MLB free agency overhaul could spark a winter signing frenzy
MLB proposes free agency overhaul that could turn the Winter Meetings into a fast paced signing frenzy.
The theory is things even out over a 162-game season. Yet in the American League West, everyone’s finding out the only water level they’re going to reach still has them submerged.
Major League Baseball’s worst division could have restored some pride to the AL this weekend, when three teams played interleague series and another staged a rematch of the 2025 ALCS. Instead, the Astros, Rangers, Mariners, Athletics and Angels went a combined 3-12, the latter three getting swept.
And the Mariners continued their stunning downfall.
They got trucked in Toronto, where ill-timed pitching changes and an offense prone to disappearing – the Mariners were one-hit over seven innings by 42-year-old Max Scherzer – led to a sweep. The preseason AL favorites dropped to 64-73 and down to No. 25 in USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings.
Are they out of the playoff picture? Of course not! They’re still in the AL, which means 13 losses in 21 games barely puts a dent in your hopes. Seattle’s five games back in both the wild card and West chases. And congrats to the Astros, who clawed above .500 and perhaps might win the division with a non-losing record.
Check back in a month.
A look at our updated rankings:
2. Tampa Bay Rays (+1)
4. Atlanta Braves (-)
- Spencer Schwellenbach nearly made it all the way back, but elbow surgery was unavoidable.
5. New York Yankees (+1)
- Winning three of four from Red Sox restores order, clinches season series, sets up another wild-card battle.
- Thirteen wins in 15 games, Zack Wheeler looks good again, a September to remember on deck.
- Went 60-41 with Roman Anthony out. Now he’s back in leadoff spot.
9. Chicago White Sox (+1)
- Colson Montgomery’s strikeout rate up to 34.1%.
- A lost weekend in St. Pete included losing Luis Rengifo to grisly injury.
12. Cleveland Guardians (+4)
- Jose Ramírez should reach 300 home runs in September.
13. Houston Astros (+1)
- Jose Altuve tied for first in AL with 20 successful ABS challenges.
- Max Scherzer climbs to ninth on all-time strikeout list with seven-inning, 10-strikeout gem.
- Heriberto Hernández has 22 homers in 105 games.
16. St. Louis Cardinals (-3)
- JJ Wetherholt’s wrist injury might end his season, but he’s still Gold Glove-worthy – and eligible.
- Beating up on bad teams, as they should. Can they complete road trip trifecta in Denver?
- Have lost 14 of last 17 on the road. Yet are just two games out of first, of course.
19. Pittsburgh Pirates (+1)
- Have won four of last five series.
20. Minnesota Twins (-2)
- Small sample size, but Kaelen Culpepper and Walker Jenkins make the future look pretty sweet.
- Chase Burns now 15-3 on a 65-72 team. That ain’t easy.
- Just about time to turn out the lights. The party’s over.
- Finally register first walk-off win of season, thanks to Dylan Crews.
- Kade Anderson pulled after 85 pitches, sees bullpen blow lead. Welcome to Seattle.
- Juan Soto back in lineup just five weeks after serious calf injury.
- Not for nothing, they’ve won 12 of their last 14.
- Matt Wilkinson, Seth Lonsway, Nate Furman, Turner Hill – 2026 Giants, all of them.
- Cole Carrigg (finger) placed on six-inning IL.
- Leadoff hitter Wade Meckler’s OBP up to .363.