With a month remaining in the 2025 season, Yardbarker’s MLB writers got together to identify one player from each club who is playing to save his job for 2026.
(Team records and stats are entering play on Monday.)
AL East
Baltimore Orioles first base Coby Mayo (16) hits a single during the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Baltimore Orioles (60-70) | 1B/3B Coby Mayo |
Ryan Mountcastle isn’t the answer long term at first base for the Orioles, which means Mayo has an opportunity to prove he’s the man for the job. The problem is his terrible offensive production: Mayo owns a .621 OPS in 167 at-bats this season, which actually tops his career MLB OPS of .556. If he weren’t just 23 years old, he might be looking for a job elsewhere in 2026.
Boston Red Sox (71-60) | SS Trevor Story |
Story’s Red Sox tenure has been marred by injury and underperformance, but he’s spent 2025 making a strong case to keep his job heading into 2026 after many were beginning to write him off. In 127 games this season, the veteran shortstop has 20 home runs and a .735 OPS, which should aid his effort to remain the starting shortstop in Boston.
New York Yankees (70-60) | DH Giancarlo Stanton |
It’s borderline crazy to think Stanton wouldn’t have a place on the 2026 Yankees considering all the injury-plagued years he’s spent in the Bronx to this point (not to mention his albatross of a contract). However, Stanton has turned back the clock this season at the plate, with an impressive 1.021 OPS in a small(ish) 160 at-bat sample size. If he can finish on a high note, New York might actually be able to count on him next year.
Tampa Bay Rays (63-67 ) | RHP Griffin Jax |
Acquired from the Minnesota Twins at this summer’s trade deadline for right-hander Taj Bradley, Jax is not making a case to hold a high-leverage relief role in Tampa’s 2026 bullpen. The Rays are adept at churning out quality arms every year, so Jax will need to drastically lower his 8.59 ERA with the club to regain manager Kevin Cash’s trust.
Toronto Blue Jays (76-55) | LHP Eric Lauer |
Lauer has been one of the more underrated pitchers on this surprise Blue Jays team, with a 2.76 ERA in 20 total appearances (including 14 starts). He may lose his rotation spot in 2025 since Shane Bieber will only add to a rotation that already features fellow veterans Chris Bassitt, Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman and Max Scherzer. However, Bassitt and Scherzer are both pending free agents, meaning Lauer has potentially earned a chance to crack Toronto’s 2026 rotation.
— Seth Carlson
AL Central
Chicago White Sox first baseman Miguel Vargas (20) runs to third against the Atlanta Braves in the fifth inning at Truist Park.
Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Chicago White Sox (47-83) | IF Miguel Vargas |
Vargas had a white-hot 33 game span between April 23 and May 31, posting a .304/.371/.576 batting line with eight homers and 10 doubles in 140 plate appearances. His production has fallen off sharply since, putting his place as a potential building block for the White Sox in question.
Cleveland Guardians (64-65) | LHP Logan Allen |
The Guardians’ pitching factory has not lived up to its reputation in recent years, with Allen as a prime example. He has drastically regressed since an impressive rookie season in 2023, posting a 4.35 ERA and a 1.434 WHiP over his 128.1 innings, striking out 100 batters with 54 walks.
Detroit Tigers (78-54) | SS Trey Sweeney | Sweeney seemingly has nothing left to prove in the minors as he owns a .272/.354/.456 batting line with 17 homers, 30 doubles and 24 steals in 119 Triple-A games. However, Sweeney has not displayed any ability to hit at the major league level and is on the verge of being a Quad-A player.
Kansas City Royals (67-64) | 2B Michael Massey |
The Royals expected Massey to take a step forward after a solid 2024 season, but his production cratered this year. Injuries have been a factor as he is currently on the Injured List; however, it is difficult to see where he fits in the lineup for a Royals team that is fighting for a playoff berth once he finishes his rehab assignment.
Minnesota Twins (59-71) | 3B Royce Lewis |
Lewis did not do himself any favors when he said that he has avoided in-season adjustments to protect his stats. As the oft-injured Lewis has posted a disappointing .230/.292/.383 batting line with eight home runs and 15 doubles, his attitude may override his talent for a rebuilding team such as the Twins.
— David Hill
AL West
Athletics starting pitcher Gunnar Hoglund (53) throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Rogers Centre.
Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Athletics (60-72) | RHP Gunnar Hoglund | Hoglund has taken a back seat to rising stars like Gage Jump and Luis Morales. His MLB stock will be determined by how he recovers from a major hip surgery he underwent in June 2025.
Houston Astros (72-59) | OF Jesus Sanchez | The Astros made a deadline trade to acquire Sanchez in hopes that he could solidify their void in right field. The former Marlin must improve on his .225 batting average and .633 OPS (with just one homer and three RBI across his 75 plate appearances with his new club) if he hopes to remain a part of the future in Houston.
Los Angeles Angels (61-69) | OF Jo Adell | The former top prospect and No. 10 overall pick (2017) has fluctuated from a rising star to a bench bat during his six seasons in Los Angeles. A hot close to the season, which has brought his season totals to a .236 BA, with 29 homers in 416 plate appearances, has opened the door for an expanded role in 2026.
Seattle Mariners (70-61) | 1B Josh Naylor & 3B Eugenio Suarez | We’ll cheat a little and focus on the pair of pending free agents. While neither is guaranteed an extended stay in Seattle, both have an opportunity to make enough of an impact during the club’s postseason push to earn a new contract with the Mariners.
Texas Rangers (66-66) | RHP Jack Leiter | Leiter, like Adell, has shown signs of stardom. He has also struggled to maintain major-league level production. A hot stretch at the end of the season would lock the former top prospect into a rotation spot in 2026 and beyond.
— Allen Settle
NL East
Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy (12) hits a grand slam home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the seventh inning at Truist Park.
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Atlanta Braves (59-71) | C Sean Murphy | It’s been a disappointing year for the Braves, and an even worse one for Murphy, batting just .209 and his future in Atlanta is uncertain. With rookie backstop Drake Baldwin impressing in his first year in the majors, he’s likely to take over catching duties full-time in 2026. Therefore, Murphy could be on the trade block this winter.
Miami Marlins (61-69) | 3B Connor Norby | Acquired from the Orioles at the 2024 trade deadline, Norby initially made a good first impression in Miami. However, it’s been the other piece of the trade, Kyle Stowers, who’s emerged as the Marlins’ biggest offensive threat. Norby has nothing left to prove at Triple-A, so he must figure it out at the MLB level quickly before the Fish decide to part ways with the oft-injured 25-year-old. Deyvison De Los Santos waits in the wings as his potential replacement.
New York Mets (69-61) | 3B Mark Vientos | Although he’s been better at the plate recently, Vientos has followed up his career year in 2024 with a dud. 3B Brett Baty could take over everyday duties at the hot corner as he is a more skilled defender and has had more consistent offense in 2025. Vientos may move to first base if Pete Alonso walks this offseason, but for now, the 25-year-old’s future in New York is in the balance.
Philadelphia Phillies (76-54) | RF Nick Castellanos | Since joining the Phillies after his career-best 2021 season, Castellanos’ offensive production has steadily declined. He has a paltry .296 on-base percentage to pair with a .710 OPS and poor defense in right field. The 33-year-old will enter the final year of his five-year, $100M contract in 2026, but Philadelphia could look to move on this offseason, especially with outfielder Justin Crawford shining in Triple-A.
Washington Nationals (53-77) | C Keibert Ruiz | The centerpiece of the 2021 trade that sent SS Trea Turner and RHP Max Scherzer to the Dodgers, Ruiz hasn’t lived up to expectations since arriving in D.C. The 27-year-old has a meager .249/.294/.370 slash line across five seasons with the Nats. Currently on the injured list with a concussion, both Riley Adams and Drew Millas have performed well in Ruiz’s place.
— Lauren Amour
NL Central
Chicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ (8) reacts after striking out against the Toronto Blue Jays during the eighth inning at Rogers Centre.
John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Chicago Cubs (76-55) | OF Ian Happ | Happ’s everyday starting role, held consistently since 2020, is being squeezed out with a career low year, as the Cubs transition to an outfield led by Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki and Kyle Tucker. Even if Chicago doesn’t re-sign Tucker and lets Suzuki remain primarily a DH, the rapid rise of top prospect Owen Caissie signals that replacements are right behind him.
Cincinnati Reds (68-63) | 2B Matt McLain | McLain’s hold on the starting second base job is loosening as Reds top prospect Sal Stewart continues to dominate in Triple-A, slashing .323/.399/.653 with nine home runs and 29 RBI in 33 games. With Ke’Bryan Hayes now holding down third base and Elly De La Cruz locked at shortstop, McLain’s infield spot could be overshadowed heading into 2026.
Milwaukee Brewers (81-50) | OF Blake Perkins | Coming off a 2024 season where he was a Gold Glove finalist, Perkins began 2025 on the injured list with a fractured shin, making his return in May. With Milwaukee’s outfield filled with young stars like Sal Frelick, Jackson Chourio and Isaac Collins, the 28-year-old must continue to perform, especially on the offensive side, to hold his place on the roster.
Pittsburgh Pirates (57-74) | C Henry Davis | The No. 1 overall pick in 2021, Davis was expected to be the face of the franchise, but entering 2026, he’s fighting to keep a spot on Pittsburgh’s roster. With career numbers of .185/.272/.300 in 167 games, the 25-year-old needs to show production sustainable for an MLB roster.
St. Louis Cardinals (64-67) | C Yohel Pozo | Despite slashing .252/.284/.408 with five home runs and 19 RBI in 60 games this season, Pozo faces stiff competition in a crowded catching corps. Catchers Pedro Pages and Ivan Herrera are also sharing catching duties in the majors, while the Cardinals’ No. 3 prospect, Leonardo Bernal, continues to impress in Triple-A and is projected to debut next season.
— Taylor Bretl
NL West
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen (23) pitches against the Cleveland Guardians at Chase Field on Aug. 19, 2025.
Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Arizona Diamondbacks (64-67) | RHP Zac Gallen | Discussed as a potential trade candidate earlier in the season, the 30-year-old Gallen, a free agent at the end of the campaign, struggled until the All-Star break, posting a 5.40 ERA through his first 20 starts. However, he has started to round back into form recently, with a 3.10 ERA in his last five starts.
Colorado Rockies (37-94) | 1B Michael Toglia | Considered to be the answer at first base heading into the season, Toglia is now stuck at Triple-A Albuquerque while Warming Bernabel has taken over at first base in Denver. With a strikeout rate of 38.3% this season, Toglia’s swing mechanics could make him expendable in 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 so far this season. He is hitting just .113 in 60 August plate appearances, a troubling sign for the Dodgers as they battle for the NL West lead.
San Diego Padres (74-57) | RHP Dylan Cease | Much like Gallen in Arizona, Cease has had a disappointing season right before he’s scheduled to become a free agent. One year after finishing fourth in the NL Cy Young Award race, Cease’s ERA is more than a run higher (4.71) than last year, potentially signaling to the Padres it’s time for a split.
San Francisco Giants (63-68) | RHP Justin Verlander | While the 42-year-old Verlander has indicated he would like to pitch another season, it has been a tough first year for him in the Bay Area. As has been pointed out, Verlander has been inconsistent this season, including his last three starts, where he has sandwiched 12 runs and 18 hits in 9.1 innings around a two-hitter across seven shutout innings.
— Kevin Henry
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
