It's here, Bob Nightengale's Sunday column filled to the brim with notes and tidbits from around MLB. This week's column hit on several crucial notes, and we pulled out the three most crucial here for you to know heading into the new week.
MLB expansion is definitely in play
MLB made tweaks to the game this year that greatly enhanced the viewing experience. While the ultimate success of changes like banning the shift and the pitch clock may take a few years to truly assess, early returns seem to be positive, and the MLB feels like it's in growth mode.
With 30 teams, there may be an appetite for two more. The NFL fields 32 teams in 30 markets, and the MLB, after the Athletics move to Vegas, will field 30 teams in 28 markets.
Bob Nightengale reports that with the Tampa Bay Rays likely to get a new stadium in the Tampa/St. Pete area and the A's Vegas move almost officially approved, the MLB plans to, "begin serious talks with interested cities for expansion next year."
As for a timeline, we're still a ways away. Nightengale suggests that the expansion is currently being targeted for 2028. An expansion draft would need to occur, and it would definitely change things in terms of the competitive landscape, while also bringing entirely new markets into the fan map.
So, where? The southeast and northwest appear most likely. Interestingly, Oakland appears like a possible location to get back in the game.
"Nashville remains the clear-cut favorite for one team, while the second city remains wide-open between Montreal, Salt Lake City, Oakland, Portland and Charlotte. The expansion fee is expected to be $2.1-$2.2 billion."
Montreal would be an interesting add. The Expos left and became the Nationals in 2005. Salt Lake City, Portland, and Charlotte have never had an MLB team.
Padres free agency will not include Blake Snell or Josh Hader
This has been murmured a few different ways over the last several weeks, but it appears the Padres are firm on one free agency choice: They won't bring back Cy Young candidate Blake Snell or Josh Hader, both free agents this winter.
"The San Diego Padres, who had the third-highest opening-day payroll in baseball, have no plans to bring back free agents Blake Snell or Josh Hader in 2024. They still are undecided whether to trade Juan Soto this offseason."
The Padres as an organization are in flux. Manager Bob Melvin seems likely to get fired, and articles have come out the last few weeks critiquing the leadership of both executive A.J. Preller and superstar Manny Machado.
Snell and Hader figure to be expensive players to bring back, and with the Padres payroll already massive between Machado, Juan Soto, and Fernando Tatis Jr., they may look for inexpensive options to backfill their roles.
The Soto note is equally as interesting. Other reports have suggested an extension is close to coming for Soto. The discordance in reporting indicates there might be a bit more tension than previously reported.
San Diego, for seemingly all the wrong reasons, is a fascinating story to watch this winter.
Phillies GM Sam Fuld emerging as a candidate for Red Sox executive role
Earlier in the week, it appeared as if the Arizona Diamondbacks executive Mike Hazen was a lead candidate to take the Red Sox GM role opened by the firing of Chaim Bloom.
Nightengale, Sunday morning, refuted that.
"Despite widespread speculation, the Boston Red Sox will not be hiring Mike Hazen away from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Hazen, the D-backs executive vice president and GM, is staying put."
What Nightengale added, though, is that another name is emerging: Sam Fuld. Fuld is the general manager in Philadelphia, and has been there since 2020. Fuld was frequently tossed around as a managerial candidate, and even was thought of as a manager instead of Alex Cora in 2020.
Fuld, instead of game managing, took the Phillies GM role and has proven great, putting together a team that won the National League last year and figures to be a postseason threat in year three. That's instant competition, with Fuld's team only missing the postseason his first year at the helm.
Fuld is also not far removed from playing, having appeared in his last big league game in 2015 and spring training game in 2020. He played at the top level for the Rays, Cubs, Athletics, and Twins. His recent experience as a player could give him an edge and fresh perspective over Bloom, who didn't have playing experience.
