Not all players had a memorable 2025. Many prominent figures are eagerly anticipating the 2026 season to bounce back from underwhelming performances.
2025 Performance: Alcantara
After missing the entirety of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery, Alcantara struggled for much of 2025. However, making 31 starts and logging 174 2/3 innings was a notable comeback from such a significant injury. He showed flashes of his former Cy Young caliber late in the season, finishing with a 5.36 ERA after posting a solid 3.13 ERA in his last 12 starts.
2026 Forecast: Alcantara
FanGraphs anticipates a much improved 2026 for Alcantara, predicting a 4.08 ERA and 2.7 WAR across 188 innings, ranking him ninth among MLB pitchers. Miami is counting on the former Cy Young winner to stabilize its young rotation, although he might be a trade target if the team falters by mid-season. He has one year left on his contract with a $21 million club option for 2027.
2025 Performance: Betts
Betts faced the worst offensive season of his career, with career lows in OPS (.732) and wRC+ (104). Despite that, his strong defensive play at shortstop and a solid finish at the plate allowed him to generate 3.4 WAR for the Dodgers and earn his fourth World Series championship, enhancing his Hall of Fame prospects.
2026 Forecast: Betts
The outlook for Betts in 2026 looks promising, with projections indicating a return to form. He is expected to achieve a 130 wRC+ and 4.9 WAR, ranking him among the top position players in the league.
2025 Performance: Cease
Cease maintained his reputation as a durable strikeout pitcher, but struggled to prevent runs effectively. He suffered from allowing four or more runs in 10 outings and posted an ERA+ of 94, below the league average for the second time in three years. Nonetheless, the Blue Jays signed him to a seven-year, $210 million contract, emphasizing his potential over his inconsistent results.
2026 Forecast: Cease
FanGraphs’ forecasts for Cease reflect the Blue Jays’ faith in him, projecting a 3.57 ERA and positioning him for the fourth-most strikeouts (214) and tenth-most innings pitched (183) among all pitchers.
