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With five players from MLB's best fielding team up for NL Gold Gloves, the Chicago Cubs came away with two being honored. Center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and third baseman Alex Bregman each won their second Gold Glove on Sunday. Left fielder Ian Happ, right fielder Seiya Suzuki and shortstop Dansby Swanson were also up for the top defensive honor at their position. For Happ, his streak of four consecutive Gold Gloves was snapped by Jackson Chourio of the World Series champion Milwaukee Brewers. Crow-Armstrong, widely expected to win his first NL MVP award this year, has now won back-to-back Gold Gloves after leading MLB in outs above average with 26. He also led MLB center fielders with 393 putouts, while also committing an MLB-worst six errors for a .985 fielding percentage. Crow-Armstrong ranked sixth among outfielders with 10 defensive runs saved. Bregman, who also won in 2024 with the Houston Astros, led NL third basemen with 251 assists and 30 double plays, while committing six errors in 335 chances for a .982 fielding percentage. He is only the second third baseman in club history to win a Gold Glove, joining Ron Santo, who won five straight from 1984-68. The Cubs led MLB with a .990 fielding percentage, making just 61 errors. View the full article

With five players from MLB's best fielding team up for NL Gold Gloves, the Chicago Cubs came away with two being honored. Center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and third baseman Alex Bregman each won their second Gold Glove on Sunday. Left fielder Ian Happ, right fielder Seiya Suzuki and shortstop Dansby Swanson were also up for the top defensive honor at their position. For Happ, his streak of four consecutive Gold Gloves was snapped by Jackson Chourio of the World Series champion Milwaukee Brewers. Crow-Armstrong, widely expected to win his first NL MVP award this year, has now won back-to-back Gold Gloves after leading MLB in outs above average with 26. He also led MLB center fielders with 393 putouts, while also committing an MLB-worst six errors for a .985 fielding percentage. Crow-Armstrong ranked sixth among outfielders with 10 defensive runs saved. Bregman, who also won in 2024 with the Houston Astros, led NL third basemen with 251 assists and 30 double plays, while committing six errors in 335 chances for a .982 fielding percentage. He is only the second third baseman in club history to win a Gold Glove, joining Ron Santo, who won five straight from 1984-68. The Cubs led MLB with a .990 fielding percentage, making just 61 errors. View the full article

In an echo of a larger deal they made with Colin Rea last November, the Cubs averted an outright decision to decline or exercise their club option on right-handed reliever Jacob Webb Monday, a source with knowledge of the deal said. Webb, 33, would have been due $2.5 million for 2027 under the terms of a deal the parties signed last offseason. Instead, he'll get $2 million this year, with the extra $500,000 pushed out into a buyout on a $4-million option for 2028. The ugly way the season ended made Webb a much less enticing keeper for next season than he looked like as late as the trade deadline, when he was acting as the team's de facto closer and missing bats well with his signature changeup. A barrage of home runs cost the Cubs a few games down the stretch and pushed Webb into lower-leverage work, and heading into next season, he'll be viewed as no more than a middle reliever. Still, absent this new deal, picking up his club option would have been a no-brainer. He's meaningfully better than most players available at that price range on the free-agent market. By re-upping this way, the Cubs save a small amount on their 2027 budget, but that amount is a rounding error. More importantly, they capture the possibility of another year of control over Webb, which would also be at a bargain rate. In effect, he's being paid the same salary as he would have been otherwise, and the team has a $3.5-million decision to make about him a year from now. This kind of move is part of Jed Hoyer's roster-management hygiene routine. Last fall, the Cubs held an option on Colin Rea, coming off the lone guaranteed season of a deal he had signed with them in January 2025. Rather than either exercise or decline it, the team effectively restructured the contract, guaranteeing Rea the same amount but tacking on another club option, this time for 2027. They declined that option on Rea Monday, but renewing their deal with him last fall still looks like a win. They got much-needed bulk innings from him amid a slew of pitching injuries this season, and had he been even a hair better, they could have kept him at a low price. This kind of move is low-risk and medium-reward—a Hoyer specialty. With Webb officially back in the fold, the Cubs have him, Phil Maton, Daniel Palencia, Ryan Zeferjahn and Ryan Rolison penciled into next year's bullpen mix. Beyond those names lie injury risks and best-guesses, but the foundation on which Hoyer is building next season's relief corps appears to be strong. View the full article

In an echo of a larger deal they made with Colin Rea last November, the Cubs averted an outright decision to decline or exercise their club option on right-handed reliever Jacob Webb Monday, a source with knowledge of the deal said. Webb, 33, would have been due $2.5 million for 2027 under the terms of a deal the parties signed last offseason. Instead, he'll get $2 million this year, with the extra $500,000 pushed out into a buyout on a $4-million option for 2028. The ugly way the season ended made Webb a much less enticing keeper for next season than he looked like as late as the trade deadline, when he was acting as the team's de facto closer and missing bats well with his signature changeup. A barrage of home runs cost the Cubs a few games down the stretch and pushed Webb into lower-leverage work, and heading into next season, he'll be viewed as no more than a middle reliever. Still, absent this new deal, picking up his club option would have been a no-brainer. He's meaningfully better than most players available at that price range on the free-agent market. By re-upping this way, the Cubs save a small amount on their 2027 budget, but that amount is a rounding error. More importantly, they capture the possibility of another year of control over Webb, which would also be at a bargain rate. In effect, he's being paid the same salary as he would have been otherwise, and the team has a $3.5-million decision to make about him a year from now. This kind of move is part of Jed Hoyer's roster-management hygiene routine. Last fall, the Cubs held an option on Colin Rea, coming off the lone guaranteed season of a deal he had signed with them in January 2025. Rather than either exercise or decline it, the team effectively restructured the contract, guaranteeing Rea the same amount but tacking on another club option, this time for 2027. They declined that option on Rea Monday, but renewing their deal with him last fall still looks like a win. They got much-needed bulk innings from him amid a slew of pitching injuries this season, and had he been even a hair better, they could have kept him at a low price. This kind of move is low-risk and medium-reward—a Hoyer specialty. With Webb officially back in the fold, the Cubs have him, Phil Maton, Daniel Palencia, Ryan Zeferjahn and Ryan Rolison penciled into next year's bullpen mix. Beyond those names lie injury risks and best-guesses, but the foundation on which Hoyer is building next season's relief corps appears to be strong. View the full article

The Boston Red Sox are facing a rostering crunch right now, which is made only more difficult with the desire to protect various prospects and impending minor-league free agents. One player facing that ticking clock right now is switch-hitting outfielder Allan Castro. Castro, who could be in consideration of being placed on the 40-man roster to avoid minor-league free agency, was signed by the Red Sox in 2019. A player who has struggled at times offensively, he has also flashed immense potential. Making it to Triple-A Worcester in 2026, Castro led the WooSox in both home runs and RBIs with 15 and 77, respectively. He was second on the team in stolen bases with 20 while being third on the team in walks with 51. Overall, he appeared in 119 games for Worcester, hitting .252/.325/.397. September was where he really showcased his offensive prowess, hitting .300/.371/.650 with three doubles, six home runs and 19 RBIs while striking out just eight times in 15 games. “The game keeps putting him in spots to kind of deliver like that,” WooSox acting manager Iggy Suarez explained about Castro following a seven-RBI game. “It’s a huge boost for him just because of the grind he’s been going through. Seeing the growth, he started from the beginning of the season, even from spring training, you could say he was struggling. But to end it on a high note, you want that for guys.” The start of the season was a definite struggle for Castro, as the 23-year-old slashed just .185/.255/.283 in 24 March and April games. He concluded that span with far more strikeouts (33) than he had hits (17). Following that, he slowly improved, breaking out in June when he hit over .300 while driving in 14 runs. While he dropped off slightly in the following months (.257 and .261 bating average for July and August), the quality of his at-bats rarely wavered. “He realized what they’re trying to do to him. He’s going the other way more with some pop instead of selling out. He’s realizing he can still do some damage over there. To be able to have the confidence and patience to not chase outside of his comfort zone, but also realizing that when they go on the outer third, he can do damage to that pitch,” Suarez said on Castro’s turnaround. “I see how he’s reacting when he’s not getting results and you think, is this gonna take four or five at-bats for him to get back into it? But the window is very short now. It’s a growing moment for young players, especially him.” With young players, adjustments are always a part of the game, especially once the league figures them out. Castro finally began responding to that varying attack plans, taking that next step that separates big leaguers from organizational depth. Now potentially a free agent, he should have plenty of teams calling for a chance at his services, even if on a minor-league contract. When it comes to Castro, the switch-hitting outfielder will likely never become a starting outfielder—at least not on a playoff team. His hit tool is the one that would keep him from being a starter in Boston. High velocity still gets him, and some work is needed when it comes to his pitch recognition. However, he will still make contact with pitches in the zone, and with his power he could carve out a role in the majors as a fourth outfielder, especially against left-handed pitchers. Defensively, he’s likely to be nothing more than an average outfielder, though in Boston they could hide him in left field thanks to the Green Monster. With that in mind, should the Red Sox add Castro to the 40-man roster, there’s a good chance that spells the end of Jahmai Jones' time in Boston. Brought in to be a lefty killer off the bench, Jones hit .308/.408/.585 with four doubles, one triple, four home runs and nine RBIs in 37 games. He was used almost exclusively against left-handed pitchers and as a designated hitter. In total, he played left field three times. Castro provides a younger player who could be similar to Jones in the role of a lefty killer off the bench but with more room to grow. Likely a better fielder and runner than Jones, it makes sense for the Red Sox to see what they have in Castro as a potential fourth outfielder, especially if the team decides to move on from Jarren Duran. Castro also has something that can be very enticing to the Red Sox in the form of minor-league options. The caveat to Castro is his lack of a track record; 2026 was his best season in the system but even that had its growing pains. While the Red Sox could send Castro back to Worcester if he had a prolonged struggle, it would leave them searching for a bench outfielder. All of these things must be considered before the rostering deadline later today. Regardless of their decision, Castro should have a fascinating career ahead of him following his long-awaited breakout. View the full article

The Boston Red Sox are facing a rostering crunch right now, which is made only more difficult with the desire to protect various prospects and impending minor-league free agents. One player facing that ticking clock right now is switch-hitting outfielder Allan Castro. Castro, who could be in consideration of being placed on the 40-man roster to avoid minor-league free agency, was signed by the Red Sox in 2019. A player who has struggled at times offensively, he has also flashed immense potential. Making it to Triple-A Worcester in 2026, Castro led the WooSox in both home runs and RBIs with 15 and 77, respectively. He was second on the team in stolen bases with 20 while being third on the team in walks with 51. Overall, he appeared in 119 games for Worcester, hitting .252/.325/.397. September was where he really showcased his offensive prowess, hitting .300/.371/.650 with three doubles, six home runs and 19 RBIs while striking out just eight times in 15 games. “The game keeps putting him in spots to kind of deliver like that,” WooSox acting manager Iggy Suarez explained about Castro following a seven-RBI game. “It’s a huge boost for him just because of the grind he’s been going through. Seeing the growth, he started from the beginning of the season, even from spring training, you could say he was struggling. But to end it on a high note, you want that for guys.” The start of the season was a definite struggle for Castro, as the 23-year-old slashed just .185/.255/.283 in 24 March and April games. He concluded that span with far more strikeouts (33) than he had hits (17). Following that, he slowly improved, breaking out in June when he hit over .300 while driving in 14 runs. While he dropped off slightly in the following months (.257 and .261 bating average for July and August), the quality of his at-bats rarely wavered. “He realized what they’re trying to do to him. He’s going the other way more with some pop instead of selling out. He’s realizing he can still do some damage over there. To be able to have the confidence and patience to not chase outside of his comfort zone, but also realizing that when they go on the outer third, he can do damage to that pitch,” Suarez said on Castro’s turnaround. “I see how he’s reacting when he’s not getting results and you think, is this gonna take four or five at-bats for him to get back into it? But the window is very short now. It’s a growing moment for young players, especially him.” With young players, adjustments are always a part of the game, especially once the league figures them out. Castro finally began responding to that varying attack plans, taking that next step that separates big leaguers from organizational depth. Now potentially a free agent, he should have plenty of teams calling for a chance at his services, even if on a minor-league contract. When it comes to Castro, the switch-hitting outfielder will likely never become a starting outfielder—at least not on a playoff team. His hit tool is the one that would keep him from being a starter in Boston. High velocity still gets him, and some work is needed when it comes to his pitch recognition. However, he will still make contact with pitches in the zone, and with his power he could carve out a role in the majors as a fourth outfielder, especially against left-handed pitchers. Defensively, he’s likely to be nothing more than an average outfielder, though in Boston they could hide him in left field thanks to the Green Monster. With that in mind, should the Red Sox add Castro to the 40-man roster, there’s a good chance that spells the end of Jahmai Jones' time in Boston. Brought in to be a lefty killer off the bench, Jones hit .308/.408/.585 with four doubles, one triple, four home runs and nine RBIs in 37 games. He was used almost exclusively against left-handed pitchers and as a designated hitter. In total, he played left field three times. Castro provides a younger player who could be similar to Jones in the role of a lefty killer off the bench but with more room to grow. Likely a better fielder and runner than Jones, it makes sense for the Red Sox to see what they have in Castro as a potential fourth outfielder, especially if the team decides to move on from Jarren Duran. Castro also has something that can be very enticing to the Red Sox in the form of minor-league options. The caveat to Castro is his lack of a track record; 2026 was his best season in the system but even that had its growing pains. While the Red Sox could send Castro back to Worcester if he had a prolonged struggle, it would leave them searching for a bench outfielder. All of these things must be considered before the rostering deadline later today. Regardless of their decision, Castro should have a fascinating career ahead of him following his long-awaited breakout. View the full article

As expected, the Chicago Cubs' starting rotation took one final hit before free agency begins. Right-hander Clay Holmes declined his $12 million player option for 2027 and officially became a free agent. Holmes faced a 4 p.m. CT deadline Monday to make a decision. Also, right-hander Colin Rea and left-hander Caleb Thielbar had their mutual options declined, also making them free agents. Free agency opens across MLB after 4 p.m. Holmes was one of the Cubs' big additions at the trade deadline, coming over from the New York Mets along with outfielder Tyrone Taylor for prospect infielder Jefferson Rojas. Holmes was widely expected to be just a rental as his second season as a starter after converting from a relief role had gone pretty well, making him attractive in free agency. The Cubs will be in the mix to retain Holmes' services. With the Cubs, Holmes made nine starts, posting a 4.09 FIP (4.25 ERA) over 48⅔ innings. That was worse than what he showed this year with the Mets, also in nine starts before sustaining a fractured left leg on a comebacker. He had a 3.21 FIP (2.39 ERA) over 52⅔ innings. His walk rate and strikeout rate got worse when he came to the Cubs. With the Mets, his walk rate was 8.4% and his strikeout rate was 20.9%, then 11.8% and 16.2% with the Cubs. Rea made 19 starts and 15 relief appearances over 137 innings, putting up a 4.80 FIP (4.34 ERA), walking 8% and striking out 17.2% of batters faced. In 50 innings this year, Thielbar had 58 outings with a 4.70 FIP (4.86 ERA) to go along with an 8.5% walk rate and 28.3% strikeout rate. View the full article

As expected, the Chicago Cubs' starting rotation took one final hit before free agency begins. Right-hander Clay Holmes declined his $12 million player option for 2027 and officially became a free agent. Holmes faced a 4 p.m. CT deadline Monday to make a decision. Also, right-hander Colin Rea and left-hander Caleb Thielbar had their mutual options declined, also making them free agents. Free agency opens across MLB after 4 p.m. Holmes was one of the Cubs' big additions at the trade deadline, coming over from the New York Mets along with outfielder Tyrone Taylor for prospect infielder Jefferson Rojas. Holmes was widely expected to be just a rental as his second season as a starter after converting from a relief role had gone pretty well, making him attractive in free agency. The Cubs will be in the mix to retain Holmes' services. With the Cubs, Holmes made nine starts, posting a 4.09 FIP (4.25 ERA) over 48⅔ innings. That was worse than what he showed this year with the Mets, also in nine starts before sustaining a fractured left leg on a comebacker. He had a 3.21 FIP (2.39 ERA) over 52⅔ innings. His walk rate and strikeout rate got worse when he came to the Cubs. With the Mets, his walk rate was 8.4% and his strikeout rate was 20.9%, then 11.8% and 16.2% with the Cubs. Rea made 19 starts and 15 relief appearances over 137 innings, putting up a 4.80 FIP (4.34 ERA), walking 8% and striking out 17.2% of batters faced. In 50 innings this year, Thielbar had 58 outings with a 4.70 FIP (4.86 ERA) to go along with an 8.5% walk rate and 28.3% strikeout rate. View the full article

The Sporting News has been reviewing the 140 greatest baseball players of all time through a different approach to ranking the game's legends. Rather than placing every player on a single list, the publication has divided its selections into 14 positionless rooms, each representing a different archetype of greatness. Each room features 10 players whose careers share a defining characteristic, from sustained excellence to unforgettable performances and unusual legacies. According to The Sporting News, “Our ‘rooms’ serve not only to honor the game’s greatest players, but to contextualize their standing in baseball history — for better or worse.” The publication developed this concept while celebrating its 140-year history, recognizing that comparing players from different eras can be difficult when the game has changed so dramatically. The Sporting News explains the reasoning behind its 14-room approach. From a Minnesota Twins perspective, this series identifies two players for each of the 14 rooms. Some former Twins might fit into different categories when viewed on a national level, but their accomplishments still connect to the themes behind each room. This installment looks at two players who helped establish the franchise's identity and two others whose unusual abilities made them stand out in baseball history. Pioneers The Sporting News describes its Pioneers as players who went first. They reimagined who could play and how the game could be played, helping build the foundation for those who followed. From a Twins perspective, this category can include players who helped establish the franchise's identity during its early years in Minnesota. Bob Allison provided one of the organization's first defining moments, while Camilo Pascual demonstrated how a distinctive pitching approach and international baseball background could become part of a successful major league career. Bob Allison Bob Allison might not be the first name that comes to mind when discussing the greatest players in Twins history, but his contributions to the franchise's early years make him an important figure. Allison began his major league career with the Washington Senators in 1958. He quickly became one of the team's most exciting young players, winning the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 1959. That season, he hit 30 home runs, drove in 85 runs and led the league with nine triples. He also earned his first All-Star selection, beginning a career in which he would appear in three All-Star Games. When the Senators relocated to Minnesota and became the Twins in 1961, Allison helped welcome major league baseball to the Upper Midwest. In the franchise's first game, he hit the first home run in Twins history, connecting off Yankees pitcher Whitey Ford during a 6-0 Minnesota victory. That moment represented more than a home run. The franchise was beginning a new chapter in a new market, and Allison became one of its first recognizable stars. Allison's production continued in Minnesota. He hit 256 career home runs over 13 seasons with the Senators and Twins, using a powerful swing and an aggressive approach on the basepaths. His physical style also made him a memorable defensive player. He crashed into outfield walls, made daring catches and rarely shied away from contact when running the bases. His most memorable defensive moment came during Game 2 of the 1965 World Series. With the game scoreless in the fifth inning and a runner aboard, Allison made a diving, backhanded catch of a sinking line drive from Los Angeles Dodgers hitter Jim Lefebvre. The play helped preserve Minnesota's advantage in a game the Twins eventually won 5-1. It remains one of the most celebrated defensive plays in franchise history. The Twins lost that World Series in seven games, but Allison had helped establish the identity of a team that would become a perennial contender during the decade. Alongside Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva, Zoilo Versalles and others, he formed part of the core that took Minnesota to its first American League pennant. Allison was not a pioneer in the same sense as a player who broke baseball's racial or competitive barriers. His importance to this room comes from helping establish the Twins in Minnesota, both through his early accomplishments and his role in the development of the franchise's first great teams. Camilo Pascual Camilo Pascual brought a different kind of pioneering influence to Minnesota. Born in Havana, Cuba, Pascual became one of the most accomplished Cuban-born pitchers of his era, earning recognition for a curveball that could leave even established major league hitters guessing. Pascual signed with the Washington Senators as a teenager and made his major league debut in 1954. His early career was difficult because he pitched for struggling Washington teams, but his talent was unmistakable. The right-hander developed one of the most devastating curveballs in baseball, a pitch that became the foundation of his success. His career took a major turn when the Senators moved to Minnesota in 1961. With a stronger supporting cast around him, Pascual emerged as a frontline starter. He won 15 games in 1961, then delivered back-to-back 20-win seasons in 1962 and 1963. Pascual's 1963 campaign was particularly impressive. He finished 21-9 and continued to establish himself as one of the most difficult pitchers in the league to hit. His curveball allowed him to generate strikeouts while keeping hitters off balance, giving Minnesota a dependable weapon at the front of its rotation. Over his major league career, Pascual recorded 174 wins, a 3.63 ERA and 2,167 strikeouts. He also became a five-time All-Star and continued working in baseball after his playing career ended, including a stint as a Twins pitching coach and many years as an international scout. Pascual's place in the Pioneers room is based on his career representing the growing influence of Cuban baseball talent in the American game. He demonstrated that a player coming from Cuba could become one of the league's leading pitchers, and his success was part of the broader international history of the Twins. Unicorns The Sporting News describes its Unicorns as players who broke the mold by redefining excellence. These are rare figures whose combination of skills makes direct comparisons difficult. What made them different from other players was also what made them great. César Tovar and Earl Battey fit this description in different ways. Tovar's positional versatility and aggressive style made him one of baseball's most unusual players, while Battey's combination of defensive excellence and offensive production set him apart among catchers of his era. César Tovar César Tovar was one of the most versatile players in Twins history. The Venezuelan-born utilityman played with energy, speed and a willingness to fill virtually any role his team needed. He was not a superstar in the conventional sense, but his unusual skill set made him an invaluable part of Minnesota's lineup during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Tovar joined the Twins in 1965 and gradually became a fixture at the top of the batting order. He primarily played in the outfield during his major league career, but he could handle nearly every position on the field. His versatility became one of the defining aspects of his career, allowing managers to use him wherever they needed help. On September 22, 1968, Tovar achieved one of baseball's most unusual feats. He played all nine defensive positions in a single major league game against Oakland. Tovar started on the mound, struck out Reggie Jackson during his inning of work, then moved behind the plate before rotating through the infield and outfield. He became only the second player in major league history to accomplish the feat at the time. The game was partly a promotional stunt, but the fact that Tovar could execute it reflected his unusual athletic ability. His versatility was not limited to one memorable afternoon. He regularly moved between positions throughout his career, allowing Minnesota to adjust its lineup without sacrificing speed or offensive production. Tovar's value was also apparent with the bat. He hit .281 in eight seasons with Minnesota, collecting 1,164 hits, 193 doubles, 45 triples and 186 stolen bases. He led the American League in doubles and triples in 1970, then recorded a career-high 204 hits in 1971. He also received MVP votes in five consecutive seasons from 1967 through 1971. Tovar was an ideal table-setter for Minnesota's lineup, which included power hitters such as Killebrew and Oliva. His speed allowed him to create scoring opportunities, while his contact ability helped keep the offense moving. He also had a knack for getting on base by taking pitches, finishing his career with 88 hit-by-pitches. The Unicorns category fits Tovar because very few players have combined his level of offensive production with such extreme positional flexibility. His career serves as a reminder that greatness does not always come from being the best at one thing. Sometimes it comes from doing several things well enough to become indispensable. Earl Battey Earl Battey was one of the best catchers in the American League during the early years of the Minnesota Twins. His defensive ability, strong throwing arm and leadership behind the plate made him a central figure on the franchise's first successful teams. Battey originally played for the Chicago White Sox before being traded to the Washington Senators in 1960. When the franchise moved to Minnesota the following season, he became one of the cornerstones of the new Twins organization. His defensive ability quickly earned recognition. Battey won three consecutive Gold Glove Awards from 1960 through 1962, establishing himself as one of the league's premier defensive catchers. He also developed into a reliable offensive contributor, giving Minnesota a player who could influence games on both sides of the ball. Battey's best offensive season came in 1963, when he hit 26 home runs and finished seventh in American League MVP voting. He was selected to start the All-Star Game that summer, joining a Twins lineup filled with power hitters. Although his home run total was impressive, his value extended well beyond his bat. One of Battey's greatest strengths was his ability to control the running game. In 1965, he threw out 26 of the 54 runners who attempted to steal against him, a remarkable rate of nearly 48 percent. His throwing arm helped limit opposing teams' ability to manufacture runs, and he was a major part of Minnesota's defensive foundation. That same season, Battey hit .297 and helped the Twins win 102 games and capture the American League pennant. He started the All-Star Game and remained a central figure behind the plate as Minnesota advanced to the World Series. Although the Dodgers ultimately won the championship, Battey's role in the club's success was substantial. Battey finished his major league career with a .270 batting average, 104 home runs and 449 RBI. He was a five-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner, providing Minnesota with an elite catcher during one of the most important periods in franchise history. Battey fits the Unicorns room because of the unusual combination of skills he brought to a demanding position. Catchers are often evaluated primarily on defense, but Battey also provided meaningful power and offensive production. His ability to manage a pitching staff, throw out baserunners and contribute to the middle of a lineup made him a distinctive player. His legacy is especially important when remembering the early Twins teams. Battey was not simply a defensive specialist behind the plate. He was one of the team's leaders and a key contributor to its rise from a relocated franchise into an American League contender. Four Players Who Helped Shape Twins History Allison, Pascual, Tovar and Battey represent different paths to baseball greatness. Allison helped establish the Twins' identity in Minnesota, from hitting the franchise's first home run to making memorable plays during the 1965 World Series. Pascual brought an exceptional curveball and a successful Cuban baseball background to the American League, becoming one of the early franchise's most accomplished pitchers. Tovar and Battey, meanwhile, demonstrated how unusual combinations of skills could help make a player indispensable. Tovar's ability to play all nine positions and contribute as an offensive table-setter made him one of the game's most versatile players. Battey's defensive excellence, strong arm and offensive production gave Minnesota a rare combination behind the plate. The Sporting News' room concept encourages baseball fans to look beyond traditional rankings and consider the different ways players have shaped the game. In Minnesota, these four players show that greatness can come from helping establish a franchise, bringing a distinctive skill to the mound or developing a combination of abilities that few others can match. Their careers also remind fans that the history of the Twins is built from more than championship seasons and award winners. It is shaped by the players who helped define the franchise's identity and the ones who made baseball look a little different whenever they took the field. What other players fit in these rooms? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

For the first time in franchise history, the Milwaukee Brewers are World Series champions! After taking the weekend to soak it in, Jack and Spencer react to the Brewers reaching their ultimate goal, what might change from here for the team, and how they should stick to the process that got them to their ultimate goal. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brewer-fanatic-podcast/id1740648724 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CY8mWsQayqjDXqw9OT2Td iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-the-brewer-fanatic-podcast-166534588/ Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/ommzz627 Watch On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brewerfanatic View the full article

For the first time in franchise history, the Milwaukee Brewers are World Series champions! After taking the weekend to soak it in, Jack and Spencer react to the Brewers reaching their ultimate goal, what might change from here for the team, and how they should stick to the process that got them to their ultimate goal. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brewer-fanatic-podcast/id1740648724 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CY8mWsQayqjDXqw9OT2Td iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-the-brewer-fanatic-podcast-166534588/ Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/ommzz627 Watch On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brewerfanatic View the full article

After a month of Arizona Fall League play, the Surprise Saguaros sit 0.5 games behind first place with a record of 12-9. This week was a wild one for the Saguaros, with every game being a blowout. They started out the week losing 20-4 to the Salt River Rafters and then 11-3 to the Peoria Javelinas. They rebounded in their next two games with a 13-2 win over the Mesa Solar Sox and a 17-5 win over the Scottsdale Scorpions. The Saguaros ended their week in defeat after a 11-2 loss to the Rafters. Though all three New York Mets’ hitting prospects came around to score this week, they only recorded two hits during the process. At least there have been some nice developments on the pitching side of things. Here is how all eight Mets prospects fared this week. Bruin Agbayani 2B/SS/3B Agbayani appeared in two games this week, drawing three walks while coming around to score in Saturday’s loss to the Rafters. However, Agbayani did not record a hit and struck out three times as well. Agbayani currently sports the second-lowest batting average among qualified batters in the Arizona Fall League at .103. Through four weeks of play, he has four hits and 16 strikeouts. Boston Baro SS/3B/2B Baro recorded one hit and came around to score once this week. That lone knock was a 95-mph double off of Cardinals prospect Joseph King. Though he is only batting .214, Baro has played the best out of the Mets' three position-player prospects in the AFL. Following his big week last week with a home run and multiple RBIs, he gets a pass for his middling effort this time around. Cole Mathis 1B/DH Mathis recorded a single in Tuesday’s loss to the league-leading Javelinas. However, that hit was his slowest exit velocity of the day at 82 mph. Though he only went 1-for-4, his three outs were all over 100 mph, which is a rather encouraging sign. Though Mathis has one of the two home runs for the Mets this fall, his offense has been largely nonexistent since. RHP Irving Cota Last week, Cota struggled and gave up a home run; this week was no different. He recorded 1.2 innings of work in Saturday’s loss to the Rafters, allowing two hits and two earned runs. One of those two hits allowed was a slider that drifted to the middle of the plate that Nationals prospect Teo Banks sent over the left field fence at 102.9 MPH. Since Cota landed on MLB.com’s top performers of the week 14 days ago, he has not looked the same. His ERA now sits at 4.26, which is middling, but his 0.87 WHIP tells a different story. RHP Brendan Girton Girton’s lone inning of work came in Tuesday’s 11-3 loss to the Javelinas, as he recorded the only perfect inning of the game for the Saguaros. Five appearances have now come and went for Girton and in his 4.1 innings of work, he has not allowed a run. He has struck out five and has only allowed two hits thus far. RHP Ryan Lambert Lambert continued his dominant fall in Tuesday’s game where he recorded two strikeouts and allowed one walk in one full inning of work. Both of his strikeouts came by way of his signature high-90s fastball that he is able to throw so effectively. Lambert has yet to allow a hit in his five inning of work this fall, with his three base runners allowed coming on walks. After struggling throughout the regular season, he is bouncing back in a huge way to cap off his year. RHP Peyton Prescott Prescott started Saturday’s matchup, struggling in 2.1 innings of work. He allowed four hits and five runs (four earned), earning himself the loss. He also allowed a home run to Minnesota Twins prospect Kyle DeBarge in the 1st inning. Prescott has now allowed 12 hits and seven earned runs in the AFL, to the tune of a 6.52 ERA. RHP Calvin Ziegler The AFL has not been a pleasant experience for Ziegler, and this week was no different. He recorded one inning of work, allowing three hits, five earned runs, and two walks. Ziegler’s 22.50 ERA is the highest on the Saguaros, having given up 10 earned runs in four innings of work. At this point, he just needs a positive outing or two to head into the winter on a high note. View the full article

After a month of Arizona Fall League play, the Surprise Saguaros sit 0.5 games behind first place with a record of 12-9. This week was a wild one for the Saguaros, with every game being a blowout. They started out the week losing 20-4 to the Salt River Rafters and then 11-3 to the Peoria Javelinas. They rebounded in their next two games with a 13-2 win over the Mesa Solar Sox and a 17-5 win over the Scottsdale Scorpions. The Saguaros ended their week in defeat after a 11-2 loss to the Rafters. Though all three New York Mets’ hitting prospects came around to score this week, they only recorded two hits during the process. At least there have been some nice developments on the pitching side of things. Here is how all eight Mets prospects fared this week. Bruin Agbayani 2B/SS/3B Agbayani appeared in two games this week, drawing three walks while coming around to score in Saturday’s loss to the Rafters. However, Agbayani did not record a hit and struck out three times as well. Agbayani currently sports the second-lowest batting average among qualified batters in the Arizona Fall League at .103. Through four weeks of play, he has four hits and 16 strikeouts. Boston Baro SS/3B/2B Baro recorded one hit and came around to score once this week. That lone knock was a 95-mph double off of Cardinals prospect Joseph King. Though he is only batting .214, Baro has played the best out of the Mets' three position-player prospects in the AFL. Following his big week last week with a home run and multiple RBIs, he gets a pass for his middling effort this time around. Cole Mathis 1B/DH Mathis recorded a single in Tuesday’s loss to the league-leading Javelinas. However, that hit was his slowest exit velocity of the day at 82 mph. Though he only went 1-for-4, his three outs were all over 100 mph, which is a rather encouraging sign. Though Mathis has one of the two home runs for the Mets this fall, his offense has been largely nonexistent since. RHP Irving Cota Last week, Cota struggled and gave up a home run; this week was no different. He recorded 1.2 innings of work in Saturday’s loss to the Rafters, allowing two hits and two earned runs. One of those two hits allowed was a slider that drifted to the middle of the plate that Nationals prospect Teo Banks sent over the left field fence at 102.9 MPH. Since Cota landed on MLB.com’s top performers of the week 14 days ago, he has not looked the same. His ERA now sits at 4.26, which is middling, but his 0.87 WHIP tells a different story. RHP Brendan Girton Girton’s lone inning of work came in Tuesday’s 11-3 loss to the Javelinas, as he recorded the only perfect inning of the game for the Saguaros. Five appearances have now come and went for Girton and in his 4.1 innings of work, he has not allowed a run. He has struck out five and has only allowed two hits thus far. RHP Ryan Lambert Lambert continued his dominant fall in Tuesday’s game where he recorded two strikeouts and allowed one walk in one full inning of work. Both of his strikeouts came by way of his signature high-90s fastball that he is able to throw so effectively. Lambert has yet to allow a hit in his five inning of work this fall, with his three base runners allowed coming on walks. After struggling throughout the regular season, he is bouncing back in a huge way to cap off his year. RHP Peyton Prescott Prescott started Saturday’s matchup, struggling in 2.1 innings of work. He allowed four hits and five runs (four earned), earning himself the loss. He also allowed a home run to Minnesota Twins prospect Kyle DeBarge in the 1st inning. Prescott has now allowed 12 hits and seven earned runs in the AFL, to the tune of a 6.52 ERA. RHP Calvin Ziegler The AFL has not been a pleasant experience for Ziegler, and this week was no different. He recorded one inning of work, allowing three hits, five earned runs, and two walks. Ziegler’s 22.50 ERA is the highest on the Saguaros, having given up 10 earned runs in four innings of work. At this point, he just needs a positive outing or two to head into the winter on a high note. View the full article

Week 4 of the Arizona Fall League is in the books, with San Diego Padres prospects playing for the Peoria Javelinas in the showcase event. Each week, we will take a look back at how the Friars' prospects fared. A six-game schedule for all teams got pared down to five games due to rain in the Phoenix area Friday. There is only one (mostly) full week of games as the Home Run Derby will be held Saturday and the Fall Stars Game on Sunday. After two games the week after, the single-elimination playoffs will happen over three days, culminating with the Nov. 14 championship game. For last week's recap, check here. For Week 1, check here and for Week 2, check here. Ty Harvey, C Padres Mission's No. 5 prospect had a nice week at the plate, going 5-for-15 with a double, three RBIs and five runs scored. His legs also continued to be a story of his AFL performance, as Harvey swiped three bases in one game and two in another to give him a league-best 14, one ahead of Javelinas teammate Tai Peete (St. Louis Cardinals). He had two big games, both against Glendale. On Thursday, Harvey went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, three runs scored and three steals in a 13-10 win while he was the designated hitter. Then Saturday in a 9-8 loss while catching, he went 2-for-4 with an RBI, two runs scored and two stolen bases. Justin DeCriscio, SS The infielder only got one opportunity to play last week, but certainly made the most of that chance. Playing shortstop on Tuesday vs. Surprise, DeCriscio homered twice and doubled, driving in six. The second of those homers was a grand slam. He has three homers in 12 AFL games after hitting 13 across three levels in 121 games this season. DeCriscio also has 14 RBIs, third on the team. Igor Gil, LHP The left-hander pitched twice last week, each one-inning outings. He allowed one hit in both, although one of those was a solo homer. Gil struck out two in each appearance. The homer he gave up was a leadoff shot in the ninth and led to a five-run rally by Glendale in a 9-8 Javelinas loss. Kannon Kemp, RHP The right-hander made his fifth start of the AFL on Saturday, going only two innings while throwing 37 pitches (22 strikes). Four of the six outs he recorded were on the ground, but he also walked two and gave up two hits, leading to two runs, only one of which was earned. Francis Pena, RHP The right-hander remains just one of two AFL pitchers not to allow a run this year. Pena made two appearances last week, one a little shakier than the other. On Tuesday, he went two innings, coming in with two runners on. He struck out the first two batters he faced and then, after a balk, got a fly-out to end the inning. His second inning began by retiring the first two hitters, then back-to-back singles put runners on the corners. That brought up highly touted prospect Zyhir Hope, the big piece for the Detroit Tigers in the Tarik Skubal deal, who Pena struck out looking. He bounced back Thursday with a hitless inning. Jordan Valenzuela, RHP The right-hander's only appearance was a rough one. Valenzuela was touched up for four runs while getting just one out Thursday against Glendale. He walked four and allowed a single to the first five hitters he faced in the sixth inning before being replaced. View the full article

Week 4 of the Arizona Fall League is in the books, with San Diego Padres prospects playing for the Peoria Javelinas in the showcase event. Each week, we will take a look back at how the Friars' prospects fared. A six-game schedule for all teams got pared down to five games due to rain in the Phoenix area Friday. There is only one (mostly) full week of games as the Home Run Derby will be held Saturday and the Fall Stars Game on Sunday. After two games the week after, the single-elimination playoffs will happen over three days, culminating with the Nov. 14 championship game. For last week's recap, check here. For Week 1, check here and for Week 2, check here. Ty Harvey, C Padres Mission's No. 5 prospect had a nice week at the plate, going 5-for-15 with a double, three RBIs and five runs scored. His legs also continued to be a story of his AFL performance, as Harvey swiped three bases in one game and two in another to give him a league-best 14, one ahead of Javelinas teammate Tai Peete (St. Louis Cardinals). He had two big games, both against Glendale. On Thursday, Harvey went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, three runs scored and three steals in a 13-10 win while he was the designated hitter. Then Saturday in a 9-8 loss while catching, he went 2-for-4 with an RBI, two runs scored and two stolen bases. Justin DeCriscio, SS The infielder only got one opportunity to play last week, but certainly made the most of that chance. Playing shortstop on Tuesday vs. Surprise, DeCriscio homered twice and doubled, driving in six. The second of those homers was a grand slam. He has three homers in 12 AFL games after hitting 13 across three levels in 121 games this season. DeCriscio also has 14 RBIs, third on the team. Igor Gil, LHP The left-hander pitched twice last week, each one-inning outings. He allowed one hit in both, although one of those was a solo homer. Gil struck out two in each appearance. The homer he gave up was a leadoff shot in the ninth and led to a five-run rally by Glendale in a 9-8 Javelinas loss. Kannon Kemp, RHP The right-hander made his fifth start of the AFL on Saturday, going only two innings while throwing 37 pitches (22 strikes). Four of the six outs he recorded were on the ground, but he also walked two and gave up two hits, leading to two runs, only one of which was earned. Francis Pena, RHP The right-hander remains just one of two AFL pitchers not to allow a run this year. Pena made two appearances last week, one a little shakier than the other. On Tuesday, he went two innings, coming in with two runners on. He struck out the first two batters he faced and then, after a balk, got a fly-out to end the inning. His second inning began by retiring the first two hitters, then back-to-back singles put runners on the corners. That brought up highly touted prospect Zyhir Hope, the big piece for the Detroit Tigers in the Tarik Skubal deal, who Pena struck out looking. He bounced back Thursday with a hitless inning. Jordan Valenzuela, RHP The right-hander's only appearance was a rough one. Valenzuela was touched up for four runs while getting just one out Thursday against Glendale. He walked four and allowed a single to the first five hitters he faced in the sixth inning before being replaced. View the full article

Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll faces a tall order this winter. Owner Tom Pohlad has loudly proclaimed that expectations around the team are rising, and while Pohlad has also pledged to boost the payroll in support of grander goals, not all problems can be solved with money. If the Twins want to make the playoffs in 2027, they need to make some significant changes this winter. I believe they will, but they might well stop a step or two short of where they really need to go—or simply be outbid for a player who's key to their plans. Using our Offseason Blueprint tool, I've sketched out what I think would be the ideal Twins offseason. It's no small set of changes; this would mark the end of one Twins era and the dawn of a new one. Not Counting on Victor Caratini, and Not Waiting on Vahn Lackey Ryan Jeffers will depart via free agency. That's not for certain, but it's a prediction I offer confidently. I wrote late last week about why the Twins might not even extend the qualifying offer to Jeffers, and even why that might be the right choice. One way or another, I expect Jeffers to leave, but that doesn't mean the team should or will leave the position in the hands of veteran Victor Caratini. I have the team signing erstwhile Reds backstop Tyler Stephenson, whom the Blueprint tool assigns a salary of $8 million for 2027. I think that's about right; he would get that amount each year on a two-year pact. The idea is to bridge the gap from Jeffers to top prospect Vahn Lackey, whom the Twins selected with the third overall pick in July's MLB Draft. Caratini is miscast as anything above a complementary option. Stephenson, a solid righty bat with a shaky defensive profile, is similarly limited, but the two players fit nicely into the team's longstanding preference for balanced playing time between two catchers. Caratini will slough off the roster after 2027, but in this scenario, Stephenson would still be in position to support Lackey and keep him fresh in 2028. Jettisoning Royce Lewis, and Aiming a Whole Lot Higher at First Base I don't think the Twins face an interesting dilemma or a crossroads with Royce Lewis this fall. I think Lewis is just a bad player whom the team needs to get rid of, whether that's via trade or non-tender. The raw talent remains somewhat in evidence, but Lewis is too flawed a hitter for so limited a defender, and injuries have dimmed his former athletic brilliance. The team shouldn't put itself in any position to pay him significant money in 2027. Nor should they let him stand in the way of needed improvements, including at the positions where he's been such an underwhelming presence over the last three seasons. My plan includes getting rid of Lewis and signing top free-agent first baseman Jake Bauers, whom the Blueprint values at $18 million. I think it's possible Bauers makes even more than that, but let's imagine a four-year, $72-million deal and call it good. For a player with elite bat speed, excellent plate discipline and a positive clubhouse presence, that's still a great deal. The Twins need more reliable thump in the middle of their lineup; Bauers is capable of providing it. He might also cost the team a draft pick—the Brewers should extend Bauers a qualifying offer late Monday afternoon—but Bauers can be an anchor of the batting order for multiple seasons to come. There's another noteworthy change to the 2027 infield picture on my Blueprint: current Cubs infielder Pedro Ramírez. We'll talk more about how he could become the 2027 Twins' second baseman later. Not much later, though! A Starting Rotation Reset Although the bullpen came in for criticism all season, quietly, the Twins' starting rotation wasn't good enough, either. That's been true in each of the last three years, as the names in the team's starting mix outdid the production each year. This winter, rather than hold onto the group that has ill-served them of late, I propose resetting the starting unit and reallocating some resources. In this scenario, the Twins would deal Joe Ryan to the Cubs, in exchange for Ramírez and outfielder Kevin Alcántara. Ramírez, 22, batted .261/.321/.402 as a rookie in 2026, and is under team control through 2032. He has a bit of speed and power, but no place in the Cubs' long-term plans, after they locked themselves into several years of Nico Hoerner and Alex Bregman at second and third base, respectively. Alcántara is toolsy but strikeout-prone, and he's out of options next spring. The Twins would have to keep him on the big-league roster in order to retain him, but he's a right-handed batter who mashes lefty pitching, so there's at least a chance he's a solid fit. I also have the team trading or non-tendering starter Bailey Ober, though not for a substantial return. With the money they save on Ryan and Ober, the club then signs (in my vision) Michael Soroka, who turned down his side of a mutual option with the Diamondbacks to become a free agent over the weekend. Soroka, 29, had a 3.41 ERA in 116 innings for Arizona in 2026. He profiles as a solid back-end starter and a possible mid-rotation guy, with an arsenal (and, in particular, a capacity for missing bats) that should appeal to the Twins. Pablo López anchors the rotation as I envision it, with Taj Bradley, Dean Kremer, Connor Prielipp and Soroka backing him up. Two Major Bullpen Upgrades Finally, I foresee two more forays into free agency for the team, to shore up that aforementioned relief corps. Jeff Hoffman should be ready to deliver a full season at the back end of the pen, but the Twins need more upside than they'll get from the likes of Andrew Morris and Tommy Nance in the middle innings. I'm predicting that they sign Jonathan Loáisiga, another free agent wrapping up a successful stint with Arizona, and lefty JoJo Romero, a teammate of Bauers's at the end of the season with the World Series-winning Brewers. Loáisiga underwent an impressive transformation this year with the Snakes, with a well-conceived move to the first-base side of the rubber and a few corresponding tweaks to his pitch mix. He doesn't miss bats the way one might expect a hard-throwing righty reliever to do, but he induces weak contact well and still has the stuff to see the strikeout rate tick back up. Meanwhile, Romero showed late in the season that he has more sheer power than he might have initially let on. He frequently touched 96 miles per hour with his heavy sinker during Milwaukee's title run, and might be a sneaky high-leverage option at a middle-reliever price this offseason. The Big Picture I'm advocating for an offseason in which the Twins pivot hard toward a future centered on their top young players. Kaelen Culpepper, Brooks Lee, Emmanuel Rodríguez, Walker Jenkins, Luke Keaschall and the newcomer Ramírez each play as close to every day as their health permits, in this scenario. Prielipp is guaranteed a rotation spot when he's able to fill it, and space is left for Kendry Rojas, Mick Abel and David Festa, given the inevitable attrition that will affect the rest of the projected group. At the same time, Stephenson, Bauers, Soroka, Loáisiga and Romero constitute a significant investment in the team's short-term future. The 2026 Twins were only slightly better than the 2025 version. The organization hasn't fielded a legitimate winner since 2023. They have a young core in place, and they ought to seize their opportunity to win with it. With these five players replacing (on the whole) less expensive ones like Lewis, Ryan, Ober and Trevor Larnach, I have the Twins committing $150 million to their 2027 payroll, including the money they'll send to Houston as part of last summer's Carlos Correa trade. That's relatively ambitious, but if the Twins can't summon at least that much gumption, they're in for another disappointing year. View the full article

This offseason will be harder to predict with a lockout looming. Some teams will hesitate to spend on high-value free agents, but others won't. However, after an unexpectedly disappointing season, the Toronto Blue Jays have clear holes to fill. They also have key in-house decisions to discuss. Can Anthony Santander and Addison Barger be trusted to stay healthy, and if so, can they bounce back from abysmal performances the last time they were on the field? How does Vladimir Guerrero Jr. find his bat again? Is it time to make a change in the middle infield, as Ernie Clement became a liability both offensively and defensively during the second half of the 2026 season? Luckily, general manager Ross Atkins has never been shy about making big moves or spending money. I expect Toronto to be extremely aggressive in getting their guys once a new CBA is agreed upon, and here are the obvious moves the Blue Jays need to make. These moves still give Atkins plenty of room to add depth pieces where needed. Free agent market values are from Spotrac, and arbitration projections are from MLB Trade Rumors. 1. Seiya Suzuki The need to add a big power bat isn’t a surprise after Toronto finished last among MLB teams in runs and home runs this past season. They needed another power bat in the middle of the order all season long, and now they also need to replace George Springer’s production after he entered free agency. Santander and Barger should be healthy for spring training, but the team can’t simply enter next season hoping they’ll bounce back. Include Guerrero in the hopeful bounce-back category, too. Too many “hopefuls” among the team’s big bats make adding a power bat a high priority. Offensively, the free-agent market is weak. Seiya Suzuki and Randy Arozarena are the top options, and either would be a solid addition. Although Brett Bateman and Nathan Lukes have shown signs of being solid big leaguers, the Blue Jays need an All-Star-caliber outfielder. Santander and Barger are also viable options, but I’ve already shared why the team can’t have full confidence in them. Toronto has only had three outfielders named All-Stars in the last 10 years: George Springer (2022), Teoscar Hernández (2021), and Michael Saunders (2016). Suzuki would bring that caliber of player to the team. The Blue Jays have connections to him, as he played against Kazuma Okamoto in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, and the two played together in this year’s World Baseball Classic. Toronto hasn’t had good luck signing the top offensive free agents over the last few offseasons. They were among the final teams vying for Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker before they signed mammoth contracts elsewhere. This year, the Blue Jays don’t need a top pitching free agent, so they can focus their attention on Suzuki. Plus, he won’t cost as much as Ohtani, Soto, or Tucker. According to Spotrac, Suzuki is projected to make $27.5 million annually, though he’ll likely sign for more with several teams bidding against each other. My prediction: Blue Jays sign Suzuki to a four-year, $130 million contract (may need to add a fifth year and another $30 million to pull ahead). 2. Upgrade in the Middle Infield The Blue Jays need to add another bat, and the middle infield is the perfect spot to upgrade. Clement is arbitration-eligible and is 30, which could make him a non-tender candidate. However, MLB Trade Rumors projects his arbitration salary to be just $7.6 million next season. That’s a low price to keep a utility infielder in case of injuries and hopefully get a glimpse of his 2025 postseason form in a platoon role. However, there are bats available that can add some pop. I recently wrote about trade candidates the Blue Jays could add in the middle infield, including CJ Abrams and Zach Neto. In free agency, Brandon Lowe and Jazz Chisholm Jr. are the top names. They’re projected to earn $22.4 million and $17.4 million annually, respectively. Lowe is three years older than Chisholm, but he provides a more consistent bat. On the flip side, Chisholm gives you upside as a 30-30 candidate. Their gloves were similar last season at second base, with both posting around a .980 fielding percentage but a high OAA (outs above average). Another option is Luis Arráez, since we know the Blue Jays like their contact hitters. However, this offense needs to start implementing more speed. That’s why I like Chisholm or a trade to upgrade the team’s middle infield. I’m predicting a big bat will come via a trade, with a top pitching prospect (Nolan Perry or Ricky Tiedemann) as the prized trade chip. I think this is where Atkins gets creative. He’s going to bring in Abrams, who will move to shortstop, allowing Andrés Giménez and Clement to platoon at second. The Blue Jays like to trade for players with team control, and they would get two seasons with Abrams. His arbitration projection is $10.2 million, bringing a 30-30 candidate to Toronto at a cheaper price tag than Chisholm. My prediction: Abrams comes over via trade. 3. Two End-of-Rotation Arms The Blue Jays lose Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber to free agency. Reinforcements aren't close to returning, with José Berríos and Bowden Francis not expected back until mid-season, best-case scenario. However, they have three top-end pitchers in Dylan Cease, José Soriano, and Trey Yesavage. They will also have Cody Ponce returning from the ACL injury he suffered in his first start this past season. This stability gives the team the luxury of not needing to battle for top arms like Tarik Skubal, Michael King, or Sonny Gray. The Blue Jays can settle for cheaper innings eaters that have shown signs of staying healthy. Durability was a massive issue in the starting rotation in 2026. That need could lead to a reunion with Kevin Gausman. He loves Toronto, and Toronto loves him, so it just makes sense. Yes, he had his worst season since 2019, posting a 4.51 ERA. However, this team wants a back-end starter to eat innings, which is exactly what Gausman does. He’ll be 36 next year, but he’s thrown at least 174 innings in six straight seasons and hasn’t shown signs of slowing down under the hood. If he can throw around 150 innings and post, at worst, a high-3.00s ERA, that’s a massive win. His market value is projected at $20 million annually, which is fine if he stays healthy and is decent on the mound. The Blue Jays have promising prospects that look ready to make the jump to the big leagues, but you feel more comfortable easing them in during the season instead of relying on them all season long. To avoid thin depth, I like the idea of taking a chance on another veteran arm who can be a project piece. That piece is Jeffrey Springs. Adding him gives your rotation a southpaw, and he knows the AL East well. He pitched exceptionally for four seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays. However, the last two of those seasons were injury-plagued, and he pitched only 48 innings over that span. The Rays then traded Springs to the Athletics after the 2024 campaign. The last two seasons have been less than ideal, but he’s been pitching in a minor league ballpark at home. On the road, he’s been better than at home, posting 3.45 and 5.36 ERAs over those seasons, respectively. Springs's main appeal is that he can eat innings, pitching at least 142 frames in each of the last two seasons. His high ERA this season was due to several struggles. The lefty has seen his velocity drop since undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2023. He has also failed to reach a 20 percent strikeout rate in a full season since then. Springs also struggled with control last season, posting a nine percent walk rate, his highest since 2019. He has only an $8.2 million market value, making him a cheap veteran arm to see if he can bounce back after leaving Sutter Health Park. If he struggles, the Blue Jays can dip into their prospects or look for a free agent arm mid-season. My prediction: Blue Jays re-sign Gausman to a two-year, $40 million contract and sign Springs to a one-year, $8 million contract. 4. A High-Leverage Reliever The Blue Jays bullpen was a strength down the stretch in 2026. They have a phenomenal closer in Louis Varland and an eighth-inning setup man in Tyler Rogers. They need someone who can hold a lead in the seventh inning. Spencer Miles is projected for that role right now, but he was outstanding in a long relief role this past season. There are several high-leverage arms available. However, I’m looking at Bryan Abreu. He’s been exceptional over the last five years, pitching at least 60 innings in each season. He’s also been a whiff machine with at least a 29.9 percent strikeout rate in each of those campaigns. Last season, Abreu’s 3.73 ERA was a blemish on his otherwise outstanding resume; he owns a 2.56 ERA over the last five seasons. His $10.9 million market value would be worth the price tag if he returns to posting sub-2.00 ERAs and repeats his high strikeout rate. My prediction: Blue Jays sign Abreu to a three-year, $35 million contract. View the full article

This offseason will be harder to predict with a lockout looming. Some teams will hesitate to spend on high-value free agents, but others won't. However, after an unexpectedly disappointing season, the Toronto Blue Jays have clear holes to fill. They also have key in-house decisions to discuss. Can Anthony Santander and Addison Barger be trusted to stay healthy, and if so, can they bounce back from abysmal performances the last time they were on the field? How does Vladimir Guerrero Jr. find his bat again? Is it time to make a change in the middle infield, as Ernie Clement became a liability both offensively and defensively during the second half of the 2026 season? Luckily, general manager Ross Atkins has never been shy about making big moves or spending money. I expect Toronto to be extremely aggressive in getting their guys once a new CBA is agreed upon, and here are the obvious moves the Blue Jays need to make. These moves still give Atkins plenty of room to add depth pieces where needed. Free agent market values are from Spotrac, and arbitration projections are from MLB Trade Rumors. 1. Seiya Suzuki The need to add a big power bat isn’t a surprise after Toronto finished last among MLB teams in runs and home runs this past season. They needed another power bat in the middle of the order all season long, and now they also need to replace George Springer’s production after he entered free agency. Santander and Barger should be healthy for spring training, but the team can’t simply enter next season hoping they’ll bounce back. Include Guerrero in the hopeful bounce-back category, too. Too many “hopefuls” among the team’s big bats make adding a power bat a high priority. Offensively, the free-agent market is weak. Seiya Suzuki and Randy Arozarena are the top options, and either would be a solid addition. Although Brett Bateman and Nathan Lukes have shown signs of being solid big leaguers, the Blue Jays need an All-Star-caliber outfielder. Santander and Barger are also viable options, but I’ve already shared why the team can’t have full confidence in them. Toronto has only had three outfielders named All-Stars in the last 10 years: George Springer (2022), Teoscar Hernández (2021), and Michael Saunders (2016). Suzuki would bring that caliber of player to the team. The Blue Jays have connections to him, as he played against Kazuma Okamoto in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, and the two played together in this year’s World Baseball Classic. Toronto hasn’t had good luck signing the top offensive free agents over the last few offseasons. They were among the final teams vying for Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker before they signed mammoth contracts elsewhere. This year, the Blue Jays don’t need a top pitching free agent, so they can focus their attention on Suzuki. Plus, he won’t cost as much as Ohtani, Soto, or Tucker. According to Spotrac, Suzuki is projected to make $27.5 million annually, though he’ll likely sign for more with several teams bidding against each other. My prediction: Blue Jays sign Suzuki to a four-year, $130 million contract (may need to add a fifth year and another $30 million to pull ahead). 2. Upgrade in the Middle Infield The Blue Jays need to add another bat, and the middle infield is the perfect spot to upgrade. Clement is arbitration-eligible and is 30, which could make him a non-tender candidate. However, MLB Trade Rumors projects his arbitration salary to be just $7.6 million next season. That’s a low price to keep a utility infielder in case of injuries and hopefully get a glimpse of his 2025 postseason form in a platoon role. However, there are bats available that can add some pop. I recently wrote about trade candidates the Blue Jays could add in the middle infield, including CJ Abrams and Zach Neto. In free agency, Brandon Lowe and Jazz Chisholm Jr. are the top names. They’re projected to earn $22.4 million and $17.4 million annually, respectively. Lowe is three years older than Chisholm, but he provides a more consistent bat. On the flip side, Chisholm gives you upside as a 30-30 candidate. Their gloves were similar last season at second base, with both posting around a .980 fielding percentage but a high OAA (outs above average). Another option is Luis Arráez, since we know the Blue Jays like their contact hitters. However, this offense needs to start implementing more speed. That’s why I like Chisholm or a trade to upgrade the team’s middle infield. I’m predicting a big bat will come via a trade, with a top pitching prospect (Nolan Perry or Ricky Tiedemann) as the prized trade chip. I think this is where Atkins gets creative. He’s going to bring in Abrams, who will move to shortstop, allowing Andrés Giménez and Clement to platoon at second. The Blue Jays like to trade for players with team control, and they would get two seasons with Abrams. His arbitration projection is $10.2 million, bringing a 30-30 candidate to Toronto at a cheaper price tag than Chisholm. My prediction: Abrams comes over via trade. 3. Two End-of-Rotation Arms The Blue Jays lose Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber to free agency. Reinforcements aren't close to returning, with José Berríos and Bowden Francis not expected back until mid-season, best-case scenario. However, they have three top-end pitchers in Dylan Cease, José Soriano, and Trey Yesavage. They will also have Cody Ponce returning from the ACL injury he suffered in his first start this past season. This stability gives the team the luxury of not needing to battle for top arms like Tarik Skubal, Michael King, or Sonny Gray. The Blue Jays can settle for cheaper innings eaters that have shown signs of staying healthy. Durability was a massive issue in the starting rotation in 2026. That need could lead to a reunion with Kevin Gausman. He loves Toronto, and Toronto loves him, so it just makes sense. Yes, he had his worst season since 2019, posting a 4.51 ERA. However, this team wants a back-end starter to eat innings, which is exactly what Gausman does. He’ll be 36 next year, but he’s thrown at least 174 innings in six straight seasons and hasn’t shown signs of slowing down under the hood. If he can throw around 150 innings and post, at worst, a high-3.00s ERA, that’s a massive win. His market value is projected at $20 million annually, which is fine if he stays healthy and is decent on the mound. The Blue Jays have promising prospects that look ready to make the jump to the big leagues, but you feel more comfortable easing them in during the season instead of relying on them all season long. To avoid thin depth, I like the idea of taking a chance on another veteran arm who can be a project piece. That piece is Jeffrey Springs. Adding him gives your rotation a southpaw, and he knows the AL East well. He pitched exceptionally for four seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays. However, the last two of those seasons were injury-plagued, and he pitched only 48 innings over that span. The Rays then traded Springs to the Athletics after the 2024 campaign. The last two seasons have been less than ideal, but he’s been pitching in a minor league ballpark at home. On the road, he’s been better than at home, posting 3.45 and 5.36 ERAs over those seasons, respectively. Springs's main appeal is that he can eat innings, pitching at least 142 frames in each of the last two seasons. His high ERA this season was due to several struggles. The lefty has seen his velocity drop since undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2023. He has also failed to reach a 20 percent strikeout rate in a full season since then. Springs also struggled with control last season, posting a nine percent walk rate, his highest since 2019. He has only an $8.2 million market value, making him a cheap veteran arm to see if he can bounce back after leaving Sutter Health Park. If he struggles, the Blue Jays can dip into their prospects or look for a free agent arm mid-season. My prediction: Blue Jays re-sign Gausman to a two-year, $40 million contract and sign Springs to a one-year, $8 million contract. 4. A High-Leverage Reliever The Blue Jays bullpen was a strength down the stretch in 2026. They have a phenomenal closer in Louis Varland and an eighth-inning setup man in Tyler Rogers. They need someone who can hold a lead in the seventh inning. Spencer Miles is projected for that role right now, but he was outstanding in a long relief role this past season. There are several high-leverage arms available. However, I’m looking at Bryan Abreu. He’s been exceptional over the last five years, pitching at least 60 innings in each season. He’s also been a whiff machine with at least a 29.9 percent strikeout rate in each of those campaigns. Last season, Abreu’s 3.73 ERA was a blemish on his otherwise outstanding resume; he owns a 2.56 ERA over the last five seasons. His $10.9 million market value would be worth the price tag if he returns to posting sub-2.00 ERAs and repeats his high strikeout rate. My prediction: Blue Jays sign Abreu to a three-year, $35 million contract. View the full article

When looking at the Minnesota Twins' biggest offseason needs, starting pitching might not immediately come to mind. The organization has several established starters and intriguing young arms who could fill out next year's rotation. However, anyone who watched the Twins struggle through another season of pitching injuries knows that having enough starting pitching is never a guarantee. Pablo López, Joe Ryan, Taj Bradley, Dean Kremer, Connor Prielipp, Mick Abel, and Bailey Ober give Minnesota plenty of options heading into 2027. Unfortunately, injuries to López, Abel, and Ryan disrupted the team's plans this season. Even with a relatively healthy group, the Twins could benefit from adding another dependable starter. One familiar name deserves consideration. Sonny Gray is back on the free-agent market after declining his side of a $30-million mutual option with the Boston Red Sox. The 36-year-old right-hander is coming off an outstanding season and has already demonstrated that he can succeed in Minnesota. Should the Twins consider bringing him back? There are compelling reasons to pursue a reunion, but there are also some legitimate concerns. The Case for Bringing Gray Back Gray's 2026 performance suggests he still has plenty left in the tank. He finished the season with an 18-5 record, a 2.72 ERA, and 149 strikeouts in 169 innings. Those numbers are particularly impressive considering Gray has spent more than a decade facing major-league hitters. He has consistently found ways to succeed without overpowering opponents, relying on an extensive pitch mix, movement, and the ability to keep hitters off balance. More sinkers and cutters (and fewer four-seamers) helped Gray take some juice out of opponents' bats in 2026; their expected power numbers against him plunged. Twins fans are already familiar with what Gray brings to a rotation. Minnesota acquired him from Cincinnati before the 2022 season, and he immediately became an important part of the starting staff. Hamstring injuries limited him to 119 2/3 innings during his first season, but he still recorded a 3.08 ERA in 24 starts. His second season in Minnesota was even better. Gray posted a 2.79 ERA with 183 strikeouts in 184 innings over 32 starts. He finished second in American League Cy Young Award voting and led baseball in FIP (2.83) and home runs allowed per nine innings (0.4). Gray also helped the Twins accomplish something the franchise hadn't done in 21 years. During the 2023 American League Wild Card Series against Toronto, he delivered five scoreless innings in Game 2. Minnesota won 2-0, secured its first postseason series victory since 2002, and advanced to face Houston. Gray would also bring valuable experience to a relatively young group of pitchers. Bradley, Prielipp, and Abel are still developing, and having an accomplished veteran around could provide another resource for the organization's pitching development efforts. Gray's ability to succeed with multiple pitches and different approaches could make him a valuable presence beyond his individual contributions. If the Twins are serious about increasing payroll and building a more competitive roster, revisiting that relationship would send a positive message. The Age and Financial Concerns Of course, there are reasons to hesitate before offering Gray a multi-year contract. The biggest concern is his age. Gray will be 37 when the 2027 season begins, meaning any three-year agreement would cover his age-37, age-38, and age-39 seasons. The probability of declining performance increases as pitchers approach 40. There's also a considerable workload to consider. Gray has accumulated more than 2,000 major-league innings. Although he handled 169 innings in 2026 without noticeably tiring, teams must consider how much longer a pitcher can maintain that level of production. His strikeout rate also declined from 26.7% to 21.8%. That's a major red flag, for three reasons: Strikeouts are the best outcome of plate appearances, from the pitcher's perspective. Going from solidly above average at striking batters out to a hair below average is a major change in skill profile. At Gray's age, such a change is especially likely to be a signal that further, more widespread degradation is on the horizon, or underway already. Gray has always depended more heavily than most on called strikes. Specifically, for his career, 27.5% of his strikeouts have been looking, compared to a league average just over 23%. In other words, he needs a big strike zone, and the zone shrank on him in 2026, thanks to the implementation of ABS. Batters only challenged 16 times against him and got eight overturned, but three of those eight erased Gray strikeouts. More importantly, the zone is smaller in the first place, after umpires received new feedback beginning in 2025 that produced a tighter zone. The financial commitment presents an even bigger obstacle for Minnesota than iffy performance indicators, with Diamond Centric ranking Gray as the 11th-best free agent and the fourth-best starter on the market. Spotrac projects Gray's next contract at approximately $58 million over three years. However, MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo reported that some industry expectations place his next deal closer to $75 million over three years. Even if Gray has to settle for a two-year deal, it's unlikely to come at less than $20 million per year. The Twins need to improve their bullpen, add a high-quality position player, and address questions surrounding their roster's overall depth. Committing that much money to Gray could limit their ability to address those other areas. There's also the question of whether Minnesota should prioritize developing its younger starters. Bradley, Prielipp, Abel, and other pitching prospects need opportunities to establish themselves. Adding another veteran could create a crowded rotation if everyone stays healthy. That's a problem most teams would gladly accept. Injuries and underperformance have a way of changing rotation plans quickly, and Minnesota experienced that firsthand in 2026. Still, it's a factor. Should Minnesota Make the Call? The Twins should absolutely explore a reunion with Gray, but the odds that the two sides actually find common ground seem long. If Gray receives offers approaching $75 million, the Twins should walk away. Minnesota cannot afford to make an expensive sentimental decision simply because Gray previously pitched well in Minneapolis. The organization also needs to demonstrate that any payroll increase will be used strategically. Adding Gray would be a meaningful investment, but it cannot come at the expense of addressing the bullpen and other weaknesses. Gray has already shown that he can succeed in Minnesota, and his 2026 season suggests he remains one of baseball's better starting pitchers. The Twins know what they would be getting, and he could transform their rotation into a strength. There is something appealing about bringing back a pitcher who helped end the franchise's postseason drought. However, nostalgia should not determine the organization's offseason spending. Gray would have to be available on a two-year deal (or for less than expected on a three-year term) for a reunion to make sense. Should the Twins approach Gray about a reunion? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

The Brewers' most likely future Hall of Famer is Jackson Chourio. Their most valuable player in 2026 was the dominant Jacob Misiorowski. They have the top prospect in baseball, in Jesús Made, who looks likely to join a stout positional corps some time next summer. The heartbeat of the team, though—the one player who would be hardest to replace, not only this offseason but in recent memory—is catcher William Contreras. The World Series MVP was so important to the team's success in all facets, and has been such a warrior for his squad since arriving in a trade over the offseason between 2022 and 2023, that even if the team had an elite catching prospect on hand, they'd have to take extra care before moving Contreras. Since Jeferson Quero is no longer that caliber of youngster, it's essential that the team explore retaining Contreras for the long term. As the offseason begins, Contreras has just one season of team control remaining, whether the team elects to exercise its option on him for 2027 or to go through arbitration with him a final time. Next year will be his age-29 season; he's due to hit free agency ahead of his age-30 campaign. That puts Contreras in much the same position Phillies All-Star J.T. Realmuto was in after the 2020 season, when he hit free agency at the same age. Though it took a long staredown (one lengthened, perhaps, by the financial uncertainty many teams faced due to the COVID-shortened season and the associated loss of revenue), Realmuto and Philadelphia reunited on a five-year deal worth $115.5 million in guaranteed money. The deal was backloaded, so its actual value was slightly lower than the face value, but in essence, it paid Realmuto $23 million a year on a long-term contract, placing him at the top of the market for catchers. That $23 million figure, in fact, is a bit of a magic number for catchers. When Joe Mauer was far and away the top backstop in the game and on the verge of free agency, over 15 years ago, he signed an eight-year, $184-million deal, which comes out to $23 million per year. In the back half of the extension Cal Raleigh signed with the Mariners last March, he'll earn $23 million per year, though that's obviously slightly below the market rate; it's part of a deal in which Raleigh surrendered some of his earning power in exchange for certainty. As the Brewers and Contreras ponder what's next, it's pretty easy to sketch out the terms of an extension the catcher would find reasonable. He wears No. 24—a uniform number that might someday be retired in his honor by the team, if he sticks around. The annual average value of a fair deal for Contreras is the easy part to figure: $24 million. That would make him the highest-paid catcher of all time, among those signing long-term deals. There are two tougher questions to answer. The first, more obvious one is how long the deal would have to be. There's no way Contreras would accept a term of fewer than five years, which would make the base value of the deal $120 million. It's possible that he would demand six years, pushing the total starting point to $144 million and making his deal more clearly lucrative than Realmuto's. That would also surpass the total value of Will Smith's deal with the Dodgers, which pays him $140 million (though it's over 10 years). Biting the bullet and paying a catcher that well through age 35 might give the Brewers front office pause, given not only their perennial budget constraints but the dismal aging curve at that position for most players. The other question is how to balance and tack on other considerations. While the Brewers are unlikely to give Contreras an eight-figure raise in 2027 when they don't have to, starting the deal a year early and replacing the team's final year of arbitration control would make a six-year term much more palatable. Alternatively, the team could try to entice Contreras to sign for five years and $120 million beginning in 2028 by adding a healthy signing bonus payable in 2027 and incentives or a vesting option for 2033. That could raise the star backstop's earning power to $150 million or more, without putting the Brewers at much more risk of having a bad contract on their hands. If Contreras wants an even bigger face value (say, $150 million over six years, for a $25-million average salary), the team is in position to afford that, but they'd need to figure out how to best do it—probably via deferrals that pay him a significant portion of his earnings after the contract is over. It's been six and a half years since the Brewers signed Christian Yelich to a long-term deal, which has become a bit expensive and unwieldy as Yelich has aged. However, Yelich has also had some great years on that contract, and on balance, his leadership and value as a face of the franchise more than make up for whatever production shortfalls have come from his injury problems and aging. The team is due to sign another Yelich-like deal, and the windfall they'll realize after winning the World Series makes that very feasible. Contreras is the right player with whom to take that kind of risk. Brice Turang is an almost equally compelling one, but Contreras is the much harder player and person to replace. He'll also cost less than Turang would on a long-term deal. Rather than considering (even for a moment) trading their lion, the Brewers should put themselves in the William Contreras business for years to come. The rest of the offseason decisions will (practically) take care of themselves. View the full article

The Brewers' most likely future Hall of Famer is Jackson Chourio. Their most valuable player in 2026 was the dominant Jacob Misiorowski. They have the top prospect in baseball, in Jesús Made, who looks likely to join a stout positional corps some time next summer. The heartbeat of the team, though—the one player who would be hardest to replace, not only this offseason but in recent memory—is catcher William Contreras. The World Series MVP was so important to the team's success in all facets, and has been such a warrior for his squad since arriving in a trade over the offseason between 2022 and 2023, that even if the team had an elite catching prospect on hand, they'd have to take extra care before moving Contreras. Since Jeferson Quero is no longer that caliber of youngster, it's essential that the team explore retaining Contreras for the long term. As the offseason begins, Contreras has just one season of team control remaining, whether the team elects to exercise its option on him for 2027 or to go through arbitration with him a final time. Next year will be his age-29 season; he's due to hit free agency ahead of his age-30 campaign. That puts Contreras in much the same position Phillies All-Star J.T. Realmuto was in after the 2020 season, when he hit free agency at the same age. Though it took a long staredown (one lengthened, perhaps, by the financial uncertainty many teams faced due to the COVID-shortened season and the associated loss of revenue), Realmuto and Philadelphia reunited on a five-year deal worth $115.5 million in guaranteed money. The deal was backloaded, so its actual value was slightly lower than the face value, but in essence, it paid Realmuto $23 million a year on a long-term contract, placing him at the top of the market for catchers. That $23 million figure, in fact, is a bit of a magic number for catchers. When Joe Mauer was far and away the top backstop in the game and on the verge of free agency, over 15 years ago, he signed an eight-year, $184-million deal, which comes out to $23 million per year. In the back half of the extension Cal Raleigh signed with the Mariners last March, he'll earn $23 million per year, though that's obviously slightly below the market rate; it's part of a deal in which Raleigh surrendered some of his earning power in exchange for certainty. As the Brewers and Contreras ponder what's next, it's pretty easy to sketch out the terms of an extension the catcher would find reasonable. He wears No. 24—a uniform number that might someday be retired in his honor by the team, if he sticks around. The annual average value of a fair deal for Contreras is the easy part to figure: $24 million. That would make him the highest-paid catcher of all time, among those signing long-term deals. There are two tougher questions to answer. The first, more obvious one is how long the deal would have to be. There's no way Contreras would accept a term of fewer than five years, which would make the base value of the deal $120 million. It's possible that he would demand six years, pushing the total starting point to $144 million and making his deal more clearly lucrative than Realmuto's. That would also surpass the total value of Will Smith's deal with the Dodgers, which pays him $140 million (though it's over 10 years). Biting the bullet and paying a catcher that well through age 35 might give the Brewers front office pause, given not only their perennial budget constraints but the dismal aging curve at that position for most players. The other question is how to balance and tack on other considerations. While the Brewers are unlikely to give Contreras an eight-figure raise in 2027 when they don't have to, starting the deal a year early and replacing the team's final year of arbitration control would make a six-year term much more palatable. Alternatively, the team could try to entice Contreras to sign for five years and $120 million beginning in 2028 by adding a healthy signing bonus payable in 2027 and incentives or a vesting option for 2033. That could raise the star backstop's earning power to $150 million or more, without putting the Brewers at much more risk of having a bad contract on their hands. If Contreras wants an even bigger face value (say, $150 million over six years, for a $25-million average salary), the team is in position to afford that, but they'd need to figure out how to best do it—probably via deferrals that pay him a significant portion of his earnings after the contract is over. It's been six and a half years since the Brewers signed Christian Yelich to a long-term deal, which has become a bit expensive and unwieldy as Yelich has aged. However, Yelich has also had some great years on that contract, and on balance, his leadership and value as a face of the franchise more than make up for whatever production shortfalls have come from his injury problems and aging. The team is due to sign another Yelich-like deal, and the windfall they'll realize after winning the World Series makes that very feasible. Contreras is the right player with whom to take that kind of risk. Brice Turang is an almost equally compelling one, but Contreras is the much harder player and person to replace. He'll also cost less than Turang would on a long-term deal. Rather than considering (even for a moment) trading their lion, the Brewers should put themselves in the William Contreras business for years to come. The rest of the offseason decisions will (practically) take care of themselves. View the full article

As San Diego Padres fans know well, the Rule 5 draft is an easy way to find cheap talent. Remember 2016 when the Friars took three players, all of whom made it to the Opening Day roster? Usually there is a reason a player is left unprotected, most of them having to do with a flaw in their game. However, sometimes that reason is a team just doesn’t have enough spots on the 40-man roster available to protect everyone who needs protecting, though that's usually reserved for the franchises with the better farm systems. Space on the 40-man isn’t a problem for the Padres. The Friars came out of the weekend with only 30 spots accounted for on their 40-man roster. Players who are eligible for the Rule 5 draft are those signed at age 18 or younger five years ago (or earlier) as well as those signed at 19 or older at least four years prior. Of course, we have to acknowledge that this whole process is in flux this year. One part of the collective bargaining agreement being negotiated that is of interest has been the Rule 5 draft. Typically held in December as the final event of the Winter Meetings—technically slated to be held in San Diego but a virtual certainty not to happen—there has been talk that it would be moved up to late November. The MLB Players Association wants it to happen Nov. 24. The owners have made a proposal that instead of having to stay on a major-league roster all season, Rule 5 selections could be sent to the minors, but that is also contingent on a salary cap, which is a nonstarter for the union, so that part of the process might be pushed to next offseason. There is a minor-league portion of the Rule 5 draft that is expected to happen regardless. The minors have a separate collective bargaining agreement that expires next offseason. With all that said, we'll operate under the assumption that the Rule 5 draft will happen in some capacity. As such, let’s take a look at the Padres prospects who might be worthy of protecting. Tucker Musgrove, RHP A seventh-round draft choice in 2023, the right-handed reliever should be a lock to be protected. He has the potential to be a lockdown reliever with triple-digit heat. Musgrove, who will turn 25 before spring training, split 2026 between High-A Fort Wayne and Double-A San Antonio after not making his pro debut until 2025 due to Tommy John surgery. All Padres Mission’s No. 12 prospect did was put up a 42.8% strikeout rate (Mason Miller’s was 47.4%, for reference) to go along with a 3.41 ERA. After just 15 games in 2025 (he was handled gently in his comeback from right elbow surgery and a few setbacks in that process), Musgrove threw just 34⅓ innings over 34 games this year. That included four appearances of between four and six outs, all in a seven-game stretch. He also had a 15.7% walk rate, seven percentage points above the MLB average. Musgrove has a four-seamer that can reach triple digits and a sinker not far behind, then a cutter. He also features a sweeper and a slider that can be nice complements to the hard stuff. He would be an ideal candidate for a pitching-starved team to grab as a last player in the bullpen. The Padres don’t need him on the MLB roster at the moment, but he could be in consideration for a call-up at some point in 2027 if injuries hit the relief corps. It would be a mistake to let an arm like this slip away. Luis Gutierrez, LHP The 23-year-old left-handed starter, signed as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2019, hit the injured list after just three games due to a bum left shoulder. He returned to make 10 more starts—five between Triple-A El Paso and Double-A San Antonio—but only logged 36 innings for the season. That lack of innings this year makes him a risky proposition for any MLB team to carry him as a starter, but he could be a long man out of the bullpen, where his innings could be better managed. Gutierrez had an 11.6% walk rate and 28.4% strikeout rate in 2026. He handled full workload in 2025, pitching 125 innings over 25 games (21 starts) while posting an 8.3% walk rate and 21.8% strikeout, to go along with a 3.31 ERA. Of those starts, 13 came at High-A Fort Wayne. Gutierrez is more of a long shot to get picked in the Rule 5 draft. Jagger Haynes, LHP The 24-year-old was the Padres’ fifth-round selection in the 2020 draft and doesn’t have the health questions of Musgrove and Gutierrez. Haynes made 27 starts this year, 18 at Double-A San Antonio and another nine at Triple-A El Paso, plus a relief appearance at the latter. He had a 4.80 ERA over 135 innings with a 10.5% walk rate and 19.9% strikeout rate. He also allowed a .244 opponent batting average, the highest of his four professional seasons. Padres Mission’s No. 13 prospect had Tommy John surgery that caused him to not make his pro debut until 2023. He doesn’t have a real attractive trait where a team might take a shot with him purely based on projectability. His four-seamer sits in the low-90s, with a really nice slider and a good changeup. Perhaps a team that knows how to fix pitchers sees something to work with, but it doesn’t feel like Haynes will get one of those valuable 40-man spots. Other Key Eligible Players OF Braedon Karpathios OF Jake Cunningham 1B Romeo Sanabria IF Rosman Verdugo C Lamar King Jr. RHP Ian Koenig RHP Carson Montgomery RHP Francis Pena RHP Eric Yost LHP Harry Gustin RHP Ethan Routzahn This group is truly filled with more long shots considering the experience of some here. King, Padres Mission’s No. 10 prospect, is the biggest name here, but he has only played as high as High-A Fort Wayne this year due to the depth the Padres have at catcher in the system. He is playing in the Arizona Fall League last year after slashing .234/.327/.325 with four homers and 39 RBIs in 93 games during the regular season. Koenig, Pena and Routzahn are other possibilities from this group. Koenig had a five-start audition at Triple-A El Paso and showed well (2.33 ERA with five walks and 22 strikeouts in 27 innings). Pena, a reliever, is being showcased in the Arizona Fall League after a terrific season at Double-A San Antonio. Routzahn, a reliever at Triple-A El Paso, had a nice first half before a few blowup outings sent his ERA skyrocketing. Anyone who isn’t at the Triple-A level is eligible for the minor-league Rule 5 draft as long as they fit the aforementioned criteria. View the full article

As San Diego Padres fans know well, the Rule 5 draft is an easy way to find cheap talent. Remember 2016 when the Friars took three players, all of whom made it to the Opening Day roster? Usually there is a reason a player is left unprotected, most of them having to do with a flaw in their game. However, sometimes that reason is a team just doesn’t have enough spots on the 40-man roster available to protect everyone who needs protecting, though that's usually reserved for the franchises with the better farm systems. Space on the 40-man isn’t a problem for the Padres. The Friars came out of the weekend with only 30 spots accounted for on their 40-man roster. Players who are eligible for the Rule 5 draft are those signed at age 18 or younger five years ago (or earlier) as well as those signed at 19 or older at least four years prior. Of course, we have to acknowledge that this whole process is in flux this year. One part of the collective bargaining agreement being negotiated that is of interest has been the Rule 5 draft. Typically held in December as the final event of the Winter Meetings—technically slated to be held in San Diego but a virtual certainty not to happen—there has been talk that it would be moved up to late November. The MLB Players Association wants it to happen Nov. 24. The owners have made a proposal that instead of having to stay on a major-league roster all season, Rule 5 selections could be sent to the minors, but that is also contingent on a salary cap, which is a nonstarter for the union, so that part of the process might be pushed to next offseason. There is a minor-league portion of the Rule 5 draft that is expected to happen regardless. The minors have a separate collective bargaining agreement that expires next offseason. With all that said, we'll operate under the assumption that the Rule 5 draft will happen in some capacity. As such, let’s take a look at the Padres prospects who might be worthy of protecting. Tucker Musgrove, RHP A seventh-round draft choice in 2023, the right-handed reliever should be a lock to be protected. He has the potential to be a lockdown reliever with triple-digit heat. Musgrove, who will turn 25 before spring training, split 2026 between High-A Fort Wayne and Double-A San Antonio after not making his pro debut until 2025 due to Tommy John surgery. All Padres Mission’s No. 12 prospect did was put up a 42.8% strikeout rate (Mason Miller’s was 47.4%, for reference) to go along with a 3.41 ERA. After just 15 games in 2025 (he was handled gently in his comeback from right elbow surgery and a few setbacks in that process), Musgrove threw just 34⅓ innings over 34 games this year. That included four appearances of between four and six outs, all in a seven-game stretch. He also had a 15.7% walk rate, seven percentage points above the MLB average. Musgrove has a four-seamer that can reach triple digits and a sinker not far behind, then a cutter. He also features a sweeper and a slider that can be nice complements to the hard stuff. He would be an ideal candidate for a pitching-starved team to grab as a last player in the bullpen. The Padres don’t need him on the MLB roster at the moment, but he could be in consideration for a call-up at some point in 2027 if injuries hit the relief corps. It would be a mistake to let an arm like this slip away. Luis Gutierrez, LHP The 23-year-old left-handed starter, signed as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2019, hit the injured list after just three games due to a bum left shoulder. He returned to make 10 more starts—five between Triple-A El Paso and Double-A San Antonio—but only logged 36 innings for the season. That lack of innings this year makes him a risky proposition for any MLB team to carry him as a starter, but he could be a long man out of the bullpen, where his innings could be better managed. Gutierrez had an 11.6% walk rate and 28.4% strikeout rate in 2026. He handled full workload in 2025, pitching 125 innings over 25 games (21 starts) while posting an 8.3% walk rate and 21.8% strikeout, to go along with a 3.31 ERA. Of those starts, 13 came at High-A Fort Wayne. Gutierrez is more of a long shot to get picked in the Rule 5 draft. Jagger Haynes, LHP The 24-year-old was the Padres’ fifth-round selection in the 2020 draft and doesn’t have the health questions of Musgrove and Gutierrez. Haynes made 27 starts this year, 18 at Double-A San Antonio and another nine at Triple-A El Paso, plus a relief appearance at the latter. He had a 4.80 ERA over 135 innings with a 10.5% walk rate and 19.9% strikeout rate. He also allowed a .244 opponent batting average, the highest of his four professional seasons. Padres Mission’s No. 13 prospect had Tommy John surgery that caused him to not make his pro debut until 2023. He doesn’t have a real attractive trait where a team might take a shot with him purely based on projectability. His four-seamer sits in the low-90s, with a really nice slider and a good changeup. Perhaps a team that knows how to fix pitchers sees something to work with, but it doesn’t feel like Haynes will get one of those valuable 40-man spots. Other Key Eligible Players OF Braedon Karpathios OF Jake Cunningham 1B Romeo Sanabria IF Rosman Verdugo C Lamar King Jr. RHP Ian Koenig RHP Carson Montgomery RHP Francis Pena RHP Eric Yost LHP Harry Gustin RHP Ethan Routzahn This group is truly filled with more long shots considering the experience of some here. King, Padres Mission’s No. 10 prospect, is the biggest name here, but he has only played as high as High-A Fort Wayne this year due to the depth the Padres have at catcher in the system. He is playing in the Arizona Fall League last year after slashing .234/.327/.325 with four homers and 39 RBIs in 93 games during the regular season. Koenig, Pena and Routzahn are other possibilities from this group. Koenig had a five-start audition at Triple-A El Paso and showed well (2.33 ERA with five walks and 22 strikeouts in 27 innings). Pena, a reliever, is being showcased in the Arizona Fall League after a terrific season at Double-A San Antonio. Routzahn, a reliever at Triple-A El Paso, had a nice first half before a few blowup outings sent his ERA skyrocketing. Anyone who isn’t at the Triple-A level is eligible for the minor-league Rule 5 draft as long as they fit the aforementioned criteria. View the full article

Here is what made Cam Cannarella the easy pick for Marlins Minor League Player of the Year. View the full article

Here is what made Cam Cannarella the easy pick for Marlins Minor League Player of the Year. View the full article