Way-too-early 2026 MLB Power Rankings: Who's No. 1? - ESPN

In a dramatic finish to the 2025 postseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in an extra-innings, winner-take-all Game 7 to become the first repeat World Series champions since the 2000 New York Yankees.

Now, the offseason begins. Contract options to consider! Free agency! Trade rumors! Let the fun begin.

We kick it off with our annual Way-Too-Early Power Rankings — focusing on how teams look right now, minus their free agents, while factoring in rookies and young players who will make an impact next season and considering second-half performances, age of the roster and holes to fix. The top team? Probably not a surprise.

Final 2025 Power Rankings | Final 2025 regular-season grades

2025 record: 93-69
Final 2025 ranking: 3

There is no doubt that a rotation featuring Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow can get the Dodgers back on top and maybe even back to 100 wins. They weren't completely healthy in 2025 until late in the season, so they should produce more volume and more value in 2026. The bullpen will be better, especially if that's where Roki Sasaki ends up, but there are age-related concerns with the lineup. Freddie Freeman turns 36; Mookie Betts, coming off his worst offensive season, will be 33; Max Muncy turns 35; and Teoscar Hernandez turns 33. That was the oldest lineup in the majors in 2025 — though it scored the most runs in the National League — and one becoming heavily dependent on Ohtani. But now the Dodgers have a new motivation: A three-peat is on the line.

2025 record: 94-68
Final 2025 ranking: 4

The Blue Jays were two games under .500 through May 27 when the offense took off — all the way to a World Series appearance (and a crushing Game 7 loss).