Why Blue Jays' Championship Would Make AL East MLB's Best 2026 Division

The Toronto Blue Jays emerged as American League East champions for the first time in a decade. They rode that momentum to the World Series where they sit one win away from their first title since 1993. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 28: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning against Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in game four of the 2025 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) Winning a championship means plenty enough for Toronto, though it could also mean plenty for the future of the AL East. Toronto entered October as one of three playoff teams from the division along with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, who battled it out in three games during the wild card series. Those teams should all be strong again entering 2026. The Blue Jays may just be the defending champions. The Yankees return a healthy and talented starting rotation with Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodon and Cam Schlittler. The Red Sox get a full season from star rookie Roman Anthony and a deeper pitching staff led by ace Garrett Crochet. That’s all before expected improvement from the Baltimore Orioles under new manager Craig Albernaz with proven young stars in Gunnar Henderson and supporting castmates in Adley Rutschman and Jackson Holliday. The Tampa Bay Rays always find a way to pitch their way into the conversation and return home to their renovated Tropicana Field after playing the 2025 schedule at the Yankees’ spring training site. All of that adds up to a gauntlet of baseball competition in the AL East in 2026 that should thrill baseball fans from start to finish. More MLB: Yankees Urged to Cut Ties With ‘Luxury Piece’ Infielder After Trade