Sep 15, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets right fielder Carson Benge (3) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The 2026 Rookie of the Year Award is one of the more fascinating award races this year (at least it is in the National League, since Kevin McGonigle should run away with the American League variant). New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge is one of the three finalists, alongside St. Louis Cardinals shortstop JJ Wetherholt, and Cincinnati Reds corner infielder (though mostly first baseman) Sal Stewart. Each of the three players have an interesting and varied case to bring home the hardware in what ended up being a hotly contested race (one of which that saw a few players snubbed as finalists, namely Mets starter Nolan McLean and Colorado Rockies first baseman TJ Rumfield, both of which would place easily in my personal top three).
JJ Wetherholt represents the season-long interpretation of the award. He looked like the runaway favorite to win it for months, as his exceptional defense at second base (+25 DRS) and league-average offense (101 wRC+) gave him a huge head start, especially when Carson Benge was hitting like a pitcher for about a month or so. Wetherholt, despite only playing 139 games, led all National League rookies in fWAR with 4.6 — and trailed only Kevin McGonigle in fWAR among all rookies. He was a steady player for the Cardinals from the word go. He did miss a few weeks with wrist tendonitis, but he represents the safer vote.
Sal Stewart represents a vote with an older school flair. Stewart was a mediocre defender (-2 DRS at first), and his wRC+ sat at 112, so it is fair to wonder how he ended up a finalist, especially when he finished with a rather tepid 2.0 fWAR, good for fifth among NL rookies, and 17th among all rookies. How he got here was his counting stats. Stewart hit 32 home runs, easily leading all NL rookies, and finishing only behind Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamodo. His 112 RBI are twenty more than any other rookie, and were third in all of baseball. Those counting stats pop off the page, and his .263/.330/.457 slash line makes it look even better. Twenty or so years ago, Stewart wins this in a landslide and no one is batting an eye.
Carson Benge represents a little from Column A and a little from Column B. His 4.3 fWAR is second among NL rookies and third among all rookies, pairing a solidly above average bat (118 wRC+) with solid defense (+1 DRS). He went 20/20 on the season, hitting exactly 20 home runs and swiping 22 bags. He also has the benefit of a narrative behind him. Benge was, for lack of a better term, horrific to start his rookie season, finishing April with a 48 wRC+. He turned it on from there, finishing May with a 128 wRC+. He came back down to Earth a little in June with a 108 wRC+ before finishing the season on fire, notching a 126 wRC+, 143 wRC+ and 147 wRC+ in July, August and September, respectively. His ability to put a horrid month behind him and play good and even excellent baseball for the rest of the season, putting him at the very top among all rookies, was a fascinating development.
Any of these players can win this award and it should not come as a surprise. However, Benge has a unique combination of both Wetherholt’s and Stewart’s resumes that is perhaps being underrated in this conversation. You can make the analytical argument for Benge, seeing as he placed within the top three in fWAR amongst rookies, was fine defensively, had good offensive season (with an absolutely torrid second half of his year). You can also make a less analytical, more traditional argument for him, seeing as he went 20/20. According to research done by MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, Benge is the eighteenth player in MLB history to achieve that milestone as a rookie (and eight of those eighteen did it in their debut season, Benge included). That is a deeply impressive and underrated landmark for a rookie to hit, and something that does not come along often. He also as an interesting narrative case, if you want to look at it that way (and, frankly, I believe these awards are somewhat narrative based), considering he went from a 48 wRC+ in April to being in a finalist for the award, and being an offensive start for the entire summer.
If you would make me guess a winner as I type this out, I would guess Stewart gets the nod, simply because a 32 home run, 112 RBI season is not going to be ignored by voters. Despite my skepticism he wins the award, Benge represents a unique blend of the analytical argument, traditional argument, and narrative argument.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 23: MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred speaks with the media prior to game one of the 2026 World Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on October 23, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today, Major League Baseball’s General Manager Meetings begin in Las Vegas. Generally, the GM Meetings set the stage for later action, but with an all-but-assured lockout coming on December 1, this year may be different.
At any rate, Colorado Rockies president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta will be there as will general manager Josh Byrnes, assistant general managers Ian Levin and Tommy Tanous, and director of baseball operations Amir Mamdani. They are scheduled to take questions from media on Tuesday afternoon, so look for us to follow up on that.
At any rate, here are the big questions we have headed into this week’s meetings.
Will teams, including the Rockies, begin an offseason frenzy of trades and signings, or will they wait until after the new CBA?
Certainly, front offices will take different approaches to this question — whether they wish to makes deals in the known present or gamble on an undefined future. But given that the month is almost one-third over, if there’s going to be a busy November, it better get rolling.
The GM Meetings should give fans a better sense of MLB’s mood.
Will the Rockies make any trades?
Three of the organization’s best moves last season were the result of trades: Brenan Bernardino, Jake McCarthy, and TJ Rumfield all came to the Rockies as the result of offseason trades. Moreover, last August’s trade deadline saw the Rockies making moves to shore up their pitching, and the early results were promising.
Will we see more of this during the GM Meetings, and if so, which Rockies players might be trade candidates?
Will the Rockies sign any free agents?
In 2026, the Rockies had a mixed record when it came to signing free agents. Tomoyuki Sugano was a win; Willi Castro and José Quintana were fine, with the latter missing much of the season due to injury; and Michael Lorenzen was DFA’d in August. The question, then, becomes how deeply the Rockies will dive into the free agent pool.
The Rockies need starting pitching, and this year’s free agent class offers a wide range of talents and salaries. Based on what they learned in 2026, will the Rockies again make signings, and could that happen in the coming days?
How will the front office answer questions about recent staffing changes?
We also know the Rockies have been on a staff-hiring frenzy. (See, for example, here, here, and here.) Will the front office reveal more about their hiring plans going forward and how they are changing the organization?
Will the Rockies resolve Kris Bryant’s contract?
It’s a long shot — I know — but the meetings are in Vegas, Kris Bryant lives in Vegas, and with everyone gathered together, perhaps it’s time to consciously uncouple this relationship.
Given the extent of Bryant’s injuries, it seems unlikely he will play baseball again. Perhaps it’s a good time to provide some closure for all involved.
So that’s what I’m watching for this week. Let us know in the comments what you’re keeping an eye on.
Purple Row will cover developments as details become available.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 29: Manager Chad Tracy #17 of the Boston Red Sox and Boston Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow arrive ahead of Game One of the American League Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees on September 29, 2026 at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A lot has been made of the supposedly minuscule circle of advisors Craig Breslow reportedly maintains in the Red Sox front office. Prior to the season-saving 15-game win streak, when it looked all but certain that Breslow would soon be fired, media reports painted a picture of a near-reclusive CBO, one who trusted few people in the front office and alienated most others. Winning put a lot of those concerns to rest, as it so often does. But the fact remains that the Red Sox front office does have some holes. The General Manager role has been vacant since 2023, while two high-ranking assistant GMs haven’t really been replaced: Paul Toboni, who was hired to lead the Nationals last fall, and Taylor Smith, who recently departed for the A’s, after having been hired by Breslow just two years ago. That’s why — in addition to finding a power bat — Breslow says he’s making front office hiring a priority this offseason. “It is pretty clear that that executive leadership circle is down not just bodies, but down really talented people. And we’ve got to find the right people to emerge and to put into place there,” said Breslow. “The inconvenient piece is that we need to put a great team on the field and we need to win more games in 2027 than we did in 2026. Losing leadership like Taylor and Paul makes that harder, but we have to do everything we can to replace them.” (Tim Healey, Boston Globe)
While Dana LeVangie isn’t an upper level front office executive like Smith or Toboni, he needs to be replaced now, too. A Massachusetts native, LeVangie has been employed by the Red Sox in one form or another ever since being drafted by the team back in 1991, rising to the level of pitching coach in 2018. He’s been in the scouting department since 2020, and will depart for a similar role with the Royals. (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
Front office and scouting hires don’t usually make the headlines, though, and they won’t this week, either, as it’s time to hand out MLB’s major awards. First up is the Rookie of the Year, which will be announced tonight and features Payton Tolle as a finalist. Here’s a case for Tolle and each of his two competitors. (MLB.com)
Tolle is unlikely to take home the hardware given how good Kevin McGonigle was this year, but he’s won something else: the praise of CC Sabathia. “I love watching him, and I love his personality,” the former Yankees ace said. “I don’t think I could have pitched the way he does. I was always way more emotional and upset. It’s fun to see him have that disposition.” (Peter Abraham, Boston Globe)
With Tolle at the top of the rotation alongside Garrett Crochet and Ranger Suárez, the Sox are unlikely to go after any of the really big name arms on the market this offseason (read: Tarik Skubal). But they could still be on the hunt for some pitching. “Beyond a run producer, the focus will be on improving pitching depth. Look for the Sox to be in the market for a back-end starter to compete with Brayan Bello, Tanner Houck and Kutter Crawford. And while the back end of the bullpen is strong, the most successful teams in the game feature multiple power arms. If the Red Sox are convinced that Erik Miller can improve his command, the Sox should be in the market for another righthander with swing-and-miss capability.” (Sean McAdam, MassLive)
Zack Kelly has some swing-and-miss capability, but he probably won’t be back at Fenway next season. After he was designated for assignment last week, Kelly has now cleared waivers and been released. “[H]e is expected to have a robust market of teams who believe he has considerable upside.” (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 06: San Diego Padres owners José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones look on in game three of the National League Division Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on October 06, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There was some thought around baseball that with the impending Collective Bargaining Agreement set to expire Dec. 1 that there would be a flurry of moves prior to that ownership imposed deadline. The MLB owners and MLB Players Association have been exchanging proposals in more of a performative exercise than earnest intent to get a deal done. The owners have made no secret that they intend to lockout the players once the CBA expires if a new deal is not in place. The side could continue business as normal and continue to work toward a resolution, but that is unlikely.
With the deadline nest approaching, the belief from baseball pundits and the hope from baseball fans was that the teams would look to sign free agents sooner rather than later with the uncertainty about the financial constraints of that could come with a new CBA. To this point, nothing has happened with regard to free agents. The Washington Nationals extended Jacob Young and teams have added minor league pieces, but there have been no “headline” moves yet.
That could change over the coming weeks as the General Managers Meetings are set to take place this week starting today and concluding on Thursday. Could some teams make some moves? Could teams make trades involving some major league talent? The collective baseball world hopes so, but that all hinges on what fans and people outside of front offices do not know.
The San Diego Padres have many needs, with the majority of those coming in the starting rotation. Only Randy Vasquez and an unknown Joe Musgrove are likely rotation pieces, which means the Padres are in need of at least three more starters, but likely more to account for injuries, struggles, etc. This is the first offseason under new San Diego owners Jose E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones. The duo have said they are all-in, but the Friar Faithful can only assume what that means. Does it mean rumors are true and the Padres are in on free agent pitcher Tarik Skubal? Does it mean re-signing Michael King, Adrian Morejon and Ty France? Quite literally no one outside of the Feliciano and Jones and their most trusted advisors know.
Fans are left to wait and see and for many that is the hardest part of this offseason. The Friars Faithful know where they have been, but there are grand ideas of where they could go. Time will tell what “all-in” means and what the San Diego roster will look like in 2027, maybe we get a glimpse this week.
Padres News:
Casey Mize was not good with the Padres. That may have been due to injury or something else, but the result was he struggled in San Diego and Lincoln Zdunich of Gaslamp Ball gave him his grade for his time with the club.
Nov 8, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Boston Celtics center Mitchell Robinson (4) blocks the shot of Milwaukee Bucks center Kel'el Ware (9) in the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Mitchell Robinson seemed destined to miss Sunday night’s Celtics-Bucks matchup before the team upgraded him to active just hours before tipoff in Milwaukee. The 28-year-old, who had been struggling to find his footing in his first year with Boston, instead turned a corner.
“It’s tough,” Robinson admitted after Boston’s 117-97 victory over Milwaukee, per CLNS Media. “Been in New York for eight years and year nine I’m in Boston. Totally two different game plays, and it’s something that I’ve gotta learn, but I feel like it’s going well.”
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla played Robinson off the bench, and he found his rhythm immediately as he checked in for Derrick White with 7:03 left in the first quarter. In his first minute on the floor, Robinson secured a defensive rebound, raced to the other end, grabbed an offensive rebound and cleanly finished the putback layup. Two possessions later, he connected with Jayson Tatum for an alley-oop dunk, something the two had struggled to execute for the past few weeks.
“We’re working on it,” Robinson acknowledged, laughing. “JT be throwing it to the moon sometimes. But we’re working on it.”
Robinson’s toughness engine kicked in, as did a side of him the Celtics hadn’t seen through his first eight appearances. In the final minute of the first quarter, he recorded two steals — before setting a season-high with four — and two more rebounds. He went on to finish a perfect 6-for-6 from the field with 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a block in just over 18 minutes.
For the first time all season, Robinson finally looked like Big Mitch.
Nov 8, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Boston Celtics center Mitchell Robinson (4) dunks the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Inside the locker room, he had plenty of support from those thrilled for his breakthrough.
“A great bounceback game for Big Mitch,” Paul George told NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin. “I thought he was amazing with his effort, his energy, keeping balls alive, screening. I thought he was vocal out here. He was a presence at the rim. Everything that he does well, he put it on display here, and he made a big impact.”
Robinson had been frustrated and brutally honest with himself since joining the Celtics — traits Mazzulla has openly commended him for. He had been struggling to produce offensively, as his six field goal makes also set a new season-high in Milwaukee, giving Robinson plenty to build on moving forward.
Everyone around him understands the challenge that comes with a player in his situation, acclimating himself to a new system while playing alongside an entirely new group of teammates. But rest assured, he has plenty of support from those in Boston who believe in him and will continue pulling for him.
“It’s a learning curve,” Tatum told reporters. “New system, new teammates. Taking more ownership, just understanding that we really want him involved in things we’re doing, especially on the offensive end. So [he’s] just kind of getting comfortable in that role.”
It’s easy to nitpick the missed shot attempts or the misfired free throws, but Mazzulla doesn’t dissect Robinson’s performances that simply. He pays attention to the little details that add up, and based on his observations, he’s not the least bit concerned about Robinson’s ability to adapt to what the Celtics need from him.
Watching Robinson closely, Mazzulla has noticed his progress.
“A lot of times, he’s picking things up on his own,” Mazzulla told reporters. “Instead of me talking to him in games, he’s seeing things. He’s seeing the timing of screening, he’s seeing the timing of rolls, he’s seeing the timing of the angles he needs to set, he’s seeing the reads that we’re trying to run in our early offense, he’s seeing the defensive communication.”
Even though the Celtics understand Robinson is still adjusting, Mazzulla made it clear that he and Neemias Queta are integral to Boston’s success, capable of elevating the team to another level.
“Those two guys are the anchor of what we do on both ends,” Mazzulla added, “and when they play with the personality and the communication, it just makes our team different.”
Even as Robinson continues to hold himself accountable whenever he feels he’s underachieving, the Celtics will be right there alongside him, pushing him to meet the standard they’re both aware he’s capable of meeting.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 08: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics dunks the ball against Myles Turner #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks in the third quarter at Fiserv Forum on November 08, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In the Celtics second game against the Bucks in their last three games, Boston once again took care of business in Milwaukee, winning 117-97. After a slow start, Boston was able to turn it on and eventually take down the Bucks with some hot three point shooting and great defense. This was easily the only game that mattered today when it came to teams from Massachusetts and Wisconsin facing off. Everyone knows a Celtics regular season win over the Bucks means more than a Packers win over the Patriots.
1. Celtics Locked In
The Celtics had every reason to overlook this game on the schedule with their looming matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday November 10th, and early on it might have looked like the case. The Bucks started the game on a 20-6 run including Kyle Kuzma exploding for 14 points. Unlike the Patriots, the Celtics did not let an early deficit dictate their game, as Boston fought back to make it a 2 point game at the end of the first quarter.
Boston would proceed to go on a 20-7 run to begin the second quarter and that was essentially the game. The Celtics would open it up to a 23-point lead in the third quarter and close out with a 20-point win in the forth quarter. It’s always good to see a team bounce back early after facing adversity early and the Celtics were able to pull it off in this matchup.
2. Running Out of Words for Paul George
After the Celtics last game against the Bucks where Paul George scored 25 points and hit the dagger in the fourth quarter, I wrote an article talking about how important he was to this team and how he is still playing at an elite level. I am back to say, Paul George is still elite. George led Boston with 27 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals on 11-18 shooting from the field and 5-10 from three.
George made his presence known on the scoring end, finishing with 20 points in the first half alone. In the second quarter specifically, he went off for 16 points on 6-9 shooting from the field and 4-6 shooting from three. The Bucks defensive game plan of leaving Jamie Jaquez Jr on an island did not work out well for him as George just looked like he was playing at his own pace. The midrange shot was a thing of beauty and his work in the pick and roll was a good way of getting the Celtics offense going early on.
This was a good opening act for the main show on Tuesday as George goes back to Philadelphia for the first time since he was traded to Boston in the offseason. In the postgame interview on NBC Sports Boston, George was his asked his thoughts on the game where he said, “It will be fun…great relationships over there…a rough tenure in my 2 years there but it will be special to be in the building.” I am all in on the Paul George Redemption Arc in Boston and this game gave me everything love about PG so far. Would love to see it carry over against Philly.
Paul George on returning to Philadelphia for the first time on Tuesday:
“It will be fun…great relationships over there…a rough tenure in my 2 years there but it will be special to be in the building pic.twitter.com/JRQD3eYwvA
Jayson Tatum is having an MVP-level start to his 2026-27 season and his offensive game looks a lot more advanced than it did last season coming off the Torn Achilles. However, the only thing that hasn’t looked great to start the season is his three-point shooting. It doesn’t look like there is anything structurally wrong with his jump shot, they just aren’t going in.
Tatum was shooting 28.6% from three going into this matchup against Milwaukee but they were falling in this game as he finished with 21 points on 5-11 shooting from beyond the arc. Tatum was on fire from beyond the arc to begin the game, finishing the first quarter 4-6 from three. He didn’t shoot another one until the third quarter where he hit his fifth three of the night. The final box score number won’t reflect it, but Tatum is shooting 10-19 in his last two games and is looking more and more like his old self every game. We are due for Tatum three-point avalanche soon, and it will be glorious when it happens.
Jayson Tatum's three ball is looking better and better every day. 10-19 from beyond the arc in his last 2 games pic.twitter.com/k5XFyf5Ebb
One thing that has continued to impress me about Tatum this year is his passing. Even shots the Celtics don’t hit, it feels like Tatum is always making the right decision when it comes to finding the open guy at the perimeter when he is driving to the basket. This game marks the 10th straight game where he has had 6 or more assists, and is the longest such streak since the little guy, Isaiah Thomas back in the 2015-16 season. We are really continuing to see Jayson Tatum get better as a player and I would say that he is the best passing forward in the entire NBA.
Jayson Tatum has recorded 6+ assists in 10 straight games dating back to last season.
It's the longest such streak by a Celtic since Isaiah Thomas (10 straight games) in 2015-16. pic.twitter.com/kacW0beIKp
There has been some scrutiny with the early season play of Mitchell Robinson so far this year and there were times where just didn’t look like he fit at all on the Celtics. Whether it was injury or just getting into shape, he just hasn’t looked to have found his footing in Boston’s system. However, Robinson showed out with the best game of his Celtics tenure so far, finishing with 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals in 18 minutes on 6-6 shooting and a +19.
The first quarter saw Robinson looking engaged early on the glass. He got a put-back layup in his first opportunity on the offensive end and had 2 steals, one of which on an inbound pass that led to a Tatum three. As the game went on we saw him get more and more comfortable on the offensive end, resulting in arguably the play of the night. He found Tatum on the block with a bounce pass and then cut hard to the basket to catch an alley-oop slam in a play that looked straight out of NBA Street. Hopefully, we get to see more of this version of Mitch moving forward. If he continues to play like this, the Celtics offense will be unstoppable.
One thing we know about Derrick White is that he always going to do the little things on the court well. He stuffed the stat-sheet in this game against the Bucks, finishing with 9 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks on 4-10 shooting. One of the best parts of his game in this one was the fact he made so many plays he had no business getting to.
The first play came in the second quarter and was worthy of a Tommy Point. Baylor Scheierman was blocked on a fast break layup and the ball was rolling out of bounds. Then Derrick White teleported from the three point line to the base line in seconds, saving the ball and finding Paul George underneath the basket for a layup. This was just an incredible acrobatic feat by White and you know Tommy Heinsohn would be freaking out on the broadcast if he saw it. Something like “My goodness, this Derrick White guy is incredible.”
The other play I wanted to highlight came in the same quarter with the Bucks on the fast break. Milwaukee’s rookie Nate Ament only had Jayson Tatum to beat for a fast break bucket but Derrick White came out of no where to make an incredible block. It was initially called a foul and overturned on review but this was the definition of White’s performance in this game. Just out working and out hustling everyone else on the court and it lead to Celtics success.
We got one! Derrick White block, but they call a foul. Celtics are challenging. pic.twitter.com/gmjJwDsFFT
One of the biggest reasons why the Celtics were able to beat the Bucks in this game had to do with their offensive rebounding. Boston thoroughly out-rebounded Milwaukee in this matchup, 48-36 and you could tell just by watching. But the biggest thing for the Celtics was that out of their 48 rebounds, 20 of them came as offensive rebounds.
Mitchell Robinson and Neemias Queta combined for 9 of those boards and almost every player in the Celtics rotation had multiple. This led to more second chance opportunities for Boston to capitalize and resulted in them running up the score against Milwaukee. It was a big stand out for me and it further cemented the great play of the Celtics bigs in this game.
7. Neemias Queta Shot Creation
I just praised Queta’s rebounding ability in this game, but his scoring was also an interesting watch. He finished with 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists on 6-11 shooting in 22 minutes. This game started about as bad as it could for Queta, with only 1 point on 0-4 shooting in the first quarter and almost all of this missed shots were easy layups or defended well by Myles Turner.
However, he found a groove as the game went on and it was his pick and roll navigation that got him going. The Iberian Peninsula connects on a lob where Hugo Gonzalez made a great pass to Queta for a slam. We saw him then be more aggressive when it came to going downhill, including a dunk where the entire Bucks team just watched him go down the lane. We also saw a midrange fadeaway out of him in this game and that shocked me the most. We know he’s already taking threes this season, but I feel like the midrange shot could be an even more dangerous weapon in Queta’s arsenal. Would love to see it come out more this season and I just like the fact he has been able to showcase more of his skills on offense when it comes to creatitng his own shot.
8. Sam Hauser Sorcery
Sam Hauser has sneakily had a very good start to his season so far, averaging 7.7 points on 45.2% shooting from three point range. He played a good game for Boston in this one as well, finishing with 7 points on 3-5 shooting but there was one play in the third quarter that he made me incredibly shocked.
As the final seconds were ticking down, normally Boston would go to Tatum or Pritchard for a buzzer beating shot. But this time, the ball ended up in Hauser’s hands and he put up an insane left handed running layup and it was good. Definitely not the play that would have been drawn up in this situation, but it worked. As Hauser hit the 2022 Marcus Smart staring at his left hand going back to the bench, I had no idea how he made that shot.
I don’t know if it was being back in his home state of Wisconsin, playing in the arena where he played most of his college ball at Marquette, or maybe it was the Packers win today, but Hauser was moving different on this shot. It had me quoting John Wall in his postgame interview to Bradley Beal, “I ain’t never ever seen you act like this before.” We need to see more And-1 Mixtape Sam Hauser this season, just because it is such a great surprise when it happens.
9. Is Payton Pritchard Finding His Shot?
One thing about garbage time during the fourth quarter is that it gives bench guys an opportunity to play and show off their skills that they could use as momentum moving forward. One guy who got a lot of time to play in the fourth today was Payton Pritchard and he might have found something with his shot. On the season Pritchard has not lived up to a lot of the “all-star” expectations some people had and its mostly because of his shooting and is shooting 35% from three.
He has was shooting 3-24 from beyond the arc before he went 4-6 against Charlotte in this Celtics last game, seemingly looking like he fixed it. However, he was 4-11 against the Bucks in this matchup but in the fourth quarter he started to turn it on. Pritchard shot 3-5 from three in 8 minutes of the fourth quarter and looked a lot more comfortable than he had in the past. Hopefully this unlocked his shooting ability again as the Celtics are really going to need him to be an impact scorer again.
10. Mike Conley First Start
I love when Mike Conley gets to play for the Celtics but I never thought we would be seeing him start for the Celtics in the month of November. However, he did start in this game and was serviceable, finishing with 3 points and 3 rebounds on 1-2 shooting from three and even started the third quarter with Boston as well.
One thing I liked about Conley is his passing. He can still get it to guys on the roll in a hurry and it is obvious to see all of the experience he has had in the NBA so far. He kind of reminds me of when Blake Griffin was on the Celtics in the 2022-23 season. It’s just cool to see him in a Celtics uniform. However, I do not think he should be a main stay in the Celtics starting lineup. It does feel like this might have been a “throwaway game” and that’s why Conley got the start but who knows. Either way, good to see Conley out there contributing for Boston.
Roma and Lazio have both made unbeaten starts to the Serie A season, giving those in the Italian capital dreams of a Scudetto
After nine games in 28 days, Gian Piero Gasperini finally got a moment to pause and reflect on Sunday night. The Roma manager was back in Liguria, where he worked for the best part of a decade across two stints at Genoa, to collect an award from Stelle Nello Sport – an association formed to promote sport in the region – celebrating his career achievements and commitment to courageous attacking football.
The timing worked out well. Gasperini’s Roma thumped Sassuolo 3-0 on Saturday, bouncing back from a midweek loss to Manchester United. That result meant the Giallorossi had scored 31 times in 11 Serie A games. In the last 65 years only two Italian teams – the Juventus and Napoli sides of 2017-18 – had ever made a more prolific start to a top-flight campaign. More importantly, Roma’s victory meant they remained undefeated in domestic competition this season. Just like their neighbours Lazio, who drew 1-1 away to Napoli in Sunday’s early kick-off.
TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 21: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors high fives before the game against the Chicago Bulls on October 21, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
When the Toronto Raptors take the court at Scotiabank Arena to play the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, it’ll be a matchup between two teams that, for better or worse, have been subverting expectations.
Here are three storylines to consider ahead of the 7:30 p.m. EST tip-off on Sportsnet.
Travelling down a similar path
For the most part, when the Raptors square up against teams they should beat, results typically go in their favour. Toronto is 5-1 against teams under .500. Unfortunately, when the competition level shifts into a higher gear, that’s when things begin to unravel for the Raptors. Toronto is a lowly 0-4 against teams above .500.
That specific trend will have to change when the Raptors defend home court against the Grizzlies. The silver lining is that the Raptors are 2-1 at home, albeit during a stretch when teams are still shaking off their pre-season rust.
There’s noticeable discourse surrounding the Raptors’ current record against better competition, but looking back at their 2019 championship season, it wasn’t that different of an experience.
While Toronto was 17-5 in games without Kawhi Leonard, ten of those wins came against non-playoff teams. The quality of their wins obviously didn’t matter at the finish line in 2019, and by default, this year’s team shouldn’t be criticized for it either.
As long as the Raptors continue to take care of business and Leonard is healthy during the post-season, they’ll have a chance. Once Leonard returns, that’s when the bar should be raised.
Life without Kawhi
The Raptors and Leonard experience has always meant that there are two iterations of the team. In 2019, it was a multi-pronged attack fuelled by one of the deepest rosters in league history.
But what does that mean for the 2026-27 Raptors?
While it’s an unreliable two-game sample size with Leonard, the results in shot distribution is a bit surprising.
Field goal attempts per game with Leonard and without
Scottie Barnes: 22.5 / 18.8
Jakob Poeltl: 2.0 / 4.5
Immanuel Quickley: 14.0 / 13.7
RJ Barrett: 15.0 / 17.2
Ja’Kobe Walter: 8.0 / 8.7
Allen Graves: 3.0 / 3.7
Collin Murray-Boyles: 6.5 / 8.0
Jamal Shead: 2.5 / 5.7
Jamison Battle: 0.5 / 2.2
It turns out that Barnes is more aggressive when Leonard is on the court. This revelation might lean into the theory that a superstar raises everyone’s game. Ideally, Barnes is at least being just as involved in the offence, regardless of whether Leonard is playing.
Using this smaller sample size, Quickley, Walter and Graves are involved in the same way with or without Leonard. The most shocking player is Walter, who is universally accepted as visually looking more involved, especially as the default starter when Leonard is missing.
The largest uptick in usage applies to Poeltl, Barrett, Murray-Boyles, Battle and Shead. Poeltl’s involvement can be somewhat attributed to health. It makes sense that Barrett is taking advantage of the opportunities and his aggressive approach leans into a Leonard-less environment.
Murray-Boyles should always see more attempts, as should Battle. While Shead’s added usage can sometimes work against the Raptors, it’s great seeing him be more aggressive.
Grit and Cold Grizzlies
After reeling off six consecutive victories to begin the season, the Grizzlies have come back to Earth. Memphis is 0-3 in November, with losses against the New Orleans Pelicans, Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Grizzlies boast a fun team capable of unexpected performances. Ty Jerome might be a household name by the end of the year and is an early fantasy basketball league winner. Meanwhile, Cameron Boozer is authoring one of the most impressive starts to a rookie campaign.
It’s the exact kind of team capable of catching the Raptors by surprise.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 06: Jasson Dominguez #24 of the New York Yankees runs to the dugout during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on September 06, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s 2023 and the calendar has just flipped over to September. The Yankees are already out of the playoff race as they take the field in Houston. In an effort to inject some youth into the lineup and some excitement into the fanbase for the final month of a disappointing season, they’ve called up their much-hyped top prospect Jasson Domínguez for his MLB debut. With his first swing in the major leagues, Domínguez crushes an opposite field two-run home run into the Crawford Boxes off future first ballot Hall of Famer Justin Verlander. At just 20 years old, you could allow yourself to dream about just what heights this budding star might hit. Fast-forward three years, and now the question facing the 23 year old is whether he has a future with the Yankees.
In the subsequent years since that scintillating debut, Domínguez missed the majority of the 2024 season to Tommy John surgery. He got his first real run out at the major league level in 2025, but those 123 games exposed his serious shortcomings on defense. At least his bat produced at a slightly above average level to provide a nominal floor, but the trapdoor opened and swallowed him up in 2026.
What makes it worse is that Domínguez had a real opportunity to prove he belonged in the majors with Aaron Judge missing almost 100 games with a broken rib and a subsequent calf injury and Cody Bellinger losing a month to a hamstring injury over the summer. Not only did Domínguez fail to grab that opportunity, but his beleaguered play raised serious doubts about his viability as a major leaguer and opened the door for fellow top prospect Spencer Jones to leapfrog him on the outfield depth chart.
Domínguez spent the first month at Triple-A before getting called up on April 27th. He struggled to the tune of a .617 OPS and 70 wRC+ with one home run in 32 plate appearances before landing on the 10-day IL with a left shoulder AC joint sprain. It would be another five weeks before he returned to the major league roster, by which point Judge’s extended absence had begun, seemingly creating an opportunity for consistent playing time.
Jasson got a decent run of starts over the next two months and looked fairly serviceable in his first month back from his shoulder injury. From June 13th through July 10th, Domínguez slashed .255/.293/.447 with four home runs and six stolen bases — good for a 105 wRC+ in 100 plate appearances. However, with the Yankees desperate for production against left-handed pitching, the trade deadline acquisition of Heliot Ramos along with Jones’ gradual improvements against big league pitching and steadier defensive play further squeezed Domínguez out of the outfield picture. With just a 53 wRC+ across his subsequent 80 PAs after July 10th, Domínguez was demoted to Triple-A on August 4th, where he would stay for a month.
This culminated in the worst four-game stretch of Domínguez’s career upon his recall on September 5th. Jasson made a pair of high profile errors against the Padres and Rockies, leading to a swift demotion just five days later. And it was the nature of the errors that led to the immediate loss of patience, both resulting from complete lapses in concentration as the Yankees were making one final push to try to chase down the Rays in the division.
Domínguez would not appear in another major league game in the regular season and would be left off the postseason roster. All told, 2026 was a year of alarming regression for a young player who should have been making progress on both sides of the ball. He finished the year below replacement level, his 76 wRC+ the worst on the team among hitters with at least 100 PAs. He saw his walk rate plummet from 9.6-percent in 2025 to a measly 4.5-percent in 2026, resulting in an OBP drop from .331 to .267 — both marks placing him in the seventh percentile or worse among MLB hitters with at least 220 PAs. He posted a career-low 5.6-percent barrel rate and saw his average exit velocity drop 2.5 mph and his hard-hit rate nosedive from 49.6-percent to 39.1-percent.
The defense remains the biggest concern, and it has gotten to the point where you seriously worry when even a routine fly ball is hit in his direction. He was well below average in his initial reaction to a batted ball and among the league’s worst in the routes that he took. It snowballed to the point that he looked devoid of confidence when approaching a ball in the outfield, as we saw with the above pair of examples.
At this point, there are only three facets of Jasson’s game that give you hope. At 93.3 mph, his arm strength places in the 94th percentile of MLB outfielders. His sprint speed remained intact, placing in the 85th percentile at 28.8 ft/s. And despite the regressed batted ball results, his 74.5 mph average swing speed places him in the 85th percentile of MLB hitters. The raw tools are there, but his process prevents him from making the most of them.
Still at just 23 years old, one would think there is plenty of time for Domínguez to piece things back together. It remains to be seen whether that happens in pinstripes. As my colleague Andrés wondered last week, this offseason could determine whether Domínguez’s future lies with the Yankees. Nothing he did in 2026 offers faith in the once-bright prospect regaining the team’s trust.
A bus stop sign is seen in Luczyce, Poland, on May 1, 2026. The sign, known as Przystanek autobusowy, indicates a designated boarding point for local and regional bus services. (Photo by Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Team news
[SI] 3 Bold Predictions For Diamondbacks in Free Agency – 1. Diamondbacks only marginally decrease payroll – or not at all. Despite wanting to reduce costs, Kendrick has still often jumped at the chance to add quality players with hopes to keep Arizona as competitive as possible. While the D-backs might be looking to cut down on costs this offseason, it would be a surprise to see a major reduction — and it would not be a surprise to still see them find ways to invest in the roster. In fact, it feels more likely than not their lowered payroll will still manage to rival previous years.
[Roundtable.io] Why Diamondbacks Should Pursue Bednar – Given the recent comments of owner Ken Kendrick expressing his desire to trim payroll, outbidding the Yankees may be easier said than done, but nothing is impossible. Given Bednar’s production, it would behoove the Diamondbacks to inquire about him. If the new Collective Bargaining Agreement institutes a salary floor that requires teams to spend a certain amount, Kendrick may not be able to trim payroll anyway. That opens up a more realistic path to acquiring Bednar or someone of his caliber.
[Fansided] Ranking Ketel Marte suitors that he and Arizona would actually accept – Given how he’s acted in recent years, the Diamondbacks might want to move on from Marte, but there’s a potential issue: the 33-year-old has a full no-trade clause, meaning that if he doesn’t want to go anywhere, he won’t. Chances are, Marte probably won’t want to go to any teams that were on his former five-team no-trade list (Yankees, Pirates, Cardinals, Giants, Athletics), and the Diamondbacks won’t want to send him to a team that could hurt them (mainly their NL West rivals), or teams that don’t have enough to offer. These potential suitors could be appealing enough both to Marte and to Arizona if a trade is the route both sides choose to go down.
[ESPN] D-backs’ Corbin Carroll has elbow surgery, should be ready for spring training – Carroll had surgery this week to remove loose bodies in his right elbow and should be ready for the scheduled start of spring training in February. The team confirmed the surgery on Friday. A full recovery is expected to take about eight weeks. The three-time All-Star hit .239 with 22 homers, 78 RBIs, 33 doubles and a league-high 17 triples last season despite battling multiple injuries, including hamate bone surgery that caused him to miss much of spring training. He also dealt with back soreness during the last few months of the season, which was part of the reason he struggled in the second half after a hot start.
[Dbacks.com] What D-backs are looking for from AFL, winter ball participants – Nathan Hall, OF. Injuries — including hamstring issues and a right arm injury — have severely limited Hall’s professional repetitions since he was taken in the fifth round of the 2025 Draft. The Arizona Fall League offered an extended opportunity for him to compete, showcase his power and prove his defensive range. “He’s done a really good job of improving his contact quality since coming into pro ball, even though he’s had limited reps,” Slivka said. “I think it’s a testament to the work that he did when he was coming back from those injuries, because the swing quality and contact quality are much better than they were in college.”
Below, Hall talks about his time in the Arizona Fall League, competing with the top Minor Leaguers and more
[Burn City Sports] How Diamondbacks’ Moreno, Carroll took different paths to Silver Slugger finalist spots – Although the two players took different routes to their nominations, both made their impact throughout the 2026 season. Moreno established himself as one of the league’s top offensive catchers, while Carroll continued to showcase the combination of power and speed that has made him one of Arizona’s biggest offensive threats. With both players among the NL finalists, Arizona has another opportunity to add to their award history when the Silver Slugger winners are announced on Nov. 17.
And, elsewhere…
[NY Post] MLB pitch-rigging case witness testifies he stopped getting tips after Shohei Ohtani interpreter scandal – Luis de Aza Baez, an Uber driver, told prosecutors that starting in 2023, he got information about Clase’s pitches from the big-leaguer’s associate, Enoc Pena, with the tips coming through a group chat titled “Uber Inc.,” which included other drivers at the time. When De Aza Baez tried again during the 2024 season, however, he was told that “what was going on with Ohtani, there was no more information like that.” In March 2024, Ohtani was surrounded by controversy after it was reported that millions of dollars were sent from the superstar’s bank account to an illegal bookmaking scheme.
Finally, something you might have missed. On Halloween, David Peralta made his pitching debut in the Venezuelan league! You may remember, he originally came up as a pitching prospect before switching to the outfield, playing indy ball and eventually making it to the big leagues there for the Diamondbacks. Well, it looks like things have gone full circle, as he pitched for the Braves de Margarita against the Tigres de Aragua. Admittedly, he came in with two outs in the ninth, and it took him four attempts to get the final out, allowing two hits and a walk. But he stranded those base-runners, leaving the bases loaded on a fly-ball to right.
Resident Evil
Rating: B-
Dir: Zach Cregger
Star: Austin Abrams, Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, Paul Walter Hauser
I have never played the video-game franchise. I am, however, a big fan of the Milla Jovovich films. Despite critical disdain – not least from fans of the game – I would say, at their best, they are close to peak action-horror. Are they schlock? Sure. Empty cinematic calories? Absolutely. So? I was thus somewhat resistant to the idea of this reboot. By the end though, I’d been somewhat won over. This isn’t a good adaptation of the game either, by most accounts. But it does capture the spirit of video games, especially when played by a fairly stupid person. For a lot of the time, this could legitimately be retitled, Poor Decisions: The Movie.
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 18: Atlanta Braves General Manager Alex Anthopoulos and Derek Schiller, President and CEO of the Atlanta Braves speaks to the media before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Truist Park on July 18, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Even with the lockout looming-slash-pending, the GM Meetings are still happening in Las Vegas this week.
Will they be weirder than usual? More action, because the lockout is pending? Or, less action, because teams and/or players have been instructed to keep their jets on a substantially cool setting as a labor negotiating position?
The MLB.com article noted that a ton of money in huge deals was handed out ahead of the last CBA. This isn’t a very strong free agent market, but teams could still hand out a lot of cash to Tarik Skubal and Trevor Rogers… provided that there’s any interest in doing so ahead of the lockout itself.
Alex Anthopoulos always says that these meetings are places to lay groundwork for deals rather than complete deals themselves, but his view isn’t a unaninmous one. So, more action, less action, or the same amount of action? What say you?
TORONTO, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 27: Max Scherzer #31 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates against the Cincinnati Reds during the fifth inning of their MLB game at Rogers Centre on September 27, 2026 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Happy Monday, everyone! Not a ton of news stories to update you on, but we’ve got little bits to make sure you’re in the know about everything going on in baseball. The Tigers are keeping an eye on some Japanese free agents; a former Tiger may not be retiring the way many expected he would; and a former All-Star might be taking an unexpected stance in MLB and MLBPA’s labor disagreement.
That and more below, so let’s just jump right into it.
Detroit Tigers News
The Tigers are scouting some Japanese talent this offseason and were evidently also interested in signing Shota Imagana at one point. The Tigers have been one of many teams showing interest in Teruaki Sato and Kaima Taira, but it remains to be seen how serious they actually are about acquiring fresh international talent.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 12: Joc Pederson #3 of the Texas Rangers stands in the dugout before the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 12, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning.
The GM meetings begin this week in Las Vegas and Mark Feinsand writes that there is potential for it to be busier than usual with the impending lockout looming next month.
Mike Axisa checks out a handful of under-the-radar free agents, one of which is recent Rangers leadoff hitter Joc Pederson.
The 20th annual Fall Stars Game was played yesterday in Arizona Fall League action and MLB dot com’s Jesse Borek and Tim Crowley write about how each prospect fared, including a quartet of Rangers farmhands.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JULY 17: Adley Rutschman #35 of the Baltimore Orioles and Tyler Wells #68 of the Baltimore Orioles react after a win against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on July 17, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Orioles never seemed like they were entirely sure what to do with Tyler Wells. Count him as a starter for a potentially competitive rotation? Stick him in the bullpen and let him rip? It went back and forth for a while, with a long layoff due to Tommy John surgery in the middle there. Heading into 2026, the O’s had finally committed to Wells as a reliever. The results were so great that when trade deadline season arrived, Wells generated enough interest that the Orioles “had to” trade him.
They didn’t actually have to trade Wells, of course, just like they didn’t have to trade Adley Rutschman or Dean Kremer. They could have held onto him if they believed he could be a good part of the 2027 Orioles bullpen. Mike Elias decided that getting back one of the prospects he traded to the Rays in the Shane Baz deal – pitching prospect Michael Forret – was worth parting with Wells. The 6’8” righty went on to pitch in the World Series with his new team.
It’s not much surprise that Wells had managed to bring about trade interest. He was getting masterful results that were getting better as the season went along. By July, Wells was frequently in the mix of where you could call him the Orioles closer, or at least an Orioles closer. He pitched 14 games that month, picking up four saves and a win. Wells went multiple innings more than once. He had a 1.10 ERA in July.
That’s probably what did it for the trade interest. Other teams would want Wells, not just for the rest of this season but knowing they could control him for 2027 for relatively cheap – projected around $4 million. Elias would be tempted to think it was the time to sell high on a potentially volatile relief asset. That’s what he ended up doing, bringing back a pitcher who was at the Triple-A level and could be close to making a difference for the MLB team.
The thing about Wells that makes him volatile is that he is an extreme fly ball pitcher. This was already true prior to this year, when Wells was typically at a ground ball rate around just 33% for his career; average pitchers are usually in the low-40s. Zack Britton, at the peak of his powers for the Orioles in 2016, had a ground ball rate of exactly 80%. For pitchers, ground balls are great. They’re most often outs. The hits are typically singles and they definitely don’t end up as homers.
In 2026, Wells ended up with a ground ball rate at 26.5%. Among pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched, Wells was literally in the bottom 5 in the league for ground ball rate. For a pitcher who was as homer-prone as Wells had been before this season, that’s a real potential problem area. There’s a small margin for error there. Slip just a little bit and you’re giving up dingers left, right, and center.
Wells mostly did not slip up this year. Just 8% of his fly balls allowed went for home runs, close to a third less than the league average of about 11%. There is an element of luck to this that will probably not carry over into 2027.
Yet there was a lot of skill and a lot of good pitching too. Wells’s Statcast page for 2026 has a whole heck of a lot of red. He was great at getting batters to swing at pitches outside of the strike zone, great at getting them to swing and miss, great at avoiding walks, and great at not having batters hit the ball hard. All of these are good ways to avoid giving up a lot of homers! Assuming you can duplicate this – which, with the Rays, his odds are probably better than if he’d stayed with the Orioles.
All of this allows Wells to succeed even when some of the predictive stats don’t believe in him as much. Counting his time with both the Orioles and Rays, Wells had a 2.38 ERA. That puts a reliever among the game’s elite for that season.
With Fielding Independent Pitching, a stat that tries to take defense out of the equation by just considering what a pitcher can control, Wells was at a still decent but much less exciting 3.38. A stat that spins further off of this, xFIP, which normalizes the home run rate, put it higher at 4.03. Make that number an ERA and that’s basically Anthony Nunez’s season-long number in 2026. Not much interesting about any reliever with a 4+ ERA.
What’s the real Wells for 2027 going to be? If he loses just a little bit of the edge going into his age 32 season, it could go a lot worse for him. If he duplicates this, Elias could end up looking like an idiot. It wouldn’t be the first time, even if we limit the discussion to the Orioles trading a reliever to the Rays.
Maybe both teams will be happy with what they get out of the trade, if Forret becomes some kind of solid pitcher for the Orioles – maybe as soon as next year – and Wells helps the Rays again next year. There are such things as win-win trades out there.
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 30: Brandon Marsh (16) of the Philadelphia Phillies strikes out in the first inning during the Atlanta Braves versus Philadelphia Phillies game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series on September 30, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
This was an interesting little nugget from the baseball world yesterday.
Hearing MLB trade candidates with 1 year of control left — Logan Gilbert, Steven Kwan, Joe Ryan, Sandy Alcántara, et al — are unlikely to be moved for prospects this month, because teams aren’t sure what kind of 2027 season to expect.
The rest of that should read “However, sources say pending free agents could be moved for each other as a way to balance the risk.“
That’s interesting because the Phillies have some of those players that would qualify for this. One can look at the arbitration eligible crop for examples – Brandon Marsh, Orion Kerkering to name two – while others on the roster are very clearly veterans that, while not “impending free agents” are veterans that could be moved.
