Thursday’s 6-2 Red Sox loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater, Fla. included an early double ABS system whammy. Thanks to catcher JT Realmuto’s successful challenges on two balls that were, in fact, strikes, Phillies starter Jesus Luzardo ended the top of the first with back-to-back strikeouts to strand leadoff man Braiden Ward on third.
While the Phillies went 3 for 3 in challenges, the Red Sox went 0 for 2 to use up their nine-inning allotment. Red Sox catcher Matt Thaiss lost a challenge on a Kyle Keller Ball 4 to Adolis García in the bottom of the fifth, which loaded the bases for the Phillies. Replacement catcher Mickey Gasper unsuccessfully challenged a Ball 2 on Jacob Webb’s four-pitch leadoff walk to Austin Murr in the eighth.
With the majority of their big-league starting lineup competing in the World Baseball Classic, the offense is sputtering big-time. The Red Sox were out-hit 10-5, drew three walks and struck out 14 times. They were 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position and left six men on base. They’ve been outscored 10-2 over their last two games, though Thursday’s road lineup was almost exclusively minor leaguers and non-roster invitees (and, of course, the games don’t count). Of the starters, only Nick Sogard, who batted second and played shortstop, and Connor Wong, who bat cleanup and served as the designated hitter, appeared in games for the 2025 Red Sox.
Starter T.J. Sikkema took the loss after yielding three earned runs on five hits and striking out two in his 2 1/3 innings. Michael Sansone, Ryan Watson, Keller, Wyatt Olds, Webb and P.J. Labriola pitched the rest of the way for Boston.
High heat in DC
Former Red Sox top pitching prospect Luis Perales made his Washington Nationals debut in Thursday’s 7-4 victory over the New York Mets, and showed off his blazing four-seam fastball in his scoreless, hitless inning of work.
The righty threw the eight hardest pitches of the game, all four-seamers at 98.4 mph or faster and four that cleared 100 mph. Perales topped out at 100.5; the hardest pitch by anyone else in the game was Gus Varland’s 97.3 mph four-seamer in the ninth.
Boston dealt Perales to DC, where the front office is now run by former Red Sox assistant general manager Paul Toboni, in December to acquire lefty Jake Bennett. The swap, of two pitching prospects coming off Tommy John surgeries, added command to Boston’s pitching ranks and velocity to Washington’s.
Perales pitched 2 1/3 innings over three games for Red Sox Double-A (once) and Triple-A last season, and allowed two earned runs on zero hits, three walks and four strikeouts.
Bennett, whom the Nationals drafted twice, in the 39th round in 2019 and in the second round three years later, earned two promotions last season to rise from Single-A to Double-A. He pitched to a combined 2.27 ERA over 19 games (18 starts) with 64 strikeouts and 19 walks in 75 1/3 innings.
World Baseball Classic news
While Pools A, B and D of the World Baseball Classic begin their legs of the tournament Friday, Pool C got things started Thursday in Tokyo with a 3-0 Australia win over Chinese Taipei and an 11-4 Korea victory over Czechia.
Japan (and Red Sox DH Masataka Yoshida) play Chinese Taipei Friday, March 5 at 5 a.m. ET. 2025 World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto gets the ball for the defending WBC champions.
Astros star Jeremy Peña suffered a fracture in the tip of his right ring finger during Team Dominican Republic’s exhibition game against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday. The shortstop will miss the World Baseball Classic and is questionable for Opening Day. The Red Sox open the regular season with a six-game road trip to Cincinnati and Houston.
Judgement Week
Aaron Judge is among the best at blasting baseballs 400-plus feet out of any given ballpark, but his brief speech to Team USA teammates on Tuesday fell flat in the court of public opinion.
A 20-second clip of the New York Yankees captain’s impromptu remarks went viral on Major League Baseball’s X account (formerly Twitter) for a perceived lack of fire.
“I’m so fired up from that I could write a LinkedIn post,” one X user replied.
“This made me want to lightly jog through the softest wall I can possible find,” someone commented.
Judge also drew criticism for describing the team’s journey and goals as “sacrificing for your country, and you’re sacrificing for the brothers in the trenches with you every single day.”
“Does he know he’s going to play baseball not go into a war?” Asked another.
Public speaking may not be Judge’s forte, but he’s widely respected around the league, including by Team USA teammate Roman Anthony and Red Sox manager Alex Cora.
And Judge certainly knows how to bounce back. The day after his speech, he hit a 453-foot home run in Team USA’s exhibition victory over the Colorado Rockies.
Around the league
Longtime MLB outfielder and DH Andrew McCutchen has a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers. … According to ESPN, which now runs MLB.TV, the Atlanta Braves’ March 2 win over the Tigers was the most-watched spring training game in the last 10 years, and a 54% increase over last year’s top views-getter between Boston and Baltimore. … Speaking of ESPN, the Red Sox have six players in their latest MLB Top 100 rankings, tied with the Seattle Mariners, Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs for third-most in the majors (behind the Phillies’ seven and Dodgers’ eight): Garrett Crochet (No. 8), Roman Anthony (No. 33), Jarren Duran (No. 67), Ranger Suárez (No. 85), Ceddanne Rafaela (No. 88) and Aroldis Chapman (No. 93).

The Miami Marlins have several potential MLB contributors in their roster pool for the spring breakout game later this month.
MLB announced the player pools for all 30 teams and Miami’s pool is filled with Top 30 prospects per MLB Pipeline. For Miami, 25 of the franchise’s Top 30 prospects are part of the pool, though not all of them will play in the game.
Miami Marlins prospects will face Houston Astros prospects on March 19 at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Fla. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. eastern.
Starting next year, the Spring Breakout is moving to a single-elimination tournament that will crown a Grapefruit League and a Cactus League champion. Those tournaments are expected to take four days during spring training, with the 2027 event set for March 19-22.
Miami Marlins in Spring Breakout
Foremost among the prospects is outfielder Owen Caisse, who is playing for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic and was acquired by the Marlins in a trade in January with the Chicago Cubs for pitcher Edward Cabrera.
Caissie’s minor league numbers were terrific. In 505 games he slashed .280/.384/.487 with 81 home runs and 301 RBI. He has a career OPS of .871. Before his MLB call-up with the Cubs in August, he slashed .286/.386/.551 with a .937 OPS with 22 home runs and 55 RBI.
Left-handed pitcher Robby Snelling is also part of the player pool. The No. 2 prospect in the organization is in Major League camp and competing for one of the final roster spots. He has pitched in three spring training games and has given up six hits and four earned runs in 5.1 innings. He has struck out eight and walked three.
Another left-hander, Thomas White, is on the roster but is unlikely to pitch after he suffered an oblique strain and was re-assigned to minor league camp. Last season was a breakthrough for him as he went 4-3 with a 2.31 ERA in 21 games, all starts. He allowed just 25 runs (23 earned) in 89.2 innings. He struck out 145 and walked 51 and allowed batters to hit a career-best .174 against him.
Catcher Joe Mack, who is competing for an opening day job, is also in the pool. He slashed .257/.338/.475 with 21 home runs and 58 RBI in the minor leagues. The absences of Agustin Ramirez and Liam Hicks for the WBC is creating more playing time for him.

The Brewers have ascended to the top spot in the MLB Pipeline farm system rankings. The last time the organization sat atop such a list was the 2016 midseason version, when it claimed eight Top 100 prospects. That number now sits at five — including two picked up in an offseason trade — but the impressive depth at multiple positions pushed the perennial NL Central contenders to the mountaintop.
The Dodgers slide back one spot but still hold onto a top-two position, thanks to their great player development track record. Notably, the Brewers haven’t had a top-10 pick since 2017 and the Dodgers since 2006, so this isn’t a case in which either team could just draft its way to the top. The Pirates — the No. 3 system here — have a different story with two recent top-10 picks leading their charge in Konnor Griffin (2024) and Seth Hernandez (2026). But the Bucs certainly deserve credit for making good picks in those spots and especially getting Griffin to the No. 1 overall spot on Top 100s across the industry.
Looking back on last year’s preseason list, the Cardinals have climbed the most, moving up 16 places from 20 to 4. The Blue Jays (+12), Pirates (+11), Giants (+9) and Brewers (+6) round out the highest climbers, while the Cubs (-15), Red Sox (-11) and White Sox (-10) are among the clubs to take the biggest drops.
The Brewers were already trending up with the full-season debuts of Made and Peña and the former’s push into the upper echelon of the game’s best young talents. Then, the organization added two Top 100 prospects in Williams and Sproat as part of this offseason’s Freddy Peralta deal, giving it two upper-level players that could contribute quickly in Milwaukee, and that about sealed the Crew’s place at No. 1. It has elite talent. The pipeline has depth, aided by nice breakouts from Marco Dinges and Josh Adamczewski in 2025. It’s well-balanced with all positions represented in the Top 30. Entering 2026, it’s the top farm system in baseball.
The Dodgers have won three of the last six World Series and made 13 consecutive playoff appearances, including 12 National League West titles. They also excel at acquiring and developing prospects, with industry executives ranking them as doing the best job of developing both hitters and pitchers and rating them second-best at gathering talent via the international market and trades. No system features better outfielders, and while Los Angeles has a fairly hitter-heavy Top 30, River Ryan and Jackson Ferris could contribute to the big league pitching staff this year.
Sure, Konnor Griffin is generating all sorts of buzz, and for good reason, but there’s a lot more here than just the No. 1 prospect in all of baseball. For starters, the Pirates also boast the best pitching prospect duo in Bubba Chandler and Seth Hernandez. Beyond the five in the Top 100 — three of whom could help the Pirates turn things around in the big leagues this year — talent is amassing at every level and at pretty much every position.
The Cardinals have two recent top seven overall Draft picks (Wetherholt, Doyle), two 2025 breakout prospects (Rodriguez, Baez), a former switch-pitcher who could take off now that he’s fully righty (Cijntje) and a Minor League Gold Glove catcher (Bernal). And that’s just the Top 100 group. As part of its rebuild, St. Louis has gone into talent acquisition mode on the farm, bringing in the likes of Cijntje, Brandon Clarke, Yhoiker Fajardo and Tai Peete this offseason to add bulk to an already-exciting system. Turning this into the Cards’ next homegrown contender is the next step.
This is a top-heavy system, sure, and it’s almost exclusively focused on the bats. But have you seen the bats? McGonigle is arguably the best hitting prospect this decade and has the look of a future batting title winner. Clark is a five-tool star in the making. Rainer, the 2024 11th overall pick, looked really promising before a shoulder injury ended his first full season early last June. Briceño is a left-handed masher with an Arizona Fall League Triple Crown on his resume. Max Anderson, Hao-Yu Lee and Thayron Liranzo could all factor into future Motor City lineups, and Cris Rodriguez could crack future Top 100s if his plus-plus raw power translates stateside.
The Guardians have won three of the past four American League Central titles while leaning heavily on their farm system, and they still have more talent coming. Their total of six Top 100 prospects matches the Cardinals and Mariners for the most in the game, and Bazzana, DeLauter, Messick and Ingle all could help in Cleveland this season. All four of them and eight of the Guardians’ 10 best prospects arrived via the top four rounds of the last four Drafts.
The Mets have arguably the best pitching development group in baseball, and they also have the top pitching prospect to show for it. Tong, Jack Wenninger, Jonathan Santucci and Will Watson are also upper-level arms with strong results and the stuff to match, and that depth helped make Brandon Sproat movable this offseason in the Freddy Peralta blockbuster. There’s a nice mix of hitters closing in on the Majors (Carson Benge, Ryan Clifford, Jacob Reimer) and those just getting going (Mitch Voit, Elian Peña, Wandy Asigen) outside the Top 100 group. It’s that layering of talent that could make the Mets’ jump into the top 10 sustainable beyond these last two Farm System Rankings.
Even with the trades that sent Harry Ford to the Nationals and Jurrangelo Cijntje to the Cardinals, the Mariners have six Top 100 guys, tied for the most in baseball. There have been different waves in this organization, with pitching back when Logan Gilbert, George Kirby et al came up, then with hitters like Cole Young and current No. 1 prospect Colt Emerson. And now there are more arms coming behind that, with both Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan potentially moving up quickly to help in Seattle.
The Twins were in sell mode last Trade Deadline and have restocked the system a bit, with five new members of the Top 30 coming from recent trades. Eduardo Tait is the headliner as the Top 100 guy from that list, but Kendry Rojas and Hendry Mendez are two more from the top half who give this system more depth. If Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez can finally stay healthy for a spell, both should hit their way to the big leagues and help the Twins start to turn things around in the AL Central.
The Rays always pride themselves on having one of the deepest farm systems in baseball, and when it seemed like its prospect talent level was about to take a hit after a down 2025, the organization addressed it by acquiring six Top 30 prospects in offseason trades and adding a pair more at the start of the international signing window. Among them, Jacob Melton could land an Opening Day spot in the Majors, Anderson Brito has some of the sharpest stuff in the system and Michael Forret has one of its deepest arsenals. Tampa Bay has multiple options that could join its current big three in the Top 100 quickly in ‘26.
No team has five higher-ranked players on the Top 100 than the Marlins, whose assemblage is headlined by the best combination of lefty pitching prospects in White and Snelling. Nevertheless, Miami has as many hitters (21) on its Top 30 as any club, an interesting proposition for a franchise that has struggled to develop bats. Of those 21 position players, 13 have been acquired since the start of 2025, including Caissie and No. 7 overall pick Arquette.
The top of this list is packed with hitters, with bats making up seven of the top eight. It’s led by Sal Stewart, who, if he gets big league at-bats, has the chance to be a sneaky good NL Rookie of the Year Award candidate. There’s some fun up-the-middle talent here with Alfredo Duno behind the plate and potential shortstops aplenty in Steele Hall (their first-rounder from last year’s Draft), Tyson Lewis and Edwin Arroyo all in the top 10.
With their ascension to playoff contention status, this system thinned out with graduations — some of those guys are still establishing themselves as part of the young lineup core in Baltimore — and trades. But there are still some fun hitters at the top of the list, with newcomer Nate George ready to take the banner as top bat once Samuel Basallo and Dylan Beavers graduate. In the past, there haven’t been too many pitchers making their way up, but that’s starting to change with two in the top five (Luis De León and Trey Gibson) and a total of 10 arms in the top 20.
The Red Sox experienced the second-biggest drop (11 spots) in our rankings from 12 months ago, the result of graduating three elite prospects (Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, Marcelo Mayer) and dealing off several other farmhands. But they still have a decent system and more pitching prospect depth than they’ve enjoyed in years, with Tolle and Early taking big leaps forward in 2025 and finishing the season on the big league playoff roster. Boston also features more international signees (15) on its Top 30 than any other system, highlighted by shortstops Franklin Arias and Dorian Soto, right-hander Juan Valera and outfielder Justin Gonzales.
Having a World Series-tested right-hander leading your Top 30 will certainly give a team some sort of bounce up the Farm System Rankings. That said, Yesavage isn’t doing all the heavy lifting. Up arrows for Johnny King, Gage Stanifer and Juan Sanchez (now a Top 10 third-base prospect before coming stateside) gave the American League pennant winners additional boosts, and the addition of Parker — a potential plus hitter at shortstop with power to come — with the eighth overall pick was another boon. After 2025 was so focused on rejuvenating the pitchers on the farm, the bats could receive a similar emphasis this summer.
After promoting three Top 100 prospects (Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, Edgar Quero) to Rate Field in 2025, the White Sox could do so again this year with Braden Montgomery, Schultz and Smith. They have shortstops coming behind them, including Single-A Carolina League MVP Caleb Bonemer and future Gold Glover Billy Carlson — not to mention whomever they select with the No. 1 overall pick in a shortstop-heavy Draft. Many of their best prospects played for their Area Code Games team in high school: Schultz, Bonemer, outfielder Jason Fauske and George Wolkow, left-handers Christian Oppor and Blake Larson.
Talk about a whole new look. Sixteen members of Washington’s Top 30 prospects list have joined the organization since last July as Draft picks or trade acquisitions, including No. 1 overall selection Willits, former Mariners Major Leaguer Ford and all five players from the MacKenzie Gore swap with the Rangers. That aside, the two best arms in Sykora (Tommy John) and Susana (lat) are coming off season-ending surgeries. Overall, there is a lot of raw talent here with upside, and the new Nationals front office will be focused on drawing out that potential and boosting the system’s standing with the players it now has.
Could the A’s have another Nick Kurtz situation on their hands, getting a new draftee to the big leagues in a hurry? There isn’t a hitter that fits, but Jamie Arnold, the left-handed pitcher who was their first-rounder in 2025, should move quickly. It shouldn’t shock anyone if he contributes in some fashion this year. The A’s are excited to have Leo De Vries for an entire season after he hit very well and reached Double-A following his trade from the Padres in the Mason Miller deal. He’s still only 19, but he could also reach the big leagues this year.
The Giants made the fourth-biggest jump from our pre-2025 rankings, moving up nine spots, and they’re poised for another leap this season. They have the game’s best power prospect in Eldridge and the top international amateur from each of the past two classes in Gonzalez and fellow shortstop Luis Hernández. Their group of potential Top 100 shortstops also extends to Jhonny Level and Gavin Kilen, and they have several other candidates to join the list in the near future, including outfielders Dakota Jordan and Bo Davidson and left-hander Jacob Bresnahan.
It’s a good thing when your top three prospects — all Top 100 guys — will have the chance to contribute to the big league roster this year. Two of them, Andrew Painter and Justin Crawford, should make the Opening Day roster. Just beyond the Top 100 prospects, there’s excitement brewing with 2025 first-rounder Gage Wood and 2026 international signee Francisco Renteria, who is already creating buzz in the organization.
Jensen’s ascent to become a bona fide Rookie of the Year Award candidate holds a good amount of weight in Kansas City’s modest climb, and the organization is flush with quality catching prospects in Mitchell and No. 8 Ramon Ramirez also slotting in high on the Top 30. There is plenty of intrigue across the industry surrounding teenage arms Kendry Chourio and David Shields, and both could jump into the Top 100 with repeats of their 2025 performances at higher levels over larger samples. But for now, it’s just the two backstops in that realm.
Organizations with only one Top 100 prospect typically don’t slot very highly in Farm System Rankings, but there’s a lot more depth for Arizona behind Waldschmidt, who has caught plenty of attention as a dark-horse candidate to win an MLB job out of his second Spring Training. The D-backs are deepest on the infield (specifically the second-base position) and have built up their Minor League pitching corps with much-needed additions through trades and the Draft.
After ranking eighth in March 2025, in large part because they tied the Mariners for the most Top 100 Prospects (seven) at that time, the Cubs have fallen further than any other system, down 15 spots. Ballesteros stands out most in a bat-heavy Top 30, with Wiggins the only arm who ranks among the organization’s dozen best prospects. Chicago has high hopes for its 2025 Draft, especially three outfielders: Ethan Conrad could emerge as the system’s top prospect a year from now, Kane Kepley could be its best pure hitter and Josiah Hartshorn could be its best power hitter.
The Braves have three pitchers atop their Top 30, and two of them will have the chance to help the big league club get back to competing in the NL East this year. JR Ritchie had a huge year, starting the Futures Game in Atlanta and reaching Triple-A. No. 3 prospect Didier Fuentes was rushed up last season, and if it hadn’t been for his uneven year, more people would be talking about him as well. It’s a pitching-heavy list with 17 of the 30 making their living on the mound, but they did pick up two potential middle infielders to kick off last year’s Draft in high school product Tate Southisene and college product Alex Lodise.
The Rangers are building their system back up after graduating four top 10 overall Draft picks to Arlington in the past three years, dealing with injuries to several of their best pitching prospects last season and surrendering eight farmhands in deals for Merrill Kelly and MacKenzie Gore. They took another hit when Walcott had internal brace surgery in February, though that shouldn’t affect forecasts of future stardom. On the positive side, they’re well stocked with right-handers after Caden Scarborough and David Davalillo had strong 2025 seasons, A.J. Russell arrived via the second round of the Draft and Jose Corniell, Winston Santos and Izack Tiger returned to full health.
The good news: The Yankees have a strong quartet of Top 100 prospects, with potential 25/25 shortstop Lombard, nearly ready righties Lagrange and Rodríguez and precocious Kilby, a supplemental first-rounder last July. The bad news: Beyond that group, righty Ben Hess and outfielder Spencer Jones, the depth falls off dramatically, the result of New York trading an industry-high players who appeared on Top 30s since the start of 2025. The Yankees also rank first with 21 pitchers on their current Top 30.
If things click with some of the bats in this system, the Rockies will take a big jump forward. Everyone is excited to see what the latest Holliday can do and hopeful that the real Charlie Condon, free of injuries, is the one raking so far in Spring Training. The first six on the top 30 are all hitters with upside and question marks about them getting to that ceiling. The pitching depth can also improve if some of the guys further removed from Tommy John surgery (particularly Gabriel Hughes and Jackson Cox) get back their former selves.
This is a high-risk, high-reward system. The Angels have rolled the dice on several high-ceiling high school pitchers over the past couple of Drafts. If that group performs well, this system will shoot up the rankings faster than their upper-90s heaters. But we all know the inherent risk of the demographic. There are also some interesting hitters from the international market who made some noise last year, even while being rushed up levels. That will further buoy the organization if they keep swinging the bat well.
The Astros haven’t placed higher than 27th in our rankings since we started doing them biannually in 2020, and they’re without a Top 100 prospect for the third time in our last five preseason lists. They do keep winning, even if their eight-year playoff streak ended on a tiebreaker, and they signed three players in 2025 who could crack the Top 100 in the near future: outfielders Kevin Alvarez and Ethan Frey and shortstop Xavier Neyens. Houston continues to excel at finding bargain pitchers, and its three best mound prospects are 16th-rounder Bryce Mayer, sixth-rounder Ethan Pecko and seventh-rounder A.J. Blubaugh.
The Padres have been the most aggressive buyers on the trade market, and that’s cost them significant prospect losses, both in terms of top talent and overall depth. The shining example was De Vries, who went to the A’s at last year’s Deadline for all-world reliever Mason Miller. In reality, that is part of a farm system’s job — to supply the organization with talent it can turn into Major Leaguers, either on their own or packaged together in deals. In that vein, San Diego has helped get breakouts out of prospects like Miguel Mendez (2025) and Bradgley Rodriguez (2024), two arms now on the 40-man roster. The organization could do something similar in ‘26 with currently undervalued talents. As it stands, Schoolcraft is the only Top 100 prospect in the group ahead of his first full season, and catcher Ethan Salas has the best chance to join him, but only if he can stay healthy and productive for the first time since 2023.

The Texas Rangers are expected to bring their A-list of player prospects for the third-annual MLB Spring Breakout game later this month.
The player pools for the third annual showcase were released on Thursday. Not every prospect will play, but the Rangers’ prospect pool included 27 of their Top 30 prospects, per MLB Pipeline. At least one is certain not to play. Shortstop Sebastian Walcott recently had UCL surgery on his elbow and is not expected to take at-bats until at least August. Walcott is the Rangers’ No. 1 prospect.
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Texas prospects will face Kansas City prospects on March 20 at Billy Parker Stadium in Surprise, Ariz., with first-pitch set for 1:05 p.m. mountain and 3:05 p.m. central. The game is expected to be broadcast on Rangers Sports Network.
Starting next year, the Spring Breakout is moving to a single-elimination tournament that will crown a Grapefruit League and a Cactus League champion. Those tournaments are expected to take four days during spring training, with the 2027 event set for March 19-22.
Rangers Spring Breakout Prospects to Watch
Among those in the player pool is infielder Cameron Cauley, who is the Rangers’ No. 13 overall prospect per Pipeline and his having a terrific Major League spring training.
In nine Major League spring training games he’s slashed .333/.360/.625 with one home run and three RBI. He hit a home run in Texas’ exhibition game win over Team Brazil, but those numbers don’t count toward spring training stats. Even though he hasn’t taken an at-bat above Double-A Frisco, Cauley is wedging himself into the conversation for one of the three remaining bench spots on the team.
Right-handed pitching prospect Caden Scarborough, who is No. 2 in the organization per Pipeline, leads the pitching prospects. He is not in MLB camp, but he played his way onto the organization’s radar last season with a tremendous 2025. With Class-A Hickory and High-A Hub City, his overall record was 2-5 but the numbers that mattered were stellar. He finished with a 2.45 ERA in 22 games (21 starts), with 114 strikeouts and 21 walks in 88 innings. Batters hit just .181 against him. He also had a 0.88 WHIP.
Last year he was Texas’ No. 28 overall prospect. He could start this season at Frisco with an eye on trying to land a promotion at Triple-A Round Rock.
Recent draft picks that Rangers fans haven’t seen much of are also in the player pool, including A.J. Russell (2025 second round), Josh Owens (2025 third round), Malcolm Moore (2024 first round), Dylan Dreiling (2024 second round) and Jack Wheeler (2025 sixth round).

The Houston Astros have opted for a patient approach with last year’s first round pick, Xavier Neyens. Patience will take a backseat when the Astros play their spring breakout game later this month in Florida.
Major League Baseball announced the player pools for all 30 teams who are preparing their prospects for the third annual showcase of future talent in both the Grapefruit and Cactus leagues.
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Houston Astros prospects will face Miami Marlins prospects on March 19 at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Fla. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. eastern.
Starting next year, the Spring Breakout is moving to a single-elimination tournament that will crown a Grapefruit League and a Cactus League champion. Those tournaments are expected to take four days during spring training, with the 2027 event set for March 19-22.
Houston Astros in Spring Breakout
While not all the players in the pool will play, 28 of Houston’s Top 30 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline, are part of the roster pool. That includes Neyens, along with the franchise’s No. 1 overall prospect, outfielder Kevin Alvarez.
Neyens played his prep baseball at Mount Vernon High School, about an hour away from Seattle. He committed to Oregon State but passed on college after he signed a slot bonus offer of more than $4 million with Houston. The Astros opted to send him to their complex in West Palm Beach instead of dropping him into their minor league system.
The 6-foot-4 left-handed infielder has a 65 grade on his power on the 20-80 scouting scale. Already 210 pounds, he projects as a power hitter in the Majors, which is why many scouts see him moving to third base.
Alvarez, an outfielder, was signed by the Astros during last year’s international signing period for $2 million. The Cuba native worked out in the Dominican Republic in anticipation of signing a deal. He was terrific in his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League, as he slashed .301/.419/.455 with a .874 OPS, including two home runs and 33 RBI. He’s expected to begin 2026 with either the Florida Complex League Astros or Class-A Fayetteville.
Several other notable Astros prospects are part of the player pool, including starter Miguel Ullola, who was in Major League camp until he was optioned back to minor league camp earlier this week. Former first-round pick and catcher Walker Janek is part of the roster, along with another former first-round pick, infielder Brice Matthews, who made his Major League debut last season.

One of the best things about the spring breakout games is it gives fans an opportunity to see every franchise’s future up close and personal. The Colorado Rockies will be no exception. The stars will clearly be out.
When Major League Baseball released the player pools for the spring bracket breakout games on Thursday, the Rockies found 29 of their top 30 prospects, as ranked by MLB Pipeline, on the list. That included recent first-round picks like Ethan Holliday and players that could make the Major League opening day roster like Zac Veen.
Colorado Rockies prospects will face Arizona Diamondbacks prospects on March 21 at their shared facility at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. mountain.
Starting next year, the Spring Breakout is moving to a single-elimination tournament that will crown a Grapefruit League and a Cactus League champion. Those tournaments are expected to take four days during spring training, with the 2027 event set for March 19-22.
Colorado Rockies in Spring Breakout
The game could be Rockies fans’ first chance to see Holliday up close. The No. 4 overall pick last season is the son of former Rockies star Matt Holliday. Expectations are massive for him after he signed a $9 million bonus. In his pro debut at Fresno, Holliday slashed .239/.357/.380 with two home runs and six RBI.
Colorado’s first-round pick in 2024, Charlie Condon, is also part of the player pool. He has been on fire at Major League spring training, where he’s making a play for an opening day job either at first base or as a back-up outfielder. Last season in the minor leagues he slashed .268/.376/.444 with 14 home runs and 58 RBI. he also shined in the Arizona Fall League, where he slashed .337/.439/.434 with one home run and 13 RBI in 22 games.
Veen became “clean and sober” in the offseason, reshaped his body and the narrative of his career. He made his MLB debut last year but still qualifies to be a prospect. In spring training, he has slashed .286/.412/.714 with two home runs and four RBI. He’s making a play for one of the final outfield spots on the opening day roster.
Also part of the player pool is Rockies minor league player of the year and pitcher Roldy Brito, along with rising star outfielder Robert Calaz and infielder Roc Riggio, who was acquired from the New York Yankees last year in the Ryan McMahon deal. All three are unlikely to play in the Majors this season but are trying to set themselves up for a shot in 2027.

During the celebratory evening at the White House honoring Inter Miami for winning last year’s Major League Soccer Cup, MLB unexpectedly grabbed some of the spotlight as Alex Rodriguez showed up as one of the night’s main attractions.
While POTUS Donald Trump is usually only occasionally vocal about what’s happening in MLB, he showed on Thursday that he follows the game more closely than people might think. Reportedly, along with the Inter Miami squad, the former Yankees star and current Timberwolves co-owner Rodriguez was in the East Room for the event, and Trump used the moment to playfully address his long-running beef with A-Rod.
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“Trump shouted out his ‘friend’ Alex Rodriguez, who was in attendance at the event,” USA Sports reported.
While Donald Trump reminiscing about his fanboy moment with Alex Rodriguez might not seem unusual now, it does feel a bit strange if you remember how critical he used to be of A-Rod during his playing days.
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Reportedly, Trump talks about being friendly with Rodriguez, as he even hosted him in the Oval Office on Thursday, but that wasn’t always the case. Before entering politics, Trump regularly blasted the former Yankee star. He once called Rodriguez a “druggie,: argued that the Yankees should cancel his contract, and even claimed that “it was only d—s” that made him such a great player.
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So even though the president posed for photos with A-Rod in the Oval Office ahead of the ceremony and later gave him a shout-out during his remarks in the East Room, saying he was a “big fan,” their relationship clearly hasn’t always been this friendly.
And wait, because Trump’s criticism didn’t stop there. He also aimed at MLB as a whole, suggesting the league isn’t doing things the way it used to. But what exactly is wrong? He didn’t really spell it out. But echoing comments he’s made before, when he criticized the league for being woke, Trump said baseball simply isn’t “as hot: right now as it once was.
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So while A-Rod may have finally earned a clean chit from the president after all these years, it seems MLB still has a few things to fix in Trump’s eyes.
This is a developing story…

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The celebration revolved around a soccer team, but President Donald Trump was talking baseball at the White House on Thursday afternoon.
More specifically, his displeasure with the current MLB product.
Trump was hosting Inter Miami CF, the 2025 MLS Cup champions featuring world soccer legend Lionel Messi, when he decided to interject a bit of baseball into the conversation.
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Dominican pitcher Gregory Soto has emerged as one of Major League Baseball’s most dynamic left-handed relievers in recent years. Known for his electric fastball and competitive edge, Soto has built a reputation as a high-leverage bullpen arm. From humble beginnings in the Dominican Republic to becoming a two-time MLB All-Star, his journey is one of persistence and determination.
Who is Gregory Soto? Everything to know
Gregory Soto was born on February 11, 1995, and is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher. He grew up in Bajos de Haina, Dominican Republic, before signing as an international free agent at the age of 17. Moving to the United States to pursue his dreams brought challenges, including adapting to a new language and culture.
However, through consistent hard work and perseverance, he has gone on to become a two-time MLB All-Star. Let’s take a closer look at his journey and how he rose to prominence in Major League Baseball.
Who are Gregory Soto’s parents? All you need to know
Gregory Soto’s mother is Georgina Soto, while his father’s name is Gregorio Soto. They have definitely instilled the Dominican passion and pride in their son, which is often seen by fans on the baseball field.
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Gregory Soto also has a brother named Jose Soto Barrea. The baseball star is not really public about his family, but often features his father in his social media posts. In fact, he also shared an adorable picture with his mother back in 2021 on X.
He often posts pictures not only with his parents, but also with his wife and children. There are several posts on social media where he is proudly standing with his whole family, reflecting the strong bond he shares with the people he loves.
Who is his wife? Meet Weather and Traffic Anchor Raengel Solis
Gregory’s wife is Raengel Solis, a well-known TV anchor and presenter. She mainly oversees the Traffic and Weather departments. Throughout her career, she has received four Emmy Awards, a testament to her remarkable work and contributions to the industry.
She currently works at Telemundo 47 in New York City, a position she has held since 2018. Before joining Telemundo 47, she worked for Telemundo 49 in Tampa, Florida. Raengel has consistently demonstrated her expertise and professionalism throughout her career in journalism. Her commitment to delivering accurate and reliable news to viewers is reflected in her experience, which dates back to 2011.
In fact, back in 2009, she also showcased her versatility and talent by finishing as the fifth runner-up in the prestigious Miss Dominican Republic beauty pageant.
The couple has been married since 2020. Two years later, on February 15, 2022, they welcomed a new addition to their family—a baby boy named Grencell Soto.
Understanding Gregory Soto’s MLB contract: salary, net worth, and more
Gregory Soto signed a 1-year, $7.75 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates for the 2026 season. As a 31-year-old left-handed reliever and two-time All-Star, he brings high-stakes experience to the roster after splitting the 2025 season between the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Mets.
Soto signed a 1-year, $7,750,000 contract with the Pirates, including $7,750,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $7,750,000. In 2026, Soto will earn a base salary of $7,750,000 while carrying a total salary of $7,750,000.
Over the course of his MLB career, Soto has earned several multi-million-dollar contracts through arbitration and free agency. Because of his consistent role as a late-inning reliever and All-Star selections, his estimated net worth is believed to be in the range of $5–10 million, although exact figures are not publicly disclosed.
More on his professional career, stats, records, and more
As of the end of the 2025 MLB season, Gregory Soto has appeared in 391 games over seven seasons, posting a career 4.26 ERA with 56 saves. A two-time All-Star (2021, 2022), he has built a reputation as a power left-handed reliever with a high strikeout ability.
He began his MLB journey with the Detroit Tigers before later playing for the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, and New York Mets. Known for his triple-digit fastball and aggressive pitching style, Soto has often been trusted in late-inning, high-pressure situations throughout his career.
MLB Career Summary (2019–2025)
What do you think about his career trajectory? Tell us in the comments below.

TAMPA — With just under nine months to go until the current Collective Bargaining Agreement is set to expire, both MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association have been battening down the hatches for what appears to be increasingly likely next winter: a lockout.
While the two sides are set to begin bargaining some time next month, the looming battle is expected to center on the possibility of a salary cap — with owners pushing for it and the union staunchly against it.
“We’ve been preparing for this fight for years,” MLBPA interim executive director Bruce Meyer said Thursday morning at Steinbrenner Field, where the union made a stop on its annual spring tour of all 30 teams.
“We’re coming off a season of incredible momentum and great fan interest, as evidenced by attendance, ratings, anything you want to look at. If the league is saying they’re looking to shut that down, that doesn’t make a lot of sense for a lot of reasons. But we’ll be prepared for that and everything else that may be coming.”
Gerrit Cole, who has previously served on the executive subcommittee, described the meeting with the PA as “very informative, very thorough.”
It came in the wake of Meyer replacing Tony Clark as the head of the union last month, after Clark resigned in the wake of an internal investigation that found he had an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law, who was hired by the MLBPA in 2023.
While Cole said he is trying to keep an “optimistic” view in the face of concerns of a lockout, he acknowledged that a salary cap is not the “answer to the questions that we’re trying to answer.”
“The sport is growing, the viewership is younger, the gate is up, the players’ pay is up, club appreciations are up,” Cole said. “Obviously there is a whole list of concerns. … I’m optimistic that through good conversations, through a lot of deliberation and some tense moments, ultimately the best will come out.”
Meyer said that the union has never thought that salary caps were in the best interest of players.
“We see no reason to change that view,” he said.
Meyer also added that salary caps “don’t really guarantee competitive balance,” indicating that baseball has the best competitive balance as opposed to the other major sports, which all have salary caps.
“The problem we have in baseball is not with the teams that are trying to win games and trying to spend money,” Meyer said. “It’s with teams that maybe aren’t trying as hard as they can. That’s the problem with competition in baseball.”
Oswaldo Cabrera will make his spring debut on Friday night, starting at shortstop against the Rays in his first game action since breaking his ankle and suffering ligament damage last May.
“Excited for him,” manager Aaron Boone said. “Obviously it’s been a pretty long road for him. It’s been exciting to see some of the improvement he’s made over the last few weeks.”
Cody Bellinger returned to the lineup Thursday for the first time in a week after dealing with a stiff back.
He played four innings in right field and went 0-for-1 with a walk in a rain-shortened 15-0 loss to the Twins at Steinbrenner Field.
“Felt really good,” said Bellinger, who is scheduled to play left field Friday. “Felt 100 percent.”
The Yankees made a round of cuts Thursday, optioning RHP Chase Hampton to Double-A Somerset and reassigning him, RHP Travis MacGregor and RHP Drake Fellows to minor league camp.

The 2026 MLB season is right around the corner and for the Los Angeles Dodgers and superstar Shohei Ohtani, a chance to pursue a three-peat.
After winning each of the last two MLB championships, the Dodgers can become the first team to three-peat since the New York Yankees did it back in 1998, 1999, and 2000. On paper, they appear to have a good chance of accomplishing that goal.
Led by Ohtani, Los Angeles has the superstar power. The Dodgers were able to land outfielder Kyle Tucker this offseason in MLB free agency.
Along with Ohtani and Tucker, the Dodgers have Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and an excellent supporting cast offensively. They are also stacked on the pitching side of the roster.
With that being said, Ohtani has landed a stunning prediction ahead of the 2026 season.
Dodgers Superstar Shohei Ohtani Receives Massive 2026 Prediction
Ohtani has already started trending towards the conversation of being the best in baseball history. He has also been one of the most interesting players in baseball history, becoming a superstar both at the plate and on the mound.
Ahead of the 2026 season, Ohtani has been given a head-turning prediction.
Alden Gonzalez of ESPN has predicted that Ohtani will finish the season as a top-five contender for both the NL Cy Young and MVP awards.
“At the plate, .980 OPS, 45 home runs, 20 stolen bases. On the mound: 2.65 ERA, 160 innings, 213 strikeouts,” Gonzalez wrote. “The result: a third-place finish in Cy Young and a fifth MVP.”
While Gonzalez does not have Ohtani winning either award, being a top-five contender for both would be an impressive accomplishment. Assuming he can stay healthy, there is no reason the 31-year-old superstar can’t reach these goals.
What to Expect from Shohei Ohtani This Season
During the 2025 season with the Dodgers, Ohtani played in 158 games. He hit 55 home runs to go along with 102 RBI, 20 stolen bases, and a slash line of .282/.392/.622.
On the mound, he made 14 starts after recovering from injury and compiled a 1-1 record to go along with a 2.87 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, a 6.9 K/BB ratio, and 47 innings pitched.
It will be interesting to see what the 2026 has in store for Ohtani.
RotoWire has taken a shot at projecting his upcoming season. They have predicted Ohtani to hit 50 home runs, drive in 105 RBI, and steal 31 bases, while batting .296. They also predicted that he would go 9-4 on the mound with a 3.28 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP, and 161 strikeouts.
Only time will tell whether or not Ohtani can live up to the hype surrounding him. He has consistently been one of the best players in baseball throughout his career and no one should expect to see that change in 2026.

Jacob deGrom said earlier in spring training that one thing that drove him nuts last season was giving up too many home runs.
He allowed 26 home runs last season, the most he gave up in any season since he allowed 28 home runs in 2017. So, when he took the mound on Wednesday in Surprise, Ariz., for his first spring training start of 2026 with the Texas Rangers, the last thing he wanted to give up was a home run.
But, the second batter he faced went yard. Team Brazil’s Lucas Ramirez hit a fastball out of the yard in the first inning to give them a 1-0 lead. The Rangers eventually won, 13-2, in a game that ended after seven innings.
Ramriez, oddly enough, is the son of former Major League slugger Manny Ramirez, who hit 555 home runs in a 19-year career that went from 1993-2011. So, deGrom never faced the slugger in his career.
Jacob deGrom on His Start
deGrom knows it is early in spring training, but the pitch that Ramirez hit fell into the mistake category.
“It is what it is,” he said to Rangers beat writers after the game. “I threw a fastball and it was just middle middle. So yeah, I feel like if I hit my spot there … the shape of everything was good. So, it’s just that I threw it right down the middle.”
Otherwise, he was happy with his outing. He allowed three hits in two innings, as he struck out three and walked none. He threw 39 pitches, with 27 strikes. Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said the goal was to get deGrom two innings, but he didn’t set a pitch count. He hasn’t committed to where deGrom will fit into the starting rotation or an opening day starter.
The Rangers gave the 37-year-old time to build up on the back fields at Surprise, a strategy they used last year. He said that earlier in his career he might have thrown one live batting practice or bullpen before throwing in his first spring game. Now, Texas gave him consistent bullpens, live batting practices and time in their pitching lab to build up properly and work on pitching shapes before his first game. It’s part of the reason he was able to throw nearly 40 pitches.
He hopes to get to four starts in Surprise and to be able to throw five innings or 85 pitches in his first regular season game.
“I’ve been feeling really good,” he said. “I felt like I could have kept going today. I think my last live I did 30-something pitches. So, you know I think the next jump will be, what? Probably 50 something or so, and then 60 something, 70 you know? So we’ll get to the number we want to get to.”

On Wednesday at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Ariz., Kershaw pitched in Team USA’s 14-4 exhibition win over the Rockies. And the Rockies aren’t shedding too many tears now that they’re no longer going to have to face him during the regular season.
After Kershaw threw two-thirds of an inning, Rockies TV broadcaster and former outfielder Ryan Spilborghs said what many Rockies players and fans were already thinking as he wrapped up his in-game interview with the likely future Hall of Famer.
And you can see why. Spilborghs faced no pitcher more often than Kershaw during his career with the Rockies from 2005-11, and he hit .167 (6-for-36) with 13 strikeouts in 42 plate appearances against him.
The Rockies as a team vs. Kershaw? A .231/.286/.351 slash line and 25% strikeout rate over 1,279 plate appearances. Oh, and he threw the only no-hitter of his career against them, back in 2014.
To be fair, there are a lot of players and teams around baseball who are glad they don’t have to face Kershaw again — those who aren’t playing in the WBC, anyway; players participating in the tournament might still have to contend with the legendary lefty.

Konnor Griffin has taken the baseball world by storm.
MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 overall prospect, Griffin is a burgeoning star for the Pirates and has flashed the tools and production this spring that have put him on the cusp of the Majors.
Griffin already had a strong shot of making Pittsburgh’s Opening Day roster and his hot spring might make that a reality. According to MLB’s Sarah Langs, Griffin’s three home runs are the most by a teenager in a single MLB Spring Training in at least the last 20 years.
So, who is Konnor Griffin and how did the 19-year-old find himself in this position as MLB’s next superstar? Here’s everything you need to know about Griffin.
What is Griffin’s background?
Griffin was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and attended Jackson Preparatory School in Flowood, a suburb of Jackson. It’s there where Griffin became one of the most dynamic baseball players in the country, with his senior year culminating in the Gatorade Player of the Year award.
In his final high school season, Griffin was an electric two-way star, hitting .559 with nine home runs and 87 stolen bases as a hitter, while going 10-0 with a 0.72 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 67 2/3 innings as a pitcher. Griffin helped lead his school to a 39-4 record and their seventh consecutive MAIS Class 6A state title.
In addition to his high school heroics, Griffin was also part of USA’s 18-and-under national team for the 2023 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup. He helped the United States to a fourth-place finish out of 12 teams. Griffin was also on USA’s 15-and-under club for the 2021 trials.
Griffin signed a letter of intent to play collegiately at Louisiana State University, a baseball powerhouse that has produced elite MLB talents like Paul Skenes and Alex Bregman in recent years, but his status as an elite Draft prospect meant he’d assuredly go directly into professional baseball.
How has Griffin’s prospect stock risen?
Heading into the 2024 Draft, Griffin was ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 9 prospect and the top prep player in the entire class. Pipeline gave Griffin a 60 grade on the 20-80 scouting scale and said he had “a big league frame at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds and he possesses five-tool potential.” Griffin had the best raw tools in the Draft class, but concerns about his hit tool put him a tier below the top-end talents.
Griffin was ultimately selected ninth overall by the Pirates, this coming the year after Pittsburgh selected Paul Skenes first overall in the 2023 Draft. The Pirates shut down Griffin after being drafted, meaning we wouldn’t see him in his first pro action until 2025.
Entering the 2025 season, Griffin was ranked as Pipeline’s No. 43 prospect, but he quickly began his ascent up the ranks. Across three levels (he ended with Double-A Altoona), Griffin posted a .333/.415/.527 slash line in 122 games with 21 home runs and 65 stolen bases. Notably, Griffin was even better as he climbed the ladder, posting a .961 OPS in 21 Double-A games.
By season’s end, Griffin was Pipeline’s top prospect and he’s only reinforced that status with his dominant Spring Training in 2026.
What makes Griffin such an exciting prospect?
There is so much to like about Griffin, who is one of the best prospects in recent memory.
Heading into 2026, Pipeline gave him a 70 overall grade (out of 80), with a 60-or-better on all five of his tools. That includes a 70 on his speed and throwing arm, a 65 on his power and a 60 on his hit tool and defense.
When Griffin was drafted, there were questions about both his hit tool and where he’d play defensively. He has since answered those doubts with enormous improvements in both areas.
“The holes in his swing were closed thanks to some mechanical adjustments like his hand placement, allowing him to use his plus bat speed, strength and leverage to get to his plus-plus raw power fairly consistently,” Pipeline says about Griffin’s improved hit tool.
Griffin’s improvement defensively, too, has made him a surefire shortstop rather than someone who might move off the position.
“The original plan was for him to split time between shortstop and center field, but while many thought the outfield would be best long-term, his defense on the dirt was another area where he was even better than anticipated, with a hose of an arm,” says Pipeline.
Can Griffin make the Pirates’ Opening Day roster?
All evidence points to Griffin being ready for MLB action. Whether he makes the Opening Day roster or not should become more clear in the coming weeks.
For the Pirates, Griffin represents a dynamic superstar position player who can complement Skenes as faces of the franchise. Pirates hitters finished last in the Majors in runs, home runs and OPS last season, making Griffin’s arrival perfect timing. Even though the Pirates brought Ryan O’Hearn and Brandon Lowe aboard over the offseason, this is an offense that needs more thump and production, something that Griffin seems ready to provide.
Furthermore, the Pirates haven’t made the playoffs since 2015, the second-longest postseason drought in the Majors. The Pirates have made clear signs to push for a more competitive team this season. Keeping Griffin in the Majors for the duration of the season could help Pittsburgh end that playoff drought.
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What sort of history can Griffin make?
Courtesy of our own Sarah Langs, there are plenty of fun facts about the type of history Griffin could make if he cracks the Opening Day roster.
If Griffin starts Opening Day, he would be the:
First teenaged position player in an MLB game since 2018 Juan Soto
Youngest (19y 336d) to play on Opening Day since 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. (19y 133d)
First teenager to make MLB debut on Opening Day since 1989 Griffey
Griffin would be the 10th teen in at least the last 125 years to make his MLB debut starting on Opening Day, joining:
1989 Ken Griffey Jr.
1974 Robin Yount
1964 Tony Conigliaro
1963 Rusty Staub
1958 Vada Pinson
1951 Mickey Mantle
1944 Gene Mauch
1937 Bobby Doerr
1909 Stuffy McInnis
Additionally, if Griffin plays on Opening Day, he would be the youngest player to appear in a game for the Pirates since Aramis Ramirez, who debuted at 19 years and 335 days on May 26, 1998.
What else is there to know about Griffin?
It’s been a busy couple of years for Griffin, both on and off the baseball field.
In January, Griffin married his high school sweetheart and fiancée Dendy Hogan. Getting married and making your (likely) MLB debut in the same year is cool enough itself, not to mention the fact that Griffin could do much more than simply debut this season.
Beyond his skills on the baseball field and his recent marriage, Griffin also has the privilege of saying that he was featured on the popular ESPN segment

Could Kyler Murray change sports?
One MLB club certainly wouldn’t mind.
Murray, who is expected to be released by the Arizona Cardinals ahead of the new NFL year, was selected by the A’s as the No. 9 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft.
He eventually went back to Oklahoma, though, winning the Heisman Trophy and getting taken as the top overall pick in the NFL.
That all but ended his baseball-playing career.
But the A’s are keeping the door open as Murray is soon to be without an NFL team.
“Kyler is an elite NFL quarterback and I’m sure there are plenty of opportunities for him to continue his football career,” A’s general manager David Forst told MLB.com. “That said, he and his baseball representatives know that we’re always open to him exploring a return to baseball with the A’s if that time ever comes.”
Murray, an outfielder, signed a $4.6 million contract with the A’s after the 2018 draft, with the deal allowing him to play college football with the Sooners before coming to the baseball team the next year.
However, in February of ’19, Murray posted a statement to Twitter where he said he had changed his mind and he was going to pursue professional football.
“Moving forward, I am firmly and fully committing my life and time to becoming an NFL quarterback,” Murray wrote. “Football has been my love and passion my entire life. I was raised to play QB, and I very much look forward to dedicating 100% of myself to being the best QB possible and winning NFL championships.”
Murray played two seasons on Oklahoma’s baseball team, hitting .261/.381/.466 with 10 home runs and 53 RBIs.
Before the 2019 season, he ranked as the A’s No. 4 prospect on MLB Pipeline, with a 50/80 overall grade.
The A’s, meanwhile, have a young core of major leaguers — particularly in their lineup — that makes them a promising team in the American League West.
They inked All-Star shortstop Jacob Wilson and outfielder Tyler Soderstrom to seven-year extensions this offseason as they look to improve upon a 76-win 2025. Fangraphs projects the team to have a four-win improvement in 2026.
Murray said Tuesday after the news of his Arizona departure that he was “sorry” he “failed” the Cardinals. He finished his Arizona tenure with a 38-48-1 record, 20,460 passing yards and 3,193 rushing yards. He should still have plenty of suitors in the NFL, with the Jets potentially being one of them.
But if he wants to take a different swing path, the A’s are open and willing.

The new “Sunday Night Baseball” has its voice.
NBC Sports announced Wednesday that Jason Benetti will be the play-by-play announcer for the network’s new “Sunday Night Baseball” package on NBC and Peacock, something that had been widely expected for some time now.
His first game on-air for NBC this season will be on March 26, when the Dodgers host the Diamondbacks in an Opening Day battle.
Benetti will remain as the TV voice of the Tigers’ local broadcasts, and while on the air for “Sunday Night Baseball,” he will be paired with analysts who have connections to the teams playing in that day’s game.
“I am thrilled to be rejoining the NBC Sports family,” Benetti said in a statement. “Rick Cordella, Sam Flood and the whole team at NBC all have a deep appreciation for live sports. It’s a true honor to be part of the dawn of Sunday Night Baseball at NBC Sports. Each week is going to be a new, unique experience with analysts who all have different viewpoints on the game of baseball.”
This will be Benetti’s second go-around at NBC, having done play-by-play duty on NBC’s “MLB Sunday Leadoff” in 2022 on Peacock.
He also called baseball games during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
“After Jason finished the 2022 baseball season with us, we told him that if we ever got MLB back, he’d be our first call,” NBC Sports Executive Producer Sam Flood said in a statement. “Jason is one of the best play-by-play announcers in the business and we’re thrilled to have him back on a full-time basis with NBC Sports, beginning with Sunday Night Baseball.”
Front Office Sports reported Wednesday that Benetti had been released from his contract with Fox early in order to take the NBC gig.
NBC Sports has put together an all-star lineup, adding former MLB stars Joey Votto, Clayton Kershaw and Anthony Rizzo for its studio show.
Bob Costas will also contribute in an emeritus role as he winds down his broadcasting career.

The Arizona Cardinals have reportedly decided they will release quarterback Kyler Murray once the new NFL league year begins on March 11. With that decision looming, questions have started to swirl about whether the 28-year-old could consider a return to Major League Baseball.
Coming out of the University of Oklahoma, Murray was drafted by the Cardinals in the NFL, but he was also selected by the then-Oakland Athletics in the MLB Draft.
Murray went No. 1 overall to Arizona in April 2019, but he had already been taken No. 9 overall by the Athletics the year before.
However, Murray ultimately decided to forgo his MLB career, opting to sign a four-year, $35 million rookie deal with the Cardinals. In doing so, he forfeited the majority of the $4.66 million signing bonus he had received from the Athletics. He later signed a five-year, $230.5 million extension with the Cardinals in 2022.
With his release now approaching, though, Murray’s opportunities could be wide open — including a possible return to baseball with the Athletics, who still retain his MLB rights.
Athletics general manager David Forst says the door would remain open if Murray ever wanted to explore that path.
Athletics GM Leaves Door Open for Kyler Murray MLB Return
Forst didn’t necessarily mince words when asked about the possibility of Murray returning to baseball.
“Kyler is an elite NFL quarterback and I’m sure there are plenty of opportunities for him to continue his football career,” Forst said, per MLB.com’s Martín Gallegos. “That said, he and his baseball representatives know that we’re always open to him exploring a return to baseball with the A’s if that time ever comes.”
Murray’s baseball talent was never really in question.
In his final season playing outfield for the Sooners, he hit .296 with 10 home runs and 47 RBIs in 51 games. His athleticism and speed made him one of the most intriguing two-sport prospects in years.
Still, football always appeared to be the preferred path.
At Oklahoma, Murray won the Heisman Trophy, awarded annually to the best player in college football. He followed that up by winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year during his first season with the Cardinals and eventually earned two Pro Bowl selections.
Given that résumé, it’s easy to understand why Murray chose football over baseball when the decision had to be made.
NFL Opportunities Likely Await Kyler Murray
Even with his release looming, Murray is expected to have interest from teams around the NFL.
Part of that appeal comes from his talent. The other factor is his contract situation.
The five-year, $230.5 million extension he signed with Arizona still has time remaining, and the Cardinals will be responsible for a large portion of that money. Murray is owed $38.8 million guaranteed for the 2026 season, which could allow another team to sign him to a more team-friendly deal.
Because of that dynamic, Murray could quickly emerge as one of the more intriguing quarterbacks on the market.
The Athletic recently listed five potential landing spots for the former Cardinals quarterback: the Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns.
If Murray ultimately lands with one of those teams — or another quarterback-needy franchise — it would likely signal that his football career still has plenty of chapters left.
And if that ends up being the case, the idea of Murray returning to baseball with the Athletics may remain more of a fascinating “what if” than a realistic possibility.

PORT ST. LUCIE — Christian Scott was the organization’s top pitching prospect when he made his MLB debut for the Mets in May 2024.
Less than three months later, he underwent Tommy John surgery.
And A.J. Minter was supposed to be a key piece of the Mets bullpen last season after signing a two-year, $22 million deal, but he made just 13 appearances before a lat injury led to season-ending surgery.
Both were back on the mound Wednesday, Scott in a 5-2 win over Team Israel at Clover Park and Minter in a minor league game on a back field.
And the results were encouraging, as Scott hit 96 mph in his 2 ²/₃ scoreless innings, walked none and struck out five in a performance the right-hander had envisioned “for a long time,” he said.
“Probably 18 months,” Scott said. “As soon as I got the surgery, I knew this was on the horizon. It was just about being consistent, keeping up day-to-day. I was thinking of this day for a long time.”
Regardless of how Scott does this spring, it seems likely he’ll open the season with Triple-A Syracuse, since the Mets don’t have any room in the rotation.
Still, Carlos Mendoza called the 48-pitch outing “pretty impressive.”
“It’s been a long road for him and it hasn’t been easy,’’ the manager said. “To go through the rehab process after he had a taste of [the majors] in 2024, when he was really good for us.”
Scott’s command stood out, in particular.
“He attacked,’’ Mendoza said. “One thing from him, he’s not gonna back down.”
Neither is Minter, whom the Mets believe can be an integral part of their new-look relief corps.
“The first one is always the hardest,’’ the lefty said of his return to the mound. “It was good to get back out there and I was happy with the results.”
Mendoza said before Minter’s outing that he could be back in late April or sometime in May.
“This is a guy that’s used to pitching high-leverage,’’ the manager said. “We saw it last year before he went down. With teams nowadays playing the matchups, you want a left-handed pitcher that can get righties and lefties [out].”
As for the rest of the bullpen, Mendoza said with Minter out, it’s not essential that the team carry two lefty relievers, thanks to the presence of newcomers Luke Weaver and Devin Williams.
“We’ve got guys that are platoon-neutral,’’ Mendoza said. “We’re gonna take what we feel is our best guys north with us.”

Just as his NFL career hits a major roadblock, Kyler Murray has been thrown an unexpected lifeline from the sport he left behind. After the Cardinals made their plans known, a surprising top voice from a $1.8 billion MLB franchise has offered a new opportunity for Murray. Turns out, the signal caller could get a second shot at baseball, the very sport he ditched to play in the NFL.
“Kyler is an elite NFL quarterback, and I’m sure there are plenty of opportunities for him to continue his football career,” Oakland Athletics general manager David Forst said via reporter Ari Meirov’s post on X. “That said, he and his baseball representatives know that we’re always open to him exploring a return to baseball with the A’s if that time ever comes.”
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Forst’s statement comes in the wake of a confirmed divorce between the Cardinals and Kyler Murray. After a series of highs and lows throughout the tenure, the QB’s foot injury and the financial implications of his contract served as the last straw. The franchise that once viewed him as the franchise centerpiece is now ready to move on from him before the new league year begins, unless a trade materializes before then.
As Kyler gears up for free agency, the Oakland Athletics have made their intentions clear. For the record, Murray’s connection with baseball dates back to his time at Oklahoma. After transferring from Texas A&M in 2016, he initially served as a backup QB before developing a deep interest in baseball. He was an outfielder who played mostly in center field.
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His genuine talent for the sport caught the attention of the Athletics, who picked him in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft. Despite his $4.66 million deal with the franchise, Murray ultimately chose football the following year. He entered the NFL as Arizona’s top pick in 2019. His actions led to serious consequences, as MLB placed him on its restricted list and forfeited the majority of his signing bonus. However, the Athletics retained his baseball rights.
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And now, they are willing to give him another chance after eight years. The Athletics are currently playing in Sacramento and will eventually move to their permanent home in Las Vegas. Adding a name like Murray to a group that includes young talents could be exciting, even if he starts in the minors. Murray’s comeback would be a low-risk, high-interest bet, but the final decision still rests with him. Meanwhile, the player released a statement after the news of his potential release came to light.
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Kyler Murray thanks Arizona fans in an emotional message
After months of speculation swirling around Kyler Murray’s future, Arizona has made up its mind. He won’t be part of the franchise anymore unless there’s a deal before the league year kicks off. On the financial side, his release has benefited the Cardinals immensely. He already has $36.8 million guaranteed for the 2026 season. Keeping him on the roster past March 16 would trigger another large contract guarantee.
Arizona would have to pay him $19.5 million in guarantees for the 2027 season. Releasing him before that deadline helps the Cardinals avoid long-term salary commitments. Also, the 28-year-old reportedly preferred to test the market rather than face uncertain situations with the Cardinals. After the developments, Murray took to X to thank everyone who remained by his side throughout the journey.
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“To everyone that supported me and showed kindness to my family and me during my time in AZ, from the bottom of my heart, thank you,” Murray wrote on Monday. “I wanted nothing more than to be the one to end the 77-year drought for this organization. I am sorry I failed us.”
“I wish this community and my brothers nothing but the best. I am no stranger to adversity; I am prepared for whatever’s next. I trust in God and my work ethic. I truly believe my best ball is in front of me, and I look forward to proving it. Godspeed.”
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During his seven seasons with Arizona, Murray delivered several productive seasons while his team had limited success. They made the postseason only once, in 2021. On a personal level, he earned two Pro Bowl selections. He also became one of just five players in NFL history to post over 20,000 passing yards and over 3,000 rushing yards within their first seven seasons.
However, Murray’s performances were marred by recurring injuries. After playing every game in 2019, 2020, and 2024, he missed time in several seasons. Most recently, he sustained a foot injury, which limited him to just five games last year. Reports suggest he has two primary destinations in mind. If the options don’t work out, the Athletics are holding out hope for his baseball debut.

Major League Baseball is taking over Cincinnati Reds broadcasts for the upcoming season.
The change comes as the Reds’ current broadcaster, FanDuel Sports, faces potential collapse.
The instability could also affect broadcasts for the NBA’s Cavaliers and the NHL’s Blue Jackets.
Major League Baseball is stepping in to take over production and distribution of all Cincinnati Reds broadcasts after the team announced FanDuel Sports, its current broadcaster, may be nearing collapse.
The move follows reports that FanDuel’s parent company has failed to pay multiple professional teams and could shut down, prompting MLB to assume full control of Reds game broadcasts beginning this season.
Doug Johnson, MLB’s senior vice president and executive producer for local media, did not immediately return and email seeking comment. And Michael Anderson, Reds public relations manager, did not immediately return a text seeking comment.
What we know
• MLB is taking over all Cincinnati Reds broadcasts beginning with the upcoming season.
• The Reds announced the change on Feb. 2, 2026, saying MLB will replace FanDuel Sports as the producer and distributor of games.
• FanDuel Sports’ parent company has reportedly failed to pay multiple pro teams and may be close to shutting down. Main Street Sports Group, which owns the FanDuel Sports Network, announced last month that it would lay off a half-dozen employees at its office at Great American Ballpark in connection with the closing of its facility. The layoffs are scheduled to begin April 14.
• Altafiber has begun negotiations with MLB to carry the new broadcasts for local viewers. Altafiber expects to share more details in the coming weeks as MLB transitions into the broadcast role.
• FanDuel instability could disrupt broadcasts for the Cavaliers (NBA) and Blue Jackets (NHL).
• NBA and NHL teams could lose local TV coverage entirely if FanDuel collapses.
What we don’t know
• Whether Altafiber and MLB will reach a final agreement, and the timeline for that agreement.
• How MLB plans to distribute Reds games locally − via cable, streaming, a new channel, or a combination.
• Whether Reds broadcasts will remain free or require a subscription under MLB control.
• If there will be any gaps or delays in Reds broadcast availability during the transition.
• What will happen to Cavaliers and Blue Jackets broadcasts if FanDuel collapses midseason.
• How long FanDuel Sports can remain operational before an official shutdown.
• Whether production quality, channel placement, or on‑air talent will change under MLB.
• How other providers may respond, since they face the same uncertainties.

Trisha Easto
USA TODAY
March 1, 2026, 3:28 p.m. CT
Homage has released a new collection of MLB satin starter jackets.
The jackets feature a nostalgic design with ’90s-era colors and logos.
This new apparel line celebrates the start of the baseball season.
The officially-licensed jackets are available for all 30 MLB teams.
March is here, which is officially baseball season and truly, I don’t think anyone is more excited than I am. From spring training and the World Baseball Classic to Opening Day later this month, I’m ready for my days to revolve around what time the New York Yankees are going to be on my TV. For the ultimate fans, Homage just released new MLB satin starter jackets and I am fighting not to buy one for myself, my husband and my dad.
These officially-licensed satin starter jackets pull straight from the closet of baseball nostalgia, with snap-button fronts, the classic oversized fit that fans love and ’90s-era colors and logos. I’m getting true throwback vibes from teams like the Diamondbacks, Marlins, Devil Rays and Phillies. But, you absolutely cannot go wrong with the Yankees, because what’s more ’90s-era baseball than the Bronx Bombers?
Here’s a look at the Homage MLB satin starter jackets collection:
Shop Homage x MLB satin starter jackets
Homage releases MLB satin starter jackets to celebrate the start of the season
HOMAGE X Starter Yankees Heavyweight Satin Jacket
A 90’s throwback for all of my fellow Yankee fans who want to feel like it did when the Core Four were the center of our team. Shop now at Homage
HOMAGE X Starter Dodgers Heavyweight Satin Jacket
The Dodgers are having a lot of success in the modern era but a throwback to when your fandom started never hurts! Shop now at Homage
HOMAGE X Starter Diamondbacks Heavyweight Satin Jacket
We can hardly call this a 90’s throwback since the team wasn’t founded until 1998, but I’m a total sucker for the Diamondbacks color wave and this purple starter is a top tier example. Shop now at Homage
HOMAGE X Starter Astros Heavyweight Satin Jacket
This one screams 90’s with the color block on the collar and cuffs. Shop now at Homage
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Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.

The San Diego Padres are assembling quite the collection of former rivals.
San Diego is signing veteran MLB outfielder Alex Verdugo in free agency, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported on Sunday. Acee notes that Verdugo is getting a minor-league deal from the Padres and will be in minor-league camp.
Verdugo, the 29-year-old lefty hitter, began his MLB career with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers from 2017-19. He was a member of the Dodgers’ NL pennant-winning teams in 2017 and 2018 (though he was left off the playoff roster both times) and had a standout year in 2019 when he batted .294 with 12 home runs and 44 RBIs.
The Dodgers would trade Verdugo to the Boston Red Sox in 2020, and he has also since played for the New York Yankees (featuring on their AL pennant-winning team in 2024) and the Atlanta Braves. Last season for the Braves though, Verdugo was a negative WAR player, batting .239 with zero home runs and 12 RBIs through 56 games.
But at his price tag, Verdugo is a very low-risk flier for the Padres. With experience at all three outfield positions, Verdugo could end up as a situational guy behind San Diego’s projected outfield quartet of Ramon Laureano, Jackson Merrill, Fernando Tatis Jr, and the newly-signed Nick Castellanos.

Konnor Griffin, the No. 1 overall prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline, homered once again Sunday to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-1 spring-training victory over the host St. Louis Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla.
Griffin, who turns 20 on April 24, is making a strong case to be the Pirates’ Opening Day shortstop. His first-inning two-run homer was his third in six games and 14 at-bats this spring, accounting for all three of his hits.
Jhostynxon Garcia also homered for Pittsburgh, which opened a 4-0 lead in the second inning. Pirates pitcher Hunter Barco, also a top-100 overall prospect, threw three no-hit innings with two walks and three strikeouts in his start.
Yohel Pozo had the lone hit for the Cardinals, who scored their only run on a double play and had just two at-bats with a runner in scoring position.
Tigers 4, Blue Jays 4
Visiting Toronto roughed up two-time defending Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal in an eventual tie in Lakeland, Fla.
Skubal, who coasted through his spring debut, was tagged for two runs on four hits over three innings. Detroit got nine hits from nine different batters, with Riley Greene providing the only extra-base hit, an RBI double.
Jonatan Clase delivered a game-high three hits for the Blue Jays, including a third-inning two-run double off Skubal. Grant Rogers delivered three perfect innings on the hill for Toronto.
Mets 4, Astros 3
Tyrone Taylor and Chris Suero homered and Cristian Pache had a double to lead host New York past Houston in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
The Mets managed just six hits but three of them were of the extra-base variety in a largely prospect-led lineup. Clay Holmes struck out four over four frames of one-run work in his second spring start.
Jose Altuve and Joey Loperfido each had a hit for the Astros, who plated their runs on a sacrifice fly, a walk and a wild pitch before Yonatan Henriquez lifted New York with a walk-off single.
Yankees 5, Phillies 3
Duke Ellis tripled and Yanquiel Fernandez doubled in a four-run seventh, which broke a 1-1 deadlock and paved the path to New York’s win over host Philadelphia in Clearwater, Fla.
Will Warren set the tone for the Yankees, delivering 3 2/3 one-hit innings on the mound with three strikeouts. He’s allowed one run in 6 1/3 innings (1.42 ERA) through two starts as he looks to build upon his first full major league season last year.
Bryson Stott hit his second spring homer for the Phillies, but the top three of the lineup (Trea Turner, J.T. Realmuto and Alec Bohm) were a combined 0-for-9 with three Ks. Zach Pop took the loss, allowing four runs in 2/3 of an inning of relief work.
Braves (ss) 5, Rays 3
Austin Riley and Ben Gamel’s home runs in consecutive innings proved to be the difference as Atlanta’s split squad beat visiting Tampa Bay in North Port, Fla.
Gamel, a journeyman pushing for a roster spot with the Braves, has three home runs in 11 at-bats this spring, while Riley has homered twice. Michael Harris II added a two-run single for Atlanta, which got three runs of one-hit shutout work from Reynaldo Lopez.
Yandy Diaz and Jacob Melton each hit their second spring homers for the Rays, who got three perfect innings for Drew Rasmussen. He’s allowed just one hit in five shutout innings to start spring.
Braves (ss) 2, Twins 2
Brewer Hicklin and John Gil homered for the prospect-laden Atlanta road squad to force a tie against Minnesota in Fort Myers, Fla.
The Twins got an excellent start from Mick Abel (six strikeouts, one hit over three scoreless innings) after acquiring him from Philadelphia in the Jhoan Duran trade at last year’s trade deadline. Minnesota scored its runs on sixth-inning sac flies by Kody Clemens and James Outman.
Atlanta starter Grant Holmes allowed one unearned run over 2 2/3 innings, striking out two.
Orioles 8, Red Sox 7
Heston Kjerstad had three hits and top prospect Samuel Basallo cranked a two-run double to lead Baltimore to a narrow win over host Boston in Fort Myers, Fla.
No. 4 prospect Enrique Bradfield Jr. had a single, a walk and a pair of runs for the Orioles, who saw offseason acquisition Chris Bassitt surrender two runs in two innings in his spring debut.
Key Red Sox acquisition Willson Contreras smashed his second spring homer, a three-run shot, as part of his two-hit, two-run showing in the designated hitter role. Allan Castro added a two-run single for Boston, which blew an early 6-1 lead.
Marlins 3, Nationals 0
Miami used a trio of extra-base hits to pull away with a shutout victory over Washington in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Christopher Morel had an RBI triple, Daniel Johnson an RBI double and Heriberto Hernandez his first spring homer for the Marlins. Offseason signee Chris Paddack sparked a stellar combined pitching performance with three strikeouts over two shutout innings.
Washington managed just four hits, all singles, and was hitless in four at-bats with runners in scoring position. Brad Lord, who made his major league debut last season, allowed two runs on five hits over 2 1/3 innings.

JUPITER, Fla. — Top prospect Konnor Griffin homered for the third time this spring in the first inning of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 6-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.
The Pirates have won eight of their 10 spring games.
The 19-year-old Griffin, ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 prospect, started at shortstop for the Pirates and hit a two-run shot off Kyle Leahy to give Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead.
Griffin went deep twice against Boston on Tuesday.
The Pirates drafted Griffin in the first round in 2024. He reached Double-A last year, where he hit .337 with a .960 OPS in 21 games for the Altoona Curve.
Jared Triolo went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs for the Pirates, and Jhostynxon Garcia went 2-for-2 with a solo home run.
Hunter Barco tossed three scoreless innings.
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol signed a two-year contract extension through at least the 2028 season. The deal that was announced Sunday includes a club option for 2029.
On Saturday, Oneil Cruz hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning as the Pirates defeated the Houston Astros, 5-2, in a game called in the sixth inning due to rain.
Braxton Ashcraft started for Pittsburgh and allowed just one hit in three scoreless innings, and Marcell Ozuna went 2-for-3.

There are a few questions surrounding the Tampa Bay Rays entering the 2026 MLB regular season.
Likely the biggest question is their lineup, specifically where offensive production will come from. With All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe now with the Pittsburgh Pirates, there are only three hitters in the lineup who produced at an above-average level in 2025: third baseman Junior Caminero, designated hitter Yandy Diaz and first baseman Jonathan Aranda.
Questions and concerns will persist, but the Rays have to feel great about the foundation being built on the corner of their infield. Caminero is already a household name, making the American League All-Star team in 2025.
Aranda certainly has the skills to do the same, as he is on the cusp of being a top 10 first baseman in the MLB. In fact, had he not suffered an injury last year, MLB insider Buster Olney would have had him somewhere in the top 10 in his positional rankings.
Jonathan Aranda making name for self
“He finished about 80 plate appearances short of qualifying for a batting title, but the only hitter with at least 400 plate appearances who had a higher average than Aranda’s .316 was Judge. Aranda had a wRC+ of 153, and among first basemen, only Kurtz was better,” Olney wrote.
Missing nearly two months of action, Aranda played in only 106 games last year. He was incredibly productive with a .316/.393/.489 slash line with 14 home runs and 22 doubles. 59 RBI were recorded with a 146 OPS+.
With a 3.5 bWAR, he is one of the most productive first basemen in baseball with the bat. There may be a little regression because a .409 batting average on balls in play isn’t likely sustainable, and he doesn’t swing incredibly hard.
But he has all the tools to be a reliable middle-of-the-order producer. Aranda hits the ball hard with regularity, is willing to take a walk and his Baseball Savant page is full of elite, red numbers.
What also helps his standing amongst first basemen is that he is a solid fielder. Aranda had 1 Outs Above Average in 2025, which was in the 67th percentile. And he had +7 Defensive Runs Saved, which is sixth amongst first basemen and tied for 28th amongst all infielders.
It won’t be long until the Tampa Bay infielder becomes a household name, just like his teammate across the infield diamond. He is off to a wonderful start in spring training with a .385/.467/.462 slash line through his first 15 plate appearances.

Uncertainty is already hovering over the New York Mets’ revamped clubhouse, and it all centers on the status of cornerstone shortstop Francisco Lindor. It’s the kind of development that could create added tension as this reshaped Mets core tries to find its footing.
Reportedly, Lindor had surgery on February 11 to fix a stress reaction in his left hamate bone. The good news? He’s back in action and has reportedly started doing some light workouts. Still, when Mendoza was asked about a clear timeline for Lindor’s full return, especially whether he’ll be ready by Opening Day!
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And that’s where the concern comes in. With the Mets not having the same offensive core of Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso, or Jeff McNeil this time around, Lindor’s presence in the lineup feels even more important. Hence, Mendoza’s update on Lindor’s return would determine whether the Mets’ offense would be at its best by Opening Day.
“I think we’re still too early; it’s hard to tell right now, especially knowing Lindor,” Mendoza said on Sunday as quoted by MLB.com. “This is a guy that I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes in a week before we have to break and he says, Hey, I’m ready to go.”
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So, in a word? It’s all uncertain around Lindor’s return!
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As per Mendoza, the Mets don’t have a concrete timeline for Francisco Lindor’s return, and that’s definitely a concern. With the regular season just about a month away, there’s a real chance they could open the year without their clubhouse leader. Sure, Mendoza is confident in Lindor’s work ethic, but expecting him back within a week when he’s only just starting to take swings and make throws feels overly optimistic.
And honestly, what’s the rush?
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Well, the Mets brought in big names like Juan Soto and Bo Bichette, but Lindor is still the steady engine of this lineup. Notably, over the last three seasons, he’s averaged around 31 HRs and 30 stolen bases, and that kind of production doesn’t just get replaced. He’s the guy who helps anchor everything in this new-look batting order.
Also, let’s not forget what the old core looked like. It was Lindor, Alonso, McNeil, and Brandon Nimmo. If you remember, Alonso was the main power source, averaging close to 40 homers a season, while Nimmo brought elite on-base ability with an OBP north of .324. That group had both identity and experience.
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Now? This revamped core is talented, but it’s also unproven as a unit. And with Lindor’s status still up in the air, the Mets suddenly feel a little vulnerable before the season even begins. Considering how instrumental Lindor has been in stabilizing the infamous Mets clubhouse culture, it’s completely fair for fans to feel uneasy.
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The Mets’ clubhouse resurrection depends on Lindor
The Mets clubhouse became a huge talking point in 2025, and that’s surely not in a good way. There were several reports of dysfunction and internal tension that many believe played a role in the team’s late-season collapse.
Back in June, for example, Lindor and McNeil reportedly got into a heated verbal exchange after a defensive error in a loss to the Phillies. That moment only fueled the narrative that things weren’t exactly smooth behind the scenes. Then there were reports about a chilly dynamic between Lindor and Soto, particularly regarding leadership and the idea of naming a team captain. Soto was said to have publicly opposed Lindor holding that title, which added another layer to the clubhouse storyline.
However, in the absence of the old core’s stability, Lindor took on responsibility for resetting the internal tone. More recently, he even publicly acknowledged owner Steve Cohen’s decision not to name a team captain under his ownership. That’s another sign of him putting the bigger picture first.
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So at this point, Francisco Lindor’s return isn’t just about what he brings at the plate. It’s also about presence, leadership, and maintaining a steady clubhouse environment.

Konnor Griffin continues to prove he belongs.
The 19-year-old Pirates phenom — MLB Pipeline’s top overall prospect — wasted no time in slugging his third home run of Spring Training in Sunday’s 6-1 win over the Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla.
On just the second pitch he saw in his first at-bat of the day, the young shortstop hammered a hanging sweeper from St. Louis starter Kyle Leahy 408 feet to center field. The two-run dinger left Griffin’s bat at 107.8 mph, according to Statcast.
Griffin, the Pirates’ first-round pick at No. 9 overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, keeps showing prodigious power throughout Grapefruit League play, even against established Major Leaguers. He homered off new Red Sox starter Ranger Suárez on Feb. 24, then added a second dinger in the same game before his two-run clout off Leahy on Sunday.
In fact, all three of Griffin’s hits so far this spring have left the ballpark — a rarity for a player his age. That trio of homers are the most by a teenager in a single MLB Spring Training in at least the past 20 years. The Mississippi native won’t turn 20 years old until April 24, by which point he might already have several weeks of regular-season MLB experience under his belt.

LAKELAND, FL – Detroit Tigers top prospect Kevin McGonigle has a new advocate for his MLB debut in the 2026 season, possibly as soon as Opening Day.
His name is Tarik Skubal.
Skubal – the reigning two-time American League Cy Young winner – watched from the mound as McGonigle showcased smooth actions at shortstop with several highlight-reel defensive plays Sunday, March 1, in a 4-4 tie against the Toronto Blue Jays at Joker Marchant Stadium.

Actually, MLB Pipeline’s No. 36 prospect overall and the No. 1 White Sox prospect should have his target set on getting to the Majors as soon as possible. General manager Chris Getz already has stated the switch-hitting outfielder will start the 2026 season in the Minors.
But after homering and tripling during a 5-1 victory over the Cubs at Sloan Park Sunday, the White Sox second intracity win in two tries in Arizona, Montgomery listed a more grandiose baseball goal in line with his meticulous preparation and abundance of talent. The 22-year-old eventually wants to be a Hall of Famer.
“I’ll take it a day at a time,” a smiling Montgomery said after hitting one of four White Sox home runs. “We’ll see what happens at the end of it. We’ll see what happens when you’re goal-oriented and you take a pitch at a time, a second at a time.”
Montgomery connected off a 1-1 sweeper from Shota Imanaga with two outs in the second, one of three long balls hit against the Cubs southpaw. The drive to left traveled 375 feet with a 107.7 mph exit velocity, according to Statcast.
His triple in the sixth against Luke Little seemed even harder hit, although Statcast listed the exit velocity at 101.9 mph. The ball carried over the head of right fielder Michael Conforto, and Montgomery glided around the bases to third.
“Those triples always feel better because you get to go off to the races,” Montgomery said. “All eyes on you and you get to see what you can do.
“Being able to see these guys on the diamond that you’ve been seeing on TV and on videos all over, it’s really cool. It’s even cooler to compartmentalize. I’m part of that now. But it’s still a little bit of an adjustment. … Obviously I’m not going to look at myself in any different way because I’ve been me forever.”
Training for Montgomery comes in very detailed form, as he explained looking at different hitting situations and specific pitches in different hitting situations beyond the normal every day Cactus League work. After coming from the Red Sox as part of the four-player trade return for Garrett Crochet, Montgomery slashed .270/.360/.444 with 12 homers, 34 doubles, 68 RBIs and 14 stolen bases across three Minor League stops during the ‘25 season.
He added another home run, 11 RBIs and three stolen bases during an impressive 12-game stint with Glendale in the Arizona Fall League. It’s all work and production getting him closer to the Majors — or in Montgomery’s case, getting him closer to that ultimate goal.
“Ever since I watched Derek Jeter play, I knew I wanted to be in the big leagues,” Montgomery said. “Probably around 10 or 11 years old, I knew I wanted to be the best to play baseball.
“Obviously it’s not even day one of my big league career yet, but I take it day by day. If I can stack good days on good days, I’m sure the results at the end of it will be something I can live with.”

Talk of a potential salary cap is picking up steam as Major League Baseball’s current collective bargaining agreement nears its expiration. With negotiations on the horizon, team owners and the players’ union remain far apart on the issue.
Team owners, along with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, are advocating for the implementation of a salary cap. However, MLBPA interim executive director Bruce Meyer has made the union’s opposition clear. In an interview with Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, Meyer suggested that a lockout in 2027 is highly likely.
Following a meeting with Detroit Tigers players, Meyer said, “The league has already pretty much said there’s going to be a lockout. I think the commissioner (Rob Manfred) more or less guaranteed it. I would be shocked if they didn’t lock out when the agreement expires. Having said that, as I’ve said many times in the past, we’ll start negotiating not long after Opening Day, and we’ll be ready to meet wherever and whenever and bargain in good faith. If there’s a way to avoid it and get a fair deal for the players, we’re always looking to do that. I think the expectations of a lockout upon the expiration of this agreement are very high — almost guaranteed.”
According to Meyer, a lockout appears increasingly likely, much to the disappointment of MLB fans. Still, he emphasized that the MLBPA remains prepared to negotiate on behalf of its players whenever necessary.
And this standoff over a salary cap is nothing new.
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In fact, MLB has been down this road before. The 1994–95 MLB strike remains one of the most significant labor stoppages in sports history. It began in August 1994 and lasted 232 days, largely fueled by owners’ efforts to implement a salary cap and expand revenue sharing, proposals the MLB Players Association strongly opposed.
The fallout was historic. The remainder of the 1994 season, including the World Series, was canceled, marking the first time since 1904 that no champion was crowned. The strike stretched into the start of the 1995 season and left lasting damage to the sport’s popularity and labor relations.
With that history in mind, the current tensions feel even more serious. Meyer reiterated that the union’s top priority is protecting players’ interests, while remaining open to finding common ground with MLB to avoid another lockout if possible.
MLBPA and Meyer are against salary cap implementation
The MLBPA and its executives have historically maintained a firm stance against a salary cap. They believe a salary cap is harmful to players and primarily benefits team owners.
“Our position, both historically and now, is pretty clear. This union, and every executive director of this union, has always been of the view that it’s bad for players, and for that reason, historically, we’ve been opposed to it. I don’t see any reason to change our view on that subject. It’s a subject I can and have gotten into at great length, but at the end of the day, the owners want it — not because it’s good for players, but because it’s good for them. The fundamental nature of a salary cap is bad for players on multiple levels, so that’s always been our view,” Meyer said.
Owners have proposed a salary cap to create parity among MLB team payrolls. The proposal also includes a salary floor. Reportedly, the cap would range from $240 million to $260 million, with a floor of $140 million to $160 million.
Such a cap would primarily impact high-spending teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Toronto Blue Jays, all of whom have projected payrolls exceeding $300 million.
The Dodgers, in particular, are frequently at the center of salary cap discussions because of their aggressive spending and high-value contracts. This year, attention has turned to Kyle Tucker’s four-year, $240 million deal. If a salary cap were implemented, teams like the Dodgers would need to reduce payroll, potentially limiting future player earnings.
As the MLBPA’s executive director has emphasized, players would ultimately bear the financial consequences.
The proposed salary floor also raises questions about true parity. Even within the suggested cap and floor range, a gap of nearly $100 million would remain between the highest and lowest payrolls. In leagues like the NBA and NFL, salary caps function differently because the gap between the cap and the floor is significantly smaller. Under the proposed MLB structure, that wide margin may not deliver the competitive balance that owners claim to seek.
As Meyer has repeatedly stated, the union believes a salary cap would primarily serve owners by giving them greater financial control. The MLBPA remains firmly opposed to its implementation, continuing to describe it as “bad for the players.”
While fans hope to avoid another lockout, the outcome will ultimately depend on whether MLB and the MLBPA can reach a mutual agreement during negotiations.

AUBURN, Calif. — Former MLB pitcher Daniel Serafini was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the 2021 shooting of his wife’s parents during a burglary at their home near Lake Tahoe, authorities said.
Serafini, 51, was convicted in July 2025 of first-degree murder of his father-in-law, Gary Spohr, attempted murder of his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood, and first-degree burglary. Spohr was killed and Wood survived, though she died a year after the shooting.
Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire said in a Friday statement that Spohr and Wood were loving grandparents and that Serafini’s crimes greatly affected family members and friends.
“The impact of this attack has extended far beyond the immediate victims, deeply affecting family members and the broader community, and highlighting the lasting harm caused by deliberate violence,” Gire said.
Serafini’s attorney did not return requests for comment.
During his sentencing hearing, Serafini addressed the court and maintained his innocence, according to MyNews4. He said he was out partying with his wife the night of the shooting and described himself as a “broken, imperfect man that makes mistakes.”
Serafini was drafted in 1992 by the Minnesota Twins. In a career spanning 11 years, the left-hander played for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies.
Serafini pitched in 42 games (four starts) for the Cubs in 1999, going 3-2 with a 6.93 ERA and one save. In 104 career appearances, he was 15-16 with a 6.04 ERA.
Prosecutors said Serafini hated his wife’s wealthy parents and was heard saying he was willing to pay $20,000 to have them killed, according to the Sacramento Bee. Prosecutors showed jurors transcripts of angry emails and text messages between Serafini and his in-laws.
During the six-week trial, Serafini’s attorney David Dratman argued there was no physical evidence linking his client to the crime scene. He told the jury that although Serafini had a rocky relationship with his in-laws, he did not have motive to kill them.
Following his conviction, Serafini filed multiple motions for a new trial, but those were denied.
Serafini will serve his sentence at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, according to the Placer County District Attorney’s Office.
Serafini pitched in Japan from 2004-07 before returning to the U.S. He was suspended for 50 games in 2007 for using performance-enhancing drugs that he blamed on medication he took in Japan. He also pitched for Italy in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
On June 28, 2015, Serafini’s bar in Sparks, Nev., was featured on an episode of Bar Rescue. The bar’s named was changed from The Bullpen Bar to The Oak Tavern as part of the makeover, but not before his financial woes were described as blowing through $14 million in career earnings and taking a $250,000 loan from his parents.

Former MLB pitcher Dan Serafini will spend the rest of his life behind bars for shooting his in-laws in their California home, killing one of them in a twisted plot to inherit their fortune.
Serafini, who played for six major league teams over 22 years, was slapped with two life sentences Friday for murdering his father-in-law, Gary Spohr, 70, and shooting his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood, in the head after ambushing them in their Lake Tahoe home on June 5, 2021, according to multiple outlets.
“He is a monster who knows no moral boundaries and has zero reservations about taking the lives of others to benefit himself,” the victims’ daughter, Adrienne Spohr, said at his sentencing, KCRA reported.
“He thought he had gotten away with murder. He thought that he’d be cashing out my parents estate with his wife in the months afterwards. He was happy while my dad lay deceased and my mom laid bleeding out on her couch clinging to life. Dan destroyed my sense of safety, my health and my family.”
The devastated daughter blasted the 52-year-old killer as a man who “embodies true evil.”
Prosecutors said the disgraced athlete broke into the couple’s home while they were out boating with family – including wife Erin Spohr – and hid in a closet with a .22-caliber gun for three hours. When they returned, he opened fire and shot them both in the head, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Wood survived the shooting but died by suicide in 2022 at 69, with her grief-stricken family reportedly blaming her death on the depression and trauma she suffered from the heinous attack.
The deadly ambush stemmed from a $1.3 million loan intended for his wife’s horse ranch business, prosecutors argued at his six-week trial last year, the outlet reported.
They alleged Serafini murdered his in-laws to claim their $23 million fortune through his wife’s inheritance, according to People.
The pitcher-turned-killer – arrested with his mistress nanny, Samantha Scott, in 2023 – was convicted of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and first-degree burglary.
He was handed life sentences for the murder charges and 25 years to life for burglary – all to be served consecutively, the outlet reported.
Serafini’s estranged wife did not appear in court but asked the judge to show leniency in his sentencing.
The former baseball player also addressed the court, rejecting the charges against him and claiming he had been wronged by the justice system.
“Justice is fragile. I am just a man,” he pleaded, KCRA reported.
“I am far from perfect, but I am no murderer. We live in a society that lacks compassion and empathy. A society that sadly thrives on hearing the misfortunes of others. I sit before you today, a broken man, humiliated, embarrassed, angry, and sad. But I am not a murderer. I am a survivor, but I am no murderer.”
Scott reportedly pleaded guilty to an accessory charge in February 2025.
Serafini, a No. 26 draft pick by the Twins in 1992, debuted four years later and finished his MLB career with the Rockies in 2007, when he was suspended 50 games for performance-enhancing drugs.
During a “Bar Rescue” episode showcasing the Nevada bar he opened in 2013, Serafini revealed he had lost $14 million through bad investments and a divorce settlement.

AUBURN, Calif. (AP) — Former MLB pitcher Daniel Serafini was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the 2021 shooting of his wife’s parents during a burglary at their home by Lake Tahoe, authorities said.
Serafini, 51, was convicted in July 2025 of first-degree murder of his father-in-law, Gary Spohr, attempted murder of his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood, and first-degree burglary. Spohr was killed and Wood survived, though she died a year after the shooting.
Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire said in a Friday statement that Spohr and Wood were loving grandparents and that Serafini’s crimes greatly impacted family members and friends.
“The impact of this attack has extended far beyond the immediate victims, deeply affecting family members and the broader community, and highlighting the lasting harm caused by deliberate violence,” Gire said.
Serafini’s attorney did not return requests for comment.
During his sentencing hearing, Serafini addressed the court and maintained his innocence, according to MyNews4. He said he was out partying with his wife the night of the shooting and described himself as a “broken, imperfect man that makes mistakes.”
Serafini was drafted in 1992 by the Minnesota Twins. In a career spanning 11 years, the left-hander played for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies.
Prosecutors said Serafini hated his wife’s wealthy parents and was heard saying he was willing to pay $20,000 to have them killed, according to the Sacramento Bee. Prosecutors showed jurors transcripts of angry emails and text messages between Serafini and his in-laws.
During the six-week trial, Serafini’s attorney David Dratman argued there was no physical evidence linking his client to the crime scene. He told the jury that although Serafini had a rocky relationship with his in-laws, he did not have motive to kill them.
Following his conviction, Serafini filed multiple motions for a new trial, but those were denied.
Serafini will serve his sentence at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, according to the Placer County District Attorney’s Office.

AUBURN — Former MLB pitcher Daniel Serafini, who was a star at San Mateo’s Serra High, was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the 2021 shooting of his wife’s parents during a burglary at their home near Lake Tahoe, authorities said.
Serafini, 51, was convicted in July 2025 of first-degree murder of his father-in-law, Gary Spohr, attempted murder of his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood, and first-degree burglary. Spohr was killed and Wood survived, though she died a year after the shooting.
Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire said in a Friday statement that Spohr and Wood were loving grandparents and that Serafini’s crimes greatly affected family members and friends.
“The impact of this attack has extended far beyond the immediate victims, deeply affecting family members and the broader community, and highlighting the lasting harm caused by deliberate violence,” Gire said.
Serafini’s attorney did not return requests for comment.
During his sentencing hearing, Serafini addressed the court and maintained his innocence, according to MyNews4. He said he was out partying with his wife the night of the shooting and described himself as a “broken, imperfect man that makes mistakes.”
Serafini graduated from Serra High in 1992 and was drafted shortly thereafter by the Minnesota Twins. In a career spanning 11 years, the left-hander played for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies.
Serafini pitched in 42 games (four starts) for the Cubs in 1999, going 3-2 with a 6.93 ERA and one save. In 104 career appearances, he was 15-16 with a 6.04 ERA.
Prosecutors said Serafini hated his wife’s wealthy parents and was heard saying he was willing to pay $20,000 to have them killed, according to the Sacramento Bee. Prosecutors showed jurors transcripts of angry emails and text messages between Serafini and his in-laws.
During the six-week trial, Serafini’s attorney David Dratman argued there was no physical evidence linking his client to the crime scene. He told the jury that although Serafini had a rocky relationship with his in-laws, he did not have motive to kill them.
Following his conviction, Serafini filed multiple motions for a new trial, but those were denied.
Serafini will serve his sentence at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, according to the Placer County District Attorney’s Office.
Serafini pitched in Japan from 2004-07 before returning to the U.S. He was suspended for 50 games in 2007 for using performance-enhancing drugs that he blamed on medication he took in Japan. He also pitched for Italy in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
On June 28, 2015, Serafini’s bar in Sparks, Nev., was featured on an episode of Bar Rescue. The bar’s named was changed from The Bullpen Bar to The Oak Tavern as part of the makeover, but not before his financial woes were described as blowing through $14 million in career earnings and taking a $250,000 loan from his parents.

Former major-league pitcher Dan Serafini was sentenced Friday to life in prison without parole in the shooting of his wife’s parents during a burglary in 2021 at their home near Lake Tahoe.
Serafini, 52, was convicted in July of first-degree murder of his father-in-law, Gary Spohr, attempted murder of his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood, and first-degree burglary. Spohr was killed, and Wood survived, though she died a year after the shooting.
Serafini, who was born in San Francisco, was drafted in 1992 by the Twins. Besides Minnesota, the left-handed pitcher played for the Cubs, Padres, Pirates, Reds and Rockies in his 11-year career.
Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire said in a Friday statement that Spohr and Wood were loving grandparents and that Serafini’s crimes greatly impacted family members and friends.
“The impact of this attack has extended far beyond the immediate victims, deeply affecting family members and the broader community, and highlighting the lasting harm caused by deliberate violence,” Gire said.
During his sentencing hearing in Auburn, Serafini addressed the court and maintained his innocence, according to MyNews4 and KCRA 3. He said he was partying with his wife the night of the shooting and described himself as a “broken, imperfect man that makes mistakes.”
During sentencing, Judge Garen Horst read victim impact statements and the court heard from Adrienne Spohr, the daughter of Spohr and Wood.
“He thought he had gotten away with murder,” Adrienne Spohr said, according to KCRA 3’s Michelle Bandur. “He thought that he’d be cashing out my parents’ estate with his wife in the months afterward. He was happy while my dad laid deceased and my mom laid bleeding out on her couch clinging to life.”
She asked that Serafini be put in solitary confinement because she was worried he would have someone kill her, according to Bandur.
“He is a monster that knows no moral boundaries and has zero reservations about taking lives to benefit himself,” Adrienne Spohr said Friday. “Finally, I want the court to remember who my parents were, not just what happened to them. They were adventurous people who love their community.”
Serafini decried the justice system.
“Justice is fragile. I am just a man,” he said, according to Bandur. “I am far from perfect, but I am no murderer. We live in a society that lacks compassion and empathy. A society that sadly thrives on hearing the misfortunes of others. I sit before you today, a broken man, humiliated, embarrassed, angry and sad. But I am no murderer. I am a survivor, and I am no murderer.”
He also said he “was exposed to cross-examination about my character but never once was I questioned about my innocence in this court.”
The case included a second defendant: Samantha Scott, who pleaded guilty to an accessory charge in February 2025, per ABC10.com.
Scott was described as a close friend of Serafini’s wife and his lover, per ABC10.com, and Nevada police arrested the pair in separate cities in October 2023.
Serafini will serve his sentence at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, according to the Placer County District Attorney’s Office.

With the current collective bargaining agreement set to expire in 2026, Major League Baseball is already laying the groundwork in case a lockout hits in 2027. The biggest hurdle remains the push for a salary cap, something the MLB Players Association has long rejected. As tensions rise between the league and the union, fans are starting to wonder what it could mean for the game’s future.
Well, MLB has had four lockouts in its history, but without any major damage to the schedule. This time, though, if both sides dig in, the standoff could have much broader consequences. But would taking a hard line really benefit the players in the long run?
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In view of this, NBA legend Charles Barkley recently offered a blunt reality check, urging MLB players to think carefully before escalating the fight with team owners.
“These are businessmen, and businessmen with all the money always win in the long run. So, we always have to be careful because if you cancel a season, it ain’t going to affect the owners… I walked into the room with Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan, still struck twice… I say at some point,
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billionaires are always going to win against millionaires, no matter what people think.” Barkley shared a no-nonsense response to the MLBPA.
Surely, Barkley knows a thing or two about lockouts from his NBA days. Remember, back in 1995, he was one of the NBA union’s loudest critics. Alongside stars like Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing, Barkley even tried to decertify the National Basketball Players Association because they weren’t happy with the proposed revenue-sharing model and salary cap changes at the time.
But if we look at how those NBA lockouts played out, it’s easier to see why Barkley is preaching caution now.
Notably, in most of the league’s major labor standoffs, the owners ultimately came out on top. They managed to push through tighter salary controls and reduce the players’ share of Basketball-Related Income. Sure, the players held on to certain protections like keeping a “soft” salary cap, but overall, they lost billions in potential earnings as their revenue split shrank.
Now, that’s basically the reality check Barkley is offering to the MLB players.
No matter how strongly players feel about their demands, billionaire owners usually have the leverage and, in the long run, they’re the ones running the league. So as MLB players consider digging in over the salary cap issue, there’s a real risk that owners may not lose much at all, while the players could eventually be forced to compromise.
That said, Barkley has shared a slightly different perspective when it comes specifically to the idea of a salary cap.
Barkley calls for better salary negotiations in MLB
Well, Barkley isn’t flat-out against the idea of salary restrictions in MLB. He’s just looking at it from a more balanced angle. Instead of only talking about a cap, he believes there should be both a salary floor and a salary ceiling. “Cap is an interesting word. I think you have to have a floor and a ceiling cause we don’t want the teams at the bottom just making money. We want everybody to be competitive,” Barkley added.
So, a mandatory salary floor would force all 30 teams to spend a minimum amount on their roster. That way, MLB clubs like the Marlins or the Pirates wouldn’t face constant criticism for not investing enough in their squads. And if every team had to meet a standardized spending baseline, it could create a more active and competitive offseason across the league.
At the same time, Barkley supports the idea of a ceiling to prevent big-market teams like the Dodgers and the Mets from spending without limits. The goal isn’t to punish anyone, but to keep the playing field somewhat level. Still, there needs to be a middle ground. Push too hard in either direction, and things could spiral in MLB.
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The 2026 World Baseball Classic is finally here, and with it comes the familiar debate: where should players’ priorities really lie — with their MLB teams or with the WBC?
Well, we’ve already seen a few big names lean toward their MLB commitments. Guys like Cody Bellinger and Roki Sasaki chose to skip the WBC to focus on their club responsibilities. But this time, the momentum might be shifting a bit.
The Yankees’ newest prospect, Elmer Rodríguez-Cruz, is set to miss the rest of spring to suit up for Puerto Rico in the WBC. While it’s obviously a dream-come-true moment for him, not everyone sees it that way. Just like Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay, who thinks it’s the wrong move.
“Please explain to me, it makes sense he’s leaving the Yankees on Sunday so he could play for Team Puerto Rico in the WBC… I love the WBC… But I don’t understand: when you’re a kid who’s trying to make a team, you decide I’m going to leave the team for two weeks. I’m gonna go pitch for my home country doesn’t make sense to me.” Kay shared his no-nonsense take via ESPN.
According to Kay, the WBC might be marketed as baseball’s premier global event, but at its core, he sees it as an MLB-driven business venture. A way to grow the brand internationally, rather than something on the level of the Olympics. From his perspective, that means a player’s top priority should always be MLB!
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Online reaction made one thing clear: fans aren’t buying Kay’s take. One user bluntly told him, “You’re so wrong on this one,” calling the WBC baseball’s version of the World Cup, and one of the only times stars truly play for their country.
Another took a sharper jab, saying, “I get your point, boomer,” while arguing that elite international competition can actually help a young player grow. Bottom line, the flak was real, with plenty of fans pushing back on the idea that MLB should always come before national pride.
Now, Kay’s argument feels even stronger when you look at how Rodríguez-Cruz has opened his spring. The 22-year-old was impressive in the Yankees’ Grapefruit League opener, giving up just three hits across three scoreless innings, striking out one and not issuing a single walk. So, with that kind of start, Kay believes the young right-hander could be setting himself up for a bright future in New York.
So Kay questions why Rodríguez-Cruz would choose to head to the WBC and risk injury, especially when he has a real opportunity to make noise with the Yankees right now. One injury on the international stage could derail all that early momentum.
However, for Rodríguez-Cruz, it’s about something bigger. Representing Puerto Rico on home soil, in front of his family, is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. That kind of emotional pull is hard to ignore.
Kay sees it differently.
In his view, Rodríguez-Cruz should focus on establishing himself with the Yankees over the next few years. Build your career, secure your place, and then one day play in front of your family at Yankee Stadium; that’s the smarter path. After all, while someone like Shohei Ohtani, the face of MLB, could survive a two-year pitching gap following his post-2023 WBC injury, a young prospect doesn’t necessarily have that same safety net.
The Yankees have a mixed ratio of players in the WBC 2026
The Yankees have a mixed participation rate in the WBC. Some of their veterans are all in, even though they’re the faces of the franchise. Others have decided to sit it out.
For example, Cody Bellinger reportedly chose to skip the WBC out of loyalty to the Yankees. After the team showed its faith in him with a five-year commitment, Bellinger made it clear where his priorities lie. From that standpoint, it looks like a calculated and smart decision.
Aaron Judge, though, is a completely different case. For years, he stayed away from the WBC. But this time, even with the Yankees’ World Series hopes heavily resting on his shoulders again, he’s embracing the challenge, and not just participating, but captaining Team USA!
However, according to Kay, the difference is simple: Judge has nothing left to prove. He’s already established himself as one of the biggest stars in baseball, so taking that kind of gamble isn’t as risky for him. If anyone can afford it, it’s Judge. But for a young prospect who’s just getting started, that same gamble could carry much bigger consequences.

MLB has been hit with some deeply troubling news, as former pitcher Daniel Serafini has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his father-in-law. Now, while MLB has unfortunately seen its share of former players run into legal trouble over the years, a case involving homicide at this level is virtually unprecedented.
Given Serafini’s already turbulent reputation during his playing days, it’s a story that brings both his career and his personal struggles back into focus. From his time on the mound to the issues that seemed to follow him off the field, there’s a lot to unpack about his professional journey and how it ultimately spiraled into such a tragic and shocking outcome.
Let’s take a closer look at Serafini’s MLB career and the events that led to this devastating chapter.
Who is Daniel Serafini? Everything to know about the ex-MLB pitcher
Notably, Daniel Serafini was the 26th overall pick in the 1992 MLB Draft by the Twins, and he eventually made his big-league debut in 1996. Then over the course of his career, he suited up for six different teams: the Twins, Cubs, Padres, Pirates, Reds, and Rockies. He even managed to carve out some late-career success overseas in Japan’s NPB.
However, things took a turn in 2007 when he was handed a 50-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. That’s the moment that, in many ways, marked the beginning of his slide away from the game.
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After his MLB days were over, Serafini also tried his hand at several business ventures. But financial troubles followed, and reports of mounting debt painted a picture of instability. Eventually, that downward spiral led to the shocking and tragic involvement in the murder of his father-in-law. So a stunning and heartbreaking fall from grace that the fans could have imagined during his days on the mound.
Who are Daniel Serafini’s parents? All you need to know
There’s very limited information about Daniel Serafini’s personal life before his marriage. No information is available about his parents, and most of his personal documents are in his in-laws’ names. He was born in Italy, which allowed him to represent Italy in the 2013 WBC.
Who is his ex-wife? Why did the two separate? Know the details about his family
Serafini’s most recent wife is Erin Spohr. The two reportedly tied the knot in Hawaii in 2010 or 2011, and they share two young sons. But their relationship took a dramatic turn in 2025.
Just a week after a jury found Serafini guilty of murdering her father and attempting to murder her mother, Erin filed for divorce on July 21, 2025. Interestingly, in her divorce filing, she described their relationship as “amicable,” a detail that added another layer of complexity to an already heartbreaking situation.
Hence, much like his professional career, which was filled with ups and downs, Serafini’s personal life also appears to have been deeply turbulent, ultimately culminating in a tragic and highly public downfall.
Who are Daniel Serafini’s Father and Mother-in-law? What happened to them
According to reports, Daniel Serafini’s father-in-law was Robert Gary Spohr (70), and his mother-in-law was Wendy Wood (68). Reportedly, they were attacked on June 5, 2021, when Serafini entered his in-laws’ home and waited for them to return before opening fire. While Spohr was killed instantly by a gunshot wound to the head, Wood survived the initial shooting but later died by suicide.
As the case unfolded, prosecutors argued that Serafini had planned the attack in an effort to deal with mounting financial problems tied to his bar business, which at one point had left him owing thousands of dollars in debt. However, now, while Serafini remains in custody serving his sentence, both of his in-laws met tragic ends in a case that has stunned many!
What is the verdict in his case? Understand in detail
Daniel Serafini was ultimately convicted of first-degree murder, the attempted murder of his mother-in-law, and first-degree burglary. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder charge. And on top of that, he received a second life sentence for the attempted murder conviction and an additional 25 years to life for burglary.
However, even after the verdict was handed down, Serafini maintained his innocence in court. It is reported that he might appeal the ruling, meaning the legal process may not be over just yet. There’s still a possibility that the case could resurface in a higher court, potentially leading to another chapter in this already dramatic and tragic saga.
Daniel Serafini’s professional career, net worth, stats, and more
While Daniel Serafini put together a respectable 13-year run in the majors across six different franchises, his financial picture tells a very different story. Despite earning more than $14 million over the course of his professional baseball career, his estimated net worth as of 2026 is reportedly in the negative!
And we can assume that much of that money is drained by poor investments. It’s a stunning fall when you consider how promising he once looked. After bursting onto the scene in the early ’90s, he showed flashes of real talent, even posting 127 SOs and a sharp 1.72 WHIP at one point.
Hence, for a pitcher who once had that kind of potential and longevity in the league, it’s hard to imagine a more tragic and sobering ending than the one that has unfolded.