I read today on MLBTR that there have been some discussions about having an in-season baseball tournament. I see no need for this myself. Isn’t that what the post-season is all about? The best in baseball playing each other?
Besides, they already have the WBC once every three years. Baseball does not need to become more like the NBA. There is talk of expansion to 32 teams, which I see as a need to balance both leagues. They could then split into four-team divisions regionally.
But playing a tournament during the season? Unneeded in my opinion. As long as there are large market teams with virtually unlimited resources, there will not be total parity in the league. Teams like the Dodgers and Yankees, Cubs and Red Sox, will always be able to fill holes better than some others in free agency, and player development.
And they will continue to pay penalties to the rest of the league for doing business that way. Teams in the lower tier of the league, will have to find creative ways to compete. Remember though that the Brewers, who play in Milwaukee, not exactly a huge market, had the best record in the MAJORs last year during the regular season.
Not sure what the future holds, but one thing I do know is that an in-season tournament for MLB teams is not something that I would look forward to. It makes no sense to me at all, especially since it makes the post-season longer. We have the WBC every three years. We don’t need an NBA type game.
As I am prone to do, I asked AI how fans regarded the NBA “Tournament”
Here’s the answer:
Fan reaction to the NBA’s In-Season Tournament (often called the NBA Cup) has been a lively grab-bag of opinions — a mosaic of enthusiasm, confusion, apathy, and genuine critique. Here’s the vibe straight from the courtside of social media and fan forums:
Positive Chatter
• Some fans genuinely enjoy it — saying it makes early-season games feel more meaningful and gives underdogs something fun to chase, especially in months that otherwise feel like a plod through the regular season.
• After a title win (like the Knicks’ recent Cup celebration), supporters shared excited reactions and team pride on social platforms.
• A chunk of fans think the idea is cool and are into the concept of an extra trophy or spotlight event.
Mixed But Curious
• Some fans find it interesting or okay — abuzz about group play or the Cup but not totally sold on it as a “big deal.”
• Courts and uniforms rolled out for the event have sparked divided opinion, with some fans appreciating the bold designs and others saying they’re too bright or distracting.
• A few appreciate the concept but want tweaks (naming, format adjustments, etc.).
Skepticism and Backlash
• Plenty of fans see the tournament as another gimmick that doesn’t truly matter because all games still count toward the regular season, and the Cup doesn’t carry the weight of playoff hardware.
• Some social noise calls it pointless, a distraction, or even “embarrassing” when hyped like a true championship.
• A segment thinks players won’t care much, that it feels like forced excitement, and that the prize money isn’t meaningful to average fans.
• There are even playful conspiracy threads accusing the league of rigging outcomes in favor of star players or big teams.
Larger Perspective
The NBA itself points to growing viewership and fan engagement for Cup games compared with typical early-season matchups, indicating the concept may be catching on with at least part of the audience.
In short
Fans are all over the map — some embracing the novelty and competitive spark, others shrugging or outright rejecting it as unnecessary theatre in an already long season. A handful love aspects of it but want improvements. The tournament hasn’t landed as a universal fan favorite yet, but it’s definitely sparked more conversation than many mid-November regular-season games ever have.
The ghost runner was bad enough, but time for Manterd to retire!
The best World Series ever and what it did for baseball was great.
No ghost runners just real baseball. Just give teams like the Reds and the others a little trophy for patisapating
You are delusional, he has been a GREAT commisioner. In addition to overseeing the expansion of the world baseball classic he also ushered in the pitch clock which has arguably been the best rule change in the history of MLB.
I’m with you. I hate the ghost runner. I hate the expanded playoffs. Throwing over to first only twice with a pitch clock is just handing bases to guys. Frankly, I can’t stand interleague play. Manfred can’t leave fast enough for me. It’s been rewarding bad fundamentals and mediocrity.
The MLB tournament with 12 participants in October leading up to the World Series is long enough and exciting enough. Thank God Manferd is retiring. One suggestion I would make is put a deadline at the end of the season to December 20th for all free agents for the upcoming season to be signed. and a trading deadline of December 31st.This off season has been total bullshit with NO action and extremely boring.
I just read Manfred’s contract expires 2029. Too bad!
No on tourney.
And I never watched any of the WBC but may do this year because I’m on such a baseball high.
The NBA is totally unwatchable! The officiating is a total joke! But the younger generation is watching. The college game is becoming more like the pro game. And if someone or somebody doesn’t do something, they will ruin it too! An inseaon tournament is nothing more than a money scheme to make the billionaire owners even richer. Baseball is the closest thing to a real sport we have left. Maybe when we older generations are dead and gone they will finish the ruination of the game. If it isn’t Manfred , it will be the next guy. I’m sure he has people in his ear all the time. I totally agree that the “ghost runner “ is maybe the dumbest damn thing yet! The throw over rule is close behind. The pitch clock? I can live with that. Although it’s not long enough in my opinion. Getting rid of the rule about the all star game winner getting home field advantage ? Good riddance! But this in season tournament bullshit? Bury that thought quickly!
I hope Bichette doesn’t end up in Philadelphia! That’s bad news for the national league if he does! I know the Dodgers won’t give him 300 million. I don’t believe he gets that from any team. But 5 at 40 per year? It might be enough for him to join the Dodgers! With opt outs after 2 years? I’m all in! The Tucker market? Strange. Time is running out for him to get that BIG contract. He may end up getting a deal similar to what the Dodgers offered Harper. You never know!
Constraints don’t seem to apply to the Dodgers, but AF must be working with some kind of budget or guidelines, right?… fRight?
A good argument can be made, I think, to spend big on either Tucker or Bichette. I vacillate between the two.
But what if the brass covets Skubal more?
He’ll probably command a deal over $450 million–after the cost of the talent to acquire him.
Perhaps AF is keeping his powder dry
Go Indiana! I’m an ACC guy! But not a Miami fan! Best story in college football in a long time time! Still not a fan of the portal. But, it has caused problems for the teams that are always at the top! 35-17 Indiana!
The Rockies have acquired outfielder Jake McCarthy from the Diamondbacks in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Josh Grosz. Both teams have officially announced the trade.
I am totally against the idea of an in-season tournament. The baseball season is 162 games long. Add in another 20 plus games during spring training. In 25, the Dodgers played a total of 201 games including spring training and the playoffs. That is enough. You increase the chance of injury, and mid-season, that could ruin a pennant run.
The idea they threw around included having less than 162 games so they could have their stupid tournament. What? Some team wins the tournament. Are they going to brag after they lose in the first round of the playoffs that at least they won the in-season tournament? It’s just stupid. It proves how lame the NBA is anymore that people even like something like that. You’re either the world freaking champions or you’re not.
Pro basketball is not worth watching. College is still an exciting game but the NIL is slowly killing that too. No college money, make them go to a sub league, get paid NBA minimum and not waste a slot in college. Duke fans will be on suicide watch but “Oh well “.
Tucker or Bichette for a few years and then an option works for me but next year mgt has to start finding a replacement for Max, Freddie, if not sooner.
This team is in great shape if those are the only problems we have in the next two years and that’s what scares the shit out of the rest of baseball. We can sit back and watch them bang heads.
Are we younger?
Do we need to be?
Anybody need a beer?
Is thing on?
Are we younger? Not yet.
Do we need to be? Eventually
Anybody need a beer? Sure, you buying?
Is thing on? Maybe
I fhink expansion is a great idea. But which cities?
But the postseason playoff is the only tournament we need.
That said, the WBC is pretty cool.
I’m intrigued by the idea of regional divisions. Not all traditions are sacred….
What cities?
Nashville
Montreal
Indianapolis
Charlotte
OKC
Pick 2.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_cities_by_population
Portland
My Western bias leans to Portland, former home of The Battered Bastards of Baseball–a fine documentary every fan should find and watch.
My global bias leans to Montreal…. but Nashville sounds fun.
As soon as the first one signs, they will all sign…
Who blinks?
It would be cool, if they did it like European soccer, where all professional teams are involved. From single A to the majors.
Bergman to the Cubs.
The Cubs are set to add a standout player to their roster, having agreed to a five-year deal worth $175 million with free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand on Saturday night. The club has not confirmed the news
per Morosi:
Alex Bregman to the Cubs has a number of implications.
Shaw or Hoerner being in play could jolt what’s become a sleepy Brendan Donovan trade market.
The Giants and Mariners are among the teams that have spoken with the Cardinals on Donovan.
The Cubs thus replace Tucker’s bat.
I’m not sure this has serious implications for the Dodgers. But maybe the Red Sox will pursue Bichette.
The AAV of $35m over five years for Bregman may serve as a benchmark.
Would Tucker take a $40m AAV over 3 years from the Dodgers? Or maybe and AAV of $42m?
Tucker to Giants, I’d imagine.
Why do you say that?
makes too much sense to me.
I don’t believe he goes to the Giants.
cool!
I’m wrong a lot!
I don’t see him going to SF either.
It’s a lousy park for hitters and he’s from Tampa (nice warm weather). Probably wouldn’t want to spend his summers in cold, foggy SF).
That said, money talks………………………..and so we wait.
Tucker to Toronto….
or Chavez Ravine??
Now that Bregman has signed with the Cubs, the dominoes will start to fall. The Cubs will likely trade Nico Hoerner or Matt Shaw. The Dodgers have interest in both players. Nico is a Brendan Donovan clone, and Matt Shaw is a young, projectable 3B. I would love to see the Dodgers trade for him. How about Teoscar, Bobby Miller, and $5 million for Matt Shaw? He platoons with Max this year and takes over 3B full-time in 2027. Bobby Miller is from Chi Town – maybe they could fix him? It may take another reliever…
That sets the table to sign Kyle Tucker to an 8 year/$300 Million deal.
A dope fiends says what
One article has Shaw moving to 2b after the Bergman deal. But if not, it would be a great pick-up for the Dodgers. Keep Max away from lefties and sliders away and give him some days off. Shaw is also a step forward to some youth. Great fix all around.
If I ran the Cubs, I’d pass on Teo and angle for Hope or de Paula. The contracts for Happ and Suzuki run thru ’26, I think, so a top OF prospect due in ’27 would fit nicely.
I’d prefer Shaw to Hoerner. Yes, our Max needs an heir apparent. Plus, he’s been prone to injury, so Shaw might be more than a platoon partner.
The Cubs might want to get Hope back. It would be funny if they demanded Hope and Ferris….
For those that are interested, the International Signing Period starts this Thursday January 15th on Martin Luther King Day. By signing Edwin Diaz the Dodger’s signing pool was reduced by 1 million dollars.The Dodger’s revised signing pool number is $5,679,20
Projected Dodgers Signing
Rubel Arias (Dominican Republic, OF): The only projected Dodgers signee among the current top 50 international prospects by Baseball America, Arias is a 17-year-old outfielder. He is an athletic outfielder with good physical projection.
Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow revealed that trades involving outfielders Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu weren’t likely to happen during the offseason.
“It was never likely in my mind,” Breslow said Saturday, via MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. “We’ve got really talented outfielders. When teams call, that’s what other executives point to. They’re young, they’re controllable, they’re dynamic, they’re talented and can impact games in multiple ways. It’s really nice to be able to say they’re also members of the Boston Red Sox.”
It’s the political way of saying, they were on the market, but what we wanted in return, no team was willing to do so.
Jan. 10: Andy Ibáñez’s deal is for $1.2MM, according to Romero. He can also earn up to $100k in performance bonuses.
I would be shocked if anybody would take Miller. Potential was beyond good! Results have not been pretty. Although a team like Tampa Bay might be an option. They seem to have the magic touch! I would rather have Hoerner than Shaw, but I like your idea Mark! Basically it would be Teo for Tucker. Still don’t want Bichette in Philadelphia!
There are many, many pitchers who, like Bobby Miller, have demonstrated their talent and then went south for some reason…. and then found their mojo again.
Miller is a classic change-of-scenery candidate. He wss a Dodgers first-rounder who, as a rookie, looked like a future all-star. Plenty of teams would want a chance to fix him at an affordable price.
How about Nico Hoerner for Teo and Kim? or Throw in Miller. It would be great to get younger and have a .300 hitter on the team.
70 million of Bregman’s contract is deferred. He also has a full no trade and no opt outs. Reds signed Michael Toglia to a minor league deal. I am curious. Does the Dodgers signing of two over 30 utility type players mean they are moving on from Kike? Seems logical. But neither of those guys look like an upgrade over any player already on the roster.
Teo is NOT going to be traded because you need his right handed power bat to balance the lineup with the left handed hitters of Ohtoni,Freeman and Muncy. I also read Teo is coming into camp in excellent physical shape.
Teo stays at least one more year. He never really recovered from his injury last season, same as Freeman and Edman. Kike was also injured, and it seems to have affected him a lot. Freeman is not going to play for team Canada in the WBC, seems he had some sort of setback. I think he will get more days off this year, another reason Ward and Rushing are on the roster, both can play first. Teo, Pages and Betts give LA three RH thumpers with 20 HR plus power. Betts should be much better this year considering he never really recovered after losing all that weight while he was ill. But they still need one more legitimate bat.
Ward needs a single at-bat before we can count on him.
Or count him out….
right now, the lineup is well-balanced.
Shohei DH left
Mookie SS right
Freddie 1B left
Smith C right
Max 3B left
Pages CF right
Teo RF right
Call/Ward LF right/left
Kim /Edman left/switch
Rushing (left), Rojas (right), Ibanez (left)
Who is the PTBNL?
Andy Pages doesn’t have the metrics that wow you, but he was one of just six players in 2025 to have 70+ R, 25+ HR, 85+ RBI, 10+ SB, and a .270+ AVG.
The other five were Judge, JoRam, Ohtani, Machado, and Bellinger.
Interesting! Good company.
He also transformed into a solid centerfielder.
As a 23-year-old rookie, Andy Pages hit .248 with 13 HR and 46 RBI and put up a .712 OPS.
As a 24-year-old Sophomore, he hit .272 with 27 HR, 86 RBI, and put up a 774 OPS.
His progress was evident. He dropped his strikeout % from a decent 24.4% to a better 21.6%.
The area he needs to improve the most in 2026 is walk percentage.
League average is 8.4%, Freddie Freeman is 3 points higher. Pages was at 4.6%.
If he can double his walk %, he will be a borderline superstar with an OPS over .850.
He’s young, and he can do it. In fact, I expect it.
How would trading Teo affect Pages? Teo has been a calming influence for Andy. Just a thought.
Something is about to happen! I can feel it in my bones! Something big! Something that we don’t expect! Wait and see!
Feeling Tucker right now
Jay Jaffe takes a lovely look at the career of Mat. Kemp:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/jaws-and-the-2026-hall-of-fame-ballot-matt-kemp/
Per JIM Duquette:
A League source confirmed to me that the three main teams involved in the Tucker negotiations (Tor, LAD, NYM) have all met with the player, either in person or over Zoom, as part of the recruiting process for a star player. Will be interesting to see if any of the 3 teams increase their offers soon to separate themselves from the other
right now, the lineup is well-balanced.
Shohei DH left
Mookie SS right
Freddie 1B left
Smith C right
Max 3B left
Pages CF right
Teo RF right
Call/Ward LF right/left
Kim /Edman left/switch
Rushing (left), Rojas (right), Ibanez (left)
Who is the PTBNL?
Just don’t see Teo in right field again. Either Tucker or Bichette will end up in LA. Don’t see AF letting both get away. If it’s Tucker, then Edman and Kim split second base. If it’s Bichette, then Call and Edman split time in the outfield. Rojas probably splits with Max, and Kim spells Mookie and Bichette. But the Dodgers will get one of the 2!
Moving Teo out of RF is a fine goal, but he’s still there in the current thinking.
Tucker or Bader or a trade could fix that. Or Edman, if his ankle fully heals.
We fans may feel more urgency than the front office.
If Siani makes the roster, he can provide elite defense in CF but won’t hit much.
If the Dodgers are high on Shaw, would it make sense to offer Rushing?
They are similar in that both are young and their performances so far have fallen short of expectations.
A separate deal with the Reds could bring back Rortvedt.
Matt Shaw came on in the second half and put up a .839 OPS in that time frame. He had nearly 450 ABs.
Rushing never got the chance.
So would you offer Rushing in a deal for Shaw or not?
Here’s some interesting info not related to the Dodgers:
5-Star Recruits:
Indiana Hoosiers – 0
Oregon Ducks – 55
Average Age:
Indiana Hoosiers – 23
Oregon Ducks – 20
The Green Bay Packers’ average age is 25.
Make of it what you will.
It is related to the Dodgers
Guigenhiem money, Cuban money. Without the NIL Indiana probably wouldn’t make the playoffs. I do enjoy the break up of the lock the SWC had in college football but if they limited the NIL to in-state athletes with a cap it would be more inductive to stay home for their partial college education giving fans few local guys to cheer for. Not sure that is a great cure but it would keep it ba college game
Bichette is meeting with the Phillies today. Some pundits have speculated that the Red Sox might pursue Nolan Arenado since losing out on Bregman. No firm date for the return of Edman, Gomes said he might miss a significant portion of the early season. Opens the door for Kim, Freeland and Rojas. Kike might miss the first two months and not be available until June. Still a free agent.
Like I said earlier, Mark, I’m an ACC guy who can’t stand in Miami! I would love to see Indiana beat them 55 to 3! I guess even Miami deserves to score 3 points in the national championship game!
“The most prominent major donor to the Indiana football program is billionaire alumnus Mark Cuban.
Key Donors
Mark Cuban: The Indiana University graduate and former Dallas Mavericks owner has made significant, successive donations to the athletic department, specifically to boost the football program’s Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) efforts in the transfer portal. Cuban had not previously donated to the athletic department until late 2024, inspired by the success of head coach Curt Cignetti’s team.
Merchants Bank: The program secured a $50 million stadium naming rights deal with Merchants Bank.
Other long-time donors: While Cuban is the most public and recent major donor to the football-specific efforts, other families like the Simons (Simon Property Group) and the Cooks (Cook Medical) have been long-time, significant donors to the university, with their names appearing on various academic buildings and facilities.
Cuban’s donations, combined with a strong fundraising push, have enabled the Hoosiers to become aggressive in acquiring high-profile talent through the transfer portal, contributing to their recent on-field success”.
And people complain about the Dodgers!!! If the ncaa doesn’t get their sh*t together and fix this nil and portal they will lose the great games called college basketball and football! Or at least the fans!
It’s the Golden Rule. He who has the Gold makes the Rules!
The SEC can no longer dominate college football under the transfer portal. That’s why Nick Saban left Alabama.
New Dodger substack, new potential Dodger prospect, Ezequiel Melbourne
https://open.substack.com/pub/dodgersafterduty/p/the-dodgers-next-international-gem?r=bg1q&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=overlay
As in they may “potentially” sign him…. but haven’t yet!
I was thinking this morning,why don’t they give Alex Freeland a shot to play the outfield. He has a strong arm, some speed and power and hit well against right handed pitching rather than left handed pitching in the the minors. He could platoon with Call if they don’t sign an outfielder this off season. They have Kim and Ibanez as utility men to play the infield.
Would somebody do something!!! Cubs sign former aaaassssstro. Bregman . Good for them! So who’s next? Yankees want somebody,anybody, just give them somebody to love! Jays want Tucker. Why hasn’t he signed? Money? Length of contract? Location? Wants to be a Dodger? Phillies look like a sure bet for Bichette. Hate it! Bellinger? A dark horse team may emerge in the Cody sweepstakes. The pirates? Although they seem like a possibility for Eugenio Suarez. 35+ homers for the pirates? They aren’t sitting still this offseason. No matter what happens , I believe the Dodgers need to upgrade their offense. Bichette, Tucker, Hoerner, Donovan, any of them help. The youngsters are not ready just yet. And, there’s no guarantee they will be what we expect them to be when they get here. Maybe 2 of the bunch become Very good MLB players. Maybe more! We can’t predict how it turns out. But they can upgrade instantly with Bichette, Tucker , or someone else! I keep hearing they are all in on Bellinger. I secretly believe they are afraid of him. Especially a long term deal. 3, and I believe they are all in. Just don’t believe they believe in Cody for more than 3 years. Somebody do something!!!
Dude, calm down.
Tranquilo is the word down here.
Well, there is Giants news, and I was wrong again!
Per Passan:
The San Francisco Giants are aggressively pursuing a second baseman and have been engaged with Chicago on Nico Hoerner and St. Louis on Brendan Donovan, sources tell ESPN. An infield of Matt Chapman, Willy Adames, Donovan or Hoerner and Rafael Devers would be among MLB’s best.
MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert reports that a trade sending Arenado to Arizona is “close.” Woo and colleague Ken Rosenthal add that Arenado has agreed to waive his no-trade clause.
“After more than a yearlong residency on the rumor mill, Nolan Arenado’s time in St. Louis is over. The Cardinals announced Tuesday that they’ve traded Arenado and cash to the D-backs in exchange for minor league right-hander Jack Martinez (Arizona’s eighth-round pick in the 2025 draft). The Cardinals are including a reported $26MM in cash to help facilitate the trade”.
In order to make room on the 40-man roster for Andy Ibañez, the Dodgers designated infielder/outfielder Ryan Fitzgerald for assignment.
“The top free agent of the offseason is still unsigned with about a month to go until pitchers and catchers report to spring training. Some recent reporting, including from Jim Duquette of MLB Network Radio, has suggested the Blue Jays, Dodgers and Mets are the top suitors for Kyle Tucker at this point. All three have recently met with Tucker, either in person or over Zoom, per Duquette. Will Sammon of The Athletic reports today that the Mets are in the range of offering him $120MM to $140MM on a three-year deal. Sammon says Tucker could make his decision as soon as this week”.
If this is true the Dodgers could certainly match or beat this deal.
Why would Tucker want to play in NY because everything he does right or wrong will be scrutinized in the newspapers and on sports talk shows? Everything I’ve read is that he wants to stay out of the limelight where if he chooses LA he will be surrounded by MVP caliber superstars. I guess it comes down to us and Toronto and LA’s high annual salary short term deal or a long term contract with more money over time with Toronto.
Per Robert Murray: The Mets have offered $50 million per season on a short-term contract to Kyle Tucker.
Per Will Sammon: Industry sources believe the Mets have offered Tucker a contract worth $120–140 million over three years. Sammon also notes that both the Blue Jays and Dodgers may have offered more money to Tucker at this point, although that remains unknown. He added that Tucker could sign as soon as this week as his market has begun to pick up.