In 2025, undoubtedly, a lot of teams left much on the table. Many teams just disappointed after good starts or just never got going. The Atlanta Braves were seen as the second best team in baseball- only to miss the playoffs. The Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, and others didn’t make the playoffs either. So the question remains, who can bounce back into contention or at least into the playoffs this season?
Bounce-Back MLB Teams in 2026
5. Pittsburgh Pirates (71-91)
Here is a big sleeper that could surprise people in 2026. Winning the NL Central after losing 91 games last season is very hard for the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, over the last few seasons, there problem number one has been not spending money. The rotation looks prime for a pretty good seasons led by Paul Skenes. Meanwhile, the lineup will be young and inexperienced. However, the Pirates added Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn, which will no doubt help.
The Pirates have four prospects in the top 100 and a the No. 1 prospect in baseball, Konnor Griffin. A lot of their success in 2026 will rest on the shoulders of how players can perform, including O’Neil Cruz, who had a very ugly season in 2025 with just 20 home runs and a .200 average in 135 games. However, a wild card season for this team isn’t out of the question at all, especially if the lineup can improve much from the last few seasons.
4. Texas Rangers (81-81)
After winning the World Series, the Texas Rangers have seen back-to-back embarrassing, average seasons. However, they have undoubtedly a good team. The rotation must stay healthy, but if it is, the have one of the best in the game with the addition of MacKenzie Gore.
Gore hasn’t actually been seen a big breakout yet, as he had a 4.17 ERA with a 5-15 record in 2025, which makes the acquisition even more interesting. Offensively, the trade swap of Marcus Semien for Brandon Nimmo can definitely help them offensively. Nimmo is likely to soon see a decline, but even then, Semien had declined massively in 2025. With what is on the roster, a bounce back year from Texas shouldn’t surprise anyone in 2026.
3. Baltimore Orioles (75-87)
It would be extremely surprising to see such a young and high ceiling team fall below .500 again. The rotation does leave some to be desired, but the lineup is unbelievable. The Orioles will have young talent up and down the lineup, such as Samuel Basallo, Jackson Holiday, and Gunnar Henderson. This doesn’t even take into account other young players who didn’t do well but can bounce back this 2026 season. With the addition of Taylor Ward and Pete Alonso, especially the reliable Alonso, this lineup should be amazing. Hitter’s don’t pitch, but this lineup alone will get the Orioles somewhere. A good 2026 feels very likely.
2. Atlanta Braves (76-86)
Since the magical 2021-23 season’s for the Braves, in which they won the World Series, had one of the best offenses ever in 2023, and had two 100 win seasons, the Braves have looked mediocre. Two things have hit them hard, injuries- especially to the rotation, and underperformance, which has affected the lineup badly. Without another horrifying season of injuries, the rotation is poised to bounce back majorly.
As for the lineup, the Braves need better showings from Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson (mostly good but not too much power in 2025), Austin Riley, and Michael Harris II. Some of those players, especially Harris and Olson, had better endings to the season. However, the Braves need more consistency to get back into what they were for a good few seasons. Even the bullpen looks much better as the rotation has some depth. Again, it would be very surprising to see this team not make the playoffs in 2026.
1. New York Mets (83-79)
Simply put, the Mets just shouldn’t have missed playoffs last season. Both injuries and underperformance, just like Atlanta, derailed the team in the second half. They also didn’t have the same kind of magic or teamwork they needed, shown by three different losing streaks of seven or more games. After losing both Nimmo and Alonso, and of course Edwin Diaz and still others, the Mets look different.
The Mets first offseason signing’s were Devin Williams and Jorge Polanco, which was not bad. Then, after losing out on Kyle Tucker, the Mets rage signed and traded for Bo Bichette, Luis Robert Jr., Freddy Peralta, and Tobias Myers. Simply put, with the best offensive player in the game in Juan Soto (well maybe) and having a thick rotation and bullpen, the pitching is set to improve massively.
Meanwhile, the lineup is more balanced. A lot will fall of the shoulders of the youngsters in the bottom of the lineup, but if you know, you know. Those “youngsters” are all very dangerous players, as Mark Vientos, Francisco Alvarez, and Bret Baty, who all have hit at least 18 homers or better in the past.
This combined with a big three, and of course, some veteran talent and a potential superstar in Robert Jr. makes the Mets by far the most dangerous team in 2026. A lot will depend on how things will come to together in 2026. However, they have young talent, veteran talent, superstar talent, and one of the best farm systems in the MLB at their disposal.
In baseball and in any sport, teams that have potential will sometimes disappoint. But as the new season is just a couple of months away, some teams don’t feel like they will disappoint a second time in a row. One or more of these teams are bound to in 2026, but certainly not all of them.
Main Image: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
