Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball Bold Predictions for the 2026 Season!
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Mar 23, 2026 They unpack Cristopher Sánchez’s big Phillies deal and what it means for his role and injury risk. They debate Konnor Griffin’s minor-league assignment and surprising demotions around MLB. Bold predictions fly: breakout seasons, MVP chatter, pitching trends, and which teams will surprise or sputter. Quick takes on roster battles, rookie outfielders sticking for Opening Day, and who earns rotation spots.
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Phillies Lock In Cristopher Sánchez Payday
- The Phillies extended Cristopher Sánchez to guarantee his late-career payday and lock in his increased value after a breakout 2025 season.
- The six-year, $107M restructure guaranteed $14–$15M team options and added two $30M years, protecting Sánchez while rewarding recent velocity-driven performance.
Pirates Delay Konnor Griffin Opening Day
- Konnor Griffin was assigned to minor-league camp after a spring showing (4 HR, .171 AVG) and limited AA experience, delaying his MLB debut despite power.
- Eno and Derek expect a mid-season promotion if he dominates AAA, citing Paul Skeens' May 11 debut as a timeline analog.
Trivia Three Young Qualified Hitters
- Derek and Eno riffed through a trivia bit: three qualified position players age 21 or younger in 2025 were Jackson Chourio, Jackson Holliday, and Junior Caminero.
- The exchange highlighted how rare teen/very-young full-season qualifiers remain despite faster player development.