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Orioles Hiring Jared Banner as General Manager
The Baltimore Orioles are hiring Chicago Cubs assistant general manager Jared Banner as their general manager, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. Banner will work alongside incumbent Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias in Baltimore. The 41-year-old Banner has 18 years of baseball operations experience, taking over his most recent role in Chicago in 2024. He got his start with the Boston Red Sox in 2008, where he spent the first 11 seasons of his career in baseball management. The Orioles have now missed the postseason in back-to-back years after consecutive playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024. While Elias has spoken publicly about his desire to add to his own front office, Banner's presence could signal that Elias' job is under scrutiny from ownership heading into 2027.
Source: ESPN - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN - Jeff Passan
Brian Cashman Agrees to New Contract With Yankees
New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that he agreed to a new contract with the team, with a deal pending final language, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. "We're locked and loaded," Cashman said. The 59-year-old will continue in the job that he has held since 1998. The Yankees have won four World Series championships and 15 American League East titles under Cashman, but they have reached the World Series just once (2024) since winning their 27th title in 2009. The 17-year drought is the second-longest in franchise history, and the team's 13 straight playoff appearances without a World Series title is tied for the fourth-longest streak in MLB postseason history. The Yankees went 93-68 in 2026 -- the team's third straight 90-win season -- but they were swept in the American League Division Series by the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays after taking two from the division-rival Boston Red Sox to win the Wild-Card Series. Manager Aaron Boone will also return as the skipper of the Bronx Bombers in 2027.
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Unlikely to Receive Qualifying Offer?
New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. is "less likely to receive the qualifying offer" this upcoming offseason, per Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. Chisholm Jr. had an underwhelming season in 2026 for New York, hitting .231/.312/.399 with 19 home runs, 55 RBI, 69 runs scored, and 41 stolen bases across 532 plate appearances. Still, the 28-year-old profiles as one of the better position players in this winter's free agent class, and his power/speed profile makes him a very appealing option for fantasy managers. If Chisholm Jr. receives the qualifying offer from the Yankees, he could look to accept in hopes of putting together a better platform year in 2027. If he does not, it could signal the end of his time in New York.
Source: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
Source: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
Richie Palacios Stays Red-Hot Heading into the World Series
Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Richie Palacios came through for his team in their 7-3 ALCS Game 6 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Monday, opening the scoring with a two-run double in the second inning. Palacios finished the night with two hits and two RBI in four plate appearances. The 29-year-old was a modest contributor for Tampa Bay in the regular season, hitting .235/.330/.374 with 10 home runs, 57 RBI, 51 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases across 399 plate appearances. However, Palacios has been a major difference-maker for the Rays in the playoffs so far, hitting .364 with three extra-base hits and four RBI across 22 trips to the plate. The lefty-swinging Palacios will likely feature heavily in the World Series against the right-handed pitchers of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Javier Sanoja Set to Take Over as Marlins Everyday Third Baseman in 2027?
Miami Marlins utility man Javier Sanoja could be in line for an everyday role at third base in 2027, speculates Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. Sanoja emerged as a key piece for Miami in 2026, hitting .295/.333/.458 with 11 home runs, 69 RBI, 50 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases across 490 plate appearances. The 24-year-old spent time at every position other than first base, catcher, and pitcher, but saw the majority of his playing time in the second half of the season at the hot corner. Sanoja may not offer fantasy managers much in the power department, as he logged just a 2.8% barrel rate and a 32.3% hard-hit rate. However, he also struck out in just 8.0% of his plate appearances, making him one of the better batting average bets in the game. With everyday playing time in 2027, Sanoja could be an under-the-radar contributor for fantasy managers to target.
Source: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
Source: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
Aaron Boone Will Return as Yankees' Manager
Aaron Boone will return as the New York Yankees' manager for the 2027 season, a source confirmed to ESPN's Jorge Castillo. Boone will be returning to the Bronx for his 10th season as the skipper, with the news coming more than a week after the team was eliminated in the American League Division Series by the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays in a three-game sweep. The Yankees have now been eliminated in the ALDS in two straight seasons. His contract runs through next season to complete a two-year, $10.5 million extension that he signed with the Yankees in February of 2025. Boone's .583 winning percentage is tied for 17th in major-league history, and the Yankees have reached the playoffs in eight of his nine seasons while not finishing worse than two games over .500. It has extended the franchise's MLB-record streak of 34 straight winning seasons. However, they have not won a World Series since Joe Girardi led them to the title in 2009. The 17-year drought is the second-longest in franchise history. The Yankees are tied for the fourth-longest streak in MLB postseason history with 13 straight playoff appearances without a World Series title. In Boone's only World Series appearance with the Yankees in 2024, the Yankees lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
Orioles Hire Jared Banner As New General Manager
The Baltimore Orioles have made a hire in their search for a new general manager, and according to the team, it is Jared Banner, the former assistant general manager with the Chicago Cubs. The Orioles say that Banner will "work alongside President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias, managing the baseball operations department on a day-to-day basis. Banner will lead the organization's player development, coaching, and performance efforts, while also partnering with Elias on strategy, staffing, and talent acquisition, among other duties." Banner recently completed his 18th season in baseball operations and has worked as assistant GM of the Cubs since 2024.
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Travis Bazzana Hits First Playoff Home Run in Loss to Rays
Cleveland Guardians rookie second baseman Travis Bazzana went 2-for-3 at the plate with his first career postseason home run as the Guardians came up short 7-3 in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday night. Bazzana's home run came in the seventh inning, when the Guardians put up a little rally, but it was not nearly enough as the Rays tied the best-of-seven series at two games apiece. "We've been in situations where it gets tough, where it gets tighter and it gets harder a little closer to the end of the season," Bazzana said. "You've just got to fight for that next win." The 24-year-old former first overall pick in 2024 from Oregon State has struggled so far in his first nine postseason games, going 6-for-30 (.200) with the home run, two RBI, four runs scored, a stolen base, four walks, and six strikeouts in 34 plate appearances. The Australian native has been hot since the start of September, though, slashing .280/.365/.613 with six home runs, 15 RBI, 14 runs scored, and a stolen base.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Enrique Hernandez Hoping to Return to Dodgers in 2027
Los Angeles Dodgers utility man Enrique Hernandez said he is hoping to return to Los Angeles for the 2027 season, per Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times. Hernandez is set to hit free agency after slashing .222/.271/.400 with four home runs, 12 RBI, and 12 runs scored across 96 plate appearances with the Dodgers in 2026. The 35-year-old has been a below-average contributor at the plate for several seasons now. However, his ability to line up all over the diamond defensively allows him to still provide value to Los Angeles. Hernandez is also a staple in the Dodgers clubhouse, having spent 10 of his 13 MLB seasons in LA. Still, Hernandez is unlikely to provide fantasy-relevant production at this point in his career.
Source: Los Angeles Times - Maddie Lee
Source: Los Angeles Times - Maddie Lee
Miguel Rojas Announces Retirement Following NLCS Defeat
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas announced his retirement from MLB following his team's National League Championship Series defeat at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, per Sports Central LA. Rojas played 13 seasons in the big leagues, hitting .260/.313/.363 with 1,048 hits, 61 home runs, 386 RBI, 457 runs scored, and 68 stolen bases. The 37-year-old established himself as one of the better-fielding shortstops in baseball during his time with the Miami Marlins early in his career, then transitioned into a super-utility role after joining the Dodgers ahead of the 2023 season. Rojas had some key moments during his time in Los Angeles, including his memorable game-tying home run in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the 2024 World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. In his postgame interview, where he announced his retirement, Rojas said he would like to stay with the Dodgers organization in a non-playing capacity.
Source: Sports Central LA
Source: Sports Central LA
Fernando Tatis Jr. Prefers Playing Second Base to Right Field
San Diego Padres outfielder/second baseman Fernando Tatis Jr. is known to prefer playing second base, per Dennis Lin of The Athletic. Tatis Jr. had only very briefly played second base in the big leagues prior to 2026. However, he played over 50 games at the position this past season after Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth missed extended time due to a concussion. For what it's worth, Tatis Jr. was significantly better at the plate after shifting back to his normal position in right field in the second half of the season. Still, the 27-year-old will likely remain an elite fantasy asset regardless of where he lines up defensively, and could have more value to managers if he retains second base eligibility beyond 2027. Cronenworth still has four years and over $49 million remaining on his current contract with San Diego, which may block Tatis Jr. from a full-time move to the infield.
Source: The Athletic - Dennis Lin
Source: The Athletic - Dennis Lin
Joe Espada Will Not Return as Astros Manager in 2027
The Houston Astros announced on Wednesday that Joe Espada will not return as the team's manager in 2027. Espada took over in Houston in 2024 and led the Astros to a 256-229 record across his three years at the helm. The Astros won two American League West division crowns under Espada, but failed to win a single postseason game. Houston has also gotten progressively worse over the last three seasons, winning 88 games in 2024, 87 games in 2025, and 81 games this past season. Espada has already met with the Seattle Mariners about their managerial vacancy, so he could remain in the AL West.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Don Mattingly To Manage Phillies For Two More Years
The Philadelphia Phillies have announced a new two-year deal for former interim manager Don Mattingly to manage the team in 2027 and 2028, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The Phillies bowed out of the playoffs this year in the National League wild-card series against the Atlanta Braves, although they did come back to force a decisive Game 3. The Phillies will look to Mattingly to help them break through in the playoffs, as the team is largely talented both hitting-wise and on the mound.
Source: Mark Feinsand, MLB.com
Source: Mark Feinsand, MLB.com
Joe Espada Set to Interview for Mariners Manager Job
The Seattle Mariners are set to interview current Houston Astros manager Joe Espada for their managerial vacancy, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. While Espada is currently employed by Houston, Rome reports that his future with the organization is "in doubt" as his contract expires at the end of October. Espada has been the manager of the Astros since the start of the 2024 season. Houston has reached the playoffs twice under his watch, but they've failed to win a postseason game and have also seen their regular-season record get worse every year. The Mariners parted ways with former manager Dan Wilson shortly after the conclusion of the 2026 season. Seattle won just 76 games this year, but the team has plenty of returning talent. If Espada gets the Mariners job, he will be under pressure to win immediately in Seattle.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Brice Turang Homers in NLCS Game 1 Victory on Sunday
Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang was one of the heroes of his team's 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series on Sunday, slugging a solo home run off of Dodgers left-hander Tarik Skubal in the fourth inning. Turang was one of Milwaukee's most important bats in the regular season, slashing .268/.366/.450 with 21 home runs, 100 RBI, 102 runs scored, and 19 stolen bases across 680 plate appearances. However, he struggled at the plate in Milwaukee's National League Division Series win over the San Diego Padres, logging just two singles and two walks in 18 plate appearances across four games. If Turang's big swing against Skubal on Sunday is a sign that he's coming around at the plate, he could be a major difference-maker for the Brewers in the remainder of the NLCS.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
