DiamondCentric

Trevor Larnach is expected to reengage in baseball activities in January, when he'll begin his full offseason hitting program in preparation for the (eventual) 2027 season. The outfielder is coming off a repair job on his left wrist. That's the word according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Larnach underwent successful surgery, which consisted of "a debridement of his TFCC and open excision of a ganglion cyst." Twins Daily's Cody Pirkl recently outlined the scenarios surrounding Larnach's future. The Twins are looking at a projected $6.3 million salary for Larnach, or they could non-tender him and turn their attention toward the younger outfield options already in the organization. Larnach's initial approach at the plate leaned heavily on driving fly balls toward center field. It took some time to rework his swing to better align with the Twins' philosophy of pulling the ball in the air with backspin to maximize his home run potential. This past season, Larnach posted a career-high 23.6% air pull rate. However, his 13 home runs and career-low fly ball rate suggest that the adjustments haven't consistently translated into the type of power production the Twins would like to see. His health, along with the organization's evaluation of its younger outfielders, will help determine what comes next. View the full article

Every time I think about the San Diego Padres’ defense, it is inevitable to remember some key moments from the postseason. One of them, perhaps the most unusual, was how Cooper Pratt managed to score from third base on a sacrifice fly in Game 3 of the NLDS. It was a fly ball practically behind the shortstop, and left fielder Dustin Harris made a terrible throw to home plate, without enough power or accuracy. We also have to give a lot of credit to Pratt, who made an impressive run with a sprint speed of 29.6 feet/sec, in just 3.76 seconds from third base to home plate. Harris’ throw was 84.9 mph, well below the 87.4 mph average for MLB left fielders in 2026. Padres left fielders averaged 86 mph on their throws and ranked 19th in the league, creating a considerable imbalance compared to the arm strength of their center fielders (91.8 mph), who ranked seventh, and right fielders (90.6 mph), who finished in 10th place. The latter were led by Jackson Merrill (averaged 92 mph on 345 throws, recording 100.2 mph as his hardest throw of the year) and Fernando Tatis Jr. (92.9 mph average and a maximum of 100.8, the highest among all outfielders on the team in 2026). Nick Castellanos (55 throws and an average of 80.5 mph) and Dustin Harris (58 throws and an average of 81.5 mph) were the outfielders with the worst arm strength, but that is not the only metric that reveals the Padres’ major defensive problem with their left fielders. The story is more complicated than it seems, and perhaps it has gone a little more unnoticed because players like Samad Taylor, Harris, and Gavin Sheets had notable offensive contributions during the season. However, Ramon Laureano was the only left fielder who managed to play even league-average defense, recording +1 Fielding Run Value and Outs Above Average. It gets worse, though; do you have any idea how many Padres left fielders have been able to play at least 500 innings and finish with a positive Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) mark in a single season over the last decade? If you thought of Jurickson Profar and his exploits trying to rob home runs, along with the whole bunch of entertaining plays he made at the time, that is the correct answer. But that was four years ago, when Profar played 1,237⅔ innings at the position and recorded +3 DRS, although his OAA (-4) and FRV (-1) grades were negative. Do you remember anyone else? Jose Pirela is the only other player who joins Profar, leading the ranking with +3 DRS in 536 ⅔ innings during the 2017 season. Which players are we missing? Well, of course, some familiar names, but they were all a disaster: Juan Soto had -5 DRS and -7 OAA in 1,345 innings in 2023, Tommy Pham recorded -3 DRS and -8 FRV during his time with the team in 2021, and Profar himself finished with -8 DRS and -6 FRV over 1,203⅔ innings in 2024. I think this entire history of the chaos they have gone through is enough for San Diego to make acquiring an elite left fielder who can change this disappointing narrative one of its highest priorities, which is why Ian Happ has to be on their radar. Happ has won four Gold Gloves over the last five seasons and was among the finalists this year in pursuit of his fifth consecutive award, but he was outvoted by the Milwaukee Brewers’ star left fielder, Jackson Chourio. Even so, Happ remained in the 96th percentile in arm value, showing great arm strength that would offer tremendous security in the Padres’ outfield alongside Merrill and Tatis. Happ has accumulated +47 DRS throughout his career in left field, and 57% of that total (27) has come in these last three seasons, so his defensive contribution remains one of his main strengths. Now, the 2026 season left some questions, especially because of the regression in his expected averages, falling from the 61st percentile to the 3rd in xBA and from the 70th to the 41st in xSLG. Even so, he remains an elite hitter in terms of his ability to walk and avoid chasing pitches outside the zone, in addition to maintaining his power impact with at least 20 home runs in six of his ten seasons with the Chicago Cubs (including at least 23 in each of the last three seasons). That said, there is a key point that made the difference in Happ’s offensive decline this year, as he finished with a 107 wRC+, his worst mark since 2021. He's been a switch-hitter his entire career, but when batting from the right side against left-handed pitchers, he was a mess in 2026. The results are absolutely puzzling. As you can see, the difference in wRC+ was ridiculous, including whichever splits you analyze, as if we were looking at two different hitters. Now, look at a couple of details: Happ struck out at a similar rate, but the biggest difference was in his walk rate, 14.5% against right-handers and just 6.3% against left-handers. Then, another key point was BABIP, which is based only on balls put in play, and the drop was also considerable, from .360 to .200. His pitch selection against lefties was the root of the problem, as Happ saw his swing rate on pitches in the strike zone fall considerably, dropping from the 81st percentile to the 44th compared to his 2024 season, when he recorded a 103 wRC+ in this split. But, in general, those major problems Happ has against left-handed pitchers are not new, as he averages an 89 wRC+ for his career. However, the .217 on-base percentage, .267 slugging percentage, and 36 wRC+ in those 144 plate appearances this year marked a low point he had never reached before. That does not completely erase the fact that Happ is an interesting option for the Padres, although there are clearly other players who could generate much more interest, especially high-profile free agents like Randy Arozarena and Seiya Suzuki. Happ would bring a higher floor and better glove to the table than either of those two stars (plus he's not attached to the qualifying offer), so the question will be what the Friars value most from what will ostensibly be their third-most important outfielder. View the full article

The San Diego Padres continue to restock their minors, this time at the lower levels. The Padres signed shortstop Raimundo De Los Santos and right-handed reliever Angel Hernandez to minor-league contracts Friday. The move came after the Padres signed six-year minor-league free agent Kala'i Rosario, a corner outfielder, to a similar deal. Also, the Padres released right-hander Yohn Melendez. De Los Santos was assigned to the High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps and Hernandez to the Arizona Complex League. The 21-year-old De Los Santos mainly was at Low-A with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2026, although he also played at High-A and Double-A. In 81 games across those three stops, he slashed .241/.351/.332 with four homers, 29 RBIs and 23 stolen bases. He originally signed with the Boston Red Sox in 2023 out of the Dominican Republic, then was released at the end of spring training in 2025, latching on with the Jays that May. He has a career slash line of .241/.358/.296 with four homers, 60 RBIs and 74 stolen bases over 217 games. Hernandez, 22, hasn't played in affiliated ball since being released by the Miami Marlins at the end of the 2024 season. He played in Mexico the last two seasons with Naranjeros de Hermosillo and Guerreros de Oaxaca. With the Marlins, he appeared in just 27 games over three seasons, tossing 45⅓ innings and having a 5.56 ERA, walking 21 and striking out 46. In Mexico, Hernandez had a 5.51 ERA over 25 games and 32⅔ innings, walking 16 and striking out 20. Melendez, a 20-year-old signed in May, made 15 appearances, including four starts, and threw 31⅔ innings in the Dominican Summer League, with a 9.38 ERA. View the full article

The Minnesota Twins have several decisions to make as they reshape their pitching staff for the 2027 season. While the organization has a considerable amount of starting pitching depth, that doesn't mean the front office is completely satisfied with its current group. Finding the right balance between the rotation and bullpen could become one of the organization's biggest offseason priorities. In a recent report for The Athletic, Dan Hayes examined how Minnesota could approach its pitching situation. The Twins have enough candidates to fill a five-man rotation, but some of those arms could be better suited for different roles. Minnesota could add more starters and explore ways to strengthen its bullpen by moving some of its existing pitching depth into relief. “It’s something that we need to be open-minded to, knowing that it feels like an area of surplus but also want to be mindful of not eating into that too much since we know we’re going to need real depth to attack the season,” Twins GM Jeremy Zoll said at the general managers’ meetings. Hayes' outlook points to a potentially creative approach. Minnesota could pursue additional starting pitching while also evaluating which members of its current staff might be more valuable coming out of the bullpen. That would allow the club to address multiple needs without completely overhauling its pitching staff. A Crowded Rotation Creates Opportunities The Twins have eight legitimate starting candidates under team control entering 2027: Pablo López, Joe Ryan, Taj Bradley, Dean Kremer, Bailey Ober, Connor Prielipp, Zebby Matthews and Mick Abel. That depth creates some interesting possibilities. The organization could move one of its established starters through a trade, pursue another starting pitcher and use its remaining depth to address the bullpen. However, having eight candidates doesn't necessarily mean Minnesota has eight dependable options. López and Abel are both coming back from elbow procedures, while Matthews and Ober have questions to answer after inconsistent seasons. Prielipp made progress in 2026, but he is still developing as a big-league starter. The Twins learned how quickly starting pitching depth can disappear last season when injuries forced the organization to constantly adjust its plans. That makes the idea of adding another starter particularly interesting. Minnesota could have enough internal options to fill its rotation, but adding an established arm would provide insurance against injuries and give the coaching staff more flexibility. It could also allow the front office to consider moving a starter in a trade without leaving the rotation short-handed. There is also a financial component to consider. Ryan, López, Kremer and Ober are all eligible for free agency following the 2027 season. Minnesota could look to secure another controllable starter rather than risk losing multiple members of its rotation after next season. Zoll has already acknowledged that the team's starting pitching depth could create opportunities. Some Starters Could Find New Roles The other part of Minnesota's approach could involve transitioning certain pitchers into full-time relief roles. Not every pitcher who has experience starting needs to remain in that capacity, especially when the organization has several candidates competing for five rotation spots. David Festa and Kendry Rojas are two intriguing possibilities to consider. Festa has the stuff to potentially become an effective bullpen weapon, while Rojas has previously flashed the potential to help Minnesota at the big-league level. However, Festa has dealt with injuries over the last two seasons and the Twins likely want Rojas to continue to get starting experience. Still, a move to relief could give either pitcher a clearer path to consistent major league opportunities. Zebby Matthews is another name worth monitoring as the organization evaluates its depth. However, his ability to develop as a starting pitcher could make Minnesota hesitant to move him out of that role permanently. The same could be true for other young pitchers who still have opportunities to establish themselves in the rotation. The Twins have had success developing pitchers who eventually found their best roles in the bullpen. Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax became two of the organization's most valuable relievers after beginning their professional careers as starting pitchers. Louis Varland also found a path to success in relief after struggling to establish himself as a consistent rotation option. Andrew Morris provides another example of the organization having pitchers with starting experience who could offer flexibility in different roles. Those transitions don't necessarily mean a pitcher has failed as a starter. Sometimes a shorter appearance allows a pitcher to focus on his best pitches without worrying about navigating a lineup multiple times. A move to the bullpen can also allow pitchers to throw harder and become more aggressive with their arsenals. For an organization with several young arms competing for rotation opportunities, finding the right bullpen conversions could be just as important as signing an outside starter. The Bullpen Still Needs Reinforcements Even with some internal candidates available, Minnesota cannot expect every bullpen problem to disappear through position changes. The organization needs additional dependable arms, particularly in higher-leverage situations. A.J. Minter is a free agent, leaving another potential opening among the left-handed relievers. Currently, Kody Funderburk is the top lefty, and he seems better suited to be the second-best southpaw in a competitive bullpen. Minnesota needs another experienced option who can handle important situations against left-handed hitters without placing too much pressure on Funderburk. The organization could address that need internally by moving Rojas into relief, but that would come with a developmental decision. Rojas has starting experience and could still provide value as rotation depth. Minnesota must determine whether his long-term upside is greater as a starter or whether his stuff could translate into a more immediate contribution in the bullpen. Jeff Hoffman, Yoendrys Gómez and Morris provide some returning options, but the Twins need more dependable depth. The bullpen struggled with consistency throughout 2026, and the organization cannot afford to enter another season hoping several unproven pitchers will suddenly become reliable late-inning options. Adding another starting pitcher could also have a ripple effect throughout the roster. If Minnesota acquires an established rotation arm, it could give the coaching staff additional flexibility to move a younger pitcher into relief. That could create opportunities for pitchers who might otherwise be stuck waiting for a rotation opening. Ultimately, the Twins have several ways to improve their pitching staff without relying exclusively on expensive free-agent additions. Hayes' reporting highlights the importance of evaluating the entire pitching group rather than looking at the rotation and bullpen as separate areas. Minnesota has enough starting pitching candidates to make some difficult decisions this winter. The challenge for Zoll will be finding the right combination of established starters, developing prospects and bullpen additions to build a staff capable of competing over a full 162-game season. Adding another starter might seem unnecessary at first glance, but it could be the move that allows the Twins to improve multiple areas of their pitching staff. Should the Twins add another starter this winter? Which starter would make the best relief candidate? Leave a comment ands start the discussion. View the full article

Brock Burke led the National League with 77 relief appearances and recorded a 2.30 ERA with 61 scoreless outings this year. That's a pretty impressive profile for someone who isn't considered a high-leverage weapon, though his status as a true middle reliever is exactly what makes him such an attractive option on the free-agent market. For a deep bullpen, like the one the Boston Red Sox have, Burke could be a valuable piece. His ability has been demonstrated frequently over the past two seasons, in which he has made 146 appearances that include one start and 25 games finished. During this span, he has recorded a 2.78 ERA, with a 149 ERA+ and a 3.94 FIP, which, if not for his control problems, could have resulted in a much higher bWAR than the 2.6 he accumulated. That said, what most defines his work as a middle reliever is the efficiency with which he has faced all types of situations. Throughout the 2026 season, Burke had only seven relief appearances in which he allowed more than one run, and part of what could fit best in Boston’s bullpen is the stability he provided in high-pressure situations, as only seven of the 32 runners he inherited scored. Three of them came on May 15, in a complicated eighth inning in which he issued two walks and the Cleveland Guardians took advantage of him. After that game, only two of the next 22 runners he inherited scored on Burke over the rest of the season, and he finished that stretch of 56 relief appearances with a 2.18 ERA, 19 holds, and one save. By contrast, although the Red Sox bullpen was much more consistent overall, they went through many similar problems when their relievers inherited runners. Several of the bullpen’s main pitchers struggled in those situations, and the worst of all was Greg Weissert, who had 15 of the 38 runners he inherited score. We've talked at length about the need to add another left-handed reliever to this group, since Aroldis Chapman only appears during the ninth inning and Erik Miller struggled down the stretch. Burke is the ultimate workhorse option; he'd give Chad Tracy a wholly reliable option to tackle tough situations before the final few frames. View the full article

We know how the New York Mets are attacking their top offseason goal (improve the pitching staff) through reports about a meeting with Tarik Skubal and interest in the top available left-handed relievers. We don't know where they stand on their secondary goal of upgrading at first base, however. That leaves the imagination to roam free. Will the Mets sign a free agent such as Ty France or Josh Bell? Will they trade for a big bat such as Yandy Diaz, Alec Burleson or Christian Walker? Will they acquire a lower-profile player such as Andrew Vaughn or Jake Burger? If New York ultimately chooses door No. 3, the lower-profile option, then there's a player who would be a better fit than Vaughn or Burger, and at a decent salary. He would be a sure upgrade over Mark Vientos, if only because he would greatly increase the roster's versatility. And his current team could absorb losing him based on its roster depth. Why The Mets Should Trade For Spencer Steer As you probably guessed from the headline, it's Spencer Steer of the Cincinnati Reds. Here's a complete look at why the Mets should go after him this offseason, and guesses on what it might take to get him. 1. He Mashes Left-Handers Steer would be an ideal complement to Jared Young or Jorge Polanco in a first-base time share. Last season, he slashed .342/.442/.620 (1.062 OPS) with five home runs in 96 plate appearances against southpaws, and his career numbers against them are strong as well: 24 home runs, an .838 OPS, an 11.3 percent walk rate and a 19.3 percent strikeout rate in 600 PAs, basically the equivalent of a full season. He doesn't need to play just at first against lefties, because, as we'll show in a moment, he can play all over the field. But Steer at first and Polanco at DH on a regular basis against southpaws would be a good look. 2. He Can Play Six Positions The 5-foot-9, 185-pound Steer is much more athletic than Vientos. He has made starts at first base, second base, third base and all three outfield spots for the Reds. He would be an ideal utility complement to Brett Baty, assuming Baty doesn't replace Marcus Semien at second. The Mets wouldn't need Steer to play up the middle, just the four corners. Adding a corner outfielder seems important right now, because Christopher Morel and Nick Morabito are the current backup outfield options on the 40-man roster. 3. He's Relatively Young and Cheap Steer will turn 29 on Dec. 7. He has four years and 35 days of MLB service time, which means he would come with two more years of team control/arbitration eligibility. MLB Trade Rumors projects that he'll make $5.7 million in 2027. The Mets' '27 payroll could easily land in the $375 million range based on their pitching strategy alone; they could live with a solid utility player in his age-29 year making about the same amount of money as Luis Torrens. 4. The Reds Can Afford to Deal Him Cincinnati could absorb a trade because of who it has ahead of Steer. NL Rookie of the Year Sal Stewart is entrenched at first, Ke'Bryan Hayes' contract is stuck at third, J.J. Bleday is the everyday left fielder after his career revival and youngster Hector Rodriguez looks like the next big thing in right field. Oswaldo Cabrera could slot into the utility role. The Reds don't have a regular DH after losing Eugenio Suarez and Nathaniel Lowe, and Roster Resource projects Steer to start the season there, but that role could easily be filled by others. What Would A Mets Trade for Spencer Steer Look Like? The two years of control mean that Steer would not come cheaply. The Reds should look to acquire long-term, or at least medium-term, assets for him. But they'd need to be realistic; Steer can be a nice player in New York, but he would not be a cornerstone piece. He's also coming off right wrist surgery, although he is expected to be ready for the start of spring training. He was limited to 98 games last season because of injury, but he appeared in 156, 158 and 146 games the previous three seasons. Starting pitching would, naturally, be a good starting place in trade talks. The Mets should resist moving Christian Scott or Zac Thornton, and Sean Manaea's $25 million salary for 2027 is prohibitive. Dare we dream that the Reds would take a flyer on Kodai Senga? He regained some trade value as a reluctant closer over the final two months. No doubt the Reds could find room for him in their rotation behind Chase Burns and Andrew Abbott. He's owed $14 million next season and has a 10-team no-trade clause. It's not known if the Reds are on it. He might not be thrilled about moving to Great American Ball Park after his start there in June, but he'd make sure he's starting again if he has a say. Could Steer for Senga, a highly regarded prospect and cash get it done? Maybe the Reds would like one of the Mets' real relief arms. Cincinnati was 25th in bullpen ERA last season and has already lost closer Emilio Pagan to free agency this month (he signed with the Detroit Tigers). Is there a world where it would take back former Reds reliever Daniel Duarte as part of the return, based on his late-season work in New York? He's 30 but he's also controllable through 2030. An inexpensive arm who's familiar to the organization? It seems worth discussing, at least. The more realistic scenario, however, is the Mets ponying up prospects. It would be unwise for them to dip into the top half of GCM's Top 20, but a couple of names in the bottom half might work. (Chris Suero? Dylan Ross?) Stearns could flip players he picked up at the trade deadline (Gabe Davis? Aidan Smith?). Here's an interesting thought: Maybe the Reds would take Sammy Stafura, whom they sent to the Pittsburgh Pirates in a trade for Hayes in '25. Steer for Duarte, Stafura and another prospect. Overpay by the Mets? Not enough for the Reds? What do you think? View the full article

There is more than the biggest name of all that the San Diego Padres are pursuing this offseason. With only one truly reliable name in the rotation at the moment in right-hander Randy Vasquez, Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller is taking his shopping cart down every lane of the pitching grocery store. That includes several of the top names other than left-hander Tarik Skubal, the back-to-back AL Cy Young Award winner (2024-25) who is the prize of this year's free agents. Two new reports are linking the Padres to right-handers Freddy Peralta, Nick Martinez, Dustin May and Kaima Taira as well as left-handers Matthew Boyd and Shota Imanaga. Of course, right-handers Michael King and Nick Pivetta returning are also options. Those names were included in reports by Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune and Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. Acee's article was a well-done in-depth look at all the facets that have gone into the predicament facing the Friars and their Padres' starting rotation this offseason. That includes a lack of MLB-ready prospects, with their top three candidates, as cited by Acee, Coleman Borthwick, Kruz Schoolcraft and Lan-Hong Su, not have pitched above Low-A Lake Elsinore, with Borthwick and Su making their full-season debuts in the second half of the season. Borthwick was the Padres' first-round draft pick this year who pitched twice in the Storm's run to the California League title. It has led to a point that the Padres are going to have to spend on at least four starting pitchers before Opening Day, not to mention having to ensure left field and first base are shored up and potentially replacing their second-best reliever. View the full article

Earlier this week, FanGraphs began unveiling its 2027 ZiPS projections, starting with the World Series champion Milwaukee Brewers. After winning a franchise-record 103 regular-season games this year, ZiPS forecasts the Brewers at around 90 wins in 2027. That might sound pessimistic, but it’s a better projection than most systems have given Milwaukee in recent seasons. Furthermore, last year’s Brewers reached a high-percentile outcome, and projections are designed to predict what’s most likely to happen, not what could happen. The Brewers are set to bring back most of their championship-winning roster, and emerging prospects from their stacked farm system will debut throughout the season. ZiPS likes that depth because it gives Milwaukee a high floor in 2027. In the starting lineup, ZiPS projects six hitters for above-average offense (OPS+ above 100) and at least 2.1 fWAR from every position but first base and DH. It expects some regression for many of the Brewers’ best hitters – Jackson Chourio’s 118 OPS+, below his career-high 130 mark from this year, leads the team – but also believes Christian Yelich, Sal Frelick, and Luis Lara will trend closer to league-average hitters after rough seasons. On the pitching staff, ZiPS expects another All-Star-caliber year from Jacob Misiorowski and quality innings from Logan Henderson. Robert Gasser, Kyle Harrison, Shane Drohan, and Coleman Crow are projected for league-average performances in swing roles. It expects Abner Uribe to be Milwaukee’s best reliever and continued strong work from Trevor Megill and Aaron Ashby. However, ZiPS also thinks the Brewers could use a few reinforcements. It expects modest innings totals from Henderson, Harrison, and Shane Drohan, and the bullpen thins quickly if Milwaukee trades Megill this winter. To repeat last year’s success, they’ll need more innings than ZiPS thinks they currently have in-house. After Jake Bauers’s departure to sign a four-year deal with the Boston Red Sox, a replacement left-handed bat would boost their first base and DH projections. After winning the World Series, the Brewers have more short-term financial flexibility to raise their ceiling with more opportunistic signings. A veteran starter like Sonny Gray or a left-handed first baseman like Nathaniel Lowe might be fits on short-term deals. However, the Brewers always lean heavily on their young talent, as their model expects more from those players than most public projections. In their first championship season, they got plenty of value from Misiorowski, Henderson, Cooper Pratt, and Lara. Jesus Made, Tyson Hardin, and Blake Burke could emerge as role players by the end of 2027. ZiPS, short for the sZymborski Projection System, is developed and maintained by Dan Szymborski. The system studies a player’s past performance, injury history, and the league aging curve to make projections. Depending on a player’s age, it examines their last three to four seasons, weighing the most recent years more heavily. The full Brewers projections are available at FanGraphs. View the full article

The challenge for anyone writing about baseball history is to make whatever person or event you are expounding on come alive. After all, anyone can now look up the score of any game, or at least a brief biography of just about any player. As someone who writes about Royals history, I know this difficulty all too well. The best way to overcome it, in my opinion, is to hear from the players or managers involved, if at all possible. What they were thinking and feeling helps flesh out these stories. Also, context matters. If you can provide those details on the surroundings, your reader will have a much better understanding of the stakes, as well as the game or person’s place in the larger scheme of things. A case in point is Marshall Garvey’s book, Interstate ‘85. As you might guess from the title, the subject is the 1985 World Series between the Royals and the St. Louis Cardinals. While Royals and Cardinals fans know the main points of the story, Garvey has done baseball fans everywhere a favor by putting this World Series, a very underrated one in my mind, into a book. For those who don’t remember, the national media was not exactly enthused about spending their late October in the Midwest. As the New York Yankees and New York Mets contended throughout the summer of 1985, those media types salivated about a Subway Series. Failing that, the California Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers also put the possibility of a Freeway Series on the map. So the disappointment was palpable when the plucky Royals and defiant Cardinals (who many writers picked to finish last in the NL East) captured their respective pennants. As a result, the 1985 World Series definitely didn’t get the hype the other potential matchups would have. And when Don Denkinger ruled Jorge Orta safe at first base in the bottom of the ninth of Game Six (yes, Cardinal fans, incorrectly), a World Series that featured terrific pitching, a ninth-inning rally, unlikely heroes, and historic performances was overshadowed by the call. And when the Royals exploded for 11 runs in the deciding Game Seven, the Series was forever cast as a disappointment, remembered mostly for a blown call and perhaps for the Cardinals’ temper tantrums as the last game got out of hand. Garvey’s book is a needed counterpoint to this view. He does an excellent job of setting the stage for both teams leading up to 1985, then covering their paths to division titles and, eventually, league pennants. Naturally, the Series itself consumes a hefty chunk of the book. But when Darryl Motley hauled in the last fly ball of the season, there was still roughly a third of the book to go, and I wondered what could possibly be left to discuss. But Garvey does a terrific job of examining the aftermath of the World Series for both teams, and especially for Denkinger. This is where the author’s legwork really shines, because he was able to interview the umpire and his family for the book. That is a good reminder for us all that umpires are human beings, too (and I’m as guilty as anyone of forgetting that). It also leads into the touching story of how Denkinger was ultimately accepted by St. Louis fans, although they understandably continued to rib him about the call, and even Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog. While the Denkinger interviews are a highlight of the book, Garvey also talked to plenty of players on both sides, from stars like Ozzie Smith to more obscure players like Royals reliever Joe Beckwith. The Beckwith interview is particularly poignant, as he lost his battle with cancer just a couple of weeks after talking to Garvey. But it also is a good example of the importance of these interviews, with Beckwith relating how none other than Sandy Koufax helped him regain his form after a slump (I won’t spoil the anecdote, but it is entertaining. It is also one I had not heard before.). Even family members (such as Royals manager Dick Howser’s daughter, and Denkinger’s wife and daughters) and clubhouse personnel were interviewed for the book. The breadth of interviews and storytelling makes Interstate ‘85 essential reading for Royals and Cardinals fans, and really anyone interested in baseball history. Now that the 2026 World Series is over, I recommend getting a copy to help the offseason go a little faster. View the full article

One way or another, the San Diego Padres will have some new faces plugged into their starting rotation ahead of the 2027 season. It's unlikely they'll be able to settle all of the virtually empty group via free agency, meaning that trades could be on the horizon. And there's an ideal candidate sitting in the National League Central. The Pittsburgh Pirates may very well fancy themselves contenders. They finished 82-80 last season and were in the Wild Card mix for much of the season. It's offense that the Pirates seek, and a general refusal to spend money could result in them being willing to part with some of the pitching depth that they've assembled over the last handful of years. Enter Carmen Mlodzinski. Mlodzinski has worked as a swingman in each of the last two years for the Pirates. He made 12 starts in each campaign, with 71 appearances to his name overall. In 2026, he posted a 3.95 ERA (3.75 FIP) and decent-enough walk and contact metrics to allow him to remain afloat. His stuff played better in the bullpen, but it's also possible there hasn't been enough of a sample for anyone to make a firm declaration on the type of starter he could be. And for what it's worth, Mlodzinski probably agrees. After working as a starter to begin the 2026 season, he was cast off to the bullpen upon the return of Jared Jones. The right-hander didn't take the transition well, requiring a leave-of-absence that landed him on the restricted list for a spell. One imagines that an opportunity to start permanently could be enticing to him. A pursuit of Mlodzinski would be about raising the floor. He's not a strikeout-reliant pitcher, using a four-seamer and splitter against lefties and working primarily with a four-seamer and sinker against right-handed hitters. He had better groundball rates in each of his three prior seasons with the Bucs (compared to 2026), with that skill set being exactly the kind of arm the Padres should covet for their rotation. It's not all that dissimilar from the reasoning behind a potential Clay Holmes pursuit in free agency. What makes Mlodzinski such an attractive trade candidate (beyond the floor raising and the team control through 2029) is how well the two parties link up in a trade. The Pirates have a full rotation and plenty of depth with which to work. They need supplementary offense. Someone like Jake Cronenworth, with an appealing average annual value on his deal and potentially in need of a change of scenery, could offer exactly that. In fact, his name was floated by multiple outlets as recently as last December as a name in which Pittsburgh could have interest. While Mlodzinski is still somewhat of an unknown as a starter, his high floor and theoretical symmetry in a deal with Pittsburgh makes him one of the best possible targets for the Padres this offseason. He's the kind of move that plugs in a number four or five starter and leaves plenty of room for other additions. View the full article

The Chicago Cubs have a need in each of their corner outfield spots. The Washington Nationals may have a 25-year-old corner outfielder with recent big-time draft pedigree available. One doesn't have to work too hard to put two and two together around the possibility of Dylan Crews representing a trade target for the Jed Hoyer-led front office. It wasn't too long ago that Crews was a No. 2 overall pick of the Nats. It was 2023, in fact, when they selected him as part of his rapid ascent to arriving at the major-league level in 2024. After getting more than 300 plate appearances worth of work that season and another 400-plus in 2025, however, it seems as if Washington may be ready to consider moving Crews this winter. Such a consideration doesn't stem from any lack of belief in his upside, but rather the idea that a change-of-scenery may be required for that upside to be realized. Crews sits at nearly 900 plate appearances at the top level, but he's worked to a slash of only .217/.285/.363 (79 wRC+) through that sample with a strikeout rate that has only risen with more experience and a walk rate that has declined. Crews does have 41 steals to his name, but only 26 homers and a mere .146 ISO. While he was never really classified as a slugging outfielder, the belief was largely that he could linger around the 30-homer threshold before long given early changes to his mechanics and a consistently-demonstrated ability to adjust. The power hasn't manifested, but perhaps a team like the Cubs might be able to unlock it. Because it's not as if it's not in there. Crews' 74.1 MPH average bat speed sits above league average, and his 90.3 MPH average exit velocity is up in the 71st percentile. He makes hard contact at a 43.3 percent clip and found the barrel 9.4 percent of the time in 2026. These are all respectable numbers and point to a player who should probably be finding more fortune at the plate than he has to date. He was able to cut a 50-ish percent groundball rate this season down below 40 percent, but then made a bunch of contact to the middle of the field (a place where power goes to die). His batting average on balls in play was a fine .270, and it had actually been worse in the two seasons prior. There's a defensive angle here that makes Crews appealing as a prospect too in that, well, he's good at it. Regardless of which of the three outfield positions Crews has featured in throughout his time at the big-league level, he's turned in above-average defensive numbers. Such an acquisition not only stabilizes right field in that regard, but gives you a player who can legitimately spell Pete Crow-Armstrong through various stretches of the summer heat. This feels like the kind of trade that the Cubs would find interesting on a number of levels. For one, you're getting a 25-year-old under team control until 2032. For another, you get the defense (and speed) that remains a priority in position players regardless of where on the diamond they line up. For a third, there is legitimate upside here that a new coaching staff outside of Washington could be privy to unlocking. And the cost shouldn't be so prohibitive that you'd steer clear in favor of a more surefire replacement-level solution. It's an interesting concept, a trade of Crews, and one the Cubs feel as liable as any team to make, for the reasons noted above. The Nationals aren't going to part with the former top prospect for peanuts, but he's also not going to cost you (in terms of prospect capital) what an established corner outfielder might. In the absence of a high-quality free agent, the upside here has to be tantalizing. Considering the need for the Cubs to play at least a little against type in their pursuit of new corner outfield solutions, the potential availability of Dylan Crews represents a perfect chance to make that kind of gamble. View the full article

Throwing around the term “upside” and playing the “what if?” game is always fun for a little while. But at some point, you actually need to see that upside turn into production. And 2027 feels like the year that needs to happen for Twins right-hander Mick Abel. Abel was a force to be reckoned with during 2026 spring training, which ultimately led to him earning a spot in the big league rotation to start the year. After pitching his way onto the Opening Day roster, however, things got off to a pretty rough start. He struggled mightily in his first two outings, allowing nine earned runs across just 7 1/3 innings. That certainly wasn’t the introduction the Twins were hoping for, but something clicked after those first two starts. He rattled off 13 scoreless innings across his next two outings, striking out 16 while walking just three. Suddenly, the pitcher who had shown so much promise during spring training was beginning to look like the potential frontline starter the Twins hoped they had acquired. Unfortunately, that turned out to be the last we’d see of Abel in 2026. He landed on the injured list with elbow inflammation in mid-April before suffering a setback with discomfort in his elbow and triceps during a bullpen session. Abel ultimately underwent microscopic elbow surgery in July, bringing a premature end to what had been a very promising start to his first season with the Twins. We saw the upside. We saw the answer to the “what if?” question. Now, the Twins need to see the sustained production. There are obviously plenty of legitimate reasons for the Twins to remain excited about what he can become, but eventually, the flashes need to turn into something more substantial. The Twins’ starting rotation entering the 2027 season figures to be a strong point of the roster, too, which could make Abel’s path to a regular spot a little more complicated. Joe Ryan, barring a trade this winter, should headline the group, while Pablo López should be back to full health and provide a quality arm toward the top of the rotation. We also saw a huge breakout from Taj Bradley in 2026, while Connor Prielipp delivered a solid rookie season. And it doesn’t even end there. Trade deadline acquisition Dean Kremer finished with a 3.48 ERA in Minnesota over the final two months of the season, giving the Twins another legitimate option for the rotation heading into next year. Bailey Ober could remain in the mix, as well, while there’s no telling what 2027 has in store for guys like Zebby Matthews and Kendry Rojas. Then there’s the possibility that the Twins add another starter through free agency or a trade this winter. Abel won’t just be handed a rotation spot simply because of what he showed in 2026. There will be plenty of competition, and that could be a good thing for a pitcher entering such an important season. If Abel wants to prove he can be a big league starter, the clock is ticking. 2027 seems like a pivotal year for him, but the good news is that the traits are there. In what was, admittedly, a very small sample, Abel flashed the traits of a potential frontline arm. His whiff, chase and strikeout rates were all pretty comfortably above league average, and his four-seam fastball was actually his biggest whiff pitch. That’s a pretty strong foundation to work from. He doesn’t need to suddenly reinvent himself this offseason. Instead, the goal should be continuing to refine the rest of his arsenal and figuring out how to consistently turn those raw ingredients into outs. If he can keep refining his secondary pitches and build off what he showed during those two dominant outings, there’s reason to believe he can take another significant step forward in 2027. Obviously, staying healthy is a different question entirely. There’s no way around the fact that Abel’s elbow surgery adds another layer of uncertainty to his outlook. The Twins will have to be mindful of his workload as he works his way back, and his ability to stay on the mound will ultimately determine just how much he can contribute next season. But the stuff is there. He showed enough during spring training and his brief time in the majors to make it clear why the Twins are still intrigued by his potential. At the same time, potential can only carry a player so far. A lot can, and probably will, change over the next six or so months between now and the start of the season. Injuries and offseason moves will happen, and those developments will undoubtedly impact how the Twins’ starting rotation looks on Opening Day. There’s no question Abel can make a difference for this team. He has the stuff to be a legitimate big league starter, and if everything clicks, he could eventually become much more than that. But he’ll enter 2027 with plenty of question marks surrounding him. Next season is about turning those flashes into something the Twins can count on. The upside has never really been the question. Now, it’s time to see what that upside actually looks like over the course of a full season. View the full article

One advantage that has made a genuine difference in the New York Mets’ pitching over the last two seasons has been the ability of their left-handed relievers to strike out hitters and avoid walks, keeping their K-BB% hovering above 16%. However, they have had different problems in 2025 and 2026 that should be a focus of attention for next season. Last year, hitters posted a .320 BABIP against that contingent, their highest mark since the 2020 season. That problem found some solution in 2026, when the left-handers combined to allow a .290 BABIP out of the bullpen, but then another complicated situation arose, and that was that hitters improved their HR/FB rate from 7.9% to 10.9%. With the exception of Brooks Raley (4.4%) and Nate Lavender (4.2%), the rest of the left-handers allowed a rate above 10%: Cionel Perez (25.0%), Jefry Yan (20.0%), Richard Lovelady (16.7%), A.J. Minter (11.4%), David Peterson (11.1%) and Sean Manaea (10.2%). In addition, most of them were vulnerable with runners on base. Among the pitchers still on the roster, Manaea (12.9 BB%) and Yan (12.2 BB%) were the most erratic arms. With the exception of Minter and Lavender, the rest posted walk rates above 6.0% with runners on base. Obviously, that is the exact opposite effect of what we want to see from the left-handed pitchers in a bullpen. The good news, within the chaos, is that the Mets took an interesting turn in the second half of the season, when it seemed that the departures of Raley and Minter would limit the bullpen’s left-handed power. It was quite the opposite, thanks to Lavender remaining consistent and being basically the only arm capable of handling pressure moments, driving a reduction in xFIP from 3.95 to 2.93, with a surprising 32.9% strikeout rate in 21 appearances. However, it is clear that Lavender will not be able to carry this load alone for an entire season, and we still need to see if he will manage to maintain the best version we saw this year when the workload increases and the league begins to adjust against his pitches. That said, the Mets have recently revealed that they will look for arms capable of handling the pressure, and there are several free agents who fit that profile, even with projections well above the value that Minter and Raley provided. One of my favorite choices at this point is left-hander Alex Vesia, who has garnered a strong reputation as a championship-caliber reliever in the Los Angeles Dodgers' bullpen. Two things I love about Vesia are that he has been accustomed to dealing with pressure and has been a consistent pitcher throughout his career, with the ability to take on large workloads. In his last five seasons, he has pitched in at least 56 games, with an average of 68 appearances per 162 games, accumulating 5.6 bWAR in 326 appearances during that period. Among all the free-agent relievers currently available on the market, Vesia has the highest strikeout rate (31.2%), even surpassing Adrian Morejon, plus the lowest xBA (.164) allowed, with the second-best xERA (2.68) and the second-best whiff rate (33.6%), in both aspects behind Morejon. He has also been a tormentor of left-handed hitters, limiting them to a career .170/.252/.277 slash line, with 189 strikeouts and just 49 walks in 548 matchups. In 2026, he had the highest number of matchups of his career against left-handed hitters (106) and limited them to a .471 OPS. Vesia does have a major flaw: his high walk rates, which often make him get himself into complicated situations. This year, he did not escape those problems, as his walk rate fell from the 28th percentile to the 4th, after finishing with a 16.0 BB% rate against right-handers, his worst mark since 2021, and 10.0% against left-handers, the highest since 2022. Still, Vesia remains effective enough to solve most problems under pressure. He has done so every year with his three elite pitches, his four-seam fastball, a sweeping slider that has been his main strikeout weapon, and a devastating changeup that led the league with a 48.5% whiff rate in 2026. If the Mets can look past his occasional control issues, he could become a key piece of their relief corps for the foreseeable future. View the full article

When looking at the Toronto Blue Jays' outfield, it's clear it needs to be a priority position to improve this offseason. The team will need to answer a few questions before deciding how many outfielders to add. Depth reinforcements are coming, with Anthony Santander and Addison Barger expected to be healthy at the start of the season. However, their last-seen performances on the field were underwhelming, and they can’t be trusted to stay healthy. Plus, Santander is dealing with backlash for the recent insensitive posts he shared on social media. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he isn’t a Blue Jay when spring training begins. Brett Bateman had a successful rookie campaign, but he’s never played more than 125 games in a season, which was this past season between Triple A and the majors. He proved to be matchup-proof, hitting well against both right- and left-handed pitchers. However, how will he adapt as pitchers learn how to get him out? Also, can his body hold up to playing nearly every day of a 162-game season, or will he wear down toward the end? The rest of the outfield depth on the 40-man roster consists of: Jonatan Clase, Davis Schneider, Yohendrick Piñango, Josh Smith, Charles McAdoo, and Nathan Lukes. Besides Lukes, none of the others give much confidence that they can produce the numbers the Blue Jays need to crawl out of the AL East cellar and return to the postseason. Because of this lack of confidence and production, Toronto has to find more depth this offseason. The problem is that the free agent market is extremely weak. This means that if viable free agents aren’t available, the Blue Jays may need to get creative and pursue a trade. Luckily, general manager Ross Atkins isn’t scared to make a big move or spend money. Here are the reasons why the Blue Jays need to add one or two outfielders this offseason. The Case for Adding One Outfielder It’s no secret that Toronto is going after the top free agent bat available, Seiya Suzuki. Nearly every media platform is talking about the great fit he would be for the team. He played against Kazuma Okamoto in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, and they played together in this season’s World Baseball Classic. After the Blue Jays failed to sign the top offensive free agents in the last three offseasons — Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker — it’s scary to hear so many tying Suzuki to Toronto. Fans don’t want to get their hopes up just to be crushed again, but it’s hard to ignore the news. Suzuki checks a majority of the boxes the Blue Jays need. They need power, a corner outfielder, and a player who can stay healthy. He’s played at least 130 games, hit more than 20 home runs and driven in more than 70 runs in each of his last four MLB seasons. The former Chicago Cub is also a solid defender, posting a 5 OAA and 14 DRS this past season in right field. If Toronto strikes out on Suzuki, then Randy Arozarena would be the next best option. He’s less consistent at the plate than Suzuki, but his 20-plus home runs in each of the last six seasons would be an upgrade over Toronto's outfielders. However, Arozarena is weaker in the outfield, posting a -5 OAA and -2 DRS in 2026. It feels like it’s a bust if the Blue Jays don’t get either of those two guys. After Suzuki and Arozarena, the production available from the outfield free agent class drops significantly; Ian Happ, Taylor Ward, Trent Grisham, and Joc Pederson are a few consolation prizes available. Some of these players would be upgrades, but they aren’t up to Suzuki or Arozarena’s caliber. It’s about time Toronto has an All-Star in their outfield. They’ve only had three over the last 10 full seasons — George Springer (2022), Teoscar Hernández (2021), and Michael Saunders (2016). Before that, José Bautista earned the honor six seasons in a row. Suzuki or Arozarena could bring back that consistent All-Star production. The Case for Adding Two Outfielders If the Blue Jays can add either Suzuki or Arozarena, that’s a big boost to the offense. However, the team shouldn’t settle for adding just one outfielder. Depth was an issue for Toronto, as injuries ran rampant through the whole team in 2026. Because of injuries and/or poor outfield play, 12 different players logged innings at the positions. This need for depth makes adding a second outfielder a smart decision. It doesn’t even need to be one of the top options mentioned earlier. The Blue Jays need durability, and if the player could provide power and/or speed, then that’d be a welcome situation. Those are both areas the team needs to improve. A right-handed bat would likely be preferred. If it's not an everyday player, then he could platoon with Lukes, as Schneider, McAdoo, and Clase (a switch-hitter) are currently the only outfield right-handed bats on the 40-man roster. A free agent who stands out to me is Randal Grichuk. He was DFA’d after 16 games with the New York Yankees this season, but he hit his stride after the Chicago White Sox acquired him. The 35-year-old found himself in a platoon role, but he was superb at his job, mashing left-handed pitchers. Grichuk posted a .327/.371/.655 slash line against them with 27 runs, 11 homers, 27 RBIs, and a 181 wRC+ over 178 PAs. He not only crushed southpaws, but he could also replace Springer as the veteran leader in the locker room. Another option would be to bring Hernández back to Toronto. The Los Angeles Dodgers have stated he's on the trade block as they try to find room for their promising prospect Josue De Paula. Hernández would add some power to the lineup, but he has dealt with minor injuries over the last few seasons. However, he's been able to play in at least 120 games each season since 2018, excluding the 2020 shortened season. He has a year left on his contract and a $15 million club option for 2028, which comes with a $6.5 million buyout if his team decides to move on from him. View the full article

In a stunning pre-lockout move, the Boston Red Sox have signed free agent first baseman Jake Bauers to a four-year, $58 million contract. While Craig Breslow downplayed the need to add power to be a World Series contender just last week, he was obviously paying close attention to what the Brewers’ slugger was doing to help power that team to their first championship. While the addition of Bauers instantly makes the Red Sox’s lineup more potent, it creates a handful of roster questions that must be addressed before December 1. First, there is the obvious corresponding move that has to be made just to add Bauers to the 40-man roster. While there are a number of DFA candidates currently on that list, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Breslow try to free up some space by finally moving either Jarren Duran or Masataka Yoshida. Sure, he can DFA Raymond Burgos, but that'd be a temporary solution to what is now a serious logjam. Arguably, the biggest piece of news to come out of the GM Meetings in Las Vegas was that many rival executives and scouts were very open about the fact that the Red Sox were willing to move on from Duran. While a return for the outfielder likely won’t be earth-shattering, he has some value on the open market and can help replenish a diminished farm system at a bare minimum. The same can be said for Yoshida, who is on the final year of his contract and will be looking at decreased playing time with Bauers in the fold. Yoshida has been a fine hitter when healthy, but he doesn’t have an offensive profile that makes sense as a DH in Boston, and he’s outranked on the outfield depth chart by guys who are lightyears better on defense. Both Duran and Yoshida were likely to split time at DH in 2027 without any additions, but now they are both going to be on the outside looking in for playing time. While it will be a hard pill for Breslow to swallow, neither should be on the roster when November turns to December. The biggest question, though, is where Bauers will play. We’ll have more on the first base depth chart in the coming days, but The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey is hearing from sources that he’s expected to split time at first and designated hitter. That makes sense, but Bauers has the type of offensive approach that the Red Sox should be looking for in a mostly full-time DH. After the Sox were eliminated from the postseason, I wrote about how the DH by committee method that the team has employed under Breslow wasn’t going to be beneficial any longer, and it seems that Breslow may be coming around to that idea as well. Bauers also has experience in the outfield but with Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu patrolling the grass, don’t expect to see the big man out there for more than a spot start or two. By signing Bauers, the Red Sox have made the first big splash of the offseason and could be primed to move some household names to help accommodate his presence in the lineup. This is clearly just step one in a long offseason plan, but it's hard not to like the way this team is moving. View the full article

Yesterday, we noted that Davis Schneider's name has reportedly come up in offseason trade talks. Apparently, he's not the only one. According to The Athletic's Mitch Bannon, teams have been asking the Blue Jays about Brandon Valenzuela and Ernie Clement. His report did not specify which teams, although he did mention that the Reds previously inquired about trading for Valenzuela. Valenzuela enjoyed a breakout rookie campaign this past season, showing off tremendous defensive skills behind the plate. Clement is beloved by Blue Jays fans thanks to his tremendous performance during the 2025 postseason. However, he is coming off a disappointing second half in 2026. As things stand, both remain key pieces of Toronto's roster. However, an infield addition this winter could push Clement out of a starting role. Meanwhile, Valenzuela is only ever going to be a backup for the Blue Jays. So, another team that sees his potential as a starter might be willing to pay what it takes to pry him away. Right now, there's a good chance the Blue Jays are just doing their due diligence by taking calls and listening on everyone early in the offseason. That said, it wouldn't be altogether shocking if Clement or Valenzuela is wearing a new uniform in 2027. View the full article

With a couple of offensive holes to fill, the Toronto Blue Jays have a pretty clear offseason plan. Anthony Santander and Addison Barger should be healthy to start 2027, but questions remain about whether they can stay healthy and bounce back from their performances the last time they were on the field. Santander played in only 54 games in 2025 and missed the entire 2026 season. If he’s healthy and performing, the Blue Jays will likely prefer him at DH to put less strain on his body so he can be around all season. Barger lasted only nine games this past season before suffering an elbow injury after firing a 101 mph throw from right field. While he was rehabbing, he suffered a stress fracture in his lower back as well. He underwent an internal brace procedure on his elbow in July, shutting down his season. Barger should be healthy for spring training, but his arm is his strength, so it’s unclear if he can get back to his full form. With these two question marks and the lack of outfield production on the 40-man roster, the Blue Jays need to pursue a top free agent, with arguably their top two targets being on this list. They also need to upgrade at second base after Ernie Clement took a step backward from his solid 2025 season. A few left-handed-hitting second basemen are available on the free-agent market, or they may need to pursue a trade. Either way, Clement has never been an offensive threat, despite his historic 2025 postseason run. That, paired with his defense becoming a liability, means it’s time to move on from him or move him to a platoon role. As for free agent availability, DiamondCentric has published a list of their top eight right-handed free-agent hitters. In this article, I'll look at their list (sorted by OPS) and see how each would fit with the Blue Jays. All market values are from Spotrac. 1. Randal Grichuk - OF Randal Grichuk could be an excellent bench bat for Toronto in a platoon role. He has 13 seasons of MLB experience and mashes southpaws. Last season, over 178 plate appearances facing lefties, he slashed .327/.371/.655 with 27 runs, 11 homers, 27 RBIs, and a 181 wRC+. Grichuk’s market value is around $9 million, making him a valuable veteran bat in a platoon with Nathan Lukes or as a bench piece. Given Grichuk's power potential is greater than that of the other outfield right-handed hitters on the Blue Jays' 40-man roster, the team should at least check in on him. His only competition is Davis Schneider, Charles McAdoo, or Jonatan Clase (switch-hitter). 2. Randy Arozarena - OF In a weak offensive free agent class this offseason, Randy Arozarena and Seiya Suzuki stand out as the top options. They’re both projected to have a market value around $26 million annually. However, they have qualifying offers attached, which means a team would need to give up a draft pick or two to sign either player. That penalty won't scare away the Blue Jays, even though they gave up picks to sign Santander and Dylan Cease over the last two offseasons. Once they decline their qualifying offers, the Jays would need to give up their second- and fifth-highest 2027 draft picks and $1 million from their international pool, though Arozarena or Suzuki are worth the penalty. Arozarena would give Toronto a power and durability boost after hitting at least 20 home runs and playing in at least 140 games in each of the last six seasons. The former Seattle Mariner also brings a speed boost with 151 stolen bases in that same span. I’ll explain later why I prefer Suzuki, but Arozarena would be a viable consolation prize. 3. Ty France - 1B Ty France has played limited innings at third and second base over his eight-year career, but he’s been primarily a first baseman. Despite him hitting a career-high in home runs (21) this season and playing Gold Glove-caliber defense, France won’t overtake Vladimir Guerrero Jr. However, if the Blue Jays don’t believe Santander can stay healthy and be productive, it could open a door for France to return to Canada. He came over at last season’s trade deadline alongside Louis Varland in a deal with the Minnesota Twins. Toronto sent away Alan Roden and Kendry Rojas. Varland just won the inaugural AL Reliever of the Year Award, giving the Blue Jays a massive lead in winning the trade. 4. Seiya Suzuki - OF Suzuki is the top offensive prize this offseason. He has shown a more consistent bat over his career than Arozarena. The former Chicago Cub has also posted 20 or more home runs and 70 or more RBIs in nine of his last 10 seasons, dating back to his years in NPB. He was also exceptional on defense in 2026, posting 5 outs above average (OAA) this season, compared to Arozarena’s -5 rating. Suzuki's annual market value is $27.5 million, but that price may rise as teams bid against each other. There isn’t much power in this free agent market, which may lead to teams paying a premium to get their guy. Many media platforms are connecting Suzuki to the Blue Jays because of his experience playing in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball against Kazuma Okamoto. The two also played together in this year's World Baseball Classic. Hearing about the connection between Suzuki and the Blue Jays is scary, after they failed to sign the top offensive free agents over the last three offseasons. They were among the finalists to sign Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker, only to see them sign massive contracts elsewhere. Luckily, Suzuki won’t cost as much as these players, making him a prime target for the Blue Jays. If the team can’t sign him, fans will be disappointed to watch a fourth straight offseason without adding the top hitter. 5. Tyrone Taylor - OF Tyrone Taylor is usually a defensive-minded outfielder who had a breakout offensive season in 2026. He slashed .279/.325/.502 with 36 runs, 11 homers, and 38 RBIs over 241 PAs. The power came as a surprise, but Taylor is at best a fourth outfielder. He is mostly useful as a defensive replacement late in games. Teams will likely pay up to see if Taylor can repeat his power surge, but that shouldn’t include Toronto. It took eight seasons for the 32-year-old to produce this type of production, which makes him a risk factor. The team doesn’t need to add another defensive player. 6. Ryan Jeffers - C Ryan Jeffers was on pace to post career numbers at the plate this season, but he only played in 92 games after suffering a hamate fracture when a pitch hit him. His 14 home runs were seven shy of his career mark set in 2024, when he had 97 more PAs. If healthy, it'd have been a career year for the former Minnesota Twin. It’s not often that a catcher of Jeffers’s caliber reaches the free agent market, which will mean that catcher-needy teams will be aggressive in pursuing him. This does not include the Blue Jays. They have Alejandro Kirk, Brandon Valenzuela, and Shawn Ross on the 40-man roster, with Valenzuela showing he’s more than capable of being behind the plate if Kirk gets hurt. 7. Gary Sánchez - C Gary Sánchez is far from the batter who hit more than 30 home runs in both 2017 and 2019. He hit 12 this season and posted a weak .205/.349/.422 slash line over 275 PAs. However, his 16.7 percent walk rate was a career high. These statistics, along with his poor defense, make Sánchez a bench bat only and not worth the Blue Jays pursuing. 8. Paul Goldschmidt - 1B Paul Goldschmidt had a bounce-back season this year, after a lackluster campaign in 2025. The 39-year-old has had an amazing career at the plate, but his age may be catching up. He’d be a productive platoon DH or bench bat, even though he doesn’t have many years left. Santander is a switch-hitter, so it doesn’t make sense to add Goldschmidt. However, the former Yankee would be a huge discount veteran presence and could provide power in a pinch-hit appearance late in games or to give Guerrero a day off. View the full article

Jeff Passan of ESPN is reporting that Jake Bauers and the Boston Red Sox have landed on a 4 year, $58 million deal. How does he fit in a crowded lineup? View the full article

The Chicago Cubs are one of the few teams with multiple success stories coming from Japan. They are looking to add to that legacy. The Cubs are one of a handful of teams that have been linked to Japanese right-hander Kaima Taira, according to Bruce Levine of WSCR (670 AM). Levine said the Cubs, Chicago White Sox and San Diego Padres were among the teams that were scheduled to meet with Taira's agent, Scott Boras, at the General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas. Taira, who turns 27 on Sunday, sits just 5-foot-8 but is 209 pounds and has been compared to a mound version of Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk for his stout look. Taira is also the best pitching option in this year's class of players coming from Japan. He has good velocity on his four-seamer (95-97 mph) and cutter (92-94 mph) while also having a nice splitter, slider and changeup, while his curve could use a little work but is serviceable. Pitching for the Seibu Lions in Nippon Professional Baseball, he posted a 1.36 ERA in 23 games and 146 innings, with a 7.9% walk rate and 24.8% strikeout rate. The Cubs are casting a wide net for starting pitching as most of their rotation either left in free agency or is currently injured, including Japanese left-hander Shota Imanaga. View the full article

The Minnesota Twins enter an important offseason with plenty of work ahead of them. After several seasons of declining payroll and diminishing expectations, the organization is trying to change the narrative heading into 2027. Owner Tom Pohlad has publicly acknowledged that the team's spending needs to increase, while general manager Jeremy Zoll has the responsibility of turning those promises into a more competitive roster. Money will help, but the Twins cannot simply write checks and expect everything to fall into place. Several existing roster spots need to be reconsidered, the lineup needs additional production, and the bullpen requires more dependable arms. Minnesota also has one of baseball's better farm systems, giving Zoll some valuable trade chips to pursue established major league talent. There are plenty of different directions the organization could take. However, if I were putting together Minnesota's offseason plan using our Offseason Blueprint tool, I would start with three roster departures, pursue two significant offensive trades, and bring in a pair of established relief pitchers. Here is what my ideal Twins offseason would look like. A Trio of Trades or Non-Tenders Royce Lewis, Bailey Ober, and Trevor Larnach are three players I would move on from this winter. Each has a different situation, but the common theme is that Minnesota could use the resources allocated to this trio elsewhere. Lewis has struggled to establish himself as a consistent everyday player. His defensive situation became increasingly complicated last season as Brooks Lee took control of third base and emerged as a Gold Glove finalist. Lewis spent time in Triple-A before returning to Minnesota, but he never completely established himself in the team's plans. His offensive potential remains intriguing, but the Twins need more certainty from a player occupying such an important roster spot. Ober presents another difficult decision. His declining velocity has become increasingly concerning, and Minnesota needs to determine whether he can still be a dependable part of its starting rotation. With several younger pitchers competing for opportunities, moving Ober could create additional flexibility while opening a rotation spot. Larnach is another player whose role has become difficult to justify. He provides some offensive production against right-handed pitching, but his defensive limitations restrict his everyday value. As his salary increases, the Twins have to consider whether that type of player deserves a regular roster spot. Moving on from these three players would free up approximately $18.3 million. That money could be redirected toward positions where Minnesota needs more reliable production. Two Offensive Upgrade Trades Minnesota has invested heavily in its farm system, and some of that organizational depth could help address major league weaknesses. Rather than waiting for prospects to develop, Zoll should explore opportunities to turn some of that depth into established contributors. My first target would be Oakland Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers, who carries an estimated $8.7 million salary. Langeliers would give Minnesota another legitimate offensive threat behind the plate while providing some flexibility with Victor Caratini. The Twins should not have to depend on Caratini to handle the majority of the catching responsibilities, particularly after his disappointing second half. Langeliers has developed into one of the more productive offensive catchers in baseball. During the 2026 season, he hit .262/.328/.474 with 23 home runs and 58 RBI in 424 at-bats. His .802 OPS and power production would represent a significant addition to Minnesota's lineup. He also brings some long-term value, with team control extending through the 2029 season. His acquisition helps bridge the gap until top prospect Vahn Lackey is ready to take over behind the plate. This is also going to take quite the prospect package to make it happen. The second offensive target would be St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson, who carries an estimated $8.3 million salary. First base has been an area where Minnesota needs more stability and offensive production. Burleson would address both concerns while giving the Twins another dependable middle-of-the-order option. The 27-year-old enjoyed an impressive 2026 campaign, hitting .279/.343/.473 with 26 home runs and 116 RBI across 670 plate appearances. He also collected 37 doubles and 169 hits. His 116 RBI ranked near the top in the National League. Burleson has demonstrated that he can produce over a full season, and he would give Minnesota a consistent left-handed bat capable of driving in runs. Adding him alongside Langeliers would provide two established offensive contributors without requiring the Twins to rely entirely on free agency. Neither trade would come without a prospect cost, but Minnesota has the organizational depth to make these types of moves. At some point, the Twins need to convert their farm system into major league production. Two Bullpen Upgrades The bullpen also needs attention after another season in which Minnesota struggled to find enough dependable late-inning options. Adding one quality reliever would help, but I would rather see the Twins make two significant additions. The first would be bringing back left-handed reliever A.J. Minter on a new contract worth approximately $10.33 million. Minnesota acquired Minter at last season's trade deadline, and he provided a valuable addition to the bullpen. He finished his 2026 campaign with a 2.56 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 45 2/3 innings with the Twins, striking out 41 batters. Minter would immediately give Minnesota an experienced left-handed option capable of handling important situations. The Twins need an upgrade over Kody Funderburk in the top left-handed relief role, and Minter has already demonstrated that he can succeed in Minnesota. The second addition would be right-hander Bryan Abreu on a contract worth approximately $9 million. Abreu is a familiar name for Twins fans because Minnesota reportedly attempted to acquire him from Houston at last year's trade deadline in a potential deal involving Trevor Larnach. However, Astros owner Jim Crane reportedly stepped in and prevented the trade from happening. The Twins should revisit that interest this winter. Abreu finished 2026 with a 3.73 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 80 strikeouts across 62 2/3 innings. He also recorded nine saves and 16 holds. His strikeout ability gives him an opportunity to become an important late-inning weapon. Although his ERA and WHIP were higher than his previous season's numbers, Abreu still demonstrated the ability to miss bats and handle high-leverage situations. Pairing him with Minter would give Minnesota two experienced additions and create more flexibility throughout the bullpen. The Big Picture This offseason blueprint would put the Twins at an estimated $136.78 million payroll, approximately 1.30% above the $135 million target established by Twins Daily. That figure represents a relatively modest increase compared to some of Minnesota's previous payrolls, but it would give Zoll the opportunity to make several meaningful roster improvements. The Twins would move on from three players whose roles have become increasingly complicated, add two established offensive contributors, and strengthen the bullpen with a pair of experienced relievers. More importantly, this plan would demonstrate that Minnesota is serious about competing in 2027. Pohlad has spent considerable time discussing the organization's desire to become a consistent postseason contender. During the team's September news conference, he reiterated that a payroll around $100 million would not be sufficient to accomplish those goals and promised that ownership intends to meaningfully invest in the roster. Those comments create expectations, and the upcoming offseason is where the organization needs to start delivering. The Twins cannot continue asking fans to be patient while relying on the same roster construction that has failed to produce consistent postseason results. There are talented young players throughout the organization, but those players need established major league teammates who can help turn potential into wins. A $135 million payroll would not put Minnesota among baseball's biggest spenders, but it should be enough to construct a much more competitive roster if the front office makes smart decisions. This blueprint would address several weaknesses without requiring an enormous financial commitment. Zoll has the opportunity to reshape this roster, and Minnesota has the financial flexibility and prospect depth to make it happen. The Twins have talked about raising expectations. Now it is time to build a team capable of meeting them. Will these moves be enough to get the Twins back to the playoffs in 2027? What would you change? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

With the General Managers Meetings this week in Las Vegas, trade chatter is starting to percolate. Randy Holt and Steve Drumwright take a stab at making some trades for the San Diego Padres. Some of the names they bandied about include Will Warren, Ketel Marte, Carmen Mlodzinski, Jarren Duran, Andrew Vaughn, and Orion Kerkering. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/padres-mission-podcast/id1896922834 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033xclmydmbLmEp0exYuYz Listen on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-padres-mission-podcast-336930560 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@padresmission View the full article

The Minnesota Twins' loss is the San Diego Padres' gain. Maybe a change of scenery will make a difference. The Padres have signed corner outfielder Kala'i Rosario to a minor-league contract, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. Rosario was the Twins' fifth-round draft choice in 2020 out of Waiakea High School in Hawaii. He became a minor-league free agent following the season. Rosario, a right-handed hitter, shuttled between Double-A Wichita and Triple-A St. Paul in 2026, putting together a combined slash line of .260/.365/.480 with 22 homers and 54 RBIs in 100 games, along with 11 steals. He received more consistent playing time at Double-A, slashing .232/.375/.419 with 11 homers and 32 RBIs in 58 games. Still, he put up better numbers at Triple-A, where he slashed .298/.350/.563 with another 11 homers and 22 RBIs in 42 games. Rosario finished strong, hitting eight homers and having a 1.067 OPS in his final 17 games at Triple-A. That came after a good performance at Double-A in 2025, slashing .256/.358/.487 with 25 homers, 83 RBIs and 32 steals. His homers and steals were career bests. He is likely to begin 2027 at Triple-A El Paso. View the full article

The Minnesota Twins' loss is the San Diego Padres' gain. Maybe a change of scenery will make a difference. The Padres have signed corner outfielder Kala'i Rosario to a minor-league contract, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. Rosario was the Twins' fifth-round draft choice in 2020 out of Waiakea High School in Hawaii. He became a minor-league free agent following the season. Rosario, a right-handed hitter, shuttled between Double-A Wichita and Triple-A St. Paul in 2026, putting together a combined slash line of .260/.365/.480 with 22 homers and 54 RBIs in 100 games, along with 11 steals. He received more consistent playing time at Double-A, slashing .232/.375/.419 with 11 homers and 32 RBIs in 58 games. Still, he put up better numbers at Triple-A, where he slashed .298/.350/.563 with another 11 homers and 22 RBIs in 42 games. Rosario finished strong, hitting eight homers and having a 1.067 OPS in his final 17 games at Triple-A. That came after a good performance at Double-A in 2025, slashing .256/.358/.487 with 25 homers, 83 RBIs and 32 steals. His homers and steals were career bests. He is likely to begin 2027 at Triple-A El Paso. View the full article

As MLB free agents begin to come off the market, Kevin Barral and Isaac Azout discuss what they're hearing about the Miami Marlins' intentions. They also react to an announcement from Kelly Saco regarding her decision to leave Marlins.TV. This podcast is brought to you by Jet Ski Rentals of South Florida—offering Miami’s best jet ski and boat adventures. With six jet ski locations and over 120 boats, there’s something for every style and every budget. They’re reservation-based only. To inquire, call 305-990-2192, or check them out online at SFJetskiRentals.com. Make sure to use promo code FISHONFIRST to receive 10% off your next booking. You can find Fish Unfiltered and Fish On First LIVE on the Fish On First YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever else you get your pods. Here is more coverage of the Saco news. She began working for the Marlins way back in 2013. View the full article

I gave Craig Breslow a lot of credit at the trade deadline for his boldness, lauding him for his willingness to seek win-now moves at a time when it feels like so many organizations focus on an undetermined window of contention some years out in the future. Well, the president of baseball operations is up to his old tricks again, and this time he's brought another star first baseman to Boston. Yes, the Red Sox are signing Jake Bauers to a four-year deal worth $58 million, adding a huge bat to the lineup and creating a ton of questions for players already on the roster. More to come... View the full article