Among the most surprising were the Reds and Red Sox, both of whom were quickly eliminated in the wild-card round. That said, each team showed they have the potential to compete in the near future.
Which teams will surprise the baseball world the most in 2026? Let’s take a look at three clubs that look ready to make a splash next season.
1. Miami Marlins (79-83, third place in NL East)
After losing 100 games in 2024, the Marlins exceeded expectations in 2025, winning 79 games and finishing third in the National League East. Yes, the Fish had 83 losses, but outfielder Kyle Stowers, acquired in the trade for pitcher Trevor Rogers at the 2024 trade deadline, broke out for 25 home runs, 73 RBI and a .912 OPS in 117 games.
The 27-year-old was named an All-Star for the first time in his career, but his season was cut short due to a left oblique strain he suffered in August. Still, he proved in a limited show that he could be a building block for Miami. Along with 2B Xavier Edwards, SS Otto Lopez and a strong pitching staff of Edward Cabrera, Eury Perez, Max Meyer and former Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara, the Marlins may be just a few steps away from becoming a threat in the NL East.
Additionally, it has been reported that the Marlins “plan to spend” this offseason. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami HeraldMiami wants to add “a high-leverage reliever and an established hitter.”
2. Chicago WhiteSox (60-102, fifth place in AL Central)
The White Sox may be a tougher sell than the Marlins after losing 102 games in 2025, just a year after losing a record 121 games. However, many of Chicago’s top talents made their debuts this season and looked like the real thing. Notably, shortstop Colson Montgomery led the team in bWAR (3.3) after his July 4 debut. The 2021 first-round draft pick hit 21 home runs with 55 RBI in 284 at-bats and finished fifth in the AL Rookie of the Year voting.
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