Which MLB Teams Have Been the Most Disappointing This Season?

Every MLB team enters a new season with expectations, but for some teams, those expectations can quickly turn into disappointment. While some clubs have exceeded expectations in 2026, others have struggled to live up to the hype surrounding them entering the year.

With the regular season entering its final stretch, it’s time to look at the teams that have fallen the furthest below expectations. Here are some of the most disappointing MLB teams of the 2026 season:

No. 1: Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays had a great 2025 season, finishing with a 94-68 record and winning the American League East. They reached their first World Series since 1993, but fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games. In Game 7, Toronto had a one-run lead in the top of the ninth, but a Miguel Rojas home run tied the score and silenced the Rogers Centre crowd. LA would go on to win in 11 innings and capture their second straight championship.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, it was a very successful year that the Jays were looking to build on in 2026. In the offseason, they signed starting pitcher Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million contract to bolster their rotation. Toronto also signed star Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million deal, adding to their already potent lineup.

With their 2025 run and these new additions, expectations were high for the Blue Jays in 2026. However, they have not lived up to those expectations whatsoever. The Jays currently sit at 59-64, tied for last in the AL East. They only have a 12 percent chance of making the playoffs, according to Fangraphs ‘ projections.

A major reason for their struggles this season has been injuries. Key players like Alejandro Kirk , Addison Barger, Trey Yesavage , and George Springer have all missed time in 2026. Also, superstar first baseman Vladimir Guererro Jr. has had a down season, In 112 games, he has only hit seven home runs and has an OPS below .700.

Even with all these problems, the Jays still find themselves only two games out of a Wild Card spot. Even if they do find a way to make the playoffs, it has still been an underwhelming season for a team that was two outs away from a World Series a season ago.

Injured Blue Jays players :

Alejandro Kirk Cody Ponce Anthony Santander Addison Barger Jose Berrios Shane Bieber Trey Yesavage Max Scherzer Bowden Francis Yimi Garcia

19+ | #BlueJays50 pic.twitter.com/LUIefZWuFc

— PlayNow Sports (@PlayNowSports) April 7, 2026

No. 2: Seattle Mariners

The Mariners came so close to reaching their first World Series last season. They lost the ALCS in seven games to the Blue Jays. Still, it was a very successful year for Seattle. They finished with a 90-72 record and won their first AL West title since 2001. The Mariners were hoping to take another step forward in 2026, but this season hasn’t been what the team or their fans hoped.

Seattle currently sits at 57-65, 3.5 games back of a Wild Card spot. A major reason for their struggles has been the offense. The Mariners have scored the fewest runs and have the second-lowest batting average in all of MLB. After an MVP-caliber season in 2025, catcher Cal Raleigh has not been the same hitter in 2026.

Raleigh hit 60 home runs in 2025, the most ever by a catcher in MLB history. This season, he missed around a month of games due to an oblique strain . Even when he has been healthy, he hasn’t been playing like the MVP candidate he was a year ago. In 86 games, Raleigh is hitting .159 with just 12 home runs and an OPS of .564.

While not completely out of the playoff picture, it would take a massive turnaround for them to get back into contention. Missing the postseason would be a significant step back for a Mariners team that was one game away from the World Series in 2025.

CAL. RALEIGH. 60. pic.twitter.com/p8RXormx4q

— MLB (@MLB) September 25, 2025

No. 3: Detroit Tigers

The Tigers started 2025 hot, with a 59-34 record and a 15.5-game lead in the AL Central. It was looking like they would cruise to a division title. However, a historic second-half collapse allowed the Cleveland Guardians to steal the division away from Detroit, forcing them to play in the Wild Card round. They avenged their collapse by beating Cleveland, but lost in the ALDS to the Mariners.

Detroit was expected to be back in playoff contention this season, but they have been one of the bigger disappointments in 2026. Two-time CY Young winner Tarik Skubal missed time after undergoing surgery on his elbow. With the Tigers out of contention by the trade deadline and Skubal in the last year of his contract , Detroit traded him. They sent him to the Dodgers in exchange for three prospects.

Since trading away their star pitcher, the Tigers have actually been playing better. They were 51-58 when the deal happened, and now they are at 60-61 and hold a Wild Card Spot. They have been one of the best teams in baseball since June 1 with a record of 38-23 in that span, the third best in all of baseball.

Detroit needs to keep play well to stay in the race. If they end up missing out on the postseason, it would be a huge letdown considering they were one game away from their first ALCS appearance since 2013 .

BREAKING: The Los Angeles Dodgers are finalizing a trade for Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 2, 2026

No. 4: New York Mets

The Mets have been the biggest disappointment in baseball this season. Entering 2026, the Mets had the highest payroll in baseball at $357 million. That spending has not translated to winning results. They are currently 16 games below .500 with a 53-69 record and are in last place in the National League East. Some of the offseason moves that President of Baseball Operations David Stearns made have completely flopped.

One of those moves was trading for former Brewers starter Freddy Peralta. They sent their No. 3 prospect Jett Williams and No. 5 prospect Brandon Sproat to Milwaukee. Peralta...

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →