The 2026 MLB season is almost upon us, and teams have been hard at work addressing their weaknesses during the offseason. From free agency to trades, these clubs have made some significant moves to improve their rosters. Let's dive into the 10 most notable positional upgrades and the stories behind them.
A League of Weaknesses
Every team has its flaws, and the offseason is the perfect time to fix them. With Spring Training just around the corner, we're taking a look at the biggest upgrades made by MLB teams over the past few months.
While not all these moves will pay off immediately, each club has shown a commitment to addressing their problem areas from the 2025 season.
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Athletics: Second Base
In 2025, the Athletics struggled to find consistency at second base. Zack Gelof, their primary option, played just 30 games due to injuries and had a disappointing .502 OPS. With Gelof out, the A's tried various players, including Luis Urías, Max Schuemann, and Max Muncy, but the results were underwhelming, with a collective 53 wRC+, one of the worst marks in the league.
To remedy this, the Athletics acquired former NL batting champion Jeff McNeil from the Mets. McNeil has been solid over the past three seasons (102 wRC+), and his addition should provide a much-needed boost to their second base position.
Cubs: Third Base
The Cubs faced a challenge in 2025 after missing out on free agent Alex Bregman. They turned to prized prospect Matt Shaw, but the rookie's struggles led to a mid-season demotion to the Minors. Shaw showed improvement upon his return, but his .690 OPS over 126 games wasn't enough.
With the likely departure of Kyle Tucker in free agency, the Cubs needed to find a proven bat for their lineup. They made another attempt to sign Bregman, who opted out of his contract with the Red Sox, and this time, they succeeded. The Cubs signed Bregman to a five-year, $175 million deal, adding one of baseball's best third basemen to their roster.
Dodgers: Closer and Left Field
The Dodgers had a unique situation in 2025, with their closer position in flux. Tanner Scott, signed to a four-year deal, struggled with a 4.74 ERA and 10 blown saves. Kirby Yates, on a one-year contract, also disappointed. Other potential options, Michael Kopech and Evan Phillips, missed most of the season. Despite these challenges, the Dodgers still managed to win the World Series, utilizing their starting rotation to cover closing duties during the playoffs.
In left field, Michael Conforto, signed on a one-year deal, had a disappointing season with a .637 OPS and -0.6 WAR. The Dodgers addressed this by signing the top free agent, Kyle Tucker, to a four-year, $240 million contract. Tucker will primarily play right field, but his addition effectively fills the left field spot left by Conforto.
Mets: Center Field
The Mets' center field position was a revolving door in 2025. Offseason acquisition Jose Siri was expected to be the starter but played just 16 games due to injury. Tyrone Taylor stepped in, but the Mets eventually traded for Cedric Mullins in July. Mullins' performance was underwhelming, with a .565 OPS after the trade. Overall, Mets center fielders produced meager numbers, with seven home runs, a 71 wRC+, and 0.7 fWAR.
To improve this situation, the Mets traded for Luis Robert Jr., sending Luisangel Acuña and Truman Pauley to the White Sox. Robert, an All-Star in 2023, has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, but the Mets are taking a $22 million gamble on his ability to stay healthy and return to form.
Orioles: First Base
The Orioles ranked 22nd at first base in 2025, with a 92 wRC+ and the fewest home runs (14) from the position in the league. Ryan Mountcastle, their Opening Day starter, missed over two months due to injury and had a disappointing season with just two home runs. Rookie Coby Mayo received an extended look in the second half but finished with a .687 OPS.
Pirates: Second Base
The Pirates had a tough 2025 season, ranking last in the Majors in runs scored. Their second base position was a weak spot, generating just eight home runs with an 80 wRC+.
To strengthen their lineup, the Pirates acquired Brandon Lowe from the Rays in a three-team trade involving the Astros. Despite injury concerns, Lowe ranks third among primary second basemen with 120 home runs over the past five years and a .792 OPS.
Red Sox: First Base and Starting Rotation
The Red Sox made some significant moves to improve their roster. They acquired Willson Contreras from the Cardinals, who moved from catcher to first base last year and had a solid season with a 2.8 fWAR and a .791 OPS. The addition of Contreras became even more crucial after Alex Bregman chose to sign with the Cubs.
In the starting rotation, the Red Sox had a successful offseason trade for Garrett Crochet, and Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito also had solid seasons. However, the rest of the rotation struggled, including the disappointing free-agent signing of Walker Buehler and a rough campaign from 2024 All-Star Tanner Houck.
White Sox: First Base
The White Sox ended the Andrew Vaughn era after the 2019 Draft pick's underwhelming performance, with a .531 OPS over his first 48 games. They used various players at first base, finishing the season with an 83 wRC+ and -0.5 fWAR at the position.
Honorable Mentions
- Pirates' Designated Hitter
- Blue Jays' Starting Rotation
- Royals' Left Field
These teams have made some intriguing moves to address their weaknesses. Will these upgrades pay off? Only time will tell. What do you think about these positional changes? Are there any other moves that caught your eye? Let's discuss in the comments and share our thoughts on the upcoming MLB season!
