Griff’s Opening Day 2026 Power Rankings
Blue Jays AL Champs have much to prove
Presented here are Griff’s first Power Rankings for the 2026 season. There are six playoff positions available in each league, still the fewest in the Big 3 professional sports in North America. And just because we are previewing four AL East teams in the Top 12 in MLB does not mean that all of them will make it onto the October dance floor. Once again the AL East is looking like the most powerful division in baseball, for what would be the sixth straight full season, meaning the intra-division battle for 90 wins and a likely berth down the stretch will knock out one of the bully boys, leaving room for one wildcard and a division winner to emerge from the West.
Here we present Griff’s pre-season view, with the information you need. Baseball is a copycat sport, so there is a distinct lean towards the Dodgers and a three-peat, spending on a seemingly unnecessarily deep rotation and then rolling the dice with whoever is healthy in October. That requires payroll and we list and rank all the opening day team costs. The Jays learned from the Dodgers and have eight qualified rotation pieces for five spots — three of them currently ion the IL.
Meanwhile, the Jays continue with their lineup that won the AL title, featuring superior defence and bat to ball skills that are a throwback from the recent launch angle and all or nothing lineup constructions. The Red Sox and O’s seem better, the Yankees about the same, but with LH Carlos Rodon and RH Gerrit Cole likely in May/June and the Rays are always a thorn in the side for the Jays.
The 50th anniversary will be a celebration for the Blue Jays, but winning the division and going deep into October is not a given.
1-Dodgers
’26 Opening Payroll: $390.5M (1)
’25 Record: 93-69 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 103.5
Manager: Dave Roberts
Additions: RF Kyle Tucker, CL Edwin Diaz, UT Santiago Espinal … Key Departures: RP Kirby Yates, C Austin Barnes, OF Michael Conforto, RP Michael Kopech.
Key Players: DH Shohei, SS Mookie Betts …. Key Pitchers: SP Yoshi Yamamoto, CL Diaz.
2-Mariners
’26 Opening Payroll: $181.2M (18)
’25 Record: 90-72 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 89.5
Manager: Dan Wilson
Additions: 3B Brendan Donovan, UT Rob Refsnyder, RP Jose Ferrer, RP Cooper Criswell … Key Departures: 3B Eugenio Suarez, IF Jorge Polanco, RP Caleb Ferguson, RP Gregory Santos, RP Luke Jackson, OF Leody Taveras.
Key Players: C Cal Raleigh, 3B Donovan …. Key Pitchers: SP Logan Gilbert, CL Andres Munoz.
3-Blue Jays
’26 Opening Payroll: $300.3M (5)
’25 Record: 94-68 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 88.5
Manager: John Schneider
Additions: 3B Kaz Okamoto, SP Dylan Cease, SP Cody Ponce, RP Tyler Rogers, LF Jesus Sanchez … Key Departures: SS Bo Bichette, SP Chris Bassitt, RP Seranthony Dominguez, 1B Ty France, IF Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
Key Players: 1B Vlad Jr., DH George Springer …. Key Pitchers: SP Cease, CL Jeff Hoffman
4-Cubs
’26 Opening Payroll: $240.09M (9)
’25 Record: 92-70 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 88.5
Manager: Craig Counsell
Additions: 3B Alex Bregman, RF Michael Conforto, OF Dylan Carlson, SP Edward Cabrera, RP Phil Maton, RP Hunter Harvey, RP Hoby Milner, UT Tyler Austin … Key Departures: OF Kyle Tucker, SP Mike Soroka, OF Owen Caissie, SP Aaron Civale, RP Drew Pomeranz, UT Willi Castro, 1B Carlos Santana, RP Taylor Rogers, UT Nicky Lopez.
Key Players: CF Pete Crow-Armstrong, 3B Bregman …. Key Pitchers: SP Cade Horton, CL Daniel Palencia.
5-Phillies
’26 Opening Payroll: $311.2M (4)
’25 Record: 96-66 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 89.5
Manager: Rob Thomson
Additions: RF Adolis Garcia, IF Dylan Moore, RP Brad Keller, RP Zach Pop … Key Departures: SP Ranger Suarez, OF Harrison Bader, OF Max Kepler, RP Jordan Romano.
Key Player: DH Kyle Schwarber, 1B Bryce Harper …. Key Pitcher: SP Cristopher Sanchez, CL Jhoan Duran.
6-Mets
’26 Opening Payroll: $368.7M (2)
’25 Record: 83-79 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 90.5
Manager: Carlos Mendoza
Additions: 3B Bo Bichette, SP Freddy Peralta, CL Devin Williams, RP Luke Weaver, IF Jorge Polanco, CF Luis Robert Jr, 2B Marcus Semien, IF Vidal Brujan, RP Luis Garcia, RP Tobias Myers … Key Departures: 1B Pete Alonso, CL Edwin Diaz, RP Ryan Helsley, CF Cedric Mullins, RP Tyler Rogers, RP Gregory Soto, 2B Jeff McNeil, OF Starling Marte, RP Ryne Stanek, SP Frankie Montas, OF Jesse Winker, OF Jose Siri, IF Luisangel Acuna.
Key Players: 3B Bichette, CF Robert Jr. …. Key Pitchers: SP Nolan McLean, CL Williams
7-Yankees
’26 Opening Payroll: $333.2M (3)
’25 Record: 94-68 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 90.5
Manager: Aaron Boone
Additions: SP Ryan Weathers, OF Randal Grichuk … Key Departures: RP Devin Williams, RP Mark Leiter Jr, RP Luke Weaver, IF D.J. LeMaheu, SP Marcus Stroman, RP Ian Hamilton,. RP Scott Efross, OF Austin Slater, RP Jonathan Loaisaga.
Key Players: RF Aaron Judge, 3B Ryan McMahon …. Key Pitchers: SP Cam Schlittler, CL David Bednar.
8-Red Sox
’26 Opening Payroll: $256.1M (7)
’25 Record: 89-73 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 87.5
Manager: Alex Cora
Additions: 1B Willson Contreras, 3B Caleb Durbin, SP Sonny Gray, SP Ranger Suarez, IF Andrew Monasterio, RP Johan Oviedo, RP Danny Coulombe … Key Departures: 3B Alex Bregman, SP Lucas Giolito, SP Stephen Matz, UT Rob Refsnyder, RP Justin Wilson, 1B Nathaniel Lowe, SP Dustin May, SP Kyle Harrison.
Key Players: OF Roman Anthony, OF Jarren Duran …. Key Pitchers: SP Suarez, CL Aroldis Chapman.
9-Tigers
’26 Opening Payroll: $236.7M (10)
’25 Record: 87-75 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 85.5
Manager: A.J. Hinch
Additions: SP Framber Valdez, SP Justin Verlander, CL Kenley Jansen, RP Drew Anderson, RP Connor Seabold, RP Enmanuel de Jesus … Key Departures: SP Chris Paddack, IF Andy Ibanez, RP Rafael Montero, RP Paul Sewald, RP Alex Lange, OF Manuel Margot, RP Tommy Kahnle, RP Jason Foley.
Key Players: RF Kerry Carpenter, LF Riley Greene …. Key Pitchers: SP Tarik Skubal, CL Jansen.
10-Padres
’26 Opening Payroll: $262.1 (6)
’25 Record: 90-72 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 83.5
Manager: Craig Stammen (R)
Additions: DH Miguel Andujar, OF Nick Castellanos, 1B Ty France, SP German Marquez, SP Walker Buehler, IF Sung-Mon Song … Key Departures: SP Dylan Cease, 1B Ryan O’Hearn, RP Robert Suarez, IF Luis Arraez, C Einar Diaz, SP Nestor Cortes, IF Jose Iglesias.
Key Players: RF Fernando Tatis Jr, CF Jackson Merrill …. Key Pitchers: SP Michael King, CL Mason Miller.
11-Orioles
’26 Opening Payroll: $201.5M (13)
’25 Record: 75-87 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 85.5
Manager: Craig Albernaz (R)
Additions: 1B Pete Alonso, LF Taylor Ward, SP Chris Bassitt, 2B Blaze Alexander, SP Shane Baz, OF Leody Taveras, CL Ryan Helsley, RP Andrew Kittredge … Key Departures: SP Grayson Rodriguez, SP Tomo Sugano, C Gary Sanchez, RP Cionel Perez, OF Dylan Carlson, UT Jorge Mateo.
Key Players: 1B Alonso, SS Gunnar Henderson …. Key Pitchers: SP Trevor Rogers, CL Helsley.
12-Brewers
’26 Opening Payroll: $129.1M (21)
’25 Record: 97-65 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 84.5
Manager: Pat Murphy
Additions: 3B Luis Rengifo, C Gary Sanchez, IF David Hamilton, SP Brandon Sproat, SP Kyle Harrison, RP Angel Zerpa, RP Jake Woodford … Key Departures: SP Freddy Peralta, 3B Caleb Durbin, IF Andrew Monasterio, IF Rhys Hoskins, C Danny Jansen, SP Jose Quintana, RP Shelby Miller, SP Erick Fedde.
Key Players: DH Christian Yelich, 2B Brice Turang …. Key Pitchers: SP Jacob Misiorowski, CL Abner Uribe.
13-Reds
’26 Opening Payroll: $146.7M (19)
’25 Record: 83-79 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 80.5
Manager: Terry Francona
Additions: 3B Eugenio Suarez, 1B Nathaniel Lowe, OF Dane Myers, RP Pearce Johnson, RP Brock Burke, RP Caleb Ferguson … Key Departures: SP Nick Martinez, SP Zack Littell, OF Austin Hays, IF Miguel Andujar, RP Scott Barlow, IF Santiago Espinal, UT Jeimer Candelario.
Key Players: SS Elly de la Cruz, 3B Suarez …. Key Pitchers: SP Chase Burns, CL Emilio Pagano.
14-Royals
’26 Opening Payroll: $181.7M (17)
’25 Record: 82-80 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 82.5
Manager: Matt Quatraro
Additions: OF Isaac Collins, OF Starling Marte, OF Lane Thomas, RP Matt Strahm, RP Nick Mears, RP Alex Lange … Key Departures: OF Mike Yastrzemski, Michael Lorenzen, IF Adam Frazier, RP Hunter Harvey, OF M.J. Melendez, OF Randal Grichuk, UT Mark Canha.
Key Players: 1B Vinnie Pasquantino, 3B Mikael Gracia …. Key Pitchers: SP Cole Ragans, CL Carlos Estevez.
15-Rangers
’26 Opening Payroll: $200.1M (14)
’25 Record: 81-81 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 83.5
Manager: Skip Schumaker
Additions: OF Brandon Nimmo, C Danny Jansen, DH Andrew McCutchen, SP MacKenzie Gore, RP Jacob Junis, RP Tyler Alexander … Key Departures: 2B Marcus Semien, RF Adolis Garcia, C Jonah Heim, SP Merrill Kelly, SP Tyler Mahle, RP Phil Maton, RP Shawn Armstrong, RP Hoby Milner, RP Danny Coulombe, 1B Rowdy Tellez, UT Dylan Moore.
Key Players: SS Corey Seager, CF Wyatt Langford …. Key Pitchers: SP Gore, CL Robert Garcia.
16-Diamondbacks
’26 Opening Payroll: $186.3M (16)
’25 Record: 80-82… O/U Win Total (Bet365): 79.5
Manager: Torey Lovullo
Additions: 3B Nolan Arenado, 1B Carlos Santana, SP Merrill Kelly, SP Mike Soroka, RP Paul Sewald, RP Taylor Clarke, RP Jonathan Loaisaga … Key Departures: RP Jalen Beeks, IF Blaze Alexander.
Key Players: OF Corbin Carroll, 3B Nolan Arenado …. Key Pitchers: SP Brandon Pfaadt, CL Sewald.
17-Astros
’26 Opening Payroll: $228.2M (11)
’25 Record: … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 86.5
Manager: Joe Espada
Additions: LF Joey Loperfido, C Christian Vazquez, IF Nick Allen, SP Tatsuya Imai, SP Mike Burrows, RP Ryan Weiss, RP Kai-Wei Teng … Key Departures: SP Framber Valdez, OF Jesus Sanchez, IF Mauricio Dubon, IF Ramon Urias, UT Victor Caratini, OF Chas McCormick, RP Hector Neris, IF Brendan Rogers.
Key Players: OF Yordan Alvarez, 3B Carlos Correa …. Key Pitchers: SP Hunter Brown, CL Bryan Abreu.
18-Braves
’26 Opening Payroll: $246.5 (8)
’25 Record: 76-86 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 86.5
Manager: Walt Weiss
Additions: SP Jose Suarez, CL Robert Suarez, LF Mike Yastrzemski, DH Dominic Smith, UT Mauricio Dubon, C Jonah Heim, IF Kyle Farmer, UT Jorge Mateo … Key Departures: OF Marcell Ozuna, SP Cal Quantrill, OF Jake Fraley, RP Alexis Diaz, RP Pierce Johnson, OF Alex Verdugo.
Key Players: OF Ronald Acuna Jr, 3B Austin Riley …. Key Pitchers: SP Chris Sale, CL Robert Suarez.
19-Giants
’26 Opening Payroll: $223.6M (12)
’25 Record: 81-81 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 80.5
Manager: Tony Vitello (R)
Additions: IF Luis Arraez, SP Adrian Houser, SP Tyler Mahle, OF Harrison Bader, RP Caleb Killian, RP Ryan Borucki, C Daniel Susac … Key Departures: SP Justin Verlander, 1B Dom Smith, C Andrew Knizner, RP Joey Lucchesi, 1B Wilmer Flores, RP Scott Alexander.
Key Players: 1B Rafael Devers, 2B Arraez …. Key Pitchers: SP Robbie Ray, CL Ryan Walker.
20 Athletics
’26 Opening Payroll: $131.9M (20)
’25 Record: 76-86 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 75.5
Manager: Mark Kotsay
Additions: 2B Jeff McNeil, UT Andy Ibanez, SP Aaron Civale, RP Mark Leiter Jr, RP Scott Barlow … Key Departures: RP Sean Newcombe, UT Luis Urias, OF JJ Bleday, RP Jose Leclerc, UT Gio Urshela.
Key Players: 1B Nick Kurtz, OF Lawrence Butler …. Key Pitchers: SP Luis Severino, CL Justin Sterner.
21-Rays
’26 Opening Payroll: $105.2M (27)
’25 Record: 77-85 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 76.5
Manager: Kevin Cash
Additions: CF Cedric Mullins, OF Jake Fraley, IF Ben Williamson, SP Stephen Matz, SP Nick Martinez, 2B Gavin Lux, RP Steven Wilson … Key Departures: SP Adrian Houser, CL Pete Fairbanks, UT Christopher Morel.
Key Players: 3B Junior Caminero, 1B Jonathan Aranda …. Key Pitchers: SP Shane McClanahan, CL Griffin Jax.
22-Marlins
’26 Opening Payroll: $78.1M (30)
’25 Record: 79-83 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 72.5
Manager: Clayton McCullough
Additions: OF Owen Caissie, UT Christopher Morel, OF Austin Slater, SP Chris Paddack, CL Pete Fairbanks, RP John King, OF Esteury Ruiz … Key Departure: SP Edward Cabrera.
Key Players: OF Caissie, 2B Xavier Edwards …. Key Pitchers: SP Sandy Alcantara, CL Fairbanks.
23-Guardians
’26 Opening Payroll: $97.7M (29)
’25 Record: 88-74 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 78.5
Manager: Stephen Vogt
Additions: DH Rhys Hoskins, RP Shawn Armstrong, RP Connor Brogdon, RP Colin Holderman … Key Departures: C Austin Hedges, RP Jacob Junis, OF Lane Thomas, SP John Means, RP Sam Hentges.
Key Players: 3B Jose Ramirez, LF Steven Kwan …. Key Pitchers: SP Gavin Williams, CL Cade Smith.
24-Pirates
’26 Opening Payroll: $120.7M (22)
’25 Record: 71-91 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 78.5
Manager: Don Kelly
Additions: 2B Brandon Lowe, DH Marcell Ozuna, RF Ryan O’Hearn, OF Jake Mangum, RP Gregory Soto, RP Mason Montgomery, RP Jose Urquidy … Key Departures: RP Johan Oviedo, OF Tommy Pham, DH Andrew McCutchen, SP Marco Gonzalez.
Key Players: OF Oneil Cruz, 2B Lowe …. Key Pitchers: SP Paul Skenes, CL Dennis Santana
25-Cardinals
’26 Opening Payroll: $118.6 (24)
’25 Record: 78-84 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 69.5
Manager: Oliver Marmol
Additions: IF Ramon Urias, SP Dustin May, RP Ryne Stanek, RP Justin Bruihl, RP Justin Soriano, SP Hunter Dobbins … Key Departures: SP Sonny Gray, SP Miles Mikolas, IF Garrett Hampson, RP John King, RP Jorge Alcala.
Key Players: OF Victor Scott II, SS Masyn Wynn …. Key Pitchers: SP Matthew Liberatore, CL Riley O’Brien.
26-White Sox
’26 Opening Payroll: $105.2M (26)
’25 Record: 60-102 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 67.5
Manager: Will Venable
Additions: 1B Munetaka Murakami, RF Austin Hays, CF Luisangel Acuna, C Reese McGuire, IOF Everson Pereira, SP Anthony Kay, SP Erick Fedde, CL Seranthony Dominguez, RP Sean Newcombe, RP Jordan Hicks, RP Chris Murray … Key Departures: OF Mike Tauchman, RP Tyler Alexander, CF Luis Robert Jr, SP Martin Perez, SP Mike Clevinger, RP Miguel Castro, IF Josh Rojas, SP Bryse Wilson.
Key Players: 1B Murakami, SS Colson Montgomery …. Key Pitchers: SP Shane Smith, CL Dominguez.
27-Angels
’26 Opening Payroll: $187.0M (15)
’25 Record: 72-90 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 70.5
Manager: Kurt Suzuki (R)
Additions: LF Josh Lowe, 2B Adam Frazier, IF Jeimer Candelario, RP Jordan Romano, RP Drew Pomeranz, RP Brent Suter, RP Joey Lucchesi, IF Vaughn Grissom, SP Alek Manoah, SP Grayson Rodriguez, RP Kirby Yates, IF Kevin Newman … Key Departures: LF Taylor Ward, CL Kenley Jansen, IF Luis Rengifo, RP Luis Garcia, RP Connor Brogdon.
Key Players: CF Mike Trout, SS Zach Neto …. Key Pitchers: SP Yusei Kikuchi, RP Romano.
28-Twins
’26 Opening Payroll: $119.2M (23)
’25 Record:70-92 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 72.5
Manager: Derek Shelton
Additions: 1B Josh Bell, DH Victor Caratini, IF Tristan Gray, CL Taylor Rogers, RP Anthony Banda, RP Eric Orze … Key Departures: C Christian Vazquez, RP Michael Tonkin, RP Genesis Cabrera.
Key Players: CF Byron Buxton, 3B Royce Lewis …. Key Pitchers: SP Joe Ryan, CL Rogers.
29-Nationals
’26 Opening Payroll: $102.4M (28)
’25 Record: 66-96 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 65.5
Manager: Blake Butera (R)
Additions: DH Jorbit Vivas, OF Joey Wiemer, SP Miles Mikolas, SP Foster Griffin, SP Zack Littell, RP Cionel Perez, RP Gus Varland, RP Ken Waldichuk, RP Paxton Schultz … Key Departures: RP Jorge Lopez, SS Paul DeJong, 1B Josh Bell, RP Colin Poche, C Jorge Alfaro, RP Lucas Sims, RP Derek Law.
Key Players: LF James Wood, SS CJ Abrams …. Key Pitchers: SP Cade Cavalli, CL Clayton Beeter.
30-Rockies
’26 Opening Payroll: $105.3M (25)
’25 Record: 43-119 … O/U Win Total (Bet365): 55.5
Manager: Warren Schaefer
Additions: LF Jake McCarthy, 3B Willi Castro, 1B T.J. Rumfield, 2B Edouard Julien, C Brett Sullivan, UT Troy Johnston, SP Michael Lorenzen, SP Jose Quintana, SP Tomo Sugano, RP Brennan Berardino. … Key Departures: SP German Marquez, 2B Thairo Estrada, SP Austin Gomber, IF Kyle Farmer, IF Orlando Arcia.
Key Players: CF Brenton Doyle, SS Ezequiel Tover …. Key Pitchers: SP Lorenzen, CL Victor Vodnik.
Exciting Griff!
I just hope we win the home opener to keep the good vibes going.