As we put our stockings away and decide that we’ll hold off on putting the tree back into storage, our minds shift from holiday gifts to resolutions. What do we want to achieve in 2026, and how will we put the green checkmark emoji next to that goal on our list? Trust us when we say that all 30 MLB teams, from the World Series contenders to those amid a rebuild, should be asking themselves the exact same questions as we put a bow on 2025.
For this list, we tried to identify these resolutions as things that the teams or players themselves can control. Just because you ask for a gift doesn’t mean that you’re going to receive it. Conversely, if you want to eat healthier, you can choose to throw out the potato chips and opt not to buy a chocolate bar. In other words, we won’t suggest that a team’s resolution be for a certain player to stay healthy or have a career year, partly because those are copouts. More importantly, think of it this way: The Pittsburgh Pirates likely want Paul Skenes to stay healthy, but even if they limit his innings, there’s no guarantee that he won’t get hurt. However, they can control things like their budget or organizational strategy.
If all of that makes sense, let’s get to talking resolutions, starting with a team looking to get back to the postseason in 2026.
Baltimore Orioles
Resolution: To not be intimidated by the rest of the AL East
Now, in fairness, this has been a constant resolution for the Baltimore Orioles dating back to the modern AL East’s creation in 1994. How does a team with a middle-of-the-road budget compete with the Yankees (who have been trying to buy championships for decades) and the Red Sox (who have typically fielded at least a top-12 payroll) year after year?
We saw the Orioles recently go all-out in signing longtime Mets first baseman Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million contract. Baltimore traded pitcher Grayson Rodriguez to the Los Angeles Angels for outfielder Taylor Ward. Considering that the Orioles underwhelmed last season en route to a 75-87 finish, it might have been easy to shrug and decide to start over, especially after three of the division’s other four teams reached the postseason. Instead, the Orioles are actively attempting to treat last year as an aberration, and we’re all for it.
Boston Red Sox
Resolution: To avoid giving Craig Breslow too much power
In the past six months alone, Breslow has traded fan favorite slugger Rafael Devers, added starting pitchers Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo, and repeatedly moved the Red Sox’s top prospects to the big leagues. The days of service-time manipulation are rapidly dwindling in Major League Baseball, and Breslow, in a way, is a throwback to a time when lead baseball executives actively wanted to field the best possible roster rather than keep their top prospects in the minors to save money down the road.
To be clear, we support most of Breslow’s moves because they’ve worked out thus far. At the same time, we caution the Red Sox to ensure that they don’t let Breslow run wild. Being too aggressive is the path to the Dark Side — er, we mean, the path to moves blowing up in your face and your championship hopes ending before they can truly begin.
New York Yankees
Resolution: For Aaron Boone to start holding players and staff accountable
Tell us if you’ve heard this one before: Aaron Boone avoids making difficult decisions out of stubbornness and loyalty. Players are essentially rewarded for a lack of effort or awareness because Boone has their back. This goes all the way back to Boone’s first season in 2018, when young catcher Gary Sánchez got away with poor defensive play.
One of the most significant black marks against Boone is that he’s been too nice at times, which might sound strange considering how often clips of him arguing with umpires emerge on social media. By no means are we suggesting that Boone needs to become a bully or a jerk. What we are saying is that if a player repeatedly makes baserunning mistakes or doesn’t run out a ground ball, Boone needs to take them out of the lineup and make it clear that actions have consequences.
Tampa Bay Rays
Resolution: To follow baseball’s newest trends
The Rays helped usher in modern trends like the opener, data-driven roster construction via sabermetrics, and voluntarily succeeding with low payrolls. And, to their credit, it’s mostly worked out, though the Rays are fresh off consecutive losing seasons for the first time since 2014 through 2017.
No one is asking the Rays to start fielding a payroll the size of the Yankees’ or Dodgers’. It’s evident, though, that Tampa’s days of sneaking into the postseason while relying on young players and a low budget are all but officially over. President of baseball operations Erik Neander and manager Kevin Cash need to evaluate how and why other teams, especially those with relatively similar payrolls (such as Cleveland or Milwaukee), are constantly earning playoff berths.
Toronto Blue Jays
Resolution: To not let the World Series run force stubbornness
Imagine a scenario where we get to June 1, the Blue Jays are hovering around .500, and everyone knows that someone like Trey Yesavage or Ernie Clement is only bringing the Blue Jays down. Toronto cannot be stubborn and cite struggling players’ impacts on last year’s playoff run as a reason why those same players deserve the benefit of the doubt. The past is the past, and the 2025 season ended with a Game 7 World Series loss to the Dodgers. Focus on the present when needed, and trust in whatever hard choices are required to win a second straight pennant.
Chicago White Sox
Resolution: To continue building an entertaining product
Munetaka Murakami should ideally bring much-needed power to the White Sox lineup, and fans always love the long ball. There aren’t many reasons to believe that the White Sox will be overly successful next season, though their 19-win improvement last year should be commended. However, that doesn’t mean the White Sox can’t turn themselves into a team worth watching for the fun factor. What can Murakami, Colson Montgomery, and Shane Smith do to make fans tune in or buy a ticket?
Cleveland Guardians
Resolution: To voluntarily spend rather than only when needed
We’ve said enough about Cleveland’s frustrating payroll habits in the past, so we’ll try to keep this brief. The Guardians are always competing for AL Central titles, and they’ve made the postseason in seven of the last 10 years. It’d sure be nice to see them make a splash in free agency or take on a significant contract if they feel that’s the final step needed to win their first championship since 1948. (Also, the Guardians have only won two championships in 125 seasons. How is that possible?)
Detroit Tigers
Resolution: To learn from the Red Sox
Part of why I personally like Craig Breslow is that he’s made unpopular moves when he’s felt it truly helps the team, and he’s signed off on those decisions rather than let things linger. The Red Sox felt the Rafael Devers situation was untenable, and they traded him to the San Francisco Giants. As we’ve said before, Tigers lead baseball executive Scott Harris needs to make a decision on Tarik Skubal, and either publicly commit to keeping him around or trade him. Don’t let this carry over into Opening Day, please.
Kansas City Royals
Resolution: To make us buy stock in their World Series hopes
The Royals have recorded consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 2013 through 2014, with All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7.1 bWAR) and third baseman Maikel Garcia (5.8 bWAR) shining last year. Yet, we never talk about the Royals the way that we do a team like the Guardians or Brewers that feel like legitimate postseason threats (even if they’re a tier below the typical favorites like the Yankees or Dodgers). As of Dec. 26, the FanDuel Sportsbook gives the Royals +4000 odds (bet $100 to win $4,100) to win the World Series. Come on, Kansas City. Tell us why we should believe in you!
Minnesota Twins
Resolution: To invest wisely in the rebuild’s next step
The Twins are in full rebuild mode, which began with trading established veterans like closer Jhoan Duran and shortstop/third baseman Carlos Correa. Starting pitcher Joe Ryan might be next. So, what’s the next step? Could it be in the form of more trades? Is it bringing in more veterans on prove-it deals or contracts that they can flip at the deadline, as they did by recently signing first baseman Josh Bell? Please get back to us and let us know.
At least we feel comfortable guessing that All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton will be back next season. Whether or not he’ll stay healthy, though, is anyone’s guess. (We, unfortunately, don’t see that happening.)
