One Stat for Each MLB Team That Will Define 2026
Table of Contents
- One Stat for Each MLB Team That Will Define 2026
- Beyond the Big Names: Cubs’ Internal Value and Reds’ Power Void
- Keep up with the 2025-26 MLB offseason
- Mets’ Bullpen Woes and Phillies’ Offensive Imbalance: Key Issues Facing Both Teams
- Pirates and Padres: Contrasting Offseason approaches and Bullpen Reliance
- The Cardinals’ Steep Decline and the Road to Rebuilding
Let’s take a break from the free agent signings, the trade rumors and the holiday cheer to dig into some cold, hard facts. We’re going to pick one stat from the 2025 season for each MLB team and examine how that number will make or break the 2026 season for that team.
We’ll start wiht the National League and then return with the American league.
The number: 17
This may be one of the most amazing stats of the year: 17 different pitchers recorded a save for the Diamondbacks. Yes, that’s a record (the 2021 Rays and 2024 Dodgers each had 14).It wasn’t by design, of course. Corbin Burnes for a combined $337.5 million, but in five combined seasons so far
Beyond the Big Names: Cubs’ Internal Value and Reds’ Power Void
Despite not making huge splashes, several players provided important value for their teams in 2024. Houston’s
The number: 51
the Reds made the playoffs in a full season for the first time as 2013, mostly on the strength of their starting rotation.indeed, despite playing in the second-best home run park via Statcast metrics, the Reds received just 51 home runs from their outfielders (including hitting just 25 at home from the three positions). Cincinnati’s outfielders finished 21st in the majors in homers and 20th in OPS.
Keep up with the 2025-26 MLB offseason
We’ve got you covered on all the major hot stove signings and trades.
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## MLB Offseason Forecast: Dodgers, Marlins and Brewers – What’s Next?
The Dodgers, coming off a disappointing playoff exit, face questions about their aging core. This age-36 season; Max Muncy is 36; Mookie Betts will be 33, coming off his worst season; Teoscar Hernandez will be 33, coming off a .284 OBP. The Dodgers added to the bullpen, but let’s see if they look to boost the offense — or at least get a little younger.
The number: 62
That’s the major-league-worst RBI total (tied with the Baltimore Orioles) from Marlins first basemen last season. They also ranked next-to-last in the majors in home runs (15) and 27th in OPS (.663). This has been an ongoing issue for the Marlins. The last 2-WAR season they received from their regular first baseman came from Justin Bour in 2017,and before that Gaby Sanchez in 2011,and the last 3-WAR season came from Derrek Lee in 2002 (the only one in franchise history). Indeed, Lee’s four-year run from 2000 to 2003 was the only time the Marlins had consecutive 2-WAR seasons from a starting first baseman.
So who gets the job in 2026? Eric Wagaman got the most starts there in 2025, but he’s a 28-year-old journeyman who just produced a minus-0.4 WAR season. He’s not the answer. Backup catcher Liam Hickswho slugged .346, got the second most starts there.
While there is a common assumption that finding first-base production is easy enough, the Marlins have proved that’s not the case. ending the revolving door and finding a multiyear answer at the position should be a priority for the rest of this offseason.
Mets’ Bullpen Woes and Phillies’ Offensive Imbalance: Key Issues Facing Both Teams
the New york Mets are facing a significant crisis in their bullpen,compounded by a series of arm injuries. Key pitchers Max Kranick, Dedniel Nunez, and others have been lost for the season, leading to harsh criticism from former Mets reliever Adam Ottavino, who questioned manager Carlos Mendoza’s handling of bullpen arms. The mets have already made moves, signing Devin Williams after losing closer Edwin Diaz to the Dodgers, but rebuilding the bullpen will require more innings from starters. However, relying on rookies Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong, and brandon Sproat for extended outings may prove challenging, possibly necessitating either deeper performances from existing starters or the acquisition of a durable veteran like framber Valdez.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Phillies are grappling with offensive imbalances.Despite the return of Kyle Schwarber to join Bryce Harper and Trea Turner, the team’s offensive production is heavily reliant on this trio. While thes three combined for a plus-77 runs created above average, the rest of the lineup was 38 runs below, resulting in an eighth-place finish in runs scored. This lack of balance has hindered the Phillies’ postseason performance in recent years, as their success hinges on Schwarber and Harper maintaining peak form together. All three key hitters are entering their age-33 season.
Pirates and Padres: Contrasting Offseason approaches and Bullpen Reliance
The Pittsburgh Pirates have seen recent top-10 draft picks – Nick Gonzales, Henry Davis, and Termarr Johnson – largely fail to meet expectations. While Konnor Griffin, the no. 9 pick in 2024, shows promise as a potential franchise savior after a rapid ascent through the minors, the Pirates need more than just one player. Their pursuit of free agents like Kyle Schwarber and Josh Naylor, despite “strong offers,” hasn’t yielded results, highlighting a need to actually secure impactful players to bolster their offense.
The San diego Padres,meanwhile,boast a dominant bullpen.
The number: 3.03
The Padres led the majors in bullpen ERA (3.03) and win probability added (10.68), also ranking highly in strikeout rate, lowest batting average allowed, and lowest OPS against. This performance places their bullpen among the best of the 21st century, ranking 12th overall since 2000 in WPA. However, with a rotation weakened by the losses of Dylan Cease and Michael King, and Yu Darvish already sidelined for the season, the bullpen will be critical to their success in 2026, even with closer Robert Suarez now in atlanta.
Repeating this dominance is far from guaranteed. Historically, teams with bullpens achieving a WPA of 10.0 or higher have seen an average decline of 7.3 wins in WPA the following season. Only one team, the 2023 Brewers, improved their WPA the next year.
The Padres’ success wasn’t solely reliant on a dominant closer,though Robert Suarez was excellent with 40 saves in 45 chances.It was their overall depth that set them apart. They also have an ace in the hole…
The Cardinals’ Steep Decline and the Road to Rebuilding
991,084. That’s the decline in home attendance for the Cardinals since 2023. Losing nearly a million fans over two years is a significant blow to the organization’s finances,and it’s directly linked to on-field performance. Consider this: Brendan Donovan led the team with a bWAR of 2.7 in 2025. The Cardinals were the only team in Major League Baseball without a player who reached 3 WAR. The last time the Cardinals didn’t have at least one 3-win player? 1903. This is a team demonstrably lacking in star power – and the dwindling fan base reflects that reality.
Recent Performance and the Current Situation
The Cardinals have struggled on the field, posting a 232-254 record (.477) over the last three seasons, a stretch marked by postseason absence. This is their worst three-year span since 1988-1990, when they also went 232-254. The team’s new President of Baseball Operations, Chaim Bloom, has acknowledged the need for a rebuild.
A Clear Rebuilding Strategy
Bloom has been transparent about his intentions.At the recent winter meetings, he stated he’s open to offers for almost anyone on the roster, including Donovan, who is attracting considerable trade interest. This signals a willingness to dismantle parts of the current team to acquire assets for the future.
This approach, while potentially painful in the short term, is designed to restock the farm system and build a lasting contender. It likely means another challenging season in 2026.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
The Cardinals are entering a period of purposeful rebuilding.This involves:
- Trading Established Players: Moving players like Donovan for prospects with higher ceilings.
- Developing Young talent: Focusing on the growth of players within the farm system.
- Strategic drafting: Utilizing draft picks to acquire potential stars.
The goal is to create a core group of players who can compete for championships in the years to come. Though, fans should brace themselves for a potentially extended period of lower win totals as the team transitions.
Key takeaways
- The Cardinals have experienced a significant decline in both attendance and on-field performance.
- The team lacks established star players, contributing to its struggles.
- Chaim Bloom is committed to a full rebuild, potentially involving trades of key players.
- Fans should expect further challenges in the short term as the team focuses on long-term advancement.
The Cardinals’ current situation is a stark reminder that sustained success in baseball requires a constant influx of talent. While the road ahead will be difficult, the organization’s commitment to rebuilding offers a glimmer of hope for a brighter future. The next few years will be crucial in determining whether this strategy will ultimately restore the Cardinals to their former glory.
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