Chicago White Sox
2025 record: 60-102 (5th place, AL Central)
He gone: C Korey Lee, OF Luis Robert, OF Mike Tauchman
New faces: INF Luisangel Acuna, RHP Seranthony Dominguez, RHP Erick Fedde, RHP Jordan Hicks, LHP Anthony Kay, INF Munetaka Murakami, C Reese McGuire, LHP Sean Newcomb
Biggest question entering Opening Day: Adding Murakami to the mix offers plenty of intrigue as the Japanese slugger aims to prove he can master major league pitching. That the 26-year-old signed merely for two years, however, surely makes Chicago’s young core and fans wonder if he’ll be around for the hopeful light at the end of this latest rebuild tunnel. That likely won’t flicker for long in 2026, even as SS Colson Montgomery delivered on his power potential last season (21 HRs in 71 games) while fellow youngsters — including 2B Chase Meidroth, C Kyle Teel and RHP Shane Smith — filled in nicely as building blocks.
2026 outlook: A charter member of the American League, the White Sox have endured three straight 100-loss seasons, bringing the franchise’s all-time total to seven. In that respect, there’s nowhere to go but up. Given the questions about rotation and bullpen depth, however, the White Sox might not duplicate their 19-win jump from 2024 to 2025. But Murakami adds pop to a lineup of budding stars.
Cleveland Guardians
2025 record 88-74 (1st place, AL Central)
He gone: OF Lane Thomas, LHP Sam Hentges, RHP Jakob Junis, RHP Triston McKenzie, LHP John Means
New faces: INF Rhys Hoskins, RHP Shawn Armstrong
Biggest question entering Opening Day: Well, it’s a familiar one. Do the Guardians have enough offense outside of consistent standout Jose Ramirez? While the team signed Ramirez, a seven-time All-Star, to a seven-year, $175 million contract extension through 2032, Cleveland did little to address the rest of the offense — save for signing Hoskins to a minor-league deal. The Guardians again are banking on a bevy of pitchers to limit the damage, thereby reducing the burden on Ramirez. All eyes are on Bo Naylor and Chase DeLauter to step up at the plate, and the latter has excelled against Cactus League pitching this spring (3 HRs/10 RBIs, .459 BA through Monday).
2026 outlook: Cleveland’s bid for a third consecutive AL Central title and fourth in five seasons likely will hinge on pitching. Right-handers Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibee will highlight the rotation, while left-handers Joey Cantillo and Parker Messick provide some promise. Armstrong is a proven high-leverage reliever, and Erik Sabrowski could bridge the gap to closer Cade Smith.
Detroit Tigers
2025 record: 87-75 (2nd place, AL Central)
He gone: INF Andy Ibanez, OF Justyn-Henry Malloy, RHP Tommy Kahnle, RHP Chris Paddack
New faces: INF Kevin McGonigle, RHP Justin Verlander, RHP Drew Anderson, LHP Framber Valdez, RHP Kenley Jansen
Biggest question entering Opening Day: Tarik Skubal’s impending free agency hangs over the organization like a developing thunderstorm. The two-time Cy Young Award winner has a giant payday awaiting him at the end of the rainbow next offseason, and the Tigers may not be able to retain him. If this season goes off the rails for the Tigers, Skubal could be dealt by the trade deadline on Aug. 3. The good news is the uber-competitive Skubal is fully invested in bringing a long-awaited championship to the Motor City, and the Tigers have the talent to make it happen. The surprise free-agent additions of Valdez and Verlander give Detroit arguably the best rotation in the American League. Jansen provides manager A.J. Hinch another closing option to go with Kyle Finnegan and Will Vest while McGonigle, the No. 2 prospect in baseball, could give the lineup a jolt.
2026 outlook: The Tigers appeared to have the division title until a September swoon last season. They redeemed themselves by defeating division rival Cleveland in the wild-card round but didn’t generate enough offense against Seattle in the division series. Starting pitching makes Detroit the clear favorite in the division in 2026. If McGonigle contributes and Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson and Kerry Carpenter continue to provide pop in the middle of the order, the Tigers could reach the World Series for the first time since 2012.
Kansas City Royals
2025 record: 82-80 (3rd place, AL Central)
He gone: RHP Jonathan Bowlan, OF Mike Yastrzemski, OF Randal Grichuk, LHP Angel Zerpa
New faces: OF Isaac Collins, OF Starling Marte, OF Lane Thomas, LHP Matt Strahm
Biggest question entering Opening Day: Did the Royals do enough to add offense after missing the playoffs last season? The early returns would indicate Kansas City has plenty of juice with All-Star Bobby Witt Jr. at shortstop and World Baseball Classic MVP Maikel Garcia standing out on the international stage as an encore to his 2025 breakout season (16 HRs, 74 RBIs, .286 BA). Carter Jensen has breakout potential, but the natural catcher squeezes into the lineup initially as a designated hitter. Thomas had 11 hits in 43 spring at-bats through Monday. He signed only a one-year deal, and a slow start could lead to a quick hook. Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez appeared good to go during their WBC stints.
2026 outlook: The only team with single-digit wins in spring training (through Monday), Kansas City can’t wave goodbye to the Cactus League soon enough. Run production was modest, but the core of the lineup largely was missing while serving on WBC rosters. Now, will the Royals be ready for the curtain to lift on Opening Day in Atlanta? Cole Ragans was an All-Star last season, and if he pitches to quality ace expectations, the team has other young arms that could be ready to fill the void if veterans Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha falter. Garcia flexed star potential in the WBC, and Kansas City’s versatile pieces could add up to being better than expected.
Minnesota Twins
2025 record: 70-92 (4th place, AL Central)
He gone: INF Edouard Julien, C Christian Vazquez
New faces: LHP Anthony Banda, INF Josh Bell, C Victor Caratini, INF Tristan Gray, RHP Zak Kent
Biggest question entering Opening Day: The biggest offseason changes for the Twins took place off the field. The Pohlad family still owns the franchise, but Tom Pohlad took over primary ownership duties from his brother, Joe. Not long after Tom took charge, the organization announced it had parted ways with former team president Derek Falvey. A few months before that surprise announcement, Falvey fired Rocco Baldelli as manager and replaced him with ex-Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton. Amid all the changes to management and the front office, the Twins invested little into their team on the field. OF Byron Buxton and 3B Royce Lewis offer a high upside but a significant injury risk. RHP Pablo Lopez was supposed to anchor an above-average rotation, but he suffered a season-ending elbow injury in his first action in spring training. That leaves right-handers Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober to try to anchor a pitching staff that might not receive much run support, considering Minnesota was 23rd in runs in 2025.
2026 outlook: Tom Pohlad told a reporter that he found it “ridiculous” that the Twins’ over-under wins total was set at 73.5 wins. He wants to see vast improvement on the field this season. It’s great to want more wins, but ownership didn’t spend much money in the offseason. The team’s biggest free-agency splash involved signing veteran 1B Josh Bell to a one-year, $7 million deal. This could be a long, losing season in Minnesota. Ryan, C Ryan Jeffers or other valuable veterans could be gone by the trade deadline.
