NL East - The Beast Division? Least Division? (2026)

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/02/juan-soto-moving-to-left-field.html

President of baseball operations David Stearns announced that Soto will move to left field, according to multiple reports. He was New York’s primary right fielder in 2025. The 27-year-old is entering the second year of the $765MM mega deal he signed with the club.
...
The switch means the Mets’ outfield will look completely different in 2026. Soto will slide over to the void left by longtime left fielder Brandon Nimmo, who was traded to the Rangers. Trade acquisition Luis Robert Jr. will take over in center field. Tyrone Taylor took the majority of reps there last year, followed by trade deadline addition Cedric Mullins. Taylor may be headed back to a fourth outfielder role.
...
Shifting Soto to left field doesn’t seem to be a hint regarding the right field job. Taylor has been a plus defender at all three spots. Recent signee MJ Melendez has put in solid work at both corners. Top prospect Carson Benge has spent time at each outfield position during his time in the minors, but he’s primarily been a center fielder.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/02/braves-sign-jonah-heim-catcher.html

Heim now joins a Braves club looking for a short-term backup to reigning NL Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin. Baldwin and veteran Sean Murphy looked locked in as Atlanta’s catching tandem last summer — until Murphy required surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip. A timetable for his return remains a bit murky. Bowman suggests that Murphy is hoping to be ready at some point in May, though it’s not clear whether that’s early in the month or closer to Memorial Day weekend. The team figures to provide one in the near future with pitchers and catchers reporting to camp this week (today, in the Braves’ case).
...
Heim has more than five years of major league service time, so once Murphy is ready for activation, Heim cannot be optioned without his consent. Those five years of MLB service also are enough that he can reject an outright assignment to Triple-A Gwinnett and retain any remaining guaranteed money on his contract.

Nice move even if Murphy is back at the end of May.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://www.mlb.com/news/jesus-luzardo-extension-with-phillies

5 years, $135 million

Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sánchez, Aaron Nola, Luzardo and Andrew Painter will be under team control through 2027. Sánchez, Nola, Luzardo and Painter could be under team control through 2030, if the Phillies pick up a pair of club options for Sánchez in ’29 and ’30.

[varoadking]

https://www.mlb.com/news/jesus-luzardo-extension-with-phillies

5 years, $135 million

At some point they have to figure out that their roster just isn't good enough to win a WS and start selling off assets for cheap prospects...don't they?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

At some point they have to figure out that their roster just isn't good enough to win a WS and start selling off assets for cheap prospects...don't they?

it took the Nats 8 seasons to win it. Philly has time.

[Natsinpwc]

At some point they have to figure out that their roster just isn't good enough to win a WS and start selling off assets for cheap prospects...don't they?

I’m not sure.  At least two more years. And after that depends on how Crawford and Miller and Painter develop.  For the pitchers Sánchez and Luzardo are 28/29.  Painter 22. Nola might age ok as he has never depended on the fastball.

They sell lots of tickets and have big tv revenue. And ownership seems willing to spend.

It will be tough for anyone to beat LA.  But might as well try. 

[nobleisthyname]

At some point they have to figure out that their roster just isn't good enough to win a WS and start selling off assets for cheap prospects...don't they?

Not every large market team acts like a small market team.

[Slateman]

At some point they have to figure out that their roster just isn't good enough to win a WS and start selling off assets for cheap prospects...don't they?

Lol, second most wins in baseball. Deep rotation, MVP candidates.... yea, they should just blow it up

[varoadking]

Lol, second most wins in baseball. Deep rotation, MVP candidates.... yea, they should just blow it up

Perennial bride's maids...

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Perennial bride's maids...

Schwarber doesn't look like a bridesmaid... Harper, OTOH ...

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Could pinch run on flooded basepaths

https://www.mlb.com/news/jesus-luzardo-extension-with-phillies

5 years, $135 million

[Natsinpwc]

Perennial bride's maids...

Go pick on the Yankees.  And Judge. 

[Natsinpwc]

Lol, second most wins in baseball. Deep rotation, MVP candidates.... yea, they should just blow it up

I think you suggested that a while back.  Good to see you have corrected your course.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I think you suggested that a while back.  Good to see you have corrected your course.

he forgot who he was trolling in this thread

[varoadking]

Phillies Rojas suspended 80 games...

[Slateman]

Horse steroids

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Horse steroids

you wondered about his speed

[blue911]

Horse steroids

And probably been around for 50 years. During the BALCO scandal , it came out that old,non-human steroids were used because they didn’t think that testing would pick up the markers . Probably still true to some degree. You can only test for so much.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

If they worked, he should be able to line up a side hustle in the valley...

[Natsinpwc]

Phillies Rojas suspended 80 games...

Good.  Don’t have to watch him bat.

[nobleisthyname]

He's been replaced by Justin Crawford anyway.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/03/phillies-extend-cristopher-sanchez.html

It’s a six-year deal that runs from 2027 through 2032 and includes a club option for the 2033 season. The Athletic’s Matt Gelb reports that the deal guarantees Sanchez $107MM, including the $3.5MM salary the southpaw is set to make in 2026. Francys Romero of Beisbol FR reports that the deal also includes “more than $13MM” in performance incentives.

[imref]

Spencer Strider starting the season on the IL with an oblique strain. Our window is open!

[rileyn]

Marlins open with the Rockies and White Sox at home. 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Sandy Alcantara with a 3 H CG shutout of the White Sox today