MLB News (non-Phillies) 2026 Season

[andyb]

Time to start a non-Phillies 2026 thread as we are moving beyond the Hot Stove.

Interesting article on how the TV telecasts will no longer show whether a pitch is a ball or a strike this season. This seems pretty natural as the dugout could be watching and could relay to the catcher or hitter as to whether or not to challenge.

Of course this whole thing became an issue when the pitch box was introduced so we could all see whether a pitch was a strike or not.

How ABS challenge system will affect MLB TV broadcasts

[zambonir]

He's done a lot of good things and the Padres have had their ownership issues but I imagine we'd hate this if it was the Phillies (former Phillies intern btw!). Been there 11 years. Rebuilt the whole operation - and had five losing seasons, same as Klentak. Four trips to playoffs in six years but no division titles and only one NLCS appearance, where they were upset by a lower seed

Padres Sign A.J. Preller To Multi-Year Extension

[phillychuck]

I read they will still have the “box,” but no ball/strike indicators (solid ball for strike, hollow one for ball). That shouldn’t make a lot of difference to the viewers I wouldn’t think.

[andyb]

I guess it could open the door for some electronic communication with the bench on the obvious misses. I imagine hitters will be nervous about using their challenges without help. Catchers should have a much better real time idea of accuracy.

It will be interesting to see how well this works in practice. I think I still expect this to go to full robo umps in a couple of years once they iron out the technology.

[bkox]

He's done a lot of good things and the Padres have had their ownership issues but I imagine we'd hate this if it was the Phillies (former Phillies intern btw!). Been there 11 years. Rebuilt the whole operation - and had five losing seasons, same as Klentak. Four trips to playoffs in six years but no division titles and only one NLCS appearance, where they were upset by a lower seed

Obviously the Nick Castellanos signing is what won ownership over to do this now.

[julio]

5 posts were split to a new topic: MLB Labor Issues 2026-27

[bkox]

Pablo López has a torn elbow ligament and “surgery is very much on the table” according to Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll.

If surgery is needed, López would miss the entire season.

— Aaron Gleeman ( @AaronGleeman ) February 17, 2026

[zambonir]

$1.5 million if he makes the team.

Guardians agree to minor-league deal with Rhys Hoskins: Sources

That little social media thing about Bryce supposedly asking the Phillies to sign Rhys so seems a little funny when the league has judged Austin Hays and Paul Goldschmidt to be more valuable players. None of these guys, nor, probably none of our current guys, are the RH clean-up slugger he may or may not be wishing for.

[RolenRules]

Eugenio Suarez is the clean-up slugger we could have had.

[kmc1019]

Paywall likely, but this is an absolute gem of an article about Philly/Delco native and pure hitting machine Kevin McGonigle who will hit the bigs for the Tigers at some point this year.

Meet baseball’s No. 2 prospect, weaned on the lessons of Tony Gwynn and Larry...

[andyb]

Konnor Griffin pushing to make the Pirates at age 19. One of the HRs off Ranger who clearly is the type of pitcher to not care about his Spring results.

Pirates prospect Konnor Griffin wows with home runs vs. Red Sox

Griffin would complicate our chances with Crawford (14) and Painter (17) winning Rookie of the Year and getting that comp pick. Law's article below measures impact (i.e. WAR) and not really the counting stats that factor in Rookie of the Year. Crawford hitting 9th is probably not going to have great counting stats other than SB. Frankly Painter has a better shot at winning us the comp pick.

2026 MLB rookie class: The top 20 most likely to make an impact this season

[Philsmania]

I ask since I don't know how the rules work but is there a chance we can possibly end up getting a comp pick for each of Crawford and Painter?

[andyb]

Technically yes but it is really hard. Rookie of the year winners get the pick plus the top 3 in the Cy Young and MVP races. The latter 2 categories are pre-arbitration so Crawford and Painter can get that for the next 3 years.

Realistically we are probably talking rookie of the year winners and pitchers only win about 26% of those so our best chance is Crawford winning ROY. I think his good year is hitting .300 and stealing 50 bases but hitting 9th his runs and RBIs will be down. All it takes is a Konnor Griffin hitting .270 with 20 HRs to look better in the eyes of the voters.

https://www.mlb.com/news/prospect-promotion-incentive-faq

[Philsmania]

Rules sound kind of stingy to me. Top three or top five in the ROTY vote would be better.

[andyb]

Agree. To make it a real incentive they should expand the eligibility. Konnor Griffin is probably the best SS the Pirates have. But is a 20% chance of winning rookie of the year better than keeping him in the minors for 3 weeks to get a 100% guaranteed 7th year of control? If I am the Pirates I keep him in the minors but also offer him a 7+ year $100 million plus contract now that would take the year of control off the table as an issue.

[zambonir]

Paywall likely, but this is an absolute gem of an article about Philly/Delco native and pure hitting machine Kevin McGonigle who will hit the bigs for the Tigers at some point this year.

Athletic has finally been folded into the NYT gift link system (10 per month) and since the month is almost over, I'll do it

Meet baseball’s No. 2 prospect, weaned on the lessons of Tony Gwynn and Larry...

[andyb]

The next Mike Trout will come to the Phillies when he is a free agent player?

[Philsmania]

The next Mike Trout will come to the Phillies when he is a free agent player?

I would be happy to see the Phillies bring Trey Yesavage home after 2031.

[bkox]

Breaking: Max Scherzer goes back to Blue Jays

— Jon Heyman ( @JonHeyman ) February 26, 2026

[Pat_Burrell]

Braves' Profar facing season suspension for 2nd failed PED violation

Sources: Braves' Profar faces 162-game ban, 2nd PED violation