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.
What would MLB look like with a salary cap? Everything you need to know about the wide-ranging, game-changing effects, from free agency to, yes, competitive balance
MLB wants an NHL-style hard cap. $240m ceiling, $160m floor could be target
www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
MLB wants an NHL-style hard cap. $240m ceiling, $160m floor could be target
www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
What would MLB look like with a salary cap? Explaining the wide-ranging, game-changing effects
From free agency to guaranteed contracts to franchise values, a salary cap would completely remake the MLB landscape.
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 12:22 PM
What would MLB look like with a salary cap? Everything you need to know about the wide-ranging, game-changing effects, from free agency to, yes, competitive balance
MLB wants an NHL-style hard cap. $240m ceiling, $160m floor could be target
www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
MLB wants an NHL-style hard cap. $240m ceiling, $160m floor could be target
www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
“There shouldn’t be any sort of source of discord between these two institutions,” Naftali said of baseball and the White House. “They’re both national institutions. One has nuclear weapons, the other one does not.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
An MLB labor war is coming. Will President Trump try to step in?
If President Trump wanted to exert influence over MLB, what avenues could he take?
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:04 PM
“There shouldn’t be any sort of source of discord between these two institutions,” Naftali said of baseball and the White House. “They’re both national institutions. One has nuclear weapons, the other one does not.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
What's the deal with baseball games on TV? www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
MLB teams flee cash-strapped FanDuel Sports Network for MLB broadcast group
www.nytimes.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:32 PM
What's the deal with baseball games on TV? www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Explaining the World Baseball Classic insurance denials fiasco, with @ken-rosenthal.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Why MLB stars are being told they can’t play in the World Baseball Classic
www.nytimes.com
February 1, 2026 at 2:47 AM
Explaining the World Baseball Classic insurance denials fiasco, with @ken-rosenthal.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
“A 100 percent certainty” that the owners will push for a salary cap in wake of Kyle Tucker deal with the Dodgers, ownership source says.
“These guys are going to go for a cap no matter what it takes."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
“These guys are going to go for a cap no matter what it takes."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
MLB owners enraged by Kyle Tucker-Dodgers deal, will push for salary cap ‘no matter what’
It's believed that only the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets might remain in opposition to a salary cap proposal, a source said.
www.nytimes.com
January 20, 2026 at 10:44 PM
“A 100 percent certainty” that the owners will push for a salary cap in wake of Kyle Tucker deal with the Dodgers, ownership source says.
“These guys are going to go for a cap no matter what it takes."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
“These guys are going to go for a cap no matter what it takes."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
Reposted by Evan Drellich
New pod: @theathletic.com's @evandrellich.bsky.social on what MLB's offseason tells us about the sport's coming labor battle.
open.spotify.com/episode/02yA...
open.spotify.com/episode/02yA...
MLB’s Dodger Economics
open.spotify.com
January 18, 2026 at 1:41 PM
New pod: @theathletic.com's @evandrellich.bsky.social on what MLB's offseason tells us about the sport's coming labor battle.
open.spotify.com/episode/02yA...
open.spotify.com/episode/02yA...
FanDuel Sports Network is offering three-year deals to MLB teams to return. The offers depend, however, on FanDuel SN finding a buyer. The latest on the fate of a major sports broadcasting company:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
FanDuel Sports Network makes new offers to MLB teams, hinging on the company being sold
If it isn't sold, Main Street has told partner teams it plans to wind down FanDuel Sports Network operations after the NBA and NHL seasons.
www.nytimes.com
January 14, 2026 at 11:00 PM
FanDuel Sports Network is offering three-year deals to MLB teams to return. The offers depend, however, on FanDuel SN finding a buyer. The latest on the fate of a major sports broadcasting company:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
“The league and owners say they want to avoid missing games but at the same time they appear to be dead-set on trying to force players into a system that, the last time they proposed it, led to the most missed games ever and a cancelled World Series.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
MLB trying to ‘force’ players into salary cap, union says, as Manfred walks a tricky line
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred's recent comments on a salary cap system prompted a strong response from baseball's union.
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:50 PM
“The league and owners say they want to avoid missing games but at the same time they appear to be dead-set on trying to force players into a system that, the last time they proposed it, led to the most missed games ever and a cancelled World Series.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
“I’ve never been in a negotiation where, before the first piece of paper went across the table, I, or anyone I represented, was out there saying, ‘This, we absolutely will not talk about.’ I just think it’s a hard way to begin a negotiation.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
MLB trying to ‘force’ players into salary cap, union says, as Manfred walks a tricky line
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:43 PM
“I’ve never been in a negotiation where, before the first piece of paper went across the table, I, or anyone I represented, was out there saying, ‘This, we absolutely will not talk about.’ I just think it’s a hard way to begin a negotiation.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
“But if their true interest is to blow up the very system on which our streak of uninterrupted seasons has been built — with the game reaching record heights and poised to go even higher, no less — that would be a self-defeating miscalculation of massive proportions”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
Manfred stumps for MLB free-agent signing deadline, a ‘miscalculation’ to union
Fans, media and industry officials often raise the deadline discussion when free agency goes slowly, as it has this winter.
www.nytimes.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:42 PM
“But if their true interest is to blow up the very system on which our streak of uninterrupted seasons has been built — with the game reaching record heights and poised to go even higher, no less — that would be a self-defeating miscalculation of massive proportions”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
Rob Manfred wants a free agency signing deadline in baseball: "a great marketing opportunity for the game"
Brent Rooker: "pretty close to the most anti-player idea you could possibly have"
Tony Clark and agents Joel Wolfe, Scott Boras weigh in:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
Brent Rooker: "pretty close to the most anti-player idea you could possibly have"
Tony Clark and agents Joel Wolfe, Scott Boras weigh in:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
Manfred stumps for MLB free-agent signing deadline, a ‘miscalculation’ to union
Fans, media and industry officials often raise the deadline discussion when free agency goes slowly, as it has this winter.
www.nytimes.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Rob Manfred wants a free agency signing deadline in baseball: "a great marketing opportunity for the game"
Brent Rooker: "pretty close to the most anti-player idea you could possibly have"
Tony Clark and agents Joel Wolfe, Scott Boras weigh in:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
Brent Rooker: "pretty close to the most anti-player idea you could possibly have"
Tony Clark and agents Joel Wolfe, Scott Boras weigh in:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
Last winter Rob Manfred had luxury-tax money — up to $15m per team — to give clubs that took haircuts on their TV deals: a “media disruption distribution.” But it was a 1-year deal that MLB did not bring back this winter.
The problems, though? They’re back.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
The problems, though? They’re back.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
Nine MLB teams’ TV money in jeopardy as FanDuel networks continue to struggle
The troubled broadcaster is trying to renegotiate its payments to nine MLB teams, and recently missed a payment to the St. Louis Cardinals.
www.nytimes.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Last winter Rob Manfred had luxury-tax money — up to $15m per team — to give clubs that took haircuts on their TV deals: a “media disruption distribution.” But it was a 1-year deal that MLB did not bring back this winter.
The problems, though? They’re back.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
The problems, though? They’re back.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
Hello, I’d like to share some opinions to commemorate the new year! I may do this annually! Cheers!
December 31, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Hello, I’d like to share some opinions to commemorate the new year! I may do this annually! Cheers!
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...