The MLB offseason is officially underway.
Though both the Boston Red Sox’s and New York Yankees’ rosters could look significantly different once spring training begins, The Athletic released its “Way-Too-Early” 2026 MLB Power Rankings on Monday,
Aaron Judge’s Yankees and Garrett Crochet’s Red Sox both rank high on the list with the former placed third and the latter coming in sixth.
The two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and AL pennant-winning Toronto Blue Jays are deservingly first and second, respectively.
“The Yankees had the same regular-season record as the Blue Jays but were no match for Toronto in the playoffs. Attempts to build a powerful bullpen fell flat, key starters got hurt, Jasson Domínguez was not the difference maker many expected and Anthony Volpe struggled late before having surgery. But, hey, Aaron Judge is still really good,” Red Sox beat writer Chad Jennings wrote. “Ben Rice might have hit his way into an everyday role, and trade deadline pickup David Bednar is returning, but the Yankees are otherwise back to the drawing board in the bullpen, and they’ll need to replace key pieces of their outfield. How far will Brian Cashman go to make sure this year’s vulnerabilities don’t become next year’s trends?”
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Boston and New York sandwich the Milwaukee Brewers (No. 4) and Seattle Mariners (No. 5) in the rankings.
The Red Sox somewhat surprisingly place ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies (seventh), Chicago Cubs (eighth) and Detroit Tigers (10th), each of whom advanced one round further than Boston in the 2025 playoffs.
The Red Sox’s high ranking is due in large part to Crochet, All-Star reliever Aroldis Chapman and star outfielder Roman Anthony all being slated to return in the spring.
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“This season marked a step forward, culminating in the Red Sox’s first playoff appearance since 2021,” Jennings wrote. “Roman Anthony looks like a legitimate lineup anchor, Garrett Crochet and Aroldis Chapman signed extensions, and some other young players showed promise (Carlos Narváez, Marcelo Mayer, Payton Tolle, Connelly Early, etc.). There are good pieces in place, but replacing or re-signing Bregman seems to be an obvious offseason priority, and another impact starter would certainly help.”
Boston opens the 2026 campaign on March 26 on the road against the Cincinnati Reds.
