Latest blog entries about MLB
At this time of year, I tend to start thinking through what my expectations are for the coming season. Having a base model in my head helps me avoid overreacting to early-season noise. Part of that process includes looking at the AL Central, the main competition the Royals need to beat to reach the playoffs. […]
Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic dropped a surprising note that the Rays lone lefty reliever Garrett Cleavinger is evidently drawing strong trade interest this week, in sourcing likely derived from a couple teams pushing for the acquisition. In a vacuum, this is totally something the old Rays would do, as Cleavinger is a short-arm reliever […]
After signing Cionel Perez a couple days ago, the Nats picked up another veteran reliever on an incentive-laden minor league deal. This time Paul Toboni and the Nats picked up Drew Smith, who was a mainstay in the Mets bullpen for a few years. From 2021 to 2024, Smith featured prominently in the Mets bullpen, […]
In this special Spring 2026 preview episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast, Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco sit down with Kansas City Royals pitching coach Brian Sweeney for an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at how the organization is building its staff for the upcoming season. Sweeney walks us through his daily routine during spring training — […]
Listen, I really liked the idea that the Phillies recognized that developing their own starters and relievers is the proper way to build and develop. Spending at the top of free agency each year is fine, but there has to be some counterbalance to what is being done. So spending higher draft picks on pitchers […]
With the 2025 Texas Rangers season having come to an end, we shall be, over the course of the offseason, taking a look at every player who appeared in a major league game for the Texas Rangers in 2025. Today we are looking at infielder Cody Freeman. Cody Freeman spent more time in the major […]
Last week the Nats signed Miles Mikolas as their first "FA to sign to trade later" of the off-season and honestly I like the deal. For those that don't remember Miles as one of the quality St Louis starters undone by the Nats staff obliterating his offense in the 2019 NLCS, a little background. He was initially a failed starter for the Padres that went over to Japan and had some success. The Cardinals brought him back to the states in 2018 and he performed great, then o...
After pulling off its first series win of the season, Maryland baseball is headed back to College Park for its first midweek match up, facing DMV rival Georgetown for its home opener. The Terps will host the Hoyas on Tuesday at 4 p.m. The game will stream on Big Ten Plus. Georgetown Hoyas (1-2, 0-0 […]
Since getting called up to the Dodgers in April 2018, Max Muncy has been a fixture in the Dodgers infield at three different positions, and has yet to reach free agency. The contract he signed Thursday — his fourth extension — keeps Muncy under contract through 2027 with another club option for 2028. Muncy has […]
It is interesting, and potentially advantageous, that the Mets signed so many middle infielders during the offseason. As we all cross our fingers for a speedy recovery from hamate surgery for Francisco Lindor, we’ve been highlighting some of the potential players who may take some at-bats during spring training and (hopefully not) during the early […]
Morning everyone and happy President’s Day! Yesterday afternoon we got word that right-handed reliever Grant Holman was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks, ending his time in the A’s system and thinning out the bullpen: That’s lame. The A’s were clearly trying to sneak him though waivers and hoping he would go unclaimed. That […]
It’s Friday morning as I write this, and for some reason, the boys are home, the first day of a four-day weekend. Such as it is, we had a movie night last night, and it was my turn* to pick out the film. As I’m impatiently awaiting the start of baseball, in any shape or […]
In Mariners news… Around the league…
9. Zac Veen (388 points, 19 ballots) A star ceiling was promised when Veen was made the ninth-overall pick in the 2020 draft and signed for a slightly above-slot value $5 million — but there are some ifs to be overcome. If the 24-year-old lefty-swinging, righty-throwing outfielder can stay healthy; if he can manage the swing-and-miss in his profile; if he can […]
During this past week’s run of press comments from members of the Red Sox organization at Fenway South (including Sam Kennedy, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about), catcher Carlos Narváez got some glowing reviews. Manager Alex Cora noted that Narv/Narvi/The Narv did a great job exceeding expectations in 2025, per Gabrielle Starr the […]
If this article is your first time hearing of Julian Fernández, I can’t blame you. The 30-year-old right-handed reliever was acquired in August off waivers from the Dodgers, and in 12.2 innings pitched with the Rochester Red Wings, he posted a 7.82 ERA and 5.47 FIP. He made his Nationals debut at the end of […]
Whether you want it or not. Whether players want it or not. A salary cap is going to be proposed by MLB owners for the next collective bargaining agreement with the MLB Players Association. The current CBA, as you know, expires on Dec. 1. There will, absolutely, positively, be a lockout on that day. You […]
This week’s column entirely focuses on men’s basketball. On Saturday, the Tigers fell to Texas 85-68 at Mizzou Arena, marking the team’s second home loss this season. Here are the photos of the week. I hadn’t initially planned to get a photo of Annor Boateng at this game. It just so happened that he was […]
As the Yankees approached last season’s Trade Deadline, they’d squandered an early division lead and sat in need of reinforcements. The most logical area of the roster to augment was the bullpen. Devin Williams, acquired in a preseason blockbuster to serve as the team’s closer, had been a massive disappointment, closing out July with an […]
The San Diego Padres have two catchers who need to prove they belong in the organization. Luis Campusano is taking what might be his last chance to make the major league roster and stick at that level as he is out of options. If he does not make the roster he would be cut by […]
The Fangraphs top 100 prospect list for 2026 is out, and the Texas Rangers have a surprisingly impressive showing, with five prospects making the cut. Well, technically, only four Rangers prospects are in the top 100, but Fangraphs’ top 100 lists run a little over 100 because they include every prospect who hits the grade […]
Analysis is a tricky game and any good analyst should acknowledge as many factors as possible. We saw earlier that Dana Brown said the Astros were not done. So, any full analysis of the Jesus Sanchez for Joey Loperfido trade would have to include what the Astros do beyond that. Good analysis would also involve […]
As many of these discussions turn out, this prompt could go either way. Did the splendor of 2005 cement you as a White Sox fan? Did the pandemic-shortened season in 2020 cause you to value baseball differently? Did 2024’s infamy make you take a different tact as a die-hard White Sox fan? How about the […]
Dominik Szoboszlai was a key player for Liverpool over the past two seasons, but few on the outside seemed to expect him to take the step forward that he has in 2025-26, becoming one of the few bright spots in a struggling side. In fact, many thought the signing of Florian Wirtz would impact his […]
Good morning. Real baseball games are happening later this week. Shawn McFarland writes about what we learned as the Texas Rangers welcomed the full squad to Arizona over the weekend. Jeff Wilson writes that the Rangers opened up full-squad workouts in Surprise with all eyes on a reconfigured lineup. Chad Jennings checks out the biggest […]