Insider Jon Heyman says six MLB clubs are set to meet Tarik Skubal next week, with negotiations moving quickly. The Padres have already met the two-time Cy Young winner, while the Mets, Blue Jays and Dodgers will follow, leaving two mystery suitors—potentially the Phillies, Giants or Cubs. All are chasing Skubal to bolster their 2027 rotations after recent free‑agent losses. Heyman favors the Mets as the frontrunner, noting the Dodgers may only offer a short‑term, high‑AAV deal, which Skubal reportedly rejects in favor of a longer contract.
The Phillies are scouting top outfield free agents—Japan’s Teruaki Sato, and MLB veterans Seiya Suzuki and Randy Arozarena—after a turbulent 2026 season that left a right‑field void. Sato, a 27‑year‑old former third baseman with power (39 HR in each of the past two NPB seasons) but a 27% strike‑out rate, is seen as a youthful corner‑outfield option despite limited MLB experience. Suzuki and Arozarena, both 32, bring proven MLB track records (Suzuki: .269/.351/.472, 113 HR; Arozarena: strong power and speed) but less upside. Philly’s front office, led by Dave Dombrowski, is weighing age, salary and positional fit as they consider reshaping an outfield that struggled last year.
Phillies GM Dave Dombrowski warns of a tricky off‑season as the current CBA expires on Dec. 2. With big contracts for Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner and J.T. Realmuto looming, the club has only about $30 million left to spend. Dombrowski cites needs in the outfield, bullpen, starting rotation depth and a utility infielder, and cites free‑agents Adrian Morejon, Seiya Suzuki and Randy Arozarena as top targets—though each would cost a 2nd‑ and 5th‑round pick plus $1 million in international cash. He also questions signing more 30‑plus‑year‑olds to 30‑million‑a‑year deals, stressing the desire not to age the roster further while still adding a reliable outfielder.
The Mets are probing a return to veteran reliever Brooks Raley, who posted a 1.96 ERA for New York last season before being dealt to the Phillies in August. Sources say the club has contacted Raley amid a broader roster overhaul, though his age (38) raises questions about durability. While New York also chases top free‑agent ace Tarik Skubal, Raley represents a familiar, low‑cost option to bolster a pitching staff that struggled with injuries and inconsistency in 2026.
The Phillies have signed free‑agent infielder Bryan Ramos to a minor‑league deal, adding him as a non‑roster invitee for 2027. The 25‑year‑old third baseman, a former top White Sox prospect, spent 2026 with the Orioles’ Triple‑A club, hitting .216/.326/.320 over 100 games. Ramos previously logged limited MLB time with Chicago, posting a .198 line in 120 plate appearances. Philadelphia, facing a third‑base void after Alec Bohm and Edmundo Sosa departed, hopes his past pedigree and youth can revive his production.
The Philadelphia Phillies have identified the outfield as a major priority in free agency.
The New York Yankees are reportedly scouting Philadelphia’s third baseman Alec Bohm as a fix for their third‑base woes after a 3‑0 ALDS sweep by the Rays. At 30, Bohm posted a .249/.698 line with 15 homers and 88 RBIs in 2026 and saw his OPS jump to .794 after the All‑Star break. The Phillies declined a $23 million option, leaving Bohm in the $12‑15 million market. Yankees third‑base trio posted a league‑low .629 OPS, and Ryan McMahon, who is under a $16 million, one‑year deal, struggled with a .213 average. NY aims to add a right‑handed infield bat without overpaying.
The Yankees and Phillies are both taking a frugal approach at this week’s MLB GM meetings. New York, fresh off a 93‑win season and boasting the league’s top staff, isn’t pursuing high‑priced free agents but may spend modestly if David Bednar declines his qualifying offer or a trade frees cash. Philadelphia, after a fifth straight playoff streak and a Wild Card exit, faces an aging, high‑salary roster; president Dave Dombrowski says the club will focus on complementary pieces rather than big contracts. Both clubs aim to stay competitive without splurging.
The Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly “quite intrigued” by 27‑year‑old Japanese star Teruaki Sato, who posted a .306/.383/.609 slash line, triple‑crown stats (39 HR, 106 RBI, .991 OPS) for the Hanshin Tigers in 2026. General manager Dave Dombrowski hopes to make the Phillies the first team to sign a player directly from Japan within the next 21‑day free‑agency window, likely slotting Sato in right field. The club also eyes outfield options Seiya Suzuki and Randy Arozarena, though their qualifying offers carry draft‑pick penalties. Sato’s decision will shape the Phillies’ outfield needs and could spark a historic move for the franchise.
Felix Reyes’ brief 2026 MLB stint epitomizes the Phillies’ depth crisis. Promoted in mid‑April after Otto Kemp’s demotion, the 25‑year‑old outfielder homered off Chris Sale in his first at‑bat, but quickly struggled, posting a .158/.158/.263 line, nine strikeouts in 38 plate appearances and no walks over 12 games. Optioned back to Triple‑A on May 18, Reyes hit .287 with 21 homers before a broken wrist ended his season. The article grades him an F, arguing the failure lies in the Phillies’ overreliance on Kemp and the decision to thrust an untested minor leaguer into a cleanup role, while overlooking more seasoned options like Bryan De La Cruz.
The Washington Nationals may be ready to move outfielder Dylan Crews, who has become a hot trade target after the GM meetings in Las Vegas. Federal Baseball outlines three plausible deals: a Toronto swap sending Crews for power‑hitting prospect Sean Keys and left‑handed reliever Ricky Tiedemann; a straight NL East exchange of Crews for Philadelphia’s former top prospect Andrew Painter; and other unnamed options. The author argues each proposal balances Crews’s upside with the Nats’ need for right‑handed hitters and bullpen depth, while giving Crews a fresh start. The piece links to the original GM‑meeting tweet for more detail.
Baseball America releases its 2027 dynasty rankings for third basemen, highlighting a mix of youthful power, veteran value, and high-upside prospects. Junior Caminero (Rays) tops the list at 23, offering a rare blend of power and average with two 40‑HR seasons already. José Ramírez (Guardians) follows, still productive at 34 despite injury concerns. Aidan Miller (Phillies) shines after an injury‑free AFL showing a .320 line and strong baserunning. Caleb Bonemer (White Sox) and Zack Gelof (Athletics) round out the top five, each projected as 30‑HR, 10‑15 SB contributors with improving strike‑out metrics. The rankings focus on long‑term value for 2027‑contending and rebuilding teams, with full targets, sleepers, and fades to be posted Thursday.
With a likely MLB lockout looming, the Good Phight asks whether the Phillies will make any major free‑agent moves before work stops. The piece notes that, although the lockout hasn’t started yet, teams are hesitant to sign players amid growing uncertainty, yet the offseason market still has talent available until the month’s end. Readers get a snapshot of the current free‑agent dilemma and the central question of Phillies’ potential roster activity before the work stoppage.
The Phillies lost a franchise icon yesterday, so that will probably dominate the local headlines with nothing much else going on. On to the links. Phillies news: MLB news:
Bob Boone, the former Philadelphia Phillies catcher who set a record with 2,225 games caught and earned seven Gold Gloves, dies at 78. His son, three-time All-Star Bret Boone, posts an emotional tribute on X, praising his dad as a mentor, coach, and man of integrity. The Boones’ baseball legacy spans three generations—Bret and Aaron both had distinguished MLB careers, with Aaron now managing the Yankees. The article recounts Bob’s playing highlights, his post‑playing stints as manager and front‑office executive, and heartfelt comments from Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt, underscoring Boone’s lasting impact on the game.
The Phillies have inked catcher Brian Navarreto to a minor‑league deal with a major‑league spring training invite. Navarreto, 31, became a free agent after the Marlins waived him and has spent 13 seasons mostly in the minors, logging a brief MLB stint with Miami (2020‑22) and setting career highs this year with 32 games and 61 plate appearances. He posted a .135/.193/.250 slash line but is praised for his defense, throwing out 34.8% of attempted steals. Philadelphia, seeking a more reliable backup as J.T. Realmuto’s workload lightens, views Navarreto’s minor‑league options as roster flexibility ahead of the season.
Nikkan Sports reports that the Philadelphia Phillies are actively pursuing Hanshin Tigers infielder Teruaki Sato, the 2026 NPB Triple Crown winner who posted a .306 average, 39 homers, 106 RBIs and a .991 OPS. GM Dave Dombrowski praised Sato after a scouting trip in October, and the Phillies examined his defensive fit at third base or corner outfield ahead of the posting window that opened on Nov. 1. With a potential five‑year, $100 million deal on the table, Sato could become the first Japanese‑born player to debut with Philadelphia, joining So Taguchi and Tadahito Iguchi in franchise history.
The seven-time Gold Glove winner caught 2,225 games over 19 seasons and was part of baseball’s first three-generation family with father Ray and sons Bret and Aaron.
Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts finishes fifth in the 2026 National League Manager of the Year voting, earning two second‑place votes and one third‑place vote for a total of seven points. Pat Murphy of the Milwaukee Brewers makes history with a third straight NL Manager of the Year honor, securing 20 first‑place votes. Walt Weiss (Braves) takes second with seven first‑place votes, while Don Mattingly (Phillies) and Craig Stammen (Padres) round out the top four. Roberts, a 2016 winner, has not placed higher than fourth since, and received no votes in 2025.
Milwaukee Brewers skipper Pat Murphy makes history, clinching his third straight Manager of the Year award after just three seasons—a first in MLB. Murphy’s Brewers shattered preseason forecasts each year, posting 93 wins in 2024, a league‑leading 97 in 2025, and a franchise‑record 103 wins en route to a World Series title in 2026. The accolade, voted before the postseason, highlights the Brewers’ consistent over‑performance, outpacing expectations by 18‑23 games. Murphy joins an elite group of multiple‑time winners, while other NL finalists included Don Mattingly (Phillies) and Walt Weiss (Braves), and AL winner Will Venable (White Sox) edged out Kevin Cash and rookie Chad Tracy.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have hired Pedro Guerrero as their new hitting coach, filling the spot left by Aaron Bates. Not to be confused with the 1980s Dodgers star, this 38‑year‑old former infielder began coaching in 2016 with the rookie‑level Ogden team and has since served as an assistant hitting coach for the Phillies, Giants and most recently the Miami Marlins. Guerrero brings eight seasons of major‑league coaching experience and a network of former Dodgers staff, joining fellow hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc on a largely unchanged 2026 coaching roster.
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Nov. 10, 2026 that they have hired 37‑year‑old Pedro Guerrero as their new hitting coach, replacing Aaron Bates who left despite a multi‑year offer. Guerrero, who spent the last two seasons with the Miami Marlins and previously served as an assistant hitting coach for the Giants and Phillies, also has deep ties to the Dodgers' minor‑league system, having played 411 games there and coached at the low‑level bench in 2016‑17. Miami’s hitters posted a .249/.326/.400 line in 2026, and Marlins president Peter Bendix praised Guerrero’s impact before his brief free‑agency stint. The Dodgers’ staff under manager Dave Roberts remains otherwise unchanged.
The Los Angeles Dodgers announce veteran hitting coach Pedro Guerrero joins their Major League staff, replacing Aaron Bates. The 37‑year‑old spent 2025‑26 as the Miami Marlins’ hitting coach, helping the club rank in the top ten for OBP (.320, 6th), batting average (.249, 7th), hits (1,347, 9th) and OPS (.727, 9th). Guerrero previously assisted the Giants (2022‑24) and Phillies (2018‑21) and began his playing career with the Dodgers, appearing in 411 games (2006‑13) with a .236 average, 23 homers and 163 RBI. The hiring was revealed on November 10, 2026 by Dodger Insider.
The New York Mets ramp up their Tarik Skubal chase, reportedly scheduling a meeting with the left‑handed ace, according to Jon Heyman. While a Skubal deal wouldn't fix all of New York’s pitching woes or offensive gaps, adding a pitcher many deem the league’s best could boost the Mets’ 2027 outlook. With a possible lockout looming in early December, Skubal might sign this month, despite interest from the Dodgers, Padres, Cubs and Phillies. The Mets, flush with cash, are positioned as top contenders in the free‑agent race, but must stay ready to pivot if the deal falls through.
Former MLB star Bret Boone honors his late father, Hall of Fame catcher Bob Boone, who died at 78. In an X post, Bret praised Bob as his mentor, noting his four All-Star selections, seven Gold Gloves, 105 homers, 826 RBIs, a World Series win with the Phillies, and managerial stints with the Royals and Reds. The Yankees, led by Bob’s son Aaron, released a statement highlighting Bob’s legacy and offering condolences. Bret, a former Seattle Mariner and 2025 Texas Rangers coach, expressed deep personal loss, while the baseball community remembers a figure of high integrity.