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2026 MLB Power Rankings: Pinpointing Every Team’s Best Offseason Move

Plenty of time still remains for last winter’s biggest names and priciest acquisitions to make a positive impact. But more than a third of the way through the 2026 season, we have a better idea now about the decisions that were wise, shrewd and prudent … and those that weren’t. For this week’s Power Rankings, we take a look around MLB at every team’s best offseason move (or moves). Shockingly, most of their many, many, many attempted reclamation projects haven’t panned out. But their acquisition of second baseman Vaughn Grissom from the Red Sox has been helpful, as the once-promising prospect is hitting slightly above league average this year. Acquired from Arizona for minor-league pitcher Josh Grosz, outfielder Jake McCarthy has been one of the Rockies’ most valuable offensive players. He’s batting .282 with 11 steals, and he’s under team control through 2028. Maikel Garcia hasn’t replicated his offensive breakout from last year, but his defense is so spectacular and reliable at third base that the five-year, $57.5 million extension he signed in December still feels like a big win for Kansas City. And given Garcia’s advanced approach at the plate, I’d expect better offensive results ahead. Almost all of their offseason moves have backfired to this point, but second baseman Gleyber Torres — when healthy — is still doing his thing offensively for a Tigers team that needs his bat. He’s registering the highest on-base percentage of his career, and his return from the injured list has provided a spark. What a year so far for Luis Arraez. He has been the most valuable player on the Giants — and for reasons beyond his .323 batting average. Arraez is taking advantage of his opportunity at second base in San Francisco, where the 29-year-old is producing the best defensive season of his career. After getting little production at the position last season, Boston has one of the top first basemen in the sport this year in Willson Contreras, acquired from the Cardinals in a December trade. He leads the Red Sox in homers, RBIs and every slash-line category. The Twins traded for reliever Eric Orze last November, and he now leads the barren Minnesota bullpen in innings pitched. Most of their offseason moves haven’t panned out, but John King’s $1.5 million deal looks worth it. The left-hander has appeared in more games than any other Marlins reliever and is 3-0 with a 1.75 ERA and one save. The Astros signed Peter Lambert to a minor-league deal in March. He’s 5-4 with a 3.55 ERA and has been one of the most valuable starters in their shorthanded rotation. He hasn’t been dominant, but Freddy Peralta has performed better than the players the Mets traded to the Brewers (Brandon Sproat, Jett Williams) to acquire him. Now, it’ll be interesting to see if Peralta (4-4, 3.63 ERA) remains in Queens through the deadline. After a rough start to the year, Mark Leiter Jr. has logged 11 straight scoreless appearances for an A’s bullpen that can use that kind of consistency. As Grayson Rodriguez struggles in Anaheim, the Taylor Ward trade is working out well in Baltimore. Oddly, Ward’s profile has completely changed — he only has two home runs and ranks in the top 10 in MLB in on-base percentage and walks — but overall he’s providing well above-average offensive value. Signed for just $1.4 million, J.J. Bleday leads the Reds with a .931 OPS. Among all MLB outfielders with at least 100 plate appearances, Bleday ranks third in OPS. The Dylan Cease and Kazuma Okamoto deals have both worked out well. While Cease is currently sidelined, he has the highest strikeout rate among AL starters. Okamoto, meanwhile, has nearly twice as many home runs (13 total) as any other Blue Jays player. Signed for just $5.5 million after spending the past three years in Japan, Foster Griffin has been the standout of Washington’s rotation. He’s 7-2 with a 3.63 ERA. The Rangers are rolling, winners of seven of their past nine games, and once again their bullpen — composed primarily of one-year signings — is among the best in the sport. Jakob Junis, signed for $4 million in the offseason, has a 1.69 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and four saves in his 23 appearances. The Padres are sinking, having lost 11 of their last 13 games, and need offense anywhere they can get it. Surprisingly, one of their best offensive players to this point has been first baseman Ty France, who was signed to a minor-league deal before the season. After an inauspicious start to the year offensively, Pete Crow-Armstrong’s $115 million extension now looks like a prudent move for the Cubs. He has been on fire in June and suddenly ranks second in the National League in fWAR behind only Shohei Ohtani. The Pirates hoped Brandon Lowe could help lift their anemic offense, and he’s giving them everything they could have envisioned. Lowe has the highest slugging percentage and most home runs of any qualified MLB second baseman this year. Signed for $7.5 million in December, starter Michael Soroka is 8-3 with a 3.28 ERA. It’s his best season since his 2019 All-Star year in Atlanta. The rest of MLB’s hesitancy was the South Siders’ gain when they got NPB star Munetaka Murakami for two years and $34 million. Though he hasn’t played in June due to a hamstring strain, the 26-year-old still leads all first basemen with 20 home runs. Dustin May has pitched better than his 4.59 ERA would indicate. By FanGraphs’ version of WAR, he is the Cardinals’ most valuable starting pitcher by a wide margin. It has been a helpful $12.5 million one-year flier. José A. Ferrer has a 1.55 ERA in a team-high 32 appearances and has been arguably the most valuable member of the Mariners’ bullpen this year. The trade to acquire Ferrer is especially important given Andrés Muñoz’s (5.40) unexpected struggles. Signed in February for $13 million, 35-year-old Nick Martinez ranks second among all qualified American League starters with a 2.29 ERA. Unfortunately for the Rays, their offensive blemishes are starting to show while dropping 10 of their past 13 games. Signed for just $1.5 million in December, reliever Colin Holderman is 4-1 with a 1.96 ERA and a team-best 0.78 WHIP. This is what the Guardians do. Re-signing Kyle Schwarber was inarguably the most vital move of the Phillies’ offseason. Coming off a 56-homer season, Schwarber leads MLB this year with 23 home runs. A return to the Bronx always made the most sense for Cody Bellinger, and he’s giving the Yankees everything they could have hoped for. Bellinger’s .373 on-base percentage is his highest mark since his 2019 MVP season. His offensive production is even more important now with Aaron Judge sidelined. A key piece of Boston’s return in the Rafael Devers trade, Kyle Harrison is instead enjoying his breakout in Milwaukee. The Brewers acquired Harrison as part of the Caleb Durbin trade and are reaping the rewards. The former top Giants prospect is 7-1 with a 1.57 ERA in 11 starts. The Dodgers signed the top player and closer on the market, but those moves haven’t gone to plan. Kyle Tucker, who’s making $60 million a year, has hit barely above league average. Edwin Díaz, meanwhile, has an ERA over 10.00 and is on the injured list. Of course, all that matters for L.A. is October. But for now, it looks like the Dodgers’ best move was extending Max Muncy for $10 million guaranteed in 2027. He has been one of the most valuable third basemen in MLB this year. Atlanta’s signing of Robert Suarez (4-0, 0.63 ERA) and re-signing of Raisel Iglesias (0.87 ERA, 13-for-13 in save opportunities) have helped the Braves construct a bullpen with the lowest ERA and WHIP in MLB.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

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Entertainment

Why Pinot Noir Wine Often Costs More Than Other Bottles

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4 Takeaways From Josef Newgarden’s Huge Victory At Gateway

World Wide Technology Raceway (Madison, Ill.) — Josef Newgarden continued his mastery of the short ovals at a place that he has conquered many times. Newgarden, still nursing an injured left foot from a crash two weeks ago in the Indianapolis 500, led the final 40 laps for his sixth career victory at the 1.25-mile asphalt oval commonly known as Gateway. It was the Team Penske driver’s fifth win in the last seven races at the track but it was far from a normal race, as this 260-lapper was suspended twice for rain. “When you have the fastest car in the field, it’s easier to win the race, and that’s more times than not what I’ve got when we roll out,” Newgarden said in his winner’s news conference. “I think that was the case today, too.” Here are my takeaways: 1. Another Short Oval Win For Newgarden The two-time INDYCAR champion won on the 1-mile Phoenix Raceway oval earlier this year and the win at Gateway kept him perfect on the short ovals this year. He won the final race of last season on the 1.33-mile Nashville Superspeedway. In his final pass for the lead, Newgarden got by Christian Rasmussen but he didn’t realize it was for the lead. He thought Rasmussen was a lap down. “When [Rasmussen] came up to the [top-three] podium, I’m like, ‘What are you doing here? How did you get here? You were a lap down? Like, what are you doing?’” Newgarden said. “I think he got a little offended by that, but I’m so glad that I re-passed him. I was like, ‘He’s just kind of in the way.’” 2. Strange Contact For Siegel & Palou Nolan Siegel’s day ended after just 53 laps when he had contact with Alex Palou. The contact surprised Siegel, who was a lap down. “I was a little bit shocked,” Siegel told me and other reporters. “We weren’t racing each other. I felt like I left a lot of room on the inside. … Obviously, Alex is not an idiot. He knows what he’s doing. “He’s a very good race car driver. I don’t know, but I’m disappointed that it happened.” Palou, who was not penalized for avoidable contact, also was a little surprised. “I don’t know if I moved up or he’ll move down. … We were like lapping him, and I was well ahead,” Palou explained. “I think we hit on my rear tire, so I don’t know if I just moved up or he turned. It was obviously not on purpose.” 3: Palou Out Of Gas Palou tried to stretch his fuel. And then, after one of the red flags for rain, he opted to wait until the pits were open to pit instead of coming in for emergency service (which would have cost him a chance to win). He ran out of gas entering pit road, and with the last stall, he crept slowly down pit road as the rest of the field sped by. He lost two laps. “It’s not a good feeling,” Palou said. “It was so close. … It’s just sad, but at the same time, it’s OK. It’s one of those that you need to risk it to try and get the win or try and get position up there. … It doesn’t feel nice when you’re there and everybody was flying by.” The series points leader finished 17th and has a 49-point edge on Kyle Kirkwood halfway through the season. 4. Podium Finishers Needed Solid Runs Marcus Ericsson led 114 laps but settled for second, while Rasmussen ended up third. Both drivers saw a potential win slip away but they also needed those strong runs. Ericsson is in a contract year at Andretti Global, while Rasmussen entered the race 24th in the series standings out of 25 full-time drivers. Rasmussen and ECR announced earlier in the week he had signed a contract extension. “It’s definitely bittersweet after leading that many laps, having a great car underneath me,” said Ericsson in a post-race news conference. He lost the lead on a pit cycle when he pitted a lap earlier than Newgarden. “We drove all the way to the front.” 4 ½. What’s Next The INDYCAR Series, which has been on track for five consecutive weekends, will be off next week before returning to action June 19-21 at Road America, one of the most iconic road courses in the United States. The 4.014-mile course tests a driver’s skill level as well as the equipment with a series of fast turns as elevation changes. Alex Palou has won three of the last five races at the track.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

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Alaska gas pipeline developer offers concession, proposes to cap natural gas costs for Alaskans

By: James Brooks, Alaska Beacon

Members of the Senate Finance Committee convene on the first day of a special legislative session on the proposed LNG gas line project on May 27, 2026. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

The firm developing the proposed trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline has proposed limiting the price for natural gas sold through the pipeline to Alaskans. 

If accepted by legislators, the limit would prevent the cost of gas from rising if the pipeline costs more than expected.

The new proposal from pipeline developer Glenfarne comes as the Alaska Legislature continues meeting in a 30-day special session, considering a major tax break to support the AKLNG pipeline project. That project aims to build an 807-mile pipeline to bring natural gas from the North Slope to Cook Inlet for export and in-state use.

A price cap could resolve one sticking point in negotiations over the proposed tax break, but with half of the special session gone, a variety of other issues remain unresolved.

Those include basic elements about the tax break, including its size and length, as well as how municipal governments will be compensated for the impacts of construction, which is expected to bring as many as 12,000 new workers to the state temporarily.

The House Finance Committee is expected to begin voting on possible solutions to those issues next week.

Natural gas is the primary fuel for home heating and electricity in Southcentral Alaska, but  officials estimate that by the end of the decade, local production from gas fields beneath Cook Inlet will be insufficient to meet demand.

Prices are already rising, and several gas-import projects have been proposed. The AKLNG pipeline is another possible solution, but because the pipeline and supporting infrastructure are so large, the project would need to also sell gas overseas in order to offset costs.

If the pipeline is built but no exports take place — something that could happen if the pipeline costs more to build than expected — the Alaska Department of Revenue has estimated that AKLNG gas would be much more expensive than imported gas.

In legislative hearings, that risk has caused some lawmakers to question the project.

Speaking to the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, Glenfarne Alaska LNG president Adam Prestidge said the company is on the verge of finalizing a firm, 30-year contract with Enstar, the largest natural gas utility in Southcentral Alaska.

That fixed-price arrangement would guarantee natural gas at no more than $16 per MMBtu, a measurement of heat capacity. 

If the pipeline costs more than expected, cost overruns would not be passed on to consumers, said John Sims, Enstar’s president, when speaking to the House Finance Committee on Monday.

“Enstar’s agreement has a fixed price, and Enstar does not care if the project goes over cost. It does not impact in any way, shape, or form the price that we would be charging customers as a fixed price,” he said.

Rep. Alyse Galvin, I-Anchorage, immediately responded to Sims’ comment.

“A lot of us are very excited to say, yes, I 1,000% support this, because I want to keep low prices,” she said.

Capped price would be cheaper than imported gas

The figure given by Prestidge is equivalent to about $16.59 per thousand cubic feet of natural gas, using a standard conversion. That is cheaper than the forecast price of imports.

Dan Stickel, chief economist for the Alaska Department of Revenue, told legislators in late May that the department’s estimate for the cost of imported gas in 2033 — AKLNG’s planned completion date — “came to about $17 per thousand cubic feet price range.” 

Sims told legislators on Monday that Enstar currently expects a “total, all-in cost between $16-22” per thousand cubic feet for imported gas. 

Enstar’s current cost of gas is $10.80 per thousand cubic feet, but that will rise in coming years as production declines in Cook Inlet. 

The $16 per MMBtu figure is a maximum, Prestidge said. If the pipeline is developed according to plan, exports would subsidize the cost of in-state gas, dropping it as low as $5 per MMBtu, he said.

Glenfarne’s $16 figure could rise with inflation, Prestidge said, but it wouldn’t be affected by cost overruns on building the pipeline.

Prestidge told the Senate Finance Committee that Glenfarne is open to applying a price cap on gas sold to other utilities and industries that might use natural gas.

“Glenfarne is supportive of language being added to any property tax bill that prohibits cost overruns on the project from being borne by either the state or the regulated ratepayers who are buying gas off the pipeline,” he said.

While a final deal between AKLNG and utilities is subject to approval by regulators, a price cap would directly address legislators’ concerns about affordability.

“I think putting that (cap) in a bill would provide a ton of reassurance, because it substantially mitigates your risk in a low-volume scenario,” said Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage.

Sen. Kelly Merrick, R-Eagle River, listened in person to Prestidge on Wednesday.

“I don’t know if $16 is the perfect cap, but it’s addressing a significant concern and protecting Alaska ratepayers,” she said.

Long-awaited pipeline cost estimate met with mixed reaction 

On the same day that Prestidge discussed the price cap, he also disclosed updated cost estimates for the pipeline project, saying the first phase of the project is now expected to cost between $13.2 billion and $16.9 billion. 

Building facilities needed for gas exports would raise the cost to between $44.5 billion and $54.5 billion, Glenfarne estimates.

Legislators have previously criticized a lack of updated cost estimates, saying their absence is hampering their ability to work on a tax break.

Sen. James Kaufman, R-Anchorage, said the new data and the proposed cost cap “was kind of a tipping point” in discussions.

“I think it gives us more information to do our due diligence,” said Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel and co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee.

Alaska currently levies a 2% tax on oil and gas property. Cities and boroughs are permitted to claim some or all of that tax on property within their boundaries. 

To incentivize AKLNG investors, Dunleavy proposed replacing the property tax with an “alternative volumetric tax” of 6 cents per thousand cubic feet of gas shipped through the pipeline. The change would effectively result in a 90% tax break, and there would be no tax during construction, because gas isn’t yet being shipped. 

The impact of the switch would be heaviest on municipalities. They would have to deal with the consequences caused by having thousands of extra people living nearby, but they would have little (or no) new tax revenue to cover the resulting costs.

The North Slope Borough funds most of its services through the petroleum property tax and has opposed Dunleavy’s proposed change.

Rep. Robyn Niayuq Frier, D-Utqiagvik, represents the North Slope. She has deep concerns about the switch to a volume-based tax and thinks Glenfarne’s new cost estimates are still too low. 

“I think there are a lot of people who are having these conversations who think that there’s no way this is actually going to happen, that this is a pipe dream,” she said of the pipeline project.

The House and Senate Finance committees are considering whether to set the natural gas tax at something like 40 cents per thousand cubic feet — or higher — and how long the switch from a property tax to a volumetric tax should last. 

That would reduce the size of the break that Dunleavy requested and increase the amount the state and boroughs would collect in revenue.

Dunleavy has suggested that the new tax should last the life of the project. Other legislators, including Frier and Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, are suggesting shorter terms. 

Lawmakers are also debating the size of a proposed “impact fund” that Glenfarne would provide to cover the costs that cities and boroughs would incur as thousands of workers gather to build the pipeline.

Legislators also haven’t decided what communities would be eligible for the fund or how the money would be distributed.

The House Finance Committee is scheduled to begin debating the unresolved issues on Monday and could advance a bill to the House floor as soon as the second half of next week. 

The Senate could take up that measure on the week of the 15th, but with the special session ending on June 19, there’s a real risk that legislators will run out of time before they decide the multibillion-dollar issues at stake.

“We have to find a product that meets the polar opposite forces that are out there,” said Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham.

“The needle’s not been threaded yet, and if we don’t get the needle threaded … I think ultimately, then the 30 day special session is — I don’t know what’s going to happen. I just, quite frankly, don’t know.”

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