2026 MLB Thread

[Spotcheck Billy]

Obviously I was wrong ... in that the Brewers simply didn't need him - especially if the price was gonna be Henderson, as some reports indicated.

They have mentioned that could have spoiled the team chemistry.

[MU82]

They have mentioned that could have spoiled the team chemistry.

Who has?

EDIT to add The Athletic reporting that "the Dodgers raved about Skubal's time with the franchise," and that Skubal said this after the team was eliminated by Milwaukee:

"I mean, incredible organization, incredible teammates, incredible fanbase. Honored to wear the LA across your chest and on the hat. ... The group of guys, the clubhouse, the culture they have here, is real. I was honored to be a part of it."

Yeah, sounds like he was a real chemistry-killer.

[MU82]

From Yahoo Sports e-newsletter:

Eleven years ago, 1,000 Brewers fans paid $1,000 apiece for a ticket to any future home game. Now, with Milwaukee headed to the World Series for the first time in more than four decades, the lucky fans who held onto theirs can finally cash in.

Timeless Ticket: The Brewers launched the unusual promotion in 2015, selling 1,000 "Timeless Tickets" for $1,000 each. The personalized, 1-pound brass tickets (Willy Wonka would be proud!) could be redeemed for any future home game, "whether it's this season, the year 2050, or the 7th game of the World Series."

Fans who hadn't already redeemed their ticket were required to submit a form to secure their World Series seat. Ticket redemption "is subject to availability," according to the Brewers, who have been "working diligently on all inquiries."

Fans who submitted requests are expected to learn today which game they'll attend and where they'll be sitting. Milwaukee hosts Games 1 and 2 on Friday and Saturday, plus Games 6 and 7, if necessary, the following weekend.

Quite the value: The cheapest available ticket for Game 1 is currently $2,681 (via Gametime), and plenty of nosebleed seats are going for more than $3,500. Timeless Ticket holders, meanwhile, not only get their own much cheaper ticket but also the right to purchase three additional tickets at face value, subject to availability.

Then vs. now: When the Brewers launched this promotion in 2015, it was a fun way to drum up some sales and attention for a team that rarely contended into October. Fast forward a decade, and that isn't exactly an issue anymore, as they've now reached the postseason twice as many times in the last nine seasons (8) as they did in their previous 49 (4).

[JWags85]

If the Rays do close this out and get to the WS, the amusing thing is not only that their payroll for this year is $66MM...its that their highest paid player in franchise history is still under contract sitting in the DR working through his legal issues.  Franco would be making $16MM a year...which is more than their starting infield including Diaz's $12MM.

[Spotcheck Billy]

Who has?

EDIT to add The Athletic reporting that "the Dodgers raved about Skubal's time with the franchise," and that Skubal said this after the team was eliminated by Milwaukee:

"I mean, incredible organization, incredible teammates, incredible fanbase. Honored to wear the LA across your chest and on the hat. ... The group of guys, the clubhouse, the culture they have here, is real. I was honored to be a part of it."

Yeah, sounds like he was a real chemistry-killer.

Local reports that the team felt the Brewers clubhouse chemistry might be disrupted if Henderson was included in a trade for Skubal.
Don't mess with happy.

[GoldenEagles03]

https://x.com/lukmac2017/status/2112223442724688137

[Jockey]

They have the second best minor league system in baseball. If it's over, it's not because they're "unwilling to let their young players replace aging vets." It's because their owner is in legal trouble.

But they sign big names and let the minor leaguers sit. They fall back to veteran pitchers & position players. All of the starting position players are back so they will be starting. At the least, they should start next year with Rushing, Freeland, and de Paulo in the lineup. But 3 vets are ahead of them. Pages is the only position player in years.

[MU82]

Local reports that the team felt the Brewers clubhouse chemistry might be disrupted if Henderson was included in a trade for Skubal.
Don't mess with happy.

That's fair. And keeping status quo certainly worked out for the Crew.

[wadesworld]

But they sign big names and let the minor leaguers sit. They fall back to veteran pitchers & position players. All of the starting position players are back so they will be starting. At the least, they should start next year with Rushing, Freeland, and de Paulo in the lineup. But 3 vets are ahead of them. Pages is the only position player in years.

If the young players outperform the veterans, they'll play.  They had no problem playing Gavin Lux.  Rushing was literally starting over Will Smith until he tore his UCL.

This is like saying letting Yelich DH for 118 games this year while having an OPS of .692 while Andrew Fischer is hitting 45+ home runs in the minors is ruining the Brewers.

The Dodgers won 100 games this year.  The idea that they're now just over the hill and toast is just not reality.

[Jockey]

If the young players outperform the veterans, they'll play.  They had no problem playing Gavin Lux.  Rushing was literally starting over Will Smith until he tore his UCL.

This is like saying letting Yelich DH for 118 games this year while having an OPS of .692 while Andrew Fischer is hitting 45+ home runs in the minors is ruining the Brewers.

The Dodgers won 100 games this year.  The idea that they're now just over the hill and toast is just not reality.

Listening to an interview with Tom Verducci as I type this. What does he say?

"The dynasty is over."

"Dynasties age out."

"The Dodgers are old and slow."

Exactly what I said.

Jeff passan says basically the same thing.

The Brewers can win different ways. The Dodgers can win with slug. That's it.

[Jockey]

BTW, I love these discussions/arguments.

[cheebs09]

I think the 5 years of control of Henderson had way more to do with it than any chemistry concerns. If he was a free agent at the end of the year, or if they trade could have been done without Henderson, I'm sure the Brewers pull the trigger.

[MU82]

I think the 5 years of control of Henderson had way more to do with it than any chemistry concerns. If he was a free agent at the end of the year, or if they trade could have been done without He Derwin, I'm sure the Brewers pull the trigger.

Yeah, as soon as it looked like Detroit was demanding Henderson back in trade, it became pretty easy for the Brewers to say no thanks to Skubal.

[tower912]

So far, in regards to Cleveland pitching changes, it is a case of Vogt early, Vogt often.

[Dish]

I get that it's short rest, but not starting Gavin Williams in Game 6 was so stupid.

Having your best starting pitcher go once in 6 games will get you to Cancun quickly.

[Jockey]

FOX Sports shared on X on Monday that the NLCS actually was the most-watched championship series since at least 2015 with an average of over 7.53 million. Viewership was up 77 percent from the 2025 American League Championship Series, per FOX Sports.

[Dish]

Gavin Williams could pitch in relief in Game 4 of the ALDS, up 4 runs, and then start Game 5 two days later.

But he can't start an elimination Game 6 on four days rest in the ALCS.

Cleveland deserved to lose that series.

[GB Warrior]

FOX Sports shared on X on Monday that the NLCS actually was the most-watched championship series since at least 2015 with an average of over 7.53 million. Viewership was up 77 percent from the 2025 American League Championship Series, per FOX Sports.

The stands in LA were so empty because their fans wanted to boost the Nielsen ratings

[SoCalEagle]

That's fair. And keeping status quo certainly worked out for the Crew.

I agree that it worked out well for the Brewers, but they would have a better starting rotation for the World Series with Skubal on the team, right? I am pulling for the Brewers, but if they lose a game 6 or 7 that Skubal could have been pitching . . .

[MU82]

Brewers-Rays on the World Series.

Just as most of us predicted back in March.

[GoldenEagles03]

Should be a very evenly matched series. Rays have a bit more pop at the top of their lineup but everything else is very even.

[The Sultan]

I agree that it worked out well for the Brewers, but they would have a better starting rotation for the World Series with Skubal on the team, right? I am pulling for the Brewers, but if they lose a game 6 or 7 that Skubal could have been pitching . . .

Versus Henderson? Better sure, but not significantly so.

[tower912]

Congratulations to Tampa and their fan.

Unfortunately, you have no chance against the profligate spendthrifts from Milwaukee.

Weather won't be an issue.

[cheebs09]

Versus Henderson? Better sure, but not significantly so.

Yeah, it's not just tacking Skubal onto the current rotation. Plus, he was coming off an arm injury. If he gets hurt and you sacrifice 5 years of Henderson for potentially only a few starts, it's too big of a risk.

[TallTitan34]

Congratulations to Tampa and their fan.

Dickie V?