The Houston Astros are interviewing Hall of Famer Albert Pujols for their vacant manager role after firing Joe Espada following the AL Wild Card loss to the White Sox. Podcaster Tyler Stafford worries Pujols may be “too good” at baseball to articulate the game for players, noting Barry Bonds’ failed coaching stint as a cautionary tale. While many legends like John McGraw and Dusty Baker transitioned successfully to managing, Stafford questions whether Pujols’ elite talent will translate to the dugout. Pujols ends his playing career with 3,384 hits, 703 home runs and 2,218 RBIs, sparking debate over his managerial prospects.
The trade market for Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor is taking shape as Tuesday's deadline draws closer.
After a shaky Game 1 of the NL West playoffs—where Jhoan Duran barely retired five batters before an Atlanta rally handed the Braves a 5-3 win—the Phillies' bullpen woes are again on display. Over the past four postseason runs, relievers like Matt Strahm, Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez have faltered, prompting questions about whether GM Dave Dombrowski will finally break his habit of avoiding long-term deals for closers. Dombrowski, who previously let Craig Kimbrel walk and passed on a multi‑year contract for Hoffman, jokes he’d consider a four‑year deal only for a Rivera‑level talent. With Brad Keller sidelined by surgery and the roster thin on reliable late‑innings arms, the Phillies may be forced to rethink their reliever strategy this offseason.
The Ravens, sitting 4‑5 after a 33‑10 loss to Jacksonville, are unlikely to trade franchise QB Lamar Jackson despite his thumb injury and IR stint, says NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Running back Derrick Henry also dismisses trade rumors. Instead, Baltimore pivots to acquire veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett from the Arizona Cardinals, a move aimed at stabilizing the QB room after injuries to Jackson, Tyler Huntley and a brief rookie start. Rapoport notes the team is neither in sell nor buy mode, but the Brissett deal should be finalized before the deadline.
During Thursday Night Football, the Jacksonville Jaguars blew out the Baltimore Ravens 33-10, prompting legendary announcer Al Michaels to pause the action for a four‑minute "bedtime story" about the team's first head coach, Tom Coughlin. Michaels recounted how Coughlin, then Boston College coach, mistakenly thought a call from a "Jaguar" was about a car before learning it was from the franchise's COO, David Seldin, leading to his interview and eventual hiring. The tale highlighted Coughlin’s early reluctance, his rapid rise to the Jaguars' inaugural season, and his later success, including two Super Bowl wins with the Giants. The story unfolds amid a key interception by Jaguars cornerback Jourdan Lewis.
Live from First Pitch Arizona, Eric is here to take your questions on prospects.
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Baseball America placed the St. Louis Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt at second in their dynasty rankings for second basemen, indicating their confidence in his future. Cardinals fans should be excited as well.
Syracuse heads into its home clash with Clemson after back‑to‑back wins over North Carolina and SMU, and the Orange’s defensive line must dominate to keep the Tigers’ dual‑threat freshman QB Tait Reynolds in check. Reynolds, who rushed for 85 yards and a 79‑yard TD in a 36‑24 win at Florida State, leans on his legs after an elbow injury sidelined starter Christopher Vizzina. Syracuse coach Fran Brown hopes interior defenders Nissi Ogbebor, Rashard Perry and Tunmise Adeleye will pressure the backfield, forcing Reynolds to rely on his arm and preserving Syracuse’s bowl hopes. The game is set for Saturday at the JMA Wireless Dome.
Dominic Smith entered the 2026 Braves on a modest split contract after a solid 2025 with the Giants, but his season proved uneven. He appeared in 108 games, posting a .253/.311/.383 slash line, .304 wOBA and 9 homers, yet his fWAR slipped to -0.5. After limited use in September, Smith was thrust into the NL Wild Card Series, starting Game 3 and delivering key hits that helped Atlanta advance. While his early‑season promise faded and contact quality waned, his clutch postseason performance gave him a brief spotlight in an otherwise underwhelming year.
When talking about his time with the New York Giants, former Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy unintentionally criticized Kevin O'Connell.
With the NFL trade deadline looming on Nov. 10, the New York Giants are eyeing a running back upgrade. While rumors link the team to superstars like Jonathan Taylor, Saquon Barkley, and Derrick Henry, analysts suggest a more realistic target: Titans back Tony Pollard. Pollard, 29, has logged 595 yards and six touchdowns on 133 carries (4.5 yds/att) in eight games, plus 14 receptions for 70 yards. Acquiring him would be cheaper than a blockbuster deal and could fix the Giants' ball‑security issues while adding speed and patience to their ground game as they chase a playoff berth.
A looming MLB lockout throws the 2027 salary‑arbitration timeline into uncertainty for the Dodgers. Normally the exchange date lands in early January, but with the CBA set to expire Dec. 1, deals may be delayed far beyond that deadline. The article lists six arbitration‑eligible Dodgers—including Brock Stewart, Jake Cousins, Alex Call, Emmet Sheehan, Gavin Stone and rookie Super‑Two Andy Pages—and compares projection figures from MLB Trade Rumors, Cot’s Baseball Contracts, and Just Baseball. Pages, fresh off an All‑Star year and a Gold Glove nod, could command a sizable raise. Injured pitchers Stewart and Cousins also feature, with their 2026 salaries ranging from $800K to $1.3 M and projected 2027 earnings up to $5.6 M.
The Boston Red Sox are prioritizing a power hitter in the 2026‑27 offseason, according to The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey. While a starting pitcher like Sonny Gray is on the radar, the team eyes outfielders Randy Arozarena and Seiya Suzuki as potential free‑agency acquisitions. Arozarena posted a .281/.865 line with 26 homers and 26 steals, earning his third All‑Star nod, while Suzuki matched the 26 home runs with a .270/.841 slash for a postseason Chicago Cubs. With a big market and ample payroll, Boston could realistically lure one of these sluggers, though player interest remains uncertain.
The Cubs’ front office says it “badly wants” left‑hander Tarik Skubal, but the blog argues the club’s payroll limits make a blockbuster deal unlikely. Highlighting the team’s historic contracts—Jason Heyward’s $184 million eight‑year deal and Alex Bregman’s $35 million AAV—author notes the biggest pitcher payout was Jon Lester’s $155 million. With the Dodgers and Mets comfortably splashing cash, Chicago would need to break its own spending ceiling to chase Skubal, something that would force frugal moves elsewhere. The piece also critiques the Cubs’ pitching development and recent loss of two farm directors, suggesting a Brewers‑style, smarter spend might be more realistic than a Skubal‑era megadeal.
On this episode of the D1 Daily, Lance Berkman returns to talk about the origins of his "Big Puma" nickname and to tell stories about his days with the Astros.
Ryan Jeffers hits the 2026‑27 free‑agent market as baseball’s top offensive catcher, boasting a .814 OPS, 128 wRC+, 14 homers and a career‑best .344 xwOBA. Yet his defense lags, with a -6 caught‑stealing rating, 36th‑percentile pop time and sub‑average framing. Minnesota has offered a qualifying one‑year, $23.15 M deal that would make him the highest‑paid catcher in 2027, but Jeffers may test the market, eyeing multi‑year offers from teams like the Yankees, who could pair him with Austin Wells. At 30, he could split time behind the plate and at DH, making his next contract a pivotal career move.
The 6-2 Missouri Tigers host 6-2 Texas Longhorns at Faurot Field on Nov. 6 in a potential College Football Playoff knockout. Both offenses average about 31 points, led by quarterbacks Arch Manning and Austin Simmons. Missouri outgains Texas (424.6 vs. 359.1 yards) and holds a +8 turnover margin, while Texas boasts a 93.3% red‑zone conversion rate and 26 sacks. Kalshi’s market gives Texas a 57% win probability, but the preview predicts a 34‑30 Missouri upset, citing the Tigers’ yardage, ball security and fourth‑quarter resilience. Historical series favor Texas (18‑6), yet recent form shows both teams on a two‑game winning streak.
How many pitches don't move at all from the pitcher’s hand to the catcher’s mitt?
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The Arizona Cardinals finalize the trade of veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett to the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore receives Brissett plus a 2027 fifth‑round pick, while Arizona gets a 2027 fourth‑rounder and a 2028 seventh‑rounder, and covers $2.7 million of Brissett’s salary after his trade demand following a benching. The move clears roster space for the Cardinals’ new coach, and gives Brissett a fresh start in Baltimore.
Raisel Iglesias, 37, finishes 2026 with a 2.55 ERA, 34 saves and a 1.1 fWAR, ranking 34th all‑time in saves (287). Despite a slight decline in advanced metrics, he remains an elite closer, posting sub‑3.00 ERA and a 99th‑percentile chase rate. The article evaluates four likely landing spots, highlighting a possible return to the Atlanta Braves—where his slider and veteran leadership have been crucial—and a move to the Detroit Tigers, who need a seasoned arm to reinforce a bullpen aiming for a 2027 playoff push. Other contenders are discussed, with contract expectations of a 1‑2‑year deal at $14‑18 million.
Dodgers hitting coach Aaron Bates is exiting the organization after a 12‑year tenure that included three World Series titles (2020, 2024, 2025). Though offered a multi‑year deal, negotiations fell apart, making his departure a surprise amid plans to keep the staff intact. Bates, 42, transitioned from a brief MLB playing stint (4‑for‑11 in 2009) to coaching in 2015, rising from minor‑league hitting coordinator to joint major‑league hitting coach with Robert Van Scoyoc in 2023. His exit leaves the Dodgers weighing whether to add another hitting coach or promote from within.
The Detroit Tigers finalized A.J. Hinch's 2027 coaching staff and announced major changes to their medical and baseball operations departments.
The Giants face a pivotal decision ahead of Sunday’s game against the Eagles as they weigh Saquon Barkley’s health. Barkley returned to limited practice on Thursday after missing a day with hamstring and back issues, but his availability remains uncertain. Coach Joe Milton III is slated to start at quarterback, and DeVonta Smith also sits out with a hamstring strain, adding more variables for Philadelphia. New York is advised to game‑plan as if Barkley will play, then adjust on game day, while balancing defensive assignments against both the run and Milton’s arm. The final injury report will determine the Giants’ strategy.
The Yankees face a catching dilemma as Minnesota Twins' Ryan Jeffers weighs a $23.15 million qualifying offer. Jeffers, who posted 14 homers and a .814 OPS in 2026, could join a New York squad that already has left‑handed Austin Wells, offering a versatile right‑handed option. However, a big contract would clash with the Yankees' bullpen and infield priorities and trigger draft‑pick penalties. The team may favor keeping Wells as the starter and signing a cheaper backup, preserving budget for other needs. Jeffers' decision will shape New York's catching strategy and payroll.
The Phillies will experiment with position changes in 2027.