DiamondCentric

The Cubs outfield has the possibility of including any of the following debut players: Kevin Alcantara, Owen Caissie, Ian Happ, Kyle Tucker, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Seiya Suzuki. Who will be here in two years? What about five years? We break down the players, their skillsets, contract complications, and more. View the full article

In just over five weeks, pitchers and catchers will report, signaling the start of spring training. By then, organizations will begin to finalize their Opening Day rosters, and fans should have a pretty good idea as to how competitive their favorite team will be in the upcoming year. For many teams, the biggest moves have already been made. A flurry of activity happened at or around the Winter Meetings, and organizations have already committed to over $1 billion in free-agent contracts. The Blue Jays have been the most aggressive in locking down talent, notably signing Dylan Cease ($210 million, 7 years), Kazuma Okamoto ($60 million, 4 years), and Cody Ponce ($30 million, 3 years). Most other teams have made at least one big free agent acquisition or trade, but the Brewers have remained comparatively quiet. The only free agent Milwaukee has signed is Akil Baddoo, and the only trade they’ve made thus far sent Isaac Collins and Nick Mears to the Royals in exchange for Angel Zerpa. Neither move is expected to move the needle, which begs the question: What are they waiting for? It’s important to remember that this is how Milwaukee has operated in the offseason for quite some time now. The Brewers have never been huge fans of pursuing big-name free agents, who are often the first to get pulled off the board. They’re quite expensive, and the sheer amount of bidders for any given player often drives prices past the financial comfort zone of the front office. Many of the largest contracts in franchise history were extensions for players like Christian Yelich and Ryan Braun, making Lorenzo Cain’s $80 million contract signed in 2018 the largest free-agent deal Milwaukee has ever inked. Instead of simply throwing money at their problems, the Brewers love to find undervalued assets and bid low on them, relying on their outstanding internal player development and taking low-risk bets on players that others have already glossed over. In order to do this, deals are often struck late when the negotiating leverage shifts away from the player and towards any club willing to give them a chance. A few recent notable examples of late free agent signings include: Jose Quintana: Signed on March 5, 2025 Brandon Woodruff: Signed on February 21, 2024 Rhys Hoskins: Signed on January 26, 2024 Wade Miley: Signed on January 9, 2023 None of these four players was highly sought-after, and each came with an asterisk. For Woodruff and Hoskins, it was injury-related. It was understood that Woodruff would miss the entire 2024 season and part of the 2025 season, while Hoskins had just missed the entire 2023 season after tearing his ACL in spring training. For Miley and Quintana, it was age. Both starting pitchers were 36 years old when they signed their deals and seemed to be in the twilight of their big-league careers. These players were effective but only if you looked past the unappealing circumstances on the surface and were willing to take a chance (Hoskins may be the only exception, but hey, you can’t be right 100% of the time, that’s not fair for the other teams). Another factor that’s likely contributing to the Brewers’ sluggish pace of roster revamping is that their needs don't align well with what they’re willing to pay. There aren’t any major holes in the current roster and, barring a trade of someone like Freddy Peralta, all of the biggest contributors to the team’s success in 2025 will be along for the ride in 2026. However, if there were one aspect that could use some love, it’d be finding power in the lineup. In 2025, they ranked deceptively high in slugging percentage because their .258 batting average placed third in MLB, but they ranked 22nd in home runs (166) and 25th in ISO (.145). If Andrew Vaughn somehow manages to maintain his 141 OPS+ over the course of a full season, it may not be a problem, but precedent would suggest that outcome is unlikely. But these days, power doesn’t come cheap. Kyle Schwarber, an archetypal three-true-outcome player, returned to the Phillies for $150 million over five years. Pete Alonso signed a similar contract with the Orioles for $155 million over five years. There aren’t many slugging free agents left, and those that are available, like Kyle Tucker, are absolutely out of the Brewers’ price range. It’s a similar story with starting pitching. Milwaukee has a considerable number of young arms in the rotation. Still, if they want to pursue a veteran arm to back up Peralta, it would cost a considerable amount, either in cash or prospects. This seems like a big reason why they’ll look to retain Peralta this year, especially since he’ll be paid just $8 million to be the team’s ace. And so, their patience is understandable given their strategy. They’ll continue to wait until the marquee names are snatched up at a premium or full price, paving the way for the not great but still good players to be slowly and surely marked down with each passing week. Even if they don’t do anything, their roster remains solid, and their young core will only continue to improve. The one caveat to all this is that the other teams in the division aren’t quite so passive. The Cardinals have already made a handful of trades (albeit to enter an apparent rebuild), and the Cubs have made quite a few small moves to reinforce their bullpen. The most surprising organization has been the Pirates, who, aside from being interested in players like Schwarber, Josh Naylor, and Okamoto, picked up Ryan O'Hearn and Gregory Soto in free agency before also acquiring Brandon Lowe in a three-team trade. None of these moves is necessarily enough for the Brewers to fear for their position atop the NL Central yet, but at the same time, they can’t be totally ignored. Still, the front office tends to march to the beat of its own drum, regardless of what its closest rivals are up to. Realistically, the organization is likely biding its time and waiting to get what it needs at the right price. It may not happen soon, but something will happen eventually. Probably. View the full article

Did the Jays just get their man? A potential big bat, locked in at a reduced rate. Reports say the Jays’ agreement with Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto, a six-time NPB All-Star and three-time home run champion with the Yomiuri Giants, is valued at well under the four-year initially projected worth of $78.5 million when he entered the market. The deal positions Okamoto to become Toronto’s primary third baseman and adds his high-contact, high-power, right-handed bat to a lineup that continues to be aggressively retooled after the club’s success last season. While the terms won’t be made public until the deal is officially announced, Associated Press reported it is for four years, $60 million total, including a $5 million signing bonus, a $7 million salary in 2026, and $16 million in each of the next three seasons. Okamoto’s negotiating window was set to close on Sunday at 5pm ET, so there were many factors at play as the clock ticked down. Okamoto, who is 29 years old, has been one of NPB’s most consistent power hitters for nearly a decade. Beginning with a breakout as a 22-year-old in 2018, he logged six consecutive 30-homer seasons from 2018–2023, capped by a career-high 41 home runs in 2023. Across 11 seasons with Yomiuri, he posted a .277/.361/.521 slash line with 248 home runs and 717 RBI. He has also won Golden Gloves in Japan at both third base and first base, highlighting a defensive profile that doesn’t hurt his offensive attributes. His ability to consistently pull and lift the ball should position him well at Rogers Centre, and a low strikeout rate also aligns him with the Jays’ contact-first philosophy. Whether or not Okamoto can truly be the Toronto middle of the line-up answer will play out next season as he adjusts to MLB pitching. The four-year deal includes a $5 million signing bonus, a $7 million salary in 2026, and $16 million in each remaining year of the contract. Under the posting agreement with the NPB, the Jays are also on the hook for $10,875,000 that will go directly to Okamoto's now-former team, the Yomiuri Giants. The addition of Okamoto most likely means that he will push Ernie Clement to second base and take the majority of starts at third. He may also spell Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first when Vladdy needs a day off. There was some talk over the past few days that his ability to play left field might have made him more enticing to a team like the Jays (who value versatility and flexibility among their position players). Okamoto’s blend of contact quality, plate discipline, and pull-side power fits a Jays offense that, in 2025, embraced bat-to-ball improvements as a pathway to sustainable run production. Scouting reports say that because of his contact-first approach, Okamoto’s transition to MLB pitching might be smoother than that of other Japanese players, including Munetaka Murakami, who recently signed with the White Sox. Since news broke of Okamoto’s signing, social media has been flooded with 2023 World Baseball Classic highlights, where he homered in the championship game against the United States. It will be that kind of high-impact production that the Jays will be hoping to see over the next four years. While he is known for his power and plate control, some scouts cautioned about his ability to handle velocity. With that said, the way Toronto prepared hitters in 2025 bodes well for Okamoto’s transition to MLB. The deal for Okamoto is still good for the Jays when it comes to the finances. Even when you add in the nearly $11 million posting fee with the $60 million deal, at $70.875 million, it is still nearly $10 million below the projected salary when the window opened. By concentrating the heaviest salary years after 2026, the Jays can push their payroll commitments as broader roster moves resolve in the years to come. A club-friendly $7 million first-year salary for a middle-of-the-order bat is a cap-friendly entry point that suggests the Jays might still be able to nab one more big bat if they choose to do so. Whether you choose to believe it or not, this deal is a value play for the Jays. If Okamoto can produce, then it's gravy. If not, it isn’t as much of a negative hit on the payroll as, say, the Anthony Santander deal from a year ago. Most analysts are slotting Okamoto in the 5-7 range of the Jays’ lineup for Opening Day. His ability to handle first base and even left field on occasion creates opportunities for John Schneider to manage rest days and matchups without compromising offense. For a team that mixed and matched across corners in 2025, this is more than marginal value. Okamoto turns 30 during the 2026 season, making him a bit of an anomaly for international free agents. The risk is that adaptation must happen quickly to fully realize the real value in his four-year deal. The upside is that his experience and seemingly refined approach may minimize the downside. Last season, despite being sidelined with an elbow injury, Okamoto still managed 15 home runs in under 80 games. A healthy Okamoto, if he adjusts quickly to the majors, might be able to return to a form that saw him log six straight 30-homer seasons between 2018 and 2023. If anything, this signing removes the pressure that was percolating for the Jays’ front office. If Bo Bichette elects to sign elsewhere, then the Jays' infield is now set. If Bichette re-signs, then the front office can be creative in finding a new home for Clement or Andrés Giménez. As for Kyle Tucker, the finances of this deal still keep the Jays in the conversation. Waiting to sign Okamoto until the portal window was nearly closed demonstrates that he wasn’t their first choice (or the first choice of any other MLB team), but the deal the Jays managed to get done does address some needs and might indicate the team isn’t done with their off-season wheeling and dealing just yet. View the full article

The 2025 season was another frustrating chapter for the Minnesota Twins. After another disappointing finish, a brief poll of fans might include nearly everyone on the roster when asked who underachieved at the plate. Royce Lewis struggled to stay on the field. Matt Wallner could not recapture his earlier impact. A slew of other players fell short of expectations as well. Still, when digging into the underlying data, the totals for three hitters are hard to ignore because the gap between results and the quality of contact tells a very different story. League-wide context helps frame the discussion. MLB average wOBA in 2025 sat at .313, while average xwOBA checked in at .315. For those unfamiliar, wOBA is a catch-all metric that values the quality of contact along with strikeouts and walks. At the same time, xwOBA uses Statcast inputs like exit velocity and launch angle to estimate what should have happened. When a hitter shows a significant positive gap between xwOBA and wOBA, it often points toward bad luck rather than a broken approach. Edouard Julien Julien posted a .286 wOBA compared to a .330 xwOBA, creating a massive +.044 difference. The most glaring issue came against offspeed pitches, where he showed a 165-point gap between actual and expected production. His .208 slugging percentage versus a .471 expected slugging against those offerings underscores just how much damage failed to show up in the box score. Julien continued to hit the ball hard with a 12.2 Barrel percentage and a 39.0 LA-Sweet Spot rate, both strong indicators of sustainable offense. Looking ahead to 2026, Julien’s elite plate discipline remains his calling card. He chased just 19.8 percent of pitches, which should continue to put him in favorable counts. If he can get back to punishing fastballs the way he did during his rookie season, the production should rebound. With no minor league options remaining, Julien will need to prove he can provide consistent value to the big league roster. Since he doesn’t have a defensive home, his production must come at the plate. Kody Clemens Clemens finished 2025 with a .307 wOBA and a .331 xwOBA, a +.024 gap that hints at some missed opportunities. The Twins gave him extended playing time for the first time in his career and largely liked what they saw. Clemens made solid contact with a 12.0 Barrel percentage and a 35.9 Sweet-Spot rate. Fastballs were the pitch type whose results lagged most behind expectations, with a 32-point difference. He saw heaters more than 58 percent of the time, so doing more damage there could quickly lift his overall line. The outlook for 2026 is more complicated. Minnesota discussed using Clemens as the regular first baseman before signing Josh Bell. Clemens is the better defender at the position, so there is still a path for both players to share the lineup, with Bell sliding to designated hitter. His theoretical defensive versatility will get him playing time, and he was one of the team’s clubhouse leaders in the second half. With a 96 OPS+, Clemens already profiles as close to a league-average bat. Closing the gap between actual and expected numbers could push him firmly into that tier. James Outman Outman’s surface numbers were rough, highlighted by a .237 wOBA and a .267 xwOBA for a +.030 difference. He arrived at the trade deadline in the deal that sent Brock Stewart away, and most of his big league plate appearances in 2025 came with Minnesota. Outside of his excellent 16.9 Barrel percentage, many of his Statcast metrics lagged behind league norms. That makes his minor league track record impossible to ignore. At Triple-A last season, Outman posted a .945 OPS with a 131 wRC+, showing a hitter who still knows how to punish mistakes. For 2026, roster status looms large. Outman is out of minor league options, meaning the Twins must either find him a role or risk losing him. His ability to cover all three outfield spots makes him a natural fit as the team’s fourth outfielder. If even a portion of his Triple-A production carries over, the Twins could uncover sneaky value. Underachievement defined much of the Twins offense in 2025, but Julien, Clemens, and Outman stand out because the data suggests they deserved better outcomes. Expected metrics are not guarantees, yet they often serve as early indicators of rebound potential. If luck swings back toward the mean in 2026, this trio could quietly reshape the lineup. Which of these hitters do you believe is most likely to bounce back next season, or is there another Twin you would add to this list? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. And stop by later today to see who the Twins' three luckiest hitters were. View the full article

Kazuma Okamoto has chosen where he'll begin his MLB career. Will he enjoy early success there? The stats --- basic and fancy --- say that he should. Okamoto is heading to Canada after agreeing to a contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday (per ESPN's Jeff Passan). The agreement was completed one day ahead of the deadline for him to sign with an MLB club. The 29-year-old corner infielder was posted last November by Nippon Professional Baseball's most celebrated franchise, the Yomiuri Giants. Now that he's a big-leaguer, it's time to examine how good he can be out of the chute. Let's get into it, by the numbers. Kazuma Okamoto scouting report YouTuber @sshoharry put together a montage (set to cool Yomiuri cheer music) of Okamoto's swing in each year of his NPB career. Note the consistency of the leg kick and takeaway, both which help to get the bat through the zone: Those mechanics led to some very healthy metrics in 2025: 80.4 contact rate 32.1 hard-hit rate 66.8 air percentage 47.2 pull rate 112.2 mph max velo 5.1 home run rate 8.8 swinging strike percentage 24.2 chase rate 4.0 pitches seen per PA Sources: FanGraphs, Yakyu Cosmopolitan The contact rate was a career high. The swinging strike rate was a career low. The air percentage was tied for second in NPB's Central League among hitters with at least 250 PAs. His fielding metrics at first base were good enough to earn him a Fielding Bible Award from Sports Info Solutions in 2024. He's seen as serviceable at third base, and that is presumably where he'll play in Toronto, across from first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. In this case, however, the glove is a lot less important than the bat. Before last year, he was extremely durable, missing just eight games total from 2018 through 2024. But he missed half the 2025 season after suffering an elbow injury last May. Okamoto was on his way to a career year, too. He finished the season with a career-best 210 wRC+ and .454 wOBA to go with 15 home runs in 293 plate appearances. His walk and K rates were identical (11.3 percent each). Lastly, he displayed stellar intangibles. He was the Giants' captain in the latter years of his tenure in Tokyo. Will Okamoto hit MLB pitching? Well, he did it in Japan, albeit in small doses. Okamoto faced Shota Imanaga, Roki Sasaki, Robert Suarez and a handful of other current and ex-MLBers over the years. Some of the highlights: March 2022: In an NPB exhibition against the Seibu Lions, Okamoto rifled a grand slam off a then 20-year-old Sasaki: For good measure, he went deep against Sasaki in the regular season. March 2023: Playing for Japan in the World Baseball Classic, he ripped a hanger by Joe La Sorsa for a clutch three-run homer in the quarterfinals: March 2023: In the WBC final against the USA, he crushed a Kyle Freeland cutter to put Japan up 3-1. The blast turned out to be the game-winning hit for the champs: May 2023: Against Yokohama, he got on top of an 0-2 fastball from Trevor Bauer in a big way: July 2023: At home against Yokohama, he jumped all over a fastball from Imanaga, who struck out 15 that night. August 2024: Against Hiroshima, he turned around 95 by ex-Rangers left-hander Taylor Hearn for a go-ahead, three-run tank in the eighth inning. It was the only long ball Hearn allowed in 35 NPB innings that season: March 2025: In the preseason Tokyo Series, he sat on 98 from Cubs reliever Daniel Palencia and drilled it into the gap for a two-run double: Who is the best MLB comp for Okamoto? The obvious one is Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki. Like Okamoto, he's a rarity: a right-handed-hitting slugger from Japan. Of course, it's not a perfect match. First, Suzuki had a superior slash line and walk rate in Japan. Second, he came to MLB at 27, while Okamoto is coming over at 29. Third, they play different positions. But there is one area that can be compared: Okamoto's K rate. How much will it increase as he faces the world's best pitching? Suzuki went from 16.5 percent in his final NPB season to 24.7 percent as a rookie, followed by 22.3 percent, 27.4 percent and 25.2 percent the next three years. Okamoto had a 17.7 percent career K rate in Japan. As for a comp among MLB corner infielders: Based on Okamoto's projected 2026 production (see below), the closest to a fit is Giants third baseman Matt Chapman, Kazuma Okamoto MLB offensive projection Models for 2026 are consistent; they rate him as a slightly above-average hitter: Source PA wRC+ wOBA HR THE BAT 462 114 .333 21 THE BAT X 462 114 .333 21 FanGraphs 462 110 .329 19 Steamer 434 110 .329 18 For reference, Suzuki posted a 118 wRC+ as a rookie in 2022 and then exceeded that total each of the next three seasons. Okamoto's graph line might not climb the same way as he ages, but the initial plot points may land in the general area. View the full article

The start of a new year is supposed to bring optimism, fresh goals, and the belief that this time things will be different. For the Minnesota Twins, that optimism usually lasts until about mid-April, when the weather is bad, the bats are cold, and everyone is already checking the wild-card standings. Still, resolutions are important, and if nothing else, they give us something to laugh about while waiting for baseball to matter again. With that in mind, here are some New Year’s resolutions for key members of the Twins organization as they brace for another season of vibes, missed opportunities, and selective optimism. Tom Pohlad: Learning Where the Checkbook Is Taking over the reins from Joe Pohlad means Tom now gets the privilege of being blamed for everything. His resolution is simple in theory and impossible in practice: figure out how to look like a modern baseball owner without actually spending like one. This includes mastering the art of saying the words 'competitive' and 'sustainable' in the same sentence while carefully avoiding any firm commitments. Bonus points if he can attend a game in April and convince fans that better days are coming without specifying when. Derek Falvey: Turning Water Into Wins on a Budget Falvey resolves to once again prove that a roughly $100 million payroll can survive in a league where that figure barely buys a top-tier starter elsewhere. The goal is to outsmart teams that simply buy stars by finding value in versatility, depth, and guys who once had a good month in 2019. If the Twins sneak into contention, Falvey will be praised as a genius. If not, the team can always trade away its stars at next year’s trade deadline. Derek Shelton: Watching From Afar and Doing the Math After being fired by Pittsburgh, Shelton now has the unique experience of watching his former team potentially outspend the Twins. His resolution is to process that information without laughing too loudly. Somewhere along the way, he might also remind people that managing with limited resources builds character, even if it does not build playoff rosters. At the very least, he can take comfort in knowing he escaped before Paul Skenes is traded to the Yankees. Byron Buxton: Solving the MVP Equation With a Calculator and a Calendar Buxton’s New Year’s resolution is less about baseball skill and more about advanced math and load management. The goal is to finish top-10 in MVP voting while appearing in just enough games to qualify without angering the baseball gods. This will require perfectly timed hot streaks, national TV highlights, and at least one stretch in which he carries the team for two weeks before being immediately listed as day-to-day. If executed properly, Buxton can secure his contract bonus, remind everyone of his ceiling, and still leave fans wondering what might have happened if he had played another 30 games. Royce Lewis: Becoming Indispensable Before the Next Spreadsheet Update Lewis enters the year with a resolution to force his way back into the Twins’ long-term plans before his name becomes a movable asset in trade deadline rumors. The strategy is straightforward. Stay healthy just long enough to mash in high-leverage situations and make any conversation about his future deeply uncomfortable for the front office. Ideally, Lewis will produce at a level where fans argue he should be untouchable while decision makers quietly check his service time and injury history. If all goes well, he will be both central to the future and perpetually discussed as expendable, which is the true mark of a Twins cornerstone. T.C. Bear: Bringing the Energy to a Quiet Ballpark Perhaps the toughest resolution of all belongs to T.C. Bear. His task is to get fewer than one thousand fans fired up during an early-season weekday game when the temperature is barely above freezing, and half the crowd is there for the free beanie. With season tickets expected to crater, the mascot will need new routines, new jokes, and possibly new pyrotechnics. If he can get a genuine roar out of that crowd, he deserves a roster spot. Resolutions are easy to make and more challenging to keep, especially in baseball, where patience is preached, and urgency is avoided. The Twins will enter another season promising flexibility, smart decisions, and internal improvement. Maybe some of these resolutions will stick, and maybe they will quietly fade by summer. Either way, the calendar has turned, and hope has been renewed, which in Minnesota might be the most reliable tradition of all. View the full article

The New York Post reports that the Yankees are among the teams looking to get in on the market for free-agent infielder Bo Bichette. For the Brewers, this could be a chance to clear a couple of logjams, and perhaps get a short-term power boost. In 2025, Jazz Chisholm Jr. split time between third base and second base for the Yankees, while also handling some of the duties in center field for the Yankees in 2024. With Miami, he played second base and center field and also saw action at shortstop. He has a left-handed bat that has seen a power surge since he left Miami (42 home runs in 638 at-bats) and has some speed and baserunning skills as well (49 out of 59 in stolen bases). At first glance, Chisholm could give Milwaukee a brief power boost to give Top-100 prospects like Cooper Pratt and Jesus Made time to season in the minor leagues, while allowing the Brewers to make some adjustments in the infield to account for Joey Ortiz’s offensive struggles. He also adds power to a lineup that could use it. That left-handed bat could also thrive in American Family Field, as suggested by the power jump when he left Miami (Christian Yelich had a similar power boost when he came to Milwaukee). Both the power bat and the versatility of Chisholm would help Milwaukee in the course of 2026. For the Yankees, trading Chisholm would clear some payroll and, more importantly, roster space for the Yankees to get Bichette. There is a big question for Milwaukee: Who should be offered to seal the deal and get Chisholm in a Brewers jersey? The answer might seem steep, but it could well be worth it. The Brewers should offer third baseman Brock Wilken and outfielder Braylon Payne to the Yankees. While both of them are in the Brewer Fanatic Top 20, they may also be the best options for Milwaukee to deal at this time. We can start with Wilken, the team’s first-round pick in the 2023 MLB draft. Over two seasons at Double-A Biloxi, he’s hit 32 doubles and 35 home runs despite a scary injury in the 2024 season. However, in 695 at-bats, he’s struck out 235 times – a 33.8% strikeout rate. While he’s also drawn 132 walks, his 3TO profile is not exactly the type of thing that fits the offense that Pat Murphy has assembled. His lack of speed on the basepaths is another glaring omission from the type of profile the Brewers used to great regular-season success in 2024 and 2025. Wilken stole only three bases in those two seasons. Wilken’s defense is also suspect to a degree, and he is arguably better suited for first base. Milwaukee had Blake Burns as one option at the cold corner, with Tyler Black another potential option, and Jake Bauers and Andrew Vaughn likely to handle the bulk of the playing time in 2026. It won’t be the first time the Crew used a recent first-round pick for a rental (their 2007 first-round pick, Matt LaPorta, was the centerpiece of the midseason deal that brought CC Sabathia to Milwaukee). The other piece of the deal, Braylon Payne, the Brewers’ first-round pick from 2024, might be tougher to part with. Still, in his first full professional season, while he flashed signs of a dynamic bat across 77 games at Single-A Carolina, he also struck out in 35.7% of his at-bats. While Payne stole 31 bases and has excellent defense, the Brewers are very deep in center field (Sal Frelick, Blake Perkins, Jackson Chourio, Garrett Mitchell, Steward Berroa, and Brandon Lockridge all saw action for the Brewers in center field in 2025 and are on the 40-man roster, while Black, Turang, and Yelich are among Brewers with past experience). Payne, who will be just 19 on Opening Day 2026, could be a fast riser, and he did have some bad injury luck in 2025; still, the Brewers have to consider that Luis Lara and Jose Anderson may still be ahead of him in the minors, in addition to all of their options at the major-league level. To balance things out, Milwaukee may want to ask for a low-level prospect or two, like utility player Hans Montero or left-handed reliever Kevin Centeno, and some international bonus money. The Brewers also get a “conditional” draft pick, depending on how well Chisholm does. Do you think the Brewers should make a Jazz Chisholm deal with the Bronx Bombers? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner finds himself the subject of trade rumors as the team continues to swing and miss on free-agent targets. Should the Cubs actually try to deal one of their best, most consistent players this offseason? View the full article

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Brayan Bello finds himself the subject of trade rumors following the team's rotation overhaul. Will the Sox genuinely consider trading one of their best young arms? View the full article

Owen and Jesse break down the Tyler Rogers signing before digging into the slow-moving free agent position player market, analyzing Alex Bregman's potential fit with the Jays, as well as digging into Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker's markets. They also look at the Jays' AL East rivals and discuss the Baltimore Orioles' additions of Pete Alonso and Shane Baz, as well as the New York Yankees' missing out on Tatsuya Imai. The guys finish up by listing New Year's resolutions for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Daulton Varsho, Addison Barger, Dylan Cease, and Anthony Santander. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jays-centre-podcast/id1846108462 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Bi7SzfpcqMo5xYWnbCeoL Listen on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-the-jays-centre-podcast-300304824/ Listen on Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/2qk9wqxd Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jayscentre View the full article

I am very fond of numbers, statistics and just the figures themselves. Stats can often help describe the success or failure of a sports team. The figures themselves, meanwhile, can be part of an identity. After all, when it comes to sports, who do you think of when you see 23 or 12 or 42 or 99? But for most athletes, the uniform number can have a deeper meaning, mostly personal. Jersey numbers can also have a meaning for a franchise. With that in mind — and with the turn of calendar to 2026 — I wanted to explore the number 26 in San Diego Padres history. I quickly learned that the number toils in relative anonymity in Friars history. But I forged ahead, creating this list of the top 10 players who have worn No. 26 as well as putting together a lineup of guys who donned those digits. Austin Nola, C Nola played for the Padres from 2020 to 2023, originally wearing No. 22 for his first season before switching to 26 when Josh Naylor was acquired at the trade deadline. He was mainly a backup with the Padres, although he did start 103 games in 2022. In those four years, Nola had a .234/.314/.320 slash line with nine homers and 86 RBIs over 237 games. Archi Cianfrocco, IF Cianfrocco came over to the Friars in a 1993 trade, a little more than a month before the deadline, from the Montreal Expos for right-handed reliever Tim Scott. Cianfrocco was very versatile and was primarily a utility player during his stay in San Diego, which lasted through 1998, his last season in MLB. Mainly a corner infielder, Cianfrocco played every position except center field, even seeing one game at catcher in 1996. His one inning behind the plate came in the ninth inning of a 6-0 of a June 9 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates after the Padres had gone through starter Brian Johnson and backup Brad Ausmus. Cianfrocco had a Padres career slash line of .241/.296/.382 with 27 homers and 154 RBIs. Scott Sanders, RHP Sanders had two stints with the Padres, donning No. 27 when he made his MLB debut in 1993 through 1996, then switching to No. 26 when he returned during the 1998 season via trade as Kevin Brown had the number. After starting 44 of his first 49 games, Sanders transitioned into a relief role in 1996, making 16 starts in 46 appearances. All 23 of his 1998 games were as a reliever. He had a 3.64 FIP and a 100 ERA+ with the Friars. Ollie Brown, RF A member of the original 1969 Padres team, Brown was first wearer of No. 26 in Friars history. In fact, Brown was involved in several firsts in team history: He was the first pick by the Padres in the 1968 expansion draft, being snatched from the San Francisco Giants, then was the Opening Day right fielder and cleanup hitter in the team's first season. Brown stuck with the Padres until May 1972, when he was traded to the Oakland A's. With the Friars, he had a .272/.327/.413 slash line with 52 homers and 208 RBIs in 458 games. Yangervis Solarte, IF Solarte joined the Padres at the 2014 trade deadline, coming over from the New York Yankees in the Chase Headley deal. Solarte began his Padres career wearing No. 27, but switched to 26 in 2015 after the offseason signing of star Matt Kemp. Solarte started out as mainly a third baseman, but also played second and some short and left field during his days with the Padres, which lasted until he was dealt to the Toronto Blue Jays before the 2018 season. He posted a .270/.326/.424 slash line with 51 homers and 215 RBIs in 445 games. Dustin Moseley, RHP Moseley had a star-crossed time in San Diego. He experienced his greatest success in a Padres uniform, but then also his biggest disappointment. After signing with the Padres before the 2011 season, Moseley became a mainstay of the Padres' rotation that season with a 3.99 FIP and 108 ERA+ on a bad team (71-91, last in NL West). But he dislocated his left (non-throwing) shoulder twice while batting, which ended his season in July. He was back for the 2012 season, but made just one start, injuring his right shoulder and needing season-ending surgery. That would end his MLB career, although he did attempt a comeback in 2014 with the Miami Marlins. Chris Welsh, LHP Another trade acquisition, Welsh came to the Friars from the the Yankees with center fielder Ruppert Jones, outfielder Joe Lefebvre and left-hander Tim Lollar for outfielder Jerry Mumphrey and right-hander John Pacella just as the 1981 season was to begin. Welsh pitched two-plus seasons with the Padres, with a good MLB debut season of 1981 and a 3.74 FIP. That ballooned to 4.99 in 1982 and led to his being sold to the Expos in May 1983. Dave Kingman, 1B-LF Yes, the well-known slugger donned 26 in his brief time with the Padres. Kingman came to the Padres in a June 1977 trade with the New York Mets for infielder Bobby Valentine and left-hander Paul Siebert. It was the start of a busy season of changing places for Kingman. He was waived by the Padres in September, claimed by the California Angels, who then traded him to the Yankees nine days later. The Padres trade was one of a series of related deals made that day, with the Mets sending Tom Seaver to the Cincinnati Reds in a monumental blockbuster. With the Padres, Kingman appeared in 56 games and hit 11 homers and drove in 39 runs. All of his movement made Kingman the first player to play in all four divisions in the same season (only East and West existed at the time). Ed Wojna, RHP Wojna came to the Padres in a late-1983 trade with the Philadelphia Phillies. He appeared in 36 games over the 1985-87 seasons, starting all 36, with a 4.19 FIP. Wojna was dealt to the Chicago White Sox after the 1987 season and only appeared in the majors again in 1988 with Cleveland. Doug Brocail, RHP Last but not least, Brocail is the only member of the No. 26 club who began his career with the Padres. He was taken with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the January 1986 draft, making his professional debut that summer. It took Brocail until the end of the 1992 season to make his MLB debut, but he did so wearing No. 49. That is what he would wear until the Friars shipped him to the Houston Astros in a blockbuster deal before the 1995 season in which the Padres landed third baseman Ken Caminiti, center fielder Steve Finley, shortstop Andujar Cedeno, first baseman Roberto Petagine and right-hander Brian Williams. Coincidentally, Williams would wear No. 26 with the Padres, too. Brocail would return to San Diego as a free agent for the 2006 and 2007 seasons. That is when he took claim of No. 26, which he wore after the Astros traded him to the Detroit Tigers before the 1997 season. In his two stints, Brocail had a 4.30 FIP in 131 games, including 27 starts, across five seasons. The All-26 Padres lineup Catcher: Austin Nola First base: Dave Kingman Second base: Terry Shumpert Third base: Yangervis Solarte Shortstop: Archi Cianfrocco Left field: Don Reynolds Center field: Mike Darr Right field: Ollie Brown Right-handed starter: Scott Sanders Left-handed starter: Chris Welsh Reliever: Doug Brocail View the full article

Freddy Peralta's name has popped up quite a bit this offseason in trade rumors. With the price of starting pitching being what it is, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Milwaukee Brewers trade the right-hander who has started the last two Opening Days. But I am here to say the Brewers should do the opposite of that. Not only don't trade him, but don't even let Peralta get any closer to free agency than he already is. Peralta is the perfect player for the Brewers to invest in with a contract extension. Why? A combination of performance, character, and commitment — not to mention how much the fans love Peralta. The Brewers are entering an interesting phase in franchise history. There are a number of young players who will be around for another few years, with a few highly rated prospects likely to be ready to make their MLB debuts in 2026 or 2027. And with the Brewers coming off their third straight NL Central championship, it is time to slightly change the narrative that the Crew have nationally. That is where Peralta comes in. Peralta endeared himself to Brewers fans when he made his MLB debut on Mother's Day 2018. The team was in desperate need of a starting pitcher for the finale of a four-game series vs. the Colorado Rockies when they summoned a fresh-faced 21-year-old Peralta from Triple-A Colorado Springs. Peralta had been scheduled to start the day before Mother's Day for the Sky Sox, with his mom and dad making the trip from the Dominican Republic. Instead, the fortunate timing allowed his parents to see their son make his MLB debut — and Peralta turned in a memorable performance. He took a no-hit bid into the sixth inning, finally giving up a lone hit in 5⅓ innings, walking two but striking out a whopping 13 in a 7-3 win over the Rockies. It was the start of something special for Peralta, who was one of three lottery tickets the Brewers acquired from the Seattle Mariners in December 2015 for first baseman Adam Lind. Like Peralta is now, Lind was entering the final year of a club-friendly contract extension going into 2016. Peralta would make one more start before going back down to Triple-A, but came back a month later and mostly remained in the rotation as the Brewers went on to win the Central and lost in seven games to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series. Before the 2020 season, Peralta signed a club-friendly five-year, $15.5 million contract that included club options for 2025 and 2026 at $8 million each. That covered two pre-arbitration years and all three trips to arbitrations, with the options buying out his first two free-agent seasons. At the time, Peralta had been bouncing between the rotation and the bullpen and was in competition to be the No. 5 starter. That investment has more than paid off. Following the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Peralta has been a rotation mainstay, watching as Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff led the starting staff. But due to the Brewers trading Burnes, the 2020 NL Cy Young Award winner, and the shoulder injury to Woodruff at the end of the 2023 season, Peralta was thrust into a leadership role. Not having to worry about free agency due to the extension, Peralta thrived. From 2021-25, Peralta made 139 starts and two relief appearances, staying healthy with the exception of a 2022 strained right shoulder that cost him a couple of months. He put up a 3.65 FIP in those five seasons with a 126 ERA+ and 1.093 WHIP. He has struck out 29.5% of hitters while walking 9% and excelled at limiting hits, allowing just a .199 opponent batting average. The biggest knock on Peralta is his propensity to give up home runs — giving up 73 over the last three years — but by keeping runners off base, those are usually solo shots. That all resulted in a breakthrough in 2025, where he led the NL with 17 wins and struck out at least 200 for the third straight season. He finished fifth in the NL Cy Young Award balloting. But now is the time for the Brewers to pay up. Sure, Peralta will pitch 2026 on his $8 million contract. But before he starts for a third straight Opening Day, the Brewers need to show him some love for two reasons. First, Peralta has earned his payday. The interest in other teams seeking his services for 2026 shows that. Second, the players coming up in the system need to know there is a chance for them to earn a similar opportunity, not just knowing their tenure with the Brewers will likely be up when they go through the arbitration cycle three times — or even before. Peralta has provided leadership to the other young pitchers and position players. Just look at how he talked with Jackson Chourio during his rookie season of 2024, following some outfield misadventures, and how Chourio responded. With other Latin American prospects on their way in infielders Jesus Made and Luis Pena, seeing Peralta in the clubhouse on a daily basis will be a source of comfort and guidance as they adjust to the rigors of daily life as an MLB player. What does a Peralta extension look like? I'm not that smart, but with the qualifying offer next offseason probably in the $23 million range, Peralta should be able to land something close to a $30 average annual value for at least five years. Can you imagine the smiles on Peralta's face if he lands that type of deal with the Brewers? View the full article

What will the one and only Trey Yesavage be doing for the 2026 season? Cory Sparks breaks down the likely future for a righty who ran the minor league gauntlet in 2025. The World Series hero sports an over-the-top motion and numbers that hint at his role on the big-league squad in the spring. View the full article

The Twins have done very little to address their significant holes in the bullpen. The hope was that they would be able to bring in at least one proven relief arm from the high end of free agency. As we head into the new year, it appears unlikely that they will do so, as options are becoming scarce. It looks like they’re going to wait out the market once again and continue seeing just how little a team can value relief pitchers while still trying to compete. Luckily, the remaining free-agent pool is not without options capable of putting up elite seasons in the bullpen. Evan Phillips Phillips was a legitimate high-end reliever before Tommy John surgery cut his season short in May. At 31 years old, Phillips may not be quite ready to start the season, but he may match up well at the top of the Twins bullpen hierarchy as he looks to prove to the league that he’s healthy and deserving of a bigger deal in 2027. When last healthy in 2024, Phillips was solid, posting a 3.62 ERA in just under 55 innings. However, he was flat-out dominant during the 2022-2023 seasons, striking out around 30% of hitters and posting a sub-2.00 ERA across 124 innings in the Dodgers' bullpen. His velocity had dipped just a touch before injury, which begs the question as to whether he can once again average above 96 mph on the fastball now that the elbow is fixed. Evan Phillips would be a proven name to lead the Twins' bullpen, as he is inarguably better than any of their other options if healthy. His health will be the main question. At this point, we have no reason to believe there are any unforeseen concerns heading into 2026. If he’s willing to take a prove-it deal, Phillips and the Twins would be an excellent match for a mutually beneficial 2026 season. Seranthony Dominguez Though far from consistent in his career, Seranthony Dominguez has the big-time stuff the Twins bullpen is lacking, and 2025 was something of a breakout. The fact that he’s still available says the league may be skeptical. This may lead to a prime opportunity for the Twins to take a gamble. Dominguez had a few dominant seasons with the Phillies at the start of his career, then spent 2025 with the Orioles and later with the World Series runner-up Blue Jays. He posted a 3.16 ERA overall across 62 innings, with the second-best strikeout rate of his career. He developed a devastating splitter, which posted a near-50 % whiff rate, along with a dominant slider to match, as well as his usual high-90s fastball. It’s easy to see how Dominguez could dominate at the back end of games. The primary concern is the control, as his 13.8% walk rate was borderline untenable. It’s worth noting that this was the worst rate of his career, and was really the only red flag in his profile. Perhaps teams are wary of him for this reason, but for a team in need of upside, Dominguez is a terrific fit. The longer he stays available, the more likely their price points will match. Jose Leclerc Falling into a similar bucket to Evan Phillips, Lecerc suffered a lat strain early in the 2025 season, which required surgery. As a result, teams haven’t been quick to sign him despite his career stretches of success and strong raw stuff. For this reason, he’s another potential high-end reliever who could benefit from a one-year prove-it deal at the top of a needy bullpen. Leclerc has a solid 3.34 ERA across 370 innings with an exceptional 30.8% strikeout rate. Walks are the big concern for him, and at times, they have kept him out of the closer role with the Rangers. With a mid to high-90s fastball and a dominant slider, he’s shown the ability to overcome the walks, making him another option to likely slot in at the very top of the Twins’ bullpen depth chart. Teams are unlikely to overpay for Leclerc, given concerns about his control and his significant injury last season. Unlike Phillips, he also lacks a sustained stretch of high-end production at the MLB level. That being said, the Twins can’t be too picky. His stuff is good enough to make him a worthwhile gamble, and if he continues to hang around on the market, the Twins would be wise to check in. It’s easy to get panicked watching the high-end relief options fly off the board, but it’s important to note that there are plenty of legitimately good relievers still on the market. The Twins are still in need of at least two additions to the group, but time remains on their side. Do any of the listed options interest you? Are there any other free agent relievers you feel could be legitimately dominant options for 2026? Let us know below! View the full article

Even though Spring Training is still far away, there is a different vibe with the offseason when January comes. The beginning of the baseball season feels closer, as Jayson Stark remarked on Bluesky today. Even though seven weeks is a long time, the "hot stove" seems to change a bit after January 1st. Players holding out for bigger deals are more willing to settle for more modest deals, including Minor League ones with invites to Spring Training. In January and early February, it is common to see more of those Minor League deals, especially for players who were on Major League contracts a season ago. The Royals have addressed many needs this offseason: they acquired Alex Lange, Nick Mears, and Matt Strahm to boost the bullpen and Isaac Collins and Lane Thomas to improve the outfield. They also seem to be in the hunt for a bigger move, having been tied to rumors involving Boston's Jarren Duran and St. Louis' Brendan Donovan. That said, even if they aren't able to get those bigger targets via a trade, I do think the Royals will solidify their Spring Training roster a bit with some Minor League deals of players with some big-name appeal, as is the case with every team every spring. In this post, I will highlight five targets who could come to Kansas City on Minor League deals and be candidates to make the Opening Day roster with a solid Spring Training (or provide depth in Omaha if they do not, as Harold Castro did a season ago). Dylan Carlson, OF A former top prospect in the Cardinals system, Carlson has been rumored to be a Royals trade or free agent target in previous seasons. However, nothing ever came to fruition, as he played for the Rays and Orioles since leaving St. Louis. It hasn't been a stellar career for Carlson, who has a career fWAR of 2.8 in 567 games. He earned 2.4 fWAR in 2021 with the Cardinals, his first full year at the Major League level. That season, he hit 18 home runs and posted a 111 wRC+. Unfortunately, due to injury and inconsistency, he's failed to replicate that campaign, whether in St. Louis or elsewhere. Carlson has his flaws: his Max EV ranked in the seventh percentile, and his hard-hit rate ranked in the 13th percentile. Thus, he doesn't have the immense "power" that scouts raved about when he was a prospect. However, he's extremely patient at the plate and even in a subpar season with the Orioles last year (74 wRC+; -0.4 fWAR in 241 plate appearances), his O-Swing% ranked in the 95th percentile at 19.2%. Thomas and Collins sport a similar O-Swing% profile, and it seems like the new hitting coaching team under Alec Zumwalt is prioritizing hitters who do not chase. Carlson also pulls the ball decently with a 60th percentile Pull%. Hence, one has to wonder if being back in Missouri and with lower expectations could help Carlson tap into his other categories and get back to where he was before he left the Cardinals. If healthy and re-focused, he could be a fourth outfielder who could play all three positions at the Major League level. Jose Leclerc, RP Leclerc was a key reliever of the Rangers' 2023 World Series team (2.68 ERA in 57 appearances that season), but his career has been on the downswing since then. In 2024, his final season with the Rangers, he posted a 4.32 ERA in 64 appearances. He became a free agent after 2024 and signed with the Athletics for 2025. Unfortunately, injuries limited him to 9 appearances and 10 innings pitched. In that sample, he struggled, posting a 6.00 ERA, 7.36 FIP, and 6.5% K-BB%. For context, his K-BB% was 19.8% in 2024 and 16.7% in 2023, so that decline was surprising. Even though the sample wasn't great, Leclerc still generated a decent chase at 29% and a strong whiff rate at 30.9%. His four-seamer and cutter also graded well last year with 105 TJ Stuff+ marks. Even his overall TJ Stuff+ of 100 wasn't bad, and his stuff could play even better with some pitch modification or repertoire consolidation (he may need to eliminate the sinker, at the very least). New Royals assistant pitching coach Mike McFerran was in the Athletics organization last year, so he should have some familiarity with Leclerc and could help him tap into his pre-2025 skills. Austin Slater, OF Slater is an interesting target as he was decent with the White Sox, despite dealing with a meniscus injury early in the season last year. In 135 plate appearances with the South Siders, he posted a 100 wRC+, five home runs, and a 0.3 fWAR. The White Sox traded him to the Yankees, and he didn't do much with the Bronx Bombers, posting a -41 wRC+ in 25 plate appearances. The intriguing aspect of Slater's profile is that he sports good pop and batted-ball ability. His average EV ranked in the 82nd percentile, his barrel rate ranked in the 91st percentile, his hard-hit rate ranked in the 79th percentile, and his LA Sweet-Spot% ranked in the 96th percentile. He also pulled the ball well at 41.8%, which ranked in the 72nd percentile (though his Pull Air% left a bit to be desired at 11.2%). The primary issue with Slater is that he's a bit of a free swinger. His whiff rate ranked in the 31st percentile, and his O-Swing% ranked in the 46th percentile. That said, an aggressive approach isn't necessarily a bad thing for a fourth outfielder who can get hot for small periods of time. Slater can also play multiple positions in the outfield and is a switch-hitter, thus giving him added versatility off the bench in pinch-hit situations. He's the perfect 26th-man type that could replace a player like Nick Loftin or Tyler Tolbert, who both still have Minor League options. Jose Urquidy, SP/RP Urquidy shouldn't even be on this list, as the Arizona Diamondbacks initially had a deal in place with the Mexican right-hander back in mid-December. However, it seems the deal fell through right after Christmas, with no explanation for why things changed. There are likely concerns about Urquidy's health and durability. Since 2023, he has only pitched 65.1 innings at the Major League level, and he missed all of 2024 due to recovery from Tommy John surgery. After bringing back Merrill Kelly and signing Michael Soroka, the Diamondbacks probably didn't feel like the risk with Urquidy was worth it. In terms of a Major League deal, the Royals should avoid Urquidy. However, for a Minor League one, he becomes more intriguing. Even in his small two-inning sample last year, the stuff looked great: three pitches with grades over 50, a 102 overall TJ Stuff+, a 51.8% zone rate, a 29.6% chase rate, and 41.7% whiff rate. If he can transition that to a larger sample, Urquidy could contend for Comeback Player of the Year honors. Acquiring Urquidy could give the Royals some flexibility to trade away one of their current pitching assets, like Kris Bubic, Noah Cameron, Ryan Bergert, and Stephen Kolek. Even if Urquidy moves to the bullpen, he could be a nice trade candidate at the Deadline who could help them net some reinforcements, whether on the pitching, hitting, or prospect ends. The 30-year-old still has some upside remaining, even if the health history isn't great. Thus, he could be a nice project for Brian Sweeney and McFerran for 2026, if they can acquire him this offseason on a Minor League deal. Garrett Hampson, UTL I figured a deal for Adam Frazier would've been done by now, especially since he rejuvenated the squad in the second half after coming over in a trade with Pittsburgh. Frazier is definitely a "vibes" guy who has had a positive impact on the Royals clubhouse in his 1.5 years in Kansas City. That said, no deal has been announced, which suggests Frazier is exploring options with other clubs and seeking a bigger deal. Anything beyond a one-year, $1.5 million deal feels like too much for the 34-year-old utility player. If the Royals can't get Frazier, they could bring back another old friend: Hampson, who played for the Diamondbacks, Cardinals, and Reds last year. Now, Hampson was flat-out bad last year. With those three teams, he posted a 26 wRC+ and -0.2 fWAR in 62 games. However, he was serviceable as a utility guy off the bench with the Royals in 2024. In 113 games with Kansas City, he posted a 60 wRC+ and 0.5 fWAR. What Hampson does well is that he doesn't chase at the plate, and he is solid defensively. Last year, he still ranked in the 81st percentile in O-Swing%, 66th percentile in Whiff%, and 90th percentile in BB%. He also posted a +3 OAA last year and sported a +8 OAA with the Royals in 2024. The latter ranked in the 93rd percentile, according to Savant. What makes Hampson so strong defensively is that he is not just adept at making outs, but he can also play multiple positions. With the Royals, he played every position but catcher (he even pitched for an inning in a blowout). There's no reason to think that he couldn't do that again with the Royals in 2026, which would give manager Matt Quatraro a valuable late-inning defensive substitution off the bench. It wouldn't be a popular pick, as Hampson had his share of detractors among Royals fans due to his propensity to make awful-looking errors or baserunning blunders (though he stole seven bases with the Royals and posted a +1 baserunning run mark, according to Savant). That said, for a Minor League deal, it could benefit the Royals to kick the tires on Hampson in Spring Training to see if he can channel his 2024 self once again. View the full article

Right after Christmas, MLB Trade Rumors reported that Brayan Bello is receiving trade interest from other teams around the league. They went on to report that the Red Sox have “quietly shopped” the young right-hander throughout the offseason, although the source that shared the information pushed back on that report. While it may seem odd that the team would be either shopping or entertaining trades involving Bello at first, it makes some sense when you think about the additions the team has made this offseason. So far, the Red Sox have acquired RHP Sonny Gray, RHP Johan Oviedo, and RHP Ryan Watson. While Watson will figure into the bullpen moving forward, both Gray and Oviedo should be fixtures in the starting rotation. Currently, Gray slots into the number two slot in the rotation, but Oviedo is a pitcher in the same vein as Bello. Having two groundball-dominant, low-strikeout type of pitchers throwing back-to-back in the same rotation isn’t the most ideal situation for any club, but especially one that has question marks at either second or third base as of right now. What makes Bello intriguing for other clubs is his contract. He has four years left of a six-year, $55 million contract with a club option for 2030. He’s young, cost-controlled, and has the ceiling of a poor man's number two starter. Those reasons are why it’s a bit surprising that the Red Sox are willing to entertain trades involving him, but this the point of building up depth. It’s fairly obvious at this point that Craig Breslow has a preferred type of starter that he wants to sign. Breslow seems to prefer tall, heavy, lanky starters with a plus option for a fastball. Bello, standing 6’1” and 195 lbs with a fastball that tops out at 95mph but is the fifth option in his pitch mix, is the opposite of that profile. He's a dependable arm in the rotation, but if the right deal is on the table, he’s not irreplaceable by any means. The other factor that could be prompting the Red Sox to look to trade Bello is that there are other names coming through the system that will need playing time sooner or later. Payton Tolle showed just how high his ceiling can be during his cup of coffee with the big-league club, Connelly Early was given a much longer leash in the Wild Card round than Bello was, and recently-acquired LHP Jake Bennett is the ideal type of pitcher Breslow wants working with pitching coach Andrew Bailey. The Red Sox have traded some of their pitching depth this offseason to acquire Gray and Willson Contreras, but they are still in a position to promote young arms to fill Bello’s vacated spot if he’s dealt. If Bello is moved in a deal, it would have to be in a trade for someone who can solidify one of the option infield spots or in a deal that nets the Red Sox a true number two starter. Would a team like the Royals be interested in Bello in addition to someone like Jarren Duran? Would the Nationals or Marlins? The answers to those questions remain to be seen right now, but it's clear the Red Sox's wheeling and dealing is far from done this offseason. View the full article

American League East teams have already delivered a busy and consequential winter so far. Baltimore has overhauled its lineup and bullpen, Boston has reconfigured its rotation and will have a new look infield, Tampa Bay has done what it normally does by cycling assets and uncovering value in the market, and New York has largely focused on retaining its composition and strengthening its depth. The Jays have been building upon last season’s success by moving aggressively on pitching while searching for at least one bat. Here’s a detailed, team-by-team look at all the division's moves and an analysis of what it all means for the Jays. Baltimore Orioles After their forgettable 75-87 last-place finish in 2025, the Orioles' front office has been busy this offseason. Baltimore has added big bats and late‑inning muscle, and reshuffled its rotation. The team added some big names relatively early in the offseason. Pete Alonso signed a five-year deal, adding right‑handed power to the middle of a retooled order. He’ll be joined by Taylor Ward, who was traded from the Angels. Ward is an above-average bat who tends to punish lefties. Baltimore traded long-time center fielder Cedric Mullins to the Mets at the deadline last summer. Ward should provide more power than Mullins, but defensively, the Orioles will suffer, with Ward in a corner and Colton Cowser presumably the everyday center fielder. Turning to the pitching staff, the Orioles re-signed Zach Eflin to a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2027. He had an injury-shortened season last year and is looking to bounce back. The Orioles also acquired Shane Baz from the Rays. His addition offsets the loss of Grayson Rodriguez, who was traded to the Angels in the deal for Ward. As for the bullpen, the Orioles signed a two-year deal with Ryan Helsley. Helsely is a former All‑Star closer with elite stuff seeking a rebound. Last year, he started the season with the Cardinals and was good (3.00 ERA with 21 saves) until he was traded to the Mets, with whom he posted a 7.20 ERA. The bullpen will be further improved by the return of Andrew Kittredge. He returns to Baltimore after a brief stint post-deadline with the Cubs. For the Orioles, the choices were to slowly rebuild or act decisively this offseason, and it looks like they decided to bypass the long-term rebuild. It’s a decisive pivot from 2025’s hiccup and squarely positions Baltimore to rejoin the division race. If there's one thing left for the O's to do, it's to add a no‑doubt ace to lead that rotation. Boston Red Sox Two early moves this offseason indicated the Red Sox were not in the mood to wait things out either. Boston acquired Sonny Gray from the Cardinals and further stabilized its rotation by trading for Johan Oviedo of the Pirates. The Red Sox's rotation is anchored by Garrett Crochet, and any additions only improved what was already a relative strength. The Red Sox finished third in the AL East with a record of 89-73 in 2025, and their starters ranked sixth in the AL with a 3.92 ERA. In a somewhat surprising move, the Red Sox acquired Willson Contreras from the Cardinals. It was surprising in that the team already had a capable starter at the position in injury-prone Triston Casas. Casas is under club control until 2029. In the trade, Boston shipped starters Hunter Dobbins, Yhoiker Fajardo (their No. 23 prospect in MLB Pipeline rankings), and Blake Aita to St. Louis. According to reports, Contreras will be the team’s primary first baseman. Boston’s front office has prioritized rotation competence and multi‑positional roster strength so far, and it looks like their 2026 is shaping up for a slight improvement over last season. The team also appears to be searching for at least one more impact bat. That could be a return of Alex Bregman, whose fate is still undecided, or someone else. There was speculation that they were considering Bo Bichette, but those rumours seem to have cooled as of late. Yet, all things considered, the Red Sox are already in a pretty good spot. Indeed, their outfield is so overflowing with talent that there have been several rumblings that the team is considering offers for Jarren Duran. Tampa Bay Rays Every season, the dark horse in the AL East is the Tampa Bay Rays. Their 2025 season was a disappointment. Apart from playing at the Yankees’ spring training complex due to the ongoing restoration of Tropicana Field, the team struggled to a fourth-place finish in the division with a 77-85 record. In 2026, the team will return to Tropicana Field with something of a new-look roster. The Rays have kept true to form this offseason through their regular roster churn, a major trade and a low‑cost outfield addition. The addition of Mullins, on a one-year deal, provides a value play for speed, defense, and a bit of left-handed pop to complement their platoon structure. Not long after that addition, the Rays traded infielder Brandon Lowe, outfielder Jake Mangum and reliever Mason Montgomery to the Pirates. In that same multi-team trade, the Rays acquired outfielder Jacob Melton and pitcher Anderson Brito from the Astros. Meanwhile, veteran left-hander Steven Matz signed a two-year deal with Tampa. Known for his control and versatility, Matz joins his fifth MLB team. The Rays added a minor league pitcher, Tommy McCollum, through a trade with the Phillies for Yoniel Curet. They also claimed reliever Osvaldo Bido off waivers from the Braves. Although they traded away Baz, the Rays got quite the trove of players in return. Heading to Florida are catcher Caden Bodine, outfielder Slater de Brun, pitcher Michael Forret, outfielder Austin Overn and a draft pick. Tampa Bay continues its commitment to keeping costs down while building flexibility through position platooning and short-term contracts. Whether or not they can find success seems to be a bit of a coin flip every season. With that said, they always play the Jays tough. New York Yankees The Yankees finished with the same record as the Jays last season at 94-68. The Jays won the tiebreaker thanks to a better head-to-head record in the regular season. Things have been quiet for the Yankees this offseason, especially compared to last season. One year ago, New York had added Max Fried, Devin Williams, Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt. This time around, the team seems to be focused more on maintenance. So far, their moves have stabilized depth, left flexibility and seemed to point to a willingness to wait out the market. Among the returning players are Trent Grisham, who accepted a qualifying offer. Ryan Yarbrough, Amed Rosario and Paul Blackburn, all signed one-year deals. Together, this group of players offers outfield depth, swingman innings and some flexibility in the infield. The Yankee bullpen will look quite different in 2026 after Williams and Luke Weaver signed with the Mets. Also leaving the organization are veteran right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. (signed with the Athletics) and Ian Hamilton (signed with the Braves). The team has been content to focus on re‑signings and lower‑leverage roster hedges so far this offseason to complement what it has rather than taking a wholesale upheaval approach. Big news could be on the horizon, however, as New York has been mentioned as a possible landing spot for Bichette and Kyle Tucker. ***** Every team, with the exception of the Rays, seems to be chasing the Blue Jays this offseason. Toronto has made a big splash so far, signing Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce and Tyler Rogers, as well as trading for Chase Lee. Now, with the days dwindling before pitchers and catchers report, every team in the division is still seeking to add an impact bat and strengthen its bullpen. If the Jays land someone like Tucker, Bichette or Bregman then their run prevention and run creation balance would become division‑leading. The rotation, as currently constructed, with Cease as the top dog, suggests the best aggregate strikeout staff in the division. Pairing that with elite run scoring and defense would make Toronto the AL East favorite. While it is way too early to accurately project the final 2026 American League East, since there are a lot of potential additions and subtractions that can occur over the next several weeks, here is my crystal ball prediction for the upcoming season: Toronto Blue Jays: 96-66 Baltimore Orioles: 92-70 Boston Red Sox: 88-74 New York Yankees: 86-76 Tampa Bay Rays: 82-80 Obviously, injuries, late‑winter signings and deadline moves will impact what actually comes to fruition in 2026. 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In a Bluesky post about free agent Kazuma Okamoto, Sportsnet reporter Ben Nicholson-Smith noted that the Blue Jays have a big presence in the Pacific Rim and make it a point to learn about all free agents coming from NPB and the KBO. However, their level of interest in Okamoto in particular is not currently clear. One way or another, we'll soon find out if the Jays are going to sign the six-time NPB All-Star; his posting window closes on Sunday at 5:00 pm. If the Blue Jays don't sign Okamoto, it might take a little longer to find out if they'll sign another free agent bat. To that point, Nicholson-Smith mentioned that it's "not a lock" they sign a bat at all. Toronto has been linked to many of the top hitters on the free agent market, including Bo Bichette, Kyle Tucker, and Alex Bregman. Nicholson-Smith confirms that the Jays are still "in contact" with representatives for all three of those players as well as "others," although he does not specify who those others might be. All that to say, Nicholson-Smith isn't suggesting that the Blue Jays wouldn't love to add another impact bat to their lineup. His point is simply that they might not be planning to do so at all costs. What do Jays fans think about this rumor? Will you consider the offseason a disappointment if the team doesn't sign one of the top free agent bats? Voice your thoughts in the comments below. Featured image courtesy of Brad Penner, Imagn Images. View the full article

According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Red Sox have made an “aggressive” offer for free agent third baseman Alex Bregman. While there’s little detail as to what this “aggressive” offer is for Bregman, it’s encouraging to see that the Red Sox are still engaged with the free agent. Over the last 48 hours, reports have started circulating that both the Diamondbacks and Blue Jays are “serious” about landing the third baseman, but that the Red Sox were still involved with him. Obviously, until pen is put to paper, there is no deal between the two sides yet, but if the Red Sox are willing to get aggressive with their offer, then it stands to reason Bregman may end up back in Boston for the next few years. Alex Bregman had a successful, but injury-shortened, first year in Boston in 2025. He slashed .273/.360/.462 in 114 games last season while hitting 17 home runs and posting a 125 wRC+ and a 3.5 fWAR. Bringing Alex Bregman back would solidify the left side of the infield again and allow top prospect Marcelo Mayer to begin taking reps at second base, where he would slot into the lineup if Bregman returns. Keeping Bregman in the fold allows a clubhouse leader to stick around and mentor a very young core as they strive to return to the playoffs in 2026. View the full article

On Friday, the Miami Marlins announced that they have traded Eric Wagaman to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for left-handed minor league pitcher Kade Bragg. Wagaman, who signed a split deal as a free agent during the previous offseason, played 140 games in a Marlins uniform. He slashed .250/.296/.378/.674 with nine home runs, 53 RBI and an 85 wRC+. He finished second amongst National League rookies in hits, fourth in RBI and second in doubles. He received playing time at both corner infield and both corner outfield positions, but he mainly handled first base. The only bright spot in Wagaman's 2025 season was his production against left-handed pitching. He slashed .283/.321/.462/.783 with five home runs and 26 RBI with the platoon advantage. Expect him to continue in that role in Minnesota, filling in for former Marlin Josh Bell against lefties. Although Bell is a switch-hitter, he had significant platoon splits last year (.804 OPS vs. RHP, .552 OPS vs. LHP). Wagaman had been designated for assignment to make room for newest Marlins outfielder Esteury Ruiz. As for the return, left-handed pitcher Kade Bragg split the 2025 season across three levels (Low-A, High-A and Double-A). Overall, he had a 2.94 ERA, 3.73 FIP, 10.96 K/9 and 4.14 BB/9 in 67 ⅓ innings pitched (42 appearances). The year before, he was limited to only six appearances due to injury. Bragg, 24, could potentially find himself as a spring training non-roster invitee. He'll be Rule 5 draft-eligible following the 2026 season. View the full article

The Minnesota Twins traded left-handed minor-league pitcher Kade Bragg to the Miami Marlins Friday, in exchange for recently-DFAd first baseman Eric Wagaman. To make room on the 40-man roster, they jettisoned shortstop Ryan Fitzgerald, who got his first-ever big-league time for the team last season. Dan Hayes of The Athletic reported the deal on Twitter. Wagaman, 28, batted .250/.296/.378 with the Marlins in 2025, in the first extended opportunity he'd ever gotten in the majors. It's not hard to see what the Twins see in him. He had solidly above-average bat speed in 2025, and it was up 2.3 miles per hour from his brief stint with the Angels in 2024. Wagaman's whole hitting process changed, as he moved his contact rate 7.2 inches farther out in front of his frame and flattened his swing to get around the ball more. Big and strong, Wagaman has a fairly short stroke for his size, which prevents him from swinging and missing at disastrous rates. The key for him is staying disciplined at the edges of and outside the strike zone, which he did better with Miami last season. He's not much of an athlete, and is not an adequate defender anywhere but first base, but he has the tools to hit for power, especially against lefties. More to come. View the full article

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On X/Twitter, Danny Gallagher describes himself as an Expos historian with 11 books about the franchise. On Friday morning, he posted a tweet about former Twins closer Jeff Reardon. The tweet shows a picture of the 70-year-old following the surgery. He's still got his signature beard. He has his blanket or robe on but his chest. You can see the large incision down the center of his chest and electrodes stuck in various places around his chest. I won't show that photo here as I would imagine not everyone would want to see it. (Gallagher notes in a subsequent tweet that the photo came from Reardon's Facebook page). Reardon spent three of his 16 major league seasons with the Minnesota Twins. He joined the team right before the start of the 1987 season. Six weeks into his Twins career, he had a 10.80 ERA. However, over the remainder of the season, he had a 3.03 ERA. Overall, he went 8-8 with a 4.48 ERA and 31 saves. He pitched in four World Series games that season and gave up no runs over 5 2/3 innings. In Game 7, Frank Viola gave up two runs in the second inning. That was it. He gave up two runs on six hits over eight innings. But when the Twins had a 4-2 lead over the Cardinals after eight innings Viola had thrown 95 pitches, and a case could be made for him to go out for the ninth. However, Tom Kelly later said that they were going to do what they did all year which was go to Reardon in that situation. Reardon got Tom Herr to fly out to centerfield. Curt Ford pinch hit and popped up to third base. And we all love seeing Willie McGee grounding to Gary Gaetti at third base. The Gold Glove winner threw across the diamond to Kent Hrbek. The Twins were World Champions. The image of Hrbek leaping into the air, and the bench racing out to the middle of the diamond where teammates embraced in celebration. data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== Reardon spent two more seasons with the Twins. In 1988, he was at his best and made an All-Star appearance. He went 2-4 with a 2.47 ERA and had 42 saves. In 1989, he went 5-4 with a 4.07 ERA and 31 saves. The Terminator, as he was affectionately nicknamed, made his big-league debut with the Mets in 1979. He was traded to the Expos during the shortened 1981 season. He was an All Star for Montreal in 1985 and 1986. In February of 1987, he came to the Twins with catcher Tom Nieto in exchange for LHPs Neal Heaton and Yorkis Perez, RHP Al Cardwood, and former first-round pick catcher Jeff Reed. Following the 1989 season, he became a free agent and signed a four-year contract with the Red Sox and made one All-Star appearance for Boston. In August of 1992, he was traded to the Atlanta Braves. Then things got weird for The Bearded One. In 1993, he signed with the Reds. In 1994, he signed with the New York Yankees. Both teams did not allow players to have beards, so Reardon shaved and was left with only his mustache. When he retired in 1994, Reardon was the All-Time leader with 367 Saves. Join us in wishing Jeff Reardon good health following his quadruple bypass surgery. © RVR Photos-Imagn Images (photo of Reardon) View the full article

Adam Pietrich is what some would call an avid indoorsman. The Minneapolis native and Twins fan enjoys hunkering down for the winter in his one-bedroom apartment with his cat, Brad Radke. He orders a lot of take out, takes PTO from his IT gig from Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day, and generally does a whole lot of nothing beyond playing his Switch and binging various streaming series. And yet, this lazy man, wearing the same hoodie and pajama pants for a third consecutive day, logged more activity in the back half of December than the Minnesota Twins. “Went over to my Dad’s house for Christmas dinner, took Brad Radke to the vet, even went to Rosedale to exchange a gift,” said Pietrich, 31. “Those are the three times I left the house this week.” By contrast, news of the Twins signing Josh Bell broke on December 15th. Since then, it’s been radio silence from a team that does not have a bullpen as of press time. “I checked Twins Daily and the local papers and MLB.com to see if I missed anything over the holidays,” said the bachelor. “Crickets, brother. I respect their commitment to leisure, but even I would’ve signed someone to a minor-league deal just for appearances.” Pietrich’s family remains disappointed in him. “He was late for dinner and was wearing those damn PJ pants again,” said Charlie Pietrich, Adam’s father. “I understand he did more than the Twins, but would a shower and clean pair of khakis be too much to ask?” For his part, Pietrich said he had even more things planned over the holidays, but circumstances conspired to keep him from further activity. “I was going to get up and check my mailbox in the lobby today but my foot fell asleep, so I figured that was an errand for Tomorrow Adam,” said Pietrich. Image license here. View the full article

The guys discuss why Joey Ortiz should get more opportunities at shortstop in 2026, what MLB's new minor-league technology regulations could mean for the Brewers, and more. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brewer-fanatic-podcast/id1740648724 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CY8mWsQayqjDXqw9OT2Td iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-the-brewer-fanatic-podcast-166534588/ Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/ommzz627 Watch On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brewerfanatic View the full article