MLB Power Rankings: Where each team stands entering winter

Welcome to our first offseason power rankings, where we take stock of each team heading into the winter. Projected records and payroll CBT projections courtesy of FanGraphs.

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1. Milwaukee Brewers

The reigning World Series champions enter the offseason in great shape. Brandon Woodruff's $22-million salary coming off the books should free up payroll flexibility for free agency or a potential extension for World Series MVP William Contreras. Jake Bauers' career year priced him out of Milwaukee, so the organization will need to replace his team-leading 26 homers somehow.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers

For the first time in three years, the Dodgers enter the offseason not as World Series champs and have work to do to address an aging position-player core. Los Angeles remains loaded with talent, but several questions surround its rotation's durability. No team would likely feel the squeeze of a potential salary cap as much as the Dodgers, and it'll be interesting to see how aggressively they pursue a Tarik Skubal reunion.

3. Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays return the bulk of the core that won the AL pennant, but the roster could still be in serious transition. Yandy Díaz, Drew Rasmussen, Shane McClanahan, Griffin Jax, and Garrett Cleavinger are among those entering their final year under team control, and we'll see whether Tampa Bay moves any of them to secure more long-term assets.

4. New York Yankees

The Yankees enter the offseason in good shape as Brian Cashman once again attempts to build a roster capable of snapping a lengthy World Series drought. With the rotation healthy and loaded, the priority will be the back end of the bullpen and the infield. New York needs to improve defensively while also creating a more athletic lineup.

5. Atlanta Braves

It feels like the Braves' core has drastically underachieved for all its talent. With potentially only two more years of team control over Chris Sale and Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta needs to act with urgency. Finding reliable arms in a rotation that has struggled to stay healthy is the main priority, while also figuring out who will play shortstop.

6. Philadelphia Phillies

Dave Dombrowski is under enormous pressure this winter after Philadelphia faltered again in the playoffs. With Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Jesús Luzardo, Cristopher Sánchez, and Aaron Nola all signed through at least the 2030 season, the Phillies boast a strong core but also have considerable money tied up in a group that's only getting older. Dombrowski has struggled to add meaningful depth in recent years and will need to get creative to turn this roster back into a legitimate World Series threat.

7. Boston Red Sox

Although Craig Breslow has already checked a major box by signing Jake Bauers, the lineup could use at least one more addition to improve an offense that struggled at times last season. Payton Tolle's emergence somewhat offsets Sonny Gray's departure, but the team still needs another starter. An extension for Adley Rutschman and potentially trading Jarren Duran look like the two biggest internal questions to address.

8. Cleveland Guardians

The Guardians have a great young core in Travis Bazzana, Chase DeLauter, Gavin Williams, and Parker Messick to build around José Ramírez. Bazzana and DeLauter taking the next step will certainly improve the offense, but Cleveland needs more upgrades to be a true contender and not just a team that benefits from playing in the AL Central.

9. Chicago Cubs

The Cubs have an enormous number of holes to fill with so many key departures. In addition to losing 65 homers from Seiya Suzuki, Michael Conforto, and Ian Happ, the front office also needs to replace pitchers who combined for over 120 starts last season. The good news for Chicago is that the free-agent pitching class is deep, and the team should have payroll flexibility to do a lot.

10. New York Mets

The Mets will likely be the most interesting team to watch this offseason. Steve Cohen has gotten little for spending big, as the team has missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. But with plenty of talent still on the roster, New York doesn't feel that far off. The decision to let Pete Alonso walk last winter blew up in the club's face, so we'll see how aggressive the front office is willing to get on Skubal and other top free agents. If any owner should be strongly against a salary cap, it's Cohen.

11. San Diego Padres

Like the Cubs, the Padres need to rebuild the rotation, with seven starting pitchers hitting free agency, including the team's top two in innings pitched. A.J. Preller has been one of the most creative executives when it comes to contract structure, and he'll need to use all his tricks to rebuild the staff. We'll see how much financial muscle new ownership offers.

12. Seattle Mariners

Seattle was one of the most disappointing teams in 2026, and now it needs to replace its best offensive performer from last season and its primary shortstop. Kade Anderson's emergence, however, could make a starter expendable in a trade for an offensive piece. Regardless of what the Mariners add, they'll need bounce-back seasons from Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodríguez, and Josh Naylor to go anywhere.

13. Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona missed the playoffs by only a handful of games in each of the last two seasons. The hope is that Corbin Burnes' return to health will push them closer to contention. The decision on Ketel Marte's status moving forward with the club will likely dictate the front office's path this winter. The disgruntled star second baseman should be moved for a solid return, though his full no-trade clause could complicate things.

14. Chicago White Sox

It's time for the White Sox to spend some money to complement a burgeoning young core that reached the postseason for the first time in five years. With no player signed to a guaranteed contract after 2027, Chris Getz has enormous flexibility to be aggressive. Chicago's primary focus needs to be on adding high-end starting pitching. After that, how about an extension for Munetaka Murakami?

15. Toronto Blue Jays

From worst to first, to worst, to ...? Toronto enters the offseason eager to put an embarrassing, injury-riddled campaign behind them. Expect the Blue Jays to be hunting at the top of the market as they try to add at least one frontline starter and multiple offensive upgrades. With deep resources at its disposal, this club can get back into contention immediately with a few additions and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rediscovering his form.

16. Texas Rangers

Texas hasn't reached the playoffs since winning the World Series in 2023, and it likely needs to shed salary this winter before making any meaningful roster additions. Moving off Corey Seager's remaining $157 million would help, or the Rangers could try to convince Jacob deGrom to accept a trade after blocking one to Atlanta at the deadline.

17. Houston Astros

Rookie general manager Randy Flores has his work cut out for him. The Astros reached the playoffs in two of the last three years but were swept both times and appear to be teetering on the edge of a rebuild. Led by reigning AL MVP Yordan Alvarez, Houston still has a lot of talent. But with an aging core, a poor minor-league system, an awful pitching staff, and limited payroll flexibility, this club might be better off starting the rebuild early.

18. Baltimore Orioles

Are the Orioles really going to waste what looked like a general core? Baltimore has been a seller at each of the past two trade deadlines while limping to losing seasons, and David Rubenstein's first couple of years as owner have gone horribly. Mike Elias remains at the helm, and maybe this is finally the year he can build a quality rotation. If he doesn't, his future with the Orioles - and likely that of Gunnar Henderson - comes into serious question.

19. Miami Marlins

The Marlins have shown incremental improvement over the last two seasons and opted not to trade Sandy Alcantara, Xavier Edwards, or Otto Lopez at the deadline. The rotation looks like a strength again heading into 2027, so committing resources to improve the offense could be enough for Miami to challenge for a wild-card spot.

20. Pittsburgh Pirates

It's time to really see how committed ownership and the front office are to winning with Paul Skenes. Losing Brandon Lowe and his team-leading 35 homers to free agency could be a massive departure, and the Pirates will need to either re-sign him or add other offensive pieces. Coming off an 82-win season - the most since 2018 - Pittsburgh has to show some urgency to snap an 11-year playoff drought.

21. Detroit Tigers

Skubal's departure - and somewhat underwhelming return - leaves a void in the rotation. What the Tigers do with that payroll flexibility will dictate where they think they're headed in 2027. Reigning AL Rookie of the Year Kevin McGonigle is signed long term, and Detroit will build around him moving forward. This team isn't far off from competing in the AL Central.

22. St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals' first season under Chaim Bloom should be considered a success. Not only did the club not take a drastic step back, but a number of core building blocks - notably Jordan Walker and JJ Wetherholt - took big steps in their development. St. Louis is in a great position to add significant payroll if it chooses, but short-term deals seem more likely as Bloom continues to build out the roster in his vision.

23. Washington Nationals

The Nationals need to finally emerge from this seven-year rebuild. Washington's 77 wins in 2026 were its most since 2019, and it's time for ownership to invest in this roster to take it to the next level. CJ Abrams could use a contract extension, and the organization must commit resources to the pitching staff if it wants to compete for a playoff spot in 2027.

24. Minnesota Twins

Minnesota has posted consecutive losing seasons, and its decision not to sell last offseason raises questions about where it'll go this winter. Pablo López, Jeff Hoffman, Bailey Ober, Joe Ryan, and Trevor Larnach are all on expiring deals, while Byron Buxton and Royce Lewis are free agents after 2028.

25. San Francisco Giants

The Giants are coming off a 97-loss season, haven't made the playoffs in five years, and the bulk of their expensive core underperformed drastically last season. Buster Posey doesn't have a clear-cut way to turn this around, as the farm system lacks top-end talent and the pitching staff has too many holes to address. San Francisco feels stuck until its highest-paid players perform better.

26. Athletics

The Athletics have one more season in West Sacramento before moving to their permanent home in Vegas. Injuries derailed the club in 2026, and if it wants to be competitive in its new home, it needs to invest heavily in improving its pitching staff.

27. Kansas City Royals

It'll be hard for Kansas City to sell a rebuild with Bobby Witt Jr. locked up long term, but the team has regressed for three straight seasons and doesn't look like it'll get better anytime soon. With Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, and Salvador Perez likely entering their final seasons under contract, the Royals appear poised to enter a new era.

28. Cincinnati Reds

The Reds regressed in 2026 despite the emergence of some really nice young pieces, and it feels like the organization is again facing another crossroads. A willingness to spend in free agency to complement Elly De La Cruz, Sal Stewart, and Chase Burns should be the path forward. But if ownership isn't committed to this group and won't spend, shopping De La Cruz for a monster return could be an unfortunate reality. Either way, it's time to pick a clear direction.

29. Los Angeles Angels

We're on the verge of a new beginning in Anaheim. Stan Kroenke is set to take over for Arte Moreno, and a new general manager and manager will eventually be added. Those hires will significantly shape the next chapter of Angels baseball, though we're unlikely to get a clear picture of the franchise's direction until then. The team has plenty of pieces to move - Mike Trout, Zach Neto, Reid Detmers - if it wishes to blow things up even more.

30. Colorado Rockies

The Rockies continue to feel stuck in no man's land - four straight 100-plus-loss seasons will do that. With one of the smallest payrolls in the majors, they should have money, but Paul DePodesta will likely use that flexibility to add veterans on short-term deals to flip for future assets. Unfortunately, it just feels like that's all Colorado ever does.