Agents Fire Back at MLB’s ‘Low Opinion’ of Players

Players and agents are done being quiet. With a lockout looming and MLB pushing a salary cap, reps like Joel Wolfe are calling out ownership’s disrespect. "They’re treating us like we’re weak and stupid. We’re not," Wolfe said. The Athletic’s Evan Drellich reports agents are uniting—no more infighting, just a full-court press to kill the cap. If this drags into a work stoppage, bet on the players holding firm. They’ve got nothing to lose and a whole lot of leverage with TV money still rolling in.

Cardinals Roll Dice on 33-Year-Old GM

St. Louis just handed the keys to Rob Cerfolio, a 33-year-old exec who’ll be the first GM under new president Chaim Bloom. The move’s a gamble—Cerfolio’s got no prior GM experience, but the Cards are betting his analytics chops and fresh eyes can turn around a franchise that’s missed the playoffs three straight years. First test? Navigating a free-agent market where agents are already circling like sharks.

Ty France’s Comeback Story Worth Betting On

Padres’ Ty France silenced the doubters in 2026, and the numbers back it up. After a brutal 2025 (.230 BA, 12 HR), he bounced back with a .285/.360/.450 slash line and 22 homers. The Athletic’s Will Sammon breaks down why this wasn’t a fluke—improved plate discipline, better launch angles, and a swing tweak that turned him into a middle-of-the-order bat. If he keeps this up, he’s looking at a 4-year, $80M+ deal in free agency.

Hall of Fame Drama: Dusty and Bochy on Collision Course

Jayson Stark’s got the scoop: Dusty Baker and Bruce Bochy could both go unanimous for the Hall of Fame on the Contemporary Era ballot. That’s a first. Dusty’s got the rings (finally) and the longevity, while Bochy’s three titles in five years with the Giants and Rangers make him a no-brainer. The real question? Will the voters finally give Dusty his due after years of snubs?

Minasian Heads Back to Braves

Perry Minasian’s out in Anaheim and heading back to Atlanta as a senior adviser for amateur scouting. The Braves are stacking their front office with ex-GMs—Minasian joins Dana Brown in a role that’ll have them working closely with VP Ronit Shah. After the Braves’ recent draft struggles, this looks like a move to reload the farm system with high-upside talent.