Not everyone had a 2025 worth remembering. Plenty of big names will head into the 2026 season hoping to turn the page after disappointing campaigns.
Alcantara Aiming to Reclaim Cy Young Form
Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins is looking to bounce back after an injury-shortened and largely ineffective 2025 season. After missing all of 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Alcantara made 31 starts, throwing 174 2/3 innings, a feat in itself considering the major surgery. While he showed flashes of his 2022 Cy Young form in the second half, posting a 3.13 ERA over his final 12 outings, his overall ERA for the year landed at 5.36.
Projections for 2026 are significantly more optimistic, with FanGraphs forecasting a 4.08 ERA and 2.7 WAR over 188 innings – the ninth-highest projected WAR total in MLB. Miami will be looking for Alcantara to provide stability to an inexperienced rotation, though trade rumors may surface if the team isn’t competitive. He has one year of team control remaining, with a $21 million club option for 2027.
Betts Looks to Reassert Dominance
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts experienced the worst offensive season of his career in 2025, posting career lows in OPS (.732) and Weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+) (104). Despite the offensive struggles, Betts still managed to produce 3.4 WAR thanks to strong defensive play in his first year as a full-time shortstop and a solid finish at the plate, adding a fourth World Series ring to his impressive resume.
Projections suggest a full return to form for the eight-time All-Star in 2026, with a projected 130 wRC+ and 4.9 WAR. Only ten position players are projected to have a higher WAR.
Cease Seeking to Justify Big Contract
Dylan Cease, now with the Toronto Blue Jays after signing a seven-year, $210 million deal in free agency, had a performance in 2025 that didn’t quite live up to the investment. He allowed four or more runs in ten games, two more times than he recorded quality starts, and his ERA+ dipped below league average for the second time in three years.
However, the Blue Jays clearly believe in Cease’s potential. FanGraphs’ projections align with that evaluation, forecasting a 3.57 ERA – nearly a full run lower than his 2025 mark of 4.55 – along with the fourth-most strikeouts (214) and tenth-most innings (183) in the league.
Cruz Needs to Tap Into Potential
Oneil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates remains a tantalizing, yet frustrating, prospect. His explosive swing, raw power, and athleticism are undeniable, but swing-and-miss tendencies continue to hold him back. In 135 games, Cruz hit 20 home runs and stole 38 bases, but also struck out 32% of the time, slashing .200/.298/.378 with an 86 wRC+.
Pittsburgh has added bats this offseason, and the anticipated arrival of top prospect Konnor Griffin at shortstop should help. However, Cruz’s ceiling remains high, and a 108 wRC+ in 2026 would represent a significant step forward.
Harris Must Rediscover Discipline
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II has seen his early success fade as his approach at the plate has become increasingly undisciplined. In 2025, he recorded the second-highest chase rate (43.1%) and lowest walk rate (2.5%) among hitters with at least 500 plate appearances. His wRC+ declined for the third straight year, falling to 83 after a stellar 137 in his 2022 Rookie of the Year campaign.
The forecast for Harris is optimistic, projecting 3.5 WAR – more than he produced in the past two seasons combined – a .275/.309/.460 slash line, and a 110 wRC+. He’s projected to be the third-highest WAR contributor among Braves position players, behind Ronald Acuña Jr. And Austin Riley.
Nola Looks to Regain Elite Status
Philadelphia Phillies starter Aaron Nola endured a significant downturn in 2025 after years of consistent excellence. From 2018-2024, he led the league in innings pitched (1,264 2/3) and ranked second in strikeouts (1,406) while maintaining a 3.64 ERA and 116 ERA+. However, injuries limited him to 17 starts in 2025, and he posted a 6.01 ERA with 0.9 WAR.
With Ranger Suárez gone and Zack Wheeler recovering from surgery, the Phillies are counting on Nola to rebound. FanGraphs projects a significant improvement, forecasting a 4.11 ERA and 2.8 WAR over 180 innings.
Pederson Aiming for Offensive Revival
Joc Pederson’s first season with the Texas Rangers didn’t go as planned. Signed to bolster the designated hitter spot, he struggled, hitting .181 with a 76 wRC+ and missing time with a fractured hand. This was a significant drop from the 136 wRC+ he produced over the previous three seasons.
Projections suggest a return to his typical production level, with a projected 118 wRC+ that matches his career figure and would provide a valuable boost to the Rangers’ playoff hopes. Only Corey Seager and Wyatt Langford are projected to have a higher wRC+ among Rangers hitters.
Rutschman Needs to Re-Establish Himself as Elite Catcher
Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman’s early career trajectory suggested he was on his way to becoming a perennial MVP candidate, but his progress has stalled. Over his past 161 games, he’s posted a 78 wRC+, including a career-low 91 in 2025, a season hampered by multiple oblique strains.
Despite this, Rutschman is projected to be a top-five catcher in terms of WAR (4.0), with 19 home runs and a 116 wRC+. The Orioles’ playoff hopes may hinge on Rutschman returning to his previous form.
Strider Looks to Return to Dominance
Spencer Strider of the Atlanta Braves is looking to regain his form after returning from a UCL injury that caused him to miss most of 2024. He made 23 starts in 2025, but his stuff didn’t have the same bite as it did in 2022-23, when he recorded a 3.36 ERA with a 13.7 K/9 over 318 1/3 innings. He finished last season with a 4.45 ERA and a 9.4 K/9 in 125 1/3 innings.
With several other Braves pitchers recovering from injuries, Strider’s rebound is crucial. FanGraphs projects a 3.85 ERA, 187 strikeouts, and 2.8 WAR over 159 innings.
Williams Seeks Redemption in New York
Devin Williams, now with the New York Mets after being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers, had a tumultuous 2025 season. He lost the closer role and finished with a 4.79 ERA, a stark contrast to the sparkling 1.83 ERA he had over six years with Milwaukee. However, his underlying metrics – a 37.7% whiff rate, a 34.7% strikeout rate, and a 2.68 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) – suggest his season was misleading, leading the Mets to sign him to a three-year, $51 million deal to be their new closer.
Projections indicate a significant improvement, with a projected 3.12 ERA, 11.93 K/9, 1.3 WAR, and 32 saves.
