MLB Issues 162-Game PED Suspension To Jurickson Profar
Major League Baseball officially announced that Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended for 162 games after testing positive for exogenous testosterone, a performance-enhancing substance. The ban goes into effect on Friday and will cost him the entire 2026 season, including the playoffs.
It’s the second career PED suspension for Profar, who missed 80 games last year after testing positive for Chorionic Gonadotropin. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported on Tuesday that the Players Association plans to file a grievance challenging this suspension, though it’s not clear on what basis. Profar will not be paid his $15MM salary this season. The Curacao native is also barred from representing the Netherlands in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
“We were incredibly disappointed to learn that Jurickson tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance and is in violation of MLB’s Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,” the Braves said in a press release. “Our players are consistently educated about the Program and the consequences if they are found to be in violation.”
Profar, who turned 33 a couple weeks ago, was entering the second season of a three-year, $42MM contract. Last year’s suspension cost him just under $6MM of his $12MM salary in year one of that free agent deal. He’s signed through the 2027 season and is owed a $15MM salary again in the contract’s final year. If he incurs a third positive test in his career, he would receive a lifetime ban.
As a teenager, Profar was ranked as the top prospect in the entire sport. A switch-hitting shortstop with a tantalizing blend of power, speed and defensive aptitude, he was hailed as a future star but saw his career derailed by multiple shoulder injuries. He missed nearly the entire 2014 and 2015 campaigns due to shoulder surgery.
The version of Profar that returned looked far different. He hit .227/.316/.315 in 377 MLB plate appearances from 2016-17 before turning in a solid offensive season in 2018. His defense at shortstop had become untenable following the shoulder troubles. Profar spent time at second base and first base before being traded to the A’s, who had him for only one disappointing year before trading him to the Padres.
Profar had an up-and-down run in San Diego. He had an awful start in the shortened 2020 season before a torrid three-week finish to the 60-game season salvaged his batting line. A clear favorite of Padres GM A.J. Preller — who signed him as an international amateur during his days as a Rangers assistant GM — Profar inked a three-year deal following that season but flopped with a .227/.329/.320 slash in year one of the contract. He chose to forgo an opt-out opportunity, returned to San Diego for the 2022 season, turned in a better offensive performance opted out of a net $6.5MM to again test the open market.
Free agency was cold to Profar that winter. He wound up signing with the Rockies just prior to Opening Day 2023 on a $7.75MM deal. Colorado released Profar after he hit just .236/.316/.364 in 111 games. He re-signed in San Diego for the remainder of the season and hit well in 14 games late that year. Profar spent the entire offseason twisting in the winds of free agency before the Padres brought him aboard on a one-year, $1MM deal that looked like the steal of the offseason when he erupted with a .280/.380/.459 batting line in a career-best showing.
That performance prompted the Braves’ three-year, $42MM deal, but it will now forever be met with a healthy dose of skepticism. Profar missed 80 games last year, hit .248/.358/.446 in 355 plate appearances upon returning, and now won’t take another plate appearance until at least 2027. Of course, it remains to be seen whether the Braves will welcome him back or look to move on entirely.
That question doesn’t need to be answered for the time being. Profar can and will be placed on the restricted list, where he won’t be paid or count against Atlanta’s 40-man roster. The Braves will not only save on Profar’s $15MM salary — they’ll also dodge the 20% tax they’d been paying for him as a team that was over the luxury threshold. It amounts to an overall $18MM in savings for Atlanta, which gives the Braves some intriguing possibilities late in the offseason.
Atlanta has incurred a pair of notable injuries in the rotation. Righties Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep both underwent elbow surgery to remove loose bodies/bone spurs. It’s not yet clear when they’ll return, but Schwellenbach is already on the 60-day IL and Waldrep will surely follow.
That’s left the Braves with Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo Lopez (who made just one start last year due to shoulder surgery) and Grant Holmes (who had a UCL tear last summer and rehabbed without surgery) in the top four spots of the rotation. Bryce Elder, Joey Wentz, Didier Fuentes and Jose Suarez are the fifth starter options on the 40-man roster. Non-roster invitees include veterans Martin Perez, Carlos Carrasco and Elieser Hernandez, as well as top prospect JR Ritchie.
Notable veterans like Lucas Giolito, Zack Littell and Tyler Anderson remain unsigned in free agency. Atlanta’s outfield group, of course, takes a hit following the Profar suspension, although the team’s November signing of Mike Yastrzemski means the Braves won’t necessarily need to add another outfielder. Yastrzemski, Michael Harris II and Ronald Acuña Jr. can start on most days, though Acuña has had his share of recent injury troubles and Yastrzemski has long-running platoon issues. Righty hitters Eli White and Jorge Mateo are already on the roster as potential complements, but neither has even average career numbers against left-handed pitching.
Atlanta still projects to be just north of the $244MM luxury threshold, but the front office suddenly has an influx of cash that could be used to acquire additional help, be it another starting pitcher or a veteran right-handed bat to plug into the lineup. Time will tell whether those funds are put to immediate use or saved for in-season additions to the roster, but the Braves immediately become a team to watch with regard to a potential late-offseason addition.
Jeff Passan of ESPN first reported Profar was facing a 162-game PED ban. Image courtesy of Jonathan Dyer, Imagn Images.
Blue Jays Re-Sign Joe Mantiply To Minor League Deal
The Blue Jays announced they’ve re-signed lefty reliever Joe Mantiply to a minor league contract. The ISE Baseball client receives a non-roster invite to MLB camp.
Mantiply finished last season in the Toronto organization. Released by the Diamondbacks in June, he signed a minor league deal with the Jays shortly after the All-Star Break. Mantiply spent a couple weeks building up at the team’s Florida complex before reporting to Triple-A Buffalo. He finished the season with the Bisons, allowing eight runs (six earned) across 15 2/3 innings.
The run prevention was unexceptional, but Mantiply posted a 19:0 strikeout-to-walk ratio against 64 Triple-A opponents. It didn’t get him a big league look. The Jays were impressed enough to bring him back on an NRI after he elected minor league free agency over the offseason.
Mantiply was a surprise All-Star in 2022 — a season in which he posted a 2.85 ERA across a career-high 60 innings. The 35-year-old southpaw has strong command and gets grounders but has below-average velocity. Mantiply averaged 88.4 mph on his sinker last year. He gets good movement on the sinker and his changeup and was a solid middle reliever as recently as 2024. He was knocked around for 17 runs in 9 2/3 MLB frames last year.
The Jays have one of the better rosters in MLB but are light on established left-handed relief. Eric Lauer is set for a multi-inning role. Mason Fluharty is a soft-tossing cutter specialist, while Brendon Little has much bigger raw stuff. Both pitchers can miss bats but aren’t reliably around the strike zone. Ricky Tiedemann could factor into the rotation or relief mix as a rookie, but the oft-injured former top prospect is again battling elbow discomfort early in camp.
How Will The Padres Round Out Their Rotation?
Barring injury, the Padres will open the season with an established top three in their rotation. Nick Pivetta, Michael King and Joe Musgrove have the upside to be one of the best top halves in the National League.
Musgrove is coming back from Tommy John surgery, while King was limited to 74 1/3 innings last year (playoffs included) by a nerve issue in his shoulder and left knee inflammation. They’re free of any restrictions this spring. Musgrove will make his exhibition debut tomorrow against Great Britain in a World Baseball Classic tune-up. King has already started two games this spring.
The picture is a lot less clear from there. Yu Darvish will miss the entire season. Free agent pickup Griffin Canning has yet to pitch this spring as he works back from last June’s Achilles tear. He’s very likely starting the season on the injured list.
That’s also true of knuckleballer Matt Waldron, though it could be close to a minimal IL stay for the right-hander. Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune wrote yesterday that Waldron plans to throw off a mound this week and is hopeful of getting a start in before the end of Cactus League play. He won’t be built up enough to start the season on the active roster, however. Waldron is out of options, so the Padres will need to carve out an MLB spot for him once he’s ready or risk losing him via trade or waivers.
That all but ensures that Randy Vásquez will get a season-opening rotation spot. Manager Craig Stammen said at the beginning of camp that the righty had a leg up on a job. Vásquez is out options and needed to make the team in some capacity. He outperformed mediocre peripherals for most of last season but improved his strikeout rate to a league average level in September. He finished last season with a 3.86 ERA across 133 2/3 innings.
It probably leaves the Padres will one spot to fill. The front office has taken a volume approach to the back of the roster, adding a handful of veterans on cheap one-year deals or minor league contracts to see who sticks. They added enough options that it’s not out of the question they open with a six-man rotation.
Pitching coach Ruben Niebla left open that possibility over the weekend, although he implied they preferred a five-man group (link via AJ Cassavell of MLB.com). Niebla said the team is preparing the starters on a usual five-day routine. If multiple depth arms pitch their way onto the roster, they could go to a six-man staff, but that requires dropping to a seven-man bullpen.
If there’s only one spot available, Germán Márquez enters camp as the favorite. The former Rockies righty signed a $1.75MM deal in mid-February. His spot on the MLB roster feels secure, which isn’t the case for non-roster invitees Walker Buehler or Marco Gonzales. Márquez could theoretically pitch in long relief if one of Buehler or Gonzales beats him for the fifth starter role. That scenario (or a six-man rotation) probably wouldn’t bode well for out-of-options reliever Ron Marinaccio’s bid to stick on the roster.
Lefty JP Sears is also in the rotation mix, though San Diego’s series of veteran additions means it’s likelier he’s headed back to Triple-A. Sears was hit hard in five MLB starts after being acquired from the A’s in the Mason Miller trade. He still has a minor league option remaining.
Sears also hasn’t an especially encouraging start to camp, giving up five runs on seven hits (including two homers) across 3 2/3 innings. Márquez allowed three runs on four hits over two innings in his exhibition debut over the weekend. Gonzales, who missed all of last season rehabbing flexor surgery, has given up five runs across 4 2/3 frames over two spring starts. Buehler hasn’t pitched in an official Spring Training game but took on the KBO’s NC Dinos in an outing on the back fields over the weekend, giving up two runs over three innings.
Out Of Options 2026
Every spring at MLBTR, we publish a list of players who are out of minor league options and cannot be sent to the minor leagues without first clearing outright waivers. Option status is particularly relevant as teams set their rosters prior to Opening Day. A lack of minor league options is often a key reason a certain player will make the roster over another who had a superior spring performance, and it’s a frequent factor in March trades.
The following is a list of all 40-man players throughout the league with fewer than five years of service time — players with more than five years of service can refuse an optional assignment — and no minor league options remaining. We’ve included players who have signed extensions or multi-year deals, even though they’re often less likely to be optioned.
Angels
- Jo Adell, OF
- Vaughn Grissom, IF
- Oswald Peraza, IF
- Chase Silseth, SP/RP
Astros
- Nick Allen, IF
- Roddery Muñoz, RP
- Isaac Paredes, IF
- Nate Pearson, SP/RP
- César Salazar, C
Athletics
- Andy Ibáñez, IF
- Luis Medina, SP/RP
Blue Jays
- Ernie Clement, IF
- Tyler Heineman, C
- Leo Jiménez, IF
- Tommy Nance, RP
- Jesús Sánchez, OF
Braves
- Bryce Elder, SP
- Ian Hamilton, RP
- Grant Holmes, SP
- Joel Payamps, RP
- José Suarez, SP/RP
- Joey Wentz, SP/RP
- Eli White, OF
- Brett Wisely, IF/OF
- Danny Young, RP
Brewers
- Rob Zastryzny, RP
Cardinals
- Justin Bruihl, RP
- José Fermín, IF/OF
- Iván Herrera, C
- Riley O’Brien, RP
- George Soriano, RP
Cubs
- Jacob Amaya, C
- Tyler Austin, 1B
- Edward Cabrera, SP
- Justin Steele, SP
Diamondbacks
- Jorge Barrosa, OF
- Pavin Smith, 1B/OF
Dodgers
- Brock Stewart, RP
Giants
- José Buttó, RP
- Jerar Encarnación, 1B/OF
- Matt Gage, RP
- Sam Hentges, RP
- Luis Matos, OF
- Heliot Ramos, OF
- Randy Rodríguez, RP
Guardians
- Gabriel Arias, IF
- Connor Brogdon, RP
- Joey Cantillo, SP/RP
- Matt Festa, RP
- Nolan Jones, OF
- Brayan Rocchio, IF
Mariners
- Eduard Bazardo, RP
- Cooper Criswell, RP
- Casey Legumina, RP
- Miles Mastrobuoni, IF/OF
- Luke Raley, 1B/OF
- Gabe Speier, RP
- Carlos Vargas, RP
Marlins
- Ronny Henriquez, RP
- Janson Junk, SP/RP
- Otto López, IF
- Christopher Morel, IF
- Tyler Phillips, RP
Mets
- Vidal Bruján, IF/OF
- Bryan Hudson, RP
- Ben Rortvedt, C
- Mark Vientos, IF
Nationals
- Luis García Jr., IF
- Richard Lovelady, RP
- Keibert Ruiz, C
- José Tena, IF
Orioles
- Blaze Alexander, IF
- Dietrich Enns, RP
- Rico Garcia, RP
- Jackson Kowar, RP
- Bryan Ramos, IF
- Colin Selby, RP
- Leody Taveras, OF
Padres
- Luis Campusano, C
- Bryce Johnson, OF
- Ron Marinaccio, RP
- Randy Vásquez, SP
- Matt Waldron, SP
Phillies
- Jonathan Bowlan, RP
- Rafael Marchán, C
- Zach Pop, RP
- Cristopher Sánchez, SP
- Garrett Stubbs, C
Pirates
- Joey Bart, C
- Oneil Cruz, OF
- Justin Lawrence, RP
- Yohan Ramírez, RP
Rangers
- Cole Winn, RP
Rays
- Jonathan Aranda, 1B
- Bryan Baker, RP
- Garrett Cleavinger, RP
- Yoendrys Gómez, SP/RP
- Manuel Rodríguez, RP
- Cole Sulser, RP
- Edwin Uceta, RP
- Ryan Vilade, IF/OF
Red Sox
- Jovani Morán, RP
Reds
- Sam Moll, RP
- Tony Santillan, RP
Rockies
- Jimmy Herget, SP/RP
- Edouard Julien, IF
- Jake McCarthy, OF
- Mickey Moniak, OF
- Keegan Thompson, SP/RP
Royals
- Bailey Falter, SP/RP
- Alex Lange, RP
- Nick Mears, RP
- Drew Waters, OF
Tigers
- Drew Anderson, SP/RP
- Jahmai Jones, IF/OF
- Zach McKinstry, IF/OF
Twins
- Anthony Banda, RP
- Kody Clemens, IF/OF
- Alex Jackson, C
- James Outman, OF
- Simeon Woods Richardson, SP
White Sox
- Luisangel Acuña, IF/OF
- Derek Hill, OF
- Anthony Kay, SP
- Korey Lee, C
- Curtis Mead, IF
- Everson Pereira, OF
- Lenyn Sosa, IF
- Miguel Vargas, IF
Yankees
- Osvaldo Bido, SP/RP
- Jorbit Vivas, IF
Photo courtesy of Brad Mills, Imagn Images
Johan Rojas Reportedly Tests Positive For Performance-Enhancing Drug
Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas has tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug, according to reporter Wilber Sánchez as well as Jon Heyman of The New York Post. Heyman says Rojas will be appealing the ruling. Players face an 80-game suspension for a first-time positive test for PEDs. There has not yet been any formal announcement regarding Rojas from Major League Baseball or the Phillies.
Rojas, 25, has played for the Phillies at the major league level in each of the past three seasons. Broadly speaking, he has been a speed-and-defense guy who doesn’t provide much value from the batter’s box.
He has appeared in 250 games with 51 steals in 58 attempts. He has logged 1,714 innings in center field and has been credited with 22 Defensive Runs Saved and 18 Outs Above Average. But in 699 plate appearances, he has just six home runs and a .252/.294/.340 batting line. That translates to a 74 wRC+, indicating he has been 26% below league average as a hitter in his career overall.
Despite his skills, the lack of offense cut into his playing time with the Phillies. He was essentially an everyday center fielder in 2024, appearing in 120 contests. He held that job for part of the 2025 season but the Phils acquired Harrison Bader at the deadline, which led to Rojas getting optioned to the minors for the final two months of the schedule.
Bader became a free agent at season’s end and eventually signed with the Giants but it didn’t seem as though the Phillies had Rojas as a prominent piece of their 2026 plans. It was reported pretty early in the offseason that he was available in trade talks as the Phils planned to give prospect Justin Crawford a shot at the center field job.
Rojas was likely going to be relegated to a fourth outfielder role. He also has an option remaining and could have been sent down for regular playing time at the Triple-A level. A suspension would cut into his ability to serve in either role. He can continue to play during the appeals process but it’s unclear if the Phils will keep using him in spring games, per Charlotte Varnes and Matt Gelb of The Athletic. He was going to participate in the World Baseball Classic with the Dominican Republic team but dropped out last week.
Although Rojas had fallen down the depth chart, it would be a notable loss for the Phillies if Rojas is ultimately suspended. Their roster is quite strong but the outfield looks like one of the weaker points. As mentioned, Crawford is going to get a shot at the center field job, despite having no major league experience yet. The Phils have plugged Adolis García into right field, hoping for a bounceback after two down years. Brandon Marsh is a decent left fielder but needs a platoon partner since he’s awful against lefties. Otto Kemp could be Marsh’s platoon partner, though he has far more experience as an infielder than as an outfielder.
Gabriel Rincones Jr. and Pedro León are also on the 40-man roster. Both have options and are lined up to start the season in the minors. Rincones hasn’t yet made his major league debut and The Athletic notes that he is currently not playing due to ongoing knee problems. León is a waiver claimee who has just seven big league games under his belt. Bryan De La Cruz, who slashed .191/.240/.213 in limited action last year, is in camp as a non-roster invitee.
It’s not an especially strong group on the whole and losing Rojas would thin it out further. If the Phils want to add before Opening Day, guys like Tommy Pham and Andrew McCutchen are currently free agents. Some other guys will also shake loose in the coming weeks as teams make their final roster decisions when spring training winds down.
Photo courtesy of Kelley L Cox, Imagn Images
Brendan Rodgers Likely To Require Shoulder Surgery
Brendan Rodgers is in big league camp with the Red Sox this spring, hoping to win a spot in Boston’s infield alongside former Rockies teammate Trevor Story. A right shoulder injury suffered in late February put any such hopes on hold, and the latest update from skipper Alex Cora may have dashed them entirely. Via the Boston Herald’s Mac Cerullo, Cora said Tuesday that Rodgers is “most likely” going to require shoulder surgery. Rodgers already underwent a CT scan and MRI on his shoulder, and Cora has previously stated that the results from those tests “didn’t look great.” Rodgers is headed for another opinion from renowned surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache to confirm his outlook.
The injury occurred early in camp. Playing second base, Rodgers dove to his left for a hard line drive off the bat of Twins shortstop Brooks Lee (video link via MLB.com). He briefly snow-coned the liner, but the ball popped out of his glove upon a hard impact with the ground. Rodgers was in clear, immediate pain and left the field with the Red Sox training staff.
Rodgers, 29, has already undergone one surgery on each of his shoulders. He suffered a torn labrum during his rookie season back in 2019 and underwent surgery that July. In 2023, he suffered what was originally termed a dislocated left shoulder during spring training. Additional testing revealed some tearing in his left shoulder’s labrum, requiring surgery, though Rodgers was able to make it back to the field for the final couple months of that season.
Formerly the No. 3 overall pick in the draft and a consensus top prospect, Rodgers’ career hasn’t played out as hoped. He’s a lifetime .261/.313/.401 hitter and has only thrice played 100 games in a season. He’s never topped 137 games played or 581 plate appearances and only has two big league seasons with 500-plus trips to the plate. After spending the 2019-24 seasons in Denver, Rodgers signed with Houston on a minor league pact last winter and made the roster. However, he went on to bat just .191/.266/.278 (55 wRC+) in 128 plate appearances as an Astro.
The infield mix in Boston is relatively unsettled. The Sox traded Rafael Devers to the Giants last June and watched Alex Bregman sign with the Cubs in free agency. They’ve traded for the Cardinals Willson Contreras and the Brewers’ Caleb Durbin this winter. Contreras slots in at first base, while Durbin will fill either second base or third base alongside the aforementioned Story.
Top prospect Marcelo Mayer is the favorite to hold down whichever spot isn’t occupied by Durbin, but the Red Sox also have Andruw Monasterio (acquired alongside Durbin), Isiah Kiner-Falefa (signed in free agency), Tsung-Che Cheng (claimed off waivers) and holdovers Nick Sogard and Nate Eaton on the 40-man roster. Former top prospect Kristian Campbell, who signed an eight-year extension early last year, is being viewed primarily as an outfielder moving forward.
Tigers Owner Christopher Ilitch Discusses Team’s Spending
Tigers owner Christopher Ilitch recently spoke to members of the media, including Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic, about various subjects related to the team. Fans are encouraged to check out the full interview to get all the details. This post will focus in on the quotes related to the club’s payroll and the competitive balance tax.
Detroit just wrapped up a fairly aggressive offseason, which involved a couple of late signings, as they landed Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander in February. Verlander’s deal was fairly modest, with $11MM of the $13MM guarantee being deferred into next decade. The Valdez deal also had some deferrals in it but was still quite a commitment, with a sticker price of $115MM over three years.
“It’s really to win, and it’s to give back,” Ilitch said of adding those notable deals to the payroll. “What we’re doing in Detroit and Michigan — it’s for fans, really, at the end of the day. I’m really motivated to build a winning, championship-caliber organization for Tigers fans.”
The Tigers are poised to set a new high water mark in terms of payroll, as seen in the data at Cot’s Baseball Contracts. Back in 2016 and 2017, the payroll was just under $200MM. That was when Christopher’s father Michael was still running the club. Michael passed away in February of 2017, which is when Christopher inherited the throne.
That 2017 season turned into a big bust for the Tigers. They sold off veteran players that summer, sending J.D. Martinez, Justin Upton and Verlander out of town. They then entered a lengthy rebuilding period with payrolls way down from that 2016-17 peak. The Tigers finally returned to contention more recently, making the playoffs in both 2024 and 2025.
Despite opening that new competitive window, the club has stayed somewhat conservative, at least until recently. They mostly signed free agents to one-year deals going into the 2025 season. The lone exception was a two-year deal for Jack Flaherty, and even that had an opt-out halfway through. Their 2025 trade deadline was also relatively timid; they mostly picked up complementary depth pieces, as opposed to true difference-makers.
Even the 2025-26 season seemed like it was going to be more of the same until the Valdez and Verlander deals pushed them to a new level. Cot’s projects them for $206MM in terms of pure payroll. The calculations of RosterResource are even higher, with a projected payroll of $217MM. Either would be a new franchise record.
The spending has also pushed the club near the $244MM base threshold of the competitive balance tax. Cot’s projects them at $241MM with RosterResource higher by about half a million. Ilitch was asked if he is willing to push the club over the line.
“Scott and I talked about that,” Ilitch said, referring to president of baseball operations Scott Harris. “I think the most important thing to me and to him is to ensure that we give our organization, our team and our players the best chance for success. So, based on the team that we have, I leave it to Scott to decide if he wants to add. And if he does, that’s really not an issue.”
While that’s not a firm declaration that the club is willing to pay the tax, Ilitch didn’t close the door on the possibility either. That’s likely encouraging for fans of the club, as it would be difficult for the Tigers to make in-season additions otherwise. Since they are already so close to the tax line, Harris would have almost no wiggle room for deadline deals if there was a strong club policy against paying the tax.
The Tigers have a strong chance to make some noise in 2026. They have Tarik Skubal under club control for one more year. He’s obviously won the American League Cy Young Award in each of the past two seasons, and coupling him with Valdez is a major boon, particularly if they go on a deep run in the postseason, when teams usually lean harder on their top arms. It’s possible Skubal will sign with another club next offseason, leaving the 2026 season as the Tigers’ final chance to take advantage of having him on the roster.
While every club has a payroll limit, it would be frustrating if the tax was some kind of uncrossable barrier this year, so perhaps it could be a cause for some optimism that paying the tax seems to be a possibility. The Tigers last paid the CBT in 2017.
Photo courtesy of Junfu Han, Imagn Images
MLBTR Chat Transcript
Steve Adams
- Good morning! We’ll get started at 1pm CT, but feel free to send me questions ahead of time, as always.
- Let’s get underway!
All By Metself
- What kind of contract can Skubal be expected to get? Will he clear 10/400?
Steve Adams
- The years depend on who’s signing him, I suppose. Some clubs prefer to spread the money over a longer term (Phillies), others are more comfortable with mammoth AAVs on shorter terms (Dodgers, Mets).I’m going to take the over on 400 right now (probably over a long term, but if the Mets want to offer like some insane $50MM AAV to keep the term down a couple years, not much shocks me at this point)
Jimmy Chop
- Huge O’s fan here. I don’t know how the Orioles can go into the season with Alonso, Mountcastle, and Mayo — all right-handed hitters and 1B/DH only types — on the roster. (Mayo is not a third baseman; I wish he was, but umm, no.) What gives? Send Mayo down to AAA (last option year), trade Mayo, cut Mountcastle (no real trade value)? I suppose, the path of least resistance is to send Mayo down, but goodness the club hasn’t been very good to him. Your thoughts good sir. Thank you.
Steve Adams
- I’m still surprised they tendered a contract to Mountcastle. Something feels like it has to give there eventually, but perhaps not immediately. Mayo’s going to get a real look at 3B. I know he hasn’t looked great there in the past, but it’s been a recent focus for him and he’ll spend all spring working on it. They don’t have great alternatives — at least not if you want a 3B that can also hit some. If it’s a bust, they can try to address it midseason.For now, I’d assume you’ve got Alonso and Mayo in the lineup every day. Mayo at 3B regularly, Alonso playing primarily 1B with some occasional DH reps. Mountcastle will get some 1B reps those days. Samuel Basallo will get DH/1B/C reps. It’ll be matchup dependent, and I doubt either Basallo or Mountcastle gets true everyday ABs. Blaze Alexander can play some 3B, too, when the O’s want to get Jeremiah Jackson into the lineup.
It’s messy, but there are probably enough at-bats to go around. Alonso is really the only one who’s proven he merits everyday work anyhow
Ruh Roh Renfroe
- Can I take Profar’s spot in the Atlanta OF for 2026?
BravesFan
- What options do the Braves have now that Profar has yet again failed a PED test? I’m sure trades at this point are few and far between.
Cards
- Nootbaar to the Braves?
To ATL
- How ’bout that Profar? Oof.
Gavin Stone Dealing With Shoulder Inflammation
March 3: Roberts told the Dodgers beat this morning that the team “dodged a bullet” with regard to Stone (link via Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic). Imaging revealed inflammation in Stone’s surgically repaired shoulder but no structural damage. He’ll be shut down from throwing for a couple of weeks but for now does not appear to be facing a monthslong absence.
March 2: Dodgers right-hander Gavin Stone is battling shoulder discomfort, manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including Jack Harris of The California Post and Sonja Chen of MLB.com). Stone is unlikely to be ready for the start of the season.
It’s a concerning setback for a pitcher who missed the entire 2025 season after undergoing surgery on that shoulder. It was a significant operation that involved repair to his labrum, capsule and rotator cuff. Stone underwent the procedure in October ’24 and was immediately ruled out for the following season.
The 27-year-old entered camp without restrictions and tossed a perfect inning with two strikeouts in his Spring Training debut last week. Stone threw a bullpen session between game appearances and came out of that work with the shoulder flareup. There’s no indication anything is amiss structurally. Stone is shut down from throwing for the time being, an understandable precaution given his health history.
Stone was amidst a quality ’24 season before the injury. He had a 3.53 earned run average across 140 1/3 innings. His 20% strikeout rate was a hair below average but he limited walks and hard contact. He looked the part of a mid-rotation arm.
The Dodgers are planning to open the season with a six-man rotation. Stone had a good chance to win a spot had he gotten through camp healthy. Blake Snell is trending toward a season-opening injured list stint of his own after battling postseason arm fatigue.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki should occupy the top four spots. Ohtani isn’t pitching in the World Baseball Classic and could be on a tight pitch count for his first few starts. Emmet Sheehan has been delayed in camp by an illness but should have sufficient time to build up for Opening Day. He’d probably win a rotation spot as well.
That would leave one rotation spot available. River Ryan missed all of 2025 rehabbing Tommy John surgery but is back to health this spring. Lefty Justin Wrobleski could start or work out of the bullpen. Landon Knack remains on the 40-man roster as a depth starter; he has been hit around through his first two Spring Training outings. Veteran southpaw Cole Irvin is in camp as a non-roster invitee.
Right-hander Kyle Hurt does not appear to be in the rotation mix. Roberts told reporters that the Dodgers view the 27-year-old as a reliever who could work multiple innings. Hurt didn’t make an MLB appearance last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in July ’24. He has looked sharp early in camp, striking out six of 11 batters faced over his first three appearances. Hurt has fired three innings of one-run ball as he tries to claim an Opening Day bullpen spot.
Offseason In Review: Cincinnati Reds
Eugenio Suarez‘s power bat is returning to the Queen City, but is that enough to bolster an inconsistent lineup?
Major League Signings
- Emilio Pagan, RHP: Two years, $20MM (Pagan can opt out after 2026 season)
- Eugenio Suarez, 1B/3B: One year, $15MM (plus $16MM mutual option for 2027)
- Pierce Johnson, RHP: One year, $6.5MM (plus mutual option for 2027)
- Caleb Ferguson, LHP: One year, $4.5MM
- JJ Bleday, OF: One year, $1.4MM
2026 spending: $37.4MM
Total spending: $47.4MM
Trades And Claims
- Acquired LHP Brock Burke from Angels as part of three-team trade (Rays acquired IF Gavin Lux from Reds and minor league RHP Chris Clark from Angels; Angels acquired OF Josh Lowe from Rays)
- Acquired OF Dane Myers from Marlins for minor league OF Ethan O’Donnell
- Acquired cash considerations from Rays for OF Ryan Vilade
- Acquired minor league RHP Dusty Revis from Mariners for RHP Yosver Zulueta
- Claimed C Ben Rortvedt off waivers from Dodgers (Rortvedt was claimed back by Dodgers in February)
- Claimed RHP Roddery Munoz off waivers from Cardinals (Munoz later non-tendered and selected by Astros in the Rule 5 Draft)
Option Decisions
- Austin Hays, OF: Reds declined $12MM club option for 2026, paid $1MM buyout
- Scott Barlow, RHP: Reds declined $6.5MM club option for 2026, paid $1MM buyout
- Brent Suter, LHP: Reds declined $3MM club option for 2026, paid $350K buyout
Notable Minor League Signings
- Nathaniel Lowe, Garrett Hampson, Josh Staumont, Michael Toglia, Michael Chavis, Anthony Misiewicz, Yunior Marte, Tejay Antone, Carson Spiers, Davis Daniel, Darren McCaughan, Will Banfield, Hagen Danner, P.J. Higgins, Brandon Leibrandt
Extensions
- None to date
Notable Losses
- Hays, Barlow, Suter, Lux, Vilade, Zulueta, Nick Martinez, Santiago Espinal, Miguel Andujar, Reiver Sanmartin, Zack Littell (still unsigned), Wade Miley (still unsigned)
Kyle Schwarber grew up in Middletown, an Ohio city just a short drive away from Cincinnati. The idea of adding both a local product and a top-tier bat in Schwarber inspired the Reds to go beyond their usual financial zone in free agency, as the team reportedly made Schwarber an offer in the range of five years and $125MM. As was widely expected going into the offseason, however, Schwarber ended up re-signing with the Phillies (for five years and $150MM), leaving the Reds and Schwarber’s many other suitors looking for a backup plan.
Instead of adding a 56-homer slugger in Schwarber, the Reds brought in a 49-homer slugger who also had some ties to Cincinnati, as Suarez returned for his second stint with the organization. After bashing 189 homers for the Reds from 2015-21, Suarez went yard 132 more times in four subsequent seasons with the Mariners and Diamondbacks, including 49 home runs in 2025.
Though there were plenty of similarities between Schwarber and Suarez’s 2025 campaigns, there’s a reason Suarez was available at the relative bargain price of one year and $15MM. Schwarber is entering his age-33 seasons while Suarez turns 35 in July, Suarez’s walk rates over the last two seasons have been below average while Schwarber’s have been elite, and Suarez’s overall production has been inconsistent.
From the start of July 2024 to the end of July 2025, Suarez was arguably the hottest hitter in baseball in batting .276/.336/.593 with 60 homers over 766 PA with Arizona. He struggled badly in the first half of the 2024 season, however, and then his bat drastically cooled again this past summer after the D-Backs sent Suarez to the Mariners at the trade deadline.
Between the up-and-down numbers, Suarez’s age, and his defensive drop at third base, it seemed like Suarez wasn’t getting the types of offers he was expecting after a 49-homer campaign. Suarez’s alternate strategy was a one-year deal in a familiar (and hitter-friendly) environment at Great American Ball Park, with the idea that he’ll have a better chance of landing a pricey multi-year deal after another big platform year. It’s not out of the question that the Reds could again reunite with Suarez next winter if the price is right, but for now, the club is happy to add some much-needed power to the lineup for at least 2026.
Hitting was the Reds’ chief need this winter, as Cincinnati’s run to a wild card berth came despite middling offensive numbers almost across the board. Bringing Suarez into the lineup (primarily as a DH, since Ke’Bryan Hayes has third base covered) should alone provide a lot of pop, though the Reds will again be relying on a lot of the same faces from 2025.
While the Reds were willing to go above and beyond spending-wise for a special case like Schwarber, their free agent spending was (as usual) limited for much of the winter. President of baseball operations Nick Krall said in early November that the team’s payroll would be largely unchanged from 2025, and that has proven to be the case. As per RosterResource‘s calculations, Cincinnati finished 2025 with a payroll of roughly $118.7MM, and they currently have around $126MM on the books for the coming season.
Uncertainty over the Reds’ broadcast contract with Main Street Sports contributed to the team’s modest spending. The Reds were one of the nine teams who walked away from their deals with MSS due to the company’s continued financial issues, and Cincinnati then joined five of those teams in signing on with Major League Baseball to handle its broadcasts for at least 2026. Staying with MLB will bring some short-term stability to the situation, though the lesser broadcast rights represents a significant hit to the Reds’ revenues.
With money at a premium, it isn’t surprising that most of the Reds’ offseason pursuits (particularly on the batting front) came on the trade market. Schwarber and old friend Miguel Andujar drew the team’s interest in free agency, but the Reds were linked to such names as Ketel Marte, Luis Robert Jr., Brandon Lowe, and Jake Meyers. Robert has long been on Cincinnati’s radar, but the White Sox ended up dealing the outfielder to the Mets. Lowe, meanwhile, landed on an NL Central rival, as the Rays dealt their longtime infielder to the Pirates.
Only Krall and his front office lieutenants know exactly why any of these trade pursuits didn’t materialize, but it is fair to guess that the roadblock might’ve been the Reds’ reluctance to deal from their rotation depth. There was plenty of speculation that the Reds could dangle one of their starters for a prominent bat, except there was never much chance that any of Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, or Chase Burns were heading anywhere. If teams kept asking about that group (and not more palatable trade chips like Brady Singer, or maybe Chase Petty or Rhett Lowder), it isn’t surprising that the Reds couldn’t line up on a trade fit.
Since the rotation powered the Reds’ playoff chase, it is understandable that Krall wasn’t keen on moving any arms from his club’s biggest strength. Both the team’s rotation (and bullpen) took a hit via a free agent departure, when swingman Nick Martinez left to sign with the Rays. Deadline acquisition Zack Littell is also a free agent, and while he remains unsigned at the time of this post, Cincinnati is probably deep enough in starters that a reunion isn’t likely.
Between Martinez leaving, and the Reds’ decision to decline their club options on Brent Suter and Scott Barlow, some big holes needed to be filled in the relief corps. The Reds’ biggest free agent expenditure addressed the bullpen, as Emilio Pagan was brought back on a two-year, $20MM deal.
This new contract is pretty similar to the two-year, $16MM pact he signed with Cincinnati back in November 2023, as this new deal also allows the right-hander to opt out after the first season. Pagan passed on his previous opt-out chance in the wake of an injury-marred down year in 2024, but he rebounded in very impressive fashion to post a 2.88 ERA, 30% strikeout rate, and 8.1% walk rate across 68 2/3 innings last season, while converting 32 of 38 save opportunities.
Pagan’s extreme fly-ball tendencies always run the risk of variance in his performance, depending on how many of those fly balls stay in the park or sail over the outfield wall. He is also entering his age-35 season, so a decline simply based on age isn’t out of the question. Still, in somewhat similar fashion to the Suarez deal, the Reds were willing to invest on a player they already know and like, and who has a track record of success in the organization.
Barlow and Suter could’ve been retained for a total of $9.5MM via their club options. The Reds instead spent a bit more on another righty and lefty relief duo in Pierce Johnson (one year, $6.5MM) and Caleb Ferguson (one year, $4.5MM). The four pitchers are pretty comparable overall, though the newcomers perhaps bring a bit more upside and a bit more postseason experience to the pen.
Cincinnati’s most prominent swap of the winter saw the team part ways with a bat in order to land some more bullpen help. Gavin Lux delivered barely replacement-level production in his only season in southwest Ohio, so the Reds sent him to the Rays as part of a three-team trade with the Angels that brought Brock Burke into the relief corps. Burke is a solid left-hander who doesn’t miss many bats, but he has developed a knack for inducing grounders.
The Reds had some interest in re-signing Austin Hays after declining their club option, but Hays went to the White Sox in part because Chicago could offer him the type of regular playing time that wasn’t available in Cincinnati’s outfield mix. With Hays and Lux gone, a Reds outfield that was already something of a question mark heading into the offseason needed some more reinforcement, though the acquisitions of JJ Bleday and Dane Myers don’t really provide a clear answer to the outfield questions.
Bleday (the fourth overall pick of the 2019 draft) had a strong year with the A’s in 2024, but has posted exactly 0.0 fWAR over his other three Major League seasons. After Bleday followed up his seeming breakout year with more struggles in 2025, the A’s parted ways with the outfielder at the non-tender deadline. Myers is more of a glove-first fourth outfielder type, as he has batted only .245/.299/.354 over 511 career PA with the Marlins. The righty-hitting Myers has hit well with the platoon advantage and should get a decent amount of run against lefty pitching. Bleday wasn’t a huge expenditure at the cost of $1.4MM, and he is arbitration-controlled through 2028 while Myers is controlled through 2029.
Cincinnati’s most regular outfield alignment on paper will probably be Bleday in left, TJ Friedl in center field, and Noelvi Marte in right, with Spencer Steer or Myers likely starting over Bleday when a southpaw is on the mound. Will Benson provides added depth off the bench or in Triple-A.
How exactly the Reds will juggle their position players remains a topic of debate, though Terry Francona is as good as any manager at finding at-bats for everyone and riding the hot hand. The situation underlines the curious dichotomy about the Reds heading into 2026 — this is a team aiming to return to the playoffs and make a deeper run, yet the club is also not exactly sure of what it has with the majority of its position players.
Assuming Suarez is more like the version of himself who tore up pitching for the bulk of his D-Backs tenure, he’ll be a source of stability. Elly De La Cruz is already an All-Star with an even higher ceiling of greater potential. Hayes is a mediocre hitter but also perhaps the sport’s best defensive third baseman, so he at least brings huge value with his glove. Friedl is a decent hitter who is probably better suited as a platoon corner outfielder, rather than as a defensively-challenged center fielder slated to get the majority of the work up the middle.
Those players are, at it stands, the surer things. Marte’s midseason move to right field seemed to work just fine from a defensive perspective, but can he take the next step as a hitter to truly establish himself as a big league regular? Can Sal Stewart be a Rookie of the Year contender after his very promising numbers over 58 PA in 2025? Can any or all of Steer, Matt McLain, and Tyler Stephenson return to the form they showed at the plate earlier in their careers? In Steer’s case, can he also adjust in what might be a utility role, as Cincinnati intends to toggle Steer around between first and second base, the corner outfield slots, and the DH position?
Obtaining another true everyday player to insert into the lineup might’ve solved at least one of these questions, but Suarez was the one splash permitted for a front office working under budget constraints. The Reds’ swath of minor league signings provides some interesting depth possibilities, with Nathaniel Lowe standing out as the most intriguing bounce-back candidate, even if he’d add to an already crowded first-base picture.
Francona, Krall and company would happily welcome a problem of having multiple productive hitters for too few positions, given how the 2025 Reds often had trouble providing their excellent starters with suitable run support. The wild card berth represented great progress, and it’s easy to see how the Reds can contend again in 2026 since they still project to have one of the game’s better rotations. With the NL Central (let alone the NL wild card picture as a whole) becoming more competitive, the Reds are counting on Suarez and at least a couple of internal breakouts to allow the team to take another step forward.
How would you grade the Reds' offseason?