Our 2026 MLB awards: The best, worst and weirdest from a wild season

The 2026 MLB season brought a plethora of surprises, revealing that money does not guarantee success. The Chicago White Sox defied expectations by making the playoffs, while the Toronto Blue Jays failed to reach the October stage despite being just 90 feet away from a World Series championship the previous year. The Seattle Mariners experienced one of the worst divisions in baseball history, ultimately becoming the biggest embarrassment in franchise history.

Meanwhile, the New York Mets struggled, despite having ample financial resources. The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays demonstrated that money could cover up flaws. Ryan O'Hearn of the Pittsburgh Pirates had an outstanding performance, driving in 10 runs and hitting three home runs in a crucial victory over Atlanta. Conversely, the Kansas City Royals committed three errors in a single play, allowing a little league-style home run to Carson Benge of the Mets.

The Los Angeles Dodgers also faced criticism for their disappointing season, with pitcher Vladimir Guerrero Jr. receiving backlash for his contract, which was based on past accomplishments rather than future performance. Ethan Roberts of the Chicago Cubs suffered a strange injury, while Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks vanished from the team, leaving his boss bewildered.

The Tampa Bay Rays clinched the AL East title, and their president celebrated by walking a leisurely five miles to Yankee Stadium. Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres had a remarkable comeback, hitting 25 home runs after going homerless for the first 50-plus games. Lastly, Fernando Tatis Jr. made baseball history by becoming the first player to hit 25 home runs in a season after going homerless for the first half of the season.