Bold statement: The six teams at the bottom aren’t doomed to stay there—each one has clear paths to reinventing their fate, and the chance for a major leap exists more than you might expect. But here’s where it gets controversial: achieving a turnaround will hinge on smarter pitching, smarter development, and measured spending in a high-stakes offseason. And this is the part most people miss—success rarely comes from a single blockbuster move; it comes from a sustained, multi-front rebuild that aligns young talent with experienced veterans and smart front-office decisions.
Athletics (76-86 in 2025)
Last winning season: 2021
What has gone wrong: The A’s have endured a volatile period marked by constant personnel changes and a long transition, including their move from Oakland to West Sacramento as they prepare for Las Vegas. The core issue is pitching. The lineup can score, and it often does, but sustaining success requires a reliable pitching staff, which has been the team’s Achilles’ heel for several years. Playing in a hitter-friendly park in 2025 didn’t help the pitching staff stabilize either.
What is going in the right direction: The group of young hitters is exciting and deep. Names like Tyler Soderström, Jacob Wilson, Lawrence Butler, Max Muncy, Zack Gelof, Denzel Clarke, Shea Langeliers, and the standout Nick Kurtz (the 2025 AL Rookie of the Year) signal a powerful offensive core. Brent Rooker also contributed well at age 30. If these prospects continue to develop, the A’s can rely on run production for multiple seasons.
What they need to fix: Add mid-level or league-average arms to back the lineup and stabilize the rotation. The emphasis should be on acquiring pitching that approaches league average or better, even if the top of the market remains out of reach.
Chances the streak ends in 2026 (1-10): 7. The framework is there for a .500 season or better if pitching depth improves and cost-controlled hitters continue to develop.
White Sox (60-102 in 2025)
Last winning season: 2021
What has gone wrong: 2024 stands as a historically rough season, a reminder that the teardown and rebuild process has dragged on longer than anticipated. The franchise underperformed as the plan to rebuild around a younger core progressed, but the road has been bumpy.
What is going in the right direction: There are encouraging signs from the farm system and a handful of exciting young players breaking through, notably Colson Montgomery, who emerged as the team’s best performer in 2025 despite limited playing time. The front office has brought in promising prospects like Chase Meidroth, Kyle Teel, Edgar Quero, and Miguel Vargas, with Braden Montgomery waiting in the wings. These moves suggest a genuine rebuild with a rising tide of talent.
What they need to fix: The current pitching staff, especially the rotation, still skews young. The addition of a veteran presence helps, but the priority is to let the young arms — including the recently added Anthony Kay — gain experience and gradually fill innings while the lineup continues to develop.
Chances the streak ends in 2026 (1-10): 2. A big leap would require several complementary moves and more time for the youngsters to mature, but 2027 could be the real target rather than 2026.
Nationals (66-96 in 2025)
Last winning season: 2019
What has gone wrong: The post-2019 era has been challenging for Washington, compounded by the missed opportunity to leverage the Soto trade for an immediate window of contention. The franchise has restructured leadership and pivoted toward a youth-focused rebuild, with mixed results so far.
What is going in the right direction: The trade haul from Soto is starting to pay off. MacKenzie Gore, CJ Abrams, James Wood, and Robert Hassell III should be in position to contribute on Opening Day next year, and Jarlin Susana, a high-upside pitcher, remains a key prospect at 21. Dylan Crews, the 2023 No. 2 overall pick, could join the mix as part of a very young lineup and rotation. The plan is clearly to let a sizable cohort of players under 27 drive the next era.
What they need to fix: The bullpen needs bolstering after a year of underperformance. Additionally, the brain trust is young, and patience with young talent remains essential. A couple of veteran relievers could stabilize late games while the youngsters gain experience.
Chances the streak ends in 2026 (1-10): 3. A corner-turning year feels plausible, but the division is tough, and a full breakthrough may require more time or a timely trade win.
Pirates (71-91 in 2025)
Last winning season: 2018
What has gone wrong: The lineup has lagged behind strong pitching development. Bryan Reynolds has been their best hitter, but the supporting cast hasn’t consistently supplemented that pace. The franchise has developed pitching well but has struggled to cultivate hitting at a level that sustains success, and heavy spending has been limited.
What is going in the right direction: Paul Skenes has emerged as a once-in-a-generation talent and the envy of the league. With Mitch Keller as a solid second option and Bubba Chandler positioned for a potential breakout as a top-three starter, the Pirates boast a formidable foundation. Skenes’s ceiling remains incredibly high, and there’s optimism for the rotation’s future strength.
What they need to fix: The offense needs to catch up. They’ll likely need to invest in a couple of proven hitters to complement their current young core, while also continuing to develop Oneil Cruz to translate tools into tangible results.
Chances the streak ends in 2026 (1-10): 4. If Skenes and company continue to grow and the lineup adds a couple of proven bats, a meaningful improvement is within reach.
Rockies (43-119 in 2025)
Last winning season: 2018
What has gone wrong: The year was brutal, with a historically poor start followed by a modest late surge, yet still a vast gap to meaningful contention. The Coors Field environment continues to complicate roster decisions, and organizational inertia has slowed the necessary changes.
What is going in the right direction: Bringing in Paul DePodesta signals a fresh strategic perspective and a willingness to rethink traditional approaches. This hire signals the front office’s commitment to a more data-informed rebuild. Young talents like Hunter Goodman, Ethan Holliday, and Charlie Condon look promising for the near future.
What they need to fix: The balancing act between pitching and hitting remains the Rockies’ core challenge. Strengthening pitching while leveraging hitter-friendly conditions will be key to closing the gap in the coming seasons.
Chances the streak ends in 2026 (1-10): 1. The organizational changes are a step in the right direction, but a rapid turnaround in 2026 would require a dramatic, almost unprecedented, leap in performance.
Angels (72-90 in 2025)
Last winning season: 2015
What has gone wrong: The ongoing struggle to translate high payroll into sustained success continues. The organization has consistently attempted to win without fully committing to a full rebuild, and injuries or underperformance at crucial moments have derailed several seasons. Mike Trout’s window has been a reminder of the high stakes involved in pursuing immediate results.
What is going in the right direction: There’s noteworthy young talent in the mix, including Nolan Schanuel, Zach Neto, Logan O’Hoppe, and Jo Adell. Trout remains a compelling presence at the plate, even if health and peak production haven’t matched past highs. The team’s offensive potential is real, and there’s excitement about a few players who could become cornerstone contributors.
What they need to fix: The pitching staff is the recurring bottleneck. The Grayson Rodriguez trade and Alek Manoah’s signing demonstrate a commitment to upgrading the rotation, but more arms are needed to stabilize the staff and allow the offense to maximize its potential.
Chances the streak ends in 2026 (1-10): 3. Improvement is possible, but division competition is rising, making a quick leap less likely without additional high-impact acquisitions.
Bottom line: Each of these six teams has identifiable levers to pull—promising cohorts in the farm system, smart acquisitions, and a bit of luck with health and breakout performances. The offseason will test whether these clubs can translate late-2020s optimism into tangible wins in 2026. Do you buy that any of these teams can realistically climb out of the basement next season, and if so, which club is best positioned to surprise? Share your thoughts in the comments.
