Evan Drellich
@evandrellich.bsky.social
Senior writer, The Athletic, and author of "Winning Fixes Everything."
Everything's in order in a black hole.
Everything's in order in a black hole.
John Fisher and David Forst on the State of the A’s after Year One in Sacramento. Fisher and Forst are in extension talks, the owner said www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
The Athletics are rising on the field, but will they spend now as they eye 2028?
www.nytimes.com
December 24, 2025 at 2:18 PM
John Fisher and David Forst on the State of the A’s after Year One in Sacramento. Fisher and Forst are in extension talks, the owner said www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
Before betting probe, MLB caught Emmanuel Clase breaking cell phone rules built for sign-stealing era. With @zackmeisel.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...
Before betting probe, MLB caught Emmanuel Clase breaking cell phone rules built for sign-stealing era
MLB has worked to police player cell phone use, but the league loosened its cell phone rules in 2025 in response to concerns from players.
www.nytimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Before betting probe, MLB caught Emmanuel Clase breaking cell phone rules built for sign-stealing era. With @zackmeisel.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...
The winter meetings could well wind up canceled next year. But in an era when it’s easy to communicate digitally, MLB and participants still see value in the annual convention www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
MLB winter meetings still hold value in texting era, but may be canceled for 2026
The winter meetings are MLB's annual showcase event. But labor issues may mean it does not return next winter.
www.nytimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:58 PM
The winter meetings could well wind up canceled next year. But in an era when it’s easy to communicate digitally, MLB and participants still see value in the annual convention www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
A former MLB general manager is now an agent — to coaches and execs, who have fewer options www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
Players have long had agents. A former MLB GM now reps coaches and execs, an underserved group
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:33 AM
A former MLB general manager is now an agent — to coaches and execs, who have fewer options www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
MLB formed a fan council. It wasn’t long before the league made its pitch on labor issues
www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
MLB formed a Fan Council. It wasn’t long before the league made its pitch on labor issues
“One of the biggest things that came into my mind was like, ‘Why us?’” said one of the fan council members after MLB's presentation.
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:32 PM
MLB formed a fan council. It wasn’t long before the league made its pitch on labor issues
www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
"Mr. Manfred’s comments suggesting there’s ‘nothing to see here’ both mischaracterize the facts & are extremely revealing of the league’s general approach to labor negotiations. There is nothing 'business as usual’ about ... a ‘mole’ for the commissioner’s office"
www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
Union fires back at Rob Manfred's 'extremely revealing' defense of rogue agent
www.nytimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:33 AM
"Mr. Manfred’s comments suggesting there’s ‘nothing to see here’ both mischaracterize the facts & are extremely revealing of the league’s general approach to labor negotiations. There is nothing 'business as usual’ about ... a ‘mole’ for the commissioner’s office"
www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
Rob Manfred talks prop betting restrictions: "I’m glad we’ve done something about it"
www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
Rob Manfred talks prop betting restrictions: ‘I’m glad we’ve done something about it’
The MLB commissioner discussed the league's latest gambling scandal during a regularly scheduled press conference at the owners' meetings.
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Rob Manfred talks prop betting restrictions: "I’m glad we’ve done something about it"
www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
MLB is flying high. Why does it seem to be barreling toward a work stoppage?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
MLB is flying high. Why does it seem to be barreling toward a work stoppage?
Baseball just came off a dramatic World Series, and its numbers are robust. But its owners are gathering in this week to talk labor issues.
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:58 PM
MLB is flying high. Why does it seem to be barreling toward a work stoppage?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
“But I think to try to get too cute with that, you’re probably just asking for trouble.”
GMs and agents on how the potential lockout after next season is affecting the market:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
GMs and agents on how the potential lockout after next season is affecting the market:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Everyone expects labor issues — but so far, at least, MLB free agency is moving forward
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:37 PM
“But I think to try to get too cute with that, you’re probably just asking for trouble.”
GMs and agents on how the potential lockout after next season is affecting the market:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
GMs and agents on how the potential lockout after next season is affecting the market:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
“F the players,” Murray responded, according to the MLBPA documents. “I’m still so pissed off I can’t see straight.”
“We need them to be kissed (sic) off at their leadership,” Courtney replied.
“Believe me, it is priority for me,” Murray said.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
“We need them to be kissed (sic) off at their leadership,” Courtney replied.
“Believe me, it is priority for me,” Murray said.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Inside the text messages of the agent who became a ‘mole’ for Rob Manfred and MLB
The MLB Players Association says that in 2020 negotiations, agent Jim Murray “acted as a ‘mole’” for Manfred and his top lieutenants.
www.nytimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:07 PM
“F the players,” Murray responded, according to the MLBPA documents. “I’m still so pissed off I can’t see straight.”
“We need them to be kissed (sic) off at their leadership,” Courtney replied.
“Believe me, it is priority for me,” Murray said.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
“We need them to be kissed (sic) off at their leadership,” Courtney replied.
“Believe me, it is priority for me,” Murray said.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
The Cleveland Guardians will not grant Emmanuel Clase, who is under MLB investigation, permission to play winter ball in Venezuela, sources say. www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
Emmanuel Clase wants to pitch in Venezuela while under investigation, but Guardians say no
www.nytimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 11:12 PM
The Cleveland Guardians will not grant Emmanuel Clase, who is under MLB investigation, permission to play winter ball in Venezuela, sources say. www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
‘Bad actors’ are stealing, reselling fan tickets swiped from MLB’s Ballpark app, MLB acknowledges
www.nytimes.com/athletic/664...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/664...
‘Bad actors’ are stealing, reselling fan tickets swiped from MLB’s Ballpark app, MLB acknowledges
The rash of scams started around Labor Day, with fans owning tickets to large-market teams the most popular targets.
www.nytimes.com
September 19, 2025 at 4:59 PM
‘Bad actors’ are stealing, reselling fan tickets swiped from MLB’s Ballpark app, MLB acknowledges
www.nytimes.com/athletic/664...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/664...
Sources: Stu Sternberg is to remain a minority owner of the Tampa Bay Rays as part of the team's sale — for a time. Sternberg's group will retain about 10% of the team at the outset. Sale expected to go final at end of regular season. With @ken-rosenthal.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
Stu Sternberg is selling the Rays, but he’ll remain a minority owner — for a time
Sternberg and his partners will retain a 10 percent stake in the Rays after the sale but will eventually exit the ownership group entirely.
www.nytimes.com
September 8, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Sources: Stu Sternberg is to remain a minority owner of the Tampa Bay Rays as part of the team's sale — for a time. Sternberg's group will retain about 10% of the team at the outset. Sale expected to go final at end of regular season. With @ken-rosenthal.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
The Savannah Bananas’ owner doesn’t like the Globetrotters comparison. He thinks he’s building UFC and MLB is boxing. What does MLB think?
“One’s a league and one’s an exhibition”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
“One’s a league and one’s an exhibition”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
As Savannah Bananas pursue 'a billion fans,' are they real competition for MLB?
www.nytimes.com
August 28, 2025 at 1:36 PM
The Savannah Bananas’ owner doesn’t like the Globetrotters comparison. He thinks he’s building UFC and MLB is boxing. What does MLB think?
“One’s a league and one’s an exhibition”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
“One’s a league and one’s an exhibition”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
The Atlanta Braves' revenues are up 12 percent through the first six months of the year. Terry McGuirk said the team could have added payroll at the trade deadline.
“What we have built in Atlanta is the model that every other MLB franchise is chasing"
www.nytimes.com/athletic/654...
“What we have built in Atlanta is the model that every other MLB franchise is chasing"
www.nytimes.com/athletic/654...
Atlanta Braves, ‘the model’ in MLB, could have added payroll at trade deadline
Despite a disappointing season so far on the field, the Braves have seen a significant revenue increase this year.
www.nytimes.com
August 7, 2025 at 5:59 PM
The Atlanta Braves' revenues are up 12 percent through the first six months of the year. Terry McGuirk said the team could have added payroll at the trade deadline.
“What we have built in Atlanta is the model that every other MLB franchise is chasing"
www.nytimes.com/athletic/654...
“What we have built in Atlanta is the model that every other MLB franchise is chasing"
www.nytimes.com/athletic/654...
The 2028 LA Olympics schedule just came out. Major League Baseball would prefer it look different.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...
The LA Olympics baseball schedule is out — and it’s not perfect for MLB
www.nytimes.com
July 15, 2025 at 8:34 PM
The 2028 LA Olympics schedule just came out. Major League Baseball would prefer it look different.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...
Source: sale of Rays to Patrick Zalupski's group for about $1.7B expected to go final as soon as September. Team likely to remain in Tampa area. With @ken-rosenthal.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...
Sale of Rays expected to be final by September: Source
www.nytimes.com
July 14, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Source: sale of Rays to Patrick Zalupski's group for about $1.7B expected to go final as soon as September. Team likely to remain in Tampa area. With @ken-rosenthal.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...
“There’s a good degree of uncertainty. Is it 5,000? Is it 10,000? Is it 1,000?”
A big question in Cooperstown this month: how many fans are going to travel from Japan to see Ichiro Suzuki's Hall of Fame induction?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/648...
A big question in Cooperstown this month: how many fans are going to travel from Japan to see Ichiro Suzuki's Hall of Fame induction?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/648...
With Ichiro's Hall of Fame moment, Cooperstown hopes and preps for a Japanese tourism surge
www.nytimes.com
July 11, 2025 at 5:47 PM
“There’s a good degree of uncertainty. Is it 5,000? Is it 10,000? Is it 1,000?”
A big question in Cooperstown this month: how many fans are going to travel from Japan to see Ichiro Suzuki's Hall of Fame induction?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/648...
A big question in Cooperstown this month: how many fans are going to travel from Japan to see Ichiro Suzuki's Hall of Fame induction?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/648...
“There seems to be kind of a mismatch between what we see at the union leadership level and what the players are thinking,” Manfred said.
“The strategy is to get directly to the players”
Candor and criticism on labor we haven’t seen from Manfred in years
www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...
“The strategy is to get directly to the players”
Candor and criticism on labor we haven’t seen from Manfred in years
www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...
Rob Manfred has a plan: tell players they've lost billions, and build their trust in him
www.nytimes.com
June 30, 2025 at 12:11 PM
“There seems to be kind of a mismatch between what we see at the union leadership level and what the players are thinking,” Manfred said.
“The strategy is to get directly to the players”
Candor and criticism on labor we haven’t seen from Manfred in years
www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...
“The strategy is to get directly to the players”
Candor and criticism on labor we haven’t seen from Manfred in years
www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...
Reposted by Evan Drellich
An official at the NFLPA said that implementing the plan could mean that labor officials serving on OneTeam’s board of directors were attempting to make a change that could lead to their own financial gain.
Full story, via @evandrellich.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/art...
Full story, via @evandrellich.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/art...
The board decision that sent the MLB, NFL unions into controversy
OneTeam Partners is co-owned by the players unions for five major sports leagues. Now federal investigators are asking questions.
www.nytimes.com
June 22, 2025 at 12:14 PM
An official at the NFLPA said that implementing the plan could mean that labor officials serving on OneTeam’s board of directors were attempting to make a change that could lead to their own financial gain.
Full story, via @evandrellich.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/art...
Full story, via @evandrellich.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/art...
Something’s up with the ball again.
Long fly balls aren’t flying as far in 2025, about four feet shorter — a change MLB acknowledges. With Eno Sarris
www.nytimes.com/athletic/642...
Long fly balls aren’t flying as far in 2025, about four feet shorter — a change MLB acknowledges. With Eno Sarris
www.nytimes.com/athletic/642...
MLB's baseball is behaving differently again, but no one seems to know why
www.nytimes.com
June 13, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Something’s up with the ball again.
Long fly balls aren’t flying as far in 2025, about four feet shorter — a change MLB acknowledges. With Eno Sarris
www.nytimes.com/athletic/642...
Long fly balls aren’t flying as far in 2025, about four feet shorter — a change MLB acknowledges. With Eno Sarris
www.nytimes.com/athletic/642...
Two baseball agents were poached for a combined $25 million. The problem: they were already under contract.
Massive punishment followed. A 70-page ruling—meant to be confidential—reveals incredible detail of the agent world.
The story of Excel vs. WME:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/637...
Massive punishment followed. A 70-page ruling—meant to be confidential—reveals incredible detail of the agent world.
The story of Excel vs. WME:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/637...
Huge paydays. Millions more in fines. 2 baseball agencies went to war, exposing a cutthroat industry
When WME Sports wanted to grow its baseball business, it went after two top agents at rival Excel. The outcome stunned the industry.
www.nytimes.com
May 22, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Two baseball agents were poached for a combined $25 million. The problem: they were already under contract.
Massive punishment followed. A 70-page ruling—meant to be confidential—reveals incredible detail of the agent world.
The story of Excel vs. WME:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/637...
Massive punishment followed. A 70-page ruling—meant to be confidential—reveals incredible detail of the agent world.
The story of Excel vs. WME:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/637...
The oral history of Nomo-mania, 30 years after Hideo Nomo's MLB debut, May 2, 1995. Were it not for a failed physical, it might have all happened in Seattle instead of Los Angeles.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/632...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/632...
Thirty years ago, Hideo Nomo's bold gambit paved the way for Ichiro, Ohtani to thrive
www.nytimes.com
May 2, 2025 at 10:46 AM
The oral history of Nomo-mania, 30 years after Hideo Nomo's MLB debut, May 2, 1995. Were it not for a failed physical, it might have all happened in Seattle instead of Los Angeles.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/632...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/632...
For two baseball-loving sisters, major-league careers honor a family history
For two baseball-loving sisters, major-league careers honor a family history
In a sport long known for fathers and sons and brothers, sisters Amelia and Joanna Schimmel are making their own mark.
www.nytimes.com
April 7, 2025 at 1:11 PM
For two baseball-loving sisters, major-league careers honor a family history
What A's owner John Fisher had to say before Opening Day in Sacramento:
“Am I nervous about all of this? No, actually, I really am — I’m confident, without being overconfident, and I’m excited about where we’re going.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/624...
“Am I nervous about all of this? No, actually, I really am — I’m confident, without being overconfident, and I’m excited about where we’re going.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/624...
A’s owner John Fisher says he’s confident, not nervous, as team begins Sacramento tenure
Will construction on a new ballpark in Las Vegas start this summer? "I only hope so," said the A's owner.
www.nytimes.com
April 1, 2025 at 2:03 AM
What A's owner John Fisher had to say before Opening Day in Sacramento:
“Am I nervous about all of this? No, actually, I really am — I’m confident, without being overconfident, and I’m excited about where we’re going.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/624...
“Am I nervous about all of this? No, actually, I really am — I’m confident, without being overconfident, and I’m excited about where we’re going.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/624...