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The Mariners will once again be one of the top contenders for the American League championship in 2026, and it's quite possible this could finally be their year. After all, they came one win shy of the AL crown in 2025, and will be running it back with a very similar roster.
However, there will be plenty of other contenders for the American League title as well. Here are the five biggest threats to the Mariners' chances to win the AL and reach the World Series for the first time in franchise history.
These are the Mariners' 5 biggest AL pennant threats in 2026
1. Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays should be considered the biggest threat to win the AL, especially after they won the league last year and came one game (and two outs) away from winning the World Series.
Toronto is bringing back almost its entire roster from last year, outside of Bo Bichette, who signed with the Mets on Friday. They also signed Dylan Cease, adding a potential ace pitcher to an already stacked rotation featuring Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, and Shane Bieber.
2. Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox got better last year but eventually hit a wall, sneaking into the playoffs as a Wild Card team and losing in the first round. However, their roster is still loaded with talent.
The rotation is led by ace Garrett Crochet, and is also set to feature newly signed Ranger Suárez, veteran Sonny Gray, and Kutter Crawford. Closer Aroldis Chapman is still one of the best relievers in the league after an incredible 2025 campaign.
Boston's lineup, meanwhile, boasts Roman Anthony, Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Trevor Story, Triston Casas, and Carlos Narváez. Even without Alex Bregman, it's a deep lineup loaded with young talent. If Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer are able to break out in 2026, the lineup could turn from good to great really quickly.
3. Houston Astros
While the Astros struggled at the end of last season and were knocked off by the Mariners, Houston will always be a threat in the AL West, at least as long as they have superstars like Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez in the lineup.
The Astros might be out for revenge in 2026 after losing the AL West to the Mariners. It will be interesting to see how they hold up if Framber Valdez does not rejoin the team, but the Astros have lost stars before and been just fine.
4. New York Yankees
The Yankees feel like one of those teams that is always good, and with the now three-time MVP Aaron Judge leading the way, it's hard to see a way New York falls out of contention.
The rotation, led by Max Fried and Carlos Rodon, will get a boost at some point in the summer when Gerrit Cole returns. The lineup is anchored by Judge, but also features Trent Grisham, Ben Rice, Giancarlo Stanton, and Jazz Chisholm Jr., forming a formidable top of the lineup.
5. Detroit Tigers
The Tigers nearly beat the Mariners in the playoffs last year, and they are returning a roster that will look nearly identical to the one that took Seattle to the 15th inning in Game 5 of the ALDS.
It certainly helps having back-to-back Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal at the top of their staff. It also helps having a duo like Kerry Carpenter and Riley Greene in the middle of the lineup. The Tigers shocked a lot of people when they won the AL Central last year, and they will be looking to shock the world again by making a World Series run in 2026.