Colorado Rockies prospects: No. 8, Sean Sullivan

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 16, 2024: Sean Sullivan #26 of the Colorado Rockies throws a pitch during the second inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 16, 2024 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

8. Sean Sullivan (398 points, 19 ballots)

Despite a professional career that has been marred by injuries and an accompanying loss in velocity, Sullivan keeps getting upper-minors hitters out — a lot of them via strikeout. The 6’4”, 23-year-old lefty pitcher was dominant at Wake Forest, pitching 69 2/3 innings with with a 2.45 ERA, 0.92 WHIP (fourth-best in Division 1), a 14.3 K/9 rate (second-best), and a 2.7 BB/9 rate as the Demon Deacons made it all the way to the College World Series semi-finals.

Mid-season 2025 Rank: 9

High Ballot: 5

Mode Ballot: 7

Future Value: 40+, back-end starter

Contract Status: 2023 Second Round, Wake Forest University, Rule 5 Eligible After 2026, three options remaining

MLB ETA: 2026

Sullivan (whose delivery reminded the Rockies of Kyle Freeland) rode those numbers to a $1.7 million bonus from the Rockies that was about $187k below slot. The 6’4” southpaw relies mostly on his fastball which, despite velocity that is usually only in the 87-91 MPH range, is an effective pitch due to a low, wide release angle that gives it great carry up in the zone. He pairs that offering with a slider and change-up, but the fastball is the main separator.

In High-A Spokane in 2024, Sullivan threw 83 1⁄3 innings in 14 starts with a 2.16 ERA (2.79 xFIP), 0.84 WHIP, 10.9 K/9 rate, and a minuscule 0.9 BB/9 rate (including a nine-inning complete game). That was enough in the High-A Northwest League to receive their Pitcher of the Year award even though the Rockies promoted Sullivan in August to Double-A Hartford, where Sullivan was 3.5 years younger than league average.

Sullivan maintained his excellent run prevention against Eastern League hitters, throwing 32 innings across seven starts with a 1.97 ERA. Sullivan wasn’t nearly as dominant, striking out only less than a batter per inning (6.8 K/9) and walking a few more (2.0 BB/9) en route to a 4.37 xFIP. Still, a 1.09 WHIP with that ERA was a strong achievement for one of the younger pitchers in Double-A (the batter was older than him 80% of the time).

Recovery related to an offseason surgery for a hip injury delayed Sullivan’s 2025 debut back at Hartford (where he was still 2.7 years younger than average) to mid-May (after a scoreless rehab outing for both the ACL team and Low-A Fresno). In 18 starts and 97 1/3 innings with Hartford, Sullivan posted a 3.14 ERA (3.39 xFIP), 1.09 WHIP, 9.0 K/9 rate, and 2.2 BB/9 rate.

Those numbers were trending better before Sullivan went to the IL briefly in August and was hit hard in his final four starts of the year (allowing 13 earned runs in 16 2/3 innings) after returning. Seven of Sullivan’s Double-A starts were Quality Starts, while Sullivan allowed just a .611 OPS to opposing hitters (with basically no platoon splits). That was enough for Sullivan to get an invite to Major League spring training this year by the Rockies.

Here’s some video of Sullivan striking out a bunch of dudes in 2025, many of them swinging:

Keith Law of the Athletic ranked Sullivan 7th in the system earlier this month:

Sullivan had hip labrum surgery after the 2024 season and started the 2025 season about six weeks late, pitching well enough in Double A even though his fastball wasn’t 100 percent to where it was beforehand. Sullivan has never thrown hard; at his best, his fastball is 89-92 but the pitch misses bats thanks to a very low release point, over seven feet of extension (OK, that hurts my hip just thinking about it) and excellent ride on the pitch. He’s got an above-average slider with good tilt and an average changeup, going right after hitters like he’s throwing 98. Sullivan had a lot of outings last year where he was sitting in the upper 80s, and that won’t play, but if he’s even just 89-92 again, I think he’ll be a back-end starter. Side note: I really like watching this guy pitch.

John Trupin of Baseball Prospectus ranked Sullivan 10th last January with a 50 OFP:

The 6-foot-4 southpaw leans heavily to his arm side as he deals, releasing the ball beyond the mid-point of the left-handed batter’s box at a low 3/4ths angle that is more accurately a high sidearm. The VAA created is subsequently disorienting for hitters, and indeed batters were flummoxed by Sullivan all year, swinging under his four-seam despite its meager velocity. That set up Sullivan’s sweeping slider, a devastating pitch which plays up off Sullivan’s angle and his plus command. Though his changeup is more sparingly utilized, the fastball-slider combination is effective enough to efficiently carve through lineups before they can get too comfortable. The margin for error is so thin for a pitcher with such little velo, but Sullivan’s results continue to outpace the radar gun. His heater and slider are effective enough that a bullpen role will be quite reasonable if he does ultimately hit a wall against big-league bats. He’s close enough to make Albuquerque this year, and polished enough to get a crack in Denver if his schtick keeps playing.

Many command and control arms with bat-missing stuff in the low minors can’t keep it up in the bigs. Sullivan already saw his swings and misses dip at Double-A, but he continued getting awkward swings and weak contact. This either works or it doesn’t, but Sullivan seems unlikely to change it up significantly.

MLB Pipeline slots Sullivan 12th in the system as a 45 FV player thanks to a 60 control grade:

Sullivan uses a lower slot to come at hitters with a kind of upshoot fastball, getting huge carry up in the zone. Even though it only averaged around 88 mph in 2024, the lefty threw it a lot and got decent swing-and-miss on the pitch thanks to that life and his outstanding command of the pitch. There could be a little more velocity in the tank now that he’s had a hip labrum issue fixed, so he might be able to get to 93-94 mph more moving forward. His upper-70s changeup is his best pitch, one that has terrific movement and misses bats in and out of the zone. His sweeping slider can be effective, but he doesn’t locate it as well as his other two offerings.

The Rockies will be sure to bring Sullivan along slowly and manage his workload as he’s coming back from the hip issue, but he’s already defied expectations thanks to confidence in his pitch usage, his unusual mechanics and his extreme strike-throwing ways. He’ll be at the upper levels continuing to show that his unusual profile just might work in a big league rotation. 

Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs is less of a believer due to the low fastball velocity, grading Sullivan as a 40 FV player (with a multi-inning relief role), 19th in the org, albeit with a 70 future command grade:

Sullivan is an ultra-deceptive cross-bodied lefty with 20-grade velocity. He’s done well in the mid-minors despite sitting 87 mph because of a mix of deception, command, and quality secondary stuff. Sullivan’s stride direction takes him toward the first base line at an extreme angle, and this, in concert with his low three-quarters slot, takes hitters a few looks to get comfortable with. Sullivan’s fastball averaged 90 mph in 2023 and 87 mph in 2024, but he still managed a 2.11 ERA, 125 strikeouts and just 15 walks across 115.1 innings, good for a microscopic 3.4% walk rate. In college, Sullivan’s repertoire was fastball-heavy in the extreme at about 75% usage. His usage is still really high (67% in 2024), but he’s been branching out in pro ball and his changeup generated huge rates of chase and miss last year. His slider plays by virtue of Sullivan’s odd release. It’s fair to be skeptical that this will actually work in a starting pitcher capacity — asking a guy who sits 87 to navigate a big league lineup three times feels like too much — but in short relief bursts where hitters have no time to adjust to Sullivan’s funk, he should be fine.

Between Chase Dollander, Sullivan, and Cole Carrigg, Colorado’s first three picks of the 2023 draft all look like hits so far — not to mention Kyle Karros in the fifth round and Seth Halvorsen in the seventh. Sullivan’s college dominance with his fastball has carried over to the minor leagues in a big way, even up to Double-A. The decreased fastball velocity is obviously a concern, though the development of a decent changeup and slider to pair with the fastball are certainly helpful.

The Rockies could use Sullivan in the Major Leagues as soon as this year so long as his health cooperates and his fastball continues to bedevil advanced hitters (I suspect he’ll mostly be at Triple-A Albuquerque). I ranked Sullivan 11th on my list as a 40+ FV player because of the pedigree, statistical dominance, and because I want the Rockies to continue to think more out of the box with their pitching draftees.


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Mets 2026 Season Preview: Anderson Severino will vie for a spot in the Mets’ bullpen this spring

PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 13: Anderson Severino #80 of the New York Mets looks on during spring training workouts at Clover Park on February 13, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images

On the eve of Thanksgiving, as families across America were preparing their meals for the upcoming holiday, the Mets made one of the earliest signings of their offseason, picking up Anderson Severino on a minor league deal. In case you were wondering, this is indeed a family affair, as Anderson the cousin of ex-Mets starter (and current A’s pitcher) Luis Severino.

This is hardly the first time Anderson Severino has followed in his cousin’s footsteps. The 31-year-old left-hander originally signed with the Yankees in 2013, 18 months after Luis was signed by the Yankees. Anderson spent parts of seven seasons in the Yankees’ organization, though he never made it higher than High-A ball. The lefty eventually elected free agency following a 2020 season that saw the cancellation of minor league baseball.

He joined the White Sox in 2021 and spent the year bouncing between Double-A and Triple-A before finally getting the call to the show on April 12, 2022. In his debut against the Mariners, he hurled 1 1/3 scoreless innings and finished off a 5-1 White Sox loss. Three of his four outs came via the strikeout, and he walked one and hit a batter but did not allow a hit. He followed that up by allowing five earned runs in his next three appearances, but closed out his lone major league stint with two scoreless outings. He made six total appearances for Chicago, posting a 6.14 ERA in 7 1/3 innings, all coming in April of that year. He returned to the minors, where he stayed until he was designated for assignment in September.

Since then, he has spent much of this time in the Mexican League, playing for Guerreros de Oaxaca and Acereros de Monclova. He enjoyed his best success with the latter during the 2025 season, posting a 2.68 ERA over 37 innings in 43 appearances. During his run with the club, he posted a 4.9 BB/9 and an 11.2 K/9. He also threw 18 1/3 innings for Tigres del Licey in the Dominican League, pitching to a 0.98 ERA in his 23 appearances. His recent work, along with his family ties to an ex-Met, likely all played a role in his deal with New York.

Severino, quite frankly, is not likely to see much action, but he’s not a bad option to stash in the minors as a “Break Glass in Case of Emergency” option. The Mets have a lot of names competing for bullpen spots, and they already have a few guaranteed options. With A.J. Minter set to start the year on the injured list, Brooks Raley is the only left-hander with a set spot in the pen. The club recently picked up Bryan Hudson in a trade with the White Sox, and he’s likely to find himself higher up on the depth chart than Severino in terms of securing the coveted second-lefty spot in the pen.

The Severino signing was a pretty standard fare for an early offseason move, and Mets fans are likely to see a lot of him early on in spring training. Barring a really impressive showing, he’s likely to be a name that gets re-assigned to minor league camp early on, but in a long baseball season, you just never know when a player’s name is going to be called. It would take a few injuries for Severino to get his second call up to the majors, but hey, crazier things have happened. For now though, he represents another depth signing that will mostly see action in Triple-A Syracuse.

The Cubs’ 2026 promotional schedule features two key anniversaries

Ryne Sandberg bobblehead | | Chicago Cubs

The year 2026 has two significant anniversaries for the Cubs:

  • The 10th anniversary of the 2016 World Series championship, and
  • The 150th anniversary of the official founding of the Cubs National League franchise

Both of these anniversaries will be featured in many promotional giveaways by the team, both gate giveaways and via special ticket offers, the team announced Tuesday.

To celebrate the club’s 150th anniversary as a National League franchise, commemorative bobbleheads spotlighting iconic figures in Cubs history will be available starting in April. Bobbleheads will be distributed on the following dates to the first 10,000 fans to enter Wrigley Field, subject to availability:

  • Saturday, April 11 (vs. Pirates): Ben Zobrist bobblehead
  • Saturday, April 18 (vs. Mets): Ron Santo bobblehead
  • Saturday, May 2 (vs. Diamondbacks): Kerry Wood bobblehead
  • Sunday, May 24 (vs. Astros): Ryne Sandberg bobblehead
  • Sunday, August 30 (vs. Reds): Harry Caray bobblehead
  • Sunday, September 13 (vs. Pirates): Sammy Sosa bobblehead

Those should all be very popular items. Note that they’re all being given away on weekends, days when crowds are generally the largest of the week. I’m not sure if this was done intentionally but I think it’s poetic that the Ron Santo bobblehead is being given away on a day the Cubs are facing the Mets… all of you certainly remember how Santo felt about the Mets.

To continue the anniversary celebrations, #BudFridays will return with a series of replica jerseys modeled after different eras in team history. These retro giveaways are available to the first 5,000 fans 21 years of age or older to enter the Budweiser Bleacher Gate on each #BudFridays date, subject to availability. Check out the jerseys at the page linked below, these are pretty cool.

Other new gate giveaways include a Cubs Puffer Vest, a Cade Horton Graphic Tee and a Wrigley Field Replica Ballpark.

There will also be three celebration dates for anniversaries and for the Cubs Hall of Fame induction:

  • Saturday, July 18: 2016 World Series Anniversary Celebration
  • Saturday, August 29: Cubs 150th Anniversary Celebration
  • Sunday, August 30: Cubs Hall of Fame Induction

The team says there are 35 special ticket dates where various items will be given away if you purchase the special ticket, including the popular Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month and Pride Month.

You can find more information about all the Cubs giveaways here. Cubs single-game tickets go on sale this Friday, Feb. 20. There’s a presale on Thursday, Feb. 19 and you can sign up for that here.

Mariners News, 2/17/26: Josh Simpson, Logan Gilbert, and Colt Emerson

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 07: Logan Gilbert #36 of the Seattle Mariners pitches during Game Three of the American League Division Series presented by Booking.com between the Seattle Mariners and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

In Mariners news…

Around the league…

Where does Marcelo Mayer fit with this 2026 squad?

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 11: Marcelo Mayer #11 of the Boston Red Sox akes batting practice during a workout at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 11, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images

With Alex Bregman’s departure over the offseason, Marcelo Mayer almost immediately assumed the position of Boston’s third baseman of the future and the present. But after trading for Caleb Durbin — who played 131 games at third base for the Brewers last year — last week, the Red Sox have become a bit jammed in the infield.

Granted, this is a much better problem to have than the absolute black hole that existed at second base last year, but it’s still something that will have to be addressed — and should be addressed quickly as the team looks to make up for Bregman’s All-Star level 2025 production through an amalgamation of pieces rather than a clear replacement. 

Mayer’s rookie campaign last season consisted of fewer than 150 plate appearances and left something to be desired, especially with Roman Anthony’s meteoric rise as the closest point of comparison. Specifically, his patience at the plate will have to improve in 2026, and hopefully it will after an extended offseason following his wrist surgery toward the end of August. But on the defensive end, he proved to be nearly everything he was advertised to be, which is really saying something when you have Trevor Story and Bregman closest to you in the field.

Although he came up as a shortstop, Mayer has been projected to have the arm strength of a third baseman, and showed above-average range during his time at third base in the majors last year. This, along with the fact that Story has taken on a much bigger role for this team over the past year and Mayer didn’t start a single game at shortstop, shows Boston’s confidence in his ability to shift defensively to accommodate the roster’s current makeup.

On the other side of the coin, newest Red Sox Caleb Durbin advanced through the minor leagues as a much more versatile piece, splitting time between third, shortstop, and second while spending 18 games in the outfield in Scranton Wilkes-Barre in 2024 (for what reason, I do not know). But once he made his major league debut with the Brewers last year, he spent 13 games — and only started three — away from the hot corner. It was clear, at least in Milwaukee, that he was a designated third baseman, so how does that change with his move to Boston?

While Mayer and Durbin possess similarly graded “plus” arms, their defensive utility diverges sharply when you look at the ground they cover. 

Last season, Mayer posted 3 OAA, albeit in a limited sample size, compared to Durbin’s 0 across a full season of action. This demonstrates the kind of lateral abilities that Mayer possesses that Durbin hasn’t shown yet, which overall makes him a better candidate to fill the hole at second than Durbin or other miscellaneous parts, as the Red Sox have seemingly forgotten about the Kristian Campbell Second Base Experience early in the spring. 

Alex Cora has said he’s ready to work out this positional problem both in the spring and beyond, but he had the same assignment last year, and I can’t say he exactly aced it. A large part of this shortfall is definitely related to the lack of offensive production from the candidates at second base, but there’s not exactly a big degree of difference in that when it comes to this year’s choices, though Durbin has at least shown some relative consistency during his time in the majors.

The problem still remains that neither Durbin nor Mayer makes up for the offensive prowess that Boston should have added this offseason, and both will have to step up their offensive production this year (especially Mayer), but with the team’s makeup right now, it appears obvious that they will both be mainstays in the infield.

Pre-season Pile Pick: Which new Mariner pitcher is your breakout candidate?

MESA, ARIZONA - MARCH 08: Eduard Bazardo #83 of the Seattle Mariners pitches during the third inning of a spring training game against the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park on March 08, 2025 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The reports are starting to filter in from Peoria and we’re starting to get some downright tantalizing videos of pitchers throwing bullpens. Before we get too into the buzzy part of spring, or Overreact To Small Sample Size Theaer, take this opportunity to stake your claim: which of the new Mariners arms are you predicting to be a significant contributor to the pitching staff in 2026? This is your chance to latch on to the Eduard Bazardo of 2026 and be feted with glory* when your pick hits months down the road.

*offered grudging praiseby a group of terminally online Mariners baseball sickos

And since I brought up Bazardo, let’s say it can be a fresh new face someone who was in the organization previously who you think could take a Bazardo-sized leap. If there are any Carlos Vargas truthers in the house, now is the time to speak your piece.

Also, you might have noticed I was cagey about not distinguishing between bullpen and starter there. If that strikeout video of Kade Anderson knocked your socks off, feel free to make an argument.

Elephant Rumblings: Spring Training is Officially Underway

Happy Tuesday, A’s fans! I hope everyone enjoyed the three-day weekend.

Spring training in Arizona is in full swing. Yesterday, the team held its first full-squad workout ahead of Saturday’s opener against the Chicago White Sox.

Manager Mark Kotsay said that the A’s will not name a single closer to start the season, relying on a committee as they did successfully after last year’s trade deadline. Spring games will be key for determining who gets early save opportunities, with relievers like Elvis Alvarado, Scott Barlow and Hogan Harris all in the mix.

Third base is another position to watch. Darrell Hernaiz will leave camp to play for Team Puerto Rico in the WBC, giving Max Muncy, Andy Ibanez and Brett Harris more at-bats to vie for the Opening Day start at the hot corner.

Outfield depth will also be tested. Carlos Cortes and Colby Thomas showed flashes last year in their MLB debuts. Because he bats right-handed, Thomas may have a leg up on the fourth outfielder competition. He could start or pinch-hit for left-handed starters Lawrence Butler or Tyler Soderstrom against left-handed pitching. Could both make the roster? Time will tell.

Finally, keep an eye on young pitchers Mason Barnett, JT Ginn, Gunnar Hoglund and Jack Perkins. With the starting rotation mostly set, assuming Jacob Lopez and Luis Morales nab the two open spots, these four may begin at Triple-A unless they earn bullpen roles. Ginn and Perkins already have MLB relief experience, which could give them an edge. However, injuries always seem to occur in spring training, which is why pitching depth is so imperative.

Which players are you most looking forward to watching as games get underway soon? What goals do you have for the A’s as they get through spring training?

A’s Coverage

MLB News and Interest:

Best of X

Out of all the A’s starting pitching options, who do you think will be the team’s most reliable pitcher this season?

A’s future looks promising! First glimpse at Leo De Vries (El Mutante) and Jamie Arnold in an A’s uniform.

Nick Kurtz looks ready for the season to start. How many home runs do you think the A’s first baseman will hit this year?

Yankees Birthday of the Day: Wally Pipp

NEW YORK - 1921. New York Yankee first baseman Wally Pipp poses for a portrait before a game at the Polo Grounds before a game in 1921. (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images) | Getty Images

If you say the name Wally Pipp to a baseball fan, there’s probably one thing that comes to their mind. One day in 1925, Pipp got the day off from his normal role as the Yankees’ starting first baseman. In his place, a youngster named Lou Gehrig got the start instead. Pipp then never got his start back as Gehrig became an all-time great who never took a day off.

However, just boiling Pipp down to that one story is unfair. He was a very good player in his own right, helping the Yankees to three World Series appearances, and the 1923 title. Today also happens to be his birthday, so let’s look back and give him some shine that he deserves.

Walter Clement “Wally” Pipp
Born: February 17, 1893 (Chicago, IL)
Died: January 11, 1965 (Grand Rapids, MI)
Yankees Tenure: 1915-25

Born in Chicago and mostly raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Pipp began to gain prominence in the baseball world while playing college ball at Catholic University in Washington DC. After that, he got his start in the pro ranks back home in Michigan, playing for the delightfully-named Kalamazoo Celery Pickers.

Pipp’s time there got him noticed by the Detroit Tigers, who signed him in 1912. Detroit farmed him out to some minor league teams before giving him his debut in 1913. He didn’t do much of note in his 12 games that year and returned to the minor leagues the following season. Despite an excellent 1914 in the International League, the Tigers sold him to the Yankees the following offseason, probably because they had another first baseman in George Burns, who would go on to have a very nice MLB career himself.

In one of the first moves of new owners Jacob Ruppert and Tillinghast Huston, the Yankees picked up Pipp ahead of the 1915 season. At the point of Pipp’s acquisition, the franchise was somewhat in the doldrums, but they began to show steady improvement over the next couple seasons, with their new first baseman a key part of that. His first year in New York was pretty good, but he really broke out in 1916, putting up a career-best and league-leading 12 home runs and a 123 OPS+.

Two years later, Miller Huggins took over the managerial post, and the Yankees truly began their ascent. Under Huggins, Pipp put up a career best 127 OPS+ in 1918, although his year was cut short after being drafted into the military. He returned for 1919 and was again good. Then in 1920, the Yankees acquired some guy named Babe Ruth.

Ruth took a starring role on the Yankees after that, but Pipp remained a very dependable player for the Yankees, as they won their first AL pennants in 1921 and ‘22. The latter featured arguably Pipp’s best individual season, grading out at 4.3 fWAR and 4.6 rWAR while playing a sterling defensive first base. He took a bit of a step back offensively in 1923, but he was the man who caught the throw on the groundout that clinched the Yankees’ first World Series championship that year.

Also in 1923, a young first baseman named Lou Gehrig made his debut for the Yankees. While he showed some promise, his playing time was limited that year and in ‘24, with Pipp holding things down for the Bombers. Then in 1925, Pipp got off to a very slow start. The legend goes that on June 2, 1925, he came into the clubhouse complaining of a headache and asked the trainer for some aspirin. Huggins overheard him and told Pipp to take it easy and just take the day off. Gehrig got the start and went 3-for-5.

Huggins decided to stick with the youngster for a little while—again, Pipp had been slumping anyway, which is somewhat forgotten in the most common telling of the tale—and a couple weeks later, Pipp was hit in the head in batting practice, which sent him to the hospital. By the time he was back and ready to go, Gehrig was on a heater and had usurped Pipp. The displaced former star spent the rest of the year as a pinch-hitter, but, as you likely know considering “The Iron Horse’s” streak, there weren’t many opportunities for him back at first base.

After 1925, the Yankees decided to move on from Pipp and sold him to the Cincinnati Reds. He played three seasons there and another in the minor leagues before retiring. He returned to his native Michigan after his playing career, and held a number of jobs. Reportedly, he was in attendance at the game in Detroit where Gehrig ended his consecutive games streak at 2,130. Pipp eventually passed away in 1965, a couple months short of the 40th anniversary of his famous day off.

In the case of Wally Pipp, there is a very understandable reason why his playing career gets overshadowed. It’s unfair to the man himself though, as he was hardly just a footnote at the height of his career.


See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.

Right-handed hitting outfielders the Royals could still trade for

Sep 25, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels right fielder Jo Adell (7) runs after hitting a single during the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images | William Liang-Imagn Images

It’s the first week of spring training, pitchers are climbing back onto the mound, hitters are getting their first swings in, and optimism is in the air. And yet, for fans of the Royals, there’s still that lingering feeling that something is missing. All winter long, the expectation has been that the front office would land one more impact bat, an outfielder to lengthen the lineup. So far, that move hasn’t come.

Even though spring training games are about to begin, there is still plenty of time to make a move. J.J. Picollo told Anne Rogers at MLB.com the team could still pursue a right-handed bat.

“I think it’s about how that player fits on our current roster to make it make sense,” Picollo said. “Right-handed is maybe a little bit easier to slide in a piece. Where left-handed, it’s got to be a more prominent move because we have enough left-handed hitters we think can be a part of our 26-man roster and allow us to operate the way we want to.”

With six weeks until the season opener, the question isn’t whether the Royals need another right-handed bat – it’s whether they’re still willing to go get one. Here are some outfielders that could be available in a trade, particularly if their team finds they need to add some pitching.

Jo Adell, Angels

Adell had a breakout season last year, slamming 37 home runs, the ninth-most in baseball. But power is pretty much all he brings to the table – he’s a low-average, low-walk, high-strikeout hitter. Still, the Royals need that kind of pop, and Adell is just 26 years old with two more years until free agency. Adell was one of the worst defenders in baseball in centerfield last year, but he could be a better defender in left field. The Angels would be wise to sell high on Adell and add some pitching with several controllable years. However, he was just a 1.2 rWAR player last year, so they shouldn’t expect top prospects.

Jonny DeLuca, Rays

DeLuca is a young guy you’d have to unlock more from, because he hasn’t produced at the big league level yet. Acquired by the Rays after the 2023 season in the Tyler Glasnow trade, he hit .217/.278/.331 with six home runs and 16 steals in 107 games in 2024, his only extended look in the big leagues. He appeared in just 20 games last year due to shoulder and hamstring injuries. As a minor leaguer, DeLuca had solid pop, good speed, and very low strikeout rates. His defense is good enough that he doesn’t need to hit that much to be valuable, but he may be too unproven to help the Royals.

Jasson Domínguez, Yankees

The Yankees have an outfield of Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Trent Grisham, with Spencer Jones knocking on the door as well, which may leave Domínguez as the odd man out. After being a highly ranked prospect, Domínguez had mixed results in his rookie season last year, hitting .257/.331/.388 with 10 home runs and 23 steals in 123 games and poor defense. But the 23-year-old switch-hitter has sky-high potential as a 30/30 player who has an excellent eye at the plate. The Yankees could option him to the minors and stash him away, but if they have moved on from him and are in need of starting pitching, the Royals could be a match.

Brenton Doyle, Rockies

Doyle is a two-time Gold Glover in centerfield who hit .260/.317/.446 with 23 home runs in 2024 as a 4.0 rWAR player. The problem is he was absolutely dreadful at the plate in 2025, batting .233/.274/.376 with 15 home runs in 138 games. That was with inflated numbers at Coors Field – he hit just .162/.209/.251 on the road! But there is some evidence that Coors messes with hitters on the road, and Doyle was quite good when facing just left-handed hitters. The 27-year-old has three more years of club control, so the Rockies may not be motivated to move him until he resurrects his value, but with a new GM, there may be changes coming to the roster.

Ramón Laureano, Padres

The Padres seem likely to roll with an outfield of Laureano, Jackson Merrill, and Fernando Tatis Jr., with Miguel Andujar and Sung-Mun Song in the mix between the outfield and DH. But they could decide to deal some of their outfield depth to acquire another starting pitcher and make Laureano available in his last year before free agency. The 31-year-old hit .281/.342/.512, tying a career-high with 24 home runs in his time split between Baltimore and San Diego, and his 3.8 rWAR was the best of his career. Laureano has been an inconsistent performer – his numbers tanked in 2022-23, leading the A’s to put him on waivers. He has also had trouble staying on the field and is a poor defender. But he makes just $6.5 million this year, which should make him affordable even for the Royals.

Jake Meyers, Astros

The Royals were reportedly interested in Meyers earlier this offseason, and now that Houston has traded Jesús Sánchez, they may not be looking to move another outfielder. But the Astros need pitching, which could match them up nicely with the Royals. Meyers had a breakout season in 2025, hitting .292/.354/.373 with three home runs in 381 plate appearances. The 29-year-old Nebraska native is a plus defender in center and stole a career-high 16 bases last year. He doesn’t provide the kind of power the Royals are looking for, however, and his numbers benefited from a .351 BABIP.

Coby Mayo, Orioles

Mayo isn’t an outfielder, but he’s taking reps there in spring training, and he may be available in a trade with the logjam the Orioles have in their lineup. Ranked as the #14 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline before the 2025 season, Mayo had an underwhelming start to his MLB career. He hit just .217/.299/.388 with 11 home runs in 85 games, but fared well against lefties. Mayo is hardly a sure thing, but he has a lot of potential if the Royals are willing to take the gamble.

Ryan Mountcastle, Orioles

Mountcastle hasn’t played outfield since his rookie campaign of 2021, but he’s rumored to be available after the Orioles signed free agent first baseman Pete Alonso. Mountcastle hit 33 home runs that first year, but has seen his power slip each year, and he posted a career-worst OPS+ of 83 last season, although he was limited to just 89 games. It was a bit of a surprise he was tendered a contract, and the Orioles could be looking to move him and his $6.7 million salary for next to nothing at this point.

Heliot Ramos, Giants

Ramos was an All-Star in 2024, and has hit 20+ home runs in each of the last two seasons. Last year he hit .256/.328/.400 in 157 games, but was worth just 1.2 rWAR due to dreadful defense in left. He has improved his walk and strikeout numbers and has put up an above-average OPS+ in each of the last two seasons. He is just 26 years old and has three controllable years left. If the Giants feel Drew Gilbert is ready for a starting role, they could look to move Ramos and add a pitcher.

Spencer Steer, Reds

Steer has hit 20+ home runs in each of the last three seasons, but his wRC+ has regressed each season, sinking to 97 last year. He hit just .221/.297/.365 on the road, although his 2024 numbers were quite good. He has had unusually low BABIP numbers the last two seasons, and his 10.1 percent career walk rate is fairly strong. Steer moved from left field to first base in 2025, but his defensive metrics in the outfield, while below average, weren’t awful. The Reds have top prospect Sal Stewart challenging Steer for a job, so he could be expendable soon.

Mark Vientos, Mets

Vientos is not really an outfielder, but he’s so bad defensively as an infielder that a move to the outfield might be what he needs. He smacked 27 home runs in 2024, although that number fell to 17 in 2025. He hit just .233/.289/.413 overall, with a walk rate of just 6.5 percent. He’s just 26 years old with three more years of club control and has a lot of power potential. The Mets could still hang on to Vientos as a right-handed platoon option for first baseman/DH Jorge Polanco, but it could also make sense to move him for more pitching depth.

The option status of the Brewers’ roster in spring training

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Coleman Crow, left, and Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Sammy Peralta (57) walk to the outfield during spring training workouts Saturday, February 14, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona. | Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

As spring training gets underway, one main factor for many players competing for major league jobs is their option status. Having a roster of players with options gives the Brewers’ flexibility on how to build their roster. They can move players between the majors and minors throughout the season, giving them depth for injury replacements as well as a way to get fresh players during the grind of the season. This spring, the Brewers will have a lot of flexibility with options, as many players have at least one available.

Here’s a quick reminder on how options work. When a player is first placed on the 40-man roster, they are given three options. If a player is on the 40-man roster, but not on the 26-man active roster or injured list, they must be sent on an optional assignment to the minors. After they have spent 20 days in the minors, one of their options is used for the year. A player can be recalled and optioned multiple times over the course of a season, but only one option is used in a year. However, they are limited to being optioned five times in a single season. Any more than that requires them to be placed on outright waivers — which allows other teams to claim them — to return to the minors.

If a player is out of options, the only way they can be sent to the minors is by being designated for assignment — which removes them from the 40-man roster — and then placed on outright waivers before being assigned to the minors. Players with more than three years of Major League service, or players who have been outrighted before, can reject being outrighted to the minors and become free agents. This is in addition to players who have five years of Major League service, who must agree to be sent to the minors under any circumstance.

Below are lists of all the players in the Brewers’ major league camp and their current option status. I placed players who are projected to make the major league roster toward the top of each list. Some players are marked with specific symbols; here is what they mean. Option status is based on Roster Resource via FanGraphs.

* – Non-roster invitees (in major league camp, not on 40-man roster)
# – Players who will exceed five years of major league service during the season. These players can only be sent to the minors with their consent after passing five years.
^ – Players with one option who may be eligible for a fourth option. (This will be discussed further in that section.)

Zero Options

  • Position Players
    • Greg Jones*
    • Eddys Leonard*
  • Pitchers
    • Rob Zastryzny
    • Peter Strzelecki*
    • Jacob Waguespack*

When it comes to camp battles this spring, option status will play a minimum role in most decisions. The list of players without options is very short, meaning most players who do not make the team can simply be optioned. In the above list, four of the five players are in camp as non-roster invitees on minor league deals. Depending on their contracts (and if they include opt-outs), they can be kept in the minors to start the season.

The only player who has to make the roster out of camp or be exposed to waivers is Rob Zastryzny. He is the sole Brewer on the 40-man roster who is under five years of service time and does not have an option available. He is currently projected to be on the roster at the start of the season, but still could use a good spring to secure his spot.

One Option

  • Position Players
    • William Contreras#
    • David Hamilton
    • Brice Turang
    • Akil Baddoo
    • Steward Berroa
    • Tyler Black^
    • Jeferson Quero^
  • Pitchers
    • Grant Anderson
    • Aaron Ashby
    • DL Hall
    • Trevor Megill
    • Quinn Priester
    • Abner Uribe
    • Angel Zerpa
    • Easton McGee
    • Sammy Peralta
    • Carlos Rodriguez^
    • Gerson Garabito*

There’s not much to see in this list, since most of the players who are projected to be on the opening day roster are established at their positions. For the players who have their minor league option used, this will be an important season for them. Without an option next year, they will need to earn their job at the start of the season. Performing well when they get chances in the majors will be important, so they can build a resume for themselves before next season.

Included in this list are three players who currently on their last option year but may be eligible for a fourth. MLB rules allow players to be granted a fourth option under certain circumstances. Here is the official rule from the MLB website.

Players typically have three option years, but those who have accrued less than five full seasons (including both the Major and Minors) are eligible for a fourth if their three options have been exhausted already. For the purposes of this rule, spending at least 90 days on an active Major League or Minor League roster during a given season counts as one full season. Players also earn a full season if they spend at least 30 days on an active Major League or Minor League roster AND their active-roster and injured-list time amounts to at least 90 days in a given season.

This is not an automatic process. Teams generally have to apply for the extra option year and then MLB will make a ruling on it. Of the above players, Black and Rodriguez were originally drafted in 2021, so this would be their potential fifth full season. Quero is a little more complex since he signed as an international free agent in 2019 but was also impacted by the shortened 2020 season.

Two Options

  • Position Players
    • Joey Ortiz
    • Blake Perkins
    • Andrew Vaughn#
    • Brandon Lockridge
  • Pitchers
    • Jared Koenig
    • Chad Patrick
    • Logan Henderson
    • Robert Gasser
    • Kyle Harrison
    • Craig Yoho
    • Drew Rom*

These players have used an option already but still have good flexibility with two remaining. Lockridge is the only position player who will likely open the season in the minors but should provide good depth if needed during the season. Meanwhile, Koenig and Patrick are the two pitchers that are near locks to be on the opening day roster. Henderson, Gasser, and Harrison will all be among the starting pitchers fighting for a spot on the roster, but all should see some major league starts this season even if they begin the year in the minors.

Three Options

  • Position Players
    • Jackson Chourio
    • Sal Frelick
    • Garrett Mitchell
  • Ptichers
    • Jacob Misiorowski
    • Coleman Crow
    • Shane Drohan
    • Brandon Sproat

These players are currently on the 40-man roster but have not used an option. For most of these players, they were added to the 40-man roster when they were brought up to the majors and have not left it. The one exception is Crow, who was added to the 40-man roster in the offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. Coleman, Drohan, and Sproat will all likely use their first option at the start of the season. They are currently projected to begin the season in the minors.

Non-Roster Invitees who have not been on 40-man roster
  • Position Players
    • Luke Adams*
    • Eduardo Garcia*
    • Luis Lara*
    • Jesús Made*
    • Darrien Miller*
    • Cooper Pratt*
    • Ramón Rodríguez*
    • Brock Wilken*
    • Jett Williams*
    • Matthew Wood*
  • Pitchers
    • Tate Kuehner*

This is an extension of the three-option list above. All these players have not been on the 40-man roster before, so they have not used an option. Since they are all NRIs, they do not have to use an option as long as they remain off the 40-man roster. Once they are added, an option would have to be used for them to remain in the minors.

Over five years of Major League experience

  • Position Players
    • Jake Bauers
    • Luis Rengifo
    • Gary Sánchez
    • Christian Yelich
    • Reese McGuire*
  • Pitchers
    • Brandon Woodruff

The final group are players who have recorded at least five years of major league service. As a result, these players cannot be optioned to the minors without their consent. The one exception on this list is McGuire, who is in camp on a minor league contract. Depending on his contract, he could start the season in the minors, but if he is added to the major league roster, he cannot be sent down without his consent.

Henry Pollock handed first England start in Six Nations clash with Ireland

  • Curry and Lawrence recalled to Borthwick’s side

  • Arundell avoids ban and starts, Freeman moves to wing

Henry Pollock has been handed his first England start against Ireland while Steve Borthwick has recalled Tom Curry and Ollie Lawrence as he seeks to get his side’s Six Nations campaign back on track.

Henry Arundell has been retained after escaping a suspension while Tommy Freeman shifts back to the wing to accommodate Lawrence and Marcus Smith comes back on to the replacements bench.

Continue reading...

Good Morning San Diego: Padres news continues to come from Spring Training as holiday weekend ends

Peoria, Ariz. - February 16: AJ Preller, San Diego Padres president of baseball operations, talks on the phone during spring training workouts at the Peoria Sports Complex on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 in Peoria, Ariz.(Photo by Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)

The biggest news of the day regarding the San Diego Padres was the multi-year extension for president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller. However, that was not the only news of the day as the Padres agreed to minor league deals with first baseman Ty France and starting pitcher Walker Buehler. San Diego had a quiet offseason leading up to Spring Training, but the news came early and often starting Saturday when the Padres signed Nick Castellanos, Griffin Canning and German Marquez. Preller appears to have addressed all the needs on the San Diego roster and has created a high-level of competition for coveted roster spots that should make for an exciting Spring Training in Peoria, Ariz. Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball compared the roster at this point last season to the current roster and believes the overall quality of the team has improved, which could make for a successful 2026.

Padres News:

  • After the announcement of the extension for Preller, Padres Chairman John Seidler and Padres CEO Erik Greupner met with the media. It was the first public comments from Seidler since the announcement of an exploration for a potential sale. He assured the media in attendance the Padres would not be moved out of San Diego and added that there is significant interest in the team from potential buyers.

Baseball News:

MLB 2026 Futures Best Bets, Odds, Predictions, Win Totals, NL Central: Pirates and Paul Skenes on the come up

The MLB season is weeks away from opening day and one of the up and coming teams in the National League are the Pittsburgh Pirates, believe it or not. After Paul Skenes won a CY Young last year, management decided to spend a little bit of money on some bats, which was an encouraging sign and makes this squad a bet-on team in 2026. Here's how to bet on the Buccos this year with the new faces, and young talent returning.

Pittsburgh Pirates O/U 76.5 Wins

The Pittsburgh Pirates made moves this offseason! That’s not something that makes headlines very often, as Bob Nutting is known as one of the cheapest owners in all of Major League Baseball. In 2025, the Buccos’ payroll was $104,739,138, ranking 27th overall, but this year, that number is up to $117,975,000, coming in at 21st! Big Spenders!

Some of those millions were spent on improving the lineup, which superstar Paul Skenes all but demanded should happen this offseason. Pittsburgh brought in Ryan O’Hearn (Padres), Brandon Lowe (Rays), Jake Mangum (Rays), and Marcell Ozuna (Braves). That quadruplet of hitters substantially improves on the lineup and gives Pittsburgh multiple viable hitters joining Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz, rookie Konnor Griffin, and Nick Gonzales. When you look at the top paid players on Pittsburgh, O’Hearn (2nd, $14 million), Lowe (4th, $11.5 million), and Ozuna (5th, $10.5 million) all crack the top five, so the Pirates ownership is making an effort to bring in talent and pay them.

Pittsburgh finished third-worst batting average last year (.231), ahead of only the Guardians and Angels, recorded the fewest home runs by a landslide (117, next was 148), plus were last in OPS (.655) and SLG (.350). O’Hearn, Lowe, Magnum, and Ozuna may not be the sexiest additions, but they were much-needed if the NL Central’s fifth-place team wants to go from last to leader (71-91). In terms of odds to win the NL Central on DraftKings, the Pirates are listed at +800 or a $10 bet wins $80, ranking fourth in the division.

NL Central Odds on DraftKings

NL Central Odds on DraftKings

The starting pitching rotation will be one of the best in the National League, starting with the reigning Cy Young winner, Paul Skenes, followed by Jared Jones (4.14 ERA), who is coming back from injury, Mitch Keller (4.19 ERA) following a down year, rookie sensation Bubba Chandler (4.02 ERA, 7 games played), plus Braxton Ashcraft (2.71 ERA), and Jose Urquidy (2 games played in 2025) who is coming off Tommy John Surgery.

Last season, Pittsburgh owned the seventh-best ERA (3.76), the eighth-best opponent batting average (.236), tied for the fourth-best WHIP (.122), ranked seventh in walks allowed (473), and permitted the third-fewest home runs (153). Clearly, the pitching was not a problem for the Buccos last year, well, outside of the closer spot.

Pittsburgh had to move on from David Bednar as the closer. In 2024, Bednar posted a 5.77 ERA and 27 saves to go along with a 3-8 record and seven blown saves. While Bednar’s numbers improved in 2025 (2.37 ERA, 17 saves, 0 blown saves), the writing was on the wall for the now 31-year-old. The Pirates traded Bednar to the Yankees in exchange for minor league catcher Rafael Flores (No. 8 prospect), minor league catcher Edgleen Pérez, and outfielder Brian Sánchez. Flores has a chance to make the opening day roster this season, while Pérez and Sánchez are projects in a star-studded farm system.
The Pirates’ bullpen saw acquisitions this offseason to bolster their support of Skenes and company with the signings of LHP Gregory Soto (Mets) and RHP Mason Montgomery (Rays). Dennis Santana will presume the role of closer after Bednar’s departure. Santana had 16 saves, 13 holds, and three blown saves last year, along with a 4-5 record and 2.18 ERA (60 Ks to 17 BB). Pittsburgh will need relief pitchers like Carmen Mlodzinski (3.55 ERA), Kyle Nicholas (4.74 ERA), Hunter Barco (2 games played), and a few others to step up and improve on mediocre numbers or limited action last season.

Going from last place in a division to first place isn’t unheard of. The Red Sox went from last in the AL East in 2012 and won the World Series in 2013. The 2006 Cardinals and 2005 Red Sox both finished last in their divisions the year prior and won the divisions the following season, plus the Orioles almost went from last-place to first-place in the AL East last season (75 to 91 wins, finished in second-place) after winning the AL East in 2023.

The safest bet is for the Pirates to go Over 76.5 wins up to 77.5 after totaling 71 victories last year. I truly believe this roster is at least six wins better than last season, but for a long shot, I like the Buccos to win the NL Central at +800 odds. You can call me crazy, but I believe it’s in the realm of possibility. Started from the bottom, now we here!

Picks: Pittsburgh Pirates Over 76.5 wins (3 units), Pittsburgh Pirates to win NL Central (1 unit)

MLB Futures Card

3 units: Pittsburgh Pirates Over 76.5 Wins (-115)
1 unit: Pittsburgh Pirates to win NL Central (+800)
1 unit: Paul Skenes to win NL CY Young (+250)
1 unit: Garrett Crochet to win AL CY Young (+425)
0.5 unit: Konnor Griffin to win NL Rookie of the Year (+600)
0.5 unit: Bubba Chandler to win NL Rookie of the Year (+1200)

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MLBPA boss Tony Clark stepping down in shock move before new labor war

Tony Clark, who led the Major League Baseball Players' Association through two collective bargaining agreements and was preparing for what is expected to be a highly contentious CBA battle in 2026-27, is resigning as executive director Feb. 17, according to a baseball official with direct knowledge of the situation.

The official spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because the resignation wasn't yet official.

Clark, who held the post since 2013, brought the credibility of a former player the position, and oversaw significant union solidarity throughout his tenure after he took over for the late Michael Weiner. 

But his reign has not been without conflict. The MLBPA remains under federal investigation due to its role in OneTeam Partners, a licensing company co-owned with the NFLPA and three other sports unions.

A faction within his eight-player executive sub-committee also aimed to oust lead negotiator Bruce Meyer in 2024, an insurgency led by lawyer Harry Marino, a longtime advocate for minor league players who helped integrate them into the MLBPA.  

In December 2024, the three players who aimed to oust Meyer as lead negotiator – Jack Flaherty, Lucas Giolito and Ian Happ – were voted off the executive subcommittee.

The union announced in 2022 - when Clark earned $2.2 million - that Clark's contract had been extended through 2027. 

MLBPA executive director Tony Clark in 2023.

His resignation comes before the highly-anticipated - or dreaded - showdown between the union and MLB upon the current CBA's expiration on Dec. 1. In 2021, commissioner Rob Manfred locked the players out in the midst of the off-season transaction frenzy, freezing all business as CBA negotiations lurched on. 

The sides finally came to an accord in early March, leaving just enough time for a 162-game schedule to proceed. MLB has not missed games due to a labor dispute since the 1994 strike and subsequent impasse cancelled the World Series. 

Now, one of the central figures to the next negotiation will sit this one out. 

His successor will inherit the job at perhaps its most crucial moment in decades.

MLB lockout looms

Manfred said Feb. 12 at MLB's owners meetings that CBA negotiations typically ramp up around Opening Day, and has said he anticipates using a lockout as a measure to move the talks along come December. A simple accord is not anticipated: MLB owners have strongly signaled, publicly and privately, their desire for a salary cap, a concept that has been a non-starter for the union.

MLB remains the only major professional sports league in North America without a cap, though inequity among ownership groups - most specifically, the huge-spending Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets - has sown discord among other franchises.

Clark, 53, played 15 years in the major leagues and was active in the union at that time. He ascended the ranks in the late 2000s, when Weiner guided the union with a very steady hand. But an inoperable brain tumor claimed Weiner's life, and Clark was elected to take over.

MLB and the union executed an on-time CBA for the 2017 season, yet the following two winters saw declines in salaries and offers for veteran players, priming the union for another fight in 2021-22. Between CBAs, Clark added to his offensive attack, hiring Meyer as deputy executive director and chief negotiator.

It proved a fruitful add: Clark and Meyer seemed to claw back some gains, most notably a modest climb in the luxury tax ceiling and additive components like a pre-arbitration salary pool for high-achieving young players. Yet a moderate rift in membership was exposed when the eight-person subcommittee recommended rejecting MLB's latest offer, only to be overruled by player representatives from each individual team.

That created a divide between highest-earning players and those closer to the rank-and-file, along with a proxy war of sorts among sports agencies, leading the the 2024 attempted removal of Meyer.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tony Clark, MLBPA boss, steps down before new CBA war and lockout

Sixers come out of All-Star Break with a chance to right the ship

The second month of the calendar year started with a couple of convincing wins over the Clippers and Warriors for the Sixers in the midst of a West Coast swing. Since that Warriors win on Feb. 3, Philadelphia has won one game. It got blown out by Portland and New York in its final two games before the All-Star break and the team’s trade deadline certainly left fans scratching their heads to say the least.

However, as the team prepares to resume its season, there’s reason to believe it can start racking up some wins again. Three of the Sixers’ first four games out of the break are against sub-.500 teams with Atlanta, New Orleans and Indiana on the horizon. The first week of March also features a home game against Utah and another Atlanta game as well. While the last couple of weeks have been rough, it’s important to keep things in perspective as Philly prepares to resume the season with a record of 30-24.

The Sixers’ preseason win total was 42.5 at most sportsbooks entering 2025-26. Barring a cataclysmic final two months of the regular season, they’re going to go over that number. Should they finish in the neighborhood of 44-46 wins, that would likely be enough to avoid the play-in tournament as one of the top six seeds in the Eastern Conference. Who in their right mind would complain about that?

Perhaps the last couple weeks have given Sixers fans a sobering reality check that it’s the same old Sixers team that’s going to disappoint you the moment you allow yourself to get sucked back into believing they could make a deep playoff run. Frankly, for as much as the franchise has been made fun of for its countless exits in the second round of the playoffs within the last decade, just making it to the second round this spring would be an overachievement.

Whether you cared or not about the All-Star weekend festivities, the Rising Stars challenge was another nice moment in the spotlight for VJ Edgecombe who continues to look like one of the NBA’s best rookies in 2025-26. Games like Atlanta, New Orleans and Indiana offer Edgecombe and the rest of Philly’s younger players who have been seeing a lot of minutes a chance to prove they belong in the NBA. In Edgecombe’s case, these upcoming games are a chance for him to show he can thrive in the NBA.

If you check the secondary market prices for these games, you’ll notice they aren’t expensive, and why would they be? The Sixers are a slightly better than average team in the East with an exhausted fanbase that has largely tuned them out and these upcoming opponents are certainly not generating any buzz. But racking up wins against some of the NBA’s bottom feeders should at least rebuild the team’s confidence after getting whitewashed by Portland and New York prior to the All-Star break.

A lot of this probably sounds like patting a high school team on the back for beating a team that barely has enough players to even play the game should the Sixers start the second half hot. But this is the lens that we must continue to view 2025-26 through. Philadelphia is never going to be considered one of the NBA’s upper echelon title contenders. But it should still be good enough to dispose of the majority of the lottery teams on its schedule. Expectations go away by the time the playoffs come around this spring because they never were that high to begin with for this season. That’s actually kind of refreshing, and so yes, it’ll be nice to see the Sixers pick up a few wins out of the break, regardless of who the opponent is.