10 Teams With Plenty of Work to Do in the New Year
The 2026 season is close enough to feel real, and that puts pressure on teams that still look unfinished. Spring Training opens February 20, which means front offices are officially on the clock. Some clubs have been active but still seem incomplete, while others have stayed oddly quiet despite clear needs. These teams expect to contend, or at least want to, and the gap between expectation and reality is where the work still needs to happen.
Boston Red Sox
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The front office has already been busy, pulling off three trades that reshaped the roster. Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo give the rotation stability, while Willson Contreras fills a long-standing need at first base. Even with those additions, the lineup feels thin after Rafael Devers was dealt away in June. An impact bat is missing, and the free-agent market is the cleanest fix. Alex Bregman fits both the roster and the timeline, while Eugenio Suárez offers power if the top option disappears. Bullpen depth is also shaky behind Aroldis Chapman, which leaves at least two clear needs.
New York Mets
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This offseason has been loud but incomplete, with Devin Williams and Luke Weaver changing the bullpen picture. Meanwhile, Marcus Semien now anchors the infield after a trade. Losing Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz took some energy out of the fan base, and the lineup still needs another presence next to Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor. Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger would slide in cleanly. The rotation also struggled to cover innings in 2025, which explains the ongoing interest in high-end starters.
Toronto Blue Jays
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Pitching is no longer the concern in Toronto. Dylan Cease joined a rotation that already included Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber, and the result is one of the strongest groups in the league. The question now is the lineup. Bo Bichette remains unsigned, and his return would keep continuity after a pennant run. The team has also stayed connected to Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, which signals a desire to push this roster from very good to championship-level.
Baltimore Orioles
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Pete Alonso adds middle-of-the-order power, and Ryan Helsley brings late-inning reliability. The trade for Shane Baz helped, but the rotation still lacks a true ace. Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish form a solid foundation, yet the team continues to explore names like Framber Valdez. With Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman already in place, one elite arm could change the entire outlook.
Houston Astros
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Injuries have thinned the depth for the Houston Astros and made the signing of Tatsuya Imai feel necessary. There is still room for another starter, especially with corner infield depth that could fuel a trade. A division title streak ended, and the response has been measured. Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez remain central figures, but the rotation lost its anchor with Framber Valdez expected to move on.
Chicago Cubs
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The Chicago Cubs look entirely different after a flurry of minor signings. Phil Maton and Hunter Harvey headline a group built on volume. Shota Imanaga returning on a qualifying offer keeps the rotation steady, but the lineup lacks punch. Alex Bregman has been linked to the team, and a move like that would change the tone fast after a narrow playoff exit.
San Francisco Giants
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Four straight seasons hovering around .500 forced a reset, starting with a new manager. Veteran options like Justin Verlander remain on the radar, while the infield picture could shift if Bo Bichette becomes available. As for Adrian Houser and Tyler Mahle, they help. However, neither solves the larger pitching problem. The bullpen projects poorly, and the rotation still lacks upside.
New York Yankees
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Standing still can be risky in the AL East, as Cody Bellinger remains the key piece, and his absence would leave a real hole after a 125 OPS+ season. The offense led MLB at 5.24 runs per game in 2025, which raises the stakes of keeping that group intact. Kyle Tucker has been mentioned, but the focus remains on Bellinger.
Milwaukee Brewers
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The best regular season in franchise history did not spark aggressive spending. Freddy Peralta remains under control, though trade rumors persist, and Brandon Woodruff’s return adds stability. The issue is power. Milwaukee finished near the bottom in barrel rate and hit 166 home runs. A trade is more realistic than free agency, given payroll limits.
Cleveland Guardians
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The offense dragged the team down in 2025, with a .670 OPS that ranked near the bottom of the MLB. Young talent is coming, including Travis Bazzana and Chase DeLauter, but the lineup still struggles against left-handed pitching. A .647 OPS in those matchups explains the interest in right-handed bats like Harrison Bader. Internal growth helps, but an external addition may be necessary to balance the roster.