What happened: David Stearns said he hopes to build on what he called really encouraging signs as the club looks ahead to 2027. The comments from Stearns circulated Sept. 28 via an MLB.com headline.

Why it matters: The framing sets the offseason bar around development and continuity rather than a reset. It puts upcoming roster and staffing decisions in the context of carrying those positives into next year.

What to watch: Watch for concrete roster moves and front-office additions that show what building on those signs means.