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In their latest bid to add depth and upside to their bullpen mix, the Cubs signed right-handed pitcher Corbin Martin to a minor-league deal. The agreement includes an invitation to big-league spring training, where Martin will compete for a job in the bullpen for a Cubs team still piecing depth back together after an autumn exodus from their relief unit. Martin, 30, is perhaps best known as one of the key pieces of the trade that sent Zack Greinke from the Diamondbacks to the Astros in 2019. Major injuries have derailed a once-promising career, keeping him off the mound for all of 2020 and 2023 and for long stretches of 2021 and 2024. Fully converted to relief work, he reemerged as an intriguing arm in 2025, with a fastball that sat just over 95 miles per hour and had the cut-ride shape the Cubs love from pitchers of his ilk. To it, he adds a hard cutter and a sharp 12-to-6 curveball that dramatically improved after he changed his grip and the pitch's shape midseason. Previously, he'd thrown a pitch much more akin to a sweeper or slurve, but this version of the offering is better. The cutter sits 91-92 on the gun, so it's a firm pitch with little movement or velocity separation from the fastball. By leading with those two pitches, though, he sets up the curveball well. Despite ugly raw numbers, he put up a 94 DRA- at Triple-A Norfolk and in the majors for the Orioles in 2025. He comes with four years of team control, if things pan out especially well, but he does not have any minor-league options remaining, so if he makes the team, he'll need to stay on the active roster or the injured list or be exposed to waivers. As fliers like these go, Martin is a solid one. His velocity and shape on the three key pitches in his arsenal promise some better results on contact, and he can miss bats. The question will be whether he can throw enough strikes to ensure that that matters; walks have haunted him over the last two seasons. A healthy Martin showing a semblance of command could be a strong contributor to the Cubs' middle-relief corps. For now, this is just a bit of spaghetti to throw against the wall, but as was true of Brad Keller last winter, there's more than the usual amount of reason to admire the fit and hope that this piece sticks. View the full article

The Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padres have a strong history of exchanging players, especially over the past few years. In 2020, the Royals received outfielder Edward Olivares and pitcher Ronald Bolanos from the Padres for reliever Trevor Rosenthal, and also acquired outfielder Franchy Cordero in exchange for Tim Hill. In 2023, Kansas City traded away Scott Barlow for pitching prospects Henry Williams and Jesus Rios. Last season, the Padres acquired Freddy Fermin in exchange for Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek. Safe to say, Royals GM JJ Picollo and Padres GM AJ Preller are quite familiar with one another's phone numbers. Kansas City and San Diego, both of which entered Major League Baseball at the same time in 1969 (along with the Seattle Pilots and Montreal Expos, now the Brewers and Nationals, respectively), have roster needs this offseason. The Royals need to improve their lineup, outfield, and bullpen. The Padres need another starter to round out the rotation. Both teams seem willing to trade what they have to accomplish those goals, with Randy Holt writing about it from the Padres' perspective at Padres Mission. The Padres have not been afraid to spend money under Preller. However, their high payroll, rebuilding farm system, and commitment to many long-term deals on the current roster may deter them from seriously pursuing a high-end starter in free agency or trade this offseason, as Holt points out. Right now, Michael King and Nick Pivetta are the only projected arms in the rotation San Diego can trust. Joe Musgrove has been dependable in the past, but he missed all of 2025 due to Tommy John surgery. He will likely go through some growing pains after not pitching since 2024. The last two projected starters in the rotation, Randy Vasquez and JP Sears, threw over 130 innings last season. That said, they combined for a 1.3 fWAR, and they posted FIPs of 4.85 and 5.21, respectively. Thus, it's questionable that they will be able to last a whole season in the Padres' rotation, especially if San Diego wants to compete in a tough NL West division with the Dodgers, Giants, and Diamondbacks. The Royals, on the other hand, are flush with starting pitching and have been willing to part with this surplus to address their outfield and reliever needs this offseason. Therefore, let's take a look at a couple of assets Kansas City could part with, what it could receive from San Diego, and some deals that could make sense for both sides. Bubic and Falter Could Make Sense for San Diego Kris Bubic has been one of the Royals' hottest names when it comes to trade rumors. Unfortunately, it seems like those rumors may have bled into contract negotiations this offseason. In his final season of arbitration, the Royals and Bubic failed to come to an agreement at last week's deadline, as they remain $1 million apart in their filings. Unless that gap is filled soon (i.e., concessions are made), it's likely that Bubic and the Royals will head to a hearing. With Bubic a tradeable asset and a free agent next offseason, he may not be motivated to reach an agreement and could likely take his chances in a hearing, even if it results in some lost goodwill between the two sides. Thus, Kansas City may be inclined to trade the former Stanford product sooner rather than later, especially if negotiations continue to move slowly. The Padres may be interested in Bubic, who was an All-Star last year and posted 3.3 fWAR and a 2.55 ERA over 116.1 IP. For context, his ERA was better than King's (3.44) and Pivetta's (2.87), and while Pivetta accumulated a 3.7 fWAR, he also pitched 65.1 more innings than Bubic. Over the same inning sample, Bubic likely would have surpassed Pivetta and finished 2025 as the better pitcher fWAR-wise. Even though his second half was cut short due to injury, Bubic posted the kind of stuff and strike data that would make him a welcome asset in the Padres' rotation for the upcoming season. That is illustrated in his 2025 TJ Stats summary below. Bubic posted a 103 overall TJ Stuff+, with four of his pitches sporting TJ Stuff+ marks over 100. He also had a zone rate of 51.9%, a chase rate of 32.4%, a whiff rate of 28.8%, and a xwOBACON of .344. All those marks are rated as above average for an MLB starting pitcher. There's no question that Bubic solves an immediate need for San Diego in 2026. However, would the Padres be okay with him coming to Kansas City on a one-year deal? The Padres would obviously try to negotiate an extension with him at some point, but there are no guarantees in that department, especially with how valued starting pitchers are now across the league. If the Padres are looking for a cheaper option with more long-term control, they could opt for Bailey Falter, who agreed to a $3.6 million deal this offseason to avoid arbitration. Falter obviously looks a lot worse than Bubic does in the metrics. In 125.1 IP with the Pirates and Royals last year, he posted a 4.45 ERA, 4.94 FIP, and 0.5 fWAR. He was particularly bad with the Royals after coming over at the Trade Deadline. In 12 IP, he allowed an 11.25 ERA and 5.22 FIP. Falter was demoted to the bullpen, eventually landed on the IL, and was sparingly used down the stretch. The 28-year-old lefty doesn't have as great stuff as Bubic. That said, it's serviceable enough, and he could possess more upside than Sears, the only other lefty option in the Padres' rotation. Here's a look at what Falter did last year via TJ Stats. Falter's four-seamer (101 TJ Stuff+) and sinker (99 TJ Stuff+) were intriguing pitches, with both sporting above-average grades (57). Falter also does a good job of flooding the strike zone (53.7% zone rate) and generating good extension on his pitches (7.2). With the right adjustments, he could be a solid option for the end of the Padres rotation. Furthermore, he would be under team control not just for 2026, but also for 2027 and 2028. Could Morejon and/or Laureano Come to Kansas City? The Padres seem most willing to deal a reliever from their deep bullpen, which lost Ranger Suarez in free agency to the Atlanta Braves. The most likely candidate to be traded away could be lefty setup man Adrian Morejon, who had a career season in 2025. In 75 appearances and 73.2 IP, the Padres' primary lefty posted a 2.08 ERA, 2.28 FIP, and 2.2 fWAR. He also collected 13 wins and three saves. Morejon showcased an excellent command last year, posting an 18.5% K-BB%, a 0.1% improvement from 2024. However, his K rate was 24.5%, a 1.6% regression from 2024, and his 10.4% SwStr% was 1.8% lower than his mark from 2024, as well. The Cuban-born lefty was above-average in nearly every category in his TJ Stats summary last year, except whiff rate, where he rated slightly below-average. Morejon would compete for innings in the ninth on most teams. However, with Mason Miller and Jeremiah Estrada in the bullpen, both better strikeout pitchers, he is a third option at best. That could make him an expendable asset in San Diego, especially since he will be a free agent after this season. While the Padres prefer to trade relievers to upgrade their rotation, they may be open to trading Ramon Laureano, especially if it means they can get the starter they want. Like Morejon, Laureano will be a free agent after this season, and it seems unlikely that he will be part of the Padres' long-term plans. The 31-year-old outfielder was acquired from the Orioles last season, and in 488 plate appearances with Baltimore and San Diego, he hit 24 home runs, hit .281, posted a .364 wOBA, 138 wRC+, and accumulated a 3.0 fWAR. While he has a bit of a free-swinging approach, the exit velocity, barrel, and hard-hit skills displayed by Laureano last season were solid, as seen below in his TJ Stats Statcast summary profile. Laureano could be a regular corner outfielder who could rotate between left field and right field seamlessly, which would allow Isaac Collins to be more flexible (possibly getting innings in center field), and/or Jac Caglianone to see more time at designated hitter. Laureano also has familiarity with the AL Central, as he played 72 games for the Guardians between 2023 and 2024. Thus, his experience in the division and his batted-ball profile should help him transition to Kauffman Stadium. What a Royals-Padres Deal Could Look Like Using Baseball Trade Values' Trade Simulator, I created a deal involving the two players I mentioned from each team. However, to make the trade work, I had to add another piece from each team. I decided to include second baseman Will Wagner from the Padres and Michael Massey from the Royals. Both are 27 years old, known more for defense than their bats, and would serve as utility players for their respective teams. I thought about including Jonathan India instead of Massey, but the values didn't work on BTV, and I had a feeling that the Padres wouldn't be willing to absorb his $8 million (Massey's $1.57 million deal is more tolerable). With the inclusion of Wagner and Massey, the deal between the Padres and Royals is, even value-wise, a win-win for both sides. The Royals get a much-needed outfielder with pop, a lefty reliever who can lock things down in the late innings with Carlos Estevez, Lucas Erceg, and Matt Strahm, and a utility infielder who can fill in at second base when India needs a day off. As for the Padres, they get their much-needed starter with No. 2 upside, a long-term No. 4-5 starter in Falter, and a second base/left field option who could hit 10-15 HRs a year and provide solid defense at the keystone, if healthy. The last positive aspect of this deal is that it would cover all the bases for both teams this offseason in terms of need. They would only need to fill out the roster with Minor League deals before Spring Training. They wouldn't need to spend major money in free agency, whatsoever. The Padres and Royals have a history of helping one another improve through trades. Let's hope that they have another one up their sleeves in the coming weeks, with this possible trade proposal as a blueprint. View the full article

In July 2024, the Chicago Cubs acquired third baseman Isaac Paredes from the Tampa Bay Rays in return for an increasingly position-less Christopher Morel. The thinking was that Paredes would provide them with a controllable option at third base. Instead, Paredes didn't even make it to 2025 as part of the organization. He was part of the Kyle Tucker deal with the Houston Astros, following a .223/.325/.307 stint with the Cubs in 2024. Houston, of course, offered a much more appealing park for a right-handed hitter such as Paredes. While Paredes struggled overall in his brief Cubs tenure, games at Wrigley Field proved to be a particular problem. He hit an execrable .105/.177/.140 when staring down the ivy on the outfield wall, across 96 plate appearances. In his first year with the Astros in 2025, he posted a ..249/.354/.481 line at home. That's hardly surprising, of course. The Crawford Boxes in Houston have long been considered one of the more appealing stadium features for right-handed hitters with any semblance of power. Statcast's Park Factors have it as the 12th-most conducive venue for righties to homer. This, naturally, leads to some questions about how the newly signed Alex Bregman will handle the conditions of Wrigley Field over the course of his five-year deal. Bregman is, in a way, Paredes turned inside-out: a player that has already spent years hitting in Houston, followed by a season in Boston. Each venue is particularly favorable for righty pull hitters. While the Green Monster makes Fenway a tough park for home runs (22nd), it ranks ninth for doubles and seventh for right-handed hitters overall. So how should we view the impending transition for a hitter without elite bat speed or exit velocities and who depends on hitting for power to the pull field, considering that we're not even two years removed from watching Paredes struggle so mightily? As it turns out, any concern wrought by that comparison might be a bit overblown. Let's talk about the shape of each stadium first. Here's Houston's Daikin Park, where Paredes eventually landed and where Bregman spent the majority of his career prior to last year at Fenway: Note the presence of the Crawford boxes and how the wall plays for right-handed hitters with extreme pull tendencies. And here's Wrigley: The Cubs' home park actually juts out in the opposite direction. Toss in the wind on a particular day, and it isn't difficult to understand why this park has represented such a challenge for certain righties. Based on the two players' subtle differences in tendencies, though, we should expect very different outcomes from them. This is Paredes's doubles and homers spray chart overlaid onto Wrigley's dimensions: That's an extreme pull tendency. Contrast that with Bregman: Bregman's ability to find the gap is a big separator between him and his predecessors at the position. When we examine hitters' pull rates, we sometimes fall into the trap of imagining that all pull hitters are created equal; they aren't. Paredes lives down the left-field line. Bregman uses left-center just as often. Because the default is to divide the field into three clusters, he and Paredes both get classified as pull hitters, but if we divided it into five bins, they would be in two different categories. The other big means of differentiation here is in the quality of contact. Paredes's 27.1% Hard-Hit rate in 2024 left him little margin for error if the pulled fly balls weren't scraping over the walls. While his thump increased in 2025, he's still at just 30.6% for his career. Bregman, however, is coming off a season in which he sat at a Hard-Hit rate of 44.4% (admittedly, a career high) and is at 38.5% for his career. He produces more hard contact, and that hard contact goes more often to the part of the park (left-center) where Wrigley is very hitter-friendly. That doesn't mean we should dismiss the notion of the park's impact entirely. There are going to be some swings where Bregman doesn't get the desired outcome because of Wrigley's general deflation of offense, a three-year trend we shouldn't assume will abate in 2026. However, there's much less risk that Bregman's production is diminished by his new home park than there was with Paredes, or even with recent major investments in lefty sluggers like Tucker and Cody Bellinger. View the full article

With BlackStack once again on board, anyone lucky enough to grab a ticket (details below) will receive two complimentary pints of BlackStack beer while mingling with our Twins special guests (announcement coming soon). Attendees will have the option to choose between two fan favorites: Local 755 New England IPA or Slopes Pilsner. BlackStack Brewing has become a standout fixture in the Twin Cities craft beer scene since opening its doors in 2017 in St. Paul’s historic American Can building. The expansive 20,000-square-foot taproom blends industrial charm with a welcoming, modern vibe, complete with board games, a 220-inch screen to watch Twins games, and plenty of space to hang with friends. At its heart is a commitment to no shortcuts – quality ingredients, distinct flavors, and a collaborative brewing approach that keeps fans coming back for a wide array of hop-forward IPAs, lagers, fruited sours, and more. Not a beer drinker? No problem. BlackStack also offers a wide range of non-alcoholic options, Twins-themed slushies, gluten-free seltzer-based cocktails, and THC drink options. We’re told the NA Bootlegger is a crowd favorite and well worth a try. While many local breweries are known for their atmosphere or location, BlackStack stands out for its intentionally crafted, high-quality beer. Once hard to find outside the taproom, BlackStack is now distributed throughout greater Minnesota – keep an eye out for their distinctive cans wherever you buy beer. You can also visit BlackStack’s website and use their “Where to Buy” tool to track down your favorite beers or THC drinks near you. Event Info Date: Saturday, January 24 Time: 4:00 – 9:00 PM Location: Smorgie’s, 508 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis With the Winter Meltdown falling on the same weekend as TwinsFest, the day will be a full, perfectly sequenced celebration of baseball. Spend the afternoon at Target Field soaking in TwinsFest, then make the easy trip over to Smorgie’s to keep the energy rolling – the ideal way to transition from daytime fan fest to an evening surrounded by fellow diehards, cold drinks, and great conversation. Each ticket includes: Two complimentary craft beers An exclusive Winter Meltdown 2026 pint glass Automatic entry into door prize raffles Five hours of premium Hot Stove hangouts with your people Live on-stage interviews hosted by Aaron Gleeman & John Bonnes Face time with special guests who mingle with the Twins Daily community Past guests have included Kent Hrbek, Trevor Plouffe, Joe Nathan, Michael Cuddyer, LaTroy Hawkins, John Bonnes, Aaron Gleeman, and more – plus rising stars like Simeon Woods Richardson and fan-favorite voice Cory Provus. Who’s stepping to the mic this year? Stay tuned. How/Tickets Hundreds of people have previously wanted to attend this exclusive event, but this year, we only have 250 tickets available. You will likely need to become (or know) a Twins Daily Caretaker to get a ticket. Each caretaker gets a free ticket to the Meltdown. Caretakers can buy up to three additional tickets for just $20 The Caretakers take care of Twins Daily, and we want to take care of them, so to give them the best chance, we are limiting the tickets to them, at least for now. If you want to join Twins Daily's Caretakers, you can do so for as low as $4/month. You get exclusive content, other benefits, and support from our hard-working writers, moderators, and tech guys. We would LOVE to have you join us. Can I Just Buy A Ticket? Maybe? If our Caretakers don't sell this thing out, we will offer general admission tickets the week of the event. They will be $60 apiece. Become a Caretaker here! If you are already a Caretaker, THANK YOU. But please do not delay in buying your ticket. We will likely sell out, even limiting them to Caretakers and their friends. So grab them now. Looking for more details? Great! We will reveal more about the Meltdown as it approaches, including our guests, giveaways, and other sponsors. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Bluesky for more news as it is released. Purchase tickets here. View the full article

Josh Kasevich was seemingly the next man up at the end of the 2024 MiLB season. He capped off a strong campaign with a 120 wRC+ in 41 games and 173 plate appearances at Triple A, showing the strong contact skills that he was known for while playing solid defense around the diamond. Although there were a few infielders ahead of him on the depth chart, especially after the trade for Andrés Giménez, Kasevich was seen as an MLB-ready prospect who was just knocking on the doors for a major league spot and a top-10 Jays Centre prospect. That went out the window early in spring training 2025. Although Kasevich appeared in a handful of games, he had a stress reaction in his back that made him miss the majority of the MiLB season. Kasevich was able to return to game action in May before aggravating his wrist and going down for another few months. When he did return to Buffalo, he did not perform well. In 29 games, he slashed just .173/.272/.184 for a 34 wRC+. In the Arizona Fall League, he also struggled in a high-offense environment, producing a .419 OBP but not getting a single extra-base hit. In that time, Ernie Clement established himself as what many hoped Kasevich would turn out to be: an elite defender at second and third base with elite contact skills. Although Bo Bichette has not re-signed with the Jays yet, they still have made some significant additions that may prevent Kasevich from making his MLB debut in 2026, with the addition of Kazuma Okamoto, an infielder who mans the corners but also adds another talented player ahead of Kasevich on the depth charts. Here are depth charts for the Blue Jays in 2026 at Kasevich’s best positions: 2B 3B SS Andrés Giménez Addison Barger Bo Bichette* Ernie Clement Kazuma Okamoto Andrés Giménez Davis Schneider Ernie Clement Ernie Clement Leo Jiménez Josh Kasevich Leo Jiménez (Out of Options) Josh Kasevich Note: Bo Bichette has not signed with a team yet and is included in case he signs with the Blue Jays before spring training. Bichette and Giménez may also swap positions if Bichette re-signs. Bichette has not signed with a team yet, and I have included him in case he does sign with the Jays before spring training starts. Bichette and Giménez may also swap positions if he does re-sign with the Blue Jays. As you can see, not only is Kasevich blocked at multiple key positions, but also, the players above him all share the same-handedness with him. There are a few factors that may allow for some playing time to creep in, however. If Bichette does not return to the Blue Jays, that allows Kasevich to bump up a spot on the depth charts. Leo Jiménez is Kasevich’s main competition for the “third” shortstop role on the team, and despite having an injury-plagued 2025 as well, with a poor showing in a small cup of coffee in the majors, Jiménez has also had a stretch in the majors with average offensive production. However, he is out of options, and as a result, he will need to be DFA’d or traded if he does not make the Opening Day roster. Another wrinkle is Davis Schneider’s playing time after the Jays signed Kazuma Okamoto. The Jays have described Okamoto as a super-utility player, according to Bob Nightengale, and although he mainly played the hot corner in Japan, he also gained outfield experience with the Yomiuri Giants. This addition could greatly reduce Schneider’s playing time, and the Jays may want to turn to a more defensively capable 13th man to play the infield instead of Schneider. Kasevich was described as the best defensive infielder in the Blue Jays' minor league system by Baseball America in 2025. One surprise that happened earlier in the offseason was the Jays' decision not to protect Kasevich before the Rule 5 Draft by adding him to the 40-man roster. Typically, defensively capable players are highly sought after by rebuilding teams in the Rule 5. Yet, Kasevich's offensive struggles and injuries prevented him from getting selected. This means that he will have all his options available when he does come up, which gives him time to rebuild his value as one of the Jays’ top prospects. However, not being added to the 40-man roster will also make it more difficult for him to get called up, unless significant injuries or trades clear space for him. So, he’ll face an uphill battle in a fight for playing time, especially if the Jays sign one of the remaining star position players on the market, Kyle Tucker or Bichette. Still, this year could be the one in which Kasevich breaks the major league roster and produces. As a high-contact, versatile infielder, he’ll fit right into the Blue Jays lineup and core. View the full article

The Boston Red Sox are still recovering from the shocking revelation of Alex Bregman signing with the Chicago Cubs over the weekend. They'll attempt to pivot with around four weeks remaining until the team reports to spring camp. While they have made improvements through the trades of Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, and Johan Oviedo, the team still has some holes to fill, especially on offense. In an effort to understand where Craig Breslow and the front office may go from here, MassLive’s Chris Cotillo joined Talk Sox for an exclusive interview. We asked the Red Sox insider about Bregman, the relief market, the team's pitching depth, and much more. Here's a breakdown of the main points that were discussed, and we ask you to please stay tuned for the full video recording of our interview, coming out shortly after publication of this article. The relief market hasn’t moved as well as expected. While the big names came off the market and signed around the Winter Meetings, there are still plenty of options for the Red Sox to sign to a contract in the range of one year and around $2 million, or even on minor-league deals. If Justin Wilson chooses to pitch for another season, he could be a good option for a reunion. At the moment, it doesn’t feel like there’s a lot of separation between the guys available and those currently in the organization. However, if someone the Red Sox really like is available, the closer they get to spring training, the more aggressive they may become. Currently, the bullpen is a big question mark outside of Aroldis Chapman and Garrett Whitlock, because of the losses of guys who had big roles like Brennan Bernardino and Chris Murphy. Also, guys who were in the bullpen at the end of the year like Payton Tolle and Kyle Harrison will begin spring training being stretched out to be starters. Of the free-agent right-handed options, Seranthony Domínguez could be a target for the Red Sox to pursue if they think they can rein in his control. It seems likely that the Red Sox will enter spring training with the plan to build out two full rotations who could be called upon between Boston and Worcester. It is much easier to decrease a pitch count instead of building it up. That way, the team won’t have to turn to guys like Matt Dermody or Kyle Barraclough if they run into an injury to their rotation or need someone from Triple-A. They’re in a good spot with starting pitching depth even after Hunter Dobbins, Richard Fitts, and Cooper Criswell have been traded or lost. If the team eventually needs a good, high-leverage bullpen arm during the season, then they could look to transition someone from the rotation to the bullpen. At full strength, it’s currently tough to see any of the young guys or Kyle Harrison getting a spot in the rotation over Kutter Crawford or Patrick Sandoval to begin the season. Though it’s a big "if" for them to open the season completely healthy after both starters missed the entire 2025 season. The Red Sox underestimated how big of a stink Rafael Devers would put up over losing his position and then they underestimated how hard it would be to retain Alex Bregman after the season. Those two events came together and for a big-market team, you can’t allow that to happen. Cotillo feels that losing Bregman is very similar to how the Red Sox lost Xander Bogaerts to the San Diego Padres by underestimating the market and allowing a motivated team to come in and sign the player. The Red Sox could either remain focused on offense or pivot to pitching and defense, as raised by Rob Bradford. Cotillo believes the team will remain engaged on Bo Bichette and Eugenio Suárez to a lesser extent. The team could turn to the trade market too for Brendan Donovan or Isaac Paredes, who the team was engaged on before the Winter Meetings. From a pitching standpoint, they could go after Zac Gallen, Ranger Suárez, or Framber Valdez due to the starting pitching market not developing as many free agents hoped it would. Paredes, if the Red Sox looked to trade for him, could require a very similar deal to the Contreras package, which makes a lot of sense for a starting point in discussion. The Red Sox gave up Dobbins, Blake Aita, and Yhoiker Fajardo for Contreras, three young, controllable pitchers with upside. Paredes is a good fit for the Red Sox, as he’s under control for two more seasons, can play third base for the team and has power (20 home runs in 102 games last season along with an .809 OPS). But Cotillo wonders if the Red Sox want to keep trading away prospects after they’ve already traded so many this offseason. Lastly, for all those who follow along on Cotillo’s Twitter account, spots do remain for his latest workshop, though time is limited as it begins tonight (January 13) at 7pm EST. View the full article

After landing superstar, third baseman, Alex Bregman, the Chicago Cubs have options on how to handle some of their young, controllable infielders. In particular, Matt Shaw and Nico Horner could each be super utility and elite depth options for the club or they could be trade candidates to improve other areas of their roster. Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated is reporting that the New York Yankees have "legitimate interest" in Hoerner. The Bronx Bombers may be particularly motivated and aggressive in their pursuit of Hoerner, considering the impasse they are currently at with free agent Cody Bellinger. In parts of seven seasons with the Cubs, Hoerner has been a slightly above average hitter with a .742 OPS and a 103 wRC+. His power potential is limited that would play up in Yankee Stadium and he's provided four consecutive seasons of 20 or more stolen bases. In the field, the super utility has played every position except for catcher, first base, and right field, however, he spent a significant portion of 2025 at shortstop for the Cubs and hasn't played in the grass in four seasons. Do you think the Cubs should look to deal one of Hoerner or Shaw? Or keep them as super utility options who can still regularly be in the lineup giving other players reprieve? Let us know what you're thinking in the comments! View the full article

With Alex Bregman in the rearview mirror, the Boston Red Sox are forced to move to Plan B to fill the gap at third base. While many expect the club to prioritize Bo Bichette, he does not represent the only middle of the order hot corner bat on the market. Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam of MassLive I reporting that the Boston Red Sox "like" free agent third baseman Eugenio Suarez. They add that it will be sooner rather than later for Suarez to find out if they will become serious bitters for his services. While Suarez is not as attractive of an option as Bregman or Bichette, however, Suarez provides legitimate 40+ home run potential. Something that can't be said for either of the other two free agents, they've been tied to. Of course, the biggest risk with Suarez is his strikeout rate that was approaching 30% in 2025 and his glove leaves a lot to be desired. Do you think the Red Sox should pursue Suarez, prioritize Bichette, or set their eyes on the pitching staff? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

After shockingly losing out on Alex Bregman in free agency, what steps can the Boston Red Sox take to salvage their offseason and field a competent third baseman in 2026? View the full article

A social media post from the Miami Marlins account indicates that they will be revamping one of their alternate uniforms in 2026. The short video posted on Monday night shows the team's standard cap as well as the Retrowave cap that they added last season, followed by a blank sign that reads "SUNDAY ALT." Finally, two number sequences flash on the screen, 02072026 and 03292026. Those represent the dates February 7 and March 29, implying that the uniform will be revealed during Marlins FanFest and debut on the field during the first Sunday home game of the regular season. In 2024 and 2025, the Marlins used bright blue uniforms as their Sunday alternates. That will continue to be their primary uniform for spring training games. But teal has always had a special place in Marlins fans' hearts, and this new landing page strongly suggests it's making a comeback. So does this drone footage from the National Hockey League, shot at loanDepot park to hype up the NHL Winter Classic. Are you excited for throwbacks to return to the Marlins' uniform rotation? View the full article

For the second year in a row, the Brewers exchanged salary figures with William Contreras, rather than agreeing to a new contract ahead of baseball's filing deadline for arbitration-eligible players. It's been unsurprising both times. Contreras is the closest of Milwaukee's position players to a true star, which means he's looked to push the limits of how much money he can earn in a system based on precedent. As of this writing, the two camps are reportedly likely to go to a hearing to determine Contreras's 2026 salary. Because a team must argue against the player to win its case, there is always a risk of souring the relationship between the two. The Brewers and Contreras avoided that fate last year by agreeing to a one-year deal with a club option for 2026 at the end of January. Like most teams, the Brewers maintain an informal policy that proscribes agreeing to one-year deals after exchanging figures, so the club option was an escape hatch that allowed both sides to dodge the hearing but Milwaukee to claim that they had adhered to their policy. The tradeoff was that Contreras's 2025 salary was higher than the precedent for first-year arbitration catchers of his caliber, but depending on how well he played, the club could either exercise or decline the option to keep him from setting a new baseline the following year. While the sides could again reach a similar arrangement, there was greater incentive then for the Brewers to maintain a positive relationship with their starting catcher. It may be different this time, as history suggests that Contreras is nearing his final chapter in Milwaukee. Signing Contreras to a market-value extension would be an unusually risky investment for the club, which would be better off acquiring or developing another catcher entering his prime. In that case, they should entertain trading him next winter, before he hits free agency. A hearing would strain the relationship for one season, with little impact on his future with the team. Furthermore, of the two parties, the Brewers appear better positioned to win a potential hearing. Contreras filed at $9.9 million, which would set a new record for a catcher in his second year of arbitration, while the Brewers filed at $8.55 million, the current record set by Will Smith in 2024. (As a reminder, it doesn't matter that even $9.9 million would be a bargain for Contreras, whose free-agent value in 2025 was estimated at $29.2 million by FanGraphs. Arbitration is an entirely different system of player compensation in which salary increases are determined based on past raises given to similar players.) The burden will be on Contreras's camp to persuade a panel of arbitrators that he has been more valuable than Smith was at the same point in his career. Statistically, it's not a particularly convincing case. Smith was a slightly better hitter, and Contreras's edge in games played is mainly due to Smith's second season being the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign. Player Team Games Player Games HR OPS wRC+ fWAR Contreras (2020-2025) 870 599 85 .805 123 16.9 Smith (2019-2023) 708 484 91 .840 128 15.7 On the surface, the Brewers and Contreras are in the same situation as last winter: he wants to raise the bar for catcher salaries, the Brewers would rather maintain the status quo, and the right contract can satisfy both sides. The context is different this time, though. Everyone involved should prepare for a more contentious process—and yes, that's likely to be the first in a series of events blazing his trail out of town. View the full article

The Cubs' trade acquisition of Edward Cabrera begs the golden question: Why give up much for this guy? In this video, you'll learn about Cabrera's lethal five-pitch mix, his devastating changeup, and what led to a career year in 2025. Can he sustain this success, or will some of his pitfalls, also mentioned in this video, come back to bite Chicago's front office? Let us know what you think about this trade! View the full article

In recent weeks, MLB Pipeline has been rolling out results from a poll of executives across baseball, asking them to weigh in on a wide range of prospect-related questions. One of the more interesting categories focused on which farm systems are the most underrated. Minnesota finished tied for fifth in that poll, trailing only the Pirates, Marlins, Cubs, and Reds. At first glance, that placement might surprise fans who have watched Minnesota’s system in recent years. But when you dig into how the Twins have found talent, developed arms, and restocked through trades, it becomes easier to see why decision-makers around the league view Minnesota as a sneakily strong organization for prospects. Finding and Developing Sleepers The Twins picked up several down-ballot votes in the underrated category, and much of that credit stems from their ability to identify pitchers who outperform their draft position. Minnesota has made a habit of finding college arms outside the early rounds and turning them into legitimate big-league contributors. Bailey Ober is the most obvious example. Drafted in the 12th round in 2017, Ober lacked eye-popping velocity but showed elite command and a deceptive release. The Twins leaned into those traits, helped him add strength, and trusted his ability to miss bats at the top of the zone. The result has been a durable and effective starter who looks nothing like a late-round flier. David Festa followed a similar path. Taken in the 13th round in 2021, Festa arrived with solid stuff but little fanfare. Minnesota worked on refining his fastball shape and sharpening his breaking pitches, and he quickly turned into one of the system’s fastest risers. Festa now profiles as a legitimate rotation option with strikeout upside, another example of development trumping draft pedigree. Zebby Matthews may be the most impressive case study yet, as an 8th-round pick in 2022. A college pitcher with strong analytical markers but limited exposure, Matthews exploded once he entered the Twins system. Velocity gains, improved pitch design, and a clearer developmental plan turned him into one of the more intriguing pitching prospects in the organization. That kind of jump does not happen by accident, and it reinforces why the Twins are viewed as a team that finds value where others might not. These three examples are all pitchers, so the Twins must start finding and developing sleepers on the position player side. Best at Developing Pitchers Minnesota likely believes this is one of its strengths, even if the on-field results have not always matched the internal confidence. Pitcher development is complicated and rarely linear, but the Twins have consistently shown the ability to add velocity to college arms once they enter the system. Ober, Festa, and Matthews are prime examples, but they are not alone. The organization has leaned heavily into modern training methods, biomechanics, and pitch design to help arms reach new ceilings. The Twins also deserve credit for what they have done with pitchers acquired from outside the organization. Joe Ryan arrived from Tampa Bay with a strong fastball and feel for pitching, but Minnesota helped him optimize his arsenal and sequencing. Pablo López took a similar step forward after coming over from Miami, adding new wrinkles to his pitch mix and elevating his overall performance. Development does not stop once a player reaches the majors, and the Twins have shown they can still add value at that stage. Best at Acquiring Prospects in Trades Another area where Minnesota quietly earned recognition is in acquiring prospects through trades. Last season’s trade deadline sell-off brought in a wave of young talent, though the verdict on those deals remains years away. Players like Eduardo Tait, Mick Abel, and Kendry Rojas now sit at various points along the development curve. How well the Twins nurture that group and (eventually) translate it into big-league production will determine whether this reputation holds. The raw materials are there, but prospect capital only matters if it turns into wins at the highest level. There is also a looming fork in the road ahead. If the Twins continue their teardown at the 2026 trade deadline, veterans like López, Ryan, and Ryan Jeffers could bring back another haul of young talent. By next winter, Minnesota could look very different in this category, depending on how aggressively they move and how effectively they maximize returns. For now, executives seem to believe the Twins deserve more credit than they receive. Minnesota may not always dominate the headlines with top-ranked systems. Still, the combination of sleeper finds, pitcher development, and opportunistic trading explains why the organization continues to be viewed as one of baseball’s most underrated farms. How do you feel the Twins rate in the categories mentioned above? Are the Twins one of baseball’s most underrated farm systems? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

Thousands at Soldier Field on Saturday night gathered and cheered to celebrate the biggest news in Chicago sports: the Cubs signed Alex Bregman to a five-year, $175 million deal. I have since discovered that there was also something else going on at the time that resulted in that celebration at Soldier Field, but hey, I am sure this was a nice cherry on top for some. This marks what could be a huge turning point for the Cubs and their front office. For one, Bregman just received the largest average annual value on a contract in team history. Second, a Jed Hoyer-led front office went out and outbid other teams for a guy that they wanted. Finally, they flexed some financial might. It’s not just the use of financial resources that is encouraging, either. Per Mark Feinsand, the Cubs are deferring $70 million of the contract, which will bring the average annual value for luxury tax purposes down slightly. This could help the Cubs stay below the competitive balance tax for this coming season, and finally signals a willingness from the club to take advantage of a modern, club-friendly free agency tactic in deferrals. What makes Bregman the guy that the Cubs were finally willing to do all of this for? It was reported by Patrick Mooney of The Athletic that “although he will be 32 in March, Bregman still lit up the front office’s projection systems as a Gold Glove defender and an elite right-handed hitter.” There are reasons to think that the third-baseman has the type of profile that could age well. Clearly, the Cubs’ would agree. For starters, plate discipline is one of Bregman’s premier skills, and this is a skill that a player typically retains as they age. Perhaps more importantly, a recent blog post at Driveline Baseball concluded that pull-air percentage is one of the skills that ages the best in an offensive player. Pulling the ball in the air has long been a hallmark of the former Astro's game, including a 24.4 percent pull-air percentage just last year, which ranked 37th in baseball, per Baseball Savant. If Bregman can continue doing that, you have to feel pretty good about this contract. On the flip side, swing speed and exit velocity, two skills that don’t typically age well, have never been highlight skills for Bregman. As noted by Davy Andrews at FanGraphs, he has never hit a ball 110 mph, which 308 MLB players did last season. One could look at that and conclude that the veteran is walking a thin line. If he loses even any bat speed, he’s toast. You could also argue that he already knows how to succeed without bat speed, or that he has no bat speed to lose. Clearly, and as reported above, we know where the Cubs’ projection systems stand on that debate. As for the validity of the Cubs’ projection systems, well, let me go ahead and defend those. In the offseason after the 2022 season, the Cubs needed a shortstop, and all four of Carlos Correa, Dansby Swanson, Trea Turner, and Xander Bogaerts were available. The Cubs, of course, signed Swanson. He received the least amount of total money amongst the four shortstops by a good bit. He’s also been worth 2.5 more FanGraphs WAR than Bogaerts since that offseason, and 3.8 more fWAR than Correa. Trea Turner is the only one that has outperformed him since the Great Winter of the Shortstop™. Tying Bregman to Swanson brings me to the second thing the Cubs likely identified with Bregman: leadership and intangibles. According to Jen McCaffrey at The Athletic, last offseason, Bregman was heavily invested in the Red Sox winning, and went on to become a major leader in the clubhouse. “A year ago, Bregman grilled the Red Sox front office with a 16-page document filled with questions on the direction of the organization, the development plan for the club’s top prospects and how Boston planned to invest and spend to bring the organization back to the postseason.” McCaffrey went on to write that “Bregman took a strong interest in mentoring the club’s top prospects like [Roman] Anthony and [Marcelo] Mayer, but he also offered insight to veteran hitters going through slumps and even to pitchers, suggesting how he’d attack them as an opponent to help them better game plan.” Sound familiar? When Dansby Swanson signed with the Cubs, Jed Hoyer reported a similar concern with the direction of the club. “The thing that really stood out to me was that it felt like he was interviewing us. How are you guys gonna win? What’s your plan? What’s your philosophy? What players are you going to surround me with? Who are the prospects that are coming? It was very clear winning was the priority.” After Swanson officially left the Braves and signed with the Cubs, Jeff Schultz of The Athletic noted that “Swanson exerted a lot of influence in the clubhouse, especially with younger players like [Vaughn] Grissom and Michael Harris II.” It’s clear that the Cubs heavily value the leadership qualities that they see in Swanson and Bregman. They also, most likely, project him to age quite gracefully. Age aside, this is still a guy that posted 3.5 fWAR in only 114 games last season. He had a 125 wRC+, meaning he was a 25 percent above the league-average hitter. This is a productive player now. Whether or not you agree with the Cubs’ rationale, whether or not you agree with the importance of Bregman’s apparent leadership abilities, and whether or not you think the contract will age well, the Cubs spent money to make the team better for this season. They identified a guy that they wanted and were willing to outbid others for him. That is not something they have done particularly often under Jed Hoyer, and I think we can all commend them for that. View the full article

L.A.A.B. - Life After Alex Bregman. That's where the Red Sox are in their offseason after losing out on the superstar third baseman to the Chicago Cubs. While many expect the club to shift its sights to Bo Bichette, Eugenio Suarez, or another impact bat, Rob Bradford of WEEI suggests a different approach. In a recent tweet, Bradford suggested that the Red Sox "re-engage with higher-end pitching while still looking to acquire a lower-tier bat." Of course, Bichette and Suarez would not fit in the "lower-tier" category, so Bradford is merely suggesting to bolster the pitching staff's ability to prevent runs rather than the offense's ability to produce runs. After acquiring Sonny Gray earlier this offseason, the Red Sox's rotation is the strength of their team. Even with Kutter Crawford and Tanner Houck on the shelf for most of 2025, pitchers three through five of the rotation are among the strongest in all of baseball. Additionally, the bullpen will look to continue to be good after a successful 2025 campaign. That really begs the question...just how big of a pitcher do they need to land for it really to make an impact on the outlook of the club? Would adding a #2 starter that bumps Patrick Sandoval out of the rotation really be better than adding a middle-of-the-order bat? Would adding another high-leverage arm that bumps a low-leverage arm like Jovani Moran off the roster or at least to Triple-A Wincester really be better than Bo Bichette? These are all things that the Red Sox need to weigh as they look to get back into the good graces of a fan base left in despair after Bregman bolted for the Windy City. Do you think the Red Sox should add pitching or hitting? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Not surprisingly, the Minnesota Twins have had a fairly quiet offseason when it comes to player personnel. While they've made headlines in the coaching and ownership departments, the only notable addition to their roster to this point is first baseman Josh Bell. However, since the public update on ownership, it's also been reported that the club is looking to rebuild its bullpen and could add players via free agency. We have a little more clarity on that report. Darren Wolfson of KSTP is reporting that the Minnesota Twins "briefly inquired" about reliever Seranthony Dominguez last month. While talks are not currently taking place, both Wolfson and our own Cody Pirkl suggested that Dominguez would be an intriguing fit for the club. Dominguez, 31, is most known for his time with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he started his career. However, he most recently spent time in the AL East with the Baltimore Orioles for a season and a half, followed by the Toronto Blue Jays, who acquired him at last season's trade deadline. In 2025, he appeared in 67 games, pitching 62 2/3 innings. He posted an impressive 3.16 ERA, though a 3.47 FIP suggests the potential for slight negative regression. Despite walks always being an issue, including last year (13.8% walk rate), he produced a very good 26.5% K-BB rate. Aside from walks, the biggest question is whether the Twins should be targeting a groundball pitcher with the state of their infield. Do you think the Twins should pursue Dominguez? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Over three months into the offseason, the Minnesota Twins have been mildly active on the position player front, trading for Alex Jackson to succeed Christian Vázquez as backup catcher; signing switch-hitting veteran Josh Bell to become the primary first baseman and/or DH; and acquiring Ryan Kreidler, Eric Wagaman, and Orlando Arcia to provide depth on the margins. Adding these five depth pieces to the core of Byron Buxton, Royce Lewis, Luke Keaschall, Ryan Jeffers, Matt Wallner, Brooks Lee, and others, Minnesota is nearly done rounding out its 13-person major-league position player collective. They have depth options likely to be ticketed for Triple-A St. Paul, where they can await injuries or other opportunities. That said, the club would be wise to add one more versatile bench bat to round out the group—preferably someone who could fill a super utility role in the infield and outfield. Sound familiar? Signed to a minor-league contract before the 2023 season, struggling major-league veteran Willi Castro underwent a career renaissance with Minnesota, generating a combined 107 wRC+ over 1,388 plate appearances and spending meaningful time at six different defensive positions (including multiple relief appearances). Traded to the Chicago Cubs at last season’s trade deadline, the 28-year-old struggled, hitting .170/.245/.240 with a 40 wRC+ over 110 plate appearances. The former Twin provided a similar level of defensive versatility for Chicago, but his offensive ineptitude kept him off the club’s playoff rosters, signaling an unceremonious end to his tenure with the Cubs. Before struggling in Chicago, Castro was expected to net a multi-year contract this offseason, potentially earning more than $10 million annually. He is now projected to net a one-year deal worth between $3 million and $5 million. That being the case, the former fan favorite should be within the salary-restricted Twins' price range, while possessing a skillset that would patch the remaining holes on the club’s roster. As mentioned earlier, Castro started at six positions for the Twins in 2025, primarily playing second base, right field, left field, and third base. Minnesota has adequate corner outfield depth in Wallner, Trevor Larnach, Austin Martin, Alan Roden, James Outman, and top prospects Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez will begin the season at St. Paul. Still, given Castro’s matchup utility as a balanced switch-hitter, he could find time in left or right field as a right-handed platoon option. He could also function as Royce Lewis’s backup at third base and mix in at second base alongside Keaschall and Kody Clemens. Castro’s days as a shortstop and center fielder are behind him. Still, he could function as Brooks Lee’s emergency backup at shortstop, operating as a superior offensive option to Kreidler or Arcia and rendering it unnecessary to roster them unless and until Lee gets hurt. Despite rumors swirling around Castro mixing in at first base last season, he didn’t play a single inning at the position. In 2026, Minnesota could be more incentivized to provide him an opportunity there, given that Bell is defensively deficient and Clemens and Wagaman are fringy pieces. Again, Castro is no longer the super utility player who unexpectedly earned an All-Star nod in 2024. Those who follow the Twins shouldn’t expect him to be that guy. Still, with Kreidler, Arcia and Wagaman (all below-average hitters) around as depth alternatives, team decision-makers would be wise to add a stronger option. Affordable and well-liked in the clubhouse, Castro is a good candidate to be that guy. View the full article

In the modern game, teams work hard to build not only strong offenses, but ones with a wide array of strengths and weaknesses. Just as it's become popular to assemble a bullpen featuring pitchers with different arm slots and pitch shapes, as well as handedness, teams are trying to build lineups with varied skill sets—including swing paths. Platoon balance is a familiar need, and clubs have always craved a mix of power and speed, but the new hotness is loading up with players who can neutralize the constellation of looks pitching staffs will throw at you within a given game or series. The Cubs have had a good mix of left- and right-handed offense over the last three seasons. They've employed sluggers and speedsters. They've had guys who specialize in drawing walks and those who emphasize avoiding strikeouts. Last season, though, they had one glaring deficiency in lineup diversity: swing path. There are three key variables in a player's swing, just as there are with a pitcher's throw. For pitches, those vsriables are velocity, horizontal movement and vertical movement, though as we now know, there are other key characteristics, too: spin rate, arm angle and extension toward the plate at release. For hitters, the main variables are bat speed, swing tilt, and contact point. Again, there are secondary traits that also matter (attack angle and direction, depth in the batter's box, and swing decisions), but those are controlled by the primary traits. To visualize the way Cubs hitters map on this basis, I've charted swing tilt and contact point (relative to the batter's center of mass) for 2025. The points in this scatter plot are colored by the player's average exit velocity, as a proxy (admittedly, an imperfect one) for swing speed. This includes all the team's regulars last season, plus a few selected players for comparison. As you can see, the Cubs strongly favor steeper swings. The average swing tilt for big-league hitters is around 32°. Last year, the only frequent contributors to the team who were on the flatter side of that midpoint were Matt Shaw and Seiya Suzuki, and for Suzuki, it wasn't by much. They also leaned toward catching the ball farther out in front of themselves than most hitters do. The two exceptions to the latter rule were Kyle Tucker and Nico Hoerner, but Tucker then hit free agency. Earlier this month, we discussed the possibility that the team would pursue Bo Bichette, who catches the ball as deep as just about any hitter in baseball—but as you can see, he also would have been another of the team's steep swingers. This move goes the other way. The team traded Christopher Morel (an exceptionally flat swinger) for Isaac Paredes in 2024, but then shipped Paredes to the Astros as part of the deal for Tucker in December of that year. Paredes's extreme go-get-the-ball contact point contributes to his reliance on pulling the ball right down the line. The fact that Bregman lets the ball travel much longer explains his ability to hit for power to left-center field, where Wrigley Field will be much friendlier to him. Indeed, Bregman hit 13 balls over the last two seasons that were not home runs at the parks where he was playing, but which would leave Wrigley by clearing the wall at the shallow part of the left-center power alley. Shaw was the different swing the team needed to balance out the rest of their crew, but only when he was going well. For most of the season, he was a mess at the plate, with a disorganized approach and little feel for barreling the ball. Bregman doesn't swing as fast as Shaw, but he makes hard contact more often, because he has what Shaw is missing: an extremely polished plan at the plate and plus-plus feel for contact. Bregman and Moisés Ballesteros now give the Cubs the flat swings their lineup lacked last season. Mixing Bregman, Ballesteros, Busch, Happ, Suzuki, Crow-Armstrong and Hoerner into the top seven spots in the batting order each day will give the Cubs two true speed threats; as many as four 25-homer hitters; three lefties, three righties and a switch-hitter. Now, they also have a greater diversity of swing shapes, which leaves fewer pitchers able to pick their way through the lineup without hitting a buzzsaw. Bregman is a risky signing, entering his mid-30s and a bit light on power, but he boosts both the depth and the versatility of what the team hopes is a championship-caliber offense. Consider this glimpse at the swings of four Cubs hitters: Bregman, Busch, Hoerner and Suzuki. The difference in swing plane between Bregman and both Hoerner and Busch is visible to the naked eye, as well as in the measurement at the bottom right corner. Harder to pick up at a glance (but just as important) is the fact that Bregman hits by getting his hips and shoulders more open by the contact point than the others. That ensures that, despite his flatter swing, he's working uphill at contact more than Hoerner or Suzuki are. Finally, look at his hands; that's where his offensive genius lies. Whereas any of the other three would be on the point of breaking their wrists and rolling over by the time they get to the same point in the arc of the swing, Bregman is capable of cutting smoothly through the ball throughout a wide timing window. Compare his right wrist to Suzuki's, at the same point. In Suzuki's swing, his wrist is already at full extension by then, and there's no way to resist rolling them if he's a hair early. For Bregman, there's still flexion in the wrist of that top hand, and the bottom hand operates brilliantly, too. Because of the flatness of his swing, Bregman doesn't have to turn his left wrist over until very late, either. That's where the signature finish on his swing comes from, and it's why he makes contact at an elite rate even while averaging such a high attack angle and a high launch angle on his batted balls. All of that makes it hard to manipulate Bregman, and explains why he's a perennially tough out. He's struggled against sinkers (a little) and sweepers (sometimes a lot), but he consistently has positive run values against four-seam fastballs, changeups, curveballs, sliders and cutters, because his swing is so adaptable. Given his superb plate discipline, he's a terrific fit for Chicago's lineup, on multiple levels. In a vacuum, Bichette would have been a more desirable signing, because he's younger, more athletic and more likely to have peak seasons in front of him. However, the team needed a swing just like Bregman's to mix into their everyday lineup. View the full article

Derek Shelton continues to put his own touch on the Minnesota Twins' coaching staff. Since he's taken the role of manager, Shelton has named a new hitting coach, bench coach, bullpen coach, first base coach, and field coordinator. Recently, he made another addition to the coaching staff by bringing in someone who recently played for the club. Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune is reporting that the Minnesota Twins are hiring Michael A. Taylor as the team's Outfield Instructor. Michael A. Taylor retired following the 2025 season after a 12-year career with five different clubs, most recently with the Chicago White Sox. For what Taylor lacked in offense (a career 79+ OPS), he made up for in his outfield defense. Throughout his career, Taylor was known as an elite glove-first center fielder, which is evident by being a three-time Rawlings Gold Glove finalist and the award in 2021. It's likely he would have received recognition (and hardware) if his bat had allowed him to stay in the lineup more regularly. Regardless, Taylor will shift from patrolling the outfield to patrolling the outfielders with the Twins in 2025. A role that he seems perfectly suited for, given the 62 Outs Above Average (OAA) he accrued in the Statcast era. Do you think Taylor can help strengthen the outfield defense, particularly when it comes to Matt Wallner and Trevor Larnach? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Despite re-signing Michael King, the San Diego Padres are still looking to fill the void left by Dylan Cease, who signed with the Toronto Blue Jays this offseason. Earlier in the offseason, it was rumored that general manager AJ Preller was considering transitioning one of his relievers from the bullpen to the starting rotation. At the time, he had given himself about two weeks to make that decision and seemingly opted not to go that route. However, that doesn't mean Padres fans won't see changes in the bullpen before Opening Day. AJ Cassavell of MLB.com is reporting that the San Diego Padres are looking to add starting pitching and could deal a reliever to make that happen. The report doesn't indicate exactly which reliever(s) may be subject to trade talks, but Cassavell does mention that a high-leverage reliever, Mason Miller, is unlikely to be dealt. That said, he doesn't go too much further down the pecking order before bringing up names like Jeremiah Estrada, Adrian Morejon, and David Morgan as potential candidates. He also mentions Jason Adam as an unlikely candidate to be traded. Recently, it was also suggested that the Padres may need to deal Nick Pivetta to make room for another start from a cost standpoint. Do you think the Padres should trade one of their high-end relievers for a starting pitcher? Let us know what you think of the comments. View the full article

The Royals have been active this offseason, addressing needs in the trade and free agent markets. The Royals have also secured their manager for the long term by signing Matt Quatraro to a three-year contract extension. The Royals have boosted their bullpen by adding Alex Lange as a free agent and acquiring Matt Strahm and Nick Mears in trades. The outfield has also gotten needed help with the signing of free agent Lane Thomas and the trade for Isaac Collins. After these additions, the Royals are still in the market for a left-handed reliever and an impact bat for the lineup. The Royals have also had notable departures. Angel Zerpa and Jonathan Bowlan left via trade. Key players departed in free agency, including Hunter Harvey, Adam Frazier, Mike Yastrzemski, Luke Maile, Michael Lorenzen, Randal Grichuk, Sam Long, Kyle Wright, MJ Melendez, and Taylor Clarke. Other teams in the Royals’ division have also been active this offseason. Let’s take a look at the rest of the AL Central to see where their rosters stand at this point in the offseason. Chicago White Sox The White Sox have been very active, and their offseason is headlined by the surprising signing of Munetaka Murakami from Japan. Murakami initially had many teams interested in signing him, but interest cooled when they looked at his swing-and-miss rates in Japan. Additions Purchased 3B/1B Munetaka Murakami to a two-year deal. 2025: Played in Japan (Yakult Swallows) Signed LHP Sean Newcomb to a one-year contract. 2025 WAR: 1.6 Signed LHP Anthony Kay to a two-year contract. 2025: Played in Japan (Yokohama Bay Stars) Traded for LHP Chris Murphy (Boston). 2025 WAR: 0.5 Traded for OF Everson Pereira (Tampa). 2025 WAR: -0.3 Traded for OF Tristan Peters (Tampa). 2025 WAR: -0.4 Traded for IF/OF Tanner Murray. 2025: Minors Selected RHP Alexander Alberto in the Rule 5 Draft (Tampa Bay). 2025: Minors Selected RHP Jedixson Paez in the Rule 5 Draft (Boston). 2025: Minors Subtractions RHP Steven Wilson (traded to Tampa Bay). 2025 WAR: 1.2 LHP Fraser Ellard (retired). 2025 WAR: 0.0 RHP Yoendrys Gomez (traded to Tampa Bay). 2025 WAR: 0.0 LHP Tyler Alexander (free agent to Texas). 2025 WAR: -0.5 Still Out There OF Mike Tauchman. 2025 WAR: 1.9 LHP Martin Perez. 2025 WAR: 1.2 OF Michael A. Taylor. 2025 WAR: 0.1 RHP Miguel Castro. 2025 WAR: -0.1 LHP Cam Booser. 2025 WAR: -0.5 While the White Sox are still in a rebuild, they may look to trade Luis Robert Jr. and maybe even Murakami if he has a strong start in Chicago. Cleveland Guardians The Guardians have had a pretty quiet offseason, with the only notable movements being in their bullpen. They will also look to fill the void in the pitching staff following the indictments of Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz for charges linked to illegal sports betting. Additions Signed RHP Shawn Armstrong to a one-year contract. 2025 WAR: 1.5 Signed RHP Connor Brogdon to a one-year contract. 2025 WAR: -0.2 Signed C Austin Hedges to a one-year contract. 2025 WAR: -0.5 Signed RHP Colin Holderman to a one-year contract. 2025 WAR: -0.8 Selected RHP Peyton Pallette in the Rule 5 Draft (White Sox). 2025: Minors Subtractions RHP Zak Kent (free agent to St. Louis). 2025 WAR: 0.1 LHP Matt Krook (free agent to the Athletics). 2025 WAR: 0.0 OF/1B Jhonkensy Noel (signed off waivers to Baltimore). 2025 WAR: -1.4 LHP Sam Hentges (free agent to San Francisco). 2025: Injured RHP Emmanuel Clase (indicted on sports betting charges). 2025 WAR: 0.7 RHP Luis Ortiz (indicted on sports betting charges). 2025 WAR: 0.6 Still Out There LHP Kolby Allard. 2025 WAR: 1.3 RHP Nic Enright. 2025 WAR: 1.0 RHP Ben Lively. 2025 WAR: 0.9 OF Will Brennan. 2025 WAR: -0.2 IF Will Wilson. 2025 WAR: -0.6 While the Guardians have had recent success making the playoffs, they might need additions to become true postseason contenders. Detroit Tigers Most notably, the Tigers retained Gleyber Torres with their qualifying offer and signed Kenley Jansen to boost the back of the bullpen. Right now, the Tigers look to be running it back with most of last year’s team returning. Additions Re-signed 2B Gleyber Torres to a one-year qualifying offer. 2025 WAR: 2.9 Signed P Kenley Jansen to a one-year contract. 2025 WAR: 2.4 Re-signed RHP Kyle Finnegan to a two-year contract. 2025 WAR: 1.0 Claimed RHP Dugan Darnell off waivers (Pittsburgh). 2025 WAR: 0.3 Claimed RHP Jack Little off waivers (Pittsburgh). 2025 WAR: 0.0 Signed RHP Drew Anderson to a one-year contract. 2025: Played in Korea (SSG Landers) Traded for LHP Johan Simon (Toronto). 2025: Minors Subtractions RHP Chase Lee (free agent to Toronto). 2025 WAR: 0.2 RHP Randy Dobnak (free agent to Seattle). 2025 WAR: 0.1 RHP Alex Lange (free agent to Kansas City). 2025 WAR: 0.0 OF Justyn-Henry Malloy (traded to Tampa Bay). 2025 WAR: -0.2 Still Out There IF Andy Ibáñez. 2025 WAR: 0.6 RHP Chris Paddack. 2025 WAR: 0.3 RHP Jose Urquidy. 2025 WAR: -0.1 RHP Paul Sewald. 2025 WAR: -0.1 RHP Rafael Montero. 2025 WAR: -0.2 RHP Tommy Kahnle. 2025 WAR: -0.2 The big question remaining is what to do about two-time reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. Reports indicate that the Tigers and Skubal have the largest arbitration gap in MLB history. If Skubal wins his arbitration hearing, are the Tigers more likely to trade him, and if they win, are they more likely to be aggressive and try to win in what is likely to be Skubal’s last year in Detroit? Minnesota Twins The Twins have been rather quiet this offseason, with small additions and no major departures. Additions Traded for RHP Eric Orze (Tampa Bay). 2025 WAR: 0.6 Traded for C Alex Jackson (Baltimore). 2025 WAR: 0.6 Signed 1B/DH Josh Bell to a one-year contract. 2025 WAR: 0.4 Traded for UT Eric Wagaman (Miami). 2025 WAR: -0.4 Subtractions RHP Cody Laweryson (waivers to the Angels). 2025 WAR: 0.3 OF DaShawn Keirsey Jr. (free agent to Atlanta). 2025 WAR: -1.2 Still Out There C Christian Vazquez. 2025 WAR: 0.6 RHP Michael Tonkin. 2025 WAR: 0.2 LHP Anthony Misiewicz. 2025 WAR: -0.1 RHP Thomas Hatch. 2025 WAR: -0.2 OF Carson McCusker. 2025 WAR: -0.6 LHP Genesis Cabrera. 2025 WAR: -0.8 While there were a lot of departures at the trade deadline last year, the Twins have been reluctant to let go of key players Joe Ryan, Pablo Lopez, and Byron Buxton. Maybe there are other additions on the horizon if they do intend to keep their stars and compete in 2026? While the perennial division-contending Guardians and Tigers don't have the same glaring weaknesses as the Royals do, Kansas City may have been the most aggressive team in the AL Central in actively upgrading its roster in 2026. The Royals still probably need one more impact bat to improve their offense. The front office has signaled a willingness to use their rotation depth to make a move to strengthen the offense, but until they do, they will not be considered true contenders in the division or even for an AL Wild Card spot. View the full article

The Chicago Cubs' signing of Alex Bregman represented a significant deviation from the norm, on a couple different levels. Given the team's unwillingness to dabble in the deep end of free agent waters in recent years, it was surprising in the simplest way: they made the splash this time. They also made some unusual concessions. Not only did they hand out the largest average annual value in the franchise's history (even after accounting for deferrals), but they agreed to deferrals to structure the deal the way Bregman and agent Scott Boras preferred it. As it relates to the 2026 club, though, the most eye-opening change of direction might be the way it alters the future of third base—and the future of the team's incumbent at that spot. When the Cubs were attached to Bregman in the winter of 2024-25, part of the thinking was that signing him would give top prospect Matt Shaw a safety net. Perhaps he would eventually come up in response to an injury or supplement the lineup in a utility capacity, but Chicago wouldn't have to force him into the lineup if either phase of the game wasn't quite ready for the top level. After Bregman signed with Boston instead, Shaw assumed starting duties at the hot corner. The results were uneven. Shaw checked in with a .226/.295/.394 line at the end of 2025, wrapping up the year with a wRC+ of 93 and a fWAR of 1.5. His second half was better than his first; he posted a 130 wRC+ against a mark of 60 in the first half. The power also manifested more frequently, with a .258 ISO in the second half coming after a paltry .082 figure in the first. Even within that, though, there was cause for concern. After recording a 127 wRC+ and .307 ISO in August, Shaw's September figures were 95 and .153 in the two metrics, respectively. His 27.7% September strikeout rate was his highest in an individual month, and he notched only two hits in 23 postseason plate appearances. The flashes, in conjunction with the team's aforementioned hesitation of big contracts, left at least a feeling that it'd once again be Shaw's job to lose. Instead, the youngster's future is now very much in question. The wide assumption is that he'll remain on the major-league roster, but in more of a utility capacity. Defensively, Shaw was quite good for the better part of last year. Even if the metrics may not have loved him over a full season, the eye test revealed a player capable of soft hands at a quick-twitch position. Originally drafted as a shortstop, Shaw had experience at each of second base, short, and third across his time in the farm system. Considering the growth on that side of his game, it stands to reason that he could be deployed at any of the three spots on a given day. That's the most likely route, on paper. Have your three veterans entrenched around the horn and insert Shaw for off days or to rotate someone in as the designated hitter. You then have him as a rotation piece in the event of an injury to one of the other starters. Considering the offensive upside and evident defensive development, it's a way to deepen the bench in a way that the team did not see from the hodgepodge of reserve players last season. There is a contractual component at play, as well. Shaw still has another six years of team control while second baseman Nico Hoerner is set to hit free agency after the 2026 campaign. Considering each of their situations, keeping Shaw as the backup infielder in a market bereft of other options makes sense—but it's not the only option. Trading an infielder from the current roster could also help them round out the roster. It's a harder world to envision following the Edward Cabrera trade, but a surplus of viable infielders ignites the trade rumor instincts all the same. Hoerner has been the more oft-discussed trade chip. His impending free agency and the fact that his name has surfaced before ensure that. That doesn't mean Shaw could be completely immune, however. In his discussion of the Cubs' deal with Bregman, The Athletic's Keith Law noted the following (paid subscription required): We have no way of knowing what the inner workings of the team's clubhouse might look like, last year or in the upcoming season. When you add resistance to coaching, though, you run into some issues that a front office may be more unwilling to tolerate. A Shaw trade is more likely than a Hoerner one. Ultimately, though, the most likely outcome remains the one directly in front of them: Bregman takes over at third, Hoerner plays out his final year of his contract, and Shaw spends the interim bouncing around the infield. Perhaps he gets a stint in Iowa at some point just to work on his offense in a full-time capacity, but a secondary benefit of the Bregman deal was its lengthening of the bench. Keeping Shaw does that in the lowest-friction way possible. View the full article

If you're a Minnesota Twins fan, January has a way of feeling quiet. The holidays are gone, the roster is mostly settled (whether you like it or not), and spring training is still far enough away to feel theoretical. Yet, every year, the same emotional journey unfolds between the first offseason quotes and the first pitch that actually counts. It is not linear. It is not healthy. But it is predictable. These are the five stages of Twins fandom between January 1 and Opening Day. Stage One: Rational Acceptance This stage usually hits right after the calendar flips. The big free agents are gone. The Twins have not made the splash some fans hoped for, but you've talked yourself into understanding it. You read the payroll context. You understand the TV situation. You remind yourself that last year's plan didn't work, anyway. You tell yourself that internal improvements are real and that smart teams don't always need to make noise. You nod along when someone says flexibility. You say things like 'value' and 'depth' unironically. You convince yourself that this offseason was fine, actually. It is calm here. Briefly. Stage Two: Prospect Inflation Season By late January, rationality gives way to hope via proximity. You start rereading minor-league stat lines. You remember that player development exists. Every prospect is now one adjustment away. The flaws are fixable. The timelines are aggressive, but fair. You begin saying phrases like, "If everything clicks." You mentally pencil two prospects into the Opening Day roster, even though you know better. You talk yourself into believing that this farm system has more answers than questions, because it needs to. You start waking up reluctantly after dreaming of a Walker Jenkins walk-off home run. This is when you say things like, "The floor is higher than people think." Stage Three: Every Player Is in the Best Shape of Their Lives Spring training arrives, and suddenly, the most critical development of the offseason is conditioning. Everyone looks stronger. Everyone looks leaner. Everyone had a great winter. A player you've watched struggle with durability for three seasons is now moving better than ever. A pitcher added muscle. A hitter cleaned up his swing path. The word accountability appears. You tell yourself that health changes everything. You believe that this roster just needed a typical offseason. You ignore the fact that this stage happens every year and means exactly the same thing every time. Still, it feels good. It always does. Stage Four: Lineup Construction Obsession March is for decisions. You begin building lineups in your head that feel balanced and deep. There are matchups. There is versatility. Some platoons finally make sense. You convince yourself that there are more good players than spots. You imagine a rotation that just needs health. You start using the word 'sneaky'. This is the peak of belief. You can see the path. You can explain it to others. You begin to think the Twins might actually be better than last year. You schedule your Opening Day plans. Stage Five: Opening Day Amnesia By the time the season starts, everything before it disappears. The concerns fade. The context resets. The Twins are 0-0. This year is its own thing. You remember why you do this in the first place. No matter how it goes from there, you have arrived. The journey resets next January. And when it does, you will be ready to rationalize it all over again. View the full article

At the outset of the offseason, there was perhaps no more need more urgent for any team in Major League Baseball than that of the San Diego Padres needing to add to their starting rotation. A group that already didn't run deep saw Dylan Cease depart in free agency, will be without Yu Darvish for the entirety of 2026, and made the early choice to keep each of Mason Miller and Adrian Morejon in relief, leaving a fairly dire situation with which to contend. Nick Pivetta was the only sure-thing starter on the 40-man roster when the winter began. A.J. Preller has since taken measures to address it. Michael King is back on a new three-year deal. Kyle Hart was brought back on a one-year deal as a swingman, while he, minor league signing Triston McKenzie, and holdovers JP Sears, Matt Waldron, and Randy Vásquez will likely fight it out this spring for a role in the latter portion of the rotation. With a Joe Musgrove return on the horizon as well, the starting side of things looks, at least, a bit better than it did back in November. The work isn't done, however. San Diego has a largely fortified roster. While they still need to add to their lineup to address either first base or designated hitter, the positional group is sorted and set for 2026. The bullpen, even with the departure of Robert Suárez, remains one of the more notable individual strengths of any team in the league. It's a group that, on paper, should be able to make a run toward October for the third consecutive season... if Preller can make at least one more addition to the rotation. As of right now, FanGraphs' depth charts have Pivetta leading the way in start share (21 percent), followed by King (19 percent), and Musgrove (17 percent). While the percentages are different, Baseball Prospectus projects Pivetta (18 percent), Musgrove (17 percent), and King (15 percent) as the top trio, as well. Nothing surprising there. And while the remaining spots are also the same — with Vásquez assuming the fourth spot and Sears the fifth on both sites — between the two, Baseball Prospectus actually presents less time for each and more time for Waldron in a starting role. FanGraphs, though, likes Hart more for the sixth spot as the first man up. Where the two sites differ is as strong an indicator as any that work remains in the rotation. But at this stage of the offseason, it remains to be seen from where further reinforcements could emerge. Widely-known organizational context tells you that the Padres are running thin on money to spend. This leaves the likes of Zac Gallen, Framber Valdez, and Ranger Suárez out of the team's reach. They also lack the resources in the minor leagues to make a trade for a notable arm, especially the Tarik Skubal's or Hunter Greene's or Freddy Peralta's of the world. So, where does Preller go from here? It's important to consider, in asking that question, that the Padres don't need a frontline starter. With King in place and Musgrove's return on the horizon, they'll combine with Pivetta to create a steady and solid top three in their starting corps. More often than not, they'll get the team into the middle innings before the bullpen can take over. What the Padres need is innings. History indicates that the other names to fill out the back end are more prone to short outings. That could put a lot of extra stress on long relief and, more importantly, the top-tier leverage arms. It's not about Skubal or even Gallen, but rather about finding stability for at least one of those final two spots. From a free agent standpoint, someone like Lucas Giolito could make sense. He carries a certain level of health risk, but he's averaged 5.8 innings per start when he's been in the mix. He's also likely to get a short-term deal. Old friend Nick Martinez served a swingman role in Cincinnati late in the year, but averaged 5.7 as a starter with the Reds (even if his performance took a step back from "good" to more "average" between 2024 and 2025). Those two would at least present the Padres with a certain level of short-term stability that they need. The options, though, get less inspiring the further you search. The trade market is less clear. We know about the top arms available, but less about those who could be moved at a cost the Padres can actually afford. Perhaps someone like Pittsburgh's Mitch Keller makes sense there. Is there a framework around Keller and Jake Cronenworth? We've also previously discussed Kodai Senga as a target, though he's not without plenty of risk. Ultimately, a majority of teams head into the offseason without their rotation completely solidified. No. 5 spots, in particular, often remain in flux. With King signed, the Padres aren't in as much peril as they once were this winter. However, they're clearly a team in need of adding at least one more starter to the mix in order to feel better about their group heading into the spring exhibition slate. View the full article

The Milwaukee Brewers are "moving toward a deal" that would send starting pitcher Freddy Peralta out of town for the final year of his team-friendly contract, according to a source familiar with the team's talks. Multiple teams remain involved, but the Yankees have emerged as the most likely fit, with 2024 American League Rookie of the Year Luis Gil as the headliner in that potential package. Gil is just two years younger than Peralta and only comes with three years of team control, but he and the Yankees agreed on a one-year deal worth $2.1625 million for 2026 last week, so he would give the team both extra control years and some cost savings. That Gil is at the center of the discussions between Milwaukee and New York indicates what the Brewers are prioritizing as they entertain offers for their erstwhile ace. In talks with the Diamondbacks, they have discussed starter Ryne Nelson, who also comes with three years of control and modest cost savings, a source said. Emmet Sheehan, Gavin Stone and Justin Wrobleski were discussed when the Dodgers checked in on Peralta. In short, if Milwaukee is to move Peralta coming off his strongest overall season in the majors, they'll require that the package include a player (ideally another starter) whom they can keep around for at least three years and who makes up some of the short-term value they will lose by dealing him. Any trade would also include a high-caliber prospect and/or a valuable draft pick. Both the Diamondbacks and the Orioles have picks in Competitive Balance Round A this July, and the Brewers have discussed packages that would involve them receiving that pick from either team. Unsurprisingly, Milwaukee asked about infielder Jordan Lawlar, still struggling to establish himself in Arizona but with abundant talent and time on his side. Milwaukee's willingness to trade Peralta is not news, but they have gotten materially closer to doing so over the past two weeks, according to sources familiar with their plans. As uncertainty about any broadcasting revenue for 2026 increases, the chances that the team will trade Peralta have ticked up, too. By getting back a player like Gil or Nelson, they would save at least $5 million while backfilling the spot in their projected rotation vacated by Peralta. Therefore, they would be able to turn around and sign another player to round out their roster in the endgame of the offseason (perhaps as late as mid-February) without pushing their projected payroll beyond its current range of $115 million. Typically, teams do best in trades like this when they focus solely on maximizing overall value. The Brewers have experience, however, in striking the right balance between filling needs and accumulating talent. With a Peralta trade, they've made clear to the many suitors (Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, both New York teams, the Giants, the Padres, the Dodgers, the Diamondbacks and the Astros have all shown interest at different points this winter) that a return must take the right shape. If their price isn't met, they'll retain Peralta, and make do with whatever else they can afford to supplement the three-time defending NL Central champions. It looks more likely, though, that one of the final few interested parties will give them what they're looking for. View the full article