MLB 2026

[MoeFOH]

On 2/5/2026 at 5:01 PM, Ford2112 said:

The Phillies could be another one if you want zero respect from all the other fans in baseball. Hell they don't even respect themselves.

I thought of the Phillies but they're actually in a good spot...never underestimate a team with Dave D in the head office. Worse than that though, they also have Bryce Harper and I'd never recommend anyone follow a team with him in it. F that guy. 

[Ford2112]

[riderpride]

1 hour ago, JohnS said:

Confirmation that Tarik Skubal has won his arbitration case and will now receive the salary that he requested and what he deserves as a Cy Young Award winner.

https://www.mlb.com/news/tarik-skubal-wins-arbitration-case

How on earth is he making less than Valdez??? Just gives me the impression that Boras is working on a sign and trade.

Cheers!

[MoeFOH]

Fully expect this to be the next news out of Red Sox front office... Not sure what the other teams' interest is... utility mascot? 

[BigGuns]

8 hours ago, Ford2112 said:

Pfff...

Listen, while the Giants are indeed a trash a** club that checks nearly all the boxes that Rob laid out, they will not provide the requisite entertainment, so I couldn’t make that recommendation.

[Ford2112]

5 hours ago, BigGuns said:

Listen, while the Giants are indeed a trash a** club that checks nearly all the boxes that Rob laid out, they will not provide the requisite entertainment, so I couldn’t make that recommendation. 

Let's be honest. The Giants are far from being a trash a** club. Even as a Dodger fan, you know this is true. Now, the Dodgers ARE a bunch of scumbags as an organization. Nobody likes them. And nobody SHOULD like them deferring contracts, buying championships, a team run by Magic and Billie Jean King and Pat Sajak or whoever is greasing palms. Nah, but they are good for baseball 😵‍💫😵‍💫

[BigGuns]

Don’t be mad that the Dodgers are playing chess while the rest of the league is playing checkers…king me!

[JohnS]

8 hours ago, riderpride said:

How on earth is he making less than Valdez??? Just gives me the impression that Boras is working on a sign and trade.

My thoughts exactly!

[KCCubano]

11 hours ago, BigGuns said:

Don’t be mad that the Dodgers are playing chess while the rest of the league is playing checkers…king me!

Yes, the chess game was confirmed when they signed Jesus Christ out of Bethlehem.

[gormag38]

On 2/5/2026 at 5:03 PM, JohnS said:

Yes, it seems that is correct. Which makes me wonder why $US32 million was a problem for Skubal in 2026 when the Tigers are willing to give Valdez $US38.33 million this season and Skubal only $US19 million, by comparison.

 

22 hours ago, riderpride said:

How on earth is he making less than Valdez??? Just gives me the impression that Boras is working on a sign and trade.

Cheers!

According to the local beat reporters around here, the Valdez deal was already done before they even knew the outcome of the arbitration case. They also say that outside of a 'massive overpay' Skubal was/is never getting moved. How much of that is smoke screen...🤷‍♂️

Locals are shocked to say the least of this signing. Heck I just got done complaining how cheap the owners were a day or so ago! But the key here is that it's a 3 year deal with a second year player option. So 2027 could come around and we could be without Valdez or Skubal. 

[JohnS]

It's funny how trends have changed quite recently in terms of salary negotiations in free agency. It doesn't seem that long ago that players wanted to secure longer term deals. Nowadays, they all have this thing about securing the highest Average Annual Value (AAV) for their playing position. I mean, is it an 'ego' thing or what? 

This offseason, for example, Dylan Cease was the only player that secured a deal longer than 5 years (7 years with the Toronto Blue Jays).

[riderpride]

7 hours ago, gormag38 said:

According to the local beat reporters around here, the Valdez deal was already done before they even knew the outcome of the arbitration case. They also say that outside of a 'massive overpay' Skubal was/is never getting moved. How much of that is smoke screen.....🤷‍♂️

Locals are shocked to say the least of this signing. Heck I just got done complaining how cheap the owners were a day or so ago! But the key here is that it's a 3 year deal with a second year player option. So 2027 could come around and we could be without Valdez or Skubal. 

Cautiously optimistic? 

What are the thoughts on an extension with Skuuby? Is he open to the idea given the last few months?

Cheers!

[riderpride]

14 minutes ago, JohnS said:

It's funny how trends have changed quite recently in terms of salary negotiations in free agency. It doesn't seem that long ago that players wanted to secure longer term deals. Nowadays, they all have this thing about securing the highest Average Annual Value (AAV) for their playing position. I mean, is it an 'ego' thing or what? 

This offseason, for example, Dylan Cease was the only player that secured a deal longer than 5 years (7 years with the Toronto Blue Jays).

It's a notable shift. I assume it's to make bank with a new franchise, then exercise your option if you're not with a winner or if markets change, then rinse and repeat. 

Cheers

[ElLoboLoco]

On 2/5/2026 at 11:27 AM, MoeFOH said:

Sox just signed Kiner-Falefa on a 1yr deal... please god no... that can't be the infield move. 🤦‍♂️

Buddy…this can’t be it. Can it?😳😵‍💫🤣

[MoeFOH]

1 hour ago, ElLoboLoco said:

Buddy…this can’t be it. Can it?😳😵‍💫🤣

It better not be! I think it's a utility-depth player move, but it still doesn't make a lot of sense as we have several similar players already, earning basically league minium...IKF is getting $6m!! 

It's not a horrible move in the utility-depth respect, it only becomes one if they fail to add another 2B/3B with some thump. 

The other way they're possibly thinking, which I hate, is playing Rafaela at 2nd a lot and adding another decent bat via the outfield. 

Whatever it is, Craig, get it done already!! 

[ElLoboLoco]

20 hours ago, MoeFOH said:

It better not be! I think it's a utility-depth player move, but it still doesn't make a lot of sense as we have several similar players already, earning basically league minium...IKF is getting $6m!! 

It's not a horrible move in the utility-depth respect, it only becomes one if they fail to add another 2B/3B with some thump. 

The other way they're possibly thinking, which I hate, is playing Rafaela at 2nd a lot and adding another decent bat via the outfield. 

Whatever it is, Craig, get it done already!! 

Welp, Red Sox Claim Tsung-Che Cheng. He takes the final spot of the 40 man roster. He does have a minor league option which hopefully is the plan.

He is described as scrappy and Pedroia like. Not what I had in mind. 🤣

[MoeFOH]

On 2/8/2026 at 5:22 AM, ElLoboLoco said:

He is described as scrappy and Pedroia like. Not what I had in mind. 🤣

Brother, how bout the guy they did sign? Caleb Durbin. I had no idea who he was, but... 

I actually like this signing. Quite a bit. Young dude, plenty of upside and club control. Plus defender. Looks a scrapper. Not a lot in the power hitting stakes, but still managed 11 homers & 25 doubles in his rookie season and Fenway should only help. Played 3rd most of last year for the Brewers but majority of minor league experience is at 2nd. 

It's a good fit for their doubling-down defensive philosophy, and if he manages to continue his rookie form and develop a little more pop... well... 

[RedLantern]

Excited, as always, for the start of a new season. Spring training lasts so long though! Most happy that the Mariners re-signed Josh Naylor. Curious to see if he can somehow continue to be a surprisingly prolific base thief (had 30 last year!).

[ElLoboLoco]

8 hours ago, MoeFOH said:

Brother, how bout the guy they did sign? Caleb Durbin. I had no idea who he was, but... 

I actually like this signing. Quite a bit. Young dude, plenty of upside and club control. Plus defender. Looks a scrapper. Not a lot in the power hitting stakes, but still managed 11 homers & 25 doubles in his rookie season and Fenway should only help. Played 3rd most of last year for the Brewers but majority of minor league experience is at 2nd. 

It's a good fit for their doubling-down defensive philosophy, and if he manages to continue his rookie form and develop a little more pop... well... 

Out of nowhere! I like this as well, he doesn’t have a ton of exit velocity off the bat but the Monster will add on some doubles. I am genuinely excited for this season. 

[MoeFOH]

1 hour ago, RedLantern said:

Spring training lasts so long though!

At least we have the WBC. 

[gormag38]

On 2/6/2026 at 4:14 PM, riderpride said:

Cautiously optimistic? 

What are the thoughts on an extension with Skuuby? Is he open to the idea given the last few months?

Cheers!

Well every other sportswriter in Michigan has been saying  that Skubal is as good as gone. Then again they all assummed he would be traded by now too.

Maybe they get to the WS this season and take the L and he wants to try and run it back? I could see that.

A big move for the Tigers recently is that just this week they announced they're going to have their own channel for broadcasting Red Wings and Tigers games on. 99 bucks for the year I believe. These TV deals are major cash cows so I'm sure the team is loving this. I bring this up because this creates another revenue stream for the team....potentially one that we can use to make a big signing? 

But what happens at the end of the year and there's no collective bargaining agreement? (as many are predicting) I'm not sure how the newly agreed upon contract situations would change the possibility of the Dodgers or Mets taking another swing at Skubz. Or perhaps what the Tigers could offer him. 

Oh and I can't forget about the other news; Verlander is home again. Hopefully where he can have one last run around and retire with the old English D on his cap.  There was a motto around here for many years....'In JV we trust'. While not the same dominating force he once was, so many folks are thrilled that he's back. 

[DOYLE]

On 2/2/2026 at 1:28 PM, MoeFOH said:

This may be a little early but we have the WBC in March this year, and it's Truck Day in Boston... (I wish it was "we finally signed a freakin' infielder to replace Bregman day"  ) which means Pitchers & Catchers report soon. 

How's the off-season played out for your team? Predictions for the season? What's your level of interest in the WBC? What do you see happening with this lockout, CBA, etc? 

Discuss the above, discuss whatever you wish MLB related... 

 

Hello fellow Red Sox fan!!!