Now that there are fewer than 100 days until Opening Day for the 2026 season and 60 until Spring Training begins, how different will the league be? From roster moves, ABS Challenge systems, and broadcast changes, what can we expect?
Key Changes:
The 2026 season will implement the ABS (Automated Balls-Strikes) Challenge system, expanded replays, and pace-of-play adjustments. With the ABS Challenge system, each team will have two challenges per game and can keep a challenge if successful. These challenges can only be initiated by the catcher, pitcher, or batter and are signaled by a tap on the head after the call is made. There will still be a home plate umpire to make the calls, with the system used only for challenges. With expanded replays, MLB is increasing replay booth capacity for more precise reviews of safe and out calls on the bases.
The broadcasting landscape for MLB is changing drastically this year due to a new media rights deal. Sunday Night Baseball will move to Peacock and NBC under a three-year partnership, and the popular Home Run Derby will be exclusive to Netflix. ESPN remains a significant partner, securing a 30-game linear broadcast package featuring exclusive matchups on key dates like Memorial Day and Jackie Robinson Day. With these moves, the league can keep traditional network television visibility while widening its digital presence.
Offseason Trades and Team Impacts:
Some free agent moves include: The Baltimore Orioles signing Pete Alonso, the Toronto Blue Jays acquiring Dylan Cease, and the Los Angeles Dodgers signing Edwin Diaz. Josh Naylor, Kyle Schwarber, and Michael King also signed extensions with their previous teams. The top free agents yet to be signed are Kyle Tucker (RF), Alex Bregman (3B), Bo Bichette (SS), Cody Bellinger (1B/OF), and Munetaka Murakami (1B/3B).
The Baltimore Orioles made many moves this offseason, signing first baseman Pete Alonso to a 5-year, $155 million contract, adding significant power to the lineup. They also acquired outfielder Taylor Ward in a trade with the Angels and signed reliever Ryan Helsley.
The Philadelphia Phillies also added power to their lineup, extending Kyle Schwarber to a 5-year, $150 million contract and signing outfielder Adolis Garcia for $10 million for a year.
The Atlanta Braves are anticipating a better season than last year, adding more impact to their team overall. This offseason, they’ve re-signed shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, signed outfielder Mike Yastrzemski, and signed reliever Robert Suarez.
These roster changes mean each team will look different on the field, especially in the NL and AL East divisions. This will mean new lineups, altered rotations, and new additions in the bullpen as teams adjust to these changes.
Special Events & Anniversaries:
Some specific events this upcoming season include: the Field of Dreams game, the Mexico City Series, the Little League Classic, and other special anniversary games.
The Field of Dreams games will be played on August 13th in Dyersville, Iowa, with the Minnesota Twins hosting the Philadelphia Phillies. This game will be exclusively streamed on Netflix.
The Mexico City Series, where the Arizona Diamondbacks will face the San Diego Padres in a two-game series, will happen on April 25 and 26th, in Mexico City.
The Little League Classic will take place on August 23, with the Atlanta Braves playing the Milwaukee Brewers in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
For the anniversary of 9/11, the New York Yankees will host the New York Mets for a 3-game series, from September 11th through the 13th.
The 2026 season marks the 150th anniversary of the National League and the 125th anniversary of the American League. Teams will also acknowledge specific World Series anniversaries and special days like Jackie Robinson Day and Lou Gehrig Day.
Venue Changes & Team News:
While the Athletics’ Las Vegas Stadium is still under construction until 2028, they will play a six-game homestand at Las Vegas Ballpark in June 2026. The Las Vegas Aviators, Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics, currently play at Las Vegas Ballpark.
The Tampa Bay Rays are also expected to return to Tropicana Field, following renovations after the stadium was previously damaged by Hurricane Milton. These damages forced them to play in George M. Steinbrenner Field, home of the Yankees’ Spring Training facility, for the 2025 season.
This offseason has had many managerial and general manager changes. The Rockies hired Paul DePodesta as general manager, and the Giants hired college coach Tony Vitello as a manager.
MLB is considering expanding to 32 teams, with cities such as Portland, Nashville, and Salt Lake City as options. With these changes, division realignments will also create new rivalries between teams.
Important Pre-Season Dates:
Jan. 8, 2026: Arbitration figures exchanged
Any player who is arbitration-eligible and not signed must exchange contract figures with their team by this date. The players and teams will then go before an arbitrator in the days following to determine their contract for the upcoming season.
Jan. 15, 2026: International signing reopens
During this window, teams can come in contact with international players 16 years or older. Most of these signings come from Latin America, though teams also scout and sign players from Asia and other regions. The international signing period lasts through December 15, when arrangements start for next year’s class.
Feb. 9-12, 2026: Pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training
Most pitchers and catchers will report to Spring Training around February 10-12, 2026, with specific dates differing slightly by team, especially for players involved in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), who report earlier (around Feb 9) to prepare. Full-squad workouts, after position players arrive, will follow in mid-February.
Feb. 20, 2026: Spring Training Opening Day
Opening Day for the 2026 Spring Training season kicks off on February 20th, 2026, with a few games in the Cactus (Arizona) and Grapefruit (Florida) Leagues. Teams playing on this opening day include the Mariners, Cubs, Yankees, Orioles, and more. Spring Training will go on for 6 weeks, with the final games on March 24th.
March 5-17, 2026: World Baseball Classic (WBC) Begins
The World Baseball Classic (WBC) is an international baseball tournament featuring top professional players representing their home countries. This tournament serves as a “World Cup” for baseball, organized by MLB, the MLB Players Association (MLBPA), and the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), and is held every few years. The tournament schedule includes Pool games from March 5-11 in Tokyo, Houston, Miami, and San Juan; quarterfinals from March 13-14 in Houston & Miami; semifinals from March 15-16 in Miami; and the championship on March 17 in Miami.
March 19-22, 2026: MiLB Spring Breakout
MLB’s third annual Spring Breakout serves as a showcase for clubs to show off their top prospects in exhibition games. These games will be held from March 19th through the 22nd and will be set in Cactus and Grapefruit League ballparks.
March 26, 2026: MLB Opening Day
MLB Opening Night starts Wednesday, March 25th, 2026, with the Yankees visiting the Giants at Oracle Park, broadcast by Netflix. For the rest of the league, their seasons will start with Opening Day on Thursday, 26th, 2026.
The 2026 MLB season is anticipated to bring significant changes, including the implementation of the ABS Challenge system, expanded replays, and a new media rights deal that will affect game broadcasts. Extensive offseason transactions, including key free agent signings and trades, are expected to create highly competitive divisions.
