DiamondCentric

Expectations were high for the San Diego Padres after a 93-win season and NLDS appearance in 2024. Fans and the organization anticipated a deep 2025 postseason, but the team's season ended early with a Wild Card loss to the Chicago Cubs. That disappointing finish creates urgency to upgrade the roster, but financial restraints make it difficult. FanGraphs projects that the Padres will begin the 2026 season with a payroll of $201 million, which is within $43 million of the 2026 CBT threshold of $244 million. While they could exceed the CBT threshold and incur penalties, it is worth noting that the Padres had a budget of $211 million last season, despite the 2025 threshold being $241 million. Their prior spending patterns might suggest less room to work with than previously believed. The team's reluctance to spend last season may stem from the fact that it was the first offseason without former owner Peter Seidler, who passed away in November 2023. Known for aggressive spending to build a competitive team, Seidler's absence makes leaving $30 million unspent before reaching the CBT threshold notable. With the Seidler family seeking to sell, ownership uncertainty could affect future player investments. However, despite the possibility of new ownership, that scenario will not alter this offseason's plans. In free agency, the Padres' urgent need is in the starting rotation. Dylan Cease and Michael King are free agents, and Yu Darvish received devastating news that he will miss the entire 2026 season due to needing reconstructive elbow surgery. Offensively, the Padres finished 28th in home runs (152) during the regular season. With Ryan O'Hearn and Luis Arráez also hitting free agency, they are leaving offensive and defensive voids, making the process of targeting a cheap power bat even more crucial. Further complicating the flexibility, the team has $70 million allocated between Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, and Fernando Tatis Jr. for the upcoming season. Still, the amount increases to $85 million, $90 million, and $100 million through the 2027-2029 seasons, and remains at $100 million in 2030. These escalating contracts make finding relief challenging, as moving one of these would bring significant salary relief; however, all three have full no-trade clauses. Jake Cronenworth could be a trade piece, but he has five years ($12.28 million annually) left on his seven-year, $80 million deal and holds a partial no-trade clause. Still, the bullpen offers flexibility, returning as a strength after leading the league in ERA last season (3.06). As the Padres finalize their finances and roster, the budget available to president of baseball operations A.J. Preller remains uncertain, although several needs persist. The team should prioritize signing a reliable, middle-tier starting pitcher (if an ace is too expensive). Re-signing Michael King on a short-term contract could be a strong option, as it appeals to both sides, given his recent injury history and the need to prove his value. Target a power hitter who can play first base or designated hitter, ideally a right-hand bat, to potentially platoon with Gavin Sheets or Tirso Ornelas. This addition would strengthen the lineup's offensive output, addressing the team's low home run totals. Seek additional affordable bench bats that provide offensive depth and flexibility for matchups across the lineup. The Padres have the worst farm system in MLB, which has been depleted over multiple seasons of trading prospects for stars. Given these limitations, the free agency market is the best approach to building a competitive team. While the Padres aren't far from reaching a World Series, how Preller approaches this offseason will be crucial to their chances. View the full article

We all need to brace for a Pablo López trade this winter. It's an outcome that ranges somewhere between vague possibility and probability, depending on how much weight you put into the percolating rumor mill. "Potential trade partners believe the Twins will deal one of their co-aces, not both," wrote Jeff Passan at ESPN. Elsewhere, at the New York Post, Joel Sherman suggested that Minnesota is "more likely" to trade López than Joe Ryan. Yes, they're just rumors and relays—albeit from well-respected industry veterans. But fans need only use their eyes and ears to recognize that a López trade is very much on the table. His $21-million salary casts a glare for this rebuilding team facing payroll uncertainty, and Twins officials have shied away from ruling out the idea. I'm on the record with my belief that a López trade would be equivalent to a white flag for the 2026 season—not only because of losing him, but the rippling implications. That's not a fact, though; it's an opinion. At this point, it's still plausible the Twins will be trying to win next year, and it wouldn't be impossible for a deftly executed deal involving López to support that goal. It'll just be a tricky needle to thread. There aren't a ton of examples of an established frontline starting pitcher being traded for an established top-of-the-order bat, which is (presumably) what the Twins would be seeking to accomplish in such an endeavor. Incidentally, one of the few in recent memory was the Pablo López trade. In January 2023, the Twins dealt from an area of perceived strength when they sent reigning batting champ Luis Arraez to the Miami Marlins in exchange for López. On Opening Day a couple of months later, López was Minnesota's starting pitcher and Arraez was batting leadoff for Miami. The Marlins, at the time, were in a somewhat similar situation to the Twins now, needing a boost coming off a 93-loss season and viewing the top of their rotation as a strength, with López accompanied by Sandy Alcantara and Jesús Luzardo. Miami hoped the addition of Arraez could jumpstart an offense that tied for last in the NL in OPS+ in 2022. He certainly ended up doing his part. In 2023, Arraez batted .354 with a 128 OPS+, while earning All-Star and Silver Slugger honors. The Marlins improved by 15 wins and made the playoffs as a Wild Card. It's pretty much the same model the Twins would be looking to enact, just from the other end. A hitter who can deliver the level of impact that Arraez did in his first season with Miami is exactly what the Twins need to take a step forward in 2026, and theoretically, Minnesota's pitching depth and added spending flexibility could help soften the blow of losing López. A pertinent question: How does López's trade value now compare to back when the Twins acquired him at such a lofty price? On the one hand, he's three years older and much more expensive. On the other hand, he's under 30, more proven (including in the playoffs), and still under team control for two more years at surplus value. A team acquiring López could do exactly what the Twins did: immediately lock him into a long-term contract, shoring up the top of their rotation for years to come. That has a lot of appeal. Plenty of contending teams would love to get their hands on López. The problem is that it's hard to find contending teams with high-impact bats with which they are willing to part, which is why these trades more often take shape as star-for-prospect swaps. The Arraez situation was unique in that the Twins had Jorge Polanco and Alex Kirilloff on hand, with Edouard Julien in the wings. Minnesota's front office also seemed to harbor some doubt about Arraez's outlook—which has been largely validated. Like I said, it's a difficult needle to thread, but it's not impossible. The Twins have shown there's a path to win/win trades of this nature that ultimately make both clubs better. Can they find a match this time? The Boston Red Sox stand out as a potential partner, with rumors swirling around the availability of Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu. I'm curious if any other fits come to mind. Sound off in the comments, and let us know what it would take for you to get on board with a Pablo López trade this offseason. View the full article

Much was expected of Joey Ortiz coming into the 2025 campaign. After spending most of the previous season at third base, Ortiz moved to shortstop to make up for the departure of Willy Adames to the San Francisco Giants. Ortiz played nearly 84% of all shortstop innings for Milwaukee, but was removed for a pinch-hitter 34 times during the season, spotlighting his less-than-stellar bat. Andruw Monasterio made 21 starts at the ‘6,’ while Brice Turang and Caleb Durbin moved over to short three times each to finish games. (Stats are from 2025, while age is as of the start of the 2026 season.) PRIMARY STARTER Joey Ortiz AB: 470, H: 108, 2B: 18, 3B: 1, HR: 7, RBI: 45, .230/.276/.317; K: 74, BB: 27, SB: 14 DRS: -2, OAA: +12 Age: 27 Ortiz saw most of his offensive numbers decline from the previous season. His home-run total dropped from 11 to 7, and his walk rate was cut in half. The only thing that showed improvement was his strikeout rate, which dropped from 20.2% to 14.6%. Ortiz’s average exit velocity dropped from 87.8 mph to 84.9; his barrel percentage dropped from 4.6% to 3.0%; and his hard-hit percentage dropped from 38.4% to 32.8%. No wonder he only had 26 extra-base hits in 2025, compared to 42 the previous year. Ortiz missed 10 games at the end of August due to a left hamstring injury, and after he returned, he collected only two extra-base hits among 15 base hits during September. Defensively, Ortiz is still an above-average defender, with plus hands and instincts and more than enough arm for shortstop. On the bases, Ortiz is a good runner, and after 25 steals in his first two years, he could become a 20-steal guy for the running Brewers. Is the third time (season) the charm for Ortiz? A fast start to the season is a must for him, because he has at least two top prospects nipping at his heels. True, Brewer Fanatic top prospect Jesús Made and No. 3 Cooper Pratt are probably at least a year away, but the Brewers might consider calling Pratt up earlier—especially if Ortiz continues to fall short of his potential. BACK-UPS Andruw Monasterio AB: 126, H: 34, 2B: 9, 3B: 0, HR: 4, RBI: 16, .270/.319/.437; K: 32, BB: 7, SB: 6 DRS: -1, OAA: 0 Age: 28 Monasterio had perhaps his best year in 2025, his third campaign in the big leagues. His batting average, slugging average, and OPS+ (109) were career bests. His walk rate (5.2%) and strikeout rate (23.7%) are both worse than average, but he showed some pop and speed and played decent defense, which is all you really need from a backup player. On defense, his numbers weren’t great, but they weren’t terrible. He has good speed on the bases and would probably steal at least 20 bags if he got 400 at-bats. Monasterio started 21 games at short, eight at second base, and five at the hot corner, the latter being his main home in 2023 and 2024. He can also play first base or left field in a pinch. In other words, he is a valuable, versatile player. Others Brice Turang, Caleb Durbin MINOR LEAGUE PROSPECTS/DEPTH Cooper Pratt AB: 437, H: 104, 2B: 22, 3B: 1, HR: 8, RBI: 62, .238/.343/.348; K: 80, BB: 67, SB: 31 (Stats from Double-A Biloxi) Age: 21 Pratt was a sixth-round pick in 2023 and has moved up the ladder nicely in his first three years as a pro. Although his slash numbers all dropped off last season, he set career highs with 22 doubles, 62 RBIs, and 67 bases on balls. Both his walk rate (12.7%) and his strikeout rate (15.2%) are solidly above-average. His 6-foot-4 frame should fill out, and he should show 15-20-homer power. He won a minor league Gold Glove in 2024 and has good instincts and a good arm. Although given only a 50 grade for running, he has stolen 62 of 70 bases in his pro career, an impressive 88% success rate. Depending on what the Brewers choose to do with him and Jesús Made, it appears that Pratt will start at Triple-A Nashville while Made gets more experience at Biloxi. Jesús Made AB: 453, H: 129, 2B: 28, 3B: 6, HR: 6, RBI: 61, .285/.379/.413; K: 108, BB: 67, SB: 47 (Stats combined from Low-A Carolina, High-A Wisconsin, and Double-A Biloxi) Age: 18 Made has done everything the Brewers had hoped for when they signed him as an international free agent in 2024. He hits for average, shows some in-game power, plays solid defense, and steals bases at an 81% success rate, with 75 stolen bases in just 166 games as a professional. His 2025 strikeout rate was about average, at 20.6%, while his walk rate was a robust 12.8%. He had 40 extra-base hits and 47 steals over three levels during the season. Again, he and Pratt are two top prospects fighting for one spot, but it is possible that one of them will move to third base while the other stays at shortstop. Next season will tell us a lot. Other Minor League Depth Freddy Zamora, Nashville Raynel Delgado, Nashville Ethan Murray, Biloxi/Nashville These three guys are organizational depth, rather than prospects, but any of the three could fill in for a short period in an emergency for the Brewers. Conclusion Shortstop is in good hands for the foreseeable future, with Ortiz, Made, and Pratt. The best-case scenario would be if Ortiz steps up his game and allows the other two to ripen at Nashville and Biloxi. The worst case will be if Ortiz falls apart offensively and either Made or Pratt need to make an earlier-than-expected trip to Uecker Field. But even that wouldn’t be so bad. View the full article

The Arizona Fall League has officially come to a close as the Surprise Saguaros defeated the Peoria Javelinas 9-4 in the championship game. For fans of the Boston Red Sox, no one really cares about that if we're being honest. The prospects from the organization finished playing on November 12. Three games were played in the final week by the Salt River Rafters as the prospects got their final game action until spring training. Across the week, the Rafters went 2-1, with Red Sox prospects getting some limited action. From a pitching standpoint, only two pitchers from the Red Sox saw any action. Jay Allmer pitched in one game, throwing 1/3 of an inning where he tossed 11 pitches. In that 1/3 of an inning, Allmer faced two batters, walking one and striking out the other. The lone strikeout was on a 79.4 mph slider. For his efforts, Allmer was credited with the win after the Rafters took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Allmer finished his fall league season with a 10.80 ERA in seven games. In that span, he won one game and allowed six earned runs across five innings on four hits and nine walks. He also struck out three. The only other pitcher to see action was Brandon Neely, who struggled in his final appearance. Tossing one inning, Neely allowed three runs to score on two walks and a hit. That lone hit was a home run. He also struck out one batter. Neely entered the game in the fifth inning and immediately walked his first batter. To his benefit, he managed to get the next two batters out on a fly ball to center field and then a strikeout where he managed to get Cole Mathis to chase a slider down in the dirt. It would fall apart after that, as the second walk of the inning was followed by a double steal before Owen Ayers took a 2-2 curveball and deposited it 426 feet deep into right-center. Neely got out of the inning thanks to a groundout, but the damage was already done. Neely finished his fall league season appearing in five games and making one start. He tossed 10 innings and allowed 12 earned runs on 16 hits and eight walks. He also managed to strike out 11 batters. Luis Perales did not pitch this week, bringing his season to a close with six starts where he threw a combined 11 1/3 innings. In that span, he allowed 14 runs, 13 earned, on 16 hits and 11 walks. However, despite the inconsistency, Perales flashed potential as he generated several whiffs on his way to 19 strikeouts thanks in part to a fastball he managed to throw over 100 mph. Perales’ season culminated in a Fall-Star selection. Jojo Ingrassia was another pitcher who finished his season in the previous week, pitching in five games and making two starts. The left-hander tossed 10 innings and allowed 11 runs, 10 earned on 14 hits and nine walks. He also managed to strike out 13 batters as he worked to make up for a very short minor league season this year. Prior to his time in Arizona, Ingrassia only tossed 17 innings for Greenville. Isaac Stebens is the final pitcher on the River Rafters from the organization, and he also did not get any game action this week. His season concluded with eight appearances where he threw just seven innings. After a dominating year with Greenville, Stebens may have put together the most consistent fall season as he allowed just five runs, three earned, on eight hits and six walks. While his WHIP of 2.00 could have been lower, Stebens showed an ability to limit runners on base from scoring against him. [Editor's Note: None of the pitchers had particularly "great" fall seasons, but the AFL is an offense-first league. More pitchers had an ERA above 7.00 than those that had a sub-3.00 ERA this year.] Offensively, all three position players got into games during the shortened week. Nelly Taylor played the least, appearing in just one game in the last week when he played center field. The seldom-used outfielder would go 0-for-3 in his lone appearance, striking out twice. The performance brought his fall league season to an end as he appeared in 13 games, hitting just .139/.289/.139 with two RBIs and seven stolen bases. Johanfran Garcia played in all three games, suiting up at catcher just once as he was the team’s designated hitter for the other two. Across the three games Garcia went 2-for-9 with a double, one RBI, and two strikeouts. Overall, it was a good fall season for the 20-year-old catcher, as he continued to get regular reps. Despite a stat line of just .224/.350/.388, Garcia put up an OPS of .738 thanks in part to his 12 walks, five doubles and two home runs. He also drove in 10 runs across his 19 games played. Defensively, he caught 84 innings behind the plate without committing a single error. He did, however, allow two passed balls and only threw out 18% of base stealers, allowing 27 successful steals. Finally, Stanley Tucker appeared in all three games at second base and went 2-for-9 with one strikeout. Tucker also stole one base to bring his final total up to 13 steals. Tucker was the most consistent prospect sent by the Red Sox and played well throughout his stay in Arizona, shown by the fact he appeared in 24 games for the Rafters. Across the season, he ended up hitting .278/.374/.316 but had an OPS of just .690 due to a lack of slugging; he hit just three doubles while the remainder of his hits were all singles. Despite that, he managed to drive in 15 runs and, as previously mentioned, stole 13 bases. Due to his stellar play, Tucker was a Fall-Star. The 2025 Arizona Fall League is officially over. While the season may not have gone perfectly for every Red Sox prospect, it gave these players a chance to make up for lost time and continue their development with live game action. Now, they’ll have to take the lessons they learned and use them to improve even further as players in 2026 and beyond. View the full article

According to multiple reports, the Cubs are among the teams with significant interest in Michael King. That's just preliminary speculation, but it's interesting, because (according to a source familiar with their thinking) the Cubs still view signing King as an option even after Shota Imanaga accepted the qualifying offer on Tuesday, King, who enters his age-31 season next spring, ranked 13th on DiamondCentric's top 50 free agents list, and we project him to find a four-year deal worth $75 million. Right now, however, the Cubs project to spend about $70 million on their existing rotation for 2026. Adding King to the mix would push that number to roughly $90 million, and it would force at least one pitcher whom both the team and the player themselves see as a starter into relief work. Even if Chicago uses a six-man rotation to open next season, it would go something like: Cade Horton King Imanaga Matthew Boyd Jameson Taillon Colin Rea That would leave Javier Assad out of the mix to begin the campaign, and it would mean pushing Rea (or someone else, perhaps) to the bullpen once Steele returns from Tommy John surgery. That's not a deal-breaker in and of itself, because both Assad and Rea have experience in the bullpen, but it's probably incorrect to assume they'll use a six-man rotation, too. There are too many days off in the new version of the MLB schedule to make that the best use of a limited pool of pitchers. Thus, even without Steele, signing another high-end free agent would push both Rea and Assad to the pen, unless and until someone gets hurt. The team should plan for injuries, especially with this group. Thus, the logistical hurdles to signing a player like King are relatively trivial. However, the issue of the salary King is likely to command is harder to work around. Chicago owes Dansby Swanson, Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Nico Hoerner and Carson Kelly a combined $83.75 million, and they have holes to fill in both the positional corps and the bullpen. Pushing their collective spending on the rotation as high as signing King would might interfere with their plans. Much hinges on what the Ricketts family is willing to spend in 2026. They should have another $60 million to commit to players this winter, even after Imanaga returned—but it could turn out to be more like $40 million, and the difference there being similar to what King would earn on an annual basis is a telling coincidence. Since King turned down a qualifying offer, it would also cost the Cubs a draft pick to sign him. That's not a deal-breaker, either, because the team is likely to receive a pick when Kyle Tucker signs elsewhere, but the small problems with signing a top-flight starter keep adding up. For a pitcher who profiles more like an ace, it'd be easier to look past all the drawbacks to acquiring him. Alas, he's battled frequent injury trouble, and even when on the mound, his stuff didn't stand out in 2025. King does have a very heavy sinker, and that pitch and his sweeper play gorgeously off one another to righties. To lefties, his four-seamer and changeup play well. He offers a lot to dream on; the 2024 version of him was a solid No. 2 starter. Unfortunately, it's not clear that his injury issues are entirely behind him. Signing him would give the rotation much-needed upside, but not the swing-and-miss element that has been missing for years. It would also constrain their efforts to round out the lineup and replace most of their bullpen. The workaround, of course, is to trade someone from the existing group as they sign King, thereby keeping some money free to spend elsewhere while making the upgrade from whomever they replace to King. The best candidate for that is Taillon, whom they're set to pay $18 million in the final season of a four-year deal. Taillon, 34, had a 121 DRA- last year, marking him as far worse than an average starter, and his strikeout rate has been under 19% in each of the last two seasons. For those very reasons, though, Taillon has virtually no trade value. We could be heading toward a situation similar to the one the Cubs ended up in with Cody Bellinger last year. After planning for life without Bellinger and expecting him to opt out of his deal, the Cubs had to pivot when the slugger elected to opt in. They needed someone better than him, so they traded for Kyle Tucker, but that left them needing to get rid of a player with little trade value. They dumped him for Cody Poteet, whom they wouldn't even hold onto through spring training. It would be wasteful to trade Taillon that way this winter, but it might be necessary, in the wake of another failure to figure out what a key player would do upon studying their options in the marketplace. If the Cubs want to sign King, they probably need to move Taillon, to save themselves the flexibility they need to get better. Starved for leverage, they won't get much back. View the full article

The San Diego Padres registered their first notable transaction of the 2025-26 offseason earlier this week, bringing back pitcher Kyle Hart on a one-year deal with a 2027 option. It's not a needle-mover in any sense, but given the absence of depth in the pitching staff at present, it's the kind of necessary move (at a low price point) that the organization is likely going to seek as they build out their staff for next season. But determining exactly where Hart fits in the staff ahead of next season is anyone's guess. The numbers weren't great in his first season stateside after a year in South Korea. Deployed out of the gate as the fifth starter, Hart's first 21 innings featured a 6.00 ERA and 6.18 FIP across five starts in March and April. That the early season sample includes a six-inning, zero-run start against Colorado speaks to how brutal the rest of his outings were to start the year. As a result, Hart found himself bound for El Paso until July, save for a quick start at the end of May. When Hart returned, it was exclusively in relief. The results remained mixed, but at least not in a way that was putting an extra burden on an already-heavily-utilized relief corps. All told, Hart finished with a 6.66 ERA, a 6.56 FIP, a 15.5 percent strikeout rate, and a 5.5 percent walk rate as a starter (25.2 innings). As a reliever (17.1 innings), he checked in at a 4.67 ERA, a 3.14 FIP, a 29.0 percent strikeout rate, and a 10.1 percent walk rate. On the surface, it's an easy call. Hart was more effective as a reliever, not only in terms of statistical outcomes but in underlying trends. Being more matchup-centric worked in his favor as his hard hit rate was cut by eight percent (20.0) while he generated groundballs at a rate roughly 13 percent higher than as a starter (41.0). And while it's easy to declare matchups as the reason for his success, it's at least a little bit more complicated than that. The following is Hart's pitch usage from 2025: What's interesting is that against left-handed hitters, Hart never threw a changeup or a splitter. In every month, he peppered lefty hitters with sinkers and sweepers, as his cumulative pitch distribution would indicate. But righties weren't getting even close to the same mix. Not that you should expect them to. When Hart was working in relief, though, right-handed hitters saw more changeups in August than any other pitch type while the splitter was his second-most-used offering. It speaks to the overall chaos that one might expect to see when looking at Hart's pitch mix exclusively against righties: It's the look of a guy who didn't necessarily know what he wanted to do. Meanwhile, he was getting decimated by hitters of the opposite handedness. His .359 wOBA allowed versus righty hitters was more than 120 points higher than it was against lefties (.237). His strikeout rate was three percent lower (19.7 percent) and his walk rate three percent higher (8.2 percent) when he was facing a right-handed hitter as opposed to a left-handed one. His hard contact rate (by FanGraphs' reporting of it) was about 20 percent higher when facing a hitter of the opposite handedness. When you combine the chaos of Hart's mix against right-handed hitters with the actual results, you very much have the look of a guy who you want to deploy as more of a specialist (or, at least what can be deemed a specialist given the minimum-batter requirement for relievers these days). And it's not as if there's a real argument to be made at this point, either. Hart was considerably better as a reliever and vastly better against lefties. Keeping him in relief allows you to meld the two and find some sustainable results. How well that matches up against reality, however, remains to be seen. Exclusively working as a reliever is the obvious path. But the Padres likely signed Hart with an eye on a sort of swingman role considering an absence of starting depth (or, you know, actual starters) at present. Which means that some work is going to have to be done with his usage and the subsequent command to get him going toward at least an average track against right-handed hitters. Because the "success vs. lefties, throw everything to righties and find out if any of it works" modus operandi as a starter is exactly what the Padres do not need from Kyle Hart in 2026. View the full article

Joe Ryan is the most likely man to be traded by the Twins this offseason. Even with some down starts in August and September, he can still net a valuable return in prospects and MLB talent if the Twins do end up moving him. Jamie and Jeremy explore some teams whose talent could net the Twins a valuable return for the long haul. View the full article

Shota Imanaga accepted the qualifying offer to return to the Chicago Cubs. What does it mean for the rotation and could Chicago still go big game hunting for another arm? Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-north-side-baseball-podcast/id1798599313 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75wMGhBwlrDDYPt3kaF453 Listen on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-the-north-side-baseball-po-268998437/ Listen on Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/eey7h6ih Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@northsidebaseball View the full article

Late Tuesday afternoon, MLB organizations had to set their 40-man rosters, forcing club decision-makers to decide which prospects to protect from Rule 5 Draft eligibility. The Minnesota Twins elected to protect six players: pitchers Connor Prielipp, Kendry Rojas, Andrew Morris, John Klein, and position players Gabriel Gonzalez and Hendry Mendez. All six could impact the major-league club in some capacity next season. Yet, Minnesota could add more reinforcements to its 40-man roster during the Rule 5 Draft on December 10, with hopes of them becoming immediate contributors at the major-league level. Here are four pitchers whose names are worth filing away. Peter Heubeck Selected in the third round of the 2021 MLB Draft, Heubeck has spent his first five seasons in affiliated ball in the Los Angeles Dodgers system, progressing from the Arizona Complex League to Double A. The 23-year-old has yet to break out; he doesn't throw enough strikes. He walked or plunked 13.7% of opposing batters in 2025. Yet, his fastball, slider, and curve all profile as above-average, making the career starter an attractive candidate to transition into a relief role at the major-league level. The position group most likely to be targeted by Minnesota (and everyone else) in the Rule 5 Draft is relievers. That's just the nature of the draft. Heubeck is one of the more intriguing arms left unprotected, and given that his two primary pitches are a fastball and slider (a combination the front office seeks out in its relievers), the hard-throwing righty is an the Twins could select on Dec. 10. If picked by Minnesota, Heubeck would join Prielipp, Morris, Klein, and other young arms in competing for a spot in the club's Opening Day bullpen. Peyton Pallette Last December, the Chicago White Sox benefited from the Rule 5 Draft more than any other club, selecting Shane Smith with the first overall pick. The young right-handed starting pitcher earned an All-Star nod in his first season with the Southsiders, solidifying himself as a mid-rotation arm. This December, the Twins could give the White Sox a taste of their own medicine by plucking Pallette. Sporting one of the most effective curves in the minors, the 24-year-old excelled at missing bats last season, generating a 32.5% strikeout rate over 64 1/3 innings pitched. The young righty complemented his curve with a serviceable four-seam fastball that hovers around 95 MPH and a plus changeup. He also has a slider with unusually good depth. A little refinement (adding a cutter, perhaps, or fixing the shape on his four-seamer) could turn him into a high-leverage weapon right away. Jedixson Paez Last offseason, the Twins selected Eiberson Castellano with the ninth pick of the Rule 5 Draft. It was a bet on his plus stuff carving out a role for him in the club's Opening Day bullpen. Unfortunately, Castellano's command was inconsistent, forcing the Twins to return him to the Philadelphia Phillies. Paez is the complete opposite of Castellano, making him an intriguing option if the club pursues a different type of reliever this December. Landing in the 10th spot of Eric Longenhagen's updated Boston Red Sox prospect rankings, the 21-year-old Paez is described as a "command artist". Longenhagen hung a 70 future command grade (on the 20-80 prospect ranking scale) on Paez. The young right-hander has near-elite control over his secondary pitches, highlighted by a plus slider, changeup, and cutter. His primary pitch is a velocity-deficient four-seam fastball that hovers around 90-91 MPH. Still, if he transitioned to a full-time reliever, his fastball would likely see a velocity bump. Despite not pitching above High A, Paez is a fascinating arm who could blossom on the strength of his control. Brendan Beck The New York Yankees suffered a raid of their high-minors right-handed pitching talent in the 2023 Rule 5 Draft, with right-handed arms Mitch Spence, Matt Sauer, and Carson Coleman all being poached by other organizations. They got a reprieve last offseason, with no arms being taken by other organizations. Yet, they could be due for another mass exodus next month, after failing to protect high-upside arms in Henry Lalane, Brock Selvidge, and Hueston Morrill. All three of these pitchers could be selected. Yet, the arm that stands out the most is right-handed pitching prospect Brendan Beck. Drafted in the second round in 2021, Beck has flourished in the Yankees' farm system, posting an ERA under 2.00 in his young professional career. Sporting a plus four-seam fastball and slider and near-elite command, the 27-year-old mustered a respectable 3.36 ERA, 3.79 FIP, and a 23.6% strikeout rate over 131 1/3 innings as a starter between Double A and Triple A last season. The righty has operated exclusively as a starter. He would transition into a full-time reliever in Minnesota, with hopes that the club's pitching development staff would unlock more velocity from his fastball, which hovers around 92 MPH. View the full article

The offseason has barely begun, but the Minnesota Twins already find themselves at the center of some of the most complicated pitching rumors in baseball. With the team coming off another frustrating finish and the front office operating under unclear ownership direction, insiders have turned their attention toward the future of Minnesota’s top starters. Joe Ryan and Pablo Lopez remain foundational pieces, but the possibility of a major rotation shakeup is gaining traction. What makes this situation particularly unique is the number of external factors influencing the Twins’ decision-making. Injuries, contract considerations, labor uncertainty, and an ownership transition have collided, and Derek Falvey was standing at the intersection where they did so. The result is an offseason outlook that feels more unpredictable than any Minnesota has faced in recent memory. As national reporters continue to weigh in, the picture around the Twins’ rotation becomes more complex. Pablo López Appears More Likely To Be Moved Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that the Twins are “more likely” to trade Pablo López than Joe Ryan as the club explores ways to reshape its roster. López is owed over $43 million through 2027, and his recent performance complicates the picture. A forearm issue limited him to just 14 starts in 2025, and he threw 75 2/3 innings with a strong 3.19 FIP but a middling 17 K-BB%. He had been one of baseball’s more reliable arms during his early Twins tenure, but his performance has seen peaks and valleys. At age 30, López still carries name value, but his trade stock is at its lowest point with the Twins, forcing the club to deal from a position of weakness. Passan Says One Co-Ace Could Go, But Not Both National attention intensified with ESPN’s Jeff Passan writing that “the Twins will deal one of their co-aces but not both.” He noted that both pitchers’ circumstances will be influenced by the possibility of a lockout, because their team control runs through the 2027 campaign. That uncertainty is muddying the market, as teams attempt to calculate risk before giving up premium prospects. If front offices are afraid to commit significant resources before labor clarity arrives, the Twins may be forced to accept an offer that falls short of internal expectations. It places the front office in a difficult position as they attempt to balance long-term value with short-term roster needs. Rosenthal Highlights Falvey’s Balancing Act The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal painted a picture of a front office trying to stay upright in heavy winds. Derek Falvey emphasized that he remains committed to improving a roster that has fallen short in back-to-back seasons. The message from the GM Meetings was clear. “I remain personally committed to figuring out what are the ways we can add to this group to make it better,” Falvey said in Las Vegas. “That is my goal. It was my stated goal before and remains my stated goal until I’m told otherwise. … My focus for now is figuring out ways we can add to the group.” Falvey wants to add talent and believes the core can still be supplemented in meaningful ways. The urgent question is whether ownership shares that sentiment. At the trade deadline, Falvey was instructed to dismantle rather than reinforce, and that disconnect remains a central storyline. With two new groups of investors awaiting league approval, the chain of command could shift. Until that happens, both Ryan and López remain possible trade candidates as the front office waits for clearer marching orders. A Fan Base Left In Limbo For Twins fans, the throughline in all these reports is uncertainty. López might be the more likely trade chip, but his value is depressed. Other clubs covet Ryan, but dealing him would create a massive hole in the rotation. National reporters suggest that only one will be moved, but a potential lockout clouds the market. Above it all stands an ownership group that has not yet finalized its internal transition. Falvey has acknowledged that the Twins may not have a firm direction until minority ownership approval is completed. That delay could stall major trade talks and limit the team’s ability to pursue meaningful free agents. Minnesota’s offseason will ultimately hinge on clarity from the top. Until that arrives, the front office, the players, and the fan base remain stuck in a holding pattern. The Twins are navigating an offseason marked by more uncertainty than resolve. Trade conversations involving Ryan and López remain fluid, and the market is affected by conditions beyond baseball operations’ control. If ownership does not provide direction soon, the window for transformational additions could close quickly. Minnesota still has a chance to strengthen its roster, but the path forward will depend on decisive leadership and a clear organizational vision. Should the Twins trade one of their top starters or hold firm until the ownership situation settles? How much should the looming lockout impact trade decisions? Share your thoughts and join the discussion below. View the full article

The Boston Red Sox don’t need to sign Kyle Schwarber. I hate saying that—I wrote back in early October that the Red Sox needed to add a middle-of-the-order slugger this offseason and I highlighted Schwarber specifically, but that was more of a knee-jerk reaction to the situation than anything else. Schwarber means a lot to Boston even though he only spent half a season with the organization in 2021. He took on the ‘Kyle from Waltham’ persona with grace and embraced the city in a way that few other trade additions have in recent memory. Had the Red Sox made him a competitive offer after the '21 season, we likely wouldn’t be having this conversation and he would be well on his way to establishing himself as another impact DH like David Ortiz and J.D. Martinez before him. That didn’t happen though, and Schwarber has been hitting dingers for the Phillies since 2022. His power would be welcome in Boston, but his lack of positional adaptability makes him an even more imperfect option than Masataka Yoshida, and that’s saying something. Schwarber doesn’t fix the first base problem, even though he’s logged some innings there in the past. Playing him in the outfield further complicates things in an already extremely crowded player group that, for some reason, just added Kristian Campbell as a potential option as well. To put it frankly, he’s a terrible defender and would only be signed as a power-hitting DH. The are a couple of offensive knocks against Schwarber too, despite his prodigious pop. First, his strikeout percentage is awful. In 2025, he registered a 27.2% strikeout rate, which ranked in the 11th percentile. The Red Sox are a strikeout-heavy team as it is; they registered a 22.9% strikeout rate as a team, the tenth-most in all of baseball. Adding Schwarber, who strikes out almost 5% more than the team as a whole, puts even more swing and miss in the batter’s box. This team can ill-afford to have that when they struggle to score runs for multiple games. Streakiness can be survived during the regular season, but a cold stretch in October means an early vacation. To go along with his high strikeout rate, Schwarber’s whiff percentage came in at 33.1% in 2025, good for the fifth percentile league-wide. He’s taking hacks, but he’s missing a ton. Yes, when he makes contact it often goes quite far, but he’s got holes in his swing that will be exploited by the AL East’s top pitchers next season. He's averaged more than 200 strikeouts per year over the past four seasons, leading the NL in that category in both 2022 and 2023. Finally, Schwarber is left-handed. I’m not saying this is the reason the Red Sox won’t be in on him, but a lot was made out of the fact that this team was dominated by left-handed hitters over the last couple of seasons. They already have Triston Casas coming back into the fold and they could bring Nathaniel Lowe back to platoon at first base as well. It’s entirely possible that Schwarber could be the type of left-handed hitter capable of taking aim at the Green Monster in the opposite field like so many other great lefties that have played for this team. Even then, that money is better spent elsewhere, like on someone who could take over first base on a full-time basis (or, ideally, play second or third base). This team is so close to being a powerhouse in the American League. With just a couple of additions, the Red Sox can serve as a serious challenger in the AL East. Adding Schwarber provides pop, no doubt. But his red flags are too similar to that of the current core's; adding someone who can balance the scales would be a better bet from the front office this offseason. View the full article

The Marlins are shopping for a veteran high-leverage reliever this offseason. They won't be landing Raisel Iglesias, who has returned to the Atlanta Braves on a one-year, $16 million deal.View the full article

On Monday, I looked at the 11th through 15th-best prospects in the Kansas City Royals system. The list focused on a couple of international shortstops (including one who made progress in the AFL this past fall), a pitcher who made his MLB debut, a pitcher eligible for the Rule 5 Draft who wasn't added to the 40-man roster, and one who was, but is coming off an injury-plagued 2025 campaign. In part three of Royals Keep's Top 20 Prospect rankings, I will look at the 6th through 10th-best prospects in the Royals system. That includes a couple of recently drafted position players out of high school, a couple of international position players who primarily played in Low-A Columbia in 2025, and a polished pitcher drafted out of Tennessee in 2024 who pitched well in High-A Quad Cities. 10th: Asbel Gonzalez, OF (Highest Level: Low-A) The 19-year-old Venezuelan outfielder played in 115 games in his first full Minor League season in Columbia. After a hot start, he wore down a bit at the end of the year, slashing .239/.365/.289 with a .654 OPS. He also showed little power, with only one home run and an ISO of .051. However, he scored 82 runs and collected 78 RBI with the Fireflies last season. When he was fresh and locked in, Gonzalez demonstrated a high-contact, disciplined approach, as illustrated by his 0.63 BB/K ratio. Furthermore, he showed in Columbia that he could spray the ball all over the field, with his speed allowing him to stretch extra bases on hits. While the bat wasn't anything too special, Gonzalez flashed one elite tool in Low-A ball, which explains why he ranked No. 10: his speed. Gonzalez set a Fireflies franchise record with 78 stolen bases last season. Not only was that the highest in Columbia history, but it was also the highest stolen base total for a Royals prospect since 1988. As a result, Gonzalez was named Willie Wilson Baserunner of the Year by the Royals, which goes to the best baserunner in the Kansas City farm system. He was caught 26 times last season, which is higher than what the Royals would like to see for a prospect with his speed tool. That said, as a teenager, the grind of the Carolina League slate seemed to get to him. In 68 games and 303 plate appearances from Opening Day until June 30th, he hit .270, stole 55 bases, and was caught 16 times, for a 29% caught-stealing rate. From July 1st to the end of the season, he hit .192, stole 23 bases, and was caught 10 times, for a 43% caught-stealing rate. Gonzalez was promoted to Double-A to help them in their stretch run of the season, but his fatigue seemed to be on full display, as he hit .167 in eight plate appearances. At 6'2, 170 pounds, Gonzalez has an athletic frame that could help him hit for more power as he fills out. Even if the power never fully comes, his plate discipline, contact ability, and Major League-ready speed should help him get to the big leagues, as a bench outfielder at the very least. 9th: Drew Beam, RHP (Highest Level: High-A) Beam was a third-round pick out of the University of Tennessee who signed an overslot deal worth $1,097,500 in the 2024 MLB Draft. The right-handed pitcher didn't pitch at all professionally after getting drafted due to the Volunteers' run in the College World Series. However, he indeed thrived in his first taste of professional experience. In 26 games and 131.2 IP with the Quad Cities River Bandits, Beam posted a 3.83 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and K-BB% of 14.9%. The 22-year-old was not a high-strikeout pitcher with the River Bandits. However, he showcased excellent control (5.6% walk rate) and kept the ball in the yard (0.55 HR/9). As a result, he posted a 3.35 FIP, which was much better than his ERA last season. Beam showed a better strikeout ability at the beginning of the season, which was evident in some of his early starts with Quad Cities in April and May. From High-A Opening Day until June 29th, Beam posted a 2.95 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 21.4% K rate, and 16.2% K-BB% in 15 starts. From June 30th to the end of the season? He posted a 5.04 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 19.3% K rate, and 13.2% K-BB%. Much like Gonzalez, Beam seemed to hit a wall in the second half in his first full exposure to professional competition. Despite this, the former Volunteer may be one of the best pitchers in the Royals' lower minors right now. He sports a solid four-pitch mix that includes a four-seamer, curveball, cutter, and changeup. Like many Royals pitchers in the system, he doesn't have an elite pitch. Still, the combination of his diverse repertoire and strong command makes him an effective and efficient pitcher with middle-of-the-rotation upside at the Major League level. Noah Cameron hit a similar wall in 2023 in his first full professional season. Thus, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Beam, much like Cameron in 2024, rebound from that experience, do much better in 2026, and put himself in a position to make the Opening Day rotation in 2027. His profile and approach feel very similar to a right-handed Cameron (but with more fastball upside). 8th: Ramon Ramirez, C (Highest Level: Low-A) Going into the 2025 season, one could argue that Ramirez was every bit as elite a catching prospect as Carter Jensen and Blake Mitchell. After Jensen's sensational season, that comparison has faded a bit today, but that shouldn't diminish the upside the 20-year-old Venezuelan catcher possesses. In 70 games and 307 plate appearances with the Fireflies, Ramirez slashed .244/.339/.442 with a .781 OPS. Unlike Mitchell, who struck out in bunches in Low-A and High-A ball over the past two years, Ramirez only struck out 21.7% of the time and posted a BB/K ratio of 0.55. He also showcased excellent pop in the Carolina League with a 13.9% HR/FB rate. Injuries limited him somewhat, which explains why he had only 307 plate appearances last season with the Fireflies. When healthy, however, he showed a solid approach at the plate and solid skills behind it. Ramirez doesn't have the defensive upside or athleticism of Jensen or Mitchell. However, he has a polished receiving tool that could at least make him a serviceable backup at the Major League level. His arm strength is also above-average and could profile similarly at the Major League level to other Royals catchers from Venezuela like Freddy Fermin and Salvador Perez (though he could stand to improve his 19% caught-stealing rate last year). The key for Ramirez in the future will be his bat, which is mature for his age. In 170 plate appearances in the Complex League in 2024, he posted a 0.62 BB/K ratio and hit 2.65 with seven home runs in 203 plate appearances in Arizona. He hits too many groundballs for a player with his power and batted-ball ability (40% GB rate last year), but he can truly crush balls when he elevates them properly. How Ramirez meshes with the new hitting development team will be interesting to watch, especially as he matriculates to High-A Quad Cities in 2026. 7th: Josh Hammond, 3B (Highest Level: High School) Hammond was the 28th overall pick in the 2025 MLB draft and the Royals' second selection in that particular draft. However, many scouts believed that Hammond was the Royals' top overall selection last season, given his upside and potential. The son of a college coach, Hammond was a two-way player who showed excellent bat speed and batted-ball ability, not just a prep player, but in pre-draft workouts. Here's what MLB Pipeline said about Hammond in their own scouting report, pointing out not just his power, but his mature decision-making at the plate for a teenager. Hammond did get some time in the instructional league and seemed to hold his own, according to reports. While no public stats are shared about his time there, he did showcase his power, as evidenced in this clip below from the Royals Player Development account. There's definitely a maturity in the way he carries himself at the plate, even in that limited sample clip. However, he will be much more challenged in Low-A Columbia, where he likely will play in his first full-season experience. How he handles not just professional pitching, but the grind of "bus league" ball could determine his long-term outlook, as the physical tools are there for Hammond to be successful at the plate and on the field (his arm is a plus tool due to his pitching background). The Royals tend to move more slowly with prospects drafted out of high school, and there's no reason to think that they won't do that with Hammond. However, a strong start in Columbia could make the Royals more aggressive about promoting to High-A later in 2026. 6th: Sean Gamble, OF/2B (Highest Level: High School) Gamble was the Royals' first selection in the 2025 MLB Draft, going 23rd overall, five picks before Hammond. The prep prospect was drafted out of IMG Academy, but he grew up in Iowa with an affinity for the Royals. The 19-year-old doesn't have the raw power or batted-ball upside of Hammond just yet. However, Gamble profiles as a better athlete who not only has blazing speed on the basepaths and gap-to-gap power, but is capable of playing multiple positions in the outfield and infield. Looking at his scouting report on MLB Pipeline, it seems the Royals' scouting department valued Gamble's versatility and his ability to grow into his athletic frame as he progressed in the farm system. It was tough to discern between Gamble and Hammond as to who is the better prospect in the Royals' system (especially since both have no professional experience). Hammond definitely seems to have more polish now, especially offensively, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Hammond come out of the gate better in Low-A Columbia than his fellow draft classmate. However, Gamble has more upside and versatility, with the ability to be an accurate multi-position weapon, which fits what is needed in the modern MLB game. That gives Gamble the edge over Hammond as a prospect, for now. View the full article

The free agency floodgates have cracked open. The Miami Marlins' first catch of the 2025-26 offseason is right-hander Evan McKendry, who has signed a minor league deal which includes an invite to spring training, as announced on Tuesday by McKendry's agent, Gavin Kahn. Entering his age-28 season, McKendry is a former ninth-round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Rays. He got his first taste of Triple-A in 2022, but he's been stuck there ever since. This past season, he pitched 87 ⅓ innings (24 G/14 GS) with a 5.26 ERA for the AAA affiliates of the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago White Sox. Although he has demonstrated sharp control as a pro, he's also been homer-prone, even when facing same-handed batters. Regardless of how the rest of this winter unfolds, McKendry will be among the softest throwers in Marlins camp. His four-seam fastball only averages 90.8 mph. His arsenal also includes a sinker, cutter, changeup and sweeper. McKendry will attempt to become the first former Hurricane to play a major league game for the Marlins since Peter O'Brien in 2019. In case you missed it, Kevin Barral and Sean McCormack recently floated the names of 10 other minor league free agents who'd fit well with the Fish. View the full article

With the cutoff for Rule 5 protection on Tuesday night, plenty of teams had to designate players for assignment to make room for prospects on their 40-man roster. As a result, a handful of new players are now available to either claim off waivers or sign with a team when they inevitably become free agents. With the Twins on the lookout for roster upgrades, a few names may make some sense. Jason Foley Foley was a legitimate high-end reliever for the Tigers in 2023 and 2024, combining for 129 innings pitched with an ERA under 3.00. Previously an undrafted free agent, he beat the odds to become a durable and effective relief option for several seasons. A shoulder injury cost him all of 2025, and he's now in search of a new team at 30 years old. At his best, Foley is a power sinkerballer, comfortably sitting in the high 90s on his heater to pair with a dominant slider. Foley has high-leverage experience, which would be a welcome addition to an inexperienced Twins bullpen. Health is the big question mark, as his medicals are surely the reason the Tigers chose not to hold onto him. If Foley can take the mound in 2026, the Twins should be very interested. Nathaniel Lowe This was the worst season of Lowe's career, and it may drop him into the Twins' price range. He posted a .798 OPS from 2022-2024 before a miserable stint with Washington at the beginning of last season. After landing with the Red Sox for the stretch run, he posted a .790 OPS in 34 games. Lowe has been a starting-caliber first baseman for the better part of four years, and may be just what the Twins need at first base. Though left-handed (like the incumbent Kody Clemens), Lowe owns an above-average slash line in his career against southpaws, in addition to crushing righties. He doesn't need to be platooned and posts more respectable walk and strikeout rates than Clemens. His pricey arbitration number was likely the driving factor in the decision to cut him, which means he's likely to hit the open market and have plenty of interest at a lower price tag. If the Twins can make it happen, bringing Lowe in on a prove-it one-year deal makes a lot of sense. Dauri Moreta It was surprising to see the Pirates part with an interesting arm like Moreta, but another team could benefit by giving him a roster spot. The burly righthander is now out of options, so Pittsburgh decided to part ways rather than gamble on his dominant stuff without the ability to shuttle him to the minors. He posted a 31.8% strikeout rate while limiting homers in 2023, before missing 2024 after Tommy John surgery. He flashed that dominance in his return in 2025, and the hope is that he's at 100%, being another year removed from injury. Moreta throws a unique slider that typically draws a whiff rate of around 40%. Pairing it with a mid-90s fastball, he should continue to rack up strikeouts. Moreta looked like a rising star before his injury and still has three years of team control. He's just 29 years old. His raw stuff could immediately drop him into a high-leverage role in 2026, and he could become a premier reliever if everything clicks. Are there any other players in similar circumstances whom you would like to see the Twins claim? Let us know below! View the full article

The Minnesota Twins added six prospects to their 40-man roster in order to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft: Gabriel Gonzalez, John Klein, Hendry Mendez, Andrew Morris, Connor Prielipp, and Kendry Rojas. Klein is a great story, a Minnesota boy who was a long shot to ever make it this far, having originally signed with the Twins as an undrafted free agent. The Twins also acquired reliever Eric Orze from the Rays. He'll step right into the MLB bullpen picture. This video includes some highlights of both Klein and Orze. View the full article

With December's Winter Meetings approaching, free agency rumors around the Blue Jays are intensifying. The central question is whether Bo Bichette will be re-signed. If he doesn't return, a significant void arises in the batting order, and urgent solutions will be needed. Jeff Passan of ESPN reports the Blue Jays want a left-handed hitter to pair with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Kyle Schwarber and Kyle Tucker have been suggested, but they are widely sought after, and each could earn about $34–36 million annually. The Blue Jays may look at less expensive options after losing out on top talent in recent offseasons, including Shohei Ohtani, Roki Sasaki, Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, and Juan Soto. Passan now links the Blue Jays to Cody Bellinger as a more affordable option than Schwarber or Tucker. DiamondCentric projects a six-year, $130 million contract for Bellinger. Last season with the New York Yankees, he hit .272/.334/.480 with 89 runs, 29 home runs, 98 RBIs, an .814 OPS, and a 125 wRC+. He can play any outfield position or first base, though the team values Guerrero's glove at first. George Springer will likely remain the primary designated hitter to stay healthy. The Blue Jays' outfield is crowded with Nathan Lukes, Daulton Varsho, and Anthony Santander returning. However, with Varsho's and Santander's injury histories, a healthier option would be a smart addition, and Lukes can come off the bench. Bellinger has played at least 130 games in each of the last four seasons. As the World Series showed, the Blue Jays need more offense, and if Bichette doesn't return, Bellinger could fill the resulting production gap. Featured image courtesy of Brad Penner, Imagn Images. View the full article

Major League Baseball announced a new media-rights arrangement today that will give ESPN the ability to carry local games for six clubs beginning in 2026 — including the San Diego Padres. While that sounds like a major shake-up, Padres fans won’t see any real changes to how they watch games next season. Padres games will continue to be available through Padres.TV, MLB’s dedicated in-market streaming service that covers the San Diego region and surrounding areas. Anyone who used Padres.TV last year will have the same setup available in 2026. Fans living outside the Padres’ home territory will still rely on MLB.TV, with blackout rules continuing to work as they always have. The new agreement does not alter the local TV distribution plan for 2026. If you watch the Padres through a traditional TV provider, you should find the games on the same channel and carrier you used last season, without needing a different package or tier. The new rights also gives ESPN the ability to distribute some games on its digital platforms, possibly including the ESPN app. MLB hasn’t detailed how often that might happen, but whatever ESPN adds will simply give fans another way to watch—not remove existing options, at least not for 2026. This deal also doesn’t touch who produces the Padres broadcasts. The on-air talent, production teams, and overall presentation should look familiar. Considering the upheaval of 2023–24—when the Padres abruptly transitioned off Bally Sports and MLB stepped in to stabilize distribution—this stretch of consistency is good news. Fans who settled into Padres.TV or who stuck with their cable provider won’t have to relearn anything for 2026. While the announcement may seem minor from a fan’s perspective, it represents a larger strategic shift for MLB. The league is moving toward a more unified national media framework and broadening its streaming reach, a trend that could help balance financial gaps between markets as more teams’ local rights fold into league-controlled deals. View the full article

This afternoon, Major League Baseball announced the anticipated new media-rights agreement granting ESPN rights to distribute local games for six teams beginning in the 2026 season—including the Minnesota Twins. While this represents a significant change in the league’s broader TV and streaming strategy, Twins fans can relax; nothing changes about how you watch games. In-market streaming: Twins.TV will continue to carry all in-market games for fans in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and parts of Wisconsin and Iowa. Out-of-market streaming: MLB.TV remains the option for out-of-market viewers (with the usual blackout rules). The MLB.TV and Twins.TV bundle will remain available. Traditional TV: The deal does not affect 2026 local television distribution. You should continue watching on the same carrier, same channel, and same subscription tier you used last year. In addition, MLB will gain an additional distribution lane and may choose to stream select games on the ESPN app or related platforms. Those specifics haven’t been announced, but whatever ESPN adds will be in addition to, not instead of, Twins.TV or your current TV provider. In addition, this deal should not affect the broadcasts themselves, as it is a distribution rights deal, and doesn’t affect the production of the broadcasts. After last season’s rocky rollout of Twins.TV (including late carrier announcements and MLB server issues on Opening Day), this stability is a welcome development. Fans will be able to watch exactly as Twins Daily's TV/Streaming Guide directed you to in 2025: Twins.TV for streaming, and the same TV provider and channel for cable/satellite. From that standpoint, the announcement is straightforward, but it represents a much bigger deal to MLB. This is an early step toward consolidating national television and streaming rights, which is an especially important development for smaller markets. Unlike the NFL or NBA, where the bulk of television money is shared, local television revenues represent a major difference between large- and small-market teams in MLB. The hope is that grouping most MLB teams into a single deal will help address that inherent disparity. View the full article

The MLB rostering deadline came and went on Nov. 18, and with it, teams have effectively "finalized' their 40-man rosters prior to the meat and potatoes of the offseason. There were a number of notable moves made around the league, from the Baltimore Orioles' baffling decision to trade Grayson Rodriguez for Taylor Ward to a record number of free agents accepting the qualifying offer. Perhaps the most shocking thing of all, though, was the San Diego Padres' lack of activity. A.J. Preller's squad selected the contracts of just two prospects -- reliever Garrett Hawkins and starting pitcher Miguel Mendez -- to protect them from the Rule-5 Draft, which was expected. Otherwise, the Padres were eerily silent during a busy day on the MLB calendar. Starting with Mendez, the 23-year-old ranks 12th on Padres Mission's Top 20 list, and other outlets are even higher on his upside. He finished the 2025 season in Double-A after starting with (for the third straight year) Lake Elsinore, and his overall stats were a beauty to behold: In 95.0 innings, he paired a 3.22 ERA and 3.86 FIP with a 29.4% strikeout rate and .208 batting average allowed. The right-hander was at his best in High-A Fort Wayne, logging a 1.32 ERA (3.33 FIP) across 12 starts. He allowed just three home runs and 24 walks over 61 1/3 innings, showing a newfound proclivity to pitch to contact effectively. His results were a little overblown (3.71 xFIP) thanks to a humongous 89.7% left-on-base rate, but the strides he made in his development were apparent. Mendez did struggle in his cup of coffee at Double-A to end the season -- he ran an 8.06 ERA and 5.91 FIP that were inflated because of a problematic walk rate (15.9%) -- but he was a lock to be added to the 40-man roster. He could start the 2026 season at Triple-A and make his debut around the mid-season point, depending on the state of the major-league rotation. As for Hawkins, the 25-year-old doesn't rank on Padres Mission's top prospect list, though he does rank 13th in the system over at FanGraphs. That's not the biggest compliment in the world (the Padres' farm system is the worst in the league), but it is a sign that the now-protected reliever could be in line for a bullpen job come Opening Day. The right-handed reliever missed the 2024 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, and like Mendez, finished the most recent campaign in San Antonio. His 1.50 ERA and 2.22 FIP were promising on their own, but his 35.1% strikeout rate and 0.15 home runs allowed per nine innings (HR/9) really paint the picture of his dominance. A true relief prospect at this point (he hasn't started on a full-time basis since 2022), Hawkins recorded 10 saves in 2025 and looks destined for a role as a middle reliever in the Padres' stacked bullpen. If Mason Miller or Adrian Morejon actually transition back to the rotation, look for Hawkins to grab one of their jobs in spring training. Beyond those two players, the Padres left other Rule-5-eligible players unprotected, including the likes of Jagger Haynes and Francis Pena. The 40-man roster now stands at 36, a sign that the team may be gearing up for a flurry of transactions in the coming weeks. However, their silence during an otherwise busy day could also point to some consternation within the front office while wrestling with an ownership group plotting a sale and rumored budget constraints. The offseason has only just begun, but save for a lowkey re-signing of swingman Kyle Hart, the Padres have mostly sat out the early-bird proceedings. Where they go from here is anyone's guess. View the full article

For the past five years, Torii Hunter has hovered around the edges of the Hall of Fame conversation, without gaining the traction needed for a serious push. His candidacy has lived in that tricky gray area where voters clearly respect his career, but hesitate to elevate him into Cooperstown territory. That uncertainty is common with players whose value extends beyond the numbers, and Hunter’s résumé has long walked that line. But the current voting cycle may finally give him the opening he needs. With a historically thin ballot for 2026, voters may begin reassessing holdover candidates, especially those whose contributions to the sport transcend simple statistical comparison. Hunter fits that mold better than almost anyone still on the ballot, and the timing has never been more favorable. Reviewing the 2026 Ballot The 2026 ballot is shaping up to be one of the weakest in recent memory. According to Jay Jaffe, this will be the first time since 2008 that six or fewer candidates on the ballot carry a JAWS score of at least 50. JAWS is an acronym for the Jaffe Wins Above Replacement Score, a system created to evaluate a baseball player's worthiness for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. It compares a candidate's statistics to the average Hall of Famer at their position by averaging their career WAR (Wins Above Replacement) with the total WAR from their best seven seasons (peak WAR). The goal is to identify players who are at least as good as the average Hall of Famer, using a metric that balances career value with peak performance. It is rare for a ballot to lack clear-cut newcomers, and that scarcity could shift attention toward long-term holdovers like Hunter. None of the first-time players is projected to gain significant traction. The 12 newcomers include Ryan Braun, Shin-Soo Choo, Edwin Encarnacion, Gio Gonzalez, Alex Gordon, Cole Hamels, Matt Kemp, Howie Kendrick, Nick Markakis, Daniel Murphy, Hunter Pence, and Rick Porcello. While many of those names bring strong careers and memorable moments, they fall short of the typical Hall of Fame profile. Hamels is the most compelling. He finished his 15-year career with a 3.43 ERA, a 123 ERA+, and 2,560 strikeouts. He owns a World Series MVP trophy and had several ace-level seasons, but analysts remain split on whether that résumé will launch him toward the Hall. Among position players, Braun is the headliner, based strictly on production. He won Rookie of the Year and an MVP, made six All-Star teams, and hit 352 home runs with six 30-homer seasons. He even posted back-to-back 30/30 campaigns in 2011 and 2012. However, multiple suspensions for performance-enhancing drugs complicate (and likely sink) his candidacy. With no overpowering newcomers and few returning candidates separating themselves in recent years, the subsequent two cycles could create space for overlooked players to climb. That includes Hunter. Hunter’s Hall of Fame History Hunter debuted on the Hall of Fame ballot in 2021 and has remained on the edge of survival ever since. Candidates must receive at least five percent of the vote to stay on the ballot, and Hunter has flirted dangerously with that cutoff multiple times. His results so far: 2021 BBWAA: 9.5 percent 2022 BBWAA: 5.3 percent 2023 BBWAA: 6.9 percent 2024 BBWAA: 7.3 percent 2025 BBWAA: 5.1 percent He has never received double-digit support, and recent slippage might concern some Twins fans. Yet hovering between five and ten percent can also signal that a player has a loyal block of voters and could expand their support under the right ballot conditions. The Case For Hunter Hunter’s defining skill was his game-changing defense. Nicknamed “Spider-Man” for his leaping robberies at the wall, he collected nine Gold Gloves over a 10-year stretch. Few outfielders of his era controlled center field as completely as Hunter did, and his highlight-reel plays remain essential vignettes of early 2000s baseball. Only seven players in MLB history have hit 350 or more home runs while also winning at least nine Gold Gloves, an exclusive group that underscores his rare two-way impact. His offensive résumé, while not elite by Hall standards, is undeniably strong. Hunter finished with 353 home runs, 498 doubles, over 2,400 hits, and 195 stolen bases. He earned two Silver Sluggers and became a five-time All-Star. Hunter blended power, speed, and creativity in a way that made him a constant threat and a difficult matchup for pitchers. Beyond the numbers, Hunter’s leadership and personality left a lasting mark everywhere he played. From Minnesota to Anaheim to Detroit, he was viewed as a franchise culture setter, an ambassador for the sport, and a respected veteran who influenced winning clubs. Voters who prioritize intangibles often keep players like Hunter in the conversation longer than the metrics alone suggest. The Case Against Hunter Hunter’s overall offensive profile falls short of Cooperstown norms. His career .277 average with a .331 on-base percentage and .461 slugging average places him comfortably above average, but not close to the offensive standard for Hall of Fame outfielders. His 110 career OPS+ means he was just 10% better than average over a long career. Defensively, the numbers diverge sharply from the reputation. While Hunter’s early career metrics were exceptional, the second half of his career tells a different story. From 2006 through his retirement in 2015, advanced metrics rated him as a below-average defender, even after moving to right field. His total defensive rating lands at -7.9, a reminder that defensive value can erode quickly and dramatically in a player’s thirties. His postseason record does little to bolster his candidacy. In 48 playoff games, Hunter hit .274/.340/.414 with four home runs, three of which came as a Twin. While those numbers are respectable, they lack signature October moments and include several defensive miscues that fans still remember. Voters often look for postseason excellence to elevate borderline candidates, and Hunter does not benefit from that boost. One of the biggest challenges for Hunter is how voters interpret the two halves of his career. From 1997 through 2007, he was a premier center fielder with elite defensive value and above-average hitting. From 2008 through 2015, his bat improved while his glove declined, making him a good but no longer great two-way player. His placement at 35th among center fielders in JAWS, trailing players like Curtis Granderson, Bernie Williams, and Andrew McCutchen, creates another hurdle. All three names are widely viewed as excellent players but not Hall of Famers, which impacts how Hunter’s case is perceived. The Path Ahead The Hall of Fame ballot is always competitive, and Hunter still faces a steep climb. But with the 2026 ballot featuring few compelling options and the current cycle offering voters a chance to reevaluate candidates in the middle tier of support, the environment could be shifting in his favor. Ballots like these have historically helped overlooked players make incremental gains, sometimes setting the stage for long-term campaigns. Do you believe Hunter deserves more support on the Hall of Fame ballot? How do you evaluate players with careers that blend elite peaks and uneven longevity? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

In May 2022, Chad Green left a game against the Orioles with right arm discomfort. Three days later, he was undergoing Tommy John surgery, ending his 2022 season and likely limiting his use in 2023. As 2022 was his last arbitration year, he became a free agent at season's end. In January 2023, Green signed an unusual deal with the Blue Jays. It called for $2.25 million in 2023 and a player option for $6.25 million in 2024. But it also granted the Jays two team options (exercisable under certain conditions): one for three years and $27 million, and one for two years and $21 million. The Jays ultimately ended up exercising the two-year, $21 million option. Green only pitched 12 innings in 2023, so the Jays did not receive $2.25 million of value in that year. But that was expected. Green benefitted from this deal in that he received income in what could otherwise have been a year of unemployment, and (more importantly), as a member of the Jays organization, he had access to their training and medical facilities during his rehabilitation. The Jays benefited not in 2023, but from their option to keep him under contract for future years. Toronto might be faced with a similar opportunity this offseason. In 2021, his first year in the majors, Luis Garcia pitched 155 innings for Houston with a 3.48 ERA and a 3.1 fWAR. He finished second in Rookie of the Year voting (to Randy Arozarena of Tampa Bay) and was named to the Topps All-Rookie Team. He had a similarly strong 2022 but injured his arm in May 2023, requiring Tommy John surgery and ending his year. He missed all of 2024, and while he tried to come back in 2025, he experienced further issues. By October 2025, he was forced to have a second Tommy John procedure, meaning that he will likely miss all of the 2026 season. The Astros released Garcia in November, as his one remaining year of arbitration had no value to them with him recovering from surgery. Even at his healthy best, Garcia is not an ace. But in his 2021-22 years, he had a 3.60 ERA, a 3.74 xERA, a 3.78 FIP and a 5.1 fWAR. That fWAR was 32nd among all pitchers. And Garcia would be pitching in 2027 in his age-30 year, so the potential to return to his 2021-22 form is very real. Should the Jays pull a Chad Green on Garcia? In 2025, Garcia earned $1.875 million. Suppose Toronto offered him a similar amount for 2026, knowing it was unlikely that he could even make it back next year for a playoff run. But the 2026 guarantee would come with a team option – possibly something like the three-year, $27 million option Toronto offered to Green? Perhaps there would also be a one-year player option if the Jays declined their multi-year end of the deal. As with Green, this would guarantee Garcia access to a top MLB medical and rehab staff for the duration of his recovery, and an income in what otherwise could be a barren year. The Jays would be gambling, but if Garcia does recover to anything close to his 2021-22 form, their option would be a bargain. The Bottom Line It seems that every offseason, the Jays (and most teams) are scrambling to fill their rotations for the upcoming year. Planning ahead by creating options could reduce that frenzy. Yes, a deal like this one carries some (considerable?) risk, but as a famous baseball philosopher once said, “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take." View the full article

What was already set to be a complicated offseason for the San Diego Padres got even more so with news that the Seidler family was exploring a sale of the franchise. Despite what appeared to be a little bit of financial wiggle room upon some impending departures from the 2025 roster, everything is in flux now. Of course, we don't have any confirmation on that. But, even if the Padres did want to run a payroll in the neighborhood of where they ended 2025 (about $211 million), that only leaves them with about $20 million given a projected $190 million for the 40-man roster at present. Regardless of the financial particulars, it appears increasingly likely that the team could explore a deal for at least one of their long-term position players. It's an idea centered around position players because position players is where they have volume on the long-term side. Each of Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, Jackson Merrill, and Jake Cronenworth are under contract until at least 2030. The pitching staff doesn't have that kind of action, with just each of Nick Pivetta & Yu Darvish locked into deals through only 2028 (the latter of which doesn't even have a clear path to finishing out the deal). Of the position players on the roster, it's Jake Cronenworth that is most likely to be moved. There have been whispers about such a deal before to the extent that teams were reportedly asking about him prior to the 2025 trade deadline. He's also the most easily-moveable name given his relatively reasonable contract that isn't as intensely backloaded as some of his counterparts on the active roster. It's an idea that has some merit, but whether the financial savings would do enough to compensate for his departure from the roster is a separate conversation altogether. The Case For Trading Jake Cronenworth Cronenworth is going to cost a shade over $12 million against the payroll through the 2030 season. His original deal was a seven-year, $80 million pact agreed upon ahead of the 2023 campaign. It was deemed a bit of an overpay at the time considering Cronenworth was set to move to first base, a position which didn't entirely fit his skill set, especially considering the power he demonstrated in 2021 (.194 ISO) fell drastically in '22 and has continued to fall since. Instead, Cronenworth has had to drive his approach to bring about value at the plate. He was a below-average bat in '23 (91 wRC+) and just a shade over in '24 (105 wRC+) before riding a spike in his walk rate (13.4 BB%) to a 117 wRC+ in 2025, his highest since that 2021 season. The frustrating thing with Cronenworth is that he hasn't been able to parlay that patience into anything meaningful. His ISO bottomed out at .131 in 2025 despite that jump in free passes, without any encouraging signs in the contact trends to accompany it; his barrel rate and hard-hit rate remained fairly in-line with what we'd seen before. And it's not as if he's a top tier defensive player at the keystone. He ranked 67th in Fielding Run Value (-2) at the position after finishing at a -4 mark the previous season. At this point, you're paying for the approach, because the power isn't on its way back and the glove hasn't been there in a handful of years in its own right (though bouncing between positions over multiple years likely doesn't help). The Padres need more power. They were a top-10 team in on-base percentage that failed to supplement that presence on base with any kind of impact. Freeing up the $12 million owed to Cronenworth could allow them to reallocate that bit of money toward more of an impact bat that would compliment the lineup more effectively. Should the Padres seek to move him, it's hard to imagine too many teams shying away from his market. Enough teams might be willing to pay for that approach and versatility, even if the latter comes with some shortcomings on the defensive end. The Case Against Trading Jake Cronenworth Even for a team in financial peril, it's hard to sacrifice stability in the name of $12 million. And despite not regaining the form he showcased over the 2020 and 2021 seasons, Cronenworth has very much been a stable presence for a chaotic organization. For one, this is a reliable player. He's appeared in an average of 145 games over the last five seasons. The Padres have lost each of Tatis, Merrill, Bogaerts, and Machado for significant periods over the last few years. Even sans any notable power, the ability to remain in the lineup and bring that steady approach is something that the Padres can't necessarily afford to part with. It's hard to overstate the importance of that approach in itself. Sure, the Padres were a top-10 team in OBP, but they ranked only 15th in walk rate. Only Tatis comes anywhere near touching what Cronenworth has provided in terms of patience. On paper, the Padres are a team in possession of impact bats. If Cronenworth can bring that approach to the bottom of the order, the onus transitions to the players atop the lineup to make that matter. And, as long as we're considering things that shouldn't be overlooked, the instability wrought by a lack of a permanent defensive home is likely pinning down Cronenworth's ability to find success on the defensive side. One imagines that finding a longer term solution at first base and a suitable backup for the middle infield (beyond a spring training invitee making their way on the roster) would allow him to ply his trade effectively at second base in the way that he did back in 2022. At the end of the day, it's a $12 million price tag. That's not terribly cumbersome for most big league organizations, save the Pittsburghs or the Miamis of the world. Sacrificing the things Cronenworth does well to save a fairly minimal amount against the total payroll number doesn't seem like something that would actively work in favor of San Diego, especially given some of their shortcomings on the present roster. Otherwise, you're filling an entire side of the infield within the confines of the payroll, rather than just one spot. That's an entirely different ballgame. View the full article

A look at the 2025 season for Walker Jenkins, the Twins' top prospect, who was once again cut short due to injury, and what his long-term outlook may ultimately be, given his unique blend of upside and polish. View the full article

A look at what clicked for Luis Peña in a breakout year and what the ceiling could ultimately be for the Brewers' infield prospect. View the full article