Ranking the top 10 shortstops in MLB: Is Witt, Henderson or Perdomo No. 1? Find out who comes out on top of this star-studded field. www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...

On the podcast, we talk about how the numbers show: This is the Golden Era of shortstops. youtu.be/8TgBeht-KBQ

Podcast youtu.be/8TgBeht-KBQ @Kurkjian_ESPN and David Schoenfield talk about Gerrit Cole's promising bullpen session, the Top 10 shortstops and the Golden Era of Shortstops, and Bill Mazeroski.

Ranking the third basemen: Where do Jose Ramirez, Alex Bregman and Manny Machado fit among the top 10 at the position? www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...

How high does Nick Kurtz rank? Our top-10 rankings continue with a look at baseball's best first basemen, including the A's budding star. www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...

On the podcast: open.spotify.com/episode/2Y5J... Hosmer talks about the Tony Clark resignation, what the union has been missing, the lack of Latin American representation, and the Royals; Jesse Rogers talks Cubs, PCA, Bregman, PA. Ken Davidoff discusses his new book, and a favorite Jeter anecdote.

Ranking the Top 10 second basemen: Does Marte's offense put him on top? Or does Hoerner's elite defense make him No. 1? Here's how our list shakes out. www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...

Podcast: open.spotify.com/episode/2AKc... with Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts and Jays Manager John Schneider, looking back and looking ahead; @hembo with thoughts about the Red Sox lineup and the Pirates' defense; Jorge Castillo talks about the Tony Clark debacle for the Players Association.

We continue our series of ranking the Top 10 players at each position -- and today, it's the catchers. Seattle's Cal Raleigh set the standard for hard-hitting catchers last season. Who else makes our list? www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...

Ranking the Top 10 relievers. The dominance of San Diego's Mason Miller is undeniable, but who else makes the grade? www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...

We break down the best players at every spot on the diamond entering 2026, starting with a star-studded position featuring two of baseball's biggest stars -- Skenes V. Skubal www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...

Podcast open.spotify.com/episode/0MBc... Tim Kurkjian and David Schoenfield discuss Harper's comments, Castellanos/Padres, what the owners are really going for, the win projections for the Dodgers; a Dodgers preview.

Podcast open.spotify.com/episode/30V5... @JeffPassan talks about Nick Castellanos's release, the labor situation, assessing the Mets, and the 2026 Orioles. Team previews for the O's and Rockies.

On the podcast open.spotify.com/episode/6Ckk... Eduardo Perez and Karl Ravech discuss the rash of hamate injuries and why they are happening; how teams will deploy ABS system; Boston's lineup; Verlander; Sarah Langs and Jorge Castillo pick between Skenes and Skubal as the best pitcher on the planet

Baseball is back! The stars, teams and themes we can't wait to see in spring training Here's what has us most excited as MLB players report this week to Arizona and Florida. www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...

Podcast open.spotify.com/episode/2CB7... Stephania Bell talks through five key injury situations -- Wheeler, Cole, Rodon, Riley, Eovaldi. Tim Kurkjian and Jesse Rogers discuss the Belichick vote and what it illuminates about the Baseball Hall vote -- and pick the biggest loser of the winter.

From playoff thrillers to epic individual achievements, these are the 2025 moments we'll remember for decades to come. www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...

Kenley Jansen goes into next season needing two more saves to tie Lee Smith for most career saves (478), and just 24 more saves to become just the third pitching with 500 saves. No. 1 and No. 2: Mariano Rivera (652) and Trevor Hoffman (601).

The Royals' bullpen depth: Closer: RH Carlos Estevez Set-up: LH Matt Strahm RH Lucas Erceg RH John Schreiber RH Nick Mears LH Daniel Lynch RH Steven Cruz RH Luinder Avila By the way: Other teams that have asked about Cole Ragans in any deal say the Royals fully intend to keep the lefty.

Podcast open.spotify.com/episode/6w8k... Jeff Passan discusses the Mets' offseason, the Skubal situation, looming labor questions; Paul Hembekides talks about the Phillies' signing of Garcia, the Braves' re-tooling. And a fantasy football ethical question must be flushed out.

Podcast open.spotify.com/episode/5h3P... Paul Hembekides, Alden Gonzalez and Jorge Castillo dig into the news -- the O's big signing, what's next for the Mets, Skubal, Marte, the Dodgers, Kyle Tucker.

The World Series run for the Jays completely changed the perception of the organization among players, some agents say, and Toronto is loaded with money. They've been linked to every major FA from Kyle Tucker to Edwin Diaz, as well as Bo. But as one agent notes: They can't/won't sign everyone.

Podcast open.spotify.com/episode/6WOy... New Padres Manager Craig Stammen on his unusual path to this new job, Manny, playing hoops w/Preller, running a bullpen; a Sarah Langs essay on the winter's first big signing; David Schoenfield on what was behind the Orioles trade, the Naylor signing, Skubal.

On the podcast, open.spotify.com/episode/3taP... we held an offseason roundtable, with Alden Gonzalez, Jesse Rogers, Jorge Castillo; analysis from Paul Hembekides, about three sleeper free agents, the World Series, Harper.

Podcast open.spotify.com/episode/7AvT... A conversation with new Giants Manager Tony Vitello, about his first contact with Buster Posey and their conversations about helping players get better, the future and past HOFers who served as sounding boards; Karl Ravech talks Skubal, Alonso, World Series.

Podcast open.spotify.com/episode/7yK0... The Dodgers win Game 6, with Mookie Betts, Miguel Rojas, Kike Hernandez pitching in -- now we get ready for Game 7 that could be filled with Cy Young winners and MVPs. A conversation with the Jays' Ernie Clement.

Which team has the edge in every aspect of the Fall Classic? We asked around the sport to find out. www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...

Podcast spotify.link/J2CNtaoNCXb Karl Ravech and Tim Kurkjian talk Game 7 -- will Mariners pitch to Vladdy, the state of the pitching of both teams, Vitello/Giants, Ohtani; Sarah Langs essay, and Numbers Game; David Vassegh talks Ohtani, Dodger clubhouse beer showers.

The series shifts to Toronto with Seattle a win from the World Series. Here's what the Blue Jays and Mariners must do from here. www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...

From Elias Sports, about Detroit's Game 1 victory: In the expansion era (since 1961), teams that win the first game of a multi-game playoff series in extras are 25–2 in series outcomes. Exceptions: the Athletics in the 2003 ALDS vs. Boston and the Phillies in the 2022 World Series vs. Houston.

Podcast open.spotify.com/episode/7FDW... Karl Ravech, David Cone and Eduardo Perez take the Clown Subway after Game 2, with input from fans; Taylor McGregor talks Guards-Tigers, Cubs-Padres, Dodgers-Reds, Snitker, Rockies plan for what's next.

Shohei Ohtani just established ANOTHER 50-50 club, this one for 50 HR hit & 50 strikeouts as a pitcher the only other 50-HR hitter with any strikeouts as pitcher that season is 1921 Babe Ruth, with 3 strikeouts

Juan Soto is on pace to finish the season with: 123 runs 106 RBI 150 hits 127 walks 19 doubles 44 homers 34 steals

The last 35 games the Red Sox played with Roman Anthony, in which he hit .326/.427/.530: A 22-13 W-L record Since Anthony got hurt: 3-6 W-L Team .232/.289/.368 slash line 3.9 runs per game

From skippers possibly managing their final games to front office execs facing uncertainty, we break down looming decisions for a number of teams. www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...

Within our obituary, Jim Palmer tells an amazing story that gives insight into the mind of Davey Johnson, who once went to the mound with analytic advice for Dave McNally. Johnson has passed away at the age of 82. www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...

We've got Braves, Phillies on Sunday Night Baseball. From Elias Sports: Over his 5 games in '25––covering four starts and a relief appearance––ATL's Hurston Waldrep is 4–0 with a 0.90 ERA. Since 1950, only 2 other rookies won at least 4 of their first 5 games, w/ ERA below 1.00-- Fernando and Shota.

Podcast: open.spotify.com/episode/5Mtb... Author Jane Leavy discusses her new book Make Me Commissioner, and all the great conversations she had along the way; Jorge Castillo discusses the Mets' pitching staff; Sarah Langs's essay on Schwarber; and Todd Radom talks Billy Goat Curse.

Giancarlo Stanton in his last 27 games: 13 homers 30 RBI .337/.394/.826

Welcome to 'Milwaukee Community College': How the Brewers built a $115 million juggernaut As small-market Milwaukee rolls along with MLB's best record, everyone wants to know the Brew Crew's secret formula. www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...

The Padres since the trade deadline: 14-7 Ramon Laureano, picked up from the O's (with a very affordable $6.5m option for next season, is hitting .338. Ryan O'Hearn hitting .275/.376/.467 for SD. Mason Miller with 1 ER allowed in 9 IP, 16 strikeouts.

Little Leaguers spending time with their favorite MLB stars, autographs and more. Here's what makes Williamsport so special. www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...

After the trade deadline, @Kurkjian_ESPN and I handed out grades for all 30 teams -- 30 teams in 35 minutes -- and @JeffPassan offered his assessment. This was a lot of fun. And we were joined by Cubs' exec Jed Hoyer. www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVOO...

The Yankees continue to work on adding bullpen help, according to rival evaluators, and they have talked with other teams about right-handed hitting outfielders. Former Yankee Harrison Bader is among those discussed, as well as White Sox outfielder Austin Slater.

From the contenders to the rebuilders, here's what every front office is thinking ahead of the July 31 deadline. www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...

Yankees are 4 games behind TOR in the AL East, lead the Wildcard race by 2 games. Something worth remembering down the stretch: Per Fangraphs, they have the easiest remaining schedule for any AL team. This is how they'll wrap the season, starting Sept. 15: 3 g. at MIN 4 at BAL 3 vs. CWS 3 vs. BAL

What you need to know about this year's Home Run Derby hitters -- and the coaches, fathers and stepfathers they chose for their biggest moment. www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...

Playoff odds for some of the teams on the fringe of the wildcard races, per Fangraphs, as decisions are made about buying or selling: Cardinals 23.4% Twins 22.6% Rangers 17.3% Royals 11.3% Reds 10.7% Guardians 10.3% D-Backs 8.7% Angels 5% Braves 4.4% Orioles 2.7%

Tarik Skubal went into Sunday's game w/ a 71.5% rate of throwing 1st-pitch strikes, 2nd-best in MLB, and given that tendency, a lot of the damage against him--6 of the 8 HR-- had come on first pitches in at-bats. He and catcher Dillon Dingler adapted vs. MIN, throwing a ton of first-pitch changeups.

Tarik Skubal creates the illusion that hitters seem to be working uphill against him, with these factors: 1. 97.8 avg. fastball velo, 2nd best in majors 2. 71.5% 1st-pitch strike % (2nd) 3. 17.6 seconds between pitches (12th) 4. 32% called/swinging K % (1st). 5. Hides the ball well. Like peak Pedro.