MLB teams that will improve the most in 2026

Every MLB season, the focus is on the league's best teams. Will the Dodgers three-peat? Will the Phillies finally get it done? Can Toronto go back to the World Series?

However, fans forget about the teams that have improved and are ready to show it.

Speaking of the Blue Jays, it was them last year. Toronto improved by 20 wins, went worst to first in its division, and made the World Series for the first time since 1993.

In the National League, you could've argued that it was the Cincinnati Reds, who made the Postseason for the first time since 2020, and for the first time in a 162-game season since 2013.

So, who will it be this year? Let’s go over two AL and two NL teams that could make the jump.

AL: Kansas City Royals

The Royals fit this bill in 2024 when they clinched their first Postseason berth since 2015. After missing the dance last year, they have the opportunity to improve again.

This offseason, they added outfielder Isaac Collins and relief pitcher Matt Strahm via trade. They signed relievers Alex Lange and Hector Neris and outfielders Lane Thomas and Starling Marte in free agency.

These hitters will nicely complement Kansas City’s best bats, such as Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia.

The bullpen additions can also provide late-inning relief for Kansas City’s incredibly deep starting rotation of Cole Ragans, Kris Bubic, Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo and Noah Cameron.

While Detroit and Cleveland are contenders for the AL Central crown, don’t rule out the Royals, especially in a division that is relatively up for grabs.

NL: New York Mets

The Mets ended the 2025 season on an embarrassing note, and they don’t want that to happen again.

A year after its surprise trip to the NLCS, New York missed the Postseason entirely in 2025, even after signing Juan Soto to the richest contract in American sports history.

This offseason, owner Steve Cohen and president David Stearns got to work once again. Despite losing stars Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso and trading Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil, they made impactful addition after impactful addition.

The Mets got Marcus Semien in the Nimmo trade. Then, they went out and acquired Luis Robert Jr. to take Nimmo’s spot. The icing on the cake was acquiring Freddy Peralta as the ace of their rotation.

They replaced Diaz with Devin Williams and Luke Weaver, replaced Alonso with Jorge Polanco, and even won the sweepstakes for the high-average hitting Bo Bichette.

The Mets haven’t won the NL East since 2015, and they’re ready to take the title back.

AL: Baltimore Orioles

Like the Mets, Baltimore had a pretty embarrassing 2025 season.

While they also missed the Postseason, the Orioles' story was more about bad luck. Pretty much anyone you could think of in Baltimore had a down year.

So, their front office got busy. They won the sweepstakes for the aforementioned Pete Alonso, signing him to a five-year contract.

Baltimore also revamped its starting rotation by bringing back Zach Eflin and bringing in two other AL East arms, Chris Bassitt and Shane Baz.

Lastly, they parted ways with former top prospect Grayson Rodriguez in a trade for Angels’ outfielder Taylor Ward.

The only bad part about this is that the O’s are in a very tough division. Toronto, Boston and the New York Yankees will all be vying for Postseason spots. But Baltimore has positioned itself well to play spoiler.

NL: Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates spent money? I repeat, the Pittsburgh Pirates spent money???

This offseason, owner Bob Nutting and GM Ben Cherrington finally decided it was time to flush the old bargain-bin hunting method and actually add some impact players.

They started by trading starter Johan Oviedo to the Boston Red Sox for intriguing prospect Jhostynxon Garcia. Then, the bigger trade happened.

Pittsburgh got involved in a three-team deal and acquired second baseman Brandon Lowe from the Rays, who hit 31 home runs last year.

The Pirates then made history in free agency. For the first time since 2016, they signed a free agent to a multi-year contract. That free agent was Ryan O’Hearn, a slugging first baseman who could play the outfield as well.

Their final big move was bringing in former MVP candidate, DH Marcell Ozuna, on a one-year contract. Ozuna had a down year with the Braves in 2025, but he can still swing the bat.

While the Pirates might not stack up against other NL contenders, they’re at least more respectable now, and with Paul Skenes leading that rotation, you never know what could happen.

Adam Pietrzak is a fifth-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email app5940@psu.edu