A survey of 36 MLB insiders reveals that Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies are considered the most under pressure heading into the 2026 season, with 18 votes. The Phillies, despite winning the NL East twice and increasing their win total each year since 2021, have seen their postseason results decline, falling in the NLDS for two consecutive years. An executive compared their situation to Dave Dombrowski’s last year with the Detroit Tigers, suggesting a potential downward trend. The Phillies have invested heavily in aging stars like Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, and others, with a payroll projected at $284 million, all over 30 years old. Other teams under significant pressure include the New York Mets, with 13 votes, especially due to their high payroll and recent underperformance, and manager Carlos Mendoza, who is on watch. The San Diego Padres, with 12 votes for GM A.J. Preller and 8 for players like Manny Machado, are also under scrutiny amid a roster with big future commitments and aging core. The New York Yankees, with 10 votes for Aaron Judge and their players, face pressure due to their long championship drought since 2009 and reliance on aging stars like Judge, who will turn 34. The Houston Astros, with 9 votes, are also in the spotlight, with questions about the end of their dynasty as their GM Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada are on last-year deals. Other teams and managers, including the Angels’ Kurt Suzuki and Perry Minasian, are also feeling the heat. Overall, the survey highlights concerns over aging rosters, postseason performance declines, and high expectations across MLB teams entering the 2026 season.