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Agree, ATM. The Dodgers know how to operate within today’s rules. It is only uncertainty after that. Even Boras might agree with the “act now” approach. The odds that the next system will be more advantageous for the high-spending teams seem low.
This is very detailed and rational rebuttal to Ken Rosenthal. The author is Tim Williams, who has run Pirates Prospects at least as long as I have been here.
The framing of MLB's economics from national media is a problem.
"Anti-Dodger hysteria" is a choice.
The free article from Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic treats the complaints about the Dodgers as an annoyance, in the midst of an attempt to glaze the Dodgers for not only being… https://t.co/rJ4cXBqF6z
— Pirates Prospects (@pirateprospects) August 2, 2026
Nothing is sure, but how many big acquisitions left the Dodgers to go elsewhere vs. how many stayed? The precedent is clearly there, but maybe the CBA mess will muddy the water. It is also worth noting that Skubal is a Boras client and he isn’t afraid to go elsewhere if the deal is not to his liking.
P.S. I forgot that Skubal began as a ninth-round draft pick.
With the lowest FIP, WHIP and walk rate, most strikeouts, highest strikeout to walk ratio and percent, third lowest ERA and third highest strikeout rate, Quinn Mathews compiled the top pitching performance in the #stlcards system in July. https://t.co/92eaTv0iqF pic.twitter.com/kyzHQuCaG9
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) August 2, 2026
The #stlcards system was 5-1 on Saturday. TCN’s Player of the Day, Peoria OF Tai Peete, hit for his second cycle of 2026 in a four-RBI game. Other standouts: Nolan Gorman, Hancel Rincon, Randel Clemente, Jesús Báez, Sammy Hernandez, Jalin Flores, Tanner Franklin, Jhon Franganten… pic.twitter.com/Jt2lBhSpUT
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) August 2, 2026
It WILL be about money. They didn’t acquire Skubal to see him walk away in free agency. He will sign a long term deal to stay with LA. Count on it.
It is an interesting model that the Dodgers seem to use their prospect capital to acquire veterans, who get lavish contracts to stay. I did the legwork a few months ago, and at that time, I think they had only one homegrown starter, Pages. The entire rotation and closer were also imports, whether trade acquisitions or free agent signings.
Its origin was in the days when as many as 15 players could be added in September, to the full 40-man capacity. Now, it is just two additions and most often they seem to be MLB players coming off the IL, so dishing out that little bit of extra service time in today’s world wouldn’t be that big of a deal. But nothing that affects money changes without negotiation between players and owners.
The reduction to two in September is one of my hot buttons. The MLBPA sold out to get a 26th man on all the MLB rosters for the full season. The owners agreed because they could save the necessary salary by severely limiting the September additions. ‘So what if a bunch of minor leaguers don’t get to come up in September?’, they probably said.
You are both close. It is 130 at-bats (not plate appearances) or 50 innings or 45 days active before 9/1.
In a nod to Kyle Reis, who hates to rank players already in MLB, for August, we are removing Crooks, Torres, Gastelum and Jordan from our prospect rankings.
The numbers can be misleading because guys on the cost-performance bubble are often non-tendered (essentially released). These situations aren’t taken into account in the arbitration numbers because they never get that far.
In those cases, the team decides ahead of time that what the player is likely to make via arbitration is a poor value. So the case never gets to a hearing and the player almost certainly will have to accept less (sometimes on a minor league contract) to go somewhere else. For example, last November, the Cards non-tendered John King and Yohel Pozo, among others.
Non-tenders don’t always happen to Gorman-type arb-eligible players. The Cards did it to Kolten Wong when he got too expensive.
My take:
On a day when Quinn Mathews deserves the headline, I wrote more about what seems to be the end of the line for Tink Hence in the #stlcards organization after over six years of trying. https://t.co/s1DXyIXvg0 pic.twitter.com/woMoudfyxA
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) August 1, 2026
I suspect the organization will agree with this choice.
The Cardinal Nation’s choice as the top hitter in the #stlcards system during July is Jack Gurevitch, who topped 11 other finalists. The Peoria IF led in HRs, RBI (tied), slugging and isolated power, was second in wRC+ and OPS, fourth in BA and fifth in OBP.… pic.twitter.com/uWVPWhHkED
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) August 1, 2026
Why no confidence in Baez for 2027?
I wonder what percentage of fans would prefer they sign Randy vs. playing the prospect?
The #stlcards system was 1-2 on Friday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, Palm Beach RH Gabriel Chinchilla, pitched four dominant relief innings with seven strikeouts. Other standouts: Leo Bernal, Victor Scott II, Thomas Saggese, Liam Doyle and Trevor Haskins.… pic.twitter.com/JhRr1buUnU
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) August 1, 2026
Bader received a $6 million signing bonus and is being paid a $4.5 million base salary this season, meaning that unless he successfully appeals, he will lose $1.45 million in salary the rest of the season. https://t.co/jsR392q9R5
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 1, 2026
Another article on Bader’s mess.
Former Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader is out for the season with the San Francisco Giants. He was in a scooter accident where he reportedly drove his scooter into the back of a fire truck and that fire truck then ran over his injured foot. Witnesses are saying that he was…
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) July 31, 2026
More info.
The Astros are interested in trading for Lars Nootbaar, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic
However, one source described to him that the #STLCards’ ask was “astronomical”
Under control through the 2027 season, the outfielder has performed slightly above league average… pic.twitter.com/XAoztcU9jC
— STL Sports Central (@STLSprtsCntrl) July 31, 2026
I get your point, but Michael Siani all-glove, no-hit CF types are readily available on the waiver wire.
The Triple-A Redbirds split at home vs Durham before dropping two of three at Jacksonville. OF Joshua Baez is hot again, with three doubles, three HRs, seven RBI and a slash line of .421/.500/1.053/1.553 for the week. #stlcards prospects Ramon Mendoza, Leo Bernal and Thomas… pic.twitter.com/l2K8mJurTC
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) July 31, 2026
Citing BA for a part time platooned rookie is some real in-depth analysis as to his value! With that kind of insight, I’m sure glad some of our posters aren’t making real trades.
Walker is not alone.
Going into Thursday, #STLCards star Jordan Walker and @Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber had combined for 1 home run in 99 plate appearances since the All-Star break. Schwarber has a 1-0 lead. I'm your Stat Boy.
— Miklasz (@b_miklasz) July 30, 2026