MLB News (non-Phillies) 2026 Season

[zambonir]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7535082/2026/08/24/dana-brown-part-ways-houston-astros

Astros feel a lot like the '08 era Phillies, they had kind of a unicorn development era (for which they tanked aggressively) and were luckier (in that they won a second championship), plus of course a good deal of their success came via cheating (and not just the sign-stealing but probably hacking too). But ownership is neither sharp, hands-off, nor willing to truly spend.

Brown's contract was up soon anyway but this still feels a little petty, and not the best message to the manager or clubhouse.

[Philsmania]

First-place Astros let go of GM Dana Brown on heels of losing homestand

Astros feel a lot like the '08 era Phillies, they had kind of a unicorn development era (for which they tanked aggressively) and were luckier (in that they won a second championship), plus of course a good deal of their success came via cheating (and not just the sign-stealing but probably hacking too). But ownership is neither sharp, hands-off, nor willing to truly spend.

Brown's contract was up soon anyway but this still feels a little petty, and not the best message to the manager or clubhouse.

I disagree with the unicorn part. Actually, the Astros were consistently good from the late-70's until the late '00's and then the new management decided to tank aggressively. Only six losing seasons and one .500 season from 1979 to 2006 (however, only one NL Pennant and no WS titles during that span). That says to me that the Astros were consistently good in scouting and developing players. Bagwell came from someplace else but most their other stars were homegrown. I actually think that new management dismantled what had been a largely successful operation, though admittedly it had flagged a good bit from 2007-11 when it took over.

[zambonir]

All of that happened before the current ownership though. Gerry Hunsicker was an excellent GM and those Killer Bs (and Oswalt and Lidge) years were excellent. The Astros and the Phillies were always very closely linked (by Tal Smith and culminating with Ed Wade returning to run them) and they were both far too cheap for their market size. But just because they had more success than our guys in the period you cite doesn't mean they were really any better run (and I know we don't think the Phillies were well-run from 1983-2003 even though there actually was success some of those years). I lived in Texas and had season tickets to their minor league club (when Lidge and Oswalt and Berkman and many others were coming up). After that era, they needed a shake-up just as badly as the Phillies did. And they got it, with a front office every bit as good as Tampa or St. Louis, but that era is over now too. The 2022 championship with Dusty and a GM Crane wouldn't give a new contract to was the unicorn, especially considering the circumstances that led to those guys being hired. They have not done much right since then, and that starts with ownership, as ever.

[BaseballCat]

I forgot Dana Brown was a Phillies minor leaguer (35th rd 1989).
https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/73248/

[Philsmania]

Brown just missed being a Seton Hall teammate of Craig Biggio.

[chuckklein]

Triple Crowns are a rare thing. It's been fourteen years since Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers won the last one, and a full 45 years before that when the next most recent one was recorded by Carl Yastrzemzki of the Red Sox. In fact, only ten major leaguers have accomplished the feat in the last century. It was 89 years ago when Joe "Ducky" Medwick of the Cardinals became the last National Leaguer to do it. And it was truly a remarkable thing in 1933 when Jimmy Foxx of the Athletics and Chuck Klein of the Phillies became the only duo from the same city to have Triple Crowns in the same year. That being said, don't look now, but Yordan Alvarez of the Astros is leading the AL with a batting average of .320, 36 homers, and 90 RBIs. The runners-up are Chandler Simpson of the Rays with a batting average of .310, Junior Caminero of the Rays with 35 homers, and Pete Alonso of the Orioles with 85 RBIs. Clearly, Alvarez is likely to have competition until the last few games of the season, but his numbers so far are pointing towards a fight to the finish.

[zambonir]

Astros announcers Steve Sparks on the AL West, where no team is over .500 (and yes, one of them has just beaten us two nights in a row)

“What I see is top-heavy lineups and (safe) places for pitchers to go,” Sparks said. “You can pitch around certain guys. You see teams’ intentional walks to Yordan Alvarez. He set a franchise record for the Astros; he’s at 28 now on the season. So you get an opportunity to expose teams’ weaknesses by pitching around guys in a top-heavy lineup.

It’s a herd of turtles in the AL West, and the Astros aren’t innovators anymore

[zambonir]

The waiver moves begin. But unlikely to find anyone worth having/making room for (at least not a bat).

Reds slugger Eugenio Suárez, outfielder TJ Friedl available on waivers: Sources

[Philsmania]

Gerry Hunsicker was an excellent GM

Gerry Hunsicker...#THWND!

[EastFallowfield]

Mets announcers noted tonight that the game the Giants blew to the Reds the other day was the first time in team history they had blown a ninth inning lead of 6 (or more) runs, and they've been around since 1883. They cited some ridiculous thousands of wins and now 1 loss.

2208-1.

[bkox]

MLB reportedly suspends Dominican prospect, who had $2.8 million agreement with...

[allentown]

Unlike the Pbillies, Cleveland walks away from a $2+ million commitment to a suspended prospect who tried to scam them by lying about his age.

[dicemen99]

Unlike the Pbillies, Cleveland walks away from a $2+ million commitment to a suspended prospect who tried to scam them by lying about his age.

Well, it’s vastly different circumstances, as the impending international draft takes away most all of the reasons the Phillies kept their commitment.

Maybe the Phillies made a mistake, but comparing the situations is not really fair.

[zambonir]

It's always been a bit mysterious what exactly went down, but in this case the Indians clearly didn't have a choice, and the guy didn't just lie about his age, he lied about who he is, and committed crimes. MLB has always stepped into punish teams or players or both in most of these cases. They did not see a reason to with the Phillies' guy. And the Phillies stood by their interest in the player, however stupidly.

[zambonir]

Another free (but expensive) guy the Phillies no longer need.

Mets place outfielder Luis Robert Jr. on outright waivers: Sources

[allentown]

Expensive in $ but currently playing very well. I won't say the Phillies no longer need him. He would be an upgrade but likely too much to pay for the upgrade. Even with his miserable early season and time lost to injury, he is +0.9 rWAR on the season and has an OPS of about .900 for the past month, has minimal platoon split and is a plus defender..

[zambonir]

I didn't realize he'd come around. In that case I would say if you want him money should be no object (though it will). But is he really an upgrade over what we're already getting from Hill and De La Cruz (and Crawford), especially with playing time in RF limited? It's still a small sample and he spent three months on the IL already this year, and goes on the IL almost every year. We already acquired that same type of player last year and got the best possible performance from him, then saw him be unavailable in the NLDS.

If I were a rich team (which the Phillies still are) I'd be just as interested in the possibility that you keep him next year. That would be just $18 million (and moves the $2 million to next year). That's nothing if he actually can really play again (and perform). But far too much if he reverts to either poor health or poor play.

[BostonRoss]

I would put in a claim for Robert though he might not get to us. We’d only have to pay him next season if there is a season. If so, they can afford him.

[Carver]

On the surface, Ross, one can make a case for claiming him...although given the ridiculous injury history and track record for the past few years, one has to be a true optimist to feel really comfortable with the risk to reward ratio.

If one looks at the Phils payroll issues and concerns, there are likely to be better avenues for $20M for next season. There is also something about the guy that makes me more of a skeptic than some others out there. His upside is terrific and it would solve a real need if he could manage to find his form and stay on the field, but the odds are long. Perhaps they take the swing, as they took a serious look at him a few times and the potential appeal is tangible, but I kinda' hope not. Bargain basement additions BLDC and Derek have given us a very nice return that has energized the team, and I don't see Robert as a guy that is a plus in the clubhouse either. I could be wrong however - it had been known to happen.

[zambonir]

I kind of doubt he gets claimed by anyone, not even the Dodgers. I think if you do claim him you have to at least be interested in shelling out the $18M next year. Because $5M is definitely a lot for four weeks.

For the Phillies, it's pretty simple. You'd be optioning De La Cruz to make room for Robert, and Hill would also lose playing time even if you managed to get Robert time in LF (and in RF any time Harper DHs).

Robert's August numbers are impressive, but there's still a much larger body of work, and also still no indication he can get back to the player who earned those $20M options in the first place (three years ago). To think that one month means that's what he'll be for another year would be a lot. To think it means that's what he'll be for another two months is a lot! We've got the same issue with Bohm really.