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The Athletic recently cited unnamed "people briefed on (Milwaukee's) plans" that the Brewers are "fretting" over payroll. MLB Trade Rumors posted the story on Thanksgiving, too. As a result, national news outlets continue to advocate for Brewers' pitcher, Freddy Peralta, to be traded this offseason. It is no surprise when pundits openly wonder which veteran player a small-market team will trade next. Speculation is what makes baseball's offseason so much fun. At the same time, claims that the 2026 Brewers' payroll is a problem and that Milwaukee needs to trade Peralta this winter are both highly questionable. The Brewers' 2026 payroll is currently projected to be $136 million, according to FanGraphs. This would be an estimated $13 million increase over last season's final payroll numbers. However, Milwaukee's 2022 final payroll was $138 million. There is little evidence to believe the Brewers cannot support a payroll smaller than a few years ago, especially after an appearance in last season's National League Championship Series. If Milwaukee were worried about a $13 million payroll increase, it would not have extended a $22.025 million qualifying offer to Brandon Woodruff. The Brewers already have plenty of cost-controlled pitchers to fill next year's rotation. On the other hand, it was clear from the postseason that Milwaukee lacked an additional top-of-the-rotation starter who could be relied upon in October. Woodruff's contract is a calculated risk for 2026 to make the team better. Brewers' principal owner, Mark Attanasio, and President of Baseball Operations, Matt Arnold, both told The Athletic in a November 18 article after signing Brandon Woodruff that Milwaukee is "excited about our rotation," and the future of Freddy Peralta was an "independent decision." A rotation of Peralta, Woodruff, Quinn Priester, and Jacob Misiorowski would be among the best in the National League. The Brewers could conceivably do nothing else for the remainder of the offseason and be favored to win a third consecutive Central Division title. All that to say, Milwaukee does not need to trade Freddy Peralta. For three consecutive years, Peralta has made 30 or more starts with 200 or more strikeouts. Eight million dollars cannot buy that level of performance, especially on a one-year commitment. Dollar for dollar, Peralta could be the most valuable veteran starting pitcher in the league, especially for a small-market team. The best argument for trading Peralta is the promise of receiving multiple years of control from one or more prospects. It is worth noting that Milwaukee already has the best minor league system in the league, according to Baseball America's 2025 mid-season report. The Brewers' top three prospects are shortstops with Cooper Pratt and Jesus Made already appearing in Double-A last season. Jeferson Quero and Marco Dinges already have bright futures as catchers. The Brewers do lack high-end outfield talent, but Jackson Chourio and Sal Frelick are entrenched in Milwaukee for several years. A high-end pitching prospect with five or six years of team control would be worth considering. The prospect would need to be "can't miss" because the Brewers already have Misiorowski, Priester, Patrick, Henderson, Ashby, and Gasser for multiple years, too. It is tempting to wonder about the unnamed sources that receive briefings on the Brewers' level of payroll comfort. Are the briefings in PowerPoint format, or are they simply conversations overheard at the water cooler? Do the briefings address the contradiction of expressing an urgent need to shed one-year financial commitments to add multi-year commitments, presumably in free agency? It is absurd to suggest the Brewers need to trade Freddy Peralta to sign Isiah Kiner-Falefa or another platoon player. Matt Arnold did not win his second consecutive Executive of the Year award by fretting about payroll or doubting the organization's long-term plans. Freddy Peralta understandably should be on every team's Christmas wish list. But what can a big market club offer a small market club that already has everything it needs to win 97 games and high-level prospects at most positions? View the full article

Every year, Twins Daily looks at the best Black Friday deals in the Minnesota Twins Company Store. These were graded the best by our panel of retail experts (RandBall’s Stu, John Bonnes, John Bonnes’s dog, and the ghost of Pa Ingalls). Trevor Larnach. For those baffled by Minnesota re-signing a lefty outfielder for a team loaded with them, the team seems to be admitting there was a mistake on their end. “We sort of don’t have any money and sort of maybe weren’t paying attention to all the paperwork,” said a front office source. “If you want to buy Larnach from us for what we paid, that’s super cool. Plus, he’s housebroken.” Derek Shelton’s Insulting Nickname: Origins. Maniac Twins fan Greggory T. Masterson is offering subscribers a behind-the-scenes look as he crafts a successor to Rockhead, his withering nickname for former Twins manager Rocco Baldelli. “Derek Shouldquit is my current favorite,” said the towering 7-footer. “But by no means is this contest over.” A Mystery Twin Cities Office Building. Inspired by holiday grab bags with unknown items inside, the Pohlad family is offering a surprise office building in the Twin Cities for the low price of $8 million (cash only). “If you ever wanted to own a constantly depreciating building with an absurdly high vacancy rate, there’s never been a better time,” per a family spokesperson. A Laminated List of Every Twins Pitcher from August 1, 2025 to the End of the Season. Win bar bets and fascinate other fans with your deep knowledge of who the hell even pitched for the Twins after the 2025 trade deadline. Did Steve Bedrosian throw an inning of relief, even though he has been retired for many, many years? The only way to know is to buy this attractive card, which fits in most billfolds, clutches, and men’s crossbody bags. Joe Ryan, Pablo López, and Bailey Ober Jerseys. “What do you mean, no other players jerseys are on sale,” asked a retail store employee. “These Byron Buxton jerseys are also discounted.” Image license here. View the full article

So much of the offseason so far has been spent discussing the Blue Jays' inability to score Isiah Kiner-Falefa from third in the bottom of the ninth of Game 7, but even getting to that point (a run away from winning the championship) was a result of one particular stat. Not ERA or OPS, but extra bases taken. While the team’s average sprint speed was slower than in 2023 and 2024, the 2025 club managed to be among the league’s best at taking extra bases. The 2025 Jays’ year signaled a profound transformation, one rooted not just in long balls or frontline pitching, but in a subtler, cumulative advantage: aggressively taking extra bases. From going first to third on singles to scoring from first on doubles, the Jays relentlessly converted contact into pressure and pressure into runs. This was a shift from years where the focus was solely on hitting home runs. The narrative was further sharpened by Kevin Kiermaier’s behind-the-scenes role as a special assistant. During his two seasons with the Jays, he never seemed to lose his hustle. A self-described “outfield whisperer,” Kiermaier helped embed defensive precision and baserunning awareness across the organization. The result was an offense that attacked in layers, and a culture that made every ninety feet matter. The 2025 Blue Jays’ bats were relentless, arguably led by George Springer’s .309/.399/.560 line, complemented by 60 extra-base hits (XBH). Bo Bichette hit .311 and led the club with 63 XBH, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. added 57 XBH with a .292/.381/.467. Those three gave the Jays a high ceiling night after night, but what differentiated this group from prior versions was how consistently their contact turned into immediate pressure on opposing defenses. This identity didn’t emerge from nowhere. It followed the 2024 season, in which Toronto’s baserunning was a liability. They ranked second-worst in baseball across 2023-24 according to FanGraphs’ baserunning runs (BsR) at -23. The 2025 season marked a notable improvement. Yet, these Jays weren’t known for swiping bases via steals; rather, they were forcing defenses to respond to them taking third from first and home from second. Toronto’s turnaround was both philosophical and opportunistic. Their collective emphasis on stretching bases mattered most in tight games and the high-leverage moments of October. The 2025 team was intent on converting inches into runs. They struck a balance between patience and pressure, pushing the envelope without running into reckless outs. This created a compounding effect: more throws, more relays, more chances for misplays. As their offense found its groove, analysts consistently credited the all-around offensive production to situational execution. If you look solely at the numbers, the Jays were actually led by Bichette’s 63 extra-base hits, followed by Springer’s 60 and Daulton Varsho’s 35 in just 71 games. Clutch moments usually don’t happen by accident. The Jays were clutch, but it helped that they often had opportunities to be clutch. Ernie Clement’s contact proficiency, Addison Barger’s late-game pop, and Bichette’s high-leverage swings cashed in runs all season long. A focus on contributions up and down the lineup helped gel the team and became a weapon unto itself. This was especially important after Anthony Santander didn’t come as advertised. In 54 games, Santander hit .175/.271/.294. Paltry results compared to his career average numbers. It was a systematic approach to generating runs that held together the offense’s run-scoring capacity. It didn’t require crazy launch angles, just better reads, jumps, and risks aligned with context, and it translated directly into run expectancy upticks across innings and games. Milliseconds are usually the difference between an extra base or an extra out, a run scored versus a rally stalled. In a pennant race decided by tiny margins, and a World Series decided by inches, those inches and feet were the Blue Jays’ currency. Acquiring extra bases meant putting runners in scoring position with fewer than two outs, fewer double plays and more pressure on opponents. To sustain and elevate this identity in 2026, the front office needs to seek more athletic, high-IQ players whose OBP, speed, and defensive range create opportunities and deny them to opponents. The goal is balance, not simply chasing another big slugger. At the top of the lineup, the Jays need to have hitters with high walk rates, fast sprint speed, and great first-step reads that keep pressure constant. Pairing such profiles with Springer’s savvy and Bichette’s gap contact (presuming Bichette returns), for example, would play well with first-to-third baseball. Bench speed and utility versatility are crucial, especially in the postseason. The Jays were able to shore up their defence late in games while increasing speed on the basepaths through players like Nathan Lukes, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Myles Straw and Joey Loperfido. A team needs to build and foster a culture that embraces speed and plate discipline. It isn’t easy, but the Jays proved in 2025 that it can be done. Adding one Dylan Cease is precisely what the Jays needed for success in 2026. He limits free passes, reduces defensive exposure and keeps games in run-manufacturing range. An offense designed to take extra bases thrives in tight, mid-scoring games. Good pitching and defence avoids blowouts by removing walk clusters. What we saw from arms like Shane Bieber and Eric Lauer hints at the value of command-first starters to keep the base-stealing and advancement machine relevant every night. Critically, “extra bases taken” isn’t a fad. It’s the scalable core of modern run creation. Pitching keeps evolving. Velocity and spin aren’t retreating. As a consequence, all-contact offenses without advancement plateau. Likewise, all-slug constructions tend to boom-and-bust in October. Toronto’s 2025 blend of elastic scoring through advancement, power when present, and defense that denies the same edge proved resilient across the season and postseason regardless of opponent. That’s the good news. The bad news is that mentors like Kiermaier might not be around to preach this message. Recently, he posted a not-so-cryptic message on social media that he's seeking a new role. The 2025 Jays showcased a modern blueprint for winning baseball: Make every ninety feet count. Their ability to take extra bases multiplied the impact of an offense already rich with stars, turned innings into pressure cookers and provided stability on nights when home runs were hard to find. If the Jays continue to prioritize high OBPs, speed (on the bases and on defense), bench utility, culture, and command-first pitching in 2026, they’ll preserve the manufacturing engine that took them to the brink of a title. The World Series margin was razor-thin, so the Jays’ next step is to keep stretching singles into doubles and doubles into runs, while taking every available inch until the final inch flips the last game their way. View the full article

Three months removed from suffering a right lat strain, Tyler Zuber is officially back with the Miami Marlins organization on a minor league deal. He will be at spring training as a non-roster invitee. The 30-year-old right-hander had horrible surface-level stats with the Marlins and New York Mets in 2025 (11.25 ERA, 23.7 K% and .327 BAA in 12.0 IP). But perhaps Miami is intrigued by the depth of his pitch mix—he used a sweeper, four-seam fastball, slider, sinker, changeup and cutter during that small sample. If only Zuber were getting ahead in the count more frequently, his variety of pitches could make him a tough matchup. He's very likely to begin next season with Triple-A Jacksonville. On Thursday in winter ball, Jared Serna (Mexico) went 0-for-4. On Friday in winter ball—playing in Australia, which is 16 hours ahead of us on the east coast of the United States—Eric Rataczak went 2-for-5 with a clutch home run. The Sydney Blue Sox starting first baseman raised his OPS to .898. yy4v3k_1.mp4 Only 118 days away from Marlins Opening Day. 🔷 With there reportedly being a large gap between Kyle Stowers and the Marlins in recent contract extensions talks, Kevin Barral picked Eury Pérez, Jakob Marsee and Joe Mack as more realistic extension candidates. 🔷 Concluding their series of World Baseball Classic-inspired national team rosters, Son Los Marlins constructed the best possible Venezuelan team comprised of former Fish (en español). 🔷 Mike Petriello of MLB.com identified the Marlins as having some of the key ingredients to potentially emulate the 2025 Toronto Blue Jays. 🔷 A rendering of what loanDepot park will look like for the Miami Tennis Invitational on December 8 portrays the outfield walls as a much brighter shade of blue compared to this past season. We'll find out soon whether this is a legitimate change or just a hastily assembled visual with distorted lighting. 🔷 Congratulations to Mallory and Dane Myers, who are expecting their second child. 🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, Dylan Cease and the Blue Jays agreed to a seven-year, $210 million deal. That may prove to be the largest contract signed by any pitcher this offseason. The Los Angeles Angels are negotiating to buy out the final year of Anthony Rendon's ill-fated $245 million deal, deferring a portion of the money beyond 2026. Rendon is expected to retire. View the full article

The Red Sox are surveying the market for middle-of-the-order help and have been linked to two right-handed sluggers: Pete Alonso and Kazuma Okamoto, and also have interest in Kyle Schwarber and a reunion with Alex Bregman. Both Alonso and Okamoto hit from the right side and would share similar Fenway Park considerations, but their backgrounds and skill sets differ. Alonso is a right-handed first baseman who bats and throws right, and will be in his age-31 season in 2026. In 2025, he logged 709 plate appearances with a .272/.347/.524 line, a .252 ISO, and an 8.6% walk rate. Over 2023 and 2024 combined, he produced a 122 wRC+. He has consistent pull rates in the low-40 percent range on balls in the air, making him a good fit for the Green Monster profile that converts deep flies into extra-base hits. His offensive value is concentrated at first base, so any fit with Boston would be almost exclusively as a primary first baseman and designated hitter. Kazuma Okamoto is a right-handed hitter with experience at third base, first base, and the outfield; he will be in his age-29 season in 2026. In 2025, with Yomiuri, he recorded 293 plate appearances, hitting .327 with 15 home runs. Over 11 NPB seasons, he has 248 career home runs, including six straight seasons with at least 30 homers from 2018–2023. As another right-handed power bat, Okamoto would also work in front of the Green Monster, with Fenway’s doubles-friendly environment potentially interacting with his history of consistent home run power. His positional background at both corner infield spots creates a different roster fit than Alonso, combining right-handed power with some flexibility between third base and first base. Schwarber offers a different offensive profile from Alonso and Okamoto, bringing left-handed power to pair with their right-handed bats. A left-handed hitter, Schwarber has primarily played left field and designated hitter, but is exclusively a DH as he enters his age-33 season in 2026. Over 11 MLB seasons, he has logged more than 5,300 plate appearances with a .231/.346/.500 batting line and 300-plus home runs, producing an .846 OPS across that stretch. He cleared 690 plate appearances in both 2024 and 2025 with on-base percentages in the mid-360s and slugging percentages of .500 or better. View the full article

Reports came out on Wednesday that the Twins have the inside track on signing Dominican shortstop Angel Ozuna for around $500,000 when the 2026 international signing period begins on January 15, 2026. Normally this wouldn't be huge news. Last year the Twins signed several high-profile international free agents for more than $500,000. But this situation is different than others, and it will be interesting to follow over the coming months. Shortstop Angel Ozuna was expected to be one of the top international signings in the Class of 2027, when he turned 16. The Yankees were believed to have an agreement with Ozuna, a product of Los Bauti Baseball Academy, to a signing bonus of at least $5 million. However, last year it came out that he had falsified his age and got busted for it. He was three years older than he was claiming. Instead of being a 13-year-old dominating other 13- and 14-year-olds, he was actually a 16-year-old dominating 13-year-olds. He should have been a part of the 2024 international signing class, but with this new information, Ozuna was suspended for one year. However, it is now being reported, also by Wilber Sanchez, that he has a pre-arranged deal with the Twins to sign for around $500,000. What does that mean? Once Ozuna serves his time, he can be signed. However, since he is signing as an 18-year-old rather than a top 16-year-old, he isn't going to get the $5 million. But, he is still a very talented player, he's just not as young as believed. And there is the whole concern about a person who was willing to falsify his age. View the full article

Reports came out on Wednesday that the Twins have the inside track on signing Dominican shortstop Angel Ozuna for around $500,000 when the 2026 international signing period begins on January 15, 2026. Normally this wouldn't be huge news. Last year the Twins signed several high-profile international free agents for more than $500,000. But this situation is different than others, and it will be interesting to follow over the coming months. Shortstop Angel Ozuna was expected to be one of the top international signings in the Class of 2027, when he turned 16. The Yankees were believed to have an agreement with Ozuna, a product of Los Bauti Baseball Academy, to a signing bonus of at least $5 million. However, last year it came out that he had falsified his age and got busted for it. He was three years older than he was claiming. Instead of being a 13-year-old dominating other 13- and 14-year-olds, he was actually a 16-year-old dominating 13-year-olds. He should have been a part of the 2024 international signing class, but with this new information, Ozuna was suspended for one year. However, it is now being reported, also by Wilber Sanchez, that he has a pre-arranged deal with the Twins to sign for around $500,000. What does that mean? Once Ozuna serves his time, he can be signed. However, since he is signing as an 18-year-old rather than a top 16-year-old, he isn't going to get the $5 million. But, he is still a very talented player, he's just not as young as believed. And there is the whole concern about a person who was willing to falsify his age. View the full article

Happy Thanksgiving from us at Padres Mission. It's a time to sit back and think of everything you can be thankful for. I'm grateful for my first year here, covering the San Diego Padres. It's been a fantastic, fun first season, and I look forward to the future, which hopefully includes a World Series run. For the Padres faithful, there are many things to be thankful for regarding the team, but here are five things that should be at the top of your list. The Padres add experience behind the former reliever, now manager, Craig Stammen. Stammen had a solid 13-year career as a reliever, posting a 3.66 ERA over 885 innings. He's only been retired for three years, but he served as a special assistant to the Padres, helping with player development in that span. Even though he's still been around the game, he needs experience on his coaching staff. The inexperience was addressed by hiring Randy Knorr. Knorr has been a bench coach, first base coach, bullpen coach, catching coordinator, minor league coach, and has recently been an advisor in player development. When a team has a rookie manager, it's reassuring to fans that there is experience somewhere within the coaching staff. This team, on paper, looks solid next season, so Stammen is stepping into a comfortable situation. A.J. Preller's dedication to building a competitive team. Preller has been determined to put together a competitive team. That included this past season, acquiring notable players, including Mason Miller and JP Sears from the Athletics, and Ryan O'Hearn and Ramón Laureano from the Baltimore Orioles, to help bolster an already impressive roster. Preller has been known to do whatever it takes to put together the best team, including trading for Fernando Tatis Jr. from the Chicago White Sox in 2016 and Juan Soto from the Washington Nationals in 2022. Preller's contract expires after the 2026 season, but discussions are ongoing, so Padres fans can feel confident the Padres will remain competitive for the foreseeable future. The former ownership group, specifically Peter Seidler. With the uncertainty of the ownership group, let's be thankful for the years we had with former owner Peter Seidler, who tragically passed away in November 2023. He was an owner who supported backing Preller's big moves, including the massive contracts to land superstars in free agency, Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts top this list, and the blockbuster trades stated earlier. During Seidler's tenure, the Padres made the postseason during the 2020-shortened season, ending a 14-year drought. After that season, he became the controlling owner. He not only had a passion for baseball, but he also poured his love into the community. He formed the "Tuesday Group", which addressed homelessness in San Diego and helped raise money for the Padres' "Pedal the Cause" for local cancer research. The Padres remain owned by the Seidler family, with Peter's brother, John, named chairman before this past season. The family is currently exploring options, including a potential sale. With the Padres coming off their first consecutive 90-plus-win seasons in franchise history, the team is performing at its best and appears appealing to potential buyers. Despite this news, the ownership group is committed to getting the resources to bring a World Series home. You, the Padres fanbase. The Padres fanbase has been electric, especially over the last decade. After breaking the 14-year postseason drought in 2020, the Padres have now made the postseason in four of the previous six seasons, including a 2022 NLCS trip. This past season, 3,437,201 fans attended 81 games at Petco Park, with 72 games selling out. With the Seidlers showing the willingness to do what's needed to win, the fans are rewarding the loyalty. Gone are the days of finishing fifth in the NL West. However, as promising as the season looks, by the end, the fans are left heartbroken and looking to the next season. The Padres again look prepared to contend in 2026, and the fans will be there for all the ups and downs. The 2026 Padres look promising (again). Ryan O'Hearn, Luis Arraez, Dylan Cease, Michael King, and Robert Suarez are notable names to leave for free agency. The number one bullpen in ERA (3.06) last season is left intact, except for Suarez, whose 2.97 ERA was a key to the bullpen's success, although we replace him with a full season of Mason Miller closing games. The starting rotation returns Nick Pivetta, coming off his best season over his nine-year career. He posted a 2.87 ERA, 9.41 strikeouts per nine innings, and 3.49 FIP over 181 2/3 innings. Joe Musgrove will return after missing all of the 2025 season with a UCL injury that required Tommy John surgery. With the loss of Cease, King, and Yu Darvish, who will miss the entire 2026 season due to a UCL injury, a back-end starting pitcher is a significant need this offseason. JP Sears and Kyle Hart are projected to be the number four and five starters. Giving Sears a shot makes sense, as he's only pitched in four MLB seasons and has shown flashes of brilliance; however, regarding Hart, an upgrade is needed. He just turned 33, but hasn't had an ERA under 4.00 since 2019, except his 2024 season in the Korean Baseball Organization. The offense returns all the starters from last season, besides O'Hearn and Arraez. We got to see a blip of the number seven prospect, Tirso Ornelas, last season in 16 plate appearances. He struggled, slashing .071/.188/.071, but he showed great vision at the plate, walking and striking out both at 12 percent. The offense as a whole finished in the bottom half of all primary stats last season, so a bat or two are high on the needs list this offseason, but they can be bench bats that can platoon at positions or a first baseman. View the full article

Owen and Jesse break down the shocking signing of Dylan Cease to a seven-year contract. This alters the shape of the rotation considerably, especially with the late-season emergence of Trey Yesavage. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jays-centre-podcast/id1846108462 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Bi7SzfpcqMo5xYWnbCeoL Listen on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-the-jays-centre-podcast-300304824/ Listen on Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/2qk9wqxd Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jayscentre View the full article

Just as you ready yourself to guzzle down your gravy-soaked plated paean to colonialism, Uncle Donny plops himself down beside you. He knows you like the Twins, and that you’re keenly plugged in to the comings and goings of the club. And now that he has you cornered, he’s going to tell you all of his ill-informed, sometimes problematic thoughts about your favorite club. By the end of the meal, you’ll be begging to talk about something less divisive, like religion or politics. In no particular order, here is a list of items that your least favorite uncle will throw out over the next hour or two. Pour yourself another drink. Lord knows Donny has. Players are too soft in today’s game, and it’s because they didn’t drink out of the garden hose enough when they were kids. Maybe a little lead in their system would stop them from getting plantar fasciitis and “a little bit of brain damage” when they get hit in the head with a 95-MPH fastball. The injured list was created by communists. “To be honest, we pay too much attention to lists these days,” he shouts, as you wince at where this conversation could possibly be heading. “The only list we should concern ourselves with is my Christmas list. I’m asking for the same things I do every year. A poster of Sean Hannity to hang in my garage, and a kit to make my own beef jerky." Has Aunt Lorraine still not gotten him that poster, or is he using the damn things for wallpaper? Target Field should have a Fleet Farm on premises. “Why do we need seven different bars in the stadium, when real Americans get lit in the Salvation Army parking lot before coming in? What if I want to buy a socket wrench, a 20-pound bag of bird seed and some chocolate-covered peanuts that were packaged in 2016?” The pitch clock is an abomination. “Stupid kids these days just want the game to finish earlier so that they can get home to their Rugrats.” That program aired its final episode in 2004, and besides, Hey, Arnold! was better. The Twins should fire Derek Shelton (yes, already) and hire Doug Mientkiewicz to be the new manager. “Dougie Baseball has forgotten more about baseball than the brain wizards upstairs have ever known. He would’ve gotten my vote if I had one,” Donny says while pouring gravy directly from the boat into his mouth. “In fact, I wrote him in with my vote to be the Mayor of St. Paul. Screw you, Carter!” The Twins should trade Byron Buxton (he calls him Brian Buxton) and sign Luis Arraez to play shortstop, moving Brooks Lee to center field. “Arraez never misses time (don’t look that up) and Buxton can never stay healthy for more than 60 games. Lee should have no trouble in center field because he’s athletic and his dad coached him to have good fundamentals.” Hitters are too focused on what he calls “launch velocity.” The ball doesn’t go as far if you hit it too hard. In high school, he was taught to swing slow, because slow is smooth and smooth is fast. The Twins were right to trade away players with hyphenated last names. “Pick a lane already!” Donny shouts while slapping the table, scaring the children sitting across from him. “The smartest thing ‘Failvey’ ever did was trade Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Christian Encarnacion-Strand. Simeon Woods Richardson should be next. I know his name doesn’t have a hyphen, but it’s so long that it looks like a rainbow on the back of his jersey.” Trust me, you don’t want to hear his opinion on rainbows. Birds aren’t real. This isn’t Twins-related, but it does catch your attention. His birder phase doesn't seem that long ago; this feels like an about-face. As you finish your meal and start making your way to the front door for a Minnesota goodbye, Donny pulls you aside. “Hey kid, thanks for listening to your grumpy old uncle. I know we don’t see eye-to-eye much anymore, but it means a lot to be able to catch up with you at these things every year,” he says as he gives you a rather tender one-armed side hug and sneaks a crumpled piece of paper in your hand. “This is for you. Enjoy it, and let me know if you ever want to throw rocks at the Union Pacific trains that run behind my condo.” You unfurl the paper in your hand. It’s a coupon for a free car wash that expired three years ago. View the full article

Turkey Day is here, and many of us will gather with our families and friends to partake in turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. It is a tradition that has been ongoing for many years, but this year, let’s add why Brewers fans should be thankful. 6. Tailgating For as long as the Milwaukee Brewers have been in existence, fans have been partying in the parking lots before, during, and after games at the ballyard. Large quantities of alcohol are consumed. Hamburgers, brats, and hot dogs are cooked up on the most basic ‘Lil Smokey’ charcoal grill, all the way up to the four-burner gas grill with side burners for veggies. The beer, burgers, and potato chips go along with games of catch and cornhole. People wander around, cadging cans of Bud Light while making new friends with other fans. Let’s all be thankful for the fellowship, friendship, and time to cheer on our Brewers. 5. Miller Park/American Family Field/Uecker Field For 31 years, fans flocked to Milwaukee County Stadium, often wondering whether the weather would postpone games and/or make things miserable. A small group of friends and I went to Opening Day nearly every year in the 1980s. We never knew what to expect: it could be snowing, and 30 degrees, or it could be sunny and 60. And the weather forecast could change by the time we drove three hours from central Wisconsin. We might have long johns and winter jackets, or we could have t-shirts and shorts. You just never knew. When Miller Park opened in 2001, it took away the uncertainty of ‘will there be a ballgame today?’ For that, we should be thankful. 4. An Abundance of Talented Prospects Jackson Chourio, Brice Turang, Sal Frelick, Jacob Misiorowski. Hopefully, that foursome will be competing at a high level in Milwaukee for the next 10 years. And then check out the prospects in the minors. Although they are at various levels, they should arrive at Uecker Field over the next few years and shine like the stars we hope they can be. Jesús Made, Luis Peña, Cooper Pratt, Jeferson Quero, Braylon Payne, Luke Adams, Brock Wilken, and Bishop Letson are all exciting players who should make their presence felt in Milwaukee soon. Let’s be thankful that the Brewers ‘cupboard is full and that the future looks bright. 3. Matt Arnold and Staff Arnold has been a member of the Brewers front office since October 2015 and has been the general manager since November 2020. Last month, Arnold was promoted to president of baseball operations. Along with the new title, Arnold will presumably earn a larger salary, and the job of president could prevent other teams from trying to pry Arnold away from Milwaukee with the promise of a president's position. Although the previous regime of David Stearns had success in the amateur draft, Arnold has seen seven players reach the major leagues from the 2021-2023 draft classes, including Sal Frelick and Jacob Misiorowski. Add to that the fact that the Brewers had four players in MLB.com’s Top 100 Prospect list for 2025: Made (4), Peña (18), Pratt (56), and Quero (84). Arnold isn’t perfect, but he is doing a darn good job for the Brewers, and we are thankful to have him and his staff. 2. Pat Murphy The Brewers' current manager has had a long and storied career both in college and in the pros. He coached Notre Dame and Arizona State from 1988 to 2009, compiling a 947-400-2 record and being named Baseball America’s Coach of the Year in 1998 at Arizona State. He held several positions in the San Diego Padres organization, including minor league manager and interim manager for the Padres in the second half of 2015. Milwaukee hired him after the 2015 season and became a bench coach on Craig Counsell’s staff. After Counsell left to manage the Chicago Cubs, Murphy became the Brewers' manager, and the rest is history. Milwaukee won two NL Central titles under ‘Murph,’ and he was named NL Manager of the Year in both 2024 and 2025. Whether it is the Brewers' success under Murphy, his humor, or his culinary specialties, we should be thankful for Patrick Thomas Murphy. 1. Bob Uecker Even though ‘Ueck’ passed away last January, he is top of mind for anybody who is involved with the Brewers, whether cheering in the stands or playing on the field. Bob Uecker wasn’t a great player, but he did play six years in the big leagues. He was a dear friend and guest on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, a key player on the TV show Mr. Belvedere, and a hilarious character in the zany Miller Lite commercials. Uecker’s Harry Doyle lines from the movie Major League are uttered all around the world. ‘Juuuust a bit outside!’ More importantly, Bob Uecker was the beloved voice of the Milwaukee Brewers for over five decades. And he was a close friend to Brewers players, including Robin Yount and Christian Yelich. Brewers fans hoped that the ‘spirit’ of Bob Uecker would send the Brewers to the World Series in 2025, but it just didn’t happen. But how many times did you think, ‘Ueck was looking over the Brewers?’ I know I did, many times. This Thanksgiving, let’s be thankful for all that Mr. Baseball offered the fans and players of the Milwaukee Brewers. Be Thankful EVERY Day Sometimes we fall short of giving thanks on a daily basis. We get together with family and loved ones on the fourth Thursday in November to eat, drink, and make merry. It is a special day, but we should be thankful every day. Going forward, we should all make that effort. And we are thankful for our Milwaukee Brewers. The Crew hasn’t made it to the pinnacle of baseball supremacy, but there is always next year! Have a Happy Thanksgiving, everybody! View the full article

Thanksgiving is here, and in between your second and third plates of turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing, it’s good to look back on the year and your life to find what you are thankful for. This can be family, friends, or a new job, perhaps. So here are five things Royals fans can be thankful for before falling into their tryptophan coma. 1. Bobby Witt Jr. Not since the days of George Brett have the Royals had a bona fide superstar to cheer for. Fresh off another 8+ bWAR season, Witt also added some hardware to his collection with his first Platinum Glove Award and second Silver Slugger. Witt finished 2025 in fourth place in MVP voting, following up his 2024 campaign in which he came in second; this marked the first time since the 1984 and 1985 seasons that the Kansas City Royals had back-to-back years with a player cracking the Top 5 with Dan Quisenberry (third place), and George Brett (second place), respectively. Having a perennial MVP-caliber player is more than just something to be thankful for; it’s something to be excited about as fans. 2. The Defense For all of the Royals' offensive woes that might have occurred this past year. One thing they can really be thankful for is elite defense from some of the most crucial positions. The left side of the diamond was anchored by two Gold Glove recipients, with Maikel Garcia having a career year at third base, both at the dish and on the field, and Bobby Witt Jr. getting his second consecutive Gold Glove and his first Platinum Glove. As a team, the Royals ranked eighth in the majors in Defensive Runs Saved. Elite defense can carry a team deep into October, as fans may recall from the 2014 and 2015 postseason runs. 3. Starting Pitching If the Royals have 99 problems, starting pitching isn’t one of them. Noah Cameron deserves a quick mention as the 26-year-old rookie out of St. Joseph, MO, made splashes in his first year with the team, posting a 2.99 ERA in 138 innings. Not making his debut, but certainly his breakout, Kris Bubic showed the big leagues his potential. Before getting shut down for the rest of the season in late July with a rotator cuff strain, Bubic was absolutely dealing, posting a 2.55 ERA with a 9:3 strikeout to walk ratio en route to his first All-Star Game appearance. Barring any trades (the rumor mill is swirling), The Royals will be coming into the 2026 season with a lot of depth on the mound. 4. An Invested Ownership Group Regardless of where a fan may stand with the ever so talked about and controversial New Royals Ballpark conversation, one thing most can agree on is the effort put forth by the ownership group led by John Sherman. Since purchasing the team from David Glass in late 2019, Sherman has made substantial efforts to improve the on field product. The Royals of old were once mocked as a “major league farm team” for their lack of never signing their top talent to long term deals. John Sherman quickly flipped that script when he signed Bobby Witt Jr. to a whopping 11 year, $288 million deal. Whether it is savvy trades bringing in guys such as Cole Ragans, or free agent signings like those of Seth Lugo or Michael Wacha, it’s clear that this ownership group wants to win and put a competitive team on the field year in and year out. 5. Our “Kauffman Era” Apologies for the Taylor Swift pun. Back to the stadium conversation, nothing is concrete yet but one thing seems like a forgone conclusion and that is that the Kansas City Royals' days of playing at Kauffman Stadium are numbered. Luckily there is still time to enjoy it as the move will take several years, making this a great time to really reflect and be thankful for such a beautiful and awesome ballpark this team has called home since 1973. From the world renown fountains in the outfield, to the massive crown that sits atop the scoreboard, it truly is a sight for sore eyes. Kauffman has been the stage for so many cherished moments in Royals history; Bret Saberhagen's complete game shutout in Game 7 of the 1985 World Series, the 2014 Wild Card miracle, Bo Jackson launching a ball 475 feet into the center field lawn for his first career homer, the list goes on and on. Speaking personally, some of my fondest memories as a kid were coming to baseball games and watching the Boys in Blue play at “The K”. Truly one of the best experiences in all of baseball. View the full article

The Miami Marlins have not signed any of their players to contract extensions since 2022. That should change this offseason, not only to lock them up for the future, but also to increase the team's luxury tax payroll and avoid a potential grievance from the Major League Baseball Players Association. In a report from The Athletic, Brittany Ghiroli said that there was a large gap between Marlins and Kyle Stowers in their recent negotiations, which have since ceased. Expect the Marlins to now turn their attention to potential long-term building blocks like outfielder Jakob Marsee, catcher Joe Mack and pitcher Eury Pérez. Eury Pérez Fish On First has confirmed that the Marlins and Pérez's camp were engaged in extension talks last spring training. The expectation is talks will pick up again soon. Pérez is coming off a season where he posted a 4.25 ERA, 3.67 FIP, 9.91 K/9 and 3.02 BB/9 through 95 ⅓ innings pitched. He made all of his scheduled starts after completing Tommy John surgery rehab and his average fastball velocity actually increased slightly from where it had been as a rookie (from 97.5 mph to 97.9 mph). The expectation is that the Marlins righty will have no innings limit and will be full throttle in 2026. The 22-year-old has one more season to go before he's eligible for arbitration and he's four seasons away from free agency. A couple contract extension comparisons are Bryan Bello (Boston Red Sox), who signed for six years, $55M, and Spencer Strider's six-year, $75M extension with the Atlanta Braves. Jakob Marsee Marsee, 24, was one of four players acquired in the trade that sent Luis Arráez to the San Diego Padres. His first taste of the big leagues far exceeded expectations, as Marsee slashed .292/.363/.478/.842 with five home runs, 33 RBI and 14 stolen bases while playing all three outfield spots. It has become increasingly common for players to be extended with only a partial season of MLB experience. However, in most of those cases, the player was considered an elite prospect before debuting. Marsee, on the other hand, wasn't even ranked on Top 100 lists. The comparison that comes closest to being relevant to Marsee is Kristian Campbell of the Boston Red Sox. Just days after making his debut, he agreed to an eight-year, $60M guarantee and the Red Sox got club options for years nine and ten. Applying the same contract structure to Marsee would fully buy out two of his free agent years, with options covering two more if he's still an impactful player past age 32. Joe Mack Mack began the 2025 season in Double-A, but was quickly promoted to Triple-A, finishing the season slashing .257/.338/.475/.813 with 21 home runs, 58 RBI and a 120 wRC+ between both levels. Just as importantly, he is a fantastic defensive catcher, particularly when it comes to throwing out baserunners attempting to steal. The Marlins' search for a high-quality successor to J.T. Realmuto has been ongoing for seven years, but may finally be coming to an end here. Likely the only way Mack makes the 2026 Opening Day roster is if an extension is agreed to ahead of time. Similar to Campbell's case, the Marlins would delay announcing the deal until the season gets underway to keep him eligible to earn them a future Prospect Promotion Incentive draft pick. There have only ever been eight pre-arb extensions handed out to catchers. Within that list, Salvador Pérez is one of them, signing a five-year, seven million dollar extension with the Royals in 2012. Obviously, times have changed, so the comparison to make is the most recent extension signed, which was Keibert Ruiz, signing for eight-years, $50M with the Washington Nationals. The downside with signing a catcher this early is the way that the contract can play out based on production, and for Ruiz, he has struggled, never posting a wRC+ over 100 in a full season with the Nationals. View the full article

Since it’s Thanksgiving, we here at Talk Sox wanted to take a minute and consider some things that we should be thankful for as Boston Red Sox fans. There’s a ton of things that I could have on this list, especially considering the team is coming off their first trip back to the postseason since 2021, but I decided to cap this exercise at just five. So, whether you're reading this with a turkey hangover or while it's still in the oven, let's all gather round and share in some gratitude on this day of thanks. #5: The Red Sox Foundation Since the season of giving is here, let’s start with the Red Sox’s biggest philanthropic endeavor, the Red Sox Foundation. Through the Foundation, the organization has donated over $130 million to various causes through multiple partnerships since 2002. The Foundation works with, most notably, The Jimmy Fund, but they have partnered with a few other organizations such as the Home Base Program and The Dimock Center, as well as multiple educational focused movements like the Red Sox Scholars, the New England and Lee County Service Scholarships, Fenway Park Learning Lab, and the Nike RBI and Jr. Nike RBI Leagues. The Foundation has raised over $167 million for The Jimmy Fund, something that every fan of this team can be proud of. #4: Craig Breslow’s Willingness to Make Deals I know, not every deal has worked out in his favor, but Breslow’s willingness to actually make trades has put this team in a position to be successful for years to come. His blockbuster deal at last year’s Winter Meetings for Garrett Crochet (more on him shortly) was the first sign that the tide had finally turned in the front office and the team was once again focused on putting a winning product on the field. His communication style seems to be getting better and that should only help him with future negotiations, especially as this year’s Winter Meetings are fast approaching. He’s a far cry from the more fringe-type of deals that Chaim Bloom was making, and this team finally feels like it has his fingerprints on it. As long as that determination continues. Breslow’s time as the President of Baseball Operations will be looked back on fondly... especially if the Sonny Gray trade is a harbinger of what's to come this winter. #3: Fenway Park A thing of beauty, the beacon of the Commonwealth. Fenway Park is the oldest MLB park and is a destination for baseball diehards, not just Sox fans. Fans flock to the stadium to see the Green Monster in person, take tours of the historic landmark, and bask in the greatness that is Boston. It has its quirks, and some of the most uncomfortable seats anywhere, but it’s ours. There’s something to be said about setting foot in a professional park where some of the greatest baseball players in history once stood. You can’t say that about really any other place except Wrigley Field in Chicago. A World Series with the Red Sox and the Cubs would be absolutely magical, and seeing the team hoist the Commissioner’s Trophy on the field at Fenway Park again would be a sight to behold. #2: The Influx of Young Offensive Talent The Red Sox have to be thankful that Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Kristian Campbell have all made their major league debuts and are looking to grow from the 2025 season. Yes, two of them ended the season on the injured list and one was optioned to Triple-A Worcester, but we can all see that the future of the team lies in this young core. Anthony will be a mainstay in the lineup for years to come, Mayer and Campbell have shown flashes of potential, and Rafaela has a knack for clutch hitting that he pairs with exceptional outfield defense. As this core grows together, they’ll help establish the Red Sox as an offensive powerhouse to back up a starting rotation that can hopefully lead the team to another World Series title. #1: Garrett Crochet’s Extension We finally have our top-of-the-rotation ace in Crochet and fans should be celebrating for years to come. He proved in 2025 that he has the firepower to lead a rotation in Boston. He came in second in Cy Young voting this year and is primed to be a top candidate for the award, likely winning at least one, for the life of his contract. Crochet is the face of the pitching staff, and perhaps the face of the franchise. His extension will keep him in Boston throughout his peak years and, hopefully, make him a World Series champion along the way. What else would you add to the list of things for Red Sox fans to be thankful for during this holiday season? Sound off in the comments below! View the full article

Late Tuesday morning, Jeff Passan reported that the Red Sox were trading pitchers Brandon Clarke and Richard Fitts in exchange for Sonny Gray and $20 million in cash. Gray’s base 2026 salary is $31 million and includes a $10 million mutual buyout option, so his total salary minus the $20 million in cash is $21 million. Gray, a November Scorpio, turned 36 this month. The former Vanderbilt Commodore has played for five different teams (Athletics: 2013-17, Yankees: 2017-18, Reds: 2019-21, Twins: 2022-23, and Cardinals: 2024-25) in the majors throughout his 13-year career. The Red Sox mark his sixth team, meaning he’s played for 20% of the league. Is age merely a number? In his age-35 season, Gray’s 2025 performance (21.7% K-BB% [seventh among qualified pitchers], 4.28 ERA, 3.39 FIP, 3.07 xFIP, and 3.6 fWAR) was significantly better than any Red Sox pitcher not named Garrett Crochet. Let’s dive into Gray’s arsenal. Gray’s pitch mix graph might be one of the most intensive that I’ve stumbled upon on Baseball Savant. With the plethora of colors, curves, and abrupt breaks, it resembles something akin to a Japanese subway station map. The biggest takeaway from the graph is that Gray has adapted consistently throughout his career. You can see how Gray has dropped the use of his four-seamer and sinker, while leaning more on his breaking pitches (curveball and sweeper) in his mid-thirties. Four-Seamer (22.3%) Gray’s four-seamer has never been a dominant pitch. It hit an all-time low in velocity (91.7 mph) and strikeout rate (4.6%) this past season. With only 10.5 inches (ranked 422 out of 438) of induced vertical break, the pitch doesn’t generate much rise. Unsurprisingly, Gray’s four-seamer yielded a .376 BA and .584 SLG, which were higher than his .360 xBA and .573 xSLG. The strongest tools in Gray’s arsenal are his breaking pitches, so he aligns with the Red Sox pitching lab’s paradigm of tossing more breaking balls and limiting fastball usage. Sweeper (19.3%) Gray’s sweeper is his bread and butter. Among qualified pitchers, the pitch posted the highest strikeout rate (51.2%), the fourth-highest whiff rate (42.3%), and the fifth-highest run value (7). With 42.0 inches of vertical drop and 14.9 inches of horizontal break, Gray’s sweeper has a more distinct sinking effect. If you want a primer on the dominance of Gray’s sweeper, check out this thread on Twitter. Curveball (18.3%) Gray recorded a 35.4% put-away rate with his curveball, the highest in baseball. Compared to the previous season (13.9% pitch rate), he threw the pitch more often, and its usage reached an all-time high in September. Opposing batters struggled against the pitch (150 BA, .156 xBA, .173 wOBA, and .182 xWOBA). Sinker (17.4%) Gray’s sinker saw a decline this season. Last year, it dropped from a +5 run value and 105 Stuff+ to 1 and 97 mark, respectively. He yielded 25 home runs: six on his four-seamer, five on his sweeper, three on his curveball, three on his changeup, one on his cutter, and seven on his sinker, the most of any pitch. Opposing batters started making more contact on Gray’s sinker, and the pitch saw a significant jump in slugging percentage from .385 to .477. The Rest of Gray’s Arsenal (Cutter: 12.6%, Changeup: 8.4%, Slider: 1.6%, and Slow Curve: 0.1%) Pitch Run Value Stuff+ wOBA xwOBA K% Whiff% PutAway% Hard-Hit% Cutter -1 91 .424 .380 4.4% 23.3% 30.0% 45.0% Changeup -3 80 .464 .436 7.5% 25.6% 27.3% 30.6% Slider 1 123 .215 .211 30.0% 38.1% 42.9% 28.6% Gray’s cutter and changeup posted a wOBA higher than their xwOBA, indicating he’s dealt with poor luck on those pitches. His cutter and changeup’s putaway rates are solid, so he’s productive at retiring batters with those pitches, but their low strikeout rates indicate he hasn’t been able to get ahead of batters frequently; Gray’s 26.7% two-strike percentage ranked 403 among the 436 qualified pitchers. When he was behind in the count this past season, his batted ball rate was alarmingly high (52.9%), and his strikeout rate was low (5.9%). When he was ahead in the account, his batted ball rate plummeted to 2.6% and his strikeout rate increased to 53.2%. Simply put, Gray’s biggest issue is getting to a two-strike count. On a positive note, his first-strike percentage reached an all-time high of 64.7% in 2025. He’s trending in the right direction and may only need to incorporate some pitch sequencing adjustments to put himself in more advantageous counts. Despite Gray’s slider posting the highest Stuff+ (123) in his arsenal and a strong strikeout rate, he rarely threw the pitch. He seems to have a love-hate relationship with the pitch, dropping it after 2019, bringing it back for the 2021-22 seasons, shelving it again in 2023, and reintroducing it this year. Its velocity dipped from 83.6 mph in 2021 to 83.2 mph before matching its 2019 speed in 2025. If he leans on the pitch more consistently next season, he should get ahead in the count more often. We’re at the end of Gray’s arsenal! He only threw his slow curveball twice in 2025, so it’s more of a flex than a go-to tool in his mix. The Red Sox did not extend a $22.05 million qualifying offer to Lucas Giolito, allowing Gray to step into Giolito’s role as a mid-rotation starter. Gray has substantially more swing-and-miss stuff than Giolito and doesn’t come with the baggage of injury issues, which bolsters the Red Sox’s pitching staff. Most importantly, the veteran adds some stability behind Garrett Crochet in the rotation. He has been a reliable starter over the past two seasons, tossing 166.1 innings in 2024 and 180.2 in 2025. Cot’s Contracts estimates the Red Sox's 2026 payroll at $216.86 million, leaving $27.13 million to spend before reaching the $244 million luxury tax threshold. Their payroll was $8.72 million over the $241 million threshold in 2025, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they’re willing to exceed the threshold again next season. Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow remarked on the trade, “We felt like there was an opportunity to upgrade our rotation in 2026, and we did that. It’s early in the offseason. There are still opportunities that I anticipate materializing. Exactly what they look like, I’m not sure. But we’re not going to close off any chance to make the team better.” The Sonny Gray trade marks the first move of the Red Sox’s offseason, and based on Breslow’s comments, they’re poised to pursue additional roster upgrades in the coming weeks and months. View the full article

Breaking News from Jon Heyman: The Toronto Blue Jays are signing right handed pitcher Dylan Cease for $210 million over seven years. More to come… View the full article

The Minnesota Twins enter this offseason in a familiar position. They are talented enough to compete, but flawed enough that one wrong decision could send them tumbling out of contention for the third consecutive season. After an uneven 2025 season, it is clear that the front office needs a coherent plan to put this roster back on track. It can be easy for fans to say, "Go sign Kyle Tucker or Kyle Schwarber to long-term deals," but those aren’t realistic; Minnesota’s owner-imposed budgetary constraints foreclose those options. Instead, the Twins must work on the margins and find success on a razor-thin line. Last year, they signed Harrison Bader and Danny Coulombe to deals that worked out in the team's favor. Now, the Twins might have even less financial flexibility with which to work. Here are five steps the Twins could take to push toward contending again next year. Step One: Keep Pablo López and Joe Ryan The blueprint for winning baseball in Minnesota starts with pitching that can match up with anyone in the league. For the Twins, that conversation begins with Pablo López and Joe Ryan. Both pitchers have established themselves as playoff-caliber starters who can carry the club through rough stretches. Last season, Ryan was a first-time All-Star. He posted career highs in rWAR (4.5) and ERA+ (125), and his four-seam fastball was its usual, excellent self, worth 1.3 runs above average per 100 thrown. López was limited to 14 starts due to hamstring and shoulder injuries, but posted a 156 ERA+ across 75 2/3 innings. The Twins can hope that a healthy López is back to being a workhorse in 2026, after he averaged over 185 innings per season from 2022-24. Moving either hurler would create a hole that the Twins have no realistic path to filling. With a solid foundation already in place, Minnesota should stay the course and let its rotation leaders continue to set the tone. Step Two: Sign Paul Goldschmidt Minnesota has leaned on a revolving door of veteran first basemen in recent years, and bringing in Goldschmidt would extend that trend. Ty France, Carlos Santana, and Donovan Solano were recent one-year solutions at first, but Goldschmidt is a different level of player. He is no longer the intimidating MVP threat he once was, but he remains a dependable defender and a disciplined hitter. Last season, he played 146 games for the Yankees and posted a .731 OPS and a 104 OPS+. Diamond Centric predicts that he will sign a one-year, $6-million contract that should be in Minnesota's budget. His ability to lengthen the batting order and provide clubhouse leadership could make him an ideal short-term addition. The Twins can hope that he has one final impact season left, and that his bat brings needed balance to the middle of the lineup. Step Three: Re-Sign Caleb Thielbar The bullpen has become a major offseason concern after last season’s trade deadline, and adding stability should be a priority. Thielbar has meant a great deal to the organization, and he remains an effective option when healthy. Minnesota let him leave in free agency last season, and he continued to show value with the Cubs. In 67 appearances (58 IP), he posted a 2.64 ERA (147 ERA+) with a 25.5% strikeout rate and a 5.9% walk rate. More importantly, he held lefties to a .161/.211/.276 line in 95 plate appearances. Bringing him back would add needed experience to a relief corps that lacks established late-inning arms. The market for a 39-year-old reliever will likely be muted. His presence alone will not fix the bullpen, but it would give the Twins a known quantity who can bridge the gap while other roles are sorted out. Step Four: Transition a Trio of Young Starters to Relief Roles The Twins have invested heavily in young pitching, but injuries have slowed the development of several promising arms. Marco Raya, Connor Prielipp, and Zebby Matthews all offer interesting starting pitcher traits, but their health histories raise fundamental questions about their long-term durability. Raya has seemed destined for a bullpen role for a couple of seasons, with the Twins tightly managing his workload while aggressively promoting him. Last season at Triple-A St. Paul, he posted a 6.02 ERA with a 22.6% strikeout rate and a 12.6% walk rate. Prielipp finally had a healthy season, including pitching at Double-A Wichita and for St. Paul. The Twins may want to give him one more season to be a starter, but they went through a similar transformation with Jhoan Duran. Like Prielipp, Duran dealt with injuries in the minors before the team decided to let him cook in the bullpen. Matthews might have the most straightforward path to a bullpen role. He’s already seen a velocity increase since joining the Twins. His four-seamer and slider could be his primary offerings in the bullpen, while dumping his other pitches. A spring training move to the pen could give Minnesota a wave of high-upside relief help while lowering injury risk. Shorter outings could unlock additional velocity and give the relief corps the swing-and-miss capability that was often missing last season. Step Five: Give Emmanuel Rodriguez an Opening Day Job The Twins need an offensive spark, and Rodriguez fits the profile of a player ready to provide it. His minor-league résumé shows patience, power, and the ability to change the game on both sides of the runs ledger. He showcased all these skills during the Dominican Winter League, including winning the All-Star Game MVP. Rodriguez has little left to prove in the minors, and Minnesota should give him the chance to grow at the major-league level from Day One. Unfortunately, Minnesota’s outfield depth chart is filled with other left-handed bats, including Trevor Larnach, Matt Wallner, James Outman, and Alan Roden. Minnesota would need to trade one or more of these players to move Rodriguez onto the 26-man roster. Walker Jenkins might be the higher-ranked prospect, but expecting him to be ready by Opening Day feels premature. Rodriguez brings upside and urgency to a lineup that needs both. Minnesota has the pieces to build a contender in 2026. By keeping their rotation intact, adding targeted veterans, infusing the bullpen with young talent, and trusting a high-ceiling bat, the Twins can chart a clear and competitive path forward. What would you realistically change about this offseason plan? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

Five of the Milwaukee Brewers' top draft picks in 2024 are performing well and moving up in the organization, and two of them are already ranked in the Top 10 on Brewer Fanatic’s Top Prospect list. Let’s check out the progress of this draft class and see if they are trending up or down after the 2025 season. Braylon Payne, CF (1st Round, 17th Overall) Payne was signed to an under-slot deal and was initially seen as something of a reach, but he performed well in an extremely small sample in 2024, collecting seven hits in 16 at-bats at Low-A Carolina, The left-handed-hitting Payne was injured at three different points during the 2025 campaign at Carolina, and was limited to 77 games. He didn’t hit for great power, but showed a good eye at the plate, drawing walks at an excellent rate of 15.2%. Unfortunately, he struck out at a less-than-stellar rate of 30.1%. Payne did show a great knack for stealing bases, swiping 31 in 41 attempts. Defensively, he has decent range and shows an average arm. The youngster gets bonus points for performing well at age 19. On the other hand, Brewer Fanatic’s eighth-ranked prospect’s truncated, injury-wrecked season doesn’t show an upward trend. For his initial assignment next year, flip a coin: Wilson or Wisconsin? TRENDING: Even Blake Burke, 1B (1st Round, 34th Overall) Burke’s pick was acquired from Baltimore in the Corbin Burnes trade. Milwaukee plucked him out of the University of Tennessee. He smacked 50 home runs in three collegiate seasons, so it was a surprise when he hit only five homers in his first 366 at-bats. The lefty slugger found his power stroke at Double-A Biloxi, where he hit 11 round-trippers in just 140 at-bats. Even though he posted a sublime wRC+ of 177 at Biloxi, he will probably play at least another half-season there before being considered ready for Triple-A Nashville. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Burke isn’t a bad defender at first base, but he did commit nine errors last season. His arm is average at best, so he will stay at first or become a DH. Burke, Brewer Fanatic's No. 15 prospect, is a below-average runner, so don’t expect many stolen bases. TRENDING: Up Bryce Meccage, RHP (2nd Round, 57th Overall) Meccage earned above-slot money in the second round, based on his mid-90s fastball and a pair of high-spin breaking balls that he displayed at his high school in Pennington, New Jersey. In his first pro season, Meccage struck out batters at an above-average rate of 23.6% for Carolina, while allowing walks at a rate of 8.9%. The walk rate isn't terrible, but control is something Meccage needs to work on. If he can refine his craft, he can be a quality middle-of-the-rotation starter for Milwaukee. After having success in 19 starts at Carolina, he is a candidate for promotion to High-A Wisconsin in 2026. TRENDING: Up Jaron DeBerry, RHP (3rd Round, 93rd Overall) DeBerry, selected out of Dallas Baptist University for $25,000, pitched so well in his first professional season that he moved from Low A to High A to Double A, all in a span of three months. In those three stops, DeBerry made 19 starts (among 22 total appearances) and struck out batters at a rate of 23.9%, while walking only 7.3% of batters faced. His best pitch is a low- to mid-80s sweeper that spins at 2,800 rpm or more. DeBerry’s fastball is pedestrian and sits in the low 90s, but he has a full suite of pitches and uses them well to keep hitters off balance. At Biloxi, DeBerry made seven starts and performed well, but expect to see a reprise of that role to start the 2026 season. A good start as a Shucker could see him move north to the Music City sometime during the year. TRENDING: Up Marco Dinges, C (4th Round, 123rd Overall) Dinges was picked out of Florida State, after a monster season wherein he batted .323/.415/.583 with 15 home runs in 64 games. Small for a catcher at 5-foot-11, he showed plus power and needed only 85 at-bats at Carolina before moving to the Timber Rattlers in High A. In 172 at-bats in Appleton, Dinges posted a wRC+ of 137 and batted .273/.371/.483 with 10 home runs. His arm grades out at 55 on the 20-80 scouting scale, but some think he might eventually move to a corner outfield spot. Dinges might start 2026 at Wisconsin, but it would not be a huge surprise to see him begin the campaign at Biloxi. TRENDING: Up Others of Note: RHP Chris Levonas (2nd Round, 67th Overall): Did not sign and elected to honor his commitment to Wake Forest. RHP John Holobetz (5th Round, 156th Overall): He was the PTBNL in the Quinn Priester trade. RHP Tyson Hardin (12th Round, 365th Overall): Pitched well at two levels in 2025 and is currently BF’s No. 17 prospect. The 2024 Draft class has had tons of success over the last two seasons, and we look forward to seeing these guys (and others) in Milwaukee in the near future. What stands out about this group? How would you grade their stock so far? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

On MLB Network's Hot Stove, Marlins second baseman Xavier Edwards reflects on his 2025 midseason position change and how wins above replacement accounts for his all-around value as a player.View the full article

It's that time of year again! Talk Sox invites you to discuss your favorite players and moments from the 2025 Boston Red Sox season!View the full article

Standing in the WestJet Flight Deck in May, a former member of the Blue Jays’ front office told me that it was unlikely Bo Bichette would be back as a Jay in 2026. He said that was part of the rationale for trading for Andrés Giménez, who was destined to be the team’s shortstop of the future. At the time, it kind of made sense. Giménez seemed to have found his swing after losing it in Cleveland, and Bichette was only starting a mini campaign expressing his desire to stay in Toronto. What transpired, as the Jays mounted a season to remember, is that Giménez lost his swing, and the Jays found a desire to retain Bichette. Where Bichette would play in the infield if he does re-sign is a topic for another article. Ultimately, money talks, and there are some big teams (with big payrolls) that have expressed interest in Bichette. Bichette is an exceptional hitter, but as a fielder, he ranks closer to the middle (if not the bottom) of the pack. Giménez is an exceptional fielder, but a bottom-of-the-order hitter. Most likely, if Bichette signs elsewhere, Giménez shifts to shortstop. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stays at first. Second and third become available. Ernie Clement (3.2 FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement) did a great job at third last season. He was occasionally spelled by Addison Barger (2.2 fWAR), either to play second, have a night off or fill in at short. Barger has a big bat, a cannon for an arm and is a pretty good fielder (as long as the ball isn’t popped up in the infield). Davis Schneider (1.3 fWAR) and Isiah Kiner-Falefa (0.7 WAR) also saw some action at second base through the season and managed the position well. Schneider is under a pre-arbitration contract in 2026, while Kiner-Falefa is now a free agent. If Bichette’s time with the franchise has come to an end, the Jays will need to decide who’s at second (or is that what’s at second?) and, potentially, who’s at third. One possibility is already off the table with this week’s trade between the Rangers and the Mets. Marcus Semien (2.1 fWAR), who had a career-best season with the Jays in 2021, was traded to New York for outfielder Brandon Nimmo. Rumour has it that the trade makes room for the Mets to sign either Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger. A move that would potentially impact the Jays as well. So, Semien is no longer available. Another highly interesting option would be José Ramírez (6.3 fWAR), whose contract runs until 2028 and includes a full no-trade clause. He is a third baseman but has, at times, played second and short. With the Jays' front office including former Cleveland front office employees Ross Atkins and Mark Shapiro, there have been a number of deals between the two teams during their tenure. This proposed swap would definitely shake things up. Who would go in the other direction? The price just might be too high. Recent reporting suggests that Diamondbacks All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte (4.6 fWAR) might be on the market. Another big bat would potentially lessen the blow of losing Bichette’s in the lineup. Once again, the price might be too steep, but the Diamondbacks and the Jays have been trade partners before. Earlier this month, the Braves exercised a $7 million option for their second baseman Ozzie Albies (1.3 fWAR). His contract includes one more club option in 2027 for the same amount. Despite his struggles in recent years, Albies could still offer a potent bat. Yet, due to his low salary, he would also come with a high price tag in terms of who the Braves might ask for in return. As for free agents, that’s where the Jays' options become a bit more interesting. The bigger names at second base include Willi Castro (0.5 fWAR), Jorge Polanco (2.6 fWAR), Jose Iglesias (-0.2 fWAR), Dylan Moore (-0.1 fWAR) and Ramón Urías (1,1 fWAR). It is unlikely any of them would be difference-makers like Ramírez, Albies or Semien. Shortstops and third basemen tend to be bigger difference-makers, but this year’s group at short doesn’t seem to hold many. Outside of Bichette, the other options include Miguel Rojas (1.7 fWAR), Ha-Seong Kim (0.3 fWAR) and Kiner-Falefa. If the Jays decide to move Clement to second, their free agent options at third base offer a bit more pop, with a higher price tag. Alex Bregman (3.5 fWAR), who had been rumoured to be in talks with the Jays before signing with the Red Sox last year, is once again available. Eugenio Suárez (3.8 fWAR), who helped the Mariners get to the playoffs after being traded late in the season by the Diamondbacks, is also on the market. And now we wait. Is a reunion actually in store for Bichette and the Jays? If the Jays end up landing Tucker or Bellinger and a top-tier starter, what money would be left to bring in a free agent infielder? And while the trade route is interesting, would it leave a hole somewhere else? The only real surplus the Jays have is in the outfield, and I’m not sure those players are in the same echelon as the names above. Another wrinkle in the Jays’ infield planning is the development within their farm system. Prospect Orelvis Martinez was designated for assignment in September and has since signed with the Nationals. Leo Jiménez, who saw limited action in the big leagues this past season, might be closing in on being ready. Jiménez offers defensive versatility that could stabilize the infield if veterans depart. The Jays may decide that instead of paying a premium for established stars, the smarter play is to trust their pipeline and let the next wave of talent prove itself. It was 2018, the last time the Jays had an infield that did not include either Bichette or Guerrero, but 2026 might end that streak and make room for another. Depending on which infield positions the Jays target for a change, it will most likely be a better defensive group, but perhaps at the cost of offensive output. View the full article

The surest sign of a healthy competitive team is a constant 40-man crunch — when the roster is so laden with desirable talent that any decision to sign, claim or trade for a new player must be weighed heavily against the cost of losing quality talent that will be eagerly swooped up on waivers. The Twins have been in this type of position at times during the Derek Falvey era. They are far from it right now. Following a series of moves in recent days, Minnesota's 40-man roster is technically full, but it's not exactly brimming with quality. Particularly on the position-player side, it is staggering just how much of the roster is occupied by borderline (at best) major-league talents who are no longer young enough to offer meaningful upside. Of the 21 hitters currently on the 40-man roster, I would count a full third (7) in this category. Here's where each stands in the team's planning as we head into December: Edouard Julien – Hasn't hit for two years and offers no defensive value. Julien is out of options next year and it's hard to see him making the roster barring injury or a huge spring. He seems to be merely keeping a spot warm, but at the same time, he's undeniably a tier above almost everyone else on this list in terms of proven track record. James Outman – Similar to Julien in that he hit well in 2023 but hasn't since, and is beyond the post-hype phase approaching 30. He's more likely to stick around because he can play center (kinda) but it's highly questionable whether he belongs in the big leagues. The Dodgers' desire to clear him off their own 40-man roster played a role in the trade that sent Outman here for Brock Stewart. Ryan Kreidler – Has appeared briefly in each of the past four seasons with the Tigers. Among players to receive 200 or more plate appearances during that span, he ranks 343rd out of 343 in OPS. The Twins recently got him off waivers from a fellow cellar-dweller in Pittsburgh. Sub-replacement level player. Ryan Fitzgerald – A nice story and all, but there's a reason Fitzgerald was nearly 31 when he made his big-league debut for the Twins this past season. He flashed a bit in 50 plate appearances and I could envision him holding his own in a bench role, but again, we're talking about the definition of a fringe MLB talent here. Mickey Gasper – Despite his success in Triple-A, he looked overmatched against major-league pitching at age 29, and he's a defensive non-factor aside from the ability to serve as an emergency catcher. Would any other team claim him off waivers? I find myself asking that about many of these guys. Jhonny Pereda – Another waiver pickup, added last July when the Twins needed catching depth. He rarely saw the field thereafter, though he spent a decent amount of time on the roster. Trading for Alex Jackson means Pereda's days are numbered. Carson McCusker – Kind of stunning he is still on the 40-man roster after the Twins showed no interest in using him at all despite ample opportunity. Maybe some other team will think he's a big-leaguer but Minnesota made clear through their actions that they don't. That's seven extremely fringe major-league talents occupying space on Minnesota's 40-man roster. All but one or two of these players would likely pass through waivers unclaimed. Not an ideal starting point for the offseason, especially considering that several other hitters I didn't name (Kody Clemens, Brooks Lee, Austin Martin, Alan Roden) are very much in doubt as MLB-caliber bats. But that's all this is: a starting point. Which brings us to the flip side. There's no shortage of room to add! The big question is how much they will. I would envision a couple of these roster spots going to newly acquired pitchers; they need more relievers and relative to the position-player side, there aren't many arms you'd want to part with among the 19 currently rostered. That will somewhat limit their ability to shake things up on the offensive end, but there's zero question that a shakeup is a needed. You look at the current roster makeup and it's just structurally unsound. They have eight left-handed hitting outfielders. They have only a handful of hitters with any level of accomplishment in the major leagues. They have six pitchers with even modest experience in a major-league bullpen, and that includes Travis Adams and Pierson Ohl who have ERAs over five. The front office has a lot of work to do, but still plenty of time to do it as the offseason gets underway in earnest. The Winter Meetings are in less than two weeks and that's often a catalyst for hot-stove action, though no one's really expecting the Twins to act quickly or aggressively. I'm dubious they'll ultimately invest much at all in upgrading these spots, which is a bummer. But they've got to do something. Right now their 40-man roster is at capacity, filled with clutter and redundancy. Even through the scope of a non-competitive rebuilding team, which is the path they seem likely to follow, the makeup of the roster makes little sense at the moment. View the full article

It's that time of year again! Padres Mission invites you to discuss your favorite players and moments from the 2025 San Diego Padres season!View the full article

The Rule 5 draft will take place on December 10 in Orlando, Florida. The Miami Marlins usually participate in the major league phase of the draft, but that seems rather unlikely this time around. They are set to pick 12th in the draft—compared to third the year before—and it's harder to justify carrying a rookie on the roster all season when there are expectations of the team being competitive in 2026. Also, they don't even have an opening on the 40-man roster—a move would need to be made before the draft begins. With that being said, catcher Liam Hicks proved to be a nice pickup in the 2024 draft and the Marlins are starting to show an ability to develop under-the-radar players who didn't reach their potential with their previous organizations. We are preparing for the possibility that they may still take a chance on somebody with the right upside and roster role. Below are 10 unprotected players who the Marlins should be considering in the major league portion of the draft. Pitchers RHP Blake Burkhalter (Atlanta Braves) The majority of Rule 5 picks are pitchers, so we will begin with them. Burkhalter may be one of the first names off the board this year, before the Marlins are even on the clock. Taken with the 76th pick of the 2022 MLB Draft, the righty reached the Triple-A level in 2025, posting a 3.77 ERA, 4.82 FIP, 6.68 K/9 and 4.65 BB/9 in 31 innings pitched. Overall on the season, he had a 3.32 ERA, 3.53 FIP, 7.69 K/9 and 3.93 BB/9 in 32 appearances (16 starts) and 103 innings. Ranked 11th among Braves prospects per MLB Pipeline, Burkhalter could bolster the bullpen with his strong fastball/cutter combo, along with a low-80s curveball and occasional changeup. TDZHUWJfV0ZRVkV3dEdEUT09X0JGZFpBRlFEQjFjQVhsSlhVd0FIVUFCZkFGbFhVQWNBQkFBRkNBSUhBZ1FIQlZOUQ==.mp4 Upgrading the bullpen is one of the Marlins' top priorities heading into 2026. In addition to bringing in a veteran reliever, it wouldn't hurt to give Burkhalter an opportunity to see what he can show during spring training. LHP Hayden Mullins (Boston Red Sox) Mullins, who is 25 years old, spent the 2025 season between High-A and Double-A, posting a 2.21 ERA, 3.44 FIP, 10.89 K/9 and 4.51 BB/9 through 101 ⅔ innings pitched. His arsenal consists of a fastball, slider, cutter and changeup. The slider seems to be his best pitch, per FanGraphs, with a 60-grade future value and 55-grade current value. It is a bit risky to select a prospect with no AAA experience. However, that did not scare the Marlins away from picking Hicks when he was in that situation last year. RHP Griff McGarry (Philadelphia Phillies) McGarry spent most of the season in AA, but was then promoted to AAA. Between both levels, he posted a 3.44 ERA, 3.14 FIP, 13.34 K/9 and 5.27 BB/9. He has been a strikeout machine throughout his professional career thanks to a 60-grade slider and overpowering fastball. McGarry is very tough for right-handed batters to hit, and that should carry over to the majors. Clearly, the issue is control. LHP Dalton Rogers (Boston Red Sox) Another lefty in the Boston system, Dalton Rogers was a third-round pick in 2022 out of Southern Mississippi. He had a breakthrough year in 2025 after previously being stuck at the High-A level. In 105 innings pitched, Rogers finished with a 3.09 ERA, 3.03 FIP, and 15% K-BB%, almost all of that coming against AA competition. Rogers has electric stuff, but will need to control it better if he wants to stick as a starter. With an over-the-top fastball, sweeper, and lofty curveball, he should reliably miss bats if turned into a reliever. RHP Alaska Abney (Cleveland Guardians) Perhaps the most unique player on this list is Guardians submariner Alaska Abney. Pure deception and grit are the name of the game for Abney, who was a 15th-rounder in 2021. Abney spent the majority of the 2025 season rehabbing from a shoulder injury, but he finished strong. In his 20 ⅓ innings at AA, he had a 1.44 ERA, 3.12 FIP, and 23.4% K-BB%. Unlike the couple pitchers mentioned before him, he locates with precision and issued only two walks. The Marlins bullpen hasn’t had an arm angle like this since Adam Cimber. RHP RJ Petit (Detroit Tigers) Petit had an extremely successful 2025 season. Between Double-A and Triple-A, he posted a 2.44 ERA, 2.94 FIP, and 21.3% K-BB%. One tall glass of water, Petit stands at 6’8”, 300 pounds. Those unique physical characteristics contributed to the excellent results on his slider and sinker. With the way he commands the zone, limits damage, and strikes hitters out, it would be a surprise if none of the teams picking before the Marlins took a shot on Petit. Position Players OF Kyler Fedko (Minnesota Twins) Last season, Fedko broke out, slashing .258/.367/.487/.855 with 28 home runs, 82 RBI and a 131 wRC+. For such a power-heavy profile, the right-handed bat only struck out 21.2% of the time and walked 14.0% of the time. There isn't much of a need for an outfielder in Miami, but the 2021 12th-rounder would provide some versatility having been used part-time at first base over the last two years. 1B/C Creed Willems (Baltimore Orioles) In AA with the Orioles, Willems slashed .253/.338/.441/.779 with 16 home runs, 59 RBI and a 117 wRC+. He is even more familiar with first base than Fedko, including 29 starts there in 2025. On the other hand, at only 22 years old, it would be a huge adjustment for Willems to face MLB pitching right now. INF Austin Gauthier (Los Angeles Dodgers) Gauthier, a former undrafted free agent, stands out for his plate approach, contact, and defense. In a full season at Triple-A, he posted a slash line of .259/.404/.354, with a wRC+ of 108 and .364 wOBA. Gauthier walked as many times as he struck out with a chase rate of 17.5% and whiff rate of 20.4%. Gauthier's average launch angle is extremely low at three degrees, hence his 54% ground ball rate. He does have decent exit velocities, suggesting that if a team could increase his pulled fly ball rate, they could find themselves a diamond in the rough. OF Yohendrick Piñango (Toronto Blue Jays) Yohendrick Piñango is a true data darling with elite EVs. Between Double-A and Triple-A, Piñango slashed .258/.361/.430, with a wRC+ of 122 and .362 wOBA. He gives scouts a lot to dream on as well with his strong frame and sweet lefty swing. The downside of Piñango is his lack of defensive ability—he'll probably be limited to left field in MLB. The 23-year-old has two weeks left to raise his profile in the Venezuelan Winter League. He homered Tuesday in his first game with Cardenales de Lara. 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With the trade for Sonny Gray completed, the Boston Red Sox have begun their construction of their 2026 roster as the team hopes to improve upon their Wild Card Round finish. With Gray, the Red Sox have now acquired a pitcher who can provide them quality innings and strikeout opposing batters while limiting walks. While Gray is not the number two starter fans have dreamed of pairing with ace Garrett Crochet, he is a dependable arm for a rotation that was struggling to get quality starts near the end of the season. Along with Gray, the St. Louis Cardinals sent $20 million to cover nearly half of the $41 million he will be owed on his reworked contract. The deal, which was originally $35 million for the season along with a $30 million team option or a $5 million buyout for the 2027 season, was changed to become a $31 million contract with a mutual option buyout of $10 million for what will amount to $41 million. The Red Sox will be on the hook for $21 million of it. With that, the team has effectively replaced Lucas Giolito for Gray and will still have some money to work with along with several players in their organization to trade. The idea of taking on Gray and his bloated one-year contract is a sign from management that they’re willing to go for a championship prior to the upcoming lockout. It’ll be likely the team looks to add to the rotation through a separate move, but for the time being their, next target is to add an impact bat. According to MassLive's Chris Cotillo, the Red Sox are now shifting their attention toward acquiring lineup reinforcements. With glaring holes at three of the four infield positions, it only makes sense that the team will now focus on the offense before returning to the rotation. While Gray is not a bona fide number two starter at this point of his career, he was much better than his numbers suggest. If he puts up a chase rate of 31.2% and a whiff rate of 27.5% (his numbers in 2025), that will lessen the pressure of getting another top-of-the-rotation pitcher. By the end of the season, the offense was a mixed bag, especially once Roman Anthony was injured. With the addition to the rotation already secured, the team could go in various directions. They could look for a reunion with Alex Bregman after he opted out of his deal, or they could look elsewhere in the form of a Pete Alonso or Kazuma Okamoto. Thanks to only trading Richard Fitts and Brandon Clarke in the Gray deal, the team could reach into their outfield depth and perhaps build a package around either Jarren Duran or Wilyer Abreu to bring in an impact bat such as Ketal Marte from the Diamondbacks. The Gray trade has opened the door for the team to head down multiple avenues, and while it seems likely they’ll sign an impact bat over trading for one, the extra trade capital they still hold in Duran and Abreu could make a trade more affordable while leaving money to sign a big-name free agent later in the offseason. If there’s one thing Craig Breslow has shown since taking over baseball operations, it’s that he’s not worried about reactions to moves. He’s made several big-swing trades, including one that sent the then-face-of-the-franchise to San Francisco in what may essentially end up being a salary dump. Gray was just the first piece of the offseason puzzle; expect many more to follow as the pieces come together. View the full article