Here’s what to watch around the baseball world as we head into the weekend:
1. Arbitration Hearings: Players Keep Winning
Arbitration season is heating up, and so far, it's been all wins for the players. The headline-grabber?
Tarik Skubal. The Tigers’ ace lefty just scored a record-setting arbitration victory, with a panel awarding him $32 million - a massive jump from Detroit’s submitted figure of $19 million.
That’s not just a win, that’s a statement.
Skubal’s case marks the third straight victory for players this year, following successful hearings for Kyle Bradish and Yainer Diaz. Notably, teams have yet to notch a single win in arbitration in 2026. That’s a trend worth watching.
Two more cases - Edwin Uceta (Rays) and Dylan Lee (Braves) - have already gone to hearings, but decisions are still pending. And there’s a wave of players waiting in the wings: Reid Detmers, Graham Ashcraft, Tyler Stephenson, and Kris Bubic have all exchanged figures with their clubs but haven’t yet had their day in front of the panel.
It’s early, but the scoreboard is tilted heavily in favor of the players. The question now is whether this streak continues - and what kind of ripple effect it could have on future negotiations.
2. Brent Suter on the Verge of Joining the Angels
The Angels are close to adding another veteran arm to their revamped bullpen. Left-hander Brent Suter is reportedly nearing a major league deal with Anaheim, with final details and a physical potentially wrapping up over the weekend.
If finalized, Suter would join a group of experienced relievers the Angels have brought in this winter, including Drew Pomeranz, Jordan Romano, and Kirby Yates. All are expected to serve as setup options for Robert Stephenson, who’s likely to get the first crack at closing under rookie manager Kurt Suzuki.
There’s a roster crunch to consider - Anaheim’s 40-man is currently full. So unless they wait until spring camp opens and shift someone like Anthony Rendon or Ben Joyce to the 60-day IL, they’ll need to make a corresponding move to make room for Suter.
Either way, the Angels are clearly focused on building out a deeper, more reliable bullpen - a much-needed area of improvement after last season’s struggles.
3. Are the Twins Lining Up a Big Move?
The Twins have been relatively quiet on the transaction front this offseason, but don’t let that fool you - there’s been plenty of movement behind the scenes.
Ownership changes have reshaped the front office. Tom Pohlad has stepped in as the new control person, and the shift at the top appears to have played a role in the departure of longtime baseball boss Derek Falvey late last month. That’s a seismic change for a team that’s largely been defined by stability in recent years.
Despite the front office turnover, Minnesota has made some intriguing moves in the rumor mill. They were reportedly in on Freddy Peralta before he was dealt to the Mets, and they showed interest in Framber Valdez before he landed with the division-rival Tigers.
Now, with Zac Gallen still available and several trade paths open, the Twins could be eyeing a splash. Their most immediate need is bullpen help, but their interest in Peralta and Valdez suggests they’re not ruling out another starter either.
The market is thinning, but Minnesota has shown a willingness to engage. With ownership reshuffling and a fanbase hungry for postseason success, don’t be surprised if the Twins pivot from quiet to aggressive in a hurry.
As we roll into the weekend, keep an eye on the arbitration scoreboard, the Angels’ bullpen makeover, and a Twins team that might just be gearing up for something big.