When will it end? Is this the year that some team gets it together and takes them down? Of course, I’m referencing the back-to-back World Series champs Los Angeles Dodgers. They’ve dominated the league the past two seasons. Toronto came close to dethroning them in the World Series last year, but no dice. Can another team take them down this year? Let’s see. Here’s our 2026 AL East preview.
What Happened in 2025:
The Toronto Blue Jays wore the crown in the East a year ago, finishing with the exact same record as the New York Yankees but winning the tie-breaker. Toronto went all the way to extra innings in Game 7 of the World Series but couldn’t finish the job vs LA. New York and Boston put together solid campaigns and punched their tickets to the postseason. The Yanks beat the Sox in the Wild Card while the Jays took out the Yanks in the ALDS. Taking big steps back were the Rays and Orioles who finished well under .500 and at the bottom of the division.
Best Players to Watch:
Blue Jays – Addison Barger – He cemented himself in this lineup last year as a rookie and now, they’ll lean on him more than ever without Bo Bichette.
Red Sox – Roman Anthony – At just 21-years-old, he’s one of the most exciting players in all of baseball and will be in top contention for AL Rookie of the Year.
Yankees – Aaron Judge – Not a shock. He won another MVP last season, his third in four seasons, and he continues to put up incredible power numbers.
Rays – Junior Caminero – I had the Rays top prospect on this list a year ago and he went to the All-Star Game. He is mashing in the WBC and should be at the heart of this lineup for some time.
Orioles – Pete Alonso – The O’s signed one of the top power hitters in all of baseball and hope that his veteran leadership plays a role in winning in ‘26.
Biggest Addition and Subtraction:
Addition: Pete Alonso is my biggest addition for the division. He gives the Orioles a legitimate power bat in the middle of their lineup that is littered with young stars. Baltimore took a step backward a year ago and fired their manager. Alonso represents a new era.
Subtraction: Bo Bichette and Alex Bregman left the division this offseason but let’s not forget that Rafael Devers left in the middle of last season and that created a hole on the left side of the Sox infield. They signed Bregman which annoyed Devers and lost Bregman this offseason…not great.
Division Winner:
Blue Jays, 96-66: Toronto showed that they have the chops to make a legit run with their pitching and lineup. This is a well-constructed lineup that should be able to compete for years to come.