Some MLB teams seem to have a master plan, while others look like they’re throwing darts at a board and hoping for the best. Whether it’s constant front-office turmoil, terrible contracts, or just an overall lack of direction, these teams have made a habit of getting in their own way.
From long playoff droughts to baffling trades, these are the worst-run MLB teams of the modern era.
10. Seattle Mariners
The Mariners have had Hall of Fame talent like Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, and Ichiro Suzuki, yet still haven’t reached a World Series. Their ability to develop stars but never build a complete team around them has kept fans in a perpetual state of frustration.
9. Baltimore Orioles (Pre-2020s)
Before their recent resurgence, the Orioles spent years floundering under bad contracts and questionable leadership. The Chris Davis mega-deal was an anchor, and their refusal to spend on pitching kept them stuck in mediocrity.
8. Colorado Rockies
The Rockies act like they have a plan, but it never seems to make sense. Whether it’s giving Nolan Arenado a massive contract only to trade him away or refusing to embrace analytics, they continue to operate like a team allergic to success.
7. Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh has a rich baseball history, but their modern-era front office treats talent like a temporary rental. They develop stars, trade them away for pennies on the dollar, and expect fans to be excited about the next round of prospects.
6. Los Angeles Angels
Having both Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani should have led to multiple playoff appearances, yet the Angels have found a way to waste generational talent. Their obsession with signing aging free agents instead of building a balanced team has been their downfall.
5. Chicago White Sox
The White Sox constantly sell fans on big plans that never pan out. From front-office dysfunction to poor player development, they always seem to be a step behind the rest of the league.
4. Miami Marlins
The Marlins have won two World Series, which is impressive, but they immediately tore down both teams afterward. Their constant cycle of fire sales, questionable ownership, and empty stadiums makes them one of the most poorly run franchises in baseball.
3. Oakland Athletics
The A’s have mastered the art of making fans miserable, whether it’s refusing to spend money, trading away stars, or relocating to Vegas. Billy Beane may have inspired Moneyball, but at some point, winning should be part of the equation.
Read More: Ranking the 15 Most Frustrating MLB Teams to Root For
2. Cincinnati Reds
The Reds have spent decades trying to figure out if they want to compete or rebuild, often choosing neither. They’ve let homegrown stars leave, made puzzling trades, and failed to keep up with the modern era of baseball.
Read More: Ranking the 10 Most Incompetent MLB Owners Ever
1. New York Mets
The Mets have mastered the art of chaos, with ownership disasters, bad contracts, and underperforming superstars defining their modern era. No matter how much money they spend, dysfunction always finds a way to take over.
Read More: 10 MLB Franchises That Are Stuck in Baseball Purgatory
