MLB 2026 News & Discussion

[Ron Madden]

Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson and Angels pitcher Reid Detmers go to salary arbitration

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Catcher Tyler Stephenson argued his salary arbitration case against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday and left-hander Reid Detmers had his hearing with the Los Angeles Angels.

Stephenson asked for $6.8 million while the Reds argued for $6.55 million in a hearing before Josh Gordon, Allen Ponak and Chris Cameron.

Detmers argued for $2,925,000 and the Angels for $2,625,000 in a hearing before Robert Herman, Samantha Tower and Scott Buchheit.

Decisions are expected Tuesday. Players lead 5-1 in cases thus far and up to seven more decisions are possible.

https://apnews.com/article/tyler-ste...b43b6526ac282c

[Bourgeois Zee]

CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Philadelphia Phillies are trying to find a new home for outfielder Nick Castellanos ahead of their first full-squad workout of spring training.

President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said the team has been talking to other clubs about Castellanos.

“That’s our focus prior to the start of spring training,” Dombrowski said Monday. “So that’s something that we’ll continue to work on this week.”

https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseb...wheeler-y30221

Probably stupid, but I'd be fine if the Reds waited until Castellanos was released, then signed him for the league minimum as a backup capable of being a corner OF (kind of), 1B, and DH.

He's a league average bat. Played properly, I'm guessing that's slightly better than, say, whichever LH corner OF ends up with the short end of the stick between Bleday and Benson.

(But I could totally be wrong here.)

[Old school 1983]

Probably stupid, but I'd be fine if the Reds waited until Castellanos was released, then signed him for the league minimum as a backup capable of being a corner OF (kind of), 1B, and DH.

He's a league average bat. Played properly, I'm guessing that's slightly better than, say, whichever LH corner OF ends up with the short end of the stick between Bleday and Benson.

(But I could totally be wrong here.)

Way this offseason is, he probably has future Pirate written all over him.

[shaggy]

According to multiple league sources, the Sox were open to dealing a package headlined by Franklin Arias and either Payton Tolle or Connelly Early in exchange for Marte. However, when Arizona sought a package led by Marcelo Mayer and one of the pitchers, the Sox declined.

At least now we can see what type of return Arizona was looking for in Marte.

[HokieRed]

Seems silly not to be able to compromise on the two numbers in Stephenson's case.

[WrongVerb]

Braves' Spencer Schwellenbach to the 60-day IL with elbow soreness. Weakens an already weak rotation.

I just don't see them being a factor this season.

[redsmetz]

Verlander returns to Tigers on a one-year deal. Total of $13MM, of which $11MM is deferred.

https://www.mlb.com/news/justin-verl...&lctg=80546489

[JCM11]

Lindor might need surgery for a hamate injury. That can sap power for an entire season. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/...te-injury.html

[Ron Madden]

Seems silly not to be able to compromise on the two numbers in Stephenson's case.

Tyler Stephenson wins arbitration case against Cincinnati Reds

The $250K is even less significant in the grand scheme given that the 2026 season will be Stephenson’s final year of team control before he reaches free agency.

It remains to be seen whether this February will also be the final time he reports to Goodyear, Arizona as a catcher in a Reds uniform. The Reds went out and acquired Jose Trevino this time last winter to augment the catching mix and immediately signed him to a contract extension through at least 2027 (and potentially 2028), and top catching prospect Alfredo Duno has rocketed up the rankings after his monster 2025 in the minors.

Read More:
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/ty...203354361.html

[NebraskaRed]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/...-6-months.html

Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander is scheduled for left labral surgery on Wednesday, according to multiple reports. He’s set to miss the next five to six months of action. Santander had a setback in January as he prepared for the upcoming campaign. Toronto hopes to get him back before the end of the season.

Signed a 5-year, $92 million deal. Appeared in 59 games last year. Now this.

Ouch.

[backbencher]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/...-6-months.html



Signed a 5-year, $92 million deal. Appeared in 59 games last year. Now this.

Ouch.

Much like the '25-'26 offseason, the '24-25 offseason featured great sturm and drang over the Reds unwillingness or inability to add a power corner OF.

It's pretty amazing how many of the identified signing/trade candidates (like Santander) completely crapped out.

[kaldaniels]

Probably stupid, but I'd be fine if the Reds waited until Castellanos was released, then signed him for the league minimum as a backup capable of being a corner OF (kind of), 1B, and DH.

He's a league average bat. Played properly, I'm guessing that's slightly better than, say, whichever LH corner OF ends up with the short end of the stick between Bleday and Benson.

(But I could totally be wrong here.)

No thanks. 90 wRC+ last year (10% below league average bat). Will be 34 years old all season.

He’s toast but as always I have to say I love him.

[Bourgeois Zee]

No thanks. 90 wRC+ last year (10% below league average bat). Will be 34 years old all season.

He’s toast but as always I have to say I love him.

Yeah, you're probably right.

[kaldaniels]

Yeah, you're probably right.

In the right situation I could see him being deployed effectively. But the Reds would throw him a ticket-tape parade upon his return and pencil him in for 150 games.

[westofyou]

Fun fact

Going over 100 pitches in a start is now the modern accomplishment. Only 10 percent of all starters did it last year