<![CDATA[The direction of MLB the Show 26]]>After the newest collection drop, it has become obvious that there has been a shift in the direction of the game this year. It isn't about legends, but more about which card plays better in the game. With the new Ben Zobrist collection reward, it really highlights the push towards players that mash the ball IN GAME, as opposed to timeless legends and fan favorites. This was even noticeable with the V-Mart collection. My point is that this feels like a step backwards for the franchise.

Here is what I am talking about. The new legends were picked up this year were celebrated not because they had hall of fame and legendary baseball careers, but they were chosen because they play well in the game.

New/Recent Legends include

Darren O' Day
Keith Folke
Chase Headley (pretty recent)
Ben Zobrist
Victor Martinez

But the players we lost include

Mike Schmidt
Ernie Banks
Frank Thomas
Eric Davis

I am not taking anything away from the new legends, and I am someone who welcomes more and more players, but it seems that for one reason or another (money perhaps?), there is a push to focus on players that perform well in the game, instead of boosting players that did exceptionally well in real life.

Long story short, Am I crazy to assume that there might be a push away from the big name ( and big cost) legends to replace them with anyone who throws funky or is a switch hitter?

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/topic/84808/the-direction-of-mlb-the-show-26RSS for NodeSat, 19 Sep 2026 03:06:58 GMTFri, 18 Sep 2026 22:15:53 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to The direction of MLB the Show 26 on Sat, 19 Sep 2026 02:55:06 GMT]]>Focusing on current players doesn't have to be at the expense of legends though.

And they do a lousy job of focusing on current players anyway. No Mets Alonso, McNeil, or Nimmo? No Nats Soto, Harper or Turner? So many ignored relievers.

They went a whole month with no medium/large content drops outside of the lightning program.

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/779888https://forums.theshow.com/post/779888Sat, 19 Sep 2026 02:55:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The direction of MLB the Show 26 on Sat, 19 Sep 2026 02:25:22 GMT]]>Take it with a grain of salt, but i did hear a CC (perhaps KDJ?) say MLB pressured SDS to use more current players.

Besides that, I just think they've taken the path of least resistance by simply cashing in on the meta they have created (by just loading up with costly switchies) rather than address the gameplay issues that cause those metas to be so prevalent.

It's a shame because it makes online so very tedious for me.
Even in the event today i'm seeing people with near all Switch Hitter lineups and when they're not, they'll pinch hit to avoid any R/R or L/L match ups.

It's all a bit sad.

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/779887https://forums.theshow.com/post/779887Sat, 19 Sep 2026 02:25:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The direction of MLB the Show 26 on Sat, 19 Sep 2026 00:29:01 GMT]]>The game has gotten too goofy for my tastes since after the AS break.

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/779878https://forums.theshow.com/post/779878Sat, 19 Sep 2026 00:29:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The direction of MLB the Show 26 on Sat, 19 Sep 2026 00:06:07 GMT]]>@globetrotter360_PSN

Cobb and Hornsby were great cards when they were in the game.

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/779876https://forums.theshow.com/post/779876Sat, 19 Sep 2026 00:06:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The direction of MLB the Show 26 on Sat, 19 Sep 2026 00:00:25 GMT]]>I feel like they put a ton of effort into the WBC content but yeah its just all about switch hitter collections and chases, and stuff like hall of fame cards and the actual good legend cards in headliners. Programs get generic slop like Moonshot.

Even the milestone programs, which are cool that they get them out so fast, are pretty low effort with just the one card.

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/779875https://forums.theshow.com/post/779875Sat, 19 Sep 2026 00:00:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The direction of MLB the Show 26 on Fri, 18 Sep 2026 23:11:39 GMT]]>This is exactly what they are doing. Instead of investing money into fixing the glitches, meta, and other problems... they will keep things exactly the same and just play to the "meta" to offset all the problems. This keeps the revenue flowing without any expenses or overhead. Dropping legends and their licenses is just another money saving measure. It will happen. Look, all corporations should make money... I belive that. But, they are all out of control now. Screw the customer.. they will just keep buying our slop and filling our coffers. And for the most part, our society does this in lock step. We have become nothing but batteries for corporations. END OF.

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/779871https://forums.theshow.com/post/779871Fri, 18 Sep 2026 23:11:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The direction of MLB the Show 26 on Fri, 18 Sep 2026 22:28:03 GMT]]>I agree with you. I’ve been a baseball fan following every game of my team since before and after Zobrist’s career. He will play more MLB games than I will in our lives lol. But, a lot of streamers and online players love this type of player and had a hole of sorts at his best position. I have been working to compile stubs to get what I assumed was a two-way Babe Ruth. I guess I’ll be able to take it easier now. I sure miss Ernie Banks, and wish I played early enough to use Ty Cobb and Rogers Hornsby.

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/779870https://forums.theshow.com/post/779870Fri, 18 Sep 2026 22:28:03 GMT