Sports
Which teams, front offices and managers are feeling the most pressure? Insiders weigh in
As the February sunshine beams down on all of baseball, and the standings say that everyone is undefeated, it’s easy to melt into a zen state of spring training nirvana. But there’s one question in our annual spring survey that jolts us back to life. That’s the part where we ask our voters — a panel of 31 executives, former executives, coaches and scouts — which teams, front offices and managers are feeling the most pressure. As always, they had some thoughts!
BRIAN CASHMAN, AARON BOONE AND THE YANKEES (16 VOTES): Does it sometimes feel as though Brian Cashman has been the general manager of the Yankees since the days of Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford? In truth, it’s only been 26 years. But in the last 14 of them, the Yankees forgot to do that thing they’ve done more than any franchise ever: Win the World Series. So if this vote reveals anything, it’s that Cashman and his manager, Aaron Boone, might want to re-route the path to the Canyon of Heroes, because their job security might depend on it. … “I love Cash,” said one National League exec. “He’s been there longer than anybody. But that team is going to have to make a statement.”
OLIVER MARMOL AND THE CARDINALS (12 VOTES): The good news for the Cardinals: Our voters had mostly good things to say about an offseason in which they added Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson to their rotation — and added depth to their bullpen with Andrew Kittredge and Keynan Middleton. … The bad news for the Cardinals: Their entire rotation might be 33 or older — and we heard lots of concern about their manager, Oli Marmol, and his ability to navigate this vessel’s storms. … “They’d be at the top of my list of teams most likely to make a change (of manager),” said a rival NL exec. “I’d just say this: Don’t go to sleep on the job Yadi (Molina) did managing (Puerto Rico) in the Caribbean Series.”
A.J. PRELLER/ PADRES FRONT OFFICE (10 VOTES): Last year, in this very same space, one rival exec made a bold prediction: If the Padres didn’t win their division, in a season when the Dodgers were in such an obvious retooling mode, “it will be head-rolling time.” Well … maybe not. The Padres revved up the payroll to $255 million, loaded up the lineup and still finished 18 games back of the Dodgers. Yet even after that debris settled, Preller’s head hadn’t rolled anywhere. But now the stakes seem even higher. The Padres missed that window to run down the Dodgers … beloved owner Peter Seidler lost his battle with cancer … they’re slashing payroll by nearly $100 million … and Juan Soto is 3,000 miles from the Gaslamp Quarter. So our voters sent a message that it’s time for Preller to get verrryyy nervous. … “They spent all that money,” said one American League exec. “And what do they have to show for it?”
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Four other teams feeling the heat
Pressure? Dave Roberts is looking calm, cool and collected this spring. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA Today)
They didn’t make it to the medal stand. But these four teams also got the attention of a bunch of voters.
DAVE ROBERTS/DODGERS (FIVE VOTES): When your team shells out more than a billion dollars on free agents, does the manager have to win? Five voters recommend that highly for Dave Roberts in Chavez Ravine. One voter’s take:
“They need to go to the World Series or they may make a change.”
FARHAN ZAIDI/GIANTS (FOUR VOTES): Are the Giants starting to feel like your buddy the fisherman, who can’t stop telling you about the size of all the big fish he didn’t reel in? Seems like it sometimes, every time another free-agent luminary wriggles out of their net.
So there were definite questions about whether this team’s lack of star power could catch up with its president of baseball ops, Farhan Zaidi.
PERRY MINASIAN/ANGELS (FOUR VOTES): It’s hard to see how it’s fair to pin the Angels’ troubles on their GM, Perry Minasian, considering all the dysfunction flowing from the owner’s box. But four voters thought Minasian could pay the price anyway.
JOHN SCHNEIDER/BLUE JAYS LEADERSHIP (FOUR VOTES): And finally, there are the Blue Jays. The good news is, they’ve made the playoffs under their eminently likable manager, John Schneider, two years in a row. The bad news is, they got bounced twice without winning a game.
The good news is, they were in hot pursuit of both Shohei Ohtani and Soto over the winter. The bad news is, their whole offseason turned into a massive swing-and-miss.
So the pressure is real. And our voters were divided on who’s squirming most — Schneider or this front office. But if a frustrating winter leads to a frustrating summer, we might find out.
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(Photo of Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman: William Perlman / Newsday RM via Getty Images)
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After coming up short in a Game 7 World Series thriller, the Toronto Blue Jays wasted little time making a free agency splash.
According to multiple reports, free agent pitcher Dylan Cease agreed to a $210 million, seven-year contract. Cease has been a reliable arm, making at least 32 starts in each of the last five MLB seasons.
The right-hander posted a 4.55 ERA with the San Diego Padres. He recorded 215 strikeouts and walked 71 batters in 168 innings.
Dylan Cease of the San Diego Padres pitches against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park July 25, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
Cease spent his first five years with the Chicago White Sox, including a 2022 season in which he went 14-8 with a 2.20 ERA despite leading the majors in walks. He finished second in AL Cy Young Award balloting.
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After one more year in Chicago, he was traded to San Diego in March 2024 and went 14-11 with a 3.47 ERA that season, finishing fourth in NL Cy Young Award voting.
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease celebrates after the third out during the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers Sept. 24, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)
Cease was one of the top free-agent pitchers on the market this offseason and he joins a Blue Jays team that won the American East division this year.
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease winds up to throw against the Washington Nationals July 25, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Toronto’s rotation already features Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber and José Berríos. Chris Bassitt and 41-year-old Max Scherzer, the three-time Cy Young Award winner who started Game 7 of the World Series, became free agents this month.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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The Rams, the team with the best record in the NFC, are getting stronger.
On Wednesday, the Rams designated receiver Tutu Atwell and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon to return from injured reserve. Both could play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., coach Sean McVay said.
The Rams also placed cornerback Roger McCreary on injured reserve, claimed cornerback Derion Kendrick off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks and signed veteran tight end Nick Vannett to the roster.
McVay said last week that Atwell, who has recovered from a hamstring injury, was expected to play on Sunday. But Witherspoon was thought to still be several weeks from returning from an injury suffered in the second week of the season. Witherspoon said Wednesday that he suffered a left scapula injury, not a broken collarbone as McVay initially described to reporters.
McVay on Wednesday said the results of a scan, and Witherspoon’s work with trainers, put him ahead of schedule.
“To get Ahkello back, we’ve got some flexibility,” McVay said.
McCreary, acquired in an October trade with the Tennessee Titans, was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday after suffering a groin injury in the Rams’ victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. McCreary had been playing special teams, and he played only one defensive snap against the Buccaneers.
The Rams welcomed back Kendrick, a 2022 sixth-round draft pick by the Rams, who started six games in 2022 and 12 games in 2023 before suffering a season-ending knee injury on the first day of 2024 training camp.
“He’s a guy that has familiarity and flexibility, both inside and outside,” McVay said. “We do feel fortunate that guys that you’re asking to step up are people that understand what’s going on and have real-game experience and that means a lot this time of year.”
Vannett, a 10th-year pro, was signed off the Minnesota Vikings practice squad to help fortify a position group that will be without veteran Tyler Higbee for at least three more games because of an ankle injury.
The Rams have utilized sets featuring as many as three tight ends. Vannett joins Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen and rookie Terrance Ferguson on the roster.
“With Higbee being out for some time right now, we want to make sure that if you do decide to go with a couple guys up, that you’re not one injury away from losing a portion of your game plan,” McVay said.
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The latest College Football Playoff rankings showed minimal movement as the college football regular season approaches its final week.
One notable change from last week saw Oregon overtake Ole Miss, swapping the No. 6 and No. 7 spots.
Oregon’s win over USC moved the Ducks ahead of Ole Miss during the Rebels’ bye week.
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Oregon quarterback Dante Moore (5) looks for an opening in the Southern California defense during the second half Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Eugene, Oregon. (AP Photo/Lydia Ely)
The other meaningful shift was Miami’s move to No. 11 in a switch with Utah after the Utes gave up 472 yards rushing in a tight win over Kansas State.
There are two more rounds of rankings to be revealed, ending on Dec. 7, when the rankings will set the bracket for the 12-team playoff starting Dec. 19,
CFP COMMITTEE EXPLAINS KEEPING INDIANA AT NO. 2 AFTER CLOSE CALL VS. PENN STATE IN LATEST RANKINGS
Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (3) celebrates a touchdown pass with offensive lineman Adedamola Ajani (72) during the fourth quarter against Penn State in State College, Pa., Nov. 8, 2025. (Barry Reeger/AP Photo)
Ohio State and Indiana will play in what should be a No. 1 vs. No. 2 Big Ten title game if both win rivalry games on the road over Thanksgiving weekend. Ohio State’s task is more difficult against Michigan, which moved up three spots to No. 15. Indiana plays Purdue.
No. 10 Alabama plays at Auburn with a spot in the Southeastern Conference title game on the line. The Tide’s opponent would be Texas A&M if the Aggies win at No. 16 Texas.
Here are the full rankings:
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The College Football Playoff national championship trophy Jan. 8, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)
- Ohio State
- Indiana
- Texas A&M
- Georgia
- Texas Tech
- Oregon
- Ole Miss
- Oklahoma
- Notre Dame
- Alabama
- Miami
- Tulane
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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