10 MLB teams under the most pressure this offseason

As MLB's winter meetings approach, the pressure is mounting on some teams to make the right moves well ahead of spring training.

Which 10 teams are under the most pressure to nail the offseason? Here are the MLB franchises where the temperature is already rising, listed in alphabetical order.

Baltimore Orioles

With a young core and rising expectations after recent strong seasons, the Orioles are under increasing scrutiny to take the next step. Continued pitching development and offensive upgrades will be required to satisfy growing fan excitement. Missing the postseason in 2025 puts added pressure on the front office to deliver meaningful upgrades.

Boston Red Sox

In what is going to be a juggernaut division, the Red Sox have already showed they aren't afraid to make some big moves this offseason with the trade for starting pitcher Sonny Gray. Boston was knocked out in the wild-card round last year by their arch-rivals from the Bronx, so how do they go deeper in 2026?

Detroit Tigers

Detroit entered late 2025 riding a big division lead, only to stumble down the stretch and fall short. That collapse turned a promising season into a bitter near-miss, and offseason expectations now run high. Fans will expect a bounce-back with corrections, not another stumble, especially with Tarik Skubal's future in the Motor City lurking over the franchise.

Houston Astros

After making the playoffs every year from 2016-24, 2025 ended with the Astros missing October entirely. With championship-era veterans and expectations of contending, Houston will feel intense pressure to retool and prove their window isn’t closed, especially with the Seattle Mariners looking like the kings of the division after last October's run.

New York Mets

Perhaps you have heard about all of the drama that has been brewing in Queens? The Mets have a huge payroll, but do they have huge chemistry problems as well? After missing the postseason last year, several questions still remain about how the Mets can get better in 2026 in a division that is loaded.

New York Yankees

As perennial contenders with massive payroll and a deep fan base, the Yankees always operate under a "championship or nothing" mindset. Making the playoffs in 2025 was fine, but getting back to the World Series didn't happen and the Yankees haven't won it all since 2009.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies have had plenty of star power in recent seasons, but "Red October" hasn't ended with a World Series ring. This feels like a roster that could be changing this offseason, so will the right moves be made in Philadelphia when it comes to the Kyle Schwarber decision and other free agent moves?

San Diego Padres

The Padres once again sit among the high-pressure clubs because of sizable payroll, previous expensive offseason moves and a front office that seems committed to "win now." For San Diego, falling short of postseason success (or failing to build a consistent contender that goes deep into the postseason) would likely be viewed as wasted high-dollar investments.

St. Louis Cardinals

The "Best Fans in Baseball" aren't happy after a sub-.500 season. New front office leader Chaim Bloom has already sent Sonny Gray packing, so will Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras be far behind? If the Cardinals are rebuilding, is Oliver Marmol the right person to be the manager? There are plenty of questions with not a lot of answers under the Gateway Arch right now.

Toronto Blue Jays

After an agonizing loss in the World Series, Toronto now faces the task of shaking off the disappointment and retaining contender status in 2026. Shane Bieber and Dylan Cease give the rotation some big names, but can the lineup stay at a top level? Getting to the top of the AL is sometimes easier than staying there.