Following the Milwaukee Brewers’ victory over the Tampa Bay Rays to capture their franchise’s first championship, only four Major League Baseball teams remain without a World Series title. Milwaukee became the fourth team in the last ten seasons to win its inaugural championship, joining the 2017 Houston Astros, 2019 Washington Nationals, and 2023 Texas Rangers.
With the Brewers ending their title drought, CBS Sports evaluated and ranked the four remaining championship-less franchises based on how close they are to securing their first World Series trophy.
1. Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays top the list as the franchise best positioned to win a title in the near future. Tampa Bay finished the 2026 season with a 98-68 record, winning the American League East before falling in the World Series. The franchise previously won American League pennants in 2008, 2020, and 2026.
The Rays feature 23-year-old star Junior Caminero along with a strong group of position players including Jonathan Aranda, Liam Hicks, Victor Mesa Jr., and Chandler Simpson. Their organization is further bolstered by top outfield prospect Theo Gillen and Grady Emerson, the second overall pick in the 2026 draft. Additionally, the team anticipates moving into a new ballpark in Tampa proper.
Financial constraints remain a hurdle, as payroll limitations restrict Tampa Bay from offsetting mistakes through free agency compared to higher-spending rivals. Playing in a competitive AL East against the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Toronto Blue Jays also presents a continuous challenge. Despite needing to replace impending free-agent starting pitchers Nick Martinez and Freddy Peralta, the Rays return nearly their entire roster under the age of 30 for the upcoming season.
2. Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners rank second despite a disappointing 2026 campaign in which they finished third in the AL West with a 76-86 record and missed the postseason. Seattle remains the only franchise among the four never to have won a league pennant.
Seattle retains a talented homegrown pitching staff comprising Kade Anderson, Logan Gilbert, Emerson Hancock, George Kirby, Bryce Miller, and Bryan Woo, complemented by top pitching prospect Ryan Sloan. Their core position group includes Colt Emerson, Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodríguez, and Cole Young, supported by Dominic Canzone, Brendan Donovan, and Josh Naylor.
However, several key players underperformed during the season, and both Donovan and Gilbert are one year away from free agency. Outfielder Randy Arozarena is expected to be a major free-agent loss. Furthermore, ownership’s preference for mid-tier payrolls limits the team from competing for elite free agents. Nonetheless, playing in a weak AL West division provides Seattle a realistic path to return to the postseason.
3. San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres sit in third place following a 2026 season where they went 91-71, finished second in the NL West, and lost in the National League Division Series. The franchise won pennants in 1984 and 1998.
San Diego boasts young talent in Jackson Merrill, Fernando Tatis Jr., and catcher prospect Ethan Salas, alongside veteran third baseman Manny Machado and elite closer Mason Miller. Front office acquisitions such as Ty France and Gavin Sheets have provided budget-friendly depth, while ownership has demonstrated a willingness to spend.
Concerns stem from heavy long-term financial commitments tied to aging players like Machado, Xander Bogaerts, and Jake Cronenworth. Rotation depth is also uncertain, with Michael King holding an opt-out clause and Nick Pivetta facing a club option. General manager A.J. Preller’s frequent trades have left the farm system thin behind Salas, while competing in the same division as the Los Angeles Dodgers creates an added barrier to securing divisional titles.
4. Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies rank lowest among the ringless franchises after finishing fifth in the NL West with a 58-104 record in 2026 and missing the playoffs. The club’s sole pennant came in 2007.
Front-office leadership under president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta and general manager Josh Byrnes has introduced modern analytics into the organization. Pitchers such as Chase Dollander—who underwent Tommy John surgery in June—reshaped their arsenals during the season. However, roster talent remains sparse, with only Dollander, Cole Carrigg, Hunter Goodman, Kyle Karros, and TJ Rumfield projecting as regular contributors on a championship contender, and Goodman expected to be a trade target during the offseason.
Colorado’s middle-of-the-pack farm system and the unique physical conditions at Coors Field continue to impede progress. Playing half their games at high altitude complicates pitching execution and injury prevention, keeping the Rockies behind rival teams in the NL West and far from serious title contention.
