BOSTON, MA - MAY 11: Hitting coach Peter Fatse of the Boston Red Sox looks on during batting practice before a game against the Washington Nationals on May 11, 2024 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There was no news regarding what will happen with assistants Edwar Gonzalez and Rafael Pena but there will be a new top guy in Fatse.
Fatse started his coaching career as a hitting coordinator with the Minnesota Twins in 2019 and then went to Boston right after the season. He was eventually promoted to be the Red Sox hitting coach before the 2022 season and was in that role until a coaching staff clean out in the April of 2026 which started with Alex Cora.
From 2022-2025, the Red Sox ranked 14th in wRC+ although did not always have the best offensive players at his disposal. Tyler O’Neill put together the 2nd best season of his career under Fatse in 2023 with a .847 OPS, eventually earning a three-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles and has not been able to recapture the same form. Jarren Duran did his best hitting during that span and regressed hard in 2026. Ceddanne Rafaela has grown into a very capable offensive player.
There have also been players who did not meet expectations. Kristian Campbell has not panned out as a top prospect for the Sox. Marcello Mayer was another one who was eventually traded at the deadline for Erik Miller and a prospect. Whether the successes or failures of certain Red Sox hitters deserve to be on Peter Fatse is not clear and never will be but it’s worth pointing out both.
This may be all a coincidence but they just hired someone with a real connection to Alex Cora and who was part of the Red Sox staff cleaning in April. This storyline is just not going away.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Garrett Mitchell jogged off Tropicana Field after practicing catching fly balls ricocheting off the roof, and ran to the dugout to grab a electrolyte drink before heading back out for batting practice on Sunday night, the day before Game 3 of the World Series.
Mitchell, the Milwaukee Brewers center fielder, has Type 1 diabetes and he’s very aware of how to manage his health – even with the extra challenges in the biggest professional moments of his life: elevated stress, long-running and later games, late workout hours and interrupted routines.
“It starts with hydrating well, eating well, getting good quality sleep,” Mitchell said. “Those are the most important things.”
The week off between the NL Championship Series and the World Series was helpful, to a point, because Mitchell could catch up on a bit of rest. But he still has to make sure he takes care of himself every day, all the time.
Mitchell already had a big fan following, being from Orange, California, and being married to a well-known softball player, but he has become a big-time fan favorite within the Brewers fan base this year, too. After putting baseball injuries behind him, he’s made stunning wall-climbing grabs in the outfield and played his role perfectly on defense between Jackson Chourio to his right and Sal Frelick to his left.
There also are fans who have diabetes, or who are raising money for better treatments and hopefully a cure, who follow Mitchell as well. He already is approachable but he's also open to talking about diabetes with others.
“The community of diabetics is small – it’s still a lot of people,” Mitchell said. “I don’t know what the number is now; when I was younger it was like 16 million. I imagine that number has grown more − but that’s what I knew as a kid.
“I definitely know how special [the community] is.
“Getting the opportunity to talk to people who have it – young children, adults – I’m not thinking about Garrett the baseball player, I’m thinking about Garrett the Type 1 diabetic. So whenever I get an opportunity to have those conversations, or share a little bit of wisdom, or the things that I’ve had to go through, good and bad, and all the challenges, that’s my bread and butter. That’s what I enjoy doing. Being able to share that.”
It's not that common for pro athletes to have diabetes, and it was a bit of a discussion early in Mitchell's career with the Brewers.
“It was certainly something we felt like we had to get a handle on and understand how Garrett manages it,” then-Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns said in a 2022 Journal Sentinel story, “what limitations if any it would put on him throughout a pro career because a pro career requires a lot more than what you’re doing in high school and college.”
But the Brewers quickly realized Mitchell was good at managing his health.
“We became comfortable with his ability to manage it,” Stearns told the Journal Sentinel, “and we also knew that this was one of the reasons why we had the ability to take him where we did – because there was this unusual aspect about his health and there’s just not been a lot of position players at the big-league level who have played with it.”
There was only one time this season when Mitchell left a game to manage blood-sugar levels. In mid-September, Mitchell played a night game and then had a quick turnaround to a day game, and manager Pat Murphy pulled him out as a precaution.
"We took him out precautionary. He had high blood sugar. It happens a lot of times from night game to day game," Murphy said in a wisportsheroics.com story. "The trainers thought it would be best precautionary to take him out."
Mitchell hasn't had any issues with managing diabetes in the playoffs.
The Brewers took the workout at the Tropicana Field seriously on Sunday night, spending a good amount of time working on fielding. The ball was launched into the air so players could react to catching it off the extra markers.
“It was good,” Mitchell said. “It was good to get some live reads, too, to see how the ball was coming off the bat. Off the machine. Yeah, not too bad.”
PHOENIX, AZ - CIRCA 1970's: First baseman Willie McCovey #44 of the San Francisco Giants standing at the batting cage waiting his turn to hit circa mid 1970's in spring training in Phoenix, Arizona. McCovey played for the Giants from 1959-80. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s that time of year again, friends! The 2026 San Francisco Giants season may have been one of the worst in recent memory — or ever, for that matter — but at least we have a treat waiting to start the offseason: the return of the Willie McCovey Memorial Community Prospect List, in which we will, as a group, rank the top 44 prospects in the Giants system.
Last year’s CPL was so much fun. After years of a middling farm system, it really felt like things were headed up going into the 2026 Minor League Baseball season, and the 44 names (which didn’t even include Jonah Cox, Scott Bandura, Turner Hill, or César Perdomo!) reflected that. And, looking back on the list, we were right to be excited.
And yet, even though last year’s No. 1 prospect (Bryce Eldridge) graduated, it still feels like this year’s list is going to be even more exciting.
So today we embark on a community journey that will last for a few months. Hopefully by the time we wrap things up, there will be preseason baseball to keep us occupied, though the impending lockout could keep that from happening.
For the uninitiated — or just those who would like a refresher — here are the rules for the CPL, copy, pasted, and updated from a year ago:
CPL’s will be every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I may not follow that strictly, especially with the holidays, but it will be close. Voting will remain open until the next CPL.
I have given up on trying to evade the bots with polls, and so all voting will take place in the comment system through the “rec” feature. You will need to be logged in to participate.
We’ll start with seven nominees to choose from. When we are down to voting on four prospects we will nominate new players, and add them to the next list so we’re back at seven.
When it’s nomination day (such as today), use the comments to nominate new players. I’ll leave a top comment that you can respond to with prospect names, and you can recommend any comment that has a player you think should be added. If someone else has already nominated a player, please do not comment nominating that player, but instead cast your vote by hitting the “rec” button. You can also rec your own nomination, which I suggest doing. The four players with the most recs will get added to the next CPL.
To honor McCovey, we will rank 44 prospects, which includes all Giants who are still rookie eligible, with the exception of MLB-ready international free agents (the “Jung Hoo Lee exception”). If there is a tie, the next CPL will be a runoff post, with the loser of the runoff also getting added to the list.
If the Giants acquire a prospect during the CPL, through trade or international signing, and it seems as though they belong somewhere that the voting is already past, we’ll do a special post to vote on/debate their placement.
Use the comments to stump for players, argue, share knowledge, etc. This is always really fun, because of the energy, passion, and smartness that you all bring to it. The real CPL is the invigorating conversations we have along the way!
All players in the organization who still have their prospect status are eligible, even if they’re on the 40-man roster and/or expected to be on the active roster when the season begins.
Players who graduated this season and are no longer eligible: Victor Bericoto, Drew Cavanaugh, Jonah Cox, Bryce Eldridge, Trent Harris, Turner Hill, Trevor McDonald, Jesús Rodríguez, Carson Seymour, Dylan Smith, Daniel Susac, Blade Tidwell, and Carson Whisenhunt.
I know there is always a hot debate as to what constitutes a prospect, and many in our lovely community feel strongly that players who have made MLB debuts should not be included on prospect lists. I certainly understand that sentiment, and can’t control who anyone votes for, but I strongly encourage people to vote based on who is included on this list, not on their personal ones, as that will more accurately reflect the purpose of the project. Protest votes have their time and place, but I don’t think this is either.
And with that, let’s head to the comment section and nominate some players for Wednesday’s opening chapter! As always, a special thank you to all of the McCovey Chronicles writers who have handled this project in the past, with a special shoutout to Roger Munter, who not only remains an active participant in the CPL discussions, but a vital resource to all of us.
It appears the Kevin Long reunion some Mets fans had been hoping for won't be happening.
According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, there wasn't a match when the two sides met last week to discuss a potential role in the club's hitting department.
Long is reportedly no longer in consideration for the opening.
The 59-year-old seemed like a potentially good fit to return due to his strong stint previously in the organization and his connection with superstar Juan Soto from their days together with the Nationals.
Long has a pair of World Series rings on his resume, and his offenses have consistently posted some of the best numbers in baseball throughout his 20-year big-league coaching career.
Instead of bringing him back, though, the Mets will have to look elsewhere to help their offense next season.
New York reportedly promoted Mariano Duncan to the big-league staff to fill an unknown role on Monday, and they previously expressed interest in meeting with Cubs assistant hitting coach John Mallee.
According to a report from Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets are adding Mariano Duncan to their major league coaching staff. Sherman writes that Duncan “is expected to help in multiple areas with the position player group.”
Duncan has been a coach in the Mets’ Minor League system since 2019, serving as hitting coach for the formerly Rookie-class Kingsport Mets before taking over as bench coach for the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones in 2021 and later the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies in 2022. Excluding rehab assignments, he has previously coached seven position players on the Mets’ current 40-man roster (including Brett Baty and Francisco Alvarez, who played with the Kingsport Mets during their debut pro seasons in 2019).
The 63-year-old enjoyed a 12-year big league career as a utility player from 1985-97, winning a pair of World Series (with the Reds in 1990 and the Yankees in 1996) and notching one All-Star selection (with the Phillies in 1994). He also finished third in Rookie of the Year voting with the Dodgers in 1985.
The Mets still have a few more slots to fill on manager Andy Green’s coaching staff before Spring Training arrives, as they parted ways with a trio of coaches at the conclusion of the 2026 season.
CHATTANOOGA, TN - SEPTEMBER 13: Alfredo Duno #44 of the Chattanooga Lookouts uses a tiny camera prior to the game between the Rocket City Trash Pandas and the Chattanooga Lookouts at Erlanger Park on Sunday, September 13, 2026 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. (Photo by Maddalena LoRae/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
The World Series hit pause on Sunday, yet tonight (Monday) will feature the Tampa Bay Rays playing host to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 down by the bay. Yet while the big league Cincinnati Reds sit idle as their peers determine who gets to claim the title of World Champs, several of the top prospects in their farm system have been plying their trades all over the place in preparation for a (hopefully) big step forward in 2027.
Over in the Arizona Fall League, outfielder Yerlin Confidan is fresh off a week to remember with the Peoria Javelinas. The toolsy 23 year old hit .255/.332/.405 in 527 PA split between High-A Dayton and AA Chattanooga during the regular season in 2026, the 15 homers he socked in total perhaps an understatement of the overall top-tier power he possesses in his long, left-handed swing. That power has been playing up in-game in AFL play, though, and last week alone he went 7 for 12 with 4 runs, a pair of doubles, a triple, and a dinger, with MLB Pipeline noting that he hit a trio of balls in play in excess of 110 mph off the bat. Overall he owns a 1.097 OPS across 42 PA to start AFL play in what’s becoming a bit of a breakout party for him.
Confidan is in the lineup for Peoria today playing LF and batting cleanup.
Down in the Venezuelan Winter League, 20 year old stud catching prospect Alfredo Duno is holding his own quite well. As Doug Gray noted over at Redleg Nation, Duno became the youngest player in the league to homer so far this campaign when he swatted a homer on Friday night – and one of only two 20 years olds who’ve homered in that league in the last two years. There’s video of said blast, too.
Over in the Dominican Winter League, Noelvi Marte has seemingly found his groove again with the Gigantes del Cibao. After finally, mercifully being optioned back to AAA Louisville mid-August after a long run of poor form, said poor form dogged him at the minor league level, too. He hit just .273/.291/.374 in 103 PA from that point through the end of the AAA season, logging just a lone dinger in the process. However, this October has seen him turn 25 years old and go right back to mashing, and as of Monday morning he’s the owner of a .400/.424/.567 line across 33 PA to begin DOWL play. That includes this mammoth blast over the tall wall in CF from yesterday:
The Gigantes sport a roster full of recognizable names, including the likes of Marcell Ozuna, Nomar Mazara, Agustin Ramirez, and old friend Aristides Aquino. Also on the roster is promising Reds rookie Carlos Jorge, though he’s off to a bit slower start than Noelvi. He’s gone just 2 for 18 with a pair of walks and 9 K through his first 8 games played, but one of those hits was a 2-run blast over that same tall wall in CF last week:
🐎🤎 ¡SUBIÓ LA LIBRA DE CACAO! 💣 ¡CARLOS JORGE DESAPARECIÓ LA BOLA CON UN GARROTAZO GIGANTE! ⚾🚀
As the World Series shifts to Florida for Game 3, all eyes will be on the pivotal pitching matchup and the energy in Tropicana Field. The Milwaukee Brewers, up 2-0 on the Tampa Bay Rays, will send rookie Robert Gasser to the mound on Monday, facing former Brewer and current Rays ace Freddy Peralta.
In the latest episode of Yahoo Sports’ "Bar-B-Cast," podcast hosts Jordan Shusterman and Jake Mintz highlighted the contrasting approaches: Peralta's experience and emotional stakes for the Rays vs. the Brewers' confident reliance on another rookie arm in a high-pressure situation.
“I have watched Freddy already a couple times in this postseason … and he’s just looked incredible,” Shusterman said. “He was not as sharp in his final start in [ALCS] Game 6 … but the velocity was still there. He was still pumping 99.”
When he takes the mound for Game 3, Peralta is not only pitching against his former team but also weeks away from free agency — he ranks No. 2 on Yahoo Sports’ list of this winter’s top free agents — making him a major storyline regardless of the series outcome. Shusterman notes Peralta's impressive velocity and dominance in this postseason, emphasizing that he has thrived indoors and the added intrigue of him facing the Brewers.
“We are going to continue to be talking about Freddy Peralta from now until first pitch, during the game, after the game and then for weeks to come,” Shusterman said.
Mintz focused on Gasser, aka “Bobby Diesel,” who pitched five shutout innings in the NLCS at Dodger Stadium. Mintz noted how Gasser is another example of the Brewers' organizational philosophy: They trade away high-profile pitchers such as Peralta because they trust their pipeline, illustrated by Gasser's rapid rise.
"But the reason that the Brewers trade Freddy Peralta, they trade the Freddy Peraltas of the world, is because one day they will have the Robert Gassers of the world. Right?" Mintz said. "Robert Gasser, whom they got in the Josh Hader trade, right? Like, it is the perfect balance here."
Shusterman and Mintz are also curious about the crowd dynamic for Game 3. With the Brewers' passionate fan base traveling well — Mintz mentioned a “Let’s go, Brewers!” chant breaking out on his flight — the atmosphere at the Trop will be a story in itself.
"I think they're going to be well represented at Tropicana Field," Shusterman said of Brewers fans. "I'm looking on our beloved GameTime app right now. And there are many tickets that I imagine are much more affordable than they would have been for Games 1 and 2 [in Milwaukee]. And it would not surprise me if the cost to go in Milwaukee is pretty similar to the cost it would take to fly to … St. Pete's and see the game at the Trop."
That said, Shusterman noted the electric atmosphere at the Trop for ALCS Game 6 after the Rays took the lead in that series before returning to Florida.
“When they come back up 3-2, it was packed,” he said. “It was awesome. It was 98% Rays fans. It was terrific.”
However the crowd breaks down, Game 3 presents a crossroads: Can Peralta pitch the Rays back into this series, or will the Brewers' unflappable offense and shutdown bullpen put them on the doorstep of a title?
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 19: Freddy Peralta #51 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates after wining the ALCS MVP after defeating the Cleveland Guardians in game six of the American League Championship Series at Tropicana Field on October 19, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The D-backs and the Rays both entered the major leagues in 1998. Arizona has the only World Series win, but Tampa Bay have been more successful in reaching the post-season, with ten playoff appearances to the D-backs’ seven. Overall, the win percentages of the teams are very similar. The D-backs are two points higher, at .495 against the Rays’ .493. But of late, our East coast siblings have definitely had the edge. In the past eight seasons, they have six trips to the post-season, to Arizona’s one. Over the same time-span, since the start of 2019, they have averaged 92 wins, a whopping fourteen victories per season more than the Diamondbacks.
That’s despite Tampa Bay having significantly less resources. From 2019-26 (and excluding 2020, for obvious reasons), Arizona had an average end of year payroll, per Spotrac, of $138 million. Tampa Bay’s mean salary bill was just $93 million. Here’s how the two teams have compared, year-by-year, in terms of salary, where that ranks in the majors, and their W-L record.
The Rays have spent one season outside the bottom quartile (25%) of team payrolls. The D-backs have been outside that six of the eight season, including a payroll in the top half, the past three years. Now, in 2024 and 2025, this did lead to the team winning nine and three more games than their siblings. But that run ended this year, with a vengeance. The Rays are in the World Series, while the Diamondbacks fell short of making the playoffs. Admittedly, had Arizona been in the American League, their 86 wins would have got them into the third wild-card. But that’s still a dozen games fewer than Tampa Bay.
So, what can the D-backs learn from the Rays? To try and get some idea, I want to start of by looking at the 26-man World Series roster for the Rays, and see how the team came to acquire each player. Below is the information on that, along with how valuable the player was for the Rays this year.
Pitchers
Bryan Baker (2.9 bWAR) – Traded by the Orioles for pick #37 in the 2025 draft.
Cam Booser (1.1) – Signed as a Free Agent.
Garrett Cleavinger (-0.3) – Traded by the Dodgers for German Tapia.
Griffin Jax (0.7) – Traded by the Twins for Taj Bradley.
Kevin Kelly (1.9) – Purchased from the Rockies.
Nick Martinez (3.9) – Signed as a Free Agent.
Steven Matz (-0.7) – Signed as a Free Agent.
Freddy Peralta (1.2) – Traded by the Mets for Gary Gill Hill, Émilien Pitre and Aidan Smith.
Drew Rasmussen (4.7) – Traded by the Brewers with J.P. Feyereisen for Willy Adames and Trevor Richards.
Ian Seymour (0.7) – Picked in the 2nd round of the 2020 draft.
Cole Sulser (-0.3) – Purchased from the Mets.
Tyler Wells (0.9) – Traded by the Orioles for Michael Forret.
The narrative would have you believe that the Rays’ success is due to strong drafting and a good farm system. But the above suggests otherwise – at least, directly (we’ll get into that eventually). Only one of the dozen pitchers on Tampa Bay’s roster for the World Series was drafted by them. Six were trades, with another two purchased, and three signed with the Rays as a free agent. But looking at the trades, it’s startling how little they generally had to give up. Willy Adames is easily the biggest name, and he was good for Milwaukee, putting up 14 bWAR over four seasons. But you think the Brewers wouldn’t rather have Drew Rasmussen, right now?
The Sulser thing is worth noting, because it was the third time the Rays had acquired him. He’s like their version of Ildemaro Vargas. They first did so in 2018, as part of a three-team trade which netted them Yandy Diaz. But they lost him on waivers the following October. Sulser was actually a Diamondback for a while, having been picked off waivers from the Marlins in November 2022. He played four games with Arizona, but was DFA’d in August 2023 and went back to Tampa, because we needed the roster spot for… Jace Peterson. Yeah. About that. Sulser hit free agency that winter, signed with the Mets but returned again to Tampa Bay the next July.
Catchers
Nick Fortes (0.8) – Traded by the Marlins for Matthew Etzel
Liam Hicks (0.7) – Traded by the Marlins for Jacob Kisting, Adrian Santana and Brayden Taylor.
I think it’s interesting that both Rays’ catchers came intrastate, by trades from their Florida neighbors. Fortes arrived at the trade deadline last year, and Hicks at the same point this season. Obviously, it’s impossible to judge these trades yet, since none of the four players sent to Miami have yet appeared in the majors. However, none of them were ranked higher than #16 in the Rays’ farm system at the time of the trade.
Infielders
Jonathan Aranda (2.2) – Signed as an international Free Agent
Junior Caminero (5.7) – Traded by the Indians for Tobias Myers.
Yandy Díaz (2.4) – Traded as part of a 3-team trade by the Indians with Cole Sulser to the Rays. The Indians sent Edwin Encarnación and a 2019 competitive balance pick to the Mariners. The Mariners sent Carlos Santana and cash to the Indians. Rays sent cash to the Mariners and Jake Bauers to the Indians.
Jorge Mateo (-1.0) – Signed as a Free Agent.
Richie Palacios (1.8) – Traded by the Cardinals for Andrew Kittredge.
Taylor Walls (3.5) – Picked in the 3rd round of the 2017 draft
Ben Williamson (0.8) – Traded as part of a 3-team trade by the Mariners to the Rays. The Mariners sent Jurrangelo Cijntje, Tai Peete and a draft pick to the Cardinals. The Cardinals sent Brendan Donovan to the Mariners. The Rays sent Colton Ledbetter and a draft pick to the Cardinals.
We see the same pattern as with pitchers. Only one of the seven was formally drafted by the Rays. You could perhaps stretch to include Aranda, who was signed out of Mexico as a 17-year-old, and has never played with any other organization. But here, I note the lack of money spent on the free-agent market. Mateo was the only one in that category, and he was signed for a pittance after being cut by the Braves. He’s also basically a pinch-runner who didn’t get a PA in the first two playoff rounds. The only player earning more than seven figures on the Rays this year is Yandy Diaz, at a very reasonable $12 million. The Dodgers have twelve players there, if you include Ohtani. And you should.
The Caminero trade is likely going to go down as one of the greatest thefts in recent history. Caminero has been worth 10 bWAR for the Rays in 2025-26. Myers never appeared for the Ind…er, Guardians, and was last seen as a bad reliever in the Mets bullpen. The Diaz and Williamson deals, meanwhile, are both among those “How the heck did they work that out?“ situations. Bauers never amounted to much in Cleveland, before blossoming this year with Milwaukee, and will face his old team in the World Series. Again, Ledbetter was a prospect outside the top twenty in the Rays organization at the time of his trade.
Outfielders
Jonny DeLuca (1.7) – Traded by the Dodgers with Ryan Pepiot to the Rays for Tyler Glasnow, Manuel Margot and cash.
Victor Mesa Jr. (2.9) – Traded by the Marlins to the Rays for Angel Brachi.
Cedric Mullins (1.0) – Signed as a Free Agent.
Chandler Simpson (2.5) – Picked by the Rays in the 2nd round of the 2022 draft.
Ryan Vilade (0.8) – Purchased from the Cincinnati Reds.
The trade which brought DeLuca to the Rays is an example of Tampa Bay selling high. Glasnow has been a bit of glass cannon for LA since: a 120 ERA+, but averaging fewer than 18 appearances per season. Pepiot was almost as good as Glasnow in 2024-25 – certainly more durable – and considerably cheaper. But he missed all of this season with a hip issue. Brachi was unranked by MLB Pipeline when he was dealt: I’m beginning to detect a theme here. But again, we see a limited number of players who were actually drafted by Tampa Bay. They seem keen on, and adept at, plucking players they need away from other teams.
Summary
Trades: 14 players
Signed as a free agent: 5 players
Purchased: 3 players
Draft pick: 3 players
International free agent: 1 player
This certainly demonstrates where the strength of the Rays lies. As mentioned, it’s not directly in the draft, with barely ten percent of their World Series roster having been acquired that way. It’s in smart trades, purchases and low-cost free-agent signings – or what’s often derided when Mike Hazen does it, as “dumpster diving.” Of course, that’s the kind of thing that’s easier said than done, though the Arizona bullpen this season shows that it is something Hazen can figure out on occasion. It’s an interesting contrast to the Brewers, who have a much more internal approach to their roster: seven draftees and three international free agents.
But we shouldn’t write off the Tampa Bay farm system entirely. Next time, we’ll take a look at that and see if we can figure out how it plays into the team’s strategy.
Brewers closer Trevor Megill caused a stir over the weekend when he took issue with one aspect of Tropicana Field, the home of the Rays.
As Milwaukee prepared for Game 3 of the World Series on Monday in Tampa, Megill had a colorful complaint about the roof at the Trop.
“Whoever decided to make the roof the same goddamn color as the baseball is a f—ing idiot,” Megill opined while walking past reporters following batting practice Sunday.
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Trevor Megill celebrates the final out after Game 1 of baseball’s World Series, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Milwaukee, between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays. AP Photo/Ashley Landis
WISN 12 News’ Dario Melendez shared that the Brewers had been practicing fly balls and ricochets on the off day, two tasks that become more difficult to handle against the white backdrop of the roof at Tropicana Field.
Megill’s comments are especially interesting considering that this isn’t the first time MLB stadium roofs have been a topic during these playoffs.
Earlier this postseason, the Brewers saw their own stadium’s roof be used to their advantage when the cables at American Family Field potentially robbed the Padres’ Ty France of a potential game-changing home run in Game 1 of the NLDS off of Megill.
Milwaukee’s Jackson Chourio caught the ball after it came down, and the play was ruled an out. The Brewers went on to win that game 3-2, and later clinched the series win in four games.
Tropicana Field is seen ahead of Game 3 of the World Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Florida, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Megill has tossed 6 ⅔ innings this postseason, giving up just one run on three hits with seven strikeouts. That run came in the chaotic ninth inning of Game 1 of the World Series with Megill surviving an overturned double play to close out the nail-biting victory for Milwaukee.
The Trop’s famous catwalk underneath the roof has also seen some action some postseason with the Yankees’ Spencer Jones being retired in Game 2 of the ALDS after his towering fly ball hit off it and into the glove of outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. for an out.
Should they win the next two games in Tampa, the Brewers can clinch the sweep of the Rays on the road for their first-ever World Series title.
The Mets need starting pitching. They've needed it for several years now.
In 2025, their depth evaporated down the stretch, so they missed the playoffs. In 2026, their depth imploded early, so they never recovered. To make the playoffs in 2027, they will need more of it.
Exactly what they have, and therefore what they need, is in the eye of the beholder. But a few things are indisputable: Nolan McLean looks like a No. 1. Christian Scott and Zac Thornton look like promising middle-of-the-rotation options whose second full seasons should test their stamina and ability to adjust more than their first. The best versions of all three combine to make a promising young core.
Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga are veterans on expensive, though expiring, contracts, meaning jettisoning either will be easier this season should either underperform again. Senga wants to start but could prove more valuable to the 2027 pitching staff out of the bullpen. Andy Green made clear that Manaea cannot lose his velocity again and be an effective member of their rotation going forward. The best versions of both are competitive starting options.
As for depth beyond that, the best version of Tobias Myers could offer starting depth. Tylor Megill is expected to be back from Tommy John surgery and training as a starter entering spring training. He has a 4.46 ERA in 88 career appearances.
Green said Jonah Tong must pitch his way into the rotation next year but did not rule out the possibility that he could do so. Jonathan Santucci will be one step away from his debut. If Jack Wenninger can overcome his tendency to walk batters, he will likely be an emergency start candidate, as well.
Exactly how President of Baseball Operations David Stearns views that depth is a different question. Stearns traded for Freddy Peralta last year when his rotation already included Clay Holmes and McLean as top-end options. He does not seem likely to be satisfied with McLean at the top and his fingers crossed that Scott, Thornton, Manaea or others can lock down the spots behind him. But exactly how many acquisitions they need to make remains unclear.
“I do think it is necessary for us to add to our starting rotation. We can do that in a variety of different ways,” Stearns said at his end-of-season news conference. “You’d always love to add to the top of their rotation. Any team would love to do that. Over the long term, we need to develop pitchers for the top of our rotation and I think we are proving we can do that and will continue to do that.
"We also need to make sure we have more options, and we need to make sure we have the flexibility that allows us to go and get those options when they’re needed. And we’ll be focused on that aspect of rotation building as well.”
If the Mets decide they need a proven ace (or two) to take the weight off McLean’s shoulders and insulate against injury, they have plenty of options.
Tarik Skubal is a possibility. Unlike other contenders who might chase him, the Mets have plenty of big contracts and financial outlays coming off their ledger after 2027, meaning any salary limitations that result from a new collective bargaining agreement would not necessarily hold them back from making the move.
They need an ace, have Steve Cohen’s money, and can promise commitment to winning — if not the actual winning, so far. Skubal’s preferences will likely become clearer after the World Series, when his free agency officially begins. But as of the last week in October, the Mets should have as good a chance to sign him as anybody, provided Cohen and Stearns decide he is worth an exception to the latter’s rules against long-term deals for starters.
Holmes could also be a candidate for a return. As of this week, he is expected to opt out of his current deal, and people familiar with his thinking say he is open to a return to the Mets if the right deal is offered. He did, after all, thrive in Queens as a starter — so much so that he will likely receive a far bigger contract as a free agent than he probably would have if the Mets had not given him the chance to jump out of the bullpen.
Other veterans available in free agency include Michael King, who can opt out from his current deal with the Padres and has proven himself capable of pitching in New York, and Nick Martinez, who has looked strong this postseason and has a mutual option with the Tampa Bay Rays. Trevor Rogers turned his career around with the Baltimore Orioles, though his track record of starting success is shorter than most top-end free agent types. Casey Mize, Robbie Ray, and Tyler Mahle are all veteran types who could slide into the middle of the rotation and provide experience if young pitchers regress or stumble.
The trade market, too, could offer some high-end options: New front office staffer Derek Falvey’s connection to Minnesota Twins starter Joe Ryan could make him an enticing trade target, someone who could serve at the top of the Mets rotation and is under contract for $13 million next year before hitting free agency.
Should the Rays somehow decide playoff hero Drew Rasmussen’s $20 million option for next year is too expensive, the Mets could try to pull off a deal for him as well. Maybe the Miami Marlins would finally trade Sandy Alcantara ahead of his option year. Any of them would improve the Mets depth in the short term without handcuffing them financially long-term should a new CBA lead to the phasing in of salary limits.
The Seattle Mariners, who likely need a jolt after a disappointing season, have long seemed on the verge of trading one of their many starting pitchers. George Kirby (under contract through 2028) or Logan Gilbert (under contract through 2027) could help immediately without much long-term risk and could be attainable thanks to the prospect depth the Mets built at this year’s trade deadline.
But Stearns’ mention of “flexibility” suggests his view of pitching depth does not necessarily include more veteran starters on major league contracts who are either expensive to part with, impossible to option out of the rotation if they struggle, or both.
Part of the reason the Mets struggled to find their footing early in 2026, for example, was that both Senga and Manaea were struggling, but neither really fit in the bullpen or comfortably head to the minors. An injury to Senga helped the Mets clear his rotation spot without needing to cut him entirely, but acquiring a full array of veteran starters would leave their ability to make changes somewhat limited again.
As such, it seems Stearns and Co. might also be pursuing younger, more flexible starting options that could provide both major league rotation depth and multi-inning bullpen capabilities — like Myers was trying to last year — as well.
Myers is out of options this year. Megill, importantly, has one remaining. Pitchers who are optionable, can handle starting, but could potentially also serve in the bullpen are not easy to find; any team with young, flexible pitching depth is not exactly rushing to part with it.
So perhaps Stearns simply means the Mets will plan some reclamation projects with minor league free agents and hope they catch lightning in a bottle they can option when times get tough.
But perhaps teams in need of overhaul would be willing to trade players in need of a change of scenery. Could a new Houston Astros GM entertain a trade for Hunter Brown, for example? Could the Cleveland Guardians try to upgrade elsewhere by dealing from the back end of their young rotation depth? The Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds and others have pitching depth from which to deal and payrolls they love to keep down — a promising combination when chasing pitchers who are on the early side of arbitration.
Regardless, that flexibility part of Stearns’ vision will be the most fascinating to watch — particularly in an offseason that could include a lot of free agent shuffling before the lockout and a lot of frenetic maneuvering after it. Stearns said it: The Mets need better starting pitching depth than they had in 2026. That rotation began with two more proven starters (Holmes and Peralta) than it currently has right now. The market will offer plenty of options. Now all they have to do is get it right.
TUCSON, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 10: Dominick Reid #11 of the Chicago Cubs pitches during a game between the Mesa Solar Sox and the Peoria Javelinas at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium on Saturday, October 10, 2026 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s Monday, so that means it’s time to check in on the Cubs’ Boys of Autumn playing for the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League.
In case you missed the earlier installments, the Solar Sox are a team in the Arizona Fall League, a minor league that plays every October and November in Spring Training stadiums. The Mesa Solar Sox play their home games at Sloan Park, the Cubs’ Spring Training home. This year, their roster is made up of minor leaguers from the Cubs, Athletics, Angels, Blue Jays and Red Sox.
The Solar Sox played five games this past week and went 2-3, giving them an overall record of 6-9. Here’s how each individual game went with a link to the box score. The home team is listed last.
Although the Solar Sox were the home team on Saturday, the game was played in Glendale at Camelback Ranch.
Here’s how each individual Cubs prospect did this past week.
Infielder Juan Cabada: We said that the Arizona Fall League would be challenging to Cabada. At just 18 years old, he had only played 17 games above rookie ball before the AFL season, all of which were in Low-A Myrtle Beach. Cabada is playing against players far older and with much more experience than he has.
So far, we’ve been right. The AFL has been a real challenge for Cabada. This week he played twice, at third base on Tuesday and third base on Thursday. He had a good game on Tuesday, going 1 for 3 with a double, a walk and a run scored. In Thursday shutout loss, Cabada went 0 for 3. He wasn’t the only one.
For the AFL season, Cabada is hitting .167/.286/.2oo over nine games. He has three RBI, three runs scored and one stolen base.
Outfielder Harrison Feinberg: Feinberg only played on Monday. He played right field and he went 1 for 5 with an RBI single.
Over five games with the Solar Sox, Feinberg is hitting .333/.455/.333 with two RBI and two runs scored. He’s also two for three in base stealing.
Outfielder Kade Snell: Snell played in four of the five Solar Sox games this past week. Snell got his first AFL action in center field on Monday, while playing right field on Wednesday and Thursday. He shifted over to left field on Saturday.
For the week, Snell went 2-13 with an RBI triple on Saturday. He also walked three times, with two of those walks coming with the bases loaded. That gave Snell three RBI for the week.
Here’s a ground view shot of that triple.
A tripleheader triple for the lead!
Kade Snell pulls the Solar Sox ahead with his first triple of the Fall driving in Arjun Nimmala pic.twitter.com/6DAHPLIinq
For the season, Snell is hitting .244/.426/.317 with seven RBI, six runs scored and two steals.
Catcher Miguel Useche: I have to apologize for missing that Useche was added to the Solar Sox roster midway through last week. This week, Useche got into all five games for the Solar Sox. He pinch-hit on Monday (going 0 for 1) and then finished the game at first base. He was the first baseman on Tuesday, going 1 for 3 with a walk, two runs and an RBI. He caught on Wednesday and once again went 1 for 3 with a walk.
Useche was the designated hitter on Thursday and was 1 for 4. He served as the first baseman on Saturday and was o for 4.
Since joining the Solar Sox, Useche is hitting .217/.308/.304 in seven games. He has scored four times, driven three and has stolen two bases.
Right hander Jhon Cabral: Cabral was a busy bullpen arm this week, pitching in three of the five games. On Monday, Cabral got the final two outs in the ninth, striking out both batters he faced.
On Wednesday, Cabral had more trouble with control. He walked the first batter he faced with two outs in the fourth. That baserunner then stole second and went to third on a wild pitch on the play. Next, Cabral threw another wild pitch to score the run. He then walked the next batter again but got a strikeout to end the threat.
Cabral entered the game on Saturday with a man on first and no outs in the third inning. After getting the next batter to ground out and then a strikeout for the second out, Cabral proceeded to walked the next three batters, forcing in an inherited run. But then Cabral got a strikeout to end the inning and his outing.
For the season, Cabral has now pitched 4.1 innings over six outings. He sports a 2.08 ERA and has yet to give up a hit. However, he’s walked eight while striking out seven.
Right-hander Anhuar Garcia: Garcia pitched three innings in Thursday’s 10-0 loss. The first two innings he threw were very good, giving up just one hit but facing the minimum thanks to a double play. But the third inning was bad as Garcia allowed two two-run home runs. So his final line for the week for four runs on five hits over three innings. He struck out one and walked nobody.
For the season, Garcia has pitched 9.2 innings over four appearances and sports an ERA of 8.38. He’s also allowed five unearned runs, so that’s not great. Garcia has walked eight and struck out seven.
Right-hander Yoendris Gonzalez: Gonzalez is having a rough AFL season. This week he entered Tuesday’s game to start the sixth inning and only managed to retire one batter. Before he left, he allowed two runs on three hits and a walk. He struck out one.
For the AFL season, Gonzalez has pitched three times and managed to collect just 1.2 innings. He’s allowed eight runs on five hits, giving him an ERA of 43.20. Gonzalez has walked six and struck out three.
Right-hander Dominick Reid: Reid has undoubtedly been the Cubs biggest bright spot in the AFL this year. He made hit third start on Monday and got the win after four scoreless innings, giving up just one hit. He struck out five and walked just one.
For the season, Reid is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA over twelve innings and three starts. Reid has struck out 14 and walked five while allowing just six hits.
Right-hander Luis Rujano: Rujano had just one appearance this past week, but it was a really good one. Rujano entered Wednesday’s game in the top of the ninth and, yeah, the Solar Sox were already trailing 9-2. But the bases were loaded and there were no outs. Rujano managed to keep the Saguaro’s lead to “just” seven by getting a strikeout and then following it up with a 4-3 double play.
Rujano has pitched four times this AFL campaign, totalling five innings. He has an ERA of 1.80. Rujano has given up three hits, walked four and struck out five.
Welcome to the latest edition of the Viva El Birdos podcast, where we dive into the journey of baseball’s rising star. This week, we sit down with Jacob Odle, a right-handed pitching prospect with the St. Louis Cardinals who shares his unique experiences leading up to the draft and his current training regimen.
A Journey Through the MLB Draft League
Jacob Odle’s path to becoming a professional baseball player began unexpectedly in the MLB Draft League. “The draft league kind of happened on a whim,” he recalls. After a few impressive outings in junior college, Jacob was given a chance to showcase his skills. He describes the atmosphere as a stark contrast to junior college baseball, with professional facilities and a strong sense of camaraderie among players.
“You know, we call him old man Dave because he’s not on the younger side, but he’d be out there every day before us, and he’d take his shirt off and some short shorts and running around the track. And that set the tone for the rest of the team.”
Jacob’s confidence grew as he learned from experienced coaches and played alongside talented teammates. His breakthrough came when he was drafted by the Cardinals, a team that often surprises with late-round picks.
The Draft Day Experience
Jacob’s draft day experience was a rollercoaster of emotions. Initially projected to be picked in the earlier rounds, he found himself waiting longer than expected.
“I was at my old facility, you know, throwing a bullpen just because I was bored and wanted to throw something. And then we turn the draft on. I finished just in time. Then about my agent called me and he was like, ‘The Cardinals are gonna take you.'”
Despite the uncertainty, Jacob’s persistence paid off, landing him a spot in the Cardinals’ organization. He reflects on the whirlwind of conversations and decisions that influenced his draft fate.
Connecting with Fellow Players
Growing up in Southern California, Jacob has maintained connections with fellow players. He shares that several of his high school peers have also made it into the professional ranks, including Ariel Armis with the Cubs and Jacob Christian with the Giants. Their shared experiences provide a strong bond.
“My high school class had three guys that were drafted. I got drafted first, but I got drafted the latest.”
Training and Development
Currently, Jacob is participating in a structured training program in Florida. He describes the regimen as highly individualized, allowing him to focus on his development alongside other prospects. The program includes tailored schedules, workouts, and even a book club that promotes mental skills development through literature.
“We do a chapter a week from a book called ‘Thinking in Bets’ by Annie Duke,” Jacob explains.
The discussions focus on decision-making and processing outcomes, emphasizing that a bad result doesn’t always stem from a poor decision.
Closing Thoughts
Jacob’s journey is just beginning, but his dedication, adaptability, and thoughtful approach to the game set him apart. As he continues to refine his skills, there’s no doubt that his story will inspire many aspiring athletes.
For more insights and the full conversation, be sure to check out the latest episode of the Viva El Birdos podcast!
Alex Cora may have twice turned down the opportunity to become the Phillies’ manager, but he’s not ruling out returning to a dugout in 2027.
The 51-year-old, who was fired by the Red Sox in April after a 10-17 start, isn’t committing to managing next season but he didn’t shut down the possibility during an interview with Rob Bradford on the “Baseball isn’t Boring” podcast.
“I don’t know, man. We have to wait and see. We’ve still got one more year for that, which is great,” Cora said on the episode released Monday, noting he’s still getting paid by Boston through next season. “If we decide as a family that’s the route we want to take, we’ll do it. It’d be cool to go through the process again, it’d be cool. It will help whoever — if I decide I want to go through the process and somebody gives us a chance to interview, it’d be good for them to hear it, how I see it, my values as a manager, understand everything that goes with it and go from there, and they make a decision.
“I’m not 100 percent sure I want to do it,” he added.
Alex Cora speaks on the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast released on Oct. 26, 2026. YouTube/Baseball Isn't Boring
The Phillies fired Rob Thomson shortly after Cora lost his job, and Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski — who hired Cora in late 2017 when he ran the Red Sox front office and won a World Series in 2018 — offered Cora the Philly job, which Cora turned down to spend time with his family. He did so again after the season, and the Phillies elevated Don Mattingly from interim to full-time manager.
Cora is in the final stages of planning his wedding to longtime partner Angelica Feliciano. They share twins who were born in 2017, and he has a daughter with his ex-wife, Nilda.
Cora said he and Dombrowski talk frequently, and Dombrowski was one of the first people he called after he got fired in April as he was seeking guidance.
Alex Cora and his fiancée Angelica Feliciano are getting married next month, which is one of the big reasons Cora is passing on managerial options in MLB. Instagram @ac13alexAlex Cora during a Red Sox-Brewers game at Fenway Park on April 7, 2026. Boston Globe via Getty Images
“I’ve got to be very honest — obviously pride comes into play early on, but then when people that you really care (about) and you love, they fly into Boston and they slow things down, it’s like, OK, we’ve got to make sure we do the right thing,” Cora said of talking with Dombrowski in the aftermath of the firing. “You have to make sure you take care of your people. And I think the best thing for the Cora-Felicianos is this, is to stay away and, at that point, kind of regroup and enjoy.”
As for why he got fired, Cora acknowledged that an executive inheriting a manager like Chaim Bloom and Craig Breslow did with him in Boston isn’t ideal, and he was upset that other coaches also lost their jobs. But he boiled the dismissal down to one thing.
“I got fired because we didn’t pitch in the month of April. It’s as simple as that,” Cora said.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 19: A general view of Tropicana Field during Game Six of the American League Championship Series between the Cleveland Guardians and the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, October 19, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
This series has been amazing for casual baseball fans and those supporting the Milwaukee Brewers but it’s been infuriatingly brutal for those behind the Tampa Bay Rays.
The first two games have been filled with costly mistakes and nearly almosts and the end result is the Rays being down two games to none against the team with the best record in baseball. Milwaukee has nearly been unbeatable this postseason with their only loss thus far coming against the San Diego Padres in game three of the NLDS.
For the Rays to have any chance of getting back into the series, they’ll have to have a masterful performance from the ALCS MVP, Freddy Peralta.
Peralta, 30, has been among the best pitchers in baseball over the past two months and found a new gear on his fastball since the playoffs began. Earlier this season, Peralta was averaging 94 mph on his fastball but that is up to 96.9 during his four playoff outings thus far. This was Peralta’s 9th season in the big leagues and over that time, he has only thrown 10 pitches at or above 99mph, 5 of them have been this postseason with the highest of his career (99.4) coming during his last time out in the 5th inning against Cleveland in game six. Perhaps facing his old team will allow him to find one more gear and reach triple digits.
The Rays and Peralta will have to battle Robert Gasser, a southpaw drafted by the San Diego Padres as the 71st overall selection of the 2021 draft. Gasser was acquired by the Brewers in the lamented trade that sent Josh Hader to San Diego in 2022; now those with bad opinions on that deal may revise their judgement as Gasser could help to clinch the Brewers’ first World Series title in history. The 2026 season was Gasser’s longest time spent in the big leagues as he had short stints in 2024 and 2025. The 27-year was up and down this season until being brought up for good after the All-Star break.
Over 21 games — 20 starts — this season, Gasser has a 3.87 ERA | 4.23 FIP with a 22.2 K% & 7.6 BB% over 109.1 IP. Thus far in the postseason, Gasser has pitched in 2 games, and has been incredible allowing just 1 run over nine innings of work.
An observation from the previous games is that the Brewers hittes are tenacious with two strikes in the count. During the two World Series games thus far, the Brewers are hitting .182/.308/.333 with two strikes and have a 16.4 whiff%. Compare that to the regular season, the Brewers whiff rate was at 23.5% while the Rays led the MLB with a 21.0 two strike whiff%; that has jumped to 27.1% this postseason.
ST. PETERSBURG - AUGUST 03: Manager Joe Maddon #70 of the Tampa Bay Rays directs his team against the San Francisco Giants during the game at Tropicana Field on August 3, 2013 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Manager who ushered in one of the greatest turnarounds in sports history will be back at Tropicana Field on Monday night as Joe Maddon will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the start of game three of the 2026 World Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers.
The last time the World Series was played at Tropicana Field, Joe Maddon was in the Rays dugout, managing the team as they took game two against the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008. It was the franchise’s first foray into the postseason after going worst to first, finishing the season with a 97-65 record. Unfortunately, Tampa Bay fell in the World Series, but the team could take solace in being the champions of the American League and the division leader of the tough American League East.
It was just the start of success for Joe Maddon’s led team as he helped guide the Rays to the postseason in 2010 (won the division), 2011, and 2013 but was unable get the past the Division Series each time. Maddon was named the AL Manager of the Year in 2008 and in 2011. Following the 2014 season, Maddon left to take over the Chicago Cubs with whom he won the World Series in 2016, ending a 108 year championship drought for the Northsiders.
After leaving Chicago following the 2019 season, Maddon managed the Los Angeles Angels but could not bring his prior magic to that star studded roster and the team played well below .500 during his tenure there; Maddon was let go in June 2022 after a 27-29 start.
Maddon spent the most time of his managerial career with the Tampa Bay Rays, leading the team for 9 years, ending his time with a 754-705 record. The Rays reached the postseason four times and won one pennant.
The Rays will look to battle back from a 2-0 series deficit tonight against the Brewers with first pitch slated for just after 8:00pm
