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Last Friday, the Minnesota Twins traded for veteran catcher Alex Jackson from the Baltimore Orioles for Triple-A utility player Payton Eeles. Jackson's acquisition all but solidifies the position for next season, with him serving as Ryan Jeffers's backup—perhaps with Jhonny Pereda and Mickey Gasper serving as depth options in Triple A. Still, with Jeffers in his final season under team control and the organization rostering no MLB-caliber catchers in the high minors, significant concerns remain about the position's long-term depth. Minnesota's current projected 2026 payroll hovers around $89 million, including Carlos Correa's $11 million (paid to Houston) and with estimated earnings for players with unresolved arbitration cases. Despite operating under strict, unnecessary spending limitations, team decision-makers should still have the spending power necessary to extend Jeffers. Meaningful negotiations between the front office and Jeffers's representation are unlikely to occur until the organization's new limited partners are officially announced. Still, optimism about the Twins' ability to extend Jeffers should persist. Despite not being a top-10 catcher in baseball, the 28-year-old is one of the AL's best offensive backstops, solidifying himself as a key right-handed bat in the middle of Minnesota's lineup. Obviously, he isn't deserving of an extension on par with what Cal Raleigh (six years, $105 million) or Will Smith (10 years, $140 million) received in recent years. Nor, however, will he sign for peanuts. Realistically, Jeffers could net a contract in the three-year, $30-million range, identical to the contract the Twins handed Christian Vázquez before the 2023 season. As of now, Jeffers and reliever Justin Topa are the only 40-man roster inhabitants set to depart the organization after next season, clearing roughly $7.6 million from a payroll that (as mentioned earlier) is already under $100 million. Players like Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Royce Lewis, and Trevor Larnach (if he isn't traded this offseason) will reach arbitration-3 status next offseason, making them more expensive. Also, pre-arbitration players Matt Wallner, Kody Clemens, and Simeon Woods Richardson will reach arbitration-1 status, similarly making them pricier. Still, Minnesota will have one of the lighter payrolls in baseball entering next season, meaning the club has the financial cushion necessary to hand Jeffers a multi-million dollar raise over multiple seasons. The 2027 regular season is likely to be affected by a work stoppage (even if the lockout ends before any games are actually lost), muddying the picture of how valuable extending Jeffers would be for Minnesota. For that reason, Minnesota is unlikely to offer him a one-year extension. Considering how thin the club's catching depth is behind Jeffers in the high minors and the fact that top catching prospect Eduardo Tait isn't anticipated to make his major-league debut until 2028 or 2029, the organization might not have a choice but to extend their veteran backstop to a multi-year contract, despite their recent reluctance to hand out eight-figure contracts. That's ok. He's worth it, and the room to invest in him is there. View the full article

When the San Diego Padres were building their bench for the 2025 season, they followed a very specific formula. With little money to invest (save for the deal to which they signed Nick Pivetta), the reserve group was comprised largely of minor-league signings that were selected to the active roster ahead of the start of the regular season. Sometimes it works. It's how the team was able to bring Gavin Sheets into the fold. Other — and perhaps more frequent — times, it doesn't. None of Jason Heyward, Oscar González, Martín Maldonado, Tyler Wade, Yuli Gurriel, Connor Joe, or Jose Iglesias offered much in the way of contributions throughout the season. Almost all of those names were off the roster and out of the organization in short order. Only Iglesias made it all the way through, and that was on the strength of his versatility above all. In San Diego's case, it was an ineffectual way to fill out the roster. Unfortunately for the Padres, it's likely how next year's depth will also be assembled. And we've already seen the start of it. The team signed Pablo Reyes to a minor-league deal last week. A utility veteran with time in seven separate seasons in Major League Baseball, Reyes' peak in volume came back in 2023. That season, he logged 185 plate appearances for the Milwaukee Brewers and was as close to checking in as a league average bat as he has in his entire career (95 wRC+). While he didn't offer anything in the way of power off the bench (.090 ISO), he struck out just 11.4 percent of the time, walked at a 7.6 percent rate, and added seven steals. He also hasn't remotely approached that output since. In the two subsequent seasons, Reyes has 98 combined plate appearances at the top level. He got into games on 21 occasions for the Boston Red Sox and made a single appearance for the New York Mets in 2024 (though he failed to make an appearance at the plate with the latter). He's now coming off a season in which he appeared in 25 games and notched 34 plate appearances with the New York Yankees. Even by the lower standard set forth by such a small sample of offensive work, the numbers are uninspiring. Reyes' strikeout rate in each of the last two years has approached 30 percent. His walk rate sits lower than it did in that decent '23 campaign, and there is almost zero power to speak of (.033 ISO). This is a player whose value is almost entirely wrapped up his ability to move around the field. In that sense, Reyes is, essentially, Jose Iglesias. But worse. There was a time when Reyes represented the super-utility type well. Second base, third base, shortstop, and all three outfield spots were at his disposal at each of the major league and Triple-A levels. That level of versatility, however, has started to diminish. His time on the outfield grass has waned as he's settled into a rotation between second, third, and short. Now, that's something that the Padres need given Iglesias' departure. But as lackluster as Iglesias' bat was, you'd like that extra bit of versatility in order to justify an even worse one in his stead. It's obviously possible that the team makes an additional investment or two that offers additional upside. And it's hard to get too worked up about a depth signing that occurs in November. What this does, however, is speak to the same trend we saw from the Padres last offseason continuing into this one. If there's an investment to be made, it's on the mound. The team is in need of significant help in the rotation and some additional depth in the bullpen. The limited financial resources at their disposal will likely be deployed there. The position group, meanwhile, will be supplemented with exactly this type of signing. Sometimes you get a Sheets. But considering the direction which Reyes' career has taken in recent years, you're looking like something much more akin to the much larger group of failed bench players that the team saw last year. View the full article

It's that time of year again! North Side Baseball invites you to discuss your favorite players and moments from the 2025 Chicago Cubs season!View the full article

With the Rule 5 Draft coming up during the Winter Meetings, the Twins went ahead and protected six Rule 5 eligible players by adding them to the 40-man roster. This year was more clear-cut on who would be added and who would be left off, but there were still two names that came as somewhat of a surprise in the Twins' decisions with them.View the full article

The payment breakdown of Major League Baseball's 2025 pre-arbitration bonus pool became public on Tuesday. Eligible Brewers players received a combined $4,742,392 in bonuses, making Milwaukee the first club with at least 10 recipients in a season since the pool's implementation in 2022. Here are the players and their earnings, as reported by the Associated Press. Brice Turang ($1,155,884) Caleb Durbin ($707,139) Isaac Collins ($631,766) Sal Frelick ($507,232) Jackson Chourio ($414,477) Quinn Priester ($307,705) Chad Patrick ($305,643) Abner Uribe ($271,917) Aaron Ashby ($228,384) Joey Ortiz ($212,245) For many of those names, that's a solid chunk of change compared to their base salaries. Turang led the way with a bonus that was 149% of his 2025 salary, after a season in which he posted a career-best 124 wRC+ and started to transmute his raw power into in-game results. Durbin and Collins about doubled their earnings after emerging as legitimate Rookie of the Year candidates in their first full big-league seasons. Priester and Patrick, who stabilized the rotation at times throughout the year, added about 40% of their league-minimum salaries. MLB introduced the pre-arbitration bonus pool as part of the 2022-2026 collective bargaining agreement to reward players for producing early in their careers. It's meant to ameliorate the tension created by the fact that when young stars first reach the majors, they have virtually no earning power. Every team pays into a $50-million pool, which is then distributed to all players who are not yet eligible for arbitration—including those (like Chourio and Ashby) who signed extensions. Award-based bonuses are bestowed based on a player's finish in MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, or All-MLB Team voting. The remaining funds are awarded using a WAR-based formula. Most of this year's Milwaukee recipients will be eligible for more bonuses next year. Only Turang is arbitration-eligible in 2026, due to his Super Two status. Jacob Misiorowski, Logan Henderson, and Robert Gasser are among the candidates for added earnings a year from now, depending on how much they contribute next season. For now, the length of this list underscores the depth of Milwaukee's corps of players under long-term team and cost control, and the combination of these payments and their forthcoming playoff shares should make the clubhouse a happier place come spring training. View the full article

Speaking on MLB Network yesterday, Jon Morosi reported that the Arizona Diamondbacks are "actively listening" to trade offers for All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte. He added that no deal is imminent, but multiple teams have checked in, including the Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays. As Morosi points out, Marte has limited no-trade rights in his contract with Arizona (a deal that runs through 2030, with a player option for 2031). However, neither Philadelphia nor Toronto is on the list of teams to whom he could reject a trade. So, how do Jays fans feel about the club potentially trading for Marte? Do you think it's a realistic possibility? Would you be happy to have Marte in Toronto if it means Bo Bichette is signing elsewhere? Have your say in the comments below. Featured image courtesy of Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images. View the full article

Reporting for The Athletic, Patrick Mooney reported that the Cubs are interested in right-handed reliever Ryan Helsley, formerly of the Mets. Across seven MLB seasons, Helsley has worked 319 2/3 innings with a 2.96 ERA and a 3.17 FIP, striking out 10.6 batters per nine innings with 3.7 walks per nine and allowing 0.84 home runs per nine. He has 105 career saves and 6.0 WAR. Helsley’s peak came in a three-year run from 2022 through 2024. In that span, his ERA and FIP were under 3.00, and he ranked among the top relievers in WAR, ERA, strikeout rate, and WHIP for pitchers with at least 200 innings. He was an All-Star in 2022 and 2024 and in 2024 led the majors with 49 saves while posting a 2.04 ERA with 79 strikeouts and 23 walks in 66 1/3 innings, winning the National League Reliever of the Year Award and making the All-MLB First Team. In 2025, Helsley opened as St. Louis’s closer, converting 21 of 26 save chances before being traded to the Mets at the deadline. He threw 56 innings between the two clubs with a 4.50 ERA and a 3.89 FIP, with 10.1 strikeouts and 4.0 walks per nine. His two-month stint with New York included a 7.20 ERA over 20 innings, with 25 hits and 11 walks allowed, and four home runs allowed. Helsley’s four-seam fastball still averaged 99.3 miles per hour in 2025. The Cubs, who have already agreed to a two-year contract with Phil Maton, are now among the clubs showing interest in Helsley as they explore ways to add another late-inning option. What do you think, is Helsley a good complement to Maton? View the full article

Alex and Maddie are joined by guest Richard McGill of Playing Catch to discuss the trade that sent Sonny Gray to the Red Sox. They talk through some NL Central trade options and close out with why Red Sox fans will be excited to have Gray on the team in 2026. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-talk-sox-podcast/id1783204104 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3qPrPXEngu0CxgTmlf0ynm Listen on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-the-talk-sox-podcast-244591331/ Listen on Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/4tmd121v Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talksox View the full article

When it comes to Cubs baseball, there was a great bounty of gifts to be thankful for in 2025. From a thrilling playoff run to the return of legendary players like Anthony Rizzo back into the fold, you'd have to be a turkey not to find something to like about where this franchise is, and where it could go. So, while you loosen your belts and take part in whatever timeless holiday traditions you call your own, take a look at five big things Cubs fans have to be thankful for. 1. Cade Horton: Near or at the top of every Cubs fans' wish list is a Dylan Cease-type top-of-the rotation starting pitcher. Should that happen, that pitcher will work great in concert with the magnificent Cade Horton. Before succumbing to a rib injury at the end of the 2025 season, the 24-year-old righty helped his squad stack wins in the second half. Racking up 11 wins and pitching 118 innings in the majors, Horton got to 147 total frames, setting the stage for what should be an unfettered 2026. Many believe it was Horton, not the Braves' Drake Baldwin, who was most deserving of the National League's Rookie of the Year honors. North Siders are lucky to have him, and he certainly figures to keep the Cubs in the playoff mix for years to come. 2. The Cubs are a Playoff Team: Though in retrospect, it feels as if the Cubs barely scratched the surface of what could be in 2025, they roared back into the postseason for the first time in a long time. The North Siders have a strong young core, mixed with some veteran talent that has yet to reach its full potential. In disposing of the San Diego Padres at Wrigley, and taking the Brewers to the brink, this squad's playoff showing suggested that this could just be the beginning for club looking to refill the tank and make another run in 2026. 3. Pete Crow-Armstrong: To be honest, all of baseball should be thankful for the Cubs' Gold Glove center fielder. His offensive production disintegrated in the second half, but his presence never did. Crow-Armstrong is a tremendous ambassador for the game and a bright young star the organization should want to keep around. If he stays on the track of growth and maturity, he'll no doubt provide even more core memories for the Wrigley faithful. 4. Michael Busch: The anticipation of blockbuster offseason free-agent signings is an exercise in anxiety. Around this time of year, getting caught up in what you don't have is as easy as scooping a second helping of mashed potatoes and gravy onto your plate. The fan base would love a reunion with slugger Kyle Schwarber, but in Michael Busch, they've already got one of the shiniest gifts under the tree. With 34 homers and an .866 OPS during the regular season, Busch lit up scoreboards in 2025. At 28, he's five years Schwarber's junior. He arrived on the North Side of Chicago as an overlooked talent, but his poise, performance, and defensive prowess leave baseball fans in Illinois (and beyond) no choice but to take notice. 5. Craig Counsell: A couple years ago, when the Cubs plucked their current skipper from Milwaukee, I thought it was a shrewd but necessary move. He's a "put your money where your mouth is" type of manager who, whether you agree with his choices or not, doesn't stand idly by while the game happens around him. Counsell and his staff turned Matthew Boyd into an All-Star ace who did more than just ensure his squad stuck around a couple games longer in the playoffs. At the end of the underwhelming 2024 season, Counsell famously proclaimed that his should be a 90-win ball club. He proceeded to go out and get 92 victories the following season. He's a great dude to have at the helm of this organization, and I think the best is yet to come. So there you have it, Cubs fans, if that list doesn't warm up your heart just a little bit, make yourself a cup of coffee. The North Side of Chicago is a baseball epicenter, with growth ahead. While we still may have visions of World Series rings dancing in our heads, there's much to be thankful for on this day—and every day. View the full article

The Minnesota Twins have spent the last three seasons in a whirlwind, from playoff team to multiple collapses. Yet as another winter begins, the most significant questions once again have little to do with roster construction or player development. Instead, all eyes are on the owners’ suite, and the future of a franchise is still stuck in the limbo of a half-completed ownership restructure. Commissioner Rob Manfred recently offered the first public update in months, confirming that the Pohlad family’s push to sell minority stakes is still underway. “Those non-control interest sales are in process—on track and in process,” Manfred said, sharing no further details. His comment was brief but telling, a reminder that nothing has been finalized and that the process is dragging into its second offseason. For a front office already asked to navigate shrinking margins, the uncertainty does not help. The Slow Burn of a Sale That Wasn’t In mid-August, the Pohlads abruptly pulled the Twins off the market after nearly a year of shopping the entire franchise. Instead of a complete sale, the club announced the addition of two minority investment groups. Details were scarce then, and they remain scarce now. Fans still do not know who is involved in either group, and the deal is not complete, though indications are that the incoming investors will hold roughly 20 percent of the team once approved. The intended purpose of the sale was equally significant. After failing to find a buyer at their targeted valuation (around $1.7 billion), the Pohlads elected to take on minority partners to pay down over $400 million in existing debt. Redirecting even a portion of that financial relief into baseball operations would signal commitment not only to the president of baseball operations, Derek Falvey, but also to a fan base weary of mixed messages. So far, that reinvestment remains a hope, rather than a reality. A Front Office Waiting for a Number While the ownership transition drags on, the baseball operations department is left working without a clear payroll budget for 2026. That uncertainty creates an impossible task for a front office trying to balance the possibility of adding with the reality that they may be told to subtract, instead. According to multiple reports, ownership has not communicated a target number for next season, leaving the baseball side to prepare for every scenario. The difference between an $85 million payroll and a $115 million payroll is substantial, and both figures appear to be in play as potential ceilings. This is why recent comments from Falvey carry a different tone. He emphasized three separate times that his focus is on adding to the roster, not breaking it down. He then noted that achieving that outcome depends on what “we” are allowed to do. In a vacuum, this might seem like standard front office language. Given the situation, however, it feels like Falvey is subtly drawing a line between his own intentions and whatever ownership ultimately decides. Players Notice What Is Happening Fans are not the only ones paying attention. Byron Buxton made it clear that he appreciates the stability of playing under the Pohlad family, noting that their presence makes future conversations easier. But even that loyalty has limits. Reporting from The Athletic suggests that Buxton wants to play for a winner and may reconsider his stance if the roster teardown continues—especially if pitchers like Joe Ryan or Pablo López are moved. Players watch the franchise's direction as closely as fans do. They know when a team is pushing forward, and they know when ownership is forcing a retreat. If uncertainty persists deep into this winter, it is not unreasonable to expect more players to ask questions about where the organization is heading. A Story Bigger Than a Single Offseason The latest frustration stems from a familiar theme. When ownership hesitates or defers major decisions, the baseball operations department is left to absorb the fallout. The Pohlads have earned a reputation for slow decision-making in financial matters, and this prolonged minority sale only reinforces that perception. The team cannot fully rebuild or fully compete until ownership clarifies its plan. For now, the Twins are stuck straddling two potential tracks, neither of which leads to sustained success. So, where do things go from here? As fans wait for action, the truth is that the next move belongs to ownership. Once the minority sale is complete, the Pohlads must communicate a payroll direction and allow the baseball operations group to act accordingly. Until then, every rumor—whether involving López, Ryan, or any other player—will continue to feel like guesswork. What do you think the Twins should do once the minority sale is finalized? Do you trust the Pohlads to provide a clear direction? And how much patience do you have left for an ownership group that continues to leave the front office and the fan base in limbo? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

Adding roster depth doesn't always lead to the sexiest moves of the offseason, but as the Blue Jays showed last season, it is absolutely crucial to building a dominant team. Small moves like signing Eric Lauer to a minor league deal, adding Myles Straw in a minor trade, and claiming Tyler Heineman off waivers were all moves that helped the Blue Jays reach the World Series. Not all minor moves pay off; Joey Votto, Spencer Turnbull and Richard Lovelady never had their moments in Toronto. But part of building depth comes from recognizing where you can add talent. The Blue Jays will undoubtedly make some additions this winter, with some being headline names and others being small moves that could pay off later. In this piece, we’ll take a look at the corner infield positions and see where the Blue Jays might look to add depth. FIRST BASE Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: .292/.381/.467, 23 HR, 3.9 fWAR Vlad needs no introduction. He's the undisputed starting first baseman and is one of the truest superstars in the sport. He elevated that spotlight to a new level in the postseason, producing a 1.289 OPS and eight home runs to do his part to get the Blue Jays to the brink of the title. Guerrero has also been incredibly durable, playing 156+ games in each of the last four seasons. He’ll be relied on heavily again in 2026 as Toronto looks to repeat as American League champions. Ernie Clement/Anthony Santander Behind Guerrero, the only returning players who logged time at first base last season were Ernie Clement (12 games) and Anthony Santander (one game). Clement can fill in admirably in a pinch, but he is best suited to play elsewhere on the diamond. Santander has just 14 career games at first, and while giving him more reps there could help ease Toronto’s outfield logjam, it's hard to rely on him in that position until that happens. Look for the Blue Jays to add some first base depth before the start of spring training. Riley Tirotta - .268/.359/.417, 12 HR, 111 wRC+ (with Triple-A Buffalo) The Blue Jays don’t have a “true” first baseman in Buffalo right now. Tirotta is the closest candidate, having played 55 games at the position in 2024. Last season, he became a lot more versatile (something the Blue Jays emphasize in their farm system), as he played games at first base (36), third base (43), and right field (30), as well as second and shortstop. He hasn't appeared on any of FanGraphs' preseason lists of Jays top prospects or Jays Centre's top prospect rankings, but he has produced above-average offence in recent years. If the Blue Jays stand pat, then Tirotta could see some time in Toronto this summer. Other Names To Know: Damiano Palmegiani Peyton Williams THIRD BASE Addison Barger .243/.301/.454, 21 HR, 2.2 fWAR Because of the Blue Jays' positional versatility, Addison Barger may see more time in right field than at third base. But at the moment, he is pencilled in as the everyday third baseman. Barger had a breakout season in 2025, and Toronto will once again rely on his bat to spark the offence. Defensively, he grades better in the outfield, but because of his elite arm strength (96.5 mph average), he’s valuable at both positions. Until injuries or future roster moves dictate otherwise, he’s likely to get the first look at third base. Ernie Clement .277/.313/.398, 9 HR, 3.2 fWAR If Barger isn’t the starter, then Clement is next in line. He played all four infield positions in 2025 (and likely will again in ‘26) but saw most of his work at the hot corner. His glove is elite; Statcast's Fielding Run Value ranked him as a top 10 infielder last season, and the eye test backs it up. As of now, Ernie is slotted to be the everyday second baseman, but any addition up the middle could push him back to third. If he’s able to replicate his 2025 breakout, the Blue Jays will happily pencil him in every day. Charles McAdoo .247/.318/.413, 16 HR, 114 wRC+ (with Double-A New Hampshire) McAdoo came over in the Isiah Kiner-Falefa trade at the 2024 trade deadline and looked right at home in his first full season with the organization. He’ll be 24 years old next season and has a real chance to take a step forward to big league relevance. There is some swing and miss to his game (27.7% K-rate in 2025), and he may eventually shift to first base. But the Blue Jays let Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stay at third for a while and may do the same with McAdoo. He ranked as Jays Centre's 14th best prospect on our end-of-season list. Other Names To Know: Cutter Coffey Sean Keys Tucker Toman On the whole, the Blue Jays have impact at the top, but once you get past Guerrero, Barger and Clement, the depth falls off quickly. In recent years, the club has let go of Will Wagner, Spencer Horwitz, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Ty France, all of whom provided coverage at the corner infield spots. With that in mind, the Jays will need to prepare for potential injuries or underperformance, and they will likely look for reinforcements through trade or free agency this offseason. Those additions may not make headlines, but as this team just showed, the under-the-radar moves could prove crucial as they aim to repeat as American League champions in 2026. View the full article

Tuesday afternoon, the Boston Red Sox surprised everyone by making a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals. In a move that saw the Red Sox improve their major league pitching, they were forced to sacrifice some depth and a previously touted prospect for Sonny Gray. But did the Red Sox really give up a lot for Gray? When you really look at it, it seems that the Red Sox managed to steal Gray for two pitchers they may not have had much interest in anymore. The official deal between the Red Sox and Cardinals saw Gray and $20 million shipped to the Red Sox in return for Richard Fitts and Brandon Clarke. Of course, the first reaction to this trade is wondering why Craig Breslow would be willing to move on from Clarke after just one season, especially after he had made Baseball America’s Top 100 prospect list during the season. Clarke, however, was a huge risk of becoming nothing more than a reliever the further into the season he pitched. Clarke spent time with both Salem and Greenville in 2025, along with a few stints on the injured list. Making 14 starts, Clarke finished the year 0-3 with a 4.03 ERA in 38 innings. The key to his prospect billing was the fastball-slider combination, which paired a triple-digit fastball with a slider that showed considerable bat-missing ability. This led him to strike out 60 batters. However, with Clarke, his biggest issues (and the ones that have deemed him a high risk of ending up as a reliever) were his lack of control and stamina. Despite throwing just 38 innings, Clarke issued 27 walks, hit 12 batters, and allowed 14 wild pitches. Of his 14 starts, he recorded more than 12 outs in only four starts. From June 26 until his final start on August 8, Clarke did not make it out of the third inning one time. Clarke’s command needs work because no matter how fast you throw, if you can’t throw strikes, you won’t last long in organized baseball. Clarke’s final three starts saw him throw one, 1/3, and 2 1/3 innings, respectively. In those starts, he threw 35, 37, and 59 pitches. He struggled to get outs early in the count, and during his July 25 start with Greenville, all but one batter (the first one) worked an at-bat of at least five pitches. That start was the perfect representation of Clarke: a pitcher who could strike batters out but struggled to work counts to get quick outs while walking batters. In that game, Clarke pitched one inning and allowed two hits, two earned runs, two walks, and struck out three batters while throwing a wild pitch. There’s no denying that Clarke is talented, but right now, as the Red Sox view their window as beginning to open, they decided they couldn’t wait and hope he figures things out. Instead, they decided to move on instead of being burned. Remember, not every prospect pans out. If they had, the Red Sox would have looked very different during the 2010s and early 2020s. Instead, Breslow decided to pull the trigger to bring in a veteran arm who performed better than his stats showed. Joining Clarke in the Cardinals organization is Fitts, the first big move that Breslow made after getting hired. 2025 was an up-and-down year, both on and off the field, as Fitts saw himself shuttled between Boston and Worcester in between stints on the injured list. Opening the season in the Red Sox Rotation, Fitts pitched well through his first three starts on the mound until an injury in his third start halted his momentum. Placed on the 15-day injured list with a right pectoral strain, Fitts would see himself out of action until late May. During that span, the Red Sox saw Hunter Dobbins leap ahead of Fitts on the depth chart, but with the team still in need of pitching, they brought Fitts back early against Milwaukee, having him pitch on limited innings. The outing went well as he tossed three scoreless innings, but after that, things went downhill for the right-hander. Fitts would see himself be shelled by the Los Angeles Angels, allowing three home runs in the first on his way to a six-run, five-earned outing that saw him optioned back to Worcester after. Fitts again saw a mix of success, making three starts but only making it past the fourth inning once (though his outing on July 1 was cut short due to a rain cancellation). After that, Fitts saw himself bouncing between Boston and Worcester, making two appearances in late July before being sent back to Worcester and recalled in late August for one appearance out of the bullpen, where he tossed four innings and allowed three runs. He would end up injured, this time with right-arm neuritis, which ended his season. While Fitts dealt with injuries and inconsistency, the Red Sox noted how several of their young pitchers were developing. Payton Tolle and Connelly Early both made their major league debuts and pitched well enough to make the postseason roster. Hunter Dobbins pitched well until his season-ending injury, and prospects in the minors continued to develop as several pitchers leapfrogged Fitts on the depth chart. He had become expendable in a trade without hurting the team’s overall depth too much. And so, Breslow pulled the trigger on the trade to send a lottery prospect and a depth pitcher for a middle-of-the-rotation arm. He showed that the Red Sox are serious about next season, all while keeping Gray only on the books for next season. He didn’t take on additional money that could affect the team, given a likely lockout in 2027. Breslow found a way to focus on 2026 and 2026 alone. And with the money coming back from St. Louis, the trade looks even better. This is a trade that a team looking to win makes. Breslow knew it, and he didn’t falter in negotiations. View the full article

The Miami Marlins engaged the representatives of right-handed phenom Eury Pérez regarding a potential contract extension during the spring of 2025, sources tell Fish On First, though talks failed to progress beyond the initial stages. The two sides were approximately $15 million apart in negotiations. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic was first to mention that these talks took place early Wednesday morning. The Dominican flamethrower possesses a rare combination of size, command, fastball quality, and youth. He made his major league debut on May 12, 2023. In 19 starts as a rookie, Pérez posted a 3.15 ERA with 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings. His season was interrupted in July by an unpopular demotion to Triple-A due to a predetermined innings limit. He was recalled a month later and eventually finished the year on the injured list with left SI joint inflammation. In spring training 2024, Pérez first dealt with a fingernail issue, then began experiencing elbow discomfort. He opened the season on the injured list and later underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery. He returned to MLB in June 2025 and recorded a 4.25 ERA over 95 ⅓ innings. He will still be just 22 years old on Opening Day 2026. "We're always going to have those conversations. We have a bunch of really good players," president of baseball operations Peter Bendix this offseason said in relation to making extensions. Conveniently Pérez is represented by Adriel Reyes of CAA—the same agent who negotiated Sandy Alcantara’s extension, the only long-term deal completed during the Bruce Sherman era. Knowledge of these past talks comes on the heels of reporting that the Marlins are also interested in securing All-Star outfielder Kyle Stowers on a team-friendly deal. However, Pérez, outfielder Jakob Marsee and catcher Joe Mack profile as far more likely extension candidates. Comparable industry extensions for homegrown starting pitchers include Brayan Bello’s six-year, $55 million deal with Boston in 2024 and Spencer Strider’s six-year, $75 million contract with Atlanta in 2022. I expect Miami to be offering Pérez something in between. Fish On Fist founder Ely Sussman projected a five-year, $60 million pact in his Marlins offseason blueprint. View the full article

With the start of the Winter Meetings less than two weeks away, Kevin Barral, Isaac Azout and Ely Sussman discuss the latest Miami Marlins news. That includes analyzing Kyle Stowers as a contract extension candidate and the authenticity of Miami's reported interest in free agent pitcher Michael King. Find Fish Unfiltered on the Fish On First YouTube channel, our new-look Apple Podcasts channel and wherever else you get your pods. FOF's audio programming also includes Fish On First LIVE, Swimming Upstream, Big Fish Small Pod and more. Fish On First can confirm that extension talks between the Marlins and Stowers took place earlier this offseason. They did not make meaningful progress, with Stowers' camp envisioning a contract containing nearly twice as much guaranteed money as the Marlins wanted to offer. Ely detailed the challenges of valuing the All-Star's future here. FOF has also learned of the team's past interest in locking up young prodigy Eury Pérez to a long-term deal. The Marlins initiated those negotiations earlier in 2025 while the right-hander was still rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. As was the case with Stowers, there was a large gap between the two sides. Follow Kevin (⁠@kevin_barral⁠), Isaac (@IsaacAzout), Ely (@RealEly) and Fish On First (⁠@FishOnFirst⁠) on Twitter. Join the ⁠Marlins Discord server⁠! Complete Miami Marlins coverage here at ⁠FishOnFirst.com⁠. View the full article

On Tuesday afternoon, the MLB Pre-Arbitration Bonus Pool recipients were released. For those unfamiliar with the Pre-Arbitration Bonus Pool, it can be defined as follows: A more thorough breakdown of the Pre-Arbitration Bonus Pool, who is eligible, and how it is awarded can be found here. While it is not as celebrated as the MLB awards or as hyped as free agency or trade season in the offseason, the pool highlights pre-arbitration players coming off excellent campaigns. This season, four Royals players received bonuses from the pool, including two pitchers and two position players. Let's examine how much those players made and what they did in 2025 to earn those respective bonus amounts. Maikel Garcia, 3B: $773,819 Garcia received the 13th-highest amount this season, just ahead of players like Boston's Roman Anthony ($725,317) and Baltimore's Gunnar Henderson ($641,218). After a down season in 2024 in which he posted a 71 wRC+ and 1.2 fWAR in 626 plate appearances, he posted a 121 wRC+ and 5.8 fWAR in 666 plate appearances this season. The 25-year-old third baseman didn't just post great stats, but earned some honors and hardware this season as well. He made his first All-Star team, was a Silver Slugger finalist, and garnered his first Gold Glove after posting stellar metrics at the hot corner this year. Garcia didn't earn any All-MLB honors, but his high fWAR and various honors contributed to his high pre-arbitration bonus amount. The Venezuelan will enter his first year of arbitration eligibility this offseason, and he could be a candidate for a long-term extension. MLB Trade Rumors projects Garcia to command around $4.8 million in arbitration this offseason. Noah Cameron, LHP: $638,351 The rookie lefty had the second-highest bonus amount for a Royals player and had the 17th-highest overall. That isn't surprising, especially considering the season Cameron had on the mound for a rotation that dealt with a lot of pitching injuries this season. In 24 starts and 138.1 IP, Cameron sported a 9-7 record and posted a 2.99 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 1.8 fWAR. His fWAR mark actually lagged behind Michael Wacha (3.6), Kris Bubic (3.3), and even Cole Ragans (2.1). That said, his durability and strong showing helped him earn Royals Pitcher of the Year honors from the organization and finish fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting, behind Nick Kurtz (winner), Jacob Wilson, and Anthony. The fWAR may not have been as impressive as Garcia's. Still, his strong showing in the AL Rookie of the Year voting, along with excellent surface-level numbers for a rookie starting pitcher, likely contributed to his high bonus. Cameron has an opportunity to continue to collect from the pool for the next few years if he continues to develop as a pitcher, as he is not arbitration-eligible until 2029. Stephen Kolek, RHP: $251,660 A Trade Deadline acquisition from San Diego, Kolek thrived in his role with the Royals down the stretch. In five starts and 33 IP with Kansas City, he posted a 1.91 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, and 0.9 fWAR. This was despite initially pitching in Triple-A Omaha when he was originally acquired from the Padres. His finish was so impressive that he earned September Pitcher of the Month honors from the Royals. While those numbers with the Royals were impressive, Kolek had a solid overall season, pitching with the Padres before switching organizations. Overall, Kolek made 19 appearances, nine starts, pitched 112.2 innings, and posted an ERA of 3.51, a WHIP of 1.14, and fWAR of 0.9. That's not bad for a pitcher who had only pitched 46.2 innings in 2024 with San Diego as a rookie (he posted a 5.21 ERA and 1.52 WHIP last season). Kolek's bonus amount put him just behind the White Sox's Shane Smith ($255,276) but ahead of other pitchers such as the Dodgers' Emmet Sheehan ($248,866) and Milwaukee's Aaron Ashby ($228,384). The 28-year-old Texas A&M product is still pre-arbitration eligible this offseason and next and will be arbitration-eligible in 2028, according to Spotrac. Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B: $245,479 Pasquantino finally stayed healthy in 2025 and had the best season of his short career. The 27-year-old first baseman played 160 games and had 682 plate appearances in 2025. Over that sample, he slashed .264/.323/.475 and led the Royals in home runs with 32 and RBI with 113. He also posted a 116 wRC+ and 1.5 fWAR. On the hitting end, it was an unforgettable season for the Pasquatch. He overcame a slow start to the season, as he posted a 49 wRC+ in 124 plate appearances in March/April, according to Fangraphs splits. After that brutal first month of play, he didn't have a wRC+ below triple digits, and he was particularly productive after the All-Star Break, posting a 125 wRC+ in the second half. Pasquantino didn't earn any All-Star or All-MLB honors last season (and it wasn't particularly close). Furthermore, his defense left a bit to be desired. He was seven outs below average and four runs below average defensively, according to Statcast's defensive metrics. His OAA ranked in the bottom sixth percentile, and it was also a nine-out difference from his mark in 2024. Still, aside from defense, the Royals should feel good about what Pasquantino did last year as an on-field and locker-room leader for the club. He also did enough to get some money from the pre-arbitration bonus pool, as his amount was larger than Detroit's Colt Keith ($224,454), Toronto's Nathan Lukes ($222,545), and Pittsburgh's Oneil Cruz ($221,795). Like Garcia, Pasquantino enters his first year of arbitration eligibility and could be an extension candidate as well this offseason. MLB Trade Rumors estimates him to command $5.4 million in arbitration this offseason. View the full article

Payton Eeles had become a fan favorite prospect in the Twins farm system over the last two years, and was just traded for backstop Alex Jackson. Eeles' 5'5" stature and hard work ethic made him a standout for the Twins, but did the hometown crowd overvalue him because of his story, or did the Twins part with someone who could have provided stronger middle infield depth long-term? View the full article

As part of the most recent collective bargaining agreement between the players union and MLB, an annual bonus pool was created to pay players who accumulated significant on-field value and/or finished highly in balloting for the league's major awards, in seasons in which they did not yet qualify for arbitration. It was one small (and ultimately inadequate) way to shift money from highly paid veterans (often on the decline) and underpaid young stars of the game, and it's made a significant difference in the earning power of players over their first two or three years in the league. The bonuses paid to several dozen players were announced Tuesday, and three Cubs saw their 2025 earnings substantially boosted. Pete Crow-Armstrong, who was on the All-MLB second team and put up impressive totals in wins above replacement, earned an extra $1,206,207, which is just shy of double his salary for the season. Between that extra infusion of cash; winning a Gold Glove Award; a playoff share; and his massive marketability (which has already yielded some lucrative endorsement opportunities), Crow-Armstrong got much richer this year. Whatever leverage the Cubs hoped to wield in negotiations over a contract extension when they began them in the spring has evaporated. Crow-Armstrong is still in position to hit free agency relatively young, and he'll qualify for arbitration as a Super Two player in 2027. He's holding all the cards. Cade Horton got $500,000 for his runner-up finish in the Rookie of the Year voting, and made a total of $852,806 in bonuses after adding the amount he earned via WAR calculations. That's more than he made in salary, too, and he gets the non-monetary (but extremely lucrative) added benefit of getting a full year of service time for 2025, thanks to getting those Rookie of the Year votes. He's now set to become a free agent after 2030, just as Crow-Armstrong is. He, too, leaped forward in terms of his career earning potential this season, thanks to the new rules that came into effect in the last CBA. Nothing, however, can save the earning power of a late-blooming first baseman. Michael Busch, who arguably had the best season of any Cub, got just $483,108 for his efforts. This was Busch's age-27 season, and while he made the most of it, he's not eligible for arbitration until 2027, and can't become a free agent until the end of 2029. By then, he's likely to be moving out of his prime. The Cubs have little incentive to extend him, and he has little chance to make All-MLB teams or rack up WAR, because of his position and the way the statistics are calculated. He'll be grateful for the extra money, which will be over $500,000 once his playoff share is heaped on top of it, but Busch didn't hit the same kind of jackpot as his younger, more celebrated teammates—even though he had a tremendous breakout campaign. These initiatives—the bonus payments and the service-time rewards—are a great step forward for the game, giving young stars more leverage and more power. It only makes the Cubs' job harder, because extending Crow-Armstrong looks like a very expensive endeavor at this point. So be it. The team will have to either swallow its worries and make a splash, or accept the risks that come with going year to year with franchise cornerstones. In the meantime, for Crow-Armstrong, Horton and Busch, these are just desserts for a job extremely well done. View the full article

In episode 102 of Destination: The Show, the crew break down the Twins additions to the 40-man roster, from the more expected to the less obvious. They spend some time digging into the emergency of undrafted right-handed pitcher John Klein, who looks like a candidate for the MLB bullpen in 2026. The guys discuss Derek Shelton rounding out his MLB Staff before digging into Trevor Larnach being tendered a contract for 2026. Finally they answer listener questions on the forthcoming draft lottery. 0:00 Intro 4:25 Housekeeping 5:02 40-Man Roster Adds (lots of John Klein talk) 17:14 Rotation talk 22:40 Hendry Mendez 24:34 MLB Coaching Staff 27:00 Trade for Alex Jackson 39:38 Contracts Tendered (including Larnach) 45:32 Listener Questions You can support the show by downloading it from wherever you get your podcasts, including iTunes and Spotify. If you enjoy the content, consider leaving us a five-star rating and review in addition to sharing or retweeting DTS-related content. You can follow us on Twitter @DTS_POD1, @Jeremynygaard, @J_D_Cameron, and @TheodoreTollef1. We’re now on Bluesky @destinationtheshow.bsky.social. You can also find full episodes and clips of our shows on our YouTube page @DestinationTheShow. View the full article

This afternoon, the Toronto Blue Jays announced they had placed left-handed pitcher Easton Lucas, 29, on unconditional release waivers. This will free up another space on the 40-man roster, giving the front office three open spots to work with. Lucas made his MLB debut with the Athletics in 2023 and bounced from the A's to the Tigers to the Blue Jays in 2024. He made a pair of excellent starts for Toronto this past April, striking out 11 in 10.1 scoreless innings. Unfortunately, he struggled after those two outings and could not stick with the major league club. As is often the case when a team releases a player seemingly out of nowhere, it is believed that the Blue Jays granted Lucas his release so he could sign a contract with a foreign professional team (per Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith). According to reporter Francys Romero, that team will be in Japan's NPB. Featured image courtesy of Mitch Stringer, Imagn Images. View the full article

On Monday, the Kansas City Royals announced that they hired Mike McFerran as assistant pitching coach. McFerran replaces Zach Bove, who left earlier this month for the head pitching coach role with the Chicago White Sox. McFerran is only 32 years old but has a diverse coaching history, with much of his time spent at his alma mater, Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, Wake Forest University, and the Sacramento Athletics. With Wake Forest, he served as an associate head coach and pitching lab coordinator, helping develop first-round draft picks such as Ryan Cusick and Rhett Lowder. After a successful tenure with the Demon Deacons, he moved on to the Athletics organization, where he primarily worked with Minor League pitchers for the past two seasons. The Royals' new assistant pitching coach had a pretty interesting interview on "And That's The Game" from Pro Batter Sports last year, when he was a member of the Athletics organization. In the podcast, he discussed his unique coaching background and his overall coaching philosophy. When it came to replacing Bove, the Royals were looking for someone who shared Bove's ability to work closely with pitchers, especially in game strategy and pitch design, according to MLB.com Royals beat writer Anne Rogers. With his extensive background in pitch mechanics and incorporating science, data, and technology to develop athletes, especially pitchers, it seems like Kansas City found that fit with McFerran. Here's a snippet from Rogers' piece that provides background on McFerran's coaching history, especially during his tenure at Wake Forest. With the McFerran hiring, the Royals' coaching staff should be complete for the upcoming season. In addition to Bove, the Royals needed to replace assistant hitting coaches Keoni DeRenne and Joe Dillon. They found those replacements in Connor Dawson of the Brewers and Marcus Thames of the White Sox. Photo Credit: © William Purnell-Imagn Images View the full article

When the Collective Bargaining Agreement between players and owners made their most-recent agreement in 2022, one of the better policy changes was giving more money to players who are unable to make the big money yet. Each season, the league sets aside $50 million. Specific amounts are earned for receiving Rookie of the Year, MVP or Cy Young votes, or finishing first or second team All-MLB. For instance, Paul Skenes won the Cy Young this season, so he got $2.5 million for that. Hunter Brown finished third place in NL voting, and for that, he received $1.5 million. A player can only receive a bonus for one award per year, the higher amount. The remaining money is then allocated to several players based on a special formula using a couple of WAR stats. The top of the 2025 pre-arbitration bonuses looks a lot like the top of the NL Cy Young vote. Paul Skenes led the way at $3,436,343. Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez earned $2,678,437, and Brown earned $2,206,538. Others to earn a bonus over $1 million include Mariners Bryan Woo ($1.54M), Diamondbacks OF ($1.34M), A's 1B Nick Kurtz ($1.30M), Cubs OF Pete Crow-Armstrong ($1.21M), Braves catcher Drake Baldwin ($1.18M), Brewers 2B Brice Turang ($1.16M), and Rays 3B ($1.07M). A 23-year-old former 2nd round pick, Keaschall made his big-league debut in April and earned 164 days of service time during the 2025 season. He hit .302/.382/.445 (.827) with 14 doubles, four home runs and 28 RBI. He had 14 steals in 17 attempts. He received a couple of Rookie of the Year votes. Per Baseball-Reference, his season was worth 2.0 WAR. Per FanGraphs, his season was valued at 1.6 WAR. Keaschall,'s 2025 salary for his big-league time would have been the major-league minimum salary of $760,000. Since he was on the roster 164 days, his MLB salary was somewhere around $690,000. On Tuesday, he earned his bonus of $209,217, an extra 30% for him. Just two players, Reds infielder Matt McLain ($206,056) and Nationals OF Daylen Lile ($150,000), earned a smaller bonus. Frankly, the Twins didn't have a lot of pre-arbitration players on the roster who played enough for consideration. Others include Matt Wallner, Brooks Lee, Edouard Julien each had more plate appearances than Keaschall's 207. Frankly I'm surprised that Simeon Woods Richardson didn't get a bonus in 2025. He went 7-4 with a 4.04 ERA over 111 1/3 innings and 22 games started. It was worth 2.2 bWAR and 1.2 fWAR, so he had to be close. Louie Varland had to be close as well. Following the 2023 season, the Twins had six players earn the bonus: Bailey Ober ($432,752), Edouard Julien ($397,629), Joe Ryan ($341,931), Royce Lewis ($341,190), Ryan Jeffers ($300,304), and Jhoan Duran ($271,789). After the 2024 season, the Twins had five players earn this bonus: Bailey Ober ($381,085), Griffin Jax ($352,852), Joe Ryan ($331,054), Matt Wallner ($256,296), and Simeon Woods Richardson ($243,471). View the full article

Miami Marlins players Kyle Stowers, Xavier Edwards, Otto Lopez, Jakob Marsee, Janson Junk and Eury Pérez combined to receive nearly $2 million from the MLB pre-arbitration bonus pool, per the Associated Press. Players can become eligible for bonuses based on where they finish in the voting for major awards (MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year and All-MLB). However, each of the six Marlins were paid according to a proprietary wins above replacement formula. This is the second straight year that Edwards and Lopez have earned pre-arb bonuses. Marsee spent the first four months of the 2025 season in the minor leagues, yet was so valuable as an all-around player down the stretch that he made up for lost time. He winds up collecting more money from the bonus pool than he did in salary during his partial season on the Marlins roster. Ronny Henriquez and Heriberto Hernández are among the other young Marlins who fell just barely below the bonus pool cut-off. Courtesy of Spotrac, we can combine these bonuses with each player's cash earnings at the major league level to approximate their overall income for 2025: Kyle Stowers, $1,317,218 Xavier Edwards, $1,158,237 Otto Lopez, $1,067,012 Eury Pérez, $982,753 Janson Junk, $779,784 Jakob Marsee, $523,282 Ten members of the Milwaukee Brewers received bonuses, making them the only team better represented than the Marlins. The pool was divided among 101 total players. Edwards, Lopez, Pérez and Stowers will be eligible for arbitration beginning in 2027, so they'll have only one more opportunity next year to be included in the pool. Junk and Marsee won't be arb-eligible until 2028 at the earliest. View the full article

The Red Sox have checked in on free-agent catcher J.T. Realmuto, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. Realmuto, entering his age-35 season, just completed his sixth year with Philadelphia and reached the postseason in four straight years as the club’s primary catcher. In 2025, Realmuto logged 550 plate appearances over 134 games and hit .257/.315/.384 with 12 home runs and eight stolen bases, producing a .700 OPS and a 91 OPS+. FanGraphs credited him with a 94 wRC+ and 2.1 WAR. Statcast shows a wOBA of .307 and xwOBA of .316, with a hard-hit rate around 37 percent. On the defensive side, he caught over 1,150 innings in 2025 and remained a high-volume backstop. He posted a 28 percent caught-stealing rate and pop times around 1.86 seconds. Boston’s current catching group centers on Carlos Narváez and Connor Wong. Over the 2024–25 seasons combined, Wong has 675 plate appearances and produced a .255/.314/.374 line with a .688 OPS, .119 ISO and 92 wRC+. Narváez’s 2025 defensive metrics included a fielding run value of +5, +4 blocks above average, +2 caught stealing above average, and +3 framing runs, placing him among the more effective defensive catchers by those measures. With the emergence of Narváez in 2025, do you think Realmuto is a good addition? View the full article

The Twins front office has expressed a desire to add to the current roster, but their ability to do so is likely to be limited by the impending partial sale of the team. Even when this is resolved, we've learned that getting a straight answer on anything from this regime is not going to happen. Regarding the team’s intentions to contend in 2026, fans will have to draw their own conclusions based on how the offseason goes. There are several spots on the roster to watch to gauge whether the Twins are trying to contend in 2026, but three stand out. First Base The Twins have been shuffling first basemen for the last few years, opting to fill the spot with cheap veterans who have had varying degrees of success. In 2025, it was one of the team’s weaker positions. Opening Day starter Ty France eventually lost his job to career journeyman Kody Clemens, who had some nice moments but wasn’t the kind of player a contending team wants to have in the lineup every day. First base is at the bottom of the defensive spectrum. Having a good defensive first baseman is nice, but offensive production is an absolute must. The 29-year-old Clemens is the incumbent, coming off a .715 OPS, which was below league average overall and well below average among first basemen. The Twins also have no legitimate prospects on their way to take the position over midseason. It’ll be worth watching whether they see value in upgrading the position, either in free agency or via trade. The team is in desperate need of a boost offensively, and adding a first baseman with more upside is one of the most cost-effective upgrades they can make. If they roll with what they have headed into 2026, it’s worth questioning how serious they are. The Bullpen The once-elite Twins bullpen is now one of the worst in baseball, following a shocking sell-off at the trade deadline. Falvey and company downplayed the effect of these moves, explaining that they had built the previous bullpen internally. While that's true, he failed to mention that assembling the previous group took years of trial and error. Pretending that the current group (along with a few waiver claims and minor-league signings) will be competitive in 2026 is unrealistic. This regime has shown that they don’t value relievers highly enough to spend much on them in free agency. They’ve rarely invested in them, and it’s gone quite poorly on the rare occasions when they have. Unfortunately, they’ve left themselves no choice but to do it this winter, if they’re serious about competing in 2026. The Twins could have a top-five rotation in 2026, yet they may miss the playoffs with their current bullpen. They need to hit on two or three legitimate arms to turn to at the back end of games, or the rest of the roster won’t matter. If they choose to stand pat, they likely aren’t especially worried about winning games in 2026. López and Ryan The most obvious tell for the Twins' intentions in 2026 will be what they do with Joe Ryan and Pablo López. Derek Falvey has expressed his desire to keep both players, but payroll may leave him no choice but to sell them off for parts. Regardless of what they bring back, trading one or both of them would be waving the white flag. The rotation is the lone bright spot of the Twins' roster. We can dream of a world where Taj Bradley, Mick Abel and others take a big step and fill the void left by trading away high-end starters, but that would be refusing to admit what’s right in front of us. López and Ryan each have multiple years of team control at prices below their market value. Teams looking to compete don’t trade these types of players when they’re in the situation the Twins are in. They do it to lower their payroll and try to sell the cheaper prospects they get in return, as a reason for the fanbase to have hope. If either López or Ryan is traded, the Twins are telling us 2026 doesn’t matter. The path to competing without one of these two at the front of the rotation becomes far too narrow. The team would be left with question marks across all departments, and it’s been years since this front office has given confidence that they can find answers. Local writers will undoubtedly continue to push for answers regarding the Twins' intentions for 2026, but there’s very little chance they will get them at any point this offseason. Actions speak louder than words, anyway, and watching their moves this offseason will give us all the answers we need. Will the Twins make a legitimate effort to improve in 2026, or will their stated goals of adding to the roster be undermined by the actions they take? View the full article

In a recent piece by Jack Stern, he mentioned eight relievers who played substantial roles in the Brewers bullpen last year. Six of them—Grant Anderson, Aaron Ashby, DL Hall, Jared Koenig, Trevor Megill, and Abner Uribe—have minor-league options left. Nick Mears and Rob Zastryzny do not. This octet will do much of the heavy lifting out of the pen in 2026, but Milwaukee faces a practical constraint: the guys they would most want to swap out to bring up fresh arms at times are the ones who can't be sent down. As with last year’s starting rotation, though, there's helpful depth that could alleviate those problems. Let’s check out some of the guys in the minors who haven't been celebrated or praised, but should get called up to Milwaukee sometime in 2026—and a few prospects who look like they will move up to the higher levels. Second-Chance Relievers Craig Yoho (BF #20 prospect) Yoho appeared in eight games for Milwaukee last year in three separate stints, and other than one bad outing, he allowed five hits and two runs in 7 2/3 innings, good for an ERA of 2.35. Of course, one can't just eliminate the worst outing in a small sample, but his handful of strong appearances loosely confirmed the upside scouts saw (and his stats reflected) before he matriculated to the majors. Yoho throws the Triple-A equivalent of the Devin Williams Airbender, but command of it is still a work in progress. His fastball sits in the 92-94 range, and he rounds out the mix with a curve and a change. He's also working on a cutter. His 31% strikeout rate at Triple A is a portent of good things to come in Milwaukee. Expect to see him at Uecker Field for a good portion of the 2026 season. Easton McGee The lanky (6-foot-7) righthander split time between Nashville and Milwaukee last season. Although he didn’t have the success in the majors that Yoho did, he pitched four outings of at least two innings, serving as a key bridge from the middle of the game to the team's higher-leverage guys. He threw a sinker and a curve about 30% of the time each, with his fastball topping out at 94-95. In his previous eight seasons in the minors, McGee made 100 starts, so in a pinch, he could be a spot starter for the Brewers, but it's more likely he will be a middle reliever. Sammy Peralta Selected off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels in late October, Peralta is a decent-sized (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) soft-tossing southpaw whose fastball sits at just over 89 mph. He throws a slider in the 78 range, along with a change that hits 82. Peralta was an 18th-round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft out of the University of Tampa, and bounced around in the White Sox and Mariners chains before pitching in the Mexican League to start the 2025 campaign. After a few subpar outings with the Angels in September, he caught on with Milwaukee. He is another candidate for a long relief job in Brew City. Triple-A and Double-A Relievers Blake Holub A 15th-round pick of the Detroit Tigers in the 2021 MLB Draft, the 6-foot-6, 230-pound Holub is another in the long line of towering Brewers pitchers. He has raw talent, but struggles to find the plate on a consistent basis, as his 11.8% walk rate shows. On the other hand, a ‘violent’ delivery helped him strike out batters at a rate of 28.5%. At 27, he is a tad old to be a prospect, so this might be his make-or-break year. Will Childers Matthew Wilkie Childers was a 30th-round pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2019 MLB Draft, but didn’t sign. He attended the University of Georgia and was an All-American his freshman year. But then disaster struck, in the form of two elbow surgeries, which led to his being picked up by Milwaukee after the 2022 MLB Draft as an undrafted free agent. Childers has had an up-and-down career, but his 2025 season (with a 25.5% strikeout rate) shows promise for the future. Justin Yeager Yeager was a 33rd-round draft pick in the 2019 MLB Draft out of Southern Illinois University. After three years in the Atlanta Braves organization, Yeager was a part of the trade in which the Brewers acquired William Contreras in 2022. Yeager has spent the better part of the last three years at Double-A Biloxi, but in 18 appearances and 21 innings at Nashville last year, Yeager allowed only 3.8 hits per nine innings. At age 28 at the start of the 2026 campaign, he is in the same ‘long-in-the-tooth’ prospect boat that Holub is in. Mark Manfredi Manfredi is one of the best left-handed options at the middle levels of the minors for the Crew, having pitched at Biloxi all season in 2025. The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder was drafted in the 9th round of the 2023 draft. During his first season at High-A Wisconsin, he made 12 starts among his 28 appearances. In 2025 at Double A, he was strictly a reliever, making 44 trips to the mound while striking out batters at a 29.8% rate. He needs to work on his control, as he posted a 14.9% walk rate. With a good season, the 25-year-old could possibly see some late-season action in Milwaukee this year. Tyler Bryant Bryant joined Yoho, Childers, and Holub on the 2025 Brewers Spring Breakout roster. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Texan was signed as a free agent by the Brewers in June 2024. After five seasons of small college ball and one year in the independent Frontier League, Bryant got his chance with Milwaukee. He showed enough last year in nine games with Carolina and 11 games with Wisconsin to move up to Biloxi in 2025. Bryant struck out batters at a rate of 31.2%, but also walked them at a rate of 12.7%. He was injured in July and missed the last couple months of the season. Bryant will turn 27 in January, so his clock is also rapidly ticking. Others of Note Anthony Flores, LH, Wisconsin J.D. Thompson, RH, DNP professional ball Ethan Dorchies, RH, ACL, Carolina Frank Cairone, LH, DNP professional ball What’s Next? The Brewers used 25 pitchers in relief last season, including position players Jake Bauers and Anthony Seigler. The 634 2/3 relief innings accounted for 44% of the team's innings pitched. Due to the heavy workload that relievers take on these days, a team will need to shuttle pitchers back and forth in the organization on a constant basis. It is also imperative that the relievers who are called up perform well, and the Brewers are hoping for that same result. View the full article