Spring Training is almost here, and for baseball fans, that means the long winter wait is nearly over.
With football winding down and the holidays firmly in the rearview, the conversation is shifting back to the diamond. Report dates are locked in, and the countdown is real - no more hypotheticals, no more what-ifs. Baseball is about to make its return, and it starts with two words that always bring hope: pitchers and catchers.
The San Francisco Giants are among the first teams to get going. Their pitchers and catchers report on Tuesday, February 10, with the full squad arriving five days later, on Sunday, February 15. That’s when the familiar rhythm of Spring Training kicks in - bullpen sessions in the desert sun, early batting practice clips flooding social media, and players talking about how this year feels different.
But beyond the sunshine and optimism, this is where the real work begins. Spring Training is where questions start getting answered - or at least hinted at.
Who looks locked in from day one? Who’s still finding their rhythm?
And who’s going to force their way into the conversation?
The Oakland A’s aren’t far behind. Their pitchers and catchers report on Wednesday, February 11, with full-squad workouts beginning Monday, February 16.
For a team like Oakland, Spring Training always carries a different kind of intensity. The roster is a mix of young players trying to break through, veterans fighting to stay in the game, and fringe guys who know this might be their one shot.
Every inning feels like it matters. Every at-bat is a chance to prove something.
And that’s the thing about Spring Training - it may not count in the standings, but it counts in every other way. Jobs are won and lost here.
Rotations start to take shape. Lineups begin to form.
And managers, often tight-lipped during the offseason, start to show their hand a bit. For the Giants, it’s about finding stability - in the lineup, in the rotation, and in the clubhouse.
They’ve got talent, but this is where you see if the pieces actually fit together.
For the A’s, it’s about the future. Who’s part of it, and who’s just passing through? There’s no coasting in their camp - every rep matters, and the urgency is palpable.
By mid-February, both clubs will be fully up and running. That’s when the games start, the box scores return, and the daily rhythm of baseball creeps back into our lives.
Fans always say they don’t care about Spring Training stats, but let’s be honest - we all peek. We all start projecting.
It’s part of the fun.
And while Spring Training brings the game back onto the field, the offseason isn’t quite finished. Big names like Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger, and Framber Valdez are still unsigned.
One late move could shift the balance for a contender or give a rebuilding team a new direction. The hot stove hasn’t gone cold just yet.
So here we are - on the edge of another season, with workouts just weeks away. The Giants and A’s are about to give us our first glimpse at what 2026 might look like.
Whether it ends up meaning everything or nothing, it’s the return of baseball. And that, in itself, is worth celebrating.