Major League Baseball released a video on the upcoming CBA negotiations — and Blue Jays pitcher Jameson Taillon wasn’t happy with the “selective” narrative by the league.
Taillon, a 10-year veteran, ranted about MLB’s video posted to its social media accounts in which executive vice president of baseball operations Morgan Sword discussed three major changes the league is looking to make.
Jameson Taillon #56 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches during the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Friday, September 4, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. MLB Photos via Getty Images
“This is comically bad. They’re being very careful and selective of what they’re saying/showing and how they’re delivering it,” Taillon wrote in a post on X.
“This is going to be ugly if they’re trying to sway fan/public support weeks before they even lock us out. At the end of the day- they want to drive down salaries and put more money in the pockets of billionaires.
“Nobody wins except them. Simple as that. It’s not about competition. It’s never been about competition for them, it just is a nice cover up.”
Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred speaks during a ceremony to present the 2026 Roberto Clemente award to New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (not pictured) before game three of the 2026 World Series at Tropicana Field. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
This is comically bad. They’re being very careful and selective of what they’re saying/showing and how they’re delivering it. This is going to be ugly if they’re trying to sway fan/public support weeks before they even lock us out. At the end of the day- they want to drive down…
“Over our dead bodies are we going to accept a cap and further restraints on salaries,” Wolfe said.
Morgan Sword, MLB Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations speaks to the media during the On-Field Rules Demonstration at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale. MLB Photos via Getty Images
Baseball, unlike two other major professional sports in the NFL and NBA, has flourished in recent years without a salary cap or floor. MLB’s argument over fairness in regulating team spending was recently disproved by the World Series champion Brewers, who had the 19th-highest payroll.
While teams are free to spend, the richest organizations aren’t guaranteed a trip to the Fall Classic. Toronto and the Mets are just two examples of luxurious spending in the offseason only to miss the playoffs come October.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres celebrates after bunting for a single against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning in game four of the National League Division Series at Petco Park on October 07, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to our series grading every member of the San Diego Padres’ 40-man roster. The roster being evaluated is current as of Oct. 18, prior to the end of the World Series. Because of that, it will include players who will be free agents once the postseason concludes. Each player will be graded on their performance in the 2026 season, including the playoffs. That performance will be weighted based on how much time the player spent with the team (availability is the best ability).
Manny Machado
When Machado signed with the Padres, it was a massive deal. To be exact, it was the biggest contract that any athlete had ever signed up to that point. Machado signed a 10-year, $300 million deal with San Diego, keeping him in the brown and gold for the rest of his career. He’s largely followed up on that, hitting .275 or better in five of seven seasons and 25-plus homers in all of his years (excluding the shortened 2020 season).
Overall Grade: B-
However, 2026 saw a major downtick in his batting average. Including his time with the Baltimore Orioles, Machado had never finished the season with a batting average below .250. He finished 2026 having batted a dismal .217 with a .303 on-base percentage. That said, the power remained. Machado had 52 extra-base hits, with 30 of them being homers.
It wasn’t entirely his fault. Machado’s expected batting average (.243) was twenty-six points above his actual (.217), meaning he was at least somewhat unlucky. He ended the season being mostly average on offense, with a 97 OPS+ (where 100 is average). But Machado was phenomenal in the playoffs, batting .350/.480/.600 in six games.
Even in the offseason, Machado is not immune to controversy. He was a major snub from the Gold Glove awards, with Max Muncy and Javier Sanoja being named ahead of him. This despite the fact that Machado led all third basemen in Fielding Run Value (+7) and Outs Above Average (+12). The question heading into 2027 will be whether he can bat for average after his contact hitting took a dip in ‘26.
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 06: A general view of Truist Park during Game Three of the National League Division Series presented by Booking.com between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Much of this baseball offseason is going to spent with the MLB owners and MLB Player’s Association each publicly jockeying for why they are on the right side of the pending lockout.
The MLB used its official Twitter account Friday afternoon to share the owners’ latest offering, with a pointed interest towards fans and trying to sway them to the side of the ownership.
Here’s MLB’s latest messaging:
Baseball fans have repeatedly told us they have two issues with the game today: blackouts and fairness
We’re proposing to make three major changes to baseball:
Entering into a partnership with players where all revenues that are generated are split 50/50 between the teams and the players
Implementing a salary cap and floor that will regulate what each team can spend
Revenues from media generated in baseball are shared equally by the clubs
This will reduce the revenue disparity in baseball and help us address local blackouts
Major League players’ total compensation would go up and fans would get a more competitive game
It’s a win for everybody
Baseball fans have repeatedly told us they have two issues with the game today: blackouts and fairness
We’re proposing to make three major changes to baseball:
1. Entering into a partnership with players where all revenues that are generated are split 50/50 between the teams… pic.twitter.com/GgeKshvFmN
What do we think, folks? I can admit I find it a bit weird that MLB uses its official social media accounts with large followings (13.7 million on X alone) to boost its case.
But I can also admit that getting rid of blackouts sounds good and I’ve been coming around on the net good that a salary cap/floor would bring to baseball.
Our third pitcher, and the second in a row in the Vote, moved on, and in decisive fashion, as righty starter Tanner McDougal easily outpaced the field, with 30 of 63 votes (48%). It’s the second straight rout in our polling, and the third-biggest share percentage won so far:
McDougal, a fifth round pick in 2021, finished as our No. sixth-voted prospect last year, after not making the Vote in 2025. He finished at No. 33 in the 2024 Vote.
McDougal is the second right-handed starting pitcher to advance so far:
Past No. 8s in the SSS Top Prospect Vote 2026 Christian Oppor (24%) 2025 Kyle Teel (30%) 2024 Jordan Leasure (23%) 2023 Cristian Mena (27%) 2022 Romy González (41%) 2021 Gavin Sheets (29%) 2020 Luis Basabe (32%) 2019 Blake Rutherford (34%) 2018 Jake Burger (29%)
This latest round also marked the first votes earned for both Alex Weingartner and newcomer Sebastian Romero. It also saw the second straight tie between not one but two pairs of players, Kyle Lodise/Landon Thome and Weingartner/Kyle Casteel.
Currently rehabbing after shoulder surgery but expected to miss little or no time in the spring is first baseman Anthony DePino, who will be making his all-time Vote debut as well.
South Side Sox Top-Voted White Sox Prospects for 2027
Kyle Casteel Right-Handed Starting Pitcher Age 19 2026 high level Butler Area (H.S.) Overall 2026 stats (H.S) 10-0 ▪️ 13 games ▪️ 65 ⅔ IP ▪️ 0.64 ERA ▪️ 103 K ▪️ 11 BB ▪️ 0.685 WHIP
Casteel is the sort of player you dream of getting to start off the $150,000 round of 10 picks: A player who the White Sox had been talking to regularly that, based on how the first round fell, now was draftable knowing the club could meet the prep’s demands. It’s undoubtable that Casteel is far better than the 315th pick (MLB had him ranked at No. 162 overall), and thus the White Sox pocketed a player who should have been selected in the fifth round. Casteel has power and control, and while the White Sox will bring him along with care, he has a rare profile in a pitching-starved White Sox system.
Anthony DePino First Baseman Age 24 2026 high level Birmingham (AA) Age relative to high level -0.7 years Overall 2026 stats (High-A/AA) 125 games ▪️ 25 HR ▪️ 82 RBI ▪️ .262/.363/.481 ▪️ 6-of-7 (85.7 %) SB ▪️ 64 BB ▪️ 128 K ▪️ .991 FLD%▪️ 3.1 WAR
DePino was drafted as a poor man’s Jake Burger, which is a pretty fair compliment, for starters. But his breakout 2026 puts him straight on an actual Burger arc. His first full pro season was outstanding, far better than expected for a seventh-rounder out of the baseball hotbed of Rhode Island. DePino so impressed that he was tabbed for Arizona Fall League play, but ended up missing that final session of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.
Kyle Lodise Shortstop Age 22 2026 SSS Prospect Poll ranking 24 2026 high level Winston-Salem (High-A) Age relative to high level 0.0 years Overall 2026 stats 111 games ▪️ 20 HR ▪️ 77 RBI ▪️ .230/.380/.440 ▪️ 42-of-51 (82.4%) SB ▪️ 92 BB ▪️ 141 K ▪️ .957 FLD%▪️ 3.6 WAR
Lodise made a return visit to Winston-Salem in 2026, and his first full professional season went extremely well. With a low average and slug to burn, the shortstop fits right in with the org profile of swinging hard, damn the contact. Thankfully, Lodise is selective enough at the plate to produce astronomical OBPs. And his power bat is showing better than advertised at this point.
Javier Mogollón Second Baseman Age 21 2026 high level Winston-Salem (AA) Age relative to high level -2.0 years Overall 2026 stats (Low-A/High-A) 91 games ▪️ 14 HR ▪️ 57 RBI ▪️ .262/.368/.448 ▪️ 36-of-44 (81.8%) SB ▪️ 53 BB ▪️ 123 K ▪️ .965 FLD%▪️ 2.5 WAR
The diminutive (5´8´´, 160) infielder wowed in rookie ball and though his climb has slowed, Mogollón has steadily risen up our ranks, from No.62 in our 2024 Top 100 to the cusp of the Top 10 today. That said, he’s seen two straight seasons shortened by hamstring issues. At least in 2026, Mogollón was able to return before season’s end, providing a clutch bat coming that provided a .313/.389/.813 slash and eight RBIs en route to sweeping to a SALLY title.
Cole Prosek Third Baseman Age 19 2026 High Level Magnolia Heights (H.S.) Overall 2026 stats (H.S) 41 games ▪️ 18 HR ▪️ 79 RBI ▪️ .545/.678/1.177 ▪️ 62 R ▪️ 7 SB ▪️ 31 BB ▪️ 12 K
Coming to Chicago as a second-rounder, Prosek seems more highly-regarded by evaluators than the guy picked ahead of him by the White Sox, low first round choice Landon Thome. That’s a curious thing, but Prosek dominated his prep competition even more thoroughly than Thome. Plus, while the White Sox regard Prosek as a second baseman, his prep time was spent significantly at the hot corner, and he has experience behind the plate as well.
Sebastian Romero Center Fielder Age 18 2026 high level DSL White Sox (Rookie) Age relative to high level -0.6 years Overall 2026 stats 52 games ▪️ 11 HR ▪️ 54 RBI ▪️ .277/.391/.538 ▪️ 7-of-10 (70.0%) SB ▪️ 18 BB ▪️ 61 K ▪️ .963 FLD%▪️ 1.6 WAR
The sexy international prospect for 2026-27 is Romero, who had a boisterous pro debut, flashing perhaps all tools but hit. Or, at least the bat control aspect of the hit tool, because 18 walks — just three more free passes than hit-by-pitches — indicates a willingness to swing at ANYTHING, as does his 61 Ks against woeful DSL arms. However, when contact is made, ball go boom.
Landon Thome Shortstop Age 19 2026 High Level Nazareth Academy (H.S.) Overall 2026 stats (H.S) 7 HR ▪️ 29 RBI ▪️ .545 AVG ▪️ 49-of-50 (98.0%) SB
How crazy is it to have two high school teammates (Thome and Jaden Fauske) on our first ballot of the voting year … or any ballot, ever? The White Sox were so hot to dip back into Nazareth’s roster that they dealt promising 2023 first-rounder Jacob Gonzalez to Pittsburgh to acquire the draft pick to snag him; clearly the club was not confident Thome would drop into the second round. Unlike his father, Hall-of-Famer and White Sox adviser Jim, Landon is better regarded for his speed and defense than his ability to put the ball over the fence. Slugging will come in time for junior, however.
Joey Volchko Right-handed starting pitcher Age 21 2026 high level University of Georgia (NCAA) Age relative to high level +0.1 years Overall 2026 stats 11-2 ▪️ 18 starts ▪️ 1 CG ▪️ 95 1/3 IP ▪️ 3.68 ERA ▪️ 119 K ▪️ 46 BB ▪️ 1.343 WHIP ▪️ 2.1 WAR
This big-armed righty can touch 100 mph with his fastball, but wildness concerns might have precipitated Volchko’s drop to the White Sox in the third round in spite of MLB ranking him as a second round (68th-best) talent. He’s a big-game pitcher who dragged the Bulldogs to their first College World Series win in 18 years with a complete-game effort over the University of Texas. There’s a chance Volchko ends up as a high-leverage bullpen arm, but he will get every chance to stick as a starter.
Alex Weingartner Right Fielder Age 19 2026 high level St. Augustine College Prep (H.S.) Overall 2026 stats 30 games ▪️ 7 HR ▪️ 36 RBI ▪️ .495 AVG ▪️ .817 SLG ▪️ 33 SB ▪️ 21 BB
Oddly enough, Weingartner may be a doppelganger for the player listed right below; both he and George Wolkow were prep plums selected lower than their skill and scout rankings indicated, and both players scored sweet bonuses from the White Sox to lure them from potential college commitments. Both have rocket arms (Weingartner, in fact, pitched for his St. Augustine Hermits in 2026) as well.
George Wolkow Right Fielder Age 21 2024 SSS Prospect Poll ranking 14 2025 SSS Prospect Poll ranking 13 2026 SSS Prospect Poll ranking 16 2026 high level Winston-Salem (High-A) Age relative to high level -2.0 years Overall 2026 stats 123 games ▪️ 22 HR ▪️ 100 RBI ▪️ .239/.317/.446 ▪️ 15-of-22 (68.2%) SB ▪️ 50 BB ▪️ 179 K ▪️ .971 FLD%▪️ 1.6 WAR
Wolkow sacrificed speed and what batting eye he had for power in 2026, and while that made for some impressive counting stats (22-100 plays on the back of any baseball card) the hole in his swing hasn’t been sewn. If the White Sox brass is having Wolkow bet on his best tool, power, at all others’ expense, he’s slipping into the Colson Category.
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 26: A detail photo of a bobblehead of Michael Harris II #23 of the Atlanta Braves prior to the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Sunday, April 26, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
On this chilly Friday in November, join me in ignoring the looming lockout as we pretend that baseball is proceeding as scheduled next season. (Alex Anthopoulos certainly is with the offseason’s first big splash with the signing of reliever Evan Phillips). Here, life is beautiful because Opening Day is in 131 days.
The Braves have announced that single game tickets are now on sale for the 2027 season, which (for now) kicks off on the road at Dodger Stadium. But we care about what’s going on at the home ballpark. And if you’re anything like me, what’s being given away at the gate may be a factor in when you plan to visit Truist Park.
More giveaways, ticket packages, and theme nights are to be confirmed as plans for the season finalize, but here’s what you can look forward to based on the current slate and schedule. More info is available on the Braves promotion page.
If the fireworks during the anthem/seventh inning stretch, after every strikeout (thanks, Gas South) and home runs aren’t enough, you can stick around after every Friday night home game for a Georgia Lottery-sponsored spectacular. It’s worth seeing for whatever baffling unique theme or playlist they choose to accompany the show.
The Braves Block Party returns to the Battery before every Saturday contest. Partake in live music and other entertainment before finding your seats. There’s a significant chance he Home Depot tools and Blooper and his ever-increasing horde of mascot security for roaming around for photo opps as well.
Sunday matinees are preceded by a pair of alumni showing up to sign autographs, which are TBD for now. Kids can also run the bases after the game concludes.
Gate Giveaways
The promotional gate giveaways are for the first 15,000 fans that enter the stadium. (Items in ticket packages are an entirely separate thing, more below). Depending on the item, sometimes you can rock up at closer to 7 pm and still get one. Others require some logistical magic and being in a line before most have even clocked out of work.
There will absolutely be more of these announced as we get closer to baseball being played. But for now… please enjoy the merchandising team’s best attempt at the brief: safe, apparel-forward choices that are fun enough to hopefully distract from the conspicuous absence of current player-themed items.
Magnetic Schedule (April 2 vs. HOU)
Everyone in attendance at the home opener gets one of these to slap on your fridge. Thanks, Georgia Power.
Truist Park “10th Anniversary” T-Shirt (April 3 vs. HOU)
Not sure a ton of people will be gunning for this one, but a concert-style tee celebrating your very favorite Cobb County ballpark’s 10th birthday can be yours.
BravesVision Bobblehead (April 16 vs. MIA)
Wiley erasure, unfortunately, but Brandon Gaudin and C.J. Nitkowski are getting their seventh-inning cracker jack toss immortalized in bobblehead form. How do the broadcasters get a bobblehead that looks more like them than some players? A mystery.
Phil Niekro Replica Jersey (April 20 vs. WAS)
The Braves love to do things in alumni-honoring ways, and this is the first of several giveaways featuring a Braves legend. Instead of Dale Murphy like last year, Phil Niekro gets the nod here for a replica jersey.
Mystery Hot Dog Hat (May 28 vs. PIT)
Yes, baseball and hot dogs are inextricably linked. We saw the first steps of the Braves embracing the hot dog mania that’s overtaken some other ballparks last year with the introduction of the “Build-A-Dog” challenge as mid-inning entertainment. Multiple teams have glizzys that race. Sometimes they rain from the sky in Seattle. But maybe the Braves saw their division rival Nationals have immense success with a “Bad Day to be a Hot Dog” hat giveaway and wanted to copy their homework, so here’s our version. The “mystery” is if your design will feature a hot dog with ketchup or mustard.
Tom Glavine Hockey Jersey (June 1 vs. COL)
Drake Baldwin’s hockey jersey last year was one of the most coveted giveaway items. Folks lined up as early as 3 pm (and I would know, because I was among them). Merrimack Valley’s Most Valuable Player Tom Glavine gets an hockey jersey of his own in an Atlanta City Connect flavor.
Hawaiian Shirt (August 20 vs. NYM)
Vintage baseball cards of Braves HOFers and tropical flowers intermingle in this year’s version of the Braves Hawaiian shirt. This is probably going to be up there in terms of popularity.
90’s Windbreaker (September 24 vs. MIA)
If you’re in need of a paper-thin windbreaker, this might be the giveaway for you. If I had to guess this will only really be available in L and XL sizes.
Ticket Packages/Theme Nights
These specialty items are a separate ticket and you’re guaranteed the item, unlike in a gate giveaway. These are usually accompanied by other festivities at the ballpark to make it a full theme night.
Science Education Day (April 22 vs. WAS) meant for elementary school groups
Girls Night Out (April 29 vs. NYM) gets the ladies a mock neck sweatshirt
Star Wars (May 6 vs. SD) is a Braves/Star Wars jersey shirt
Military Appreciation (May 31 vs. COL) features a Braves military appreciation t-shirt
Braves Country 5K (June 5 vs. MIN) will have info available at a later date, but usually includes a t-shirt
Father’s Day (June 20 vs. NYY) offers a 200minute session of catch on the field following the afternoon game
Pride Night (June 23 vs. PHI) will have more info on the item/festivities coming soon
Summer Camp Day (July 21 vs. PHI) is for, you guessed it, summer camps
Deaf Awareness (August 1 vs. STL) gets you a City Connect-style jersey shirt with “Braves” spelled out in ASL across the chest
HBCU (August 25 vs. MIL) features a jersey shirt with HBCU across the chest and 48 on the back
Los Bravos (September 23 vs. WAS) is another jersey shirt with Latin American country flags patterned on the sleeves and jersey number
Anything in this initial batch speaking to you? What’s a must-have or a pass? What are you hoping to see announced in the future, and is that Alan Jackson bobblehead commercial still stuck in your head? Let us know.
New York Yankees hitting coach James Rowson talks to Cody Bellinger before a game against the Miami Marlins at Yankee Stadium in New York, April 4, 2026. Getty Images
“I always felt like the NFL had a good model for this,” Rowson said on a call with reporters Friday morning once his hiring had become official. “In the NFL, they have running backs coaches, they have wide receivers coaches — they have individual coaches for areas. But at the end of the day, they have an offensive coordinator who’s trying to put all that together. …
“It’s focused on scoring. And I feel like baseball can take a page from that.”
The job is a new one for a franchise that played its first ballgames when Chester A. Arthur was president, but it’s not unprecedented as coaching staffs swell in size around the league.
The Rangers, Padres, Angels, Mariners, Blue Jays, White Sox and Astros have all had coaches hold the position, which may be more associated with football but is a growing trend in MLB.
The Giants will have company next season in the Royals, who promoted their hitting coach, Connor Dawson, into the role while hiring Hunter Mense away from San Francisco to serve under him.
“Kind of what through his experience he feels like will give him the structure and chain of command,” Posey said. “To have the oversight on all run production.”
Rowson, who spent the past three seasons as the Yankees’ top hitting coach, wanted to expand his purview. Vitello, with his college background, was all for it.
San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello speaks to the media before a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Sept. 26, 2026. Getty Images
If Rowson hadn’t suggested it, the Giants may have.
“It was an exact phrase I used with Buster and [general manager] Zack [Minasian] and some of the other guys at the end of the year,” Vitello said. “Really offense, defensive coordinator, at least mentality, and making sure we’re as structured as possible.”
One area of improvement from Vitello’s first year as a professional manager that came up in his discussions after the season with Posey and the front office was a clearer chain of command.
On the pitching side, Posey said the communication was “just a little scattered at times.” They addressed that by reshuffling the staff, keeping Justin Meccage as pitching coach but reassigning Frank Anderson to be the assistant from director of major-league pitching. Christian Wonders, the assistant pitching coach last year, will lead minor-league pitching development.
Rafael Devers of the San Francisco Giants runs the bases after a grand slam against the San Diego Padres at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Sept. 11, 2026. Getty Images
Rowson’s new, overarching title is part of cleaning things up on the offensive side.
“As the offensive coordinator, I need to bring together our hitting staff, the baserunning guys, myself,” Rowson said. He added, “Tony’s gonna be in charge of how all that comes together.”
Rowson, 50, oversaw a three-man hitting staff that helped the Yankees produce the eighth-most runs per game in the majors last season. He has also served as a hitting coach for the Twins (2017-19) and Cubs (2012-13), an assistant hitting coach for the Tigers (2023) and as Don Mattingly’s bench coach with the Marlins (2020-22).
“Not saying this was a downfall of Mense,” Posey said of the Giants’ hitting coach last season, who hadn’t held a top job before, “but I do think after last year, [we wanted to] hire a guy who’s been there and done the work. By all accounts, making phone calls to different people, I kept hearing the same thing over and over again. One of the better leaders they’ve been around.”
Willy Adames #2 of the San Francisco Giants points to his dugout after hitting a home run against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Aug. 22, 2026. Getty Images
Rowson will oversee baserunning, game-planning, basically anything that has to do with touching home plate — something the Giants did less often last season than all but four other teams. They drew walks at the lowest rate in the league and didn’t put much into action when they reached base, last in the league in stolen bases for much of the year until a late uptick.
Turning things around will take a multipronged approach. The Giants need to get more out of the veteran core of their lineup — Willy Adames, Matt Chapman, Rafael Devers — but it’s just as important for Bryce Eldridge, Casey Schmitt and other young players to continue to develop.
Rowson’s job? It’s right there in the title. It’s on him to coordinate it all.
“The hitting coach, just in the title, and I’ve done that through the years, it’s always focused on, ‘Do the guys get a hit? How many hits did they get?’ ” Rowson said. “It’s not necessarily focused on scoring runs. And offense is to score runs to win the game. …
“If you outhit the other team, it doesn’t guarantee you the win. You have to outscore them.”
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes speaks with the media during MLB's general managers meetings in Las Vegas this week. (Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)
The MLB free agent market is beginning to shake out, spurred into action during the general managers meetings in Las Vegas this week.
Reliever acquisitions have been the first wave, with Emilio Pagán landing with the Tigers for one year and $11.5 million, and Ryan Weiss with the Padres for $1.85 million during the meetings. Former Dodger Evan Phillips signed with the Braves on Thursday for three years, $35 million.
Left-hander Alex Vesia, who has been with the Dodgers for the last six seasons, is also expected to garner plenty of early interest on the free agent market.
On Friday, first baseman Jake Bauers added a tally to the position-player side, agreeing to a deal with the Red Sox. Fresh off a career year and World Series title, Bauers reportedly is set to sign a four-year, $58-million contract.
So teams aren’t waiting until after the impending lockout to reinforce their rosters. But that still leaves a wide range of possibilities before the current CBA expires on Dec. 1.
“We’re totally focused on business as usual, trying to make sure we’re as prepared as possible in case things happen in different ways,” Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said. “Whether that’s trade or free agency, continue to put ourselves in a position to be able to act if something comes up that we feel like is really important to helping our team, both short term and long-term.”
That was a common refrain from leaders of baseball operations departments around the league.
“Business as usual for us,” new Orioles GM Jared Banner said. “We’re looking to get better, and that’s our focus here. So we’ll just read and react as each day passes by.”
Business as usual, however, means a variety of things for different teams.
“We are always going to be on the front end of aggression with how we operate in the market,” Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said. “So whether the market wants to operate faster or slower than it typically does, we’re usually not listening. … Teams know that typically, if we don’t start the hot stove, we’re among the starters. So our behavior won’t change much, and my general resting place is, if our behavior is going to be unaffected, I don’t sweat too much what the other 29 teams will do, unless they’re holding us up.”
The Mariners took that aggressive approach before the last lockout too. They were one of the major contributors to an active first month of free agency, during which teams committed a whopping $1.9 billion before Dec. 2, 2021.
“It’s definitely a convenient thing to point to because there just aren’t a lot of situations that are even remotely similar to this,” Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris said of the record flurry of activity five years ago. “I don’t think it’s going to follow the same course; I would expect it not to.”
Looming beyond this lockout is the threat of a salary cap. And though the MLB Players Assn. has made it clear that it will continue to fight the owners’ push for an overhaul of the current structure, teams also can’t completely ignore the possibility of a salary cap, or some other guardrails on spending in the next CBA.
The owners’ latest proposal reportedly included a salary cap of about $258.2 million, depending on next year’s revenue, to be implemented in 2028.
Though many around the industry expect that, in the case of a salary cap, MLB would build in a gradual rollout or specific exceptions to make the massive change a little less destabilizing, such a shift would pose a challenge to large-payroll teams such as the Dodgers.
The Dodgers have some money set to come off the books in 2028 — veteran first baseman Freddie Freeman’s contract expires after next season, and Teoscar Hernández, Max Muncy and Hyeseong Kim have 2028 club options. But the Dodgers’ current commitments for 2028 (over $275 million in CBT payroll, according to Spotrac) already put them above MLB’s latest proposed salary cap.
“We’ll put ourselves in position to see what’s available, and then go from there because we really don’t know what any of that looks like,” Gomes said. “So we have to function with what we know right now.”
The Dodgers at least don’t have many glaring needs going into 2027. At the top of the list will be their bullpen and bench, markets that they could explore in the coming weeks.
They’ve also remained in touch with top free agent Tarik Skubal’s representatives, after a largely successful trade-deadline union this past season, and are set to meet with him. But it is still unclear just how aggressive the Dodgers will be, or whether Skubal will agree to a contract by Dec. 1.
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 26: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Evan Phillips (59) delivers a pitch during the MLB game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves on August 26, 2026 at TRUIST Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
There’s a wind of excitement and intrigue swirling around Braves Country at the moment after the Atlanta Braves became the first team to make a big splashy signing this offseason with the addition of Evan Phillips to their bullpen. It’s a move that appears to be in line with what the Braves have usually done with their relief pitching signings since Alex Anthopoulos got the reins of baseball operations since he hasn’t been afraid to hand out relatively big money to relievers — no matter what the market may look like.
Still, it’s certainly an interesting time for Phillips himself, as he will not only be returning to the organization that drafted him all the way back in the 2015 MLB Draft but he’ll also be playing in a city that he currently calls home as well. He mentioned in his media availability on Friday afternoon that he does live in Atlanta during the offseason and he admitted that once it became clear that it was a possibility that he could join the Braves, both he and his wife were “really excited about that possibility.”
“The Braves were right there at the top of our list alongside a couple of others,” stated Phillips when he was asked by Mark Bowman of MLB.com about where he was hoping to land during this offseason. “It went the way that it did and we couldn’t be more excited.”
He also talked about how this is his first “real crack at” free agency after how things went last offseason due to his injury. In that vein, I asked Evan Phillips about how important it would be to be able to focus on just getting better and improving during the offseason rather than having to focus on rehabbing.“
“This’ll be my first offseason not having to focus on a rehab in two years,” explained Phillips. “I had the [shoulder injury] at the end of ‘24 that kept me out of the World Series…then the Tommy John rehab was a bit more intensive.”
“[It’s good to] just to be able to get home and get back with my routine for the offseason and immerse myself with the guys here in Atlanta and see what they might have for me.”
Again, it’s pretty important to note that it’s certainly a bit convenient that he’ll be able to continue focusing on what’s important while not really having to switch up his base of operations. It’s one of those things where it doesn’t seem all that important but from a human perspective, it’ll probably be huge for Phillips when it comes to being able to benefit from that convenience.
With that being said, the reality of the upcoming labor war is also sure to play a factor in just how much offseason work Evan Phillips will be able to get in with the coaching staff and overall organization here in Atlanta nd he mentioned that as he continued to answer my question to him.
“I know we’re pushing up against the deadline on December 1 so that might accelerate some of those conversations that we won’t be able to have through the rest of the winter,” admitted Phillips. “[Still,] I’m just looking forward to it. I’m so ready to get with this group and get to work and see what they might have for me.”
Indeed, it’s going to be intriguing to see just how much Braves pitching coach Jeremy Hefner and bullpen coach J.P. Martinez will be able to get out of Phillips now that they’ll be able to work with him going forward. Again, they’ll be up against the gun a bit but I’d also imagine that Phillips will be able to figure out a way to keep improving while on his own during the dark portion of the offseason — however long it may take.
Still, Phillips is excited to get going and he’s also feeling pretty confident about continuing to bring the stuff that he had in Los Angeles with him to the mound in Atlanta. “New velocity highs for me in my career at 32, I never would’ve thought,” stated Phillips when he was asked by Bowman about his results after Tommy John surgery. “It’s not something I was chasing. I’m fortunate it’s gone that way because it opens up what I’m able to do even more. I’m just really excited to maintain some of those things that I’ve learned and see if we can bridge that across the next few years.”
Phillips will (hopefully) have three years to continue proving that for the Braves going forward and hopefully they’ll be three productive years here in Atlanta’s organization. He’s coming back home in more ways than one and hopefully this second go around ends up being the one that everybody remembers, rather than another footnote. We’ll see what happens, though.
Pat Murphy wasn’t off by much. Just a couple hundred miles and five stops on the Acela train line.
The Milwaukee Brewers manager’s touching hot mic moment with star first baseman Jake Bauers after the World Series intimated that Bauers was going to be a "rich (expletive)" and implored him to remember how they got down in Milwaukee when Bauers is "on that (expletive) Yankees team and playing for yourselves."
Bauers' departure from the champion Brewers was somewhat expected. The club rehabilitated his career from the verge of retirement after cycling through six organizations, four at the major league level, before Bauers figured things out in Milwaukee.
Yet the Brewers remain viable by keeping it moving and not placing bigger-dollar bets on 31-year-olds who might end up platoon players. The split was amicable, and so, too, is Murphy’s relationship with the Yankees.
Pat Murphy and Yankees: No hard feelings
As many observers could ascertain, "the Yankees" were a figurative term in Murphy’s address to Bauers, the stand-in for "any team with considerably more resources than the Brewers." In this era, the New York Mets or Los Angeles Dodgers are far more spendy than the Yankees, who have not won a World Series since 2009.
"He took the time to realize that he said something that he regretted, that he's caught on a live mic," Cashman told reporters Tuesday at the general managers' meetings in Las Vegas. "He wanted to take the time, track us down over here at the lowly Yankees to make sure he would apologize for that, so that meant a lot to me."
Jake Bauers' journey: How Milwaukee saved his career
Bauers didn’t totally break the bank. But it's a nice raise for a guy who admitted to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that he was on the verge of retiring a couple years ago but needed health coverage for his expectant wife.
Bauers made $2.7 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility, a hard-fought journey to free agency. It took him nine years to reach six years of service time, a slog that included no major league appearances in 2020 or 2022.
Yet he found a comfort level in being uncomfortable in Milwaukee, under Murphy.
"I'm super grateful they traded for me. Super grateful to be here these last three years," Bauers told USA TODAY Sports as the season wound down. "At the same time, I think playing here can be a little bit uncomfortable, compared to some places.
"There's a lot of things that the staff, starting with Murph, and also the players in the clubhouse – we don’t let slide. That's a big key to our success. At the same time, it can be uncomfortable at times if you're not willing to face the man in the mirror."
Red Sox: What role will Jake Bauers play in Boston?
In Boston, Bauers may wear a lot of hats – and gloves.
The Red Sox already have an All-Star first baseman in Willson Contreras – brother of William, Bauers' World Series MVP teammate in Milwaukee. Yet there are plenty of at-bats to have at DH and Bauers also played 16 games in left field for the Brewers last season. He will bat somewhere in the middle of the lineup and is a nice hedge against any enduring health woes involving young left-handed slugger Roman Anthony.
The Red Sox are known to be shopping left fielder Jarren Duran, who is elite defensively but in an enduring offensive slump. Fenway Park’s tight quarters in left would be a passable place for Bauers to roam.
He'll aim to add thump – he broke out with 26 homers a year ago – to a Red Sox lineup that finished 18th in the majors in OPS. More important, he will have the gravitas that comes with being a World Series champion – and NLCS MVP.
AUSTIN, TX - MAY 02: Texas Longhorns head coach Jim Schlossnagle looks on during the SEC college baseball game between Texas Longhorns and Mississippi State Bulldogs on May 02, 2026, at UFCU Disch - Falk Field in Austin, Texas.(Photo by Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
On Thursday, the Texas Longhorns signed 18 high school baseball prospects as part of the nation’s No. 2 recruiting class in the rankings by Perfect Game and Baseball America.
“We’re really excited about this group of student-athletes and what they bring to our program,” Texas head coach Jim Schlossnagle said. “They are talented players who have the work ethic, character and competitiveness we look for at Texas. We believe each of them has the ability to make an impact on our program, both on and off the field. We’re looking forward to getting them to Austin and helping them grow as players and people.”
In recent years, the shorter MLB Draft has resulted in more top prospects heading to college, like right-handers Sam Cozart and Brett Crossland in the 2025 class, but the top prospects remain likely to sign — Schlossnagle’s recruiting philosophy, also employed by other top programs, is to hope a several of those players head to the Forty Acres instead of professional baseball.
Pitchers
George Ferguson | RHP | 6’4, 218 | Abilene: A physical, frontline starter candidate, Ferguson is ranked as the No. 3 overall prospect in the class by Perfect Game. His fastball has reached 96 mph with an expected jump in 2027 that Ferguson pairs with advanced feel for his secondary offerings. Power arms ranked that highly are virtual locks to sign after the draft.
Grant Sperandio | RHP | 6’2, 210 | Houston Memorial: A top-50 national recruit and MLB High School All-American who is graduating early to join Texas in January 2027. He stuff is instant-impact and SEC-ready, headlined by a blazing fastball that tops out in the high 90s. Getting Sperandio to campus early without having to worry about the draft is a major coup for Schlossnagle.
Lukas Waite | RHP/OF | 6’2, 205 | San Diego (Calif.) Patrick Henry: Another All-American and explosive two-way athlete. On the mound, he works with afastball in the low to mid 90s and sharp breaking pitches. Waite’s speed — he runs a 6.22-second 60-yard dash — could complicate the decision about where he plays, but he’s listed as a pitcher here because of that explosive fastball.
Easton Sarmiento | LHP | 6’4, 180 | Chino Hills (Calif.) Ayala: A top-100 prospect nationally, Sarmiento is one of the highest-upside left-handers in the country because he pairs a projectable, athletic frame with a low-90s fastball and a plus slider.
Ryder Renfro |RHP | 6’3, 215 | Kingwood: A physical right-hander with a low-effort, repeatable high three-quarters delivery and a starter profile. His four-pitch mix features a fastball up to 93–94 mph with high spin (over 2600 rpm), a mid-70s sweeping slider, a curveball, and a changeup that fades. Those are attributes that will make him a prospect to watch when the draft arrives.
Cooper Vais | RHP/OF | 6’1, 200 | Arvada (Colo.) West: The top-ranked prospect in Colorado, Vais is a high-ceiling two-way athlete, touching 92 mph on the mound with a sharp curveball and repeatable mechanics, while showing high-level exit velocities and 6.63 speed as a position player.
Luke Armijo | LHP | 6’1, 200 | Whittier (Calif.) La Mirada: A polished California southpaw sitting just outside the national top 100. He features a quick arm with a fastball already reaching 92 mph, giving him a projection as a potential early contributor.
Hayden Anderson | LHP | 6’5, 220 | West Des Moines (Iowa) Waukee: An imposing, physical left-hander with a classic starter’s build. He operates with a fastball up to 90 mph and a developing changeup, offering significant velocity projection as he matures in Austin.
Beckett Berg | RHP | 6’5, 195 | Sherman Oaks (Calif.) Notre Dame: A tall and long-limbed right-with a high-upside frame, Berg may need time to boost his fastball velocity in the Texas strength and conditioning program.
Infielders and catchers
Lubin Rincon SS/3B | 6’3, 180 | PearlandThe Bennett School: Ranked No. 12 nationally by Perfect Game and No. 1 in Texas by Prep Baseball Report, Rincon is a premier left-handed hitting shortstop and major MLB Draft follow. Rincon boasts a prototypical frame with smooth actions capable of playing anywhere on the infield. Signing with Texas will be a footnote on his professional baseball journey.
Selvin Garrett | MIF | 5’11, 170 | Buda Johnson: A top-100 national prospect known for his high-level athleticism and consistent in-game production. He is a plus runner with clean defensive actions who projects to stick at shortstop while handling the bat with growing impact. Garrett is a player the Longhorns would really like to get to campus.
Hank Rippy| INF | 6’2, 185 | Austin Anderson: A local standout and draft follow ranked inside the top 10 in Texas, Rippy features excellent hands defensively, a quick arm, and a simple, repeatable left-handed swing that produces huge exit velocities with pull-side power. Texas is likely to need a hometown discount to get Rippy to the Forty.
Hudson Holt | 3B/SS/OF | 6’2, 200 | Rockwall: A versatile multi-positional athlete capable of playing third base or the outfield with an advanced all-field hitting approach at the plate.
Matthew Fernandez | C | 5’11, 175 | Miami Lakes (Fla.) Columbus: The lone catcher in the class, Fernandez is a durable backstop who projects as longterm depth behind the dish.
Outfielders
Grant Westphal | 6’2, 205 | Leawood (Kan.) Blue Valley: Ranked No. 65 nationally and No. 1 in Kansas, Westphal is a physical left-handed hitter with massive offensive impact — 107-mph exit velocities, 6.58 speed, and a fluid swing that drives the ball into all gaps. Those are tools that MLB scouts could fall in love with.
Luke Gladchuk | 6’0, 185 | Aledo: An All-American ranked No. 66 nationally, Gladchuk brings some juice as a center fielder with 6.48-second speed, a 99-mph outfield arm, and fast hands from the left side that that generate hard line-drive contact. A power surge this spring could vault him up draft boards.
JJ Utash | 6’4, 215 | Gilbert (Ariz.) Williams Field: A top-100 prospect possessing some of the loudest raw power in the entire class — prototypical SEC physicality produces posted exit velocities over 106 mph from the right side. Utash also boasts a strong arm.
Ira Rootman | 6’3, 195 | Los Angeles (Calif.) Harvard-Westlake: A speedy outfielder from the California powerhouse has a smooth swing with effortless power and plus ability in the field. Ranked just outside the top 100, Rootman could be an instant-impact player for the Longhorns.
While Ohtani’s 2026 campaign did not meet his lofty standards and he had more free time during the World Series than he has had in three years, his two children and beloved dog, Decoy, surely kept him occupied.
Shohei Ohtani speaking on MLB Network while holding his dog Decoy. (YouTube/@Dodger Blue).
Ohtani appeared on MLB Network on Thursday and was asked about Decoy getting bigger and bigger every time he appears in public.
“Yeah. With my children getting bigger, they continue to give him more and more snacks. So Decoy tends to get bigger as well,” Ohtani said in translated Japanese while holding Decoy.
Ohtani and his wife, Mamiko, have two children together. They had a daughter in April 2025 and a son in June 2026.
It wasn’t all jokes from Ohtani during the interview.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani reacts after striking out against the Milwaukee Brewers during the NLCS, Thursday, Oct. 15 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
He was also candid about how the 2026 season went, as he said, “Honestly, I thought it was a very frustrating season, to be quite honest. Obviously, we did not do that well in the playoffs. Personally, like I said, I was frustrated with my overall performance throughout the season. So in a nutshell, it wasn’t a great season personally for me.”
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani walks to the dugout during Game 3 of the NLCS in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. AP Photo/Ashley Landis
Injuries also disrupted Ohtani’s two-way season: left knee and right biceps issues ended his pitching work after July 3, and the Dodgers later placed him on the injured list in September.
He’ll be looking for a healthier 2027—and perhaps Decoy can join him for offseason workouts, once the kids are done feeding him extra snacks.
After an injury-shortened 2025, Orlando Patiño came back strong in 2026 to crack our Top 100. | Orlando Patiño/Instagram
Orlando Patiño Right Fielder 6´2´´ 190 pounds Age: 19 First appearance in the South Side Sox Top 100 2026 High Level DSL (rookie) Age relative to high level +0.4 years SSS rank among all right fielders in the system 7 Overall 2026 stats 48 games ⚾️ 2 HR ⚾️ 20 RBI ⚾️ .315/.438/.462 ⚾️ 28 BB ⚾️ 31 K ⚾️ 10-of-12 (83.3% SB) ⚾️ .944 FLD% ⚾️ 1.1 WAR
Patiño was a member of the 2025 international class for the White Sox, and was a bit of a plum pick, inking for $570,000. He hails from the lone hotbed of international talent for Chicago, Venezuela. But don’t let that make you think Patiño was a consolation prize; the White Sox swooped in late to steal him away from the Dodgers, who felt the 17-year-old was already in pocket.
The outfielder’s debut in the DSL in 2025 was mediocre, and trimmed short by injury. But his truncated debut made Patiño’s standout repeat of the DSL look even more spectacular, as he flashed four-tool talent with hopes of power to come. There was nothing about Patiño’s full season down south that disappointed.
Some of Patiño’s teammates, even those specifically roaming the outfield, who are getting more attention among prospect hounds. But, with a nod to the broad takes anyone watching has to take out of DSL play, Patiño looks as promising as any, as he heads to the U.S. for his first ACL season.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 13: Tim Tawa #13 of the Arizona Diamondbacks plays first base against the Minnesota Twins in the second inning of the game at Target Field on September 13, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Ten different players appeared at first-base for the Diamondbacks in 2026, with eight men starting games at the position. However, more than half of all the starts were by players no longer with the organization, in Ildemaro Vargas, Pavin Smith, Carlos Santana and Luken Baker, so a lot of playing time has to be replaced. In addition, the offensive production from the spot was flat-out terrible. Arizona was dead-last in the majors by OPS, hitting .233/.282/.354 for a dismal .636 OPS. That’s the worst in franchise history by 38 points. Second-worst at 1B? Well, that would be 2025, so it’s clearly a position at which the D-backs have struggled of late.
What will Mike Hazen do to improve the spot for 2027?
Previous occupants
Four of the eight starters are still in the system, so should be considered incumbents, and credible options for next year. They are Tim Tawa (45 starts), Jose Fernandez (17), LuJames Groover (9) and Tyler Locklear (9). The first three are not primarily 1B, and there’s a strong case to be made, that pinning them down there would be a waste of their flexibility. Tawa, for example, also started games at all three outfield positions, in addition to third base, which is a useful tool to have. No reason he or the others couldn’t occasionally start at first when needed, but making them the everyday starter feels sub-optimal. I’m not sure they have the power we’d like either.
Locklear is the exception. Small sample size, but he posted an .802 OPS in the majors over 15 games. The problem for Tyler was staying healthy, as he played just 86 times across all levels this season. He has shoulder and elbow surgery last October after a collision at first, and missed the first month. Locklear then fractured his thumb in September, ending his season. In between, he had an .871 OPS across 68 games for Reno: for comparison, that’s 54 points below Pavin Smith, and does not translate well to the majors. He turns 26 later this month, so is still somewhat young. But as a comparison, in his age 25 season, Smith played 145 games in MLB.
Internal candidates
Likely the most intriguing possibility is Nolan Arenado. Now, he has never played anywhere except third in his entire professional career, since he was drafted by the Rockies in 2009. However, as he moves into his late thirties and his career inevitably winds down, the ten-time Gold Glover seems open to shifting across the diamond. GM Mike Hazen brought up the possibility last month, indicating it had been talked about with the veteran:
“We’ve talked about Nolan playing some first base, so that might be something we take a look at… I think [third base has] taken a toll on him physically a little bit. So we’re trying to be mindful of that. It could help us, depending on what’s out there in the market for available players, by giving us more flexibility. It opens the door for us, externally, to consider different ways to improve the team.”
The logic would be that would allow the team to sign a third-baseman or a first-baseman, knowing Arenado is able to fill the other position as appropriate. First base is generally considered easier to play than the hot corner, Arenado’s defensive skills should be able to adapt, if that proves necessary.
Adrian Del Castillo is another possibility for a change of scenery, since it seems the team does not have a lot of faith in him as a catcher. His last start there came on July 4: his final 13 appearances all came either as the designated hitter or off the bench. Given things like Del Castillo throwing out only 3 of 39 stolen-base attempts (and at least one of those was a trick play!), you can understand why. As a left-handed hitter, he might be a candidate to form a possible platoon with Locklear.
External candidates
For now, we’ll table the possibility of getting a third baseman, and concentrate just on first base candidates. With internal options like Locklear, Tawa and even Arenado, all being right-handed hitters, the team is likely looking for a left-handed bat. The clear top name there is Jake Bauers, but coming off a breakout season and having received a qualifying offer, he might be expensive. However, his weak track record before 2026 makes a long-term contract something of a risky bet, and so his market for a multi-year deal could be relatively weak. MLB Trade Rumors predicts Bauers might well accept the QO to stay with the Brewers. However, some do predict Arizona signing him, such as ESPN’s Paul Hembekides, who expects the D-backs to pay $54 million for three years.
A cheaper alternative from that side of the plate could be Nathaniel Lowe. The 31-year-old is coming off an 111 OPS+ season, split between Cincinnati and Cleveland. He’s a strong platoon candidate, posting an .822 OPS against right-handed pitching. Lowe also won a Gold Glove at first in 2023, and was a finalist for the award the following season. If Arizona decides to trade instead of buy, one target could be the Cardinals’ Alec Burleson. He is under team control for the next two seasons and has an OPS+ of 121 across the past three years. Burleson turns 28 later this month, so is basically in his prime. Whether or not he is available, may depend on if the Cardinals think they can compete, after going 77-85 this year.
Conclusions
Indications are that the Diamondbacks are not going to have that much money to spend, and they may be cautious to commit, due to the uncertainty currently hanging over the entire 2027 season. There are also other needs, including adding starting pitching and finding replacements for a bullpen significantly depleted by the departure of free agents like Taylor Clarke, Jonathan Loaisiga and Kevin Ginkel. But first base represents an easy opportunity to upgrade, simply because it was so terrible this year. You don’t need to pay top dollar for a stud. Just getting to average there, would make the Diamondbacks 2-3 wins better. There aren’t many cheaper ways to improve by that amount.
Ideally, we’d see Locklear blossom, and become the everyday player we want at the position. It’s certainly not too late: Christian Walker had barely 100 major-league plate appearances when he turned 28. However, nor is it guaranteed, and relying on that, or failed dumpster-dives like Carlos Santana last year, could lead to the team spending another season in the basement of production from the position. So while I’m not expecting a big move by Hazen, I do expect something significant.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 14: Teruaki Sato #7 of Team Japan hits a RBI double in the third inning during the game between Venezuela and Japan at loanDepot park on March 14, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Gene Wang - Capture At Media/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Suddenly, there is a lot of smoke surrounding the Phillies and Japanese Triple Crown winner Teruaki Sato.
Numerous sources are linking the 27-year-old third baseman/outfielder to Philadelphia, a pretty incredible thing when you consider the Phils’ historical inability to have any impact in the Japanese market. Still, when NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury is being this vociferous in his belief that the Phillies are a legitimate option, one must take it seriously.
“Tonight, Wednesday, I’m starting to hear more buzz about the Japanese outfielder, Sato…
…They’re trying to establish themselves in the Japanese market, and I’m getting the feel that… I’m hearing credible buzz… …that they’re on him pretty good. And this guy’s gonna sign pretty soon because he was posted on the 1st [of November], he’s got 45 days so he is likely to sign before the lockout comes in 20 days.
I’m getting more and more a credible vibe that [the Phillies] might have something going on with Sato. We’ll see.“
Sato was not on many fans’ bingo cards to start the off-season. In terms of outfield upgrades, a primary area of concern for Dave Dombrowski, it was assumed the team would primarily pursue Randy Arozarena or Seiya Suzuki in free agency. It’s possible that will still happen, but as Salisbury noted on The Phillies Show podcast, Sato is the most likely to sign before the presumed lockout that will likely begin on December 2.
Which player would be the best fit for the Phils? Let’s break it down.
One of the biggest issues confronting this roster is its age. Dombrowski is understandably reluctant to hand out another five-year contract to a player entering his mid-30s. Sato is five years younger than Suzuki and Arozarena, a major factor for an aging roster.
Sato is the reigning Triple Crown winner in Japan following a season in which he hit .306/.383/.609 with 39 HRs and 106 RBIs with 40 doubles. He hit 40 dingers in 2025, so his power is no fluke, and in six seasons he’s piled up 167 homers. For a team that lost a significant amount of power last year, Sato would appear to be a prime candidate to help in that regard.
His numbers are comparable to last off-season’s big Japanese import, Munetaka Murakami, who signed with the White Sox and slugged 35 homers with 77 RBIs in his rookie season. He hit just .207 and struck out 196 times but also had 92 walks, good for a .347 OBP. The numbers were Kyle Schwarber-like. In his last full season in Japan (2024), Murakami batted .244/.379/.472, with an .851 OPS, 33 HRs and just 13 doubles. He struck out 180 times in that league and walked 105. Sato whiffed 164 times last season and walked just 68 times. So, a little more contact, fewer walks, a bit more power from Sato.
Sato has primarily played third base in Japan, although most teams believe he should transition to corner outfield. It appears the Phillies have the same idea, although he could be a good fall-back option at third as well. He committed more errors at third than anyone else in the NPB in 2024 and 2026, but threw a Gold Glove season in the middle of that in ‘25. He has 260 career games in corner outfield in Japan, so this would not be a difficult transition.
The great unknown about Sato, just like every other hitter who comes to the States, is how he’ll handle Major League pitching. More specifically, velocity. There are fewer hard-throwers overseas and no one knows how Sato will be able to handle seeing more pitches in the mid-to-upper 90s.
MLBTR’s contract prediction for him is for five years, one year longer than Suzuki’s and Arozarena’s, for $80 million ($16 million AAV).
Seiya Suzuki
Suzuki, himself a Japanese import ahead of the 2022 season, has had a remarkably consistent and productive big league career, spending all five seasons in Chicago with the Cubs. He has hit between .245 and .285 every season, posted an OBP between .326 and .368 (last year), a slugging percentage between .433 and .485, and an OPS+ between 125 and 138 over each of the last four years. He banged 26 home runs last year with 86 RBIs, had among the lowest chase rates in MLB and plays a very good corner outfield defense.
He’s a right-handed, consistent, pitch-taking power hitter who would seemingly provide solid production in the middle of the lineup. He’d probably be their best right-handed hitting outfielder since Jayson Werth. There really are no flaws in his game, as evidenced by his 5.1 WAR last year, other than his age. And potentially the cost.
The Phillies really don’t need to sign another player in their mid-30s to a long contract, and MLB Trade Rumors’ predicted contract for Suzuki is for four years, $105 million. That’s $26 million AAV, which doesn’t break the bank, but locks them in through Suzuki’s age-36 season. He also received, and rejected, a qualifying offer from Chicago, meaning the Phillies would relinquish a 2nd and 5th round draft pick in this year’s draft, as well as $1 million in international bonus pool money, items Dombrowski doesn’t seem too stressed about.
Randy Arozarena
Like Suzuki, Arozarena is a right-handed power hitter that, on paper, would seemingly be a perfect fit.
He had the best season of his career in 2025, hitting .281/.381/.484, with an .865 OPS that is even more impressive given he did it all playing half his games in Seattle, one of the most pitching-friendly environments in baseball. His 148 OPS+ indicates he was 48% above average offensively for players at his position last season. His 5.7 WAR was, by far, a career high, and he led the AL in runs scored (113), with 26 homers and 79 RBIs. He’s also athletic on the bases, good enough for a sixth-straight 20/20 season.
However, as noted by MLBTR, Arozarena’s bat speed has slowed significantly:
His swings averaged 72.8 mph back in 2023 — in the 64th percentile of big league hitters. It’s dropped in three straight seasons but fell precipitously in 2026 — from last year’s 72.3 mph to just 70.9 mph in 2026. That’s in just the 31st percentile of major league hitters.
He’s also chasing more:
Arozarena’s 30.7% chase rate on pitches outside the strike zone is the highest of his career and represents an increase of five and a half percentage points over his 2025 levels. He still walked at a strong 10.1% clip, but even that number is down noticeably from its 11.8% peak in 2023-24.
I’m concerned we’re looking at someone who will fare similarly to how Nick Castellanos’ career went in Philadelphia coming off a career-best season in 2021. At 32, Arozarena is projected to earn a four-year contract worth $100 million and, like Suzuki, was also given, and turned down, a qualifying offer.
From a pure baseball standpoint, I would prefer the Phillies to prioritize these outfielders as follows:
Suzuki
Sato
Arozarena
While I’m wary of Arozarena, the Phillies must pursue him if they lose out on Suzuki and Sato. That said, those two players should be ahead of him in the pecking order.
All have some warts, but all three are better than anything the Phils have in the outfield as present.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 08: Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. talks with New York Mets Owner, Chairman and CEO Steve Cohen prior to the 2024 London Series game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets at London Stadium on Saturday, June 8, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The owners are going to lock out the players (again) in December 2026 when the current collective bargaining agreement expires.
You may ask why. Well, I blame two “culprits” who frankly have not done anything wrong in a baseball context: Mets owner Steve Cohen and Padres owner Peter Seidler.
Today is not the day to break down proposals and argue who is in the right and who is in the wrong, and why the owners are a bunch of money-grubbing morons who are going to strangle the sport when it has finally regained a measure of popularity to be the second-banana in American sports again, only behind the behemoth that is the National Football League.
Today is not the day I break down in graphic detail what I really think.
We have time for that trainwreck and to fully explore the anger and stupidity, as well as the slow march that got us here. We have time to discuss the cancers that have been allowed to metastasize and spread that we covered earlier this year.
Now, like a blip on Doppler radar that has grown scarier and angrier on the screen, the oncoming storm lumbers towards our figurative shores. It will come ashore, and it will be bad. But before the doom and gloom, we can take a second to mock the deserving.
This fact just in: I was wrong as to one solitary point. Steve Cohen did not become baseball’s boogeyman; Mark Walter and the Dodgers did. However, we’re not here to talk about the Dodgers. Even with all of the investment in Queens, and Lord, there has been a lot of investment, the New York Mets remain a laughingstock.
It’s like accidentally making a flop in the style of The Producers every year.
Now, on the verge of the imminent lockout that we are powerless to stop, we need to do three things. Today, we are going to present a prebuttal to an argument that I know will persist only to annoy me and highlight folks who are either terribly ignorant or lack any semblance of empathy.
Next time, we’ll present an idea that would make baseball stronger and better for the next century. It’s fan-friendly and would be a generational change, transforming the landscape of American sport forever. Accordingly, this idea has no chance in hell of ever being implemented. Ever.
The owners would hate it. The players would hate it. The traditionalists in the media would hate it. But the fans would probably love it.
Then, we discuss expansion: both how it would look in this new system and what we’re most likely going to get.
Controlling the Message
“It’s millionaires versus billionaires:” this framing of the coming labor dispute is so incredibly lazy.
We have extensively covered that the average player in MLB is not a millionaire, at least not yet. And even if they were, what we are dealing with here is a manufactured labor crisis where management doesn’t want to pay its employees what they are actually worth. For as conservative-leaning as baseball generally is, there’s a movement to socialize the risk for owners, which is my view of the current argument.
Certain sportswriters clearly come from some degree of privilege (guilty as charged here), and that shows in how they discuss labor issues. Invariably, a stinker from Brittney Ghiroli or Jim Bowden at The Athletic usually makes you question your sanity. Although Pedro Martinez, analyst at ESPN, unleashed a corker recently:
“Please, for the fans, both sides, figure it out, a good way to get it done, and do not lock out baseball,” Martinez said.
“I hope the commissioner can see me and hear and the players’ association hears what I have to say. I might be insignificant, but I lived it before. I experienced that before,” Martinez said. “… I was one of the most punished players at that moment because I had talent, and I needed to wait until arbitration to make my money. So I hope they don’t mess it up and they don’t mistreat the fans.”
“Back then, there was a need for other things to change, and they changed for the better. This time, there’s no excuse,” Martinez added in comparing the 1994 strike to today. “On both sides, not the PA, not the owners, not baseball. The fans do not deserve to be mistreated.”
In Boston for the Pedro Martinez Foundation’s 10th annual gala, Martinez said that “honestly speaking, I’m pissed” as he appealed to both players and owners to find a solution.
It’s as if the former Dodger planned to give the perfect segue to present the argument that I shall rebut:
The argument goes, if there is a salary cap in baseball, the owners will pass that savings along to the fans. Because really this salary cap is about the fans. Too many teams have no shot of winning at the start of the year. No one is worrying about the fans!
As to the Math
First, people have argued about trickle-down economics for about fifty years in the United States. As of this essay, this timeframe goes back to Ronald Reagan in 1980, before I was born.
The math ever since, every time it was tried, is pretty clear: it doesn’t work. At all. The richer get richer, the poor get shafted. That’s not politics; it’s math.
No one will highlight the actual regular people until it’s too late. People in operations, marketing, sales, security, and every ancillary person who isn’t a player but depends directly on baseball to operate and have a job. The tour guides, the media people, the medical personnel, the food service people, the parking attendants, the regular people who are forced to sit around or find other work because management is trying to grow their balance sheets.
Wage disparity has grown into an ever-widening chasm between the haves and have-nots, starting in the Reagan Administration and continuing almost in a straight line to now. If you think a salary cap will lower ticket prices, concession prices, or parking prices by a single dollar now, fifty years later with clear, empirical evidence in every other instance that says to the contrary, then nothing likely will sway you short of a shock to the system that breaks past dogma.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions; no one is entitled to their own facts. There are not two sides to every issue.
As to the Cap
Second, baseball already has a salary cap; it’s just a soft cap, with financial penalties. The proponents of the stoppage want a hard cap where teams are barred from spending over a set amount. What these cheapskates want is the reserve clause back in all but name, and their best players being forced to play with one team for the duration of their career in the name of parity, which does not pass the laugh test.
Under the expanded playoff format, every team but six has made the playoffs: San Francisco Giants (2021), Sacramento Athletics (2020), Washington Nationals (2019), Colorado Rockies (2018), Pittsburgh Pirates (2015), and Anaheim Angels (2014).
Also, 13 unique teams have played in baseball’s final four, but sure, the Dodgers have somehow ruined baseball.
Arizona Diamondbacks (2023)
Cleveland Guardians (2024, 2026)
Houston Astros (2022, 2023)
Los Angeles Dodgers (2024, 2025, 2026)
Milwaukee Brewers (2025, 2026)
New York Mets (2024)
New York Yankees (2022, 2024)
Philadelphia Phillies (2022, 2023)
San Diego Padres (2022)
Seattle Mariners (2025)
Tampa Bay Rays (2026)
Texas Rangers (2023)
Toronto Blue Jays (2025)
Yes, the Tony Gwynns and Clayton Kershaws of the world stayed with their respective organizations for their entire careers. The entire notion that homegrown stars are ripped from the fans of so-called small-market teams was perpetuated by Moneyball. Yes, so-called large-market teams overpay for players all the time.
Look at Tarik Skubal. The unspoken truth about the fact that he was dealt in 2026 stems from the fact that the Detroit Tigers tried to lowball him to an absurd degree, making a midseason move all but a fait accompli. Will a player accept less to stay put? Sometimes. What a player won’t and shouldn’t accept is being paid less. A hometown discount is one thing; being paid pennies on the dollar is another, unless you’re Shohei Ohtani, which is both an accounting joke and a gross oversimplification of his contract.
A lot of the discourse surrounding Skubal at the deadline largely missed the mark. Much was said about the Dodgers trading for Tarik Skubal. Some of it was insightful and thought-provoking. However, most of the discourse was devoid of rational thought, said with the emotional maturity of a sleep-deprived toddler.
At the time, there was plenty of excellent coverage here at True Blue LA to sort through that needs no repetition here, only citation.
The default argument that the Dodgers bought Skubal was just silly and a declaration that one does not understand how trades work. Skubal did not have a no-move clause, unlike the also-traded Kevin Gausman. Skubal no more chose to be in Los Angeles than Kyle Tucker chose to arrive in Chicago last year after being traded from Houston.
Skubal was in the last year of his contract, costing about $10 million for the remainder of the year, and any team could have afforded that financial cost.
The Dodgers gave up some prospect depth in Zyhir Hope and River Ryan, but the system retained its prospect depth, particularly in the outfield. The trade of River Ryan for Skubal felt oddly kismet because I had worked on a trade proposal essay in 2024 about that basic deal I had to spike due to Ryan’s injury. A 2024 Dodgers’ team that had a rotation of Skubal-Yamamoto-Buehler-Knack likely would have had a much easier postseason run.
Yes, the Brewers tried to get Skubal with public reports about the packages they proffered to Detroit to no avail. “The Tigers, though, wanted a controllable Major League pitcher in the deal. None of the sources would say who they favored, but Logan Henderson was among the names teams were asking for most often.” In most years, the Brewers’ frugality is their downfall. This year, they won in spite of that trait. Good for them.
As to the Fans
Third, the fans shouldn’t have a say in this dispute. Imagine if, in your work, your customer tried to intervene in how much you got paid at work, arguing you should just take what you get; you wouldn’t stand for it.
That said, the fans do have a way to voice their opinion in these proceedings, once baseball returns: if you’re truly that unhappy with baseball, don’t go, don’t watch. We have a dispute between management and labor. If the customer doesn’t like the price of the service, the customer can stay home, which leads to the unspoken truth: baseball’s antitrust exemption.
If you want baseball, MLB is the only game in town. Even the Savanna Bananas and their ilk are something else. Baseball is a legal monopoly. And frankly, it is long past time for the exemption to die.
Everyone tends to forget that MLB pruned minor league baseball with a figurative ax over the last few years. The MLB draft is a shell of itself, as rounds 21 through 40 no longer exist.
Given the proposals from the league that seeks to further prune the avenues for people to enter the sport, it seems apt to point out the Hall of Famers and other notable players who were fortunate enough to make it when they did, because they are currently out of luck in the current system.
John Smoltz (Round 22, 1985, inducted 2015)
Andy Petittitte (Round 22, 1990)
Mike Piazza (Round 62, 1988, inducted 2016)
Roy Oswalt (Round 23, 1996)
Brett Butler (Round 23, 1979)
Mark Grace (Round 24, 1985)
Paul LoDuca (Round 25, 1993)
Dusty Baker (Round 26, 1967)
Dave Roberts (Round 28, 1998)
Kevin Kiermaier (Round 31, 2010)
Mark Buehrle (Round 38, 1998)
The average fan will not be affected one iota by the strike, as they, we, just lose an entertainment option. Most writers will have to find something else to drive traffic and generate interest in baseball. Most will have to learn or relearn to love the art of long-form essay writing.
Note, I say fan, because there is a segment of regular people who will be deeply affected by the lockout.
I’m shining a light on the people who are already losing their jobs, those people who are caught in the crossfire of management’s unfettered greed: the support staff people in baseball. And the cull has already started.
No one will highlight the actual regular people until it’s too late.
People in operations, marketing, sales, security, and every ancillary person who isn’t a player but depends directly on baseball to operate and have a job. The tour guides, the media people, the medical personnel, the food service people, the parking attendants, the regular people who are forced to sit around or find other work because management is trying to grow their balance sheets.
I’m sure I’ve forgotten or missed someone, and that failure is one of imagination rather than intent.
This oncoming storm is appropriate for the age we are in. The retroclassic ballpark age ended a while ago. We now live in the Faux-Wrigleyville / The Battery Era, where the goal is creating an entertainment/mixed use district that keeps dollars flowing to organizations every day of the year, regardless of whether baseball is in season or not.
The utter rage I feel at these regular people being screwed is the genesis of this essay. Because there is a better way, and baseball will likely never do it. So next time, we’re going to describe the layout ourselves as we engineer the future.
