By Mark Simon

We've been busy the last couple of weeks prepping for our second annual review of all 30 MLB teams as to whether they'll be good defensive teams this season.

We'll be halfway done with this series by the weekend and we'll be doing the last 15 teams next week. You can find all of the articles here.

With that in mind, let's offer a short summary on the teams that finished in the Top 5 in Defensive Runs Saved last season with their outlook for 2026.

Texas Rangers

Last year's rank: 1st

The Rangers lost two of their best defensive players as Marcus Semien was traded to the Mets and Adolis García signed with the Phillies. There's also probably some Runs Saved regression coming for Corey Seager, whose 16 Runs Saved last season were 10 more than he'd saved in his second-best season. And there will be a drop-off in right field from Garcia to Brandon Nimmo.

But they still have a good defense, with Wyatt Langford ranking second to Steven Kwan in Runs Saved by a left fielder in the last two seasons, along with a good catching combo in Danny Jansen and Kyle Higashioka. The defensive lineup they put out each night isn't going to have many weaknesses.

Mark's prediction - They're more likely to be Top 10 than Top 5.

(preview article coming on Friday)

Chicago Cubs

Last year's rank: 2nd

The Cubs are running back most of their primary defensive lineup from 2025. Alex Bregman subs in at third base for Matt Shaw. Shaw was a little better than Bregman typically has been, but it's probably going to be a small difference. Right field is a little more iffy with Seiya Suzuki (-4 career Runs Saved in 342 games) back there again instead of Kyle Tucker.

But the Cubs should still be a top-tier defensive team. Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Ian Happ are all past Gold Glove winners with Hoerner and Swanson having won a Fielding Bible Award. We wouldn't be surprised if PCA was among our top vote getters for Defensive Player of the Year. There aren't any weaknesses among the other regulars.

Mark's prediction - They could very well finish No. 2 again in 2026.

(preview article coming March 18)

Los Angeles Dodgers

Last year's rank: 3rd

The last few years the Dodgers have specialized in making good players better through effective defensive positioning. Last season it accounted for 45 of their 67 Runs Saved. So it wasn't so much talent as it was how they set that talent up for success.

The team is best defensively up the middle. Mookie Betts won a Fielding Bible Award at shortstop last season. Hye-Seong Kim is a three-time Fielding Bible winner from the KBO who had 9 Runs Saved in 45 games at second base. Miguel Rojas can back up both spots without much drop-off. Newcomer Kyle Tucker has a solid history in right field.

The problem this team could run into is if their key players all drop down the aging curve at the same time. Freddie Freeman is in his age-36 season. Max Muncy is 35. Betts and Teoscar Hernández are 33.

Mark's prediction: Until they don't do it, I'll keep picking them to be Top 5.

(click here for preview article) 

Toronto Blue Jays

Last year's rank: 4th

If you watched last year's postseason you probably came away highly impressed with the Blue Jays defense. They have three past Fielding Bible Award winners in center fielder Daulton Varsho, shortstop  Andrés Giménez (who won at second base), and second baseman Ernie Clement (who won for multi-position play). They also have one of the best catchers by Defensive Runs Saved, Alejandro Kirk, and a highly-improved first baseman, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. And their backup center fielder, Myles Straw, had a good case for a Gold Glove last year.

To that they added left fielder Jesús Sánchez, whose past defensive numbers are good, and third baseman Kazuma Okamoto, who actually won an NPB Fielding Bible Award at first base.

Their biggest weakness is Addison Barger's range, though he was among the best in Outfield Arm Runs Saved, and they can replace him late in games with Nathan Lukes. Also, their defensive positioning numbers were poor, particularly in the outfield.

Mark's prediction: They'll be the best defensive team in MLB in 2026

(preview article coming March 17)

Atlanta Braves

Last year's rank: 5th

The Braves have the best defensive first baseman in Matt Olson, who never misses a game. They have solid center fielder in Michael Harris, who just turned 25 and who has had as many as 11 Runs Saved in a season. They added corner outfielder Mike Yastrzemski, who isn't great, but has consistently been good in right field (though he'll probably play left field). Second baseman Ozzie Albies and third baseman Austin Riley have good histories but haven't been as good (at least stats-wise) recently).

The concern is Ronald Acuña Jr. in right field, where he had -11 Runs Saved last season. There may be a drop-off at shortstop with Mauricio Dubon (a good second baseman) replacing standout Nick Allen. Dubon has never played more than 33 games at shortstop in a season.

Mark's prediction: A slight drop from Top 5 to Top 10, though they could be back in the Top 5 if their veterans have good years.

(click here for preview article)

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Mark Simon interviews players and coaches about defensive excellence. He also regularly talks with media members about the latest baseball news.

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