Baseball Offseason Already Underway as Teams Position for 2026
NEW YORK – The typical quiet period following the World Series is virtually nonexistent this year, as several MLB teams are already making notable moves and signaling aggressive intentions heading into the 2026 season. From front office shakeups to potential blockbuster trades, the early start to the offseason suggests a competitive landscape is brewing.
The St. Louis Cardinals, under new President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom, are generating significant buzz. Bloom is expected to be active in reshaping the roster, with veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado almost certainly on the trade market, and starting pitcher Sonny Gray perhaps following. Speculation also surrounds the possible availability of Brendan Donovan and Lars Nootbaar.
Meanwhile, the Oakland Athletics boast an impressive stockpile of young hitting talent, including Nick Kurtz, but recognize a critical need for pitching. Whether they can acquire the arms necessary to contend remains a key question.
Other teams are also facing pivotal decisions. The Kansas City Royals, despite an aggressive but ultimately underwhelming Trade Deadline, remain focused on bolstering their offense, with Bobby Witt Jr. as their foundational player. The Minnesota Twins,having undergone a painful but potentially beneficial exodus of players at the Deadline,are under pressure to see immediate returns from their future-focused approach.
The los Angeles Angels, still searching for their first winning season in over a decade and a return to form for Mike Trout (who hasn’t led the team in WAR since 2019), have tasked new foreman Kurt Suzuki with charting a course forward.
The Washington Nationals are hoping for consistent performance from their promising young players, particularly James Wood, while the Pittsburgh pirates are acutely aware of the limited window with likely National League Cy Young winner paul Skenes at the peak of his dominance.
The Miami Marlins are looking for a repeat performance from young hitters like Kyle Stowers, while the Chicago White Sox are building on modest improvements from last season. The Colorado Rockies have brought in Paul DePodesta as President of Baseball Operations, hoping his unconventional approach will revitalize the franchise.
This flurry of activity so early in the offseason underscores the increasing urgency felt across the league as teams strive to build sustainable contenders. The coming weeks promise to be filled with further developments as teams jockey for position in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive 2026 campaign.
Voters contributing to these observations include: Nathalie Alonso, Jason Catania, Mark feinsand, Daniel Feldman, Doug Gausepohl, Will Leitch, travis miller, Brian Murphy, Arturo Pardavila, Andrew Simon, and Zac Vierra.
