SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 21: A general view of the Seattle skyline, Seattle Space Needle, the exterior of T-Mobile Park, home of the Major League Baseball Seattle Mariners and Lumen Field, home of the National Football League Seattle Seahawks, with Mount Rainier in the background on October 21, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today’s Lineups
DIAMONDBACKS
MARINERS
Ketel Marte – DH
J.P. Crawford – SS
Corbin Carroll – RF
Julio Rodriguez – CF
Geraldo Perdomo – SS
Josh Naylor – 1B
Nolan Arenado – 3B
Randy Arozarena – LF
Ryan Waldschmidt – CF
Luke Raley – RF
Ildemaro Vargas – 2B
Cole Young – 2B
Jose Fernandez – 1B
Dominic Canzone – DH
Aramis Garcia – C
Jhonny Pereda – C
Tim Tawa – LF
Colt Emerson – 3B
Merrill Kelly – RHP
Luis Castillo – RHP
This has definitely been a season which, so far, has shown spending big is no guarantee of success. If you look at the top 10 teams by cash payroll, half of them – the Mets, Phillies, Blue Jays, Astros and Giants – would not be in the playoffs, if the season ended today. All but the Phillies are below .500. Conversely, the last-placed by payroll Guardians are leading their division, while Tampa and Milwaukee are other teams on top of their division, while in the bottom half by payroll. Of course, it’s still relatively early. But we’ve seen before how, well before the one-third point, the standings become a pretty reliable guide to the post-season.
While the D-backs stand lower in total payroll, the harsh fact is that the team’s spending has not been very productive so far either. If we look at their top contracts this year (and excluding Nolan Arenado, since the Cardinals are responsible for the vast bulk of what he’s getting paid), here’s what we find.
Corbin Burnes, $31.7 million, zero appearances
Eduardo Rodriguez, $21 million, 2.3 bWAR
Merrill Kelly, $20 million, 0.0 bWAR
Zac Gallen, $16.2 million, -0.5 bWAR
Ketel Marte, $15 million, 1.2 bWAR
Lourdes Gurriel, $13 million, -0.3 bWAR, currently injured
That’s a total of almost $117 million being paid to these six players this year, for a total of 2.7 bWAR thus far. Only two are living up to their contracts this season, and E-Rod is probably still in the red overall, after getting paid $34 million in 2024-25 for half a win. Now, the math may change when Burnes returns, but he’ll also be starting in an overdraft situation, after missing most of last season. I’m trying to think of the last multi-season contract Arizona gave a free agent player, that turned out to be worth the money. It’s certainly been a while. I’m increasingly inclined to feel player development is perhaps more important than big-ticket free-agents.
And we welcome PhoenixSportsFan to the site, for his first guest recap of 2026! May it be a sweep-avoiding one…
May 31, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) turns a double play past Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jesus Sanchez (12) during the second inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images | Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Orioles 9 Blue Jays 5
That was bad in so many ways.
Worst of which, Jesús Sánchez was hit in the wrist by a ball thrown from the stands. They are saying he has a contusion, which is pretty much the best possible news. It was weird. Apparently, a kid(?) or young person, thought that he could throw to Sánchez and it would be caught. But, Jesús had turned away and the ball hit his wrist. Unfortunate, but no one should be throwing things from the stands.
Spencer Miles has been so good. Today he wasn’t. He went 3 innings, allowed 5 hits, 6 earned, 3 walks with 2 strikeouts. Not his day, but John had to leave him out to get some innings, as it was our second ‘bullpen’ day in three days.
Beyond that, Hayden Juenger didn’t have a great first appearance in the majors, giving up 2 hits, 3 earned, 2 walks in his inning of work.
Adam Macko (2 innings), Yariel Rodriguez (1) and Mason Fluharty (1) all put up zeros.
We had trouble with Kyle Bradish, who went 7 innings allowing just 1 unearned runs. We did get 4 runs off reliever Tyler Wells, but it was too little too late.
We had 8 hits and 4 walks. The big hit was from Yohendrick Piñango (in the game because of Sánchez’s injury), who he a home run that went 421 feet, scoring 3 of our 5 runs. Piñango, Nathan Lukes and Ernie Clement had 2 hits each. Sánchez and Charles McAdoo had one each.
No JoD today, but lets give Lips an honourable mention.
Other Award: Miles (-0.30 WPA).
Tomorrow is an off-day, which I’m sure we can all use.
BALTIMORE (AP) — Kyle Bradish pitched seven innings of four-hit ball, Colton Cowser homered and drove in four runs and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Toronto Blue Jays 9-5 Sunday.
Pete Alonso had two hits, scored twice and drove in a run for the Orioles, who mounted a 6-0 third-inning lead against rookie Spencer Miles (2-1) and coasted to the finish.
It was a complete contrast to the first three games of the series, each of which was decided by one run after the winner staged a late comeback. In earning a split, the Orioles completed an uplifting homestand in which they won seven of 10, including a three-game sweep of first-place Tampa Bay.
Bradish (3-6) allowed an unearned run, struck out four and walked three. Although it was only his second win since April 8, the right-hander has a 1.72 ERA over his past five starts.
Cowser hit a run-scoring groundout in the second inning before Baltimore took control with a five-run fifth. Alonso singled in a run and Samuel Basallo hit an RBI double before Cowser launched a three-run drive to center.
The Orioles made it 9-0 in the sixth against Hayden Juenger, making his major debut after being recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday. The right-hander walked two and gave up two hits in his only inning of work.
Yohendrick Piñango hit a three-run homer for Toronto in the eighth.
Blue Jays right fielder Jesús Sánchez left the game in the sixth inning with bruised right wrist after apparently being struck by a ball thrown from the bleachers during a stoppage in play. X-rays were negative.
Up Next
Blue Jays: After taking Monday off, Toronto sends Kevin Guzman (4-3) to the mound in Atlanta on Tuesday night.
Orioles: Following a day off Monday, Baltimore starts Shane Baz (2-5) on the road Tuesday night in Boston.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 24: Jacob Lopez #57 of the Athletics prepares to pitch against the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning at Petco Park on May 24, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This afternoon, the Athletics and New York Yankees will match-up in the rubber-game of their three-game series at West Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park.
In the wake of dropping the series-opener 8-2, the A’s rebounded last night, evening up the series with a 6-4 victory. Home runs from left fielder Tyler Soderstrom, catcher Shea Langeliers and first baseman Nick Kurtz gave the hosts a 6-1 lead. It looked like the A’s would coast to the finish line, but the Yankees rallied for three runs in the ninth as A’s relievers Jack Perkins and Scott Barlow combined to walk five batters. Barlow replaced Perkins with the bases loaded and two outs. He proceeded to walk three straight batters before finally getting the final out. According to Associated Press writer Josh Dubow, Barlow became the first pitcher to get a save after walking three out of four batters faced in an outing.
Seeking the series win, left-hander Jacob Lopez will start for the A’s. The 28-year-old enters his 12th appearance and 10th start of the season with a 4-2 record, a 5.73 ERA, and 35 strikeouts in 48.2 innings pitched. Lopez will pitch from the outset today, a contrast to his last appearance when he followed opener Luis Medina. In that outing, he earned the win after holding the San Diego Padres to one run on six hits over 4 2/3 innings.
Lopez has struggled with his command at times this season, as reflected in his 1.77 WHIP. However, he walked just one batter against San Diego, a positive step that must continue this afternoon, especially after A’s pitchers recorded more walks than strikeouts last night. If Lopez’s command wavers and leads to free passes or mistake pitches that are driven for extra-base hits, the Athletics could find themselves in serious trouble and facing a third consecutive series loss.
Left-handed-hitting outfielders Carlos Cortes and Lawrence Butler replace right-handed hitters Henry Bolte and Colby Thomas in the A’s starting nine. Additionally, backup catcher Jonah Heim will start behind the plate in the series-finale while Langeliers gets the day off.
With Soderstrom showing signs of heating up, the Athletics will need slumping hitters Butler, designated hitter Brent Rooker and second baseman Jeff McNeil to provide more offensive production as the calendar turns to June.
The A’s offense will face Yankees’ right-hander Will Warren, who has emerged as one of New York’s most reliable starters this season. The 26-year-old enters his 12th start with a 6-1 record, a 3.55 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP and 65 strikeouts across 58.1 innings. Warren received a no-decision when he faced the A’s at Yankee stadium in April, limiting the team to two runs on five hits over 4 2/3 innings. The A’s offense will look to make a bigger impact against the talented right-hander as the team vies for its second straight win.
The Yankees meanwhile have this lineup set for today:
New York’s lineup becomes considerably less imposing after its fearsome foursome. Further down the order, former A’s infielder Max Schuemann gets the start at second base in place of Jazz Chisholm Jr., who made the final out in yesterday’s game.
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 31: Samuel Basallo #29 of the Baltimore Orioles congratulates Colton Cowser #17 after Cowser hit a three-run home run in the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 31, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Colton Cowser spearheaded a dominant Orioles start, and Kyle Bradish shut down the Blue Jays lineup, as the O’s beat the Blue Jays 9-5 to earn a series split.
After using small ball and a patient approach for their dramatic comeback Saturday, the O’s went back to small ball to take an early lead Sunday. In his first AB since his walk-off winner, Pete Alonso kicked off the 2nd with a sharp single up the middle. Samuel Basallo then worked a seven-pitch walk to move Alonso into scoring position for Leody Taveras. The Oriole’s CF laid down a perfect sac bunt right out in between the pitcher and catcher, allowing both Alonso and Basallo to move up. Colton Cowser then got the O’s on the board, hitting a ground ball just slow enough to second to bring home Alonso and give Baltimore a 1-0 lead.
Cowser, Alonso, and Basallo were then at the heart of another rally in the 3rd. Gunnar Henderson set the table with a one-out single up the middle and Adley Rutschman moved him over after a five-pitch walk. Alonso then continued to spray the ball to all fields, flipping a single into right-center to plate Henderson and grow the lead to 2-0. Basallo then continued his incredible hot streak, turning on an 0-2 slider inside and lining it into the right field corner for a double.
The big blow came from Cowser, who has turned into the Orioles’ most clutch hitter over the last eight days. With two outs and runners on second and third, the Oriole RF got a 1-1 sinker over the middle of the plate and blasted the ball into the center field bleachers. It was the third multi-run homer for Cowser in the last nine games, after his two walkoff homers earlier against Detroit and Tampa Bay.
After ending the 3rd inning rally with a long ball, Cowser began another rally in the 6th. The Milkman started the inning with a four-pitch walk. Blaze Alexander then picked up his first hit of the afternoon, singling on a line drive to center. Jackson Holliday then walked to load the bases, before Taylor Ward grounded into a fielder’s choice at second, driving home Cowser for a 7-0 lead.
Henderson then picked up his first RBI of the day, doubling to center on a first-pitch slider to bring home Alexander and grow the lead to 8-0. With Ward on third, Rutschman delivered the final run of the inning, launching a 2-2 fastball into deep center for a sac fly to make it 9-0.
The run support was more than enough for starter Kyle Bradish, who once again looked dominant in shutting down the Blue Jays lineup. Nathan Lukes led off the bottom of the 1st with a single to left, but that was one of only four hits Bradish would allow in seven innings Sunday. He’d strand Lukes by getting Vladimir Guerror Jr. to pop, getting Daulton Varsho to fly out on a lazy ball hit to left and punching out Kazuma Okamoto on a sharp slider.
Jesús Sánchez would record the Jays’ second hit off Bradish with a one-out single in the 2nd. That runner was immediately erased when Charles McAdoo bounced an up-and-in sinker to Jackson Holliday at second for a 4-6-3 double play.
The double play ball would start a stretch that saw Bradish set down five straight Blue Jays hitters, a streak that only came to an end on an Okamoto walk in the 4th. However, nothing came of that baserunner, as Bradish got Ernie Clement to fly out on a 0-1 curveball to end the inning. Bradish would repeat the feat in the 5th, walking Andrés Giménez with two outs before stranding him by getting Brandon Valenzuela to fly out.
Bradish would set down the Jays in order in the 6th, ending the inning on 72 pitches. With the score at 9-0, Craig Albernaz decided to send his starter out for another inning, which is when Toronto would finally blemish Bradish’s record. Clement started the rally with a one-out single before moving to second on Yohendrick Piñango single. McAdoo would then send a potential double-play ball to short, and while the O’s got the first out at second, Holliday’s throw sailed over Alonso and allowed Clement to score.
Bradish would limit any further damage, striking out Valenzuela to end the frame and finish his afternoon. His final line closed at 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R (0 ER), 3 BB and 4 K. It was only his second start this season where he completed seven innings, and his fourth straight start allowing two or fewer earned runs.
Tyler Wells would take over in the 8th inning and make the game feel closer than it really was. Lukes led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a two-out walk by Okamoto. Wells then left a fastball up to Clement, who slashed a double to left to score Lukes and cut the Baltimore lead to 9-2. The righty’s cutter then caught too much of the plate against Piñango, who blasted a three-run homer onto the flag court to cut the O’s lead in half.
Rico Garcia then took over in the 9th and shut down the top of the Jays’ order to seal the win. Valenzuela started the inning with a one-pitch groundout to first. He then got Lukes to pop out to third on two pitches before getting Vladdy to pop out to Alonso to end it. The six-pitch shutdown inning was Garcia’s 21st appearance this season without allowing a hit and 15th without allowing a base runner.
The win moves the Orioles to 28-32, a game back of Toronto for the final Wild Card spot in the American League. The O’s continue their stretch against AL East opponents Tuesday when they travel to Boston to face the Red Sox.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - MAY 31: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a single in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Great American Ball Park on May 31, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Elly De La Cruz was having a stellar Sunday in the series finale against the Atlanta Braves in the series finale in Great American Ball Park, opening the day with a single, walk, stolen base, and a pair of runs scored. Things sure seemed like they were about to get even better when he led off the Bottom of the 5th with what looked like a stand-up double to the wall in right-center off Atlanta starter Spencer Strider.
Problem is, Elly never made it past 1B.
As the Cincinnati Reds star went to round 1B and head to 2B, he clearly pulled up lame – seemingly favoring his right leg as he limped back to the bag. Trainers were immediately summoned, and Elly exited the game in short order.
Uh-Oh… Elly De La Cruz is coming out of the game after pulling up just before he hit the bag at first on that hit. pic.twitter.com/hpjLSyl8Bz
It’s a brutal blow to this lineup even if he’s going to miss just a few days. If it’s longer than that – god forbid – the Reds are going to find themselves without one of the most dynamic players in the sport today.
The Reds later confirmed it was a hamstring issue that sent Elly to the shelf.
#Reds SS Elly De La Cruz left today's game with right hamstring tightness.
Matt McLain, who’s been benched often over the last few weeks as he struggles mightily offensively, was brought in off the bench to take over post-injury, but it’s hard not to wonder if Edwin Arroyo – who has been lighting up AAA all year and jumped right back up Top 50 prospect lists all over the place – might be where the Reds turn if Elly indeed is going to miss any real time.
May 13, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Andrew Painter (24) pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
The Phillies will wrap up their western road trip with a Sunday afternoon game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. After falling on Friday night, the Phillies took the second game of the series thanks to Edmundo Sosa’s home run.
Andrew Painter gets the start for the Phillies. The rookie righthander has pitched better of late and this will be his first time facing the defending champs.
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jesus Sanchez had to leave Sunday's game against the Baltimore Orioles after getting hit by a baseball thrown from the stands in the middle of the sixth inning.
Sanchez originally stayed in the game for two batters in the bottom of the inning before he was replaced by Yohendrick Piñango.
"Jesús Sánchez was removed from today’s game with a right wrist contusion," The Blue Jays said in a statement. "He underwent precautionary X-rays that were negative for a fracture."
According to Baltimore Sun beat writer Jacob Calvin Meyer, a young fan apparently thought Sanchez was waving his glove like he wanted to play catch − as players occasionally do with fans between innings. However, Meyer reports the kid threw the ball late, after Sanchez had turned his back.
Sánchez left game after this fan interaction, ball appears to hit him in arm/wrist.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 18: Starting pitcher Robbie Ray #38 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on May 18, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants are playing awful baseball, and have lost six straight. Now they’ll try to salvage a win against the Colorado Rockies in their series finale, before mercifully leaving the mountains … and taking on better teams. What could possibly go wrong?
Veteran left-hander Robbie Ray takes the mound for the Giants, with hopes of reversing his recent struggles. In 11 starts this year, the two-time All-Star is 3-6 with a 4.60 ERA, a 5.62 FIP, and 53 strikeouts to 29 walks in 58.2 innings. He’s been roughed up in his last three starts, including in his last outing, when he walked seven batters while allowing four runs in as many innings against the Chicago White Sox.
For the Rockies, it’s 28-year old right-hander Tanner Gordon, who makes his ninth appearance of the year. Gordon has mostly been used out of the bullpen for bulk innings, as this is just his second start. He’s 0-0 with a 5.85 ERA, a 4.08 FIP, and 33 strikeouts to seven walks in 32.1 innings. He got the start in his last game, and held the Los Angeles Dodgers to one run over five innings.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 25: Tanner Gordon #29 of the Colorado Rockies delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 25, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kyle Cooper/Colorado Rockies/Getty Images)
For the first time in over a month we can say this: the Colorado Rockies have not only won a series against an opponent and are now aiming for the sweep.
The Rockies started the series with a much-needed walk-off win thanks to a late-game rally and an Ezequiel Tovar home run. Then last night they continued to step on the gas by scoring eight runs before the Giants tallied their first. Now it’s time to see if they can finish the job.
The Rockies hope to bust out the brooms against the San Francisco Giants in their final series in May. That way they can leave a difficult month behind them and start June on a high note with some momentum.
On the mound for the Rockies is Tanner Gordon, who has officially been moved to full starting duty thanks to a litany of injuries to the pitching staff. The righty has been mostly used in bullpen or bulk relief duty this season, but is now coming off a strong outing in what was his first true start of the season. In five innings against the dreaded Los Angeles Dodgers, Gordon gave up just one earned run on six hits and a walk with three strikeouts.
On the bump for Los Gigantes is a familiar foe in veteran lefty Robbie Ray, who enters today’s contest with a 4.60 ERA and 53 strikeouts over his first 11 starts and 58.2 innings. He has struggled with his command this season, issuing 29 walks with a 4.4 BB/9 so far.
The former Cy Young winner and two-time All-Star has plenty of experience against the Rockies. However, the results are mixed. In 22 career starts against the Rockies, Ray holds a 5.24 ERA and has given up 19 home runs. He has strong strikeout numbers against Colorado with 142 punch-outs over 111.2 innings of work.
This season Ray has mostly four pitches, consisting of his primary four-seam fastball that averages 93.2 MPH, a slider, a changeup, and a knuckle curveball. The changeup has been his primary put-away pitch, but he has solid whiff induction in all three of his main breaking offerings. Ray also throws a very rare sinker. He’s used the pitch just 12 times this season, and for good reason. Opposing batters are both hitting and slugging .400 against it.
It’s the last day in May and the first time this season the Cubs will be featured as the Sunday Night Game of the Week in 2026. It’s also the beginning of a whole new era of Sunday Night Baseball here at Bleed Cubbie Blue, with the game moving from ESPN to NBC this season.
Long time readers of the site will remember that this feature began as a way to at least have a bit of fun while ESPN’s original crews shared gems like “Javy Báez should be more boring” or Matt Vasgersian ranting about bachelorette parties in the bleachers while absolutely butchering the pronunciation of some player names. Credit where it is due, that broadcast got a lot better over time. The final crew of Karl Ravech, with David Cone, Eduardo Pérez, and sideline reporter Buster Olney was actually pretty excellent, but the Bingo game must go on!
So here we are, on a new baseball channel but with the same classic rivalry between the Cubs and Cardinals. That rivalry has spanned parts of three centuries, now, our little Bingo game can surely survive a broadcast channel change or two.
As always, make it a blackout game for a challenge, but I don’t really recommend making it a drinking game unless you’re looking to pass out before the end of the game itself. The game begins at 6:20 p.m. CT on the NBC broadcast channel in your area.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - MAY 30: Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of the Kansas City Royals reacts after striking out against the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning at Globe Life Field on May 30, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Royals are in complete disarray. They have lost 15 of their last 18 games and are trying to avoid being swept for the third time in the last four series.
I don’t really have many positive things to say, Michael Wacha starts today, he’s been one of the few bright spots this season. With Maikel Garcia leaving the game yesterday with a pulled hamstring, it’s a different starting lineup for the Royals today.
The Rangers aren’t much better than the Royals and their three best hitters are injured right now, but they are still looking to sweep the Royals. They lost 3 of 4 at home to a bad Astros team before the Royals came to town.
Right hander Jack Leiter starts for them today. He made two starts against the Royals last season.
Here are the starters for the Rangers behind Leiter.
Rangers 5/31
J. Pederson DH J. Jung 3B B. Nimmo RF J. Burger 1B E. Duran SS A. Osuna LF K. Higashioka C N. Lopez 2B M. Helman CF
After this game concludes, the Royals are off to Cincinnati to play the Reds three times. First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m. CT, the game can be watched on Royals.TV
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 27: Willy Adames #2 of the San Francisco Giants reacts after being tagged out by Aramis Garcia #35 of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth inning at Oracle Park on May 27, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Should the San Francisco Giants initiate a formal, but modest rebuild with just a year and a half left on Buster Posey’s deal? On Wednesday, the San Francisco Standard’s Tim Kawakami made the case that they should, based solely on the results of April and May. Around here, I’ve seen people comment about how “this just isn’t the Giants’ year” and that it’s a simple case of cataclysmic bad luck, the flip side of the unrepeatable fluke of 2021 and, therefore, a rebuild isn’t warranted. Which idea makes the most sense?
Rebuild!
The Giants might be able to get some pretty good players in return for their players having, hopefully, just some down years. On the other hand, Kawakami’s argument is less than inspiring: because they got a bunch of average-at-best players at last year’s deadline for a pair of relievers, that means they could get better prospects for better players. Are they going to get players who are meaningfully better than the ones they got at last year’s deadline for 2-3 months of Robbie Ray and Luiz Arraez? It’s iffy. Robbie Ray has been replacement level at best this season and not many contenders need a second baseman.
He also admits that Chapman, Adames, and Devers would be tough to move this season, calling Chapman a “sunk cost.” I’m not convinced of that, which means trading Chapman might be a bit of a buy low but not one that would just be to get his contract off the books, which itself might be reason enough for teams to stay away, even if they think he’ll return to form once he gets away from San Francisco. But there’s also a chance that Chapman bounces back in a Giants uniform.
The other argument Kawakami makes is that there might be a lockout for 2027 and so the Giants might just need to reload for 2028. I’d argue that would be part of the calculation for teams acquiring Giants. Robbie Ray and Luis Arraez don’t have contracts beyond this year and so they have the most value (well, besides Casey Schmitt), but Chapman, Adames, and Devers getting a chunk of next year off just makes them that much older and past their primes come 2028. Why would anyone trade for that?
On the other hand, there’s Logan Webb, whose contract would end after 2028. If teams really do start figuring there won’t be much of a 2027, then the Giants would need to consider trading Webb *this* season to maximize a return. A season and a half of Webb would net more than just 1 season.
Teams that choose to rebuild usually do so when they’re out of talent at the major league level and need to rebuild their farm system. Once again, the Giants find themselves in the middle, having some major league talent and some minor league talent that’s up and coming. The minor league talent the team has is still 2-3 years away from making major league debuts, and if there’s a lockout that could be extended like what happened with the COVID season. And, because other teams might be factoring in a lockout, too, it might be more difficult to move high priced veterans than one would imagine. Still, moving the players on expiring deals and maybe Logan Webb would bring in a lot of talent. Those acquisitions, plus the talent rising through the system, plus the players added in this year’s draft might be enough to make this a brief rebuild window.
Don’t rebuild!
Since the 2026 Giants aren’t so different from the Giants of last year, and Buster Posey has spent the past two seasons putting together a WIN NOW team, I think the McCovey Chronicles community has it right that the Giants have the team that they want, they just don’t have the results they expected.
Now, I could argue that the Giants have never had the team that they thought they did. I’ll argue that because if you look at their record following their 19-12 start last season, they’re 84-105. They’re a bad team that has been a bad team, but they’ve been led by someone who practices the power of positive thinking, I guess.
Since this season is a dud that will guarantee the franchise goes five years without a winning season for the first time in its history, there really isn’t much upside to a teardown. That just prolongs the pain. Rafael Devers, Matt Chapman, and Willy Adames all being bad at the same time is bad luck but also not an indication that all three are cooked for the rest of their contracts. Next year (or 2028) is probably a better time to reassess, and with a salary cap likely in place soon, it makes sense to just let some things play out.
Giving a lot of playing time to “the kids” makes some sense, and we’re already seeing Bryce Eldridge play a bit more. Jonah Cox has been called up. Trevor McDonald pushed Tyler Mahle to the phantom IL. I’d like to see more experimentation on the pitching side as the lineup guys are still a few years away, but the point is that getting a new manager familiar with the league is probably done better with a roster that’s not a smoking crater. The Giants have only played like a smoking crater, well below the projections.
But here’s the reason that I am personally opposed to a rebuild: I don’t trust this front office group to pull it off. I think their draft & development strategy is working, but when it comes to the major league roster, there’s a stench of ignorance and desperation blanketing the whole thing. The notion that they could trade away talent to get talent that helps the roster in a big way sooner rather than later doesn’t make much sense to me. Sure, a pitching prospect and a draft pick for Patrick Bailey sounds great, but Patrick Bailey is also a known commodity while two non-major leaguers aren’t. Drew Gilbert and Jesus Rodriguez are big question marks. I get the calculation of taking some risks to increase the upside, but I’m not impressed by the risk hit rate during Buster Posey’s tenure, which is literally, what, signing Luis Arraez to play second base? The principles that led them to their current situation won’t change.
The current front office really thought they just had to do a few things differently to open up a window of contention for the organization. That hasn’t been the case. The Giants don’t really do rebuilds, except for those times when they have (2005-2008, 2019 & 2020), but this group wasn’t tasked with doing that. Posey is probably going to remake parts of the major league roster on the fly, sure, and count on Randy Winn and the farm system to give the major league roster some impact players in the next 2-3 years, but to call it a rebuild or even consider it one just doesn’t seem like a solid path. Plus, I don’t think the Giants can get much in return for their highest paid players — if anything at all — in which case, what’s the point?
May 29, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder Matt Vierling (8) celebrates with third baseman Kevin McGonigle (7) after scoring against the Chicago White Soxduring the tenth inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
Detroit Tigers (22-37) vs. Chicago White Sox (31-27)
Time/Place: 2:10 p.m., Rate Field SB Nation Site: South Side Sox Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: RHP Keider Montero (2-3, 4.09 ERA) vs. RHP Sean Burke (2-3, 3.90 ERA)
Rikuu Nishida is looking for another clutch RBI this afternoon | Matt Marton-Imagn Images
I’m still looking at 31-27 with some level of disbelief. I have typically been on the sunnier side than many of colleagues in prognosticating the future of the White Sox. It took until August 2024 for me to think that they really, truly had a chance at reaching 121 in the loss column. In 2025, I remained confident that they would keep it together enough to be an ordinarily bad 100-loss team, rather than maintaining the 2024-esque pace they played with for the first two months of that season. This year, I predicted they’d reach the 70-win mark for the first time in four seasons. Maybe they could make a second-half push for .500 ball if the midseason call-ups were just as effective as last season.
This, though? Even for my eternally hopeful brain, the idea that they would be better than .500 with a hold on a Wild Card slot as late as June felt ludicrous.
Perhaps the most surprising part is that while a LOT of important things have gone more right than I ever imagined — Murakami setting records, Colson Montgomery maintaining his 2025 pace, Miguel Vargas adding 3 mpg of bat speed and turning into a bona fide middle-of-the-order hitter, Randal Grichuk finding the fountain of youth, Davis Martin finally fulfilling my long-held fantasy of competing for a spot on an All-Star roster — there have still been plenty of duds that they’ve nonetheless overcome. The Opening Day starter was back in Triple-A after three games. The primary trade return for Luis Robert Jr. isn’t a major league-caliber player. Injuries have led to far more plate appearances from Jarred Kelenic, Derek Hill and Tristan Peters than anyone would have thought ideal. Erick Fedde remains completely washed, Noah Schultz struggled in his first action with the big club. Kyle Teel has yet to play and Edgar Quero has spent much of the last month seemingly on the verge of being demoted. Seranthony Domínguez has avoided many meltdowns but has already lost a secure grip on the closer job despite being signed for that exact purpose.
Yet here we are. The last time the Sox reached five games above the break-even mark was September 2022. Here’s the getaway day lineup we’re getting as they try to set themselves up to reach their highest water mark since the halcyon days of 2020-21. I can only presume that you, like me, are quite invested in Jacob Gonzalez’s first look on the South Side, given the absurd 19 homers he’s already cranked in Triple-A. If he can keep up anything close to like that, it’ll certainly go down as one of the more remarkable bust-to-boom prospect stories in recent memory.
The Tigers, meanwhile, have treaded the opposite path and undergone an utter shitshow of a season in which they were division favorites and World Series contenders, and are instead racing towards a very early draft pick in 2027. At the moment, they are the worst team in the American League and tied with the Rockies for worst in all of baseball.
The Sox last swept the Tigers in 2023, which is not what I expected to find. That series was also in late May, and after winning the second game in walk-off fashion, they secured the sweep with a Jake Burger grand slam to end it. It may have legitimately been the high point of the 2023 season.
Here’s the lineup that the moribund Tigers will trot out today, in hopes of salvaging some pride:
