DiamondCentric

Priority number one for Royals GM JJ Picollo has been acquiring a couple of outfielders to boost the lineup in 2026. He made that clear in many interviews during the Winter Meetings in Orlando this week, pointing out that they would hit the free-agent and trade markets this winter to accomplish those goals. However, that isn't the lone need roster-wise this offseason. According to Anne Rogers of MLB.com, Kansas City is also interested in acquiring a left-handed reliever who can specialize in getting left-handed hitters out. The Royals currently have three lefties projected to be in the bullpen on Opening Day in 2026, according to Roster Resource: Angel Zerpa, Daniel Lynch IV, and Bailey Falter. That said, based on Rogers' report, it seems like the Royals are looking for a boost in left-handed relief, or they could be on the verge of trading one of those three this offseason to acquire a much-needed bat. There aren't a ton of left-handed relief options on the free-agent market, according to Spotrac. The highest-profile lefty relievers in terms of market value are Caleb Thielbar ($5.4 million), Brent Suter ($4.4 million), Danny Coulombe ($4.3 million), and Andrew Chafin ($4.2 million). The youngest in the group is Chafin, who is 35. Hence, many of the lefties they could acquire on the free-agent market will not just be expensive but may not be worth more than a one-year deal, given their ages. One out-of-the-box option could be Foster Griffin, a former Royals draft pick who has spent the last three years in NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball) with the Tokyo Giants. After posting a 1.62 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 1.78 FIP in 78 IP with the Giants last season, Griffin announced his intention to return to Major League Baseball in 2026. Given his time in Japan, it isn't easy to gauge his value or the interest of other teams this offseason. However, Griffin could be the lefty that the Royals desire this offseason, and he could also hold some long-term value as well, as he is just 30 years old. Let's dive into Griffin's background, both in the States and Japan, and what he could bring to the Royals' pitching staff next season. Former Royals First Round Pick Struggled With Injury and Generating Strikeouts Griffin has a long history with the Royals, as he was drafted 28th overall in the 2014 MLB Draft. The tall, projectable lefty, drafted out of The First Academy in Florida, had a rocky start in the Royals' system. Initially, Griffin struggled to strike batters out at each level in the Royals' farm system. From 2014 to 2017, across Rookie to Double-A ball, he posted a K rate over 20% just once (26.1% in High-A in 2017). As a result, his ERA numbers fluctuated over those four years. In 2014, he posted a 3.21 ERA in 28 IP in Rookie ball. In 2015, he had a 5.44 ERA in 102.2 IP in Low-A ball. In 2016, he had a 5.43 ERA in 132.2 IP across Low-A and High-A ball. And in 2017, his best season in the Minor Leagues at that point in his career, he put up a 3.35 ERA in 161.1 IP across the High-A and Double-A levels. His strong performance earned him a spot in the Futures game that season in Miami. When the strikeouts have been up, better results have tended to follow for Griffin in the Minor Leagues. In 2020, during the COVID pandemic, Griffin made his MLB debut. However, he suffered an elbow injury in his first career appearance (1.2 IP), and he underwent Tommy John surgery shortly after. The lefty was able to return in 2021, posting a 3.81 ERA, 23.1% K rate, and 1.29 WHIP in 52 IP in the Minor Leagues that season (which spanned from the Low-A to Triple-A levels). Griffin was able to make his way back to the Royals in 2022 after posting a 1.93 ERA and 29.4% K rate in Triple-A Omaha. However, his return to the big leagues was difficult, as he posted a 12.46 ERA, 5.65 FIP, and -8.3 K-BB%. As a result, the Royals designated him for assignment, and he was traded to the Blue Jays for right-handed pitcher Jonatan Bernal. Griffin primarily pitched in Triple-A Buffalo for the Blue Jays organization, posting a 2.31 ERA, 24.8% K rate, and 3.21 FIP in 23 IP. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough for him to earn much of a chance in Toronto, as he only made one appearance with the Blue Jays. When looking at his metrics via TJ Stats, Griffin leaned heavily on his cutter at the Major League level with mixed results. Between 6.1 IP with the Royals and Blue Jays, Griffin posted a 97 TJ Stuff+ overall. His cutter rated as his best pitch overall with a 102 TJ Stuff+, 56 grade, and 71.4% zone rate. While he did flood the zone well (54.1% overall zone rate), he struggled to generate chase (15.7%), whiff (25%), and gave up a lot of hard contact (.453 xwOBACON). As a result of these mediocre metrics, the Blue Jays released him at the conclusion of the 2022 season, and he signed with the Yomiuri Giants of the NPB (based in Tokyo). Turning Things Around in Tokyo With the Yomiuri Giants The move to Japan was a revelation for Griffin, who became a bona fide ace in his three seasons with the Giants. In 54 appearances and 315.2 IP with the Giants, he posted a 2.50 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a 4.55 K/BB ratio. He showcased excellent command with Yomiuri and limited the long ball in his tenure in the NPB. He posted HR/FB rates of 8.6% and 9.3% in 2023 and 2024 before posting a NPB career-low rate of 1.6%. Griffin also did an excellent job of not just limiting home runs but also inducing strong groundball rates with the Giants. That is evidenced by his 53.3%, 47.8%, and 48.9% groundball rates in 2023, 2024, and 2025, respectively. The strikeouts also improved and remained stable in his three-year tenure in Japan. From 2023 to 2025, he posted strikeout rates of 23.3%, 26.9%, and 25.1%, respectively. Considering the troubles some USA-born pitchers have had in their transition to the NPB (cough...Trevor Bauer...cough), Griffin's excellent performance in his three seasons with the Giants should be lauded. Griffin looked easy and dominant at times on the mound, as illustrated in this nine-strikeout performance he had last season against the Seibu Lions. In three seasons with the Yomiuri Giants, Griffin looked every bit like the ace the Royals were hoping he would develop into when they drafted him in the first round in the 2014 MLB Draft. What Could He Bring to the Pitching Staff in Kansas City? Obviously, the results were much better for Griffin in Tokyo than in the Minor Leagues here in the States. However, what was the difference for Griffin over the past three seasons? A lot could be credited to his change in pitch mix. That included the addition of a splitter and slider to his arsenal, as well as heavier usage of the four-seamer and less usage of the cutter. Below is a look at his pitch arsenal last year with the Giants, along with metrics for each pitch, including usage, velocity, strike rate, whiff rate, and batting average against. As Royals fans can see above, Griffin's most-thrown pitches were his four-seamer (39.2% usage), slider (18.2%), cutter (16.2%), and changeup (10.6%). He threw the knuckle curve (5.8%), splitter (5.7%), and two-seamer (4.3%) more sparingly. However, his seven-pitch mix last year was much more robust than his four-pitch repertoire back in 2022. His changeup, splitter, and slider were his best offerings in terms of whiff rate, as they generated rates of 50%, 42.9%, and 37.8%, respectively. While the four-seamer didn't create a ton of whiff (13.8%), he threw strikes with it (48.1% strike rate) and limited productive contact (.232 batting average against). Even though Griffin averaged only 90.2 MPH on the four-seamer, he was able to attack hitters with the offering on the edges, especially left-handed ones, as illustrated in the clip below. The four-seamer was not a great swing-and-miss offering. Still, it set up his other offerings well, especially his changeup and slider, his primary offspeed and breaking offerings, respectively. His changeup was his best swing-and-miss pitch, as it sported a 50% whiff rate. The pitch had similar movement to his four-seamer but considerable vertical drop and a sizable velocity difference (8.6 MPH, specifically). Those factors helped produce nasty whiffs like this one below. When it came to his slider, the breaking offering averaged 80.3 MPH, an even greater velocity drop from the four-seamer (9.9 MPH difference). That helped him induce a whiff rate of 37.8% on the pitch. Griffin's slider was not a loopy one but a late-breaking one, which contributed heavily to his success with it during his tenure with the Giants. The pitch was a nasty offering, especially for left-handed hitters, as seen in the clip below against the Lions. Griffin presents a unique weapon for Kansas City, should JJ Picollo opt to sign him this offseason. As seen in the clips below and in his overall numbers, the 30-year-old lefty can be an effective middle-innings reliever who can shut down left-handed batters in key spots, at the very least. His seven-pitch arsenal is diverse enough to be effective over 1-3 innings stretches, which is what the Royals need over the course of a full 162-game season. Furthermore, there could be some spot starter upside with Griffin as well, should they decide to commit to him with a multi-year deal. Griffin could bring that flexibility to the Royals' pitching staff, as Michael Lorenzen did a year ago, seamlessly jumping between the bullpen and rotation. The Giants rode him heavily as a starter over the past three years in the NPB, but his mix and stuff are good enough to handle shorter stints (and may play up more in those spots as well). That said, should injury hit the Royals' rotation, Griffin could handle a starting stint better than other lefties like Lynch or Falter, who have been starters in the past. There's no question that Griffin doesn't have the MLB pedigree of other free-agent relievers currently available. That said, Griffin's combination of intriguing pitch arsenal, relative youth, and versatility should make him a target for Picollo and the Royals. He could stabilize the bullpen not just for next year, but beyond as well. View the full article

The dust has settled on the 2025 MLB Draft Lottery. It was a solid outcome for the Twins, who should have a bonus pool upwards of $16 million to play with when we get to next July. The No. 3 spot is a fascinating place to pick. There's a consensus top prospect, in Roch Cholowsky, and kind of a consensus second choice in prep shortstop Grady Emerson. What of the rest? For this thought exercise, I'm going to try to rank the prospects the Twins might take based on their talent, recent performance, and fit with the organization. This 'ranking' will change significantly over the course of the amateur season, so I'm using it as a checkpoint for my thinking here in December. For the purposes of this writeup, we're going to assume Roch Cholowsky is going number one to the White Sox, and Grady Emerson is going number two to the Rays. Let's rank the five next most likely options. Will this look silly in July 2026? Absolutely; that's part of the fun. 1. Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama, R/R, 21 .316/.421/.636 (127 wRC+), 12.5 BB%, 24.2 K%, 18 HR, 17 SB (94%) Lebron is a premier athlete and one of the few prospects in this class who has the combination of tools and talent to push Cholowsky at the top of the class. He pummels stuff up in the zone, with maximum exit velocities north of 110 mph. There are warts in the hit tool, with some swing-and-miss (particularly breaking stuff down and away) and an aggressive approach. Defensively, it's a plus arm and at least above-average defense at short. He's sticking there. If Lebron irons out the hit tool concerns, it's superstar potential for a prospect who draws rave reviews for his leadership and makeup. 2. Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech, R/R, 21 .333/.468/.693 (151 wRC+), 18.3 BB%, 14.5 K%, 19 HR, 10 SB (91%) Smaller amateur players are often dinged by pro organizations, but there's no doubting Burress's insane production at Georgia Tech. He's hit 44 home runs in two seasons for the Yellow Jackets, with legit bat speed and strong high-end exit velocities, despite being listed at 5-foot-9. It's a plus arm and solid defense from a prospect who could start his pro career in center field, but he may end up in a corner. Regardless of the defensive home, he's been the most consistently productive college player in the past two seasons, by a wide margin. 3. AJ Gracia, OF, Virginia, L/L, 21 .293/.449/.558 (126 wRC+), 20 BB%, 12.6 K%, 15 HR This selection will likely put some Twins fans off, just because he's a left-handed-hitting corner outfielder, but there's a ton to like. The value here is in the offensive profile, and Gracia will have to mash to deliver, as he's not bringing more than average speed and defensive tools. Gracia is an on-base machine, though, walking 20% of the time in 2025. It's good bat speed and a swing built to lift the ball, but Gracia combines it with excellent bat-to-ball skills. Between the well-rounded hit tool and an outstanding approach, this is one of the best hit/power combos in the class. 4. Cam Flukey, RHP, Coastal Carolina, R/R, 21 101.2 IP, 3.19 ERA, 2.68 FIP, 28.5 K%, 5.8 BB% Flukey might not seem like an obvious fit, but a monster season could vault him into contention (and the Twins love drafting from the Carolinas). Standing at 6-foot-6, Flukey boasts a polished four-pitch mix. It's headlined by a fastball that sits 93-95 mph, but has been as high as 98 mph with outstanding ride. He dots it for strikes, too. Flukey made strides with both control and command in 2025, walking only 5.8% of opposing hitters. There are very few weaknesses in a profile that you could see starting a playoff game within a few seasons. 5. Mystery Guy Prior to the 2022 draft, Jackson Holliday was a fringe first-round prospect. Prior to the 2023 college season starting, Paul Skenes was ranked in the teens on many lists, significantly lower than Chase Dollander. It's likely that there's at least one name in the mix at three that we aren't yet talking about. If you have a prospect in mind, throw their name in the comments. Other Names Considered: Jacob Lombard, Liam Peterson, Sawyer Strosnider, Chris Hacopian, Tyler Bell, Ace Reece View the full article

There is still so much to be determined about the Toronto Blue Jays' offseason. With the annual Winter Meetings having just wrapped up, plenty of time remains to see what paths the club will take to prepare for its defense of the AL pennant. However, it's very likely they have already made their biggest value move of the winter. Right-handed pitcher Cody Ponce is coming back across the Pacific for his second stint in the big leagues on a three-year, $30M deal, following a standout season in the KBO that won him their MVP award. DiamondCentric's own Brock Beauchamp and Owen Hill have already done some preliminary analysis on Ponce; you should read their articles if you aren't caught up on his profile (here and here). Ponce is coming off one of the best seasons a pitcher has ever had in the KBO. Across 29 starts that spanned 180 innings, he recorded a 1.89 ERA, striking out 36.2% of batters, walking just 5.9%, and allowing only 10 home runs. FanGraphs' batted ball pages show that he induced groundballs at a 45.7% clip, a notable increase from his 40.4% career mark in MLB. His rate of flyballs on the infield also increased. His hard contact rate fell off the table. Thanks to pitching analyst Lance Brozdowski, we have some information on how Ponce went from being a castaway with a career MLB ERA of 5.86 to a KBO MVP. His average fastball velocity rose up a couple ticks, sitting at 95.5 mph and maxing out at 98. He added a new high-80s kick changeup. He makes use of five pitches in total, and could tinker with his arsenal to reacclimate to the big league level next year. The fact that he possesses plus velocity, intriguing off-speed shape, and arsenal diversity makes him projectable in both starting and relief roles. The changeup could prove to be Ponce's most consequential adjustment. When he was pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates, lefty hitters slashed .297/.336/.703 against him, striking out only 14.4% of the time. A better weapon to neutralize the handedness disadvantage would go a long way toward making him a serviceable pitcher in MLB, so the news of his revamped changeup is a big deal because his struggles against lefties were a primary reason why it didn't work out for him the first time. Brozdowski mentions in his newsletter that his data shows Ponce's changeup averaged around 1300 rpm, but multiple big league teams that have access to other proprietary KBO pitch-tracking information have it closer to 800. Eno Sarris, analytics guru for The Athletic, has a separate data source that had the spin on Ponce's changeup even lower, down into 600 rpm territory. As such, I'm going to assume with reasonable confidence that the spin rate on this pitch is less than 1000 rpm. There are no public-facing pitch quality models for the KBO, but we have enough shape metrics here to draw comparisons. Using the past two seasons as my sample, I looked for off-speed pitches in MLB with profiles that closely align with Ponce's: velocity between 85 and 91 mph, induced vertical break between -1" and 5", arm-side break between 5" and 11", and less than 1000 rpm. I also focused my search on pitchers with similar deliveries to Ponce, only looking for arms that went 3" in either direction of Ponce's 6.3' release height and 6.5' extension. Only two pitchers met these criteria, and both throw splitters. Take a look: Name Season Pitch Type RV Stuff+ MPH RPM IVB Arm-Side HB Justin Martinez 2024 Splitter 6 136 89.8 845 2.2 8.3 Hurston Waldrep 2025 Splitter 3 125 86.8 762 2.0 6.3 Cody Ponce 2025 Changeup 87.6 <1000 2.0 8.5 Stuff+ via FanGraphs Blue Jays fans should be ecstatic about this. Martinez could release a feature film with the number of times he has been posted by Pitching Ninja, and Waldrep ran a 48.3 K% with his splitter in 2025. Both comps' off-speed pitches score as some of the sharpest in the game according to stuff models, which generates some intrigue about Ponce's ceiling. The jump in fastball velocity is another reason why he's coming back to the highest level. His four-seamer averaged 93.2 when he was last here, so it's encouraging to have seen it closer to the upper 90s in Korea. Seventeen inches of carry with 95-96 on the radar gun is a recipe for a good fastball, except, as Brozdowski notes, the KBO ball is slightly different from the one MLB uses. That means Ponce should expect to achieve less rise on the pitch in North America, all else equal. Brozdowski projects 16 inches of carry and 9.5 inches of arm-side movement. While that's still an upgrade over the heater Ponce was using with the Pirates, it's not exactly inspiring. In terms of stuff, it compares well with a couple of pitchers in the Giants organization: Name Season Pitch Type RV Stuff+ MPH RPM IVB Arm-Side HB Hayden Birdsong 2024 Fastball -3 95 95.8 2291 16.4 9.5 Tristan Beck 2025 Fastball 0 87 94.6 2361 15.7 9.6 Cody Ponce 2025 Fastball 95.5 approx. 16 approx. 9.5 Stuff+ via FanGraphs For reference, Ponce's old fastball received an 87 Stuff+ grade in 2021. Considering these comps, it does not seem likely that he'll be able to rely on this offering as much as he did in 2025, especially when taking the manufacturing differences between the KBO and MLB baseballs into account. This is where I believe most of the grunt work lies for the Blue Jays' pitching department: How will they compensate for decreased four-seam usage? Push the cutter? Introduce a new slider shape? If the fastball touches 98, then it will still be useful on certain occasions, but sequencing is something that Ponce will have to think about differently than he did in Korea, especially if he's going to be a starter. On the other hand, could the Jays opt to worry less about arsenal diversity and plug him into a leverage role in the bullpen? The flexibility he comes with is part of what makes Ponce such a low-risk, high-reward signing. The final aspect of his repertoire data I want to delve into further is the zone rate on his four-seam fastball. According to Brozdowski's data source, it was 47%. This looks low for someone who had an overall 5.9% walk rate, and Brozdowski has conceded that the KBO zone rates he has access to are likely inaccurate due to conflicting reports from other sources. Ponce's four-seamer had a zone rate between 54% and 55% in his time in the big leagues, making those inaccuracies seem feasible. In any case, it's worth evaluating how his ability to throw strikes will translate to the tougher competition of the big leagues. His career walk rate is a considerably-better-than-average 6.9% in 55.1 IP. In three seasons in Japan's NPB from 2022-2024, his walk rate sat firmly between 5% and 7%. Pretty solid and pretty consistent! These hold up well when evaluating Ponce against other Americans who left to reinvent themselves in Korea before coming back stateside. Veteran starter Merrill Kelly, known for his strike-throwing ability, has been solid through seven MLB seasons since his return from the KBO. Erick Fedde and Kyle Hart reached similar heights to Ponce in 2023 and 2024, respectively, before coming back to MLB. Each pitcher had solid walk rates in Korea, and each one of them maintained a similar level of control after making the jump: Name Y KBO BB% Y+1 MLB BB% Merrill Kelly 7.0% 7.3% Erick Fedde 4.9% 7.2% Kyle Hart 6.0% 7.3% Cody Ponce 5.9% If those who came before him are any indication, Ponce's walk rate is not likely to suddenly balloon in Toronto next year. With his imposing swing-and-miss pitch best used against opposite-handed hitters, increased fastball velocity, a solid pitch mix, and a consistent track record of avoiding walks, it's easy to see why the Blue Jays' brass was excited about the opportunity to bring Cody Ponce into the fold. Rogers has money to spend, especially in the wake of the team's run to the 2025 World Series, but their ability to compete with the biggest spenders in the free agent market did not stop them from pursuing a cheaper arm that comes with serious upside. The transition from Korea or Japan to MLB can be tough to size up, and it's not always linear, but there is enough information available about the physical profile of Ponce's weapons, as well as the pitchers whose careers have followed similar trajectories, to be confident in the heights he could reach with the Blue Jays. As this past year showed, supplementary additions can be the difference between being a competitive team and making a run towards a championship, and Ponce has the tools to play an instrumental role on a club with aspirations as high as Toronto's. View the full article

After two forgetful years in the Boston Red Sox organization, infielder Vaughn Grissom knows freedom again. On Tuesday, the city he loosely called home since 2024 bid him farewell, trading him to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for outfield prospect Isaiah Jackson. In 31 games with the MLB team, Grissom slashed .190/.246/.219 with -0.7 fWAR and just three extra-base hits. It wasn't all his fault, but the fact remains, Grissom fell out of favor fast in Boston. That reality only exacerbated the failure that was the Chris Sale trade for Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow. As is always the case, the analysis of this trade shouldn't be black and white. The context surrounding Sale's status with the Red Sox at the time he was traded doesn't change because he tapped into the fountain of youth with the Atlanta Braves. The Sale that the Red Sox were dealing was one they couldn't depend on anymore. After signing his extension with the team ahead of the 2019 season, Sale made just 56 starts from 2019 to 2023. In that span, he won just 17 games and ranked 111th in ERA. To add injury to insult, pun intended, Sale also had three seasons in which he made fewer than 10 starts. It's revisionist history to say the act of trading him was a mistake. Now, paying him $17 million so you could acquire Grissom? One of the biggest failures of the Breslow regime's player evaluation. A process that's had some home runs, to be sure, but this one was a massive whiff. It's not hard to see what the organization liked about Grissom at the time. Starting with the obvious, his age. At just 22 years old, it was conceivable the Red Sox had their second baseman of the future, adding him to the young core of Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony. Remember, Kristian Campbell hadn't ascended through the ranks yet. At the time, Mayer was the plan for the long haul at shortstop with some serious uncertainty at second base; uncertainty that still lingers going on nine years since Manny Machado took out Dustin Pedroia's knee in Baltimore. Moreover, the profile of hitter Grissom projected: He was a true hit-over-power bat with a projectable, athletic frame and a pretty good feel for the strike zone. While 2023 was forgettable, he flashed great potential with the bat in 2022 when he hit .291 with five homers in 156 plate appearances. They thought they were, at worst, getting controllable, steady play at second base for the next half-decade. Little did the organization know he'd hurt himself in spring training, get violently ill right before returning from the injured list, lose 15-plus pounds, and absolutely eviscerate his standing in the organization. By the time he flashed his potential late into the 2024 season, Campbell had emerged as an untouchable asset, and Grissom's hopes of being a Boston Red Sox contributor dwindled. Couple that with a .176/.300/.235 slash line in spring training in 2025, and the young infielder never stood a chance. At least for him now, he has a chance to rehab his standing in Major League Baseball on a team rife with question marks but hungry to return to the postseason for the first time since 2014. For the Red Sox's troubles? They get a young outfielder with 10 professional games under his belt. If Breslow is fortunate enough to have a long career as a decision-maker in an MLB front office, trades like this will happen from time to time. Yes, Sale winning the National League Cy Young in 2024 makes it hurt even more, especially as the Red Sox continue to covet top-of-the-market starting pitching. But that much is honestly irrelevant to the point; it was time to move on from the postseason hero. Good process, bad results. View the full article

Any player left unprotected for the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft is an extreme longshot. It means they are at least four years into their professional career, yet still don't occupy a spot on their team's 40-man roster or Triple-A roster. There is something—usually, multiple things—holding them back from being viable major league contributors. Following the third Rule 5 draft of the Peter Bendix era, I have spotted a trend: the Miami Marlins like to roll the dice on pitchers with control issues. In 2023, it was Julio Dilone, who they selected from the Seattle Mariners organization. In 2024, it was Texas Rangers farmhand Ricky DeVito. Then this past Wednesday, the Marlins double-dipped with this player profile by picking right-handers Jake Smith (Los Angeles Angels) and Livan Reinoso (Los Angeles Dodgers). I'm talking about pitchers who often don't have a clue where the ball is going—at best 30-grade control on the 20-80 scale. During his pre-draft season, Dilone walked 20.2% of opposing batters compared to the Arizona Complex League average of 13.1%. DeVito was issuing free passes at more than doubled his league's average (21.5% vs. 10.0% for all Texas League pitchers). Smith and Reinoso were both in that neighborhood in 2025 and had the same deficiency in previous campaigns, as documented below: The Dilone and DeVito projects were unsuccessful—both of them were released less than a year after joining the Marlins org. Why might this new erratic duo be any different? Smith's arsenal consists of a sinker, slider, curveball and changeup. Locating the sinker is his primary problem with frequent horizontal misses to both the glove side and arm side. jake smith miss.mp4 The 26-year-old's walk rate was particularly high toward the end of last season following a promotion to Double-A (23.5 BB% in 15.1 IP). However, there were still some impressive sequences from him at that level. Check out these paint jobs: jake smith paint.mp4 The low-hanging fruit with Smith is his wiry frame—he packs only 189 pounds onto his 6'4" frame. Adding strength to his lower body could help with repeating his delivery more consistently. He pretty reliably lands his breaking balls for strikes. If the Marlins can help him reshape those pitches to miss more bats, then he can utilize them to put away batters rather than relying so much on his volatile heater. Reinoso, 27, is still relatively raw as a pitcher considering that most of his focus was devoted to being a position player prior to entering pro ball in 2022. The Dodgers moved him to the mound on a full-time basis. Reinoso's appeal to the Marlins is obvious. He throws gas, sitting 97-99 mph with his four-seam fastball (he touched 100 in the clip below), complemented by a sweeper. His most common mistakes are four-seamers that sail high for easy takes. tstssx.mp4 Only 53.8% of Reinoso's pitches last season were strikes. For context, the worst strike rate by a qualified MLB reliever was Brendon Little at 56.8%. The likelihood of him sticking at the highest level is lower than Smith, but I can see why the Marlins deemed him worthy of the $24,500 draft fee as they dream on his upside. Expect Smith and Reinoso to be begin the 2026 season in the Double-A Pensacola bullpen. View the full article

When he was acquired by the Marlins on August 1, 2023, via trade with the Chicago White Sox, Jake Burger gave fans the concept of a player their organization had long been deprived of—upside power with several years of team control. Miami had Burger, then 27, under control through the 2028 season. Primarily a third baseman upon arrival, Burger strung together the best stretch of his career to that point, hitting .303/.355/.505/.860 in 53 games. The Marlins, led by first-year manager Skip Schumaker, found themselves in the postseason for the first time in a full season since 2003. The following year followed a much different script, though, as Miami took a major step back. It was immediately apparent that there'd be no October baseball, triggering midseason trades of mainstays, including Luis Arráez, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Tanner Scott, for a team that would go on to lose 100 games. Burger began 2024 in a prolonged slump, but compensated for it from July onward. In 137 games, he hit .250/.301/.460/.761 with a team-leading 29 home runs and 76 runs batted in. The aforementioned Schumaker, who had been voted NL Manager of the Year in '23, departed at season's end. In no hurry to return to the dugout, he agreed to spend a gap year with the Texas Rangers as a senior advisor to president of baseball operations Chris Young. Schumaker and Co. would quickly get to work, acquiring his former player in Burger on December 11. Miami received infielders a trio of prospects—Echedry Vargas and Maximo Acosta, and pitcher Brayan Mendoza. In his first season in the Lone Star state, Burger dealt with adversity both off and on the field, starting with the birth of a daughter diagnosed with Down Syndrome. In honor of her, Burger changed his uniform number to 21. Making first base his full-time position, Burger OPS'd just .561 through his first 30 games. The Rangers demoted him to Triple-A Round Rock on May 2. Though he would hit a more respectable .254/.284/.453/.737 the rest of the way upon being recalled, Burger finished 2025 with a career-worst .687 OPS. His availability was limited by oblique, quad and wrist injuries. Beneath a trying year in the batter's box, however, Burger made some progress on the other side of the ball. After posting consistently mediocre defensive grades at the hot corner, first base has been a more ideal position for him. In 2025, for the first time in his career, Burger graded out as a plus defender, posting plus-one defensive runs saved over a 91-game sample. Looking ahead to 2026, Burger will again be playing under Schumaker, who was appointed Rangers manager following the resignation of Bruce Bochy. He appears to be penciled in as the club's first baseman. As for Miami, there is a void at the position with no satisfying internal solution. Despite being a serviceable defender there in 2025, Eric Wagaman's .674 OPS makes it difficult to justify him continuing to get everyday playing time. Rule five success story Liam Hicks saw time there, though he's of more value to the Marlins as a catcher with offensive upside. Graham Pauley, a piece in the return for the deal that sent Tanner Scott to the Padres, who has shown promise as a third baseman, though Miami has floated the idea of him getting reps at the less-demanding corner infield spot. Then there's Connor Norby, the initially thought of prized return in the Trevor Rogers deal with Baltimore, that is, before the unprecedented Kyle Stowers breakout. Norby, a Burger-lite clone a la plus-power and below-average plate discipline and defense, is another name the club has toyed with seeing time at first, though his future may be better suited in an outfield corner. The first base of it all is just one aspect of the Burger of it all, but the outcome of the players acquired in return for Burger will largely determine which club came out on top here. While they each experienced growing pains in their first season with the organization, the above-mentioned Vargas and Mendoza still boast a track record of success at the lower levels to keep fans hopeful. On the other hand, Maximo Acosta has already made an impression, displaying his raw power and positional versatility in his brief big league career. View the full article

The Blue Jays already have the kind of rotation depth most teams can only dream of, with Dylan Cease, Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage, Cody Ponce, José Berríos, and Eric Lauer on their starting pitching depth chart. Yet, Sportnet's Shi Davidi and Ben Nicholson-Smith suggest they might not be finished bolstering that group. According to Davidi and Nicholson-Smith, the Jays are "open to adding further pitching capable of starting." One name they're interested in – who should be 'capable of starting' – is Brad Keller. The right-hander pitched out of the Cubs' bullpen in 2025, making 68 appearances with a 2.07 ERA and 2.93 FIP. However, he was primarily a starter for the first several years of his career. Pitching for the Royals from 2018-23, Keller started 114 games with a 4.28 ERA and 4.35 FIP. He averaged 5.2 IP per start. Last month, Joel Sherman of The New York Post reported that Keller was generating interest "as both a starter and reliever." It's not hard to see why. He revitalized his career as a full-time reliever last year. It's tantalizing to think about him maintaining some of that newfound dominance while taking on a starter's workload. For the Blue Jays, Keller would only transition back to the rotation as a last resort. In a best-case scenario, he would take on a high-leverage bullpen role and repeat his success from 2025. He would only need to stretch out if multiple names ahead of him on the depth chart suffered injuries. Still, the fact that he could stretch out in such a way would make him a nice insurance policy. If Keller is looking for a team that's going to give him a guaranteed opportunity to start again, the Blue Jays are out of luck. But if he's willing to start the year in the bullpen while staying prepared to stretch out if needed, he could be just the pickup this pitching staff needs. Featured image courtesy of Matt Marton, Imagn Images. View the full article

The Winter Meetings ended on Wednesday, but the hot stove discussion didn't conclude by any means. On Wednesday evening, it was reported that Mike Yastrzemski, who came over to Kansas City at the Trade Deadline last year, agreed to a multi-year deal with the Atlanta Braves. Yastrzemski was a massive boost to a Royals lineup that was stagnant for most of the season. In 50 games and 186 plate appearances, the 35-year-old outfielder slashed .237/.339/.500 with a 127 wRC+, 1.14 BB/K ratio, and 1.3 fWAR. His fWAR was 0.3 higher than his fWAR in 97 games with the Giants earlier in the season. The outfielder also showcased excellent plate discipline and strong launch ability with the Royals, as illustrated in his Statcast percentiles via TJ Stats. For the season, the Royals' offense ranked 22nd in baseball with a 93 wRC+, according to Fangraphs. However, from August until the end of the season, the Royals ranked 11th in wRC+ with a 107 mark. Yastrzemski's presence in the lineup had a significant effect on that turnaround. According to Sam Forsberg of Discuss Baseball, the Royals and Braves were the two primary teams in the mix for Yastrzemski this offseason. While nothing official was confirmed, the Royals likely offered Yastrzemski a deal. MLB.com Royals beat writer Anne Rogers mentioned at the conclusion of the Winter Meetings that the Royals had made offers to free agents, but were waiting for their decisions. Losing out on Yastrzemski is tough, especially considering his impact after the Trade Deadline. That said, at 35, it may be challenging for Yastrzemski to live up to the contract he just signed with Atlanta. If the Braves exercise his option, he'll be nearly 40 by the end of the deal. He also has struggled in his career against lefties, with a career 79 wRC+ against southpaws, according to Fangraphs. Royals GM JJ Picollo will continue to scour the free-agent and trade markets for outfield help. According to multiple reports, acquiring a couple of outfielders this offseason is the top priority for Kansas City. Photo Credit: © Peter Aiken-Imagn Images View the full article

Dan Hayes of The Athletic reported that the Twins are shopping at the mid-tier level of third basemen, checking in on the likes of Josh Bell, Ryan O'Hearn, and Rhys Hoskins. Want to know more about Rhys Hoskins? Read our in-depth write-up on him. O’Hearn is 32, a left-handed first baseman who spent 2024 with Baltimore and split 2025 between Baltimore and San Diego. In 2024, he logged 494 plate appearances with 15 home runs and a .264/.334/.427 line, along with a 9.3 percent walk rate, 14.0 percent strikeout rate, .330 wOBA, and 118 wRC+. In 202,5 he collected 544 plate appearances, hitting 17 home runs with a .281/.366/.437 line, 10.7 percent walks, 20.0 percent strikeouts, a .349 wOBA, and 127 wRC+. He's decent with the glove, posting a +3 Outs Above Average at first base in 2025. Bell is 33 and played first base for Miami and Arizona in 2024, then for Washington in 2025. In 2024, he totaled 603 plate appearances across two clubs with 19 home runs and a .249/.319/.405 triple slash; his walk and strikeout rates were 8.5 percent and 19.9 percent, with a .317 wOBA and 101 wRC+. In 2025, with Washington, he made 533 plate appearances, hitting 22 home runs with a .237/.325/.417 line, 10.7 percent walks, 16.5 percent strikeouts, a .324 wOBA, and 107 wRC+. He's a bad defender at first, with a -7 Outs Above Average at first base in 2024 and -3 in 2025. Hoskins is 32 and has played first base for Milwaukee in both 2024 and 2025. After missing the 2023 season recovering from injury, he returned in 2024 for 517 plate appearances with 26 home runs and a .214/.303/.419 line; his walk rate was 10.3 percent, strikeout rate 28.8 percent, with a .313 wOBA and 101 wRC+. In 2025, he appeared in 90 games and 328 plate appearances, hitting 12 home runs with a .237/.332/.416 line, 11.6 percent walks, 27.7 percent strikeouts, a .324 wOBA, and 109 wRC+. Like Bell, he is a bad defender at first base, with -4 Outs Above Average in 2024 and +1 in 2025. View the full article

The Minnesota Twins have not been subtle about their belief in Royce Lewis this winter. Shortly after being hired, manager Derek Shelton made a point to visit several core players in person, a gesture that sent a message about how he intends to lead. Lewis was one of the first stops. At the Winter Meetings, Shelton took that message public on MLB Network, calling Lewis the type of player who can elevate a franchise. “This guy has a chance to be a superstar," Shelton said. Minnesota’s front office echoed that tone throughout the week. Their collective approach feels intentional. They want Lewis to feel supported, challenged, and surrounded by stability as he enters a pivotal stage of his career. For a player whose performance often rises with confidence, it is clear the Twins see value in reaffirming his place in their long-term plans. Highs and Lows of His Career The story of Lewis has always been dramatic, from the day the Twins took him with the first overall pick. At his best, he looks like one of the most electric players in the sport. Falvey highlighted that when speaking with reporters. “Royce has gone through so many ups and downs in his career at this point. We all know that," Falvey said. "There were huge, awesome moments, right? Go back to [2023] and big moments in postseason games and things you could not really believe were happening.” Those moments are the reason the Twins refuse to give up on the idea that he could still become a franchise pillar. But the team has also been forced to navigate long absences, extended recovery periods, and the uncertainty that comes with repeated setbacks “Obviously, the injuries that he’s dealt with at different times," Falvey said. "I think quite frankly, some of his performance was a result of some of those injuries and trying to track back and try to get himself where he needs to be physically.” This ebb and flow has made it challenging to project Lewis from one season to the next. Yet, the organization believes that with maturity and better health, the extremes in his performance will gradually smooth out. Falvey noted that Lewis is beginning to understand how to manage those waves, both physically and emotionally. Defensive Improvements Last Season One of the most encouraging developments last year was Lewis’s defensive trajectory. Early in the season, there were questions about how consistently he could handle third base, but by late summer, he appeared more polished and reliable. Falvey pointed to that progress as evidence that Lewis can grow when given repetition and structure. “The thing I took away from the end of the season with him was how much better he got defensively by staying consistent with the work, by doing the things every day,” he said. Behind the scenes, coaches praised Lewis for taking ownership of his preparation. He embraced early work, leaned on infield instructors, and made the incremental gains the Twins had hoped to see. Falvey emphasized that this consistency was not accidental, but the result of a player starting to understand what everyday excellence requires. “That’s the type of small wins every day that you build upon each other, and you find a way to become a better overall player. I think he found a way to do that.” With Lewis now projected as the primary third baseman for 2026, the Twins are optimistic that last year’s improvements were the beginning of a more stable defensive foundation. Need for Offensive Consistency in 2026 The offensive side, however, remains the most significant area of concern. Lewis has flashed elite bat speed and strength, but extended slumps, health interruptions, and an inability to stay in rhythm have limited his overall impact. Falvey addressed this directly. “Now we have to get a little more consistency on that on the offensive side, and he knows that,” Falvey said. The Twins believe that if Lewis can enter spring training fully healthy, he may finally get the uninterrupted runway necessary to find his timing and approach. The organization sees parallels to last year’s defensive gains, hoping that the same daily focus can push him toward becoming a more balanced hitter. Falvey added that a stable offseason and a cleaner spring could give Lewis a “build-up” similar to the one he experienced in the field. Lewis does have superstar talent; the ingredients are all there. The question is whether 2026 becomes the season when everything finally lines up. The Twins are betting that it will, and based on the messaging from the front office and the manager’s chair, they want to make sure Lewis believes it, too. Do you still believe in Royce Lewis? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

Like always, the Rule 5 Draft took place on the final day of the 2025 Winter Meetings. As expected, the Boston Red Sox were active during the selection process, selecting an intriguing potential bullpen option while also losing one of their more notable prospects. Right as the draft started, the Red Sox saw 21-year-old Jedixson Paez selected by the Chicago White Sox as the second overall pick. This is the second time in three years that the White Sox have poached a pitcher from the Red Sox, the last time being Shane Drohan during the 2023 Rule 5 Draft. Drohan was returned to the Red Sox and this offseason was added to the team’s 40-man roster. Paez signed with the team as an international free agent out of Venezula in 2021 and looked to be an interesting young prospect, as he made it to Salem by 2023 when he was just 19 years old. Paez was known for his ability to repeat his delivery along with his command and control of his pitches, allowing him to limit walks. A five-pitch repertoire was made up of his fastball, cutter, changeup, slider and curveball, with his changeup and slider being his two best pitches. His fastball, on the other hand, held him back at times due to its low velocity. Topping out at just 94 mph, he struggled to miss bats with it despite an advanced feel for the pitch. During his time in the Red Sox organization, Paez pitched in 73 games, making 58 starts and tossing 307 2/3 innings. Going 17-15, he had a career 3.22 ERA along with 307 strikeouts and just 49 walks. Paez also missed most of the 2025 season due to a severe right calf strain that led to him to making just seven starts. On the flip side, coming to the Red Sox is 28-year-old Ryan Watson, who was selected by the Athletics with the eighth overall pick in the Rule 5 Draft. The Red Sox made a deal with the Athletics, shipping infielder Justin Riemer to them in return for Watson according to MassLive's Chris Cotillo. Watson was originally drafted in the 39th round of the 2016 draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers, but instead went to college where he pitched four years for Auburn and went undrafted in the shortened 2020 draft. He would go on to sign as a non-drafted free agent with the Baltimore Orioles and would make his way up to Triple-A with them before being traded to the San Francisco Giants in August of 2024. This isn't the first time Craig Breslow showed interest in him, as Breslow attempted to acquire him during the 2025 season. Watson stands at 6-foot-5 and has a fastball that can touch 97 mph. To round out his repertoire are four more pitches in the form of a slider, curveball, sinker and splitter. As you may have guessed, his extension off the mound stands out, being close to seven feet. His main three pitches are the fastball, slider and curveball making up 93.2% of his pitches thrown in 2025, though against right-handed batters he was mainly a fastball-slider pitcher. Watson spent the entire 2025 season with Triple-A Sacramento where he appeared in 46 games, finishing 33 of them and earning nine saves. He tossed 50 2/3 innings, striking out 64 batters and walking just 16. He also managed to keep the ball in the park, allowing just five home runs. Perhaps mostly importantly, he had a 28.3% strikeout rate for the season and got batters to chase on 30.6% of his pitches thrown out of the zone. Add to it a 28.5% whiff rate, and he begins to look like an intriguing option for one of the last spots in the Opening Day bullpen. For those wondering, Reimer was drafted by the Red Sox in the fourth round of the 2023 draft and can play second base, third base and shortstop, though he is a light hitter. In 120 career games between the Rookie Complex League, High-A, and Double-A, Reimer hit a combined .239/.418/.287 with 12 doubles, one triple, one home run and 25 RBIs. He also struck out 89 times compared to 98 walks. In the Triple-A portion of the Rule 5 Draft, the Red Sox saw three pitchers — Eybersson Polanco, Alvaro Mejias, and Jonathna Brand — taken by the Los Angeles Angels, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers, respectively. The Red Sox selected left-handed pitcher Caden Vire from Milwaukee, first baseman/outfielder Matt Lloyd from St. Louis, and catcher Raudelis Martinez from the Tampa Bay Rays. With the Winter Meetings wrapping up, the Red Sox may not have made the moves people wanted, but they still got potentially better than they were prior to arrival. Watson should be an intriguing option out of Alex Cora’s bullpen should he win a spot in it. The Red Sox's 40-man roster is now full. View the full article

In a sit down at the Winter Meetings attended by North Side Baseball, Craig Counsell may have tipped the Cubs' hand regarding their offseason plans. Of course, he didn't spell their plans out; that would not be the Cubs way. We can learn much by mining his key quotes, though, to see what nuggets can be gleaned. THE CUBS WON'T PAY MARKET PRICE FOR A NEW BAT Quote 1, from Counsell: "From a position-player standpoint, the loss right now is [Kyle Tucker], obviously. The rest of the group is back and likely with us. We did have young players that did contribute in a big way. I thought [Moisés Ballesteros] in September played like—he gave us the offensive production of Tucker, essentially, in the month of September. Between him and [Owen Caissie], who was unfortunately hurt for most of that month, those are two important players as we sit right now. There's not much to think about there." And later in the session: "But every young player is a contending team, too. Young players get, they have to get chances. They have to get chances. And the game, look around the league. I think that's one thing, that you have to give your young players opportunities. Your team is better for giving your young players opportunities." Takeaway: It seems clear that the Cubs are going to give opportunities to their in-house pieces. Counsell did acknowledge Kyle Tucker, his production, and the need to replace it. He also mentioned how Ballesteros basically put up Tucker numbers (.999 OPS, 2 home runs in 46 plate appearances) in September. Counsell's lament about Caissie's concussion in September echoed a talking point from Jed Hoyer this week; the Cubs want people to know that they were eager to see more of Caissie than they got to see in 2025. The Cubs do have budget constraints, and its not likely they will spend large amounts of it on a bat. They believe in their young guys, and Counsell will give them the room they need—or at least, he has the rationale for that course locked and loaded, should things break that way. So, Alex Bregman? Well, here's what Counsell had to say: "[Matt Shaw] is going to play a big part on this team. No question he'll have a big role and a big place on this team." This was part of his first question answered. He expanded, saying Shaw had a great second half and was a plus third baseman defensively by the end of the year. These comments don't lend themselves to the Cubs actively seeking upgrades, though again, there's an element of smokescreen to even a manager's remarks. THE CUBS WILL SPEND MORE HEAVILY ON PITCHING "We ended up pitching pretty well. But I think at the start of the season, it maybe wasn't the guys we expected to do it. It just shows—I think it's, get a bunch of good arms and kind of see what happens and have enough abilities to pivot when you have to during the season." " I think that's an important part of the season. But it's also something for us to just consider, is that the starting pitching injuries, it's significant. They can be very significant, and there's very few position player injuries that keep you out for the season. And it happens more on the starting pitcher side." As you can see, Counsell is mainly concerned with getting large amounts of quality arms to get through the season. This does make sense, for reasons we've exhaustively documented, and it's a very managerly thing to say. No one benefits more from a deep pitching staff than the skipper, who can avoid getting a hard time for overusing his trusted arms and knows he has many paths from Out No. 1 to Out No/ 27 each day. Look for the Cubs to allocate significant funds (or, perhaps, prospect capital) to the rotation and bullpen. It could be addressed by trade or free-agent signing. Either way, the team knows where it fell short last season, and is planning to address it. According to reporting, the Cubs have between $50 million and $60 million to burn this offseason. When you factor in Counsell's interview, it seems like pitching and depth pieces will be the focus—at least financially, and first. View the full article

It is difficult to know from day-to-day in the offseason when your favorite team will spend some money. Well, Twins fans, we can guarantee you that the Twins will be spending money on Wednesday. July 1 is, in the baseball world, known as Bobby Bonilla Day. Is this because of some sort of career milestone? Did he hit for the cycle in both games of a double header? Hit his 300th career home run? Swipe three bases in one game? No, it’s not any of those things. Perhaps he did something noteworthy that day? Rescue a cat from a tree, maybe? Save someone from a burning building? Nope. None of the above. Rather, it’s the day each year that he collects a $1.19 million paycheck from the Mets as part of his deferred-money deal when they cut him in 1999. He began collecting this in 2011, and will continue to do so until 2035, when he will be 72 years old. Pretty sweet deal for him, but less so for the Mets. You might be asking yourself why this bit of baseball trivia is on Twins Daily, as it’s not at all related to the Twins. Or is it? Well, buckle up. Starting today and for the next three years, December 15th will henceforth be known in Twins circles as Carlos Correa Day, the day in which the Twins make one of their largest capital outlays of the season, and for a player that hasn’t played for them in some time. In fact, the Twins will be paying the Astros their final payment nearly three months after his contract has ended. On this day, we as fans can collectively celebrate that the Twins are paying more for Carlos Correa to not play for them than they are likely paying any free agent to make their roster complete. In fact, they are paying the Astros more, on average, than they have for any free agent since Joey Gallo signed his one year, $11 million deal in 2022. December 15 is also the day that we can collectively celebrate the Pohlad family for singlehandedly hamstringing Derek Falvey’s ability to build a functional roster around the slightly aging superstar they had greenlit the second signing of less than three years earlier. Were it not for this, in hindsight, ill-advised signing, the Twins very well may have been able to retool their roster heading into the 2024 offseason, instead of doing nothing. They may have been able to trade for a couple of players on bad deals at the 2024 deadline when it was clear they needed bullpen help. Falvey may have been able to set his sights a bit higher than Ty France at first base going into the 2025 season and perhaps could have signed a real DH as well. So, thanks Pohlads, for letting Falvey sign a superstar the likes of which they had never been able to before, then taking away fans’ glee. Finally, December 15 is the day to rejoice in knowing that the Twins will be paying the Astros, on an average annual value basis, more than they are paying any of their players currently on the 2026 roster, excluding Pablo Lopez and Byron Buxton. That seems bad. Oh. You might be wondering the actual terms of the annual payments. It’s $3 million this year, the $10 million each of the next three years, for a total of $33 million. Separately from this, it’s worth noting that by trading Correa when they did, the Twins avoided crossing the $100 million paid on the contract threshold while he was playing for the Twins. In doing so, Joe Mauer remains the only member of the Twins to make more than that number on a single deal, which is a bit noteworthy in its own regard. Ok. Lighthearted griping and obligatory ownership-bashing aside, as much as it’s annoying to devote any part of a limited budget to dead money, trading Correa’s contract when there are payroll constraints makes sense. Knowing Falvey’s declaration that he would like to solve the bullpen and add an impact bat (or two), what can this savings actually accomplish? Well, in paying the $10 million a year over each of the next three seasons, the Twins are saving $21.5 million, $20.5 million, and $20 million in the next three seasons of what Correa was owed. What can they get with that money? For starters, $10 million can sign a perfectly serviceable slugging first baseman. You know, the sort the Twins are perpetually in need of. In this case, say, Rhys Hoskins. Not world-beating, but probably an upgrade over Kody Clemens. And, another $11.5 million could get them a second-tier closer, a setup caliber arm, and a lefty reliever who could slot in ahead of Kody Funderburk, in case his post-deadline breakout is a bit overhyped. Think: Pete Fairbanks, Danny Coulombe, and...I dunno, someone who's not quite a scrap heap pickup, but is sneaky good and cheap. Post firesale, the Twins are in need of three or four of those types of pitchers. Yeah, it turns out the savings, if spent smartly, could very well get them to a team that’s better than .500. Is that enough for a postseason run? Probably not. But, if the new limited partners truly give some additional payroll flexibility, then one more impact bat and one more decent reliever would probably do it. Using the same math from above, that means the Carlos Correa trade, by itself, probably gives the Twins half the payroll the need to actually compete in 2026. Having Correa was fun while it lasted. Singing him was unexpected, indeed; the second time more than the first. And, his exodus could bring this beleaguered team (and fanbase) some hope when it’s most needed. That is, of course, if the savings is truly spent. Should they money be spent, it’s worth asking: will any of the signings the money is used for treat fans to slick scoops from deep short? Or make tone-deaf comments about shopping at Dior? Probably not. But hopefully, fans will be able to enjoy competitive baseball late in the season rather than searching for any excuse to spend a nice summer night anywhere but at the ballpark or watching a game on TV. Let’s hope the savings is reinvested. View the full article

Putting aside the Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker rumors, the Toronto Blue Jays' primary goal for the rest of this offseason is to improve their bullpen. Speaking to reporters (including DiamondCentric's John Bonnes) at the Winter Meetings, manager John Schneider said the bullpen "sticks out" as an area in need of help. Adding a high-leverage arm, he continued, should be a "priority." The Los Angeles Dodgers complicated things for Toronto by signing Edwin Díaz on Day 2 of the Winter Meetings. The former New York Met agreed to a three-year, $69 million contract, a raise from the $38 million over two years he had remaining on his contract with the Mets (that he opted out of). With Díaz off the board, only one surefire upgrade over Jeff Hoffman remains: Robert Suarez. Suarez opted out of the remaining two years and $16 million on his contract with the San Diego Padres. It was a wise decision, given that he is 35 and looking to earn around $15-20 million annually in a new deal. The righty has been one of the game's most elite relievers since he entered the major leagues in 2022. In three of his four seasons, he's posted an ERA under 3.00 with more than 47 innings pitched and held batters to a batting average under .190. He's also converted 76 of 87 save opportunities in the last two seasons when his role shifted to full-time closer. Baseball Savant ranked Suarez's fastball velocity last season (98.6 mph) in the 97th percentile. This firepower and his three-pitch arsenal, which also includes a changeup and sinker, helped him strike out a career high 75 batters last season. In terms of consistency, he'd be a massive upgrade over Hoffman, who was an unreliable closer for the Blue Jays last season. He threw 68 innings and posted a 4.37 ERA. While most of his underlying numbers were stronger, as is his track record, he struggled with giving up home runs. Hoffman allowed 15 long balls, the most among AL relievers. In his first crack at being a full-time closer, he blew seven of his 40 save opportunities, with a negative Win Probability Added. During the postseason this season, Hoffman was surprisingly elite. He posted a 1.46 ERA over 12 1/3 innings and held batters to a .143 batting average. He only allowed one home run, but it came off the bat of Miguel Rojas in the top of the ninth inning in Game 7 of the World Series to tie the game up and send it to extra innings. MLB Network's Jon Morosi has reported that the Blue Jays and Mets are some of the top suitors to sign Suarez. This isn't the first time they have been linked to the righty. The reliever market is dwindling quickly, so if the Blue Jays want to boost their bullpen, they'll need to move fast. The best remaining options after Suarez include Kenley Jansen, Shawn Armstrong, Tyler Rogers, and Pete Fairbanks. If the Blue Jays can't sign Suarez, it may be best to turn to internal options, such as Louis Varland and Braydon Fisher, for high-leverage opportunities. Re-signing Seranthony Domínguez is another possibility. The Blue Jays outrighted Yariel Rodríguez on the weekend, opening a spot on their 40-man roster. That means they still have a free space for an outside addition even after selecting Spencer Miles in the Rule 5 draft. However, it's more than possible that the Blue Jays roll the dice on Hoffman as closer for another season, with the hope that he returns to his 2023 and 2024 form. He posted a 2.28 ERA with 158 strikeouts to 35 walks in his two years with the Philadelphia Phillies. That said, even if it's not a closer, the Blue Jays still need a boost in the middle innings. The American League World Series representatives are primed to make another deep postseason run in 2026, but there are still improvements to be made. View the full article

The Toronto Blue Jays have made a couple of surprising moves recently, including the very recent DFA of Yariel Rodríguez. This led to some speculation that they may select a player in today's Rule 5 draft. Once again, the Jays surprised people, not only by making a selection, but because they selected a pitcher with only 14 2/3 IP in his minor league career. Spencer Miles was a fourth-round pick for the San Francisco Giants in 2022, signing for a $347,500 bonus. He pitched 7 1/3 innings in 2022 before being sidelined for all of 2023. He once again threw 7 1/3 innings in 2024 before Tommy John surgery shelved him for all of 2025. However, Miles did make a return to pitching in the Arizona Fall League this October. He showcased an impressive four-pitch mix with strong results in 8 2/3 IP, striking out over 30% of the batters he faced and walking only 2.7%. Graphic via @TJStats Although Miles has a starter's arsenal, with a fastball, changeup, cutter and curveball, the Jays will definitely use him as a low-leverage reliever if he remains on the roster, as he has never pitched more than 10 innings in a professional season. This is the second consecutive starting pitching prospect the Jays have selected in the Rule 5 draft that recently underwent Tommy John surgery. Angel Bastardo, last year's selection, will still need to be rostered on the 26-man for at least 90 continuous days in 2026, barring another injury. He was not able to burn off his Rule 5 clock in 2025. The Jays can also breathe a sigh of relief, as their unprotected prospects, such as Yohendrick Pinango (Jays Centre's No. 7 prospect), Yondrei Rojas, and Victor Arias (Jays Centre's No. 8 prospect), were all left unselected. Ricky Tiedemann, Jays Centre's No. 5 prospect, was the only Rule 5-eligible player the team protected ahead of the draft. View the full article

ORLANDO, FL—One of the strengths of the Miami Marlins organization in 2025 was their minor league relievers. Other MLB teams took advantage of that during Wednesday's Rule 5 draft, selecting major league-ready bullpen arms who the Marlins did not have room to protect on their roster. The Marlins held the 12th pick of the draft and passed. Meanwhile, they lost Matt Pushard to the St. Louis Cardinals and Zach McCambley to the Philadelphia Phillies. Pushard, 28, was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022. In 2025, he posted a 3.61 ERA, 2.98 FIP, 10.54 K/9 and 3.32 BB/9 through 62 ⅓ innings pitched (all of that with Triple-A Jacksonville). He has a three-pitch mix, which begins with a fastball that averages 94-96 mph, topping out at 97 mph, then has a sweeper and curveball. He also has a changeup and cutter, but does not consistently use them. He was among the oldest draft-eligible players. McCambley, 26, was selected in the third round of the 2020 MLB Draft. He made the switch from the starting rotation to the bullpen in 2023, but has dealt with a plethora of injuries. Health was not an issue in 2025 as he threw 62 innings, posting a 2.90 ERA, 2.60 FIP, 12.05 K/9 and 3.19 BB/9 in 47 appearances. McCambley mainly relies on his fastball/slider combo. He also uses an occasional cutter. McCambley's slider has always been his best weapon—this past season, it had a 51% miss rate with a 34% chase rate. As Rule 5 picks, Pushard and McCambley must either make the Opening Day 26-man roster with their new clubs or be placed on the major league injured list. They also cannot be optioned to the minors at any point during the 2026 season. Otherwise, they have to be offered back to the Marlins. Last year, for example, the Marlins lost Anderson Pilar to the Atlanta Braves in the Rule 5, but he was returned to Miami during spring training. View the full article

Daniel Susac, we hardly knew ye! Every year, baseball fans from every organization get excited for the Rule 5 draft, excited about the opportunity to add a young player or fearing the possibility of losing prospects that we have grown to like to other organizations. So, how did the 2025 Rule 5 draft affect the Twins? The Twins had the #4 selection in the draft and had released Carson McCusker to make room on the 40-man roster in order to be eligible to make a pick. The top pick went to the Colorado Rockies. Last year the Chicago White Sox had the top pick and used the top pick and used it to take right-hander Shane Smith from the Brewers. He became an All Star as a rookie. With the top pick in 2025’s Rule 5 draft, the Rockies selected 6-8, 300+ pound right-hander RJ Petit from the Tigers. . The White Sox picked second and took Jedixson Paez from the Red Sox The Washington Nationals picked third and chose Griff McGarry from the Phillies. With the fourth pick, the Twins selected catcher Daniel Susac from the Athletics organization. He was the first-round pick (19th overall) of the A's in 2022 out of the University of Arizona. Can he stick with the Twins? The Twins do need competition behind Alex Jackson for the job of Ryan Jeffers' backup. Susac spent the 2025 season at Triple-A Las Vegas where in 97 games, he hit .275/.349/.483 (.832) with 19 doubles and 18 home runs. Oh, but then as often happens in the Rule 5 draft, moments after the selection, the Twins traded Susac to the San Francisco Giants. The Twins lost no one in the MLB portion of the Rule 5 draft, despite our concerns. In the minor league Rule 5, the Twins selected RHP Sam Ryan from the Angels organization. The 27-year-old has missed quite a bit of time in his career with injury. In 2025, he pitched in 44 games (2 starts) between High-A and Double-A. Combined, he went 3-6 with a 4.20 ERA. In 70 2/3 innings, he had 76 strikeouts and 33 walks. He pitched in the independent Frontier League in 2024. Before that, he spent five seasons with the Blue Jays organization. View the full article

The Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros and San Diego Padres have emerged as the most interested parties in the Freddy Peralta trade market, league sources told Brewer Fanatic this week. During the MLB Winter Meetings, Washington Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore and Miami Marlins righty Edward Cabrera have been buzzier names, because each of them comes with multiple years of team control. Tarik Skubal remains atop the wish lists of many big-market dreamers, but so far, the Tigers have set a price tag that suggests they don't want to deal him, according to a source with knowledge of one team's conversations with Detroit. Those three players might make for more tantalizing rumors, but Peralta is very much on the radar of contenders who want to stabilize their rotations without paying exorbitant prices in free agency or in trades for players with longer-term team control attached. Because Peralta will make only $8 million in 2026 and becomes a free agent thereafter, he's a perfect fit for several teams whose budgets are tight (be it because of limited resources or having already spent hundreds of millions elsewhere). His contract leaves so much surplus value, in fact, that one source suggested it will make a trade less likely: the Brewers won't trade Peralta unless they get a haul that reflects both his talent and that efficiency. Houston, San Diego and Atlanta are all serious contenders coming off difficult seasons. None has an elite farm system, which could be an obstacle—but all three have shown flexibility and creativity in the past, to get deals just like these done. For all three, starting pitching is a major question mark, and spending on one of the top remaining free agents looks unlikely. San Diego is even rumored to be shopping top starter Nick Pivetta, despite losing Dylan Cease and Michael King via free agency this winter. Why? Pivetta's salary for 2025 was $1 million, as the Padres served as his lifeboat in a stormy free agency. In 2026, though, that number jumps to $19 million, and there are player options for 2027 and 2028. Unlike other, similar deals, Pivetta's should be movable, in the opinion of employees in other front offices, because the contract contains language granting the team protection in the event of a major injury. Still, the cash-strapped Padres might need to move Pivetta to give themselves the freedom they need to make other upgrades. Peralta, a better pitcher at a much lower price, would be an ideal fit. Injuries and age menace the rotation of the once-mighty Atlanta club, and as their team-friendly extensions with several position players reach their more expensive seasons, the team finds itself without much cash to splash around to shore up that group. Meanwhile, the Astros are losing Framber Valdez to free agency, and they're bumping up against the competitive-balance tax threshold; owner Jim Crane continues to fight to rein in their spending. Those three teams are obvious suitors, and it's not surprising that they've already begun to hone in on Peralta. Three larger-market clubs have also checked in, one source said: the Mets, the Dodgers, and the Giants. However, those teams' interest is not believed to be as serious—or, at least, as developed. New York has the most glaring need for help in the starting rotation, and might best fit with Milwaukee in terms of a return, but their top priorities appear to lie on the offensive side for the time being. Speaking of return, the Brewers are said to be setting a very high price for Peralta, on whom they're listening but not eager to make a move. A source familiar with one discussion said the team was asking for more than they got for Corbin Burnes, whom they traded to the Orioles in early 2024 for Joey Ortiz, DL Hall and a top-40 draft pick. Given that Peralta costs roughly half what Burnes did that year, that's no shock. Suitors understand that Milwaukee won't move Peralta without getting back a "plug-and-play guy," said a member of another front office, citing the examples of Ortiz, Hall, Caleb Durbin and Nestor Cortes, whom the team acquired for Burnes and Devin Williams the last two winters. Trading Peralta would, in other words, have to mean getting back someone who helps the 2026 Brewers, in addition to offering longer-term value. Constraining a market by specifying that majors-ready players be involved can ice over a market, but again, the Brewers don't feel cornered when it comes to Peralta. In addition to being cost-effective, he's one of their clubhouse leaders, and the relationship between player and franchise is much stronger than were the ones between the team and Burnes or Williams. The right deal has to come to them; Matt Arnold won't sell Peralta just to avoid losing him as a free agent next fall. However, in a survey of people in other front offices, the majority believe Peralta will be dealt—and it could be soon. One source noted the lack of overlap in the markets for Gore, Cabrera and Skubal with that for Peralta. The Cubs and Orioles, among others, are locked in on acquiring controllable pitching, so their interest in Peralta is limited. San Diego is always proactive, but neither Houston nor Atlanta are believed to be players for any of the more talked-about names of this week. Quietly, while rumors swirl and Peralta's name lies low, the Brewers have been able to continue discussions with the real players in this game. Williams went from the Crew to the Yankees two days after the end of last year's Winter Meetings. A similar thing could play out this year, though no deal is believed to be close as clubs pack up their suites and prepare to head home. If a trade happens, it will net Milwaukee their biggest haul in such a deal since they traded Carlos Gómez and Mike Fiers to the Astros in mid-2015. While losing Peralta would hurt, the motivation of the interested teams and the team-friendly deal Peralta signed years ago ensure that his departure would only push the Brewers even further forward in their pursuit of the team's first-ever World Series title. View the full article

According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Blue Jays are considering trading one of their surplus outfielders for a reliever. Rosenthal and Sammon named Nathan Lukes, Myles Straw, and Joey Loperfido as the most likely trade chips. Addison Barger, Davis Schneider, or even Daulton Varsho would bring back a stronger return, but that's precisely why the Jays would be less inclined to trade them. Varsho will be the everyday center fielder in 2026, while Barger and Schneider are promising bats with the flexibility to play both the infield and the outfield. Rosenthal and Sammon's report shouldn't come as a surprise. The Jays have a bit of a logjam as it is on their outfield depth chart, and they're likely to add at least one more bat before the offseason is done. Speaking to reporters, including our own John Bonnes, at the Winter Meetings, manager John Schneider said he'd like the team to add "a bat of some sort." Schneider also identified the arm barn as an area of need. He said that adding a "high-leverage bullpen arm" is a priority. So, it stands to reason that the team would look to solve two problems at once. GM Ross Atkins could clear up the outfield logjam and bolster the bullpen in one transaction. Of course, that doesn't mean the Blue Jays will be eager to part with any of their outfielders. Lukes and Straw were key contributors to last year's squad. They would be missed on the field and in the clubhouse. Trading Loperfido would mean selling low on a former top prospect. What's more, if Atkins is really hoping to land a high-leverage reliever, he would need to throw one or more prospects into a potential deal as well. So, what do Jays fans think of this rumour? Will the team trade an outfielder this winter, and if so, which one? Share your thoughts in the comments. Featured image courtesy of Kevin Sousa, Imagn Images. View the full article

Jon Morosi of MLB Network speaks with Fish On First about what potential moves the Marlins may be cooking up and the World Baseball Classic returning in 2026.View the full article

The Minnesota Twins created space on their 40-man roster on Wednesday morning, placing outfielder Carson McCusker on unconditional release waivers. The move comes just hours before the Rule 5 Draft, where the club is expected to make at least one selection. It is a procedural decision with immediate implications for roster construction, but it also marks the end of a unique and memorable chapter in the organization. McCusker’s story has been anything but conventional. He joined the Twins as a signing out of the independent leagues, a late bloomer with imposing size and raw power who needed the right environment to refine his game. Minnesota believed there was more in his swing and approach than previous evaluations suggested, and McCusker rewarded that faith with one of the better early-season performances in the system during 2025. At Triple-A St. Paul last spring, McCusker put together an impressive first half with a 1.048 OPS in April and a .948 OPS in May. He controlled the strike zone better than expected, posted strong on-base numbers, and showed the kind of damage potential that made him a frequent middle-of-the-order presence. His run of production pushed him firmly onto the radar for a big league opportunity, and the Twins eventually called him up during a stretch when they needed additional depth The opportunity, however, never fully developed. Despite earning his way to the highest level, McCusker saw limited action and never received the extended look some thought he had earned. The Twins used him primarily as a bench option and sporadic pinch hitter, a role that made it difficult for him to build rhythm or make a lasting impression. In 16 games, he went 5-for-29 with 16 strikeouts and no extra-base hits. When the roster became crowded again, he was optioned back to St. Paul and remained there for most of the second half. Even with minimal major league exposure, McCusker did enough within the organization to maintain interest from clubs abroad. While nothing is finalized, industry speculation suggests he will explore opportunities to play in Asia during the 2026 season. His size, power, and plate discipline make him an intriguing fit for teams in Japan or Korea, where a change of environment could offer consistent at-bats and a more defined role. For the Twins, Wednesday’s decision reflects the tight roster calculus that comes with balancing present depth and future investment. Opening a spot before the Rule 5 Draft signals that Minnesota sees value in adding an external player it believes can contribute in the near future. McCusker’s release is a reminder that player development paths are rarely linear and that opportunities often hinge on timing as much as talent. His journey from the independent leagues to the doorstep of a major league job was a success story in itself, even if the Twins chapter concludes earlier than anticipated. Now he will look for the next stage of his career while the Twins move forward into the offseason with another key decision ahead. View the full article

The Minnesota Twins will release Carson McCusker to pursue playing opportunities outside the United States, the team announced Wednesday. As a result, their 40-man roster now has a vacancy, clearing a logistical block as they prepare for the 2025 Rule 5 Draft, which takes place at 1 PM CT to close the Winter Meetings. For a team with a wide-open bullpen and a tight budget, the Rule 5 Draft is a great place to mine for talent. The Twins are expected to make a selection, and whichever hurler they pick up will go into the place on the 40-man reserve list cleared by releasing McCusker. That player will have to be on the team's 26-man roster throughout 2026, though, or the Twins will have to offer them back to the team from whom they select them at half the initial $100,000 acquisition fee. Neutered by a change in the Collective Bargaining Agreement in 2006-07, the draft yields fewer interesting players than it used to. The notion of a player as good as Johan Santana becoming available in the Rule 5 has become laughable, because teams can now control a player for one year longer before having to make the decision about whether to add them to the 40-man roster and shield them from the draft. Clubs have also gotten better at player development and evaluation, so fewer diamonds are left in the rough. However, the Twins' dearth of quality relief depth makes holding onto whomever they select easier than it would typically be for a team with any hope of contending in the ensuing season. Rule 5 picks rarely stick with their new team, and even more rarely become valuable contributors, but those who do are nearly all relief pitchers. The volatility and fungibility of that role means that many more semi-promising players in that demographic become available, relative to position players or starters. Minnesota didn't have much luck with last year's Rule 5 pick, Eiberson Castellano; his command wasn't good enough to merit a spot in what was then a stacked bullpen. This year, the margin for error for any draftee will be much greater—though, of course, the Twins must hope that that margin isn't needed. View the full article

Shoulder and back injuries kept Anthony Santander out for most of the 2025 season and playoffs. It was a disappointing start to his Blue Jays tenure. From 2022-24, the man known lovingly as Tony Taters hit 105 home runs for the Orioles, posting a 123 wRC+ and 8.1 FanGraphs WAR. In his first year with Toronto, the switch-hitter swatted just six homers in 54 games, with a 61 wRC+ and -0.9 fWAR. However, the Jays are hoping a healthy Santander can look more like the Silver Slugger they signed to a five-year, $92.5 million contract last winter. Manager John Schneider addressed reporters on Tuesday at the Winter Meetings. DiamondCentric's John Bonnes was on hand for the event. "Tony is going to be huge for us," said Schneider. "He's a big part of what we're doing." The skipper continued, "I've told him this: 'I don't want you to think you have to do anything you don't do well. You don't have to come back and hit .300 with 50 homers to make up for last year.' We need Tony to fit in the way we know he can when we signed him." As for the shoulder subluxation that forced Santander to the injured list in May and the back tightness that forced him off the ALCS roster in October, Scheider doesn't seem to be concerned. "Shoulder is good. Back is good. He's just feeling normal," the manager explained. He went on to express hope that Santander will have a regular spring training. Schneider acknowledged that the veteran is a "notorious slow starter," but seemed optimistic that he can "hit the ground running" in 2026. Featured image courtesy of Dan Hamilton, Imagn Images. View the full article

It sounds like the Tigers are mulling over their future as they approach the final year of Tarik Skubal’s arbitration eligibility. With the team still in a competitive window, it does seem a bit strange that they might be willing to part ways with Skubal, even as he enters a contract year. Skubal is one of the premier left-handed pitchers in baseball and has developed into an unquestionable ace. His dominance in each of the last two seasons has cemented him as one of the most feared arms in the American League, a pitcher capable of shutting down even the most potent lineups. On the surface, it seems crazy to think that the Tigers would even consider parting ways with a pitcher of Skubal’s calibre while still competitive. However, baseball’s economics and the realities of roster construction often demand ruthless pragmatism. You can see that even with the Jays’ offseason right now. If the Tigers believe they can’t realistically extend Skubal, then exploring trade options becomes a logical next step. The Jays won't be willing to sell many big league pieces that could help the Tigers in the present, but if Detroit is thinking longer term for returns, maybe the Jays could put together a package that makes sense. Imagine a rotation of Skubal, Dylan Cease, Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber and Trey Yesavage. Opposing lineups wouldn’t have a chance to catch their breath in a series before having to reset to face another ace. Such a rotation would also reduce the need to lean too heavily on the bullpen. Skubal brings overpowering stuff from the left side, mixing a high-velocity fastball with devastating off-speed pitches. Cease has Cy Young-level talent when locked in. Gausman remains one of the most reliable veterans in the game. Bieber offers ace-level upside when healthy, and Yesavage has shown the potential to grow into a frontline starter under the guidance of veterans. The Jays’ front office has long emphasized balance, but recent seasons have shown that pitching and defense often carry teams deepest into the postseason. GM Ross Atkins could now consider a bold pivot: constructing an extra-elite rotation that would suffocate opposing lineups and reduce the burden on Toronto's offense. If the Jays choose to emphasize pitching and defense, the formula becomes clear: dominate on the mound, play clean in the field, and rely on timely hitting. In this model, the offense doesn’t need to be explosive. Scoring just four runs per game would often be enough, given the rotation’s ability to shut down opposing bats. Such an approach would mirror the blueprint of several recent champions. The 2019 Nationals rode their rotation and bullpen to glory. The 2020 Dodgers, though loaded offensively, leaned heavily on their pitching depth. Even the 2021 Braves, despite injuries, relied on pitching to stabilize their run. Addison Barger could help the Tigers in the short term. His 2025 campaign was a massive addition to his CV, so some teams (like Detroit) should be interested. His defensive versatility and explosive power would make him a valuable addition for a team looking to remain competitive while retooling. Johnny King, the Jays Centre's No. 4 prospect, is expected to make a quick ascent through the minors. His athleticism and raw tools suggest he could become a cornerstone player, and Detroit might view him as a long-term building block. Add third-ranked prospect, Arjun Nimmala – who is gaining recognition for his elite bat speed, plate discipline, and defensive potential – to the package, and perhaps the Tigers would give that some consideration, although the Jays would likely have to throw in second-ranked prospect JoJo Parker as well. The barrier to such a trade is that even Barger, King, Nimmala, and Parker might not be enough; the Tigers would most likely demand Yesavage. That seems like too steep a price to pay for one year of Skubal. No one expects Yesavage to match Skubal's production, but he is a potential frontline starter under team control through 2031. More to the point, he has already endeared himself to the clubhouse and the fanbase after an unprecedented debut season. He is more valuable to the Blue Jays than he would be to any other team. If the Tigers would bite without Yesavage in the deal, there would still be risk for the Jays. Losing King, Nimmala, and Parker would wipe out the farm system, and even with Skubal, reaching the World Series again wouldn't be guaranteed. A serious injury to Skubal would be a disastrous, worst-case outcome. The flip side is that adding one of the top two starters in baseball would significantly increase Toronto's odds of returning to the postseason and finishing what was started in 2025. Recent baseball history is filled with examples of teams that took the plunge and reaped the rewards. The Astros traded for Justin Verlander in 2017 and won a championship. The Cubs acquired Aroldis Chapman in 2016 and broke their century-long curse. The 2021 Dodgers added Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to solidify their dominance. What's more, adding Skubal and his cost-controlled salary could perhaps still allow the Jays to sign another impact bat for the lineup, be it Bo Bichette, Kyle Tucker, or Alex Bregman. For years, the Jays have been viewed as a team on the edge of contention, talented but not quite intimidating. Acquiring Skubal would instantly shift that perception. Opponents would enter a series against Toronto knowing they’d face relentless pitching. Baseball is a game of confidence and momentum, and a rotation stacked with aces could tilt every series in the Jays' favour. From a league-wide perspective, a Skubal trade would also reshape the balance of power in the American League. The Yankees and Red Sox would be forced to respond, perhaps accelerating their own pursuit of pitching upgrades. The rest of the teams in the AL Central, meanwhile, would recalibrate their strategies, knowing the Tigers had pivoted toward a longer-term rebuild. Nevertheless, the reality is that the idea of the Jays acquiring Tarik Skubal is a pipe dream. It would require a massive purging of the farm system, a willingness to sacrifice the future, and a belief that the present is worth the risk. For a franchise hungry to return to postseason glory, the gamble has far too many risks than rewards. View the full article

San Diego Padres ownership has been in shambles all offseason. That’s its own saga, but long story short, Padres fans are worried that their time as one of baseball’s highest-spending organizations may be over. With over $40 million coming off the books and no rumored big moves, it looked like the beginning of a slow decline back to the pre-COVID days of $80-110 million dollar rosters. No more $200+ million teams and no more superstar paydays. That was until Padres Chairman John Seidler said the team aims to keep next year’s payroll similar to the 2025 figure of $221 million. There is hope! As of now, San Diego has just over $160 million allocated for next season. After arbitration, assuming the Padres retain all their notable players (including Jason Adam and Adrian Morejon), that number will be around $190 million. That gives the Padres somewhere in the ballpark of $30 million to work with. With a highly active general manager, AJ Preller, at the helm and $30 million available, this offseason just got very exciting for San Diego. Here’s what we know: The Padres let go of Dylan Cease. I’d assume that means they don’t want to spend this money recklessly. Cease projects to be great, but he hasn’t exactly been consistent across his career. They also probably won’t retain Luis Arraez, another high-risk talent given his poor 2025 season. Then there’s Michael King, an injury prone, high-ceiling option whom the Padres are at least open to keeping. The losses of Cease and Arraez are hard to evaluate. Cease is an expensive, metric-supported arm, while Arraez is an anti-metric, cheaper bat. You can’t use those players to predict the Padres’ direction, other than to say they want to move on from 2025 underperformers. So, how can they spend their money? Add a Premier Starter San Diego’s rotation is far from complete, especially if they can’t retain King. The first name that comes to mind is, ironically, José Berríos. The 2025 Blue Jays Opening Day starter finds himself the odd man out of Toronto’s 2026 staff and could swap places with Cease. His $20 million salary in 2026 fits the Padres’ books nicely, and he brings much-needed stability. Berríos has never thrown fewer than 150 innings in a season (besides 2020) and has never posted a FIP over five. Or, they could aim higher and trade for Tarik Skubal. Every team wants him — he’s the best pitcher in baseball. That would require conversations with ownership about extending him, but Preller loves shock value. One of the weakest points of the 2025 staff was the lack of left-handers. They tried to fix it at the deadline with Nestor Cortes and JP Sears, but both struggled. Splurging on someone like Framber Valdez would also be worth it. If he’s unavailable, Ranger Suárez is another strong option who’s been dominant in both the regular season and postseason for the Phillies. Bring Back Michael King This would cost similar money to adding Berríos (around $20 million annually). Preller could weigh the pros and cons of each pitcher, or shed around $10 million in a Berríos trade and get both. The rotation certainly has room, which is why I prefer the latter. Simply retaining King and entering 2026 at roughly $210 million with a few filler players won’t get the job done. Retaining King and adding another arm is what would give the Padres a legitimately dangerous rotation: Nick Pivetta José Berríos or Other Michael King Joe Musgrove Randy Vásquez That's not necessarily equivalent to the Dodgers' world-beating group, but it is a competitive quintet with some depth. Carefully Add to the Infield With Arraez and Ryan O’Hearn entering free agency, the Padres have a huge hole in their lineup. They need more power than Arraez provided and real reinforcements at first base and designated hitter. Signing a pure platoon bat like Paul Goldschmidt or Rhys Hoskins would save money, but neither projects to perform all that well in 2026. That money would be better spent moving on from platooning altogether and adding everyday bats. Retaining O’Hearn could save salary while giving them a full-time first baseman, but he’s reportedly in talks with smaller-market teams like the Pirates and White Sox. It’s best to let those organizations overpay for mid-tier players and aim higher. A big name like Pete Alonso would solve the issue entirely. If not him, signing someone like JT Realmuto (as a catcher/DH) or trading for Yandy Díaz/Vinnie Pasquantino would fit nicely. The key is avoiding a platoon situation where no one finds their footing. We aren’t the Rays, after all. Whether through a blockbuster trade or savvy free-agent signings, San Diego has salary room to work with and clear areas requiring improvement. What do you think the Padres should do with their $30 million? Sounds off in the comments below! View the full article