Cody Christie

Image courtesy of © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Major League Baseball’s next labor fight is officially underway. According to multiple reports, representatives from MLB and the MLB Players Association met Tuesday in New York to begin negotiations on the next Collective Bargaining Agreement. While serious proposal exchanges are still weeks away, the opening meetings traditionally serve as an opportunity for both sides to present their view of the current state of the game and establish the groundwork for the months ahead. The current CBA expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on December 1. If a new agreement is not reached by then, another lockout appears likely. Owners locked out players during the 2021-2022 offseason in what became baseball’s first work stoppage since the devastating 1994-1995 strike. Although regular-season games were ultimately preserved, spring training was delayed, and the sport spent months overshadowed by labor tension. This time around, the stakes feel even larger. The league is approaching negotiations at a time when franchise values continue to rise, national television contracts are nearing expiration, and competitive balance remains one of the sport’s most debated topics. Meanwhile, the union enters talks with new leadership after longtime MLBPA executive director Tony Clark stepped down earlier this year following an internal investigation. Bruce Meyer, the union’s longtime lead negotiator, has stepped into the interim executive director role and is expected to guide negotiations moving forward. “We don't expect anything to change in terms of bargaining,” Meyer said earlier this year. “We've been preparing for bargaining for years. Players have been preparing. Players know what's coming.” As always, the biggest conversations will revolve around money, power, and the future structure of the sport. Here are the major issues expected to be at the center of negotiations. The Salary Cap Debate Is Back Again The issue expected to dominate negotiations is one baseball has fought over for generations: a salary cap. MLB owners are once again expected to push for a payroll system that limits spending. The league has argued for years that a cap could improve competitive balance by preventing large market clubs from dramatically outspending smaller organizations. Players see it very differently. The MLBPA has historically viewed a salary cap as a direct restriction on earning potential and has fiercely resisted it in every negotiation cycle. Baseball currently stands as the only major North American professional sports league without a formal salary cap structure, something the union considers a major victory. At its core, the fight is about revenue distribution. Baseball generates enormous amounts of money, and both sides are battling over how that money is divided. While owners often frame a salary cap as a competitive balance issue, the union believes such a system would primarily suppress salaries while further increasing franchise profitability. Even if the union were willing to discuss a cap, the complexity of implementing one creates another layer of conflict. Questions immediately emerge about what qualifies as baseball-related revenue, how large the cap would be, whether there would be a mandatory payroll floor, and what percentage of revenue players would ultimately receive. Simply agreeing to discuss a cap would only mark the start of the real negotiation. Because of that, many around the sport already view this as the defining issue that could determine whether baseball experiences another work stoppage before the 2027 season. Revenue Sharing Could See Significant Changes Another major point of contention will be MLB’s revenue-sharing system. Revenue sharing is designed to help smaller-market organizations remain competitive by redistributing funds from higher-revenue clubs. However, critics have long argued that some teams receive revenue-sharing funds without reinvesting those dollars into payroll or player development. If owners continue pushing for greater payroll restrictions, the union will likely counter by demanding stronger incentives for clubs to spend competitively. This could lead to discussions about payroll minimums or changes to how revenue-sharing funds are distributed and monitored. Even without a salary cap agreement, many around the sport expect the current system to undergo meaningful revisions during this negotiation cycle. For smaller market clubs, these conversations matter tremendously. Changes to revenue sharing could affect payroll flexibility, free-agent strategies, and long-term roster construction across the league. Postseason Expansion Remains on the Table Baseball’s postseason field expanded to 12 teams during the last CBA negotiations, but further expansion is already being discussed. Owners have strong financial incentives to add more playoff games because postseason television inventory generates significant revenue. More playoff teams also keep their fan bases engaged throughout the season. Players, however, may seek concessions in exchange for agreeing to another expansion. Concerns about preserving the importance of the regular season will likely remain part of the conversation. Some fans already believe the current format waters down the grind of a 162-game season. Others enjoy the added drama and broader playoff races that expanded formats create. Whether the postseason grows again may ultimately depend on what the union can gain elsewhere in negotiations. The International Draft Debate Continues The idea of an international draft has lingered over baseball for years and is expected to resurface again during these talks. Currently, international amateur players primarily sign through a bonus pool system that has often drawn criticism regarding corruption, early verbal agreements, and uneven scouting practices. Owners have frequently supported an international draft to create a more structured and transparent signing process. The union, however, has historically been cautious about how such a system could impact player freedom and earning potential for young international prospects. This issue nearly became part of the last CBA negotiations before the sides ultimately failed to reach an agreement. Given baseball’s growing international influence, particularly in countries like the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, the topic is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. Expansion and Realignment Could Shape Baseball’s Future Commissioner Rob Manfred has openly stated that he hopes to begin the expansion process before his contract expires in January 2029. That timeline makes these negotiations especially important. Expansion discussions naturally bring additional questions involving divisional realignment, scheduling, television rights, and revenue distribution. Potential expansion cities frequently connected to MLB include Nashville, Montreal, Portland, and Raleigh. Adding two new franchises would dramatically reshape the sport’s geographic footprint and could trigger significant realignment changes across both leagues. Expansion fees would also provide owners with another substantial financial windfall, further emphasizing how closely these negotiations are tied to the sport’s long-term economic future. A Long Road Ahead Although negotiations have officially begun, baseball is still in the early stages of what could become a lengthy and contentious process. The two sides have months before the December 1 expiration deadline, and both MLB and the MLBPA understand the damage another prolonged work stoppage could cause. National television deals expire in 2028, making uninterrupted seasons critically important for the league’s future business interests. Still, history shows that labor peace in baseball is never simple. The salary cap debate alone has the potential to create enormous friction, and the additional discussions surrounding revenue sharing, postseason expansion, international amateur talent, and league expansion only add more complexity to the process. For now, the meetings in New York simply mark the beginning of another massive negotiation that could shape the direction of Major League Baseball for the next decade. What will be the biggest issue in the next CBA? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of © Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Power rankings have never been harder to trust than they are during the middle months of a baseball season. A hot week can launch a mediocre club into the top ten while a rough road trip suddenly turns a contender into a “team in trouble.” Wins and losses still matter, but they rarely tell the full story of how a team is actually performing beneath the surface. That is where third order wins help separate noise from substance. Based on Clay Davenport’s adjusted standings, this metric strips away some of the randomness that can cloud a team’s record by accounting for factors like run differential, strength of schedule, and ballpark environment. Instead of focusing strictly on what has happened, it provides a clearer picture of how teams should be performing in a more neutral setting. The result is a ranking system built to be more predictive than reactive. Some clubs continue to validate their place among baseball’s elite, while others are surviving on timely hits, bullpen luck, or favorable scheduling. The arrows below reflect how each team’s standing changed from last week as the season continues to take shape. 1. Dodgers — 27.0–12.0 (.692) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Blake Snell made his season debut over the weekend, while Tyler Glasnow headed to the 15-day IL with low back spasms. One of the benefits on LA’s monster payroll is there is plenty of pitching depth. 2. Yankees — 26.7–13.3 (.668) Biggest Weekly Storyline: New York called up top outfield prospect Spencer Jones after outfielder Jasson Dominguez headed to the IL. Jones posted a .258/.366/.592 slash line in 33 games with 11 homers and a 32.4 K%. 3. Braves — 25.8–14.2 (.645) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Legendary manager Bobby Cox passed away over the weekend. He won over 2,500 games as manager of the Braves and Blue Jays and won the 1995 World Series. 4. Cubs — 25.3–14.6 (.634) Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Cubs have two 10-game winning streaks in one season for the first time since 1935. 5. Pirates — 23.4–16.6 (.585) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Paul Skenes threw eight innings of two-hit ball in one of the best performances of his career. He struck out seven, including striking out the side in his final inning. 6. Brewers — 21.6–15.4 (.584) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: On Friday, Jacob Misiorowski’s first inning against the Yankees set velocity records for a starting pitcher. He threw 10 pitches all above 102 mph and had a 103.6 mph fastball that set the record for fastest pitch thrown by a starter in the pitch-tracking era. 7. Rays — 21.7–16.3 (.571) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Tampa saw its seven-game winning streak end earlier this week. During that stretch, they set a franchise record of 12 consecutive games giving up three or fewer runs. 8. Marlins — 21.7–18.3 (.543) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Joe Mack, a consensus top-100 prospect, was called up this week. Last season, he had an .813 OPS and a 120 wRC+ in 112 games. 9. Rangers — 21.0–18.0 (.538) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Nathan Eovaldi tossed eight innings and held a red-hot Yankees roster to one run on three hits. He struck out eight and didn’t issue a walk. 10. Cardinals — 20.0–19.0 (.513) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: JJ Wetherholt turned a routine single into a “Little League Grand Slam” after the ball slipped under the glove of Fernando Tatis Jr. 11. Tigers — 20.2–19.8 (.505) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Tarik Skubal underwent left elbow surgery to remove bone chips and is expected to miss up to two months. 12. Guardians — 20.4–20.6 (.498) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Cleveland traded for the two-time Gold Glove catcher Patrick Bailey from the Giants for the No. 29 pick in this year’s MLB Draft and left-handed pitching prospect Matt Wilkinson. 13. Blue Jays — 19.3–19.7 (.495) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Dylan Cease is leading MLB in strikeouts (66 K) after a 10-strikeout performance on Friday. In seven shutout innings, he scattered five hits and didn’t allow a walk. 14. Royals — 19.7–20.3 (.493) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Carlos Estevez, the Royals’ closer, will be shut down for the next three weeks with a right rotator cuff strain. Starting pitcher Cole Ragans was placed on the IL with a left elbow impingement. 15. Mariners — 19.7–20.3 (.493) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Luke Raley hit a grand slam and a three-run homer in the same game to help Seattle score a season-high 12 runs. 16. Nationals — 19.3–20.7 (.482) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Gus Varland has quietly earned the closer job in Washington after bouncing around a lot on the waiver wire. His 2.46 FIP and 4.8 BB% could be signs of better future performance. 17. Angels — 19.1–20.9 (.478) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Walbert Urena went six innings, allowing one earned run on two hits with three walks and five strikeouts. The performance brought Ureña’s ERA down to 3.22. 18. Diamondbacks — 18.0–20.0 (.474) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Eduardo Rodriguez gave Arizona their best start of the year. In seven shutout innings, he limited Pittsburgh to two hits while striking out seven. 19. Athletics — 18.0–21.0 (.462) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Nick Kurtz extended his on-base streak to an MLB-best 32-games. He is also tied for the MLB-lead in walks (36) with Mike Trout. 20. Padres — 17.9–21.1 (.459) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Jake Cronenworth has been dealing with bouts of fogginess and difficulty focusing during at-bats as he deals with long-term concussion symptoms. Earlier this year, he was hit in the jaw by a pitch. 21. White Sox — 17.7–21.3 (.454) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Munetaka Murakami has now homered in eight straight series openers, an MLB record that was held by Eddie Murray (1987). 22. Red Sox — 17.4–21.6 (.446) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Connelly Early and Payton Tolle may be saving Boston’s rotation and their season. Early has a 130 ERA+ and a 22.0 K%, while Early has a 205 ERA+ and a 34.3 K%. 23. Phillies — 17.6–22.5 (.439) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Alec Bohm has been one of baseball’s worst hitters this year with a 21 OPS+ and producing -0.8 rWAR. He’s become unplayable for a Phillies team trying to get back into contention. 24. Mets — 16.8–22.2 (.431) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Rumors are already swirling that the Mets have talked to several teams about trading Freddy Peralta. For a team that expected to contend, this is an early white flag. 25. Twins — 17.2–22.8 (.430) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Taj Bradley was placed on the IL with right pectoral muscle inflammation. He was off to a terrific start with a 2.87 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP in 47 innings. 26. Astros — 17.0–23.0 (.425) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Carlos Correa has a torn tendon in his left ankle and will miss 6-8 months. He sustained the injury during batting practice when he swung and felt a pop. 27. Rockies — 16.7–23.4 (.416) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: In a tie game, Colorado loaded the bases against Craig Kimbrel with no outs in a tie game. Jake McCarthy cracked a grand slam to send the Mets to another loss. 28. Reds — 15.6–24.4 (.390) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Chase Burns helped the Red snap an 8-game losing streak. In six innings, he allowed one run on four hits with two strikeouts. He has the third-best ERA in the NL. 29. Orioles — 15.4–24.6 (.385) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Shane Baz hasn’t lived up to expectations since being traded to Baltimore. In 39 2/3 innings, he has a 4.99 ERA with a 1.54 WHIP. 30. Giants — 14.8–24.2 (.379) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Logan Webb had made 156 consecutive starts before going on the IL with right knee bursitis. That streak dated back to 2021. What storylines stood out this week? Do you agree with the rankings above? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of © Sam Navarro-Imagn Images There is no shortage of ways to rank teams across Major League Baseball, but most rely too heavily on wins and losses. Those results matter, yet they often miss the bigger picture. Teams can look dominant or overmatched in short bursts, and traditional power rankings tend to chase those swings rather than explain them. This version takes a different approach. Using third-order wins, derived from Clay Davenport’s adjusted standings, the focus shifts to how teams should perform in a neutral context. By factoring in run production, ballpark effects, and quality of competition, these rankings aim to reflect underlying performance instead of surface-level results. The outcome is a set of power rankings that lean more predictive than reactive, highlighting which teams are positioned for sustained success and which may be riding unsustainable trends. Below you will see updated rankings with up, down, or neutral arrows to show how things changed compared to last week's rankings. 1. Dodgers — 22.4–10.6 (.679) Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Dodgers lost more than three games in a row for the first time this season. They also had a homerless drought that stretched for much of the week. 2. Yankees — 22.2–10.8 (.673) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Will Warren is making a case to stick in New York’s rotation even with Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole set to return over the next two months. Warren has allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of his seven starts, the most in the majors. 3. Braves — 22.0–11.9 (.649) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Drake Baldwin has quickly emerged as one of the most surprising breakout stars in the National League. Baldwin ranks among league leaders in OPS and weighted runs created (wRC+), while regularly playing catcher. 4. Cubs — 21.2–11.8 (.642) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Nico Hoerner exited Friday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks due to left-sided neck tightness. He entered that game with a slash line of .291/.370/.449 with four homers across 31 contests. 5. Marlins — 19.7–13.2 (.599) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Xavier Edwards is developing into a star for Miami. In his first 32 games, he has an .873 OPS, 146 OPS+, and a 148 wRC+. He ranks near the top of the NL in batting average and OBP. 6. Pirates — 20.0–14.0 (.588) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Mitch Keller pitched seven innings of three-hit ball, and the Pittsburgh Pirates ended a five-game losing streak on Friday night. However, the team’s bullpen cost them multiple wins this week. 7. Rays — 18.2–13.8 (.569) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Ryan Pepiot is out for the season after having hip surgery. Since joining the Rays, Pepiot has a 3.75 ERA, a 4.18 FIP with a 25.4 K% and 8.9 BB% over 297.2 IP. 8. Brewers — 17.9–14.1 (.559) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Jacob Misiorowski had a no-hitter into the sixth inning on Friday before he had to leave the game with a right hamstring cramp. It was his 85th pitch that came on the heels of four consecutive strikeouts. 9. Tigers — 18.6–15.4 (.547) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Detroit Tigers placed pitcher Casey Mize and infielder Javier Báez on the injured list earlier this week. Mize goes on the 15-day IL with a right adductor strain, while Báez is on the 10-day list with a right ankle sprain. 10. Guardians — 18.1–15.9 (.532) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Travis Bazzana, the organization’s No. 1 overall prospect, made his MLB debut. In his first three games, he failed to record a hit but walked four times. 11. Rangers — 17.5–15.5 (.530) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Wyatt Langford suffered a setback in his return from a forearm injury. During Thursday’s extended spring training game, he felt discomfort in his forearm after his first at-bat of the contest. 12. Angels — 17.8–16.2 (.524) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Mike Trout is back! He leads the AL in runs scored and has an OBP above .400 for the first time in five seasons. 13. Cardinals — 16.7–16.3 (.506) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina will be inducted into the Cardinals’ Hall of Fame this September. 14. Mariners — 16.9–17.1 (.497) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Mariners retired Randy Johnson’s number 51 over the weekend. Johnson spent 10 seasons with the Mariners from 1989 through 1998, going 130-74 with a 3.42 ERA. He also threw the team’s first no-hitter in 1990. 15. Blue Jays — 15.7–17.3 (.476) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: George Springer returned from a fractured big left toe, but left Saturday’s game with what looked like a similar injury after being hit by a pitch. However, there was no new fracture. 16. Royals — 15.5–17.5 (.470) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Salvador Perez is not hitting the ball all that hard this year. His career hard-hit rate is 46.3%, but so far in 2026, Perez is hitting the ball hard only 39.6% of the time. 17. Padres — 15.0–17.0 (.469) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Xander Bogaerts has seen improved performance this year. In 30 games (126 ABs), Bogaerts has a .769 OPS with a 114 OPS+. He also has the lowest K-rate (13%) and career-best walk rate (10.7%). 18. Athletics — 15.1–17.9 (.458) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Nick Kurtz walked in his 20th consecutive game on Friday to tie Barry Bonds for the second-longest streak in MLB history. Former Detroit Tigers outfielder and first baseman Roy Cullenbine walked in 22 straight games, establishing the all-time longest streak. 19. Diamondbacks — 14.6–17.4 (.456) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Ildemaro Vargas extended his hitting streak to 27 games on Friday, breaking the major league record for a Venezuelan native. 20. Nationals — 15.3–18.7 (.450) Biggest Weekly Storyline: CJ Abrams broke out of a slump with a series against the Mets. He went 5-for-11, tallying five RBIs, including a home run that proved to be the difference in 21. Twins — 15.1–18.9 (.444) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Byron Buxton is one of baseball’s hottest hitters. He has 10 homers in a 17-game stretch after starting the year on a bit of a cold streak. 22. White Sox — 14.1–18.9 (.427) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Munetaka Murakami’s MLB-leading 13th home run and Noah Schultz’s six shutout innings were the only reasons to watch the White Sox. 23. Mets — 14.1–18.9 (.427) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Mets have one of baseball’s worst records, but David Stearns said this week that manager Carlos Mendoza’s job is not in imminent danger. 24. Astros — 14.5–19.6 (.425) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Lance McCullers Jr. owns a 6.32 ERA, has walked 17 batters in just 31.1 innings, and has given up 24 earned runs. His WHIP sits at 1.40, and opponents are hitting to an OPS of .776 against him. 25. Rockies — 14.3–19.7 (.421) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Chase Dollander owns a 2.25 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 32 innings. The ninth overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft is finding success even in the thin mountain air. 26. Red Sox — 13.6–19.5 (.411) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Garrett Crochet was put on the IL with a shoulder injury, but an MRI didn’t show anything other than inflammation. He is shut down from throwing for at least a couple of days while he builds shoulder strength. 27. Phillies — 13.5–19.5 (.409) Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Phillies fired manager Rob Thomson with the team tied for MLB’s worst record. 28. Reds — 13.2–19.8 (.400) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Elly De La Cruz is the first Major Leaguer since 1900 with 10+ homers and 8+ stolen bases before May. 29. Giants — 12.9–20.1 (.391) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Giants were shut out for the seventh time already this season. 30. Orioles — 12.5–20.5 (.379) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Orioles put closer Ryan Helsley on the 15-day injured list Friday because of right elbow inflammation. However, the club is optimistic their closer will not miss significant time. What storylines stood out this week? Do you agree with the rankings above? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of © David Richard-Imagn Images Two decades ago, evaluating defense in baseball was a largely subjective exercise. Fans and analysts relied on the eye test, highlight reels, and basic box score stats like errors and fielding percentage. If a player looked smooth and didn’t make many mistakes, he was probably considered a good defender (*cough*DerekJeter*cough*). The problem, of course, was that those tools left massive gaps in understanding. Range was hard to quantify, positioning was largely ignored, and difficult plays were rarely separated from routine ones. Today, the game tracks nearly everything. With the rise of advanced data systems like Statcast and detailed charting services, every step, route, and reaction is recorded. Analysts can now measure how far a player runs, how quickly he gets there, and how often similar plays are made across the league. Defense has gone from a guessing game to a data-driven science, and at the center of that evolution are three key metrics: DRS, OAA, and FRV. Let’s dive into baseball’s most common defensive metrics. What are they and how are they different? Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) Defensive Runs Saved attempts to quantify a player’s entire defensive performance by measuring how many runs he saves compared to an average player. It incorporates multiple defensive elements, including errors, range, outfield arm strength, and double-play ability. How It’s Calculated DRS uses data from Baseball Info Solutions to track where each ball is hit. For example, imagine an outfielder makes a running catch on a fly ball that is typically caught 70 percent of the time. By making that play, he earns 0.3 points for difficulty. If he misses it, he loses 0.7 points. Over time, these values are compiled, adjusted to league average, and then converted into runs saved. Why It Is Useful DRS provides a more complete defensive evaluation than traditional statistics. Factoring in multiple aspects of defense gives a broader picture of a player’s total impact in the field rather than focusing on just one skill. Recent Leaders During the 2025 season, there were three players who reached the +20 Defensive Runs Saved mark, including Ernie Clement, Steven Kwan, and Ceddanne Rafaela. That total represents a slight increase from 2024, when only two players, Brice Turang and Andrés Giménez, crossed that threshold. The year-to-year fluctuation highlights just how difficult it is to sustain elite defensive production at that level, even for the game’s best fielders. Outs Above Average (OAA) Outs Above Average is a range-based metric that focuses on how many outs a player converts compared to expectation. Originally limited to outfielders, it has since expanded to include infielders, with different calculation methods for each. How It’s Calculated For outfielders, OAA is built on Catch Probability. This accounts for how far a player must travel, how much time he has, and the direction of his movement. Like with DRS, if a player makes a catch with a 60 percent probability, he earns +0.4. If he misses it, he is charged -0.60. Over the course of a season, those values add up to produce a total OAA figure. Statcast also provides additional context: Expected Catch Percentage reflects how often an average fielder would make those plays. Actual Catch Percentage shows how often the player actually converted them. Catch Percentage Added shows the difference between expectation and reality. These layers help explain not just how many plays were made, but how difficult those opportunities were. For infielders, OAA becomes even more detailed. It considers distance to the ball, time available, distance to the base for a throw, and even the runner’s speed. Because Statcast tracks exact positioning, it accounts for defensive shifts and non-traditional alignments. This means a third baseman fielding a ball in shallow right field is evaluated just as precisely as if he were standing in his usual spot. Every play is measured based on where the defender actually starts and how difficult the play truly is. Why It’s Useful Outs Above Average provides a clear and objective way to measure a defender’s range and ability to convert difficult plays into outs. By focusing on the probability of each individual play, it separates routine chances from truly challenging ones, giving proper credit to players who consistently make high-difficulty plays. Because it is built on precise tracking data, OAA also accounts for positioning and shifting, enabling a more accurate evaluation in today’s game, where defenders are rarely standing in traditional spots. This makes it one of the most reliable tools for identifying elite athleticism and real defensive impact. Recent Leaders Outs Above Average often paints a different defensive picture than DRS, focusing solely on range and play difficulty. In 2025, five players surpassed the +20 OAA mark, including Pete Crow-Armstrong, Bobby Witt Jr., Ke'Bryan Hayes, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Masyn Winn. That group was significantly larger than in 2024, when only two players, Andrés Giménez and Jacob Young, reached +20 OAA, reinforcing how rare it is to reach that elite level of range-based performance. Fielding Run Value (FRV) Fielding Run Value builds on the foundation of Statcast by combining multiple defensive components into one all-encompassing number. Instead of isolating one skill like range or arm strength, it brings everything together and expresses a player’s total defensive impact in terms of runs saved. How It's Calculated FRV pulls in several defensive performance areas, including range, throwing, framing, blocking, and double plays. Each of those components is converted into a run-based value using a standardized scale. For example, outs recorded through range are worth slightly less than a full run, while throwing and double play contributions carry their own specific weights. By translating everything into runs, FRV creates a consistent baseline that allows players at different positions to be evaluated on equal footing. Why It’s Useful The biggest strength of FRV is its ability to compare defenders across positions. Catchers, infielders, and outfielders all contribute in different ways, and traditional metrics often struggle to place them on the same scale. FRV solves that problem by turning every defensive action into a common currency. This makes it easier to identify overall defensive value, regardless of how that value is accumulated. Recent Leaders The 2025 season provides a strong example of how FRV captures different defensive profiles. Patrick Bailey led the way with +31 FRV, driven primarily by elite framing behind the plate, where he collected 25 runs. Alejandro Kirk, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Pete Crow Armstrong were all in the +21-22 FRV range, despite playing catcher, second base, and center field. Each player arrived at a similar level of total value, but through very different defensive strengths. What Makes These Metrics Different? While all three metrics aim to measure defense, they do so in fundamentally different ways. DRS is broad and all-encompassing. It pulls together multiple aspects of defense into a single number, making it useful for evaluating overall performance but sometimes less precise at isolating specific skills. OAA is more focused. It zeroes in on range and play difficulty, offering a clearer picture of how well a player gets to the ball and converts chances into outs. It is especially valuable for understanding athleticism and positioning. FRV acts as a translator. It takes the detailed components measured by Statcast and converts them into a common currency of runs. By doing so, it allows for direct comparisons across positions and skill sets, something neither DRS nor OAA fully accomplishes on their own. Together, these metrics represent how far defensive evaluation has come. What once relied on instinct and reputation is now grounded in measurable data, giving fans a clearer and more complete understanding of what truly happens on the field. View full article

Image courtesy of © Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images There is no shortage of ways to rank teams across Major League Baseball, and most of them start and end with the standings. Wins and losses still drive the conversation, but they rarely tell the full story. A team hovering around .500 can feel dominant one week and completely overmatched the next, and traditional power rankings often struggle to capture that nuance. That is where a different lens becomes useful. Third-order wins attempt to answer a more meaningful question than simply who has won the most games. Built on the framework of Clay Davenport’s adjusted standings, this approach evaluates how a team should perform against a neutral opponent. It starts with run production and prevention, adjusts for ballpark environment, and then layers in the quality of competition faced. The result is a winning percentage that reflects underlying performance rather than surface-level outcomes. Think of it as a context-driven power ranking. First-order records look at run differential. Second-order standings adjust that for park effects. Third-order standings go a step further by asking who those runs came against. Beating up on weak pitching staffs or surviving a gauntlet of elite rotations should not be treated the same, and this model accounts for that difference. When applying those third-order winning percentages to the current landscape, the rankings shift in ways that traditional standings cannot explain. Some of the league’s top teams continue to validate their dominance, but others begin to separate themselves despite middling records. It creates a version of the power rankings that is less reactive and more predictive, highlighting which clubs are built to sustain success and which may be benefiting from circumstances unlikely to last. 1. Dodgers — 19.4–7.5 (.721) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Edwin Diaz is out until the second half with surgery for loose bodies in his elbow. The Dodger bullpen will be tested. 2. Yankees — 17.9–9.0 (.665) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Max Fried pushing himself into the early AL Cy Young conversation. Fried tossed eight shutout innings on Wednesday against the rival Red Sox. He’s pitched into the seventh inning in all but one start this season. 3. Cubs — 17.5–9.5 (.648) Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Cubs' 10-game winning streak was stopped on Saturday, and that streak has helped them move up in the NL Central standings. 4. Braves — 17.6–10.4 (.629) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Braves call up No. 2 prospect JR Ritchie for MLB debut. He pitched seven innings and allowed two earned runs (both solo homers) while striking out seven and walking two. 5. Pirates — 16.2–10.8 (.600) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Paul Skenes took a perfect game into the seventh inning on Friday, but lost it with two outs in the frame. The Pirates sit in the middle of the NL Central but are closing ground on the Reds. 6. Marlins — 15.7–11.3 (.581) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Rule 5 Pick Liam Hicks is hitting over .300 with five homers for the Marlins, who are surprisingly in second place in the NL East. 7. Rays — 14.6–11.4 (.562) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Shane McClanahan turned in five scoreless innings to get his first win at Tropicana Field in nearly three years after missing the 2024 and 2025 seasons due to surgery. 8. Angels — 15.6–12.4 (.557) Biggest Weekly Storyline: José Soriano lowers ERA to 0.24, the best mark in MLB history through first six starts. 9. Rangers — 14.6–12.4 (.541) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Jacob deGrom struck out 10 over 5 2/3 innings, his 62nd game with 10 or more strikeouts. 10. Mariners — 14.5–13.5 (.518) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Matt Brash has multiple season-opening streaks of at least 10 games without an earned run (also: 19 G in 2025). He's 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 11 games, striking out five batters in 9 1/3 innings. 11. Tigers — 14.3–13.7 (.511) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Kevin McGonigle's numbers to start the 2026 season stand with all-time greats. He is only the fifth player in MLB history with 30 or more hits, 10 or more doubles, and less than 15 strikeouts in his first 25 games at 21 or younger. 12. Guardians — 14.2–13.8 (.507) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Jose Ramirez became the 11th member of the 290-290 club with over 290 home runs and steals. 13. Padres — 13.0–13.0 (.500) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Mason Miller set the Padres team record for consecutive scoreless innings and has now pitched 34 2/3 scoreless innings, going back to last August. He is seven innings away from breaking the MLB record. 14. Brewers — 12.7–13.3 (.488) Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Brewers became only the second time in MLB history to face the reigning Cy Young winning pitchers in back-to-back days. Milwaukee lost both games against Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes. 15. Reds — 13.1–13.9 (.485) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Sal Stewart’s 29 RBI are the second-most by any Major League rookie before May since 1920. Only Jose Abreu's 32 RBIs in 2014 were better. 16. Athletics — 13.3–14.7 (.475) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Brent Rooker activated after the All-Star missed 14 games with an oblique strain. 17. Diamondbacks — 12.2–13.8 (.469) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Zac Gallen exited Saturday’s game against the San Diego Padres in Mexico City with a right shoulder contusion after being hit by a comebacker. 18. Blue Jays — 12.2–13.8 (.469) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Jeff Hoffman’s struggles since Game 7 of the World Series forced the team to remove him from the closer role. The team will go with a closer-by-committee approach. 19. Nationals — 12.8–15.2 (.457) Biggest Weekly Storyline: James Wood homered in three straight games and leads the NL in homers and walks. 20. Royals — 12.3–14.7 (.456) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Royals will build a $1.9B ballpark as part of a $3B downtown Kansas City redevelopment project. 21. Twins — 12.2–14.8 (.452) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Connor Prielipp and Kendry Rojas, two powerful left-handed pitching prospects, made their MLB debuts in the same game. 22. Mets — 11.5–14.5 (.442) Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Mets ended their 12-game losing streak but lost Francisco Lindor to the IL with a calf injury. 23. Giants — 11.8–15.2 (.437) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Ended Shohei Ohtani’s 53-game on-base streak as part of a shutout win over the Dodgers. 24. Rockies — 11.4–15.6 (.422) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Mickey Moniak leads Colorado with eight homers, which ranks in MLB’s top-10. He missed the season’s first six games with a sprained finger. 25. Cardinals — 10.8–15.2 (.415) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Jordan Walker has cooled off after starting the year with a league-leading 13 home runs. 26. Orioles — 11.2–15.8 (.415) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Adley Rutschman hit two homers and collected six RBI on Friday. He has a 1.020 OPS through his first 51 ABs. 27. Phillies — 11.0–16.1 (.406) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Zack Wheeler returned for the struggling Phillies and turned in a strong five-inning, two-run, six-strikeout outing. 28. Red Sox — 11.0–16.1 (.406) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Boston fired manager Alex Cora and most of his coaching staff, sending shock waves through the organization. 29. White Sox — 10.7–16.3 (.396) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Munetaka Murakami ranks among MLB’s Top 10 in home runs, wOBA, xwOBA, barrel percentage, and hard hit percentage. 30. Astros — 10.8–17.2 (.386) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Yordan Alvarez leads the AL in nearly every major statistical category (BA, OBP, OPS, HR, H, etc.). Still, the Astros sit at the bottom of the AL West. What storylines stood out this week? Do you agree with the rankings above? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of MLB/Individual Clubs/Nike Major League Baseball’s City Connect initiative has always walked a fine line between creativity and chaos. Since its launch in 2021, the program has encouraged teams to lean into culture, community, and storytelling rather than tradition. Sometimes that results in brilliance. Sometimes it looks like a marketing meeting that went on a little too long. Thursday brought the second wave of City Connect uniforms for eight franchises, and as expected, the results are a mixed bag. Some clubs leaned into bold identity. Others played it safe. A few might have missed the assignment entirely. Here is how the latest batch stacks up from bottom to top. 8. Texas Rangers Maybe it is the lack of color. Maybe it is the overly simple design. Either way, something feels missing here. The concept of celebrating Mexican influence across Texas is strong, but the execution falls short. Adding green to complement the red and better reflect the Mexican flag could have elevated the look. Instead, it feels like a concept that never fully came together. Pros: Ties to Texas-Mexican heritage. Cons: Everything else. 7. Baltimore Orioles The idea behind City Connect is to break away from the norm, so sticking with the same color palette feels like a missed opportunity. The Oriole graphic is clean, but the “BMORE” text doesn't quite land as it should. The home run patch on the sleeve might be the standout feature, which says a lot about the rest of the design. Pro: Home run sleeve patch is a nice tie to Camden Yards Cons: Color scheme too close to regular jerseys. 6. Cincinnati Reds There is something to be said for consistency, but this feels like playing it too safe. The Reds essentially swapped out last year’s black look for red while keeping the same design language. The futuristic vibe works, but using their primary color scheme again makes it feel less like a City Connect and more like an alternate jersey. Pros: Futuristic design. Cons: Too similar to the first City Connect. 5. Atlanta Braves Powder blue is almost always a win, and it works here, too. The problem is that this feels more like a throwback than a City Connect. The lowercase A and the color scheme are nice touches, but it leans heavily on nostalgia rather than offering something new or uniquely tied to the city. Pros: The lower-case “A” hat is nice. Cons: Seems too close to a throwback and not something new. 4. Kansas City Royals This one takes a swing, and for the most part, it connects. The fuchsia-to-blue gradient is bold and distinct, inspired by Midwest sunsets and the city’s iconic fountains. The unique R logo adds character, and the Beatles nod on the collar is a fun piece of trivia that ties into team tradition. It might not be for everyone, but at least it stands out. Pros: Love the Beatles reference. Cons: Hat logo leaves something to be desired. 3. Milwaukee Brewers Milwaukee expands the concept beyond the city and embraces the entire state with a “Wisco” identity. The new color scheme separates it from their traditional look, which is exactly what City Connect should do. The updated Barrelman patch is a strong callback to team history while still feeling modern. This is a well-balanced design that hits most of the right notes. Pros: State connection, sleeve patch. Cons: “Wisco” phrase can be unflattering. 2. San Diego Padres San Diego already had one of the most popular City Connect sets, and they wisely didn't overthink it. The vibrant colors remain, but the refreshed wordmark keeps things feeling new. The Dia de los Muertos sleeve patch is the standout element, adding meaningful cultural depth. This will once again be a hit, especially with younger fans who gravitate toward bold designs. Pros: Vibrant colors, sleeve patch. Cons: Similar to the first City Connect jersey. 1. Pittsburgh Pirates This is how you do it. The Pirates leaned all the way into their identity and came out with something that feels both intimidating and unique. The blacked-out look, paired with a stylized pirate wordmark, gives it an edge that few teams can match. Now picture Paul Skenes on the mound wearing this. That is nightmare fuel for opposing hitters. With a young core rising (including recently promoted Konnor Griffin), this jersey will become one of the most recognizable looks in the league. Pros: Nearly Perfect. Cons: I don’t have one in my closet yet. City Connect uniforms are at their best when they take risks and fully commit to a story. The 2026 class shows that not every team is comfortable doing that. The Pirates, Padres, and Brewers embraced the assignment and delivered something memorable. Others felt hesitant, sticking too close to their traditional identity when the whole point is to break away from it. As the program continues to evolve, the gap between the teams that get it and the teams that do not is becoming more obvious. And if this year is any indication, bold will always beat safe. View full article

Image courtesy of Peyton Vogel / Peytons Pics For years, minor league baseball has served as the sport’s testing ground, a place where ideas are introduced, tweaked, and sometimes discarded altogether. The pitch timer and ABS challenge system both started there before reaching the big leagues, and now a new collection of experimental rules is set to debut in 2026. This latest round of changes will be spread across multiple levels of the minors, each tied to improving the pace of play and increasing action. That does not mean these rules are destined for the majors. In fact, many around the game view them as trial balloons rather than inevitable changes. Still, front offices and player development staff are already preparing. Even if these rules never reach a major league field, they will impact how prospects are evaluated and developed in the short term. Here is a closer look at what is coming. Second Base Gets a New Home One of the more noticeable changes will take place in the Triple-A International League, where second base is set to be repositioned for the season’s second half. Instead of sitting partially outside the infield diamond, the bag will be moved fully within it. That adjustment brings second base closer to both first and third by roughly nine inches, and even closer compared to pre-2023 dimensions before the bases were enlarged. The visual difference may be subtle, but the impact could be meaningful. Shorter distances between bases could encourage more stolen base attempts and tighter bang-bang plays, similar to what happened when larger bases were introduced. It is another attempt to manufacture action without fundamentally changing the structure of the game. Check Swing Challenges Arrive in Triple-A Starting in May in the Pacific Coast League, hitters, pitchers, and catchers will now have access to a new challenge system focused on check swings. Using bat tracking technology, a swing will be defined by whether the bat surpasses a 45-degree angle. Each team will be given two challenges per game, to be shared with the existing ball-strike challenge system. That means players will need to be selective, as challenging a check swing and losing the appeal will cost them an opportunity. This system was tested in the Florida State League and the Arizona Fall League in 2025. According to the league, the strikeout rate was over 3% lower when the Check Swing Challenge was used, leading to more balls in play. If that trend holds, it could be one of the more impactful changes from an entertainment standpoint. Just as importantly, it introduces a clearer, data-driven definition of what actually constitutes a swing, something that has long been subjective. Tighter Pitch Clock Rules Even with the pitch clock already in place, the league is continuing to look for ways to keep games moving. Restrictions on batter timeouts will vary by level. In Low-A, hitters will essentially be unable to call time during an at-bat unless there is a legitimate issue. High-A allows timeouts only when runners are on base, while upper levels will still permit them with a catch. Hitters must be fully ready before the clock hits eight seconds, or risk being caught unprepared when the pitcher delivers. Pitchers are not exempt from the adjustments either. In Triple-A, any malfunction with the PitchCom system will now count as a mound visit. If a team has already used its allotted visits, addressing the issue will result in a pitch clock violation, and a ball will be awarded to the batter. Double-A will also see a stricter disengagement rule, cutting the limit from two step-offs or pick-off attempts down to one per plate appearance. That change should further encourage base stealing and put additional pressure on pitchers to control the running game. There is also a universal enforcement tweak. Mound visits that run too long will now carry an automatic penalty, with a ball awarded to the hitter if coaches or infielders are slow to clear the mound. Starting Pitchers Re-Entering Games At the lower levels, a unique rule is being introduced with player health in mind. In the Arizona Fall League, Florida Complex League, and Dominican Summer League, starting pitchers will be allowed to re-enter a game after being removed, as long as it happens in the following inning and they have thrown at least 25 pitches. It is not about strategy as much as protection. Young pitchers can lose command quickly, resulting in long, stressful innings. This rule gives teams a way to reset without overextending arms that are still being developed. There is little expectation that this concept will move beyond these environments, but it reflects how player health continues to influence experimental rules. Some of these changes will fade away as quickly as they arrived. Others may evolve into the next major shift in how the game is played. That uncertainty is the point. The minor leagues remain baseball’s laboratory, where creativity is encouraged, and failure is acceptable. The 2026 rule changes fit that mold perfectly. They challenge long-standing norms, introduce new technology, and test how far the sport is willing to go in pursuit of a better product. Ultimately, the true impact of these experiments will be measured not just by which rules succeed or fade away, but by the sport's willingness to evolve. As Minor League Baseball continues to push boundaries, its experiments will remain a driving force in shaping the sport. It’s about preserving baseball’s traditions while steering it toward a more dynamic and engaging future. View full article