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Spring training invitations serve two purposes. For the team, the players invited to big-league camp serve mainly as extras for drills, or to make sure certain positions (like catcher) have bodies to handle all the pitchers. But for the players—the prospects who have a hope of one day reaching the majors—a spring training invite is a chance to open the eyes of the coaching staff and front office, possibly even with another team. The Milwaukee Brewers sent out another round of invites that popped up on the transactions page recently. Those went to six players, two of whom were in the Brewers' system last season. Those two are catcher Darrien Miller and infielder-outfielder Eduardo Garcia. Miller was a ninth-round draft choice by the Brewers in 2019 out of a California high school, and has slowly made his way up the system. The soon-to-be 25-year-old played the last two years at Double-A Biloxi, with slash lines of .212/.392/.291 and .192/.381/.329, respectively, in a combined 174 games. Garcia was an international signing in 2018, only playing his first season in the U.S. in 2021. The 23-year-old split 2025 at High-A Wisconsin and Double-A Biloxi, after getting a brief taste of Biloxi in 2024 (10 games). A versatile defender and athlete, he played 58 games at shortstop and 54 in center field between the two stops, while also getting time at third base, second base, and left field. After a slash line of .252/.341/.435 with 13 homers and 47 RBIs in 96 games at Wisconsin, Garcia had a .212/.297/.265 showing with no homers and nine RBIs in 33 games at Biloxi. He also made 22 starts at short this winter in Venezuela for the Cardenales de Lara, who posted the best regular-season record in the league. He had a .324/.395/.581 slash line with six homers and 19 RBIs in 34 games. As for the organization newcomers, right-handers Gerson Gerabito and Drew Rom had previously signed minor-league contracts. You can find more about their path to the Crew here. Shortstop Eddys Leonard signed a minor-league deal in November and just formally got his invite. Leonard, who turned 25 in November, was originally signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an international free agent in 2017 and was still a top prospect in 2022, with MLB Pipeline ranking him eighth in the system. But the Dodgers cut him loose in 2023, trading him to the Detroit Tigers after designating him for assignment. After the 2024 season, Leonard was DFA'd by the Tigers, but returned on a minor-league deal. Late in spring training, the Tigers released him. Atlanta scooped up Leonard a few days later, and he put up a .239/.304/.435 slash line with 20 homers and 61 RBIs in 126 games at Triple-A Gwinnett. Last, but not least, is outfielder Greg Jones, the only one of this group to have played in an MLB game. Originally a first-round draft pick (22nd overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays out of North Carolina-Wilimington in 2019, Jones has appeared in nine MLB games over the last two seasons: six with the Colorado Rockies in 2024 and three with the Chicago White Sox in 2025. Jones has a career minor-league slash line of .262/.346/.434 with 51 homers and 194 RBIs in 380 games across six seasons, but his calling card is his speed and defense. He has 172 steals in 197 attempts, with a career-high 46 swipes in 2024. He signed about a month ago, but the Brewers' transaction log called Saturday's move a signing as well. Both moves are on Jones's MLB.com player page. There will be more spring invites handed out, especially to some of the Crew's top prospects, as we get closer to pitchers and catchers reporting in less than a month. View the full article

Not even a week after trading Edward Cabrera to the Chicago Cubs, the Miami Marlins have dealt left-handed pitcher Ryan Weathers to the New York Yankees, according to Jack Curry of the YES Network. The return is centered around outfield prospect Dillon Lewis and includes fellow position players Brendan Jones, Dillon Jasso and Juan Matheus. Neither club has made the trade official as of early Tuesday evening. The Marlins acquired Weathers on the day of the 2023 MLB trade deadline, sending first baseman Garrett Cooper and reliever Sean Reynolds to the San Diego Padres. He pitched only 13 innings at the major league level with his new club that year, but impressed in their regular season finale was included on the National League Wild Card Series roster. Weathers made the 2024 Opening Day roster, but was bit by the injury bug, as he suffered a left index finger strain. This would be the first of three IL stints in Weathers' tenure on the Marlins. In 2024, he was threw 86 ⅔ innings, which was the most in a season with the Marlins, and posted a 3.63 ERA, 4.11 FIP, 8.31 K/9 and 2.49 BB/9 (career-low). In 2025, Weathers showed increased fastball velo during spring training, topping out at 99 mph multiple times. Unfortunately, he began the season sidelined, being placed on the injured list with a left flexor muscle strain. He wouldn't return until May 14. His final IL stint came following a start against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 7. He suffered a left lat strain, keeping him out until September, where he made three starts to wrap up the season. Weathers finished 2025 with eight starts, going 38 ⅓ innings pitched and posting a 3.99 ERA, 4.60 FIP, 8.69 K/9 and 2.82 BB/9. His fastball averaged 96.9 mph, which is the highest of his career up to this point. fk5yhk.mp4 Recently, Weathers and the Marlins settled on a $1.35M salary for 2026 to avoid arbitration. Especially early in the season, the Yankees will be relying heavily on the 26-year-old as veteran arms Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón are expected to start off on the IL. Weathers is under club control through 2028 for a total of three full seasons. Lewis comes in ranked as the Yankees eight-ranked prospect per Baseball America and 16th per MLB Pipeline. He spent the 2025 season between Low-A and High-A. He slashed .237/.321/.445/.766 with 22 home runs, 79 RBI, 26 stolen bases and a 121 wRC+ between both levels. He was one of just 12 players in the minor leagues to hit 20 doubles and 20 home runs while stealing 20 bases. Offensively, Lewis profiles more as a power-first bat with plenty of speed. "His impact potential showed up in a 90th percentile exit velocity of 107.7 mph that placed him in the same range as top prospects like Bryce Eldridge and Konnor Griffin," his Baseball America scouting report says. BA also describes Lewis as the Yankees' best defensive outfielder. In 2025, Lewis played primarily center field, spending 59 games at the position. He also played both corner outfield spots pretty evenly. Looking at the Marlins 2026 projected rotation, the one-two punch of Sandy Alcantara and Eury Pérez remains intact, but the rest is pretty murky. You have Max Meyer, Janson Junk, Adam Mazur and Ryan Gusto as candidates who made starts for the 2025 Marlins (Junk was the most effective of that group). Braxton Garrett is a total wild card, but his left-handedness and track record of filling up the strike zone may help his case. Then there are top prospects Robby Snelling and Thomas White. Snelling, who is knocking on the door, should have a much better chance at making the Opening Day roster following the trade. Fish On First's number three prospect in the organization threw in 136 innings between AA and AAA, posting a 2.51 ERA, 2.77 FIP, 10.99 K/9 and 2.58 BB/9. Once Snelling made it to AAA, he posted a 1.27 ERA and a 11.45 K/9. A very strong spring training may very well land him in the Opening Day rotation as the fourth or fifth starter. White, who MLB Pipeline rated as the best left-handed pitching prospect in all of baseball, posted a 2.31 ERA, 2.27 FIP, 14.55 K/9 and 5.12 BB/9 in 89 ⅔ innings pitched. White only made two starts in AAA. He still will need some time to develop, specifically to lower the high amount of walks. More news to follow... View the full article

The Chicago Cubs have not stood Pat since acquiring Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins and signing superstar third baseman Alex Bregman. While they haven't made significant moves, they have made a trio of moves that will improve the team's depth. First, they signed reliever Corbin Martin to a minor league deal, which we covered here. Then Ari Alexander of 7News Boston reported that they were doing the same with reliever Tyler Beede. That was capped off by Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reporting that they claimed outfielder Justin Dean off of waivers from the San Francisco Giants. Neither of the latter two players made an impact at the MLB level in 2025. Beede is the bigger dart throw. Though he spent part of the season in the Minnesota Twins organization's Triple-A affiliate, Saint Paul, he also spent time in the Independent and Mexican baseball leagues. With the Twins, he made seven appearances (1 start) with an 8.00 ERA, slightly better than his 13 games pitched in 2024 for the Cleveland Guardians. Dean technically made it to the big leagues last year, playing in 18 games, though he was primarily used as a base-running specialist and defensive replacement, with just two plate appearances. In Triple-A Oklahoma City, he hit .289 with a .809 OPS, six home runs, 27 stolen bases, and a 110 wRC+ over 347 plate appearances. If he can hit well enough, he's a great 26th man off the bench in late-inning, high-leverage situations. Which of the three signings do you think has the best chance at making an impact in 2026? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

When the Twins selected right-hander Riley Quick with the 36th overall pick last summer, it was easy to see why there was so much internal excitement. College pitchers with polish, athleticism, and a starter’s arsenal don't linger long on draft night. The question now is not whether Quick belongs in the organization’s long-term plans, but how aggressively Minnesota should move him during the 2026 season. Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll addressed that idea earlier this offseason, striking a tone that leaned toward patience but left the door open for flexibility. “Good question,” Zoll replied when asked about the possibility that the Twins would fast-track the 21-year-old right-hander out of the University of Alabama. “We had him throwing down in Fort Myers, post-draft, so we need to get him incorporated into affiliated ball and into a full season. “But we’re really excited about Riley,” Zoll went on to say. “We were really pumped that he was available at that spot. We weren’t sure he was even going to be there, but we want to let him settle in, and we’ll go from there.” President of baseball and business operations Derek Falvey echoed that sentiment, while also explaining why the development path for recent college pitchers has shifted. “I’ll add to that,” interjected Falvey. “With where the draft is now in the calendar year, especially with those college pitchers who have thrown a decent amount, it’s hard for them to ramp back up. So, that first year is kind of an introduction to pro ball. The next year is when we have to see, ‘What does the season look like?’ It’s made the track on that a little different than maybe it’s been before. We’re not going to rush any of those guys. We’re going to make sure they get a good foundation.” That foundation is essential for Quick, who has not appeared in an official game since signing. His junior season at Alabama was impressive, as he posted a 3.92 ERA, a 3.49 FIP, and a 25.9% strikeout rate while competing in the toughest conference in college baseball. On performance alone, it's easy to see the argument for moving him quickly once he is fully integrated into affiliated ball. There are clear pros to pushing Quick aggressively in 2026. He's a mature college arm with experience against high-level competition and a clean, coordinated delivery that stood out to Twins evaluators. His fastball, slider, and changeup already give him three legitimate weapons, and Minnesota has a strong track record of helping college pitchers refine or add to their pitch mix. If Quick shows early command and durability, there is little reason to let him stagnate at lower levels simply for the sake of caution. His athletic background only strengthens that case. Quick was a standout in both baseball and football at Hewitt Trussville High School in Alabama and drew attention from SEC football programs. That athleticism translates to the mound, where his repeatable mechanics and body control suggest a pitcher capable of handling challenges and adjustments quickly. “I got my first SEC offer during COVID, and I was like, this is probably what I’m going to want to do,” said Quick. “Then COVID summer happened, and baseball started getting fired back up again. I started throwing, and I was throwing really good, and I was like, ‘Okay, I think I like striking people out a little bit more.’” The cons of a fast-track approach are just as real. Quick underwent Tommy John surgery in February 2024, and while his return to form has been encouraging, the Twins have every reason to prioritize long-term health over short-term gains. A full professional season will be a new workload benchmark for him. Managing innings and ensuring recovery between appearances will matter more than his level assignment. There is also the developmental side that goes beyond results. Quick is still learning how his stuff plays against professional hitters, and how to sequence his pitches consistently in multiple trips through a lineup. Rushing that process could limit the opportunity for refinement that turns a solid prospect into a reliable major-league starter. Twins assistant general manager Sean Johnson emphasized that there is still more upside to uncover. “We had a great combine interview with him, and it kind of synced up with what we saw on the field,” said Johnson. “And he’s a pitcher, we think there’s even more to unlock with the way he uses his pitches and his arsenal. Our pitcher development guys are just so excited to have him on board.” In the end, the best path for Quick in 2026 likely lives somewhere in the middle. The Twins do not need to artificially slow him down if he proves he's ready for the next challenge, but there is also no benefit to forcing an accelerated timeline simply because the talent is obvious. Letting performance, health, and development dictate the pace allows Minnesota to balance the upside of a quick mover with the responsibility of protecting a valuable arm. If that balance is struck, Quick’s arrival will feel earned rather than rushed, which is exactly how the Twins want their next wave of pitching to emerge. Should the Twins fast-track Quick in 2026? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

When the San Diego Padres traded six minor-league players at the deadline for Ryan O'Hearn and Ramón Laureano, they did so with the 2025 season in mind. They were part of a seven-player haul in total, as the team tried to overhaul their offense first and pitching staff second. Of course, that didn't yield tremendous results, as the lineup went ice cold against the Chicago Cubs in the NL Wild Card Round, and now O'Hearn has joined the Pittsburgh Pirates on a two-year deal in free agency. Laureano, meanwhile, is sticking around for at least one more campaign after the Friars exercised their $6.5 million club option on the left fielder. Between San Diego and Baltimore at age 30 last year, Laureano had arguably the best season of his career, hitting .281/.342/.512 along with 24 home runs and seven stolen bases. His overall offensive line translated to a .364 wOBA and 138 wRC+. In 198 plate appearances for San Diego, he hit .269/.323/.489 with nine home runs and three stolen bases, with a 6.6 percent walk rate and 23.7 percent strikeout rate.; that translated to a .347 wOBA and 127 wRC+. He's never been a particularly great defensive outfielder, though his arm strength routinely ranks among the best in the league (85th percentile last year). He accrued 7 Defensive Runs Saved last season, though that comes with the caveat of -9 Outs Above Average also being attached to his work with the glove. In all, it's a quality corner outfielder profile, particularly with Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr. locking down the rest of the grass at Petco Park. Here's the thing, though: Laureano re-broke out at 30 years old. Since 2019, he had never been more than 12% better than league average at the plate; he was 38% better in 2025. He slashed his strikeout rate to a career-low figure while maintaining his career average in generating free passes. And he did all of it without a noticeable jump in bat speed. Is this really sustainable? The most immediate improvement he made year-over-year was attacking breaking balls, especially out in front. From his debut through the end of the 2024 season, Laureano had never posted a wOBA above .300 against those offerings, despite seeing them roughly one-third of the time. Last year, though, he clobbered them to the tune of a .410 wOBA and .624 slugging percentage. It was his most productive season against any pitch type since he was smashing fastballs in his prime six years ago. He also had his best season since his rookie debut against off-speed pitches (.326 wOBA). He whiffed against both pitch types far less, making the clear and educated adjustment to prioritize anticipating non-fastballs at the plate. That did lead to an offensive downturn against heaters (.346 wOBA), but that's still above-average production. If nothing else, Laureano became a far more well-rounded hitter in 2025 who was among the best players in the sport at pulling the ball in the air, another testament to the changes he made in trying to attack slower stuff farther out in front of the plate. That's a replicable skill, even as Laureano gets deeper into this thirties. He's never been overly reliant on excellent bat speed to crush fastball, instead dictating his plate approach around them. Now, he's made the necessary adjustment to handle other pitch types with aplomb, insulating himself from the adverse effects of aging (like struggling to catch up to fastballs). That overhaul also allowed him to dramatically improve in terms of out-of-zone swing rate (dropped by 4.6% year over year) and hard-hit rate (8.3% jump). He wasn't the prize of the Padres' trade deadline haul — he arguably even wasn't the biggest name that returned to San Diego in his own trade. And yet, with the Friars focusing so many of their limited resources on pitching staff upgrades this offseason, Laureano has become one of the key figures in an offense that routinely failed to live up to expectations in 2025. Perhaps a full year of his presence will be just what the doctor ordered. View the full article

It's been a few weeks since we've had any updates on the San Francisco Giants interest of Nico Horner. A recent report suggests that interest may be getting bigger and, with the recent signing of Alex Bregman, the Chicago Cubs utility infielder is more of a movable asset. Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that "the San Francisco Giants are aggressively pursuing a second baseman" and names Hoerner as a target. Though he logged innings primarily at shortstop in 2025, Hoerner has long been a utility man and can play the Keystone. Not particularly known for his power, Oracle Park would likely sap the little bit that he has, though he is always a threat on the base path. Over seven seasons with the Cubs he has been a slightly above average hitter with a .742 OPS and a 103 wRC+. There's always the possibility that Matt Shaw could be another candidate, though there has been no indication that his name has been brought up in any trade talks with the Giants or otherwise. Do you think the Cubs should move on from one of Hoerner or Shaw? Let us know what you think in the comments! View the full article

Everything has been coming up roses for the Blue Jays this offseason, but there is one small blemish that will work its way through the arbitration process in the next month or so. The Jays came to agreements with Daulton Varsho ($10.75 million), Ernie Clement ($4.6 million) and Tyler Heineman ($1.2375 million) prior to the filing deadline, but Eric Lauer’s arbitration case remains unresolved. Like most teams, the Jays have often been cautious about hearings and aim to settle before the filing deadline. With Lauer, that approach did not work out, and the two sides will be joining up to 17 other players and their respective teams in front of an arbitration panel in February. While some of those cases could still be resolved without a hearing, that’s not likely to be the case for Toronto and Lauer. The 18 unresolved cases across MLB are up one from last season’s 17, but not the most ever. In 2023, 33 cases saw sides exchange numbers, though only 19 went to a hearing. Clubs won more than twice as many of those cases as players. Lauer’s camp filed at $5.75 million while the Blue Jays filed at $4.4 million for the 2026 season. This spread, though not enormous in absolute terms, is meaningful within the structure of arbitration proceedings. That said, this isn’t Tarik Skubal. Skubal is asking for a record $32 million in arbitration, while the Tigers have countered with $19 million. The gap between the proposals from Lauer and the Jays seems to be an issue of whether Lauer, a hybrid pitcher, is more of a starter or a long reliever. Starters and closers make the money, while journeyman middle-relievers don’t tend to cash in. For Lauer, this process is unwinding prior to his final season of club control before free agency. The decision will shape not only his 2026 compensation but will likely impact his role and future market value. For Toronto, winning this arbitration case will help keep the payroll total down within a competitive window that has recently included aggressive additions and contract extensions elsewhere on the roster. After signing a minor league deal with the Jays last season, Lauer started at Triple-A Buffalo and was then called up in late April, becoming a flexible rotation-bullpen swingman. He logged 104.2 innings across 28 appearances (15 starts), posting a 3.18 ERA, 102 strikeouts, and a 1.11 WHIP. He was a glue in the rotation and the bullpen that kept the team above water through injuries and low points during the season. His contributions extended into October, when Lauer made five postseason appearances for Toronto. He totalled 8.2 innings with a 3.12 ERA, including a high-leverage, extra-innings relief stint during the World Series that amplified his reputation in that long relief role. Playoff work is not directly calculated as part of arbitration-estimate formulas, which traditionally favor regular season counting stats, role classifications, and service-time cohorts. Still, it can shape perceived value and, therefore, organizational strategy. Lauer’s MLB arc began with the Padres, followed by a multi-year tenure with the Brewers. In 2023, he earned $5.075 million via arbitration. He then decided to rebuild his value in 2024 with a stint in Korea’s KBO with the Kia Tigers. Through the end of the 2025 season, Lauer carries a career MLB record of 45–39 with a 4.13 ERA across 148 appearances (127 starts). Players who return to MLB from playing overseas in Korea or Japan generally have their previous MLB service time reinstated, which determines their arbitration and free agent eligibility. That’s the case for Lauer. Last season, Lauer signed with the Jays for a $2.2 million base salary if he made the big league club. He ended up earning a prorated portion of that figure, $1,897,856. That was quite a drop from his last MLB salary with the Brewers. Historically, players who succeed overseas see a bump in salary after their international foray. A distant example includes Cecil Fielder, who earned $125,000 with the Jays in 1988, played one year in Japan, then returned to the majors with the Tigers for $1.5 million. More recently, former first-round pick Erick Fedde went to the KBO in 2023 after he initially struggled to a 5.86 ERA in the majors over several seasons with the Nationals. He returned to MLB in 2024 on a two-year, $15 million contract with the White Sox. After putting up a 5.86 ERA in MLB from 2020-21, Cody Ponce had a strong season in the KBO in 2025. That experience secured him a three-year, $30 million deal with the Jays. In his last season with the Pirates, Ponce’s salary was $240,317. The structure of the salary arbitration process mandates that, after the tender and exchange deadlines, the player and club submit single-year salary proposals to a three-person panel. Hearings typically occur in early February. The panel must pick either the club’s or the player’s proposal after considering evidence such as role, playing time, statistics, service time, and comparable players’ salaries. Negotiations can continue until the moment of hearing, although “file-and-trial” philosophies limit such flexibility for some clubs, including the Jays. In 2024, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Jays went to a hearing. The panel sided with Guerrero and awarded him $19.9 million. The team had offered $18.05 million. It was the first hearing for the Jays since 2019, when they appeared before a panel with Ryan Tepera. The team won that case with their offer of $1.525 million after he asked for $1.8 million. In Lauer’s case, the team will most likely argue that his 28 appearances and 15 starts define him as a hybrid pitcher whose earnings should align with those of bulk relievers rather than stable mid-rotation starters. Lauer is most likely countering by highlighting his mid-season run as a starter, where he had a sub-3.20 ERA with strong strikeout-to-walk efficiency. When called upon, Lauer was ready to contribute. Beyond next season, Toronto’s left-handed depth looms large: Brendon Little and Mason Fluharty, as well as prospects like Ricky Tiedemann, Adam Macko, Johnny King and Brandon Barriera are under control for years. That surplus could explain the Jays’ hardline stance of spending discipline after a costly offseason. Lauer’s role in 2026 will probably be less of a hybrid and focused more on long relief. That said, the question marks in the starting rotation could impact Lauer’s usage, such as Shane Bieber’s health and how José Berríos responds after a tough end to his 2025 and his first IL stint. Arbitration hearings are inherently adversarial. Teams present arguments downplaying certain aspects of a player's performance or inflating role-based constraints. For the Blue Jays, whose 2026 arbitration slate is otherwise settled and whose competitive window is open, Lauer’s ultimate number will fine-tune budget allocations but not redefine roster plans. For Lauer, the hearing (and the season ahead) will help shape his free agency trajectory and clarify the market’s view of his role. View the full article

Often, ballplayers erect a bulletproof facade when talking to fans or the press. Baseball is a viciously difficult game, and admitting even a brief period of real self-doubt feels a bit like pointing to the weak point in your own armor before marching into battle. To be a successful professional athlete, you have to be an extraordinary competitor. To be a successful baseball player, you have to add some swagger to that fire. Otherwise, the inevitable failure the game heaps upon every player will block your path to victory. That made it striking when, in a brief introductory press conference via Zoom last week, Josh Bell let a group of reporters he was meeting for the first time glimpse the way he'd grappled with doubt about his ability and his future, just a few months ago. "I didn't really know what to expect going into the offseason," Bell admitted. "Had a g good stretch towards the end of the season that I was pretty pleased with, so, just talking with my agent, he said that it was a good chance that I was gonna get signed, just had to wait for some bigger names to get off the board." To an outsider looking at his full-season body of work, it might have been surprising that he'd ever worried about whether he would be signed. However, Bell had struggled throughout the first half, and for the first time in four years, he wasn't traded at the deadline in July. Instead, he was left to ride things out with the lowly Nationals. A savvy veteran, Bell knew what it meant when no contending team would surrender anything of value to add him to their mix for the stretch run. At age 33, he was in real danger of seeing his playing career draw to a close. However, as he noted, Bell finished the season strongly. He batted .257/.331/.486 in August and September. There were two related keys to his midseason turnaround: ironing out some bad habits he brought to camp, and improving his bat speed and lift with a tweak to his training and practice. "[Nationals teammate] Amed Rosario had an unbelievable camp and started off the season really strong, and I just basically ordered the same bat program that he had," Bell said. "I think he went to Driveline or something like that. He explained the drills that he was doing, and I tried virtually all of them, and I stuck with the sinker machine with the heavy bat because that's when I started seeing results, on the field. It’s just one of those things where you play with veterans and then we start talking and, you know, it definitely helped out, and helped me extend my career." There, Bell is referring to hitting against a machine calibrated to fire sinkers at the batter, as opposed to the straighter launches from a typical hitting machine or the lollipops lobbed in by your average coach. He used a weighted bat for those sessions, which he found both a boon to his bat speed when swinging with his regular bat and a good way to practice getting slightly beneath the ball and generating more hard contact in the air. He also knows how to avoid the same sluggish start he had in 2025. "I’m kind of kicking myself in the foot here. I tried golfing for the first time, last offseason," said Bell, who has been a baseball-first athlete his whole life. He's learned his lesson. "So I just won't do that anymore, I think it kind of made me lose my swing over the course of the offseason. I’ve just been hitting from both sides. I told myself I'll hang up the clubs until I hang up my jersey. Hopefully that helps." The Twins took note of Bell's late-season resurgence, and they were the first team to call this winter. However, it was really new manager Derek Shelton—who skippered the last days of Bell's tenure with the Pirates—who started the conversation. "My agency said that he came up to one of our guys and was like, ‘Hey, we want Josh,' day one of the Winter Meetings," Bell said. "So I got a call from them and they said, ‘Are you interested?’ I said, ‘For sure.’ Shelton and Bell had a good rapport during their brief stint with Pittsburgh, though it was constrained by the strangeness of the COVID season. Shelton came away with conviction about Bell's leadership qualities, though, and Bell hopes to bring that skillset to bear with Minnesota. "Yeah, for sure. I mean, I did that last year," he said. "I got to watch [CJ Abrams] and James Wood up close and tried to help when I could there. I'm definitely excited to continue that role and have that leadership in the clubhouse. It's not always easy. First, you gotta get to know people, you gotta understand where people are willing to listen or if people are kind of set in their ways. But I’ll do what I can, and hopefully help people find different routines to help them progress here in the big leagues." Speaking of players who are sometimes set in their ways, the one current Twin whom Bell noted having a relationship with is Royce Lewis, whom he met through their agency and who now lives near him. "We’re actually in the same area here in Frisco, Texas, so I think we're gonna start getting together next week and taking grounders together," Bell said. "I'll watch him throw from across the diamond and get some reads there. But yeah, I met him, shoot, maybe the first or second year after he got grafted. I know he’s had a little bit of ups and downs with his career with injuries and whatnot, but hopefully I can help him out with that just a little bit, and we'll see what he can do on the field if he can get up to 140 games." To create some early on-field chemistry between the team's presumptive starters at the corner infield spots would be great, but if Bell can help Lewis embrace the mentality Bell takes—the focus on improvement, the openness to changes, and so on—it could be even more beneficial. Bell should also be a positive influence on players with more superficially similar skills to his, like Matt Wallner and Trevor Larnach. The Twins will contend for a playoff spot in 2026 only if they're able to get more out of Wallner, Larnach, Lewis and others than they've gotten in either of the last two seasons. Bell's own hitting will matter a great deal, but his greatest impact on the team could come in the form of helping those players make sound adjustments or better respond to the input of the coaching staff. He's an unusual player, not only in how intelligent and single-minded he is, but in how free of bravado or bluster he's willing to be. If the Twins' young core learns from his example, signing Bell could be remembered as a catalytic move by the front office and its new partner in the dugout. View the full article

Since the inception of the World Baseball Classic in 2006, there have been a plethora of Miami Marlins players who have participated, including a few you may not have known about. As the sixth edition of the WBC inches closer and closer, Fish On First has created this all-time list of players who were part of the Marlins organization when the tournament took place. This list will be updated again following the 2026 tournament, which is being hosted at Miami's own loanDepot park. Marlins Players in the World Baseball Classic Year Name Country 2006 Alfredo Amézaga Mexico 2006 Miguel Cabrera Venezuela 2009 Alfredo Amézaga Mexico 2009 Luis Ayala Mexico 2009 Jorge Cantú Mexico 2009 Dave Davidson Canada 2009 Andy González Puerto Rico 2009 Chris Leroux Canada 2009 Hanley Ramírez Dominican Republic 2009 Rick van den Hurk Netherlands 2013 Henderson Álvarez Venezuela 2013 Steve Cishek United States 2013 Giancarlo Stanton United States 2017 Tayron Guerrero Colombia 2017 Martín Prado Venezuela 2017 Giancarlo Stanton* United States 2017 Edinson Vólquez Dominican Republic 2017 Christian Yelich* United States 2023 Sandy Alcantara Dominican Republic 2023 Luis Arraez Venezuela 2023 Johnny Cueto Dominican Republic 2023 Enmanuel De Jesus Venezuela 2023 Jesús Luzardo Venezuela 2023 Anthony Maldonado Puerto Rico 2023 Jean Segura Dominican Republic *Won championship 2006 Miguel Cabrera (Venezuela)—Cabrera participated in all versions of the World Baseball Classic through the end of his Hall of Fame-caliber playing career, but only the 2006 one as a member of the Florida Marlins. In six games, he slashed .211/.400/.579/.979 with two home runs and five RBI. The 2006 season would be arguably his best as a Marlin, posting a .998 OPS in 158 games played. Alfredo Amézaga (Mexico)—Also part of the inaugural World Baseball Classic, Amézaga slashed .250/.400/.250/.650 with one hit, two stolen bases and one hit by pitch. 2009 Hanley Ramírez (Dominican Republic)—Ramírez is one of the most electric players Marlins fans have ever seen. Representing the Dominican Republic, in three games, he went 2-for-9 with one RBI and two walks. Luis Ayala, Jorge Cantú and Alfredo Amézaga (Mexico)—After participating as a member of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2006, Jorge Cantú was a member of the Florida Marlins in 2009. In six games, he slashed .360/.407/.800/1.207 with two home runs, six RBI and overall, went 9-for-25 in that stretch. Amézaga appeared in just one game, where he went 2-for-5 with one home run and two runs scored. In four appearances, Ayala surrendered four runs off seven hits (two home runs). He did strike out two in 3 ⅓ innings of work. Rick van den Hurk (Netherlands)—van den Hurk spent almost a decade in the Marlins organization. Towards the end of his tenure, in 2009, he represented the Netherlands, where in two starts, he went 5 ⅓ innings pitched, allowing one earned run off of seven hits (one home run), five walks and struck out four. Dave Davidson and Chris Leroux (Canada)—In his lone appearance for Canada in 2009, Davidson went one inning, allowing one hit, one walk and struck out one. He went on to make one appearance for the Marlins during the regular season. As for Leroux, he was in the '06, '09 and '13 tournaments, making a total of four appearances. He was only a member of the Marlins in 2009 where in two appearances, he went 1 ⅓ innings, allowing one hit, one walk and struck out one. During the MLB regular season, he made five appearances posting a 10.80 ERA. Andy González (Puerto Rico)—In four games, González went 1-for-4 with a run scored. With the Marlins in 2009, he only played in 14 games posting a .333 OPS. González returned to the WBC in 2013, but he was under contract with the Chicago White Sox by then. 2013 Giancarlo Stanton and Steve Cishek (United States)—This would be Stanton's first of two World Baseball Classic's as a member of the Miami Marlins. In the 2013 installment, he played in five games slashing .235/.381/.235/.616 with one RBI and four walks. This would mark the one time Cishek participated in the WBC, but he made four appearances (2.1 IP) for the United States, posting a 3.86 ERA, allowing one run on no hits, walking two and striking out two. He was an excellent closer for the 2013 Marlins, throwing 69 ⅔ innings pitched, which still stands as a career-high. He led Major League Baseball with 62 games finished. Henderson Álvarez (Venezuela)—Álvarez only made one appearance, but in three innings of work, he allowed three runs off of five hits, walking one, hitting one and not generating a strikeout. Later that year, Álvarez went on to finish the 2013 season with a 3.59 ERA, 3.18 FIP, 5.0 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in 102 ⅔ innings pitched. His season was cut short due to injury, only making 17 starts. 2017 Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich (United States)—In his second go-around in the WBC, Stanton slashed .227/.320/.455/.775 with one home run and four RBI. Stanton's home run came against the Dominican Republic. In his lone WBC appearance, Yelich played in eight games, slashing .310/.375/.448/.823 with three RBI. Yelich went on to have a great 2017 season with 18 home runs and a 120 OPS+. The United States won the tournament for the first time, defeating Puerto Rico, 8-0. During the ensuing offseason, the Marlins traded Stanton and Yelich to the New York Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers, respectively. Martín Prado (Venezuela)—Prado played in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, but not as a member of the Marlins. In 2017, he played in five games, slashing .368/.429/.526/.955 with five RBI. Edinson Vólquez (Dominican Republic)—Vólquez had just signed with the Marlins that offseason leading up to the WBC, but he was a vet on that DR squad, having participated in 2009 and 2013 tournaments. In 2017, Vólquez started two games, going eight innings, allowing three runs (one earned) off of 10 hits. He also struck out eight. On June 3 of that year, Vólquez became the sixth Marlins pitcher in franchise history to throw a no-hitter, which came against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Tayron Guerrero (Colombia)—Guerrero was acquired by the Marlins at the 2016 MLB trade deadline in the infamous Andrew Cashner trade with the San Diego Padres. In his lone appearance of the WBC, Guerrero went one inning, allowing one hit and struck out two. 2023 Sandy Alcantara, Johnny Cueto and Jean Segura (Dominican Republic)—The National League's reigning Cy Young Award winner, Alcantara made the first start of the WBC for the Dominican Republic, where he allowed three runs off of five hits in 3 ⅔ innings pitched. He struck out two against Venezuela. Cueto, who had just signed with the Marlins in that offseason, made one start, going 4 ⅔ shutout innings, allowing three hits and striking out five against Puerto Rico. Just like Cueto, Segura was a new Marlins free agent signing and was set to play third base for the team. In two games, he went 4-for-11 with three RBI. Segura flopped during the regular season, though. The Marlins dumped him at the 2023 trade deadline and he announced his retirement in 2025. Luis Arraez, Jesús Luzardo and Enmanuel De Jesus (Venezuela)—Arraez was just traded to the Marlins in exchange for Venezuelan teammate Pablo Lopez that offseason. In five games in his new ballpark, he gave Marlins fans a lot of hope, going 4-for-17 with two home runs, four RBI and scored four runs. Both of his home runs came against the United States. This went on to be Luzardo's best season as a member of the Marlins, but before that, he made one start for Venezuela, where he went four shutout innings, allowing four hits and struck out five. De Jesus had signed a minor league deal. He made one WBC appearance, which came against Israel, where in 3 ⅔ innings of work, he allowed one run on four hits, walked one and struck out five. MzU4N1ZfV0ZRVkV3dEdEUT09X0ExUUNVQVVEWGxRQUNGcFhYZ0FBVWdRREFGZ0hBbGNBQUZkUVUxVU1DQUpVQWdzQw==.mp4 Anthony Maldonado (Puerto Rico)—Maldonado—at the time a prospect in the Marlins system—made just one appearance where he struck out two against Nicaragua. 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Displaced at third base by Alex Bregman, will Matt Shaw still have a long-term place on the Chicago Cubs? Or does his future lie with another squad? View the full article

The Red Sox have a Masataka Yoshida-sized elephant in their lineup. As currently constructed, the team has five outfielders on the major-league roster: Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, and Yoshida. That doesn’t count bench options Nick Sogard and Nate Eaton, either. We can pencil in some combination of Anthony, Rafaela, Abreu, and Duran into the starting outfield spots on a game-by-game basis, but that leaves Yoshida as the primary DH option as we get closer to the start of spring training. It’s a role he’s familiar with after he was finally taken off the injured list in 2025, but it’s not a role he thrived in. Yoshida appeared in 55 games last season and slashed .266/.307/.388 with four home runs, 26 RBIs, an 88 wRC+, and a -0.1 fWAR. When he was signed before the 2023 season, we were pitched on one of the better power hitters in the NPB and told that once he settled into the style of American baseball, his power would follow. So far, though, it has yet to materialize in any meaningful way. He can put the bat to the ball, but that’s not what you want from your primary DH. If there was a right-handed hitter who could platoon in the DH role with him then you could start to make a case for keeping Yoshida around, but that'd be a questionable use of roster space and resources. The Red Sox are going to have to figure out the Yoshida problem sooner rather than later. The problem at DH will only get worse if Triston Casas is healthy and playing well early in the season. There are question marks all over Casas, and rightfully so, but he has the biggest potential to bring 30+ home run power to this lineup as soon as this season. Maybe he'll start the year with Triple-A Worcester, but if he plays well, he'll be on the first bus back to Boston. They’ve traded for Willson Contreras to be the solution at first base this season, which should pencil Casas in as the primary DH when he returns to the lineup. He could be a passable first baseman in the future, but his path to playing time, and likely his path to success here in Boston, will come at the DH spot in the lineup in 2026. Having Yoshida around makes it all the more difficult to figure that out. It's telling that Craig Breslow has made two trades with the person who signed Yoshida to a deal in Boston, Chaim Bloom and the Cardinals, and instead of taking even part of Yoshida’s contract back in a trade, they’ve opted to send money to the Red Sox instead. There is no actual market for Yoshida in professional baseball right now, unless the Red Sox move him in a pure salary dump by attaching a decent prospect to him. That’s possible, but the organization has fewer of those high ranked prospects after the trades with the Cardinals (and Pirates) earlier in the offseason. What will likely happen is that the Red Sox are going to pay Masataka Yoshida $18 million over the next two seasons to sit on the bench. In 2026, don’t be surprised if Yoshida plays once per week, and perhaps less if the quartet of starting outfielders are all hot at the same time. Breslow has said that he’d like to rotate players through the DH spot in the lineup and having four starting-caliber outfielders allows for Alex Cora to do just that on a matchup specific basis. Yoshida is a popular guy in the clubhouse and with the fans, but he’s a roadblock to the team being able to operate at full capacity. View the full article

The Chicago Cubs stole Alex Bregman from the Boston Red Sox, which could lead to a bidding war for Bo Bichette. Can the Toronto Blue Jays take advantage by turning their full attention to Kyle Tucker? View the full article

In an exclusive interview with Talk Sox, MassLive’s Chris Cotillo talks about the current state of the Red Sox's free agency and some potential targets the team could pivot to. They also take a look at Bregman’s departure and how the Red Sox could potentially pivot from the shocking loss of their All-Star third baseman. View the full article

This multi-part series talks about how the Brewers got to their (so far) one and only World Series, and offers a chronological timeline of the 1982 campaign—including player profiles, game recaps, and other events that affected the season. Part 1 Part 2 Spring Training Disaster struck in mid-March when ace closer Rollie Fingers was injured while wrestling with fellow pitcher Randy Lerch on a wet field in Sun City, Arizona. Fingers suffered a slight separation of his left (non-throwing) shoulder, but was expected to be healthy for the start of the season. “We were just messing around,” Fingers said, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. “That was the kid in me coming out.” Before spring training, backup catcher Charlie Moore voiced his displeasure over the lack of playing time behind Ted Simmons. General manager Harry Dalton and the Brewers management offered him a compromise: they would give Moore the right fielder’s job. The new right fielder worked hard during the spring with outfield instructor Sam Suplizio, learning how to play the new position. “You get to that point in your career when you are satisfied to play anywhere,” Moore said. “I know I’m not going to catch unless something happens to Simmons.” While the Brewers were finishing their spring camp in Arizona, Milwaukee was hit by a pair of storms that dumped a foot of snow two days before the home opener against Cleveland on April 6. Milwaukee finished Cactus League action with a record of 9-13-1. Snowy Days The opening series, which was scheduled for Tues., Apr. 6 and Thurs., Apr. 8, was canceled. The Brewers headed to the Astrodome in Houston for two days of workouts before traveling to Toronto for the season opener on April 9. “Having snow blowing all over the seats and piling up in the parking lot is no way to entertain 50,000 people,” Dalton told The Capitol Times. Moore needn't have worried about whether he'd ever don the tools of ignorance again. Simmons suffered a pulled calf muscle during the last days of spring training and missed the first two games of the regular season. Moore took over behind the plate, batting second, and went 2-for-6 with four runs scored and an RBI. The Brewers scored six runs in the first inning against the Blue Jays on the way to a 15-4 rout on a 40-degree day in Toronto. Simmons missed the first three games but returned with a bang, stroking three hits in five trips (including a double and an RBI) in a 9-8 win in 10 innings at Cleveland, as the Brewers improved to 3-1. Team Streak The 1987 team was known as ‘Team Streak,’ but they had nothing on the early-season Brewers of 1982. After winning three of their first four contests, the Brewers promptly lost five straight games to drop to 3-6, falling from first to sixth in the AL East. Fingers struggled in the early going, allowing 11 hits, four walks, three stolen bases and a wild pitch in his first three appearances. He allowed the only runner he inherited to score, and in the two games in which he entered with the game tied, he took the loss. After waiting 10 days for their home opener, the team was swept by the Texas Rangers in a three-game series at County Stadium, including a disappointing 4-1 loss in which the Rangers scored three runs in the 10th before an Opening Day crowd of 49,887. The Brewers then won five in a row, however, with Fingers earning three saves in that stretch. Milwaukee won one of their final three games in April to finish the month with a mark of 9-8, good for third place in the AL East, 2 ½ games behind Boston with Detroit in second place. First baseman Cecil Cooper led the team in that first month, hitting .394/.421/.549. Eventual 1982 MVP Robin Yount was right behind him, with a batting line of .375/.409/.575. However, the team that would become ‘Harvey’s Wallbangers’ got off to a slow start with their power numbers, hitting only 13 home runs in the first month. Ben Oglivie led the team with five. Coming next, part 3: Sluggish May and the Demise of Buck. View the full article

In their latest bid to add depth and upside to their bullpen mix, the Cubs signed right-handed pitcher Corbin Martin to a minor-league deal. The agreement includes an invitation to big-league spring training, where Martin will compete for a job in the bullpen for a Cubs team still piecing depth back together after an autumn exodus from their relief unit. Martin, 30, is perhaps best known as one of the key pieces of the trade that sent Zack Greinke from the Diamondbacks to the Astros in 2019. Major injuries have derailed a once-promising career, keeping him off the mound for all of 2020 and 2023 and for long stretches of 2021 and 2024. Fully converted to relief work, he reemerged as an intriguing arm in 2025, with a fastball that sat just over 95 miles per hour and had the cut-ride shape the Cubs love from pitchers of his ilk. To it, he adds a hard cutter and a sharp 12-to-6 curveball that dramatically improved after he changed his grip and the pitch's shape midseason. Previously, he'd thrown a pitch much more akin to a sweeper or slurve, but this version of the offering is better. The cutter sits 91-92 on the gun, so it's a firm pitch with little movement or velocity separation from the fastball. By leading with those two pitches, though, he sets up the curveball well. Despite ugly raw numbers, he put up a 94 DRA- at Triple-A Norfolk and in the majors for the Orioles in 2025. He comes with four years of team control, if things pan out especially well, but he does not have any minor-league options remaining, so if he makes the team, he'll need to stay on the active roster or the injured list or be exposed to waivers. As fliers like these go, Martin is a solid one. His velocity and shape on the three key pitches in his arsenal promise some better results on contact, and he can miss bats. The question will be whether he can throw enough strikes to ensure that that matters; walks have haunted him over the last two seasons. A healthy Martin showing a semblance of command could be a strong contributor to the Cubs' middle-relief corps. For now, this is just a bit of spaghetti to throw against the wall, but as was true of Brad Keller last winter, there's more than the usual amount of reason to admire the fit and hope that this piece sticks. View the full article

The Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padres have a strong history of exchanging players, especially over the past few years. In 2020, the Royals received outfielder Edward Olivares and pitcher Ronald Bolanos from the Padres for reliever Trevor Rosenthal, and also acquired outfielder Franchy Cordero in exchange for Tim Hill. In 2023, Kansas City traded away Scott Barlow for pitching prospects Henry Williams and Jesus Rios. Last season, the Padres acquired Freddy Fermin in exchange for Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek. Safe to say, Royals GM JJ Picollo and Padres GM AJ Preller are quite familiar with one another's phone numbers. Kansas City and San Diego, both of which entered Major League Baseball at the same time in 1969 (along with the Seattle Pilots and Montreal Expos, now the Brewers and Nationals, respectively), have roster needs this offseason. The Royals need to improve their lineup, outfield, and bullpen. The Padres need another starter to round out the rotation. Both teams seem willing to trade what they have to accomplish those goals, with Randy Holt writing about it from the Padres' perspective at Padres Mission. The Padres have not been afraid to spend money under Preller. However, their high payroll, rebuilding farm system, and commitment to many long-term deals on the current roster may deter them from seriously pursuing a high-end starter in free agency or trade this offseason, as Holt points out. Right now, Michael King and Nick Pivetta are the only projected arms in the rotation San Diego can trust. Joe Musgrove has been dependable in the past, but he missed all of 2025 due to Tommy John surgery. He will likely go through some growing pains after not pitching since 2024. The last two projected starters in the rotation, Randy Vasquez and JP Sears, threw over 130 innings last season. That said, they combined for a 1.3 fWAR, and they posted FIPs of 4.85 and 5.21, respectively. Thus, it's questionable that they will be able to last a whole season in the Padres' rotation, especially if San Diego wants to compete in a tough NL West division with the Dodgers, Giants, and Diamondbacks. The Royals, on the other hand, are flush with starting pitching and have been willing to part with this surplus to address their outfield and reliever needs this offseason. Therefore, let's take a look at a couple of assets Kansas City could part with, what it could receive from San Diego, and some deals that could make sense for both sides. Bubic and Falter Could Make Sense for San Diego Kris Bubic has been one of the Royals' hottest names when it comes to trade rumors. Unfortunately, it seems like those rumors may have bled into contract negotiations this offseason. In his final season of arbitration, the Royals and Bubic failed to come to an agreement at last week's deadline, as they remain $1 million apart in their filings. Unless that gap is filled soon (i.e., concessions are made), it's likely that Bubic and the Royals will head to a hearing. With Bubic a tradeable asset and a free agent next offseason, he may not be motivated to reach an agreement and could likely take his chances in a hearing, even if it results in some lost goodwill between the two sides. Thus, Kansas City may be inclined to trade the former Stanford product sooner rather than later, especially if negotiations continue to move slowly. The Padres may be interested in Bubic, who was an All-Star last year and posted 3.3 fWAR and a 2.55 ERA over 116.1 IP. For context, his ERA was better than King's (3.44) and Pivetta's (2.87), and while Pivetta accumulated a 3.7 fWAR, he also pitched 65.1 more innings than Bubic. Over the same inning sample, Bubic likely would have surpassed Pivetta and finished 2025 as the better pitcher fWAR-wise. Even though his second half was cut short due to injury, Bubic posted the kind of stuff and strike data that would make him a welcome asset in the Padres' rotation for the upcoming season. That is illustrated in his 2025 TJ Stats summary below. Bubic posted a 103 overall TJ Stuff+, with four of his pitches sporting TJ Stuff+ marks over 100. He also had a zone rate of 51.9%, a chase rate of 32.4%, a whiff rate of 28.8%, and a xwOBACON of .344. All those marks are rated as above average for an MLB starting pitcher. There's no question that Bubic solves an immediate need for San Diego in 2026. However, would the Padres be okay with him coming to Kansas City on a one-year deal? The Padres would obviously try to negotiate an extension with him at some point, but there are no guarantees in that department, especially with how valued starting pitchers are now across the league. If the Padres are looking for a cheaper option with more long-term control, they could opt for Bailey Falter, who agreed to a $3.6 million deal this offseason to avoid arbitration. Falter obviously looks a lot worse than Bubic does in the metrics. In 125.1 IP with the Pirates and Royals last year, he posted a 4.45 ERA, 4.94 FIP, and 0.5 fWAR. He was particularly bad with the Royals after coming over at the Trade Deadline. In 12 IP, he allowed an 11.25 ERA and 5.22 FIP. Falter was demoted to the bullpen, eventually landed on the IL, and was sparingly used down the stretch. The 28-year-old lefty doesn't have as great stuff as Bubic. That said, it's serviceable enough, and he could possess more upside than Sears, the only other lefty option in the Padres' rotation. Here's a look at what Falter did last year via TJ Stats. Falter's four-seamer (101 TJ Stuff+) and sinker (99 TJ Stuff+) were intriguing pitches, with both sporting above-average grades (57). Falter also does a good job of flooding the strike zone (53.7% zone rate) and generating good extension on his pitches (7.2). With the right adjustments, he could be a solid option for the end of the Padres rotation. Furthermore, he would be under team control not just for 2026, but also for 2027 and 2028. Could Morejon and/or Laureano Come to Kansas City? The Padres seem most willing to deal a reliever from their deep bullpen, which lost Ranger Suarez in free agency to the Atlanta Braves. The most likely candidate to be traded away could be lefty setup man Adrian Morejon, who had a career season in 2025. In 75 appearances and 73.2 IP, the Padres' primary lefty posted a 2.08 ERA, 2.28 FIP, and 2.2 fWAR. He also collected 13 wins and three saves. Morejon showcased an excellent command last year, posting an 18.5% K-BB%, a 0.1% improvement from 2024. However, his K rate was 24.5%, a 1.6% regression from 2024, and his 10.4% SwStr% was 1.8% lower than his mark from 2024, as well. The Cuban-born lefty was above-average in nearly every category in his TJ Stats summary last year, except whiff rate, where he rated slightly below-average. Morejon would compete for innings in the ninth on most teams. However, with Mason Miller and Jeremiah Estrada in the bullpen, both better strikeout pitchers, he is a third option at best. That could make him an expendable asset in San Diego, especially since he will be a free agent after this season. While the Padres prefer to trade relievers to upgrade their rotation, they may be open to trading Ramon Laureano, especially if it means they can get the starter they want. Like Morejon, Laureano will be a free agent after this season, and it seems unlikely that he will be part of the Padres' long-term plans. The 31-year-old outfielder was acquired from the Orioles last season, and in 488 plate appearances with Baltimore and San Diego, he hit 24 home runs, hit .281, posted a .364 wOBA, 138 wRC+, and accumulated a 3.0 fWAR. While he has a bit of a free-swinging approach, the exit velocity, barrel, and hard-hit skills displayed by Laureano last season were solid, as seen below in his TJ Stats Statcast summary profile. Laureano could be a regular corner outfielder who could rotate between left field and right field seamlessly, which would allow Isaac Collins to be more flexible (possibly getting innings in center field), and/or Jac Caglianone to see more time at designated hitter. Laureano also has familiarity with the AL Central, as he played 72 games for the Guardians between 2023 and 2024. Thus, his experience in the division and his batted-ball profile should help him transition to Kauffman Stadium. What a Royals-Padres Deal Could Look Like Using Baseball Trade Values' Trade Simulator, I created a deal involving the two players I mentioned from each team. However, to make the trade work, I had to add another piece from each team. I decided to include second baseman Will Wagner from the Padres and Michael Massey from the Royals. Both are 27 years old, known more for defense than their bats, and would serve as utility players for their respective teams. I thought about including Jonathan India instead of Massey, but the values didn't work on BTV, and I had a feeling that the Padres wouldn't be willing to absorb his $8 million (Massey's $1.57 million deal is more tolerable). With the inclusion of Wagner and Massey, the deal between the Padres and Royals is, even value-wise, a win-win for both sides. The Royals get a much-needed outfielder with pop, a lefty reliever who can lock things down in the late innings with Carlos Estevez, Lucas Erceg, and Matt Strahm, and a utility infielder who can fill in at second base when India needs a day off. As for the Padres, they get their much-needed starter with No. 2 upside, a long-term No. 4-5 starter in Falter, and a second base/left field option who could hit 10-15 HRs a year and provide solid defense at the keystone, if healthy. The last positive aspect of this deal is that it would cover all the bases for both teams this offseason in terms of need. They would only need to fill out the roster with Minor League deals before Spring Training. They wouldn't need to spend major money in free agency, whatsoever. The Padres and Royals have a history of helping one another improve through trades. Let's hope that they have another one up their sleeves in the coming weeks, with this possible trade proposal as a blueprint. View the full article

In July 2024, the Chicago Cubs acquired third baseman Isaac Paredes from the Tampa Bay Rays in return for an increasingly position-less Christopher Morel. The thinking was that Paredes would provide them with a controllable option at third base. Instead, Paredes didn't even make it to 2025 as part of the organization. He was part of the Kyle Tucker deal with the Houston Astros, following a .223/.325/.307 stint with the Cubs in 2024. Houston, of course, offered a much more appealing park for a right-handed hitter such as Paredes. While Paredes struggled overall in his brief Cubs tenure, games at Wrigley Field proved to be a particular problem. He hit an execrable .105/.177/.140 when staring down the ivy on the outfield wall, across 96 plate appearances. In his first year with the Astros in 2025, he posted a ..249/.354/.481 line at home. That's hardly surprising, of course. The Crawford Boxes in Houston have long been considered one of the more appealing stadium features for right-handed hitters with any semblance of power. Statcast's Park Factors have it as the 12th-most conducive venue for righties to homer. This, naturally, leads to some questions about how the newly signed Alex Bregman will handle the conditions of Wrigley Field over the course of his five-year deal. Bregman is, in a way, Paredes turned inside-out: a player that has already spent years hitting in Houston, followed by a season in Boston. Each venue is particularly favorable for righty pull hitters. While the Green Monster makes Fenway a tough park for home runs (22nd), it ranks ninth for doubles and seventh for right-handed hitters overall. So how should we view the impending transition for a hitter without elite bat speed or exit velocities and who depends on hitting for power to the pull field, considering that we're not even two years removed from watching Paredes struggle so mightily? As it turns out, any concern wrought by that comparison might be a bit overblown. Let's talk about the shape of each stadium first. Here's Houston's Daikin Park, where Paredes eventually landed and where Bregman spent the majority of his career prior to last year at Fenway: Note the presence of the Crawford boxes and how the wall plays for right-handed hitters with extreme pull tendencies. And here's Wrigley: The Cubs' home park actually juts out in the opposite direction. Toss in the wind on a particular day, and it isn't difficult to understand why this park has represented such a challenge for certain righties. Based on the two players' subtle differences in tendencies, though, we should expect very different outcomes from them. This is Paredes's doubles and homers spray chart overlaid onto Wrigley's dimensions: That's an extreme pull tendency. Contrast that with Bregman: Bregman's ability to find the gap is a big separator between him and his predecessors at the position. When we examine hitters' pull rates, we sometimes fall into the trap of imagining that all pull hitters are created equal; they aren't. Paredes lives down the left-field line. Bregman uses left-center just as often. Because the default is to divide the field into three clusters, he and Paredes both get classified as pull hitters, but if we divided it into five bins, they would be in two different categories. The other big means of differentiation here is in the quality of contact. Paredes's 27.1% Hard-Hit rate in 2024 left him little margin for error if the pulled fly balls weren't scraping over the walls. While his thump increased in 2025, he's still at just 30.6% for his career. Bregman, however, is coming off a season in which he sat at a Hard-Hit rate of 44.4% (admittedly, a career high) and is at 38.5% for his career. He produces more hard contact, and that hard contact goes more often to the part of the park (left-center) where Wrigley is very hitter-friendly. That doesn't mean we should dismiss the notion of the park's impact entirely. There are going to be some swings where Bregman doesn't get the desired outcome because of Wrigley's general deflation of offense, a three-year trend we shouldn't assume will abate in 2026. However, there's much less risk that Bregman's production is diminished by his new home park than there was with Paredes, or even with recent major investments in lefty sluggers like Tucker and Cody Bellinger. View the full article

With BlackStack once again on board, anyone lucky enough to grab a ticket (details below) will receive two complimentary pints of BlackStack beer while mingling with our Twins special guests (announcement coming soon). Attendees will have the option to choose between two fan favorites: Local 755 New England IPA or Slopes Pilsner. BlackStack Brewing has become a standout fixture in the Twin Cities craft beer scene since opening its doors in 2017 in St. Paul’s historic American Can building. The expansive 20,000-square-foot taproom blends industrial charm with a welcoming, modern vibe, complete with board games, a 220-inch screen to watch Twins games, and plenty of space to hang with friends. At its heart is a commitment to no shortcuts – quality ingredients, distinct flavors, and a collaborative brewing approach that keeps fans coming back for a wide array of hop-forward IPAs, lagers, fruited sours, and more. Not a beer drinker? No problem. BlackStack also offers a wide range of non-alcoholic options, Twins-themed slushies, gluten-free seltzer-based cocktails, and THC drink options. We’re told the NA Bootlegger is a crowd favorite and well worth a try. While many local breweries are known for their atmosphere or location, BlackStack stands out for its intentionally crafted, high-quality beer. Once hard to find outside the taproom, BlackStack is now distributed throughout greater Minnesota – keep an eye out for their distinctive cans wherever you buy beer. You can also visit BlackStack’s website and use their “Where to Buy” tool to track down your favorite beers or THC drinks near you. Event Info Date: Saturday, January 24 Time: 4:00 – 9:00 PM Location: Smorgie’s, 508 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis With the Winter Meltdown falling on the same weekend as TwinsFest, the day will be a full, perfectly sequenced celebration of baseball. Spend the afternoon at Target Field soaking in TwinsFest, then make the easy trip over to Smorgie’s to keep the energy rolling – the ideal way to transition from daytime fan fest to an evening surrounded by fellow diehards, cold drinks, and great conversation. Each ticket includes: Two complimentary craft beers An exclusive Winter Meltdown 2026 pint glass Automatic entry into door prize raffles Five hours of premium Hot Stove hangouts with your people Live on-stage interviews hosted by Aaron Gleeman & John Bonnes Face time with special guests who mingle with the Twins Daily community Past guests have included Kent Hrbek, Trevor Plouffe, Joe Nathan, Michael Cuddyer, LaTroy Hawkins, John Bonnes, Aaron Gleeman, and more – plus rising stars like Simeon Woods Richardson and fan-favorite voice Cory Provus. Who’s stepping to the mic this year? Stay tuned. How/Tickets Hundreds of people have previously wanted to attend this exclusive event, but this year, we only have 250 tickets available. You will likely need to become (or know) a Twins Daily Caretaker to get a ticket. Each caretaker gets a free ticket to the Meltdown. Caretakers can buy up to three additional tickets for just $20 The Caretakers take care of Twins Daily, and we want to take care of them, so to give them the best chance, we are limiting the tickets to them, at least for now. If you want to join Twins Daily's Caretakers, you can do so for as low as $4/month. You get exclusive content, other benefits, and support from our hard-working writers, moderators, and tech guys. We would LOVE to have you join us. Can I Just Buy A Ticket? Maybe? If our Caretakers don't sell this thing out, we will offer general admission tickets the week of the event. They will be $60 apiece. Become a Caretaker here! If you are already a Caretaker, THANK YOU. But please do not delay in buying your ticket. We will likely sell out, even limiting them to Caretakers and their friends. So grab them now. Looking for more details? Great! We will reveal more about the Meltdown as it approaches, including our guests, giveaways, and other sponsors. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Bluesky for more news as it is released. Purchase tickets here. View the full article

Josh Kasevich was seemingly the next man up at the end of the 2024 MiLB season. He capped off a strong campaign with a 120 wRC+ in 41 games and 173 plate appearances at Triple A, showing the strong contact skills that he was known for while playing solid defense around the diamond. Although there were a few infielders ahead of him on the depth chart, especially after the trade for Andrés Giménez, Kasevich was seen as an MLB-ready prospect who was just knocking on the doors for a major league spot and a top-10 Jays Centre prospect. That went out the window early in spring training 2025. Although Kasevich appeared in a handful of games, he had a stress reaction in his back that made him miss the majority of the MiLB season. Kasevich was able to return to game action in May before aggravating his wrist and going down for another few months. When he did return to Buffalo, he did not perform well. In 29 games, he slashed just .173/.272/.184 for a 34 wRC+. In the Arizona Fall League, he also struggled in a high-offense environment, producing a .419 OBP but not getting a single extra-base hit. In that time, Ernie Clement established himself as what many hoped Kasevich would turn out to be: an elite defender at second and third base with elite contact skills. Although Bo Bichette has not re-signed with the Jays yet, they still have made some significant additions that may prevent Kasevich from making his MLB debut in 2026, with the addition of Kazuma Okamoto, an infielder who mans the corners but also adds another talented player ahead of Kasevich on the depth charts. Here are depth charts for the Blue Jays in 2026 at Kasevich’s best positions: 2B 3B SS Andrés Giménez Addison Barger Bo Bichette* Ernie Clement Kazuma Okamoto Andrés Giménez Davis Schneider Ernie Clement Ernie Clement Leo Jiménez Josh Kasevich Leo Jiménez (Out of Options) Josh Kasevich Note: Bo Bichette has not signed with a team yet and is included in case he signs with the Blue Jays before spring training. Bichette and Giménez may also swap positions if Bichette re-signs. Bichette has not signed with a team yet, and I have included him in case he does sign with the Jays before spring training starts. Bichette and Giménez may also swap positions if he does re-sign with the Blue Jays. As you can see, not only is Kasevich blocked at multiple key positions, but also, the players above him all share the same-handedness with him. There are a few factors that may allow for some playing time to creep in, however. If Bichette does not return to the Blue Jays, that allows Kasevich to bump up a spot on the depth charts. Leo Jiménez is Kasevich’s main competition for the “third” shortstop role on the team, and despite having an injury-plagued 2025 as well, with a poor showing in a small cup of coffee in the majors, Jiménez has also had a stretch in the majors with average offensive production. However, he is out of options, and as a result, he will need to be DFA’d or traded if he does not make the Opening Day roster. Another wrinkle is Davis Schneider’s playing time after the Jays signed Kazuma Okamoto. The Jays have described Okamoto as a super-utility player, according to Bob Nightengale, and although he mainly played the hot corner in Japan, he also gained outfield experience with the Yomiuri Giants. This addition could greatly reduce Schneider’s playing time, and the Jays may want to turn to a more defensively capable 13th man to play the infield instead of Schneider. Kasevich was described as the best defensive infielder in the Blue Jays' minor league system by Baseball America in 2025. One surprise that happened earlier in the offseason was the Jays' decision not to protect Kasevich before the Rule 5 Draft by adding him to the 40-man roster. Typically, defensively capable players are highly sought after by rebuilding teams in the Rule 5. Yet, Kasevich's offensive struggles and injuries prevented him from getting selected. This means that he will have all his options available when he does come up, which gives him time to rebuild his value as one of the Jays’ top prospects. However, not being added to the 40-man roster will also make it more difficult for him to get called up, unless significant injuries or trades clear space for him. So, he’ll face an uphill battle in a fight for playing time, especially if the Jays sign one of the remaining star position players on the market, Kyle Tucker or Bichette. Still, this year could be the one in which Kasevich breaks the major league roster and produces. As a high-contact, versatile infielder, he’ll fit right into the Blue Jays lineup and core. View the full article

The Boston Red Sox are still recovering from the shocking revelation of Alex Bregman signing with the Chicago Cubs over the weekend. They'll attempt to pivot with around four weeks remaining until the team reports to spring camp. While they have made improvements through the trades of Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, and Johan Oviedo, the team still has some holes to fill, especially on offense. In an effort to understand where Craig Breslow and the front office may go from here, MassLive’s Chris Cotillo joined Talk Sox for an exclusive interview. We asked the Red Sox insider about Bregman, the relief market, the team's pitching depth, and much more. Here's a breakdown of the main points that were discussed, and we ask you to please stay tuned for the full video recording of our interview, coming out shortly after publication of this article. The relief market hasn’t moved as well as expected. While the big names came off the market and signed around the Winter Meetings, there are still plenty of options for the Red Sox to sign to a contract in the range of one year and around $2 million, or even on minor-league deals. If Justin Wilson chooses to pitch for another season, he could be a good option for a reunion. At the moment, it doesn’t feel like there’s a lot of separation between the guys available and those currently in the organization. However, if someone the Red Sox really like is available, the closer they get to spring training, the more aggressive they may become. Currently, the bullpen is a big question mark outside of Aroldis Chapman and Garrett Whitlock, because of the losses of guys who had big roles like Brennan Bernardino and Chris Murphy. Also, guys who were in the bullpen at the end of the year like Payton Tolle and Kyle Harrison will begin spring training being stretched out to be starters. Of the free-agent right-handed options, Seranthony Domínguez could be a target for the Red Sox to pursue if they think they can rein in his control. It seems likely that the Red Sox will enter spring training with the plan to build out two full rotations who could be called upon between Boston and Worcester. It is much easier to decrease a pitch count instead of building it up. That way, the team won’t have to turn to guys like Matt Dermody or Kyle Barraclough if they run into an injury to their rotation or need someone from Triple-A. They’re in a good spot with starting pitching depth even after Hunter Dobbins, Richard Fitts, and Cooper Criswell have been traded or lost. If the team eventually needs a good, high-leverage bullpen arm during the season, then they could look to transition someone from the rotation to the bullpen. At full strength, it’s currently tough to see any of the young guys or Kyle Harrison getting a spot in the rotation over Kutter Crawford or Patrick Sandoval to begin the season. Though it’s a big "if" for them to open the season completely healthy after both starters missed the entire 2025 season. The Red Sox underestimated how big of a stink Rafael Devers would put up over losing his position and then they underestimated how hard it would be to retain Alex Bregman after the season. Those two events came together and for a big-market team, you can’t allow that to happen. Cotillo feels that losing Bregman is very similar to how the Red Sox lost Xander Bogaerts to the San Diego Padres by underestimating the market and allowing a motivated team to come in and sign the player. The Red Sox could either remain focused on offense or pivot to pitching and defense, as raised by Rob Bradford. Cotillo believes the team will remain engaged on Bo Bichette and Eugenio Suárez to a lesser extent. The team could turn to the trade market too for Brendan Donovan or Isaac Paredes, who the team was engaged on before the Winter Meetings. From a pitching standpoint, they could go after Zac Gallen, Ranger Suárez, or Framber Valdez due to the starting pitching market not developing as many free agents hoped it would. Paredes, if the Red Sox looked to trade for him, could require a very similar deal to the Contreras package, which makes a lot of sense for a starting point in discussion. The Red Sox gave up Dobbins, Blake Aita, and Yhoiker Fajardo for Contreras, three young, controllable pitchers with upside. Paredes is a good fit for the Red Sox, as he’s under control for two more seasons, can play third base for the team and has power (20 home runs in 102 games last season along with an .809 OPS). But Cotillo wonders if the Red Sox want to keep trading away prospects after they’ve already traded so many this offseason. Lastly, for all those who follow along on Cotillo’s Twitter account, spots do remain for his latest workshop, though time is limited as it begins tonight (January 13) at 7pm EST. View the full article

After landing superstar, third baseman, Alex Bregman, the Chicago Cubs have options on how to handle some of their young, controllable infielders. In particular, Matt Shaw and Nico Horner could each be super utility and elite depth options for the club or they could be trade candidates to improve other areas of their roster. Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated is reporting that the New York Yankees have "legitimate interest" in Hoerner. The Bronx Bombers may be particularly motivated and aggressive in their pursuit of Hoerner, considering the impasse they are currently at with free agent Cody Bellinger. In parts of seven seasons with the Cubs, Hoerner has been a slightly above average hitter with a .742 OPS and a 103 wRC+. His power potential is limited that would play up in Yankee Stadium and he's provided four consecutive seasons of 20 or more stolen bases. In the field, the super utility has played every position except for catcher, first base, and right field, however, he spent a significant portion of 2025 at shortstop for the Cubs and hasn't played in the grass in four seasons. Do you think the Cubs should look to deal one of Hoerner or Shaw? Or keep them as super utility options who can still regularly be in the lineup giving other players reprieve? Let us know what you're thinking in the comments! View the full article

With Alex Bregman in the rearview mirror, the Boston Red Sox are forced to move to Plan B to fill the gap at third base. While many expect the club to prioritize Bo Bichette, he does not represent the only middle of the order hot corner bat on the market. Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam of MassLive I reporting that the Boston Red Sox "like" free agent third baseman Eugenio Suarez. They add that it will be sooner rather than later for Suarez to find out if they will become serious bitters for his services. While Suarez is not as attractive of an option as Bregman or Bichette, however, Suarez provides legitimate 40+ home run potential. Something that can't be said for either of the other two free agents, they've been tied to. Of course, the biggest risk with Suarez is his strikeout rate that was approaching 30% in 2025 and his glove leaves a lot to be desired. Do you think the Red Sox should pursue Suarez, prioritize Bichette, or set their eyes on the pitching staff? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

After shockingly losing out on Alex Bregman in free agency, what steps can the Boston Red Sox take to salvage their offseason and field a competent third baseman in 2026? View the full article

A social media post from the Miami Marlins account indicates that they will be revamping one of their alternate uniforms in 2026. The short video posted on Monday night shows the team's standard cap as well as the Retrowave cap that they added last season, followed by a blank sign that reads "SUNDAY ALT." Finally, two number sequences flash on the screen, 02072026 and 03292026. Those represent the dates February 7 and March 29, implying that the uniform will be revealed during Marlins FanFest and debut on the field during the first Sunday home game of the regular season. In 2024 and 2025, the Marlins used bright blue uniforms as their Sunday alternates. That will continue to be their primary uniform for spring training games. But teal has always had a special place in Marlins fans' hearts, and this new landing page strongly suggests it's making a comeback. So does this drone footage from the National Hockey League, shot at loanDepot park to hype up the NHL Winter Classic. Are you excited for throwbacks to return to the Marlins' uniform rotation? View the full article

For the second year in a row, the Brewers exchanged salary figures with William Contreras, rather than agreeing to a new contract ahead of baseball's filing deadline for arbitration-eligible players. It's been unsurprising both times. Contreras is the closest of Milwaukee's position players to a true star, which means he's looked to push the limits of how much money he can earn in a system based on precedent. As of this writing, the two camps are reportedly likely to go to a hearing to determine Contreras's 2026 salary. Because a team must argue against the player to win its case, there is always a risk of souring the relationship between the two. The Brewers and Contreras avoided that fate last year by agreeing to a one-year deal with a club option for 2026 at the end of January. Like most teams, the Brewers maintain an informal policy that proscribes agreeing to one-year deals after exchanging figures, so the club option was an escape hatch that allowed both sides to dodge the hearing but Milwaukee to claim that they had adhered to their policy. The tradeoff was that Contreras's 2025 salary was higher than the precedent for first-year arbitration catchers of his caliber, but depending on how well he played, the club could either exercise or decline the option to keep him from setting a new baseline the following year. While the sides could again reach a similar arrangement, there was greater incentive then for the Brewers to maintain a positive relationship with their starting catcher. It may be different this time, as history suggests that Contreras is nearing his final chapter in Milwaukee. Signing Contreras to a market-value extension would be an unusually risky investment for the club, which would be better off acquiring or developing another catcher entering his prime. In that case, they should entertain trading him next winter, before he hits free agency. A hearing would strain the relationship for one season, with little impact on his future with the team. Furthermore, of the two parties, the Brewers appear better positioned to win a potential hearing. Contreras filed at $9.9 million, which would set a new record for a catcher in his second year of arbitration, while the Brewers filed at $8.55 million, the current record set by Will Smith in 2024. (As a reminder, it doesn't matter that even $9.9 million would be a bargain for Contreras, whose free-agent value in 2025 was estimated at $29.2 million by FanGraphs. Arbitration is an entirely different system of player compensation in which salary increases are determined based on past raises given to similar players.) The burden will be on Contreras's camp to persuade a panel of arbitrators that he has been more valuable than Smith was at the same point in his career. Statistically, it's not a particularly convincing case. Smith was a slightly better hitter, and Contreras's edge in games played is mainly due to Smith's second season being the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign. Player Team Games Player Games HR OPS wRC+ fWAR Contreras (2020-2025) 870 599 85 .805 123 16.9 Smith (2019-2023) 708 484 91 .840 128 15.7 On the surface, the Brewers and Contreras are in the same situation as last winter: he wants to raise the bar for catcher salaries, the Brewers would rather maintain the status quo, and the right contract can satisfy both sides. The context is different this time, though. Everyone involved should prepare for a more contentious process—and yes, that's likely to be the first in a series of events blazing his trail out of town. View the full article