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Well, at long last, the Boston Red Sox have their No. 2 starting pitcher. Sonny Gray of the St. Louis Cardinals is heading to Beantown as part of yet another blockbuster trade in this early part of the 2025-26 MLB offseason. Gray, 36, is reworking his contract as part of this deal. He'll receive $31 million for 2026 and a $10 million buyout on a mutual option in 2027. It's currently unknown how much money, the Cardinals are sending to offset some of that salary, but "cash" is included in the deal. The return for Gray is reportedly major-league pitcher Richard Fitts and top pitching prospect Brandon Clarke. MORE TO COME... View the full article

The Minnesota Twins will be featured in Major League Baseball’s Field of Dreams Game next August, a celebration of nostalgia, cornfields, and players who ideally still exist on the roster by first pitch. Unfortunately for MLB’s marketing department, the Twins appear determined to test that last requirement. The league has already rolled out promotional materials splashed with Minnesota stars Byron Buxton, Pablo López, Joe Ryan, Ryan Jeffers, and Royce Lewis. These posters look great on billboards, buses, and social media feeds. They would also make tremendous historical artifacts documenting a team that might be entirely gone by the time the game actually happens. One MLB official admitted privately that the league is preparing for the worst. “Let me put it this way,” the source said. “We may or may not have a folder titled: Things To Do If The Twins Trade Everyone With A Pulse. And that folder may or may not be very full.” The Twins front office also seems aware of the situation. A team source provided clarity on the matter. “Look, we like our guys,” the source said. “But we also really like future payroll flexibility. And prospect capital. And maybe just the general chaos of it all.” With the trade deadline falling before August’s Field of Dreams Game, the league is constructing backup promotional plans. The first option is simply swapping out the current stars for top prospect Walker Jenkins, who has yet to debut but has already been used as a placeholder so often that he might appear on more posters than Buxton by February. “Walker looks great in a cornfield,” an MLB designer said anonymously. “He also looks great in any graphic where we desperately need a Minnesota Twin who still plays for the Minnesota Twins. At this point, he might be our entire September promo package.” If Jenkins is not available or is inconveniently also traded for pitching depth or a rental reliever with an expiring elbow, MLB’s contingency depth chart shifts to Austin Martin. His second-half surge has made him credible enough to be featured, though the bar for credibility is now best described as “Can this person plausibly wear a Twins hat without us getting sued?” MLB’s most ambitious contingency plan involves fully leaning into misdirection. With Kody Clemens arriving in the organization, the league is reportedly considering a marketing strategy based on the assumption that casual fans will assume he is his father, Roger Clemens. “I'm not saying we would imply he is Roger,” an MLB source clarified. “Just that we would not go out of our way to clarify that he is not Roger. If people want to believe the Twins are sending that Clemens to Iowa, who are we to interrupt their joy?” The Twins, for their part, have not ruled out the possibility of using Clemens on the mound if public confusion reaches a high enough level. “We will do whatever the situation calls for,” a team source shared. “Is Kody a pitcher? Not currently. Could he be? Theoretically. Is this entire winter theoretical? Absolutely.” The league remains hopeful that at least one recognizable Twin survives the summer. But the risk is real, and it must be faced. One document labeled Emergency Minnesota Adventure outlines scenarios ranging from signing random former Twins to reintroducing TC Bear as a two-way player. Another plan apparently suggests asking Joe Mauer if he is busy that weekend. As the marketing department frantically prepares for all potential futures, MLB leadership remains officially calm. “This is all hypothetical,” one league executive insisted. “There is no reason to believe the Twins will trade away their entire roster. Unless they do. Which they might. But maybe they will not. But probably they will.” Fans now wait for more details, as August approaches and the cornfield beckons. Whether the Twins arrive with actual MLB players or some last-second collection of fallback options, we won't know for some time. View the full article

As the Chicago Cubs firmly enter offseason mode, they’ll explore all avenues in an attempt to make the team better for 2026. One of those avenues is via trade, which can sometimes involve pieces at the minor-league level, and can sometimes involve players at the big-league level, like the recent Marcus Semien for Brandon Nimmo trade. In this article, we’ll take a look at the Cubs’ 10 most important players on the major-league roster and consider their overall likelihood of being traded this winter. 10 - Seiya Suzuki Pros: Since his arrival in MLB, Suzuki has been one of the most productive offensive players around. Believe it or not, he has a 127 wRC+ since his MLB debut in 2022, which is 32nd in all of baseball. He’s ahead of players with much bigger names like Alex Bregman, William Contreras, Corbin Carroll, Austin Riley, and Fernando Tatis Jr. Cons: The obvious difference between Suzuki and each of those players named above is that all of those other guys play premium defensive positions, or at the very least, play a less-premium position very well. In 2024, Suzuki was worth -3 runs in the field, according to Baseball Savant’s Fielding Run Value, and thus shifted to designated hitter full time in 2025, which also brings his value down considerably. That, plus an unproductive second half of this past season, might leave a bad taste in some people’s mouths. Trade Likelihood: Low The Cubs don’t figure to be bringing Kyle Tucker back, and will probably be investing whatever money they have in the budget into the pitching staff. They’ll need Suzuki to cover right field full time again in 2026 (or DH, if Owen Caissie's glove is better suited for the field). 9 - Matt Shaw Pros: Shaw showed some potential of being an above-average everyday player in 2025, posting a 130 wRC+ after the All-Star break, to go along with 11 home runs. His fly ball rate and pull percentage all increased significantly, and that is basically what it boils down to: When he can get out in front of the ball and get it in the air, he’ll be a productive player. He showed significant progress towards being a viable every day third baseman in the field as the season progressed as well. Cons: When it was bad, it was really bad, and that came to fruition in the playoffs as Shaw went just 2-17 with seven strikeouts. He struggled against velocity all season, posting just a .281 wOBA and .195 batting average against pitches over 95mph, per Baseball Savant, which is a pretty standard offering from most pitchers in this day and age. Trade likelihood: Low It’s been reported that teams asked for Shaw at the trade deadline, and the Cubs balked at that request, so it would seem to me that they value Shaw a bit differently than the rest of the league. Value aside, the Cubs don’t really have anyone else in house to replace Shaw should they deal him, and as mentioned earlier, I’d expect most of their resources to be funneled towards pitching. I anticipate the former Maryland Terrapin to be at third base on Opening Day in 2026. 8 - Ian Happ Pros: Happ is the longest tenured Cub, and while I am certain front offices don’t value that much, I do! He has also been as consistent as it gets, putting up a batting line between 16 and 22 percent above league average, according to wRC+, and a FanGraphs WAR between 2.8 and 3.7 in each of the past four seasons. The veteran certainly isn’t a top-level player in baseball, but he is still a guy who the Cubs should be happy to pencil into their lineup every day going forward. Not to mention, he has a relatively affordable salary of $19m in 2026. Cons: It was already mentioned: Happ isn’t an elite hitter, and he doesn’t play a particularly valuable defensive position. He just is who he is at this point. At 31 years old, you probably wouldn’t expect him to improve a whole lot going forward. Trade likelihood: Low Point blank, Happ has a no-trade clause. Which is unfortunate, because if there is a position player that makes the most sense to deal, it’s probably the veteran left fielder. The Cubs have both Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara looking for big-league playing time, and Happ might be a desirable target for any team looking for reliable help in left field. I won’t complain about having to keep a guy like Happ around, but were it not for the no-trade clause, it might make sense from a team-building standpoint. 7 - Matthew Boyd Pros: Boyd was hands down the Cubs’ best pitcher in 2025, putting up a 3.21 ERA, a 3.65 FIP, and 3.4 fWAR en route to his first All-Star appearance. He was a major player in getting the Cubs back to the postseason for the first time since 2020. Cons: The veteran lefty, who eclipsed 100 innings for the first time since 2019, broke down a bit towards the end of the season. His ERA jumped from 2.34 in the first half to 4.63 in the second half, including an ugly 5.31 mark in September. A rough start in Game 1 of the NLDS likely sticks in a lot of people’s minds, though he did rebound for a good start to send the Cubs to Game 5 later in that series. Trade likelihood: Medium The Cubs already have the following starting pitchers on their 40-man roster: Boyd, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon, Cade Horton, Shota Imanaga, Colin Rea, Javier Assad, Ben Brown, and Jordan Wicks. Jed Hoyer has been clear he would like to add starting pitching this winter, and if he manages to add a couple of names to that group, it’s entirely possible that the Cubs could look to deal Boyd while his value is high. 6 - Justin Steele Pros: From 2022 to 2024, Steele had the 15th-best fWAR in baseball and ninth-best ERA. He was a reliable top-of-the-rotation starter for three seasons. Cons: Even at his best, Steele has never been a big-time bat-misser, certainly not the level of some of the other top starters in baseball. That alone takes some shine off. Couple that with the fact that he is coming off of another elbow surgery, and we just have no idea what we can really expect from the southpaw in 2026. Trade likelihood: Low… for now The Cubs have had success working with Steele, and I’d imagine they’d want to try to bring his value back up in 2026 before looking to deal him. If things go well for him, but poorly for the Cubs, I wouldn’t be surprised if a deal is explored at the trade deadline in July, or at the very least, next offseason. View the full article

Luis Campusano's role with the San Diego Padres has been one of the more perplexing organizational developments over the last handful of seasons. Peaking as the team's No. 3 overall prospect in each of 2021 and 2022, the backstop has never quite gotten the run that his offensive upside might have deserved. Now on his last legs with the franchise, the 2026 campaign will finally reveal all about his long-term outlook in San Diego. After a cup of coffee in each of those two seasons when he was a top prospect, the 2023 season looked like the one where Campusano was finally going to get some run behind the plate. Given that he turned in his best season to date, turning in a .319/.356/.491 line and a 133 wRC+ across 174 plate appearances, that should have been the case. Health pinned down his ability to produce over a longer stretch, but it did lead to a decent run in the following year. However, Campusano was unable to duplicate his offensive success in 2024 — his line read .227/.281/.361, with a wRC+ of 83 in 299 PA — and his defensive grades were woeful (-13 Fielding Run Value, -17 Defensive Runs Saved). He would cede virtually all playing time to Kyle Higashioka and Elías Díaz by year's end. Unconvinced by such a downward turn in his development, the Padres turned to a combination of Díaz and Martín Maldonado ahead of 2025. Freddy Fermin was acquired at the deadline to gain further stability at the position. It'll be Fermin behind the dish for '26, with Higashioka long gone, Díaz a free agent, and Maldonado calling it a career at the outset of this offseason. Behind him, however, there's some space for depth. And if the Padres are finally going to understand what they have in Luis Campusano, it should likely be him as the No. 2 to start the season. The offensive upside is undeniable. Despite garnering only 27 trips to the plate in 2025 with the Padres, Campusano turned in an excellent year as a hitter in El Paso. His final line read .336/.441/.595 with a 148 wRC+. Perhaps most impressive was the fact that he nearly matched a strong strikeout rate (17.3 percent) with a quality walk figure (15.2 percent). He walked in 22.2 percent of his minuscule amount of plate appearances at the top level as well. Even if he struck out at a 40 percent clip, there's an approach there that is worth spending some time with in the lineup. The issue for the Padres will be getting Campusano playing time with this pitching staff. It's difficult to justify time for a poor defensive catcher with a group as quality as the Padres are in relief. It's even more so to deploy such a catcher with a starting staff that figures to exist heavily on the margins given an intense lack of depth and few dollars to play with this winter. You need a stabilizing presence back there. Fermin offers that as a starter and most teams are willing to compromise offense from their backup in the name of the glove, not the other way around. That the Padres were willing to tender a contract to Campusano speaks to the idea that this could be the year they consider giving him some actual run as a backup catcher and bench bat. There's a whole winter ahead to work with him. Maybe that time is dedicated to shoring up his skill behind the plate. Otherwise, he may not be long for the roster with a handful of savvy veterans now available in free agency at a lower price point. In any case, though, the relationship between player and organization is reaching its inflection point. If it doesn't work, then you're left with a couple of options. You either move him in the spring to a team that is intrigued enough by the bat, or you select the catcher to be inevitably added via a minor-league deal ahead of the spring. Either outcome isn't a terrible one. They both, however, fall short of what would be the preferred option: Luis Campusano shows enough with the glove to justify his presence on the roster while adding a more-than-capable bench bat to a Padres roster sorely in need of offensive depth. Of course, any road toward determining exactly what the future looks like for Luis Campusano will require the Padres to give him a legitimate leash. View the full article

The Twins traded tiny grit machine Payton Eeles to the Orioles for catcher Alex Jackson. In this edition of Twins 5, I share my reaction to that trade and the non-tender deadline which Trevor Larnach survived. I also speculate on the possibility Ryan Jeffers and Matt Wallner get traded, briefly discuss the Arizona Fall League and touch on DaShawn Keirsey Jr. being DFA'd. View the full article

The 2024 MLB Draft marked a pivotal moment for the Minnesota Twins, as the front office aimed to inject the system with high-end athleticism and safer, polished hitters. Over 16 months later, the results are starting to take shape. While it is still early in the development cycle, the 2025 season offered the first real indicators of who is rising and who still has work to do. Here is a look at how the top selections performed, and whether their stock is trending up or down. SS Kaelen Culpepper (1st Round, 21st Overall) Culpepper wasted no time proving he was worth a first-round bet. After showing brief flashes during his pro debut in 2024, he took a significant step forward this past season. His plus bat speed helped him drive the ball to all fields, and he trimmed his strikeout rate (17.4%) while maintaining a strong walk rate (9.7%). He finished the year slashing .289/.375/.469, with a 138 wRC+. The Twins named him the organization’s Minor League Player of the Year. At the time of the draft, there were questions about whether or not Culpepper could stick at shortstop. After 2025, Culpepper looks capable of sticking on the left side of the infield thanks to quick reactions and smooth hands, and he finished the year as a steady highlight reel at shortstop. His stock is way up because he showed both a higher offensive ceiling and a more stable defensive floor than projected. He now looks like a potential impact player for the Twins as early as 2026. Stock: Way Up IF Kyle DeBarge (1st Round, 33rd Overall) DeBarge entered pro ball known for elite defensive ability, and he only strengthened that reputation by winning a Rawlings Gold Glove after the 2025 season. His range and consistency anchor his value, and he displayed exceptional body control at both shortstop and second base. Offensively, DeBarge is still more contact-oriented than impact-driven (107 wRC+), but his bat-to-ball skills make him an annoyance at the plate for pitchers. However, he stole 66 bases to add to his offensive value. His stock is up because the defense is already top-tier, and the offensive floor appears solid enough for a future big league utility role with a chance for more. Stock: Up 3B Billy Amick (2nd Round, 60th Overall) Amick was drafted for his right-handed power, but his 2025 season exposed some concerns. Pitchers attacked him with elevated velocity and late-breaking spin, and his chase rate climbed (26.3 K%) throughout the year. While the raw power still flashes (150 wRC+), he struggled to translate it consistently in games. After being limited to 59 games, Minnesota sent him to the AFL, but he struggled by going 1-for-30 (.033 BA) with a 20-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His stock is down because the swing and approach need refinement before he can unlock his offensive upside. Stock: Down SP Dasan Hill (2nd Round, 69th Overall) Hill was viewed as a projection pick, and the early returns are encouraging with Twins Daily already ranking him in the organization’s top-10 prospects. His fastball ticked up into the upper 90s, and he showed improved command to both sides of the plate. Even more promising was the development of his sweeper, which added late bite and became a legitimate out pitch. Hill still needs to build stamina and sharpen his changeup, but the athleticism and strike-throwing are trending in the right direction. In 19 starts this season, the 19-year-old posted a 3.19 ERA with a 31.1 K% and a 15.0 BB%. His stock is up because his raw tools are beginning to translate into real on-field results. Stock: Up C Khadim Diaw (3rd Round, 96th Overall) Diaw made one of the biggest leaps in the class in 2025, as his offensive game took off. His strong frame produces natural power, and he showed a more controlled swing path, allowing him to drive pitches in the strike zone (161 wRC+). He also started gaining national attention with ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel placing Diaw in Minnesota’s top-10 prospects earlier this season. Unfortunately, he dealt with multiple injuries in college and missed time with a broken thumb last season. His stock is up because he blended production with projection and looked more like a long-term piece in the system. Stock: Up OF Jaime Ferrer (4th Round, 126th Overall) Ferrer was known for his raw pop when the Twins drafted him (1.083 OPS in his junior season), but his year was marked by inconsistency. First basemen and corner outfielders must hit for power, and he was limited to a .339 SLG and an 82 wRC+. Opposing pitchers exploited holes up in the zone, and his timing drifted as the season progressed. While he can still do damage on mistake pitches, his overall contact quality dipped, and his defensive profile remains limited to a corner outfield spot. His stock is down because the hit tool questions have grown louder, and he will need to make adjustments heading into 2026. Stock: Down OF Caden Kendle (5th Round, 159th Overall) Kendle entered the organization as an older but polished bat with strong plate discipline. Unfortunately, his 2025 performance plateaued. He posted a solid on-base percentage (.323 OBP) but did not impact the ball with enough authority (.382 SLG) to stand out. His limited power narrows his margin for error, and he will need to unlock more extra base damage to rise through the system. His stock is down because his offensive output did not match the expectations for a player with his college track record. Stock: Down The 2024 draft class already shows signs of paying dividends for the Twins, particularly with Culpepper, DeBarge, Hill, and Diaw emerging as early success stories. Others will require more time and development, but the organization can feel optimistic about the foundation laid by this group. 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

As we enter the holiday season, the concept of reuniting with family members and loved ones is on the mind. While there may be a few people we're a little less than thrilled about sharing a table with (maybe it's that know-it-all cousin of yours you never really got along with?), there will also be some folks we haven't seen for quite some time who will fill our evenings with joy and laughter. We'll realize, in that moment, just what we've been missing. Right then, even if for a short time, we are whole again. It's in this vein that the Chicago Cubs will be looking fill out their 2026 roster, and a "family reunion" of some sorts may just be what the doctor ordered. There are a handful of heroes of past Cubs rosters who are looking for homes next year, and it may be that they choose the familiar home they once had instead of a brand-new city in which to settle down. I'll examine three candidates: designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, and relief pitchers Mark Leiter Jr. and Andrew Chafin. Together, we can endeavor to decide just how likely it is for them to sit down at the Cubs' dinner table for the foreseeable future. Reunion Candidate #1: Designated Hitter Kyle Schwarber Kyle Schwarber was one of the more beloved Cubs hitters during his time in Chicago. From hitting a ball atop the right-field scoreboard in the 2015 NLDS to heroically returning for the 2016 World Series (after missing the lion's share of the season due to an unfortunate knee injury), the left-handed hitter made his mark in Chicago. His time was cut short when the team decided to non-tender him, ultimately spending the same money on Joc Pederson instead ahead of the 2021 season. Now, the Cubs will have a chance to rectify that error by bringing Schwarber home. Since 2021, the left-handed DH has been among the best in baseball, averaging a 135 wRC+ for the Nationals, Red Sox, and Phillies. Once a strict platoon bat, Schwarber even has some some mojo against left-handed pitchers, finishing with a 162 wRC+ against them in 2025. He's strictly a DH, but his bat is so good that it doesn't really hold him back from being useful. Why Schwarber might fit into the Cubs' plans: The Cubs are slated to lose (arguably) their best hitter to free agency, in Kyle Tucker. The team could swing their incumbent at DH, Seiya Suzuki, back to right field for the 2026 season, which would open up a perfect spot for Schwarber. His left-handed bat was actually better than Tucker's was last year, and he would add significant thump to the lineup. Why Schwarber might not fit into the Cubs' plans: The Cubs just don't put a massive emphasis on DH most years. They value positional flexibility, and Schwarber offers none of that—though he might be capable of moonlighting a little at first base. As well, they have two rookies in Owen Caissie and Moisés Ballesteros, who both hit from the left side. Either could conceivably slip into the position. How likely is a reunion? About as likely as that one uncle of yours not getting political this week at the dinner table. There are already rumors that the Philadelphia Phillies are going to try to keep him (and they aren't afraid to jump a market). According to ESPN insider Jeff Passan, the market is hot for the DH. Could the Cubs decide that Schwarber, who probably won't need a seven-year commitment, is the player they should get irrational about? Perhaps, but it feels like another team will decide to do that instead. As fun as it would be, it seems like a reunion here is unlikely. Reunion Candidate #2: Reliver Mark Leiter Jr. Leiter spent two and a half seasons in the Windy City after the Cubs helped to revive the then-31-year-old's career. He hadn't pitched an inning in the majors since 2018, but by the middle of 2022, he had established himself a key cog in the Cubs' bullpen. Flashing a plus splitter that was devastating to left-handed hitters, the reliever had finally found a home—that is, until the trade deadline of the 2024 season. With the Cubs staring at decision point (choosing between making a run for it and selling off some assets for the future), the New York Yankees made an offer for the right-hander pitcher that the Cubs couldn't turn down. The Cubs acquired young reliever Jack Neely and infielder Ben Cowles, and Leiter was sent to the city that never sleeps. While Leiter was pretty good in New York, the Yankees made the decision to non-tender the 34-year-old last week. making him a free agent. Why he might fit into the Cubs' plans: The Cubs bullpen is currently wide open and quite unsettled. Returning closer Daniel Palencia will be coupled with recently-signed Phil Maton, but there is little clarity regarding the rest of the bullpen. One area in which the Cubs are lacking; anyone who specializes, specifically, in getting left-handed hitters out. Despite being right-handed, Leiter uses his splitter effectively against opposite-handed hitters, finishing with a 2.61 xFIP against lefties last season. Why he might not fit into the Cubs' plans: While the Cubs are looking to rebuild their bullpen, they may aim higher than Leiter. Though he'd offer the comfort of familiarity, Leiter really struggled against right-handed-hitters, posting significantly worse numbers against them; a strikeout rate of just 12.1% and an xFIP well over 5.00. If there's enough concern that he's too specialized, the Cubs may not see a place for him in their revamped 2026 bullpen. How likely is a reunion? As likely as I am to pull a hamstring during the Turkey Trot: 50/50. The Cubs need a lot of relievers this offseason, and you'd have to imagine that if there's an organization out there who believes they can get the most out of Leiter, it's the Cubs. With all of their left-handed specialists leaving, it makes Leiter that much more attractive. So while I wouldn't gamble my hard-earned money on it, I think there's a good chance this one could happen; much like a white Christmas remains possible, Reunion Candidate #3: Reliever, Andrew Chafin Chafin feels like he was part of the Chicago Cubs for longer than he was, but the left-handed reliever only spent some inactive time in 2020 and half of the 2021 season with the team. Admittedly, it was a great 31-game sample, as the left-handed pitcher put up a 2.06 ERA and 0.9 fWAR (which is a lot for a partial season!), ultimately earning a trade to Oakland that would bring back Triple-A outfielder Greg Deichmann and a minor leaguer with an electric arm—Daniel Palencia. Since 2021, Chafin has been signing for playoff non-contenders and then being traded at the deadline to a playoff hopeful. Now 35 years old, the reliever is once again looking for a new home. Why he might fit into the Cubs' plans: As I detailed with Leiter, the Chicago Cubs' bullpen is currently empty. They've lost most of their bullpen, which also includes the non-tender of depth piece Eli Morgan. The team will need a lot of relievers, and Chafin could fit back in as a left-handed option, The Cubs have not shied away from older lefties; their primary options just a year ago were the 37-year-old Drew Pomeranz and 38-year-old Caleb Thielbar. Comparatively, Andrew Chafin represents a youth movement. Why he might not fit into the Cubs' plans: On the surface, he looks like he might be done as a big-league pitcher. Chafin's fastball has declined to the wrong side of 90 mph, so while his ERA remained sterling (2.41), his xFIP climbed to nearly 4.00 last year. His strikeout rate dropped by 3%, and his walk rate ballooned to 13.3%. The Cubs already have a lack of velocity in their pen, so adding another soft-tosser may not be the best gamble to take. How likely is a reunion? About as likely as I am to eat a second slice of apple pie on Thursday On the surface it may seem like a good idea (my eyes being larger than my stomach), but once I think about it, it probably isn't so, at my age. Chafin has a lot of signs of decline, and I'm not sure that the Cubs will be in a place to see if he still has it. Maybe they see something within his biomechanics and think they can squeeze and find 2 mph on his fastball again, but I think it's more likely (as he hits the back end) of his 30's that he's trending toward the end. What do you think of these reunion candidates? Do you have a favorite one? Maybe there's a reunion out there that I didn't think of? Let us know in the comment section below! View the full article

As we enter the holiday season, the concept of reuniting with family members and loved ones is on the mind. While there may be a few people we're a little less than thrilled about sharing a table with (maybe it's that know-it-all cousin of yours you never really got along with?), there will also be some folks we haven't seen for quite some time who will fill our evenings with joy and laughter. We'll realize, in that moment, just what we've been missing. Right then, even if for a short time, we are whole again. It's in this vein that the Chicago Cubs will be looking fill out their 2026 roster, and a "family reunion" of some sorts may just be what the doctor ordered. There are a handful of heroes of past Cubs rosters who are looking for homes next year, and it may be that they choose the familiar home they once had instead of a brand-new city in which to settle down. I'll examine three candidates: designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, and relief pitchers Mark Leiter Jr. and Andrew Chafin. Together, we can endeavor to decide just how likely it is for them to sit down at the Cubs' dinner table for the foreseeable future. Reunion Candidate #1: Designated Hitter Kyle Schwarber Kyle Schwarber was one of the more beloved Cubs hitters during his time in Chicago. From hitting a ball atop the right-field scoreboard in the 2015 NLDS to heroically returning for the 2016 World Series (after missing the lion's share of the season due to an unfortunate knee injury), the left-handed hitter made his mark in Chicago. His time was cut short when the team decided to non-tender him, ultimately spending the same money on Joc Pederson instead ahead of the 2021 season. Now, the Cubs will have a chance to rectify that error by bringing Schwarber home. Since 2021, the left-handed DH has been among the best in baseball, averaging a 135 wRC+ for the Nationals, Red Sox, and Phillies. Once a strict platoon bat, Schwarber even has some some mojo against left-handed pitchers, finishing with a 162 wRC+ against them in 2025. He's strictly a DH, but his bat is so good that it doesn't really hold him back from being useful. Why Schwarber might fit into the Cubs' plans: The Cubs are slated to lose (arguably) their best hitter to free agency, in Kyle Tucker. The team could swing their incumbent at DH, Seiya Suzuki, back to right field for the 2026 season, which would open up a perfect spot for Schwarber. His left-handed bat was actually better than Tucker's was last year, and he would add significant thump to the lineup. Why Schwarber might not fit into the Cubs' plans: The Cubs just don't put a massive emphasis on DH most years. They value positional flexibility, and Schwarber offers none of that—though he might be capable of moonlighting a little at first base. As well, they have two rookies in Owen Caissie and Moisés Ballesteros, who both hit from the left side. Either could conceivably slip into the position. How likely is a reunion? About as likely as that one uncle of yours not getting political this week at the dinner table. There are already rumors that the Philadelphia Phillies are going to try to keep him (and they aren't afraid to jump a market). According to ESPN insider Jeff Passan, the market is hot for the DH. Could the Cubs decide that Schwarber, who probably won't need a seven-year commitment, is the player they should get irrational about? Perhaps, but it feels like another team will decide to do that instead. As fun as it would be, it seems like a reunion here is unlikely. Reunion Candidate #2: Reliver Mark Leiter Jr. Leiter spent two and a half seasons in the Windy City after the Cubs helped to revive the then-31-year-old's career. He hadn't pitched an inning in the majors since 2018, but by the middle of 2022, he had established himself a key cog in the Cubs' bullpen. Flashing a plus splitter that was devastating to left-handed hitters, the reliever had finally found a home—that is, until the trade deadline of the 2024 season. With the Cubs staring at decision point (choosing between making a run for it and selling off some assets for the future), the New York Yankees made an offer for the right-hander pitcher that the Cubs couldn't turn down. The Cubs acquired young reliever Jack Neely and infielder Ben Cowles, and Leiter was sent to the city that never sleeps. While Leiter was pretty good in New York, the Yankees made the decision to non-tender the 34-year-old last week. making him a free agent. Why he might fit into the Cubs' plans: The Cubs bullpen is currently wide open and quite unsettled. Returning closer Daniel Palencia will be coupled with recently-signed Phil Maton, but there is little clarity regarding the rest of the bullpen. One area in which the Cubs are lacking; anyone who specializes, specifically, in getting left-handed hitters out. Despite being right-handed, Leiter uses his splitter effectively against opposite-handed hitters, finishing with a 2.61 xFIP against lefties last season. Why he might not fit into the Cubs' plans: While the Cubs are looking to rebuild their bullpen, they may aim higher than Leiter. Though he'd offer the comfort of familiarity, Leiter really struggled against right-handed-hitters, posting significantly worse numbers against them; a strikeout rate of just 12.1% and an xFIP well over 5.00. If there's enough concern that he's too specialized, the Cubs may not see a place for him in their revamped 2026 bullpen. How likely is a reunion? As likely as I am to pull a hamstring during the Turkey Trot: 50/50. The Cubs need a lot of relievers this offseason, and you'd have to imagine that if there's an organization out there who believes they can get the most out of Leiter, it's the Cubs. With all of their left-handed specialists leaving, it makes Leiter that much more attractive. So while I wouldn't gamble my hard-earned money on it, I think there's a good chance this one could happen; much like a white Christmas remains possible, Reunion Candidate #3: Reliever, Andrew Chafin Chafin feels like he was part of the Chicago Cubs for longer than he was, but the left-handed reliever only spent some inactive time in 2020 and half of the 2021 season with the team. Admittedly, it was a great 31-game sample, as the left-handed pitcher put up a 2.06 ERA and 0.9 fWAR (which is a lot for a partial season!), ultimately earning a trade to Oakland that would bring back Triple-A outfielder Greg Deichmann and a minor leaguer with an electric arm—Daniel Palencia. Since 2021, Chafin has been signing for playoff non-contenders and then being traded at the deadline to a playoff hopeful. Now 35 years old, the reliever is once again looking for a new home. Why he might fit into the Cubs' plans: As I detailed with Leiter, the Chicago Cubs' bullpen is currently empty. They've lost most of their bullpen, which also includes the non-tender of depth piece Eli Morgan. The team will need a lot of relievers, and Chafin could fit back in as a left-handed option, The Cubs have not shied away from older lefties; their primary options just a year ago were the 37-year-old Drew Pomeranz and 38-year-old Caleb Thielbar. Comparatively, Andrew Chafin represents a youth movement. Why he might not fit into the Cubs' plans: On the surface, he looks like he might be done as a big-league pitcher. Chafin's fastball has declined to the wrong side of 90 mph, so while his ERA remained sterling (2.41), his xFIP climbed to nearly 4.00 last year. His strikeout rate dropped by 3%, and his walk rate ballooned to 13.3%. The Cubs already have a lack of velocity in their pen, so adding another soft-tosser may not be the best gamble to take. How likely is a reunion? About as likely as I am to eat a second slice of apple pie on Thursday On the surface it may seem like a good idea (my eyes being larger than my stomach), but once I think about it, it probably isn't so, at my age. Chafin has a lot of signs of decline, and I'm not sure that the Cubs will be in a place to see if he still has it. Maybe they see something within his biomechanics and think they can squeeze and find 2 mph on his fastball again, but I think it's more likely (as he hits the back end) of his 30's that he's trending toward the end. What do you think of these reunion candidates? Do you have a favorite one? Maybe there's a reunion out there that I didn't think of? Let us know in the comment section below! View the full article

For the first time in Peter Bendix's two-plus years running the Miami Marlins front office, we have a credible report about the team negotiating a contract extension with a player. The negotiations did not go far, according to Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic, but earlier this offseason, the Marlins discussed a potential long-term deal with All-Star outfielder Kyle Stowers. Ghiroli describes the two sides as being "incredibly far apart." Stowers' camp was using Bryan Reynolds as a comp, who received an eight-year, $106.75 million extension from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2023. The Boston Red Sox and Ceddanne Rafaela agreed to an eight-year, $50 million deal in 2024 shortly after Rafaela's debut, and that's reportedly what the Marlins are comfortable spending. Let's acknowledge right away that Stowers is a tricky player to appraise, even compared to other individuals with short MLB track records. That's because his track record has been particularly inconsistent: First 117 MLB games (2022-24): .208/.268/.332, 6 HR, 33.8 K% and -0.9 fWAR Last 117 MLB games (2025): .288/.368/.544, 25 HR, 27.4 K% and 4.0 fWAR Clearly, the Marlins believe that this past season is more indicative of who he will be moving forward, otherwise they wouldn't even be interested in a contract that may cover the rest of his career. When the Pirates extended Reynolds, he was the same age that Stowers is now. He had a similar blend of power and plate discipline and a similar defensive profile (solid left fielder who could fake it in center). However, his breakout year (2021) was bookended by other full seasons of great hitting (2019 and 2022). That established a much higher "floor" for himself than Stowers has been able to do. Also, Reynolds was a year closer to free agent eligibility. Stowers is under Miami's club control for four more seasons. Any deal he signs as a free agent would start at age 32, at which point he's likely to be past his prime. That's why, whether it be Reynolds or Rafaela, we shouldn't be referencing guaranteed eight-year frameworks in regard to Stowers. He is immensely valuable to the Fish going forward, but not that far into the future. I have landed on Matt Carpenter's initial extension with the St. Louis Cardinals as the most relevant starting point. View the full article

Last week, the Baltimore Orioles received outfielder Taylor Ward in exchange for right-handed starter Grayson Rodriguez. Ward is owed $13.7 million next year before he hits free agency in 2027. At age 26, Rodriguez is under team control through the 2029 season. His career has been riddled with injuries—shoulder and lat issues sidelined his playing time in 2024. This past season, he didn’t pitch, and in August, he underwent debridement surgery on his right elbow. On the other hand, Ward belted a career high of 35 home runs in 2025 (fifth in the AL). With the ability to hit the ball to all parts of the field, Ward should fare well playing 81 games in the hitter-friendly confines of Camden Yards. On Nov. 24, Jeff Passan reported that the Mets were trading outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers for second baseman Marcus Semien. Entering his age-33 season, Nimmo is owed $102.5 million through 2030, while Semien, who turned 35 in September, is owed $72 million through 2028. The Mets are sending $5 million to help offset the salary difference. The longest-tenured member of the Mets’ core, Nimmo had a stellar season at the plate in 2025, recording 114 wRC+, 25 home runs, and a career-high 50.2% hard-hit rate. However, his defensive metrics have dwindled with age. After primarily starting in center field throughout his career, Nimmo has shifted to left field. His defensive regression correlates with the decline in his sprint speed. Three years ago, Nimmo ranked in the 84th percentile for sprint speed (28.6 ft/s), and his Outs Above Average (OAA) was in the 91st percentile (six). Since then, both metrics dropped significantly. In 2025, his sprint speed fell to the 46th percentile (27.3 ft/s), while his OAA decreased to the 42nd percentile (one). Marcus Semien profiles as the exact opposite of Brandon Nimmo. Semien was sidelined with a Lisfranc sprain and left foot injury in 2025. Over the past couple of seasons, his bat has shown a steady decline: 2023: 128 wRC+ (during Texas’ World Series run) 2024: 101 wRC+ 2025: 89 wRC+ While Semien has maintained solid plate discipline, he isn’t a substantial threat at the plate anymore. Yet, unlike Nimmo, his defense has remained elite. He won his second Gold Glove in 2025 (7 OAA). Semien is a threat on the basepaths and has maintained an elite sprint speed through his mid-30s. This past season, the Mets ranked last in the league for sprint speed, so Semien provides a much-needed boost to the team’s baserunning. At second base, the Mets had a revolving door of second basemen with Jeff McNeil, Brett Baty, and Luisangel Acuña manning the position at various points in the season. Semien shores up the defense of the right side of the Mets’ infield, and a change of scenery could help rejuvenate his bat. In the outfield, Juan Soto is locked in right for the foreseeable future. Center field is a question mark. The Mets avoided arbitration with Tyrone Taylor, a plus defender in center field with elite speed. Internally, they could look to call up prospects Carson Benge and/or Jett Williams to fill in at center field during the 2026 season. McNeil also provides some positional versatility and can play in the outfield. Looking at the Steamer’s 2026 projections for the top free-agent outfielders, the outfield market is weak. Outside of Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger, these players don’t move the needle greatly for contending teams. Given that outfielders are prime extension candidates (Julio Rodríguez, Jackson Chourio, Corbin Carroll, Jackson Merrill, and Roman Anthony), the free-agent outfield pool will continue to narrow. Player Age Position BB% K% ISO BABIP AVG OPS wOBA wRC+ WAR Kyle Tucker 29 RF 13.6% 15.2% .215 .278 .268 .853 .366 136 3.7 Mike Yastrzemski 36 RF 10.9% 23.3% .180 .269 .229 .726 .316 102 1.0 Cody Bellinger 30 CF 8.2% 15.0% .184 .282 .267 .781 .336 115 2.8 Cedric Mullins 31 CF 8.9% 22.8% .156 .274 .230 .689 .302 92 1.2 Rob Refsnyder 35 LF 10.4% 26.1% .161 .315 .248 .743 .325 108 0.4 Taylor Ward 32 LF 10.3% 24.1% .192 .286 .243 .764 .325 114 2.2 Brandon Nimmo 33 LF 9.7% 22.1% .172 .301 .255 .763 .333 115 2.5 Jarren Duran 29 LF 8.1% 23.5% .178 .319 .257 .760 .329 107 2.4 Wilyer Abreu 26 RF 11.1% 24.5% .203 .295 .249 .786 .338 113 1.7 The Red Sox are currently flush with outfield talent. Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu stand out as potential trade candidates. Projection-wise, both are younger and offer more long-term value than the 2025-26 free agent outfielders not named Cody Bellinger and Kyle Tucker. Although Duran took a step backwards in 2025, he is an above-average outfielder under team control through 2028. His skillset relies on his elite speed (29.1 ft/s, 91st percentile), which typically regresses with age. Considering that Duran prides himself on his insane workout routines and taking care of his body, his speed won't diminish overnight. Abreu is a two-time Gold Glove winner in just his first two full major league seasons. This past season, he slugged 22 home runs, the second-most on the Red Sox, and has four remaining years of control. While his ceiling has been a topic of debate, he’s proven that he can provide Gold Glove defense and has the potential to reach 30 home runs with his power. An ideal trade partner would have a surplus of controllable starting pitcher depth and need an upgrade in the outfield. Contending teams in the bottom third of the league for outfielder OAA include the Phillies, Rays, Braves, Mets, and Reds. The Phillies are far from a perfect match, the Rays are an intra-division team, and the Braves could potentially align with the Red Sox's need for a power bat at first (Matt Olson, anyone?). Again, similar to the Red Sox, the Braves and Mets are in search of a top-of-the-rotation starter. The Mets have an intriguing crop of pitching prospects (Brandon Sproat, Jonah Tong), but if you're trading Duran/Abreu, you would prefer receiving a proven major league pitcher. On another note, Justin Willard, the Red Sox's former Director of Pitching, was hired by the Mets as their new pitching coach. Willard was a pivotal piece in overhauling the Red Sox's pitching program. The impact of his departure is unknown and could make the Red Sox more averse to taking on pitching projects moving forward. Following the Taylor Ward and Brandon Nimmo trades, the hot stove is just starting to heat up. Jarren Duran and/or Wilyer Abreu stand to provide a higher return than Grayson Rodriguez or Marcus Semien, and the front office must make a decisive decision to sell high on one or both players as it pursues the necessary pitching upgrades to make a World Series push. View the full article

With Bo Bichette declining Toronto's one-year qualifying offer, the team can now begin to negotiate with his camp, alongside several other interested teams across Major League Baseball. Both Bichette and the organization have repeatedly signaled interest in a new deal, and the front office says retaining him is its top priority this winter. At the same time, Ross Atkins and Co. are juggling their other priorities in order to field a team that can, at the least, match what this past year’s squad managed to do. In the last couple of weeks, we’ve heard reports that the Blue Jays remain the favourites to sign Bichette. Those reports are tempered a bit by news that teams such as the Yankees, Red Sox and Dodgers are also competing for his services. Y, if the Jays can sign Bichette, where should they turn their attention next? Kyle Tucker has been linked to the Jays and other squads so far, and the media has been highlighting Toronto's interest in several pitchers. Remember that the Jays will be without Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt unless they choose to re-sign one or both of them. If not, they need to fill those voids and probably get a handful of new arms for the bullpen. So, what positions should the team prioritize after Bichette? The starting rotation buoyed the team through the season. They bent, but they didn’t break. The same could be said about the bullpen. A team that is going to contend needs depth in both the rotation and the bullpen. Typically, starting pitchers and big bats fetch the biggest paycheques. In 2025, Toronto’s lineup was Jekyll and Hyde all season. They would score at will or not score at all; sometimes in the same series. A team with a competent pitching staff doesn’t have to be perfect if the offense can consistently produce. What the Jays need is a lineup that opponents will fear. What does that look like? A leadoff man who eats pitches and gets on base. A number three hitter that also eats pitches and can advance the leadoff man. And in order for the first three batters to be successful, the clean hitter needs to be feared due to his ability to avoid chasing and knock baserunners home. A batting order is just like a house of cards. Each batter has two roles: get on base and set up someone else. Sometimes their prowess means the batter before them gets more hittable pitches. Despite their success last season, the Jays had some gaps in their lineup. There were spots where opponents could get a little breather. Think Anthony Santander, Andrés Giménez, and the outfielders outside the regulars. Having a healthy Bichette would help, but the Jays are going to need at least another bat; the likes of Tucker would definitely give other teams' pitchers a reason to stress. MLB ranked this year’s crop of free agents, and their list broke the group down into five tiers. The top tier includes Bichette, Tucker, Cody Bellinger, Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman, Dylan Cease, Tatsuya Imai, Michael King, Kyle Schwarber, Ranger Suárez and Framber Valdez. There has been some talk naming Bellinger and Valdez among the players the Jays have been wooing. With Santander and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. locked in, Alonso, who was in talks with the Jays last year, is most likely off the table. You can probably remove Schwarber from that list too. If the Jays sign Bichette, the only reason to go after Bregman is if they plan to trade Clement. That would be an interesting consideration, as Clement’s value probably won’t get any higher, but the financial cost of adding Bregman would be significant. In theory, even the biggest payroll can only cover two of that tier of players at the most. In the second tier, it's Edwin Díaz, Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Munetaka Murakami, Kazuma Okamoto, Jorge Polanco, J.T. Realmuto, Eugenio Suárez and Robert Suarez. The Jays have been linked to at least Díaz and Murkami so far. Bassitt, Luke Weaver and Justin Verlander are among the players highlighted in the third tier. The Jays’ front office is no doubt poring over the analytics to determine where there are gaps and, more importantly, where there is value. If you take a limited view of the World Series, the Jays lost because their bullpen couldn’t hold the lead in Game 7. The other side of that coin is that the Jays didn’t score enough runs, so the bullpen had to be perfect (and wasn't). 2025’s lineup produced for the most part, but I'm not sure you can count on Springer’s consistency or Varsho’s power next season. For that matter, Nathan Lukes and Myles Straw would have to have big seasons, along with Ernie Clement and Addison Barger continuing to produce the way they did this past year, for a no-move winter to be feasible. Many of the little moves in the winter leading up to last season worked out. The big swing and miss was Santander. Injury or not, he had a disappointing season and still has four years left on his deal. Bichette’s camp might be waiting to see where the first big free agent goes and for how much before making their decision. That puts the Jays in an unenviable position. They’ll need to act fast, whether or not they are able to sign him. Once they do, they need to secure a big bat in the outfield. It might necessitate a trade that could bring in some bullpen help. When the batting order is a little more settled, then it will be time to go down the list of available starting pitchers. The Jays need to sign at least one starter this winter. Bringing back Bassitt would be a fallback. He was tremendous out of the 'pen in the playoffs, but he won’t want that role during the regular season. Neither will José Berríos, who will most likely have rehabilitated from his late-season injury by then. So, in the coming weeks, the Jays’ list of priorities is: Bichette, another bat and a bunch of arms (in that order). View the full article

We've finally arrived at part four in our series, which explores our top-five prospects in the Royals farm system. As stated before, the Kansas City Royals may not receive much respect from prospect experts for their system. For example, Bleacher Report, in their updated system rankings in September, ranked the Royals as the 23rd-best system in baseball. However, under scouting director Brian Bridges, the Royals have done a much better job in terms of amateur scouting and drafting since he joined the organization in 2024. That has resulted in much better Royals prospects, especially at the top of the system. In part four of Royal Keep's Top-20 Prospects rankings, we look at a pitcher just recently added to the 40-man roster, two teenage pitchers who did well in Low-A ball in 2025, a former first-round pick who had a solid fall in Arizona, and a local KC-area catcher who made his debut in September and could be a centerpiece for this franchise for years to come. 5th: Ben Kurdna, RHP (Highest Level: Triple-A) The Royals added Kudrna to the 40-man roster last week (along with fellow right-hander Steven Zobac) to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft in December. A former Blue Valley Southwest High School product and 2021 second-round pick, the right-hander has shown growth the past couple of seasons in ways that Frank Mozzicato, who was drafted ahead of Kudrna in 2021, hasn't. Kudrna has done a much better job of striking out batters each season in the Minor Leagues. After only generating a 19.2% K rate in 2023 in High-A Quad Cities, he has shown improvement over the past two seasons. In 2024, in 115.1 IP between High-A and Double-A, he produced a 24.2% K rate. In 2025, in 105.1 IP, he posted a 22.9% K rate between Double-A and Triple-A, but sported a 24% K rate in 94 IP in Northwest Arkansas. In addition to strikeouts, the 22-year-old has also demonstrated solid CSW (called-strike plus whiff) rates as well as strong groundball rates over the past two years. In 2024, he posted a 30% CSW and a 45.6% GB% across High-A and Double-A. In 2025 with the Naturals, he induced a 45.4% GB% and 27.5% CSW, both solid marks for a starting pitcher. Unfortunately, Kudrna hit a bit of a wall in his first exposure to Triple-A at the end of last season. In four games (three starts) and 11.1 IP, he posted a 14.29 ERA, 2.74 WHIP, and 9.94 FIP. He struggled immensely with his command while pitching for the Storm Chasers. His K rate didn't just drop by 8.1%; his walk rate also jumped to 27% (resulting in a K-BB% of -11.1%). Furthermore, the stuff didn't profile well on a TJ Stuff+ end as well. He only sported a TJ Stuff+ mark of 94, and only one of his six offerings had a TJ Stuff+ mark in the triple digits. His other metrics, such as zone rate (35.5%) and chase rate (20.6%), didn't profile well either. That said, he did generate a decent 29.5% whiff rate, and his GB% of 45.7% was actually 0.2% higher than his GB% in Northwest Arkansas. Hence, there were some positive signs for Kudrna in his brief exposure to Triple-A, even though the overall metrics weren't great. With a fresh start and a complete Spring Training in big league camp, Kudrna could make a push to join the rotation midseason, especially if he can continue to generate whiffs and strong groundball rates in 2026. 4th: Kendry Chourio, RHP (Highest Level: Low-A) Arguably the biggest riser in the Royals' farm system last year, Chourio advanced to three different levels of play in 2025 as a 17-year-old: DSL, Complex, and Low-A. At each level, the Venezuelan teenager dominated on the mound. In five appearances and 17.2 IP in the DSL, he posted a 2.04 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, 32.8% K rate, and 31.3% K-BB%. In the Arizona Complex League, his dominance continued. In three starts and 11 IP, he posted a 2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 35.4% K and K-BB%. As a result of those solid, complex performances, he earned a promotion to Low-A Columbia, despite being younger than most high school seniors. Low-A ball was a bit more of a reality check for Chourio. In six starts and 22.2 IP, he posted a 5.16 ERA. However, his WHIP remained solid at 1.06, and his 25% K rate and 20.8% K-BB% were also solid marks, especially for a pitcher of his age. His 3.66 FIP and 3.26 xFIP demonstrated that he was better in Columbia than his high ERA suggested. Chourio showcases a plus four-seamer that can touch 97 MPH and an equally plus changeup that plays well off his fastball. His breaking offering needs work, but he still has plenty of time to develop it as he gets more Minor League innings. Some scouts and insiders have remarked that Chourio shares many comps with Yordano Ventura, the most decorated and successful international pitching prospect developed by the Royals. Granted, that's high praise, and a bit unfair to Chourio, who just turned 18 in October. However, the tools, pitch command, and the physical projection (he's six-foot, 160 pounds) are impressive so far with the young Venezuelan. If he continues to develop, he could be the Royals' top pitching prospect by midseason, and perhaps their top prospect by the conclusion of 2026, if everything falls into place. 3rd: David Shields, LHP (Highest Level: Low-A) In addition to Chourio, the Fireflies had another teenage phenom in Shields, a second-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. After a warm-up start in the Complex League, the Pittsburgh prep prospect made 18 starts in Columbia. In 71.2 IP with the Fireflies, he was flat-out dominant. He posted a 2.01 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, a 28.3% K rate, a 23.1% K-BB%, and 2.57 FIP. These stellar numbers helped him earn Carolina League Pitcher of the Year honors. Shields showcased an easy delivery, strong stuff, and excellent command in his tenure with the Fireflies. Here's what MLB Pipeline said about Shields and his pitch repertoire in their latest scouting report: The Pennsylvania native doesn't have as electric a velocity as Chourio, but the extension and command have helped him produce more polished results in his Low-A debut. There's also a mature approach by Shields on the mound that may remind some Royals fans of Kris Bubic. However, Shields has more velocity and overall upside than the Royals lefty who made the All-Star Game this past season (primarily because Shields was drafted out of high school, unlike Bubic, who was drafted out of college). He will likely matriculate to High-A Quad Cities in 2026. He could make a move to Northwest Arkansas by midseason if he dominates Midwest League hitters like he did Carolina League hitters. The swing-and-miss stuff (31.8% CSW) and the strong ability to keep the ball on the ground (46.7% GB%) demonstrate that he can find multiple ways to get batters out, which should help him as he progresses up the Royals farm system. 2nd: Blake Mitchell, C (Highest Level: High-A) Mitchell has bounced back and forth between the top and second spot in Royals prospect rankings the past couple of seasons. In 2024, he held the title of top Royals prospect, especially after hitting 18 home runs, stealing 25 bases, and posting a 137 wRC+ in 466 plate appearances with the Fireflies. However, the Royals drafted Jac Caglianone sixth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, and the Florida slugger immediately ascended to the top spot in the Royals system. It was also a tough season for Mitchell in 2025, in myriad ways. First off, in Spring Training, he broke a hamate bone in his hand, which forced him to start the year on the IL. When Mitchell returned to action, he struggled to get in rhythm in High-A Quad Cities, especially at the plate. In 49 games and 216 plate appearances, he only hit .207 and had two home runs. Furthermore, his ISO was only .089, a far cry from the .201 mark he posted in Low-A Columbia in 2024. Mitchell did show some positive signs offensively. His eye at the plate has been lauded, and he did post a 20.8% BB% and 0.63 BB/K ratio with the River Bandits last year. That said, his approach was sometimes a bit too passive, as evidenced by his 41.2% swing rate and 49.5% first-strike percentage last season. On a positive note, it seemed like Mitchell finally was fully healthy in Arizona this fall. As a result, he produced a solid AFL campaign in terms of results and underlying batted-ball metrics with the Surprise Saguaros, who won the AFL Championship. In 82 plate appearances, Mitchell slashed .233/.439/.317 with a .756 OPS. While he only hit one home run, he showed excellent exit velocity metrics. His 90th EV ranked in the 71st percentile, his barrel rate ranked in the 72nd percentile, his average EV ranked in the 82nd percentile, and his max EV ranked in the 98th percentile. Furthermore, Mitchell was much more aggressive, ranking in the 86th percentile in Z-Swing%. However, he still showed his highly touted plate discipline, as evidenced by his 89th percentile O-Swing% and 95th percentile BB%. In addition to solid metrics, the AFL was good for Mitchell to build some confidence, especially in big moments. The 21-year-old catcher had a walk-off single in the AFL semifinals that helped punch the Saguaros' ticket in the AFL Championship. Even though there's a lot of catching depth in the Royals system, Mitchell is impressive defensively, showing excellent athleticism and arm strength behind the plate. He threw out 31% of baserunners last year, a 16% improvement from his mark in 2024. He also stole nine bags the previous year and 25 in 2024. Thus, he has the athleticism to be a multi-tool threat at the MLB level, even as a catcher. While 2025 wasn't a season to remember for Mitchell, he's still 21 years old, and he is trending in the right direction after a productive AFL stint. He should be one to watch in 2026 as an impact prospect in this system, as long as he stays healthy. While he may start in High-A, he could move quickly and be in Northwest Arkansas before Royals fans know it. 1st: Carter Jensen, C (Highest Level: MLB) Jensen won't be a prospect for much longer, especially after accumulating 69 plate appearances with the Royals as a September call-up. That said, he had an incredible season in 2025, helping him shoot up the board on most Top-100 lists. In 111 games and 492 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A, Jensen hit .290 with 20 home runs, 72 runs scored, 76 RBI, and 10 stolen bases. He also posted a 0.49 BB/K ratio, an .878 OPS, and 136 wRC+ with the Naturals and Storm Chasers, combined. Those stellar numbers helped him earn the George Brett Hitter of the Year Award, which goes to the top Royals position prospect in the system. While his Minor League numbers were incredible, they paled in comparison to what he did in his 20-game sample with the Royals as a 21-year-old. In his MLB debut, he slashed .300/.391/.550 with three home runs, 12 runs scored, and 13 RBI. Jensen also posted a .941 OPS, a 159 wRC+, and hit one of the longest home runs in Kansas City Royals history in Sacramento. Now, Royals fans have seen solid September call-ups only to be fooled the following season. That said, Jensen's Statcast percentiles show a player who's mature beyond his years, not just in plate discipline but also in power and batted-ball ability. Those levels of red, even in a small sample, aren't prevalent at the MLB level. In fact, Jensen's underlying metrics with the Royals in September caught the attention not only of Royals fans but also of national prospect experts. Here's what Thomas Nestico of TJ Stats said about Jensen, his No. 7 overall prospect in baseball, in Jensen's latest scouting report. There's a lot to like about Jensen and what he can bring to this organization in 2026. Not just as a prospect, either, but as a regular contributor to the Royals lineup. The emergence of Jensen is a big reason Kansas City was able to deal backup catcher Freddy Fermin at the Deadline, even though he was productive in that role over the past two seasons. Even when Jensen isn't behind the plate, he should be getting regular time at designated hitter, especially against right-handed starting pitchers. While Salvador Perez signed a two-year extension, manager Matt Quatraro will likely help preserve Perez's bat and stamina by giving Jensen more innings behind the plate. That catching playing-time split should not just help the Royals in the short term (maximizing Perez's offensive production), but also help ease Jensen into being Kansas City's catcher of the future after Perez finally retires. View the full article

Information surrounding Justin Steele has been sparse since his elbow surgery in April. We know he's back to throwing, but it's hard to predict whether he'll be back on a big-league mound by the end of April or only after the All-Star break. That leaves the Cubs with a lot of uncertainty to navigate as they try to improve their starting rotation. WHERE THE CUBS STAND Let's sketch out the Cubs' 2026 rotation, as it stands right now. Here are the likely starters, with estimates of the starts we can expect them to make Shota Imanaga:25 Jameson Taillon: 25 Cade Horton: 25 Matthew Boyd: 25 Justin Steele: 15 That's 115 starts, with 47 left to fill. The Cubs have over $50 million to spend to get to the luxury tax threshold. Keep in mind, though, that they also have only two key returning relief pitchers (three trustworthy guys, perhaps, after signing Phil Maton) and need to address the bench. The Cubs do have internal options, each with varying degrees of excitement. Javier Assad endured an injury-plagued 2025, but was recently tendered a deal. Jordan Wicks struggled in the major leagues in 2025, with a 6.28 ERA in just 15 innings, but still maintains a first-round draft pedigree and the potential to earn innings. Jaxon Wiggins, MLB.com's 67th ranked prospect, touched Triple A after torching the low minors (2.17 ERA across three levels, 97 strikeouts in 78 innings). The fifth starter, in a best-case scenario, would be Steele. He did start throwing on October 20: That gives Steele, who was projected on a 12-18 month recovery timeline, at least a chance to be ready opening day. In all probability, it will be at least a few weeks later than that, but the early returns are good. Given that he wasn't the most durable starter before the elbow finally gave way, the workload will need to be managed. The X-factor is Colin Rea, whom the team proactively brought back for 2026 and over whom they now have control for 2027, too. Rea is as unsexy as they come, but he also made 27 starts and sported a 3.95 ERA in 2025. He's a nice floor-setter for the bottom end of the rotation, and with Imanaga returning, Rea's presence might be enough to keep the team from feeling undue urgency to act. Between Steele's health, Assad's injury-wrecked 2025, Wicks's wobbliness, and Wiggins himself having had to be managed while recovering from his own Tommy John surgery, some of the younger internal options are risky. They could be seen as palatable, though, given the salary constraints the Cubs usually place upon themselves. With needs in the lineup and an entire bullpen to rebuild, the rotation could very well be set. WHAT DO THE CUBS NEED? That's really the crux of the issue for the Cubs. They need more innings to be covered. Horton, Boyd, Imanaga, and Taillon have had their issues with injury, and while none will need to be handled carefully in any specific way in 2026, it seems unlikely that they'll each stay healthy all year. The front office knows this; all offseason messaging has been about the pursuit of pitching. How many innings Steele will be able to contribute is a variable the Cubs can only loosely control or predict. They will, however, try to plan around it. WHO IS AVAILABLE? HOW MUCH MONEY DO THE CUBS HAVE? Most offseason reports have the Cubs with around $50 million to spend for their entire offseason. If most of this will go to the rotation, using the top 50 free agent tool on our umbrella site can be instructive. Here are some free agent targets the Cubs have been mentioned as being interested in, and their projected contracts: Dylan Cease: 6 years, $198 million: He's the big fish, and would take some sort of commitment by the Cubs to exceed the luxury tax for this season. He would be the ideal fit, though. Cease has taken the ball every turn in the rotation since he came up in 2019. This would be a big step to mitigate the workload concerns, and he gets swings and misses, too. Michael King: 4 years, $75 million: With an extensive injury history, he would be another risky arm to mix in with the rest. He's been an above-average starter for most of the last two and a half seasons, except that he missed significant time even in 2025. The third option might be to sign another player in the same bracket as Rea: a get-you-there guy, rather than someone who would actually start in October. Rea himself could be that guy, too, and then slide into the bullpen if and when the club reaches the postseason. If the Cubs can deploy a four-man playoff rotation of Horton, Steele, Boyd, and Imanaga—all at full health and performing at their best—they can be competitive even against the other top teams in the National League, though they would be underdogs. Signing arms like Chris Bassitt, Lucas Giolito, or Cody Ponce (the latter returning, this winter, from a career-altering stint in the Korean Baseball Organization) wouldn't excite fans, but they could chew through innings from March through September and then (as Bassitt did for the 2025 Blue Jays) become important out of the bullpen come October. The floor would be raised, but not the ceiling. Arguably, adding a high-priced starter would plug one hole, but open up another. Daniel Palencia and Maton are the only guys you can fully trust in the current bullpen, although Rea, Assad and/or Wicks could be utilized in relief roles at various points in 2026. They're losing (underwhelming) bench bats Justin Turner and Willi Castro and (whelming) middle-of-the-order bat Kyle Tucker via free agency. Much like a family with teenagers going to the grocery store, the budget can only withstand so much. Steele has to be treated as possible icing for a more substantial cake next year. The Cubs recognize a failure from last season: they ran out of capable arms in October. Only time will tell if they can fix this, and still address the rest of the roster with the money Tom Ricketts allocates. If they properly understand their rehabbing erstwhile ace, though, they'll at least buttress their rotation with someone who takes pressure off his recovery process. View the full article

Although it now seems like eons ago, payroll constraints were once the least of Twins Territory's concerns. Instead, a significant number of those who follow the team were hyperfixated on the club's unwillingness to part ways with aging, unproductive veterans in favor of providing young, "high-upside" players with extended opportunities at their respective positions. To be specific, that time was 2023, and the most notable cases of fans being upset over young, exciting players being blocked by aging veterans were Max Kepler and Joey Gallo blocking Matt Wallner's path to playing time in the corner outfield, and Kenta Maeda blocking then-starting pitcher Louis Varland's shot at the starting rotation. There were also instances of distaste expressed over Christian Vázquez getting more playing time than Ryan Jeffers at catcher, and about Jorge Polanco and Kyle Farmer clogging Edouard Julien's course to becoming the next star Twins second baseman. However, the most pronounced gripes concerned Wallner and Varland not getting the opportunities they were perceived to have deserved. Twins Territory's disdain toward Kepler, Gallo, Maeda, Vázquez, Polanco, and Farmer subsided as the team got hot after the All-Star break, winning the AL Central and cathartically ending its 18-game postseason losing streak. Still, that contempt returned in 2024, when Vàzquez again obstructed Jeffers's path to more starts behind the plate, Farmer denied rookie infielder Brooks Lee the freedom to roam freely as the club's primary utility infielder, and Chris Paddack deprived David Festa of the chance to solidify himself as a core member of the club's five-pitcher starting rotation. Kepler, Gallo, Maeda, Vázquez, Polanco, Farmer, and Paddack were all veteran players signed to multi-million-dollar contracts. In fact, the seven veterans combined to make roughly $48 million in 2023. On the other hand, Wallner, Varland, Jeffers, Julien, Lee, and Festa were making the league-minimum salary (or just over it in Jeffers's case), meaning that the fanbase was clamoring for not only what they perceived to be the younger, better options, but also the more cost-effective ones. Fast-forward to the present, and Twins decision-makers have changed course, no longer electing to sign aging, unpopular players on one-year deals in the name of "veteran depth." Instead, minimum-salaried, high-upside players Alan Roden and Austin Martin are projected to be platoon partners in left field. Lee is penciled in as the Opening Day starting shortstop. Luke Keaschall figures to be the everyday second baseman and a core member of the club's lineup. Simeon Woods Richardson and Taj Bradley are projected to fill out the club's rotation, and the bullpen is expected to be filled with oodles of young, high-velocity arms, brimming with talent and potential. So, why is no one excited? Well, given that ownership has mandated the front office cut what could become $60 million in payroll since the 2023 season concluded, the optics are horrible. Couldn't be worse, really. Everyone who has followed this team the past two seasons recognizes that. The widespread indignation is justified. However, there's more to it. Obviously, most of Twins Territory really only cares about winning. Every fanbase is the same way. Yet, when one strategy isn't generating a sustainable form of winning, fanbases will advocate for the strategy that isn't being implemented to be adopted, until their favorite team begins winning again. To be more specific, in early 2023, playing the veterans like Gallo, Vàzquez, Farmer, and Maeda wasn't working, so those who follow the team clamored for younger players like Wallner, Varland, and Julien to get more playing time in hopes of them being the solution for the team's losing ways. On the flip side, after watching young, cost-effective players like Roden, Julien, Bradley and James Outman (among others) guide the team to an abysmal post-trade deadline record, many factions of the fanbase are advocating for the front office to target free agents in the ilk of Gallo and Vázquez (from a monetary perspective), in hopes of temporarily patching those holes and returning the club to contender status next season. Again, this constant course correction isn't unique to Twins fans. However, it is vital to acknowledge the cognitive dissonance. Signing and playing a horde of free agents on one-year contracts won't save the Twins, just as playing exclusively young, high-upside players on minimum contracts would be too extreme. Instead, it will require a collective of veteran and young players buying into clearly communicated standards set by Minnesota's front office and new coaching staff. That is how the Twins won in 2023, and how organizations like Milwaukee and Cleveland win season after season. Will that happen? Obviously, only time will tell. However, constantly calling for dramatic course correction is an unhealthy way to engage with the sport—let alone build a roster. It might be worth a year of letting the young guys play, to find out who can do what. View the full article

Bo Bichette brings a lot to the table. He led the AL in hits in 2021 and 2022, and would likely have done so again in 2025 had he not been injured (he finished the year with 181 hits to Bobby Witt Jr.’s league-leading 184). But there are negatives. His baserunning has been negative for the last three years, and his fielding at shortstop has been very poor. In 2025, his DRS of -12 and OAA of -13 were both dead last among the 22 qualified shortstops. As a result, despite an excellent 134 wRC+ in 2025, Bo only recorded a 3.8 fWAR. It is possible (probable?) that Bichette could move to second or third base? Doing so would hopefully improve the poor fielding numbers he put up as a shortstop. But it is unlikely that this would dramatically increase his fWAR, as the positional adjustment for second or third is substantially lower than that for shortstop. And many writers speculate that Bo strongly prefers to remain at short and would make that a condition of any new contract. So, what would happen if Bo Bichette were to sign elsewhere? Here are a few scenarios. The Internal Options Suppose, as a worst-case scenario, the Jays are unable to sign or trade for any position players and are accordingly required to backfill for Bichette using only internal options. Assume for this exercise that Andrés Giménez remains at shortstop in 2026. Giménez is projected to have a 95 wRC+ in 2026 (per Steamer) – roughly the same as the 96 he put up in 2023 while playing second base for Cleveland. If we assume that his level of defense at short is equivalent to what it was at second (he *was* a Platinum Glove winner!), then the only difference in his fWAR should be the difference in the positional adjustment, which equates to roughly 1.0 fWAR. So, his 2026 fWAR could be his 2023 fWAR plus one, or 4.8. The highest FanGraphs projection for Bichette in 2026 (playing shortstop) is 4.0. So, taking both offense and defense into consideration, Giménez at short could be roughly a 1.0-fWAR upgrade on Bichette in 2026. But moving Giménez to short creates an opening at second base. Giménez at second could still be expected to produce over 3.0 fWAR. To replace that, Toronto has two options. The first is Davis Schneider. In 2025, “Babe” put up a 1.3 fWAR despite only having 227 plate appearances. Keeping up that pace over 600 PA would have given him 3.4 fWAR. But Schneider was used primarily against left-handed pitching in 2025 – 56% of his PA were against lefties, even though left-handers only comprise roughly 30% of MLB pitchers. Schneider had a 106 wRC+ against lefties in 2025, but a 155 against righties. Playing a full year, with ~70% of his at-bats against right-handed pitching, could raise his fWAR even further, presuming he maintains those reverse platoon splits. And then there is Ernie Clement. Clement only played 423 innings at second base in 2025, but if you extrapolate his +10 DRS to a DRS/1350 (or his +6 OAA to an OAA/400), he was the best fielding second baseman in baseball. (As an aside, DRS/1350 is DRS extrapolated to a full season of 1350 defensive innings, and OAA/400 is similarly OAA extrapolated to a full season of 400 defensive attempts.) True, he only had a 98 wRC+, but even so, he earned a 3.2 fWAR. And if you believe that his outstanding playoff performance was an epiphany rather than a blip, a 2026 fWAR of 4.0+ is not out of the question. And the scary thing about Clement is that, as holy-cow-Batman as his defense is at second base, his defense at third is just as good. In 603 innings at third base in 2025, his +11 DRS (+25 DRS/1350) and +7 OAA (+11 OAA/400) would both have been top-three in the majors over a full season. So, if Schneider is playing second, Clement should be able to put up a similar 3.0-4.0 fWAR at third. But Clement is not the Jays’ only option. Addison Barger had a 125 wRC+ in the first half of 2025 before regressing to an 87 in the second half. He struggled against left-handed pitching with a 69 wRC+ but had a strong 125 against righties. And Barger’s underlying metrics give cause for optimism. His average exit velocity was 91.7 mph (compared to Alex Bregman's 90.1), his hard-hit percentage was 51% (again, for context, Bregman's was 44.4%), and his barrels/PA was 7.8% (Bregman's was 4.8%). And, like Clement, Barger had an excellent postseason with a .367/.441/.583 slash line and a 188 wRC+. Defensively, Barger had a +1 DRS and a zero OAA at third base in 2025 – not exceptional, but more than adequate. So, Barger is a strong breakout candidate for 2026. The Jays could also play Barger in right field. Or, if he is playing third (and cloning technology is not sufficiently advanced), Toronto could go with Nathan Lukes in right. In his 441 innings in right field in 2025, Lukes had a +21 DRS/1350 and a +13 OAA/400, both of which would be elite. He is projected (per Steamer) for a 109 wRC+ in 2026. A 109 wRC+ with elite defense in right field could translate to an fWAR in the 3.0-4.0 range over a full season. So, a (worst-case) purely internal fix could have Schneider/Clement at second, Giménez at short, Clement/Barger at third and Barger/Lukes in right, with the very real potential to have 3.0+ fWAR at every one of those positions. Not bad for a fallback option! The Jays sign Kyle Tucker If the Jays sign Tucker, the uncertainty about who plays right field goes away in a hurry. That likely pushes Barger to third (which is his better fielding position anyway) and Clement to second, potentially making Schneider and Lukes trade candidates for pitching upgrades. The Jays trade for Ketel Marte If the Jays traded for Marte, it would likely push Clement to third and Barger to right. Again, Lukes and Schneider would become either valuable bench contributors or enticing trade pieces (if they were not included in the Marte deal itself). The Jays sign Alex Bregman I am not a big fan of signing aging third basemen, particularly to contracts that take them into their late 30s. And, as noted above, Barger’s underlying hit metrics in 2025 were stronger than Bregman’s, so his upside is arguably higher at this point in Bregman’s career. But if the Jays *did* sign Bregman, it would likely push Barger to right field and leave Clement and Schneider competing for second base. The Bottom Line The Jays are in a very favourable position going into 2026. Not only do they have multiple young players with high upside, but those players have positional flexibility. That flexibility not only creates opportunities for the current roster but also for free agent signings and trades. And as a wise baseball philosopher once said, it can be more valuable to make options than to make plans. 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Recent reporting from Mark Feinsand indicates that the Royals are seeking a "right-handed bat who can complement the left-handed hitting Jac Caglianone in right field." The Royals (rightfully) see Caglianone as a long-term answer in their lineup. While Vinnie Pasquantino occupies first base, the outfield is the logical home for Caglianone. It can be argued that he was rushed to the majors too soon due to the lack of outfield production, so a platoon can be a good way to ease into his first full big-league season without having the pressure of playing every day. Because this role is specifically for a platoon bat, the Royals are unlikely to spend aggressively. Below are realistic candidates who fit the likely salary range and role requirements. Free Agents Rob Refsnyder 2025: .269/.354/.484 | rWAR: 1.2 | OPS+: 131 Playing in Boston, Refsnyder has spent the last four years as a right-handed platoon option against left-handed pitching. Two-thirds of his plate appearances last season were against a left-handed pitcher, where he slashed .302/.399/.560 with a 171 OPS+. He made $2.1 million last season, so his contract could be in a range that fits the Royals' budget. Given his experience in this role and affordability, he is the ideal fit for the Royals' needs. Tommy Pham 2025: .245/.330/.370 | rWAR: 1.0 | OPS+: 95 Tommy Pham joined the Royals late in 2024 for the playoff push that ultimately ended early in the ALDS after losing to the pennant-winning Yankees. At 37, he was still able to contribute to a struggling Pirates team. Pham’s 2025 splits didn't favor hitting against left-handed pitching last season, but he has hit better against lefties over the course of his career. He would likely fit into the Royals' salary structure, so there's an opportunity to reunite. Michael Conforto 2025: .199/.303/.333 | rWAR: -0.7 | OPS+: 79 Conforto really struggled last season with the Dodgers, posting a sub-replacement-level season and the lowest OPS+ of his career. His splits against left-handed pitching were much better than his season numbers, slashing .246/.372/.385. Entering his age-33 season, Conforto might be looking for his last long-term deal and might not want to transition to a platoon player quite yet. Teams might be hesitant to trust him as an everyday starter rather than hope his regression was an outlier, so maybe a one-year “prove it” contract could be a viable option for Conforto. He would also need to take a decent payout for Kansas City to be a realistic destination. He made $17 million last year, which is probably a more realistic mark for an everyday player on the Royals rather than a platoon player. Austin Hays 2025: .266/.315/.453 | rWAR: 0.8 | OPS+: 105 Hays is the 50th-ranked free agent on the DiamondCentric free agent board. With his injury history, he is not going to command a large contract. Maybe an opportunity to play in a part-time role with limited exposure can keep him healthy for a full season. Austin Slater 2025: .216/.270/.372 | rWAR: -0.1 | OPS+: 78 Last year, two-thirds of Austin Slater’s starts were against left-handed pitching. He was acquired by the Yankees from the White Sox last year to help fill the gap when Aaron Judge was injured. However, it did not go particularly well. With the White Sox, he was just about league-average with a 100 OPS+, plenty good enough for the Royals' platoon spot. Once he joined the Yankees, he slashed .120/.120/.120 with a -32 OPS+ in 14 games. Even with 78 being the lowest OPS+ for a player in this piece, that is still a higher OPS+ than eleven of the players who the Royals played in the outfield last season. Over his career, he has had enough success as a platoon bat to think that his short Yankees tenure was an outlier. Given his experience as a platoon bat and likely salary demands, he earned $1.75 million last season. Kansas City could be a likely destination for Slater. Recently Non-Tendered Players Adolis Garcia 2025: .227/.271/.394 | rWAR: 2.7 | OPS+: 93 Garcia may not be the ideal player for this role, considering he is likely to command more than the Royals are willing to allocate to a part-time outfielder. That said, given their outfield struggles last, he should be an option that the Royals should consider in their outfield, but other teams will be interested in courting Garcia as well. Christopher Morel 2025: .219/.289/.396 | rWAR: -0.3 | OPS+: 90 Christopher Morel is likely a greater risk, since he posted negative WAR in the last two seasons. We are not that far removed from 2023, when he had a 122 OPS+. Last season, he was only marginally better against left-handed pitching. He likely wouldn't require a large contract, which would at least be attractive to the Royals. Trade Candidates Jo Adell 2025: .236/.293/.485 | rWAR: 1.2 | OPS+: 111 After the Angels traded Taylor Ward, Jo Adell is probably less likely to get traded. While he fits the salary profile, Adell is probably more likely to be an everyday player rather than a platoon option. The Royals could likely be interested in adding him to the outfield, but probably not as just a platoon option. While searching for trade candidates, I found that most outfielders I considered either had salaries too high for this profile or were left-handed, making them poor fits to platoon with Caglianone. Given that the Royals have a surplus in starting pitching, there are a variety of teams that could be potential trade partners. Teams like the Braves, Mets, Nationals, Cardinals, Padres, Orioles, Red Sox, Rays, Astros, and Angels all could use more starting pitching. One More Noteworthy Player Mike Yastrzemski 2025: .233/.333/.403 | rWAR: 2.8 | OPS+: 109 It has been speculated on multiple sites that Yastrzemski re-signing with the Royals would be a good fit. The Royals are looking to add a right-handed bat to platoon with Caglianone and an everyday left-fielder, and Yaz does not fit either of those roles. Despite his consistent production (2+ rWAR in every season), he has been shielded from facing left-handed pitching in recent seasons. If the Royals sign Yastrzemski, then they would also need a right-handed bat to complement him in the lineup. View the full article

With the offseason now in full gear and rumors flying about the San Diego Padres' ownership changing hands, difficult decisions might have to be made. This is part two of a series where we’ll analyze the Padres’ ten best players and how likely each player is to be traded this offseason. 5. RP Mason Miller Pros: Miller is a flamethrowing reliever who has the ability to absolutely dominate lineups. His fastball averaged 101.2 MPH last season, placing him in the 100th percentile, and his Baseball Savant page is full of bright red. He’s also controlled by the team for the next four seasons, making him valuable and team friendly. Next season, he’ll either be the Padres’ closer or join the rotation. Cons: Miller’s only hole is his high walk rate, which last year was as high as 12%. He did bring his walk rate down after being traded to San Diego, and his K/BB ratio improved from 3.28 to 4.5 after the trade. There’s no way San Diego would trade the guy they gave up their No. 1 prospect for just a few months ago. Chances of trade: 0% 4. SP Nick Pivetta Pros: Pivetta broke out in a huge way in 2025, stepping up to become the ace of the San Diego rotation. He finished the season with a 3.49 FIP and a 149 ERA+, helping him garner Cy Young consideration at the end of the season. His fastball and breaking balls mixed at an elite level last year, with his fastball run value finishing in the 98th percentile and his breaking run value finishing in the 97th percentile, according to Baseball Savant. Cons: There is reason to think Pivetta might not be able to replicate his success from 2025 again in 2026. He finished the season with an xERA of 3.96, which would have been much closer to his career ERA of 4.23. There’s also the issue of his contract opt-out, which takes effect after the 2026 season. Pivetta could opt out after 2026 and after 2027, so there’s a chance San Diego will lose him soon anyway. Between the ‘one-year wonder’ possibility and the high likelihood he opts out if he puts together another good season in 2026, it feels like a lose-lose scenario. If the Padres had rotation depth, trading Pivetta would make a lot of sense. However, the team has very little of that, so he probably sticks around. Chances of trade: 20% 3. CF Jackson Merrill Pros: Merrill is likely the future of the Padres’ franchise. He possesses tremendous tools at the plate, on the basepaths, and in the field. Even in a down year, Merrill finished in the 99th percentile in launch-angle sweet-spot rate, according to Baseball Savant. He posted a batting run value in the 69th percentile, a baserunning value in the 84th percentile, and a Fielding Run Value in the 80th percentile, and had even better rates in 2024, when he was the runner-up for the NL Rookie of the Year Award. Merrill has 'future star' written all over him. The Padres have him under contract for the next ten years on an affordable deal, owing him $156 million through 2035. That contract being so team-friendly likely eliminates the possibility of a trade. Cons: Merrill did have a sophomore slump, and if the Padres have questions about his potential, a trade could be explored. He doesn’t walk much and struggles with plate consistency. However, those issues can be corrected, especially for a player as young as Merrill. Chances of trade: 2% 2. 3B Manny Machado Pros: Machado has received MVP votes in five of the last six seasons, including a pair of top-three finishes in 2020 and 2022. He has been a cornerstone of consistency, with his worst season in San Diego (2019) still resulting in a 110 OPS+ and 2.5 bWAR. He’s a three-time All-Star selection and three-time Silver Slugger since joining the Padres, and at 32, just had his best season in three years. Cons: Similar to most players on this list, Machado is owed a big payday over the next few years, and it is worth wondering if he is beginning to slow down as he ages. From 2013-2022, Machado averaged 5.0 bWAR per season over the ten-year span. Over the past year, he’s averaged 3.3 bWAR. Still good, but it does appear that Machado has been slowing down over the past three years. And as he slows down, the money heading his way goes up. He is owed $298.7 million over the next eight seasons. There might be a team desperate for help at third base that would be willing to trade for Machado, but if the Padres intend to move off his contract, there’s a good chance this offseason is their last chance. Machado is coming off an All-Star campaign, and he’s only going to get older from here. Chances of trade: 15% 1. RF Fernando Tatis Jr. Pros: Tatis is considered to be the best defensive right fielder in the league, a winner of two Gold Gloves in three years, and the Platinum Glove in 2025. His bat isn’t too shabby either, with an .868 OPS in his career. While he still hasn’t matched the 166 OPS+ and 6.6 bWAR he produced in 2021, he is at minimum an above-average bat, and still has the talent of a superstar. Cons: Tatis is expensive. Very expensive. San Diego has him signed through 2034, and owes him $294.2 million over the next nine years. If there is a team that wants to take on that contract and trade the Padres' valuable resources for him, it’s worth at least considering a trade. The Friars' farm system is barren, and Tatis would likely be able to bring back some serious talent. Still, it feels unlikely the team trades its franchise cornerstone. Chances of trade: 10% View the full article

In a surprising move, the Miami Marlins selected catcher Liam Hicks in the 2024 Rule 5 draft. Where would he fit in with an organization that already had two highly regarded catching prospects—Agustín Ramírez and Joe Mack—at the upper minor league levels? It turns out that there was meaningful role for Hicks to fill in the short term while Ramírez spent much of his rookie season as Miami's designated hitter and Mack continued to develop at Triple-A. Showing a very polished plate approach, Hicks played 119 games, slashing .247/.346/.346 with a .313 wOBA and 98 wRC+ in 2025. His stock has clearly gone up since being exposed to the Rule 5 last year. However, Mack is still on his way as we were reminded last week when the Marlins selected him to their 40-man roster. They also have not given up on the idea of Ramírez behind the plate despite his struggles on defense so far. Although Hicks is well-positioned to crack the Opening Day roster and would serve as solid depth over the course of the season, this may be a good opportunity to flip him to another team with a clearer need for his services. The Milwaukee Brewers may be interested in Hicks after declining their mutual option on Danny Jansen. The Brewers still have William Contreras and top prospect Jeferson Quero, but those are the only catchers on their 40-man. With Contreras getting increasingly expensive and Quero's MLB readiness in question after a few injury-riddled seasons, Hicks would have value to them next season and beyond. Marlins acquire: LHP DL Hall and OF Brandon Lockridge Brewers acquire: C/1B Liam Hicks and player to be named later DL Hall was a former first-round pick of the Orioles in 2017. He was a piece of the Corbin Burnes trade during the 2023-24 offseason. The past two seasons in Milwaukee, Hall has not found his footing. He has missed out on meaningful playing time at the big league level while battling through knee, lat, and oblique injuries. In 81 ⅔ innings pitched as a Brewer (33 G/10 GS), he has posted a 4.30 ERA and 4.66 xFIP while experiencing a drop in velocity compared to his days in Baltimore. Health permitting, Hall would have an expanded role with the Marlins. He throws a wide variety of pitches—something the Marlins are always looking for. He could be stretched out if needed, but I believe he is best served coming out of the bullpen. M3k0ajZfWGw0TUFRPT1fQmdWVlhGSUJWd1VBREFCVFZnQUhBbEFGQUZoVEFRTUFBUVlBQWxBR0IxVlJVbEZT.mp4 Hall is still only 27, but has used up all of his minor league options entering 2026. Quite a contrast from Hall, Lockridge was a fifth-round pick of the Yankees in 2018 and has fought his way to the big leagues. He joined the Brewers at this past trade deadline in a deal that sent Nestor Cortes to the Padres. Lockridge has certainly struggled with the bat in his couple stints in the majors, slashing .231/.276/.299 through 34 games in 2025. But in Triple-A, he slashed .351/.413/.404 after being traded to the Brewers. There may be reason to believe Lockridge is on the cusp of a breakout season. From 2024 to 2025, his average exit velocity against AAA competition increased by 3 mph, his hard-hit rate by nearly 8%, and his in-zone contact rate by 5%. These trends are indicative of an improving player. M3k0ZU5fWGw0TUFRPT1fVWxjRlZsY01CRlFBQ1FZR1VnQUhDVk1EQUZsV0FnY0FCRllOQkFwVUFGVlRCMU5U.mp4 Lockridge has 99th-percentile Sprint Speed and he rated as a great defender in limited MLB action (5 OAA). Entering his age-29 season, he profiles similarly to former Marlin Derek Hill, except with potentially more upside as a hitter and two minor league options left. As of this writing, the Marlins 40-man roster is full, so they would have to open up a spot with a separate transaction to make room for both Hall and Lockridge. The PTBNL going with Hicks to Milwaukee would be determined following next month's Rule 5 draft. In 2022, the Marlins acquired Jake Mangum from the New York Mets under these conditions. Mangum was traded after MLB teams declined to take him in that year's Rule 5. In this case, the Brewers would be eyeing right-hander Matt Pushard. The former undrafted free agent had an extremely successful season in AAA, pitching 62 ⅓ innings to the tune of a 3.61 ERA with a 2.98 FIP. Pushard has four pitches with a stuff+ of 102 or better, according to Prospect Savant's model. If Pushard departs in the Rule 5, the Brewers would have their choice of the Marlins' other Rule 5-eligible relievers, such as Zach McCambley or Dale Stanavich. View the full article

The question might sound ridiculous, but it is justifiable given the subject's history: After three challenging minor league seasons, is Ethan Salas already a post-hype player? Before answering, we need to define "post-hype." The term refers to a highly regarded prospect who fails to excel in his initial long-term exposure to the major leagues. He's not a bust at that point, but he has passed a mile marker on the road to bust status. Salas is not a bust, mostly because he's not yet close to reaching the majors. But there are signs that he won't be a superstar right away when he is called up, either. How can a player with Salas' tools already be losing luster? Just go back to all the shine he received after signing with San Diego. Ethan Salas History In January 2023, the Friars shoved all-in to land Salas, who was the top-ranked prospect in his international free-agent class. They agreed to a reported $5.6 million bonus with the then-16-year-old catcher from Venezuela. The team's bonus pool in that signing period was $5.825 million. Salas was considered more than a worthy investment. He was a highly advanced player who came from a baseball family. In fact, he played professionally even before signing, appearing in a game for Zulia in the Venezuelan winter league in November 2022. He held his own, too, with two walks and no strikeouts in four plate appearances. Padres scouting director Chris Kemp told MLB.com's Sam Dykstra after the signing that Salas was "kind of the total-package catcher." Not long after that, an anonymous scout told the New York Post's Jon Heyman that Salas would be "a 10-year All-Star" in MLB. And, true to their organizational philosophy, the Padres didn't hesitate to put Salas on the fast track. It started in spring training when they had him catch a Yu Darvish bullpen session. That summer, they moved him all the way up to Double-A San Antonio. He spent two weeks there as a 17-year-old in August 2023. At that point, Salas was the newest member of a strong group of players to zoom through the Pads' system: PLAYER YEAR CLUB (LEVEL) AGE* NOTES Fernando Tatis Jr. 2017 San Antonio (AA) 19 Repeated Double-A in 2018, made Padres' Opening Day roster in 2019 Luis Campusano 2018 Fort Wayne (A) 19 Promoted to San Diego in 2020 C.J. Abrams 2021 San Antonio (AA) 20 Made Padres' Opening Day roster in 2022 Jackson Merrill 2023 San Antonio (AA) 20 Made Padres' Opening Day roster in 2024 Ethan Salas 2023 San Antonio (AA) 17 Began 2025 season in San Antonio As expected, Salas' defense was ahead of his offense that first year, but the kid was still considered a special talent. In 2024, Salas was assigned to High-A Fort Wayne. Again, the fielding was on point, but the hitting lagged. That had Padres concerned, so much so that in July they brought Salas to San Diego to work with the major league staff on his swing, according to MLB.com. Still, Salas did enough that year to earn a trip to both the Futures Game and the Arizona Fall League. His AFL numbers were OK: a .228/.327/.424 slash line and, more importantly, four homers in 107 PAs. Based on that performance, the Padres bumped Salas back up to San Antonio for the start of the '25 season. Would San Diego be his next stop? It would not. He appeared in just 10 games for the Missions before being diagnosed with a season-ending stress reaction in his back. Ethan Salas' Minor League Hitting Statistics YEAR CLUB PA OBP SLG OPS HR XBH ISO K% BB% 2023 Lake Elsinore 220 .350 .487 .837 9 22 .220 25.9 10.9 2023 Fort Wayne 37 .243 .229 .472 0 1 .029 27.0 5.4 2023 San Antonio 33 .303 .214 .517 0 1 .035 24.2 12.1 2024 Fort Wayne 469 .288 .311 .589 4 33 .105 20.9 10.0 2025 San Antonio 41 .325 .219 .544 0 1 .031 14.6 12.2 TOTALS 800 .305 .347 .652 13 58 .126 22.3 10.4 Ethan Salas Scouting Report Salas has the tools to be an impact big leaguer. MLB Pipeline listed his hit tool at 45 (on the 20-to-80 scale), his power tool at 50, his field tool at 70, and his arm tool at 60. Based on those scores and his three-true-outcomes stats, he profiles as a defensive stud with a good eye at the plate and power potential. He's listed at 6-1 and 185 pounds, but he's bound to add weight, and maybe height, in the next few years. He enters 2026 as No. 2 in Padres Mission's prospect rankings and No. 77 in MLB Pipeline's Top 100. That last number feels low given his talent. Ethan Salas Timetable Even though he barely played in 2025, Salas could still be rushed to the majors next year. The Padres' catching at the upper levels is that thin. Freddy Fermin, a deadline pickup last July, was the club's No. 1 receiver at the time of publication. He slashed .244/.278/.339 (70 OPS+) with two home runs in 139 plate appearances for San Diego. His backup, Luis Campusano --- a good example of a post-hype player --- spent much of last season at Triple-A El Paso. He's out of minor league options. If Salas stays healthy and shows enough progress early on, the president of baseball operations, A.J. Preller, could be tempted to promote him around midseason. For now, however, the Pads are taking things slowly. In mid-November, Preller told reporters (per the Union-Tribune) at the MLB general managers' meetings in Las Vegas that Salas has resumed baseball activities and is "looking 100 percent," but the organization is "kind of weighing" whether he should play winter ball or focus on getting ready for spring training. If Salas does skip winter ball and returns around Opening Day, he'll have missed close to a year of high-intensity reps. Even an aggressive club such as the Padres might have to practice some patience. And while Salas won't be a bust by that point, the hype train will be slowing down further. View the full article

After a historic 2025 season, there's a new game on the list. Let's go over the best wins in the franchise's history and see which one tops them all. View the full article

The Twins have entered recent winters with plenty of questions, but this winter brings a particularly uneasy one. After last summer’s shocking decision to trade Carlos Correa at the deadline, Minnesota suddenly went from having a franchise cornerstone at shortstop to hoping a former top prospect can carry one of the most demanding positions in baseball. That is a dramatic shift for a team on the fringes of contention, even while operating under the tightest budget constraints of the Derek Falvey era. Minnesota can’t afford a superstar to steady the position. It simply needs more certainty. Right now, shortstop is the thinnest spot on the organizational depth chart, and that is a dangerous way to start the winter. A Depth Chart Built on Hope Brooks Lee sits atop the depth chart after being thrust into the starting job after the Correa trade. In 139 games, he hit .236/.285/.370 (.654) with a 79 OPS+. The front office believes in his tools and maturity, but even talented young players rarely sprint through their early big-league career without bumps. Depending solely on Lee to handle 162 games is the definition of risky roster construction. Behind him, the depth gets frightening in a hurry. Ryan Kreidler arrived as a waiver claim earlier this offseason, and while he brings defensive value, his major league track record does not suggest everyday reliability. Last season, he played most of the year at Triple-A and posted a .751 OPS in 99 games. Ryan Fitzgerald could crack the team’s Opening Day roster as a backup infielder after combining for an .837 OPS with the Saints last year. Few inside or outside the organization view him as a long-term solution as a starting option, but he's earned an opportunity to fill a role. In the minor leagues, Kaelen Culpepper flew up prospect rankings in 2025, but he is yet to sniff Triple-A. He might be ready at some point in 2026, but that is far from a guarantee. Last year's first round pick Marek Houston could reach the high minors this year, but he likely won't crack the big leagues for multiple seasons. Both players are part of the team's long-term plan. Neither can be counted on for significant time in 2026. Minnesota also needs a strong defense behind a rotation expected to include multiple young pitchers. Lee showed improvements at shortstop in the second half but is still considered a below-average defender. For a team on the outside of contention, that is a razor-thin safety net behind Lee. The Bargain Bin Reality Since ownership’s maddening decision to slash payroll after the 2023 season, the Twins have spent just eighteen million dollars on free agents across two full winters. Six players. All one-year deals. None above $6.25 million. It is not a shopping strategy; it is an economic philosophy, and it has left the front office combing the discount bin for meaningful upgrades. That reality shapes their shortstop search. The free-agent class is barren, making the problem even harder to solve. Minnesota does not have the financial flexibility to target even the middle tier of the market. That scarcity is precisely why a player like Orlando Arcia becomes relevant in conversations he never would have entered a few years ago. Arcia, now 32 years old, hit free agency after a rough stint in Colorado and has been one of the worst hitters in baseball over the last two seasons by nearly every advanced measure. In fact, he has been the worst hitter in baseball by both wRC+ and xwOBA with 800+ PAs over the past two seasons. As a right-handed hitter, his OPS was 50 points higher against lefties, so there may be a role for him to platoon. His glove keeps him employable, but only in a limited role, and only on a team willing to accept the offensive tradeoff. He is the type of player the Twins might be forced to consider. Not because he solves anything, but because the market offers so few alternatives. He could be signed to a minor league deal to offer organizational depth, because he is the sort of player who fills roster spots rather than stabilizes them. A Problem Minnesota Cannot Ignore The Twins have to add more protection behind Lee, even if that means a smaller move that brings competence rather than upside. A veteran shortstop who can defend, handle 40 to 60 starts, and keep Lee fresh is not a luxury for this roster. It is a requirement. Minnesota can get by with creativity at several positions, but shortstop is not one of them. The front office saw what happened when injuries piled up in 2024 and 2025, and this roster cannot survive another season where the infield defense erodes because the club ran out of viable options. With budget limits and a barren market, the Twins may need to get uncomfortable or get creative. What they cannot do is stand still. Shortstop is too essential, and the depth chart is too thin. The Twins need to act before this winter gets away from them. How should the Twins upgrade their shortstop depth? Is Arcia an option? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

When the Brewers signed Christian Yelich to a nine-year, $215-million contract in March 2020, Yelich received a full no-trade clause. Unfortunately, for some stretches since then, that clause has seemed redundant. As Yelich struggled in his first three seasons after the knee injury that prematurely ended his 2019 campaign, his extension looked essentially untradable. He was an increasingly injury-wrecked corner outfielder with a .243/.358/.388 batting line from 2020 through 2022. Since then, though, he's rediscovered something. Since the start of 2023, Yelich is batting .279/.366/.460. Back surgery took him out of the picture for the stretch run in 2024, but he returned with another impressive, durable campaign in 2025. He'll turn 34 years old in December, but he feels like a better bet right now than he did three years ago. Meanwhile, he's settled into the portion of his contract during which some of his salary is deferred. Yelich's salary for the three years left on his deal is $26 million per season, but $4 million of that will be deferred by a decade each season. He's only set to earn $70.5 million for the balance of the 2020s, even factoring in the portion of an option buyout for 2029 that will be paid right away. In short, Yelich could now be dealt, and the Brewers wouldn't even have to send money to get the deal done. They might need to retain the obligation to pay his deferred salaries, but that's easy money to manage. They wouldn't get a lot back, but they're good at getting something out of lottery-ticket prospects, and the main motivation for trading him would be freeing up both salary and playing time. First, let's examine whether this makes any sense. In 2025, Yelich was occasionally the Brewers' best hitter, and he was certainly their most consistent presence in the top half of the lineup. It might sound strange to entertain trading him, because of what he still means to the Brewers' run production—let alone what he means in the clubhouse or the community. On the other hand, the Brewers need to infuse a bit more dynamism and projectable lethality in their offense, and those things are fading for Yelich. He was not the same base stealer in 2025 that he'd been for the previous two seasons. His average exit velocity was the lowest of his career; his average launch angle was his lowest since 2015. His strikeout rate rose, while his walk rate fell. Suitors will see that, too, of course, but they'll also see that he didn't lose bat speed even in the return season from a serious operation on his back. They'll wonder (fairly) if a different hitting coach could help Yelich tap more sustainably into his power, and if getting more rest would find him more productive and more prepared for the postseason than he looked in 2025. The Brewers can't afford to have a player on such a salary playing less than every day when he's healthy, but some teams who might take an interest in Yelich could. Getting $22 million off their books for each of the next three seasons would give the Brewers some real spending powrr this winter, although they'd have to use most of it to replace Yelich. The question, as far as it goes at this moment, is whether the team would be able to land a more productive hitter than Yelich via free agency. There are some superb bats on this winter's market, in Kyle Schwarber, Alex Bregman, Bo Bichette, and Pete Alonso. In various ways, each of these players is a good fit for the Brewers, but only if Yelich is moved. A different question quickly moves to the fore, then: would Yelich accept a deal? Presumably, he'd only leave the Brewers if the new situation was very much to his liking; he wants to win a World Series. He's not going to approve a trade to the Angels, for instance, despite being from Southern California. As we enter the hot stove season, though, lots of teams could use a bat like Yelich's in pursuit of a pennant. The Dodgers have space in their corner outfield spots and the freedom to let veterans take it easy for parts of the regular season. The Giants always need offensive help. The Padres might not be in position to take on the money, but then again, they badly need help in left field and at DH, and they can't afford to spend even bigger on a player like Schwarber or Cody Bellinger. Depending on how they perceive their chances at top-tier free agents, the Blue Jays, the Phillies, or the Braves could get involved. Yelich has been at the center of everything for Milwaukee, ever since his 2018 breakout. He probably wouldn't want to leave, all things being equal. If the Brewers can find the right place for him and get his contract out of their budget, however, they might be right to move on from him. For very good teams who derive strength from their depth, it's sometimes hard to find a place where it's possible to get better. That's the Crew's situation, and trading Yelich might be one of the few options they have to keep progressing toward a World Series title. View the full article

"The Miami Marlins are active in the closer market, talking with free-agent right-hander Michael King and other starting pitchers, and are also weighing upgrades at first and third base," according to a Monday morning report from Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich of The Athletic. Rosenthal had reported earlier this offseason that the Marlins might "double down on their rotation as a strength," but this is his first time linking them to a specific pitcher. Fun fact: King was involved in the very first trade of Bruce Sherman's ownership tenure. On November 20, 2017, the Marlins dealt him to the New York Yankees in exchange for Garrett Cooper and Caleb Smith. King made his major league debut in 2019 and was used primarily as a reliever by the Yankees. More recently, he was named Opening Day starter for the San Diego Padres in 2025. Through 10 outings, he was on an All-Star trajectory (2.59 ERA in 55.2 IP). However, he was limited to only five starts after Memorial Day due to right shoulder inflammation and left knee inflammation. He pitched one scoreless inning of relief for San Diego during the National League Wild Card Series. He turns 31 next May and has never previously been a free agent. Since moving to the rotation, King's average sinker velocity has sat around 93 mph, which is below average for a righty. However, his changeup is one of the best in baseball. His strikeout rate has steadily declined from a high of 33.2% in 2022 to 24.7% this season. qlxctj.mp4 The Padres extended a $22.025 million qualifying offer to King earlier this month. He rejected it, anticipating that he'll be able to garner a multi-year deal at a similar average annual value. It would be extremely out of character for the Marlins to be the highest bidders for King. In two previous offseasons with Peter Bendix serving as their president of baseball operations, the club has only guaranteed a total of $8.5 million to MLB free agents (Tim Anderson and Cal Quantrill). "People familiar with their plans" tell Ken Rosenthal that this willingness to add veteran talent is borne out of the opportunity to be a legitimate postseason contender coming off a 79-win campaign. However, Rosenthal and Drellich remind us that in 2025, the Marlins fell far short of the spending thresholds outlined by the collective bargaining agreement. They were expected to receive "roughly $70 million if not more" from league revenue sharing alone, yet finished with a luxury-tax payroll of approximately $85 million. As a result, they could face a greivance from the players' union this offseason if this frugal behavior persists. Regarding the closer market, the only high-profile name who was come off the board so far is Raisel Iglesias, who re-signed with the Atlanta Braves on a one-year, $16 million deal. View the full article

There are some areas on the roster where we could or will see turnover, but the Chicago Cubs enter the 2025-26 offseason with their middle infield as stable a position group as any. Under contract through 2029, Dansby Swanson will remain at shortstop, while Nico Hoerner will handle the keystone through at least through the end of 2026. The depth behind those two, however, is somewhat in question. Not that it's a major area of concern. Hoerner logged time at second base in 153 games, while Swanson was at short for 159. Beyond Hoerner, the Cubs deployed a mix of Jon Berti (13 games), Willi Castro (six games), Matt Shaw (four games), Vidal Bruján (three games), and Nicky Lopez (one game). Aside from Hoerner appearing in eight games in Swanson's stead at shortstop, each of Bruján, Lopez, and Gage Workman registered a pair of appearances. None of the names behind the incumbents are still with the organization. Some of them have been gone for months. Thus, as the Cubs build their roster for 2026, they're going to have to at least maintain an eye on who could serve as this year's depth, minimal as the need may be. Second Base Starter: Nico Hoerner (.297/.345/.394, 7 HR, 29 SB, 109 wRC+, 4.8 fWAR) Just about everything Hoerner did in 2025 was a career best. He posted his highest average, his best park-adjusted offense, and his largest Wins Above Replacement output (according to FanGraphs), while cutting his strikeout rate to just 7.6%. Meanwhile, he continued to ply his trade as one of the best defensive infielders in the sport. With a down-ballot MVP vote to his credit, it's hard to imagine we see his name floating around the trade ether in the way that we saw last winter. Depth: James Triantos, Pedro Ramirez Of the two middle infield spots, the Cubs at least have a little bit of security behind Hoerner (albeit no one with any top-level experience). The team added James Triantos to the 40-man roster ahead of last week's deadline, protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft. Should anything happen to Hoerner, it's likely he'd be first in line to get keystone reps. While he's cooled a bit as an offensive prospect (which could at least be partially attributed to a 70-point drop in his batting average on balls in play), he offers some of the same base stealing prowess we see from Hoerner (78 steals across all levels the last two years). Should it not be Triantos, another recent addition to the 40-man could supplement the middle infield as needed. Pedro Ramirez doesn't have experience above Double A yet, but has more recently demonstrated some offensive upside. He slashed .280/.346/.386 and swiped 28 bags in 2025. That's despite a BABIP regression of his own, compared to lower levels. Either way, the team is getting a somewhat similar skill set to that of their starting second baseman. But it's also possible we see the team address this with a versatile option off the bench that could push each one further down the depth chart. Shortstop Starter: Dansby Swanson (.244/.300/.417, 24 HR, 20 SB, 99 wRC+, 3.3 fWAR) It was a strange year for Swanson. On one hand, he demonstrated consistent power in a 20/20 campaign. On the other, his contact rate was his lowest over a full season in his career (71.3%) and his strikeout rate ballooned to 26.0%. His on-base percentage has continued to drop, but the power coming back (after a down year in that regard in 2024) was encouraging. Not that the inconsistency constitutes a big change; Swanson has always had some bewildering variance in his game. The Cubs love his presence in the clubhouse and the steadiness of his glove. He's likely the starter until that contract runs out. Depth: Hoerner This one doesn't merit nearly as deep a discussion. Unlike second base, which has a decent volume on the 40-man, the Cubs have no such presence behind Swanson. Names like Jefferson Rojas or Cristian Hernandez are still at least another year away. Should anything happen to Swanson—a difficult thing to anticipate, given that he's appeared in at least 147 games in each year since 2020—it would be an easy call for the team to flip Hoerner to the other side of the second-base bag. In that case, you're looking at an extended run for a bench bat to be named later, or one of Triantos or Ramirez. Either way, the depth behind Swanson exists almost exclusively in the form of his comrade on the middle infield. The Cubs don't have a great deal of depth at these positions, but the idea is that they shouldn't need any. View the full article

The Royals' 2025 season did not go exactly as planned. After a 2024 season full of excitement, most hoped the team would continue to build on that momentum and come into 2025 fighting for a playoff spot. While they did finish with a winning record (take the W’s where you can, folks), there was a lot left to be desired. One position that went as planned was the corner outfield spots. Coming into the year, the front office made no major moves to address the corners on the grass, and it showed. We started 2025 trotting out MJ Melendez in left field and Hunter Renfroe in right field, and by the time June rolled around, neither player was on the Royals' 26-man roster. Renfroe was DFA’d, and MJ was sent down to Omaha (with a one-week call-up late July). There was some optimism that Kansas City could find solutions internally, with talks about the newly acquired Jonathan India moving to left at least part-time, but that did not solve any problems, as India had his statistically worst season in his major league career and never quite got comfortable in the outfield. By the end of the season, the Royals were dead last in basically any metric available on both the left and right sides of the outfield. If 2026 is to be a competitive one, it’s clear that the outfield must be addressed. Let’s now take a look at where the Royals stand in 2026 for their corner outfielders. Left Field Starter: John Rave (.196/.283/.307, 18 runs, 4 home runs, 14 RBIs, .590 OPS, and 65 wRC+) There really is no answer to who the starter is for left field, so we will just take this rundown in the order of games played in the position. Rave made his major league debut this year for the Royals at 27 years old and played 208 innings in left and 70 total games at both corner spots. The 2019 5th-round draft pick showed flashes during his stint in Kansas City. While initially struggling at the plate in the first half of the season, Rave came out of the All-Star break with some pop, hitting three home runs in the first five games post-break. He cooled relatively quickly, however, and was sent back down to Triple-A at the end of August, but was brought back up the last couple of weeks of September, where he finished the season and collected just three hits in 19 plate appearances. Rave will certainly get some more time at Kauffman, at least next season, but it’s clear he is not the long-term answer at this time. Depth: Nick Loftin (.208/.278/.357, 17 runs, 4 home runs, 20 RBIs, .635 OPS, and 73 wRC+) Loftin got his first cup of coffee in 2023 and has thus far logged 143 games and 427 plate appearances. His career OPS is .617 with a 72 wRC+, and while he offers utility by being able to play first, second, third, and left field, he still isn’t much of a net positive, providing only 0.2 fWAR in his career, including 0.1 this year. Left field seems to be his worst position defensively, posting a -2 DRS this past season, where he logged 208 innings over 38 games. He walks at a below-average clip of 8.7% and strikes out a respectable 14.8%. It was clear this year he was another guinea pig in the left field laboratory from the front office, after logging only nine total innings in his first two seasons with the team. He is probably better suited as depth for the infield at this point. More “Depth”: Dairon Blanco It’s getting grim out here, folks. Blanco did not spend much time with the Royals this year, getting just one hit in eight plate appearances. He’s got speed going for him, which always leaves the possibility for pinch running, but there isn’t much to be said when it comes to his left field prospects. Right Field Starter: Jac Caglianone (.157/.237/.295, 19 runs, 7 home runs, 18 RBIs, .532 OPS, and 46 wRC+) While Caglianone’s highly anticipated first season was a disappointment, there is still plenty of room for optimism when evaluating him long-term. After scorching the minor leagues in a short amount of time, he was called up in June and struggled mightily in his first professional season. No expectations were coming into the year that Caglianone would get the call from Kansas City, but due to such abysmal production from the outfield, the front office decided to make the move after just a few short months of professional baseball from the Florida prospect. It shouldn’t be a surprise for a true rookie to struggle during his first cup of coffee, but I don’t think anyone expected this kind of struggle. He struck out at a 22% clip and only walked 18 times in 232 plate appearances (7.8%). To be quite frank, there wasn’t a lot to look at to find positives. As a power bat, you need to be able to punish the fastball. He collected three extra base hits and hit at just a .167 rate against the four-seamer. And his fielding as a right fielder was nothing spectacular and perhaps just flat out bad, as seen by his -4 DRS (Defensive Runs Saved). What optimism we can hold onto is this isn’t the first time a highly touted rookie has a poor debut, there is still plenty of time and adjustments that can be made for him to come into 2026 with a fresh outlook and put together a solid year, what remains to be seen is if that will happen with a minor league club or in Kansas City. Depth- Kameron Misner (.213/.273/.345, 27 runs, 5 home runs, 22 RBIs, .618 OPS, and 71 wRC+) The Royals started early November with a trade for the Tampa Bay prospect. Misner, who will turn 28 before spring training, is a plus defender with good speed both in the field and on the base paths. It’s unclear whether he was brought in as depth in center field or right field, but he has shown he can be a defensive asset in either position. He should be considered a project, but could provide value in an area where the team needs it most. View the full article