Remember when it felt like Semyon Varlamov might never play in the NHL again?
For nearly two years, that looked like a real possibility. Multiple knee surgeries and a long recovery kept the former Colorado Avalanche goaltender away from the game, and with every month that passed, a return seemed a little less likely.
Well, Varlamov is back.
The 38-year-old returned to regular-season action Tuesday night, helping the New York Islanders beat the Nashville Predators 4-3 in a shootout. After everything he’s gone through just to get back in the net, picking up a win in his first game back makes the night even sweeter.
Look at the emotion of this team as they celebrate with Semyon Varlamov.
And if you watched Varlamov during his eight seasons in Colorado, you know this is pretty cool to see.
Varlamov hadn’t played an NHL game since Nov. 29, 2024. Heading into training camp, Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche called his progress “almost a miracle,” although he was quick to point out how much work the veteran had put in to get to this point.
Now, he has another NHL win to his name.
The Islanders made things interesting Tuesday, to say the least. They built a 3-0 lead against Nashville before the Predators battled back to tie the game and force overtime. Varlamov stopped both shots he faced in the extra period, and New York eventually got the job done in the shootout, with Kyle Palmieri and Bo Horvat scoring.
Not exactly the stress-free return you might draw up, but a win is a win.
The victory was the 290th of Varlamov’s NHL career. It’s a pretty remarkable number considering how uncertain his future looked not that long ago.
Avalanche Fans Know This Feeling
If Varlamov’s comeback sounds familiar, there’s a good reason.
Avalanche fans watched Gabriel Landeskog go through his own incredibly difficult journey back to the ice after missing nearly three full seasons with a serious knee injury. Plenty of people wondered whether Colorado’s captain would ever play again. Then he finally made his return during the 2025-26 season.
Varlamov’s situation isn’t identical, but the uncertainty surrounding both players was hard to ignore. At some point, you start wondering whether the next update will be the one that confirms a career is over.
Thankfully, that wasn’t the case for either of them.
Varlamov spent eight seasons with Colorado from 2011-12 through 2018-19, playing 389 games and posting a .913 save percentage with a 2.79 goals-against average. He later moved on to the Islanders, but plenty of Avalanche fans will remember the years he spent holding down the crease in Denver.
He’s now played 621 NHL games in his career, with a .916 save percentage and 41 shutouts.
Tuesday also gave Islanders rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer a place in the history books. He became the first player in NHL history to play the entire five-minute overtime period.
That’s quite a night for New York, but Varlamov’s return is what really stands out here.
At 38, after multiple knee surgeries and almost two years away from an NHL game, he could have called it a career. Instead, he kept working until he got another chance.
And now he’s back in the win column.
For those of us who remember watching Varlamov in an Avalanche uniform, it’s hard not to be happy for him.
The Buffalo Sabres have struggled for most of the month of October, whether it has been falling behind early in contests, to struggling on special teams, to inconsistent scoring and goaltending, the club held a .500 record prior to their 2-0 win over the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday.
GM Jarmo Kekalainen was unable or unwilling to meet the Winnipeg Jets price for goalie Connor Hellebuyck prior to his trade to New Jersey last week, but there have been some hints that the Sabres GM is still big-game hunting. The first to suggest a pivot after Hellebuyck to another big name was Expected Buffalo’s Chad DeDominicis, who stated that the Sabres should and have approached the Detroit Red Wings about disgruntled center Dylan Larkin.
Larkin, who was a teammate of Tage Thompson on Team USA’s gold medal winning Olympic squad, requested a trade from the Wings after the season and provided them a very narrow three-team trade list, which has recently been broadened to 10 teams.
Is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen the Sabres goalie of the future?
Clubs that are in desperate need of a first or second line center, such as the Montreal Canadiens, are not on Larkin’s list, and the Sabres are also not on it. The 10 teams seem to be exclusively perennial playoff clubs and top contenders for the Stanley Cup (Carolina, Colorado, Dallas, Florida, Minnesota, New Jersey, Tampa Bay, Utah, Vegas, and Washington).
Montreal has made the playoffs two years in a row, but there appears to be little chance that Larkin would approve a deal to a Canadian club. Buffalo may have a better chance, but their slow start after snapping their 15-year playoff drought may be pouring cold water on their chances, since the whole purpose of leaving Detroit is to improve his chances of winning a Stanley Cup. The Wings have not made the postseason since 2016.
The Sabres appear to have the right ingredients for a Larkin trade, as the Wings reportedly are looking for young centers, and Buffalo has them in abundance in Noah Ostlund, Konsta Helenius, and Jiri Kulich. The question is whether Kekalainen is willing to trade one of them instead of names like Josh Norris or Ryan McLeod, and whether Larkin is willing to expand his list.
It is thought that the Devils, with the addition of Hellebuyck, and the growing possibility of Quinn Hughes joining his brothers in Newark next summer, could be the dark horse in the race for the 30-year-old.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 30: Manager Matt Quatraro #33 of the Kansas City Royals looks on during a mound visit against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on August 30, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There is no doubt that one of the biggest weaknesses for the Royals in 2026 was the bullpen. Royals relievers had a 5.07 ERA overall, second-worst in baseball, with 26 blown saves and a league-worst 6.65 ERA in the ninth inning. J.J. Picollo acknowledged it as a top priority in his end-of-the-year press conference, when he indicated that the “bullpen is going to be a focus for us” in the offseason.
It might be tempting to take a shortcut and splurge in the free agent market to upgrade the pen. But the Royals have tried that before. Before the 2024 season, Picollo signed free agent relievers Will Smith and Chris Stratton, paying them a combined $13 million. In 2024, they pitched in 102 games, combining for a 5.98 ERA.
Ah, but maybe the problem was that they were shopping in the bargain bin? Let’s look at all of last year’s top free agent relievers who signed for $7 million or more and how they fared.
The results are pretty mixed. Of the 14 pitchers, I think you can say Tyler Rogers, Luke Weaver, Raisel Iglesias, and Gregory Soto were unqualified successes, while the rest either had injury issues or were ineffective.
The two World Series participants, the Brewers and Rays, do not have a single member of their bullpen who was signed as a Major League free agent aside from Steven Matz, who was signed as a starter. Instead, the found quality relievers through a number of different avenues – the draft (Ian Seymour, Aaron Ashby), international signings (Abner Uribe), minor league trades (Garrett Cleavinger, Chad Patrick, Trevor Megill, Grant Anderson), major league trades (Bryan Baker, Tyler Wells, DL Hall, Antonio Senzatela), cash considerations (Cole Sulser), minor league deals (Cam Booser), and the Rule 5 draft (Kevin Kelly).
The Brewers and Rays illustrate a different way to build a bullpen. Rather than paying a premium for established relievers, they assembled their relief corps through a variety of avenues, giving them more chances to find undervalued talent. Not every acquisition works, of course, but spreading the risk across several pitchers makes it easier to absorb a miss without having an expensive contract clog up the bullpen.
Of the top 50 relievers with the lowest ERAs last year, only seven were originally acquired by their team as a major league free agent – Aroldis Chapman, Taylor Clarke, Raisel Iglesias, Yuki Matsui, Tyler Rogers, Tanner Scott, and Luke Weaver. Free agent relievers tend to be old, and older relievers tend to be less effective. In 2012, Bill Petti and Jeff Zimmerman at FanGraphs found relievers “age more dramatically than starters.” Their velocity drops, their strikeout rates decline, and their walk rates rise.
Relievers also tend to have volatile performances on a year-by-year basis. Petti also found reliever performance was much more erratic on a season-by-season basis than for starters. Craig Edwards at FanGraphs looked at the bust rate for relievers in 2017 and found that while elite relievers tend to meet projections, “merely ‘good’ relievers had more trouble.” Relievers have smaller samples of performance to evaluate, leaving open the possibility that a few bad outings or plain bad luck can turn a promising season into a disappointing one. That makes it risky to pay a premium for a reliever based on one strong season, particularly when projecting how he’ll perform over a multiyear contract.
Instead, smaller-market clubs should value flexibility. If a free-agent reliever on a multiyear, multimillion-dollar deal endures a rough stretch, a team can find itself stuck with him, reluctant to eat the remaining salary or risk losing him for nothing. But if the bullpen is populated by lower-cost pitchers, the team has more options. A struggling reliever with minor-league options can be sent down to work things out, while another can be released without leaving a significant financial hole. The club can cycle through arms until it finds the right combination, giving opportunities to younger pitchers or taking a chance on someone else’s castoffs.
Of course, this approach isn’t without drawbacks. Cheap relievers are cheap for a reason, and a bullpen built entirely from unproven arms can become a revolving door of ineffectiveness. There is something to be said for coaching and pitcher development, areas in which the Rays and Brewers have excelled in for a long time. The Royals need to be on the cutting edge of development as well. They need to find enough quality among those lower-cost options to build a reliable group while reserving the biggest investments for pitchers who offer a meaningful advantage over the alternatives.
For the Royals, this may mean cultivating in-house options that show signs of success, like Steven Cruz and Nate Pearson, and supplementing them with pitchers acquired through other means. Picollo suggested the team will look at pitchers who provide a variety of “different looks” or “different stuff,” giving hitters a wide range of arm angles, pitch shapes, and velocity profiles to contend with.
That could mean trying more pitchers like Jose Cuas, who throws from different arm angles. It could mean trying more pitchers like Carlos Durán, who excels with a slider, but struggle with command. It could mean trying more pitchers like Nolan Hoffman, who throws from a lower arm angle.
But it is clear that the solution won’t come exclusively from spending lavishly on free agents. The Royals have already tried that approach, and it hasn’t consistently produced the results they need.
“We plan to be aggressive in acquisition,” J.J. Picollo said at his end-of-season press conference, before cautioning that he didn’t want that to be mistaken for being “aggressive in payroll.” He noted that the Royals ranked among the top five teams in bullpen spending over the previous three seasons, but the results have been mixed.
The lesson isn’t that the Royals should stop spending on relievers, but that spending more money doesn’t necessarily translate into a better bullpen. They need to be more effective at identifying which pitchers are worth investing in, while continuing to look for value, and maintaining flexibility. It shouldn’t take much to upgrade an awful bullpen. But the Royals need to get to the top of the league if they want to return to the postseason.
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 22: Owen Murphy #73 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kathryn May/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The second 2022 first-round pick to debut for the Braves this season, Owen Murphy got less of a chance than JR Ritchie to make an impression, not making his debut until July 6 and getting just five appearances spanning 12 innings.
How Acquired
Murphy was the 16th overall selection in the 2022 MLB Draft with the Braves’ first first-round draft pick, 19 picks ahead of their selection of Ritchie in Competitive Balance Round A. The right-handed pitcher from Riverside, Illinois signed for $2.55 million, well below the $3.41 million slot value, electing to pass on his commitment to Notre Dame.
What were the expectations?
Murphy was somewhat of a slow riser through the minors. He debuted in rookie-ball in 2022 but didn’t reach Double-A until 2026, in part because of Tommy John surgery in June 2024 which kept him out for most of the 2025 campaign. He was excellent upon his return, posting a 1.19 ERA, 2.29 FIP and 2.94 xFIP over seven starts and 30 1/3 innings between the FCL Braves and Rome in 2025, with 34 strikeouts and just six walks.
He started the season as Battery Power’s fourth-ranked prospect in the organization, and was getting fringy rotation regular grades (e.g., a 45+ FV from FanGraphs). That said, he wasn’t really thought of as a guy that could immediately jump in and help in 2026, as the general timeline saw him as a 2027-ish debut.
2026 Results
But, he made his debut in 2026 anyway, and it was a promotion that was at least partially driven by necessity. Martin Pérez was placed on the IL when he was hit by a comebacker amidst a(nother) cursed run of starter injury luck, and Murphy was the next guy up. Given those circumstances, it wasn’t clear what exactly the Braves should have expected from Murphy. But, as noted, they didn’t have too many options.
Prior to being called up, Murphy wasn’t exactly thriving in the minors, with a 4.44 ERA and 4.67 FIP across 16 starts (11 of them at Triple-A). With that said, he was certainly improving as the season went along, with an ERA and FIP in the low 3.00s in the even outings before his callup.
With all that said, major league debuts don’t get much more intense than Murphy’s, when he was tasked with pitching the 10th inning of a game against the Mets on July 6. He was unable to do get the job done, retiring the first two batters before hitting a batter and giving up a two-run double. The Braves got one run back in the bottom of the inning, but lost by a score of 7-6.
He was much better in his second appearance, delivering three perfect innings with three strikeouts. But over his final three outings spanning one July start and two September relief appearances, he gave up 16 hits and eight runs (seven earned) over eight innings.
The right-hander finished with a -0.3 fWAR, a 7.49 xERA, 6.93 FIP and 5.37 xFIP over 12 innings.
Murphy was a Triple-A All-Star, with a 3.07 ERA (66 ERA-), a 4.23 FIP (90 FIP-) and a strikeout percentage of 24.2% in Gwinnett.
What went right?
While walks have been an occasional problem throughout Murphy’s time in the organization, they were not his issue at the major league level this season. He walked just three batters in 12 innings for a 5.4 percent walk rate. He also had a 34.7% chase percentage, which is borderline elite. Those two things probably went hand-in-hand: Murphy pounded the zone, so he got a lot of swings, even at non-strikes.
His pitches also all showed pretty good shape — which is probably a necessity given his lack of velocity.
Murphy’s lone unequivocally good outing came when he threw three innings while the Braves were down three runs. He breezed through the Cardinal lineup, basically getting a mix of easy flies and strikeouts. Unfortunately, the Braves weren’t able to mount a comeback.
What went wrong?
While Murphy did miss quite a few bats, the contact against him was loud when he wasn’t inducing whiffs.
His barrel percentage (11.6 percent), average exit velocity (92.4 mph) and hard-hit percentage (48.8 percent) were all well above the major league averages. This led to a situation where his four-seamer had a .333 xwOBA-against, but his other three offerings were in the no-go zone of at least a .400 xwOBA-against.
A lot of this can be tied to a total lack of command, as all of his secondaries were pretty much all over the place, and the fastball was “in the zone” without Murphy showing any real ability to keep it out of scary areas. Even the slider, which he at least had the idea of consistently locating on a corner, ended up over the plate — and the curve’s location was just a big mess.
All of this culminated in a very high fly ball rate, and four homers in his last three outings, as batters found it exceedingly easy to pull the ball in the air on pretty much all of his offerings. That’s what Luis Torrens did to hit that game-winning double in Murphy’s MLB debut, and it just continued further from there.
2027 Outlook
The more Murphy pitched for the Braves, it became more clear he wasn’t quite ready to stick at the major league level.
That makes this offseason, with that experience under his belt, a critical one for his future. Assuming there is baseball in 2027, the state of the Braves’ pitching staff health will likely provide Murphy another opportunity to pitch at the major league level.
He turned 23 in September, so time isn’t anywhere close to running out yet. But after four of his first five major league appearances came out of the bullpen, this could be an offseason to define his role.
If his command gets to “playable,” his offspeed stuff can start missing more bats, and his walks stay down, could he be a reliever even if his fastball velocity isn’t elite for a right-handed pitcher? You don’t want to bail on him as a starter yet, especially after he’s been good at that role in the minor leagues since returning from Tommy John, but early returns in the majors weren’t great. The Braves might want to wait until he really shows an ability to dominate the minors before giving him another shot… but their hand might be forced by injuries, as has happened repeatedly over the last few years. Hopefully, Murphy has made some improvements by then.
The Minnesota Wild remain persistent in their pursuit of a top-six center, and in order to find one, they're going to have to be comfortable selling the necessary assets.
The Athletic’s Chris Johnson believes the player is Danila Yurov; in his most recent NHL trade board, Yurov appeared at No. 17.
The 22-year-old is skating in his sophomore season and has posted four goals and five points in 14 games so far. He's seen ice time on various lines, at times skating with Kirill Kaprizov, but mostly with Yakov Trenin and Maxim Shabanov.
While no reports indicate the Wild are shopping Yurov, it makes sense that he would be considered a trade candidate if the Wild want to move for a player like Dylan Larkin. Beyond Yurov, the Wild’s under-23 tradeable assets include Charlie Stramel, David Spacek, Adam Benak, Riley Heidt, and Ryder Ritchie. None of those players have Yurov’s value.
The Wild would likely hope to keep Yurov and still acquire a top-six center, but it seems they have to come to the understanding that there are limited paths to do so without trading him.
"The Wild have dangled Yurov as part of packages aimed at landing bigger fish," said Johnston. "He’s in his sophomore NHL season and has demonstrated deft stickhandling skills and strong instincts while lining up as a third-line center in Minnesota. Yurov is a shifty player with upside who is cost-controlled, with an entry-level contract covering this season and next. It’s an attractive set of attributes."
Yurov wasn't the only Wild player on this list, as defenseman Quinn Hughes landed at No. 10.
The Wild hope to reach a contract agreement with Hughes instead of trading him. Still, the longer this stalemate goes on and the closer the trade deadline gets, the louder the noise will be.
It would be catastrophic for the Wild to lose Hughes in free agency after sending three NHL-ready prospects to the Vancouver Canucks just a year ago. Trading Hughes would be a last-resort move, but it warrants consideration.
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It's way, way too early in the NBA season to be handing out report cards. Not that it's going to stop me, but think of this more like the grades on a pop quiz some annoying teachers surprise students with the first week of class. It's a small-sample-size theater, but here are the early grades for some standouts from the rookie class, including the top four picks. (Note: Some relatively high-profile rookies are not on this list, I just want to see more before grading them.)
AJ Dybantsa
Grade: Inc.
Dybantsa has yet to take the court for the Wizards, but that is going to change Wednesday night (Oct. 28) when he plays in his first game, on the road against the Cavaliers.
Darryn Peterson
Grade: C
During Summer League, Darryn Peterson showed the explosiveness that had scouts drooling over him going back to high school (something we didn't see nearly enough at Kansas). Now facing NBA defenses, Peterson is struggling to show that same burst of athleticism.
So far this season, only 8% of his shot attempts have come at the rim (in the restricted area), while 34% have been taken in the floater range of three-to-10 feet. Another 30% of his shots come from the pull-up midrange of 10-16 feet. The result is a guy shooting 36% on the season so far, and also just 33.3% from 3. It's why he's averaging 11.5 points a game, plus 2.4 assists a night.
Also, the chemistry between him and backcourt partner Keyonte George is very much a work in progress. In crunch time this season, the Jazz leaned into the George/Jaren Jackson Jr. pick-and-roll (although that will change with Jackson out). Peterson needs more time to figure out how to process the NBA game and make it work, but the first week left questions.
Cameron Boozer
Grade: B
You can kind of make the stats say whatever you want with Cameron Boozer. There are the rock-solid counting stats: He is averaging 15.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game (he leads all rookies in rebounds and assists per night). Or there are legitimate concerns that he's shooting just 29.5% from the field and under 10% inside the restricted area. Or there's the fact that the 4-0 Grizzlies are +7.3 points per 100 possessions when he is on the court.
CAM BOOZER LOOKIN' LIKE A VET
The Grizzlies rookie had 25 PTS, 13 REB and 6 AST against the Warriors in a comeback win pic.twitter.com/7Jay8gSgjY
While Boozer is struggling to hit shots, he's getting those looks within the rhythm and flow of the offense. He's picking his spots (and letting Ty Jerome go off on the nights he's cooking), and he's playing within himself. Put simply: He's being exactly the polished, professional player we expected Boozer to be. The shooting will come around, and one reason scouts were high on Boozer is that he's won big at every level, so it's no coincidence the Grizzlies are off to a fast 4-0 start with him on the court.
Caleb Wilson
Grade: B
How are Bulls fans enjoying the Caleb Wilson roller coaster? On opening night, against Toronto's strong perimeter defense, he shot 7-of-21, had nine turnovers and zero assists, and finished with a -45. A few nights later, he dropped 30 points on Washington, with 14 rebounds, and zero turnovers.
Wilson was always the player with the highest ceiling in this draft class but also was more raw compared to the three players taken above him. He needs reps, he'll get that in Chicago, and it's always been about growth. He's averaging 21 points per game on 41.9% shooting (a rough 49.9 true shooting percentage), plus 7.3 rebounds a night. What matters most with Wilson (and all the rookies, but especially him) is how he looks in February compared to now.
Yaxel Lendeborg
Grade: A-
Everyone wants to talk about Yaxel Lendeborg getting in Luka Doncic's face, and why the rookie may not have wanted to tug on Superman's cape. However, if you're the Warriors, you love that he won't back down — they need more of that attitude. And it's authentic with Lendeborg.
However, that debate misses the bigger picture: In his first NBA game, Steve Kerr trusted Lendeborg with the Doncic defensive assignment, one of the toughest in the league. Lendeborg is fearless, physical and knows how to use his 6'9" frame. He has a good handle and his jumper looks real — he drove the Warriors' first win of the season, dropping 31 points with 12 rebounds on the Nuggets.
Yaxel WENT OFF in Golden State's win
31 PTS (career-high)
12 REB (game-high)
6 AST
He becomes the first @warriors rookie since Steph Curry (2/10/2010) to record 30+ PTS, 10+ REB, and 5+ AST in a single game! pic.twitter.com/FYe42bFtD8
It's early, but Lendebord is the surprise standout of the class. He only gets a minus behind his A grade because maybe you don't piss off Doncic (because that tends to spark Lakers runs and half-court shots), but aside from that he has been everything the Warriors could have hoped.
Darius Acuff Jr.
Grade: B-
This grade may be a bit kind, but there are reasons for it. Sacramento has handed the keys to the offense over to Acuff, and he has taken that as a personal challenge — he attempted more shots through his first three NBA games than any player in league history. Through four games, he's averaging 23.3 shot attempts per night, only Anthony Edwards is taking more (yes, he's attempting more shots than Luka Doncic). Acuff has the fifth-highest usage rate in the league, higher than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. You have to love Acuff's confidence.
The problem: Acuff is shooting 34.4% on all those shot attempts. And he's hitting just 20.6% of his 3-point attempts. Where other high-usage players (such as Doncic, Edwards, Giannis Antetokounmpo, etc.) thrive is that they are efficient shooters while carrying this offensive load. Acuff isn't close to that yet, he has a 41.2 true shooting percentage that is not even in the ballpark of league average.
Asking what the Kings and coach Doug Christie are asking of Acuff is a lot and a little unfair, which is partially why he got this grade. His efficiency feels like something that will improve over time. What's more, his decision-making process largely has been solid, he has developed some pick-and-roll chemistry with Domantas Sabonis and is good at winding through a defense to a shot he likes. He's good at finding a solid midrange shot if the paint is packed. Eventually more of those shots will fall and he will be better at setting up teammates. That's why he gets an optimistic grade early — expected improvement.
Aday Mara
Grade: B+
When I watched Aday Mara at Summer League and talked to scouts and team officials, there were a lot of people who thought he could develop into a rotation player for the Thunder. Nobody thought that was happening this season. Then again, nobody thought he'd shut down Victor Wembanyama at the rim in the first game of the season, either.
Aday Mara MAKING PLAYS in his first NBA game
Big-time swat at the rim.
Two-hand alley-oop slam.
Ignore the counting stats (5.5 points and 4.5 rebounds a game), Mara has become a reliable part of the NBA's best frontcourt rotation alongside Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams. That is very impressive for the rookie.
Trevon Brazile
Grade: B+
The Nuggets forward is the most under-the-radar rookie in this group, but he has brought energy and athleticism to the Nuggets that they needed.
The athleticism of Brazile, a second-round pick out of Arkansas, was never in doubt — he can run the floor and jump with anyone. The question was how he would fit that into the NBA.
"The main thing for me was kind of learning spacing and stuff," Brazile said a few days before the season started. "Just knowing where to run the floor, not just running around, but having a purpose where I'm running has definitely helped."
SNY MLB Insider Chelsea Janes opens the mailbag to answer Mets questions about Tarik Skubal, Bo Bichette, the bullpen, and more...
Assuming Tarik Skubal will be the Mets’ biggest move this offseason (he said hopefully), what do you predict will be their second biggest move this offseason? It can be either a player type (a 1B, another SP, etc.) or a specific name if you have one. – Supremeinteligencia on Threads
First of all, I received a few versions of this question, so consider this my answer to all variations (@BelieveMetsBlog, this means you and your question about signing both Skubal and Holmes, too!)
I do not know exactly how Steve CohenandDavid Stearns view Skubal’s role in their offseason at this moment, but what I have gleaned from conversations is the following: Stearns and his like-minded colleagues in the front office will be reluctant to give Skubal a long-term deal, but they also anticipate that Cohen will push for it anyway. Skubal meets their biggest need. They have more long-term payroll flexibility than it seems -- and more flexibility after next year than other contenders who might jump in but be deterred by a potential salary cap. Skubal just makes sense here.
Still, I think Stearns and Co. have to – and will, unless Skubal signs immediately – conduct their offseason in a way that assumes they will not get him. To me, that means pursuing other impactful starting pitching additions in one form or another. So my guess for the biggest non-Skubal addition to the Mets roster is a solid starting pitcher, but I think that person could take many forms.
If Clay Holmes opts out (as expected) and Michael King opts out (not impossible with two years and $50 million left on his deal), I think the Mets will likely pursue both or either. People I’ve talked to on both sides believe Holmes is open to a reunion for the right deal, but for Holmes and King, the usual Stearns caveats apply: If they are looking for years upon years in their next deals, instead of high average annual value, he probably will not give them.
But if the Mets sign Skubal and still need to add, I could see them pursuing a similar deal to the one they made for Peralta this year, plucking a proven guy about to hit free agency away from a team that will not pay him. Joe Ryan from Minnesota, Nick Martinez (big mutual option in Tampa), Drew Rasmussen (also potentially big option in Tampa), George Kirby and others fit this profile. I do not know exactly how the Mets feel about any of those players in particular, other than Derek Falvey’s experience with Ryan in Minnesota should mean they can make an informed decision about his ability to survive New York. But I think even if Skubal signs, another biggish-name starter could still be on the way.
That said: Don’t rule out Teruaki Sato as a big addition. Stearns went to see him in Japan firsthand as soon as the Mets' season ended. You don’t make that trip if you aren’t seriously considering making a push for him.
Jun 14, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets shortstop Bo Bichette (19) is greeted in the dugout after scoring in the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. / Wendell Cruz - Imagn Images
What is your read on Bo Bichette's decision? If he opts in, will they still be willing to spend? And if he opts out, what’s their plan? - @UncIeSteveCohen
My read – and it is truly just my read, because no one has said anything to me definitively – is that Bichette will opt in. I say that for a few reasons, one of which is as simple as he did not look like a player saying his goodbyes when he left Washington on the last day of the season. Plus, that day, both Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor spoke like they expected to have him back more than simply hoped for it. But reading into things like that is risky and certainly is not enough to say anything for sure.
The other evidence I have is that people around the Mets – so people who spend time around the team daily but are not necessarily in decision-making capacities to know first-hand – also seem fairly convinced Bichette will stay. He has spoken glowingly of Andy Green. He seems to want to prove he can succeed in New York. And frankly, he isn’t going to get anywhere near the average annual value on another deal they gave him on this one. He seemed to settle into the clubhouse down the stretch, much like everyone did. So read into that what you will.
If he does opt in, I still believe the Mets will spend. They do have a lot of financial bloat on the books next year in Kodai Senga's contract, Sean Manaea's deal, Jorge Polanco's remaining $20 million, and Marcus Semien's remaining $46 million. But owners have said that even if the collective bargaining negotiations result in a salary cap, they do not expect it to be phased in for a few years, meaning the Mets have time to clear that bloat before they would have to adjust to any new rules.
Plus, a salary cap might not materialize. Even if it does, Carson Benge, A.J. Ewing, Nolan McLean, Christian Scott, Zac Thornton, and others will be low-cost pieces of an emerging core. This is Cohen. If he sees a chance to win, he will spend. History proves it.
So if Bichette opts out, I think the Mets make a big push for Sato or another corner bat.
If he opts in, I think they still explore Sato as a first base option, then try to decide where Bichette fits best in their infield next year. Top prospect Jefferson Rojas will almost certainly be in major league camp next season, whenever that is. Some people around the Mets believe he fits best at third base. In that situation, could the Mets consider moving Bichette to second? Potentially. But they could also try Rojas or whichever prospect emerges at second to push Semien. Green and Stearns already said Semien will need to hit better in 2027 to receive consistent playing time. So maybe if Bichette returns, the Mets go with an infield of Bichette, Lindor, Semien/Baty/eventually a prospect, and… Sato? Jared Young? Another outside first base option? If Bichette opts in, they have plenty of choices.
Jun 26, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns speaks during a press conference before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. The club earlier today parted ways with manager Carlos Mendoza (not pictured). / Brad Penner - Imagn Images
Are the Mets looking to add to the bullpen before the lockout? - @JahrellC
Well, as you know, since you are asking this, the Mets definitely have to add to their bullpen. I have not gotten a sense of how much Stearns believes they need in terms of number of guys or how many back-end types, but they have a need there.
The other thing I know for sure is that Stearns is a "do what the market allows" kind of guy. If free agency and the trade market are moving like crazy before the lockout, I think Stearns will make his push accordingly.
In other words, yes, I think they will add bullpen help before the lockout. But what I’m still trying to figure out is exactly how much and what kinds of help they’re envisioning.
Which prospect in Triple-A will help the 2027 Mets first? – indolentrascal on Threads
Great question. Given the way Benge and Ewing impacted the Mets early last year, I bet Stearns will not hesitate to give someone else an early chance, especially if Semien struggles to find himself offensively at second.
My current guess is Rojas. He hit like crazy after he was traded from the Cubs and has looked strong in the Dominican Winter League, which isn’t the big leagues, but is nevertheless a high-profile place to face people who have pitched in MLB.
My sense from talking to people around the Mets is that he is more polished, perhaps, than some of the other infielders. Mitch Voit climbed fast last year and impressed so much defensively that the Mets tried moving him around the infield. Émilien Pitre looks like a very Stearns-y contact and speed guy who could play second in a pinch. Any of them could be the choice to push Semien if he struggles, but I would bet Rojas gets the longest early chance.
1 Sep 1993: Pitcher Juan Guzman of the Toronto Blue Jays throws a pitch during a game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule /Allsport | Getty Images
Juan Guzman turns 60 today.
Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Guzman was signed by the Dodgers as an amateur free agent in 1985. Pat Gillick later traded Mike Sharperson to Los Angeles for Guzman—an easy win for Gillick, who already had plenty of them in his career.
Initially, the Blue Jays believed they were acquiring Jose Offerman, but instead, they landed Juan Guzman. The Jays began using him as a reliever in the minors. Guzman attributed some of his early control issues to pitching only one or two innings at a time, making it difficult to refine his command—a point he may have been right about.
The Jays called up Guzman to the majors in early June 1991, when their rotation was struggling behind the top three of Stottlemyre, Key, and Wells. Dave Stieb was injured, and Denis Boucher didn’t pan out, eventually being traded to Cleveland (with Glenallen Hill and Mark Whiten) for Tom Candiotti and Turner Ward.
Guzman made his debut on June 7 and remained in the rotation for the rest of the season. He excelled, finishing 10-3 with a 2.99 ERA, 123 strikeouts in 138.2 innings, and 66 walks. He limited hitters to 98 hits and was equally effective against lefties (.201 BA) and righties (.193 BA). Guzman finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting behind Chuck Knoblauch. The Jays lost the ALCS to the Twins in five games, with Guzman earning the team’s only win in game two.
Guzman remained in the starting rotation the following year, despite missing most of August with a strained back muscle. He delivered another strong season, posting a 16-5 record and a 2.64 ERA over 28 starts. He struck out 165 batters in 180.2 innings, allowed 72 walks, and held opponents to a .207 batting average. Guzman was selected to the All-Star team and pitched a scoreless inning.
Most notably, during the first of the Jays’ back-to-back World Series wins, Guzman won both of his ALCS starts against Oakland. In the World Series, he started game three, allowing just two runs over eight innings, though he did not factor into the decision as the Jays won in the bottom of the ninth.
In 1993, the Blue Jays repeated as World Series champions, with Guzman playing a significant role. He finished 14-3 in 33 starts, with a then-career-high 3.99 ERA. He struggled with control, issuing 110 walks in 221 innings, and allowed a .252 batting average—still solid, but not as dominant as his first two seasons. Left-handed hitters fared better against him (.282), compared to righties (.223). Guzman was third in the league in strikeouts and even received a Cy Young vote, trailing teammates Duane Ward and Pat Hentgen, while Jack McDowell took the award. Signs of overuse emerged, as Guzman threw 120 or more pitches in 12 games. Cito Gaston was not known for his caution with young pitchers.
He again won both of his ALCS starts, this time against the White Sox, though Dave Stewart earned Series MVP honors for his pair of victories. Stewart allowed three runs in 12.1 innings, while Guzman gave up three runs in 12 innings. Both yielded eight hits; Stewart walked eight and struck out eight, while Guzman walked nine and struck out nine. In the World Series, Guzman started two games, earning a no-decision in a game one win and taking the loss in game five.
Guzman struggled during the next two lockout/strike-shortened seasons, posting ERAs of 5.68 and 6.32 with a combined 16-25 record. He continued to walk more than one batter every other inning and allowed more than a hit per inning.
However, in 1996, Guzman regained his form, leading the league with a 2.93 ERA and finishing 11-8. He significantly reduced his walks to fewer than one per three innings and improved against left-handed hitters (.224 BA).
In 1997, injuries limited Guzman to 13 starts, during which he posted a 4.95 ERA and a 3-6 record. In 1998, he made 22 starts for the Jays before being traded to Baltimore on July 31 for Nerio Rodriguez and Shannon Carter. The trade yielded little return, and Guzman’s stint with the Orioles was brief before he moved to the Reds on July 31, 1999. He made 12 solid starts for Cincinnati, then signed with the Rays as a free agent in 2000. Unfortunately, after just one start with Tampa Bay, he suffered a career-ending shoulder injury.
Guzman’s 10-year career concluded with a 91-79 record and a 4.08 ERA, averaging 7.5 strikeouts per nine innings. Known for his wildness, he walked too many batters and led the league in wild pitches in both 1993 (26) and 1994 (13). He was slow and deliberate on the mound, struggled to hold runners, and featured a sinking fastball, rising fastball, slider, and curve. Bill Mazeroski once remarked that Guzman had “incredible stuff, and he’s just wild enough for hitters to have that in their minds.”
He was also known for his fabulous Jheri curl.
Happy Birthday, Juan! Wishing you a great day.
Today, Casey Lawrence turns 39
I have a lot of admiration for Casey. Although undrafted, the Jays signed him after the 2010 draft. He steadily worked his way up the minor league ladder. Since the team hadn’t invested much in him, they didn’t limit his innings, allowing him to gain plenty of experience—a good thing, as long as his arm held up.
Lawrence was someone I kept an eye on in the minors, sometimes ranking near the bottom of our top 40 prospect list or on my ‘just missed out’ list. He was never a top prospect, but he persisted.
Still, if you persevere, good things can happen.
Lawrence reached the majors with the Jays in 2017, though his initial stint was challenging. He was placed on waivers and picked up by the Mariners, pitching a few innings for them in 2017 and 2018. The Twins signed and then released him before the 2020 season, and he never made their major league roster.
The Jays brought Lawrence back before the 2021 season, and he pitched 18 innings for them in 2022. Released in July 2023, he was picked up by the Cardinals and threw 27.1 innings for them that year. In 2024, he pitched for the Mariners’ Triple-A team, making 29 starts with an 11-11 record and a 5.95 ERA.
He pitched an inning for the Jays in 2025 (and 15 innings for the Mariners). Last year he pitched in the minors for the Mariners and Phillies.
In total, Casey has pitched 141.2 major league innings with a 6.42 ERA. He’s also logged 1,872.2 minor league innings l.
Happy Birthday, Casey! Hope it’s a great one.
Today, Josh Thole turns 40.
He spent four seasons with the Blue Jays, appearing in 170 games and compiling a .200/.275/.248 batting line.
He arrived from the Mets alongside R.A. Dickey (and Mike Nickeas) in exchange for Wilmer Becerra, John Buck, Travis d’Arnaud, and Noah Syndergaard—a trade unlikely to feature on Alex Anthopoulos’ Hall of Fame resume.
Many thought that once Steve Yzerman was cast aside, the Detroit Red Wings could trade their former captain more quickly. However, the former GM isn't the only one who doesn’t like being backed into a corner, and the Wings aren't the Ottawa Senators. Dylan Larkin’s initial trade list included just four teams: the Florida Panthers, the Minnesota Wild, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Las Vegas Golden Knights. But those teams didn’t have what Detroit wanted, so he added more options: the Colorado Avalanche and the Washington Capitals. He added more options not long after: the New Jersey Devils, the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Utah Mammoth. With a 10-team acceptable team, Larkin remains stuck in Motor City because the Wings are not getting the kind of offer they want from those teams.
Although the Montreal Canadiens aren't on that list, assistant general manager Kris Draper has attended three of the Habs’ last four games, scouting them relentlessly. Visibly, there are players there who could form an interesting package for the Atlantic Division rival. In Tuesday’s game, Adam Engstrom took Arber Xhekaj’s spot, which could indicate that he’s one of the players Detroit wanted to watch. I also think Oliver Kapanen, who has been catapulted to first-line center duty since captain Nick Suzuki was injured, may be another. What better window than a first-line role? If Detroit trades its second-line center, it only makes sense that they’d want a pivot included in the return.
Why scout the Habs if Larkin hasn’t agreed to go there, though? Perhaps because the Wings hope the player will be desperate enough to leave Detroit and agree to a move to Montreal. Of course, that would be a reluctant move for the 30-year-old, and it would likely raise concerns that he wouldn’t be in it for the long haul. After this season, his $8.7 million cap-hit deal remains valid for four more campaigns, and one can wonder whether he won’t ask for another trade soon, especially if his family wasn’t keen on a move to La Belle Province in the first place.
But if he did that, asking for another trade so soon, what team would be willing to roll the dice on him? Asking out of Detroit after 11 years of struggle and seeing the playoffs only once may be understandable. Asking out from a team seen as a contender with a great young core committed long-term would be quite another. That would earn him the label of “player who gives up on his team”. It would ruin his reputation and make it clear his word is worth little, because if Kent Hughes makes a sizeable offer to acquire the top-six center, you can be sure he will have done his due diligence and asked for assurances.
If Larkin agrees to a move, his family will see just how well the organization treats their member, and they won’t have to look far to see it. Just at the Heritage Classic recently, no matter how many guests, friends, or family members a player asked to bring, the Canadiens agreed and brought them out, covering the expenses. All wives, girlfriends, and kids got custom-made gear to keep them warm and had a great time at the post-practice family skate on Saturday night.
It goes beyond the organization; just like the Habs, their significant others are a tight-knit bunch, judging by all their social media posts. It’s not rare to see them gather for a watch party when the guys are out of town, and their Bell Centre attendance always comes with plenty of pictures of them having a whale of a time.
The truth is, it’s been four months since Larkin asked to be traded, and he hasn’t gone anywhere. Detroit won’t be forced to make a deal they don’t like, and ultimately, if he really wants out, it seems it’ll be on the team’s terms, not his, as it really should be. That’s why Draper is piling up frequent-flyer miles to watch Montreal. Make no mistake, though; that doesn’t mean the Habs are the only ones with a good offer. Draper has also been scouting at least one other team: the St. Louis Blues. They do say there’s no smoke without fire…Interestingly, Larkin is not on the ice at practice this morning...
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 27: A general view of the field during Game Four of the 2026 World Series presented by Capital One between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Parker Freedman/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Good morning, baseball fans!
The 2026 MLB Playoffs continue Wednesday night with Game 5 of the World Series between the visiting Milwaukee Brewers, who hold a 3-1 series lead, and the Tampa Bay Rays, who managed to not get swept and hope to stay alive for another game.
The game starts at 5:00 p.m. PT, airing on Fox/Fox One, with national radio coverage available on ESPN Radio.
As of the time this is being written, the Rays have not yet announced a starting pitcher for tonight’s game. Whoever it ends up being will face off against Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski, who finished the regular season with a 1.80 ERA, 2.17 FIP, with 252 strikeouts to 44 walks in 174.2 innings pitched. His last postseason start was in Game 1 of this series, in which he allowed one run on four hits with three strikeouts and a walk in five innings.
Personally, I’m rooting for a full seven-game series, as unlikely as that might end up being. So I have to root for the Rays tonight. Because more baseball is better than less baseball.
In a career that almost never happened after a car accident in his youth nearly cost him his leg, Joe Page’s left arm eventually guided him to the Bronx and championship glory. The journey to get there started in Pennsylvania coal country and would eventually return to the area.
Joseph Francis Page Born: October 28, 1917 (Cherry Valley, PA) Died: April 21, 1980 (Latrobe, PA) Yankees Tenure: 1944-1950
Page grew up in Springdale, outside of Pittsburgh. The eldest of seven siblings, he spent his youth working as a breaker boy sorting coal at the mine where his father worked. With his primary focus elsewhere, Page was not much of a prospect on the diamond during his school years. Then, in 1936, a car accident left him with a compound fracture in his leg and out of sports for a couple of years.
Bulking up while working in the mines during this hiatus helped the lefty add a few extra ticks to his fastball and develop a desire to get away from the coal mines. Seeing his left arm as a ticket out, Page started playing amateur baseball in Pittsburgh. He played for several years before finally impressing Yankees scouts enough to sign with the organization in 1940.
Page then worked his way through the farm system. He started with the Butler Yankees in the Pennsylvania State Association. The following year, he was assigned to the Augusta Tigers in Georgia. In 1942, Page found himself on the doorstep of the big leagues with the Newark Bears, the Yankees’ top farm team. He remained in Newark for the 1943 season, posting a 14-5 record across 28 appearances.
The leg injury that almost cost him his career before it started might very well have been what saved it and got him his big break. Due to the injury, Page was classified as 4-F and was ineligible for the military draft during World War II. In April 1944, the Yankees called him up to the big leagues.
Making an immediate impact, Page won five of his first six decisions. The rookie was selected to the All-Star team, but he came back down to earth as the Yankees faded late in the season. Page ended the year back in Newark, finishing his major league debut with a 5-7 record and a 4.56 ERA across 16 starts and three relief appearances.
The Yankees were without Page to start the 1945 season as he dealt with a sore arm. Returning from the injury, the lefty was mainly utilized out of the bullpen before moving back into the rotation in September. In 20 games, Page went 6-3 with a 2.82 ERA. Manager Joe McCarthy continued to clash with Page over his lack of focus and partying, which had been concerns since his rookie season.
McCarthy and Page kept locking horns until the manager’s exit early in the 1946 season. Page continued to bounce between the rotation and the bullpen, starting 17 games and pitching in 14 more in relief. Across 136 innings, he posted a 3.57 ERA while finishing with a 9-8 record.
Page was moved to the bullpen ahead of the 1947 season. Manager Bucky Harris called on him 56 times, and Page responded with a 14-8 record and a 2.48 ERA. Retroactively, he would be credited with 17 saves while tossing 141.1 innings and setting a then-American League record with 14 wins in relief. Becoming a true relief ace, Page was dubbed the Fireman because he often came into games to put out the other team’s rally. Making his second All-Star team was a bonus, as was helping the Yankees reach the World Series. Page pitched 13 innings across four games on the biggest stage, including the final four innings of Game 7, helping the Yankees take down the Brooklyn Dodgers in that decisive seventh game.
The Fireman kept things rolling to start the 1948 season, leading the league with 55 appearances and making his third All-Star team. However, both Page and the Yankees struggled after the break, and the club missed out on a chance to repeat as World Series champions. Page finished the year with a 7-8 record and a 4.26 ERA.
New skipper Casey Stengel was able to right the ship in 1949. Page posted a 13-8 record and a 2.59 ERA to go along with 27 saves. That was 17 more saves than the next closest individual reliever in the American League and at least eight more than any other AL team. His outstanding season earned him third place in the MVP voting. For a reliever in that era, that kind of recognition was rare. The Yankees took down the Dodgers again in the World Series, this time in five games. Page earned the inaugural Babe Ruth Award as the World Series MVP after winning a game and recording another stellar appearance that would have been a save in the Fall Classic.
Page received the biggest salary ever given to a reliever ahead of the 1950 season, but this marked the beginning of the end. After hurting his hip in May, he struggled all season, posting a 5.04 ERA across 37 appearances. The club opted to leave the veteran off the roster as the Yankees faced the Phillies in the World Series. The guys were able to get it done without him, sweeping their way to another championship.
Before the 1951 season, Page injured his arm. He started the year in the minors trying to work his way back to the big leagues, but the Yankees released him on May 16th. Page kept grinding, and several years later, he briefly made it back to the majors with the Pirates in 1954.
After retiring from baseball, Page managed a couple of bars in Pennsylvania and became a regular at Old-Timers’ Day. Known for his cheerfulness, partying, and close friendship with Joe DiMaggio, Page remained a fan favorite. His final career line included a 57-49 record, 3.53 ERA, 790 innings pitched, 76 saves, and a 7.3 WAR.
Happy birthday, Joe!
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Alec Bohm #28 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on during the tenth inning against the Atlanta Braves in game two of the National League Wild Card Series at Truist Park on September 30, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was a strange year for Alec Bohm. He went into his walk year with the full knowledge that the Phillies had tried to replace him with Bo Bichette over the winter and almost did until an eleventh hour offer from the Mets lured Bichette away. It was at least the second straight offseason where the Phillies’ desire to trade or otherwise replace Bohm was an open secret.
Things only got more unusual once the season actually started. Minutes before first pitch on Opening Day, it was reported that Bohm was suing his parents, alleging that the pair mismanaged his finances. The two parties eventually settled the case out of court in September, but that was after months of reports regarding the intimate details of the case.
On the field, Bohm struggled mightily in the first half of the season, resulting in his being dropped to eighth in the batting order on occasion. However, Bohm turned it around in the second half, emerging as one of the Phillies’ best hitters in the latter half of the season. But the second half surge still wasn’t enough to salvage his full season numbers from being one of the worst years of his career.
Again, Bohm’s second half is the only thing that prevented his season from being the definitive worst of his seven-year career. The 30-year-old hit .298 with a .794 OPS after the All-Star break and cut his strikeout rate from 15% to 12.5% while raising his walk rate from 6.7% to 9%. August was by far Bohm’s best month, as he hit .327 with an .830 OPS while being displaced defensively in the wake of the Luis Arraez trade that moved Bohm to first and Bryson Stott to third.
Bohm also continued to be one of the Phillies’ best hitters with runners in scoring position, even with his poor first half. His .958 OPS with RISP was the second best on the Phillies and 19th best among all qualified hitters across baseball while his .347 batting average was good for 13th best in MLB.
The highlight of Bohm’s year came in Game 2 of the Wild Card series against the Braves, as his opposite field solo home run in the tenth inning proved the difference in the Phillies lone win of the postseason.
It’s hard to overstate just how bad Bohm was in April. He hit .151 with a .426 OPS in the season’s inaugural month, with his 16 wRC+ being the third worst of any qualified hitter. He rebounded a bit in May and June, but even then, Bohm was only hitting .215 with a .632 OPS by the time of the All-Star break in mid-July. His dreadful April set the tone for his season, as Bohm was often made the whipping boy for the fanbase’s frustrations with the Phillies offense.
Even when Bohm did finally turn a corner, he didn’t do anything to make one believe that he finally took a real, meaningful step forward as a hitter in his last season of team control. He still doesn’t hit for much power despite his big frame, as Bohm’s rate of balls pulled in the air of 9.1% was still well below league average despite being an uptick from 2025’s 7.7%. Since entering the league in 2020, Bohm’s .412 slugging percentage ranks 52nd out of 63 players who have appeared in at least 800 games over that span.
Final Grade: D–
Bohm’s second half is the only thing that prevented this grade from being an F. Despite that performance, he still finished as one of the worst everyday hitters in the majors. If you take a step back and look at the big picture, Bohm is now seven years into his career, meaning he is as close to a finished product as can be reasonably expected. The mountains of evidence compiled in his career to this point paint a pretty clear picture of Bohm as an average at best hitter with below average power who plays below average at best defense on the infield corners. That is a player that can help some teams, but it is not someone who you want consistently hitting in the upper half of your order.
What exactly is that type of player worth? That will be an interesting question to follow this winter as Bohm enters an offseason of uncertainty. It is widely assumed that the Phillies will not bring him back as Bohm enters free agency, but the back injury to top prospect Aidan Miller has made the transition appear much less seamless. Add in the fact that utility infielder and backup third baseman Edmundo Sosa is also a free agent, and the Phillies’ depth at the hot corner suddenly looks lacking. The safe bet is that Bohm is playing elsewhere in 2027, but until the Phillies either commit to Miller at the start of the season or find some other stopgap until he is deemed ready, a reunion with Bohm cannot be definitively ruled out despite the team’s apparent attitudes toward him in recent offseasons.
Colin Rea is exactly the sort of pitcher every team needs.
Colin Rea is exactly the sort of pitcher every team doesn’t really want to use too much.
He’s a perfect guy to be a fifth starter — if you don’t overextend him. “Sixth starter” is probably a better description. Someone like this can go back and forth between bullpen and rotation and be effective in both places. These guys used to be called “swingmen” and they did both jobs throughout a season. Many of you might remember a lefty named Terry Mulholland, who did this very thing quite well for the Cubs in their 1998 Wild Card season.
As is the case with many guys like this, that sort of pitching goes up and down. Both last year and this year, Rea had some very good starts. He also had some outings that made us all cringe.
Overall, he is who he is — a guy who’s in the low 4’s in ERA, can eat up some innings, post a bit less than 1 WAR, and be a good teammate.
Rea was signed to a $4.25 million deal for 2025 with a $6 million option for 2026 (or a $750,000 buyout). Last offseason the option was restructured to a $6.5 million deal for 2026 with a $7.5 million team option or a $1 million buyout.
Rea turned 36 in July. He was barely used after Edward Cabrera left the rotation and David Peterson was returned to it; Rea appeared in just eight of the Cubs’ last 33 games, throwing only 12.1 innings over that span, odd for a guy supposedly available for long relief.
I think his time with the Cubs is done. They can probably find someone on the waiver wire or from non-tenders who can do this sort of thing for less money.
SEATTLE, WA - AUGUST 22: Right fielder Shawn O'Malley #36 of the Seattle Mariners emerges from the stands after diving to catch a fly ball off the bat of Tyler Austin of the New York Yankees in the seventh inning at Safeco Field on August 22, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Back with the series literally no one has asked for, no one apparently wants, and yet I am compelled to do. If you missed the first installment, you can catch up with the method behind the madness here, as well as the first batch of coaching staff candidates from the AL Central.
Today we’ll cover the NL East, since teams from the AL East and NL Central are currently in the World Series, and I’m putting off the Western divisions (mostly because that will be one giant article since I’m skipping essentially the whole AL West).
Again, if you haven’t already read the first installment in this series and yet are the kind of Sicko to read this one, I really suggest reading that first. Commenter rumdoodle described this series as “here’s what you could have won!” and that is…not an incorrect assessment of this enterprise, but also a) it’s good context to understand the broader coaching landscape the Mariners are hiring out of, for a variety of roles; b) some of these people might become Main Characters in baseball somewhere down the road, and won’t you feel so clever already knowing who Nic Wilson is (that’s what we call A Tease in the biz).
Anthony Contreras (Phillies)
Current role: Third base coach (MLB) – technically
Age: 43
Bonus points: West coast ties (from Los Gatos; attended San Jose State)
Contreras has been managing for almost a decade, jumping from the Padres organization to the Phillies, who gave him an opportunity to manage at the Triple-A level in 2022, a job he held before being promoted to the big-league staff in 2026. Contreras, the winningest manager of the IronPigs of all time, is well-respected by the players he’s managed, but his current role is somewhat up in the air after the Phillies hired Carlos Mendoza, a name once linked to the Mariners coaching search, to be their third-base coach. Come to us, AC! West coast, best coast!
Relevant quote: “What he brings to the table, how of a person he is on and off the field, he’s one of the best. Of the coaches I’ve been with, he’s one of one.” – Orion Kerkering on Contreras
Tucker Frawley (Mets)
Current role: “Director of defense, baserunning, and gameplay” for the Mets
Age: 37
Bonus points: Chatterbox
Remember how I said at the outset of this whole thing that I heavily weighted being involved with ABCA and being actively involved in the art of coaching and professional development and sharing knowledge and whatnot? Crawley, a longtime Yale assistant coach, is all about that life. This man has IDEAS, specifically about infield defense, and he is not afraid to tell you about them.
Relevant quote: “From an infield standpoint, I want us to chase aesthetics less, and efficiency more, and I often equate things to hitting, where there are just some hitters who have a knack of consistently finding the barrel and hitting the ball hard, and when they’re able to do that, there’s usually some freedom that the hitting coaches give them.”
Matt Tuiasosopo (formerly of the Braves)
Current role: free agent; former minor league infield coordinator
Age: 40
Bonus points: Born in Bellevue; deep roots in PNW sports culture; drafted by Mariners and played at both minor and major-league levels
Okay I’m technically cheating on this one, but hear me out. The Tuiasosopo name is a well-known one in PNW sports, but for whatever reason, the Mariners didn’t bring him home as a coach after his playing career officially ended in 2018; instead, Tuiasosopo immediately transitioned to coaching in the Braves system, the last MLB organization he’d been with, in 2019. By 2024, he had worked his way up to third base coach, replacing the legendary Ron Washington, but was demoted from that position by June of 2025 and reassigned to minor-league infield coordinator; his LinkedIn indicates he’s now working for an energy tech company in Atlanta.
Relevant quote: “I think if you’re a coach, you’re a servant. It’s all about the players. You have a servant attitude. It’s not about us as coaches anymore, it’s about giving these players love and instruction. Sometimes you gotta be hard on ‘em, sometimes you gotta lift ‘em up and build ‘em up. I always believe that you build up and not tear down. And I think that if you serve these guys and love on ‘em and build that trust, build that relationship, you can do a lot of great things. It’s something that I believe in, just in life in general and not just here at the field – serving people around you and thinking about others and not yourself, and I just try to live that.”
Nelson Prada (Marlins)
Current role: Manager, Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Age: 50
Bonus points: bilingual
Prada has a long history of managing, both stateside (where he’s been a long-tenured manager in the Marlins system) and globally (he’s worked with the Cardenales de Lara, who are like the Venezuelan baseball equivalent of the Yankees, and has served as Team Spain’s WBC coach); he’s also coached in the AFL and is Driveline certified for hitting. He’s currently the reigning Southern League Manager of the Year after leading Pensacola to a league-best 79-58 record that was also the third-best winning percentage in franchise history. Prada, whose bright playing career was cut short by a freak eye injury that blocks his vision to this day, has a unique perspective on the adversities players can face and how to be their advocate.
Relevant quote: “If you care about players, you have a group that is going to fight for you. I want the players to know that I care about them, and I really do care. I’m not being two-faced. Everywhere I go, I want players to feel like everybody’s a part of the team.”
Shawn O’Malley (Nationals)
Current role: Assistant hitting coach
Age: 38
Bonus points: IT’S SHAWN O’MALLEY
In case the name Shawn O’Malley doesn’t spark the same joy for you as it does for Mariners fans of a certain age, or the lead image for this story didn’t trigger something for you, O’Malley was part of the cursed Dipoto-transition-era Mariners but became a fan favorite because of his local ties, gritty play, and role in big moments like this catch in the stands or his role in the biggest comeback in club history against the Padres in the 2016 season. O’Malley went on to coach in the Mariners organization for a while at the minor-league level before going to join Blake Butera in a revamped Nationals staff. Real talk, I don’t really think any of the newly-hired Nats coaching staff is going anywhere after outperforming expectations in 2026 and was going to leave them off entirely; I just wanted to give O’Malley some shine.
