Category: Baseball

Rejoice, San Diego Padres baseball is back!

Full squad workouts have begun in preparation for the 2026 season. And by the end of the week, we will have digested our first Cactus League clash. 

Not too many major league Spring Training camps have two legitimate stars like Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. beginning their work for the coming season. Each will continue to anchor the Padres’ lineup at the top of the order. Normally, we would be discussing their impact on the team’s success. 

Instead, all eyes will be on Ethan Salas, who is entering the crossroads of his pro career.

Why has Salas’ stock dropped?

No question, his stock has declined, as Salas is no longer atop the consensus top prospect lists. Baseball America ranked him No. 8 in their 2024 MLB prospect list. Now, Salas is ranked No. 90 in this year’s prospect list. Injuries and struggles at the plate have contributed to his demise.

So, not great news for Salas, who is the Friar’s top international free agent signing at 16 years old for $ 5.6 million. Despite all the uncertainty, the organization invited him to major league camp as a non-roster invitee.

Since his arrival, his offensive production has been disappointing. In three minor league seasons, Salas has a career batting average of .221, accompanied by underwhelming power numbers. He has 58 extra-base hits in 800 minor league at-bats. But what is more alarming is that he struck out in 22.5% of his plate appearances. It is not a bad percentage if you were a proven power-hitter. 

Last season, Salas hit .188 in 10 games at Double-A San Antonio. The 19-year-old missed the remainder of the season due to a stress reaction in his lower back. Thus, another lost season in his development.

The one constant in his up-and-down pro career has been his defense, as Salas is considered one of the top defensive catching prospects in baseball. Scouts have graded him with high marks (70-fielding and 60-arm) on their 20-80 grade scale. It is the reason why Salas is still in conversation as a potential major league call-up candidate.

What is next in Salas’ career?

The odds are high that Salas will begin the 2026 campaign in the minors. The Padres do not have a spot on the Opening Day roster for him, as all the competitors for the backup catcher role have a proven track record in the majors. 

You can argue that injuries have left him a shell of his former self. But Salas has an opportunity in the major league camp to show he can be productive at the plate and hopefully remain injury-free for the upcoming season.

It is not impossible to believe the Friars might be inclined to trade Salas before breaking camp. Nevertheless, other clubs may be reluctant to acquire him due to concerns regarding his offensive production. If the market for Salas is lower than expected, then let him develop in the minors. Hopefully, he fulfills his potential and becomes a more complete player.

It is not impossible to envision Salas turning his career around. He is young enough to improve offensively.

All the talk is over; Salas must prove he is a potential fixture in a major league lineup. He is at the crossroads of his Padres career; something has to give in 2026. 

Speculation about a contract extension for San Diego Padres President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller has been persistent this offseason. Multiple reports have stated that a deal between Preller and the Padres would be forthcoming but to this point nothing is done as of the team’s first full squad workout of Spring Training, Sunday.

Preller is entering the final year of his contract, making him a “lame duck” general manager. Questions about his future with the organization are to be expected but so far remain unanswered. Padres CEO Erik Greupner spoke with Ben Higgins and Steven Woods of “Ben and Woods” on 97.3 The Fan in October of 2025 about an extension for Preller.

“It’s always been the plan that the discussions around an extension for A.J. would take place at the beginning of the offseason as part of our review and evaluation,” Greupner said. “So those discussions have begun and we’re optimistic that A.J. will be our president of baseball operations past 2026.”

Now that February has arrived, Spring Training has begun and Preller still does not have a contract extension, the questions about his future with the team are becoming more prevalent and players are being asked for their thoughts on the situation. Manny Machado, who Preller brought to San Diego as a free agent in 2019, praised Preller and the work he has done with the Padres, adding his lack of an extension is “weird.”

“Yeah, it’s kind of weird,” Machado said. “They’ve been saying they’ve been working on it. Obviously, there’s a lot going on right now with the organization, but I think they’ll figure it out. At the end of the day, we all know the value of A.J. in this organization.”

It certainly cannot hurt Preller’s case for an extension if one of the locker room leaders who is connected to the team for the foreseeable future speaks on his behalf. To Preller’s credit, according to a social media post from Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribune, when Preller was asked about Machado’s comments he said, “You give out a $300 million contract, usually you get those kinds of comments.”

Preller had the backing of another prominent player well before the media scrums on Sunday. Michael King who re-signed with the Padres in the offseason after testing the free agent market credited Preller for his desire to return to San Diego.

“I’d say the main reason I signed back here was because of Preller,” King said at Padres FanFest in January. “Knowing him as a GM, I know he is going to put a winning team out there every time I’m a part of this contract. I wanted to win throughout the duration of it, and I have the trust in him to do that.”

Machado had similar sentiments to King about Preller and his ability to put together a roster, and for good reason. Preller has been the architect of the most successful run in franchise history, which has included trips to the playoffs in four of the last six seasons.

“We do what we can with the team and he does his best,” Machado said. “Obviously, it’s been successful the last two years with what we’ve had to navigate. This year is nothing different.

“He’s made three moves (Saturday) in a matter of 24 hours and made our team drastically better and he’s going to continue to do that,” Machado added.

Preller has been one of the most active and aggressive general managers in baseball during his time in San Diego. He has shown a willingness to trade from the roster and the minor league system to acquire current players like Fernando Tatis Jr., Joe Musgrove, Yu Darvish, Jason Adam, Jake Cronenworth and more recently Mason Miller. He traded for players who have left the organization like Blake Snell, Juan Soto, Josh Hader, Dylan Cease and Luis Arraez. Not all the trades have gone in favor of San Diego, but each one has kept the Padres in the discussion of a team competing for a World Series championship.

“I think we all know that and we all have faith in him and know that he’s gonna want the best for this organization, the best for this team and he’s gonna try to put the best team out there to go out there and give us the best opportunity to win a championship,” Machado said Sunday.

Preller has also spent money, and this is an area where the part of the fanbase that was not upset about trading away prospects and potential, tends to stand up and make its voice heard. Preller initially signed Machado and then extended him for 11 years at $350 million, keeping him with the team until 2033. Preller extended Tatis Jr. on a 14-year $340 million deal in 2021 and Cronenworth on a seven-year, $80 million deal in April of 2023. Preller extended Jackson Merrill in 2025 with a nine-year, $135 million deal and gave shortstop Xander Bogaerts $280 million over 11 years in free agency in 2023.

Not all these contracts looked good at the time they were given out and some still do not look very good today. However, this offseason has shown the cost for star-level major league players is climbing rapidly and the contracts like the ones given to Cronenworth or Bogaerts may look better from one year to the next moving forward.

The farm system is depleted because of multiple trades over the past couple of seasons, but Preller has shown the ability to scout, identify and acquire talent that allows him to continue to make deadline deals year after year.

Depending on what you read or hear, the San Diego fanbase seems divided about Preller’s future with the Padres. He has his supporters and he has people who would happily pack his bags if it meant he could leave town faster. Preller has said he wants to be in San Diego, and the players seem to want him, too. Sooner or later a deal for Preller needs to get done and if it is not with the Padres, there is little doubt another team would not jump at the chance to bring him into their organization.

It has been less than a week since the start of 2026 Spring Training arrived, and the it feels like the 2025 bad injury luck for the Braves never ended. It feels like every day comes with a new injury update, and while some may be positive, the negative updates seem to always be of significance.

Jurickson Profar spoke with the media for the first time, and it was revealed he had sports hernia surgery back in November. The good news is that is fully healthy now, which is certainly a positive for the lineup. The more significant news of the day was that Hurston Waldrep will be out indefinitely due to “loose bodies” causing soreness in his pitching elbow. The ligament seems to be fine currently, but this is another blow to the Braves rotation depth. The logic of adding another starter has now become a legitimate need, one the Braves likely need to address sooner than later.

Braves News

Profar also discussed his expected role with the Braves as DH heading into 2026 season.

MLB News

Bryce Harper of the Phillies discussed the offseason comments from GM Dave Dombrowski for the first time on

Sunday.

MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: The Yankees are in an interesting spot with outfielder Jasson Domínguez in 2026. Domínguez is still young enough and his development would be best served by playing every day. However, it’s difficult—at least as of right now (we’re still over a month away from Opening Day and it’s best to expected the unexpected with spring training roster health)—to make the argument that he’s in the Yankees’ best lineup since Aaron Judge, Trent Grisham, and Cody Bellinger patrol the outfield with Giancarlo Stanton at DH. That very well could mean that “The Martian” starts the year back in the minor leagues. Domínguez himself understands the dilemma, but is trying not to focus on the noise surrounding his status.

ESPN | Jorge Castillo: After suffering an elbow injury last July, Judge spent a lot of the stretch run hampered. While that didn’t really stop his march to the MVP, the Yankees’ captain definitely felt the effects while playing the field. Going into 2026, that shouldn’t be an issue. Judge is “fully cleared” be a full participant in workouts and will feature in several of the early spring training games before he heads to the World Baseball Classic on behalf of Team USA.

MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: We’ll double down on Hoch this morning. Carlos Lagrange is ranked as one of the top 100 prospects in baseball according to several outlets, featuring a high-octane fastball as well as a trio of tantalizing secondary pitches. He’s undoubtedly one of the most interesting players in the Yankees’ system. So far in spring training, he’s impressed the Yankees, not only on the mound but off it too.

By the way, in case you’re wondering, the man himself clarified how to pronounce Lagrange’s last name, since some people haven’t been getting it right:

When the Colorado Rockies released their list of spring training invitees, it included 19 non-roster invitees.

President of baseball operations Paul DePodesta has been clear that the Rockies are looking for athleticism and versatility in position players and a developed arsenal in pitchers.

So, Purple Row Night Owls, here’s tonight’s question: Which non-roster invitee (invitees?) is (are?) most likely to break camp with the Rockies?

Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!

PHOENIX — No translation was required for Hyeseong Kim’s appraisal of Roki Sasaki’s new slider.

“Good,” Kim said in English.

Good enough for the Korean infielder to swing at the pitch and miss in a live batting practice session against Sasaki on Saturday.

Project Roki is underway at Camelback Ranch, the ninth-inning sensation of the Dodgers’ most recent World Series run working to solidify a place in the team’s rotation.

Sasaki is armed with two weapons that made him a dominant pitcher in Japan, as well as the country’s most anticipated baseball export since Shohei Ohtani: a 100-mph fastball and Wiffle-ball-like forkball. 

Last year, more than 83% of pitches he threw were either fastballs or forkballs. Finding success as a major league starter will be borderline impossible with just two effective pitches, which is why the 24-year-old Sasaki is attempting to incorporate into his arsenal a slider or cutter, or maybe both. 

Sasaki said he junked the slower variation of the slider he threw last season, which was not only hittable but also contributed to shoulder problems that sidelined him for four months. He is now experimenting with a faster version of the pitch he threw earlier in his career in Japan, with a spiral spin.

“I thought the slider I threw last year wasn’t very good,” Sasaki said in Japanese. “In reality, the results weren’t very good, either.”

Before he was placed on the injured list last year, Sasaki made eight starts in which he posted a 4.72 ERA.

The swing-and-miss by Kim on Saturday was a positive sign, but Sasaki said he still doesn’t have a clear vision for a pitch that will move away from right-handed hitters, whether it will be a slider or a cutter or something in between. Sasaki said he also plans to mix in a two-seamer.

By adding a slider or cutter and a two-seamer that travels in the opposite direction, Sasaki said, “I think it will bring my fastball and forkball to life.”

Said Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes: “If he’s executing the fastball and split the way he’s capable of, with what he’s done in the past, it’s an amazing foundation. Anything on top of that is just going to make things more challenging for opposing hitters.”

Sasaki downplayed the magnitude of the changes he’s making, saying he started working on the new pitches last year. Whatever he ends up adding to his pitch mix, comfort will be a major priority.

“As much as possible, I don’t want it to affect my current pitching motion,” he said.

Sasaki showed why that was important to him as he pitched to Kim and minor-league catcher Seby Zavala. His fastball touched 98.6 mph.

Reflecting on his first season with the Dodgers last year, Sasaki said, “It wasn’t so much about coming to the major leagues and more about me stumbling.”

He believes that once he starts competing at this level without any physical impairments, he should be able to see the problems he has to remedy in order to excel.

“My goal is to continue pitching so that I can see those challenges,” Sasaki said.

Returning in the final week of the regular season as a reliever and enjoying success as a closer in the playoffs last year was helpful, Sasaki said.

“Rather than finish at the end of the spring (when I was placed on the injured list), it was obviously better to finish in a good way in the postseason,” he said. “It’s now easier to imagine something good. I was able to see something good, so in that sense, I think I’m able to pitch a little more relaxed.”

Sasaki is also drawing inspiration from a visit he made in the winter.

Back in Japan in December, Sasaki held a baseball clinic for 170 elementary school students in the coastal town of Suzu, which was devastated by an earthquake in 2024. He said he reached out to the city in the middle of last season to make arrangements. He ran with the children, watched them play catch and answered their questions. Before they left, he handed each of them an autographed baseball.

Sasaki could relate to the children, as his own life was shaped by a major earthquake. When he was 9, his childhood home in Rikuzentakata was swept into the ocean by a tsunami. He lost his father and a set of grandparents in the disaster.

“That was my first time participating in a baseball clinic,” Sasaki said. “It’s an experience you don’t usually have. I received different kinds of strength from the children.”

He’s now channeling that into a new arsenal, a new season and potentially a new identity as a pitcher.

TAMPA — Jasson Domínguez has heard the talk.

A year ago, he arrived at spring training with the starting left field job his to lose.

On Sunday, he reported to Yankees camp as the fourth outfielder, with a possible trip to Triple-A waiting at the end of the spring if everyone stays healthy.

In a span of 365 days, his role has become much less certain.

“This is baseball, a lot of things can happen,” Domínguez said Sunday. “At the end of the day, depending on the situation, they got to do what’s best for the team. Whatever decision they make, I’ll be ready for it.”

The reality is that it would take just one injury from the projected starting outfield of Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham and Aaron Judge, or to DH Giancarlo Stanton, for Domínguez to be thrust back into the picture.

The same goes for Spencer Jones, the top Yankees outfield prospect, whose path to the big leagues is currently blocked.

But in the meantime, entering the first full-squad workout Monday, the 23-year-old Domínguez may be fighting an uphill battle to actually break camp with the big league club.

“That’s one thing I can’t control,” he said. “I don’t make the decisions. But I’m trying to do my best to get the best results that I can get. That’s what I’m focused on right now.”

General manager Brian Cashman acknowledged Friday that it would be in Domínguez’s best interest to be playing every day, which is likely only to happen at Triple-A barring an injury.

After playing an everyday role for the Yankees during the first few months of last season, Domínguez began to get squeezed out of playing time down the stretch once they were fully healthy and in the playoff chase.

Since then, the Yankees have only become more financially invested in the two outfielders in Domínguez’s way, Bellinger (who re-signed on a five-year, $162.5 million contract) and Grisham (who accepted the $22.025 million qualifying offer).

“First and foremost, JD’s a really good player that had a good season for a 22-year-old in his first full year,” manager Aaron Boone said. “He gained a lot of valuable experience. We think there’s a lot more in there, too. I think he has a chance to be an outstanding player. We’ll let things shake out. We have a long way to go between now and Opening Day. The biggest thing is he’s here to work, here to get better. When decisions come our way, we’ll make them the best we can.”

The best thing that Domínguez can do this spring is force the Yankees into a difficult decision, which could happen if he shows he has made gains in two clear areas: defensively in left field and offensively from the right side of the plate.

The switch-hitter struggled with the former, recording minus-seven defensive runs saved after a rocky transition from center to left, and the latter, his OPS nearly 200 points lower from the right side compared to the left.

Improving at both was an offseason focus for Domínguez, who played 11 games in the Dominican Winter League and now will have another proving ground this spring to show how much progress he has actually made.

He is coming off a season in which he had 429 big league plate appearances (hitting .257 with a .719 OPS and 23 steals), but will have to fight for every one he gets in 2026.

“The reality is we have two guys [Domínguez and Jones] that we think are very capable of being really good major league players,” said Boone, who added he might get Domínguez some work in center field as well. “In Jasson’s case, he’s already proven that to some degree. So this spring’s important for them to get regular playing time and continue to hone their craft.”

Jones, who will turn 25 in May, put himself on the doorstep of the big leagues with a strong season last year, finishing it at Triple-A.

The center fielder will likely be headed back there to start 2026, barring a surprise, but has the chance to make even more noise this spring while waiting for his shot.

“In my mind, this is the best organization to play for,” Jones said. “If the opportunities come later, I think it’s for good reason in that we’re trying to help the team win the World Series.”

Gallen’s back, just in time for Galentine’s day. Knee jerk reaction?

DBacksEurope: It is probably true that Gallen improves the 2026 rotation. 2025 first half Gallen was probably a worser version of the pitcher that he actually is, but we’ve seen Zac becoming increasingly worse and frustrated over the past few seasons, to an extent where we had to conclude that he wasn’t the ace we thought he once was (going to be). The longer Gallen was unsigned, the more likely it would be that he would end up in Arizona again. The QO was a no-brainer for me, so I think it is a good signing. Boras probably tried to pull a Montgomery here again, but thankfully the Diamondbacks didn’t fall for that one. I think there is still a lack of overall quality on this roster that will prevent us from becoming a serious wild card contender.

James: It’s fine. I don’t love it. I don’t hate it. Frankly, there are no better starting pitchers on the market at this point. Nor were there any better pitchers earlier in free agency that were coming for less money. With the team being up against the financial wall they are, I am actually a little bit surprised they took a gamble on bringing Gallen back. But then, they were desperate for another starter and this also helps the gutted bullpen. In that regard, this is a wise signing. Mike Hazen and his staff are mad if they think Soroka is going to be able to provide 120 IP out of the rotation. He might not even reach 80 IP.

1AZfan1: Knee jerk reaction is this is good for the 2026 Diamondbacks. Given the state of the roster (especially the projected IL) and looking around the rest of the NL, the best chance to make the postseason would come through some exceptional individual performances by players well above their projection. Gallen isn’t likely to be a 3.50 ERA guy next year, but he’s got a better shot at it then anyone else available on the market.

Ben: This pairing always made sense. He’s functionally spent his entire career with the D-Backs and he’s clearly pretty comfortable with the franchise and the environment. That said, this is a floor-raising rather than a ceiling-raising move. Clearly, the rotation and roster are better with Gallen than without him, but it’s up to him and the coaching staff to try and fix the fact that his fastball went from one of the best to well-below average over the course of just a couple of years. 

Wesley: I find it hilarious that he could and probably should have taken the qualifying offer and we’d be in the exact same position as we are right now.. Outside of that, it’s fine. Hopefully, Gallen didn’t spend the whole winter just appearing on podcasts, and actually spent some time sorting out whatever mechanical/mental issue that lead to his disaster of a 2025 season.

Dano: Kneejerk reaction was a booming “Meh,” with full echoes and reverb. Also, like Wesley, I appreciate the inherent hilarity of it. Beyond that, I expect him to pitch over the season much like he pitched in 2025–some good, some bad, truly mediocre performance for a wannabe “staff ace,” but serviceable enough for a third or fourth starter. Hence the “Meh.” In any event, he’ll likely be better than Soroka would have been taking the mound every fifth day, so that should be nice.

Spencer: It’s perfectly fine. There’s upside and floor. The price is adequate in that 2020s Kendrick way. I’ve never understood why fans seem so focused on how he has a negative ego. Personally I’ve never seen that but I also watch from the east coast so I will be first in line to admit I often fall asleep by the third inning (10pm start time when wake up is at 4:15 is just not feasible). I’d rather have a starter with a chip on their shoulder than not if we’re talking mid range with ceiling. 

Is this worse news for Eduardo Rodriguez or Michael Soroka?

DBacksEurope: I don’t think there is a scenario where E-Rod, with $40MM left on his contract, isn’t starting for the Diamondbacks in 2026 as long as his ERA stays below 6.00. So, this is probably worse news for Soroka, who will only be here one year. Although he will probably start in long relief, he will see plenty of action with Pfaadt and E-Rod shitting the bed more often than not, providing a podium for him to perform, just like Nelson did last year. Then injuries will occur and he’ll get his starts.

James: I guess it depends on how one defines bad news. Soroka is the one being bumped from the rotation. Expecting him to have been an effective, 30-game starter was always a bit bonkers to begin with. If the team keeps the entire rotation healthy and does not spend a few weeks running a 6-man rotation until someone gets injured, then Soroka goes to the bullpen, where he can provide some heat in middle, low-leverage relief. When the inevitable E-Rod injury occurs, Soroka might get some starts. Or, if he is effective in relief (where he is better suited), they can leave him in the bullpen and bring up Drake.

1AZfan1: Knee jerk reaction here is Soroka is the odd man out of the Opening Day rotation, but that is only provided that there are no injuries during Spring Training. It’s likely, or at least a coin flip’s chance, that one of the 6 possible starters will suffer some injury in Spring and the decision will be made for Torey on who will start the year in the rotation.

Ben: I tend to agree with the rest of the Roundtable: Soroka likely is the first one out of the rotation and bumped to a swingman/long-relief role where he’s had some success over the course of his career. Of course, it’s near-impossible that these six will be the same starters at the Trade Deadline let alone the end of the season and Soroka will almost certainly get a few chances to start if he stays healthy. 

Wesley: Just to further echo what the others have already said, I’d say Soroka is the odd man out. I am much more comfortable with him as a BP arm or spot starter than I am as part of the starting rotation.

Dano: Soroka definitely, at least if Soroka really wants to reestablish himself as a starter. That said, it seems like he found a good deal of success pitching out of the bullpen, so it might wind up being better for him if he can firmly establish himself as a good long reliever/swingman.

Spencer: Unfortunately I think Soroka will be pushed out of the rotation. Assuming ERod somehow stays healthy. But if the goal is to win games it should be the opposite. He’s 5 years younger and his overall production is closer to ERods than you might think if you only go off vibes rather than results. That’s not to say ERod hasn’t had the better career thus far, but if I’m going for ceiling and floor, I’m riding the potential of Soroka knowing he’s only good for 20 starts at most. That way ERod can try to remain healthier than average by only throwing a few pitches at a time. But I suspect the goal isn’t necessarily to win this season and therefore ERod will get the rotation spot and Soroka will be risked in the bullpen. 

PORT ST. LUCIE — To Juan Soto, there isn’t much of a mystery: The Mets, following a roster overhaul, have improved from last season, when they underachieved and missed the playoffs.

“We had a great team last year,” Soto said Sunday upon reporting to spring training. “This year we have, I feel like, an even better team. It’s a great feeling. Definitely I played with those guys last year, but it’s a new year. We have forgotten about anything that’s gone on last year. Anything that happens, we focus on this year.”

Those subtracted include Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil and Edwin Díaz.

The new lineup features Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco in addition to Soto and Francisco Lindor.

Alonso’s departure — he received a five-year deal worth $155 million from the Orioles — might have the biggest impact on Soto, who hit directly ahead of the slugging first baseman in the lineup.

Even with Alonso’s presence, Soto led MLB with 127 walks last season.

Bichette has been mentioned by manager Carlos Mendoza as a strong candidate to bat third, behind Soto.

“We’re going to have Bo — I trust him,” Soto said. “He’s a great hitter. He can hit home runs and he can hit for average, so I think he’s great protection.”

Soto, as he prepares for his second season with the Mets after arriving on a record $765 million contract over 15 years, will be switching from right to left field.

It’s a position he played early in his career with the Nationals and as recently as 2023 with the Padres.

Mendoza broached the subject in recent weeks with Soto as the player prepared for left field in the upcoming World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic.

“Mendoza asked me if I am comfortable [in left] and I told him I’m comfortable everywhere,” Soto said. “Whatever is going to help the team, I’m open to do it.”

Soto indicated that at the time he agreed to the change the Mets were searching for outfield help and “most of the options” were right fielders.

The Mets pursued Kyle Tucker — who ultimately signed with the Dodgers — before acquiring Luis Robert Jr. from the White Sox to play center field.

It left the Mets with a vacancy in right field that might be filled by the organization’s top position prospect, Carson Benge.

“I’ve heard he’s a great athlete,” Soto said. “He can play center field and right field, but hitting-wise I haven’t heard too much about him. We’re going to see how we go through spring training, but I have heard nothing but good things about him so I am really excited to see what he brings to the team.”

Soto, as measured by Statcast, was near the bottom of MLB in range, at minus-12 outs above average (1st percentile).

He acknowledged that defensive improvement is a goal following a season in which he finished third in the National League MVP voting with a .263/.396/.525 slash line with a career-best in homers (43) and stolen bases (38).

“I think defense is going to be one of the things that I am going to try to improve a little bit more in my game — try to bring it up to the level of the running game and the hitting,” Soto said. “Trying to bring it up there is definitely not easy, but we’re going to work for it.”

The Post reported in November that Soto and Lindor had what was described as a chilly relationship.

In recent weeks Mendoza indicated maybe the clubhouse was too “corporate” last season.

Soto was asked for his perception of the clubhouse culture last year.

“That’s in the past — we forget about it,” Soto said. “We focus on 2026.”

How can the Mets prevent a recurrence of any clubhouse issues this season?

“Have fun, forget about all the drama and everything,” Soto said. “Focus on the game and win some ballgames.”

Even with the opening of Spring Training camp, the San Francisco Giants continue to add to their roster. A couple of days after signing Rowan Wick to bolster the 2027 bullpen, they add 28-year old outfielder Will Brennan to boost the 2026 outfield situation. The left hander has a career triple slash of .267/.307/.373 in 866 major league plate appearances (all with Cleveland), so, this is as depth move-y as it gets.

He’s done a lot better in the minors, with a career triple slash of .299/.365/.436 across five seasons and 1,477 plate appearances. Still, one of his skills has managed to carry over to the majors: his minor league strikeout rate is 12.6%. In the majors, it’s 12.7%. His MiLB walk rate of 8.6%, on the other hand, has been basically halved in the majors at 4.4%. He has been a strict platoon player in his MLB career, too, with a .720 OPS vs. RHP (739 PA) and .453 vs. LHP (127 PA).

He’s not a tremendous speedster, either, with just 50 stolen bases in 66 minor league attempts and 19 stolen bases in 28 MLB attempts. In 2023 and 2024, his Statcast sprint speed was right around 73rd percentile, but last year it was just 39th.

He’s been below league average as a major league hitter for his entire career and the projection systems have him right around 90 wRC+ on a 377-PA projection. That’s probably a bit too optimistic, but it also includes a defensive value projection that’s just a tick below average. At first blush, I might’ve penciled him in as Grant McCray insurance, but McCray is a far better defender.

In June, he underwent UCL surgery on his throwing arm after injuring it throwing out Gavin Lux at home plate. The Giants expect him to be fully recovered for camp. According to the Associated Press, his deal is a split contract that sets him up to earn $900,000 in the majors and $400,000 in the minors. That’s prorated, so, if he spends half the season in the minors and half in the majors, say, then he’d make $650,000. If he spends the whole year in the majors, then he’d make $120,000 over the major league minimum.

Sometimes, these small moves do wind up paying huge dividends down the line. According to Zack Minasian, the Giants have liked him for some time and Tony Vitello & Jayce Tingler are familiar with his game, too. Could he be the outfield version of Christian Koss? Sure, why not. The more interesting question is whether or not he’s better than Joey Wiemer and/or Justin Dean, two outfielders the Giants had claimed before signing Brennan. Having the flexibility to option him down certainly makes him more “valuable” from a team/spreadsheet perspective and the financial commitment is minimal. The reward might not be all that high, but having a left-handed bat that both has the chance to hit somewhere approaching league average (the jury is still out on McCray) and can handle all three outfield positions is certainly something the Giants needed.

Spring Training games start this week, meaning we are on the clock for an Opening Day countdown. We’ll be wrapping up the 40 in 40 series this week, finishing our prospect rankings, and rolling into Opening Day with our analysis of the other squads in the AL West. In the meantime, we have actual spring training games to watch starting this week. The Mariners will be airing 16 of those games for free on Mariners.TV, the new streaming service the team is offering. The available spring training games will be free to watch, but fans can sign up for regular-season games at the same site ($99.99/year). There is also a monthly option; monthly subscriptions will be available starting on March 23, for $19.99/month. Fans can also stream the games on Mariners.com.

Radio broadcasts will be available live on the Seattle Sports App, which is available to fans living in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia, and Alaska. 20 of the 30 Spring Training games will air live on 710 AM Seattle Sports, with 10 airing later that evening on tape delay. Out-of-market fans can also listen via the MLB app. All radio broadcasts begin 10 minutes before game time.

The Mariners kick off their spring training schedule this Friday, February 20th, as they always do: against their Peoria complex-mates the San Diego Padres (the Mariners will be the home team this year). That game will be televised on Mariners TV. Saturday’s game will also be televised.

Here’s the full slate of televised Mariners spring training games:

• Feb. 20 vs. San Diego (12:10 pm PT / 1:10 pm MT)
• Feb. 21 vs. San Francisco (12:10 pm PT / 1:10 pm MT)
• Feb. 24 vs. Chicago White Sox (12:10 pm PT / 1:10 pm MT)
• Feb. 26 vs. Cleveland (12:10 pm PT / 1:10 pm MT)
• Feb. 27 vs. Arizona (5:10 pm PT / 6:10 pm MT)
• Feb. 28 at San Diego (12:10 pm PT / 1:10 pm MT)
• March 1 vs. Texas (12:10 pm PT / 1:10 pm MT)
• March 3 vs. Los Angeles Angels (12:10 pm PT / 1:10 pm MT)
• March 4 at San Francisco (Giants feed) (6:05 pm PT / 7:05 pm MT)
• March 5 vs. San Diego (12:10 pm PT / 1:10 pm MT)
• March 7 vs. Chicago White Sox (12:10 pm PT / 1:10 pm MT)
• March 17 vs. San Diego (1:10 pm PT)
• March 18 vs. Milwaukee (1:10 pm PT)
• March 20 vs. Milwaukee Prospects – Spring Breakout Game (MLB Network feed) (1:10 pm PT)
• March 21 vs. Chicago Cubs (1:10 pm PT)
• March 22 at Chicago White Sox (White Sox feed) (12:05 pm PT)

And the radio games schedule, with delays noted:

• Friday, Feb. 20: Mariners vs. Padres, 12:10 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 21: Mariners vs. Giants, 12:10 p.m.
• Sunday, Feb. 22: Mariners at Reds, 12:05 p.m.
• Monday, Feb. 23: Mariners at Dodgers, 12:05 p.m. (Tape delayed to 7:05 p.m. on 710 AM)
• Tuesday, Feb. 24: Mariners vs. White Sox, 12:10 p.m. (Tape delayed to 7:10 p.m. on 710 AM)
• Wednesday, Feb. 25: Mariners at Royals, 12:05 p.m. (Tape delayed to 7:05 p.m. on 710 AM)
• Thursday, Feb. 26: Mariners vs. Guardians, 12:10 p.m. (Tape delayed to 7:10 p.m. on 710 AM)
• Friday, Feb. 27: Mariners vs. Diamondbacks, 5:10 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 28: Mariners at Padres, 12:10 p.m.

• Sunday, March 1: Mariners vs. Rangers, 12:10 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 3: Mariners vs. Angels, 12:10 p.m. (Tape delayed to 7:10 p.m. on 710 AM)
• Wednesday, March 4: Mariners at Giants, 6:05 p.m.
• Thursday, March 5: Mariners vs. Padres, 12:10 p.m. (Tape delayed to 7:10 p.m. on 710 AM)
• Friday, March 6: Mariners at Rangers, 12:05 p.m.
• Saturday, March 7: Mariners vs. White Sox, 12:10 p.m.
• Sunday, March 8: Mariners at Brewers, 1:10 p.m.
• Monday, March 9: Mariners at Diamondbacks, 1:10 p.m. (Tape delayed to 7:10 p.m. on 710 AM)
• Tuesday, March 10: Mariners vs. Royals, 1:10 p.m. (Tape delayed to 7:10 p.m. on 710 AM)
• Wednesday, March 11: Mariners vs. Rockies, 1:10 p.m.
• Thursday, March 12: Mariners at Cubs, 1:05 p.m. (Tape delayed to 7:05 p.m. on 710 AM)
• Friday, March 13: Mariners vs. Dodgers, 6:10 p.m.
• Saturday, March 14: Mariners at Angels, 1:10 p.m.
• Sunday, March 15: Mariners vs. Reds, 1:10 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 17: Mariners vs. Padres, 1:10 p.m. (Tape delayed to 7:10 p.m. on 710 AM)
• Wednesday, March 18: Mariners vs. Brewers, 1:10 p.m.
• Thursday, March 19: Mariners at Athletics, 6:10 p.m.
• Friday, March 20: Mariners at Guardians, 2:10 p.m.
• Saturday, March 21: Mariners vs. Cubs, 1:10 p.m.
• Sunday, March 22: Mariners at White Sox, 12:05 p.m.
• Monday, March 23: Mariners at Padres, 12:10 p.m.

Coming off an offseason in which the Dodgers spent over $300 million on just two free agents, the two-time defending champions’ luxurious spending has undoubtedly been a topic of conversation and consternation around Major League Baseball.

However, when asked about the Dodgers’ record-setting payroll Sunday, the Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper and the San Diego Padres' Manny Machado were complimentary of the way the Dodgers do business.

“I love it,” Machado told reporters at the team's facility in Peoria, Ariz. “They figured out a way to do it. ... I think every team has the ability to do it. I hope all 30 teams could learn from that.”

Machado spent a half of a season with the Dodgers in 2018 before inking a $300-million contract with the Padres. That same winter, the Dodgers met with Harper, who eventually signed a $330-million contract with the Phillies. Harper shared the same sentiment as Machado when he spoke with reporters in Clearwater, Fla.

Read more:Plaschke: Yoshinobu Yamamoto must remain the calm in the Dodgers' storm

“I love what the Dodgers do, obviously,” Harper said. “They pay the money, they spend the money. I mean, they’re a great team. They run their team like a business, and they run it the right way.”

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes, while speaking with media at Camelback Ranch Sunday, made it clear that his organization isn’t searching for approval from any outside sources.

“We’re not looking externally for validation,” Gomes said. “The validation is winning championships and putting out as good a team as we can each and every year, and all we’re trying to do is get a little bit better each and every season, with the goal of winning championships. [Our] coaching staff, our players I think view it as that. Good, bad or indifferent, the external stuff is something we can’t worry about.”

Gomes also credited Dodgers ownership for providing the financial resources to help the front office continue to bolster its roster each winter.

“[We’ve had] incredible support from ownership,” Gomes said. “We’ve always [been] in the position to address the needs that will help us go out and win another championship, so I think a lot of it is looking at what’s needed in the roster and what’s available. We’ve been in the fortunate position to be able to acquire guys that fit that really well.”

Roki Sasaki throws live BP

Right-hander Roki Sasaki took the mound in front of hundreds of fans Sunday at Camelback Ranch, throwing live batting practice to teammates Hyeseong Kim and Seby Zavala as he readies himself for his second season with the Dodgers.

The 24-year-old Sasaki threw a smooth 16 pitches, punching out the right-handed hitting Zavala, and inducing a pair of groundballs to shortstop from the lefty Kim.

“I feel healthy,” Sasaki said through interpreter Will Ireton. “And also, my mechanics are in a way better spot from last year, so I felt really good in the bullpen and in today’s live BP.”

Sasaki is hoping to add to his pitch mix. He’s been experimenting with a pitch that he describes as a “cutter-slider-ish pitch.”

“I did throw the cutter-slider-ish pitch [today],” Sasaki said. “[I’m] still not really sure what direction I want to take with the cutter-slider, but the feedback from the pitching coaches is that it was very good, so I’d like to take this time during spring training to really hone in on the direction of my cutter-slider.”

Gomes has confidence that Sasaki will see success with a third pitch in 2026.

“He’s fully capable of it,” Gomes said. “We’ve seen a lot of really good [stuff from him], like the sinker, the cutter that he’s throwing… Last year, I don’t think he was ever in a great spot health-wise, really until the end of the year. All of the stuff we’ve seen so far, he’s looked really, really good. I mean, the bullpens have been exceptional. The pitch movements. He’s throwing the cutter, sinker. He’s having an expanded arsenal.”

Injury updates

Just days before opening camp, the Dodgers re-signed Kiké Hernández and Evan Phillips to one-year contracts as they both recover from elbow injuries.

On Sunday, Gomes provided updates on both of their recoveries.

Read more:Edwin Díaz responds to Steve Cohen comments, settles into Dodgers' 'really good clubhouse'

“Kiké’s progressing well,” Gomes said of Hernández, who had surgery to repair his left elbow in November. “He’s in a place where he should start swinging here pretty soon. We’re going to be really mindful of how we progress to this and making sure that when he comes back, that he’s not only healthy, but he’s healthy and ready to go. So, we’ll kind of check it out week by week.”

On Phillips, who had Tommy John surgery last June, Gomes said: “Same thing. Sometime probably midseason. It all depends on how the build-up goes and if there are any slow-downs or hiccups, depending on once he gets going into the mound progression and the full [Tommy John] stuff, but he’s feeling really good. Throwing looks great. Body looks great, so I think it’s just being mindful and viewing him almost as like a trade-deadline acquisition in some way, shape or form. That's kind of how we have it in our heads."

Staff writer Anthony Solorzano contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

PHOENIX –– Turns out, not everybody in baseball reviles the Los Angeles Dodgers’ record-breaking spending.

On Sunday morning, two of the game’s biggest veterans, Bryce Harper of the Phillies and ex-Dodger Manny Machado now of the San Diego Padres, were asked about trying to compete with the defending two-time World Series champions.

And rather than voicing the typical complaints –– about how the Dodgers are ruining baseball, and disrupting competitive balance with their $400 million-plus payroll –– the two sluggers struck a decidedly different, almost defiant tone.

“I f–king love it,” Machado told reporters at Padres camp. “I love it. I mean, honestly, I think every team should be doing it. They’ve figured out a way to do it, and it’s f–king great for the game.”

“I love what the Dodgers do, honestly,” Harper echoed at Phillies camp. “They pay the money. They spend the money. They’re a great team. They run their team like a business. And they run it the right way.”

In much the same way the Dodgers have downplayed external critiques over their roster construction in recent years, they didn’t indulge in Sunday’s contrasting comments from Harper and Machado, either.

“I don’t really pay any attention to that at all,” Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said later Sunday morning at Camelback Ranch. “We’re not looking externally. The validation is winning championships and putting out as good a team as you can each and every year.”

Still, the points Harper and Machado raised illustrate another perspective about the Dodgers that many in the sport quietly maintain.

Both argued that other teams (and, reading between the lines, ownership groups) have the capabilities to challenge the Dodgers better and replicate their organizational approach.

“I think every team has the ability to do it,” Machado said. “So, I hope all 30 teams can learn from that.” 

“Each team in baseball has an opportunity to do the same thing,” Harper added. “Maybe not at the upper echelon of money. But they can draft, they can develop, they can trade. I don’t know, I think a lot of teams can do that in baseball. And they should.”

Harper further highlighted the Dodgers’ developmental system, calling it something “people don’t look at” when complaining about the club.

“Their draft and their development is unbelievable,” he said. “Then they trade those guys for big-name guys, and they can spend the money. So I don’t know, it bothers me when everybody talks about, ‘The Dodgers are spending money.’ No, they draft, they develop, they do it the right way, they understand what it takes to be the best team in baseball.”

Gomes cited that kind of organizational harmony when reviewing the team’s latest blockbuster winter on Sunday. He said that while the team was “in the fortunate position to be able to acquire guys that fit really well” this winter –– referencing the arrivals of Kyle Tucker and Edwin Díaz –– he also noted “those guys being able to choose here, I think, speaks to (our) culture.”

The Dodgers were a topic elsewhere around the baseball world Sunday, including at Arizona’s spring camp, where Diamondbacks owner Ken kendrick was also asked about trying to compete with them as a National League West division rival.

Kendrick didn’t deny the Dodgers’ current standing atop the sport, calling them the “900-pound gorilla” in MLB’s current hierarchy.

However, he also sidestepped any criticisms over their spending, instead making the case that “the way it works in the jungle, the gorilla doesn’t win every fight.”

That, fittingly, is the same message the Dodgers have been preaching among themselves so far in camp. They know how the rest of the sport views them. They know they are expected to complete a World Series three-peat. But they also know they’re not invincible –– that for however much money they spend, baseball still offers no guarantees.

“I don’t know,” Gomes said when asked if he believes in so-called World Series hangovers. “I mean we did OK last year. I wouldn’t say we played our best baseball all year. But I think a lot of it is coming in, making sure our guys are focused. It’s incumbent upon all of us to continue to mind the little things and make sure that the attention to detail is there so there is no drop-off in intensity.”

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There’s only one real way to make the current situation work, and that involves the Astros giving in to Yordan Alvarez’ desires.

We have reached a point that seemed impossible to navigate all offseason. The Houston Astros have fully opened Spring Training and both Isaac Paredes and Christian Walker are still on the team.

It has been a foregone conclusion one of the two would have been traded for other needs on the roster by the time Spring Training expanded to more than just pitchers and catchers. Yet, here we are.

Throughout interviews, all of the Astros players who could potentially be impacted by the infield logjam have towed the company line, saying they are only focused on playing their best and that everything else is up to management. They also all want to play everyday, and based on the plans laid out thus far by manager Joe Espada that doesn’t seem to be feasible.

Unless… Yordan Alvarez gets his way and gets to play LF a lot more?

It’s a point that has been made many times by both myself and my show partner Shaun Bijani on AREA45 on Sportsradio 610. Yordan has never gotten hurt playing the field, and he WANTS to play the field.

Now, Yordan does not grade well as an outfielder because he has very limited range, however he does have a strong and accurate arm. If the team was willing to try to live with Jose Altuve in LF, surely it can live with Yordan Alvarez in LF?

There are some caveats here are well. Notably, current projected CF Jake Meyers can run down anything, and is well versed in helping cover for whomever the Astros may have in LF on any given day when necessary. Having Cam Smith or Zach Cole in RF would also allow Meyers to be more concerned with LF because either of those 2 in RF can cover a lot of ground as well. Therefore, the team can mitigate the fact that Yordan has limited range.

Also, there is an offensive side to the coin. Yordan is a career .297 hitter, with a career .389 OBP and career .961 OPS, but his numbers are even better when he plays LF.

When Yordan plays LF, he is a career .330 hitter with a .415 OBP and a 1.046 OPS. That sample is over 769 AB and 896 PA, so it is a well represented sample size.

Is it possible the Astros listen to their superstar slugger and let him grab his glove a lot more often?

Alvarez playing LF opens up the DH slot for whichever among the infielders is getting the day off from their regular position. This would allow Paredes to DH, play 1B with Christian Walker at DH, play 3B with Carlos Correa at DH, maybe even play 2B with Jose Altuve at DH.

Whether or not Paredes can still play 2B at the MLB level is a legitimate question. He last played the position in 2023, and the metrics were not kind to him. Overall, he has started 53 games at 2B in his career, and the metrics overall show he’s been passable. It is unlikely he will be a better 2B than Jose Altuve, but if he is, Altuve hit his best last season in the DH role (.816 OPS at DH, .759 at 2B, .742 in LF).

Being able to rotate the DH spot would allow Espada to give days off without losing guys bats, and with players all saying how they want to play every day and play 150 games, this would be the most likely path to that happening.

While Yordan playing LF doesn’t necessarily change the fact the Astros are still very right-handed offensively, they do have the option of playing both Zach Cole and Joey Loperfido against righthanded pitchers to help balance the lineup out, and both of those players are capable of playing CF. It is also possible they make a deal for another lefthanded OF bat without surrendering anyone major from the lineup, and can play three lefty bats in the OF and maybe one at DH to have a highly balanced lineup. A trade like the one theorized by David Schoenfield of ESPN of Jake Meyers to the Angels for Josh Lowe would give the Astros three lefthanded OF bats (Cole, Loperfido, and Lowe) and two righthanded OF bats (Smith, Dezenzo) in addition to Yordan, creating lineup opportunities of 5 righties and 4 lefties in the lineup.

It is also possible that the team doesn’t want to listen to Yordan, but a deal for either Paredes or Walker doesn’t materialize, and they find themselves in a situation where they need to find a way to get all their best hitters in the lineup as much as possible. Giving Yordan more time in LF would certainly help them accomplish that goal. They could be forced to listen to Yordan because the other alternatives are just too inferior.

The Astros also start the season with 24 games in 26 days. It would likely be a pretty good idea to have a way to keep everyone fresh early, and not overplay someone into an injury due to fatigue. Correa has a long injury history, Altuve has a recent injury history and is about to enter his age-36 season, Walker has been plagued by oblique injuries in recent years and is about to enter his age-35 season, and Paredes is coming off a torn hamstring so not needing to push those guys hard early would be ideal.

Yordan has never played more than 56 games in LF in a season, and that was in 2022, a season he finished 3rd in MVP and helped lead the Astros to a World Series Championship. He played 53 games in LF in 2024, and it is his only other top-10 MVP finish. Perhaps Yordan is on to something? Perhaps playing him 80-90 games in LF would be a benefit to the team and to Yordan’s production?

If the Astros haven’t been able to find a viable trade for Paredes or Walker yet, maybe they should try listening to Yordan?

Let us know in the comments if you agree with Yordan and would let him play more in LF?

PEORIA, AZ — Nick Castellanos spoke calmly, evenly, almost emotionless Sunday after signing with the San Diego Padres, says there are no hard feelings for the way his tenure ended with the Philadelphia Phillies.

He also has no regrets.

Castellanos, released by the Phillies after attempting to trade him all winter, apologized in an open letter to Phillies’ fans for bringing a beer into the dugout during a game against the Miami Marlins in June after being pulled from a game.

"What I will learn from this is just letting my emotions get the best of me in a moment," Castellanos said. “Possibly if I see things that frustrate me, or I don’t believe are conducive to winning, to speaking up when I see it instead of letting things just pile up over time. Then, finally when I address it, it’s less emotional."

Yet, he has no remorse over publicly venting his frustrations.

“In the moment, I felt how I felt and I spoke from the heart," Castellanos said, “and I was honest in every word that I said. You know, it’s not like I was outwardly ever displaying that, like I kept it all inside. But when I was asked a question [by Phillies’ beat reporters in September], I shot straight.

“And then people perceived it how they wanted to."

When asked if he wished things had ended differently in Philadelphia, he shook his head, citing only the failure to win a World Series championship.

“I mean, I think winning solves everything," Castellanos said. “So, I think the one thing that I wish would have ended up different that we would have won."