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  • ‘We can hit the ground running’: Walt Weiss named Atlanta Braves manager

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    “There is a lot of responsibility here, but I embrace it,” Weiss (above) said about being the manager of one of Major League Baseball’s most popular and successful franchises. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    The Atlanta Braves named former bench coach Walt Weiss as their new manager. Former Braves manager Brian Snitker announced his retirement at the end of the 2025 season, and the Braves didn’t go far to find his replacement.

    On Tuesday, Nov. 4, the Braves held a press conference to formally introduce Weiss as their next manager. The upstate New York native walked into the press conference room in the bowels of Truist Park and was immediately given a Braves jersey and cap. Weiss would once again wear his old uniform number. 

    “There is a lot of responsibility here, but I embrace it,” Weiss said about being the manager of one of Major League Baseball’s most popular and successful franchises. 

    In the front two rows were Weiss’s family, which includes four sons, Braves star and Baseball Hall of Famer Chipper Jones, former manager Brian Snitker, and current Braves starters Drake Baldwin and Jurickson Profar. 

    Weiss thanked Snitker several times during the press conference, saying that Snitker and former Braves manager Bobby Cox had brought him back to Atlanta, which had helped make this new opportunity possible.

    Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    “The standards are high, the expectations are high, and that’s a good thing,” said Weiss, who turns 62 on November 28. “We can hit the ground running.” 

    Braves General Manager and President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopolous sat next to Weiss during the press conference. Anthopolous was asked about the hiring process several times by members of the media. Anthopolous, 48, didn’t reveal the exact process, but said he had his mind made up by Sunday, a day before the announcement was made via the Braves’ social media feeds.

    “Obviously, this has been a long process for us,” Anthopolous said. “This was important for us to get it right.”

    Weiss has spent eight years on the Braves bench and will be seen as a safe hire for the franchise. The fact that Weiss has a losing record asd a manager might be seen as a gamble, but the former Major League shortstop said he understands what he is getting into.

    “I understand the impact of this Braves brand,” Weiss said. “The fact is that I’ve been here, and that has been established, so I think we can hit the ground running.” 

    This will be Weiss’s second stint as a major league manager. He managed the Colorado Rockies, one of his clubs, from 2013-2016. During those four years, the Rockies were under .500 for all four seasons. Weiss’ career record is 283-365. The Braves team that he will manage when spring training begins in early 2026 is much better than the teams he managed in Colorado. The expectations for the Braves will be high after missing the postseason in 2025.

    This will be Weiss’s second stint as a major league manager. He managed the Colorado Rockies, one of his clubs, from 2013 to 2016. During those four years, the Rockies were under .500 for all four seasons. Weiss’ career record is 283-365. The Braves team that he will manage when spring training begins in early 2026 is much better than the teams he managed in Colorado. The expectations for the Braves will be high after missing the postseason in 2025.

    Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    Weiss will be the 39th manager in franchise history, and he credited his time in Colorado for the lessons he learned as a manager.

    Weiss, the 1988 American League Rookie of the Year with the Oakland A’s, spent 14 years as a shortstop in the majors. His final three seasons, 1998, 1999, and 2000, were spent with the Braves. That span includes his only MLB All-Star Game appearance in 1998. Weiss hit over .330 in the A’s four-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox in 1988. He played in two World Series for the Oakland Athletics before moving on to play for the Florida Marlins, Colorado Rockies, and the Atlanta Braves. 

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    Donnell Suggs

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  • Top 45 MLB free agents for 2024-25 with contract predictions, team fits: Will Soto get $600M+?

    Top 45 MLB free agents for 2024-25 with contract predictions, team fits: Will Soto get $600M+?

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    MLB free agency is almost here so it’s time for my annual ranking of the top free agents with contract predictions and the best team fits for each player. Eligible players technically become free agents the day after the World Series ends but cannot sign with a new team until five days after the final out.

    This year’s free-agent class will be headlined by Juan Soto, whom many in the industry expect to sign a contract in the $550 million to $650 million range. The top of the pool could feature four front-of-the-rotation pitchers, including Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell, Max Fried and perhaps even Roki Sasaki, if the soon-to-be 23-year-old phenom makes it to free agency. In terms of position players, this class will have a pair of prominent power hitters in first baseman Pete Alonso and right fielder Anthony Santander and a couple of impact two-way corner infielders in first baseman Christian Walker and third baseman Alex Bregman.

    This list will change between now and the start of free agency. Some of these players will come off the board if they decide not to opt out of their contracts or their clubs exercise options. Some could decide to retire. In addition, more international players could join the eventual class. (For this ranking, I’ve included any player who could reach free agency this November, even if in some cases that outcome is unlikely.)

    Along with my colleagues at The Athletic, I will be actively covering free agency and the trade season from start to finish, so let’s discuss the current landscape. Here is my ranking of the top 45 free agents for the 2024-25 offseason, with my thoughts on the players as well as information from my conversations with decision-makers across the game. What types of contracts could these players command? These are my initial projections.

    (Note: Players’ ages are as of Oct. 24. WAR is according to Baseball Reference as of Oct. 24.) 

    1. Juan Soto, OF

    Age: 25
    B: L T: L HT: 6-2 WT: 225
    2024 (Yankees): 7.9 WAR
    Career: 36.4 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $31 million

    Has Juan Soto found his permanent home with the Yankees? Can they keep him after a strong platform year? He certainly lived up to expectations in his first year in the Bronx, slashing .288/.419/.569 with 41 home runs and a league-leading 128 runs scored. He’s expected to finish third in the American League MVP voting behind Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr. He’s met the big moments in this postseason and has logged a 1.106 OPS.

    By all indications, he’s poised to become the second-highest-paid player in baseball history, behind only Shohei Ohtani. He’s a generational talent who will hit free agency at only 26 and should be able to land a 15-year deal. Most executives believe he’ll end up somewhere between $550 million and $650 million, which will probably limit his market to both New York teams and possibly the Blue Jays. Other teams such as the Dodgers, Phillies, Rangers and Nationals also could emerge for Soto.

    Best team fits: Yankees, Mets, Blue Jays
    Salary comps: Ohtani (10 years, $700M); Mike Trout (12 years, $426M); Mookie Betts (12 years, $365M); Judge (9 years, $360M)

    Contract prediction: 15 years, $622 million

    2. Corbin Burnes, RHP

    Age: 29
    HT: 6-3 WT: 245
    2024 (Orioles): 3.4 WAR
    Career: 17.2 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $15.64 million

    This will be the fifth consecutive year that Corbin Burnes finishes in the top eight in Cy Young Award voting. Burnes went 15-9 with 181 strikeouts and 1.096 WHIP in his first season in the American League after the Orioles traded for him in February. He’s pitched more than 190 innings three years in a row and is 60-36 with a 3.19 ERA over 199 games (138 starts) in his career. He will be — and should be — the most sought-after free-agent pitcher this offseason.

    Best team fits: Mets, Dodgers, Red Sox, Orioles
    Salary comps: Stephen Strasburg (7 years, $245M); Jacob deGrom (5 years, $185M); Aaron Nola (7 years, $172M)

    Contract prediction: 7 years, $247 million

    3. Roki Sasaki, RHP

    Age: 22
    HT: 6-2 WT: 187

    It is unclear if Roki Sasaki’s team in Japan, the Chiba Lotte Marines, will allow him to leave for MLB this offseason, but with the Marines out of the NPB playoffs, we should know soon. If he is coming, he will be the most coveted international free agent as the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees, Red Sox and Diamondbacks all committed significant resources to scout him this month, including sending top executives to see him pitch.

    How much teams would be willing to offer Sasaki could depend on his medical reports as he didn’t pitch for two months in the middle of the year because of arm troubles, which limited him to 18 games and 111 innings. (He pitched just 91 innings in 2023 due to an oblique injury and has topped the 100-inning mark only once in his career.)

    However, he dominated down the stretch this season, averaging 100.5 mph with his fastball and reaching 103 mph. Since Sasaki is under 25, he would be subject to international bonus pool restrictions; if he’s posted after this season, he’d only be allowed to sign a minor-league contract, which is what Ohtani did with the Angels in 2017.

    Best team fits: Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, Diamondbacks, Red Sox
    Salary comps: None

    Contract prediction: Minor-league contract

    4. Gerrit Cole, RHP

    Age: 34
    HT: 6-4 WT: 220
    2024 (Yankees): 2.0 WAR
    Career: 43.3 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $36 million

    Gerrit Cole will not be a free agent this offseason, but I’ve included him in this list because he has the right to opt out of his contract and could theoretically reach the open market. That won’t happen though, as he’s in line to make $36 million a year with the Yankees through 2028, which he could not match in free agency.

    Cole spent 2 1/2 months on the injured list and is not fully back to his usual level of performance but seems to be getting better the more he pitches. His four-seam fastball was at 97 mph in the seventh inning of the Yankees’ clinching win over Kansas City in the Division Series, with elite spin at the top of the zone. Cole will start Game 1 of the World Series, and although I don’t expect him to dominate, he should pitch well enough to give the Yankees a chance to win.

    Prediction: Cole won’t opt out of his contract


    Max Fried acknowledges the fans at Truist Park. Will he be back with the Braves? (Brett Davis / Imagn Images)

    5. Max Fried, LHP

    Age: 30
    HT: 6-4 WT: 190
    2024 (Braves): 3.5 WAR
    Career: 24.1 WAR
    Agent: CAA Sports 2024 salary: $15 million

    Max Fried has a career record of 73-36 with a 3.07 ERA and 3.29 FIP. He’s made two All-Star teams, won two Gold Glove awards and finished top-five in the Cy Young Award voting twice. He’s made 28 to 30 starts in three of the last four seasons but has dealt with injuries, including left forearm neuritis each of the last two years. Therefore, his medical reports will determine whether he lands a market-rate deal or has to take a lesser contract. The Braves have tried over the last several years to extend Fried to no avail. They’ll keep trying this offseason and wait to see how he fares in the market, but they definitely want him back.

    Best team fits: Braves, Orioles, Mets, Red Sox
    Salary comps: Aaron Nola (7 years, $172M); Carlos Rodón (6 years, $162M); Patrick Corbin (6 years, $140M); Tyler Glasnow (5 years, $136.5M)

    Contract prediction: 6 years, $174 million

    6. Pete Alonso, 1B

    Age: 29
    B: R T: R HT: 6-3 WT: 245
    2024 (Mets): 2.6 WAR
    Career: 19.8 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $20.5 million

    Pete Alonso’s value spiked after he performed this postseason in the biggest moments, including hitting three opposite-field home runs during the Mets’ magical run. He’s beloved in New York and the feeling is mutual. I think a return to the Mets is inevitable, but several contending teams would love to have his 40-homer bat in the middle of their lineups.

    Best team fits: Mets, Mariners, Yankees, Nationals
    Salary comps: Matt Olson (8 years, $168M); Nolan Arenado (8 years, $260M); Kris Bryant (7 years, $182M)

    Contract prediction: 7 years, $204 million

    7. Alex Bregman, 3B

    Age: 30
    B: R T: R HT: 6-0 WT: 190
    2024 (Astros) 4.1 WAR
    Career: 39.6 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $20 million

    Alex Bregman would love to finish his career as an Astro, but will the organization do enough to keep him? Houston has a history in free agency of saying goodbye to its star players, such as Carlos Correa and George Springer, who both departed when the Astros weren’t willing to commit to the long-term contracts they could land elsewhere.

    Bregman is a proven leader with elite skills in not chasing out of the strike zone. He has all the intangibles that winning organizations want. His market range is well-defined — somewhere between what the Giants gave Matt Chapman last month and Nolan Arenado’s contract with the Rockies/Cardinals. Astros general manager Dana Brown has said the team will make Bregman an offer, but will it be close to how the rest of the industry views him?

    Best team fits: Astros, Yankees, Nationals, Mariners, Tigers
    Salary comps: Matt Chapman (6 years, $151M); Nolan Arenado (8 years, $260M); Xander Bogaerts (11 years, $280M)

    Contract prediction: 7 years, $185.5 million

    8. Blake Snell, LHP

    Age: 31
    HT: 6-4 WT: 225
    2024 (Giants): 2.1 WAR
    Career: 23.4 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $32 million

    Snell was looking for a long-term contract last offseason, but most executives were concerned about his track record, which includes making 30 or more starts only twice in a nine-year career and never pitching more than 180 2/3 innings in a season. However, in the two years he did make 30 starts (2018, 2023), he won a Cy Young Award both times.

    This year he dealt with injuries early but performed well after returning in July; he finished with a 3.12 ERA and 2.43 FIP over 20 starts. Snell will pitch at age 32 next year and I think his lack of durability — he’s pitched more than 130 innings in a season only once since 2018 — will again prevent him from getting a long-term contract. However, after opting out of his $30 million player option, he’ll be able to sign a better deal.

    Best team fits: Yankees, Orioles, Mets, Braves, Giants
    Salary comps: Aaron Nola (7 years, $172M); Carlos Rodón (6 years, $162M); Patrick Corbin (6 years, $140M); Tyler Glasnow (5 years, $136.5M); José Berríos (7 years, $131M); Sonny Gray (3 years, $75M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $105 million

    9. Freddy Peralta, RHP

    Age: 28
    HT: 6-0 WT: 202
    2024 (Brewers): 2.6 WAR
    Career: 8.9 WAR
    Agent: Rep 1 Baseball 2024 salary: $5.7 million

    Freddy Peralta will not make it to free agency but I’ll include him in this list until the Brewers exercise their $8 million team option for 2025. Peralta pitched to a 3.68 ERA over 32 starts this season, with 200 strikeouts in 173 2/3 innings. Milwaukee also holds an $8 million team option for 2026.

    Prediction: Brewers will exercise $8 million team option for 2025


    Anthony Santander hit 44 homers, finishing behind only Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani on the major-league leaderboard. (Tommy Gilligan / Imagn Images)

    10. Anthony Santander, RF

    Age: 30
    B: B T: R HT: 6-2 WT: 230
    2024 (Orioles): 2.9 WAR
    Career: 11.1 WAR
    Agent: GSE Worldwide 2024 salary: $11.7 million

    A lot of teams are looking for corner outfielders with power and there won’t be a lot of those players available via free agency or trades. This season Santander had 44 home runs, 102 RBIs and 91 runs scored, all of which were career highs. He’s hit 105 homers over the past three seasons and is still only 30.

    Best team fits: Orioles, Nationals, Reds, Blue Jays, Mariners
    Salary comps: Brandon Nimmo (8 years, $162M); George Springer (6 years, $150M)

    Contract prediction: 7 years, $150.5 million

    11. Willy Adames, SS

    Age: 29
    B: R T: R HT: 6-1 WT: 219
    2024 (Brewers): 3.1 WAR
    Career: 21.5
    Agent: CAA Sports 2024 salary: $12.25 million

    I expected Willy Adames to be traded to the Dodgers after Corey Seager departed as a free agent in 2021, but it never happened because the Brewers remained a contender and never made him available. With Adames now reaching free agency, the Dodgers should be viewed as heavy favorites to land him. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman had Adames in his organization for a couple of years when he was GM of the Rays and has always been a big fan of the player. Adames is a perfect fit for the left side of the Dodgers’ infield.

    Best team fits: Dodgers, Brewers, Braves
    Salary comps: Dansby Swanson (7 years, $177M); Javier Báez (6 years, $140M); Trevor Story (6 years, $140M)

    Contract prediction: 6 years, $150 million

    12. Marcell Ozuna, DH

    Age: 33
    B: R T: R HT: 6-1 WT: 225
    2024 (Braves): 4.3 WAR
    Career: 27.7 WAR
    Agent: CAA Sports 2024 salary: $18 million

    Marcell Ozuna was the Braves’ best offensive player this season, slashing .302/.378/.546 with 31 doubles and 39 home runs, and was the league’s second-best designated hitter behind Ohtani. The Braves hold a club option for $16 million for 2025 and they’re expected to exercise it, which will remove Ozuna from my next ranking.

    Prediction: Braves will exercise $16 million club option for 2025

    13. Christian Walker, 1B

    Age: 33
    B: R T: R HT: 6-0 WT: 208
    2024 (Diamondbacks): 2.6
    Career: 15.1 WAR
    Agent: CAA Sports 2024 salary: $10.9 million

    Christian Walker is one of the best first basemen in the sport. Despite his years of production, he’s never made an All-Star team; I thought he was the biggest All-Star snub this summer. The two-time Gold Glove Award winner is in line to win his third after leading NL first basemen in outs above average.

    Despite missing more than a month with an oblique injury, he finished the season with 26 home runs and 84 RBIs in 130 games. It was the third year in a row he’s hit at least 25 bombs and posted an OPS+ over 120. Several teams have early interest in Walker, with the Astros and Mariners being the best early team fits.

    Best team fits: Astros, Mariners, Diamondbacks, Yankees, Mets
    Salary comps: Paul Goldschmidt (5 years, $130M); Anthony Rizzo (2 years, $40M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $72 million

    14. Cody Bellinger, CF

    Age: 29
    B: L T: L HT: 6-4 WT: 203
    2024 (Cubs): 2.2 WAR
    Career: 24.5 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $30 million

    Cody Bellinger didn’t get the long-term deal he sought last offseason and again will probably have to take a shorter-term deal with a higher average annual value if he opts out of his three-year deal. The reason: He’s hit 20 or more home runs only once in five years and his production varies dramatically from year to year.

    Bellinger has won an MVP, a Rookie of the Year, two Silver Slugger awards, a Gold Glove Award and has been an All-Star twice in his eight-year career. However, his slash line over the past three seasons has been a roller coaster ride, which makes it difficult for teams to assess which version they would be getting in the coming years. Bellinger’s ability to play above-average defense at all three outfield positions and first base improves his market value.

    Best team fits: Cubs, Mariners, Giants, Blue Jays, Angels, Astros, Pirates, Phillies, Nationals
    Salary comps: Brandon Nimmo (8 years, $162M); George Springer (5 years, $150M); Paul Goldschmidt (5 years, $130M); Nick Castellanos (5 years, $100M); Kyle Schwarber (4 years, $79M)

    Contract prediction: 4 years, $112 million

    15. Shane Bieber, RHP

    Age: 29
    HT: 6-3 WT: 200
    2024 (Guardians): 0.7 WAR
    Career: 17.7 WAR
    Agent: Rosenhaus Sports Representation 2024 salary: $13.13 million

    Shane Bieber will likely be my pick for best value signing this offseason because of his upside. The AL Cy Young Award winner in 2020, he finished fourth in the voting in 2019 and seventh in 2022. He’s a two-time All-Star and a former Gold Glove winner.

    He made only two starts this year before undergoing Tommy John surgery, which will put him out of service until at least next summer. However, if he comes back healthy, whoever signs him might have a Cy Young-caliber pitcher for the second half of the season.

    Best team fits: Dodgers, Rangers, Guardians, Padres
    Salary comps: N/A. I don’t see a good comp for Bieber in his specific situation.

    Contract prediction: Low base salary with incentives for games started and innings pitched, plus option years


    Sean Manaea boosted his value with a career year. (Brad Penner / Imagn Images)

    16. Sean Manaea, LHP

    Age: 32
    HT: 6-5 WT: 245
    2024 (Mets): 3.0 WAR
    Career: 15.1 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $14.5 million

    I don’t think there’s another player who increased his free-agent value more this year than Sean Manaea, who did so thanks to significant mechanical changes that led to a crossfire-type delivery. Manaea went 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA and 184 strikeouts in 181 2/3 innings. He had a .185 batting average against and 0.938 WHIP in the second half of the season, then largely pitched well in three of his four postseason outings, including a dominant NLDS start against the Phillies in which he allowed one run and three hits in seven innings. He has a $13.5 million player option for 2025 that he will decline.

    Best team fits: Mets, Orioles, Twins
    Salary comps: Hyun Jin Ryu (4 years, $80M); Eduardo Rodriguez (4 years, $80M); Sonny Gray (3 years, $75M); Chris Bassitt (3 years, $63M); Miles Mikolas (3 years, $55.75M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $68 million

    17. Jack Flaherty, RHP

    Age: 29
    HT: 6-4 WT: 225
    2024 (Tigers, Dodgers): 3.1 WAR
    Career: 13.2 WAR
    Agent: CAA Sports 2024 salary: $14 million

    Jack Flaherty was the best starting pitcher traded at the deadline after logging a 2.95 ERA with 133 strikeouts and 19 walks in 18 starts for the Tigers, who dealt him because he was an impending free agent and they didn’t think they were a contender. (What a run they had!)

    The Tigers had a preliminary trade agreement in place with the Yankees, but New York backed out of the deal over concerns about his medical records. Flaherty was then traded to the Dodgers, who had no problem with the medical risk. He delivered for the Dodgers and was their best starter for the rest of the regular season, going 6-2 with a 3.58 ERA in 10 starts.

    He showed his ability to miss bats this season with 194 strikeouts (in 162 innings), his highest total since 2019, when he finished fourth in the NL Cy Young Award voting. He’s only 29. If teams aren’t concerned about the medical risk associated with his back issues, he should land a three-year pact.

    Best team fits: Dodgers, Mets, Twins, Tigers
    Salary comps: Lance McCullers Jr. (5 years, $85M); Mitch Keller (5 years, $77M); Sonny Gray (3 years, $75M); Pablo López (4 years, $73.5M); Kyle Hendricks (4 years, $55.5M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $68 million

    18. Tomoyuki Sugano, RHP

    Age: 35
    HT: 6-1 WT: 198

    Tomoyuki Sugano has gone 136-75 with a 2.45 ERA and 1,596 strikeouts in 12 NPB seasons with the Yomiuri Giants. This year he logged a 1.67 ERA and 0.945 WHIP in 24 starts. He is a two-time winner of the Sawamura Award, which in Japan is equivalent to the Cy Young Award. Sugano has a six-pitch mix and he pounds the strike zone with elite command and control.

    Best team fits: Padres, Rangers, Dodgers, Orioles, Guardians, Mets
    Salary comps: N/A

    Contract prediction: None at this time

    19. Michael Wacha, RHP

    Age: 33
    HT: 6-6 WT: 215
    2024 (Royals): 3.5 WAR
    Career: 16.6 WAR
    Agent: CAA Sports 2024 salary: $16 million

    Michael Wacha has been superb and consistent over the past three years, posting ERAs between 3.22 and 3.35 with double-digit wins each season, all while pitching on short-term contracts. His downward plane and changeup (.169 batting average against) are special. He ranked in the 99th percentile in offspeed run value and in the 92nd percentile in hard-hit rate. Wacha has a $16 million player option for 2025 that I expect he’ll decline so he can enter free agency and land a multiyear contract.

    Best team fits: Royals, Pirates, Orioles, Twins, Tigers
    Salary comps: Jameson Taillon (4 years, $68M); Miles Mikolas (3 years, $55.75M); Jon Gray (4 years, $56M); Chris Bassitt (3 years, $63M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $54 million

    20. Nathan Eovaldi, RHP

    Age: 34
    HT: 6-2 WT: 217
    2024 (Rangers): 2.2 WAR
    Career: 21.0 WAR
    Agent: ACES 2024 salary: $16 million ($20 million player option for 2025)

    Nathan Eovaldi had a 3.80 ERA over 29 starts and recorded 12 wins for the second consecutive season with the Rangers. He is expected to opt out of his contract, which was set to pay him $20 million in 2025, and instead will receive a $2 million buyout. I think he’ll get a two-year contract in free agency. Every contending team should be interested in him.

    Best team fits: Rangers, Red Sox, Orioles, Padres
    Salary comps: Sonny Gray (3 years, $75M); Blake Snell (2 years, $62M); Seth Lugo (3 years, $45M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $42 million with a team option


    Teoscar Hernández posted a 137 OPS+, his highest mark in a full season. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Imagn Images)

    21. Teoscar Hernández, LF

    Age: 32
    B: R T: R HT: 6-2 WT: 215
    2024 (Dodgers): 4.3 WAR
    Career: 17.1 WAR
    Agent: Republik Sports 2024 salary: $23.5 million

    Teoscar Hernández made a smart move last offseason in signing with the Dodgers. He accepted a one-year deal with a high AAV and got to join a loaded lineup filled with future Hall of Famers. Hernández then did what he does best — hit home runs, a career-high 33 of them, to go with 99 RBIs. He’s a below-average defender in left field but a strong clubhouse presence with his energy and enthusiasm.

    Best team fit: Dodgers, Nationals, Tigers, Royals
    Salary comps: George Springer (6 years, $150M); Nick Castellanos (5 years, $100M); Starling Marte (4 years, $78M); Jorge Soler (3 years, $42M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $75 million

    22. Walker Buehler, RHP

    Age: 30
    HT: 6-2 WT: 185
    2024 (Dodgers): -1.3 WAR
    Career: 12.2 WAR
    Agent: Excel Sports Management 2024 salary: $8.025 million

    The way Walker Buehler pitched for much of the regular season (1-6, 5.38 ERA), it didn’t appear he would regain his past form after returning from a second Tommy John surgery. But he made a big impression in Game 3 of the NLCS, when he dominated the Mets over four shutout innings. Buehler will probably have to sign a one-year contract with a mutual option, then show he can pitch a full season healthy and rebuild his value.

    Best team fit: Dodgers
    Salary comps: None

    Contract prediction: 1 year, $10 million with incentives

    23. Tanner Scott, LHP

    Age: 30
    HT: 6-0 WT: 235
    2024 (Marlins, Padres): 3.9 WAR
    Career: 8.6 WAR
    Agent: MVP Sports Group 2024 salary: $5.7 million

    Tanner Scott will be the best left-handed high-leverage reliever on the free-agent market. He can be deployed at any time and in any role — closer, set up, match up — to get left- or right-handed hitters out. He had a banner year, registering a 1.75 ERA in 72 appearances with 22 saves. Batters hit .134 against his four-seam fastball and .231 against his wipeout slider.

    Best team fits: Padres, Orioles, Rangers, Tigers, Royals, Nationals, Giants
    Salary comps: Raisel Iglesias (4 years, $58M); Robert Suarez (5 years, $46M)

    Contract prediction: 4 years, $60 million

    24. Jurickson Profar, LF

    Age: 31
    B: B T: R HT: 6-0 WT: 184
    2024 (Padres): 3.7 WAR
    Career: 8.5 WAR
    Agent: MVP Sports Group 2024 salary: $1 million

    Jurickson Profar was one of the best value signings of the 2023-24 offseason. He inked a one-year contract with the Padres for a base salary of $1 million, then had a career year, finishing second in the NL with a .380 on-base percentage. He hit .280 with 24 home runs, 29 doubles and 10 stolen bases. He also made his first All-Star team. A multiyear deal awaits.

    Best team fits: Padres, Twins
    Salary comps: Mitch Haniger (3 years, $43.5M); Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (3 years, $42M); Michael Conforto (2 years, $36M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $44 million

    25. Eugenio Suárez, 3B

    Age: 33
    B: R T: R HT: 5-11 WT: 213
    2024 (Diamondbacks) 3.1 WAR
    Career: 23.6 WAR
    Agent: Octagon 2024 salary: $11.285 million

    The Diamondbacks acquired Eugenio Suárez from Seattle last offseason in hopes of improving their power. Suárez certainly delivered with 30 home runs and 100 RBIs. He finished in the 96th percentile in sweet spot percentage and played solid defense at the hot corner, finishing in the 82nd percentile in range (outs above average). The Diamondbacks hold a $15 million option for 2025 ($2 million buyout) that they’ll likely pick up.

    Best team fits: Diamondbacks, Blue Jays
    Salary comps: Matt Chapman (6 years, $151M); Chris Taylor (4 years, $60M); Max Muncy (2 years, $24M)

    Contract prediction: Diamondbacks exercise $15 million team option for 2025

    26. Jordan Montgomery, LHP

    Age: 31
    HT: 6-6 WT: 228
    War: -1.4
    Career: 11.2 WAR
    Agent: Wasserman 2024 salary: $25 million

    Jordan Montgomery ended up being the worst free-agent signing of last year’s class. He turned down a four-year offer from the Red Sox, instead agreeing to a one-year, $25 million deal with the Diamondbacks that included a $22.5 million player option for 2025. He had a disastrous year.

    He went 8-7 with a 6.23 ERA and averaged just 6.4 strikeouts per nine innings, the worst rate of his eight-year career. Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick publicly said he hopes Montgomery doesn’t exercise his player option, but the lefty has little choice as no team would offer him a similar contract in free agency this offseason.

    Best team fits: Orioles, Red Sox, Tigers, Twins, Nationals
    Salary comps: None

    Prediction: Montgomery exercises 22.5 million player option and then the Diamondbacks try to trade him

    27. Ha-Seong Kim, SS

    Age: 28
    B: R T: R HT: 5-9 WT: 168
    2024 (Padres): 2.6 WAR
    Career: 15.3 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $8 million

    Ha-Seong Kim underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in September to repair a “small tear” in the labrum of his right (throwing) shoulder. He sustained the injury Aug. 18 while diving back to first base on a pick-off play. This season manager Mike Shildt moved Kim from second base, where he won a Gold Glove Award last year, to shortstop, which was a significant defensive upgrade for the Padres. However, Kim hit just .233 with 11 home runs and 22 stolen bases before going on the injured list. He might have to sign a “pillow contract” to show he’s recovered from the injury, then produce like he did in 2023, when he hit 17 home runs and stole 38 bases.

    Best team fits: Padres, Brewers, Dodgers, Pirates
    Salary comps: J.P. Crawford (5 years, $51M); Jeff McNeil (4 years, $50M); Nico Hoerner (3 years, $35M); Orlando Arcia (3 years, $7.3M)

    Contract prediction: 1 year, $10 million with incentives and award bonuses

    28. Gleyber Torres, 2B

    Age: 27
    B: R T: R HT: 6-1 WT: 205
    2024 (Yankees): 1.8 WAR
    Career: 16.1 WAR
    Agent: Octagon 2024 salary: $14.2 million

    Gleyber Torres has wanted to sign a long-term contract with the Yankees but there have never been serious negotiations to keep him in the Bronx for years to come. He is a below-average defender at second base with limited range. He hit .257 with 15 home runs and a 101 OPS+ on the season but batted over .300 when he was moved to the leadoff spot in September and has performed in October, slashing .297/.400/.432 in the playoffs.

    Best team fits: Yankees, Mariners, Blue Jays, Marlins
    Salary comps: Jeff McNeil (4 years, $50M); Nico Hoerner (3 years, $35M); J.P. Crawford (5 years, $51M)

    Contract prediction: 4 years, $44 million


    Tyler O’Neill is coming off his best season since 2021. (Bob DeChiara / Imagn Images)

    29. Tyler O’Neill, OF

    Age: 29
    B: R T: R HT: 5-11 WT: 200
    2024 (Red Sox): 2.7 WAR
    Career: 12.6
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $5.85 million

    Tyler O’Neill is like Blake Snell and Cody Bellinger — when he can stay healthy and play up to his potential, he delivers. This year he slashed .241/.336/.511 with 31 home runs in 113 games. However, it was only the second somewhat healthy successful season of his seven-year career — his last one was in 2021 when he hit 34 home runs with the Cardinals, finished eighth in NL MVP voting and won his second Gold Glove Award.

    O’Neill had multiple stints on the injured list this year and has played more than 100 games only twice. Despite coming off a productive season, that lack of availability will force him to sign another short-term contract.

    Best team fit: Red Sox
    Salary comps: Starling Marte (4 years, $78M); Andrew Benintendi (5 years, $75M); Ian Happ (3 years, $61M); Jorge Soler (3 years, 42M); Michael Conforto (2 years, $36M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $32 million

    30. Yusei Kikuchi, LHP

    Age: 33
    HT: 6-0 WT: 210
    2024 (Blue Jays, Astros): 1.4 WAR
    Career: 4.1
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $10 million

    Yusei Kikuchi was 4-9 with a 4.75 ERA over 22 starts with the Blue Jays, who dealt him to Houston at the trade deadline. The Astros quickly changed his pitch sequencing and usage and the results were astounding — he went 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA and 3.07 FIP over 10 starts (60 innings). Kikuchi would be smart to re-sign with the Astros and the feeling should be mutual based on his results and the prospect package they traded to land him.

    Best team fits: Astros, Orioles, Tigers, Twins
    Salary comps: Chris Bassitt (3 years, $63.3 million; Miles Mikolas (3 years $55.75M); Seth Lugo (3 years; $45M); Tyler Anderson (3 years; $39M); Nathan Eovaldi (2 years, $34M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $42 million

    31. Brandon Lowe, 2B

    Age: 30
    B: L T: R HT: 5-10 WT: 185
    2024 (Rays): 2.4 WAR
    Career: 16.0 WAR
    Agent: The Bledsoe Agency 2024 salary: $8.75 million

    Brandon Lowe is another player who just can’t stay off the injured list; he’s played more than 110 games just once in his seven-year career and has averaged 108 games over the last two years. However, his power has been consistent during that span as he hit 21 homers in both years.

    He’s only 30, and if he can stay healthy, his power plays, as it did in 2021 when he hit 39 home runs. He finished in the top 10 in AL MVP voting in 2020 and 2021 so there’s no denying his potential.

    Tampa Bay holds a $10.5 million team option for 2025 ($1 million buyout) and an $11.5 million option ($500,000 buyout) for 2026. The Rays could certainly pick up the option, but if they don’t, Lowe could be a smart high-risk, high-reward type signing this winter.

    Best team fits: Rays, Yankees, Mariners, White Sox, Blue Jays
    Salary comps: Jeff McNeil (4 years, $50M); Brandon Drury (2 years, $17M); Jorge Polanco (5 years, $25.75M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $24 million

    32. Nick Martinez, RHP

    Age: 34
    HT: 6-1 WT: 201
    2024 (Reds) War: 4.0 WAR
    Career: 8.7 WAR
    Agent: RMG Baseball 2024 salary: $14 million

    Nick Martinez continues to improve and should land a three-year contract as a free agent this winter. He’s coming off a career-best year after going 10-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 16 starts and 26 relief appearances. Martinez hopes to become a full-time starter with his next team and he deserves that opportunity. He has posted an ERA below 3.50 in each of the past three seasons.

    Best team fits: Reds, Padres, Tigers, Orioles, Twins, Red Sox
    Salary comps: Seth Lugo (3 years, $45M); Tyler Anderson (3 years, $39M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $40 million

    33. Charlie Morton, RHP

    Age: 40
    HT: 6-5 WT: 214
    2024 (Braves): 1.1 WAR
    Career: 17.3 WAR
    Agent: Wasserman 2024 salary: $20 million

    Charlie Morton is Mr. Consistency. In 2024 he reached the 30-starts mark for the sixth straight season. He posted a 4.19 ERA with 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings. He’s weighed retirement in recent offseasons, will turn 41 in November and despite another solid season, the consensus around the Braves is that he will call it a career. But if he decides to return for his 18th major-league season, a one-year contract with Atlanta similar to his recent deals could work for both sides.

    Best team fit: Braves
    Salary comps: Frankie Montas, (1 year, $16M)

    Contract prediction: 1 year, $20 million

    34. Joc Pederson, OF/DH

    Age: 32
    B: L T: L HT: 6-1 WT: 220
    2024 (Diamondbacks): 2.9 WAR
    Career: 15.1 WAR
    Agent: Excel Sports Management 2024 salary: $12.5 million

    Joc Pederson embraces his platoon role, excelling against right-handed pitching with an impressive .275/.392/.531 slash line and 22 homers in 407 plate appearances this season with the Diamondbacks. He has a $14 million mutual option for 2025 with a $3 million buyout, and I think it makes sense for him to take the buyout and try to sign a two-year deal on the open market.

    Best team fit: Diamondbacks, Reds, Rockies
    Salary comps: Rhys Hoskins (2 years, $34M); Mitch Garver (2 years, $24M); Justin Turner (1 year, $13M); J.D. Martinez (1 year, $12M); Charlie Blackmon (1 year, $13M

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $26 million


    Carlos Estévez (Gregory Fisher / Imagn Images)

    35. Carlos Estévez, RHP

    Age: 31
    HT: 6-6 WT: 275
    2024 (Angels, Phillies): 2.1 WAR
    Career: 4.8 WAR
    Agent: Premier Talent Sports and Entertainment 2024 salary: $6.75 million

    Carlos Estévez had a strong free-agent walk year, posting a 2.38 ERA with the Angels before being traded at the deadline to Philadelphia, where he put up a 2.57 ERA over 20 games. He finished the season with 26 saves and 0.909 WHIP, but also averaged 7.7 strikeouts per nine innings, the lowest rate of his career.

    Estévez has 82 career saves and will generate plenty of interest from teams looking for high-leverage relievers. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has said it’s unlikely the club will bring back both Estévez and Jeff Hoffman, who is ranked 43rd on this list.

    Best team fits: Phillies, Orioles, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Pirates
    Salary comps: Kendall Graveman (3 years, $24M); José Alvarado (3 years, $22M); Joe Jiménez (3 years, $26M); Ryan Pressly (2 years, $30M); Taylor Rogers (3 years, $33M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $33 million

    36. Luis Severino, RHP

    Age: 30
    HT: 6-2 WT: 218
    2024 (Mets): 1.6 WAR
    Career: 13.4 WAR
    Agent: Rep 1 Baseball 2024 salary: $13 million

    Luis Severino had a strong comeback season, making more than 30 starts for the first time since 2018. He went 11-7 with a 3.91 ERA over 31 starts and struck out 161 in 182 innings. The two-time All-Star also was solid in the postseason (3.24 ERA in 16 2/3 innings), which can only increase interest in free agency.

    Best team fits: Mets, Tigers, Orioles, Pirates, Red Sox
    Salary comps: Chris Bassitt (3 years, $63M); Miles Mikolas (3 years, $55.75M); Seth Lugo (3 years, $45M); Zach Eflin (3 years, $40M); Lucas Gioloto (2 years, $38.5M); Marcus Stroman (2 years, $37M); Nathan Eovaldi (2 years, $34M); Reynaldo López, (3 years, $30M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $32 million

    37. Jose Quintana, LHP

    Age: 35
    HT: 6-1 WT: 220
    2024 (Mets): 2.5 WAR
    Career: 30.5
    Agent: Wasserman 2024 salary: $13 million

    Jose Quintana was brilliant in his first two starts of this postseason, adding, subtracting and hitting his spots; he allowed no earned runs in 11 combined innings against the Brewers and Phillies.

    The soft-tossing lefty pitched to a 3.75 ERA over 31 starts in the regular season, finishing in the 83rd percentile in overall pitching run value and in the 89th percentile in fastball run value. He has good late movement downward that leads to groundballs, ranking in the 79th percentile in ground-ball rate. Over his last 76 starts across three seasons, he has a combined ERA of under 3.50.

    Best team fits: Mets, Pirates, Tigers, Twins
    Salary comps: Tyler Anderson (3 years, $39M); Tyler Mahle (2 years, $22M); Sean Manaea (2 years, $28M); Michael Wacha (2 years, $32M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $28 million

    38. Blake Treinen, RHP

    Age: 36
    HT: 6-0 WT: 224
    2024 (Dodgers): 1.4 WAR
    Career: 12.4 WAR
    Agent: Apex Baseball 2024 salary: $1 million ($4.5M AAV for two-year, $9M deal)

    After missing most of 2022 and all of 2023 because of a torn capsule in his right shoulder that eventually required surgery, Blake Treinen miraculously returned this season as the dominant high-leverage reliever he was in 2021. His sinker is back to the mid-90s with serious drop, and his sweeper is a wipeout pitch that batters hit just .120 against. He posted a 1.93 ERA in 50 appearances.

    Best team fits: Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Cubs
    Salary comps: Emilio Pagán (2 years, $16M); Wandy Peralta, (2 years, $16.5M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $17 million

    39. Alex Verdugo, LF

    Age: 28
    B: L T: L HT: 6-0 WT: 210
    2024 (Yankees): 0.7 WAR
    Career: 11.8
    Agent: MVP Sports Group 2024 salary: $8.7 million

    Alex Verdugo is well-liked and respected by his teammates, brings high energy to the clubhouse, plays with an edge and is a solid defender in left field. Offensively, he had a down season, slashing just .233/.291/.356. His power is pretty consistent as he has provided between 11 and 13 home runs in the last five full seasons. He plays every day, never complains and is the definition of an average major-league player.

    Best team fits: Yankees, Twins, Athletics, Mariners
    Salary comps: Michael Conforto (2 years, $36M); Mark Canha (2 years, $26.5M); Manuel Margot (2 years, $19M); Hunter Renfroe (2 years, $13M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $26 million

    40. Jose Iglesias, 2B

    Age: 34
    B: R T: R HT: 5-11 WT: 195
    2024 (Mets): 3.1 WAR
    Career: 14.8 WAR
    Agent: MVP Sports 2024 salary: $983,871

    I’ll admit it: I love Jose Iglesias’ song “OMG.” And all I can say is OMG when it comes to his season, which put him in the conversation for NL Comeback Player of the Year, though the award will probably go to Chris Sale.

    After not playing in the majors in 2023, Iglesias signed a minor-league contract with the Mets but was their starting second baseman by the end of year, playing in more than half of their games and slashing an amazing .337/.381/.448 (137 OPS+) with 16 doubles. He impressed with his approach at the plate — going the other way and grinding throughout at-bats — and his elite defense in the middle of the infield. Iglesias would be a good pickup for several teams, but a reunion with the Mets just makes too much sense for all parties.

    Best team fit: Mets
    Salary comps: Brandon Drury (2 years, $17M); Isiah Kiner-Falefa (2 years, $15M); Miguel Rojas (2 years, $11M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $12 million


    Paul Goldschmidt (Gregory Fisher / Imagn Images)

    41. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B

    Age: 37
    B: R T: R HT: 6-3 WT: 224
    2024 (Cardinals): 1.3 WAR
    Career: 62.8 WAR
    Agent: Excel Sports Management 2024 salary: $26 million

    Nothing in baseball makes me sadder than to watch superstar players significantly decline. Time is undefeated, but they want to keep playing because they can still contribute.

    In his prime, Paul Goldschmidt was the best first baseman in the sport. Just two years ago he was the NL MVP, leading the league with a .981 OPS. The seven-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner and five-time Silver Slugger is obviously no longer at the level. His on-base percentage has plummeted over the past three years, from .404 to .363 to .302.

    He still played more than 150 games this season, which he’s done in nine consecutive full seasons, but perhaps it’s time to reduce that number and try to improve production with more rest and more time as a designated hitter. The Cardinals are not expected to re-sign Goldschmidt, and for the first time in his career, he needs to brace himself for a significant pay cut and a one-year deal.

    Best team fits: Yankees, Mariners, Diamondbacks, Brewers
    Salary comps: Anthony Rizzo (2 years, $40M); Josh Bell (2 years, $33M)

    Contract prediction: 1 year, $15 million

    42. Rhys Hoskins, 1B/DH

    Age: 31
    B: R T: R HT: 6-4 WT: 240
    2024 (Brewers): -0.2 WAR
    Career: 11.0 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $16 million

    Rhys Hoskins held his own in his first year back from ACL surgery, providing much-needed power in the middle of the Brewers’ lineup. He slashed .214/.303/.419 with a career-low .722 OPS but did hit 26 homers and drive in 82 runs. I expect him to be a lot better next season, with the benefit of an extra year of recovery for his left knee.

    Hoskins signed a two-year, $34 million deal with Milwaukee last winter and can opt out after this season. He’ll need to sign another short-term contract to try to rebuild his value.

    Best team fits: Brewers, Mariners, Twins
    Salary comps: Anthony Rizzo (2 years, $40M); Josh Bell (2 years, $33M); Mitch Garver (2 years, $24M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $34 million

    43. Jeff Hoffman, RHP

    Age: 31
    HT: 6-5 WT: 235
    2024 (Phillies): 2.0 WAR
    Career: 3.5 WAR
    Agent: CAA Sports 2024 salary: $2.2 million

    Jeff Hoffman had the best year of his career, making the All-Star team and tallying a 2.17 ERA and 0.965 WHIP in 68 games. He struck out 89 in 66 1/3 innings (12.1 strikeouts per nine). However, he fared poorly in this postseason, allowing six runs in 1 1/3 innings over three games. The Phillies are unlikely to bring back both Hoffman and Carlos Estévez.

    Best team fits: Phillies, Orioles, Yankees, Red Sox, Royals, Giants
    Salary comps: Taylor Rogers (3 years, $33M); Joe Jiménez (3 years, $26M); Kendall Graveman (3 years, $24M); Emilio Pagán (2 years, $16M); Wandy Peralta (2 years, $16.5M); Matt Strahm (2 years, $15M); Chris Martin (2 years, $13.5M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $27 million

    44. Matthew Boyd, LHP

    Age: 33
    HT: 6-3 WT: 230
    2024 (Guardians): 0.7 WAR
    Career: 9.9 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $10 million

    Matthew Boyd really increased his value in the postseason as he logged a 0.77 ERA over three starts (11 2/3 innings). With a deceptive delivery and an arsenal that includes a fastball, changeup and slider, Boyd commands the strike zone well, adding and subtracting with unique shapes and sizes. He underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2023 but now looks healthy with a good mindset.

    Best team fits: Guardians, Tigers, Orioles, Padres, Braves, Red Sox
    Salary comps: Lance Lynn (1 year, $11M); Kyle Gibson (1 year, $13M)

    Contract prediction: 1 year, $10 million

    45. Clay Holmes, RHP

    Age: 31
    HT: 6-5 WT: 245
    2024 (Yankees): 0.7 WAR
    Career: 4.2 WAR
    Agent: Wasserman 2024 salary: $6 million

    Clay Holmes appeared in more than 60 games for the third consecutive season, posting 30 saves before losing the closer job in August to Luke Weaver. However, he rebounded near the end of the season and performed well in high-leverage spots in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. He allowed only one run in his final eight appearances of the regular season and finished with a 3.14 ERA.

    Best team fits: Yankees, Orioles, Red Sox, Royals, Phillies
    Salary comps: Ryan Pressly (2 years, $30M); Taylor Rogers (3 years, $33M); Wandy Peralta (2 years, $16.5M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $18.5 million

    (Top image: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic. Photos: Corbin Burnes: G Fiume / Getty Images; Juan Soto: Mary DeCicco / MLB Photos / Getty Images; Pete Alonso: Daniel Shirey / MLB Photos / Getty Images)

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    The New York Times

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  • Relocated, But Still Revered – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    Relocated, But Still Revered – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    The Athletics Are On the Move Again.
    They’ve Seen This Before.

    During the summer of 2023 — John Fisher and the Oakland Athletics applied for relocation by the MLB to a larger market.

    The Oakland Coliseum was in disrepair, and Fisher felt that he needed a larger market for his team to flourish, pay contracts, and attract top talent.

    In 1954, a campaign began in Philly. This wasn’t a campaign of political significance or civic improvements. This campaign was to “Save the A’s.” Philadelphia’s once celebrated five-time World Champion Athletics had fallen on hard financial times. In the pursuit of attracting top players, the team was facing bankruptcy, and the once state-of-the-art Shibe Park was in shambles.

    Last Sunday was the Athletics’ last game at the Coliseum in Oakland. After 64 seasons in Oakland in 1968, the team will move to Sacramento for three seasons before finally going to Las Vegas in 2028.

    PHOTO: WikiCommons

    Philadelphia’s Athletics were born out of fiery competition. When Major League Baseball expanded into a western league in 1900, Philadelphia was given a franchise to compete with the Phillies. That American League Team was the Philadelphia Athletics. The opportunity to manage the new club fell to former Milwaukee Brewers Manager and occasional backup catcher Connie Mack, who was joined by investors like Ben Shibe. Mack’s fifty years as a professional manager will likely never be broken in American sports as a record.

    By 1902 — the Athletics had won the AL Pennant. By the mid-1930s, the Athletics had formed essentially two dynasties — from 1911–1913 and 1929–1930. In 1927, they fielded a team that may be one of the best teams ever to play MLB baseball. For nearly thirty years, the Athletics pushed the Phillies — in existence since 1883 into a secondary position in Philly baseball.

    If you came to Philadelphia to see quality baseball — you came to see the Athletics. My grandpop grew up in Connie Mack Stadium — conveniently ducking into the restroom when the stands cleared out between a double-header to catch the second game.

    The 1954 campaign to save the A’s in Philadelphia was unsuccessful. Against Connie Mack’s wishes, the team was finally sold and relocated to Kansas City that year.

    The Phillies would end up buying Connie Mack Stadium after the Athletics left Philadelphia.

    After standing for nearly centuries hosting entertainment, the Roman Colosseum was finally closed by Emporer Honorius around 404 A.D. Finally, an earthquake in 1349 collapsed its outer walls. Many Athletics fans — keenly aware of the end of this chapter in Athletics history attempted to take seats from the stands and dirt from the Oakland Coliseum field.

    Years after the Athletics relocation, they would rise to relevance once again, winning AL Pennants in 1972, 1973, 1974, 1988, 1989, and 1990 and the World Series in 1972, 1973, 1974, and 1989. But the magic that was captured by forming a dynasty in the midst of five World Series Championships in Philadelphia will always remain among the MLB’s greatest.

    That honor doesn’t belong to Kansas City or Oakland. It belongs to Philly.

    PHOTO: —

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    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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  • Oakland Coliseum employees brace for A’s move to Sacramento during final home games

    Oakland Coliseum employees brace for A’s move to Sacramento during final home games

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    As the Oakland Athletics play their last home games at the Coliseum, employees still working the stands in their 70s, 80s and even 90s are bracing for what’s next.

    Sometimes, Leland Anderson steals a quick glance high into the stands above left field and finds his wife Sandy in section 237 for a wave and a smile.

    It’s their way of checking in during shifts as Guest Services ushers at the Oakland Coliseum.

    Coliseum Guest Services workers Leland and Sandy Anderson
    Leland Anderson, right, kisses his wife Sandy while being photographed at Oakland Coliseum.

    Godofredo A. Vásquez / AP


    “She’s the hottest,” 79-year-old Leland said with a grin while working his usual sections of 122 and 123 for an Athletics game.

    The Andersons have always loved baseball, so once their four sons had grown and retirement came along, the couple from California’s Central Valley soul-searched about what they would do next. And it just so happened the A’s were hiring in 2013, the perfect time for them.

    Like the Andersons, so many longtime Coliseum employees have built lasting memories at the ballpark, which is set to host a sellout crowd for the final scheduled A’s game here on Thursday. Thousands of fans crowded the stadium to see the team face the New York Yankees for the last round of weekend games prior to the move.

    The club has played in Oakland since 1968 and plans to call Sacramento home for at least the next three years before a scheduled move to Las Vegas ahead of the 2028 season. The NFL’s Raiders left the Coliseum and relocated to Las Vegas in 2020.

    A’s supporters have been lamenting and protesting the move to Vegas that was approved by MLB owners last November since last season, filling the stands with signs deriding team owner John Fisher in Oakland and San Francisco and holding “reverse boycotts” during home games. 

    In the third-base field box, 95-year-old Sam Moriana is one of those familiar faces fans recognize. He charms them with his quick wit and warm welcomes, then leads people to their seats.

    He might even share what he calls “the keys to longevity” with a complete stranger.

    “Olive oil, garlic, red wine, humor and classical music,” cracks Moriana, believed to be the oldest A’s employee — he even checked with human resources.

    “I’m the oldest goat,” he said.

    Visiting teams have also created relationships with these ushers, security personnel, concession workers and clubhouse attendants.

    “You come here and you see the same people and it’s like family,” said Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., who made his major league debut for the Mariners at the Coliseum on April 3, 1989, and recorded his first career hit here. “They watched me grow up, they watched my kids grow up, so it’s hard. Next year, there’s going to be all new faces and it’s not going to be the same. And it’s not going to be the same for the people of Oakland.”

    Many of the employees are still working well into their golden years because they love being part of the games and cherish working at a place with such history, not only for the city of Oakland but in baseball. Many will now retire.

    Others are starting to look for jobs elsewhere, such as 35-year-old Derrick Smith. He has been with the A’s the past four years and will soon move cross-country to join the Heat and Marlins franchises in Miami for bittersweet “new beginnings.”

    “Kind of sad to leave my friends and my family, but I’m so excited for a fresh new start,” he said.

    Some workers remain uncertain about whether they might work games in Sacramento — if they’re even asked and considered. Employees say communication has been minimal.

    Coliseum Guest Services workers Leland Anderson
    Leland Anderson, left, fist bumps Stomper during a baseball game between the Colorado Rockies and the Oakland Athletics. 

    AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez


    The Andersons, who celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on July 3, raised their boys in nearby Hayward and would regularly go to games.

    Leland and Sandy come from Modesto, a couple of hours away, and stay with an A’s colleague who welcomes them into her home when they work games.

    “We have always loved baseball,” Sandy explained. “When we dated it was either a movie or baseball, and most of the time baseball won. The night we got engaged we went to a Giants game because the A’s were out of town. It’s just always been part of our makeup. He always played baseball, I always watched, and we’ve had four sons who all played baseball.

    “So we were Little League parents forever. It’s in our DNA.”

    People like the Andersons are the faces of the Coliseum.

    “Some of it’s kind of sad for the people that are not going to be going, excited for the people that are,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said during Tampa Bay’s last visit in August. “It’s been a unique group here of employees. It does seem like the carryover they’ve been pretty consistent as an organization with who they employ. Hopefully, there’s strong consideration for opportunities for them moving forward. I hope some of them get a chance to do some games in Sacramento.”

    Clyde and Derek Williams, a father-son security team at the Coliseum, also work Golden State Warriors games at Chase Center in San Francisco, but losing the A’s will hurt.

    Clyde Williams lives 44 miles north in Fairfield, practically halfway to Sacramento, so he could commute to California’s capital if he’s asked. He worked Bill Graham Presents “Day on the Green” concerts at the Coliseum beginning more than 25 years ago.

    “Well, it’s been everything to me. I’ve been out here on the site for 25-27 years,” he said. “So my heart is saddened that they’ll be leaving but that’s part of the business, so therefore we have to go wherever the big guys say to go.”

    He knows they all will deeply feel the absence of the Coliseum glory days.

    A’s catcher Shea Langeliers has always enjoyed interacting with all of the familiar ballpark staples.

    “The people that work here it feels like a family, we’re all close, all nice,” he said. “They take care of each other, they take care of us. It’s really pleasant to be here with these people. They do such a good job and they’re really fun to talk to and all around just good.”

    Clyde Williams describes his most memorable moments as the ones “when fans come in and giving them a great experience.”

    “It’s been a pleasure,” he said. “I love this job. I love this place.”

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  • Fans crowd Coliseum on A’s final weekend in Oakland

    Fans crowd Coliseum on A’s final weekend in Oakland

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    OAKLAND — A’s fans are counting down the team’s final days in Oakland and, at Sunday’s matchup with the Yankees, most were putting aside their anger to reminisce about the good times tailgating at the Coliseum.

    If anyone had a right to be sad on Sunday it was James Harris, who started coming to A’s games as a young boy. His father worked at the ballpark when it opened in 1968 and, years later, actually collapsed and died in the parking lot.

    “When I come here, I think of that and get a little misty,” Harris said. “But he brought me out here for the first time so I’m trying not to be emotional about it because there’s so many good things and so many bad memories too.  I’m happy to be here.  I’m happy to have survived.”

    Ever since the team announced its intention to move, many A’s fans have gone through the five stages of grief, ending now with acceptance. Marisa Villegas spent one last, intimate tailgate with her husband.

    “Really, historically, we’ve had really large tailgates,” she said,  “Sometimes we’ve had just the two of us, like we are right now.  And, I think, I just really wanted to be here today to experience this last opportunity to tailgate for my A’s.”

    Linda Jusino was surrounded by friends on her 60-something birthday. She started coming to the games when she was nine years old.

    “It’s sort of unbelievable,” Jusino said.  “We really want to stay. This is the Oakland Coliseum and it’s a wonderful place to be and they don’t know what they’re missing by not being in the Oakland Coliseum.”

    She wasn’t the only one who thought the Coliseum was getting a bum rap. Martha Marin has had a job shuttling disabled fans in a golf cart for about eight years now.

    “I know there’s a lot being said about the stadium but, to me, I love the stadium. It’s just exciting to be here,” Marin said. “But then, when you think about it, we’re not going to have this exciting thing anymore. It’s depressing. Yeah, we could polish it up just like you would polish up your home. You know, when your home is getting older, you work on it and keep it up.”

    Tough as it may be for others, A’s fan Mike Murray was taking a practical approach. He’s more interested in the team winning and thinks they have a better chance somewhere else.

    “I think it’s better for the team. They’re going to a city with more money,” Murray said. “They may have a shot at another World Series, right? I don’t think that would happen here with Oakland. I don’t think they have the support of the city. The fans, yes. The city, no.”

    Though the A’s season ends Thursday, the Yankees will play on.  But it was nice to have one more chance to take on the Bronx Bombers in a place that has meant so much to so many for so many years.

    James Harris was philosophical.

    “They say everything has a beginning and an end,” he said. “So, it’s gonna end and we might as well enjoy the fact that we can come out and see the Yankees and the A’s one last time.”

    There are no fair-weather fans in Oakland anymore.  All that is left are those who are willing to give way more love and loyalty to a team than it probably deserves.

    John Ramos


    web-bio-head-john-ramos.jpg

    John Ramos accidentally launched a lifelong career in journalism when he began drawing editorial cartoons and writing smart-alecky satire pieces for the Bakersfield High School newspaper.

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  • West Sacramento city leaders discuss plan to support businesses for A’s arrival

    West Sacramento city leaders discuss plan to support businesses for A’s arrival

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    As the Athletics arrival in West Sacramento gets closer, small businesses are coming up with a game plan. Ernesto Delgado’s restaurant, Sal’s Tacos, is just a few blocks from Sutter Health Park and is hoping to welcome new customers when the A’s season starts. “What ideas can we bring and do to really prepare and make our businesses thrive and really take advantage of the opportunity?” Delgado said.However, some owners are concerned they won’t be ready to meet the demand. “There’s so many needs that small businesses have,” said Delgado.At a meeting Friday night, West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero and other city leaders gathered with local business owners to address their needs. Among the main concerns were the lack of money to expand and possible delays with licenses and permits. “We are going to be able to provide capital to some of those businesses,” said Guerrero. She told KCRA 3 that the city council will soon have a meeting to discuss details about how much money will be available and who will benefit. “It’s an opportunity for all of us,” said Guerrero. The A’s will arrive in West Sacramento in 2025 and are expected to play at Sutter Health Park for at least three seasons.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter

    WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

    As the Athletics arrival in West Sacramento gets closer, small businesses are coming up with a game plan.

    Ernesto Delgado’s restaurant, Sal’s Tacos, is just a few blocks from Sutter Health Park and is hoping to welcome new customers when the A’s season starts.

    “What ideas can we bring and do to really prepare and make our businesses thrive and really take advantage of the opportunity?” Delgado said.

    However, some owners are concerned they won’t be ready to meet the demand.

    “There’s so many needs that small businesses have,” said Delgado.

    At a meeting Friday night, West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero and other city leaders gathered with local business owners to address their needs.

    Among the main concerns were the lack of money to expand and possible delays with licenses and permits.

    “We are going to be able to provide capital to some of those businesses,” said Guerrero.

    She told KCRA 3 that the city council will soon have a meeting to discuss details about how much money will be available and who will benefit.

    “It’s an opportunity for all of us,” said Guerrero.

    The A’s will arrive in West Sacramento in 2025 and are expected to play at Sutter Health Park for at least three seasons.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter

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  • Kyle McCann homers, Brent Rooker drives in 2 as A’s beat Astros 5-4

    Kyle McCann homers, Brent Rooker drives in 2 as A’s beat Astros 5-4

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    Kyle McCann hit a two-run homer, Brent Rooker had two hits and two RBIs and the Oakland Athletics beat the Houston Astros 5-4 on Wednesday night.

    The Astros have lost three straight games and their lead in the AL West has narrowed to 3 1/2 games over Seattle with 17 to play.

    Houston also lost All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve, who exited after the fifth inning with right side discomfort. He called manager Joe Espada and the trainer out after a swing on strike two of his at bat in the fifth. He completed the at bat, striking out on a bunt attempt, but did not take the field in the sixth.

    Espada said he was “not really concerned” about the injury.

    “He got fooled on the pitch, and he kind of felt something,” Espada said. “Out of precaution, he decided to bunt with two strikes just to make sure he was fine. Right now, day-to-day.”

    Espada and Altuve both said they were going to wait to see how the second baseman feels Thursday.

    “I’m not really worried,” Altuve said. “Maybe I just wake up tomorrow, and I’m good to go, so I don’t really want to take any positions tonight because normally, with an injury you wait until the next day and see how you feel.”

    McCann hit a two-run homer off Hunter Brown (11-8), and Rooker hit an RBI single off Caleb Ferguson as the A’s plated three to take a 5-3 lead in the sixth. Rooker also had an RBI single as part of two-run third that tied the game at 2-2.

    “These guys are playing with a lot of confidence,” Oakland manager Mark Kotsay said. “They all believe in each other, they pick each other up and come in here and take the first two games of this series when these guys are competing to hold this division, it says a lot about the character of that group and momentum they have.”

    The Astros took a 2-0 lead in the second on a sacrifice fly by Jake Meyers and an RBI single by Mauricio Dubón. Yordan Alvarez scored on a Max Schuemann error in the third to give the Astros a 3-2 lead.

    Kyle Tucker hit an RBI single in the eighth to cut the deficit to one, but Tyler Ferguson got Ben Gamel to fly out to end the inning.

    Oakland’s Joey Estes (7-7) surrendered three runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings. Mason Miller pitched the ninth for his 24th save.

    Lawrence Butler extended his hitting streak to 19 games with a single in the fifth.

    Brown yielded five runs on nine hits with seven strikeouts in five innings.

    “They kind of beat me tonight, especially in the sixth inning there,” Brown said. “That was tough. Not the way you want to see it happen. I am competing out there, so are they against me and us. It just didn’t go our way.”

    TRAINER’S ROOM

    Athletics: RHP Ross Stripling was placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to Monday with a lower back strain. LHP Kyle Muller was selected from Triple-A Las Vegas to take Stripling’s place on the roster. LHP Jack O’Loughlin was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

    Astros: OF Chas McCormick has a small fracture in his right hand and will be placed on the 10-day injured list, Espada said following the game. McCormick suffered the injury colliding with the outfield wall while making a catch on Tuesday night.

    “It sucks,” McCormick said. “It’s really disappointing. I just want to be out here trying to help the team win, especially at the end of the season, going into the playoffs.”

    UP NEXT

    Astros LHP Framber Valdez (14-6, 2.97 ERA) starts opposite Athletics RHP Mitch Spence (7-9, 4.42 ERA) in the series finale Thursday.

    ___

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  • Tigers vs Athletics, September 6, 2024: Viewing Details, Predictions, Odds, and More

    Tigers vs Athletics, September 6, 2024: Viewing Details, Predictions, Odds, and More

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    The Tigers vs Athletics matchup on Friday, September 6, 2024, sets the stage for an exciting MLB contest at Oakland Coliseum. Detroit Tigers, looking to stay above .500, are riding high after a thrilling series against San Diego. Meanwhile, the Oakland Athletics will aim to bounce back after splitting their series against Seattle. With both teams hungry for wins, the showdown between Detroit’s Tarik Skubal and Oakland’s Mitch Spence promises to be pivotal.

    How to Watch the Tigers vs Athletics

    • Date: September 6, 2024

    • Time: 9:40 PM ET
    • Where: Oakland Coliseum (Oakland, CA)
    • T.V.: Bally Sports Detroit, DirecTV (channel 663), MLB Extra Innings, NBC Sports California

    • Streaming: Fubo, MLB.TV, ESPN+
    • Radio: 97.1 The Ticket

    Tigers vs Athletics Odds

    • Moneyline: Tigers -160 | Athletics +135

    • Spread: Tigers -1.5 (+110) | Athletics +1.5 (-130)
    • Total: Over/Under (7)
      • Tigers: Over (-110)
      • Athletics: Under (-110)

    • Odds found at Caesars Sportsbook

    Predictions

    With the Tigers’ ace Tarik Skubal on the mound, Detroit holds a strong advantage. Skubal’s 16-4 record and 2.51 ERA illustrate why he’s been a dominant force in 2024. Oakland’s Mitch Spence, while capable, faces a tougher task against a resurgent Detroit offense.

    The Tigers are 36-36 on the road this year, and with Skubal’s pitching, they are poised to continue their winning ways. Meanwhile, the Athletics, though competitive, struggle when matched up against top-tier opponents.

    Score Prediction: Tigers 5, Athletics 2

    Tarik Skubal Tigers vs Athletics

    More Insights

    • Detroit Tigers rank 3rd in the league for fewest home runs allowed, making life difficult for power-hitting teams like Oakland.

    • Tarik Skubal has recorded eight or more strikeouts in six of his last seven starts, further emphasizing his role as a key factor in Detroit’s recent success.
    • Brent Rooker continues to be a threat for Oakland, with a .298 average and 35 home runs this season, but the Tigers’ solid pitching might neutralize him.

    Expect the Tigers to capitalize on Skubal’s dominance and their recent momentum to secure another road win.

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    Jeff Bilbrey

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  • Seth Brown homers, hits game-ending single as A’s beat Mariners 3-2

    Seth Brown homers, hits game-ending single as A’s beat Mariners 3-2

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    Seth Brown homered in the fourth inning and hit a game-ending single in the ninth that led the Oakland Athletics over the Seattle Mariners 3-2 on Tuesday night for their second straight walk-off win.

    With the score 2-2, JJ Bleday walked with one out in the ninth against Trent Thorton (3-3). Shea Langeliers singled and Brown capped a seven-pitch at-bat by grounding a single past the outstretched glove of second baseman Jorge Polanco and into center.

    “That’s what makes baseball fun, right there,” Brown said. “We’re in the moment right now, enjoying it, and we’re fighting every pitch right now. Those games are the ones you play it for.”

    The hit set off cheers among the crowd of 3,924, the smallest as the Coliseum since a May 6 game against Texas drew 2,895. Oakland has six walk-off wins this season.

    Seattle has lost four straight one-run games and is 5 1/2 games back for the last AL wild card.

    “I always say it’s never too late,” Mariners starter Luis Castillo said through an interpreter. “We got a chance. If the playoffs are there and it’s in our cards, we’ll get there. The thing we can do is just come in here and just keep working.”

    Hogan Harris (3-3) pitched three hitless innings for the A’s, who have had four straight games end in walk-offs, the first two losses at Texas. Randy Arozarena walked with one out in the ninth but was caught stealing second in a double play as pinch-hitter Justin Turner struck out.

    Oakland starter G.T. Ginn allowed two runs and five hits in six innings with seven strikeouts and one walk.

    “Even though they got down early the last two nights, there’s never a feeling in that dugout that they’re out of the game,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “You see the care in that room for each other, which is great.”

    Castillo gave up a first-pitch homer to Lawrence Butler, then retired 11 straight batters before Brown homered to tie the score 2-2.

    Cal Raleigh had two hits and two RBIs for the Mariners.

    UP NEXT

    RHP George Kirby (10-10, 3.63 ERA) whose 12 strikeouts are the most for a Mariners pitcher in a game this season, starts on Wednesday. LHP JP Sears (11-9, 4.21) starts for the A’s.

    ___

    AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

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  • MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers, Rays rebound; Checking in on sneaky-good seasons

    MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers, Rays rebound; Checking in on sneaky-good seasons

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    By Grant Brisbee, Kaitlyn McGrath and Stephen J. Nesbitt

    Every week,​ we​ ask a selected group of our baseball​ writers​ — local and national — to rank the teams from first to worst. Here are the collective results.

    We’re approaching the business end of the season. With six weeks remaining, the postseason races are coming into focus as are the finalists for the annual awards.

    Bobby Witt Jr. and Aaron Judge are each making a strong case for the American League MVP, while Shohei Ohtani is proving that even when he’s held to only hitting, he can be the heavy favorite to win his first National League MVP and third overall. Corbin Burnes and Tarik Skubal are the leading candidates for the AL Cy Young Award, while in the NL, Chris Sale and Zack Wheeler are favored for the honor.

    We can all name plenty of players having standout seasons and getting deserved recognition — but what about those players flying just under the radar? In this week’s power rankings, we set out to identify those players having sneaky good seasons for their respective ball clubs.

    Record: 74-52
    Last Power Ranking: 3

    Sneaky-good season: RHP Gavin Stone

    The Dodgers would be absolutely hosed without Stone. Bobby Miller and Walker Buehler have combined for 17 erratic and ineffective starts this season, and Clayton Kershaw rejoined the team only recently. Tyler Glasnow is on the 15-day IL, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is on the 60-day IL with shoulder issues and River Ryan needed Tommy John surgery right as he was starting to impress.

    Without Stone and his modestly successful 22 starts (3.63 ERA, 4.04 FIP), there would be a lot more panic surrounding the Dodgers. They probably weren’t expecting an NL West race this close, and they definitely weren’t expecting to need 17 different starting pitchers (and counting) this season. The peripheral stats suggest that Stone won’t be dominant until he returns to missing bats like he did in the minors. The Dodgers needed one of their gaggle of young starters to be sneaky good this season, and they needed it in the worst way. — Grant Brisbee

    Record: 73-52
    Last Power Ranking: 1

    Sneaky-good season: RHP Michael Tonkin

    After the opening month he had, who would have thought the 34-year-old Tonkin would have a 2.73 ERA with the Yankees? After signing a split contract with the Mets and breaking camp with them, the journeyman reliever was DFA’d then traded to the Twins only to be DFA’d by them and picked up again by the Mets, who subsequently DFA’d him once more after which he was claimed by the Yankees — all before the end of April. But after a blown save in his Yankees debut, Tonkin has found a home in the Bronx and earned his way into Aaron Boone’s circle of trust. Upping the usage of his two-seam fastball along with some runway to get comfortable seems to be the recipe Tonkin needed to put together a sneaky good season after a chaotic start. — Kaitlyn McGrath

    Record: 73-51
    Last Power Ranking: 4

    Sneaky-good season: RHP Orion Kerkering

    Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strahm have been the standouts from the Phillies bullpen — and both received well-earned All-Star nods because of it. But behind them, having a season just as good, though perhaps more under the radar has been rookie Orion Kerkering, who has a 2.51 ERA in 47 appearances with 53 strikeouts in 46 2/3 innings. He’s succeeded especially by limiting hard contact, holding the opposition to a 31.4 percent hard-hit rate that ranks in the 92nd percentile in the majors. Kerkering shot through the Phillies system last year, and made his MLB debut last September. Expectations were high for Kerkering this season, and he has lived up to them. — McGrath

    Record: 73-53
    Last Power Ranking: 2

    Sneaky-good season: 1B/OF/DH Ryan O’Hearn

    O’Hearn had five unremarkable years with the Kansas City Royals, compiling a .683 OPS, before he was DFA’d and landed with the Orioles in 2023 in a make-or-break year for his career. The first baseman broke out and he’s carried that success into this season, too. The left-handed hitter has a .801 OPS in 107 games and has been particularly effective against right-handed pitching, with an .818 OPS and all 12 of his home runs coming in situations where he has the platoon advantage. On a team with many big hitters, O’Hearn is making the most of his part-time role and for that reason, he’s authoring one of the best sneaky good seasons. — McGrath

    Record: 72-52
    Last Power Ranking: 6

    Sneaky-good season: 3B Joey Ortiz

    The seriously good Brewers have had no shortage of sneaky good seasons — we’ve previously noted Jackson Chourio and Bryan Hudson and Brice Turang — so we’re going with a guy who’s mostly flown under the radar. After going to Milwaukee in the Corbin Burnes trade last offseason, Ortiz has played plus defense at third base and been a steady contributor at the plate: .248/.345/.401, eight homers, seven steals. There’s more power in the bat than he’s shown so far this season, but in the meantime, he’s getting on base and displaying exceptional plate discipline to help lengthen the Brewers lineup. A 3 WAR rookie season won’t win hardware, given the competition, but it’s still sneaky good. — Stephen Nesbitt

    Record: 72-52
    Last Power Ranking: 5

    Sneaky-good season: RHP Hunter Gaddis

    Sorry Cade Smith, but once you get the Ken Rosenthal notebook treatment you’re not sneaking by anyone anymore. So let’s go with the Guardians’ other set-up guy. Gaddis entered this season with a 6.57 ERA in almost 50 innings in the majors. That stinks! So when he started the season with 13 consecutive scoreless relief outings, that was a surprise. Then when he served up six runs across his next three outings, that was not a surprise. And yet, entering this week, Gaddis has allowed only four earned runs since the start of May. That’s an 0.84 ERA in 42 2/3 innings, cutting his season ERA to 1.40. Good luck staying sneaky good at that rate. Just look at this stuff! — Nesbitt

    Record: 71-55
    Last Power Ranking: 8

    Sneaky-good season: C Kyle Higashioka

    Sometimes you have the kind of season where almost nothing goes right. Like, say, most of the seasons in Padres franchise history. But sometimes you have the kind of season where even the backup catcher is contributing. Higashioka’s on-base skills still leave a lot to be desired, but he’s hit 14 home runs in just 189 plate appearances, which is more than anyone in the Yankees’ infield this season.

    The Padres were just looking for a catcher who wouldn’t mess things up, but they stumbled onto an accidental dinger machine, which is just how this team is rolling right now. — Brisbee

    Record: 70-55
    Last Power Ranking: 9

    Sneaky-good season: 1B Carlos Santana

    None of the other first basemen who were free agents last offseason have come close to matching the 38-year-old Santana’s value this season. Not Cody Bellinger. Not Rhys Hoskins. Not Rowdy Tellez or Joey Gallo or Matt Carpenter. The Twins signed Santana for $5 million, and he’s delivered a .241/.330/.432 slash line (112 OPS+) with 18 homers while playing outrageously good defense. He has accrued 13 outs above average, which is No. 1 among first basemen and twice as many as any first baseman not named Christian Walker (11 OAA). Pairing that defense with an excellent eye and solid switch-hitting pop, I don’t see why Santana wouldn’t keep finding one-year deals and play into his 40s. — Nesbitt

    Record: 70-56
    Last Power Ranking: 7

    Sneaky-good season: Justin Martínez

    Martínez has a National League Championship ring from his time with the Diamondbacks last season, but that doesn’t mean that he actually contributed. He walked 11 batters in 10 major-league innings, which was only slightly worse than the 48 batters he walked in 49 1/3 innings in Triple A. It would have been possible to make a list of “The 50 players who are likely to contribute to the 2024 Diamondbacks” without including Martínez.

    Stuff is stuff, though, and Martínez has stuff. He’s one of the only pitchers who averages 100 mph on his fastball, and his Baseball Savant page is dripping with red ink (the good kind). If the Diamondbacks are going to get back to the World Series, they’ll need relievers. Here’s a sneaky good one. — Brisbee

    Record: 68-56
    Last Power Ranking: 11

    Sneaky-good season: C Victor Caratini

    Boy, did Astros fans deserve this one after suffering through three straight miserable offensive seasons from Martín Maldonado. The former Astros catcher had 1,212 plate appearances over the last three seasons, with a .183/.260/.333 slash line. He was under the Mendoza Line in all three. You might be thinking that he made up for all this with his speed, but that’s a common misconception. He actually wasn’t very fast at all.

    The Astros found their primary catcher of the future last season, Yainer Diaz, and he’s having another excellent season. But when it’s time to rest him and keep him fresh, the Astros can turn to Caratini without losing too much offense. That’s the dream for every team. They all want a backup catcher who can hit a little, but that’s incredibly difficult to find. Here’s a fan base that appreciates it even more than others might. — Brisbee

    Record: 70-55
    Last Power Ranking: 10

    Sneaky-good season: The starting rotation

    When The Athletic’s Jim Bowden ranked every starting rotation before the season, the Royals were 23rd. MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince didn’t even give them an honorable mention in his preseason top 10, either. Both writers were dead on about the Mariners and Phillies, who rank first and second, respectively, in rotation ERA this season. But third? That’s the Royals, at 3.56.

    The current rotation stacks up like this:

    Seth Lugo: 3.04 ERA, 3.49 FIP, 1.09 WHIP, 159 2/3 IP
    Cole Ragans: 3.18 ERA, 2.95 FIP, 1.15 WHIP, 147 1/3 IP
    Brady Singer: 3.18 ERA, 3.66 FIP, 1.21 WHIP, 141 2/3 IP
    Michael Wacha: 3.33 ERA, 3.86 FIP, 1.21 WHIP, 127 IP
    Michael Lorenzen: 2.87 ERA, 4.76 FIP, 1.28 WHIP, 15 2/3 IP

    Ragans-Lugo-Singer isn’t the most intimidating starting three for a wild-card series, but, boy, they’re going to give the Royals a good chance to win. — Nesbitt

    Record: 66-58
    Last Power Ranking: 13

    Sneaky-good season: RHP Jesse Chavez

    We know what you’re thinking. Is Jesse Chavez still pitching? Is he pitching well? For the Atlanta Braves? The answer to those three questions is a resounding yes! The 40-year-old continues to be a reliable arm out of the bullpen for Atlanta, where he’s cultivated a legend status and earned the nickname “coach” in the clubhouse. In his 17th (!) season pitching in the majors — a career that includes stops with nine teams — Chavez has a 2.85 ERA in 39 appearances with 47 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings. The veteran has been particularly effective with runners in scoring position, holding the opposition to a .127 batting average in those situations. — McGrath

    Record: 65-59
    Last Power Ranking: 14

    Sneaky-good season: RF Wilyer Abreu

    When former Red Sox GM Chaim Bloom dealt Christian Vázquez to the Astros at the 2022 trade deadline for prospects Enmanuel Valdez and Abreu, there was consternation from the fanbase for moving on from the fan-favorite catcher. Two years later, however, the deal looks like a win for Boston, thanks in part to the play of Abreu. (Although apologies to Bloom will have to be forwarded to St. Louis, where he is now an advisor after being fired by the Red Sox.) The right-fielder had a .836 OPS through 96 games with 14 home runs, including a pair of emotional ones earlier this month. As the Red Sox try to desperately stay in the mix for a wild-card spot this year, Abreu at least looks like he’ll be a part of the solution in Boston for years to come. — McGrath

    Record: 64-62
    Last Power Ranking: 12

    Sneaky-good season: CF Victor Robles

    Quick, how old do you think Robles is? I would have guessed 30, and that he was a Nationals prospect a decade ago, if not more. Heck, he was a prospect for so long, you could have convinced me he was in the Expos’ system.

    He just turned 27. While he’s probably not going to turn into an All-Star, he’s currently one of the only Mariners hitters with any idea how to hit a baseball, which makes him a precious gem. A .345 OBP with 14 steals and strong defense? Break out the rye bread and the salami, grandma, because you’re going to need to eat something while you’re hammering out a 12-year contract extension for the guy. — Brisbee

    Record: 65-60
    Last Power Ranking: 15

    Sneaky-good season: LHP Sean Manaea

    In the crowded NL wild-card race, we don’t know yet whether the Mets can make a late charge for the last spot. But what we do know is that starter Manaea has likely pitched his way into a neat multi-year deal this winter. The left-hander has a 3.46 ERA in 24 starts. According to ERA+, this has been his best season since 2018, when he had a 3.59 ERA in 27 starts for the Oakland Athletics. A free agent in the winter, Manaea has made the most of his platform year, while also helping the Mets at least remain competitive down the stretch. As one of the top left-handed starters available, Manaea’s sneaky good season could pay off big in the offseason. — McGrath

    Record: 62-62
    Last Power Ranking: 19

    Sneaky-good season: LHP Garrett Cleavinger

    This is what the Rays do. They take a relatively unknown pitcher, perhaps a guy who bounced around, and make him into one of the game’s most feared arms out of the bullpen. Enter this year’s example, Cleavinger, who previously pitched for the Phillies and Dodgers before finding a home in Tampa Bay. In 54 appearances, the left-hander has a 2.81 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 48 innings. His 29 percent strikeout rate ranks in the top 20 of qualified AL relievers and his average exit velocity of 86.5 mph ranks in the top 10 percent of the majors, making him one of the toughest relievers to square up. Thanks to advice from fellow Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen, Cleavinger has found success splitting his breaking ball into two pitches — his previous slider and a new sweeper that’s held batters to a .275 slugging percentage. Cleavinger is yet another reminder of the Tampa Bay Way. — McGrath

    Record: 64-63
    Last Power Ranking: 16

    Sneaky-good season: LHP Erik Miller

    Miller is a left-handed reliever who’s built like a power forward or tight end and throws 100 mph with occasionally nasty secondary pitches. The Giants got him from the Phillies for Yunior Marte, and it’s looking like a steal so far.

    Don’t blame the Phillies (too much) for giving up on Miller. His stuff was obvious, but his command and control were dreadful, and he had a career 5.8 BB/9 in the minors. Something clicked for him, though, and since the beginning of May, he’s had a 2.90 ERA, with 47 strikeouts in 40 1/3 innings. The walks still need to come way, way down, but he’s been a large part of a Giants bullpen that’s gotten more reliable as the season has progressed. — Brisbee

    Record: 61-64
    Last Power Ranking: 18

    Sneaky-good season: 1B Michael Busch

    We’ve really rankled Cubs fans lately by not mentioning Busch among the top NL Rookie of the Year candidates. “If he were a Yankee,” one reader wrote, “the clarion call from the Bronx would be deafening.” Consider this your clarion call, Chicago! After arriving in a trade from Los Angeles, Busch started the season white hot and has been remarkably steady all summer. He’s providing standout defense at first base and a blend of on-base and power at the plate. It remains concerning that Busch has struck out in 31.2 percent of his plate appearances in the majors, but odds are that will come down slightly over time. — Nesbitt

    Record: 61-63
    Last Power Ranking: 17

    Sneaky-good season: 1B/DH Alec Burleson

    If you’d have told a Cardinals fan this spring that Burleson in his sophomore season would hit .280 with about 25 dingers and 10 steals, they’d have asked if they could give you a big ol’ hug. That’s a great year! Burleson has some obvious flaws in his profile, but there’s been a lot more good than bad. The biggest knock against Burleson: his atrocious defensive numbers. He played out of position much of the summer, bouncing between left and right field despite having no business being out there. Burleson could wind up being on the large side of a platoon, as he’s struggled mightily against lefties, but with his bat-to-ball skills and barrels he should remain a useful hitter for years to come. — Nesbitt

    Record: 61-64
    Last Power Ranking: 20

    Sneaky-good season: RHP Nick Martinez

    Martinez has been sneaky good since returning in 2022 from a four-year stint in Japan. He had a 3.45 ERA over 216 2/3 innings for the Padres across the 2022 and 2023 seasons, and has seen similar success in a bulk role with the Reds this season: 3.25 ERA in 97 innings. Martinez is a soft-contact savant. What’s changed this year, though, is that he’s simply not permitting walks. He’s the only MLB pitcher (minimum 90 innings) averaging less than a walk per nine innings this year; he has not allowed multiple walks in any outing. Cincinnati is a hard place to pitch, and Martinez has a much worse ERA at home (4.42) than away (1.71), but limiting walks and homers is a great recipe anywhere. — Nesbitt

    Record: 61-64
    Last Power Ranking: 23

    Sneaky-good season: CF Parker Meadows

    A sneaky good stretch has saved Meadows’ season. One of the most gifted defensive outfielders in the game, Meadows was optioned to Triple A in May because he was batting .096. He returned to Detroit in July and had four hits in a series sweep of Cincinnati, then suffered a hamstring strain. He recovered, returned and hasn’t stopped hitting. He’s 20-for-57 (.351) with eight extra-base hits in 15 games since being recalled from the minors, and the Tigers are 12-3 in those games. After tallying three hits, including a walk-off single, in the leadoff spot against the Yankees on Sunday night, Meadows saw his season batting average rise above .200 for the first time all season. Considering where Meadows was a few months ago, the Mendoza Line never looked so impressive. — Nesbitt

    Record: 58-66
    Last Power Ranking: T-21

    Sneaky-good season: C Joey Bart

    The Pirates’ inability to identify their catcher of the future is not a new issue. They haven’t drafted one, haven’t signed one. When they added Bart, who’d busted in San Francisco, in a minor trade this spring, few thought they’d found a long-term contributor. But Bart has been one of the Pirates’ best hitters this season, with a .351 OBP, .882 OPS and career-high 12 homers. Bart’s defensive numbers are poor, so perhaps he’s a short-term solution at catcher, but if he hits like this the Pirates will gladly take him as the first baseman of the future. — Nesbitt

    Record: 58-68
    Last Power Ranking: T-21

    Sneaky-good season: RHP David Robertson

    Try to find another candidate for a sneaky good season on the Rangers. Go on, I dare you. The story of their season has been a surfeit of aggressively lousy seasons, nothing sneaky about it. So we’ll go with Robertson, who was in the same draft class with Max Scherzer and Joba Chamberlain, roughly six decades ago. He was teammates with a rehabbing Roger Clemens on the 2007 Trenton Thunder, and Clemens was in the Red Sox organization when Carl Yastrzemski was still playing. You can get from Robertson to Babe Ruth in five steps.

    Robertson is also having a sneaky good season. Again. Not bad for a 39-year-old who had to pitch for the High Point Rockers a couple years ago just to get teams to notice him. — Brisbee

    Record: 58-67
    Last Power Ranking: 24

    Sneaky-good season: RHP Chad Green

    Green survived the Blue Jays’ purge at the trade deadline, and it’s a good thing he did because he has been far and away their best reliever. The veteran right-hander has a 1.82 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings. With their regular closer Jordan Romano on the 60-day IL and backup closer Yimi García traded to the Mariners at the deadline, Green stepped into the closer role and has gone a perfect 13-for-13 in save opportunities. There hasn’t been much good to come out of this season for Toronto, but Green’s first full season back after Tommy John surgery has been a bright spot and he’s also signed through next season. — McGrath

    Record: 56-69
    Last Power Ranking: 25

    Sneaky-good season: RHP Jake Irvin

    A year ago, Irvin looked like he might be a guy who could at the very least fill innings for the Nationals which is useful, if not spectacular. But this season, the 27-year-old right-hander has shown more promise and moved in the right direction. In 26 starts, Irvin has a 3.81 ERA and his 151 innings pitched lead all pitchers on the Nationals while his 2.7 bWAR is behind only CJ Abrams for the most on the team. A key to his success has been cutting his walk rate nearly in half, from 10.2 percent last season to 5.7 percent this season. If the Nationals are going to return to relevancy again, they’ll need the likes of Abrams, James Wood and MacKenzie Gore to perform. But after this sneaky good season, Irvin is showing that he too can be a key part of the future. — McGrath

    Record: 54-71
    Last Power Ranking: 27

    Sneaky-good season: RHP Osvaldo Bido

    Sometimes it’s good to be a team without a chance at the postseason. Experimentation is encouraged, if not necessary, and that’s how the A’s can follow a hunch and convert a 28-year-old minor-league free-agent reliever into a starter. Let’s not go overboard with his success in six starts, but the early returns are encouraging. Last year, he struggled with his command in the Pirates organization. This year, he’s allowing some of the weakest contact in the league. He has the lowest hard-hit percentage in the game. Exit velocity data is just as encouraging.

    There will be an adjustment from the rest of the league. Each start will give opponents new ways to attack him. After another month, we’ll have a better idea if Bido is for real. My suspicion is that his command will need to improve for him to be a bonafide starter, but he’s done well so far. — Brisbee

    Record: 53-72
    Last Power Ranking: 26

    Sneaky-good season: SS Zach Neto

    Angels fans probably don’t think that Neto’s season needs an adjective. He’s just been good. He has a .779 OPS, which is 15 percent better than the average hitter, except he’s doing it as an excellent defensive shortstop. It’s less a sneaky good season and more of a sneaky great season.

    We’ll let it qualify for this exercise because we’ll stretch the exercise to allow Neto’s breakout season to feel sneaky good about the Angels franchise as a whole. No, seriously. They drafted Neto 13th overall just two years ago, and he’s already thriving in the majors and looking like a franchise cornerstone. The organization has a long way to go, but developing an excellent shortstop is a heckuva start. Go on. Be a little positive about the Angels. As a treat. — Brisbee

    Record: 46-79
    Last Power Ranking: 29

    Sneaky-good season: 1B/3B Jake Burger

    It didn’t always look like Jake Burger would be on this list. As the Marlins were off to their dreadful start, the 28-year-old infielder had a .635 OPS with only 10 home runs in 73 games during the first half. But Burger has turned it on in the second half. In 28 games since the All-Star break, Burger has hit .321 with a 1.161 OPS. He’s hit 14 home runs in that span — including a stretch of eight games in August where he homered seven times. Thanks to the hot stretch, Burger has his season wRC+ back up to 113 which is in line with the rest of his career. It hasn’t been a memorable season in Miami, but Burger may have found a way to salvage his. — McGrath

    Record: 46-79
    Last Power Ranking: 28

    Sneaky-good season: 1B/OF Michael Toglia

    Toglia is an extremely large, switch-hitting first baseman who was drafted in the first round in 2019, only to get sucked into the COVID-19 maelstrom that cost minor leaguers a full season of proper development. He’s behind schedule compared to the typical first-round first baseman, but it’s not hard to guess why.

    He’s up now, though, and he’s raking in the second half. His strikeouts are down, his walks are up and he’s already hit 20 homers. The most exciting part for the Rockies might be that he’s been even better on the road, which isn’t supposed to happen. The organization’s future is still dull and frustrating, but getting value out of first-round picks, even if it takes a few years, is how they’re going to get out of this mess. — Brisbee

    Record: 30-96
    Last Power Ranking: 30

    Sneaky-good season: RHP Jonathan Cannon

    Do you understand what you’re asking of me? The White Sox don’t have a position player above 0.5 fWAR. Their only pitcher above 1 fWAR is All-Star Garrett Crochet, who was the talk of July and therefore not at all sneaky.

    There really is only one option, other than the under, and that’s Cannon. The former Georgia Bulldog has had a couple starts go sideways, but the overall line — 4.02 ERA, 4.70 FIP, 1.30 WHIP in 80 2/3 innings — is solid enough. Cannon has command but lacks swing-and-miss stuff. We’ll see how that goes. Normally Cannon would just be a bright spot for a bad team. But he has a big job the rest of the way: helping the White Sox try to avoid the most losses in modern history. — Nesbitt

    (Top photo of Brandon Lowe: Julio Aguilar / Getty Images)

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    The New York Times

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  • This Date in Baseball – Jose Mesa picks up his 37th save in 37 tries to set a major league record

    This Date in Baseball – Jose Mesa picks up his 37th save in 37 tries to set a major league record

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    Aug. 20

    1912 — Walter Johnson won his American League-record 15th straight game, downing Cleveland 4-2 in the opener of a doubleheader. Washington’s Carl Cashion pitched a six-inning no-hitter to give the Senators a 2-0 victory over the Cleveland Indians in the second game, which was called to allow Cleveland to catch a train to Boston.

    1938 — New York’s Lou Gehrig hit his 23rd and the final grand slam of his career and drove in six runs to lead the Yankees to an 11-3 win over the Philadelphia Athletics.

    1945 — Tommy Brown, 17 years, 8 months, 14 days, of the Brooklyn Dodgers became the youngest major league player to hit a home run when he connected in Ebbets Field against Preacher Roe of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

    1957 — Bob Keegan of the Chicago White Sox pitched a 6-0 no-hit victory over the Washington Senators in the second game of a doubleheader.

    1958 — Detroit’s Jim Bunning pitched a no-hitter to lead the Tigers to a 3-0 win over the Boston Red Sox in the opening game of a doubleheader at Fenway Park.

    1961 — The Philadelphia Phillies beat the Milwaukee Braves 7-4 in the second game of a doubleheader to snap a 23-game losing streak, a modern record.

    1965 — Milwaukee’s Eddie Mathews hit his 28th home run, and the Braves beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3. With the homer, the duo of Mathews and Hank Aaron passed the Babe Ruth-Lou Gehrig total of 772 home runs to become the top home-run tandem in major league history.

    1974 — Nolan Ryan of the California Angels struck out 19 Tigers in a 1-0, 11-inning loss to Detroit. It was the third time this season that Ryan struck out 19 batters in a game.

    1980 — Pittsburgh’s Omar Moreno stole his 70th base of the season in a 5-1 loss to Houston, to become the first player this century with three consecutive 70-steal seasons. The fleet outfielder swiped 71 in 1978, 77 in 1979.

    1989 — New York’s Howard Johnson hit his 30th home run of the season in the Mets’ 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers and joined Bobby Bonds and Willie Mays as the only players to achieve 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in two different seasons.

    1995 — Jose Mesa of the Cleveland Indians picked up his 37th save in 37 opportunities to set a major league record, and the Indians beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-5.

    2005 — The Kansas City Royals ended baseball’s longest losing streak in 17 years, defeating the Oakland Athletics 2-1 to end a club-record 19-game skid.

    2014 — The San Francisco Giants became the first team since 1986 to win a protest. Rain caused a delay during an Aug. 19 game after the grounds crew couldn’t put the tarp down quickly, and the umpires deemed the field unplayable. The Cubs were declared the winners by a 2-0 score after 4 1/2 innings. MLB ruled to resume the rain-shortened game with the Cubs batting in the bottom of the fifth.

    2019 — By defeating the Blue Jays, 16 – 3, Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers notches win #166 to pass Sandy Koufax for most by a lefthander in franchise history.

    _____

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  • White Sox lose 21st straight game, tying AL record set by 1988 Baltimore Orioles, falling 5-1 to A’s

    White Sox lose 21st straight game, tying AL record set by 1988 Baltimore Orioles, falling 5-1 to A’s

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    OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Chicago White Sox lost their 21st straight game, tying the American League record with a 5-1 defeat to the Oakland Athletics on Monday night as Max Schuemann hit a tiebreaking, two-run single in the fourth inning.

    Chicago is on the longest losing streak since the 1988 Baltimore Orioles lost 21 in a row. The NL record since 1900 is held by the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies, who lost 23 straight.

    The major league low belongs to the 1889 Louisville Colonels, an American Association team that lost 26 consecutive games during a 27-111 season.

    “We talk about it every day,” White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said of the streak. “Everybody knows what it is. It’s 21 in a row. It sucks. It’s not fun. It’s painful. It hurts. You name it. However you want to describe it. It’s not for lack of effort. Nobody wants to come out here and lose, so we’ve just got to put a good game together and put this behind us.”

    Chicago, which last won on July 10 in a doubleheader opener against Minnesota, dropped to 27-88 and is on pace to finish 38-124, which would be the most losses since the 1899 Cleveland Spiders of the National League went 20-134. The White Sox have been held to one run or none 32 times.

    “You just try to turn the page,” outfielder Corey Julks said. “Look forward to the next day, bounce back, don’t dwell on the loss, just try to learn from them and get better each day. … We’re just trying to rally as a team and find a way to get a win.”

    Tyler Nevin’s first-inning sacrifice fly put the A’s ahead, but Andrew Benintendi tied the score with an RBI single against JP Sears (9-8) in the fourth.

    JJ Bleday doubled in the bottom half off Ky Bush (0-1), a 24-year-old left-hander making his big league debut. Zack Gelof walked and Darell Hernaiz was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Schuemann grounded a single between shortstop and third that bounced into left for a 3-1 lead.

    Lawrence Butler hit a sixth-inning homer against Chad Kuhl, his 13th home run this season.

    Gelof added a run in the eighth when he sprinted home from first after Jared Shuster’s pitch bounced away from catcher Korey Lee as Schuemann struck out. Lee looked toward Gelof at third and threw to first baseman Andrew Vaughn for the out, and Gelof ran home as Vaughn’s throw skipped past Lee.

    “Our whole plan coming into this series was to continue our focus, focus on the details of the game, play the game the way we know we’re capable of, and we did that tonight,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said.

    Sears allowed three hits in seven innings with five strikeouts and a walk, improving to 5-1 in his last six decisions.

    “I thought his outing was great,” Kotsay said. “Five strikeouts, just one earned run. He managed the game great.”

    Austin Adams and Tyler Ferguson finished a four-hitter that took just 2 hours, 15 minutes, and included eight overall hits.

    Bush allowed three runs, two hits and five walks over four innings with three strikeouts. He played college baseball at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga.

    “Got the first one out of the way,” Bush said. “Obviously, a little amped up. But happy to debut and just be here.”

    TRAINER’S ROOM

    White Sox: RHP Dominic Leone (right elbow inflammation) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list. RHP Prelander Berroa and LHP Sammy Peralta were optioned to Triple-A Charlotte.

    Athletics: RHP Mason Miller (fractured left pinky finger) threw batting practice and could return from the 10-day IL as soon as Wednesday, according to Kotsay.

    UP NEXT

    White Sox rookie RHP Jonathan Cannon (1-5, 4.11 ERA) will start Tuesday night opposite A’s RHP Ross Stripling (2-10, 5.64).

    —-

    AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

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  • MLB midseason awards: MVP and LVP, Cy Young and Cy Yuk, top rookies and more

    MLB midseason awards: MVP and LVP, Cy Young and Cy Yuk, top rookies and more

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    We interrupt your mid-July search for your favorite tube of sunscreen for this important announcement: Somehow or other, the All-Star break is going to arrive in like 15 minutes.

    So yes, it’s that time again — time for me to hand out my coveted midseason awards. Best I can tell, this year’s awards ceremony once again will not be hosted by Hugh Grant, Hugh Jackman, Reggie Jackson, Samuel L. Jackson, Juan Samuel, Juan Pierre or Pierre Cardin. So I’ll just have to do this myself. Ready? The envelopes, please!

    AL MVP of the half-year: Aaron Judge, Yankees


    Aaron Judge looks to the dugout after launching another long ball. (John Jones / USA Today)

    Gunnar Henderson is a both-sides-of-the-ball game-changer. But he’s not the American League MVP. Bobby Witt Jr. and Juan Soto can play for my team any time. But they’re not the AL MVP, either.

    No, the AL MVP is one of those rare humans who feels larger than life, larger than the Empire State Building, larger than the sport he plays. Aaron Judge towers over everyone and everything these days. So I appreciate that he made at least one of these awards soooo easy to pick.

    Has it dawned on us yet where Judge is headed over these next few months? And by that I mean: Toward one of the most spectacular offensive seasons of our time, or any time. His current pace is absolutely mind-warping:

    OPS+ HR  AVG OBP SLUG RBI

    202

    55

    .307

    .424

    .672

    143

    (through Wednesday)

    Just so you know, only two other men have ever had that year:

    PLAYER  AVG OBP SLUG  OPS+ HR  RBI

    Babe Ruth, 1921 

    .378

    .512

    .846

    239

    59

    168

    Babe Ruth, 1927 

    .356

    .486

    .772

    225

    60

    165

    Jimmie Foxx, 1932

    .364

    .469

    .749

    207 

    58

    169

    (Source: Baseball Reference / Stathead)

    Mickey Mantle (1961), Barry Bonds (2001), Mark McGwire (1998) and the 2022 version of Judge himself were near-misses. But you get the picture. And I haven’t even mentioned that Judge is also on pace for 92 extra-base hits, a number that only Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio and Alfonso Soriano have reached in the history of the Yankees.

    But the other reason Aaron Judge is the MVP revolves around what he means to a Yankees lineup that depends on every ounce of superhero magic Judge has in him, especially as his team has unraveled over the past few weeks. Take a look at how Judge’s production compares with what this juggernaut is getting from all other Yankees not named Juan Soto:

    JUDGE  OTHERS

    AVG

    .307  

    .235

    OBP 

    .424  

    .299

    SLUG 

    .672 

    .370

    OPS   

    1.096  

    .669

    With every category, the gap between Judge and his non-Soto-esque teammates gets not just wider, but wilder. A 302-point difference in slugging? A 427-point gap between his OPS and theirs? This isn’t the Oakland A’s lineup we’re talking about. This is the lineup of a $303 million baseball team.

    So with the utmost respect for any other candidate you’d like to make a case for … sorry! Here comes the Judge — again — to collect another prestigious midseason MVP award. Why is anybody throwing this dude a strike?

    MY AL MVP TOP FIVE: Judge, Henderson, Witt, Soto, Steven Kwan.

    NL MVP of the half-year: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers 


    A third MVP award for Shohei Ohtani? He’s on his way. (Jonathan Hui / USA Today)

    Isn’t it funny how Shohei Ohtani MVP debates aren’t like anyone else’s MVP debates? Then again, maybe that’s just how it works on Planet Unicorn. But let’s explain anyway.

    The 2021-23 version of this debate went: If he’s going to pitch and hit, you might as well give him this thing every darned year because nobody can compete with that. Only Aaron Judge, the 2022 62-homer edition, was able to power through that logic.

    But now, here in 2024, it’s all flipped on Shohei: If he’s not going to pitch and he’s not going to play the field and he’s only a DH, how can he possibly win this award? Isn’t that the question? If David Ortiz never did, if Edgar Martinez never did, then maybe no DH ever will — or should — win an MVP trophy. Right?

    Ehhh, wrong. We should never have unshakeable, illogical rules like that — especially when we’re talking about this man. He’s currently rocking along with a 190 OPS+. And is that good? If he keeps that up, it would merely be the best offensive season any DH has ever had.

    The only other DH who even approached that was Edgar, with a 185 OPS+ in 1995. So how’d he fare in that ’95 MVP race? The voters rewarded him with a third-place finish and four first-place votes. And that’s how it seemingly always works for guys who play no position, no matter how prodigiously they’re mashing.

    Not that we have many comparable players or seasons. Even if we drop the bar to a 170 OPS+, it’s an exclusive group — and the MVP voters didn’t seem interested in anybody in it.

    We won’t include the 60-game pandemic season of 2020. And it’s hard to count Ohtani’s 2023 season, because he also had this side gig where he was busy piling up more strikeouts on the mound than Justin Verlander. So that leaves only three true DHs who had a qualifying season with an OPS+ of 170 or better: Ortiz (171) in 2007, Victor Martinez (172) in 2014 and Travis Hafner (181) in 2006.

    Want to guess how many first-place MVP votes they got? Zero would be a fine guess.

    Even Ortiz, who was productive enough to roll up six seasons with a top-six MVP finish, only collected 17 first-place votes in his whole career: 11 in 2005 (when he finished second to Alex Rodriguez), four in 2003 and one each in 2004 and 2016. In fact, over the five seasons from 2003-07, Big Papi had the highest OPS of any hitter in the American League (1.014) while his team was winning two World Series — and got no MVP trophies out of it.

    But is that Shohei Ohtani’s problem? No, it is not. Is that our problem as voters, or awards-column authors? Nope. Not our problem, either.

    As we speak, Ohtani leads his league in home runs, extra-base hits, OPS, slugging and runs scored (among other things). And how many DHs have ever led their league in all of those categories over a full season? None. Naturally.

    But you should know that over the past 70 years, only eight players have done it at any position: Judge (2022), Mickey Mantle (1956), Carl Yastrzemski (1967), Frank Robinson (1966), Albert Pujols (2009), Mike Schmidt (1981), George Foster (1977) and Ryan Braun (2012).

    So as exceptional as Bryce Harper has been in Philly this year, with a bat and glove, it’s still apparently impossible for anyone to compete with the unique greatness of Ohtani — a man unleashing his wrecking ball on everything we ever thought one baseball-playing human was capable of.

    MY NL MVP TOP FIVE: Ohtani, Harper, Mookie Betts, Marcell Ozuna, Elly De La Cruz.

    AL LVP of the half-year: Bo Bichette, Blue Jays 


    What happened to Bo Bichette? (John E. Sokolowski / USA Today)

    I can’t believe I’m even typing this. I’ve always thought of Bo Bichette as a star, a natural-born hit machine, a face of his franchise. How he turned into this guy — the Least Valuable Player in the entire American League — is a mystery. Not just to me. To pretty much everyone I asked.

    He has spent the past three months playing like a fellow who would rather be somewhere other than Toronto. And the irony there is, if that’s how he actually feels, probably the worst way to inspire somebody to trade for you is to go out and make yourself the odds-on LVP favorite.

    Before I recite Bichette’s unsightly numbers, I should remind you that this award is not the same thing as saying someone is the worst player in the league. Javy Báez — a guy with an OPS+ of (gasp) 29 — has that distinction locked up in Detroit for the third straight year. But the LVP isn’t an “honor” I automatically bestow on guys like him.

    No, I look at the Blue Jays as the most disappointing team in the whole sport. So Bichette swoops in here because I’m not sure that would be possible without the massive underachievement of their once-charismatic shortstop.

    Check out just a few of Bo Bichette’s inexplicable “achievements” and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

    He can’t hit! This is a guy who led the league in hits two years in a row, and was headed for three in a row last year until he got derailed by knee and quad issues. Now he’s spitting out a gruesome .222/.275/.321 slash line, with fewer home runs (four) than Ernie Clement (six). But here’s the biggest shocker. There are 68 AL hitters with enough at-bats to qualify for the batting title. Who has the worst OPS+? Yup. Bo Bichette (at 70).

    He can’t even hit a fastball! Everybody knows you should never, ever throw a first-pitch fastball to Bo. Oh, wait. Check that! Take in the view of his year-by-year average against fastballs (in all counts), according to Statcast:

    2019 — .357
    2020 — .351
    2021 — .310
    2022 — .309
    2023 — .328
    2024 — .226

    One of these years is not like the others.

    He can’t hit left-handers! Bo eats left-handers for breakfast. That’s just a fact … um, I mean that used to be a fact.

    2019-23 — Hit .321 and slugged .537 versus left-handers.

    2024 — Hitting .153 and slugging .196 versus left-handers, with no home runs and only two extra-base hits in three months. Average versus left-handed starters: .106! What the heck.

    In other news … He’s hitting .115 in the first inning this season, with no extra-base hits. … He’s hitting only .209 and slugging .254 after he gets ahead in the count. … And in 35 plate appearances in the late innings of close games, he’s gotten only five hits all season (all five of them singles).

    I feel like I’m writing this in some bizarro universe where everything has turned upside-down. But these are the times I need to remind myself there’s a term to describe when something like this happens: L-V-P!

    MY AL LVP “TOP THREE”: Bichette, Báez, Gleyber Torres.

    NL LVP of the half-year: Tim Anderson, unemployed


    It’s been a steep fall for Tim Anderson, whom the Marlins released on July 5. (Sam Navarro / USA Today)

    It’s not that hard to remember a time when we used to look at Tim Anderson as … what’s that word again? … Oh, right. Good. An actual good, productive baseball player.

    He was an All-Star in 2022 and 2021, a year when he hit a walk-off homer into a corn field. He was a top-seven MVP finisher the year before that. He was a batting champ in 2019. He hit 20 homers and made the stolen base leaderboard in 2018. He was even a productive player for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic as recently as 16 months ago.

    So … who the heck shortstop-napped that guy?

    There was some dude wearing Tim Anderson’s uniform for the Marlins this year — for three months, anyway. But I hope you covered your eyes when you watched him, because it reminded me of, well, this.

    Except in this case, there was nowhere for Tim Anderson to hide. So as the Marlins’ once-hopeful season descended into a flame pit, they just kept running him out there, until they couldn’t convince themselves to do that anymore. So on July 5, they released him, possibly because of unreal stuff like this:

    He was the all-time Zero Hero in June! Have you ever heard of this? A guy who started 21 games in a calendar month and emerged from that month with zero walks and extra-base hits? Yeah, Tim Anderson just had that month. Only one other player in the past 60 years has had a calendar month like that: the legendary Steve Jeltz for the 1988 Phillies (but in a September with 20 fewer plate appearances). So wait. Make that two players!

    He played Beat the Streak! But that stretch didn’t just begin in June. Would you believe this guy somehow went two months, and 38 games in a row, without an extra-base hit? And he went 23 games in a row — we’re talking nearly 100 straight plate appearances — without a walk? That. Happened. The 23 consecutive games he started without a walk or an extra-base hit was the longest streak of dueling goose eggs in more than 30 years, since Darren Lewis went walk-less and XBH-free for 27 games in a row for the 1993 Giants.

    He also had more errors than walks! Nine errors, seven walks. Is that good? Or how about this: More errors than extra-base hits and stolen bases combined (9-7). Holy Mario Mendoza! How’d that happen?

    But let’s also mention … that Anderson “slugged” .226 and had an OPS+ of 30! … and that he hit .164 with runners in scoring position … and that he went 2-for-20 with runners in scoring position and two outs … and that he went 3-for-32 against the Braves and Phillies.

    I’m honestly just scratching the surface of those grisly numbers. Whatever. What I still can’t figure out is what the heck happened.

    “Look at his numbers since The Punch,” said a high-ranking decision-maker on one NL team … so I did!

    Since José Ramírez flattened Anderson in their fabled boxing match at second base, on Aug. 5, 2023, guess what player has the worst slugging percentage (.257) and OPS (.514) in baseball? Did I just hear thousands of you readers shouting, “Tim Anderson”? Heck, yeah, I did. You’re the best LVP students ever.

    MY NL LVP “TOP THREE”: Anderson, Kris Bryant, Jeff McNeil.

    AL Cy Young of the half-year: Tarik Skubal, Tigers


    Tarik Skubal gets the nod over Corbin Burnes, Garrett Crochet and Seth Lugo. (Lon Horwedel / USA Today)

    That sound you hear, off in the distance, is the thumbs of thousands of Orioles fans, reading this and pounding out story comments that go something to the effect of: If you don’t think Corbin Burnes deserves the Cy Young Award, you know less about baseball than my garden hose.

    Well, I’ve never met your garden hose. But I promise I spent more time thinking about this than all the hoses in your neighborhood combined. Now here’s what I think: If this was the Most Pivotal Trade of the Year award, you’d all be right. Because Corbin Burnes has been exactly that.

    He has also been as irreplaceable as any great starter on any contender in baseball. Which, come to think of it, is why the Orioles made that trade. But here’s an important thing to remember before we get any further:

    That’s not what Cy Young debates are made of!

    This is not the Most Valuable Pitcher award. It’s about performance, period. It’s about who has pitched the best, period. And if that’s the question, Tarik Skubal is the answer.

    It seems almost incomprehensible that only three Tigers starters have ever won a Cy Young Award: Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Denny McLain. That means Jim Bunning, Jack Morris, Mickey Lolich, Mark Fidrych, David Price, Frank Tanana and Rick Porcello were among the many Tigers aces who never did. But Tarik Skubal? He’s well on his way.

    I took a lot of time digging in on the excellent cases for Burnes, Garrett Crochet and Seth Lugo. But if this is just about who has pitched the best, I think I picked the right man. Here’s why:

    Skubal versus Burnes: These two guys are so close in ERA (2.43 for Burnes, 2.37 for Skubal), that’s not a factor. But Skubal leads Burnes in WHIP, strikeout rate, opponent OPS, opponent slugging and opponent average. And once Skubal makes his last start before the All-Star break, their workloads will be virtually the same.

    Skubal versus Lugo: Lugo is No. 1 in the league in ERA and batters faced. So he’s been tremendous for a Royals team that signed him, dreaming of this. But Skubal has a hefty lead in strikeout rate, FIP, WHIP and opponent OPS. So if Domination Factor is a useful tiebreaker in Cy Young debates, Skubal runs that table.

    Skubal versus Crochet: Crochet ranks in the top three in the AL in both WHIP and strikeout rate, which always rockets a guy to the top of my list. But wait. So does Skubal. And Skubal’s ERA (2.37) is seventh-tenths of a run lower than Crochet’s (3.08). As fantastic as Crochet has been for the White Sox, I don’t see the argument for placing him ahead of Skubal.

    And I bet you didn’t know that … Skubal has the third-best strikeout rate in the league plus the best walk rate (1.6 per nine innings). So he’s filling up the strike zone and still not getting hit … Speaking of which: Left-handed and right-handed hitters are batting under .200 against him. … And opposing cleanup hitters are hitting .109/.160/.130 against him (with one extra-base hit). That computes to an OPS+ of minus-18!

    Finally, who has a more overpowering pitch mix than Tarik Skubal? This dude throws five pitches — and hitters have a batting average under .200 against four of them. But hold on, because … none of those are even his wipeout pitch, because he also throws a changeup with a 47 percent whiff rate (49 strikeouts, 29 hits against that dastardly invisi-ball).

    So Skubal’s manager, A.J. Hinch, tipped his cap to all the other candidates out there, but made the case for his ace this way:

    “I love the way Tarik has dominated the strike zone. As the attention grew on him, he has continued to throw strikes, miss bats and keep the ball in the ballpark. He’s been the definition of a Cy Young candidate.”

    And as much as I appreciate everything about Burnes, Crochet and Lugo, I agree!

    MY AL CY YOUNG TOP FIVE: Skubal, Burnes, Crochet, Lugo, Logan Gilbert.

    NL Cy Young of the half-year: Chris Sale, Braves


    At age 35, in his 14th MLB season, is this the year Chris Sale wins a Cy Young? (Dale Zanine / USA Today)

    Who’s the best active pitcher who has never won a Cy Young Award? It’s pretty much a dead heat between Zack Wheeler and Chris Sale. Isn’t it? So how perfect is it that that’s almost exactly how I see this NL first-half Cy Young race?

    But first, can I mention that, in retrospect, Wheeler should already own one of those awards? Remember 2021? It now seems so clear that Wheeler deserved to win that year. In fact, this spring, another team’s ace — with no connection to either Wheeler or the NL winner in ’21, Corbin Burnes — went on an unprompted rant about it to me.

    I don’t think that’s true of Sale, but he has a different claim to fame. He once somehow ripped off six straight top-five Cy Young finishes (2012-17) without ever winning once. Want to guess how many other active starters have done that? None. Obviously.

    These two guys also rank 1-2 in ERA among all active starters with no Cy Young trophies. So it’s time that changed — for one of them. But it’s hard to figure out which one, because of course it is.

    I decided the best argument for Wheeler is that he’s emerged as baseball’s most consistent front-of-the-rotation dominator for a Phillies team that wouldn’t have the best record in the sport without him. And, as always, he combines brilliance with volume. He has faced 55 more hitters than Sale has. And yeah, that matters.

    But here, I think, is where Sale inches ahead:

    He’s crushed it against the best teams. How about this stat: Against teams that are .500 or better, Sale is 5-0, with a 1.27 ERA — the best ERA in baseball against the best teams. (Wheeler in that same category: 3-2, 3.47.)

    WHIP and strikeout rate don’t lie. When I do my Cy Young analysis, those two metrics are where I start. So when you find a guy who ranks in the top two in his league in both, as Sale does, that’s telling.

    K/9 IP

    Sale — 11.7
    Wheeler — 9.7

    WHIP

    Sale — 0.94
    Wheeler — 0.97

    FIP happens. I’m always wary of delving too deeply into Fielding Independent Pitching in my Cy Young process for one important reason: FIP tells us more about what should have happened (theoretically) than what actually happened. And Cy Youngs are about performance, not projection. But I do look at FIP as a potential tiebreaker when a race is this tight. And there is such an eye-opening difference between Sale’s FIP and Wheeler’s FIP, it’s hard to ignore.

    2024 FIP

    Sale — 2.22
    Wheeler — 3.32

    For once, let’s not ignore “The Win”: Like virtually all voters in this evolving age we live in, I barely look at “wins” anymore. But Sale has 12 of them. And of his three losses, one was a 1-0 game, another was a 2-1 game, and he has a better strikeout rate, plus more innings per start, in the losses than the 12 wins.

    Listen, I have nothing but immense respect for Zack Wheeler and the way he handles the responsibilities of acehood, every minute of every day, from April through Halloween. But remember:

    The Cy Young is not the Most Valuable Pitcher award. It’s about who has pitched best. And I think the answer, as of this moment, is Chris Sale. But I also think this is about as tight as Cy Young races get.

    MY NL CY YOUNG TOP FIVE: Sale, Wheeler, Ranger Suárez, Tyler Glasnow, Reynaldo López.

    AL Cy Yuk of the half-year: Kenta Maeda, Tigers


    Kenta Maeda’s gnarly numbers have Cy Yuk written all over them. (David Butler II / USA Today)

    I just wish my friends from STATS Perform could tell me if the same team has ever produced a Cy Young and Cy Yuk in the same season. I’m going to guess no on that. But if things don’t change in the next couple of months, I may have a trip down a Cy Yuk rabbit hole ahead of me.

    So stay tuned for that, because Kenta Maeda has charged to the top of the Cy Yuk leaderboard. In fact, he has charged toward the top of the all-time Cy Yuk leaderboard.

    Welcome to the 7.00 ERA Club! Sixteen starts into his first season as the Tigers’ highest-paid starter (with a $24 million guarantee over this season and next), Maeda is sitting on a 7.26 ERA. Do you think he wants to know that in the live-ball era, only two qualifying starters have ever finished a full season with an ERA that started with a “7?”

    Jack Knott, 1936 Browns —  7.27
    Les Sweetland, 1930 Phillies — 7.71

    So the American League “record” is 7.27 — almost exactly matching Maeda’s mark. And call me an alarmist, but I don’t think this is trending well for Kenta. His ERA over his past five starts: 10.13. His ERA over his last three starts: 13.11.

    Ah, but his manager, A.J. Hinch, may have just rescued him from the pursuit of Jack Knott, by gonging him from the Tigers’ rotation “for the foreseeable future.” So there’s that.

    Central casting! It’s amazing that the Tigers have a winning record against their division, considering they’ve spent the past three months letting Maeda pitch against it. His record in six starts against the Central: 0-2, with an 11.90 ERA!

    That’s not right! Almost 90 percent of the world’s population is right-handed. I’m guessing that’s not Maeda’s favorite factoid about the world’s population, considering he has spent this year essentially turning the entire right-handed portion of the sport into 1936 Joe DiMaggio:

    HITTER(S) OBP  SLUG OPS

    DiMaggio, 1936

    .352

    .576

    .928

    RHHs vs Maeda, 2024

    .359

    .578

    .936

    Don’t tune into this FastCast! Scouts who have seen Maeda talk about his inability to get swings-and-misses on pretty much any pitch. But it all starts with the fastball — and hey, that’s going well.

    According to Baseball Savant’s Pitch Arsenal leaderboard, Maeda’s four-seam fastball is basically the fifth most-pummeled pitch in baseball. It’s transforming all hitters who swing at it into Babe Ruth, 1926.

    HITTER(S) AVG.  SLUG

    Ruth, 1926

    .372

    .737   

    vs. Maeda fastball, 2024

    .375

    .732  

    As always, this sport was filled with many deserving Cy Yuk candidates. But it’s hard to beat a guy turning an entire sport into Babe Ruth!

    MY AL CY YUK “TOP THREE”: Kenta Maeda, Michael Soroka, Reid Detmers.

    NL Cy Yuk of the half-year: Blake Snell, Giants


    Blake Snell, from Cy Young to Cy Yuk. (John Hefti / USA Today)

    Not all Cy Yuk profiles are created equal. And that explains how Blake Snell wound up in this space.

    He’s here, in part, because he’s 0-3, with a 7.85 ERA, after seven starts as a Giant. He has made it through the fifth inning exactly once. He’s averaging more than 20 pitches an inning. And if his miraculous 84 percent rate of stranding base runners last year seemed unsustainable, he’s shown why this year.

    BASE RUNNERS*  SCORED

    2023

    202

    32

    2024 

    47 

    22

    (*hits plus walks plus hit-by-pitches, minus home runs)

    But in truth, that isn’t why he’s here in the Cy Yuk winner’s circle. He’s here because we need to consider the context of how he became a Giant, for the bargain price of $32 million a year, plus a $30 million player option he can exercise for next year.

    Blake Snell is a Giant because the Giants had designs on contending, and assembling a potentially dominant rotation seemed like a good plan to do so.

    But in a related development, Blake Snell is a Giant because Robbie Ray can’t pitch until the second half, because Alex Cobb can’t pitch until the second half and because the Giants couldn’t safely project Jordan Hicks to make it through a whole season as a starter.

    So hey, what a lucky break that the incumbent NL Cy Young Award winner was still looking for work in the third week of March. Unless …

    Unless, of course, he wasn’t ready to pitch after missing virtually all of spring training.

    Unless, of course, he rushed back into the rotation on April 8 without facing a single minor-league hitter on a rehab start. (His choice.)

    Unless, of course, he was so out of whack that he went 0-3, with an 11.57 ERA and 1.97 WHIP, in his first three starts (all blowout losses).

    Unless, of course, he then strained a groin and wound up on the injured list for a month.

    Unless, of course, he then found himself winless with three days left until the All-Star break.

    So perhaps you might be thinking: Look, stuff happens — to everybody. He didn’t have much of a spring training. It’s not fair to be handing out Cy Yuks to well-meaning folks like this.

    All of that is true, except for the fact that missing spring training wasn’t just some happenstance. It was a choice.

    Snell and his agent, Scott Boras, had certain expectations. It wasn’t all their fault that nobody wanted to meet those expectations until the Giants came along. But what has happened since was always a potential consequence of holding out all those weeks.

    So in the end, Blake Snell got the money, and I’m happy for him. But he also got this midseason Cy Yuk award. Life is complicated like that sometimes.

    MY NL CY YUK “TOP THREE”: Snell, Jordan Montgomery, Dakota Hudson.

    Rookies of the Year: Mason Miller, A’s, and Paul Skenes, Pirates

    Is it me, or do these Rookie of the Year categories get harder every year? This sport is bursting with so many electrifying young shooting stars, it’s easier to figure out what to order at the Cheesecake Factory than it is to figure out who to pick for Rookie of the Year.

    So feel free to fire off your arguments for Shota Imanaga, Luis Gil, Jackson Merrill, Michael Busch, Joey Ortiz, Wyatt Langford, Masyn Winn and a dozen more rookies. There are no wrong answers on this quiz.

    I gave up trying to separate them all from one another — and went with my two favorite rocket-launchers.


    Paul Skenes. Take a whiff. (Benny Sieu / USA Today)

    Paul Skenes! I know he arrived in Pittsburgh for his big-league debut only two months ago. But I’m starting to think he’s pretty good.

    Roy Halladay struck out 82 hitters in his entire rookie season (in 149 1/3 innings). Skenes has struck out 89 in two months (in 66 1/3 innings).

    Mariano Rivera, the first unanimous Hall of Famer, gave up 17 runs in the first 15 innings of his career. Skenes has given up 14 runs in two months.

    Randy Johnson and Max Scherzer combined for two starts in their entire Hall-worthy careers with zero hits allowed and 11 strikeouts or more. Paul Skenes now has two of those in the first 11 starts of his career.

    So what we’re seeing here isn’t just a Rookie of the Year. It’s history.


    Mason Miller likes triple digits. (Paul Rutherford / USA Today)

    Mason Miller! There aren’t many reasons to watch the A’s this summer, unless your idea of fun is counting empty seats. But when Mason Miller lopes out of that Oakland bullpen, I highly recommend you stop whatever you’re doing to watch this guy spit lightning bolts.

    He’s already thrown 286 pitches this season at 100 mph or faster. I don’t know how to put that in perspective for you, so how about this: That’s more pitches at 100-plus, in three months, than Gerrit Cole, Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani and Spencer Strider have combined in their whole careers (280). And that’s out of nearly 50,000 total pitches for those four.

    Or maybe this will drive my point home: Miller already has fired up five saves this season with at least three strikeouts and no hits allowed. Remember that Mariano Rivera guy? Would you believe he never had more than three saves like that in any season of his career? Believe it.

    If you read this section and only come away with the impression that Hey, maybe Mariano Rivera wasn’t that good, that wasn’t the idea here at all. We’re just providing perspective on two rookie pitchers who are already headed to their first All-Star Game … because they’re doing stuff even the legends of yesteryear never did.

    MY AL ROOKIE OF THE HALF-YEAR TOP THREE: Miller, Gil, Langford.

    MY NL ROOKIE OF THE HALF-YEAR TOP THREE: Skenes, Imanaga, Merrill.

    Managers of the half-year: Stephen Vogt, Guardians, and Rob Thomson, Phillies


    Stephen Vogt has led the Guardians to the AL’s best record. (David Richard / USA Today)

    Here’s another impossible award to pick. I could easily have talked myself into Alex Cora, Matt Quatraro, Pat Murphy or Mike Shildt as the managers of the year — and then spun an eloquently convincing case for why you should pick them, too. But that’s not what I did. Was it? Instead …

    Stephen Vogt: I’ve said many times that Terry Francona was the greatest manager of his generation. So naturally, he retired and turned the Guardians over to a guy who had never managed … and Stephen Vogt then led that team to a better 90-game start than any team Francona ever managed — in Cleveland, Boston or Philadelphia.

    I haven’t changed my mind about Francona. But I’m blown away by the magic Vogt and his staff have worked with the Guardians. The youngest team in the league. A team we thought might make fewer home run trots than Aaron Judge. A team that has had almost everything about its vaunted rotation go wrong.

    Instead, that team has the best record in the American League. And the manager has his pulse on everything about it. Pretty cool story.

    Rob Thomson: I know this isn’t how us savvy baseball writers usually pick a manager of the year. Usually, we look at the standings, find the team we were most wrong about and conclude: Whoa, what a brilliant job that manager is doing, huh?

    But that doesn’t describe the Phillies’ manager at all. I don’t know how many of us thought the Phillies would have the best record in baseball right now, or would find themselves 9 1/2 games ahead of Atlanta. But we knew this team would be good, possibly great.

    I just think it’s time to recognize the manager’s big part in that success. Rob Thomson waited a lifetime to do this job. And from day one, he was so good at it. He can run a game and juggle a bullpen as if he’d been doing this as long as Tony La Russa. But that’s not his greatest talent.

    The word I keep coming back to is trust. I think about it all the time when I watch him go about his job and listen to him talk. He shows total trust in his players, often without saying a word, and they feel it.

    So, in a season in which the Phillies have lost J.T. Realmuto, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Marsh and Taijuan Walker (among others) to injuries, they’ve gotten unforeseen mileage out of Garrett Stubbs, Rafael Marchán, Kody Clemens, David Dahl, Spencer Turnbull and a bunch of guys who were never supposed to be central figures on the best team in baseball.

    The manager makes them all feel like they’re a part of it. He promotes a clubhouse culture where the stars do that. There’s a calm about his team that’s unmistakable. And you can connect every one of those dots to the guy in the manager’s office. Amazing to think he spent three decades working in this sport and almost never got this chance.

    MY AL MANAGER OF THE HALF-YEAR TOP THREE: Vogt, Cora, Quatraro.

    MY NL MANAGER OF THE HALF-YEAR TOP THREE: Thomson, Murphy, Shildt.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Baseball Hall of Fame tiers: Which active players are on course for Cooperstown?

    (Top image: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic. Photos: Aaron Judge: Stacy Revere / Getty Images; Chris Sale: Rich von Biberstein / Icon Sportswire / Associated Press)

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    The New York Times

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  • The non-all-star All-Stars: Lindor, Gil and other MLB snubs at each position

    The non-all-star All-Stars: Lindor, Gil and other MLB snubs at each position

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    Look, I know how these guys feel. Here at The Athletic, a handful of writers were chosen to wax poetic about the superstar players who made this year’s All-Star team. And the rest of us were left out, our rightful place on the roster outrageously overlooked due to some weird, overly complicated selection process.

    We are the snubs. And we’re all in this together.

    Here, then, is our non-all-star All-Star team, the most worthy players at each position who didn’t hear their names called Sunday night and were not — at least, so far — selected for the midsummer classic.

    Note: Starting position players are selected via fan vote, and players vote for eight pitchers plus one backup at each position. The league selects the final few players to round out the rosters, ensuring every team has a representative.

    Catcher

    Patrick Bailey, San Francisco Giants

    Neither league is carrying a third catcher this season (and it’s pretty easy to argue that each league picked the correct two guys behind the plate), but Bailey would have been a worthy addition (the league instead chose outfielder Heliot Ramos and ace Logan Webb as the Giants’ representatives). Throwing and framing metrics have Bailey as one of the best defensive catchers in baseball, and wRC+ puts him basically on par with Salvador Perez offensively. Bailey debuted just last year. He’s going to make an All-Star team at some point.

    GO DEEPER

    Heliot Ramos, Logan Webb selected as the Giants representatives for the 2024 All-Star Game

    First base

    Christian Walker, Arizona Diamondbacks

    A word of advice for anyone trying to make an All-Star team: Try not to play in the same league, at the same position, as Bryce Harper and Freddie Freeman. Those two were selected to their eighth All-Star teams this season. Walker has yet to make one. He has the third-most homers in the NL (behind All-Star DHs Shohei Ohtani and Marcell Ozuna), and he ranks 10th in the NL in wRC+ (but that’s still behind both Harper and Freeman). Walker could still make the team if Harper’s hamstring strain keeps him out of the All-Star Game, but the Phillies seem to expect Harper to return this week.

    Second base

    Brice Turang, Milwaukee Brewers

    WAR is not a perfect metric, but it’s useful shorthand for a player’s all-around impact. By the Baseball Reference version of WAR, Turang is the fourth-best player in the entire National League. The FanGraphs version isn’t quite so bullish, but it still has him 20th in the NL, which is 30 spots higher — and more than 1.5 WAR better — than the NL’s backup second baseman, Luis Arraez. Turang doesn’t have Arraez’s batting average, but he does have more power, more stolen bases and far superior defensive metrics. The players, though, chose Arraez.

    Shortstop

    Francisco Lindor, New York Mets

    Had Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (who’s missed considerable time with an injury) not been voted in as the NL starter, there might have been room for Lindor, who ranks seventh in the league in fWAR. But the Cincinnati Reds’ Elly De La Cruz (as a replacement for injured Mookie Betts) was chosen by the players, and the league chose CJ Abrams as the lone representative of the Washington Nationals, which left no room for Lindor or Willy Adames of the Milwaukee Brewers. A total of 40 players have at least 2.5 fWAR so far this season, and nine of them are shortstops (11 if you count multi-positional Willi Castro of the Minnesota Twins and Josh Smith of the Texas Rangers). Shortstop snubs were inevitable, even with seven chosen between the two rosters.

    Third base

    Jordan Westburg, Baltimore Orioles

    Five third basemen rank in the top 18 in American League fWAR, and there simply wasn’t room for all of them on the roster. The fans voted for José Ramírez, the players voted for Rafael Devers, and the league chose Isaac Paredes as the Tampa Bay Rays’ representative. That left Westburg as the odd man out. He might have made it had he been listed as a second baseman — he’s played about a third of his games at second — but Westburg, Paredes and Smith have fairly similar numbers, and there just wasn’t room for all of them.

    Outfield

    Willi Castro, Minnesota Twins
    Colton Cowser, Baltimore Orioles
    Brandon Nimmo, New York Mets

    Castro doesn’t fit neatly onto an All-Star ballot. He’s played at least 20 games at five different positions — second base, third base, shortstop, center field, left field — sometimes getting turns at multiple spots in a single game. Despite all that moving around, he’s produced a 130 wRC+ and the sixth-highest fWAR among all qualified outfielders in either league. Yet, he didn’t make the AL team. Neither did Orioles rookie Cowser (or his teammate, Anthony Santander) or any number of defensive standouts (notably, Daulton Varsho of the Toronto Blue Jays). The NL outfield was a little more wide-open, but Nimmo had at least as good a case as any outfielder on the NL bench.


    Brent Rooker rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Orioles. (D. Ross Cameron / USA Today)

    Designated hitter

    Brent Rooker, Oakland A’s

    David Fry is one of the most surprising standouts of the first half. He’s made double-digit starts at catcher, left field and designated hitter — with a handful of innings at first base, third base and right field — and he’s helped keep the Guardians in first place with the 10th-best wRC+ among players with at least 200 plate appearances. Rooker, though, has similar offensive numbers (155 OPS+ to Fry’s 161) while getting almost 100 more plate appearances and hitting more than twice as many home runs (18 vs. 8).

    Starting pitchers

    Ronel Blanco, Houston Astros
    Jack Flaherty, Detroit Tigers
    Luis Gil, New York Yankees
    George Kirby, Seattle Mariners
    Cristopher Sánchez, Philadelphia Phillies

    If you last checked in three weeks ago, you might have assumed Gil was a lock for the AL staff. As of mid-June, he had a 2.03 ERA through 14 starts and seemed a worthy replacement for injured Gerrit Cole atop the Yankees’ rotation. But Gil’s past three starts — heading into a Sunday night matchup against the Red Sox — resulted in three straight losses and a 14.90 ERA, which pushed his season ERA down to 3.41, 15th-best in the AL. Four starters with an ERA below 3.00 failed to make either team (Blanco, Sánchez, Brady Singer of the Kansas City Royals and Jake Irvin of the Nationals). Same for the major-league leader in strikeout-to-walk ratio (Kirby) and the leader in xFIP (Flaherty) who also has the third-best strikeout rate and the fourth-best expected ERA. Inevitably, though, a few selected starters will opt out, which means some of the initial snubs will ultimately make it.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Phillies exit Atlanta with 7 All-Stars, Schwarber and Harper back soon, and a debut to ponder

    Relief pitcher

    Trevor Megill, Milwaukee Brewers

    The first-place Brewers landed two players in the NL starting lineup, but no one on the bench (three of their infielders deserved consideration) and no one in the bullpen (they have the fourth-best bullpen ERA in the majors). Closer Megill and setup man Bryan Hudson rank fifth and sixth in Win Probability Added, and either one would have been a justifiable addition, but the NL Players’ Ballot selected two non-closers (Matt Strahm and Jeff Hoffman of the Philadelphia Phillies), forcing the league to use five of its six at-large spots to find lone representatives of the Mets (Pete Alonso), Nationals (Abrams), St. Louis Cardinals (Ryan Helsley), Chicago Cubs (Shota Imanaga) and Miami Marlins (Tanner Scott). The one truly at-large selection in the NL went to Webb.

    (Top photo of Francisco Lindor: Nuccio DiNuzzo / Getty Images)

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    The New York Times

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  • 2 teams most MLB wins, $210 million payroll difference

    2 teams most MLB wins, $210 million payroll difference

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    *Above video shows key dates for the Guardians season*

    CLEVELAND (WJW) — Yes, it’s early in the season, but spring is about optimism for many.

    The AL Central first-place Cleveland Guardians are 14-6, that’s an MLB-leading record tied with the always vaunted New York Yankees.

    But, have you considered the massive disparity in team payroll, which is at an all time high in baseball.

    The two biggest TV markets located in the biggest city have the top two team pay rolls, according to USA Today.

    • New York Mets $305, 000 million
    • New York Yankees $303 million
    • Los Angles Dodgers $250 million
    • Cleveland Guardians $93 million
    • Pittsburgh Pirates $85 million

    For the complete list you can click here.

    Just one player’s $700 million contract, Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers, is on his way to making $70 million a year. Add in his incentives plus bonuses and Ohtani could be around Cleveland’s entire team payroll.

    Despite a lower payroll, Cleveland has a history of being known as a team with good scouts and a talented minor league system.

    The NFL is known as a league with good revenue sharing among teams, whereas baseball is not. Much has been written about the issue including this one titled, ‘MLB Revenue Disparity and its Impact on Competition.’

    Cleveland play’s Oakand with a record of 8-12 Saturday, 6:10 p.m.. Oakland has the lowest team payroll in baseball of $60 million.

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    Paul Kiska

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  • Helping A’s fans work past grief, Oakland Ballers hold open tryout

    Helping A’s fans work past grief, Oakland Ballers hold open tryout

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    OAKLAND — Oakland A’s fans are hurting from this week’s announcement that the team will be moving to Sacramento after this season but an independent minor league team, the Oakland Ballers, has been created to fill the void. On Saturday, players from all over the area attended an open tryout and, for many, it was a chance to keep their diamond dreams alive.

    The A’s may be leaving Oakland but the dream of baseball was still very much in play. The Oakland Ballers tryout at Laney College drew players who were not afraid to take a longshot chance. That’s sort of what Paul Freedman did when he co-founded the team.

    “When it became clear last year that the A’s intended to move, like most fans, I was pretty devastated,” he said. “But I felt like baseball needs to stay in Oakland. And it really should be up to people from Oakland whether baseball stays or continues and baseball has been such an important fabric of this community.  So, we started the Ballers to say, no matter what, there’s going to be a team here.”

    More than 100 players showed up try to snag one of the few remaining spots on the Ballers’ roster. Some showed more talent and experience than others but manager Micah Franklin said some of the guys at the tryout might have been drafted by MLB teams in years past.

    “We’re very important to Major League Baseball now,” Franklin said. “They’ve changed the draft rules. Used to be 50 rounds in the draft.  Now there’s only 20 rounds.  So, rounds 21 through 50 have no place to play. They come to our league to play and now they’re playing to show off their skills to all 30 teams.”

    They may get some inspiration from one of the team’s assistant coaches, former Giants star first baseman J.T. Snow. He said he was lured back to hear the crack of the bat and the pop of the glove.

    “You never know. There’s been a lot of guys that have come through and made their dreams of getting to the big leagues from tryout camps like this,” Snow said. “So, obviously, not everybody’s going to get signed. There may be just a few or a couple but you can always find that diamond in the rough.”

    Most of the guys had been playing since they were little kids but Robert Nolin is now 35.  He plays in an adult league in San Jose and said he realized he was probably too old to be selected but, like J.T., it’s not easy for him to give up on the game.

    “I’m just here to have fun,” he said with a smile. “If there’s a chance to make it and compete on this level, I’d love to do it but, if nothing else, I came out here on a Saturday to play baseball!”

    Up in the stands, De Vallon Harper reminisced about his days playing Triple A ball. He thought every player on the field was probably holding on to some hope that his dream could somehow still come true.

    “I think they’re serious,” he said. “I think it’s just something you have to get out of your system. Maybe, ‘I gave it a shot,” you know? It worked or it didn’t work. I think maybe one or two guys will come out of all this. So, it’s like winning the lottery.”

    As a fan, Jason Dixon had no more hope.  He watched from outside the ballpark, wondering what it will be like when the last of his beloved sports teams abandons him.

    “I lost my Raiders.  I lost the Warriors.  Losing the A’s…” he said sadly.  “I’m still a fan.  I think this is cool that there will still be baseball in Oakland.  Even though it’s not a professional team but it’s still baseball, right?”

    Once the roster is set, spring training for the Ballers will last only a week and away games will begin in May.  The home opener is scheduled for June 4 at Ernie Raimondi Park in Oakland.

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    John Ramos

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  • Jose, Jose, Jose! Guards top A’s in front of sparse crowd

    Jose, Jose, Jose! Guards top A’s in front of sparse crowd

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    *The video above shows Fox 8’s Kenny Crumtpon showing his batting skills behind the plate*

    OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — José Ramirez hit his first home run of the season, Andrés Giménez had three hits and the Cleveland Guardians beat the A’s 6-4 on Friday night in front of a sparse crowd at the Oakland Coliseum.

    Ramirez, an All-Star each of the past three seasons, hit a two-run homer as part of a three-run first inning for the Guardians.

    “It’s best-case scenario to get out there with a three-run lead,” Cleveland starter Logan Allen said. “All I have to do is go out there and protect it.”

    Giménez (3-for-3, two walks) hit a pair of RBI doubles, one each in the fifth and seventh innings, while Will Brennan added an RBI single for Cleveland.

    “(Giménez) was the catalyst tonight,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said.

    A total of 17,359 fans have shown up for the first two games in Oakland this season. A crowd of 3,837 fans was announced for Friday’s game, after 13,522 fans attended opening night Thursday, with thousands more in the parking lot protesting the A’s proposed move to Las Vegas.

    Vogt, who played in Oakland for five-plus seasons during his career as a player, said his team wasn’t affected by the small crowd.

    “Obviously, there’s a lot going on here in Oakland,” Vogt said. “I feel for the fans, but we’re focused on us and we’re focused on playing our game, no matter how many people are here.”

    Allen earned the win in his 2024 debut, allowing three runs over five-plus innings, after a 2023 rookie campaign where he posted a 3.81 ERA in 24 starts.

    Oakland newcomer J.D. Davis hit two solo shots to record his first homers since being signed as a free agent on March 16. It marked the third two-homer game of Davis’ career and first since July 17, 2021.

    “They don’t give out home runs up here,” Davis said. “To get two tonight was special, but at the end of the day, we lost, and that’s all that matters.”

    A’s outfielder Esteury Ruiz and catcher Shea Langeliers each added sacrifice flies. A’s right-hander Ross Stripling was charged with five runs (four earned) over five innings in his first start since being acquired via trade this offseason.

    Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, who led the majors in saves each of the past two seasons, pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his first save of the season.

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    Paul Kiska

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  • Happening Today: 20,000 Oakland A’s fans expected to protest season opener tailgate-style

    Happening Today: 20,000 Oakland A’s fans expected to protest season opener tailgate-style

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    OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) — We’ll be watching how many fans are in the stands for the A’s home opener Thursday night.

    Some fans are planning to protest by tailgating in the parking lot instead of watching from the stands as the team begins what could be its final season in Oakland.

    You might recall fans planned a reverse boycott last season, deciding to pack a random weeknight game to show that the team should stay rooted in Oakland.

    RELATED: Thousands of Oakland A’s fans expected to protest season opener

    A’s fans are planning a “Summer of Boycott” protest tailgate at the Oakland Coliseum parking lot on Thursday.

    This is the latest attempt to push back against owner John Fischer and his desire to move the team to Las Vegas.

    “To show that there is support. There’s going to be 20,000 people strong in that parking lot. So it’s to send a message and send a statement: the fans are here. The fans organized this,” said Bryan Johansen, founder of Last Dive Bar.

    The A’s recently announced the parking lot will open later than usual — just two hours before games.

    Fans say they’re concerned that the change will lead to backups and are now asking the team to open earlier.

    If you’re on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live

    Copyright © 2024 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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    KGO

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  • 2024 MLB ‘Wild-Card Era’ Franchise Rankings: Rangers break into top 10, Cubs fall out

    2024 MLB ‘Wild-Card Era’ Franchise Rankings: Rangers break into top 10, Cubs fall out

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    As Jonah Heim squeezed the final strike of the 2023 postseason and Josh Sborz spiked his mitt on the mound to celebrate the Texas Rangers’ first World Series title, a thought crossed my mind: How will this change the franchise rankings?

    See, the Wild-Card Era (1995 to present) franchise rankings are not a creation of my fallible mind. They are borne from a tested, trusted, completely objective, never-been-questioned, all-math, no-bias formula borrowed from football writer Bob Sturm and tweaked to fit baseball’s postseason structure.

    Winning the World Series (WS): 9 points
    Losing in the World Series (WSL): 6 points
    Losing in the Championship Series (CS): 3 points
    Losing in Division Series (DS): 2 points
    Losing in Wild Card (WC): 1 point

    As of last year, the scoring system also incentivizes division titles (+1 point) and penalizes prolonged losing cycles, docking teams (-1 point) each time they lose at least 90 games in consecutive seasons.

    Tally the point totals for the past 29 seasons, from 1995 to 2023, and the result is the franchise rankings as listed below — along with each team’s point totals from the past decade, and average points per season. Tiebreakers are World Series wins, then World Series losses, then Championship Series appearances, then Division Series appearances, then division titles.

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    The Pirates’ 76-86 season in 2023 didn’t dig their hole deeper, but it didn’t get them out of it, either. Since winning the 1979 World Series, they have reached the postseason six times — three-year runs from 1990-92 and 2013-15. The team is hoping its next core will author another such run. After signing Ke’Bryan Hayes, Bryan Reynolds and Mitch Keller to extensions, the Pirates need continued progression from young big leaguers — Oneil Cruz, Jack Suwinki, Henry Davis — and top prospects Paul Skenes, Jared Jones and Termarr Johnson.

    Total playoff years: 13DS, 14WC, 15WC

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    8

    Last decade: 1 point (MLB rank: t-26th)

    Average: -.14 points per season

    The Royals bottomed out at 106 losses last season, tying the 2005 Royals for most losses in franchise history, and fell to 29th in this year’s franchise ranking as they were vaulted by the Orioles. After seven consecutive losing seasons, the Royals clearly are trying to turn a corner now. This winter, they guaranteed Bobby Witt Jr. $288.7 million, filled out their bench and pitching staff with free agents, and unveiled plans for a proposed downtown Kansas City ballpark. This fall marks a decade since the Royals ended their 29-year playoff drought and reached the World Series — then won it a year later. It remains the case that no team has made the playoffs fewer times in the Wild-Card Era than the Royals.

    Total playoff years: 14WSL, 15WS

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    9

    Last decade: 14 points (MLB rank: t-10th)

    Average: .24 points per season

    With the Detroit Lions defeating the Los Angeles Rams in January for their first playoff win since 1992, the Reds now own the longest active streak of not advancing in the playoffs among the four major US men’s sports leagues. Cincinnati swept the Dodgers in the 1995 NLDS, then were swept by the Braves in the NLCS, and they haven’t advanced in any of their four playoff seasons since. The current Reds core has a chance to remove themselves from that trivia answer. The lineup has several potential stars and only one projected starter over the age of 28.

    Total playoff years: 95CS, 10DS, 12DS, 13WC, 20WC

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    3

    Last decade: -2 points (MLB rank: 30th)

    The Orioles jumped two spots in this ranking by winning 101 games and the AL East last year, even if their playoff run fizzled fast. Adley Rutschman was AL Rookie of the Year runner-up in 2022, Gunnar Henderson won the award in 2023, and now top prospect Jackson Holliday is one of the favorites to win in 2024. The Orioles still have the best farm system in baseball, according to The Athletic’s Keith Law, even after trading top-100 prospect Joey Ortiz and former top-100 prospect DL Hall to Milwaukee for former Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes.

    Total playoff years: 96CS, 97CS, 12DS, 14CS, 16WC, 23DS

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    8

    Last decade: 7 points (MLB rank: t-19th)

    The Blue Jays are one of a few teams toward the bottom of this list that would fare better if this exercise included the entire 1990s instead of starting in 1995. Toronto won back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993, but didn’t return to the playoffs for another 21 years. Though the Blue Jays have been a playoff team five times in the past nine seasons, including 2023, they’ve been swept in the Wild-Card Series in their last three tries. Even after failing to land a premier free agent this offseason, the Blue Jays have the bats, gloves and arms to be a division winner in 2024 — but so do three other teams in the AL East.

    Total playoff years: 15CS, 16CS, 20WC, 22WC, 23WC

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    0

    Last decade: 10 points (MLB rank: 15th)

    The Rockies stayed in the same spot in the franchise rankings but were deducted a point for having back-to-back 90-loss seasons. They chased 94 losses in 2022 with 103 in 2023 — their first triple-digit loss total in franchise history. Todd Helton is a Hall of Famer, bringing back memories of the Rockies’ magical run to the 2007 World Series. The other bit of good news is that Nolan Jones could be a certified star in Colorado. But this doesn’t look like it’ll be the Rockies’ year to win their first division title. FanGraphs has their current playoff odds at 0.1 percent; their odds of winning the NL West, however, are 0.0 percent.

    Total playoff years: 95DS, 07WSL, 09DS, 17WC, 18DS

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    3

    Last decade: 1 point (MLB rank: t-26th)

    The Brewers won their division last season yet still have the same points total. What gives? Well, time for a mea culpa. In auditing and updating the franchise rankings spreadsheet last month, I discovered an error. From 2001 to 2004, the Brewers lost 94, 106, 94 and 94 games, respectively, so they should have been deducted three points. I had only deducted one. To Brewers fans: I regret the error, just as the Brewers surely regret that era. As The Athletic’s Tyler Kepner wrote recently, Milwaukee has not finished last in their division since 2004. The Brewers have never won a World Series and have only one pennant (1982), but they’re reliably solid in a small market. They are now without Corbin Burnes, but they still have plenty of talent on the roster, plus Law’s No. 2 farm system.

    Total playoff years: 08DS, 11CS, 18CS, 19WC, 20WC, 21DS, 23WC

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    3

    Last decade: 11 points (MLB rank: 14th)

    The Mariners had the pieces to be a playoff team again last season, having already exorcized demons in 2023 to end a two-decade postseason drought. But after getting hot in the second half Seattle stumbled in September and was eliminated from the playoffs with one game left in the season. On paper, they have one of the league’s best pitching staffs for 2024. The lineup still features Julio Rodríguez, Cal Raleigh and J.P. Crawford, but it has been overhauled with the additions of a new Mitch (Garver), an old Mitch (Haniger), Luke Raley and Jorge Polanco in hopes of getting more runs and fewer whiffs.

    Total playoff years: 95CS, 97DS, 00CS, 01CS, 22DS

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    2

    Last decade: 2 points (MLB rank: t-25th)

    Never let it be said that this franchise-ranking formula doesn’t punish teams that subject their fans to prolonged down cycles (see also: Brewers blurb). The Nats/Expos lost five points for consecutive 90-loss seasons in the 1990s and 2000s, which they more than made up for with five playoff seasons (and a World Series title) in the 2010s. But their current rebuild has cost them another two points. There were some positive signs last year, like Lane Thomas’ 20-20 season, CJ Abrams’ second half and the law firm of (Josiah) Gray and (MacKenzie) Gore figuring some things out. Next, we await the arrival of top prospects Dylan Crews, James Wood and Brady House.

    Total playoff years: 12DS, 14DS, 16DS, 17DS, 19WS

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    7

    Last decade: 16 points (MLB rank: 8th)

    I ended last year’s blurb this way: Unless Luis Arraez bats .400, offense will likely be an issue again in 2023. He flirted with .400 until July! Offense was indeed an issue, one the Marlins addressed by adding Josh Bell and Jake Burger at the trade deadline. Losing Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara to Tommy John surgery was a massive blow softened by the performances of Jesús Luzardo, Eury Pérez and Braxton Garrett as the Marlins secured a wild-card spot. The Marlins have never won their division, and odds are against that changing in 2024, but they have enough intriguing talent to stay on the fringe of the playoff picture.

    Total playoff years: 97WS, 03WS, 20DS, 23WC

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    5

    Last decade: 1 point (MLB rank: t-26th)

    Believers in positive regression will find no finer team to back than the 2024 Padres. The club’s late owner, Peter Seidler, spent big in his final years to bring a World Series to San Diego, and so cutting payroll was a priority this offseason. The team is now without one of the best hitters (Juan Soto), starters (Blake Snell) and closers (Josh Hader) in the game. The amount of talent they’ve lost is staggering, underscoring how strange it was to see them come up short in 2023. The lineup still has Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts locked in long-term and Ha-Seong Kim in the fold for another season. The rotation has Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, depth replenished in the Soto trade and now, after A.J. Preller’s Wednesday night blockbuster, another ace-caliber starter: Dylan Cease.

    Total playoff years: 96DS, 98WSL, 05DS, 06DS, 20DS, 22CS

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    4

    Last decade: 2 points (MLB rank: t-24th)

    The Tigers took a surprising second place in the AL Central last season, their best finish since 2016, though few confused them for a contender. They saw encouraging signs in 2023 from Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene (when healthy), Kerry Carpenter and several pitchers, especially Tarik Skubal. They’ve added a handful of veterans this offseason — Mark Canha, Gio Urshela, Jack Flaherty, Kenta Maeda, Shelby Miller and Andrew Chafin — and have a couple top prospects approaching the majors. Better days should be ahead for an organization that hasn’t gained a franchise-ranking point (and, in fact, has lost two) since 2014.

    Total playoff years: 06WSL, 11CS, 12WSL, 13CS, 14DS

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    7

    Last decade: 1 point (MLB rank: t-26th)

    We begin the way we always do, with an updated win/loss record since the 2007 name change.

    Tampa Bay Devil Rays: 645-972 (.399)

    Tampa Bay Rays: 1,366-1,125 (.548)

    The 2023 Rays raced out to a record-setting start and still managed to win 99 games despite being without star shortstop Wander Franco and losing starters Shane McClanahan, Drew Rasmussen and Jeffrey Springs to elbow surgeries. They’ve continued team-building their way this winter — prioritizing young regulars and undervalued platoon players and relievers — and will, in all likelihood, be a handful for the rest of the AL East in 2024.

    Total playoff years: 08WSL, 10DS, 11DS, 13DS, 19DS, 20WSL, 21DS, 22WC, 23WC

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    9

    Last decade: 14 points (MLB rank: t-10th)

    When writing a year ago “it’s hard to argue the White Sox are better than they were in 2022, and their farm system is one of the weakest in baseball,” I somehow still fell woefully short of predicting their 2023 season. The White Sox self-destructed. They fired Ken Williams and Rick Hahn, lost 101 games and moved seven veterans at the trade deadline. The positive outcome is that the farm system no longer stinks. Law ranked them 10th and noted, “This is about as good as their system has ever looked.” The same cannot be said of their major-league roster. The White Sox have had consecutive 90-loss seasons only once since 1995; they’re projected to add a second this season. They are playing for the future, as evidenced by the Dylan Cease trade Wednesday night.

    Total playoff years: 00DS, 05WS, 08DS, 20WC, 21DS

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    1

    Last decade: 3 points (MLB rank: t-22nd)

    The Mets haven’t advanced in the playoffs since their pennant-winning 2015 season. After the Mets won 101 games in 2022, the 2023 season saw Edwin Díaz injured, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer traded, and the Mets missing the playoffs by nine games. They still have the highest payroll in the game, but expectations are lower this season. Spring training started with a sour note as Kodai Senga was diagnosed with a right shoulder strain. FanGraphs gives the Braves a 98.6 percent chance of making the playoffs, the Phillies at 59 percent and the Marlins and Mets tied at 29.5 percent.

    Total playoff years: 99CS, 00WSL, 06CS, 15WSL, 16WC, 22WC

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    1

    Last decade: 9 points (MLB rank: 16th)

    The Twins blew some long-standing narratives to smithereens last fall by ending their 18-game postseason losing streak and sweeping the Blue Jays in the Wild Card Series. Then they lost Sonny Gray to free agency, traded Jorge Polanco and cut payroll. They remain the favorite in the AL Central — a division they’ve won three of the past five years — but may be leaving the door open. The Pablo López-led rotation has upside; Jhoan Duran and the bullpen are nasty; and a lineup that starts with Edouard Julien, Royce Lewis, Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa and Max Kepler is likely to do some serious damage.

    Total playoff years: 02CS, 03DS, 04DS, 06DS, 09DS, 10DS, 17WC, 19DS, 20WC, 23DS

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    6

    Last decade: 8 points (MLB rank: t-17th)

    Before 2022, the A’s hadn’t endured a 100-loss season since 1979. Now they’ve done it two years in a row for the first time since 1964-65. They lost a rankings point for that, dropped one spot in the rankings and will surely continue in that downward direction. Law ranked their farm system last. In 2023, Brent Rooker had an early breakout, Ryan Noda and Zack Gelof emerged and Esteury Ruiz led the AL with 67 steals. But overshadowing all of that in Oakland is the team’s desire to flee to Las Vegas and fans’ attempts to make their objections heard.

    Total playoff years: 00DS, 01DS, 02DS, 03DS, 06CS, 12DS, 13DS, 14WC, 18WC, 19WC, 20DS

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    2

    Last decade: 4 points (MLB rank: 21st)

    Let’s break down the Wild-Card Era Angels by decade.

    1995-99: 387-405 (.489)

    2000s: 900-720 (.556)

    2010s: 822-798 (.507)

    2020s: 176-208 (.458)

    Just as I suspected. The Angels are feeling rather fourth place-ish. They haven’t had a winning record since 2015 (their last “of Anaheim” season), haven’t made the playoffs since 2014, and haven’t won a playoff game since 2009. A 2023 recap: Arte Moreno didn’t sell the team, and GM Perry Minasian didn’t trade Shohei Ohtani before the season, didn’t trade him after the season, made a big bet as a trade deadline buyer and lost. Now the Angels trudge toward whatever is next. They have Mike Trout and Law’s 29th-ranked farm system, and no Ohtani.

    Total playoff years: 02WS, 04DS, 05CS, 07DS, 08DS, 09CS, 14DS

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    0

    Last decade: 3 points (MLB rank: t-22nd)

    The Cubs hold the third tiebreaker (Championship Series appearances) over the Angels but were knocked out of the top 10 this year after being jumped by the Diamondbacks and Rangers. The Cubs ended the 2023 season one game back of a wild-card spot. The Chicago roster, though, hasn’t changed substantially since. They lost Marcus Stroman, brought back Cody Bellinger, traded for Michael Busch and signed Shota Imanaga and Héctor Neris. They also have the No. 5 farm system, per Law. The NL Central race should be compelling; FanGraphs projects all five teams between 77 and 84 wins.

    Total playoff years: 98DS, 03CS, 07DS, 08DS, 15CS, 16WS, 17CS, 18WC, 20WC

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    3

    Last decade: 20 points (MLB rank: 4th)

    Snakes alive. They climbed three spots in this year’s ranking. They also didn’t exist at the start of the Wild-Card Era, so if we look at their average points per season they rank 10th, ahead of the Phillies by 0.01. Indeed, here come the D-Backs. They may not have won the offseason like the division-rival Dodgers, but they have Corbin Carroll and Zac Gallen and enough talent surrounding them to make noise again in 2024. As for the new arrivals: Eduardo Rodríguez fortifies a rotation that could have used one more starter last fall, Eugenio Suárez gives Arizona more thump at third base, and Joc Pederson and Randal Grichuk are mix-and-match platoon options at DH and in the outfield.

    Total playoff years: 99DS, 01WS, 02DS, 07CS, 11DS, 17DS, 23WSL

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    1

    Last decade: 8 points (MLB rank: t-17th)

    The Phillies in the past two years have played in a World Series and come one win short of appearing in another. After flailing for most of the 2010s, they’ve built a formidable core and so far have spent to keep it mostly intact. They let Rhys Hoskins walk in free agency this winter but brought back Aaron Nola and extended Zack Wheeler. This is more or less a run-it-back year for Philadelphia. They have the horses, and they have them healthy for now. But they’ll need to click from the jump if the Phillies are going to win their first division title since 2011.

    Total playoff years: 07DS, 08WS, 09WSL, 10CS, 11DS, 22WSL, 23CS

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    3

    Last decade: 7 points (MLB rank: t-19th)

    A World Series title doesn’t guarantee you a top-10 spot in the franchise rankings, but the nine points the Rangers bagged for winning their first ring last fall got them there. It was far from an ideal season for Texas. Jacob deGrom made only six starts before suffering an elbow injury. Nathan Eovaldi and Corey Seager both missed significant time in the regular season. The team fell out of first place and nearly lost their wild-card spot. But Seager, Adolis García, Josh Jung and Evan Carter led the Rangers lineup in October, and the pitching arms of Eovaldi, Jordan Montgomery, José Leclerc and Josh Sborz did the rest. There are reasons to doubt the Rangers in 2024, but they’re about as good as they were last spring.

    Total playoff years: 96DS, 98DS, 99DS, 10WSL, 11WSL, 12WC, 15DS, 16DS, 23WS

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    2

    Last decade: 14 points (MLB rank: t-10th)

    The Guardians couldn’t give Tito Francona a storybook finish to his likely Hall of Fame career. They played .500 ball in the first half, were 10 games worse than that in the second half and finished third (or lower) in the AL Central for the first time since 2015. Their overall position on this list is incredibly respectable, especially since they’re the only one of the top 13 teams without a World Series title juicing their numbers. The Guardians have made the playoffs 13 times in the 29 years of the Wild-Card Era, won the division 11 times and captured three pennants. With José Ramírez, a young cast of hitters and a strong pitching staff, the Guardians have a shot at the AL Central crown this season.

    Total playoff years: 95WSL, 96DS, 97WSL, 98CS, 99DS, 01DS, 07CS, 13WC, 16WSL, 17DS, 18DS, 20WC, 22DS

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    1

    Last decade: 17 points (MLB rank: t-6th)

    Three World Series titles will take you a long way, so the Giants are still sitting pretty here at No. 7 despite not seeing much playoff success since 2014. They backslid from 107 wins in 2021 to 81 in 2022 to 79 in 2023, leading to manager Gabe Kapler’s ouster. This offseason they signed Jordan Hicks, Jorge Soler and Jung Hoo Lee, traded for former Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray, who’s rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, and waited out the market to land free agent Matt Chapman on a remarkably palatable three-year contract with two opt-outs. The Giants, however, still seem undermanned as they face an uphill climb in a division led by the Dodgers and the defending NL champs in Arizona.

    Total playoff years: 97DS, 00DS, 02WSL, 03DS, 10WS, 12WS, 14WS, 16DS, 21DS

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    1

    Last decade: 14 points (MLB rank: t-10th)

    Houston has reached the ALCS in seven consecutive seasons, played in four World Series and twice — including 2023 — fallen one win short. They are tied with the Dodgers for most points in the past decade; Houston holds the tiebreaker. They’d be in the top five in this year’s franchise rankings if not for the three points deducted for 90-loss seasons in the early 2010s. For now, they’re well clear of the Giants and Guardians and nipping at the heels of the Red Sox. In 2024, the Astros return almost the same lineup as last season, but with an offensive upgrade at catcher in Yainer Díaz. They’ll have Justin Verlander back in the rotation, once healthy. And they have two top-end closers in Josh Hader and Ryan Pressly.

    Total playoff years: 97DS, 98DS, 99DS, 01DS, 04CS, 05WSL, 15DS, 17WS, 18CS, 19WSL, 20CS, 21WSL, 22WS, 23CS

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    3

    Last decade: 46 points (MLB rank: t-1st)

    The long-term organizational momentum the Red Sox built with four World Series titles in the past 20 years has stalled. They’ve finished last in the AL East the past two seasons, with identical 78-84 records, and now they have a new chief baseball officer, Craig Breslow, but not a significantly upgraded roster. The Red Sox have strong left-handed hitters but could use some thunder from the right side at Fenway Park. With free-agent add Lucas Giolito out for the season, Boston needs another starter or two to lead the pitching staff alongside Brayan Bello. There’s still time to start spending, but the Red Sox so far have shown no urgency.

    Total playoff years: 95DS, 98DS, 99CS, 03CS, 04WS, 05DS, 07WS, 08CS, 09DS, 13WS, 16DS, 17DS, 18WS, 21CS

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    0

    Last decade: 19 points (MLB rank: 5th)

    This wasn’t necessarily the top headline of the Dodgers’ offseason, but they finally ran down the Red Sox and stole fourth place in the franchise rankings. They are a Death Star. The Dodgers have an 11-year playoff streak going, with 10 division titles in that stretch. If the franchise rankings covered only the past decade, the Dodgers would be tied with the Astros at No. 1. They’ve operated at a 102-win clip in manager Dave Roberts’ eight years in Los Angeles, and all of that was before they added [huge breath] Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, James Paxton and Teoscar Hernández, and re-signed Clayton Kershaw, Jason Heyward and Kiké Hernández. Probably a team to watch in 2024.

    Total playoff years: 95DS, 96DS, 04DS, 06DS, 08CS, 09CS, 13CS, 14DS, 15DS, 16CS, 17WSL, 18WSL, 19DS, 20WS, 21CS, 22DS, 23DS

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    0

    Last decade: 46 points (MLB rank: t-1st)

    No movement in our top three for 2024, but a couple teams are in striking distance of the Cardinals this season. After three consecutive wild-card exits, St. Louis had a deeply disappointing 2023, finishing 71-91. It was their first losing season since 2007, and their first 90-loss season since 1990. The Cardinals overhauled their pitching staff this winter, bringing in veterans Sonny Gray, Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynn, Keynan Middleton and Andrew Kittredge. The talent in their lineup is still eye-popping, so with halfway decent pitching and positive regression from a few hitters the Cardinals could be back in 2024.

    Total playoff years: 96CS, 00CS, 01DS, 02CS, 04WSL, 05CS, 06WS, 09DS, 11WS, 12CS, 13WSL, 14CS, 15DS, 19CS, 20WC, 21WC, 22WC

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    0

    Last decade: 15 points (MLB rank: 9th)

    The only one of our top three teams to reach the postseason in 2023, the Braves won the NL East for the sixth consecutive season before bowing out again in the NLDS. They’ve already won a World Series in this competitive window, but it feels like they’ve left a lot on the table. The good news for Braves fans, and bad for most others, is the team’s current core isn’t going anywhere. The Braves have built a behemoth without a top-five payroll, as reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, Austin Riley, Spencer Strider, Sean Murphy, Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II all have agreed to long-term extensions.

    Total playoff years: 95WS, 96WSL, 97CS, 98CS, 99WSL, 00DS, 01CS, 02DS, 03DS, 04DS, 05DS, 10DS, 12WC, 13DS, 18DS, 19DS, 20CS, 21WS, 22DS, 23DS

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    2

    Last decade: 24 points (MLB rank: 3rd)

    The Yankees are still the class of the Wild-Card Era, though they certainly haven’t been baseball’s top franchise recently. The overall body of work is immensely impressive: In the 29 seasons included in this exercise, the Yankees have 24 playoff berths, 15 division titles, seven AL pennants and five World Series titles. (Only one title and pennant, however, in the past two decades.) In 2023, the Yankees narrowly avoided their first losing season since 1992, but their 80 losses still were their most of the Wild-Card Era. Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Rizzo and Carlos Rodón all missed significant time with injury. Gerrit Cole was the AL Cy Young and also the Yankees’ only reliable starter last season, but now there’s uncertainty regarding his health for 2024. The Yankees will have Judge, Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo across the outfield. They added Marcus Stroman to the rotation. We’ll see if that’s enough.

    Total playoff years: 95DS, 96WS, 97DS, 98WS, 99WS, 00WS, 01WSL, 02DS, 03WSL, 04CS, 05DS, 06DS, 07DS, 09WS, 10CS, 11DS, 12CS, 15WC, 17CS, 18DS, 19CS, 20DS, 21WC, 22CS

    Consecutive 90-loss seasons

    0

    Last decade (since 2014): 17 points (MLB rank: t-6th)

    Rank

      

    Team

      

    Total

      

    Average

      

    Decade

      

    1

    110

    3.79

    17

    2

    81

    2.79

    24

    3

    72

    2.48

    15

    4

    68

    2.34

    46

    5

    66

    2.28

    19

    6

    65

    2.24

    46

    7

    48

    1.66

    14

    8

    48

    1.66

    17

    9

    37

    1.28

    14

    10

    33

    1.14

    7

    11

    30

    1.15

    8

    12

    29

    1

    20

    13

    29

    1

    3

    14

    25

    0.86

    4

    15

    22

    0.76

    8

    16

    21

    0.72

    9

    17

    19

    0.66

    3

    18

    19

    0.73

    14

    19

    17

    0.59

    1

    20

    17

    0.59

    2

    21

    16

    0.55

    1

    22

    14

    0.48

    16

    23

    14

    0.48

    2

    24

    14

    0.48

    11

    25

    10

    0.34

    1

    26

    10

    0.34

    10

    27

    9

    0.31

    7

    28

    9

    0.31

    -2

    29

    7

    0.24

    14

    30

    -4

    -0.14

    1

    (Top illustration by Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; Photos by Justin Berl / Getty Images; Rob Tringali / Sportschrome; Matt Dirksen / Getty Images; Brian Blanco / Getty Images) 

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    The New York Times

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  • Athletics unveil renderings of Las Vegas ballpark featuring climate-friendly design;

    Athletics unveil renderings of Las Vegas ballpark featuring climate-friendly design;

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    The Oakland Athletics unveiled on Tuesday new renderings of its proposed ballpark designed to be climate-friendly in the desert heat of Las Vegas and featuring the league’s largest video scoreboard in its smallest-capacity facility.

    In a press release, the team said the 33,000-person capacity, $1.5 billion ballpark planned at the current site of the Tropicana Hotel would have a layered, overlapping roof protecting fans and players from the sun and afternoon heat, along with views of the Strip through what would be the world’s largest cable-net glass window.

    athletics-vegas-ballpark-rendering
    Artist rendering of proposed Athletics ballpark on the Tropicana site in Las Vegas.    

    Design by BIG/Image by Negativ


    as-vegas-ballpark-rendering
    Artist rendering of proposed Athletics ballpark on the Tropicana site in Las Vegas.  

    Design by BIG/Image by Negativ


    The design also features an 18,000-square-foot jumbotron which would make it the largest screen in Major League Baseball. The Athletics said the ballpark plans are a collaboration between Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and HNTB, the architect for nearby Allegiant Stadium.

    “The collaboration between BIG’s creativity and HNTB’s technical expertise allows for a truly innovative and bold design while ensuring an unmatched fan experience,” said Athletics owner and managing partner John Fisher in a prepared statement. “We hope to add to the dynamic atmosphere and liveliness of the Las Vegas Strip, creating a welcoming environment for all of Southern Nevada.”

    The ballpark would also have split upper and lower seating bowls that would stack fans closer to the field than in traditional bowl configurations. The roof’s five overlapping layers, evocative of the Syndey Opera House, are meant to evoke images of traditional pennants, said BIG founder and creative director Bjarke Ingels in a statement.

    as-vegas-ballpark-rendering-1-design-by-big-image-by-negativ-1.jpg
    Artist rendering of proposed Athletics ballpark on the Tropicana site in Las Vegas.

    Design by BIG/Image by Negativ


    “The resultant architecture is like a spherical armadillo – shaped by the local climate – while opening and inviting the life of the Strip to enter and explore,” said Ingels. “In the city of spectacle, the A’s ‘armadillo’ is designed for passive shading and natural light.”

    The Athletics said Bally’s and GLPI were working on a master plan for a related resort development, with more specifics of the process to be determined in the coming months. The ballpark was expected to open for the 2028 season. 

    as-vegas-ballpark-rendering
      Artist rendering of proposed Athletics ballpark on the Tropicana site in Las Vegas.  

    The A’s announced an agreement in May 2023 to build a ballpark on the Tropicana site and obtained $380 million in Nevada government financing the following month. On Nov. 16, the team received approval from the league to move to Las Vegas.

    The team current lease at the Oakland Coliseum extends through the 2024 season and it’s not clear whether the A’s will play 2025 home games in Oakland, Sacramento or a minor league stadium in Las Vegas.

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    Carlos Castaneda

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