out of their hat in 2026.
Chicago Cubs: The Alex Bregman effect
The Cubs made a big statement when theysigned Alex Bregman to a five-year, $175 million deal, and the three-time All-Star's arrival brings an excitement not seen on the North Side for quite some time. Bregman's arrival also gives the Cubs something they haven't had since their World Series-winning core, which is a clubhouse leader who has won at the highest level. The impact of Bregman's leadership during his one season in Boston can't be understated, and it's something that should be extremely valuable in Chicago.
On the field, the addition of Bregman brings Chicago's entire infield together, making it one of the strongest in baseball and maybe the best defensively with Dansby Swanson, Michael Busch and Nico Hoerner. Plus, the Cubs needed some right-handed firepower in the middle of their lineup, and now they have it.
Fans in Chicago have been begging for a big move for a while, and after the departure of Kyle Tucker, not adding to the team wasn't an option this winter. Having gotten a second chance with Bregman, Chicago could be on the precipice of a run of dominance in the NL Central.
Cincinnati Reds: Who is this team?
The Reds are in an interesting position. Last fall, they made it to the postseason for the first time since 2020 in their first season under manager Terry Francona. They're young, and they have talented players such as shortstop Elly De La Cruz and Hunter Greene leading their offense and rotation. But a significant portion of the jump they need to make in 2026 will have to come from some young players taking another step.
Cincinnati is one of those teams that has to develop players to drive its success since they aren't often in the market to make additions via free agency. De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Noelvi Marte and Spencer Steer have to be the driving force behind the Reds' success. If that quartet can improve on their 2025 performance, Cincinnati could be in position to make some noise in the National League.
St. Louis Cardinals: Brandon Donovan trade watch
In an offseason featuring plenty of changes, including trading the likes of Sonny Gray, Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras,the Cardinals still haven't found a home for arguably their most talented player available, Brandon Donovan. Donovan, who has two more years of club control, is an intriguing talent not only because of his defensive ability as a Gold Glove winner but also because of his offensive talent. The Cardinals' second baseman has elite bat-to-ball skills and was a first-time All-Star in 2025 while playing all across the diamond.
It's not unrealistic to think that Donovan could be moved over the next few weeks ahead of spring training or even during camp. But clearly teams have not been able to meet St. Louis' asking price for the second baseman. We'll see if that changes or if the Cardinals wait to try again at the trade deadline.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Making the most of Paul Skenes
From now until the last day Paul Skenes is in Pittsburgh, every move the Pirates make has to be about maximizing his time with the organization. Skenes won the NL Cy Young Award in just his second major-league season, cementing his status as one of the two best pitchers in the world. With an ace who is more than ready to take the ball for Game 1 of a postseason series, getting him there should be the priority.
The Pirates were aggressive this offseason in an attempt to add, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, as they made a push for both Josh Naylor and Kyle Schwarber before signing first baseman Ryan O'Hearn. Looking forward,with most of this winter's free-agent business concluded, allowing baseball's top prospect, Konnor Griffin, to break camp as the Opening Day shortstop could help raise the talent level and boost the offense in Pittsburgh.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Embarrassment of riches on full display
There probably wasn't a better lineup in 2025 than the one the Dodgers rolled out featuring Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith at the top. Welp! Andrew Freidman seemed to take that as a challenge,signing the winter's top free agent, All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker,and making a star-studded lineup even stronger. Not only that, but L.A. also signed one of the game's best closers in Edwin Díaz,making it an A+ winter for the reigning World Series champions.
Maybe this is the year Seattle's 116-win record gets challenged; maybe it's not. But this Dodgers team has more than enough talent to challenge it. Of course, chasing regular-season greatness isn't really this team's style or priority. But trying to become the first team to three-peat since the 1998-2000 Yankees is definitely their speed.
San Diego Padres: Navigating new financial constraints
Since the death of longtime owner Peter Seidler, the Padres have been going through a very public battle for control of the team between Seidler's widow and his brothers. And late in 2025, the Seidler family announced it was exploring a potential sale of the team. Typically, when a team announces the exploration of a sale, budgets get tightened. For Padres president of baseball operation AJ Preller, that means trying to compete with a strict budget and a roster that already has lots of money allocated.
In recent years, San Diego has been one of the most aggressive teams when it comes to player acquisition, and they still have plenty of top-end talent. But can they continue to be aggressive with so much uncertainty on the business side? It's hard to imagine,and this winter has been relatively quiet in San Diego, but Preller is one of the best in baseball when it comes to making unexpected moves, so maybe this situation is one he can navigate.
San Francisco Giants: Avoiding mediocrity
For some time, the Giants have been trying to get out of a rut, and since they won 107 games in 2021, that has been a challenge. San Francisco finished with records of 81-81, 80-82, 79-83 and 81-81 the past four seasons. One of the major reasons behind the team's decision to hire Buster Posey as president of baseball operations was to try to bring a winning culture back. But in his second offseason at the helm, Posey hasn't exactly thrown his weight around.
It's possible that a full season with Rafael Devers, Matt Chapman, Willy Adames and Jung Hoo Lee, along with a usually strong rotation, will see the Giants compete in the National League. But it still feels like this team needs more, and it'll be on Posey and first-time MLB manager Tony Vitello to figure out what that is. The NL West isn't getting weaker anytime soon, and the teams in that division have to go through L.A. But for the Giants, 2026 is going to need to be different. For their sake,let's hope the arrival of Vitello is the spark they needto get away from .500.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Nolan in the desert
Nolan Arenado is back in the NL West, this time asa member of the Diamondbacks after being traded by the Cardinalsearlier this month. Arenado, who had long been expected to be traded, now gets a fresh start on a team that has enough talent to be competitive in a challenging division and improving National League.
It's no secret that Arenado is on the back nine of his career, and the eight-time All-Star's numbers have been decreasing since he finished third in NL MVP voting in 2022. But that doesn't mean he can't still be a productive player. On a team with plenty of top-tier talent in Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte, Arenado doesn't have to be the star, but his leadership and defensive ability will still make him a valuable piece of Arizona's roster in 2026 and beyond.
Colorado Rockies: The Paul DePodesta era begins
For the first in decades,change has come to Colorado, and the Rockies have new voices in the building. And for new president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta, this season marks the beginning of what might be one of the toughest challenges in baseball: transforming Colorado's baseball team from a laughingstock into a winner.
DePodesta has lots of experience in baseball, so it's not like the game is foreign to him. But it will be interesting to see how he runs the Rockies after having left baseball in 2016 to become the Cleveland Browns' chief strategy officer. There will be plenty of eyes on the Rockies' new president as he navigates the first year of his rebuild.
