A new theory suggests that Bryce Harper and his wife Kayla bought the Moorestown mansion once owned by former Sixers star Ben Simmons and Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos. The $4.89 million property was sold to an entity called Half Dozen LLC, a name that could reference the Harper family’s six members. The link comes from the listing agent, Melissa Casterioto, who previously worked for the Phillies and is married to former Phillies communications chief Greg Casterioto—Harper’s PR contact during his early Philadelphia years. If the Harpers sell their Haddonfield home for $4.5 million, the proceeds would help offset the Moorestown purchase, potentially ending the "cursed" house saga.
The Philadelphia Phillies snagged finals spots for three major awards. Manager Don Mattingly is a National League Manager of the Year finalist after steering the club from a 9‑19 start to a playoff berth and earning a contract extension. Reliever Jhoan Duran joins the Reliever of the Year finalists, boasting 33 saves, sub‑2.00 ERA and over 12 K/9 in the regular season. Pitcher Zack Sanchez is in the Cy Young race, highlighted by a lengthy scoreless‑inning streak, though the award looks to favor a rival ace. The article notes the slim odds of winning amid strong competition.
The Cubs announce Spring Training tickets go on sale Friday, Nov. 13, with a presale for season ticket owners on Nov. 12, moving the usual January launch ahead of the looming MLB lockout (Dec. 1). The early sale aims to secure revenue before any potential game cancellations. The Cubs also release weekend passes for the Jan. 15‑17 Cubs Convention, offering panels and meet‑and‑greets—though current players may be absent if the lockout persists. Other clubs, like the Phillies, Athletics, and Blue Jays, are similarly advancing their spring ticket sales.
The Good Phight grades Brooks Raley’s 2026 stint with the Philadelphia Phillies an F after a disastrous trade. Acquired from the Mets as a left‑handed setup man, Raley posted a 7.94 ERA over 11.1 innings in 16 games, going 0‑2 with a –0.3 WAR. After a shaky debut, he improved in August (3.12 ERA), but in September he blew a save and allowed ten hits, two homers, and four walks in just 3.2 innings, costing the Phillies six straight losses. The 38‑year‑old is now a free agent, and the article warns against future Mets reliever trades.
Free agency opens after the NLCS, and Royals Review ranks the top 30 available players with salary forecasts. Pitcher Tarik Skubal, a back‑to‑back Cy Young winner limited by elbow surgery, tops the list; the author predicts a 9‑year, $365 million deal with the Dodgers. Other key targets include Freddy Peralta (projected 5‑year, $115 M with the Cubs), outfielder Randy Arozarena (4‑year, $108 M to Philadelphia), and outfielder Seiya Suzuki (4‑year, $104 M to Seattle). The piece also outlines potential suitors and contract outlooks amid looming labor‑rule changes.
Three Philadelphia Phillies have landed on the National League’s 2026 award shortlists. Right‑hander Cristopher Sanchez, the ace with a 2.91 ERA, 18 wins and 231 strikeouts over 33 starts, joins Chris Sale and Jacob Misiorowski for the Cy Young. Reliever Jhoan Duran, who posted a 1.82 ERA, 33 saves in 61 appearances and a 3.4 WAR, is a finalist for Reliever of the Year alongside Trevor Megill and Mason Miller. Manager Don Mattingly, who took over on April 28 and guided the club to a 79‑55 finish, is in the Manager of the Year race against Walt Weiss and Pat Murphy. The Phillies have also secured a two‑year extension for Mattingly through 2028.
The Philadelphia Phillies decide not to give third‑baseman Alec Bohm a $23.15 million qualifying offer by the Monday 5 p.m. deadline, pushing him into free agency. Bohm, 30, posted a .273/.325/.410 line with 85 home runs, 483 RBIs and a 4.9 WAR over seven seasons. The move clears the path for prospect Aidan Miller, who is excelling in the Arizona Fall League and could take over the corner in‑field role next year. With the MLB lockout looming, free‑agency activity may intensify before the December lockout start.
After a back‑injury‑marred 2026, Phillies top prospect shortstop Aidan Miller returns pain‑free thanks to a routine inspired by Tom Brady’s TB12 method. In four minor‑league games he went 4‑14, and in the Arizona Fall League he’s hitting .359 with a 1.154 OPS, six extra‑base hits and six steals in 12 games. With the Phillies’ infield in flux—Alec Bohm and Edmundo Sosa heading into free agency and Trea Turner’s role uncertain—the best‑case scenario sees Miller cracking the MLB roster at third base or shortstop for the 2027 opening day, provided the lockout resolves.
Pat Murphy becomes the first Milwaukee Brewers manager ever to be named a NL Manager of the Year finalist for a third straight season after guiding the club to a historic 103-59 record, a third consecutive NL Central title and the franchise’s first World Series championship (4-1 over the Tampa Bay Rays on Oct. 28, 2026). The BBWAA shortlist also includes Don Mattingly (PHI) and Walt Weiss (ATL). Murphy’s back‑to‑back awards in 2024‑25 were unprecedented, and voters will decide if he can pull off a three‑peat.
Carson Benge, who set a Mets rookie hits record with 156 and helped the team beat the Phillies 10-3 on September 19, is named a National League Rookie of the Year finalist. The offseason buzz includes Mets GM David Stearns’ minor acquisitions—claiming Jack Anderson and Pierson Ohl and signing reliever Christian Cairo—while the club moves ticket sales up to Nov. 12. Around the NL East, Chris Sale and Cristopher Sánchez are Cy Young finalists, and Jhoan Duran makes the Reliever of the Year list. The article also notes several award finalists, free‑agency speculation, and a nod to Mets history.
Milwaukee’s 32‑year‑old ace Jacob Misiorowski, promoted to the big leagues in 2025, is now a frontrunner for the 2026 NL Cy Young Award. After a mid‑season bullpen stint in 2025, he rebounded to lead the majors with a 1.80 ERA, 252 strikeouts, a 0.80 WHIP and a record‑low .157 opponent batting average, finishing 16‑5. The official BBWAA finalists include Misiorowski, Chris Sale (Braves) and Cristopher Sánchez (Phillies). His rise also sparked former Brewer Aaron Civile’s trade demand, which later netted first‑baseman Andrew Vaughn. Misiorowski’s dominance helped the Brewers clinch the World Series, cementing his status as the NL’s top pitcher.
The Good Phight breaks down the Phillies’ offseason outlook, highlighting a Halloween party hosted by the team’s ball girls and a roundtable on trade targets. Analysts argue a trade for reliever Orion Kerkering may be inevitable as Philadelphia seeks to bolster its starting‑pitching depth. The article also notes MLB posting deadlines for Japan’s Kaima Taira, Hiromi Itoh, Teruaki Sato and Si‑Hwan Roh, and reviews top free‑agent options, with the Mets and Dodgers eyeing SP Tarik Skubal. A reminder caps the piece: the betting scandal involving Emmanuel Clase heads to trial.
In Episode 2552 of Effectively Wild, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley dissect the Astros’ new GM hire and Bryce Harper’s blunt take that a lost season feels like an offseason. Ben Clemens then evaluates the 2026 free‑agent market, calling the domestic crop weak, highlighting top NPB imports, assessing pitcher Tarik Skubal’s outlook, and discussing the impact of recent extensions and the looming lockout. The podcast links to detailed rankings, player stories, and the ongoing free‑agency debate.
The Philadelphia Phillies let third‑baseman Alec Bohm hit free agency as the 2026 season ends, declining to extend a qualifying offer worth $23.15 million for 2027. Bohm posted a .274 average with 14 homers but a career‑low .698 OPS, -0.8 WAR and poor defensive numbers (-8 DRS). With luxury‑tax constraints and internal options in Bryson Stott and prospect Aidan Miller, the club chose payroll flexibility over loyalty. Potential suitors include the St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels and Cincinnati Reds, all seeking right‑handed power at third base. Bohm’s next destination will shape the Phillies’ offseason strategy.
The Toronto Blue Jays decline the $8 million club option on outfielder Myles Straw, triggering a $1.75 million buyout from the Guardians per the 2025 trade. Straw, now a free agent, posted a .241/.304/.342 slash line over 330 PA in 2026 after a strong start (.277/.327/.383) and remains an elite runner and versatile defender. Toronto also reshuffled its 40‑man roster, reinstating several players from the 60‑day IL, outrighting CJ Van Eyk, and seeing Rudy Martin Jr. elect free agency. Potential suitors include the Yankees, Royals, Reds, Giants, Phillies and former club Houston.
The Philadelphia Phillies could address their right‑handed offensive gap by acquiring Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández, who hit .267 with 16 homers and a 110 wRC+ in 2026. The proposed deal sends OF Brandon Marsh (.260, 18 HR, .712 OPS) and top prospect C Alirio Ferrebus (miLB .310, 11 HR) to Los Angeles, giving the Dodgers an immediate outfield piece and a high‑upside hitter. While Hernández offers a modest upgrade and could serve as a DH, his $14.5 M salary (plus a $15 M option) and defensive limitations raise concerns. The trade hinges on whether the Phillies value the roster balance over cost and prospect loss.
The Phillies declined to tender a qualifying offer to third baseman Alec Bohm, passing on the one‑year, $23.15 million deal that would have secured draft‑pick compensation if he left in free agency. While eight other players—including Jake Bauers and Seiya Suzuki—received offers, the club chose not to risk the salary amid pressing outfield and bullpen needs. Bohm finished 2026 with a .698 OPS and 0.2 WAR, driving in 90 runs, but remains a free agent with no compensation owed to Philadelphia if he signs elsewhere. Dave Dombrowski emphasized it’s too early to label Bohm’s future with the team.
The Mets officially open free agency by adding infielder Christian Cairo (one‑year split deal) and claiming right‑handers Jack Anderson and Pierson Ohl off waivers, then quickly DFAing Cairo and new signee Kyren Paris. Cairo, a 25‑year‑old former Phillies Triple‑A player, posts a .233/.361/.314 line in Triple‑A. Anderson, 27, logged 12.1 MLB innings in 2026, while Ohl, also 27, missed 2026 after Tommy John surgery. Outgoing pieces include RHP Philip Abner and LHP Cameron Weston (claimed by Orioles and Marlins), first‑baseman Eric Wagaman (free agency) and Cristian Pache (sent to Triple‑A). Reinstated from the 60‑day IL are Tylor Megill, Reed Garrett and Jorge Polanco.
Eight MLB players—including outfielders Randy Arozarena and Seiya Suzuki—received qualifying offers worth $23.15 million each. If the Phillies sign any qualified free agent, they must surrender their 2027 second‑ and fifth‑round draft picks plus $1 million of international bonus pool money, a penalty shared by nine teams that exceeded the 2026 luxury tax. The article weighs Arozarena and Suzuki as potential right‑handed hitting outfield solutions, and notes reliever Adrian Morejon as a bullpen fit, though Dombrowski’s reluctance to lock up relievers and the draft‑pick cost may deter signings. It also recalls the last QO‑decline signing—Trea Turner from the Dodgers in 2022.
The Phillies announced today that they claimed infielder Brett Harris and utility infielder Shay Whitcomb off waivers from the San Francisco Giants as they fine‑tune their roster for the offseason. Catcher Garrett Stubbs elected free agency, while right‑handers Brad Keller and Caleb Kilian, plus infielder/outfielder Felix Reyes, also part ways. Whitcomb, who saw limited action with the Giants and Astros last season (/.203/.233/.336 in 122 PA), adds defensive versatility but struggles offensively. Harris, a corner‑infielder who hit .288/.399/.449 in Triple‑A last year, offers similar depth. The moves reflect Philadelphia’s push for more roster flexibility ahead of upcoming roster cuts.
The Phillies made several roster moves on Nov. 2, 2026, claiming two players off waivers: 28‑year‑old infielder Brett Harris (.186 average) and versatile 28‑year‑old Shay Whitcomb (.196 average, .539 OPS). Catcher Garrett Stubbs (33) elected free agency after being DFA’d. The team also reinstated Brad Keller, Caleb Killian, Felix Reyes and Johan Rojas to the 40‑man roster from the 60‑day IL—a procedural step. Keller remains sidelined after elbow reconstruction, Killian (out of options) heads to the bullpen, Reyes (fractured wrist) is back in Triple‑A, and Rojas, after a PED suspension and elbow surgery, faces an uncertain future. The moves reshape the depth chart heading into the 2027 season.
As the Philadelphia Phillies attempt to patch up a sinking ship, Dave Dombrowski and the front office need to embrace change — and perhaps take a huge risk.
After the Brewers clinch the 2026 World Series, the Good Phight contrasts their development model with the Phillies’ drafting failures. The author argues the Phillies lag behind not because they need to copy Milwaukee but because they lack a strong player‑development pipeline. Using anonymized Baseball America scouting reports, the piece turns the draft into a quiz, letting readers choose between two infielders and two outfielders to see which players the Phillies actually selected. The exercise highlights missed opportunities and underscores how the Brewers and Rays succeeded by making smart, incremental moves rather than big‑ticket gambles.
The Good Phight grades rookie left‑fielder Otto Kemp a D‑ after a disappointing 2026 season. Despite a promising 2025 OPS against lefties (.786, 20% above league average) and a solid rookie slugging line (.411, 92 OPS+), Kemp struggled in the majors, going 2‑for‑20 with nine strikeouts in the NL Wild Card Series and failing to stick on the roster after multiple demotions. Injuries, defensive woes, and an ill‑suited platoon role left him as dead weight on the Phillies’ 26‑man postseason list, culminating in a game‑ending strikeout against Chris Sale. The piece highlights his early promise, injuries, and the misfit role that doomed his performance.
The New York Mets sign 25‑year‑old infielder Christian Cairo to a one‑year split major‑league contract, announced on November 2, 2026. Cairo, who joined the Mets via a September waiver claim after a brief stint on the Phillies’ 40‑man roster, spent the 2025 season at Triple‑A. In 128 games for Cleveland’s Lehigh Valley club he posted a .676 OPS, drew 90 walks against 76 strikeouts and stole 25 bases for the third straight year. With two minor‑league option years left and versatility at second, third, shortstop and all three outfield spots, he could become a utility piece for New York in 2027.