3 Teams Who Will Bounce Back in 2026 From Dreadful 2025 Seasons

The 2025 season has produced a bunch of surprise teams, in a good way, like the Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers.

But on the other end of the spectrum, there have been some presumed improved teams who've fallen flat on their faces this season. With that, insider Ken Rosenthal has come up with a list of teams that could quickly bounce back in 2026 after their dreadful 2025s. Let's examine the top 3 comeback kings for next season:

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Snakes made their way to the World Series in 2023, and upped their win total by five in 2024, finishing with 89 wins, though falling one game short of the playoffs.

There was no reason to think they'd fall completely off the pace this season, but here we are. Arizona is currently on the outside looking in, 3.0 games back of a Wild Card spot, with two other teams ahead of them. Fangraphs gives them only a 1.6% chance of making their way into the postseason dance.

They've got a 22-17 record since the trade deadline at the end of July, not far from Top 5 in the majors. Season-ending injuries to staff ace Corbin Burnes and top relievers Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk certainly took their toll. If the team can find a solution, through trade, to bolster the pitching staff (and/or re-signing Zac Gallen or even the traded Merrill Kelly), they could be back in the mix.

Baltimore Orioles

The O's comeback would depend largely on the organization's willingness to spend money to upgrade the starting staff. Their young position players, who are envied around the majors, have stagnated this season, so an expected return to form from the likes of Gunnar Henderson and a breakout season from Jackson Holliday, and this team could be competitive in the AL East once again.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates weren't supposed to be this bad this season. Yes, Rosenthal thinks the Bucs should improve next year. They have to.

"Attention, (owner) Bob Nutting: Whether or not you keep general manager Ben Cherington, your team actually might not be that far away from contention, assuming you’re interested in such a thing."

He points to the young pitching staff, from Cy Young certainty Paul Skenes, to other top youngsters who could contribute next year, including Bubba Chandler and Jared Jones.

But what will they do about the offense? Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds had brutal seasons. Can they bounce back?

With team control on Skenes for four more years, Rosenthal figures they'd better make some big improvements, and soon.

"Now is the time for the Pirates to make a push. And shame on Nutting if they don’t."