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The roster construction of the past few iterations of the Toronto Blue Jays has introduced fans to the reality that the standard of offensive production for position players varies widely based on how useful they are in the field. Beginning in 2023, the front office and coaching staff placed a strong emphasis on team defense, a priority that's still evident throughout today's roster. Daulton Varsho, and Ernie Clement are examples of guys who have been slam-dunk elite defenders every year, so for them to be considered positive contributors, their hitting doesn't have to be as effective as everyone else in the lineup. The state of affairs was problematic a couple of years ago because players like Varsho and Matt Chapman had very little offensive support around them, leading to the failing of an elite pitching staff and a playoff run that was (and long felt) over before it started. Nowadays, it's more practical to have someone like Clement assuming an everyday role because of the offensive firepower up and down the lineup. Any delightful revelations from those who have less pressure on them to deliver at the plate, such as Clement breaking the all-time single-postseason hits record and Varsho clubbing 20 homers in 71 games in 2025, are merely added bonuses. Few players in baseball illustrate this concept better than Andrés Giménez. With virtually no indication that it was coming, the Blue Jays traded for him last offseason, knowing he was a glove-first guy. From 2022-24, only Dansby Swanson was a more valuable defensive infielder than Giménez, according to Statcast. Someone that integral to run prevention at a premium position doesn't need to be an above-average hitter to be considered a good player. Case in point: In 2023, Giménez posted a 96 wRC+ with the Guardians, just a smidge below league-average offensive production. According to Fangraphs, he was still worth 3.8 WAR, enough to make him a top-eight second baseman in the game. Baseball Reference had him at 5.0 WAR. A below-average hitter who was still worth five wins! All else equal, Giménez probably only needs to maintain a wRC+ of 80 or greater to retain the status of a solid contributor at shortstop. There are usually only three to five position players every year who are that unproductive yet take enough at-bats to qualify for all major awards. Here's the bad news: He couldn't even manage to clear that line in his first season with Toronto. Amidst a handful of injury troubles, Giménez registered a 70 wRC+ in 2025. He was more than fine on defense, finishing with 1.0 fWAR in 101 games, but it was still a career-worst offensive season by almost every metric. I don't think Giménez should aim for a wRC+ of 80. That would be selling him a little short. Sure, he's probably the 10th-best hitter on the team as it is, but he also makes a lot of money: $15.6 million this year, and $23.6 million every year from 2027-29 before the Blue Jays get to decide whether they want to exercise a $23 million club option for 2030. His career wRC+ is 98, and he'll likely be here a while. He's not supposed to be a good hitter every year, but can he be just good enough that, inclusive of his defense, he rejoins the conversation of MLB's elite middle infielders? For those who need a refresher on Giménez's career path, it's been a rather peculiar journey for the focal point of the package Cleveland got from the Mets for Francisco Lindor. His first full season at age 23 was a 141 wRC+, 6.0-fWAR masterclass. Again, his defense has remained every bit as good as it was then, but the ensuing years saw him go from an elite hitter to about average to decidedly below-average to the guy we saw last year. His batting average on balls in play (BABIP) trend over that timespan is a whiplash-inducing roller coaster: Andrés Giménez Hitting, 2022-25 Year wRC+ BABIP lg BABIP 2022 141 .353 .290 2023 96 .289 .297 2024 83 .286 .291 2025 70 .239 .291 Giménez got paid after a 2022 season that, especially in hindsight, was a mirage in some ways. Right off the bat, a .353 BABIP for a guy with a low-80s zone contact rate and a barely-above-average line drive rate is a pretty serious red flag. His wOBA exceeded his xwOBA by 32 points that year, while his batting average cleared his xBA by 38. That's enough top-level evidence to suggest regression lies ahead, and it did: His BABIP returned to league norms for the next two seasons, taking his production to about the same level. In 2025, though, the baseball gods decided to curse him with a polar reversal of the BABIP luck he accrued three years before. Giménez doesn't swing fast or hit the ball hard or lay off bad pitches, and his contact ability is mediocre. He'll likely never be someone who can finagle his way to consistent overperformance on balls in play based on his skill set, but a .239 BABIP is far enough in the other direction that we can assume misfortune is at play at first glance. Let's look at some of the underlying numbers to verify that: Andrés Giménez Advanced Hitting, 2022-25 Year Zone Swing% Chase% Zone Contact% Out-of-Zone Contact% LD% PU% Barrel% EV90 Bat Speed 90 2022 70.9% 38.4% 81.2% 61.0% 24.4% 8.0% 6.2% 102.8 2023 71.0% 40.0% 81.6% 63.5% 21.9% 9.3% 5.5% 102.3 73.8 2024 74.6% 37.4% 84.3% 62.4% 24.0% 6.5% 2.8% 101.0 73.7 2025 67.2% 34.6% 81.6% 64.6% 26.2% 5.6% 3.0% 100.8 74.2 The most immediately concerning patterns here are a slow decline in top-end exit velocity and a barrel rate that has yet to match 2022, but as a whole, I don't see anything warranting a ~50-point drop in BABIP from 2024 to 2025. Sure, he made a little less contact on hittable pitches, but he slightly dialed back his free-swinging ways, hit more line drives, and hit fewer popups. Although his profile remains that of a below-average hitter, he didn't deserve the fate that befell him last year. Another quirk about Giménez that my editor, Leo Morgenstern, astutely pointed out in the early stages of preparing this piece: During his first two years in the league, he was basically a platoon-neutral lefty hitter, if not slightly reverse-platoon. Since then, he has suddenly forgotten how to hit lefty pitching: Year wRC+ vs LHP wRC+ vs RHP xwOBA vs LHP xwOBA vs RHP 2022 159 136 .320 .335 2023 100 95 .301 .296 2024 64 90 .268 .313 2025 39 80 .274 .318 His quality of contact (in tandem with his K/BB rate) has notably declined against same-handed pitching throughout the sample, which mostly boils down to increasingly poor swing decisions and suboptimal launch angles of hard-hit balls. Once again, though, the BABIP monster is the driving force. Observe Giménez's BABIP vs LHP from 2022-25: .386, .300, .277, .213. Such a violent shift across both ends of the spectrum figures to even out in some way. One thing that falls under the radar about Giménez's offensive value: He's a machine on the bases. He stole 20 bases during that magical 2022 campaign before stealing 30 each in 2023 and 2024 once the pitch clock came into the picture. I'm not sure we'll see 30 in 2026 because the quad and ankle injuries he suffered brought him down to 65th-percentile sprint speed (as opposed to 94th-percentile in 2022), but I'm sure the Blue Jays would gladly take 20. For all the things their offense did well in 2025, baserunning was not one of them. They were 12th in the AL in baserunning run value per Statcast, and 14th in stolen bases, ahead of only the Tigers. Giménez has what it takes to move them away from the bottom of the pile. The level of offense the Toronto Blue Jays received from Bo Bichette for most of the past half-decade was nothing short of a luxury at the shortstop position. Andrés Giménez won't hit like that, but he's probably going to be better than 2025 would indicate. Some upward regression to the mean appears to be in order based on the trajectory of his career to this point, and that might be all he needs. Between his baserunning and his world-class defense, a below-average offensive output is just fine. A wRC+ around 80 is likely enough to make him a positive contributor overall, and if he gets into the 90s, he'll approach four-win territory if healthy. That would make him a top-10 shortstop in the game, one with a very similar overall impact to Bichette, albeit with a drastically different style of play. FanGraphs' projection systems seem to agree with this outlook: Giménez's average wRC+ forecast for 2026 between their six distinct models is 90. So, then, let us root for a 10%-below-average performance from Giménez at the plate this year. It'll make his wizardry with the glove that much sweeter. View the full article

Relative to other Major League Baseball franchises, the Miami Marlins have a brief and frustrating history. Even so, fans would rather celebrate it than hide from it, and the Marlins have taken steps recently to give the people what they want. That includes the opening of the Marlins Legends Hall of Fame at loanDepot park in 2025. The Marlins use a vague criteria to select their Hall of Famers. As described on the HOF landing page of the team's website, "legends who played a major role in béisbol history" are elected. "Each year, we’ll celebrate former players, coaches, managers, and staff members for their contributions to not just the Marlins organization, but also our South Florida communities," the page continues. The inaugural class of inductees—Luis Castillo, Jeff Conine, Jim Leyland and Jack McKeon—are described as "players and coaches who shaped Marlins history over the years with their memorable plays, legendary leadership, and lasting impact on the game." Fish On First SuperSub @Casey Marika developed his own criteria for discerning which players did enough to distinguish themselves. Focused only on the Marlins portion of each player's career, his "Team Hall of Fame Index" incorporates the following factors: Wins above replacement Longevity & franchise legends All-Star Game appearances Major awards & honors Postseason impact Franchise leaderboards Single-game achievements Peak dominance The index ranks Castillo fourth, with an overall score that places him in the highest tier ("inner-circle Marlins HOF"). Conine is ranked 10th in the "borderline/ballot debate" tier, though that is without accounting for his extensive philanthropic work and contributions to the franchise since retiring as a player. Giancarlo Stanton presumably won't be considered until he hangs up his cleats and Sandy Alcantara is still adding to his Marlins legacy. That leaves Hanley Ramírez, Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis, Josh Johnson and Mike Lowell as the index's most deserving individuals. Amusingly, Casey also shared an expanded list of the index's top 150 players. If the Marlins induct two new players every single year through the end of the 21st century, that's the total they would reach. If this franchise is still around in 2099, we can reasonably assume that plenty of new impact players emerged in the interim, supplanting the likes of Wei-Yin Chen, Caleb Smith and José Ureña. Seven active Fish crack the top 150. Any last-minute predictions for who will comprise the class of 2026? View the full article

Upon trading David Sandlin to the Chicago White Sox as part of the Jordan Hicks salary dump, Craig Breslow and the Boston Red Sox effectively wiped their hands clean of all of their vaunted pitching depth in the span of about three months. What was once a 40-man roster littered with pitching prospects scratching and clawing to even get some time in Triple-A is now whittled down to a clear-cut starting five and some limited (but impressive) depth, including Patrick Sandoval, Kutter Crawford, Tanner Houck, and Kyle Harrison. Alongside Sandlin, the Red Sox have sent the following young arms away in trades this winter: Richard Fitts, Hunter Dobbins, Brandon Clarke, Luis Perales, Blake Aita, and Yhoiker Fajardo. If you can believe it, that's not even an exhaustive list. And, really, this all makes sense when you consider Breslow's background. A 12-year MLB pitcher who won the 2013 World Series with the Red Sox, the current Brezident of baseball operations [I have never been less sorry for a pun] took his first front office role with the Chicago Cubs and Theo Epstein as their Director of Strategic Initiatives for Baseball Operations. That long and unwieldy title meant a lot of things, but chief among his responsibilities was to "support the organization's pitching infrastructure in Player Development and the major leagues." He was soon promoted to the position of Director of Pitching and Special Assistant to the President and General Manager. In other words, he basically took over the Cubs' entire minor league pitching infrastructure. And less than a year later, he was promoted again to Assistant General Manager/Vice President, Pitching. So, yeah, this guy knows a thing or two about pitchers because he's seen a thing or two with pitchers. He's brought that knowledge along with him to Boston, and it's why the team had so many major-league ready or major-league caliber pitchers to deal from. And between Payton Tolle and Connelly Early, they were able to hold onto their best pitching prospects throughout such an extensive period of wheeling-and-dealing. This phenomenon won't be a one-off, either. The Red Sox continue to prioritize pitchers in drafts, including their 2025 class which featured eight hurlers taken within the team's first ten picks. Young, controllable pitchers are the most valuable commodity in baseball, and if Breslow believes he can identify the right talent for the franchise's pitching lab to develop, there will be no shortage of tradeable assets in the future. Perhaps the most telling thing about all of this, though, is that for all their pitching depth and scouting prowess, the Red Sox haven't given their prospects a chance to shine in the majors. They've instead favored established MLB arms, trading for Garrett Crochet, Sonny Gray, and Johan Oviedo and signing Ranger Suárez in free agency in about a 13-month span. The only homegrown member of the rotation, Brayan Bello, was signed back in 2017 under Dave Dombrowski. Once pitchers like Tolle, Early, and even Kyson Witherspoon establish their big-league bona fides in Boston, that narrative will quiet down. But this strategy of drafting, developing, and trading young pitchers for established MLB talent is an interesting one, lying at the crossroads of Breslow's analytical background and the Sox's big-market tendencies. There's no telling how sustainable it might be, but if it leads to another successful run (or runs) in the postseason, that strategy may just become the standard. View the full article

On Thursday afternoon, the Royals announced that they would be bringing back catcher Luke Maile on a Minor League deal. That also includes an invitation to Spring Training. Maile played in 25 games and had 54 plate appearances with the Royals last year, primarily filling in as the backup catcher after Freddy Fermin was traded to San Diego at the Trade Deadline. The 34-year-old journeyman catcher hit .244 with the Royals and also posted a .316 wOBA, 99 wRC+, and 0.3 fWAR. He was primarily known for his defense with the Royals, especially in the framing department. He was two runs above average in terms of framing runs and sported a +1 FRV in 143 innings behind the plate. On the offensive side, he swung and missed a lot, but he made up for it with a strong walk rate, hard-hit rate, and sweet-spot percentage. That is evident in his TJ Stats summary below. The Royals will have eight catchers in Spring Training camp, which is important given that pitchers and catchers report in five days. It is likely that the Royals will begin the year with Carter Jensen as the backup to Salvador Perez, who will likely be the regular catcher in 2026 after signing a two-year extension this offseason. That said, Maile will provide a veteran presence in Arizona while Perez plays for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. Additionally, Maile could also help Jensen in his adjustment to catching at the Major League level in Perez's absence. Once the season starts, the Royals could promote Maile to the Majors if Perez or Jensen gets hurt (or if Jensen struggles out of the gate and needs time in Omaha to reset). Photo Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images View the full article

The San Diego Padres have signed Miguel Andujar to a one-year, $4 million deal. The once-everyday starter for the New York Yankees no longer has that role, but he still brings a level of hit-ability, arm strength, and grittiness at the plate that San Diego could use as a shot in the arm in certain scenarios. Batting well over .300 for the 2025 season, Andujar will likely fill in as the team's DH or as a top pinch-hitting option. This video breaks down his strengths, weaknesses, and projected role on the team going forward. View the full article

As unveiled on Thursday night, rosters for the 2026 World Baseball Classic include 11 players from the Miami Marlins organization, representing seven different countries. In alphabetical order: Sandy Alcantara (Dominican Republic, second career WBC) Owen Caissie (Canada, second) Yiddi Cappe (Cuba, first) Liam Hicks (Canada, first) Ian Lewis (Great Britain, first) Otto Lopez (Canada, second) Jakob Marsee (Italy, first) Michael Petersen (Great Britain, second) Agustín Ramírez (Dominican Republic, first) Javier Sanoja (Venezuela, first) Jared Serna (Mexico, first) Alcantara is the only Marlins starting pitcher participating this time. He made the Dominican Republic's first start of the tournament in 2023, went 3 ⅔ innings, allowing three runs on five hits, three walks and two strikeouts. The Dominican Republic did not make it past pool play. Ramírez was seemingly on the bubble for the D.R. as they finalized the roster. Although earning a spot on such a talented team at 24 years old is a great accomplishment, he is unlikely to see significant playing time as long as fellow catchers Austin Wells and Yainer Diaz stay healthy. Lopez and Caissie were Canadian teammates in 2023. In their WBC debuts, Lopez slashed .294/.333/.588/.921 with one home run and six RBI in four games. Caissie slashed .231/.286/.462/.748 with one home run and four RBI in three games of action. Canada did not advance in the tournament. Hicks, who was a Rule 5 draft pick last offseason, spent the entire 2025 season on the Marlins major league roster and slashed .247/.346/.346/.693 with six home runs, 45 RBI and a 98 wRC+. Freddie Freeman's decision to withdraw from the tournament made Hicks a easier fit on Canada's roster. He could play a combination of catcher, first base and designated hitter. Cappe, who is 23 years old, played in 62 games last season between High-A Beloit and Double-A Pensacola. He slashed .278/.328/.392/.722 with six home runs, 32 RBI, 29 stolen bases and a 107 wRC+. The Marlins view him mainly as a second baseman, but he does have significant minor league experience at shortstop and third base as well. Marsee in his rookie campaign slashed .292/.363/.478/.842 with five home runs, 33 RBI, 14 stolen bases and a 133 wRC+. He will slot in as the Marlins Opening Day center fielder. Petersen is the only active big leaguer who was born in the United Kingdom. He made one scoreless relief appearance during the 2023 WBC. ZW5MWjZfV0ZRVkV3dEdEUT09X0F3TlRVVjFYQlFRQVdscFVVQUFBQmxWUUFBTUVVQVFBQXdaUlV3SUJBUVVHQlFjRg==.mp4 Bahamians like Lewis are eligible for Great Britain as well. The speedy switch-hitter slashed .278/.357/.431/.788 in 73 MiLB games last season. The very versatile Sanoja finished the 2025 season slashing .243/.287/.396/.683 with six home runs, 38 RBI and an 86 wRC+. His second half of 2025 was encouraging, posting a .777 OPS. Five of his six home runs came in the second half, including a two-homer performance against the New York Yankees. Serna is coming off a very disappointing regular season, but dominated in his native Mexico over the winter. Because their countries are in Pool D, Alcantara, Ramírez and Sanoja won't have to travel far during the WBC—all of their games will be at loanDepot park. View the full article

The World Baseball Classic is upon us once again! The last WBC made the event a true global sensation among fans, with some really epic moments (Mike Trout vs. Shohei Ohtani, anyone?) and some introductions to future stars to come to Major League Baseball (like Shota Imanaga and Munataki Murakami). As the nations gear up for the beginning of the sixth iteration of the Classic, we're here to break down how to watch it, and who from the Chicago Cubs will take part in the event. How to watch: If you're interested in solely the games played by the United States team, you'll be in luck (provided you have access), as all games featuring the team will be played on FOX. Not only will FOX host all of the Pool B games involving Team USA, but they will also be the home of the quarterfinals and the championship game, regardless of who's playing in those games. If you'd like to experience the entire tournament, you'll be bouncing around a little more. Between FOX Sports, FS1 and even Tubi, the WBC has many different streaming homes for individual games. You can get a full breakdown on MLB.com by using this link. Which Cubs are set to play in the World Baseball Classic? Matthew Boyd, SP - USA What a cool honor for Matthew Boyd, who has to be riding quite high. Signed to what seemed like an underwhelming two-year pact last offseason, the left-handed pitcher has seen quite the career rebirth over the last 365 days: making the All-Star team in 2025, pitching like the Cubs' rock in the playoffs, and now being selected to wear the red, white and blue. Whether Boyd gets a start or is used as a multi-inning weapon out of the bullpen (as the Cleveland Guardians used the hurler in the 2024 season at times) will have to be seen, but he's going to pitch a few important innings. It's a testament to how hard he's worked and a reminder of how many injuries he's had to endure to get here. Alex Bregman, 3B - USA It's very likely that Alex Bregman will start multiple games for Team USA in the tournament and be a key contributor in the lineup. While it's a bit of a bummer that our first look at the team's new star third baseman will be in a pinestripe-less version of red-white-and-blue, this is a good sneak peak as to what we can expect. It's going to be fun to see one of the best players on the roster be a member of the Cubs over the next half-decade. Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF - USA I wonder if Pete Crow-Armstrong is going to be a starter, or simply a weapon off the bench to best utilize his glove and speed. Regardless, he's going to bring an air of excitement when he gets into any game. Sure, the young outfielder may strike out, but he's capable of creating pure electricity on the baseball field. While it's unlikely that he's going to carry the team in any capacity, it wouldn't be surprising if he ended up being a memorable and vital member of the roster. Seiya Suzuki, OF - Japan Seiya Suzuki won't be the most notable Japanese hitter on the roster, with the looming shadow of Ohtani looming over every moment Samurai Japan is on the field, but he should provide important protection for the Japanese superstar. Whether he's hitting just in front of or just behind him, Suzuki should be a mainstay in the Japanese lineup. With Japan offering one of the deepest rosters as well as being the defending champions, there's a good chance that Suzuki will meet his teammates in the quarterfinals or the championship game, setting up a pretty fun competition between them. Unlike in 2023, though, the Cubs' outfielder will not be joined by Shota Imanaga on the roster, who instead will stick with the Cubs in Arizona. (Suzuki himself missed out last time, due to an oblique strain. He's surely excited to get to participate this time around.) Jameson Taillon, SP - Canada Jameson Taillon has dual citizenship due to his parents, and while he likely wasn't going to crack a stacked American roster, he will be one of the best pitchers on the Canadian roster. Taillon has been a steady player for the Cubs, and getting a chance to shine on the world stage like this will be great for him entering the final year of his current deal with the North Siders. It's likely Team Canada will feature a few former Cubs as well, with Owen Caissie and Michael Soroka both having Canadian citizenship. That makes the Canadians a fun secondary watch for Cubs fans. Daniel Palencia, RP - Venezuela Daniel Palencia started the year in Triple-A Iowa, but finished the season as the Cubs' de facto fireman in the playoffs, being tasked with coming in to get the most important parts of the lineup (especially in the three-game-set with San Diego during the Wild Card series). He has used a great 2025 season to spingboard to being the favorite for saves in Chicago, and an important part of the Venezuelan bullpen. This will be a deep team, with other MLB stars such as Salvador Perez, Ronald Acuña Jr, and Maikel García all set to join Palencia. It wouldn't be that crazy if Venezuela ended up winning the whole thing, and it may just be the Cubs' relief ace recording the final outs. Historically, Team Venezuela has underachieved in the tournament, and they're desperate to change that this time. BJ Murray Jr., INF - Great Britain While BJ Murray Jr. isn't the biggest of names on this list, the Cubs farmhand will represent Team Great Britain during the Classic. Born in the Bahamas, Murray holds British citizenship. The British lineup isn't very deep, so even though Murray hasn't been on the upswing in the minor leagues, he should feature some for the team. Maybe a good showing will lead into a breakout season for the once-promising late-round pick. (Here's hoping the Brits also make a good showing, by outfitting the team with better uniforms this time.) Other players who may play: Not all rosters have been announced yet, but it's likely that Javier Assad will make Team México (also known as Novena Méxicana (the Mexican Nine)). Assad pitched for his native country in 2023, which boosted his career with the Cubs as the pitcher showed increased velocity in an impressive run. While Assad missed much of 2025, a good step to getting back to his previous form would be having a nice start (or two) during the WBC. Do you think these players are good selections to their respective rosters? Is someone missing? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

The Seidler family will begin to accept initial bids for a sale of the San Diego Padres by the end of February, according to a report on Feb. 5 by The Athletic. This comes on the heels of a settlement in a legal battle between the widow of late owner Peter Seidler and two of his brothers. Peter Seidler died in November 2023. Among the top candidates mentioned in the report is Joe Lacob, owner of the NBA's Golden State Warriors and WNBA's Golden State Valkyries. Lacob has previously pursued purchasing the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels and the A's when they were in Oakland. Sportico reported Wednesday that two owners of English Premier League soccer teams have shown interest in the Padres. Dan Friedkin has ownership of Everton and AS Roma through his Pursuit Sports and Jose E. Feliciano is part of the Chelsea group through Clearlake Capital. The Athletic said the Padres, who were valued last year at $1.9 billion, were seeking a sale price of close to $3 billion, which would surpass the MLB record of $2.42 billion set when Steve Cohen purchased the New York Mets in 2020. View the full article

The Brewers have had a litany of pitching talent for a while, and 2026 is going to be no exception. In this video, we break down the prospect profiles of Brandon Sproat, Logan Henderson, Bishop Letson, JD Thompson, and 19-year-old Bryce Meccage, who breaks into the top five rankings. Who will be up soon, and what strengths do each of these farmhands have? We dive into it all on Brewer Fanatic. View the full article

Emmanuel Rodriguez has had plenty of bad luck over the years with his injury history, but if he remains healthy for most of 2026, then he will be the most important prospect for this upcoming season. His strike zone judgement surpasses anyone else in the organization, and if that is added into the Twins lineup this season, then it can change the Twins' course within the AL Central. View the full article

The Twins and Derek Falvey agreed to part ways at the end of last week, officially closing the book on one of the more eventful eras in recent franchise history. Falvey arrived in Minnesota in late 2016 with a mandate to modernize the organization; rebuild a depleted farm system; and push the Twins back into relevance, after years of mediocrity. Over the course of nine seasons, Falvey oversaw dramatic swings. There were division titles, record-setting offenses, and long-awaited postseason success—but also deep frustrations tied to payroll constraints, uneven roster construction, and seasons that unraveled quickly. Context matters when evaluating his tenure, as ownership directives often collided with competitive windows, but results still tell a story. With Falvey’s time in Minnesota now complete, it feels like the right moment to look back and rank each season from best to worst. Some years exceeded expectations, others never stood a chance, and a few may ultimately define how this era is remembered. 9. 2024 Twins (82-80 record) This wasn’t the worst overall record under Falvey’s tenure, but the second-half collapse likely led to his eventual departure from the team. Minnesota came off the high of the team’s 2023 playoff run and immediately slashed payroll by $30 million, at the direction of ownership. Still, the team was in playoff position until late in the season, when a collapse pushed them out of the playoff picture. What made 2024 sting the most was the sense that the window was closing, rather than opening. 8. 2025 Twins (70-92 record) Minnesota sold off 10 players at the trade deadline, after hovering around the .500 mark for most of the season’s first half. With little talent left on the roster, the team played poorly down the stretch and finished with the most losses in the Falvey era. This season felt less like a failure and more like an organizational admission that competitiveness was no longer the priority. 7. 2021 Twins (73-89 record) Minnesota was expected to contend for the AL Central title for the third straight season, but things unraveled, and the team nearly lost 90 games while finishing in last place in the AL Central. It was the only season in the Falvey era in which the team finished last. Pitching depth collapsed, injuries piled up, and the confidence built in 2019 and 2020 evaporated quickly. 6. 2018 Twins (78-84 record) The 2018 Twins were trying to live up to their surprising playoff run in 2017, but things didn’t go as well. The team finished in second place in the AL Central, but was 13 games behind Cleveland. Paul Molitor, who was hired under the previous regime, was fired following the season, as Falvey sought a manager better aligned with the front office’s new direction. This year felt transitional in every sense. 5. 2022 Twins (78-84 record) There was plenty of hype surrounding the 2022 Twins, as the club shocked the baseball world by signing Carlos Correa to a massive contract coming out of the lockout. His first season in Minnesota was his best, as he posted 5.3 rWAR, but the team struggled to stay relevant with a pitching staff that included Dylan Bundy and Chris Archer. A fast start gave way to another late-season fade, which became far too familiar thereafter. 4. 2017 Twins (85-77 record) In Falvey’s first season, the Twins were coming off a 103-loss season, and the club hadn’t made the playoffs since 2010. Minnesota finished eight games above .500, good enough to qualify for the one-game AL Wild Card matchup. Unfortunately, that game was played at Yankee Stadium, and the Twins fumbled away an early lead. Still, there were positive signs of the franchise being back on the map and relevant again. 3. 2020 Twins (36-24 record) There was a lot to navigate during the COVID-shortened season, but the Twins still found a way to win their second straight AL Central title. Minnesota traded for Kenta Maeda, who was masterful in 11 starts with a 2.70 ERA and 0.75 WHIP, finishing runner-up for the AL Cy Young Award. Falvey deserves credit for keeping the team focused and competitive during a season unlike anything baseball had ever seen. 2. 2019 Twins (101-61 record) The Bomba Squad Twins were one of the most exciting teams in franchise history. Only two Twins teams have won over 100 games: the 2019 and 1965 clubs. Rocco Baldelli didn't have to work any miracles during his first season as manager, with the club regularly outscoring opponents and setting MLB’s all-time home run record. Unfortunately, the Yankees awaited the Twins in the playoffs, and Minnesota didn’t have the starting pitching necessary to win in October. 1. 2023 Twins (87-75 record) The 2023 Twins won’t be remembered as much for their regular-season record. However, they broke the team’s playoff losing streak and won the club’s first postseason series in nearly two decades. Trading for starting pitchers Sonny Gray and Pablo López put the team in a better playoff position than in 2019. It was finally some October success that had eluded the franchise for so long, and that alone elevates this season above the rest. Falvey’s era in Minnesota will be debated for years. He rebuilt the farm system, delivered multiple division titles, and finally helped end one of the most painful playoff droughts in professional sports. At the same time, inconsistent spending and poorly timed setbacks prevented the Twins from sustaining long-term success. The legacy is complicated, but it is far from empty. Falvey leaves behind an organization that experienced both its most exciting highs and its most frustrating what-ifs within the same decade. Which season best defines the Derek Falvey era for the Minnesota Twins? Leave a comment and start the discussion below. View the full article

The Milwaukee Brewers won 97 games in 2025, winning the National League Central for the third straight time and earning the top overall seed in the postseason. They achieved this success while hitting only 166 home runs, which was good for 22nd in the majors. With the Cubs and Pirates spending money this winter and Freddy Peralta in New York, the Brewers might need to increase their home run total significantly to continue their dominant run in 2026. Assessing the projected 13 position players on the roster will allow us to see who will provide the power for the Brewers this year. William Contreras Contreras ended the 2025 season tied for the team lead in plate appearances, and heading into his age-28 season, he will look to increase his power production. He hit 17 home runs in 2025, but his slugging average dropped from .466 in 2024 to .399 in 2025. His expected slugging (xSLG) was .001 less than his actual figure, meaning he wasn’t missing chances for power; he just wasn’t generating them. Contreras’s exit velocity and hard-hit percentage were both higher in 2024, so he will look to get back to form with regard to power in 2026. Reese McGuire McGuire played for the rival Cubs in 2025, and the veteran catcher will be 31 by Opening Day. He hit a career high in home runs last year, with 9, and his slugging was up to .444. However, McGuire’s expected batting average and expected slugging were both well below his actual numbers, so don’t expect him to contribute much from the backup catcher role. Andrew Vaughn Vaughn was acquired from the White Sox on June 13, 2025, and he turned out to be one of the more important hitters the Brewers had during the stretch run. Before he was traded, Vaughn was a terrible major-league hitter. He hit below .200 in his time with the White Sox, and slugged only .314. However, after joining the Brew Crew, Vaughn began to walk more and strike out less. His slugging average rose to .493 for the Brewers, in 64 games. Vaughn ended the season with a .411 SLG overall, and his expected slugging, which sits at .479, suggests that there could be more power to tap into. I expect Vaughn to contribute heavily from the middle of the order, especially against lefties, against whom he was significantly better in 2025 than he was against righties. Jake Bauers The 30-year-old Bauers played in 85 games for the Brew Crew in 2025, and he posted an above-average OPS+ for the first time in his career. Bauers hit seven homers and had the second-highest SLG of his career, at .399. Bauers’s expected slugging was even higher, at .460. I’d like to see a platoon of Bauers and Vaughn at first base, which would create a good, reliable position of power for the Brewers in 2026. Brice Turang Turang finished 2025 tied with Contreras for the team lead in plate appearances, and the 26-year-old took full advantage of his playing time. He hit 18 dingers, and his slugging was a career high .435, which was close to his expected slugging of .429. Turang’s SLG has increased each year of his career, but I would expect it to level off in the lower ranges of the .400s. Turang’s value to the Brewers comes from all facets of the game, and he will be one of the Brewers’ most valuable players regardless of whether he hits 20 or more home runs. It's noteworthy, but not necessarily predictive, that he hit 12 of his 18 homers in the final two months of the season. Joey Ortiz Ortiz regressed in 2025, hitting 7 homers in 149 games and slugging a lousy .317. His expected slugging was not good, either, at .327, one of the worst figures in baseball. His average exit velocity was equally dreadful, at 84.9 miles per hour. In his career so far, the 27-year-old has only 18 homers in 306 major-league games, so it may be wise to look elsewhere for power production. Caleb Durbin Durbin will be 26 years old by Opening Day, and while he provided value for the Brewers during the 2025 season, his power was limited. He hit only 11 bombs, his slugging percentage was only .387, and his expected slugging was even lower, at .362. His hard-hit percentage and exit velocity were also low, just above Ortiz. Unlike Ortiz, Durbin makes contact in ways that tend to maximize the value thereof, and makes better swing decisions. Durbin will contribute to the Brewers in 2026. Just don’t expect it to be in the power category. Andruw Monasterio The 28-year-old Monasterio had a productive 135 plate appearances for the Brewers in 2025, hitting four home runs with a .437 slugging percentage. However, his expected slugging was way below that number, at .363. Monasterio will look to contribute again for the Brewers in 2026, but expect a little regression if the plate appearances stay the same or increase. He's not an upside option. Blake Perkins Perkins is similar to Ortiz. His homer total last season was low, and his expected slugging (.326) managed to be even more discouraging than the actual number (.348). The 29-year-old had only 171 plate appearances in 2025, due to injury and the loss of his mother, so we should assume he can be a bit better next year. Expect a potential increase in plate appearances (but not an increase in production) due to the trade of Isaac Collins to the Royals. Jackson Chourio Chourio hit the second-most homers for the Brewers in 2025, with 21, and the soon-to-be 22-year-old will look to build on an eerily similar offensive season to the one he had as a rookie. Chourio finished with a .463 slugging percentage, but his expected slugging was much lower, at .426. For reference, 2024 saw Chourio end with a .464 slugging percentage, but an expected slugging much lower again, at .431. The good thing is that Chourio is still young (he'll turn 22 next month), and his exit velo and hard-hit percentages stayed close to the same from 2024 to 2025 as well. I’d project him to hit around the same number of homers, but there's certainly a chance for a breakout here. Christian Yelich Yelich led the 2025 Brewers in home runs with 29, but he will enter 2026 coming off his lowest OPS since 2022. He’s also a year older, and the 34-year-old outperformed his expected statistics in 2025. The former MVP earned a slugging percentage of .452, and his expected slugging percentage was slightly lower, at .439. While Yelich’s OPS may remain the same or continue to decrease, he is still, in my opinion, the Brewers’ most dangerous bat, when it comes to hitting the ball out of the park. Sal Frelick Frelick improved his power numbers in 2025, hitting 12 homers. However, in 2024, he ranked in the bottom-most percentile in the majors in terms of barrel percentage, hard-hit percentage, and exit velocity. He made slight improvements in his second full season, but he still ranked in the bottom decile for barrel percentage, and even lower in hard-hit rate and average exit velocity. Although the 25-year-old showed improvement, I wouldn’t suspect much more power from Frelick this year. He's also capable of power only against opposite-handed pitchers. Garrett Mitchell The 27-year-old Mitchell has totaled only 141 games played over the past four seasons, and the most home runs he has hit were 8 in 2024. Mitchell only played 25 games last season, with no homers at all, and his slugging average was an anemic .294. While his expected slugging was higher, at .341, staying on the field will be crucial for Mitchell in 2026 for him to contribute in the home run column. Overall, I expect the Brewers to hit roughly the same number of home runs this coming season as they did in 2025, and their success will come down to pitching, defense, and scoring runs without hitting homers. There will be regression in all those departments, though, so they need a big step forward or two from one of their prime-aged could-be sluggers. View the full article

As reported by The Athletic's Mitch Bannon, Eric Lauer had his arbitration hearing on Tuesday, February 3. That means his representatives and the Blue Jays went before a three-person panel to make their cases for the respective salary proposals they submitted; Lauer filed at $5.75 million, while the team filed at $4.4 million. According to Bannon, we can expect a decision at some point next week. Lauer's case is an unusual one. The lefty earned $5.075 million from the Brewers in 2023, his second year of arbitration eligibility. He did not pitch in the majors in 2024, splitting his time between the Pirates' and Astros' Triple-A affiliates and the KBO's Kia Tigers, and he joined the Blue Jays on a minor league contract in 2025. As a result, he was still eligible for one more year of arbitration entering 2026. Typically, salaries do not decrease in arbitration. If a team isn't willing to give a player a raise, they simply won't tender him a contract. Lauer is also coming off what was arguably just as strong a season as his last campaign prior to arbitration; according to fWAR, bWAR, and WARP, he was more valuable in 2025 than he was in 2022. With that in mind, it would seem to be a given that Lauer would win his hearing, since he asked for $675,000 more than $5.075 million, while the Blue Jays countered with $675,000 less. Yet, the Blue Jays wouldn't have filed at $4.4 million if they didn't think that number had a chance to win. There isn't much of a precedent for players re-entering the arbitration system after returning from a stop overseas. Moreover, precedent isn't everything when it comes to arbitration. If old precedents weren't broken, new ones would never be set. Just look at Tarik Skubal, who asked for $32 million, far more money than a player has ever won in an arbitration hearing. The panel sided with the back-to-back Cy Young winner, setting a new precedent in the process. The Blue Jays are betting that's what happens in this hearing as well. In Skubal's case, the panel made the player-friendly decision. Presuming the arbitration system stays in place in the next CBA, their judgment will help boost player salaries for years to come. However, history tells us that, more often than not, arbiters side in favor of teams. That doesn't bode so well for Lauer. It's one thing for the best pitcher in baseball to win over an arbitration panel. An inconsistent swingman is facing a tougher battle. It's also worth noting that Toronto's $4.4 million offer is the exact number MLB Trade Rumors projected Lauer would earn in arbitration. The model MLBTR uses, developed by Matt Swartz, considers a player's "playing time, position, role, and performance statistics." It also accounts for inflation. Swartz's model has been the gold standard for predicting arbitration salaries for more than a decade, and it tells us that the panel is more likely to side with the Blue Jays. All of this to say, there's no good way to guess the outcome here. Thankfully, we're talking about an utterly negligible amount of money for a team like the Blue Jays that has not and will not affect how they operate in the slightest. Arbitration cases are interesting to think about, especially when there isn't much else to think about, but at the end of the day, I just hope Lauer gets his money and both sides can move on and start preparing for the season ahead. View the full article

The Chicago Cubs don’t have to squint to see the future anymore. It’s standing in center field, running down fly balls like they owe him money, and occasionally launching baseballs into the night. Pete Crow-Armstrong is a foundational piece—the kind of player teams spend decades trying to draft, develop, or steal from someone else. Elite defense, real power, and disruptive speed make him a perennial MVP candidate in the National League, even if that ceiling is currently guarded by a certain two-way alien named Shohei Ohtani. A season like the one Crow-Armstrong just had will do that. A Breakout That Changed the Conversation In 2025, Crow-Armstrong put together a year that could be a cornerstone’s origin story. He finished with a 109 wRC+, 31 home runs, 35 stolen bases, and 5.4 fWAR. He crossed the plate 91 times, drove in 95 runs, and played center field at a level few in baseball can match. His glove was worth 15 Defensive Runs Saved, placing him among the best defenders in the sport. Offensively, the quality of contact backed up the surface stats. Crow-Armstrong ranked in the 82nd percentile in barrel rate at 13% of his batted balls (and 9.1% of his total plate appearances), and his .475 expected slugging percentage landed in the 78th percentile. He may not look like a classic slugger, but he doesn’t need brute strength when he knows how to get the ball in the air and pull it with authority. Pair that with lightning-fast feet and elite instincts, and you get production that stretches across every column of the box score. The Swing-at-Everything Dilemma For all the fireworks, there’s a catch: Crow-Armstrong swings at everything. That aggressiveness is baked into his game, and in 2025 it came with some ugly side effects. He posted a 4.5% walk rate, good for the 4th percentile, and chased pitches at a 41.7% clip, worse than all but four other qualifying hitters. When it works, it’s exhilarating. When it doesn’t, it can look like a hitter trying to swat flies with a sledgehammer. Pitchers adjusted, and the league started leaning into his weaknesses. The result was a tale of two halves that left Cubs fans uneasy. After crushing the first half with a 131 wRC+, Crow-Armstrong stumbled badly after the All-Star break, posting a 72 wRC+ in the second half. The production drop wasn’t subtle, and it raised a fair question: which version of Crow-Armstrong is the real one? Why the Second Half Fell Apart The answer isn’t a single smoking gun, but a handful of factors that piled up quickly. Crow-Armstrong is particularly vulnerable to pitches up in the zone—especially fastballs. When you look at his wOBA by pitch location, the elevated areas are where the damage turns into self-inflicted wounds. Pitchers found that soft spot and kept going back to it. Luck also played a role. In the first half, his home run-per-fly ball rate sat at 17.6%. After the break, it cratered to 6%. It’s fair to wonder if the early number was simply too hot to sustain. As Elliot Baas of Rotoballer.com noted, Crow-Armstrong’s average launch angle dipped month by month, which likely contributed to the power outage. Line drives turned into grounders, and fly balls lost their carry. Interestingly, some of his plate discipline indicators actually improved in the second half. His chase rate dropped to 36.9%, and his swinging strike rate improved from 16.5% to 15.2%. In trying to rein himself in, he may have dulled the very edge that made him so dangerous early on—but that reining-in was certainly needed, so it's discouraging to admit that it didn't work. What the Future Still Looks Like Even with the warts, Crow-Armstrong remains an immensely valuable player. The defense is as real as it gets, and at 23 years old, he should have several more seasons as an elite center fielder, assuming good health. On the bases, his speed gives him room to push higher. With a green light (and a better OBP), 40 to 45 steal attempts aren’t out of the question, making 30 to 35 stolen bases a reasonable expectation. Offensively, the underlying numbers offer reassurance. His .323 wOBA was nearly identical to his .321 expected wOBA, suggesting his overall line wasn’t built on good bounces. Repeating a 30-homer season may be a tall ask, but settling into a 20-homer, 30-steal profile with a yearly wRC+ between 100 and 110 is well within reach. That version of Crow-Armstrong can flirt with 5.0 fWAR on a regular basis, with more upside if he ever adds even modest gains in plate discipline. Crow-Armstrong isn’t a finished product, but he doesn’t need to be. He’s already a building block—a player who impacts games with his bat, glove, and legs, and one the Cubs can confidently build around as the next era takes shape. View the full article

There is little doubt that the top of the San Diego Padres' rotation is expected to be pretty good in 2026. With right-handers Nick Pivetta, Michael King, and Joe Musgrove, the latter returning from Tommy John surgery, that is good enough for the Friars to compete with anyone. But after that, it gets a little dicier. Right-hander Randy Vasquez is a relative lock at the No. 4 spot, with a handful of options for the final spot, all coming with their own questions as to whether they are a viable MLB starter. Spring training will sort that out, through performance or, gasp, injury, which would make an already-thin rotation depth chart that much scarier. And a reason why it wouldn't be surprising for the president of baseball operations, A.J. Preller, to continue to bring in candidates before Opening Day. Some of these candidates have minor-league options remaining, while others don't, or are on minor-league contracts that would have them start the season at Triple-A El Paso if they don't make the MLB rotation or bullpen. Randy Vasquez's Stuff Vasquez has had a prominent role for the Friars since coming over as part of the prospect package in the Juan Soto trade with the New York Yankees following the 2023 season. The 27-year-old is rather average when it comes to velocity on all seven of his pitches. After a rocky 20 starts in 2024, Vasquez was much more reliable in 2025 with 26 of his 28 appearances as a starter. That came despite his FIP going up from 4.70 to 4.85, with his ERA going the opposite way (4.87 to 3.84), showing that maybe he was the beneficiary of some luck. He greatly improved his BABIP from .333 to .261 as his innings rose from 98 to 133⅔. His most used pitch in 2025 was his cutter, but it was also the pitch that was hit for a higher average (.267) than any of his other offerings and yielded a .447 slugging percentage, by far the highest of his three most-used pitches. His cutter had 0.8 inches less break and 2.6 inches more rise than the average MLB right-hander. His four-seam fastball was his most consistent pitch. The simple problem that Vasquez faces is that he doesn't have the stuff that makes hitters chase. He ranks in the bottom 1% in whiff rate (15.7%), bottom 13% in chase (25.1%), and bottom 2% in strikeouts (13.7%). He is also in the 30th percentile in walks (9.1%). Randy Vasquez's Pitch Arsenal As you might expect with someone who has seven pitches who isn't a dominant pitcher, Vasquez doesn't rely on any singular offering to get outs. His cutter was his most-used pitch in 2025 at 24.9% and checking in at 90.2 mph. His 93 mph four-seamer was used 21% of the time, and his 93.1 mph sinker 19.1%. Then you drop down to his 82.1 mph sweeper and 81.2 mph curveball at 13.1% and 12.8% usage before getting to his 86.9 mph changeup (6.9%) and 85.8 mph slider (2.1%). The usage of his cutter and four-seamer differed significantly from 2024, when his 94.3 mph four-seamer was his go-to pitch at 28.4%, and his 90.2 mph cutter was just 13.7%. The sweeper also took a jump in usage (from 10% in 2024), which may be a precursor to phasing out his curveball, which dropped from 19.7%. What Should Randy Vasquez's Role Be In 2026? With a lack of better options at this point, Vasquez is pretty well set to be part of the rotation this year, whether it be at the No. 4 or 5 spot. Combine that with the fact that he has no minor-league options remaining, and Vasquez is likely to get a long leash. Any prolonged struggles will relegate him to a relief role. Perhaps eliminating the curve in favor of the sweeper and using his four-seamer and sinker more than about 20% each would make him more effective. Those were the only two pitches where he had a positive run value (seven on the four-seamer and nine on the sinker). It would definitely be interesting if his sinker usage spiked. He doesn't have the velocity to blow batters away (he ranks in the 32nd percentile). With the lack of strikeouts, he ranked only in the 41st percentile in grounders (40.2%). View the full article

In an effort to get fans in the stadium (and maybe buy back some good will), the Minnesota Twins announced the return of the Twins Pass and introduced a new limited time Buy 2, Get 1 offer. Introduced ahead of the 2019 season, Twins Pass is returning for the eighth year. Most notably, the organization announced a price reduction to both the monthly and full season option. Previously $59 per month, the 2026 version of the pass will be only $49 per month (excluding a one-time $5 service fee). Though that doesn't include the home opener, if you were to attend the remaining 80 games, you would be paying $3.12 per game. You can avoid the $5 fee and sign up for the season-long “All-In Pass” at a reduced rate of $229 (down from $325 in 2025), or $2.83 per game—including access to the home opener. As is emphasized on the Twins website, you’ll need to act fast to lock in this “special, limited-time” price. As has been the case in previous years, the Twins Pass simply gets you into the stadium. Once in the stadium, you have the opportunity to upgrade your standing room-only ticket and purchase a seat at an additional cost. It's worth mentioning that the Twins Pass does not include any season ticket-holder benefits, such as postseason priority. If you're looking for less of a commitment but additional fan-friendly opportunities, you might consider the Triple Play Bundle. When you buy tickets to two games, you'll get the third one free—though there are stipulations that are important to know. Of the two games you buy tickets to, one must be of the “premium” tier, and the other is the “select” tier. Premium games include the Home Opener, Milwaukee Brewers series and Los Angeles Dodgers series, among others. Some of the games included in this package are interesting, such as Saturday, Aug. 29 against the Chicago White Sox. Might that be a giveaway or special event? It could just be because it's the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, but it's worth keeping an eye on that date. Looking at the “select” games, you have options like the World Series runner-up Toronto Blue Jays, divisional foe Cleveland Guardians, or the hated New York Yankees to choose from. Once again, you'll find odd games included in this category, such as a game against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday, April 18. To be clear, the suggestion that these will be special event games of some sort is pure speculation, but something has to be up with that Reds game. Once you've made those two selections, you don't get free rein over the rest of the calendar. Instead, you're choosing from a list of games not available in the first two categories—most notably when the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox come to town. Since the end of the 2023 season, Twins fans have had little to cheer for, on the field and off. From a reduced payroll and a trade deadline fire sale to increased prices and temporary uncertainty around their broadcasting future, it's been a frustrating two-plus years. However, these fan-friendly packages are a sign the Twins are trying to win us back…or at least get our wallets in the stadium. Will you be taking advantage of either option? Join the conversation in the comments! View the full article

For a Brewers franchise that has had some legendary first basemen in its history (Cecil Cooper, Prince Fielder, Richie Sexson), first base has been more of a hodgepodge in the last six seasons, featuring four different starters, each of whom posted a negative Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at least once, according to Baseball Reference. No primary starter has posted a WAR above 1.5 since Jesús Aguilar in 2018. Can that change in 2026? Let’s take a look. 2025 Review Rhys Hoskins, Andrew Vaughn, and Jake Bauers combined to provide adequate production at first base over the 2025 season. Hoskins missed time with an injury and was then displaced by Vaughn, who was on a hot streak. But the Brewers have had a couple of players have hot streaks when they arrived, only to fade away, like Rowdy Tellez and the aforementioned Aguilar. Vaughn's staying power as a slugger is a key question about the position entering 2026. Current Roster Situation Vaughn and Bauers could form a soft platoon at first base for Milwaukee, at least to start the 2026 season. Behind them, there is Andruw Monasterio, who handled first base for 15 games in 2025, and Tyler Black, a former top-100 prospect who could be more suited as a supersub. William Contreras could handle first base, in case Vaughn is injured or reverts to his form with the White Sox, especially if Jeferson Quero has an excellent spring and forces Milwaukee to call him up from Nashville. In the upper minors, the Brewers will have Blake Burke and Luke Adams. The former, the team’s 2024 sandwich-round pick acquired in the Corbin Burnes trade, is a lefty masher, while the latter has split time between the hot corner and the cold, getting on base often both by drawing walks and joining the Caleb Durbin “plunk me” club, while still having a potent bat of his own. Third-base prospects Brock Wilken and Andrew Fischer could also slide across the infield. Best-Case Scenario For the Brewers, the best-case scenario would involve Vaughn getting the bulk (about 130) of the starts at first base, with the other 32 (give or take) going to either Bauers. This would indicate that Vaughn’s breakout in Milwaukee was for real and not just a hot streak, which also would have positive implications for the 2026-2027 offseason: the Brewers might be able to net a decent return by trading Vaughn. Recall that the Adam Lind deal worked out very nicely for Milwaukee. Worst-Case Scenario Andruw Monasterio gets more than 10 starts at first base. If this is happening, then the Brewers have had things go south, either on the injury front or because players have slumped, while prospects in the minors aren’t ready to step up, either. Monasterio’s not an incompetent hitter, but his offensive ceiling is very limited. If he becomes the team’s best option, then expect the Brewers to make a sudden deal to bolster the position or elect to rush up a top prospect. Either way, it will not be a good situation. Overview First base can either go really well for the Brewers, or it can be a significant weakness on the team. Milwaukee’s faced both extremes over the last six years. There are also a lot of middle-case scenarios, which could include Contreras seeing time at the position (this would mark some good news at catcher regarding Quero’s development/health), Black getting a lot of starts (he won’t have the power of Vaughn or Bauers, but he can draw walks), or one of Burke, Adams, and Wilken forcing their way to Milwaukee with their performance. View the full article

The San Diego Padres finally made the addition to their bench that had been coveted since the start of the offseason, signing Miguel Andujar to a one-year, $4 million contract. Considering the context of the roster and the team's finances at present, Andújar represented the ideal target among those that remain available in free agency. Andújar is coming off his best season since 2018. That year, he posted a 3.9 fWAR with the New York Yankees and finished as a finalist for the American League Rookie of the Year award. Such a breakout came courtesy of a .297/.328/.527 line that featured a .230 ISO and 129 wRC+. It also still stands as his peak, as the subsequent seasons were spent battling injury and toiling in the minor leagues with a handful of different organizations. After creeping his value back up to above average in 90 plate appearances with Pittsburgh in 2023 (105 wRC+), Andújar was able to maintain that level of performance in about a half-season's worth of work with Oakland the following year. In the latter, however, his power vanished to the tune of a .093 ISO. Nevertheless, the Athletics saw enough to let him hang around in 2025 before he was eventually traded to Cincinnati. All told, his 2025 season came with a 125 wRC+ and career-highs in batting average and on-base percentage. The power still wasn't back at his pre-2024 levels, but did show signs of reemerging at a .153 ISO figure. Despite the fact that he remained on the market at this late stage of the offseason, the reports of a number of teams interested in adding an effective bench bat go back several weeks. The Padres' current roster situation made the addition of Andújar kind of an essential one. This is a team that, on paper, has significant upside at the plate. They also lack depth in that ability to contribute on offense. With news that Gavin Sheets will get the first crack at holding down first base and designated hitter likely to be rotated out rather than feature a mainstay, the team was left with the likes of Sung Mun Song, Will Wagner, Mason McCoy, Luis Campusano, and Bryce Johnson behind their starters. Outside of Song, though, the offensive profiles of the remaining bench options read as uninspiring. With Song himself being a lefty, there was an imperative on adding some right-handed depth. Enter Andújar. Last year's group was in the bottom half of the league against southpaws, posting a collective 96 wRC+ that ranked 17th. On the power side, however, their .130 ISO sat only 23rd. Andújar should contribute massively in this regard, as his splits heavily favor matchups against left-handed pitching. He went for a 171 wRC+ against pitchers of that handedness last year against a 108 mark vs. righties. His ISO, at .189, was 50 points higher. In general, he doesn't walk much, with a 4.4 BB% in his career, but he also doesn't strike out either (15.5 career K%). That should fit the Padres well, too, given their penchant for contact over punchouts. The question of how Andújar will be utilized within this lineup isn't too difficult to solve, as a result. One imagines that he'll get plenty of run in the designated hitter slot against pitchers of the left-handed variety. Should Craig Stammen choose to deploy him in the field, though, he has some versatility to his name. Andújar logged time at each corner spot last year; he spent 13 innings at first base, 237 at third, 217 in left field, and 22 in right field. He's not particularly adept at the defensive work (he was either average or well-below at each spot), but the utility should prove valuable in the event that Stammen aims to get a regular off their feet for a day off. Even with this signing, Song will be the primary utility option off the bench. If the team can expand his utility to first and some work on the outfield grass, it'll only add to versatility that served as a centerpiece behind the appeal of his signing. But Andújar won't be far behind in his usage. Whether it's as the designated hitter or part of the rotation that figures to be incorporated regularly, he's not going to be wanting for playing time. For what it's worth, FanGraphs projects Andújar for a shade over 20 percent of the playing time at first, five percent at third, and another five in left. Baseball Prospectus has him living primarily as the DH (45 percent) and as a first base supplement (25 percent), with only another five that'll be spent in left field. The Padres should consider themselves somewhat fortune to be able to bring in this type of player at this stage of the offseason. Despite whispers that A.J. Preller had been working on something big around the Winter Meetings, it's been a while since they'd done something of note beyond a decent volume of minor-league signings. Andújar immediately changes the complexion of the roster and helps to quell prior concerns over the team's lack of depth on the positional side. View the full article

With an excess amount of depth from the outfield at both the major league and minor league levels, the Minnesota Twins are exploring the possibility of a recently acquired prospect trying their hand at a new position in 2026. In a recent episode of Inside Twins, general manager Jeremy Zoll said that Hendry Mendez would get an opportunity to play first base in 2026. Though it's not a position that Mendez has experienced, it is surely a position of need within the organization, and he's shown that outfield defense is not a strength of his. At the major league level, the Twins will likely use a combination of Josh Bell, Kody Clemens, and Victor Caratini at first. Behind those three, Aaron Sabato is the only real option, and it's pretty clear he's a long shot to contribute to the Twins, if there's a shot at all. Mendez, 21, was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in the Harrison Bader trade. He was added to the 40-man roster in November after a successful season at Double-A and in the Arizona Fall League. Though he didn't crack Twins Daily's top 20 prospect list in the last update, he was ranked as the Twins' 25th-best prospect by MLB Pipeline at the end of last season. After such a successful 2025, it's almost a guarantee he will move up in both lists. Do you think he can establish himself as a candidate for the Twins' first baseman in the future? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

The Tomah, Wisconsin, native had his healthiest season yet in 2025, but Connor Prielipp still allowed plenty of base hits within the strike zone. If Prielipp becomes more confident trying to get hitters to chase his stuff outside the zone, then he could be one of, if not the best, strikeout pitchers on the Twins this year. View the full article

According to ESPN's Alden González, the Blue Jays have agreed to a minor league contract with left-handed pitcher Josh Fleming. González notes that the deal includes an invitation to big league training camp. He will join the ranks of the 27 other non-roster invitees that Jesse Burrill wrote about over the weekend. Fleming, 29, owns a 4.77 ERA and 4.53 xERA in 254.2 MLB innings for the Rays (2020-23) and Pirates (2024). While he doesn't miss many bats (14.6% strikeout rate, 20% whiff rate), he has excelled at inducing swings outside the zone (33% chase rate) and batted balls on the ground (58.4% GB rate). Pitch models like Stuff+ and PitchingBot have generally respected his arsenal; despite his mediocre career ERA, his 3.62 botERA and 110 Pitching+ are notably better than league average. His sinker, in particular, is a darling of both models. From 2020-24, his sinker ranked among the 25 best in the game (min. 200 IP, 5% sinker usage) according to the overall models Pitching+ and botOvr. If you aren't familiar with pitch models, here's all you really need to know: Fleming's sinker hasn't seen much success, but it shares characteristics with some of the most effective sinkers in the game. Fleming did not appear in the majors at all in 2025, instead tossing 84.1 innings over 47 games for the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate. He struggled to a 4.91 ERA, striking out just 11.5% of his opponents. There is certainly upside in his arm, but he'll turn 30 in May and has yet to realize his potential at the higher levels. He's a worthwhile pitcher for the Jays to take a chance on, but don't get me wrong, I'm not expecting another Eric Lauer here. The most likely outcome is that Fleming briefly makes the roster as an injury replacement and gives Toronto a handful of low-leverage innings with an ERA in the high 4.00s. Over a nine-year professional career, Fleming has gained experience as a starter, an opener, a long-reliever, and a more traditional bullpen arm. So, while he is unlikely to make the 26-man roster out of spring training, he can provide some much-needed southpaw swingman depth in the minors, filling the sort of role I imagined Kolby Allard could take on before Allard re-signed with the Guardians earlier this week. It's not necessarily an exciting role, but there's a reason I wrote about Allard before, and there's a reason I'm writing about Fleming now. This team needed left-handed depth. Badly. The Blue Jays currently have five left-handers on their 40-man roster, though only three have pitched in the majors: Eric Lauer, Brendon Little, and Mason Fluharty. (Ricky Tiedemann and Adam Macko have yet to make their MLB debuts.) Aside from Fleming, the only other lefty in the organization with any big league experience is fellow NRI Michael Plassmeyer, who threw 11 innings over three games for the Phillies from 2022-23. Toronto won't be planning to call on Fleming anytime soon, but if he forces the issue with a strong performance, or if injuries force the issue upon him, the Jays could end up very grateful they made this mid-winter minor league signing. View the full article

As Major League Baseball teams prepare to enter spring training, a new season will be on their minds, but for many players, the season kicks off in early March with the 2026 rendition of the World Baseball Classic. The tournament will begin on March 5th and wrap up on March 17th before the regular season kicks off for the Kansas City Royals on March 27th in Atlanta. Seven Royals players have been selected for the 2026 WBC: Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, Maikel Garcia, Vinnie Pasquantino, Jac Caglianone, Seth Lugo, and Carlos Estévez. Team United States of America Witt Jr. will be appearing in his second straight WBC, after debuting in 2023 when the USA fell to Japan 3-2 in the finals. Witt Jr. went 1-for-2 in the 2023 tournament at the age of 22 years old. This time, Witt Jr. is expected to take on a bigger role as one of the faces of MLB. “It’s an honor, and the last time we did it, we fell a little short,” Witt Jr. said. “So I just wanted to help the team win gold and help the country win gold.” Witt Jr. is coming off a season that saw the shortstop bat .295 with 23 home runs, 88 runs batted in, and 38 steals. A career .290 hitter, with an on-base percentage of .340, Witt Jr has the chance to be an integral piece of bringing a championship to the USA’s side. Team Venezuela Both Perez and Garcia will be representing Venezuela when they square off with the Netherlands on March 6th in Miami. 2026 will be Perez’s fourth WBC, and he was named captain of Venezuela. In 2023, Venezuela lost 9-7 to the USA in the quarterfinals. Perez batted .429 with one home run and six RBIs in 2023, earning himself a nod to the All-WBC team. Last season, Perez batted .236 with 30 home runs and 100 RBIs. Garcia will be representing Venezuela for the first time at the WBC, after a strong 2025 season that saw the third baseman bat .286 with 16 home runs, 74 RBIs, .351 OBP, and 23 steals. The 25-year-old won his first Gold Glove in 2025 and was nominated for a Silver Slugger at the utility position. In December, the Royals and Garcia agreed to a five-year contract worth $57.5 million with a club option for 2030. Team Italy Pasquantino and Caglianone will be joining forces on Team Italy, as they look to build on a strong 2023 WBC, which saw them fall 9-3 in the quarterfinals to the eventual champions, Japan. This will be the second straight tournament for Pasquantino, who was a part of the 2023 team, batting .200 with a .273 OBP across 20 at-bats. Last season, Pasquantino batted .262 with 32 home runs and 113 RBIs, leading the Royals in both home runs and RBIs. The 22-year-old Caglianone will be making his WBC debut in 2026, after debuting in MLB in 2025. Last season, Caglianone batted .157 with seven home runs and 18 RBIs in 62 games. Team Puerto Rico Lugo will be making his second career trip to the WBC in 2026, after pitching for Puerto Rico in 2017. At the 2017 tournament, Lugo appeared in three games, going 2-1 with a 4.20 ERA. Lugo recorded 12 strikeouts across 15 innings, including seven strikeouts in the Gold Medal game against the USA. Lugo was charged with the loss after allowing four runs across four innings, in an eventual 8-0 USA win. Last season, Lugo pitched in 26 games, posting a record of 8-7, an ERA of 4.15, and a WHIP of 1.29 across 145 ⅓ innings. The 36-year-old dealt with two separate trips to the injured list, so the Royals will want to make sure his health is 100% before leaving for the tournament. Team Dominican Republic After a 2025 season that saw Estévez lead MLB with 42 saves, the 33-year-old will be returning to the Dominican Republic team, looking for better results than 2023, a tournament that saw them knocked out in the first round. Dominican Republic finished third in Pool D after going 2-2. In 2025, Estévez went 4-5 with an ERA of 2.45 and a WHIP of 1.06. The Royals’ closer pitched in 67 games, recording 54 strikeouts. View the full article

Their inclusion was announced weeks—even months—ago, but with the tournament around the corner, it's a good time to note that three Minnesota Twins will represent their home countries in the World Baseball Classic. Byron Buxton and Joe Ryan will don the stars and stripes for Team USA, with Pablo López potentially holding down a rotation spot for Team Venezuela. His inclusion has not been officially confirmed by Major League Baseball, but reports surfaced a few weeks ago saying he would be on the roster. Newly-signed catcher Victor Caratini was also planning to play for Team Puerto Rico, but he and a handful of his countrymen (including former Twin Carlos Correa) were reportedly denied insurance for these games and are thus not included on the roster. The tournament runs every three years, and is largely seen as the game’s highest level of international competition. While baseball has been on various Olympic games dockets, it traditionally has not included MLB stars. The WBC has attracted far more established, household names over the years, and continues to grow in popularity. For three weeks starting on March 5, 20 teams will go head-to-head, starting with pool play, then advancing to a bracket. It culminates with a championship game on March 17 at loanDepot Park in Miami. Buxton should get plenty of playing time even in a star-studded outfield for Team USA, where he’ll likely split center field duties with Chicago Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong. Buxton may have the edge as a veteran, with a longer track record when it comes to his hitting ability, but Crow-Armstrong was one of the best in the game when it came to defense in 2025. They’ll be joined on the outfield grass by Aaron Judge and Corbin Carroll. Perhaps this will be the first time we see Buxton in a corner outfield role in his professional career, should manager Mark DeRosa decide to mix and match for platoon advantages. Ryan is joined in the starting rotation by reigning Cy Young winners Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal, along with Logan Webb. Clayton Kershaw is also on the roster, but it’s unclear if he’ll work in a starting or a relief role in what will be the final professional appearance of his illustrious career. Regardless, Ryan is primed to get at least one start, especially if Team USA makes it out of pool play. Notably, Ryan represented Team USA in the 2020 Summer Olympics, where he earned a silver medal. López would be the highest-profile starter on Team Venezuela’s roster, where he’d be joined by fellow MLB veterans Germán Márquez and Eduardo Rodríguez. Of note, López dazzled in the 2023 WBC, highlighted by a 4 ⅓-inning gem against Puerto Rico wherein he only allowed two hits and an earned run while striking out six. A handful of old friends are also participating in this year’s games. Former Twins pitcher Griffin Jax (currently on the Tampa Bay Rays) will join Buxton and Ryan on Team USA. Slugger Carlos Santana (Arizona Diamondbacks) will yet again represent Dominican Republic, where he’ll be joined by one-time Twins spring training invitee Dennis Santana (Pittsburgh Pirates). Harrison Bader (San Francisco Giants) will play for Team Israel, and Willi Castro (Colorado Rockies) will represent Puerto Rico. Liam Hendriks (free agent) will play for Team Australia, as he hopes to continue his playing career, and Terrin Vavra (free agent), the former University of Minnesota Golden Gopher and son of former Twins coach Joe Vavra, will represent Team Czechia. WBC games kick off at 9 PM CST on March 4, and can be seen on FOX, FS1, FS2 and the FOX Sports app. View the full article

We know the Kansas City Royals brought in Isaac Collins and Nick Mears for Angel Zerpa at the tail end of the 2025 calendar year. What we don't know is what Collins will truly bring to the table... until now. Here's a deep dive into Collins' strengths, weaknesses, and just how much of an impact he can make in the Royals' clubhouse after a meteoric rise in the last two seasons. View the full article

Framber Valdez is one of the most enticing southpaws still on the free agent market. Should the Blue Jays sign up, and what are the optimal conditions? We dive into it all. This video covers his strengths, weaknesses, the tough back end of last year, and the criteria a hypothetical deal would look like. View the full article