The AL East looks like the best division in baseball headed into 2026, and that’s thanks in no small part to the arms race that took place over the winter between the division’s five clubs. The Blue Jays spent big money after winning the AL pennant, the Red Sox made major moves in free agency and the trade market, and even the Orioles made splashes, swinging deals for pitching and signing Pete Alonso to a monster deal (the Rays, well, remain the Rays).
The Yankees, for as much guff as they’ve taken for their Run it Back strategy, had a somewhat active winter, even if most of their activity meant retaining players that were on the 2025 roster. All the bustle of the offseason got me wondering: of all the players acquired by AL East teams over the offseason, which one will be the best in 2026?
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For the purpose of this exercise, any player that wasn’t on an AL East team’s roster once the World Series ended counts as an acquisition, which means that Cody Bellinger counts as a signing for the Yankees even though he was on the team in 2025, as does Shane Bieber for the Blue Jays, for example.
It could be Dylan Cease, who inked a seven-year deal with Toronto, or one of the Blue Jays’ other signings, such as Cody Ponce of Kazuma Okamoto. It could be any of Boston’s trade acquisitions, from Sonny Gray to Willson Contreras, or even Caleb Durbin, not to mention free-agent starter Ranger Suarez. The O’s added Alonso, as well as hard-thrower Shane Baz, outfielder Taylor Ward, and veteran Chris Bassitt. The Yankees, for their part, re-signed Bellinger and Trent Grisham, and added talented left-hander Ryan Weathers, among others. Will one of them be the best player that came on this offseason?
Another way to phrase this question: which of the players signed or traded in the division will prove to be most significant in 2026? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
This morning, Josh will discuss the Anthony Volpe Situation, and Maximo will celebrate catcher Chris Stewart as part of our Yankee Birthday series. Also, Peter previews Luis Gil’s 2026 campaign, and for the last post of our Yankees Free Agency series, Matt writes up the Max Fried signing, the most recent mega contract the Yankees have handed out.
