With a month remaining within the 2025 season, Yardbarker’s MLB writers bought collectively to establish one participant from every membership who’s enjoying to avoid wasting his job for 2026.
(Group information and stats are coming into play on Monday.)
AL East
Baltimore Orioles first base Coby Mayo (16) hits a single in the course of the sixth inning in opposition to the Philadelphia Phillies at Residents Financial institution Park.
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Baltimore Orioles (60-70) | 1B/3B Coby Mayo |
Ryan Mountcastle isn’t the reply long run at first base for the Orioles, which suggests Mayo has a chance to show he’s the person for the job. The issue is his horrible offensive manufacturing: Mayo owns a .621 OPS in 167 at-bats this season, which truly tops his profession MLB OPS of .556. If he weren’t simply 23 years outdated, he may be on the lookout for a job elsewhere in 2026.
Boston Crimson Sox (71-60) | SS Trevor Story |
Story’s Crimson Sox tenure has been marred by damage and underperformance, however he’s spent 2025 making a powerful case to maintain his job heading into 2026 after many have been starting to put in writing him off. In 127 video games this season, the veteran shortstop has 20 house runs and a .735 OPS, which ought to help his effort to stay the beginning shortstop in Boston.
New York Yankees (70-60) | DH Giancarlo Stanton |
It’s borderline loopy to suppose Stanton wouldn’t have a spot on the 2026 Yankees contemplating all of the injury-plagued years he’s spent within the Bronx thus far (to not point out his albatross of a contract). Nevertheless, Stanton has turned again the clock this season on the plate, with a powerful 1.021 OPS in a small(ish) 160 at-bat pattern dimension. If he can end on a excessive notice, New York would possibly truly be capable to depend on him subsequent 12 months.
Tampa Bay Rays (63-67 ) | RHP Griffin Jax |
Acquired from the Minnesota Twins at this summer time’s commerce deadline for right-hander Taj Bradley, Jax isn’t making a case to carry a high-leverage aid function in Tampa’s 2026 bullpen. The Rays are adept at churning out high quality arms yearly, so Jax might want to drastically decrease his 8.59 ERA with the membership to regain supervisor Kevin Money’s belief.
Toronto Blue Jays (76-55) | LHP Eric Lauer |
Lauer has been one of many extra underrated pitchers on this shock Blue Jays crew, with a 2.76 ERA in 20 complete appearances (together with 14 begins). He could lose his rotation spot in 2025 since Shane Bieber will solely add to a rotation that already options fellow veterans Chris Bassitt, Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman and Max Scherzer. Nevertheless, Bassitt and Scherzer are each pending free brokers, which means Lauer has doubtlessly earned an opportunity to crack Toronto’s 2026 rotation.
— Seth Carlson
AL Central
Chicago White Sox first baseman Miguel Vargas (20) runs to 3rd in opposition to the Atlanta Braves within the fifth inning at Truist Park.
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Chicago White Sox (47-83) | IF Miguel Vargas |
Vargas had a white-hot 33 recreation span between April 23 and Might 31, posting a .304/.371/.576 batting line with eight homers and 10 doubles in 140 plate appearances. His manufacturing has fallen off sharply since, placing his place as a possible constructing block for the White Sox in query.
Cleveland Guardians (64-65) | LHP Logan Allen |
The Guardians’ pitching manufacturing unit has not lived as much as its popularity in recent times, with Allen as a first-rate instance. He has drastically regressed since a powerful rookie season in 2023, posting a 4.35 ERA and a 1.434 WHiP over his 128.1 innings, putting out 100 batters with 54 walks.
Detroit Tigers (78-54) | SS Trey Sweeney | Sweeney seemingly has nothing left to show within the minors as he owns a .272/.354/.456 batting line with 17 homers, 30 doubles and 24 steals in 119 Triple-A video games. Nevertheless, Sweeney has not displayed any capability to hit on the main league degree and is on the verge of being a Quad-A participant.
Kansas Metropolis Royals (67-64) | 2B Michael Massey |
The Royals anticipated Massey to take a step ahead after a strong 2024 season, however his manufacturing cratered this 12 months. Accidents have been an element as he’s at the moment on the Injured Record; nonetheless, it’s tough to see the place he suits within the lineup for a Royals crew that’s preventing for a playoff berth as soon as he finishes his rehab project.
Minnesota Twins (59-71) | 3B Royce Lewis |
Lewis didn’t do himself any favors when he stated that he has prevented in-season changes to guard his stats. Because the oft-injured Lewis has posted a disappointing .230/.292/.383 batting line with eight house runs and 15 doubles, his perspective could override his expertise for a rebuilding crew such because the Twins.
— David Hill
AL West
Athletics beginning pitcher Gunnar Hoglund (53) throws a pitch in opposition to the Toronto Blue Jays in the course of the first inning at Rogers Centre.
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Athletics (60-72) | RHP Gunnar Hoglund | Hoglund has taken a again seat to rising stars like Gage Leap and Luis Morales. His MLB inventory will likely be decided by how he recovers from a main hip surgical procedure he underwent in June 2025.
Houston Astros (72-59) | OF Jesus Sanchez | The Astros made a deadline commerce to amass Sanchez in hopes that he may solidify their void in proper subject. The previous Marlin should enhance on his .225 batting common and .633 OPS (with only one homer and three RBI throughout his 75 plate appearances together with his new membership) if he hopes to stay part of the long run in Houston.
Los Angeles Angels (61-69) | OF Jo Adell | The previous high prospect and No. 10 general choose (2017) has fluctuated from a rising star to a bench bat throughout his six seasons in Los Angeles. A sizzling near the season, which has introduced his season totals to a .236 BA, with 29 homers in 416 plate appearances, has opened the door for an expanded function in 2026.
Seattle Mariners (70-61) | 1B Josh Naylor & 3B Eugenio Suarez | We’ll cheat a bit of and deal with the pair of pending free brokers. Whereas neither is assured an prolonged keep in Seattle, each have a chance to make sufficient of an impression in the course of the membership’s postseason push to earn a brand new contract with the Mariners.
Texas Rangers (66-66) | RHP Jack Leiter | Leiter, like Adell, has proven indicators of stardom. He has additionally struggled to keep up major-league degree manufacturing. A sizzling stretch on the finish of the season would lock the previous high prospect right into a rotation spot in 2026 and past.
— Allen Settle
NL East
Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy (12) hits a grand slam house run in opposition to the Philadelphia Phillies in the course of the seventh inning at Truist Park.
Dale Zanine-Imagn Photos
Atlanta Braves (59-71) | C Sean Murphy | It’s been a disappointing 12 months for the Braves, and a good worse one for Murphy, batting simply .209 and his future in Atlanta is unsure. With rookie backstop Drake Baldwin impressing in his first 12 months within the majors, he’s prone to take over catching duties full-time in 2026. Subsequently, Murphy could possibly be on the commerce block this winter.
Miami Marlins (61-69) | 3B Connor Norby | Acquired from the Orioles on the 2024 commerce deadline, Norby initially made a superb first impression in Miami. Nevertheless, it’s been the opposite piece of the commerce, Kyle Stowers, who’s emerged because the Marlins’ greatest offensive risk. Norby has nothing left to show at Triple-A, so he should determine it out on the MLB degree rapidly earlier than the Fish determine to half methods with the oft-injured 25-year-old. Deyvison De Los Santos waits within the wings as his potential alternative.
New York Mets (69-61) | 3B Mark Vientos | Though he is been higher on the plate lately, Vientos has adopted up his profession 12 months in 2024 with a dud. 3B Brett Baty may take over on a regular basis duties on the sizzling nook as he’s a extra expert defender and has had extra constant offense in 2025. Vientos could transfer to first base if Pete Alonso walks this offseason, however for now, the 25-year-old’s future in New York is within the steadiness.
Philadelphia Phillies (76-54) | RF Nick Castellanos | Since becoming a member of the Phillies after his career-best 2021 season, Castellanos’ offensive manufacturing has steadily declined. He has a paltry .296 on-base proportion to pair with a .710 OPS and poor protection in proper subject. The 33-year-old will enter the ultimate 12 months of his five-year, $100M contract in 2026, however Philadelphia may look to maneuver on this offseason, particularly with outfielder Justin Crawford shining in Triple-A.
Washington Nationals (53-77) | C Keibert Ruiz | The centerpiece of the 2021 commerce that despatched SS Trea Turner and RHP Max Scherzer to the Dodgers, Ruiz hasn’t lived as much as expectations since arriving in D.C. The 27-year-old has a meager .249/.294/.370 slash line throughout 5 seasons with the Nats. At the moment on the injured record with a concussion, each Riley Adams and Drew Millas have carried out effectively in Ruiz’s place.
— Lauren Amour
NL Central
Chicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ (8) reacts after putting out in opposition to the Toronto Blue Jays in the course of the eighth inning at Rogers Centre.
John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Photos
Chicago Cubs (76-55) | OF Ian Happ | Happ’s on a regular basis beginning function, held constantly since 2020, is being squeezed out with a profession low 12 months, because the Cubs transition to an outfield led by Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki and Kyle Tucker. Even when Chicago doesn’t re-sign Tucker and lets Suzuki stay primarily a DH, the speedy rise of high prospect Owen Caissie alerts that replacements are proper behind him.
Cincinnati Reds (68-63) | 2B Matt McLain | McLain’s maintain on the beginning second base job is loosening as Reds high prospect Sal Stewart continues to dominate in Triple-A, slashing .323/.399/.653 with 9 house runs and 29 RBI in 33 video games. With Ke’Bryan Hayes now holding down third base and Elly De La Cruz locked at shortstop, McLain’s infield spot could possibly be overshadowed heading into 2026.
Milwaukee Brewers (81-50) | OF Blake Perkins | Coming off a 2024 season the place he was a Gold Glove finalist, Perkins started 2025 on the injured record with a fractured shin, making his return in Might. With Milwaukee’s outfield stuffed with younger stars like Sal Frelick, Jackson Chourio and Isaac Collins, the 28-year-old should proceed to carry out, particularly on the offensive aspect, to carry his place on the roster.
Pittsburgh Pirates (57-74) | C Henry Davis | The No. 1 general choose in 2021, Davis was anticipated to be the face of the franchise, however coming into 2026, he’s preventing to maintain a spot on Pittsburgh’s roster. With profession numbers of .185/.272/.300 in 167 video games, the 25-year-old wants to indicate manufacturing sustainable for an MLB roster.
St. Louis Cardinals (64-67) | C Yohel Pozo | Regardless of slashing .252/.284/.408 with 5 house runs and 19 RBI in 60 video games this season, Pozo faces stiff competitors in a crowded catching corps. Catchers Pedro Pages and Ivan Herrera are additionally sharing catching duties within the majors, whereas the Cardinals’ No. 3 prospect, Leonardo Bernal, continues to impress in Triple-A and is projected to debut subsequent season.
— Taylor Bretl
NL West
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen (23) pitches in opposition to the Cleveland Guardians at Chase Area on Aug. 19, 2025.
Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photos
Arizona Diamondbacks (64-67) | RHP Zac Gallen | Mentioned as a possible commerce candidate earlier within the season, the 30-year-old Gallen, a free agent on the finish of the marketing campaign, struggled till the All-Star break, posting a 5.40 ERA by way of his first 20 begins. Nevertheless, he has began to spherical again into kind lately, with a 3.10 ERA in his final 5 begins.
Colorado Rockies (37-94) | 1B Michael Toglia | Thought of to be the reply at first base heading into the season, Toglia is now caught at Triple-A Albuquerque whereas Warming Bernabel has taken over at first base in Denver. With a strikeout fee of 38.3% this season, Toglia’s swing mechanics may make him expendable within the offseason.
Los Angeles Dodgers (74-57) | OF Michael Conforto | Making $17M this season on a one-year deal, the 32-year-old Conforto has been a disappointment for the Dodgers, posting an OPS+ of 70 up to now this season. He’s hitting simply .113 in 60 August plate appearances, a troubling signal for the Dodgers as they battle for the NL West lead.
San Diego Padres (74-57) | RHP Dylan Stop | Very like Gallen in Arizona, Stop has had a disappointing season proper earlier than he’s scheduled to turn into a free agent. One 12 months after ending fourth within the NL Cy Younger Award race, Stop’s ERA is greater than a run greater (4.71) than final 12 months, doubtlessly signaling to the Padres it’s time for a cut up.
San Francisco Giants (63-68) | RHP Justin Verlander | Whereas the 42-year-old Verlander has indicated he wish to pitch one other season, it has been a troublesome first 12 months for him within the Bay Space. As has been identified, Verlander has been inconsistent this season, together with his final three begins, the place he has sandwiched 12 runs and 18 hits in 9.1 innings round a two-hitter throughout seven shutout innings.
— Kevin Henry
