Ranking the toughest divisions in baseball entering 2026: AL East remains a beast
February 5, 2026
Ranking the toughest divisions in baseball entering 2026: AL East remains a beast
3 comments
6. AL Central
5. AL West
4. NL Central
3. NL West
2. NL East
1. AL East
“The AL East is almost always atop or near the top of toughest division rankings, and 2026 will be no exception. Three teams from this division made the playoffs in 2025, and there’s a good chance that four, if not all five teams will be in contention this season.
The teams that made it – the [Toronto Blue Jays](https://fansided.com/mlb/toronto-blue-jays/), [Boston Red Sox](https://fansided.com/mlb/boston-red-sox/) and [New York Yankees](https://fansided.com/mlb/new-york-yankees/) – all figure to be among the league’s best again. The Jays lost Bo Bichette and could use a big bat, but they greatly improved their rotation by signing Dylan Cease (and Cody Ponce), and Tyler Rogers adds more stability to a bullpen that needed it. The Red Sox also lack the big bat fans wanted, but their rotation, with Ranger Suarez and Sonny Gray added, is now [one of the league’s best](https://fansided.com/mlb/ranking-the-best-al-starting-rotations-after-red-sox-sign-ranger-suarez-01keyz877da0), and Willson Contreras is no slouch at first base. As for the Yankees, the fan base is frustrated that Brian Cashman elected to practically run it back, but after winning 94 games last season with a lackluster roster in the first half, they should be a 90+ win team again.
The [Baltimore Orioles](https://fansided.com/mlb/baltimore-orioles/) are the team that ensures this division will be the best in the league in 2025 with the offseason they’ve had. I question whether giving Pete Alonso five years and trading Grayson Rodriguez for one year of Taylor Ward will be wise long-term, but there’s no debating they’re much improved in 2026.
The one team that got worse in this division is the [Tampa Bay Rays](https://fansided.com/mlb/tampa-bay-rays/) after trading Brandon Lowe and Shane Baz, but are we sure they’ll even be that bad? The Rays almost always exceed expectations, and even if they don’t make the playoffs, they should be a 75+ win team. Having that as the worst in a division is pretty impressive and shows that the AL East remains the cream of the crop.”
This might be the toughest year in the AL, maybe ever. There’s a chance you’re looking at 4 of the top 6 or 7 teams in the AL. And even then you know Tampa will be hanging around.
AL East has been the toughest division in baseball for a long time and will be for awhile now that Toronto is getting stronger.
3 comments
6. AL Central
5. AL West
4. NL Central
3. NL West
2. NL East
1. AL East
“The AL East is almost always atop or near the top of toughest division rankings, and 2026 will be no exception. Three teams from this division made the playoffs in 2025, and there’s a good chance that four, if not all five teams will be in contention this season.
The teams that made it – the [Toronto Blue Jays](https://fansided.com/mlb/toronto-blue-jays/), [Boston Red Sox](https://fansided.com/mlb/boston-red-sox/) and [New York Yankees](https://fansided.com/mlb/new-york-yankees/) – all figure to be among the league’s best again. The Jays lost Bo Bichette and could use a big bat, but they greatly improved their rotation by signing Dylan Cease (and Cody Ponce), and Tyler Rogers adds more stability to a bullpen that needed it. The Red Sox also lack the big bat fans wanted, but their rotation, with Ranger Suarez and Sonny Gray added, is now [one of the league’s best](https://fansided.com/mlb/ranking-the-best-al-starting-rotations-after-red-sox-sign-ranger-suarez-01keyz877da0), and Willson Contreras is no slouch at first base. As for the Yankees, the fan base is frustrated that Brian Cashman elected to practically run it back, but after winning 94 games last season with a lackluster roster in the first half, they should be a 90+ win team again.
The [Baltimore Orioles](https://fansided.com/mlb/baltimore-orioles/) are the team that ensures this division will be the best in the league in 2025 with the offseason they’ve had. I question whether giving Pete Alonso five years and trading Grayson Rodriguez for one year of Taylor Ward will be wise long-term, but there’s no debating they’re much improved in 2026.
The one team that got worse in this division is the [Tampa Bay Rays](https://fansided.com/mlb/tampa-bay-rays/) after trading Brandon Lowe and Shane Baz, but are we sure they’ll even be that bad? The Rays almost always exceed expectations, and even if they don’t make the playoffs, they should be a 75+ win team. Having that as the worst in a division is pretty impressive and shows that the AL East remains the cream of the crop.”
This might be the toughest year in the AL, maybe ever. There’s a chance you’re looking at 4 of the top 6 or 7 teams in the AL. And even then you know Tampa will be hanging around.
AL East has been the toughest division in baseball for a long time and will be for awhile now that Toronto is getting stronger.