DiamondCentric

Entering the offseason, the direction seemed clear as day for the Boston Red Sox's position player group. Bring back third baseman Alex Bregman, add another middle-of-the-order bat, ideally at first base, and trade away an outfielder. Well, as spring training fast approaches, they've kept all their outfielders, didn't bring back or replace Bregman, but they did at least trade for first baseman Willson Contreras. In a perfect world, they can trade from the outfield contingent to add another infielder. In the perfect-est world, that outfielder is probably 2024 All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Jarren Duran. The 29-year-old is the oldest from the contingent and also has the least amount of team control. However, it may not be a perfect world. The closer it gets to Opening Day, the likelier the Red Sox are of having to make do with the roster they have -- for better or worse. There are several questions they need to answer, both about individual players and overall construction. By the time he got hurt in September, Roman Anthony's most-frequented order spot was leadoff. But is that the best way to use him in 2026? Duran took to the heart of the order against righties last season, but are the strikeouts too much to keep him there? Where does he play? How about Ceddanne Rafaela? Let's do our best to answer those questions. Leading off: DESIGNATED HITTER, Masataka Yoshida There are a couple of reasons Yoshida makes sense as the team's leadoff man. For starters, he's simply a good hitter. While his 2025 numbers suggest otherwise on the whole, he had the team's second-highest wRC+ in September. In 20 games, he slashed .333/.351/.486 with 13 runs batted in and just a 6.5% strikeout rate. There's a great level of dependence on batted ball luck with Yoshida. He's not a power bat, nor does he strike out with great frequency at his worst. But with the over-reliance on BABIP luck comes a less-than-optimal profile — one conducive to ground balls. He's a good hitter, but hitting him behind Anthony in a lot of ways leaves them susceptible to rally-killing opportunities. Double plays, glorified sacrifice bunts, etc. Hitting him leadoff opens up the first base line for Yoshida, it also may help him lean back into his 2024 approach which had him crushing the ball despite playing through a torn labrum. Not to mention, it's a great way to open up potential pinch-hitting opportunities against left-handed relievers late in close games. Batting second: LEFT FIELDER, Roman Anthony The way game the game is trending with lineup construction, you often want your best hitter hitting second. The last few years, that was Rafael Devers. But right now, projection models believe Anthony is comfortably the team's best hitter. Given how he took over the lineup before his oblique strain last season, it'd be hard to disagree with that idea. In 2025, he slashed .292/.396/.463 with a 140 wRC+ and eight home runs. His Steamer projection calls for a 124 wRC+ in 2026, but models are often conservative. Really, though, that's neither here nor there. Hitting him behind Yoshida could put some training wheels on Anthony in terms of stretching boundaries on base hits, taking extra bases. However, hitting Anthony second gives him RBI opportunities early in the game. Part of the 2025 team's identity was early offense, ranking second in runs scored in the first inning. Setting the tone first, especially with this group's pitching staff, is paramount, especially if the offense as a whole is a question mark. Batting third: FIRST BASEMAN, Willson Contreras Guaranteeing Contreras a first inning at-bat is critical. Sure, maybe the way he does damage is best served for the cleanup spot. However, he's the team's best right-handed hitter. Grand slams are more fun, but I can already envision the Yoshida single, Anthony walk or double, then Contreras three-run home run sequence. While his career-high for homers is just 24 (and came during the juiced-ball era of 2019) he still hit 20 a season ago in 135 games. There's no real debate he shouldn't hit in the heart of the order; it's just a matter of third versus fourth. Batting fourth: RIGHT FIELDER, Wilyer Abreu This one's a little tricky, as Abreu is more of a run-producer than a table-setter. He's certainly capable of being a table-setter, but his BABIP struggles last year hindered his on-base ability. The average leadoff hitter in 2025 had a .333 on-base percentage; Abreu's was .317. Perhaps foolish to compare him to a leadoff hitter while jockeying for him to clean up, but there's a real chance he'd be counted on in similar first-man-up situations in 2026. He could be leading off the second inning; he could follow up a home run. There's a value to having both the ability to reach base and hit the ball out of the ballpark. Abreu can do both, he just needs to find a bit more success when he puts the ball in the play. Batting fifth: SHORTSTOP, Trevor Story Story had a great year by his Red Sox standards in 2025, but projection models question his ability to replicate it. He's 33 years old, and his whiff, chase, walk, and strikeout numbers all don't love him. He hits the ball hard when he makes contact, but he doesn't make a ton of it. That said, he's a power source and was the team's leading RBI man a season ago. Keeping him in a similar role, even if demoting him from third to fifth, is vital for this team's success. Perhaps at some point during the year, he can fall down to seventh, or re-claim his spot in the upper-third, but on Opening Day, his best slot is smack dab in the middle of the batting order. Batting sixth: CENTER FIELDER, Jarren Duran Duran might be polarizing among Red Sox fans, but objectively he's still a very good player. He didn't take to being a full-time left fielder last year and historically is a better center fielder. But the very sight of seeing that be his position in 2026 isn't exciting to fans. As for hitting sixth, it's a good spot for him. Less pressure on him to be the table-setter or the run producer. It gives him a chance to operate freer. It gives him a chance to push the envelope as a baserunner as well, hitting ahead of the perceived weakest part of the order. There's some give and take here with Duran. On one hand, you're giving him back his best defensive position, but you're taking from him a lot of plate appearances dropping him out of the top half. To me, I think that's the best way to get the 2024 version of Duran back, or at least closer to that version. Perhaps I'm oversimplifying it, but this lineup will need its 29-year-old speedster to shoulder a lot of responsibility this year. They'll also need someone in the lower half to do the same. Why not kill two birds with one stone? Batting seventh: THIRD BASEMAN, Marcelo Mayer Speaking of players needing to shoulder a massive burden, Mayer has a lot riding on him in 2026. Defensively, he was awesome in his rookie campaign. Offensively, he hit the ball hard but not often enough for it to yield strong results. He was a rookie, so it's water under the bridge. The main concern with him is his health. Drafted in 2021, Mayer's never had a fully healthy campaign as a professional. Sometimes, that'll course correct itself and he'll not be a major health risk. But sometimes, a leopard is a leopard. Replacing Bregman isn't an easy ask of anyone, much less a second-year player. But Mayer had that task a season ago and, while his offense was pretty touch-and-feel, it wasn't something people talked about a lot as an issue because he was so great defensively. Batting eighth: CATCHER, Carlos Narvaez Narvaez is one of the best defenders in the sport, regardless of position. Offensively, he was overall a fine bat but generally a lucky hitter. Hitting him eighth softens the blow if his offense over-corrects itself and he's considered a liability at the dish. But his profile of average bat speed, average barrel rate, and average Pull-Air give him a decent chance of sustaining a roughly league-average output. He doesn't have to set the world on fire, because his defense is so potent. But if he can stay above a 90 wRC+, he can cement himself as a top-10 catcher in baseball. Batting ninth: SECOND BASEMAN, Ceddanne Rafaela This isn't optimal for the defensive alignment, but Rafaela at second base gives the Red Sox their best chance at deploying their nine best hitters. Offense is secondary when analyzing Rafaela's game. But if he can maintain his Pull- and Straight-Air approach of last season, he should be able to offset struggles with impact hits. The argument for Rafaela at second base is a losing one. They're appeasing Yoshida and Duran while asking the player they signed to an extension in 2024 to make a sacrifice. Not only that, but it's also a sacrifice that's not proven to be beneficial. But people treat Rafaela like he's a bad second baseman. Anything compared to his center field defense is bad, but him being an average second baseman and average bat is the best this team's got right now. But this lineup construction is under the presumption a right-hander is pitching. The Red Sox have obvious platoon questions at several positions. Mayer had a 6 wRC+ last year against lefties; Duran's a career 70 wRC+ hitter against them, with Abreu sitting at a 62 mark. Two outfielders are potentially worthy of sitting against southpaws, meaning Rafaela can play out there against lefties. Again, there's give and take. This is about optimizing the 2026 Boston Red Sox. As constructed, Rafaela as the team's primary second baseman is the best thing for ensuring success early in the season. 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With the start of spring training barely a week away, Miami Marlins president of business Caroline O'Connor joins Isaac Azout and Ely Sussman for an exclusive interview. They discuss what to expect from this year's FanFest at loanDepot park, where games wil be televised in 2026, how to boost the franchise's ticket sales, what makes the stadium an ideal host site for the World Baseball Classic and when the Miami Live! entertainment development will finally be ready. 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. O'Connor is entering her ninth season with the Marlins, but likely her first without the franchise having a traditional television rights agreement with a regional sports network. Last month, the Marlins terminated their deal with Main Streets Sports Group, the struggling parent company of FanDuel Sports Network Florida. "We are in active conversations with Major League Baseball about getting ready for all the things that we'll kinda shift the model on if we are sort of producer of our games," O'Connor said. "We're talking to people like Kyle (Sielaff), Kelly (Saco) and all of the faces that you guys love to see, making sure that they feel good and they're ready to get out to our fans, regardless of who the broadcasting partner is." "We were so pleased last year with the first time ever of simulcasting the games—we did 15 of our games over the air with our partners at CBS Miami, and that was a great experiment for us," she added. "There'll probably be some aspect of the simulcasting this year as well. We're excited and we'll probably have those plans solidified in the next few weeks here." Previously expected to be operational for next month's WBC, the timetable for Miami Live! has been pushed back. "We'll have some smaller elements like an enhanced stage and some outdoor elements, but the full delivery of it will be in the 2027 season," O'Connor said. "We're hearing great things about it from the fans, from our partners and we really wanna give it a chance to be everything we think it can be and making sure that we get the concepts right and get all of the elements to the right level to make it a first-class experience that we want for our fans." Follow Isaac (@IsaacAzout), Ely (@RealEly and Fish On First (@FishOnFirst) on Twitter. Join the Marlins Discord server! Complete Miami Marlins coverage here at FishOnFirst.com. View the full article

For the second offseason in a row, the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox have made a trade involving a flamethrowing pitcher. Only this time, it's the Red Sox who are subtracting from their roster, sending Jordan Hicks and prospect David Sandlin (plus two PTBNL) to the South Side of the Windy City for Gage Ziehl and a player to be named later. Hicks has been a popular point of discussion around these parts ever since he was acquired in the exceedingly ill-fated Rafael Devers trade with the San Francisco Giants. There were flashes of his old brilliance in Boston, and a profile that was just wanting for some slight tweaking. Alas, an 8.20 ERA and 6.19 FIP were simply too ugly to withstand, and the front office was able to move off the $25 million remaining on his contract. Sandlin is by far the bigger loss from the Sox's perspective. The 24-year-old reached Triple-A for the first time in 2025, logging a 4.50 ERA (3.76 FIP) in 106 innings across the two highest levels of the minor leagues. Like Hicks, we was on the 40-man roster, freeing up two roster spots for the Red Sox to use. His departure marks yet another young starting pitcher traded by the organization this winter, joining the likes of Luis Perales, Yhoiker Fajardo, Hunter Dobbins, Blake Aita, Brandon Clarke, Richard Fitts. The front office has done an excellent job building up depth at the position, and they continue to focus their scouting and drafting efforts on pitchers. They have more than enough talent to withstand those losses, but it's interesting to see that after years of building up their pitching depth, they've had no qualms knocking it down. Ziehl is the only named part of the return, but he's certainly an intriguing arm to add to the farm system. A fourth-round pick in the 2024 draft by the New York Yankees, the 22-year-old right-hander pitched to a 3.39 FIP in 107.0 innings between them and the Pale Hose last season. With an impressive slider and some excellent command (4.2% walk rate), he's got a high floor as a starter and should eventually replace Sandlin's position within the organization once he ascends to the upper minors. Beyond the roster spots and money saved, perhaps the biggest implication of this deal is what it means for Kyle Harrison. Thanks to all of the other offseason trades, he's now one of the most important depth pieces on the 40-man roster, and because Hicks and James Tibbs III (traded in the ill-advised Dustin May deal) are already out of the organization, pressure will mount and ratchet up for the 24-year-old southpaw to live up to his former top prospect billing. Barring a big developmental leap for Jose Bello, the Red Sox's only hope of extracting value from the Devers trade lies in Harrison. Considering that they salary-dumped Devers just to have to salary dump Hicks less than a year later, this already feels like a huge whiff by Craig Breslow and the front office. It's not Harrison's fault that he is now the ostensible centerpiece of that deal, but if he also doesn't pan out... yikes. The other primary question is how the Sox will fill Hicks' vacated spot in the bullpen. Another power arm would be helpful, as would an additional southpaw. Free-agent options are scarce, and the trade market will require a king's ransom for anyone who fits both of those qualifiers. Perhaps a transition to the 'pen for Harrison could help the team assuage both concerns in one go. Hicks was almost certainly never going to pan out in Boston, and trading him (even at the price of surrendering Sandlin) was the right way to move on. There's now more money to spend on players and free roster spots with which to add said players. The Devers trade tree is looking uglier and uglier by the day, but it's important that the front office didn't give into the sunk cost fallacy and try to stubbornly resurrect Hicks' career out of pride. The team should be slightly better for this move in 2026, even if it's also fair to say they would've been significantly better if Devers was still around. View the full article

Matt Wallner has been a polarizing player since he debuted with the Twins. The organization has been cautious of his skill set, and some sections of the fanbase still have not bought in, despite nearly 1000 plate appearances of impact offense. After a down 2025, could a focus on reverting his approach lead to a bounce-back? Twins fans shudder at Wallner’s offensive profile after a prolific stretch of all-or-nothing hitters over the last decade or so within the organization. His strikeouts have been high, and have admittedly given him significant problems at times in his career thus far, as he’s hit cold stretches that have gotten him demoted in some instances. While Wallner’s profile may limit his ceiling and lead to inconsistencies, it’s hard to argue with the overall body of work. Wallner has an .829 OPS in his career, which is 31% above the league average hitter since he debuted. 2025 was undoubtedly a down year for Wallner. His still-solid .776 OPS felt much worse to watch, as he struggled situationally and never put together any extended stretches of production. Many fans felt justified in their doubt about Wallner’s swing-and-miss profile, wondering if the league had finally caught up with him and figured out how to take advantage of his lack of contact more consistently. While it was Wallner’s worst season since he debuted, his whiffs didn’t play the role many people think they did. Wallner’s down season didn’t have just one major component to blame; rather, many smaller factors came together to cause his struggles. His maximum and average exit velocities were the lowest of his career. His percentage of pop-ups increased. His performance against fastballs, which was arguably his biggest strength in his first few seasons, cratered to a sub-200 expected batting average, with his expected slugging percentage following suit. You’ll notice that an increase in strikeout rate wasn’t cited. That’s because Wallner’s 29.1% strikeout rate was comfortably the lowest of his career. His whiff rate against fastballs declined, which opposes the narrative that pitchers simply found a hole in his swing that could be exploited with velocity. This was the case for all pitch types in 2025. With runners in scoring position, where plenty of fans recognize Wallner struggled, he struck out 24% of the time, a sharp decline from 35% in his stellar 2024 season. Matt Wallner looks like a player who was trying to shift away from his high swing and miss ways last season, despite the fact that they’ve made him an elite hitter at times. Being just a bit more tentative in decision-making and focusing more on contact than on impacting the ball could certainly lead to a snowball effect, with many small declines combining to produce poor overall performance. It’s never this simple, but Wallner may benefit from a return to his hard swinging ways in 2025. His bat speed notably declined in 2025. Perhaps this was the result of an intended shift in approach, or perhaps Wallner’s hamstring injury in early 2025 affected him all season. Either way, his 2025 performance suggests he’s a better hitter when he’s reaching his peak bat speed, so he can cause maximum damage when he makes contact, even if it results in more swing and miss. Would you like to see Matt Wallner return to his 100th percentile hard swinging ways in 2026? Are the strikeouts simply too much of a trade-off? Let us know below! View the full article

Most people look at a roster and see names and numbers on a page. We’re doing something different. We are building a machine. To make it into Article I: The Gold Standard, it wasn't enough to just show up in the box score. To earn a spot here, a player had to have a soul. They had to have an "Iconic Look" that a kid could draw from memory thirty years later. They had to have a "Did You Know" factor that could win a bar bet at a local dive. It is the smell of the salt air off the bay mixed with the pine tar in the dugout; the way the late-afternoon sun hits the brick, casting shadows that only the legends knew how to play. For decades, San Diego was told to "act like you’ve been here before." But the men in this vault didn't wait for permission. They didn't just play for a city; they defined its pulse when the rest of the league wasn't looking. This roster is a generational handshake—where the high-socks and stirrups of the 1969 expansion meet the swagger and bat flips of the modern era. Different decades, same relentless pursuit of the standard. The math here is absolute, but the criteria are higher. We aren't just looking for the highest WAR; we are looking for where that dominance meets defiance. If a player’s presence didn't change the gravity of the room while they were rewriting the record books, they didn't make the cut. This 26-man roster represents the pinnacle of San Diego baseball—the absolute apex of grit, innovation, and pure dominance. We’ve meticulously documented every legend, from the unbuttoned chest protector of Benito Santiago to the dirt-stained jersey of the late, great Ken Caminiti. We aren't just counting hits; we are documenting immortality. This isn't just a list of the greatest to ever wear the uniform; it is the unredacted DNA of what it means to be a San Diego Padre. The Glossary of Pillars: The Five-Point Metric To achieve "The Gold Standard," every player in this vault is measured against these five pillars. This is the criterion that separates a career from a legacy. The Legend: The narrative weight. The stories are told in the stands and passed down through generations. The Innovation: How they evolved their position or changed the way the game was perceived in San Diego. The Impact: The measurable shift in the franchise's trajectory. If they weren't there, the history of the Padres would look fundamentally different. The Iconic Look: The visual identity. Whether it was the brown-and-gold, the pinstripes, or a specific piece of gear, they owned the uniform. The "Did You Know" Factor: The grit and the trivia. The obscure, undeniable facts that define their "unredacted DNA." The WAR Standard: The peak of the ledger. In building this machine, we respect the math, but we refuse to be limited by it. We utilize WAR (Wins Above Replacement) as our baseline, but we recognize that the two titans of the industry—FanGraphs (fWAR) and Baseball-Reference (bWAR)—often see the game through different lenses. Our mandate is simple: We seek the absolute peak. The "Highest Possible" Rule: We do not settle for an average. We hunt for the highest documented WAR available for every player. If one system values a pitcher’s FIP while the other values their RA9, we take the higher mark. The Integrity Clause: We do not compromise the numbers. No player is selected for sentimentality alone if it drops the collective value of the roster. The Architecture: Building the Machine A 26-man roster is more than a list; it is an ecosystem. In selecting this unit, we didn't just look for the highest individual ceilings—we looked for how those peaks fit together to form a dominant whole. We have engineered this squad using a precise 6-7-9-4 blueprint: The Rotation (6 Starting Pitchers): Representing the absolute peak of dominance. We chose seasons where these men were "Ace Killers"—possessing the rare ability to shut down an offense single-handedly and hand the ball directly to the back end of the game. The Bullpen (7 High-Leverage Relievers): Selected based on their "Closer Mentality." We looked for the seasons where these seven arms were statistically "unhittable" in the moments that mattered most. The Starting Nine (9-Man Lineup including DH): From our "Igniters" at the top to the "Pure Gravity" of our power hitters and the designated hitter, the lineup is built for relentless pressure. These legends forced opposing managers to change their entire strategy before the first pitch was even thrown. The Defensive Spine: A roster's soul is found in its middle—Catcher, Shortstop, and Center Field. We selected the seasons when these players were at their peak in run prevention. The Tactical Reserves (4 Bench Spots): This is the machine's specialized toolkit. We have reserved four dedicated spots: Catcher, Infielder, Outfielder, and Utility. These are our "Swiss Army Knives," selected for their ability to stay cold for three hours and change the game in thirty seconds. The Creed of the Friar We do not look back out of nostalgia. We look back to remember the cost of excellence. To wear the Brown and Gold is to inherit a history of defiance—a legacy built by men who refused to be overlooked in a small corner of the map. This anthology is the ledger of that defiance. The standard has been set. The machine is synchronized. The Strategy of the Nine: A Positional Blueprint This isn't just a list of names; it's a structural masterpiece. Each position on this field was chosen to serve a specific purpose in the machine. The Battery (C): The general. We prioritize a catcher who can handle a generational pitching staff while providing a "bonus bat" that most teams lack. The Infield Corners (1B & 3B): The "Power Gates." These spots are reserved for the heavy-hitters who anchor the heart of the order and shut down the hot corners. The Middle Infield (2B & SS): The "Engine Room." Speed, range, and the ability to turn the tide of a game with both the glove and the bat. The Outfield (LF, CF, RF): The "Wall of Speed & Steel." A trio built to erase base hits in the gaps and provide the most iconic offensive peaks in San Diego history. The DH: The "Pure Force." A spot dedicated to the bat that was too dangerous to ever leave out of the lineup. The Bench Logic: The tactical safety net. The final four spots are our "Swiss Army Knives"—insurance for every possible scenario. The Backup Catcher: High-WAR stability to ensure the pitching staff never loses its rhythm. The Infielder & Outfielder: Gold-standard depth to maintain the "DNA" of the defense during substitutions. The Utility: The wild card. A player whose value comes from being everywhere at once. Step into the Vault. This is the 26-man roster that defines the franchise. The Starting Lineup: The Foundations of the Diamond These are the names that echo through the canyons of Mission Valley to the renovation of Downtown. From the lead-off spark to the clean-up power, this unit represents the daily heartbeat of the franchise—the men who set the tone the moment the first pitch crossed the plate. Benito Santiago "Benny" 1987 (3.4 WAR) AVG: .300 | H: 164 | R: 64 | 2B: 33 | HR: 18 | RBI: 79 | SB: 21 | BB: 16 | OPS: .791 BBWAA NL Rookie of the Year (1987) | 4x Silver Slugger (1987-1988, 1990-1991) | TSN NL Rookie of the Year (1987) | Baseball Digest NL Rookie of the Year (1987) | Topps All-Star Rookie Team (1987) | Padres Hall of Fame (2015) The Five Pillars of Benny Innovation: Santiago revolutionized his position by introducing a "from-the-knees" throw to second base. Developed in Puerto Rico as a teenager by practicing against trash cans and mattresses, this technique leveraged elite arm strength to achieve a flat, rocket-like trajectory. This unique approach allowed him to stun base runners while fundamentally changing how opponents approached stealing against San Diego. While critics predicted this high-stress motion would eventually blow out his arm, these mechanics actually sustained his elite defensive pressure for two decades. This durability translated into 2,417 career games. Impact: In 1987, Santiago’s historic performance led to a National League and franchise first unanimous Rookie of the Year award within his position. He capped this debut season by securing a National League Silver Slugger, becoming Major League Baseball's only rookie to earn that distinction as well. These accolades were fueled by career-high marks, including 164 H, 33 2B, and a .300 AVG. These totals paced all Major League rookies while he led all National League catchers in hits, doubles, stolen bases (21), total bases (255), and extra-base hits (53). Legend: Santiago served as a cornerstone for the "New Generation" Padres, a youth movement redefining team identity following veteran-heavy rosters from 1984 through 1986. During this breakout year, Jack Murphy Stadium became a destination, single-handedly providing the franchise with clear direction for the future. Although his career spanned 20 seasons across 9 teams, his legacy remains anchored in this franchise’s history. During his 2015 Padres Hall of Fame induction speech, he shared a powerful admission with fans: "If I could do it over again, I'd have stayed in San Diego. That's when I was happiest." Iconic Look: Santiago was instantly recognizable for trademark gold hoop earrings and a refusal to look like a traditional catcher, appearing more like a converted shortstop playing behind home plate. He brought a rare, lean athleticism to the position, often sporting shades while commanding the diamond. Swagger arrived when he stepped to the dish with high hands and a constant bat waggle, while signature curls showed from beneath his helmet. Benito snapping a throw from one knee remains an iconic centerpiece of defensive dominance throughout his era at Jack Murphy Stadium. The "Did You Know" Factor: Santiago possessed a rare burst of speed for a catcher. He remains Major League Baseball's only catcher to record a hitting streak of at least 30 games (34) and steal more than 20 bases (21) during a single campaign. This historic streak began with a three-run homer in late August and shattered the all-time rookie record that had stood since 1899. As the longest hitting streak for any catcher or rookie in major league history, it also stands as the Padres all-time record. This legendary run only concluded on the season's second-to-last day against Dodgers ace Orel Hershiser. 1B Adrian Gonzalez "A-Gon" "Gonzo" 2009 (6.9 WAR) AVG: .277 | H: 153 | R: 90 | 2B: 27 | HR: 40 | RBI: 99 | SB: 1 | BB: 119 | OPS: .958 3x NL All-Star (2008-2010) | 2x Gold Glove (2008-2009) | 4x Padres Team MVP (2006, 2008-2010) | NL Player of the Week (5/31, 8/17) | HR Derby Participant The Five Pillars of Gonzo Innovation: González revolutionized expectations for Padres first basemen by pairing elite power with technical defensive mastery. He utilized a repeatable swing to weaponize Petco Park’s gaps, refusing to be neutralized by the "Marine Layer." He evolved the modern slugger role through elite discipline, setting a franchise record with eight consecutive multi-walk games. Defensively, he redefined the position with a "sweeping" stretch that provided an unrivaled radius. This 2009 masterclass resulted in a career-high .996 fielding percentage. Impact: Gonzo shattered the narrative that Petco Park was a power hitter’s graveyard. By becoming the first franchise player to reach 40 home runs while calling Petco home—hitting 12 at home and 28 on the road—he provided a massive statistical impact. In a stadium designed to suppress offense, his ability to drive the ball made him a singular force; he led the Major Leagues with 119 BB as managers adjusted strategies to avoid him. He finished with 27 more home runs than any teammate, carrying the offensive identity. This production earned him a career-high 162 OPS+. Legend: Gonzalez remains the ultimate San Diego success story—the local standout who lived out the dream of becoming the face of his hometown franchise. His legend is rooted in community connection; he was a native son carrying the weight of the city. In 2009, he became the first San Diego native named an All-Star and Gold Glove winner in the same season for the club. His icon status was cemented by his mentorship of the Park View Little League team and his local foundation. He finished 2009 having played a franchise-best 314 consecutive games. Iconic Look: Representing the peak of 2000s style, Gonzalez's look was defined by long, "pajama-style" pants draped over his cleats. Unlike the high-socks tradition of past icons, Adrian’s silhouette was distinctly modern. This relaxed, low-cuff style became synonymous with his calm demeanor and elite flexibility at first base. The defining visual of 2009 was Gonzalez fully extended in the dirt, his pants stretching as he executed a perfect backhand scoop. Punctuated by a signature one-handed, high-finish home run follow-through. The "Did You Know" Factor: The ultimate testament to Gonzalez’s makeup was the fear he struck into opposing managers. In 2009, he led MLB with 119 BB, including a staggering 22 intentional passes. He set a franchise record with eight consecutive multi-walk games, proving he refused to chase pitches out of the zone. This discipline was balanced by a rare ability to punish pitchers when challenged; on August 11, 2009, Gonzalez became the first player in franchise history to go 6-for-6 in a 9-inning game. These six hits solidified his place in history. 2B Mark Loretta "Get Back" 2004 (6.4 WAR) AVG: .335 | H: 208 | R: 108 | 2B: 47 | HR: 16 | RBI: 76 | SB: 5 | BB: 58 | OPS: .886 NL All-Star (2004) | Silver Slugger (2004) | 2x Padres Team MVP (2003-2004) The Five Pillars of Get Back Innovation: Loretta utilized a technical approach centered on pitch recognition. He trained his eyes with a high-velocity tennis ball machine, reading colored numbers on balls fired at 150 mph. This discipline resulted in a 6.3% strikeout rate, with only 45 strikeouts in 707 plate appearances. By mastering the two-strike count, Loretta acted as a human hit-and-run machine, dismantling defensive shifts years before they became a league standard. His ability to manipulate the bat head made him the ultimate tactical weapon in a contact-starved era. Impact: Loretta’s 2004 campaign drove the Padres' first winning season in six years. Moving into Petco Park, he proved he could conquer the "Marine Layer" by hitting through it. While others struggled with the park's dimensions, Loretta thrived as a road warrior, batting .368 away from San Diego. His 208 hits and 47 doubles provided the steady production that allowed the franchise to transition from rebuilding into a playoff contender. He finished 9th in NL MVP voting, serving as the most consistent offensive force in the league. Legend: As a Southern California native, Loretta’s legacy is that of a permanent franchise fixture. His .314 career average as a Padre is the second-highest in team history behind Tony Gwynn, and his 208 hits in 2004 are the highest single-season total by any player not named Gwynn. Now serving as a Special Assistant to the club, his technical mastery remains part of the organizational DNA. He bridged the gap between the Gwynn era and the modern generation, proving elite contact hitting still had a home in San Diego long after the stadium changed. Iconic Look: The groove of "Low Rider" by War remains the definitive auditory memory of Loretta’s tenure, echoing through Petco Park before every plate appearance. Visually, his short swing and compact stance were technical trademarks, representing a blue-collar precision that matched the city's ethos. A creature of habit, he paired this surgical approach with a signature black-and-tan SSK fielding glove and a specialized thin-handle bat. Whether turning a slick double play or spraying a line drive to right, his mechanics were perfectly repeatable. The "Did You Know" Factor: Mark Loretta joins Tony Gwynn as the only players in Padres history to record 200+ hits in a season. In 2004, he finished 3rd in the NL Batting Race, trailing only Barry Bonds and Todd Helton—placing him among the greatest offensive forces in history. His ability to put the ball in play was nearly unparalleled, averaging one strikeout for every 15 at-bats. This elite contact rate, combined with 47 doubles, made him one of only three second basemen in the last 20 years to win a Silver Slugger while recording over 200 hits. SS Fernando Tatis Jr. "El Niño" "Bebo" "Nando" "Tati" 2021 (7.3 WAR) AVG: .282 | H: 135 | R: 99 | 2B: 31 | HR: 42 | RBI: 97 | SB: 25 | BB: 62 | OPS: .975 NL Home Run Leader (2021) | All-Star (NL Starter 2021) | 2x Silver Slugger (2020-2021) | 2x All-MLB First Team (2020-2021) | 2x Padres Team MVP (2019, 2021) | NL Player of the Month (May '21) | 2x NL Player of the Week (4/26, 6/27) The Five Pillars of El Niño Innovation: Tatis revolutionized the shortstop position by sacrificing traditional safety for explosive offensive output. His 7.3 WAR set a modern benchmark, demonstrating a power-speed combination never before seen in San Diego. By leaning into an aggressive range strategy, he reached balls that standard metrics deemed impossible, changing the geometry of the infield. He forced the league to account for a player who covered more ground than any shortstop in history while delivering the most dangerous bat in the lineup—a high-stakes evolution that turned the field's most difficult position into a platform for pure dominance. Impact: Beyond the stat sheet, his 2021 campaign set the franchise record for home runs by a shortstop. As the NL Home Run Leader, his presence altered how the division was managed, posting a 1.015 OPS and 24 home runs against NL West rivals. This production earned him a 3rd Place finish in the NL MVP voting, proving his status as a top-tier superstar despite missing significant time. This "division killer" status forced opposing managers to pitch around him at historic rates, providing the protection that stabilized the franchise’s identity during its modern resurgence. Legend: The legend of El Niño was cemented at Dodger Stadium. In 2021, Tatis tormented Los Angeles by hitting 7 home runs in their park—the most by any visitor in a single season. This included a monstrous 467-foot moonshot that completely cleared the stadium, making him only the fifth player in history to hit a ball entirely out of the yard. By recording three multi-home run games at Dodger Stadium in one season, he turned the rivalry’s biggest stage into a personal playground—homering on the exact 22nd anniversary of his father’s historic two-grand-slam inning in that very same building. Iconic Look: Flowing dreadlocks, oversized gold sunglasses, and custom-painted cleats—anchored by a signature hot pink arm sleeve worn to honor his mother—defined the visual brand of Tatis in 2021. This personal aesthetic was punctuated by the team’s spinning Swag Chain, blurring the line between high fashion and elite performance. The look was finalized by his trademark stutter-step as he rounded third base—a rhythmic skip that served as a psychological dagger to opponents. This move was so culturally dominant that its digital recreation became a benchmark for realism when he served as the cover athlete for MLB The Show 21, The "Did You Know" Factor: Tatis is the only player in Major League history to record 40+ home runs and 25+ stolen bases in a season while appearing in fewer than 135 games. This historic efficiency is underscored by his physical resilience, as he played through recurring shoulder instability that eventually forced a mid-season move to the outfield just to keep his bat in the lineup. Despite the physical toll, he averaged a home run every 11.4 at-bats—the highest rate in the majors—and joined Barry Bonds as the only players in history to amass 70+ HRs and 50+ SBs within their first 227 career games. 3B Ken Caminiti "Cammy" 1996 (7.6 WAR) AVG: .326 | H: 178 | R: 109 | 2B: 37 | HR: 40 | RBI: 130 | SB: 11 | BB: 78 | OPS: 1.028 1996 NL MVP (Unanimous) | 2x NL All-Star (1996-1997) | 3x Gold Glove (1995-1997) | Silver Slugger (1996) | Sporting News MLB Player of the Year | Players Choice NL Outstanding Player | 2x NL Player of the Month (Aug/Sept '96) | Padres Hall of Fame (2016) The Five Pillars Of Cammy Innovation: Ken Caminiti weaponized third base with physical intimidation, transforming the Padres' defensive identity. In 1996, he pioneered a high-risk style that essentially closed off the diamond's left side. He famously ignored conventional "safe" mechanics, utilizing a raw, slingshot arm to record outs from impossible angles—most notably his "sitting down" strike to first base. Offensively, he revolutionized modern switch-hitting, setting a Major League record by homering from both sides of the plate in four different games during the '96 campaign. He proved a third baseman could be both the primary defensive shield and the league's most explosive offensive engine simultaneously. Impact: The 1996 season was a scorched-earth campaign that dragged the franchise into the National League's elite tier. Caminiti became the first player in Padres history to homer in an All-Star Game, signaling to the league that San Diego was no longer an underdog. His production was historically concentrated when the pennant race was most volatile; he hit an unthinkable .363 with 28 home runs and 82 RBIs after the break. His 130 RBIs that year remain the highest single-season total in franchise history. As the only unanimous MVP in team history, he established a 1.028 OPS that remains the franchise's single-season "Gold Standard." Legend: The legend of Cammy is the "Snickers Game" in Monterrey, Mexico. Seconds before a crucial rubber game against the Mets, Cammy lay on the locker room floor of Bruce Bochy's office receiving two liters of IV fluids to combat severe food poisoning. He looked like a man who belonged in a hospital, not a batter's box. Instead, he demanded a Snickers bar for a sugar boost, unwrapped it as he walked toward the dugout, and proceeded to launch two titanic home runs in an 8-0 shutout. This showed his teammates that as long as Cammy was breathing, the Padres would not lose. Iconic Look: Cammy was a visual titan, bringing a football mentality to the baseball diamond. He was "death personified" in a dirt-caked jersey and signature heavy white wrist tape, playing through a torn rotator cuff that he refused to acknowledge until the season ended. His look was defined by the navy-pinstriped home whites, a pine-tarred helmet, and the physique of a heavyweight prizefighter. Whether diving into the stands or sliding headfirst to break up a double play, he played as the ultimate gamer with zero regard for his own safety. Standing over the hot corner, his presence alone forced opposing runners to second-guess every lead they took. The "Did You Know" Factor: While power was his calling card, Caminiti’s 1996 season was a masterclass in tactical leadership. He led the National League with 10 sacrifice flies, underscoring an obsession with manufacturing runs at any cost. Beyond the box score, Caminiti was the emotional architect of the clubhouse, often providing personal funds to teammates and strangers facing medical crises. He was a warrior to the media, but a guardian to his peers. In August 1996 alone, he posted an .844 slugging percentage—a four-week stretch of hitting that remains among the most dominant months in sports history, cementing a legacy of raw brutality and quiet generosity. View the full article

The 2026 MLB season is right around the corner, and we're looking to expand our video coverage. Have you ever considered being on-camera and talking about the Blue Jays? If yes, we'd love to talk to you about it. Our videos are typically in a wide variety of styles: breaking news, analysis, and historical study. We're open to any and all ideas as long as they're centered around the Toronto Blue Jays. We're looking for serious baseball talk, so leave the hot takes at home. If you'd like to learn more about this cool little side gig, please email Brock Beauchamp at brock.beauchamp@jayscentre.com. Here is an example of a recent Blue Jays video from us: View the full article

The 2026 MLB season is right around the corner, and we're looking to expand our video coverage. Have you ever considered being on-camera and talking about the Red Sox? If yes, we'd love to talk to you about it. Our videos are typically in a wide variety of styles: breaking news, analysis, and historical study. We're open to any and all ideas as long as they're centered around the Boston Red Sox. We're looking for serious baseball talk, so leave the hot takes at home. If you'd like to learn more about this cool little side gig, please email Brock Beauchamp at brock.beauchamp@talksox.com. Here is an example of a recent Red Sox video from us: View the full article

Kris Bubic’s tenure in Kansas City has been complicated. Bubic made his debut in the pandemic-shortened season in 2020, where he started 10 games and posted a 4.32 ERA. His performance was respectable for a rookie, but not necessarily indicative of becoming the centerpiece of a rotation. In his 2021 season, Bubic posted similar stats with a 4.43 ERA in 130 innings. In that season, he showed signs of being effective in a hybrid role. In the nine appearances where he did not start, Bubic was used following an opener as a starter/long reliever hybrid pitcher. Out of the bullpen, he gave up nine earned runs in 26 1/3 innings, good for a 3.08 ERA, which was noticeably better than his 4.77 ERA as a starter. A bigger indicator of his performance as a starter versus a reliever would be his OPS against. As a starter, batters hit for an .823 OPS against him, but batters only hit for an OPS of .598 when he came out of the bullpen. In 2022, Bubic struggled as a full-time starter, posting a 5.58 ERA in 129 innings. He averaged fewer than five innings per start and struggled once he got through the lineup a third time. Batters hit for an OPS of .989 in their third plate appearance against Bubic in 2022. In 2023, had a decent start to the season with a 3.94 ERA in three starts and was showing signs of improvement, but he missed the rest of the 2023 season to undergo Tommy John surgery. After his rehab, Bubic joined the team in July of 2024 and made 27 relief appearances, never pitching more than two innings in an outing. He graded at above the 90th percentile in his key statcast metrics, reflected in his TJStats summary below. In 2025, Bubic won a spot on the starting rotation with some small regression in his metrics (TJStats summary below for his 2025 season), which is to be expected when moving from the bullpen to the rotation. In his 20 starts last season, he had a career-best 2.55 ERA over 116 1/3 innings. He also earned a career-best 3.1 fWAR and earned his first All-Star Game appearance. However, at the end of July, he suffered a rotator cuff strain that shut him down for the season despite not needing surgery. After suffering his second major injury, what does 2026 look like for Bubic? The Royals may have an opportunity to use Bubic in a creative way in 2026, and maybe 2021 could serve as the blueprint. This approach could be a way to preserve Bubic’s health and take advantage of the Royals’ strength in rotation depth, particularly if Bubic is still not fully recovered at the start of the season. While last season Bubic improved in his ability to go deeper into games, averaging 5.8 innings per start, scaling back his workload could be beneficial. One option would be to pair Bubic with Ryan Bergert, who averaged fewer than five innings per start, or Stephen Kolek as another hybrid starter. Pairing either of them with Bubic would also mean that the Royals would be pairing a right-handed pitcher with Bubic as a lefty. This could prove useful if the Royals face a team that is platoon-heavy. This plan would also allow the Royals to keep one of Bergert or Kolek on the major league roster following their strong performances in Kansas City after being acquired from San Diego at the 2025 trade deadline. Bergert, in particular, saw much less success against batters once the opposing lineup got to their third plate appearance. Batters jumped from having a .587 OPS in their first plate appearance to a .841 OPS by their third plate appearance. Pairing him with another starter and limiting his exposure could help mitigate that weakness. In addition to the benefit of Bubic not needing to overextend and hopefully allowing him the opportunity to pitch for a full season, pairing two starters would allow the bullpen a planned day of rest. There is a chance both pitchers could struggle and not last a combined nine innings, but that risk may be worth taking if it helps the Royals keep their rotation healthy. The tradeoff, however, would be carrying one less reliever in the bullpen, making bullpen management critical. There is precedent for this approach. The Milwaukee Brewers experimented with a version of this idea in 2025, with DL Hall and Quinn Priester piggybacking for a single start on three occasions, all of which resulted in a Brewers victory. In each of those games, Hall, who is normally a long reliever, would start and pitch three innings, then Priester, normally a starter, would pitch five or six innings of relief. Despite its success when used, this strategy was used sparingly by the Brewers. While this concept may sound good in theory, would it work in practice? Bubic is coming off a career year despite it being shortened by injury. He is also entering his last season of arbitration before free agency. It is also important to mention that Bubic and the Royals still have not agreed to a salary for the 2026 season and are headed to an arbitration hearing. It has been well reported that players often leave arbitration hearings feeling hurt. It is tough to hear your employer tell the arbitrator how bad they are, then go and play that season as if that never happened. For Bubic, being asked to transition to a hybrid role after an arbitration hearing, during his walk year, could be difficult... Being constrained to a hybrid role would hurt his value in the free-agent market and potentially limit his ability to earn a larger contract. There is certainly a scenario where Bubic does not accept a limited role. This offseason, the only free agent relievers who signed for more than $10 million per year are closers, and the only starting pitchers who are earning below that mark are pitchers who have recently struggled or are at the end of their careers. In order to maximize his earnings, Bubic would ideally want to remain a starter. All of this could be moot because the Royals could choose to trade Bubic before the season starts. The Royals have been open about their willingness to trade from their pitching depth to acquire an impact bat for their lineup. As free agents slowly come off the market, teams may be more willing to trade for a pitcher like Bubic. Given that Bubic is soon to be a free agent, the Royals might want to trade him now before losing him for nothing. If the Royals end up keeping Kris Bubic for the 2026 season, it would be wise for them to prioritize his health so that he can pitch for the entire season. His experience in the bullpen could make him a logical candidate to come in for long relief and work in tandem with someone like Bergert or Kolek. However, both the Royals and Bubic should be careful not to drop Bubic’s value in the case of him looking for a payday in the offseason or the Royals needing to find a trade partner at the deadline. View the full article

Several players who were planning to suit up for this year’s World Baseball Classic have been forced to withdraw from the tournament, just days before final rosters are due. The (frustrating and disappointing) reason? Insurance. To participate in the WBC, MLB players must be approved for an insurance policy – unless their team is willing to absorb all financial risk in case of injury. If granted, these policies cover up to two years of salary for position players and up to four years for pitchers (per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich). The list of names that have dropped out of the WBC includes, among others, Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, and Toronto Blue Jays right-hander José Berríos. Berríos is a true veteran of the tournament, having pitched in each of the last three Classics. While he hasn't had much individual success (13.98 ERA in five WBC appearances), he was a member of the runner-up Puerto Rico teams in both 2013 and 2017. His insurance case is currently under review, according to Puerto Rico’s operations manager Joey Sola, but right now, it’s looking like he’ll have to sit out the WBC for the first time in his career. It seems unlikely the Blue Jays would be willing to let him play without insurance. Berríos has long been one of MLB’s most durable arms, but he landed on the injured list last season for the first time in his career. The Blue Jays placed him on the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation on September 25, and he was unable to pitch in the playoffs. He later told MLB Network that he suffered through elbow and biceps issues “all year long,” clarifying that it was biceps tendon inflammation that ultimately forced him to the shelf. Thankfully, the righty described the issue as “nothing major.” Indeed, GM Ross Atkins told reporters in November that Berríos would have a “completely normal offseason.” The Blue Jays expect him to be at 100% in spring training as he competes for a job in their starting rotation. Until recently, it seemed like a given that a healthy Berríos would also pitch in the World Baseball Classic. A strong performance might have even helped him earn a rotation spot. “I want to pitch in the WBC,” he said in his December appearance on MLB Network. “That's my goal right now.” Puerto Rico has been hit harder by insurance rejections than any other team, leading José Quiles, president of the Puerto Rico Baseball Federation, to contemplate pulling his team from the tournament. He told journalist Jay Fonseca that no final decision has been made, but he does not want to participate if his team does not have a fair chance to win. This news is especially disappointing considering that Puerto Rico’s Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan is set to host Pool A for the first round of competition. Venezuelan infielder Miguel Rojas, another would-be participant who was denied insurance, voiced his displeasure that insurance rejections have impacted Latin American teams, like Venezuela and Puerto Rico, more than any others. “There's a lot of things I would like to talk about with someone in control, with someone from MLB,” the veteran told ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez. Hopefully, MLB, the MLBPA, and the WBC will find a solution that allows more players to participate and prevents Puerto Rico from exiting the tournament. However, the clock is ticking. Official rosters are due February 3, and they will be formally announced on February 5. Pool play is scheduled to kick off a month later. Blue Jays who are still expected to play in the WBC include Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Dominican Republic), Alejandro Kirk (Mexico), Kazuma Okamoto (Japan), Ernie Clement (USA), Yariel Rodríguez (Cuba), Adam Macko (Canada), and Leo Jiménez (Panama). George Springer was named to Puerto Rico's preliminary roster but later backed out due to minor injury concerns of his own. View the full article

With the minor league signing and non-roster invite extended to Reese McGuire earlier this week, the number of NRIs that will work out in the major league camp at American Family Fields of Phoenix was increased to 17 players. This group of players will typically include free agents who recently signed minor league contracts with the club, along with top prospects in the minor leagues. Here is a brief overview of the players invited. Brewers Pitchers RHP Gerson Garabito Garabito, 30, was signed to a minor league deal in December. He had an interesting journey last year, starting in the majors for the Rangers, but was sent down to Triple-A Round Rock after two appearances. Garabito made 10 starts there, posting an abysmal 8.53 ERA. Given his release, he signed with the Samsung Lions in the KBO. He made 15 starts for the Lions, going 4-4 with an ERA of 2.64. That was enough to pique the Brewers' interest for 2026. The veteran of 21 big-league appearances, he will start the season at Nashville but could get a call at some point from the Brewers. LHP Tate Kuehner Entering his fourth season in the Brewers organization, Kuehner spent most of last season at Double-A Biloxi, making 21 starts for the Shuckers, posting a record of 7-5 with an ERA of 2.50. The soon-to-be 25-year-old got promoted to Triple-A Nashville and made two starts there at the end of the season. Kuehner, a seventh-round pick in 2023, will most likely begin the season in Nashville but could get a late-season call-up to Milwaukee if he continues his success. LHP Drew Rom The extent of Rom’s major league experience consists of eight starts in 2023 for the Cardinals. He began his professional career with the Baltimore Orioles before getting traded to the Cardinals in 2023. The 26-year-old has been injury-prone, having suffered biceps and shoulder injuries in 2024 and 2025. He only hits 91 on the gun, but has a handful of secondary offerings that could make him an interesting pickup and another candidate for the Brewers' pitching lab after signing a minor league deal with the Brewers in mid-December. RHP Jacob Waguespack A recent signing, the 6-foot-6, 230-pound Waguespack has had a checkered career. He made 27 appearances (13 starts) with Toronto in 2019 and 2020 but then pitched for the Orix Buffaloes in Japan over the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Waguespack signed with Tampa Bay in early 2024 and made four appearances with the Rays before being sent down for the balance of the season. Shoulder problems limited him to 33 innings. Last year, Waguespack pitched well at Triple-A Durham but went on the shelf with an undisclosed injury in June and then was released in July. He signed with Philadelphia in August and made 11 appearances at Triple-A Lehigh Valley but was granted free agency after the season. Waguespack, 32, can pitch in multiple roles, offering the Brewers more organizational depth, at least for now. Brewers Catchers Reese McGuire The man they call ‘Pieces’ has nearly 400 games of big-league experience over eight seasons with Toronto, Boston, White Sox, and with the Cubs last year. Although the lefty hitter slashed only .226/.245/.444 over 44 games, he showed some pop with nine home runs in just 133 at-bats. Signed to a minor league deal a few days ago, McGuire now has a leg up on the back-up job behind ‘Wild Bill’ Contreras, possibly relegating Jeferson Quero back to Triple-A for additional seasoning. The 30-year-old McGuire was a first-round pick (14th overall) by the Pirates in 2013 but has never been anything more than a backup, a role that he would embrace with the Brewers. Darrien Miller The lefty-swinging Miller played the prior two seasons and Double-A Biloxi and hit a combined .203/.385/.308 over 719 plate appearances in 2024 and 2025. In his career, he has thrown out just 15% of runners trying to steal. One thing he can do is get on base, having drawn walks at a rate of nearly 17% while taking one for the team (HBP) once every 16 at-bats. Ouch. Soon to turn 25, Miller gets bumped down the depth chart with the signing of McGuire and could start the year in Nashville. But if Quero starts out in the minors, Miller either sees less playing time or will spend another year in Biloxi. Ramón Rodriguez Selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2016 MLB Draft, Rodriguez was later picked up by the Baltimore Orioles. Milwaukee picked him up after the 2023 campaign and had a nice year at High-A Wisconsin in 2024, bashing 10 home runs in just 74 games. He moved up to Double-A Biloxi in 2025 but suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in mid-May. If 100% healthy again, the 27-year-old Rodriguez is still one of the catchers blocked by the Contreras-McGuire-Quero trio at the top of the catcher depth chart. You can also throw Matt Wood and Marco Dinges into that second group. He most likely will play in Biloxi again. Matt Wood Now in his fifth year in the Brewers organization, Wood isn’t a prototypical power hitter but is a good gap hitter with doubles power. Over his career, he has drawn walks at a rate of 14%. Wood, who will turn 25 in March, started 2025 at High-A Wisconsin but moved up to Biloxi after just 30 games with the T-Rats. At the higher level, he batted .271/.371/.415 with 18 extra-base hits across 207 at-bats. Wood has a decent arm, having thrown out 27% of runners trying to steal on him in Double-A. Where will he start in 2026? Most likely in Biloxi, but he could begin in Music City. Brewers Infielders Luke Adams Also in his fifth year in the Brewers chain, Adams, 21, spent a half-season at Biloxi last year and is likely to begin there in 2026. He walked at a rate of 15% but struck out 22% of the time. Adams has 50 grade power, but it hasn’t really translated into home run numbers. He’s okay at either corner infield spot, and although he stole a combined 58 bases in his first two full seasons in the pros, he’s not gonna be a burner on the bases. Ranked the ninth-best prospect on Brewer Fanatic and 10th on MLB.com Top Prospects, Adams isn’t ready for prime time yet, but could be ready to take over at first base in 2027, especially if Andrew Vaughn regresses to his 2025 White Sox version or leaves in free agency. Jesús Made Made is the most anticipated Brewer since Jackson Chourio a couple of years ago. The switch-hitter has moved rapidly up the Brewers chain and won’t be 19 until early May 2026. He is ranked third on MLB.com’s Top 100 Prospects list and has a major league ETA of 2027. This year, he will most likely start at Biloxi to build on his five-game stint there at the end of last season. He is a plus runner and grades out at 55 in the field. Made has played mostly at short but also has experience at second and third. All eyes will be on this exciting youngster in Arizona this spring. Cooper Pratt Pratt is one of the three top SS prospects in the Brewers chain and is ranked number 64 on MLB.com’s Top Prospects list this year. Pratt is the closest of the trio to make the big leagues, at least at this point. His defensive tools (arm, fielding) grade out at 60, and he won a Minor League Gold Glove in 2024, so his defensive pedigree is solid. Pratt posted decent stats last year at Biloxi, especially in the walks department, drawing free passes at a rate of nearly 13% while only striking out at a 15% rate. The 21-year-old Pratt will most likely begin the season with Nashville, but has a great opportunity in spring training to cement his standing in the Brewers' shortstop pecking order. Brock Wilken Wilken was off to a good start at Biloxi last year, bashing 18 home runs in 65 games while drawing walks at a rate of 20% before being lost for two months with a dislocated left kneecap suffered in a locker room celebration. Unfortunately, he also struck out at a dismal 27% rate. Wilken returned for the last 16 games of the season but only batted .185 (10-for-54) with no homers. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound slugger is an average defender at third and only grades out at 30 for speed/base running, so his power will carry him as far as he can go. Wilken, 23, might start the season at Biloxi, but he could move up to Nashville at some point in the season, depending on his health. Brewers Outfielders Luis Lara The diminutive (5-foot-8, 167-pound) speedster will fit right in with the Brewers ‘Short Kings’ roster. Only 21, Lara played a full season at Biloxi last year and showed speed (44 steals) and gap power with 32 doubles. Lara has a 60 grade for running, arm, and fielding, and plays an excellent center field. He will never hit for power, but has some elite tools that will move him up. Nashville appears to be the starting destination this year for the switch-hitter. Brewers Infielders/Outfielders These four players have played both infield and outfield in their careers and should fit right in with their versatility. Eduardo Garcia The lanky (6-foot-3, 160-pound) Garcia is 23 and played most of the year at Appleton before moving up to Biloxi for the last six weeks of the season. Base stealing became part of his game last year as he stole 41 bases in 48 tries after only stealing a combined 39 bags in the previous four campaigns. Garcia has bounced around in the organization, having played for four years for the T-Rats and parts of two seasons in Biloxi. He has played almost every position except for catcher and pitcher in the minors, and at this point is strictly organizational depth. Greg Jones Soon to turn 28, the switch-hitter was signed to a minor league deal in early December. Jones has played very briefly in the bigs, appearing in nine games over the last two seasons with the Rockies and White Sox. Jones is another organizational piece for Milwaukee, but his speed, defense, and versatility will make him a valuable member at Nashville. His main positions are shortstop and center field. Eddys Leonard The well-traveled Leonard is now in his fourth organization with Milwaukee. Like many of the other Brewer NRIs, he is very versatile and has played every position except catcher, but has spent most of his time at short. Leonard, 25, has decent power, having hit 95 home runs in parts of seven minor league seasons. All his tools are average or a little above, but for now, he is going to be a ‘camp body’ and provide depth at Nashville. Jett Williams Last but not least, the 22-year-old will be one of the most-watched players at camp this year. Williams came to Milwaukee from the Mets, along with Brandon Sproat, in the Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers deal. The 5-foot-7, 175-pounder offers speed and versatility and is ticketed for either center field or shortstop, but he can also play second. He stole at least 30 bases in two of his three seasons in the minors, with a high of 45 in 2023 between three teams in the Mets chain. Williams also exhibits a little pop and could be a 15-20 HR guy. Much has been written about Williams, and I offer an excellent piece by our @Jack Stern that will tell you more about him. Will Any of These Make the Brewers' 26-Man Roster? At this point, only McGuire is projected to make the 26-man Opening Day roster, displacing Jeferson Quero as the backup catcher. But a great spring by Quero could alter that plan. Likewise, Williams will likely battle Andruw Monasterio for the utility infielder spot. Williams could use a little seasoning as he only has 40 games worth of action at Triple-A. But again, a great showing in the Arizona camp could force the Brewers to keep him once the season starts. View the full article

Following the trade of Freddy Peralta, the Brewers' rotation will look different in 2025. Brandon Woodruff and Quinn Priester are locks to open the season as starters, but the Brewers have a long list of intriguing names after that: Jacob Misiorowski, Chad Patrick, Robert Gasser, Aaron Ashby, DL Hall, Logan Henderson, and newcomer Brandon Sproat. Who will round out the Opening Day rotation?View the full article

As the calendar flips from January to February, the countdown is on to February 11th, when pitchers and catchers report to Dunedin, Florida. That's when opportunity quietly opens for players on the fringe of the roster. The Blue Jays have extended invites to 27 players from the minor league system or as minor league free agents, and they will all have an opportunity to impress and potentially make their way onto the big league roster at some point this summer. That was the case for Alan Roden, who was a minor league invitee in 2025 and found his way onto the Opening Day roster. As well as Myles Straw, Brandon Fischer, Mason Fluharty, and Lazaro Estrada, all of whom found some playing time in Toronto over the season. Here is an overview of all the players invited to camp, and what they may bring to the team. Blue Jays Pitchers RHP Jorge Alcala RHP Chad Dallas RHP Ryan Jennings RHP Fernando Perez RHP Yariel Rodriguez RHP Connor Seabold RHP Gage Stanifer RHP CJ Van Eyk RHP Chay Yeager LHP Javen Coleman LHP Michael Plassmeyer The list of pitchers offers a mix of youth, MLB experience, and notable arms in the Blue Jays system. Yariel Rodriguez is the name most Blue Jays fans will recognize, as he’s thrown 159 2/3 IP over the past two seasons in a mixture of starts and relief appearances, before he was outrighted off the 40-man roster earlier this offseason. Connor Seabold, 30, appeared in 27 games for the Colorado Rockies in 2023, but just like most Rockies pitchers, the results weren’t pleasant. He pitched to a 7.52 ERA that season. Still, he has experience as both a reliever and a starter and could see time in the swingman role if things break well for him this season. Jorge Alcala, 30, is a veteran of seven MLB seasons, who has spent the majority of them pitching out of the Twins' bullpen. His 2025 season was one to forget, as he posted a 6.22 ERA across the Twins, Red Sox, and Cardinals. He has had success in the past, as shown by a career 4.29 ERA and a fastball that averages 97.4 mph. If injuries or poor performances occur ahead of him, Alcala may have a chance to be in the big league bullpen at some point this summer. Other names on this list have already been in the Blue Jays farm system. Gage Stanifer (Jays Centre #6 prospect) leads the pack. He soared through the farm system in 2025, with 161Ks over 110 innings across three levels. He’ll be a player to watch this spring. Fernando Perez (JC’s #19 prospect) provides intriguing upside, and Yeager, Jennings, and Coleman are young players who could impact the big league team a few years from now. Blue Jays Catchers Robert Brooks Edward Duran Aaron Parker Geovanny Planchart CJ Stubbs The list of catchers also provides some intrigue. Stubbs was the most recent addition, signing as a minor league free agent on Jan 24th. Despite limited big league time, he can provide some depth should the Jays have injuries at the catcher position. Edward Duran, 21, may be the most intriguing player of the group. He was the player to be named later in the trade that sent Anthony Bass to the Marlins. He’s a good framer and has good bat-to-ball skills, and there is hope that some power may develop. Aaron Parker has some power from the position (8 HR in 249 AB’s), where Planchart and Brooks have struggled offensively, but can hold their own behind the plate. Blue Jays Infielders 3B/SS Cutter Coffey SS Josh Kasevich 1B/3B Sean Keys 2B Rafael Lantigua 3B Charles McAdoo 2B/OF Carlos Mendoza SS Arjun Nimmala SS Josh Rivera 1B/3B Riley Tirotta In the infield is where the real bread and butter of this class is. Highlighting this list is Arjun Nimmala (JC’s #3, prospect), a consensus top 100 prospect in all of baseball, who is looking to have another impressive spring, after hitting a massive home run against the Pirates last spring. Josh Kasevich (JC #11) is another name to watch. Bo Bichette’s departure means there is just one fewer name above him in the depth chart. After an outstanding 2024 stint in Triple A (120 wRC+ in 41 games), his 2025 was riddled with injuries and poor performance. Last month, we took a look at Kasevich and what his path to the big leagues would look like. A strong performance this spring would be a good start. Aside from the top prospects there is a lot of talent in this group, Coffey and McAdoo (JC’s #14) were brought over in separate trades at the 2024 trade deadline and both have hit well in the minors, Keys has 60 grade raw power from the left side, Tirotta just had a 112 wRC+ in AAA last season, Mendoza, Lantigua and Rivera provide positional flexibility. Blue Jays Outfielders Eloy Jimenez RJ Schreck Out of all the names mentioned, Jimenez has by far the most big league experience. He has just shy of 2000 big league at-bats with the White Sox and Orioles from 2019 to 2024. He won a Silver Slugger in 2020, hit 31 home runs in his rookie 2019, and finished ahead of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Cavan Biggio in rookie of the year voting that season. Jimenez found himself in the Blue Jays system late in 2025 and hit just 3-18 with one extra-base hit in that time. Although it feels so far in the past now, the talent is in there somewhere, and giving Jimenez a chance to work with the big-league coaches this spring could help him unlock something. Schreck, 25, was another name acquired at the 2024 deadline, this one from Seattle in the Yimi Garcia trade, and he looks big league ready. A 143 wRC+, getting on base 39% of the time, and has shown power with 18 home runs over 105 minor league games. The outfield picture on the big league roster seems set, but as long as Schreck continues where he left off, he's incredibly likely to see big league time in Toronto this summer Performance in spring training doesn't always mean much in the long run, but history suggests that at least one of these names will matter by August, and a strong spring training will be exactly what opens that door. View the full article

Derek Falvey and the Twins shockingly parted ways on Friday, a mere week and a half before pitchers and catchers report to the Lee Health Sports Complex in Fort Myers. This “mutual” parting of ways has wide-ranging implications for the 2026 season, and raises no few questions that will be explored here on Twins Daily in the coming days. One such is this: are there even historical precedents for a GM or analogue to jump ship or get fired (depending on how you interpret Tom Pohlad and Derek Falvey’s statements) this late in the offseason, just when teams are preparing to ramp up for the season? After all, there are myriad reasons why the timing is truly awful. It creates unnecessary chaos and complexity. It threatens the perceived job security of coaches and executives. It threatens to dispirit players, some of whom have already openly questioned the organization. It’s too late to ask teams for permission to interview their executives, drying up the talent pool, and practically forcing the Twins' hand in elevating Jeremy Zoll. It adds responsibility to his purview, and by extension, likely his assistant GMs as well, without ample time to ramp up. All of these things conspire to make Pohlad’s stated goal of competing this season an even tougher needle to thread. In short, Friday’s announcement just doesn’t make sense; at least not now. So, surely, the situation the Twins find themselves in must be pretty rare. Turns out, it is, indeed. After some digging, there are only two other examples of executives departing on the eve of spring training, and both happened in situations not dissimilar to that of the 2026 Twins. The Firee: Dan Duquette, Boston Red Sox, 2002 The Red Sox fired Dan Duquette on March 1, 2002, smack dab in the middle of spring training. In terms of tenure, success rate, and fan perception, there are some real similarities to Falvey’s time with the Twins, as well as some potential hints for the future. Prior to being fired, Duquette had an eight-year run as the Red Sox GM. He made the playoffs just three times, and in those appearances won only two total games. He angered fans when he let the popular (and talented) father of Kody Clemens leave in free agency, and fans weren’t enamored with his communication style with the media either. Heading into the 2001 season, Duquette went big on the free agent market, signing Manny Ramirez to a massive-at-the-time eight-year, $160 million deal. With Pedro Martinez on the books, as well as a number of other contracts that were well above average, the Red Sox had the second-highest payroll in baseball behind only the Yankees. The payroll didn’t correspond to success that season, as the team dealt with injuries and underperformance, and finished just over .500. Duquette fired his Manager, Jimy Williams, mid-season after a high-profile disagreement with a player. Oh. By the way. Duquette was fired by the John Henry’s group not 24 hours after they became the new owners of the Red Sox. They replaced him by promoting Mike Port, Duquette’s VP of Baseball Operations. He lasted just one season before ownership ultimately hired Theo Epstein to take the reins of the core of talented draftees and veterans in their prime that Duquette had assembled. Three years after Duquette’s firing, the Red Sox began their dynasty. Could Falvey's departure be a simple case of "not my guy?" Or something closer to a scapegoat? Pohlad said on Friday "the vision is probably a little bit different than what it was before. The landscape is different, and that it's best for both of us, if we if we make a change, and best for the Minnesota Twins." Make of that what you will. The Quitter: Bob Watson, New York Yankees, 1998 Bob Watson was a former player, turned coach, turned general manager. His brief stint in the role lasted just two seasons, and they shone. In 1996, he and rookie manager Joe Torre took the Yankees to the World Series where they defeated the Atlanta Braves. The following season, they made the playoffs again, but didn’t advance past the ALDS. On February 3, 1998, Watson resigned and he was replaced by Brian Cashman. Ok. So. Neither tenure nor results match up with Falvey’s, but you know what just might? Watson’s reason for quitting. In short, he was frequently at loggerheads with owner George Steinbrenner. “The Boss” had a habit of micromanaging his GMs, to the point of pushing for specific trades and negotiating around them with other GMs and owners. In fact, he was responsible for acquiring Chuck Knoblach from the Twins. In 1997, Steinbrenner repeatedly attempted to get Watson to move Jorge Posada and a number of prospects for Rickey Henderson, and publicly lambasted his GM for not making specific moves that Steinbrenner wanted to see happen, and for trading for players he himself wouldn’t. It got to the point that Watson would tell rival GMs he was out on a deal “'unless I get orders from south of New York.’ ", referencing Steinbrenner’s Florida home. Eventually, Watson had enough. After he resigned, a Yankees official told the New York Times: “I don't know if he wants to be a general manager anymore. Maybe he doesn't need the pressure. I don't know that he wants another general manager's job. I don't know if he wants to stay in baseball. I imagine he's disgusted with Steinbrenner.” If we are looking for parallels, it’s easy to find them. After all, like George Steinbrenner, Tom Pohlad seems to believe he understands just how to run a baseball team. Unlike Steinbrenner, however, Pohlad is new to the game, and his diametrically opposed dictates reflect that. To wit: “no half measures” and “we will be competitive in 2026”, are in conflict with "yes, our payroll is down from last year” and the whole, you know, not really having a bullpen you trust with a one-run lead in a playoff push. Really, when you look at it, Falvey’s departure combines themes from both of these case studies. On one side of the equation, you have new ownership, likely disappointed with middling results, a disengaged fanbase, and questionable baseball decisions by the GM (albeit with the former owner's blessing and, in part, because of unexpected financial constraints placed on him). On the other side, you have the owner, perhaps out of hubris, assuming he knows the way to right the ship despite little to indicate such, who, in his confidence, creates an unwinnable and frustrating work environment for the GM. That’s the sort of conflict that leads to a parting of ways, even if the initiating party remains opaque. As it stands, this development probably doesn’t help the Twins’ chances in 2026, but it sure does continue the palace intrigue that began with Joe Pohlad's ouster. One thing that's certain is that there's no shortage of confidence among the Pohlad family. View the full article

Pablo López does not sound like someone with one foot out the door. As the Twins head toward the 2026 season, his words and actions point to a pitcher who has recommitted himself to the organization, the clubhouse, and the idea that this rotation can still define what winning baseball looks like in Minnesota. Trade speculation followed López throughout the winter, and it would have been easy for that noise to become a distraction. Instead, it became something else entirely. A reminder of how much he values stability, how much he wants to be part of something that lasts, and how important it is for this group to find its footing together. Living With the Rumors López has been traded before, and that perspective matters. He understands how quickly things can change in this sport, but he also knows what is real and what is just background chatter. “I heard all the rumors. I was aware of them. But in my head, I know, like, as far as I know I had two more years to be a Minnesota Twin, to wear that jersey. But I had the buzz, whether it was internally or certainly I was aware of it. Just because I’ve had the experience of being traded twice. It’s not real until it happens, but the one thing I told the front office, I would like to be a part of this rotation going forward.” That statement carries weight. At a time when the Twins have been willing to listen on just about everyone, López made it clear that he wants to stay. Not just to collect innings, but to be part of the foundation. For a team trying to balance financial realities with competitive urgency, having a pitcher of his caliber publicly embrace that role matters. Leadership in a Younger Clubhouse The 2026 Twins will be young. There is no getting around that. With youth comes energy, but also uncertainty, and López knows exactly where that puts the burden. “I think it goes without saying that we have such a young group. Some direction is going to be needed. And when that’s the case, you tend to look at the guys that have been doing this the longest or the guys that have that reputation of clubhouse leadership. Joe [Ryan], [Byron] Buxton, Bailey [Ober], Ryan Jeffers also in that mix. We’re going to have to find ways. I think a lot of it is going to be trial and error. You don’t want to take it too far either.” This is the balancing act. Setting standards without suffocating growth. Leading without preaching. López does not frame himself as the lone voice, but rather as part of a core that has to help define expectations. For a rotation that has seen turnover and inconsistency, that kind of steady presence can be just as valuable as anything on the stat sheet. Veteran Additions and Raising the Floor The Twins did not just ask their internal leaders to do everything alone. They brought in reinforcements, and López clearly sees value in that. “That’s when guys like Josh Bell, [Victor] Caratini, Taylor Rogers can come in the picture. They weren’t here for last year. But if they see us trying something, or say we just want to be more accountable about some little thing, Josh Bell could be like ‘well, I’ve seen that go south before.’ There’s going to be a decent amount of tone setting from me and a couple of the guys. There’s going to be a lot of changes, because we want to turn it up for good. We want to set the standard. Make sure Minnesota Twins baseball means something good and stick to that.” That last part stands out. Making Twins baseball mean something again. This is not about slogans or empty messaging. It is about daily habits, accountability, and learning from people who have been through the grind elsewhere. López sounds energized by the idea that the responsibility is shared, not stacked entirely on the shoulders of younger players still trying to find their way. Mentoring the Next Wave on the Mound If leadership is part of López’s focus, so is the rotation itself. The Twins have added intriguing young arms, and the veteran right-hander lights up when talking about that group. “When we trade for guys like Taj Bradley and Mick Abel, I was like these are really fun guys to be around,” Lopez said. “These are fun guys. I mean, they’re not my projects or anything, but just to be in the rotation with them, where I may have an opportunity to have the slightest impact with the way I go about my business. It can go a long way.” “That was the case when I was a rookie,” Lopez added. “I want to be part of a rotation that can really let people know how far a pitching staff can take a team. I’m super excited, and I’m really happy and glad I get to be a part of this rotation.” There is pride in that answer. Pride in the craft, pride in the group, and pride in the belief that pitching still matters. For a Twins team searching for its next identity, López is making a strong case that it can start every fifth day. Trade rumors may never fully disappear, but López is not pitching like someone waiting for the next call. He is pitching like someone who believes the 2026 Minnesota Twins are still worth investing in, and like someone determined to help make them better. What stands out about Lopez’s comments from above? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

Luis Arraez, winner of three consecutive batting titles, is joining a different NL West team for 2026. The infielder has agreed to a one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants, according to several reports. Bob Nightengale of USA Today said the deal is for $12 million. Arraez became a free agent after completing his arbitration eligibility with the Padres in 2025, a season in which he earned $14 million. The Friars reportedly extended an early offer for Arraez to return after being acquired via trade early in the 2024 season, in which he completed the batting title hat trick. Arraez became the first player in MLB history to win three straight batting crowns with different teams. He did it with the Minnesota Twins (.316 in 2022), Miami Marlins (.354 in 2023), and the Padres (.314 in 2024). In 2025, Arraez overcame a slow start to finish with a .293 average and an NL-leading 181 hits. The problem with Arraez is that he lacks a true defensive home. The 28-year-old has played every infield position and settled into second base with the Twins and Marlins. That was his home early with the Padres before being shifted to first base. According to a report Saturday before the deal with the Giants was finalized, Arraez had one-year and multiyear deals on the table, with his preference to play second base a potentially decisive factor. The Giants have veteran Rafael Devers and top hitting prospect Bryce Eldridge penciled in at first base and designated hitter entering spring training, leaving second base open for Arraez. Casey Schitt had been the projected starter at second before this move, which comes on the heels of signing Harrison Bader to play center. The Padres are going with some combination of Jake Cronenworth and Sung Mun Song at second base. View the full article

Depth is something every organization tries to create, and it goes well beyond what we see at Target Field or in St. Paul. I'm researching the Twins' depth beyond the 40-man roster, and have already taken a look at catcher, first base, and second base. Third basemen often are shortstops who have moved over to the hot corner for one of many reasons. One might be that they outgrew the position, like Miguel Sano did, or that shortstop is no longer the best defensive fit, like Trevor Plouffe or Royce Lewis. That move comes with different expectations offensively: corner bats are often expected to have a better offensive profile than middle infielders. Here is a list of third base prospects not on the Twins' 40-man roster. I’ve included how and when they were acquired, along with the highest level they played this past season. Tanner Schobel Acquired: 2nd round, 2022 draft Highest Level in 2025: Triple-A If you follow the Twins' drafting over the past few years, you’ll notice a pattern of selecting college-level bats higher in the draft. Schobel fits that profile. Drafted in the second round out of Virginia Tech in 2022, he hit for a 1.134 OPS over his final year with the Hokies. Since being drafted, Schobel has played at every level of the minors, reaching Triple-A St. Paul in 2025. While he struggled to a .651 OPS in his first taste of Triple-A, he is only 24 years old, and it is a small sample size of just 30 games. Prior to the call-up, he hit for a slash line of .292/.372/.465 at Double-A over 49 games, which earned him the call-up. While on the list of third basemen, he has also shown the ability to play both second base and shortstop as well. The Twins love positional flexibility among players, so they are able to play matchups and put the best possible lineup out there on any given day. He’s a more contact-oriented hitter with the ability to hit some (nine in 2025) home runs. He’s a prospect with a high floor, and his defensive versatility will help him potentially carve out a role on the big league team, as long as he is able to continue making adjustments at the plate. Billy Amick Acquired: 2nd round, 2024 Draft Highest Level in 2025: High-A Another college bat drafted in the second round, Amick started his collegiate career at Clemson and then transferred to Tennessee for the 2024 season. Over his collegiate career, he had an OPS of 1.072 and hit 36 home runs over 120 games played, with 23 of those home runs coming in 2024 with the Volunteers. Since being drafted, the 23-year-old hasn’t hit for that kind of power as he is making the adjustment to professional baseball, but he has gotten on base. In 2025, Amick played mostly at High-A Cedar Rapids, where he hit .310/.418/.455. He is a high strikeout player, striking out 63 times over 244 plate appearances, which will not be a problem if his power develops like many expect it will. Amick played about half his time at first base and half his time at third base this past season, which means his offensive development will be even more important since first basemen are expected to hit. He was also selected to play in the Arizona Fall League in 2025, where he played in 11 games, and seven of them were at first base. He didn’t hit much in the Arizona Fall League, but it’s an extremely small sample size, so not too much to be worried about, especially for a player who hasn’t played above High-A professionally. He’s an intriguing prospect, but his bat will be what carries him. Keep an eye out to see if his power develops this coming season. Danny De Andrade Acquired: International Free Agency, 2021 Highest Level in 2025: High-A Signed as an international free agent in 2021, De Andrade has been on the Twins ' prospect lists since then. He was signed as a shortstop, but played the majority of his games at second base and third base in 2025. De Andrade is still just 21 years old and played the past two seasons at High-A Cedar Rapids. In 2025, he hit for a .704 OPS, which was his first full season at High-A after only playing in 29 games in 2024 due to an injury. He has shown the ability to hit some (nine in 2025) home runs and steal some (15 in 2025) bases, so keep an eye on whether those things continue to happen as he moves up in competition. He is athletic enough to be a shortstop, but keep an eye on how often he is playing there versus elsewhere in the infield. Jay Thomason Acquired: 17th round, 2024 Draft Highest Level in 2025: High-A A later round pick in 2024, Thomason hit the cover off the ball in his collegiate career at the Air Force Academy. He hit for 1.122 OPS over his four seasons, with 58 home runs over 194 games played. A left-handed hitter, Thomason has shown solid plate discipline, taking a walk in 18.2% of his at-bats in 2025. This is likely due to lower minor-league pitchers having less effective control, and Thomason was playing his age-23 season in A ball. While his walk rate will likely come down some in the minors, he has also shown some power, hitting for .477 slugging percentage this past season. Thomason has played not just third base, but also at first base, second base, and in left field as well in his short time in the minors. No matter where he ends up defensively, he is an intriguing prospect who has shown some flashes. We will see if he is able to continue developing as he faces higher competition and sneak his way into the Top 30 prospect discussion in the next year or so. Rayne Doncon Acquired: Trade, Los Angeles Dodgers, February 2024 Highest Level in 2025: High-A You may recognize Doncon’s name as the prospect who came to the Twins along with Manuel Margot prior to the 2024 season. While Margot was not at the top of the list of acquisitions prior to the disappointing 2024 season for the Twins, Doncon was a lower-level prospect who was essentially a lottery ticket at the time. He has shown some power, but hasn’t developed offensively, hitting for a slash line of .183/.286/.299 in A ball in 2025. Still just 22 years old, he will be looking to bounce back this season and take a step forward in his development. Quentin Young Acquired: 2nd round, 2025 Draft Highest Level in 2025: Single-A Another name you might recognize, as he is the nephew of former Twin Delmon Young. A very different player, Quentin is 6’6” and 225 lbs. He was drafted as a shortstop, but he will likely end up moving to third base down the road, as you don’t see many shortstops that are that tall. He’s got huge raw power, but like many young (he's 18 years old) hitters with power potential, has shown some swing-and-miss concerns as well. He only had 22 plate appearances last year in Fort Myers after signing. While a move to third is possible, there is a chance he is tried at other positions as well to see where he best fits defensively. Ryan Sprock Acquired: 8th round, 2025 Draft Highest Level in 2025: Single-A An 8th-round pick in 2025, Sprock ended up playing in 23 games with Fort Myers after being drafted. He played his college years at Elon, where he posted a .958 OPS over three seasons. In his final season with Elon, he hit 14 home runs over 57 games played, and hit two more with the Mighty Mussels after being drafted as well. While still very early in his development, he’s an intriguing mid-round prospect and someone to keep an eye on. Yilber Herrera Acquired: International Free Agency, 2022 Highest Level in 2025: Single-A Signed as an international free agent in 2022, Herrera will be playing his age-21 season in 2026. In 2025, he moved up from the Complex League and played ten games at Single-A. He projects as a contact hitter, and the hope is that power will develop as he continues to mature. Signed as a shortstop, Herrera has been tried out mostly at second base and third base, but was also tried in the corner outfield for a few games this past season. His offensive development will be the key thing to watch this coming season. Darwin Almanzar Acquired: International Free Agency, 2025 Highest Level in 2025: Dominican Summer League An international free agent signing just last year, he played in the Dominican Summer League, where he showed some promise, hitting for an .843 OPS with six home runs over 44 games played. Still very early in his development and playing his age-18 season in 2026, he is a long way from making an impact at Target Field. Almanzar remains a prospect to monitor periodically to see whether he continues to perform at a higher level as the competition increases. Leave a comment on who you think is the most promising prospect on this list. View the full article

Two years ago, the Twins signed a 32-year-old Matt Bowman to a minor-league contract. He began the season with the Saints, but after a handful of games, he was called up to the Twins. He pitched in five games for the Twins and gave up two runs over 7 2/3 innings. In a numbers game, he was DFAd by the Twins before the end of April and claimed by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He worked in five games for them before again being DFAd. The Mariners claimed him, and he pitched in one game for Seattle. He was released. Early in July, the Twins re-signed him and he spent the next five weeks with the Saints. In mid-August, he was released and signed with the Baltimore Orioles. He pitched well in 15 games down the stretch for the O's. Four teams in one season. A wanted man! He struggled in 20 games with Baltimore in 2025 and ended the season in the Astros minor leagues. Now 34, Bowman signed a minor-league contract this week to pitch in the Twins organization in 2026. He will report to Fort Myers next week as a non-roster invitee to spring training. He will certainly have an opportunity to compete for a spot in the Twins bullpen on Opening Day. A graduate of Princeton, he was drafted by the Mets in the 13th round of the 2012 MLB Draft. He made the Opening Day roster of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016. Over the next three seasons, he pitched in 156 games out of the Cards bullpen. He spent most of 2019 with the Reds and then didn't pitch at all in 2020. However, in September of 2020, he had Tommy John surgery and didn't pitch again until 2023 when he worked in three games for the Yankees. The Twins have been quieter than usual in terms of minor-league free agent signings. However, I could make a case that three minor-league free agents could make the Twins roster. Veteran infielder Orlando Arcia signed with the Twins last month. It would be surprising if he isn't on the Opening Day roster. The 31-year-old infielder debuted in 2016. He had some decent years in Milwaukee, and a couple of solid seasons in Atlanta where he played in his lone All-Star game. Dan Altavilla is a 33-year-old right-handed pitcher who, you might be surprised to learn, made his big-league debut in 2016. He's mixed in some good years with some bad years. He's had some injuries. Last year with the White Sox, he had a 2.48 ERA over 25 games and 29 innings. The peripherals weren't great (or even particularly good), but if the Twins wanted another veteran in the bullpen, he could see time there. 29-year-old Andrew Bash signed with the Twins earlier this month. He was the Angels 30th round pick in 2019 out of California Baptist. The Angels released him in 2020, and he signed with the Blue Jays. He spent the past six seasons working his way up the Jays' ladder. Last year in Triple-A Buffalo, he went 6-2 with a 2.57 ERA. He made five starts but came out of the bullpen 35 times. He has jumped back-and-forth between Double-A and Triple-A and hasn't had an ERA over 3.00 at either level since the 2022 season. The Twins signed right-hander Luis Quinones to a minor-league deal in December. Originally drafted in the 34th round by the Blue Jays in 2019, he's slowly worked his way up the ladder showing glimpses of really good stuff. He has also missed a lot time with injuries. In fact, in 2025, he pitched in just three rehab games, rehabbing in the FCL. However, he played winter ball in Puerto Rico and went 4-0 with a 0.00 ERA, a 0.69 WHIP, and two Saves. In 26 innings, he gave up nine hits, walked nine and had 36 strikeouts. After five years at Miami (Ohio), Grant Hartwig signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Mets in 2021. Two years later, he debuted and pitched in 28 games for the Mets. In 2024, he made just four appearances. He joined Hanshin in Japan during the 2025 season. His season ended a little early with an oblique injury. The 28-year-old returned to the States and signed with the Twins just a couple weeks later. View the full article

Two weeks before pitchers and catchers report, the Boston Red Sox still have a hole at second base. Their solution might already be on the roster. Catchers are a stalwart presence behind the plate. When I think of catchers, players with sturdier builds — Johnny Bench, Carlton Fisk, and Jason Varitek — immediately come to mind. Listed at 5’10”, 190 lbs, Connor Wong is not built like your typical catcher. Why? His original position in college (University of Houston) was shortstop. He transitioned to a catcher during his sophomore year. Wong’s performance hasn’t been the tour de force that was expected from one of the key pieces of the Mookie Betts trade. His defense and bat have never flourished concurrently. In 2024, he outperformed his expected offensive stats (.051 BA-xBA, .063 SLG-xSLG, and .039 wOBA-xWOBA), but his defense was subpar (-13 Blocks Above Average and -8 Framing Runs). The next year, things flipped. In 2025, Wong’s defense initially improved before a hand injury cut his playing time early in the season. Upon his return, Carlos Narváez’s breakout performance relegated him to a backup role. Wong finished the season with a .190 BA, .500 OPS, and a 39 wRC+. With less than two weeks until pitchers and catchers report, the Red Sox have a glaring hole at second base. Since Dustin Pedroia’s abrupt career-ending knee injury, second base depth has been the red-headed stepchild for the Red Sox’s roster construction. (You can also argue the same for catcher since Christian Vázquez was moved at the 2022 trade deadline.) External paths forward are limited. Ketel Marte is staying with the Diamondbacks. Nico Hoerner’s asking price is too high. If the Phillies had signed Bo Bichette, I would’ve loved a trade for Bryson Stott, but that’s wistful thinking. I’ve been beating the “Trade Jarren Duran” drum throughout the offseason, though I’d rather keep him than ship him off to Houston in a trade for Isaac Paredes. As for the other spots in the infield, shortstop is veteran Trevor Story’s position (if he can stay healthy for a second consecutive season), and Marcelo Mayer will likely start at third base, potentially sharing a platoon with Romy Gonzalez and/or Nick Sogard. The remaining depth of Gonzalez, Sogard, David Hamilton, and Nate Eaton doesn’t instill much confidence as an everyday player at second. Yet, the Red Sox’s solution might already be on the roster. Wong’s development has been zero-sum; every gain, whether defensive or offensive, has come at the other’s expense. What if the problem isn’t Wong, but his position? What happens to his production when he’s not catching? The Case for Connor Wong at Second Wong has logged a whopping total of 29 innings at second base. At catcher, he’s a career .250 hitter with a 90 wRC+ across 1,059 PA. At second, he’s yielded a .364 average with a 109 wRC+ across 11 plate appearances, a notable improvement, albeit in a very small sample size. To Wong’s credit, his offensive stats aren’t terrible; they’re average. Last year was an anomaly with injuries tanking his production. .wong-splits-wrapper { max-width: 1100px; width: 100%; margin: 0 auto; text-align: center; } .wong-splits-wrapper .table-container { background: transparent; border-radius: 12px; overflow: hidden; display: inline-block; } .wong-splits-wrapper table { width: 100%; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, sans-serif; border-radius: 12px; overflow: hidden; } .wong-splits-wrapper .title-row th { background: #0d2240; color: #fff; padding: 14px 12px; text-align: center; font-weight: 600; font-size: 0.95rem; letter-spacing: 0.5px; } .wong-splits-wrapper .header-row th { background: #1a3a5c; color: #fff; padding: 14px 12px; text-align: center; font-weight: 600; font-size: 0.95rem; letter-spacing: 0.5px; } .wong-splits-wrapper .header-row th:first-child { text-align: left; padding-left: 20px; } .wong-splits-wrapper td { padding: 14px 12px; text-align: center; font-size: 0.85rem; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e8e8; color: #333; } .wong-splits-wrapper td:first-child { text-align: left; padding-left: 20px; font-weight: 600; color: #0d2240; } .wong-splits-wrapper tr:last-child td { border-bottom: none; } .wong-splits-wrapper tbody tr { background: #fff; } .wong-splits-wrapper tbody tr:hover { background: #f8f9fa; } Connor Wong Career Splits by Position Position G PA BB% K% AVG OPS ISO BABIP wOBA wRC+ C 290 1059 6.5% 27.1% .250 .695 .136 .332 .304 90 1B 10 31 6.5% 32.3% .241 .670 .138 .368 .292 85 2B 6 11 0.0% 18.2% .364 .727 .000 .444 .321 109 LF 1 1 0.0% 0.0% .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 -100 DH 9 27 0.0% 29.6% .120 .305 .000 .176 .151 -13 Wong’s defense at second base is marginally below average, posting a minus-1 OAA and a FRV of -1 in 29 innings, but his skillset and raw athleticism suggest his floor is higher than his numbers indicate. .position-comps-wrapper { max-width: 800px; width: 100%; margin: 0 auto; text-align: center; } .position-comps-wrapper .table-container { background: transparent; border-radius: 12px; overflow: hidden; display: inline-block; } .position-comps-wrapper table { width: 100%; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, sans-serif; border-radius: 12px; overflow: hidden; } .position-comps-wrapper .title-row th { background: #0d2240; color: #fff; padding: 14px 12px; text-align: center; font-weight: 600; font-size: 0.95rem; letter-spacing: 0.5px; } .position-comps-wrapper .header-row th { background: #1a3a5c; color: #fff; padding: 14px 12px; text-align: center; font-weight: 600; font-size: 0.95rem; letter-spacing: 0.5px; } .position-comps-wrapper .header-row th:first-child { text-align: left; padding-left: 20px; } .position-comps-wrapper td { padding: 14px 12px; text-align: center; font-size: 0.85rem; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e8e8; color: #333; } .position-comps-wrapper td:first-child { text-align: left; padding-left: 20px; font-weight: 600; color: #0d2240; } .position-comps-wrapper tr:last-child td { border-bottom: none; } .position-comps-wrapper tbody tr { background: #fff; } .position-comps-wrapper tbody tr:hover { background: #f8f9fa; } .position-comps-wrapper .section-break td { padding: 8px; background: #bd3039; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e8e8; } Career Position Comps Player Position Innings DRS OAA FRV Romy Gonzalez 2B 836.0 -4 -2 -2 Nick Sogard 2B 164.0 -1 0 0 David Hamilton 2B 679.1 16 6 4 Connor Wong 2B 29.0 -1 -1 -1 Modern catchers are more athletic than ever, but they display a different kind of athleticism that factors in blocking, framing, and throwing. Wong’s atypical build fails him in his blocking ability. Since 2023, he’s recorded -25 Blocks Above Average, the second-worst in baseball, and his framing is unremarkable (-15 Framing Runs). Wong’s injury history reflects the physical toll catching has taken on his body: March 2023: Left hamstring injury April 2025: Left pinky fracture 2025 offseason: Right-hand carpal boss excision Arm strength matters less at second compared to shortstop or third, but Wong’s is more than adequate. In 2024, Wong posted a 1.95 average pop time to second base (63rd percentile). Injuries slowed that to 1.97 in 2025 (39th percentile). Wong pairs quick transfer with throwing accuracy, finishing in the top 30% of CS Above Average (+3). His catcher arm strength graded at 81.4 mph in 2025. For comparison, Nico Hoerner’s sits at 75.5 mph and Brice Turang's at 80.1 mph. The common thread between catcher and second is making quick, targeted throws under pressure in awkward positions. Behind the plate, that means hitting the fielder’s glove at second from over 127 ft away while a runner barrels towards the bag. At second, turning a 4-6-3 double play requires fast hands, clean transfer, arm strength, and accuracy. Wong’s best defensive plays highlight this skillset and the instincts of a middle infielder, not a catcher. Most catchers aren’t expected to wreak havoc on the basepaths. They’re not usually built for it, and crouching for over two hours drains their battery. Wong, however, possesses elite sprint speed. A move to second would give him more opportunities to use it. That’s not to say there isn’t a downside. Moving Wong to second fixes one problem, but creates another at his old position. The remaining free-agent catchers won’t move the needle. Narváez struggled in the second half of his rookie season and is coming off meniscus surgery. Backup catcher could be a critical role, and moving Wong would strain the team’s already limited catching depth. My suggestion? Let Wong take reps at second in spring training. It’s a low-risk environment to explore whether both sides of his game can coexist away from catching. What is there to lose? View the full article

Much is made of A.J. Preller's penchant for trading prospects. In many instances, the San Diego Padres' team president has given a lot -- perhaps too much -- to get a lot in return. The list of "hits" collected by the other teams is long and growing. But one of those trades didn't have the desired effect for the team collecting the kids. It's the deal that brought Yu Darvish to the Padres from the Chicago Cubs. With Darvish nearing retirement or a separation from the Padres, it's worth looking back at the trade and noting how big a win it was for San Diego. For reference, this was the full trade, which was announced on Dec. 29, 2020: PADRES RECEIVE: RHP Yu Darvish C Victor Caratini CUBS RECEIVE: RHP Zach Davies OF Owen Caissie OF Ismael Mena INF Reginald Preciado INF Yeison Santana The move was a part of Preller's ambitious plan to revamp the rotation. On the same day Darvish became a Padre, the club acquired Cy Young Award-winning left-hander Blake Snell from the Tampa Bay Rays for a package led by Luis Patino. Four months earlier, Preller obtained Mike Clevinger from Cleveland for a prospect haul (more on that later). The Cubs were never going to match either return. In the 2020-21 offseason, they were facing a payroll crunch with their young core players -- in particular, Javier Baez, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo -- and Darvish had three years and $59 million remaining on his contract. He dominated in the COVID-shortened 2020 season after years of solid but unspectacular results, tying for the MLB lead with eight wins and posting a 2.01 ERA in 76 innings over 12 starts, but durability was a question mark ahead of his age-34 season. Given that context, it's little wonder the Cubs executed a salary dump. Davies was a rental, as he signed with the Diamondbacks in January 2022. (For the record, Caratini was a rental for the Padres). Mena, Preciado and Santana were international lottery tickets, while Caissie was a high school hitter whom the Padres selected in the second round of the five-round 2020 MLB Draft. Two of those tickets have been torn up. Santana was released in June 2023, and Mena was released last August. Preciado is still active, but he hasn't advanced past High Single-A yet, and last year, in his fifth pro season, he compiled a .218/.292/.382 slash line (.594 OPS). He'll be in his age-23 season in 2026. Caissie, 23, became the Cubs' best hope for salvaging the trade. He reached the majors last year, with the British Columbia native making his debut Aug. 14 in Toronto. But on Jan. 6, he and minor-leaguers Edgardo De Leon and Cristian Hernandez were traded to the Miami Marlins for right-hander Edward Cabrera. With the Cubs getting barely any production from Caissie -- and none from the other prospects -- the contrast between the return for Darvish and the young players Preller sent the budget-conscious Tribe for an arbitration-eligible Clevinger --- Josh Naylor, Cal Quantrill, Gabriel Arias, Joey Cantillo and Owen Miller -- could not be starker. Darvish had an uneven tenure with the Friars. The peak was his 2022 season, when he posted a 3.10 ERA (3.31 FIP) and the club went 18-12 in his starts. The performance earned him a six-year, $108 million contract extension in February 2023. Over time, he became a leader of the pitching staff and a resource for younger teammates. But the past two seasons were cut short by injuries and a personal matter. Last year, his ERA ballooned to 5.38 (4.82 FIP). Now, at 39 and facing a lengthy rehab from elbow surgery, he's poised to leave San Diego three years early, The Padres didn't get great value from the extension, but overall, they got their money's worth from Darvish, mostly because they paid just pennies on the dollar to acquire him. View the full article

With pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training in less than two weeks, Brandon Woodruff and Quinn Priester look like the only true locks for spots in the Brewers’ rotation on opening day. Jacob Misiorowski and Chad Patrick are not guarantees, but their performances last year leave them well-positioned for the third and fourth slots. After those four, the club has plenty of young candidates for the fifth spot, but each with limited track records and, in some cases, concerns surrounding their arsenals as starting pitchers. Here are some potential developments that could separate a few arms from the rest of the pack next month. Logan Henderson’s Breaking Ball Of the contenders for the fifth rotation spot, Henderson may have the most impressive big-league resume to date, pitching to a 1.78 ERA, 3.20 SIERA, and 99 DRA- with a 33.3% strikeout rate in five starts last season. However, he profiles worse as a starter than most others do. That sample showed that his fastball and changeup combination can rack up whiffs against big-league hitters who haven’t seen him much, but those two pitches are not enough to effectively work multiple turns through an order. In those five outings, the Brewers only let Henderson face nine hitters a third time through, largely because his stuff was already less deceptive by the second turn. TTO BF Whiff% Chase% wOBA xwOBA 1st 45 27.2% 37.2% .189 .273 2nd 45 26.4% 29.9% .337 .368 3rd 9 35.0% 21.1% .077 .089 The same ability that makes Henderson’s fastball and changeup so good also makes it difficult for him to develop other pitches. As a pronator, he excels at generating pure backspin and sidespin by turning his wrist in toward his body at release, but he struggles to get his hand to the outside of the baseball to spin a breaking pitch. So far, Henderson has worked on a cutter and a short gyro slider, but Adam McCalvy reported in December that he spent the winter reviving the curveball he threw as an amateur. While Henderson is unlikely to get to a true curveball shape as a low-slot pronator, trying to get to the front of the ball at release could give him an offering with more consistent glove-side movement, supplying the balance his arsenal needs as a starter. Brandon Sproat’s Command Whereas Henderson’s arsenal needs more diversity, Sproat’s six-pitch mix can keep hitters off balance and doesn’t need much more development. That could give him a leg up on his peers, but he’ll have to demonstrate in camp that his command is big-league ready. FanGraphs currently tags Sproat with just 35-grade present-day command, and his walk rates in two minor-league seasons were lackluster for a starting pitcher. While the Brewers typically avoid forcing their pitchers into the same box mechanically, Chris Hook and the pitching development crew could tweak Sproat’s unorthodox delivery to get his hand more on time when his front foot lands. Will the Brewers Prefer a Left-Hander? Woodruff, Priester, Misiorowski, and Patrick are all right-handed, as are many of the prospects behind them. If the Brewers would rather round out their rotation with a southpaw, it could boost Robert Gasser’s case for the final spot. Like Sproat, Gasser has a complete starter’s arsenal, and he has better command. If the club sticks to its usual approach, lefty swingmen Aaron Ashby and DL Hall will also be stretched out in Arizona and could make rotation bids. There may need to be more matchup-related factors at play for handedness to swing the decision. The Brewers open the season by playing the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. While the White Sox have a few decent left-handed bats, namely the recently signed Munetaka Murakami, many of the Rays’ best hitters are right-handed. Veteran Additions Pat Murphy pushed the front office to add veteran Jose Quintana last spring, and even though the Brewers are deeper in the rotation than they were at this time a year ago, he has already voiced concerns about starting depth in the wake of the Freddy Peralta trade. The Brewers also signed Tyler Alexander at the start of camp and could make a similar move again. In addition to Quintana, Zack Littell, Tyler Anderson, and Patrick Corbin are among the veteran innings-eaters who remain unsigned. The Brewers also developed a positive relationship with Jordan Montgomery, who was still rehabbing from Tommy John surgery when the Brewers acquired him with Shelby Miller at last year’s trade deadline. Should the sides agree to a reunion, his reported timeline may not put him on pace to open the year on an active roster. View the full article

Now that the Crew has traded Freddy Peralta to the New York Mets, who will be the team's ace in its 2026 rotation? Is Jacob Misiorowski capable of honing his command? Does Brandon Woodruff have a long-term future in Milwaukee? Is Chad Patrick getting enough attention? We even discuss the long-term idea of Brandon Sproat (yes, seriously) spearheading this pitching staff based on what he showed us in a bite-sized sample at New York. Catch it all in this Brewer Fanatic video! View the full article

The Minnesota Twins officially turned the page on their front office leadership on Friday. Derek Falvey and the organization agreed to mutually part ways, ending an era defined by significant highs and lows. In his place, Jeremy Zoll has been elevated to lead baseball operations, while Tom Pohlad will take on interim oversight of the business side. For those who have followed the Twins closely over the last several seasons, Zoll’s promotion feels less like a surprise and more like a continuation. His fingerprints have been all over the organization’s player development gains, and his rise reflects a belief that the next phase of competitiveness will come from within. Zoll’s Professional Climb Zoll joined the Twins in 2018, arriving from the Los Angeles Dodgers with a reputation as a sharp development mind and a strong collaborator. Prior to that, he began his career with the Los Angeles Angels in scouting and development roles, giving him early exposure to multiple organizational philosophies. Those experiences helped shape a well-rounded approach that blends traditional evaluation with modern infrastructure. His time with the Dodgers proved formative. Working within one of baseball’s most respected farm systems, Zoll was involved in individualized player plans, experimental development programs, and close coordination with research and development staff. That background translated smoothly to Minnesota, where the farm system needed both clarity and cohesion. Zoll initially served as the Twins' Director of Minor League Operations, then spent five seasons as an Assistant General Manager. He's entering his ninth year with the Twins, steadily gaining responsibility and trust along the way. His promotion to General Manager in November of 2024 when Thad Levine left the team signaled that the organization valued continuity and internal growth. Rebuilding the Pipeline When Zoll arrived, the Twins' farm system lacked a consistent identity. Development processes varied by level, and the path from draft day to Target Field was not always clear. Zoll helped change that. Alongside leaders like Dr Chris Camp, he emphasized performance science, clearer communication, and stronger alignment between coaching staffs and analysts. The result has been a steady stream of impact talent reaching the major leagues. Royce Lewis, Luke Keaschall, Brooks Lee, and Matt Wallner were all high draft picks who matriculated to the big-leagues with varied levels of success. On the pitching side, arms like Bailey Ober, David Festa, and Zebby Matthews highlight the organization’s ability to find value beyond the top rounds of the draft. For a franchise that cannot rely on aggressive spending, those wins matter. Zoll’s influence has not been limited to names on a prospect list. He helped modernize how the Twins teach mechanics, manage workloads, and tailor development plans to individual players. Biomechanics, video analysis, and data-driven feedback are now standard tools throughout the system, not add-ons. A Philosophy That Fits the Market Zoll’s background positions him well for the realities of the Twins' payroll structure. His approach prioritizes depth, flexibility, and internal options, thereby reducing the need for costly external fixes. He's been active on the fringes of the Twins roster over the last two offseasons, with success stories that include Harrison Bader and Danny Coulombe. After last season’s trade deadline selloff, ironically orchestrated by Falvey, the Twins have one of baseball’s highest-ranked minor league systems. Minnesota’s top prospects, like Walker Jenkins, Kaelen Culpepper, Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Connor Prielipp, are all on the cusp of the big leagues with a chance to impact 2026 and beyond. However, it will be multiple years before fans know if last season’s trade deadline was successful for the organization. Equally important is his collaborative style. Player development, analytics, medical, and coaching staffs are expected to operate as one ecosystem. That mindset is likely to define how baseball operations function moving forward. Turning the Page Falvey’s departure marks a clear transition point, but it does not signal a teardown of philosophy. Instead, the Twins are doubling down on an identity that has slowly taken shape over the past several seasons. Zoll represents that identity perhaps more clearly than anyone else in the organization. This is a bet on continuity, development, and patience. It is also a bet that the next competitive Twins core will be built largely by the people already in-house. As Zoll takes the reins, the direction is clear even if the outcomes remain uncertain. What are your initial thoughts on Zoll’s promotion and Falvey’s exit? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

While the Red Sox have been playing third base roulette the last year, signing Eugenio Suarez could be the jackpot signing. Alex Bregman signed with the Chicago Cubs after his one-year stint at Fenway Park. Suarez could slot right in and has proven to be powerful, available, and... well, he does strike out a lot. We break it all down in this Talk Sox video, including how this hypothetical addition would impact Boston's infield. View the full article

Jake Cook may not be a name you know now, but with home-to-first times comparable to that of Rays' speedster Chandler Simpson, you'll know this name very soon. Cook, the No. 11-rated prospect in the Toronto Blue Jays farm system, has an 80-grade run attribute and has just been harnessing it over the last couple of years. Originally recruited as a college pitcher, Cook made the switch to center field and is putting up numbers you won't believe. Learn about the Jays' next speedster in this Jays Centre video! View the full article

Sources told MLB.com that on Thursday, the Kansas City Royals and first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino agreed to a two-year deal worth more than $11 million guaranteed contract, avoiding the need for the two sides to head to an arbitration hearing. Pasquantino will have one more year of arbitration eligibility in 2028 before becoming a free agent for the 2029 season. Pasquantino’s camp filed for $4.5 million, while the Royals filed for $4 million. The deal could reach $16 million, including incentives. Last season, Pasquantino appeared in a career high 160 games, posting a slash line of .264/.323/.475, turning in a career high in slugging across 621 at-bats. The 28-year-old totalled a career high in hits with 164, doubles with 33, home runs with 32, and runs batted in with 113. All four of Pasquantino's big league seasons have been with the Royals. The former 11th-round selection in 2019 has a career average of .266 with a .330 OBP, 70 home runs, and 262 RBIs, often occupying one of the top five spots in the Royals' batting lineup. In 2025, Pasquantino had the highest barrel percentage of his career, coming in at 10.8%, up from the previous high of 8.8% set back in year one. Pasquantino was ranked in the 84th percentile in terms of squaring up the ball, while also being in the 84th percentile in whiff and 83rd for strikeout percentage, all strong numbers by the power-hitting first baseman. Pasquantino will be in action when the World Baseball Classic kicks off in early March, representing Team Italy. Pasquantino also represented Italy in 2023, when Italy was knocked out by the eventual champions Japan in the quarterfinals by a score of 9-3. In five games, Pasquantino batted .200 with a .273 OBP across 20 plate appearances. Pasquantino could be in line for another big season in 2026, with Kauffman Stadium moving the dimensions to make the park more hitter-friendly; the Royals’ first baseman could be set for another big year in the power department. The walls are being lowered from 10 feet to 8 feet, and the left-field corner will move in from 356 feet to 353 feet. The left-center and right-center gaps are going to be brought in from 389 feet to 379 feet, making the power alleys much more reachable. Center field remains untouched at 410 feet. View the full article