PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 13: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after batting in the final during the 2026 T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
It’s a difficult task to follow a season like the one Kyle Schwarber had in 2025. He finished first in the National League and second across all of baseball with 56 homers, led all of baseball with 132 RBIs, tied his career best with a .928 OPS, played in all 162 games, and finished second in MVP voting. It was a tall order, but Schwarber looked well on his way to not only equaling that season but possibly passing it in the first half of 2026.
However, Schwarber was decidedly not himself in the second half, as his production dropped mightily after suffering a mysterious back ailment in late June that caused him to change his swing. His full season numbers still averaged out for him to finish the year in a tie for the MLB lead in home runs with 45, but Schwarber’s second half slump will lead to concerns slipping into 2027 as he gets another year older.
2026 regular season stats: 156 games played, .232/.354/.503, .853 OPS, 45 HR, 97 RBI, 130 wRC+,2.9 fWAR
What went right
Schwarber picked up right where he left off from 2025 in the early parts of 2026. He slugged 22 home runs through the season’s first 56 games at the end of May, just ahead of his pace from last year when he had 19 homers through 58 games by Memorial Day. By the end of the year, he had been personally responsible for 45 of the Phillies’ 182 total homers, placing the teams with the 17th most after ranking ninth with 212 last season. Outside of Bryce Harper, Schwarber was the Phillies only real source of consistent power, as no other Phillies player besides those two had more than 19 HRs in 2026.
With the All-Star game being held in Philadelphia for the first time at Citizens Bank Park, it was widely expected that Schwarber would take advantage of that prodigious power and take part in the Home Run Derby, especially after his performance in the swing off to end the 2025 All-Star game that earned him MVP honors. And take part he did, and Schwarber put on a show in front of a raucous home crowd before ultimately falling short as the runner up to Jordan Walker of the Cardinals.
Schwarber also finally broke the team’s three-year streak without a walk-off home run, as his mammoth blast on August 23rd that hit the batter’s eye in center field capped off a historic six-run comeback that preserved the Phillies then nine-game winning streak. In a season filled with frustration that ended with a whimper, that two-out rally was easily one of the highlights of the year for the Phillies.
It flew under the radar a bit as the Phillies offense as a whole struggled in the second half, but Schwarber fell off dramatically after the All-Star break. After slashing .254/.367/.560 in the first half, Schwarber slumped to a .199/.336/.416 batting line in the second half. The team routinely downplayed the impact of the mysterious back injury, but its existence coupled with his second half performance casts doubt on just how healthy Schwarber was as the season went on.
Schwarber also struck out at his highest career rate since 2017, as he punched out in 31.4% of his plate appearances in 2026, way up from the 27.2% mark from 2025. He chased at a higher rate than normal, offering at 26.1% of pitches he saw out of the strike zone, a notable increase from his 21.5% chase rate in 2025 and his highest since the shortened 2020 season. That combination led to Schwarber racking up 220 strikeouts, just seven shy of Colson Montgomery of the White Sox who set the new MLB single season record for strikeouts in a season, dethroning Mark Reynolds’ 223 Ks from 2009. Schwarber has always been one to rack up the strikeouts, but this much of a jump as he enters his mid-30s should be cause for some alarm.
Final Grade: B+
Schwarber was one of the only two above average hitters in the Phillies regular starting lineup and was a legitimate All-Star in the first half, but his crash in the second half keeps this grade from being any higher.
Fair or not, Schwarber and his counterpart Harper are judged to a higher standard than the rest of the offense as they are the two biggest threats in a lineup that severely lacks them. If they don’t perform, the offense suffers. Therefore, it’s no coincidence that the Phillies struggled in September as Schwarber bottomed out with a .172 AVG and .710 OPS in the month. The Phillies will need Schwarber to age well, as he is only entering the second year of his new five year, $150M contract. The absolute last thing the team needs is another anchor of a contract weighing them down.
Apr 1, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Garrett Mitchell (5) slides in safely ahead of the tag by Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Ben Williamson (15) in the third inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Entering this season, only five teams had never won a World Series: the Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, and Colorado Rockies. The Brewers already had to go through one of those teams to get to this point, defeating the Padres in four games in the NLDS. They then took out the Dodgers, who were going for a third consecutive World Series title. Now, they have to take out one more team to finish the job, and it’s another team that has never won a title before — the Rays.
Earlier today, Harrison looked at the current connections between these two teams. However, these two teams have been connected since the Rays were founded in 1998. They have had similar struggles, but also similar success. Over the past 28 years, these two teams have been building up to this moment, working through those struggles and that success to get here.
The connection between these two teams starts all the way back in 1995, when MLB was in the process of expanding from 28 teams to 30. They awarded expansion franchises to two cities — Phoenix and Tampa Bay. One was placed in each league, bringing each up to 15 teams starting in 1998. However, that caused a problem since interleague play was not part of the schedule yet. If they left it as is, one team in each league would be forced to be idle every day. Their solution was to move one team from the American League to the National League, and the Milwaukee Brewers were chosen to move. Instead of the Brewers and Rays both playing in the AL, they ended up in different leagues.
These two teams then saw their first modern success in the same season. In 2008, the Brewers ended a 26-year postseason drought when they clinched the NL Wild Card spot (only one was awarded at this time) on the final day of the season. In that same season, the Rays made a drastic turnaround. After rebranding and dropping the “Devil” from their name, they won a team-record 97 games and won the AL East, clinching the second seed. Prior to that year, they had not won more than 70 games in a year. Their drought was considerably shorter — this was only their 11th season in MLB — but it was still history for them.
That year’s postseason was drastically different for the two teams. The Brewers’ run was short, falling to the Phillies in four games in the NLDS. They did claim their first postseason win since 1982, but that was about it. On the other side, the Rays made a postseason run. They defeated the third-seed White Sox in four games, then the fourth-seed Red Sox in seven games. Their run would end against the Phillies in the World Series, losing in five games.
From there, the teams had different trajectories over the next few seasons. The Brewers only made it back to the postseason once in the next decade — in 2011, when they won the NL Central for the first time and made it to the NLCS, losing to the Cardinals in six games. The Rays made three more postseason appearances, winning the AL East again in 2010. They then claimed the AL Wild Card spot in 2011 and one of two spots in 2013 (the second Wild Card spot was added in 2012). However, they didn’t advance past the ALDS in any of those three years.
Both teams then entered a period of rebuilding. The Brewers didn’t make it to the playoffs for six straight seasons between 2012 and 2017 before breaking that streak in 2018, when they won the NL Central for the second time. The Rays missed the playoffs for five straight seasons between 2014 and 2018, but broke that streak in 2019 when they claimed one of the two AL Wild Card spots.
Since then, both teams have been regular participants in the postseason. The Rays made it to the postseason in five straight seasons from 2019 to 2023. They had another World Series run in that period, losing to the Dodgers in six games in the shortened 2020 season. The Rays also led the AL in 2021 with 100 wins, their only 100-win season in franchise history.
Meanwhile, following the 2018 postseason run to the NLCS, the Brewers clinched Wild Card spots in 2019 and 2020 (the latter as a 29-31 team in a season that featured five Wild Card teams in each league). They then won the NL Central in five of the next six seasons, only narrowly missing the postseason in 2022.
The Brewers and Rays now enter the 2026 World Series at the top of their leagues. The Brewers won the NL Central for the seventh time. It’s also their four straight title and fifth in the last six seasons. The Rays won the AL East for the first time since 2021, and it was their fifth division title. Both teams led their leagues in wins, with the Brewers also recording their first 100-win season in franchise history with 103 wins.
That sets up what will be a historic World Series. For only the second time in the last 100 years, the World Series will feature two teams that have never won a title. The only other occurrence happened in 1980, when the Phillies defeated the Royals for their first title. You have to go back to 1920 to find the previous occurrence before that one, when the Cleveland Indians faced the Brooklyn Robins. It’s also guaranteed to be a first-time winner for the first time since 2023, when the Rangers won.
It’s going to be a hard-fought series to get to that final goal. History will be made either way. It all starts in just two days in Milwaukee.
NEW YORK, NY - CIRCA 1953: Whitey Ford of the New York Yankees poses with a ball in 1953 In Yankee Stadium in New York City. (Photo Reproduction by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images) | Getty Images
While the Yankees may be known for its prolific sluggers than for its hurlers, the organization does have a strong tradition of left-handed aces: CC Sabathia and Lefty Gomez have been enshrined in Cooperstown, and Andy Pettitte and Ron Guidry in Monument Park. In each of the past two seasons, a different southpaw took the ball on Opening Day — Max Fried this year, Carlos Rodón last year — a testament to the enduring legacy of the lefty starter in the Bronx.
Even among this great history, though, one pitcher stands alone: the “Chairman of the Board” himself, Whitey Ford, who came in at No. 8 in our Top 100 Yankees list two years ago — the highest among starters, and second among pitchers only to Mariano Rivera.
Edward Charles “Whitey” Ford Born: October 21, 1928 (Manhattan, NY) Died: October 8, 2020 (Lake Success, NY) Yankees Tenure: 1950, 1953-67 (player); 1964, 1968, 1974-75 (coach)
Born in Manhattan and raised in Astoria, Ford came to the attention of the Yankees at an open tryout in 1947. A first baseman for the Manhattan School of Aviation Trades high school team, the Yankees scouts instead saw potential in his left arm, taught him a curveball, and watched him dominate the Queens-Nassau semipro league. After the Red Sox offered him $1,000 to sign, his hometown team offered him an initial $5500, upped their offer to $7000, and got him to sign the dotted line just like that.
After two years in the minors, during which time the man called Eddie’s blonde hair earned him the nickname “Whitey” from manager Lefty Gomez, Ford got the call to the Bronx halfway through the 1950 season. His first appearance, working out of the bullpen, was an absolute disaster, as he surrendered 5 runs on 7 hits and 6 walks in 4.2 innings. As it turned out, though, Ford was tipping his pitches, and after some work with the pitching coach, he settled in as a starter/multi-inning reliever: across his final 19 appearances, he posted a 2.52 ERA in 107.1 innings, earning him some down-ballot MVP votes and making him the runner-up in the Rookie of the Year vote. He made his postseason debut that October, throwing 8.2 innings to help the Yankees clinch a sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies.
The outbreak of the Korean War put Ford’s career on pause, as the young man was drafted into the Army. While he did engage in some real military work — he fell off a telephone pole not once, but twice, while working for the Signal Corps — much of his time was spent playing for the Fort Monmouth Signaleers baseball club. Although I’m sure the Yankees balked at his extensive usage, as he pitched four or five times a week, the arrangement was conducive for Ford: he was close enough to home to throw out the ceremonial first pitch in his Army uniform in 1951, and to marry his high school sweetheart, Joan, while on leave in New York.
Following his return from military service, Ford slotted back into the rotation, as the team’s fourth starter behind Allie Reynolds, Vic Raschi, and Eddie Lopat — already a fairly dominant rotation. Soon, however, it became clear that the real ace of the staff was the young southpaw. Manager Casey Stengel realized it and was often selective in how he used Ford, as he would skip a start here and there so that “Slick” was almost always starting against the American League’s toughest foes. Ford himself chafed at this, as he would’ve preferred to just have a consistent spot, which he wouldn’t get until Ralph Houk took over for Stengel in 1961 — perhaps not coincidentally the same year he won his first and only* Cy Young Award with a career-high 283 innings and 39 starts.
*Ford could have won more Cys, but the honor was first awarded in 1956 and it was an overall MLB honor until 1967, when the AL and NL began issuing separate Cys.
For a span of 13 years from 1953 through 1965, Ford was one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball. The numbers are, themselves, impressive: in this span, he posted a 2.77 ERA (a 131 ERA+), averaged 17.2 wins and 11.3 complete games per season; the accolades, even more so — eight All-Star appearances, the aforementioned 1961 Cy, 10 AL pennants, and five more championship rings. He won the 1961 World Series MVP against Cincinnati as well, as this was the Fall Classic that saw him break Babe Ruth’s then-record with 33.2 consecutive scoreless innings in World Series play.
But these don’t stats don’t do Ford’s performance justice. His left arm, consistent in its performance even as it battled injuries as his career progressed, served as one of the anchors of more than a decade of Yankees dominance — an anchor often overshadowed by other events on the team (e.g., the Maris/Mantle race for 61 in ‘61) and by other pitchers throughout the league (e.g., Sandy Koufax), but an anchor without which the dynasties of the 1950s and 1960s do not occur nonetheless.
By 1965, years of injuries — he had been dealing with circulatory problems in his left arm since his Cy Young season — had finally begun to truly take their toll, and he was scuffing the ball more and more while combining for only 177 innings between 1966 and ‘67. He retired at the end of May 1967, at 38 years of age. Seven years later, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame alongside his longtime pal Mantle.
While he stopped pitching, he never truly stepped away from the game: he had multiple coaching stints, saw his No. 16 retired on August 3, 1974, received a plaque in Monument Park in 1987, and was honored on the 50th anniversary of his original signing in August 2000. A local and familiar face at Yankees Old-Timers’ Day and spring training, Ford was also no stranger to ceremonial first pitches on Opening Day or in the postseason.
The last surviving key member of the mid-century dynasty, Ford passed away on October 8, 2020, watching Yankees southpaw Jordan Montgomery lead the Yanks past the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 4 of the ALDS — a fitting activity for one of the all-time greats. Today would be his 98th birthday, and we wish Whitey’s family well!
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 15: Jake Bauers #9 of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts after striking out against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning in game four of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Tampa Bay Rays — the top team in the American League — has held its own to achieve the third pennant in franchise history, and their second this decade.
The Milwaukee Brewers are back in the World Series for the first time since 1982, and they’re doing it as the National League’s best team. The 103-win Crew swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS and now host the Tampa Bay Rays in a matchup of two franchise-first title seekers. Game 1 is Friday at American Family Field.
Here’s a position-by-position look at the Brewers as they prepare for the Rays.
Catcher
William Contreras is the lead backstop for Milwaukee, and one of the most popular Brewers, as he has been one of the more reliable all-around catchers in the National League in recent years and in the playoffs, as his bat has stayed productive into October. He posted a strong 1.157 OPS with three homers through the NLCS while handling a staff that mixes elite velocity with a deep lefty presence.
At backup, the more familiar Gary Sánchez provides a power-oriented option off the bench.
Infield
The Brewers’ infield blends elite defense, speed, and opportunistic offense.
First base: Jake Bauers. The NLCS MVP has been the postseason story for Milwaukee. A well-known Rays prospect if you’ve read this site for any length of time, Bauers nearly retired but returned for what he considered one more season last year to keep his health insurance benefits after his wife became pregnant with their second child. Fast forward two seasons, and he has delivered lengthy at bats with power and timely hitting throughout October while providing solid enough defense at the corner. Veteran White Sox infielder Andrew Vaughn has also seen time at first and as a right-handed bat off the bench or at DH against lefties.
Second base: Brice Turang. One of the best all-around second basemen in baseball and the No. 2 hitter. Turang combines Gold Glove-caliber defense with improved power (21 home runs and 100 RBIs in the regular season) and baserunning. He’s a clear mismatch advantage and not to be trifled with.
Shortstop: Cooper Pratt. The 22-year old rookie shortstop has started the bulk of the postseason games. He’s shown a contact-oriented approach and improving glove work as the year has progressed, and pushing the previous starter Ortiz into a third base platoon.
Third base: Joey Ortiz / David Hamilton. This has been a platoon/mix-and-match spot. The right handed hitting Ortiz and left handed hitting Hamilton now split time depending on matchups. If we are drawing comparisons, neither matches Junior Caminero’s power, but both offer speed and defensive flexibility that fits Milwaukee’s style.
Outfield
Milwaukee’s outfield is built on athleticism, defense, and a rising star.
Left field: Jackson Chourio. This 22-year-old superstar has continued his rapid ascent in 2026. Already with multiple 20-20 seasons under his belt, Chourio brings power, speed, and improving defense. He’s the dynamic centerpiece of the lineup, their version of a Junior Caminero, and fun to watch.
Center field: Garrett Mitchell. Strong defensive center fielder who has delivered several big hits in the playoffs, including a go-ahead home run in the NLCS clincher. He gets on base and covers ground.
Right field: Sal Frelick. Elite defender with speed and contact skills. Luis Lara has spelled him against left-handers and provides another athletic option. The group ranks among the best defensive outfields in the league.
Technically also an outfielder, the Designated Hitter, Christian Yelich, remains in the lineup and was recently named club captain. While not at his peak production levels, his experience and ability to still impact games remain valuable, especially against right-handed pitching.
Rotation
Manager Pat Murphy has utilized short leashes and heavy bullpen support, but has a solid rotation heading into the World Series:
Jacob Misiorowski — The clear ace and yet to be crowned NL Cy Young winner (16-5, 1.80 ERA, 252 strikeouts in the regular season). He’s started Game 1 of both the NLDS and NLCS and will surely open the World Series. To say his high-velocity stuff that ranks among the best is an understatement. I half expected Misiorowski to mean fast in Polish, but apparently it’s something closer to bear.
Logan Henderson — The reliable No. 2. Solid second-half performer who has handled Game 2 duties effectively in his sophomore season as a homegrown talent.
Robert Gasser — Emerged as the preferred Game 3 option after strong late-season form and solid postseason outings (including shutout work in the NLCS). He was acquired in the Josh Hader trade with San Diego, over came a UCL surgery in 2025, and started the year in Triple-A, making his rise a bit unexpected. His dad’s best friend is evidently Vin Diesel.
Dustin May (with Shane Drohan as an Opener) — May has postseason experience but has been used carefully; Florida State alumni Drohan opened Game 4 in the NLCS, and the southpaw seems likely to get the nod again given how well that went last time.
No starter has gone particularly deep in October, which is by design. Milwaukee trusts its relievers to take over after four or five innings, limiting any time-through-the-order penalties.
Bullpen
This unit has been the difference-maker. The Brewers’ bullpen allowed just six earned runs across more than 40 postseason innings heading into the World Series and featured relievers earning the win in all four NLCS games during the sweep of Los Angeles.
Trevor Megill — 6’8” Closer. Reliable late-inning presence, and a bit of an invention by the Brewers, having been added for a PTBNL in April 2023.
Abner Uribe — Primary setup man. High-velocity right-hander who has been outstanding, despite blowing a save in Game 3 of the NLCS he’s been their best bullpen arm this month.
Aaron Ashby — Left-handed workhorse who has been nearly unhittable in October (multiple scoreless multi-inning outings) and got the save in Game 4 of the sweep.
DL Hall / JoJo Romero — Additional lefty depth options that each were credited wins in the NLCS.
Regular season starter Kyle Harrison will likely find his way into the mix as well. The group throws exceptionally hard on average and enters the series fully rested after the NLCS sweep and the Rays’ longer ALCS.
Conclusion
The Brewers’ formula is clear: elite defense, contact and speed on offense, an electric frontline starter, and a lights-out bullpen that can cover the middle and late innings.
Against a similarly constructed Rays team that also emphasizes pitching, defense, and small-ball elements, the series should be tight, low-scoring, and decided by the margins. Milwaukee holds home-field advantage and the deeper, harder-throwing relief corps—two factors that could prove decisive in a first-time-champion showdown.
Paul Goldschmidt was the ideal platoon first baseman for the Yankees in 2026: He mashed against lefties – more on that in a sec – and he was his usual reliable self defensively.
But the Yanks have a decision to make this winter on the 39-year-old Goldschmidt, who is headed into free agency and has indicated he’d like to continue his terrific career.
His dangerous right-handed bat would help balance a lefty-heavy position player group and the Yanks, as evidenced again in the playoffs, can always use a strong glove.
But are there already too many first-base types on their roster? Perhaps that makes Goldschmidt, a probable Hall of Famer, expendable.
Here’s a look at whether Goldschmidt should stay or go:
Why it could make sense to keep Goldschmidt
A sage veteran always fits on a team looking to win, especially when that vet fills his role so well. Goldschmidt destroyed left-handed pitching in 2026, notching a .967 OPS and slugging 11 home runs in 157 at-bats. His slash line against lefties was .299/.393/.573. Elite.
As a team, the Yankees hit 66 home runs against lefties and had a .733 OPS.
He hit more home runs against southpaws than famed sluggers such as Yordan Alvarez and Pete Alonso. Only eight MLB players had more homers against lefties than Goldschmidt, who made $4 million on a one-year deal.
Overall, Goldschmidt totaled 18 home runs with a .765 OPS in 345 at-bats. If he’s back, he’d loom as a pinch-hitting option with serious pop or a defensive replacement on the days he did not start.
Goldschmidt also had the most appearances (77) and starts (70) at first base for the Yankees. He was not charged with an error.
During his career, Goldschmidt has pocketed four Gold Gloves and is routinely among the best defenders at first base. It might be smart to keep someone like that, especially considering Ben Rice and Luis García Jr. are lesser gloves at first. Maybe Goldschmidt can help tutor both, a nifty investment in the pinstriped future.
Jun 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Paul Goldschmidt (48) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. / Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Why it could make sense for Goldschmidt to go
He’s 39 and the Yanks are clogged with options at first base and designated hitter. How would Goldschmidt fit on the roster?
Rice is such a good hitter that it’d be criminal not to play him every day and he’s too young (28 in February) to be pigeonholed already as a DH-only bat. So he’ll likely get time at first base, even when a lefty starts – he hit 11 home runs against lefties, too. Shouldn’t the Yankees see if he can improve defensively enough to be an everyday first baseman?
García rakes, but in his limited exposure to left-handers, his OPS was more than 200 points lower than it was against righties. García started at second base as recently as 2025 for the Nationals, which has led to some speculation that he could slide over there for the Yanks in ‘27 to replace a likely-gone Jazz Chisholm Jr. But that would be risky for a team looking to shore up its defense.
Giancarlo Stanton made it back from injury for the playoffs. He’ll likely take DH at-bats next year against lefties. Aaron Judge might need more time at designated hitter, too. And is it fair to wonder if the Yanks should consider moving Judge to first base at some point in the near future?
Heliot Ramos, still under control, is another right-handed bat for Aaron Boone to deploy.
Verdict
Go.
It’s a tough call, because there’s a baseball universe in which Goldschmidt-on-the-Yanks clicks again. He’d beat up lefties, play good defense for a team that needs it, and keep a high baseball IQ in house. It’s also difficult to believe the Yanks, so awash in lefty hitters, should move on from a righty bat.
But they need some roster flexibility as they reshape the club to try for that elusive World Series title. Goldschmidt’s bat speed slipped over the last year, according to Statcast, and he didn’t hit the ball as hard, either. While he nailed his specified role, he wasn’t great when he hit against righties (.590 OPS)
The Yankees might have to get more right-handed elsewhere (third base, perhaps?) and move on from Goldschmidt.
It occurred to me recently that while I’d done an article in this series about most of the Cubs who will be free agents or who have options, I hadn’t done one on Shōta Imanaga.
So, here’s that article.
The Cubs had a complicated five-year deal with Imanaga signed before the 2024 season which they opted out of after his mediocre, injury-plagued 2025 season, making him a free agent. Then they made him a qualifying offer. Reports after he accepted it said the Cubs were “blindsided” by that; they didn’t think he’d take it. Supposedly this helped prevent the Cubs from (for example) signing free-agent right-hander Dylan Cease.
Cease had a really good year. Granted and stipulated.
Imanaga had… well, a good year. It wasn’t as good as his 3.0 bWAR 2024 season, but it was better than his 2025 season. He is who he is: A “crafty” left-hander who doesn’t throw really hard, but pounds the zone and doesn’t walk hitters (5.2 percent walk rate in 2026, 4.6 for his three-year MLB career). Even without great velocity, he still strikes out a fair number of hitters (24.6 percent in 2026, 23.6 for his career).
The home runs are what makes him frightening every time he takes the mound. He allowed 35 long balls in 2026, far more than he did (27) in 2024 in almost exactly the same number of innings.
The thing is, Imanaga goes through times of dominance and times of suck.
Look at this:
First nine starts of 2026: 2.32 ERA, 0.902 WHIP, five HR in 54.1 innings Next four starts: 10.80 ERA, 1.523 WHIP, 12 (!) HR in 21.2 innings Next 10 starts: 2.06 ERA, 1.112 WHIP, eight HR in 56.2 innings Next four starts: 7.13 ERA, 1.528 WHIP, eight HR in 17.2 innings Last five starts: 2.25 ERA, 0.792 WHIP, two HR in 24 innings
Out of Imanaga’s 32 starts, 24 of them were really good. Like, Cy Young contender good. The other eight were just horrific.
How does this happen? How can a guy utterly dominate hitters two-thirds of the time and throw batting practice the other third?
It’s not home vs. road. Imanaga posted a 3.90 ERA in 19 Wrigley starts and allowed 21 HR in 110.2 innings there. On the road: 3.53 ERA, 14 HR in 63.2 innings. He was somewhat better in day games (3.18 ERA, 11 HR in 68 innings) than night games (4.15 ERA, 24 HR in 106.1 innings). Those are more or less equivalent to his career splits.
So here’s the thing. If you have a guy like this on your staff and he’s the fourth or fifth starter, I think you could live with that. Personally, I think Imanaga (and Seiya Suzuki) help the Cubs’ profile in Japan and that’s not nothing; for one thing, it might help other NPB free agents choose the Cubs.
Imanaga’s original five-year deal was going to be worth $53 million, with incentives that could have brought it to $80 million — a $16 million annual average value. He has made $44.525 million over the three years he’s been with the Cubs. I would not be opposed to offering Imanaga a two-year, $36 million deal to return, an AAV of $18 million. That would bring his total Cubs earnings to just over $80 million, which I’d think would satisfy both parties. Imanaga was 100 percent healthy in 2026 and was the only Cubs starter who didn’t miss a start.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 15: Manager Rocco Baldelli #5 of the Minnesota Twins looks on against the New York Yankees on September 15, 2025 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning everyone and happy Wednesday!
We’re still two days away from the start of the 2026 World Series, but we’ve got all of the latest news you need to know as you get your day started.
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 11: Fans look on prior to Game One of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Sunday, October 11, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Denis Kennedy/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The World Series kicks off in two days. And some number of days after that, we will have debutant champion in Major League Baseball. Yes, for the first time since 1980, the World Series is being contested by two teams that have never won it before.
So who are you rooting for?
This is an easy decision for me. I’ve spent time in both Tampa and Milwaukee, and I’ve gone to games at both ballparks.
Milwaukee is one of my favorite mid-size cities in the whole country. It’s downtown is essentially a miniaturized replica of Chicago’s. It’s outer environs are dotted with great little neighborhood bars where patrons play a game called Stump, which entails nothing more than hammering a nail into a giant tree stump — it’s delightful. And, while it can feel way too dark and heavy on the grayscale, Miller Park is fun place to watch a game, thanks to fact that almost always filled to near capacity with fans who know baseball and are into it.
Tampa, on the other hand, is an overgrown strip mall with only one cool neighborhood that’s miles away from their perpetually empty dump of a stadium.
Let’s go Brew Crew.
Use this space to talk about the World Series, delightfully absurd bar gams, or whatever else you want and, as always, be good to one another.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Zack Gelof #20 of the Athletics celebrates a single in the bottom of the seventh inning against the Houston Astros at Sutter Health Park on September 26, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Justine Willard/Athletics/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to Wednesday, A’s fans.
The 2026 World Series matchup is set. The National League champion Milwaukee Brewers and American League champion Tampa Bay Rays, who posted the best records in their respective leagues this season, will clash for the Commissioner’s Trophy. The winner of the best-of-seven series, which begins Friday in Milwaukee, will capture its first title, while the losing team’s drought will continue.
The small-market standard-bearers rely on stellar coaching, player development and analytically driven, cost-efficient front offices to compete against big-market opponents with higher payrolls. Milwaukee and Tampa Bay’s success has led other teams to poach baseball operations executives from these organizations in hopes of replicating their success.
For example, on Monday, the Athletics announced Taylor Smith as their new president of baseball operations. The 31-year-old began his career with the Rays before serving as an assistant general manager with the Boston Red Sox since 2024. The A’s are not the only team looking to these well-run organizations for their next general manager. Brewers Assistant General Manager Matt Kleine is one of the leading candidates for the Houston Astros’ general manager opening.
The prospect of an owner-imposed lockout beginning on Dec. 1 will likely affect the pace of the free-agent and trade markets, with some players signing early and others choosing to wait until a new labor agreement is in place. The Athletics have an offensive core capable of making a playoff run, but desperately need pitching help. If he declines his player option and hits the open market, starter Clay Holmes could be a particularly good fit for the Green and Gold, given his elite ability to induce ground balls.
However, it remains unclear whether owner John Fisher will give Smith the financial resources needed to make a splash in free agency. Players may also spurn the A’s once again because they understandably do not want to play at a minor league ballpark.
If that happens, the team should turn to the trade market. From established players such as Zach Gelof and Shea Langeliers to less-proven youngsters such as Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, Tommy White and Max Muncy, the A’s have a surplus of hitters, some of whom could be traded for pitching in the right deal.
What should Smith do first as he looks to help the Athletics go from last to first in the AL West? Who is your dream A’s acquisition this winter?
The 2026 World Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays has a chance to be an all-time classic. Who do you want to win their first title?
The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays will face off in the 2026 World Series!
This is the 4th time since 2000 where the World Series matchup will be between each league’s top seed 👀 pic.twitter.com/pKErHt8mfj
Update on how some Athletics prospects are faring in the Arizona Fall League.
Checking in on how some Las Vegas Aviators players are doing so far in the Arizona Fall League: – RHP Jared Johnson: 3.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 3 H, 3 K – C Davis Diaz: .318 (7/22)/.467/.500, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 7 BB, 5 K – C Cole Conn: .261 (6/23)/.419/.522, 1 RBI, 7 BB, 3 K, 3 SB#Athletics
Roger Nelson, Kansas City pitcher, is bumped after beating Chris Chambliss, of Cleveland, to the bag for the out in 6th inning action. Chambliss hit grounder to first baseman John Mayberry who tossed ball to Nelson covering first. Indians won, 2-1.
I’ve written about former Royal pitcher Roger Nelson on several occasions. For some reason, I’ve been fascinated with his career arc.
He was originally signed by the Chicago White Sox in 1963. His minor league career with the Sox gave no clue to the magic hidden in his right arm. After five seasons moving through the Sox system, Nelson sported a 25-28 record with a cumulative ERA of 4.04, a record that hardly made him out to be a top prospect.
He made his debut on September 9, 1967, against the Detroit Tigers. He hit the first batter he faced, Bill Freehan, then retired Hall of Famer Eddie Matthews on an infield popup.
He made four more appearances that summer, the last coming on September 27 against the Kansas City Athletics in a game at Municipal Stadium. Once again, he hit the first batter he faced, pitcher Chuck Dobson, before retiring Ted Kubiak on a groundout to first.
In the offseason, Nelson was part of a six-player blockbuster trade with Baltimore, with the principals being Don Buford and Luis Aparicio. Future Royal John Matias went to the White Sox, while Bruce Howard, father of future Royal David, moved to Baltimore with Nelson.
Nelson got into 19 games with the 1968 Birds, throwing 71 innings, including six starts. He put up a sparkling 2.41 ERA, which was enough to catch the eye of Cedric Tallis. When Baltimore left him off its protected list, Tallis made Nelson the No. 1 overall pick in the 1968 expansion draft.
Nelson made the second start in Royals history, going five innings on April 9, 1969, against the Twins in what became a 4-3 Royals win in 17 innings.
Nelson was much better than his won-loss record indicated in 1969. Even though his record was only 7-13, he made 29 starts, throwing 193 innings to the tune of a 3.31 ERA.
Unfortunately, arm troubles beset Nelson, and he was only able to throw 43 combined innings in 1970 and 1971.
Nelson wasn’t even in the Royals’ plans for 1972 and had to make the team out of spring training. How long ago was 1972? Fifty-four years, if you’re counting.
Fifty-four years before 1972 would have been 1918, which marked the end of World War I. That makes me feel old.
The hit movies in 1972 were The Godfather and Jeremiah Johnson. The radio was playing “American Pie,” “Lean on Me,” “Candy Man,” and “Baby Don’t Get Hooked on Me.” Richard Nixon was president, and the U.S. still had troops in Vietnam.
Nelson had a strong spring training and made the team as a bullpen arm. He was outstanding, making 15 appearances and throwing 25 innings while striking out 23 batters with a terrific 1.44 ERA.
Manager Bob Lemon finally gave Nelson a start on July 4 in a game against Detroit at Municipal Stadium, and he responded by throwing a complete-game, four-hit shutout. Somehow, someway, Nelson’s arm healed enough for him to harness his enormous potential.
The Detroit win kicked off a pitching run as good as any in Royals history.
Nelson made 18 more starts in that magical summer and finished with 10 complete games and six shutouts. Nelson blanked the White Sox on July 27 and the Angels on July 31 with a three-hitter. This gave him three shutouts in July alone. He threw a three-hitter against Texas on August 11 and a masterful one-hitter against the Red Sox on August 23. The Red Sox game scored a 93, which remains one of the top-scoring games in Royals history.
He closed out his tour de force with a two-hit amputation of the Rangers on October 4 in a game that was notable for being the last ever played at Municipal Stadium and the last game for Ted Williams, who was manager of the Rangers.
Nelson lost eight games in that stretch, with four of the losses coming by one run and two coming by two runs. The Royals scored only 20 runs in those eight losses, despite Nelson pitching brilliantly.
Nelson set four single-season pitching records that summer that still stand today. His record of six shutouts in one season will probably never be broken. He’s also in the top 10 in several other single-season categories.
It remains, arguably, one of the best pitching seasons by any Royal, ever, which is saying something when you look at some of the guys who have pitched for Kansas City. Drago. Busby. Splittorff. Leonard. Saberhagen. Cone. Appier. Greinke. Big names, all.
In the summer of 1972, Roger Nelson, a guy who looked like your high school science teacher, was as good as or better than all of them.
In the offseason, Cedric Tallis shocked everyone by trading Nelson and one of his best hitters, Richie Scheinblum, to Cincinnati for Wayne Simpson, a pitcher with enormous potential but a bum arm, and Hal McRae, a utility player who was still recovering from a gruesome broken leg.
Thank God the internet didn’t exist in 1972, because Tallis would have gotten roasted. Like most of his trades, this one worked out just fine. Nelson’s arm problems resurfaced, and Scheinblum lost his hitting stroke. Simpson had a couple of good starts in Kansas City, but his Royals career lasted only 16 games. The real prize was McRae, who not only developed into one of the game’s best hitters but also infused the Royals with some much-needed toughness. McRae, of course, was one of the Royals’ all-time greats and ended up in the Royals Hall of Fame.
Nelson appeared in 28 games for the Big Red Machine between 1973 and 1974, toggling between starting and relieving.
He even threw 2 1/3 hitless innings against the New York Mets in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series in 1973.
Nelson had another excellent but short run of success in 1974. On May 15, he held the Giants hitless for seven innings. He ended up going 8 2/3 innings and giving up only two hits. In his very next start, six days later, he gave up only three hits in seven innings of work against the Dodgers. He closed out that stretch on May 26 with a complete-game, six-hit win against the Padres. Alas, the arm woes returned, and Nelson was only able to throw 21 more innings before the season ended.
In October 1974, the Reds sold Nelson back to the White Sox, who released him in March 1975 before he ever appeared in a game. He hooked on with the Oakland Athletics but spent the summer with their Triple-A team in Tucson before being released.
He was out of baseball and driving a truck for UPS when the Royals called in March 1976 and gave him another shot. He started the 1976 campaign in Omaha, appearing in 52 games and racking up 16 saves before the Royals called him back to the big league club.
After all he had been through, it was a heartwarming reunion. The Royals were on their way to their first Western Division crown, and Nelson made three September appearances. The best came on September 19 at Royals Stadium, when Nelson threw 5 2/3 innings against the White Sox, allowing only three hits and one run. At one point, Nelson turned back the clock and retired 14 consecutive hitters. After the game, Nelson told Kansas City Times sportswriter Sid Boardman, “I ain’t that old. I can still throw it. When you’re 32, you’re not ready for the grave. I’m just glad I was able to contribute to a club going for the pennant. I felt I could pitch longer today, but why try to be a hero? My longest outing before was four innings in Omaha in May. I could feel myself losing something. Why mess around when you got guys like we have in the pen?”
Unfortunately, that game was the high point of Nelson’s reunion with the Royals. A few days later, his car caught fire in the Truman Sports Center parking lot. Then, on Sunday evening, September 26, the Royals flew to Oakland for a critical series against the A’s.
Nelson was mugged outside the team hotel, thankfully losing only his watch to the miscreants. Nelson did take a spill and sprained both wrists during the attack.
The injury ended Nelson’s 1976 comeback, as the Royals left him off their playoff roster.
Nelson returned in 1977 but spent the season in Omaha, making 58 appearances and recording 16 more saves. He never made it back to the majors.
After being released by the Royals, he signed with Pittsburgh and pitched for its Triple-A team in 1978 and 1979.
He called it a career after the 1979 season at the age of 35.
It’s easy to wonder what the Royals’ past might have looked like had today’s surgical techniques and rehab been available. What would the careers of guys like Nelson and Steve Busby, possessor of another electric arm, have looked like? Would Busby have thrown a couple more no-hitters? Would Nelson have remained a Royal for life, which would have meant no Hal McRae as a Royal?
With a healthy Busby and Nelson, would the Royals have displaced the Yankees in 1976, 1977, and 1978? Life is always a series of what-ifs.
There’s an old saying that goes: Life gives us children so death won’t be such a disappointment. I’m not sure I agree with that sentiment, but I do wonder what someone like Nelson feels about being so close to stardom, only to have it dashed by an injury. He’ll always have the summer of 1972, though.
NEW YORK — Late in the night, there was a moment of honesty – vulnerability? – from Joel Embiid.
The Philadelphia 76ers locker room had all but cleared out, and Embiid was the last player fielding questions from an atypically large horde of reporters. With a 106-100 victory, the Sixers had just wrecked the coronation of the New York Knicks, who raised a banner here in Madison Square Garden for the first time in 53 years and who, prior to tipoff, had wedged championship rings the size of golf balls onto their fingers.
There were plenty of reasons why the 76ers won their regular season opener Tuesday, Oct. 20. But it was a small, in-game proposal from Embiid that proves the experiment that is the 76ers might just work.
Late in the second quarter, Embiid had picked up his third foul, which came during a four-minute span late in the period. So, at some point over halftime, Embiid told the 76ers coaches that it should be the newly-acquired LeBron James to guard Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, a six-time All-Star.
This would free up Embiid to play unencumbered. And it shows how dangerous this team can be.
"It changes everything," Embiid said after the game. "I had three fouls. I suggested that to the guys, the coaching staff, cause I just felt like the way that they were coming, I wasn’t – I was just being honest – I wasn’t going to be as aggressive as I should be on defense having three fouls. I wanted to stay on the floor."
LeBron James was superb in his role
LeBron used his size and strength – James actually outweighs Towns by two pounds – to body Towns and jam up the timing and rhythm of New York’s pick-and-rolls. The move gave the 76ers tremendous defensive versatility and stifled the Knicks’ ability to scoop up offensive rebounds, which allowed Philadelphia’s transition offense to flourish.
Towns, in the third quarter, took just one field goal attempt and scored only four points; the Knicks shot 5-of-21 (23.8%) in the period.
This is not unfamiliar for James, who can play every position on the floor. It’s also a tactic Team USA employed during the 2024 Paris Olympics, when James guarded Serbian all-world center and three-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokić.
Embiid was also a player on that gold medal squad, and it was Embiid’s foul trouble in the fourth quarter that prompted coach Steve Kerr to deploy the strategy.
"It was great," Embiid continued. "Another big body to guard the post. (Former 76er) P.J. Tucker was the last one we had where we could do that, that could switch off and guard those bigger guys in the post. Last year we had (Paul George), but you know PG, he did a great job, but he’s a little lighter. Having ‘Bron do that in the Olympics. We’ve done that in the past. That’s a good place to change (things) a little bit."
Vibes high in revamped 76ers' first impression
No team had a bigger offseason than Philadelphia, which also landed Jaylen Brown in a blockbuster deal with the Celtics. And the first impression of the revamped Sixers was mostly positive; the shot distribution was balanced, defensive intensity ramped up when it mattered most and the team committed just 10 turnovers, which had been an issue during the preseason.
But it was James who – as he has throughout his career – did a little bit of everything. He finished with 14 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, one steal and one block. He handled the ball and zipped passes to his teammates. He sprinted out in transition and got to the line. And he was instrumental in helping the 76ers retain their small lead throughout the fourth quarter.
It’s still so very early, and the 76ers didn’t play explicitly well; they hit just 27.5% of their 3-pointers and were outrebounded on the offensive glass by a margin of 14-6.
"I mean, it’s still going to take some time," James admitted. "It’s just one game, but obviously we can learn from the good things that we did, we can learn from the bad things we did tonight."
Though it was but one game, the vibes are high. And as far as first impressions go, these 76ers proved they should have lasting power in a loaded Eastern Conference.
It’s their versatility and adaptability that can make them a legitimate title contender.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Owners Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano of the San Diego Padres attend game four of the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewersat Petco Park on October 07, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2026 World Series begins on Oct. 23 with Game 1. It is a best-of-seven series and can end no later than Oct. 31. Five days after the end of the World Series is the start of free agency for all players who qualify. Teams have an exclusive window during that time to re-sign their players before full free agency begins.
During this period, qualifying offers are submitted to eligible players, with players having 10 days to accept or reject them.
The General Manager meetings take place Nov. 9-12 and will be much more interesting this year with the impending lockout that will begin if no CBA is reached by Dec. 1 at 11:59 pm with the lockout following the next day.
Owners meetings take place Nov. 17-19. Fans are not sure what to expect from this meeting, as the CBA negotiations will determine whether the owners have any real business to decide.
Nov. 20 is the non-tender deadline for players on the 40-man roster who have fewer than six years of major league experience. If a player isn’t offered a contract by that date, they are free agents.
The scheduled Winter Meetings are Dec. 7-10 and will not take place if the league is in a lockout. Same for the Rule 5 draft and the draft lottery.
A stressful first offseason for the new owners
New San Diego Padres owners José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones are about two months into their ownership of the team. This offseason will not be a normal one in baseball, with a work stoppage a very real possibility.
The last lockout took place in the 2021 offseason. From Nov. 2 to Dec. 2 of 2021, the teams of Major League Baseball went on a rampage, signing players to contracts totaling over $1.9 billion to get in under the lockout. Teams were very busy before the lockout occured.
It remains to be seen if that same attitude will prevail this offseason. With a contentious negotiation sure to take place, it makes sense to get important players locked up before the blackout occurs. If teams wait for the conclusion of the CBA battle, the season will come quickly and signing players will be competitive and pressurized.
What to expect from Kwanza and José
The Padres’ new owners sent a letter to season ticket holders soon after the team’s elimination from the playoffs. It contained their pledge to further the legacy of the late Peter Seidler while continuing to pursue a World Series championship for San Diego.
“We said we were All IN, ” the letter read in part, “We meant it then. We mean it now.”
“While we felt the sting of this season ending too soon, we gained an even deeper appreciation for the championship dream you’ve carried long before we arrived,” they wrote later in the letter.
They added, “Your faith deserves more than words; it deserves action. We’re committed to earning your trust through the decisions we make and the work we do alongside Padres leadership.”
The key thought could be that their actions need to speak as loudly as their words. So far, their actions have been fun to watch. They attended games, sat in the stands with fans, and interacted. They dressed in team colors, participated in postseason celebrations, and talked to the media during those celebrations. Their enthusiasm and energy were obvious and noted.
What should they do while we all wait to see what happens with the new contract?
In that time between the end of the season and the start of the impasse, action needs to happen to prove to the fan base that they mean what they say.
Locking up Ty France would make a statement
First baseman Ty France has expressed a desire to stay here. He is at the end of the prime years of his career and probably won’t be getting top-tier money. Feliciano and Jones can make a big impression if they direct president of baseball operations A.J. Preller to begin negotiations and try to sign France before Dec. 2. A trade or a free agent signing of a pitcher could also signal to the fans that they are looking forward to 2027 and hope for another playoff run for the Padres.
Both Michael King and Adrián Morejón have big money ahead of them. There is a real possibility that the Padres will not be able to win a free-agent bidding war for either of them. If King opts out of his Padres contract and Morejón rejects a probable qualifying offer from the Padres, a bidding war for their services is almost guaranteed.
The Padres have a glaring hole in the place of a starting rotation for 2027
The first two acts of their first offseason as owners should be to sign France and a starting pitcher or two for whenever the 2027 season begins. Those actions would go a long way toward reassuring the Friar Faithful of their desire to keep the playoff cycle going. We should all understand this won’t be a normal offseason, but the fan base needs some tangible proof that 2027 won’t be a lost season because of labor unrest.
If José and Kwanza give Preller the power to do some work before any lockout occurs, it signals that when the labor situation is settled, the Padres will be busy filling out their roster.
Getting ready for Spring Training 2027 will be an easier job if some of the work happens early in the offseason. Feliciano and Jones can set a budget and give Preller early success with action soon after the World Series ends.
Padres News:
Luis Campusano got some support from new Padres manager Craig Stammen as soon as he took the job and Campusano rewarded Stammen with his best season in MLB.
Ethan Salas made his MLB debut at the end of the 2026 season and showed he can play at the game’s highest level, so what should be expected of the young catcher in 2027?
While there's a lot of uncertainty regarding what this season will look like for the Clippers, it raises the question: can the team salvage what is expected to be a nightmare season?
The organization appears to have fallen on hard times, having been a consistent playoff-contending team to one that likely will drop near the bottom of the Western Conference as a result of its offseason.
The league announced disciplinary action against the team in early September after an external law firm completed enough of its investigation and shared its findings with league commissioner Adam Silver.
The Clippers were fined $30 million and were told to forfeit five first-round draft picks (2029–2033). Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and two of the team’s executives were also suspended.
The Clippers also used the offseason to create a younger roster. The team traded Kawhi Leonard and moved on from Nicolas Batum (37) in free agency, while adding players such as Brandon Ingram (29) and Gradey Dick (22). The Clippers were one of the oldest teams in the league, with an average age of 33.2 years last season.
Ingram will not be available for the season opener, leaving coach Tyronn Lue with the task of figuring out how to get the most out of this team.
“We put in a lot of stuff offensively to see what works for this team and see what will stick and we scrapped a lot of it already,” Lue said. "We are just trying to see what works with this team.
“We have some new players and guys in new positions, so we are just trying to see what works."
In the first game, Lue wants to get a better idea of what his team is good at and what he can still work on.
Figuring out what can work well could go a long way in determining how this season will play out.
The Clippers won’t have the manpower needed to put together a championship run. If the team struggles this season, it might not necessarily mean they have a favorable draft pick to look forward to either.
The Oklahoma City Thunder maintain favorable control over the Clippers' first-round pick as part of a previous trade.
Instead, the Clippers can look to produce a solid product in order to increase the trade value for some of its players while working some of its younger players into the rotation and gaining experience.
Predicting 2026-27 Clippers’ season
USA Today projects the Clippers will finish near the bottom of the Western Conference with a 31-51 record.
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 07: A catchers mitt in the dugout during the NLDS game 4 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves on October 7, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Okay, this functionally works as news and not a question, but…
Last night, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reported that current Braves assistant general manager Ben Sestanovich was in the running for the Houston Astros’ vacant front office head honcho position.
The Braves are no strangers to having their Alex Anthopoulos proteges depart to baseball ops departments with… tricky… ownership situations. Perry Minasian was the top of the card in Anaheim, for better or worse, until he wasn’t. Dana Brown went to Houston, where he was sacked a couple of months ago, leading to the current opening.
It strikes me as odd that Astros owner Jim Crane would show Brown the door, only to then hire another guy from the Braves’ front office… but Crane does Crane things, so that perhaps fits.
Sestanovich is one of five guys with his “assistant GM” title at present, with a focus on player development. He was the Padres’ head of player development before the Braves offered him the promotion and brought him on ahead of the 2020 campaign. If he does end up moving on to Houston, it would be the second time that Crane handed his keys to a Braves staffer focused on non-MLB talent, as Dana Brown was the Braves’ vice president of scouting.
While the Braves are fairly coy about specifics on what their staffers do and achieve, my main Sestanovich nugget is that he was the guy that helped Kyle Wright break out by having him change his pitch mix to be an east-west, sinker/curve guy. (Having Wright do this was a popular plea in the comments around here for quite a while before it happened, but apparently Sestanovich was the guy who broke through in this regard.)
Anyway, what do you think? Is Sestanovich going to be Brown’s replacement in a time is a flat circle way?
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: Jake Bauers #9 of the Tampa Bay Rays looks back at the referee after safely sliding into second base during the second inning against the Oakland Athletics at Tropicana Field on September 16, 2018 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Joseph Garnett Jr./Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Milwaukee Brewers are set to face off with the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2026 World Series, as both franchises are searching for their first championship. As a pair of small-market teams with analytics-heavy philosophies, it should come as no surprise that these two squads have plenty tying them together. Let’s take a quick look at the players (and executives) that have overlaps in this series.
Jake Bauers
The lone Brewer player on this list, Bauers began his career with the Rays. Drafted by the Padres in the 13th round of the 2013 MLB Draft, Bauers was sent to Tampa in December 2014 as part of the return for Wil Myers. He entered 2015 as the team’s No. 24 prospect and, after batting .272/.342/.418 with 11 homers and 74 RBIs across 128 games between High-A and Double-A, remained in the team’s top five prospects through the 2018 season, when he made his debut. Across 96 games with the Rays that year, he slashed .201/.316/.384 with 11 homers, 22 doubles, 48 RBIs, and 48 runs, compiling 0.5 bWAR.
After the conclusion of the season, he was flipped to the Cleveland Indians in a three-team deal that also featured a young Yandy Díaz (who went from Cleveland to Tampa) and veterans Edwin Encarnacion (who went from Cleveland to Seattle) and Carlos Santana (who went from Seattle to Cleveland).
Bauers compiled negative WAR in parts of each of his next few seasons with the Indians/Guardians, Mariners, and Yankees before landing with the Brewers in 2024. He had a strong finish to the 2025 season, hitting .360/.458/.560 with two homers, four doubles, nine RBIs, and 11 runs over 22 games in September and .308/.357/.615 with a homer and double over six games in the 2025 postseason. He continued that trend in 2026, turning in a career-best season at age 30 (he just turned 31 a couple of weeks ago) as he hit .266/.389/.484 with 26 homers, 22 doubles, 86 RBIs, 93 runs, and 11 steals over 144 games, totaling 3.3 bWAR. He then turned in two of the best at-bats (here and here) we’ve seen all postseason in the NLCS, earning NLCS MVP honors to guide the Brewers to the World Series.
Freddy Peralta
We’re all familiar with the fan-favorite Freddy Peralta, who gave us the best of moments but also some of the most frustrating with his inconsistencies and short starts — overall though, things were very positive. Across his first seven seasons in Milwaukee, Peralta compiled 9.3 bWAR and one All-Star appearance, reaching the 200-strikeout mark in both 2023 and 2024 while leading Milwaukee’s rotation.
In 2025, his final season with Milwaukee, he took a big step forward. Across a career-high 33 starts, the 29-year-old right-hander went 17-6, pitching to a 2.70 ERA and 204 strikeouts across 176 2/3 innings, earning his second All-Star appearance and finishing fifth in NL Cy Young voting. Set to be a free agent after 2026, the Brewers opted to trade him while his value was the highest, sending him to the New York Mets in January alongside Tobias Myers in return for a pair of prospects in right-hander Brandon Sproat and utility man Jett Williams.
Things didn’t go great for Peralta in his stint with the Mets, as he got the ball on Opening Day and made 22 starts for New York, going 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA, 4.46 FIP, and 113 strikeouts over 113 2/3 innings, totaling -0.5 bWAR, his first negative WAR season since 2019. The Mets, who had a dismal season, then flipped him again at the trade deadline, sending Peralta to the Rays for pitcher Gary Gill Hill, outfielder Aidan Smith, and shortstop Émilien Pitre. He was solid down the stretch, going 5-2 with a 3.25 ERA, 3.93 FIP, and 43 strikeouts over 55 1/3 innings, earning the AL Pitcher of the Month Award in September. He’s been even better in October, making four appearances (three starts) with a 2-0 record, 1.08 ERA, 3.88 FIP, and 12 strikeouts across 16 2/3 innings, earning the ALCS MVP with strong starts in Games 2 & 6.
Drew Rasmussen
Another star pitcher for the Rays, Drew Rasmussen was a sixth-round pick by the Brewers out of Oregon State in 2018. He quickly rose through the minors, making his debut as a reliever with Milwaukee in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. He then made 15 appearances out of the bullpen in early 2021 before being sent to the Rays alongside J.P. Feyereisen in the trade that netted Milwaukee shortstop Willy Adames and right-hander Trevor Richards.
Rasmussen immediately had success with Tampa, making 20 appearances (10 starts) with a 4-0 record, 2.44 ERA, 2.86 FIP, and 48 strikeouts across 59 innings. He continued rolling (albeit with some injury troubles) over the next few years, with a sub-3.00 ERAs in each season since that time. He was named an All-Star in both 2025 and 2026, finishing ninth in AL Cy Young voting a year ago and likely to finish top 10 once again here in 2026, when he pitched a career-high 172 innings with a 2.67 ERA, 2.82 FIP, and 174 strikeouts. Like Peralta, Rasmussen has been solid in the postseason, starting three games with a 1.29 ERA, 2.58 FIP, and 23 strikeouts across 21 innings.
Matt Arnold
The Brewers’ general manager and president of baseball operations began his career with an internship with the Dodgers before stints with the Rangers and Reds. He caught on with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2007, spending nine seasons with Tampa in various roles, including assisting Andrew Friedman and Matt Silverman with roster decisions. In an analytics-heavy front office, “he worked to develop the process of integrating science, biomechanics, and human movement analysis within all levels of baseball operations,” per his Brewers bio. His tenure with Tampa included four postseason appearances, including an AL pennant in 2008, the franchise’s first World Series appearance. Arnold was promoted to director of professional scouting in November 2009 and to director of player personnel in June 2015.
After the Brewers hired David Stearns as the team’s new general manager in September 2015, Arnold was hired away from Tampa as vice president and assistant general manager. Arnold was promoted to senior vice president and assistant general manager in 2019 before being named as the franchise’s 10th general manager in November 2020. After Stearns stepped down as president of baseball operations to join the Mets’ front office, Arnold became the leader of Milwaukee’s front office in October 2022. He was then promoted to president of baseball operations in October 2025. The Brewers have won at least 92 games in each of Arnold’s four seasons as the head of the front office, winning the NL Central each time and winning a franchise-record 103 games in 2026 en route to the NL pennant. Named MLB Executive of the Year in 2024 and 2025, Arnold is the first executive to receive the honor twice, also earning MLB Executive of the Year by The Sporting News (2024 & 2025) and Baseball America (2024). Safe to say he’s one of the better executives in the league.
Bonus Names
Here are a few players who you won’t see on the World Series roster, but I felt like they deserved to be mentioned anyways, either because of recency or because I just felt like it.
Oliver Dunn (2024-25 with Milwaukee, 2026 with Tampa Bay)
Danny Jansen (2025 with Tampa Bay, traded to Milwaukee at trade deadline where he finished his season)
J.P. Feyereisen (Wisconsin resident, 2020-21 with Milwaukee, traded to Tampa Bay with Drew Rasmussen for Willy Adames and Trevor Richards, 2021-2022 with Tampa Bay)
Willy Adames (2018-21 with Tampa Bay, traded to Milwaukee with Trevor Richards for Drew Rasmussen and J.P. Feyereisen, 2021-2024 with Milwaukee)
Brett Phillips (one of my favorite Brewers ever, even if he didn’t really pan out; 2017-18 with Milwaukee, 2020-22 with Tampa Bay, including this key moment in the 2020 World Series)
