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The dust has settled from the most enthralling World Series in ages, which has subsequently led to the outset of an offseason that, in many ways, figures to be just as intriguing as the play on the field. A great deal of speculation has been placed on how Jed Hoyer and his braintrust will build off of a successful 2025 campaign, which brought winning playoff baseball back to Wrigley Field for the first time since 2017. By now, you know that whatever plans the organization moves forward with will not include left-handed ace and sentimental fan-favorite Shota Imanaga. The 32-year-old hurler just finished his second full year of Major League Baseball in a Cubs uniform, a disappointing campaign for the starter in terms of not just a drop in velocity and victories, but in his club's confidence in him to go out and get the job done. The show must go on, but hopefully with the right performers to make this heartbreaking turn of events worthwhile. With a flurry of top-flight free-agent pitchers hitting the market as we speak, it's up to the front office to get this squad's momentum heading in the right direction. Might I humbly offer the three most suitable options the club must pursue to ensure that their next act is worthy of ovation. Michael King: Over his seven years as a major league pitcher, King has curated the kind of profile that makes him a perfect fit for the Chicago Cubs' rotation. Like Imanaga, he's teetering on the wrong side of 30, but he boasts a 3.24 career ERA with 559 punch outs since his debut. Though suffering a stark decline in strikeouts from 2024 to 2025, he features an impressive array of pitches. His go-to pitch, the sinker, pairs well with his other off-speed pitches, leading to a 66th-percentile whiff rate. Along with fellow Padres starter, Dylan Cease, King took an overall step back in 2025 on a team which the Cubs defeated in the Wild Card Round of the 2025 playoffs. A good amount of that can be chalked up to knee and shoulder issues, which may scare off potential suitors this winter. Even when taking those drawbacks into consideration, King makes sense as a priority target for the Cubs. Pitching coach Tommy Hottovy has a penchant for squeezing every last drop of potential from his pitching staff, and it was just last year that the right-hander looked the part of a staff ace. If he works out, King could be a royal pain for opposing batters to deal with. Joe Ryan; In his time wearing a Twins uniform, there's nothing about this 29-year-old righty's eye test that screams, "Get this guy to Wrigleyville!" But, the more you examine both his performances and pitch arsenal, he makes sense. The most tantalizing aspect of Ryan's game is that he's a certified strike-thrower. Employing his four-seam fastball over 50% of the time, Ryan ranks in the 84th percentile in strikeouts. Perhaps more importantly, he ranks in the 87th percentile in walk rate. If getting guys out by way of the K and not letting them reach base sounds good, Ryan is your man. Dylan Cease: When you clicked on this article, this was probably the first name you expected to see. Since the Cubs traded Cease to their Southside counterparts in 2017, he's been one of the game's premier hurlers. Though he's fallen on relatively hard times the past two seasons, he's still got the raw stuff the Cubs have been lacking in their rotation. Though he only won eight games in 2025 with a 4.55 ERA, he recorded a far more impressive fourth-place finish in Cy Young voting in 2024. And during both seasons, he gave the Padres a whole bunch of innings, spinning 189 1/3 in 2024, and 168.0 in 2025. As the Cubbies have recently done with starters such as elder statesman Matthew Boyd, Cease could experience a resurgence in effectiveness as a member of Craig Counsell's squad. Outside of his ties to the city, Cease also features a more balanced pitch selection than some of his fastball-heavy free-agent counterparts. I'm certain that if Cubs fans could prioritize one reunion, it would be with Kyle Schwarber, but, should fortunes allow, Dylan Cease is an individual the whole organization should hold in high regard when it comes to playing for the home team at Wrigley once more. This is simply a select few options the North Siders have at their disposal, though in my mind, they figure to be the best. The Chicago Cubs are coming off of a postseason appearance that thrilled us all, but still felt like it was too short. The alchemy of this team is changing, and with the departure of Shota Imanaga heralds the loss of the club's soul. If this front office seeks to quickly restore it, it had better make its response count. View the full article

The 2025-26 MLB free agent market is heating up across baseball, and national outlets are rolling out their annual top 50 lists, complete with projected contracts and potential landing spots. For the Minnesota Twins, those lists highlight the financial constraints they may face this winter. After last year’s midseason sell-off, the Twins ended 2025 with a payroll well below their Opening Day estimate of around $136 million. If ownership directs the front office to cut even further (currently projected at $95 million), it could be difficult for the team to add meaningful talent from outside the organization. Instead, the Twins might once again need to get creative, much as they did in 2024 when they traded Jorge Polanco in January to clear salary and reallocate funds toward more minor free-agent signings. This offseason could bring more of the same. With significant money tied up in Pablo López, the team could explore trading him and the $43 million owed to him over the next two seasons. Other trade possibilities could include Joe Ryan or Ryan Jeffers, as the Twins look for ways to reshape the roster without inflating payroll. The Athletic recently released its top 50 free agents for this winter, and only two players were listed as potential fits for Minnesota. Both were ranked in the 40s and were absent from FanGraphs’s own top 50 list. Here’s a closer look at those two names and how they might fit the Twins’ plans for 2026. Dustin May, RHP The Athletic Rank: 42 Projected Contract: 2 years, $26 million May is the type of player who could intrigue the Twins front office, if the team decides to trade away established arms like López or Ryan. May’s upside has always been tantalizing, but constant interruptions have defined his career. It has been more than six years since his major-league debut, yet May has managed only 57 career starts. The 2025 campaign marked the first time he exceeded 56 innings in a season. Injuries have come in every variety: elbow, back, and even a bizarre esophagus injury that required emergency surgery in 2024 after a piece of salad became lodged in his throat. From 2019 to 2023, May posted a 3.10 ERA across 191 2/3 innings, flashing frontline potential whenever healthy. In 2025, he made 23 starts and recorded a 4.96 ERA, struggling after a midseason trade to Boston and eventually landing back on the injured list with right elbow neuritis. For the Twins, May’s appeal would center on his ceiling. If he stays healthy, his stuff could rival anyone in the rotation. However, with The Athletic projecting a two-year, $26-million deal, that price tag may prove too steep for a team prioritizing financial flexibility. (That projection, of course, is not gospel.) Rhys Hoskins, 1B The Athletic Rank: 43 Projected Contract: 1 year, $10 million Minnesota has recently found success with short-term, low-cost first-base signings. In 2024, the team used savings from the Polanco trade to sign Carlos Santana to a one-year, $6-million deal, and he rewarded them with elite defense that earned him a Gold Glove. Last season, Ty France joined on a one-year, $1 million non-guaranteed deal and followed in Santana’s footsteps by winning another Gold Glove. Given that pattern, it’s hard to imagine the Twins committing $10 million to Rhys Hoskins without first clearing significant payroll, possibly by trading López. Since missing all of 2023 with a torn ACL, Hoskins hasn’t fully recaptured his pre-injury form. He lost playing time late in 2025 as Milwaukee leaned on Andrew Vaughn, and his offensive output dipped. Over the past two seasons, he’s hit 38 home runs but batted just .223 with a 102 OPS+, production that’s solid overall but underwhelming for a first baseman. Still, Hoskins offers power potential that could lengthen Minnesota’s lineup. If he’s open to a one-year “prove-it” deal closer to the range the Twins have favored recently, he might be a realistic option. Outlook for 2026 The Twins are facing an offseason of financial restraint. That doesn’t mean they can’t improve the roster, but it does mean they’ll need to rely on shrewd trades, bounce-back candidates, and internal development rather than headline signings. If the front office can navigate those limitations effectively, Minnesota could remain competitive in the AL Central. But if payroll restrictions tighten even further, fans may have to brace for a quieter winter and hope that creativity and player development can make up the difference. Do Hoskins or May fit better into Minnesota’s 2026 blueprint? Are any other top free agents a fit for the Twins? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

Some changes are coming to the Brewers' coaching staff. The club announced on Thursday afternoon that associate manager Rickie Weeks will transition out of the dugout, taking on a new role as special assistant in baseball operations and domestic/international scouting. The former Milwaukee second baseman returned to the organization in 2022 as part of the player development staff, and the club named him associate manager when it promoted Pat Murphy to manager after the 2023 season. At the time, those moves signaled that Weeks was the long-term successor of Craig Counsell, with former bench coach Murphy serving as a bridge while he learned the ropes of working on a big-league staff. That's not how things played out, though. Murphy will likely win his second consecutive National League Manager of the Year Award next week and should remain in his post for the duration of his original three-year contract. (In fact, an extension for Murphy this winter would be no surprise to anyone.) Weeks, meanwhile, will transition to the front office, where he'll be involved in player acquisition with an emphasis on scouting prospects for the amateur draft and international free agent market. The club notably announced that it will not hire a new associate manager to replace Weeks, instead reassigning his duties to other coaches. It's not the first time they've gone that route. After former run prevention coordinator Walker McKinven left for a gig with the Chicago White Sox, assistant pitching coach Jim Henderson and assistant coach Daniel de Mondesert assumed his responsibilities this year. Between de Mondesert, major league field coordinator and catching guru Nestor Corredor, infield coach Matt Erickson, and base coaches Julio Borbón and Jason Lane, the Brewers have ample in-house candidates to take on Weeks's responsibilities, assuming most of them remain with the team for 2026. Even so, it's notable that they will carry on without a traditional dugout deputy behind Murphy. Staffs are growing throughout baseball, though, particularly in Milwaukee, and the increased personnel has led to roles evolving beyond the longstanding coaching framework. Weeks's former title was a break from the norm, as was employing two pitching coaches and three hitting coaches. One of those hitting instructors is reportedly headed elsewhere, marking another change to Murphy's staff. Fansided's Robert Murray reported on Wednesday night that the Kansas City Royals are hiring Connor Dawson, who had been with the Brewers since the 2022 season. It's not yet clear whether Milwaukee will hire another coach to work with Eric Theisen under lead hitting coach Al LeBoeuf. View the full article

The Chicago Cubs extended the qualifying offer to outfielder Kyle Tucker and to left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga, ahead of Thursday's deadline to make such decisions. Along with the earlier news that they extended right-hander Colin Rea and that Justin Turner's mutual option for 2026 was declined, the moves round out the team's set of roster machinations as true free agency begins in earnest. For Tucker, the offer was a mere formality. The Cubs were never going to let him go without making that offer, and Tucker will not seriously consider accepting it. This is, in a way, the completion of the trade between the Cubs and Astros last offseason. It becomes (barring the unexpected but still possible development of Tucker returning to Chicago) a trade of Cam Smith, Isaac Paredes and Hayden Wesneski for Tucker and a 2026 draft pick, between the second and third rounds. In 2025, Tucker was less than he or the Cubs hoped he would be—but that was still, on balance, quite good. He batted .266/.377/.464 in 597 plate appearances. He was worth roughly 30 runs more than an average hitter, and was great on the bases. Much of that value was concentrated in the first half of the season, though, and he was disappointingly subpar in right field. The Cubs hoped they were acquiring a player and forging a relationship that would last a decade beyond 2025, but now, they're likely to be happy to take the draft pick and find a replacement for Tucker's offense elsewhere. Issuing the offer to Imanaga is the far more interesting decision, for today. A few months ago, it still looked likely the team would pick up their three-year, $57-million option on him at the onset of the offseason, but after his brutal finish to the season, that went out the window. After Imanaga turned down his own player option, Chicago seriously considered not extending him the offer, sources familiar with the team's thinking said. They were deeply concerned by the problems that developed as he lowered his arm slot in 2025. His fastball's carry remained valuable, but the inability to hit the bottom of the zone with it or get his strike-to-ball splitter working for whiffs steadily eroded his effectiveness throughout the campaign. How the Cubs' winter goes from here might now hinge on whether Imanaga decides to accept the $22.025 million they're offering. That's a significant raise on his side of the equation, though he would have been guaranteed more if he had exercised his option, as he would also have had one after 2026. For the Cubs' part, the money is essentially a wash for 2026. If they'd exercised their own option, they'd be locked in to two extra years, and they'd also have had to make a supplemental posting fee payment to the Yokahoma Bay Stars, Imanaga's former team in NPB. They can easily justify this payment, then, but if Imanaga turns them down, they'll be especially heavy on impending draft compensation and will have lots of flexibility to spend on a replacement for him. They'll receive a draft pick for Tucker (and, if he declines the offer and finds a new home, Imanaga), so they might be more open to surrendering one for the right free-agent signing this winter—especially since, coming off a year of dipping back below the competitive-balance tax threshold, they would surrender only their second-highest pick in doing so. That would be their second-rounder, which is likely to be roughly a dozen picks ahead of the pick(s) they'll pick up. Chicago's projected payroll for 2026 is right around $144 million, but they have to replace a middle-of-the-order bat, supplement their bench, sign at least one starter and replenish their bullpen. If Imanaga accepts the offer, they might not make a splash in the starter market, but they'd then be near $170 million. They're also likely to engage at least one of Nico Hoerner, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Cade Horton about a long-term extension, which would raise their payroll for 2026, too. Now, the groundwork is laid in full, and the team knows what they will and won't have to do—and how much budgetary space they have in which to do it. View the full article

In episode 100 of Destination: The Show, Jeremy and Jamie discuss Derek Shelton’s introductory press conference. The guys walk through the Twins core of young hitters, analyzing their arbitration projections, 2025 performances, and likelihood of being returned to the 2026 roster. The crew talk through Justin Lebron and Jacob Lombard as high risk, high reward prospects at the top of the draft, before finishing up with some listener questions on defensive player development, Twins international signings, and the Twins comp picks ahead of the 2026 draft. 0:00 Intro 3:07 Housekeeping 3:46 Derek Shelton 11:00 Roster Preview 12:30 Ryan Jeffers 17:30 Trevor Larnach 24:30 Royce Lewis 28:55 Brooks Lee 35:00 Matt Wallner 40:00 News and notes 52:00 Listener Questions You can support the show by downloading it from wherever you get your podcasts, including iTunes and Spotify. If you enjoy the content, consider leaving us a five-star rating and review in addition to sharing or retweeting DTS-related content. You can follow us on Twitter @DTS_POD1, @Jeremynygaard, @J_D_Cameron, and @TheodoreTollef1. We’re now on Bluesky @destinationtheshow.bsky.social. You can also find full episodes and clips of our shows on our YouTube page @DestinationTheShow. View the full article

The Boston Red Sox made a move Thursday afternoon to clear a spot on the 40-man roster, as they needed to reinstate several players from the 60-day injured list. To open up room on the roster, the team designed right-handed pitcher Luis Guerrero for assignment, per MassLive's Chris Cotillo. Guerrero, a 17th-round draft pick in 2021, spent parts of two seasons in the majors with the Red Sox, appearing in 22 games and throwing 27 1/3 innings to a 2.63 ERA. Despite having some of the best raw stuff of anyone in the system, his command and control along with inconsistency held him back during his time in Boston. In his 27 1/3 innings pitched, Guerrero had allowed 16 walks. The 2025 season was when his inconsistency issues were at their worst, as he allowed 14 walks in 17 1/3 innings across 13 games. Guerrero last pitched for Boston on June 27 against Toronto, when he went 1/3 of an inning and allowed two runs on a walk and two hits. He would be placed on the 15-day injured list the next day for a right elbow strain before being transferred to the 60-day injured list on August 2. With the DFA of Guerrero along with previous cuts of Isaiah Campbell and José De León, the Red Sox 40-man roster currently sits at 40. View the full article

To no one's surprise, the Blue Jays have extended the $22.025 million qualifying offer to All-Star shortstop Bo Bichette. Bichette technically has until November 18 to decide whether or not to accept the offer, but it's all but a guarantee that he will reject it and seek a long-term contract in free agency. Once he rejects the offer, any team that signs Bichette – except for the Blue Jays – will have to forfeit a draft pick (and possibly also international bonus pool space). That could give Toronto a leg up on the competition for his services. Featured image courtesy of John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images. View the full article

With the offseason underway and the Royals looking to build off their 82-80 season, they look to upgrade the roster through internal and external options before the start of spring training, but prospect development is still happening in the Arizona Fall League. The Royals sent eight prospects to the Surprise Saguaros, headed by MLB Pipeline's #46 prospect, catcher Blake Mitchell. Vazquez And Roccafarte Continue To Take Big Steps Leading the way was shortstop Daniel Vazquez. Vazquez, a 2021 internal free signing out of Venezuela, had a productive season in 2025. The agile defensive shortstop has a 40 overall scout rating, headed by 60s in arm and fielding, and a 55 in run. He started this season in rookie ball before immediately being promoted to the single-A Quad Cities River Bandits. In 404 at-bats with the River Bandits, he slashed a .260 batting average, smacking 29 extra base hits, 42 RBIs, and swiping 26 bases. He’s continued that success in Arizona with a team-leading .329 batting average, 24 hits, and 18 RBIs. Additionally, slashing a .922 OPS and .466 Slugging percentage with 10 stolen bases, and six extra base hits in 73 at-bats. #20 prospect, Carson Roccaforte, has continued to impress for Kansas City. The 66th overall pick and highest-drafted player from Louisiana-Lafayette since 1995 is a defensive specialist; he has a 40 overall rating, topped by 55 arm and 60 fielding ratings. He started his career hot in single-A, with a .257 average, 12 RBIs, and eight extra base hits. In 2025, after hitting 13 home runs, 33 extra-base hits, and driving in 45 runs in High-A, he was promoted to Arkansas, where he continued to show flashes with a .290 average, five homers, 29 RBIs, 22 XBH, and a .410 BABIP. Roccaforte has dominated in Arizona, smacking eight extra-base hits and putting together a .459 BABIP, .293 slash line. The #8 overall pick in the 2023 draft, Blake Mitchell, will head into 2026 as the team’s #2 prospect. Mitchell’s scouting report rates him at a 55 rating with a 70 arm, 55 fielding, 50 hit, and 60 power. Mitchell flashed his power in 2024, crushing 18 bombs with 50 RBIs with 79 walks. This season, in 169 at-bats in High-A, he hit .207 with two homers and 12 RBIs. He continued to display great plate discipline, recording 45 walks. As a Saguaro, he's shown incredible plate discipline, with a .237 walk percentage and .900 BB/K with a home run and five RBIs in 56 at-bats. Pitching Struggles In Limited Appearances The Royals sent four pitchers to Arizona, including the team’s #26 prospect, Hunter Owen. The former Commodore was selected in the third round of the 2023 draft as a versatile starter and reliever. This season in Double-A in 94 2/3 innings, he went 5-5 with a 3.8 ERA, 10.17 K/9, a save, and a 1.33 WHIP. He’s struggled in Arizona, allowing 11 hits and six runs in 4 1/3 innings and four punchouts. Reliever Dennis Colleran continued to shine out of the pen. The 7th round pick in 2024 out of Northeastern started his minor league career with the Columbus Fireflies with a 4.06 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 39 whiffs. He continued his success with the River Bandits, going 5-0 with a 0.82 WHIP and a 1.83 ERA, and 33 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings. In 6 2/3 innings with Saguero, he has a 1.35 ERA, a hold, 4.5 K/BB, and 12.46 SO/9. And nine strikeouts. L.P. Langevin and A.J. Causey rounded out the group with a combined 15.1 innings pitched. Starting with Causey, registered a win and save in eight games with 12 strikeouts and a 7.27 ERA. In contrast, Langevin went 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA in six games with 11 punchouts and a .130 BAA. The future looks bright for the Royals, with great plate discipline in the minors and great versatility on the mound, as the team will keep tabs on them heading into next season. View the full article

The Twins are going through a major rebuild after a dismal season on the field, which led to the dumping of 11 players at the July trade deadline. In a continuation of that exodus, manager Rocco Baldelli was fired at the end of the season. While fans speculated about an internal or familiar face during the search for Baldelli’s replacement, many were not shocked that it turned out to be a familiar face from another floundering team. Derek Shelton comes to the Twins after being fired in the middle of the 2025 season and leaves with a .410 win percentage for his five-plus years as manager of the Pirates. But the upside of this acquisition is that Shelton is used to a rebuild. In fact, from 2022 to 2024, his Pittsburgh clubs began making improvements, but they weren’t enough.While Shelton was with the Pirates, the talent shortfall led to a mediocre on-field product. Hopefully, with the Twins’ talent already in place, he can start with a solid team capable of producing immediate results. A deep dive into his statements about being a coach shows that his first concern is communication from the top down—something the Twins may have lacked in Baldelli’s latter days. Shelton’s approach has always centered on accountability and communication. Following a tough 5-1 loss to Oakland in August 2024, his message was blunt: “No, we shouldn’t be in better spirits afterwards. We’ve got to get better. This is a situation where we need to focus and we need to get better.” That was a few bruising years into the project. Right away, though, he made clear the nature of his expectations of players and their responsibilities to one another. “It is crucial for players to consider how their daily actions affect their teammates,” Shelton said during his first spring training with Pittsburgh in 2020. “The focus should be on helping teammates and thinking about what each individual needs to do to help the team win.” One major failure of his stint with the Pirates came in the form of trying but not always succeeding that very aspect. When asked Tuesday about what he learned from his sojourn to the Steel City, Shelton had a quick answer, and a plan for how to better execute the ideas he articulated in the past. “I think the first and probably most important thing is, you have to have conversations, and you have to have the follow-up conversations,” he said. “Because what is heard, what is said and how it’s retained sometimes loses its place, and because of that, you don’t end up getting the best out of the situation or the player.” Shelton comes across as direct, often unsatisfied, and focused on improvement. He wants players—and even the front office and coaches—to recognize that you can’t be a team unless individual actions impact everyone as a whole; everyone impacts the win or the loss. Shelton seems to recognize that a loss isn't about blame, as much as it is a chance to improve and reflect on being better. The Twins’ 2025 roster wasn’t short on talent. In fact, they have some of the best prospects in the league, but inconsistency has been a recurring theme. If Shelton's passion and sincerity about accountability are transferable and accepted by the team, could he turn that into success? In March 2025, after early-season defensive miscues, Shelton asserted (as relayed in an article by AP News’ Will Graves) that the players needed to be involved in the conversation for improvement to take root. “Fixing these issues will involve conversations with the players, as these are things the team worked on all spring that need to be cleaned up.” Shelton is no stranger to a rebuild. However, the Pirates under Shelton never had the luxury of depth. A front office still in transition left him trying to make progress with limited pieces. He can only work with what he’s got, and the Pirates didn’t give him much. The Twins have a stronger farm system, and in Byron Buxton, Pablo López and Joe Ryan, they arguably have more proven stars than Pittsburgh had. Shelton’s experience managing through chaos on the field in Pittsburgh may translate into more success in Minnesota. Shelton shows that he wants growth and recognizes there is humanity involved, but he is really focused on fundamentals—proper process and everyone being on the same page to achieve the goal. On Dec. 4, 2019, as he came into the Pirates organization, he said, “We’re going to be very process-driven,” he said. “The fact that we’re 100% aligned—front office, manager, and coaching staff—that’s where it starts.” If Shelton continues to talk about processes, alignment, and growth, one area the Twins need help with is on-field fundamentals, from situational hitting to aggressive gameplay. That certainly was the focus when he was introduced Tuesday, too. “There will be more attention to details, more to fundamentals—and that’s not talking about anything that happened before. It’s just talking about the lessons I’ve learned,” he said, when asked about his vision for the team’s play in 2026. “I think we saw in the World Series this year that three little plays and a matter of like three or four inches determined who was gonna win a World Series game, or who was gonna win the World Series. So the focus of that is going to be very important to me. And I think that’s something that I’ve learned over the course of years, that it’s really important—that there’s no detail that’s too small.” One place where the Twins lack is aggression, on the field, at the plate, on the bases, and from the mound. Shelton has talked a lot about being more aggressive in post-game interviews, and fans would love to see a coach who really breeds that desire and implements a hunger for players to be active in situational hitting and base running. That relentless push for improvement (sometimes to the point of frustration) may be the jolt Minnesota needs. The Twins don’t require a rebuild; they need refinement, aggression, and sharper execution. When Shelton said, “It’s time to win,” it was a message meant for Pittsburgh. But it fits Minnesota perfectly now. Shelton arrives in Minnesota not as a first-time manager, but as a leader shaped by mistakes, pressure, and growth. The Pirates never gave him the roster to showcase his full potential. The Twins might. If his communication, accountability, and culture-first mindset take root, Minnesota may finally see what Shelton can do when talent and vision align. View the full article

San Diego’s decision to exercise Ramón Laureano’s 2026 club option keeps a 2025 midseason addition rostered after one of the most productive years of his career. The option covers the 2026 season at $6.5 million. The 31-year-old Laureano split 2025 between Baltimore and San Diego, appearing in 132 games and accumulating 488 plate appearances. He finished the year with a .281/.342/.512 triple slash, along with 24 home runs and seven stolen bases. His overall offensive line translated to a .364 wOBA and 138 wRC+. With the Padres, Laureano appeared in 50 games after his July 31 trade from the Orioles. In 198 plate appearances for San Diego, he hit .269/.323/.489 with nine home runs and three stolen bases. In San Diego, he posted a .347 wOBA and 127 wRC+, with a 6.6 percent walk rate and 23.7 percent strikeout rate. Defensively, Laureano continued to work primarily in the outfield corners. Statcast’s Outs Above Average metric graded him at -5 OAA for his time in San Diego. Over his combined time with Baltimore and San Diego, one defensive-value framework credited him with -8.7 defensive runs, while his overall WAR was 3.0. Laureano’s season also included multiple injured-list stints. Baltimore placed him on the 10-day injured list on May 24 with a left ankle sprain and later activated him on June 6. After the trade, San Diego placed him on the 10-day injured list on September 27 with a right index finger fracture, before activating him again on October 3. View the full article

Don Mattingly is leaving the Blue Jays. As first reported by the New York Post's Jon Heyman, Mattingly, who served as Toronto's bench coach for the past three seasons, is stepping down from his role. However, he is not yet retiring and would consider taking on a role with a new team. To that point, Phillies insider Jim Salisbury reports that Philadelphia has had internal discussions about bringing Mattingly on as a bench coach. It's not yet clear if Mattingly would be willing to take on the same role with a new organization. Featured image courtesy of John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images. View the full article

In a shocking bit of news, the San Diego Padres announced the Craig Stammen will take over as manager of the franchise in 2026. Kevin Acee of the San Diego Tribune was the first to break the news. The Friars had a managerial opening after Mike Shildt surprisingly stepped down following the team's loss in the NL Wild Card Round to the Chicago Cubs. Rumored candidates included Albert Pujols (the presumed favorite until this point), former Padres catcher Nick Hundley, and current pitching coach Ruben Niebla. Stammen hadn't been mentioned in any serious rumors until a few hours before the official announcement was made. Stammen pitched for 13 years in the big leagues, including the final six seasons of his career with the Padres. He accumulated a 3.36 ERA and 5.5 WAR with the team in nearly 400 innings as a middle reliever, and he notably spent the final season of his career (2022) under Niebla's watch. The 41-year-old also pitched for the Washington Nationals during his career. Since retiring, the former pitcher rejoined the organization as an assistant to the major league coaching staff and baseball operations department prior to the 2024 season. He clearly garnered the favor of A.J. Preller during that time, as he came out of nowhere to win this job. Many expected an experienced name with a long coaching history to replace Shildt, though the front office clearly wanted a younger, fresher voice in the locker room after they reportedly butted heads with the recently-retired manager. Notably, ever since the team fired Bud Black in the middle of the 2015 season, they've gone through seven managers (including interims), only one of whom (Bob Melvin in 2022) even got as far as the NLCS. For all the brilliant minds that have ran the dugout in San Diego over the past decade, none of have been able to last longer than Andy Green's four-year tenure. There has been a signifiant lack of postseason success under Preller's watch, which raises questions about how long Stammen's leash will be as a first-time manager. One interesting piece of fallout from this will be what happens to Niebla; he's been with the team for four years as pitching coach, and he's expressed interest of becoming a big league manager in the past. As a rumored finalist, might he want out after being passed over for a former disciple? Regardless, Stammen inherits a veteran-laden roster with a lot of talent but more questions than answers. The pitching staff is especially in flux; Joe Musgrove is returning from a year-long layoff, Yu Darvish is set to miss all of 2026 with an elbow injury, and Michael King and Dylan Cease may depart in free agency. Even the team's elite bullpen seems set to lose closer Robert Suarez after he opted out of his contract. Still, the Padres, who have made the playoffs four times in the past six seasons, won 90+ games in back-to-back seasons for the first time in franchise history under Shildt's watch. There will be immediate expectations placed on Stammen to get the most out of this group, even as an inexperienced skipper. View the full article

The offseason started off with some positive news for the Toronto Blue Jays. Shane Bieber’s decision to exercise his $16 million player option for 2026, foregoing his $4 million opt-out (and potentially a larger and longer-term deal), was a surprise for many and might open the door for Bo Bichette’s return. While Bieber’s move is a win, it may also have deeper implications. Particularly for Bichette, the star shortstop, and sure to be one of the most sought-after free agents this winter. Bieber’s commitment to Toronto could be a key domino in convincing Bichette to stay. Whether Bieber’s decision was related to stability, his connections in the clubhouse and front office, or his belief in the franchise making another run next year and finishing what they started, the result is that a key piece of the starting rotation is now in place. Next year’s starting rotation is lined up to include Kevin Gausman (in the final year of his contract), José Berríos (still recuperating from an injury, but with two more seasons left on his seven-year deal), Trey Yesavage (under club control and entering his first full season with the Jays) and Bieber. Eric Lauer and Bowden Francis could also be competing for a spot in the rotation, along with some minor leaguers. While the Jays will still need to fill out the bullpen, the pitching staff looks formidable. Bieber’s decision means that Toronto gets him at a relative bargain salary for a pitcher of his calibre, providing some flexibility for spending in other areas. The onus is now on the Jays’ front office and Bichette to find some middle ground in their negotiations. Both sides have expressed interest so far, but when other teams come knocking with cash in hand, that will be the true test. Bichette has been an important fixture of the Jays’ offence since his debut in 2019. While the team prioritized extending Vladimir Guerrero Jr. last offseason and into the regular season, negotiations with Bichette have not seemed to be a priority. Now, re-signing him (or finding a worthy replacement either at shortstop or second) is widely considered the organization’s top focus. Rumours have it that the Yankees, Tigers and Braves are all interested in Bichette. Each has a glaring deficiency at short and would dearly love to fill it with the two-time All-Star. Bichette’s willingness to be flexible when it came to his role in the World Series might not be the full story. His knee injury was obvious throughout the series, so his only real option in the field was second. There has long been talk of his desire to remain a shortstop, and once he's healthy, I'm not sure that will change. Does the Bieber opt-in, Bichette’s relationship with the Blue Jays organization, and his desire to win a championship with Vladdy and the current roster mean enough for him to potentially forego millions? The Jays have money, but as I discussed in a previous article, they must be diligent when it comes to spending. Locking up Guerrero was crucial in demonstrating that Toronto is a destination, not an afterthought. However, his salary will hamper the franchise as it navigates the luxury tax brackets in the years to come. The Athletic's Tim Britton recently predicted that Bichette is going to get a contract of eight years at $212 million. That would come out to roughly $27 million per season. If you factor in Guerrero’s $35.7 million AAV, that is more than $60 million between them. The 2025 payroll for the Jays was about $250 million, and slightly higher for luxury tax purposes. Are sentimentality and familiarity enough for Bichette and the Jays to find some common ground? And should the Jays make more than a passing attempt at re-signing Bichette? He is an exceptional hitter, and even on one leg, he was nearly a difference maker for the Jays in the World Series. Despite the Jays dropping the series, his Game 7 home run will be talked about for years to come. However, his fielding has never been better than average for a shortstop, and his OAA (Outs Above Average) has placed him below the league average in recent years. He has also been plagued with late-season injuries the past few years. The injuries have primarily been lower body related, including this season’s knee injury and last season’s calf injury. Those injuries often come with age. He hasn’t played more than 150 games in a season since 2022. By securing Bieber early, the Jays have created some momentum and goodwill not just with the fan base but with other players who have hit the free agent market. It also signals to other free agents, like Bichette, that the Jays are still focused on fielding a competitive team next season. Athletes don’t make decisions in isolation. They consider the culture of the clubhouse, the competitiveness of the roster and the vision of the front office. Bieber’s opt-in offers several cues that could influence Bichette’s decision-making process. It signals stability. Bieber’s choice to stay suggests that the clubhouse environment is strong and that the organization is aligned in its goals. For Bichette, who has spent his entire career in Toronto, that sense of continuity could be compelling. It reflects competitive intent instead of a passive approach. Bichette, who has expressed a desire to win, may see Bieber’s decision as the Jays reloading for another run at the title. And players talk. Bieber’s decision may reflect internal conversations about the team’s future. If Bichette sees Bieber betting on Toronto, he may be more inclined to do the same. Bieber’s decision to opt in with the Jays is more than a roster move; it’s a strategic signal to the team and the rest of the MLB. It reflects confidence in the organization, reinforces the team’s competitive identity, and creates the conditions for Bichette to re-sign. If Bichette does choose to stay, fans may look back at Bieber’s quiet November decision as the moment that set everything in motion. View the full article

The Chicago Cubs have been busy in the first four-plus days of the offseason, with moves painting a picture of what might come over the next four months. They declined Shota Imanaga's option, extended Colin Rea, and now have lost an infielder. Via an official announcement from the MLBPA, Justin Turner has become a free agent. It's unclear which side declined the option, though it was nearly a given that the Cubs would be the party to do so. They will pay him a $2 million buyout instead of a $10 million salary in 2026. The 41-year-old struggled mightily in 2025, posting a .602 OPS with three home runs and two stolen bases. That production, or lack thereof, resulted in a .268 wOBA and 71 wRC+ across 191 plate appearances. Given his age and the 2025 season, he will likely hope for a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training if he doesn't choose to retire. Between this move and Imanaga's, the Cubs are opening up the budget for this offseason. Do you anticipate them spending? If so, where? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

The Minnesota Twins believe Derek Shelton is ready for his second act as a big-league manager. After five-plus challenging seasons leading the Pittsburgh Pirates, he takes the reins in Minnesota with lessons learned, perspective gained, and a model to follow. One of the best modern examples of that kind of professional rebirth is Terry Francona. Before he became a two-time World Series champion with the Boston Red Sox, Francona failed in Philadelphia. Over four seasons with the Phillies, he posted a 285-363 record (a .440 winning percentage) and never won more than 77 games. The franchise was rebuilding, the roster was limited, and Francona was a young manager still learning how to navigate the daily grind of the major leagues. That failure, though, became foundational. Without the hard lessons in Philadelphia, Francona might never have become the calm, steady leader who helped break Boston’s 86-year curse. He won World Series titles in two of his first four seasons on the Red Sox bench. He went on to Cleveland and helped them win their first AL pennant since the late 1990s. Throughout his career, he has become one of the most respected managers of the modern era. Shelton hopes to travel a similar path. After his dismissal in Pittsburgh, he spent his first summer at home since his playing days reflecting on what went wrong and how he could approach things differently if given another chance. That process caught the attention of Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey, who has long admired Francona’s willingness to own his early missteps. “People that spend time reflecting on what they would do differently, I think, give themselves a much better chance to learn from that experience,” Falvey said Tuesday, after the team's introductory press conference for Shelton. “He gave very specific examples of things he would have done and would have handled differently, and I think that was a real strength of his in the process.” Falvey’s connection to Francona goes back to their years together in Cleveland. He saw firsthand how Francona’s lessons from Philadelphia shaped his leadership style with the Guardians. Francona often credited that difficult first job for giving him the humility and adaptability that defined his later success. It's no surprise that Falvey saw something similar in Shelton’s reflections. Shelton has already acknowledged that managing a big-league club is an entirely different challenge from any previous baseball role. “When I left here, I thought I was really prepared to manage because I’d been given a lot of responsibility,” Shelton said. “But you’re never ready until you sit in the chair. You’re never ready until different things come your way. I think those experiences are what help build you moving forward.” That mindset aligns perfectly with how Francona rebuilt his own career. He embraced his mistakes, surrounded himself with trusted voices, and developed a better understanding of how to manage both players and expectations. Shelton, too, will need to show growth in how he connects with his roster, handles bullpen decisions, and navigates the ups and downs of a long season. The Twins are betting that the man who once helped shape their hitters and culture as a bench coach can now lead a clubhouse that has failed to live up to expectations in recent seasons. It will not be easy, but history shows that baseball often rewards those who learn from failure. Francona’s career proves that the first opportunity does not define a manager. Derek Shelton’s second chance in Minnesota will be his shot to prove that the lessons from Pittsburgh can pave the way for long-term success. What do you think? Can Shelton follow Francona’s path and turn lessons from his first job into lasting success with the Twins? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

As the San Diego Padres have already announced a flurry of moves - most of which create voids on the 2026 roster - they now have a position to fill on their major league staff. Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that the Houston Astros have poached Padres hitting coach Victor Rodriguez for the same position. The announcement comes at a time when the Friars don't have a manager and don't see themselves particularly close to hiring one. Moreover, whoever is hired as the new manager could bring in their own staff, costing Rodriguez a job. It's that uncertainty that justifies the lateral move. He had one year remaining on his deal. In two years with the big league club, the Padres' offense posted two of the best team batting averages in the organization's history. However, their power production didn't follow suit. Notably, in 2025, the Padres finished with the third-fewest home runs in baseball after finishing with the 10th-most (ironically tied with the Astros) in 2024. It stands to reason that Rodriguez's hitting philosophy prioritizes putting the ball in play over power. How do you think this will impact the 2026 Padres? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

The Cubs and Colin Rea agreed to a one-year deal for 2026 with a club option for 2027 Thursday, a source confirmed to North Side Baseball. Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors was first to break the news. Rea, 35, will make at least $6.5 million in total, and can make up to $13 million if the Cubs exercise their option next winter. The pact comes just hours before the decision point on the team's would-be 2026 option. included in the contract Rea signed last winter. That deal would have paid him $6 million this year, and the alternative would have been paying a $750,000 buyout. The Cubs ponied up an extra $500,000 to guarantee themselves a chance to bring Rea back on affordable terms in 2027, if they so choose. For Rea, this deal offers shelter from a market that projects to be frigid. As has become their custom, the league's owners have tightened their purse strings as negotiations over the next collective bargaining agreement loom. One source indicated that the Cubs considered declining the option on Rea, and pressed for the extra year of team control in exchange for picking it up. At the same time, this structure benefits the Cubs. With the buyout on next winter's option expected to be slightly larger than the one they just circumvented, they'll pay fractionally less for Rea in 2026 than they otherwise would have, and they gain the flexibility that comes with that 2027 option. Bringing Rea back in some form became something close to a no-brainer, though, once Shota Imanaga declined his team option for 2026. In fact, though they didn't have equal terms on which to make the decision, this sequence of moves suggests the front office has more faith in Rea for next year than they have in Imanaga. Earlier this week, I wrote about the decision to decline Imanaga's three-year team option (and the fact that the team might yet decline to give Imanaga a qualifying offer) at Baseball Prospectus, through the lens of the new pitcher arsenal metrics on that site. Imanaga took an important step backward last year in his ability to get the ball down, and especially to bury his splitter; that became an increasingly lethal problem as the year wore on. Other pitchers might weather such a change better, but Imanaga's limited arsenal and difficulty with deceiving or surprising hitters made it hard for him to do so. By contrast, Rea has worse raw stuff than Imanaga—more velocity, but from the right side instead of the left, and with less lively movement; no single secondary pitch with the swing-and-miss potential of Imanaga's splitter—but an exceptionally deep arsenal and a good idea of how to use it to maximum effect. Hitters can accurately identify the pitch type early against Imanaga almost 82 percent of the time. That's both because he relies so heavily on his four-seamer and splitter, and because those two pitches have such disparate movement. Right away, the trajectory, spin and velocity of the offerings lets the hitter spot differences. Rea couldn't be more different. Hitters can accurately identify which pitch he's throwing just 55.5 percent of the time, which places him in the top decile of the league in disguising pitch type. Because he has so many offerings he trusts—four-seamer, sinker, cutter, curveball, slider, sweeper and changeup, the last of which he switched from a splitter to a kick-change this year—he can also use sequencing to surprise hitters better than most pitchers, and the breadth of movement and velocity bands within which he can work is huge. As he and I discussed in July, he made changes under the Cubs' guidance this year, moving the four-seamer to a place of greater primacy within his mix, but he still made great use of all his offerings. Fascinatingly, his move from the third-base side of the rubber to the first-base side made each of his pitches work better with his four-seamer, and the concomitant switch from being sinker-heavy to letting the four-seamer lead thus led his stuff to play up nicely. Here are the stuff ratings (StuffPro, where 0 is average and negative is better; it's expressed in runs against average per 100 pitches thrown), the pitch type detectabilities (the percentage of the time the hitter was estimated to accurately identify the pitch) and the best tunnel pair for each of Rea's offerings, for 2024 and 2025. Pitch Type 2024 SutffPro 2024 Pitch Type Prob. 2024 Tunnel Pair 2025 StuffPro 2025 Pitch Type Prob. 2025 Tunnel Pair Four-Seamer 0.9 35.8 Sinker 0.6 69.4 Kick-Change Sinker 0.1 63.2 Four-Seamer -0.1 45.2 Four-Seamer Cutter 0.3 42.8 Sweeper 0.2 55.8 Four-Seamer Slider - - - -0.4 28.4 Four-Seamer Sweeper 0 50.8 Cutter -0.8 55.8 Slider Curveball 0.1 49.4 Sweeper -0.1 73.4 Kick-Change Splitter 0.7 27.8 Sinker - - - Kick-Change - - - -0.3 47.9 Four-Seamer It was actually a bit easier to identify Rea's pitches in 2025, on balance, because of his move on the rubber and the fact that he threw his four-seamer more than he had thrown even his more prominent sinker in 2024. However, the StuffPro columns show how impressively his stuff played up thanks to alterations to his angles and his mechanics. His mix also widened, with the addition of the slider, and as you can see in the tunnel pair columns, four of Rea's other six pitches looked like his fastball at least a substantial share of the time for hitters last year. On almost every pitch he threw, hitters read four-seam fastball, but they were wrong often enough to produce a fair number of whiffs and plenty of weak contact. The drawback with Rea, as we discussed late in the 2025 season, is that he runs out of steam a bit near the end of most campaigns. On balance, though, he's a very useful arm. The Cubs will work hard to ensure he's not counted on for as many innings in 2026 as he was in 2025, but he's proved himself to be an average-plus big-league arm. Unlike Imanaga, he has ways to make up for it when his stuff or even his location is less than perfect; his arsenal depth and pitchability fill in the gaps. For now, Rea can be penciled in as the Cubs' fourth starter, behind Cade Horton, Matthew Boyd, and Jameson Taillon. By the middle of next season, the team will hope to have Justin Steele back from his April Tommy John surgery and be nearly ready to promote starting prospect Jaxon Wiggins. They also have Javier Assad, Jordan Wicks and Ben Brown as depth options who could start or relieve for them. A long winter lies ahead, and one or more of those younger players might be traded before Opening Day. Injuries have to be taken into account, too. The Cubs will aim to add a high-profile arm to the front end of their rotation, pushing Rea down the depth chart, but in the meantime, they acted to secure some high-quality depth for the back end of their rotation and the long relief segment of their bullpen. View the full article

The Arizona Fall League has now completed one month of games, with less than two weeks remaining in the season. For the prospects, it may be a welcome thought as they deal with the Arizona heat on a daily basis, all while playing baseball six times a week. For the Red Sox, they should feel good as an organization for how the season has gone. While it has been a month of ups and downs, the players have continued to put in the hard work to improve their games and get in the extra playing time they may have lost due to injuries throughout the regular minor league season. And while some things have looked ugly, there are still parts of the season that should have fans and the organization alike happy. Unfortunately for the Salt River Rafters, they lost all six games last week and are currently out of a playoff spot. Things are looking more and more likely that the team will fail to advance to the playoffs, though, just as I’ve said every week in these reviews: you’re not here for that. Now onto how the prospects did last week. Jay Allmer made his return to the mound this week after missing the entirety of week three with an injury. During the week, the right-hander threw two innings as he walked and struck out a batter in his first appearance. In the outing, Allmer saw his sinker reach 93.1 mph while also generating two swings and misses. In his second appearance, Allmer tossed one inning and allowed one hit. Also pitching out of the bullpen was Isaac Stebens, who pitched twice during the week. In a combined 2 1/3 innings, Stebens allowed four hits and a walk as an unearned run scored. He also managed to strike out one batter on a 94.9 mph sinker. Top pitching prospect Luis Perales had a mixed outing this week as he threw 55 pitches in 2 1/3 innings. Perales stated before the fall league began that he hoped to reach four innings by the end of the season. That has yet to happen, though he has been able to get close to 60 pitches in his last couple of outings as he continues to build up stamina following his return from Tommy John surgery. In the outing, Perales looked in control through the first two innings as the first pitch of the game was a 100.6 mph fastball. In the first inning, he would strike out two and work around a two-out single. His second inning was more of the same, getting three strikeouts as a base hit was sandwiched between the first and second out of the inning. It was his third inning where he began to tire as the first four batters reached on a double, walk, triple, and then another walk before Perales got the first out on a sac fly that scored the runner from third base. The next batter would take Perales deep and end his day on the mound with a stat line of 2 1/3 innings, five hits, five earned runs, two walks, and five strikeouts. He also managed to induce 10 whiffs while his fastball topped out at 100.9 mph. In his lone appearance this week, Jojo Ingrassia pitched rather well despite being stuck with a blown save. Tossing three innings out of the bullpen, the left-handed pitcher allowed just one run on four hits and a walk. Pitching in the fifth, Ingrassia worked around a one-out walk and a double that placed runners on second and third. While the next batter tied the game with a single, Ingrassia buckled down and got the next two outs. In the final two innings, he would only allow two hits. Over the three innings, he managed to generate nine whiffs. Of all the Red Sox pitchers this week, Brandon Neely may have had the roughest outing. Appearing in just one game, Neely threw 1 2/3 innings while allowing three runs on three hits and two walks. He also struck out three. However, the young pitcher needed 44 pitches to not even get through two innings. His first inning was rather promising, though, getting two strikeouts, both with his cutter. Much like Perales, it was his final inning that did him in as he opened it with a groundout before the next four hitters reached base and made the game 9-1. Neely would strike out his final hitter on a 94.2 mph sinker before being replaced. Offensively, it was a struggle again as even the previously red-hot Stanley Tucker saw his hitting cool off. Tucker, who had been one of the better hitters in the fall league, appeared in four games and went 1-for-12 with four strikeouts and three walks. He also stole one base during the week, bringing his total to 10. At the end of the week, Tucker was hitting .276 with a .728 OPS. Joining Tucker with a rough week offensively was Nelly Taylor, the outfielder who appeared in just two games during the week and failed to collect a hit. In total, he went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts, three walks, and a run scored. He also stole two bases to bring his season total to seven. Taylor, who has played sparingly, has seen the least amount of playing time out of the three position players sent by the Red Sox. The final position player, Johanfran Garcia, appeared in four games, split between catcher and designated hitter, as he showed some signs offensively. Across his four appearances, Garcia went 2-for-11 with his second home run of the season. In the eighth inning of the November 2 game, Garcia took a slider up in the zone and deposited it into center field to make it a one-run game. The ball had an exit velocity of 108.6 mph. To go along with the home run, Garcia doubled earlier in the week. He also walked five times and struck out four times. Garcia also drove in three runs during the week. The season is quickly coming to a close, with only one full week remaining before the AFL prepares for the last few games, the All-Star game, and the playoffs. Hopefully, the players sent by the Red Sox continue to show signs of improvement despite less-than-ideal stat lines. View the full article

Early November brought some news that was long-expected, as closer Robert Suárez opted out out of the remaining two years and $16 million on his contract. As such, the league leader in saves—who recorded 76 combined over the last two seasons—will handle ninth-inning duty for a new club in 2026. Fortunately for the San Diego Padres, they were prepared for this very scenario. The Padres ran as deep bullpen mix as anyone in 2025. Suárez combined with the likes of Jeremiah Estrada, Adrian Morejon, and Jason Adam to comprise an intensely dynamic group of relief arms. The addition of Mason Miller only added to the stability offered by their corps of relievers. Miller's addition, in conjunction with his extended team control, led many to believe that A.J. Preller was accounting for the eventual departure of Suárez two months before the decision was even set to be made. That means that while the team will now be without Suárez, they're well-suited to handle things in his absence. While it's impossible to say that the team has gotten better by losing one of the game's top ninth inning arms, neither of the team's already-existent depth and the financial flexibility restored by his opting out are factors that should be ignored in discussing what shape the group takes next season. The most intriguing discussion to emerge from this is what now happens to Miller and Morejon, specifically. Estrada and Adam (and, to an extent, David Morgan) are going to be in relief. There's an outside shot at regular ninth inning work for one of them, but the respective paths of each of Miller and Morejon are going to say a fascinating amount about how this pitching staff is constructed for next year. It's all theoretical at present, but worth musing about in an abstract sense given how much time there is between now and the spring exhibition season. Miller's name has been floated as a rotation candidate for 2026. It was something discussed in Sacramento prior to his trade and followed him to San Diego, after injury forced him into relief in 2023. With the Padres set to lose each of Michael King and Dylan Cease in free agency, there's not only a volume need in the rotation, but a need for high-end stuff. Miller's combination of a historically good fastball and slider is tantalizing toward such a purpose, even if it's a move that would require more of his seldom-used changeup. After seeing Garrett Crochet pull off such a volume jump to immediate success, it stands to reason that Miller could replicate it given his powerful arsenal. At the same time, you do worry about those durability concerns manifesting again. It's not a dissimilar situation from that of Adrian Morejon. A former starter from within the organization, Morejon has had his own health battles that forced him into a successful relief stint. He doesn't offer the same strikeout stuff of Miller, but deploys his upper-tier velocity in limiting quality contact (with a 99th percentile Hard-Hit% in 2025). What sets him apart from Miller is that his stuff would likely play as a starter more seamlessly; Morejon utilized at least five different pitches in '25, including three different shapes of fastball. Regardless of which pitcher may or may not be better-suited for a starting role, there are multiple considerations of which to take stock as this offseason wears on. Those considerations appear more in the form of questions, as we have to wonder if one of Miller or Morejon grabbing a rotation spot automatically means that the other would remain in relief. Specifically, does one step into a starting spot while the other slides into the role vacated by Robert Suárez? Or is there a world where both take on a role as a starter while high-leverage relief innings are left to the likes of Estrada, Adam, Morgan, and a lefty-to-be-named-later (in Morejon's stead)? Does the potential for one or both to move to the starting group even make the Padres better considering how much of a strength their relief corps was last year? Considering the upside, it's easy imagine the Padres would be happy to allow both in their rotation as their health and performance would allow. Relief additions are cheaper (and shorter term) than starters, after all. So, it's unlikely that this is a one-or-the-other scenario. Still, how the Padres answer those aforementioned questions could inform how they choose to approach the offseason in terms of additions to the pitching staff. As such, there's a chance that we, as outsiders, have a good idea as to what opportunities for such a transition would look like depending on who and what acquisitions occur over the course of this winter. View the full article

Days after declining Shota Imanaga's option, opening a spot in the Chicago Cubs rotation, they have extended a different starter for one year with a team option in 2027. Steve Adams of MLBTR is reporting that the Chicago Cubs and Colin Rea have agreed to a one-year contract extension. Rea had a $6 million club option (with a $750K buyout) for 2026; however, this deal gives him a $500K raise next year, with a $6.5 million club option in 2027. A buyout, if that option is declined, was not reported. Rea, who spent the first month of the season as a swingman, was thrust into the rotation due to injuries. He handled the transition relatively well across 27 starts, posting a 4.29 FIP and 12.6% K-BB rate. The 35-year-old's under-the-hood metrics weren't great, but his deep arsenal helped mitigate his lack of "stuff". In particular, his off-speed offerings held opposing hitters to a sub-.260 batting and sub-.400 slugging percentage. Simply put, he did a serviceable job in the back end of the Cubs' rotation, eating innings. The loss of Imanaga hopefully forces the Cubs' hand in pursuing a higher-end starting option in free agency, especially after it was reported they wouldn't be pursuing top-end relievers. How do you feel about Rea as a back-end rotation/swing man arm for the 2026 season? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Major League Baseball's revenue-sharing model was created to level the platform all teams play from, without completely removing the incentive for some clubs to seek stronger financial positions and revenue sources. The idea is that the Dodgers and Yankees need a sturdy competitive landscape to exist, in order to bring in the massive sums of money they accumulate. The problem is that, at present, two large loopholes exist in the league's revenue-sharing plan: Some teams have managed to avoid paying what they should owe; and The revenues shared are then distributed equally, rather than on a meritocratic basis. That disincentivizes some teams from trying to win and improve the on-field product. Tax Avoidance Let's start with the first, and perhaps the most obvious culprit: the Los Angeles Dodgers. Way back in 2012, with the team facing imminent bankruptcy after Frank McCourt siphoned funds from the club to finance his divorce, MLB awarded the Dodgers a favorable deal to pull themselves out of a hole. The following season, they would be permitted to treat their media revenue as a maximum of $84 million for revenue-sharing purposes, a figure that would increase by 4% each year thereafter. This deal would continue for the following 25 years. (Note: yes, that is a ludicrous period of time for this kind of deal.) In 2017, MLB realized the folly of their ways and adjusted the initial starting point to $130 million, but even that has proven to be an insufficient change. The Dodgers' TV Deal with Spectrum far exceeds that; it's valued at $8.35 billion over 25 years, or $334 million per year. Here's how that looks over the course of the 25-year period, with all values below in millions: Year Real Local TV Revenue Revenue Sharing Due Adjusted Local TV Revenue Adjusted Revenue Sharing Due Annual Savings Cumulative Savings 2014 $334.00 $113.60 $130.00 $44.20 $69.40 $69.40 2015 $334.00 $113.60 $135.20 $45.97 $67.63 $137.03 2016 $334.00 $113.60 $140.60 $47.80 $65.80 $202.83 2017 $334.00 $160.30 $146.20 $70.18 $90.12 $292.95 2018 $334.00 $160.30 $152.10 $73.01 $87.29 $380.24 2019 $334.00 $160.30 $158.20 $75.94 $84.36 $464.61 2020 $334.00 $160.30 $164.80 $79.10 $81.20 $545.80 2021 $334.00 $160.30 $171.10 $82.13 $78.17 $623.98 2022 $334.00 $160.30 $177.90 $85.39 $74.91 $698.88 2023 $334.00 $160.30 $185.00 $88.80 $71.50 $770.38 2024 $334.00 $160.30 $192.40 $92.35 $67.95 $838.33 2025 $334.00 $160.30 $200.10 $96.05 $64.25 $902.58 2026 $334.00 $160.30 $208.10 $99.89 $60.41 $963.00 2027 $334.00 $160.30 $216.50 $103.92 $56.38 $1,019.38 2028 $334.00 ? $225.10 ? 2029 $334.00 ? $234.10 ? 2030 $334.00 ? $243.50 ? 2031 $334.00 ? $253.20 ? 2032 $334.00 ? $263.40 ? 2033 $334.00 ? $273.90 ? 2034 $334.00 ? $284.80 ? 2035 $334.00 ? $296.20 ? 2036 $334.00 ? $308.10 ? 2037 $334.00 ? $320.40 ? 2038 $334.00 ? $333.20 ? With 48% of all teams' local revenues being shared, the Dodgers are saving over $60 million per year even now, halfway through this slow walk back to paying full freight. In the first year of Shohei Ohtani's contract, they saved the entire salary ($68 million) they deferred to after the end of Ohtani's deal in revenue-sharing avoidance alone. They were required to put that much into escrow, and they could easily do so, because they had all that extra cash they didn't have to pay into the league's shared pool. If the next CBA changes nothing about the fundamental revenue-sharing structure, the Dodgers will surpass $1 billion in cumulative savings in the first year of the new deal. Another loophole in Major League Baseball’s revenue-sharing system involves local media deals, more generally. Clubs can manipulate revenue figures by acquiring partial ownership of the broadcasters that air their games. While revenue from local TV rights is subject to sharing across the league, profits generated through ownership stakes in the broadcasting networks are not. Instead, they are treated as a subsidiary/investment earning. The most prominent example is the New York Yankees, who own a significant share of the YES Network. The network reportedly generates around $500 million annually, yet only about $200 million is included in the revenue-sharing calculations. Other teams employing similar strategies include: Chicago Cubs – Marquee Sports Network Boston Red Sox – New England Sports Network Chicago White Sox – CHSN Atlanta Braves – Bally Sports South/Southeast Detroit Tigers – Bally Sports Detroit St. Louis Cardinals – Bally Sports Midwest Houston Astros – AT&T SportsNet Southwest Miami Marlins – Bally Sports Florida Ownership stakes vary among these teams. For instance, the Marlins have a much smaller share in Bally Sports Florida, compared to the Cubs’ stake in Marquee. Additionally, the financial instability of Bally Sports and its parent company, Sinclair Group, introduces risk. However, in larger markets, the risks are lower and the financial rewards greater, enabling teams like the Yankees, Cubs, and Red Sox to significantly reduce their revenue-sharing obligations—at least relative to the spirit of the revenue-sharing rules. The core issue with these loopholes isn’t the modest additional income small-market clubs would receive—less than $10 million annually per team, most years—but the missed opportunity to limit the spending power of big-market franchises. This perpetuates a concentration of top-tier talent among the wealthiest teams, increasing monopolization within the league. Addressing these loopholes would be a meaningful step toward greater competitive balance in Major League Baseball. The league could go a long way to addressing competitive balance by implementing changes to address these two methods by which big-market teams reserve large portions of their revenue, which may handicap some in a meaningful way. The impact to the Dodgers of changing their revenue-sharing agreement would be substantial, but it's shrinking every year. The league already adjusted this once and could do so again. On top of this, the shares in local network's to avoid treating them as local revenue earnings is a clear workaround—the type that, were it a tax avoidance scheme, would be closed quickly. It's particularly important the league do so, given that some of the ownership groups mentioned above (the Red Sox and the Cubs, most notably) do not appear to be investing as they are capable of. They're pulling that money out of the game's circulation entirely. This all invites the question: Do small-market teams deserve a greater share of revenues? Problem Number Two - This Isn't A Meritocracy Some small-market teams take being competitive very seriously. The Brewers, Rays, and Guardians all take pride in their on-field product, trying to compete year after year. They have shown themselves to be capable of standing with, and beating, the bigger-payroll teams within their divisions. Over the last five years, the Brewers have four division titles; the Guardians have three; and the Rays have reached the postseason three times, with one division title and a 100-win season to boot. The point of revenue sharing is to maintain a strong, competitive sport. These teams have certainly done that. Others have certainly not. Bob Nutting of the Pirates has invested almost nothing into his team, despite the increased draw of Paul Skenes and a phenomenal rotation behind him that's crying out for some offensive support. The Cincinnati Reds haven't been quite so poor, but they certainly haven't done much around Elly De La Cruz. The Chicago White Sox have been a dumpster fire, while the Rockies have shown minimal interest in doing anything that will actually help them win (though they have spent money; we'll blame this one on ineptitude). Finally, the Minnesota Twins' recent culling is a poor look for the sport and their fan base. Some of these teams tanked in 2025, and will probably do so again in 2026. Some have done it on such a consistent basis that it should be questioned whether they deserve the additional revenue at all. Just as the Cubs should have extra revenues wrested from them if they're not rolling them back into the team, small-market teams with no intention of spending should be denied extra funds. It's hard to argue against the Brewers, Rays and Guardians receiving more funds than the Pirates or Rockies from revenue sharing. They're advancing the sport, performing well within their markets, and playing some unique brands of baseball that allow them to win on the margins. With clear statements of intent, it seems as though these teams should be better rewarded. Teams with winning records could receive larger shares of revenue-sharing funds the following year, while teams who lose more than 100 games or spend less than a certain amount could be barred from receiving their full allotments the next year. Perhaps such a ploy would better incentivize small-market teams to compete with more urgency, addressing the competitive balance issue in MLB. Can you see any of the changes mentioned above coming into MLB in the next CBA? Would either make a difference? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! View the full article

Alex and Maddie are back after the World Series to give an offseason primer and talk about just why this free agent class could be considered lackluster. They speculate what Triston Casas could be talking about in his most recent, very cryptic, Instagram post, and then talk through pitching trade ideas. They wrap up talking about the still-clogged outfield and what the remedy for that situation could be. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-talk-sox-podcast/id1783204104 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3qPrPXEngu0CxgTmlf0ynm Listen on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-the-talk-sox-podcast-244591331/ Listen on Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/4tmd121v Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talksox View the full article

Whether new Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton planned to or not, he'll need to find a new bench coach for the 2026 season. Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic is reporting that the San Francisco Giants are hiring Minnesota Twins bench coach Jayce Tingler for the same position. It has not been reported whether Tingler has been informed that he was or was not going to return for 2026. It is also not known whether he was considered for the Twins' managerial vacancy. Before serving as the Twins' bench coach, Tingler managed the San Diego Padres for two seasons, leading them to a 116-106 record. In an article written by Megan Ryan of the Minnesota Star Tribune, he is described as "someone who, really, the key trait, what stood out the most, is who he is as a person, who he is as a leader, and how he goes about in helping players and staff and everyone around him" by Derek Falvey. Tingler and the new Giants manager, Tony Vitello, were college teammates at the University of Missouri and are "close friends", per Baggarly. That, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding his standing with Shelton and the Twins, likely explains the lateral move. How do you think the Twins will be impacted by his departure? Let us know what you think in the comments! View the full article

The Chicago Cubs enter the offseason needing to add weapons to their bullpen, so surely they'll be aggressive in the free agent market, right? Right!? Not so fast. In an article posted to The Athletic, Sahadev Sharma was told by league sources "not to expect the Cubs to jump in on big-name free agent relievers, at least not early on." In other words, Cubs fans might feel like they're in the twilight zone, reliving last offseason. Though it shouldn't be a surprise, it's not the update Cubs were hoping to hear as the team has lost four bullpen arms four days into the offseason. Yesterday, they traded Andrew Kittredge to the Orioles, and Brad Keller, Drew Pomeranz, and Caleb Thielbar entered free agency at season's end. In short, the Cubs will need to replace more than 170 innings of sub-3 ERA - a tall task when you're not going after the big fish. However, those names weren't towards the top of the pool last year, and it turned out all right for the Cubs. Once again, the Cubs will be operating on the margins, looking to sign cost-effective arms to rebuild a bullpen. As a whole, the 2025 bullpen was roughly league average, posting a 4.03 FIP (16th) and accumulating 3.1 fWAR (19th). Do you think the Cubs should be more open to adding a top-end relief arm in free agency? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

While some Major League Baseball teams have transitioned to a direct-to-consumer model, the Milwaukee Brewers will stick with the regional sports network (RSN) model for at least one more season. Adam McCalvy of MLB.com is reporting that the Milwaukee Brewers extended their agreement with Main Street Sports, which owns FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin. This will be the Brewers' third season on the network. While the product offered by MLB helps market fans avoid blackouts, RSN deals typically generate more revenue for teams. It's worth noting that there were plans for the team to be broadcast by MLB following the 2024 season before they reversed course and agreed to a deal with the network. While it's unknown how long the deal will run, Rob Manfred has targeted 2028 as a date to make sweeping moves with baseball's local television contracts. It is unlikely this Brewers' contract goes beyond the 2027 season, at most. Sentiment on X seems generally negative toward the announcement, specifically citing major issues with the app. What has your experience been with the network and its app? View the full article