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On a recent episode of the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast, Alex Cora spoke with Rob Bradford about recruiting Willson Contreras and what the Boston Red Sox hope he can contribute in Boston. Cora mentioned that Contreras needed to be convinced to void his no-trade clause to play for the Red Sox, and the Boston skipper guessed one feature of his new home park helped sway him: “Probably there’s the other part of it, you know, like he has a chance to play for the Red Sox and make an impact and, you know, pull the ball in the air, you know, and hit more homers, and demolish that Monster.” The “pull the ball in the air” phrase caught my attention. Traditional coaching often preaches going up the middle or the opposite way. Hitters are rarely encouraged to pull the ball, even though the data shows it is clearly more beneficial to do so. This is seen in exit velocities and significantly better results for hitters. A stat called PullAir% can help us understand why Breslow may have targeted a hitter like Contreras, who can pull the ball at an above-average level. PullAir% is simply the percentage of baseballs a hitter puts in play that are pulled in the air. A ball pulled in the air, even without factoring in exit velocity or launch angle, has a greater than 50% chance of resulting in a hit. According to Baseball Savant, “From 2022–24, while only 17.5 percent of batted balls were pulled airballs, that subset was responsible for 66 percent of all home runs. Pulled airballs during that span produced a .547 batting average, 1.227 slugging percentage, and .733 wOBA, making them an extremely valuable outcome. Airballs that were not pulled, by comparison, had a .319 average, .527 slugging percentage, and .353 wOBA, making them considerably less valuable.” It is no surprise, then, that league-wide PullAir% has continued to trend upward since the introduction of Baseball Savant in 2015. Table via RotoWire.com A brief look at Willson Contreras’ stats might indicate that pulling the ball, either in the air or on the ground, is no longer part of his game. After all, he ranked 89th out of 145 qualified hitters in Pull% at 39.4. But an essential factor to consider is the environment where Contreras played half of his games, Busch Stadium. The Cardinals’ home park is one of the worst hitting environments in baseball. Statcast's park factors show Busch Stadium ranks 25th in the MLB with a park factor of 97 and a home run factor of 77. This indicates that Busch Stadium suppressed home runs by 23% compared to league expectations, based on exit velocity and launch angle. (Fenway Park, by contrast, has one of the best park factors in baseball at 104, trailing only the notoriously hitter-friendly Coors Field.) The year before signing with the Cardinals, Contreras posted a Pull% of 44.4, a number that dropped by 7% the following season. That may well reflect changes in approach Contreras made in response to playing at Busch. Seasoned veterans like Contreras can quickly adjust their batted-ball approach, especially those with minimal swing-and-miss in their profile. If Contreras can return to his 2022 tendencies, he’s well-positioned to maximize the Green Monster, a right-handed hitter’s dream. NjREa2RfWGw0TUFRPT1fQWdaVFVnY0hWZ01BQVFBQVh3QUFDUUFDQUZoUkFBTUFWMWNNVlFOUUJGSlVVUXRR.mp4 Finally, it’s worth noting that some high PullAir% right-handed candidates are still available this offseason. (Name: PullAir%, rank) Isaac Paredes: 38.5%, 1st Eugenio Suárez: 28.6%, 10th Alex Bregman: 24.4%, 37th Ketel Marte: 23.5%, 53rd Pulling the ball in the air is a skill, not an accident. It is also a skill the Red Sox lacked in 2025, with only four hitters pulling the ball at an above-average rate. Only one of those hitters was a true right-handed hitter, that being Alex Bregman. This contributed to a middle-of-the-pack home run output, as Boston finished 15th in the league with 185 home runs. Contreras provides stability at a corner position, but if he can pull the ball like his golden days in Chicago, he has the potential to be a dynamic and foundational piece of a young, exciting, and more powerful lineup. View the full article

As the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers are accustomed to packing Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise. However, the crowd will be nearly doubled its usual size tonight at loanDepot park when they face the New York Rangers in the NHL Winter Classic. "We can host a wide variety of events. And we’ve shown that,” Miami Marlins president of business Caroline O'Connor boasted to Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald. The Winter Classic comes just a few weeks after the inaugural Miami Tennis Invitational was played at this venue. Among non-baseball events, Monster Jam is next on docket (February 21-22). Although it has been an uneven 2025-26 season for the Panthers, they've been playing much better recently, winning nine of their previous 13 games. For the past two-plus weeks, the LDP roof has remained closed with the air conditioning on full blast to allow workers to painstakingly build a sheet of ice and maintain it. But when the puck drops at 8 p.m. ET, they'll be playing under the night's sky. Watch the game on TNT. Marlins Opening Day is only 84 days away. 🔷 Designated for assignment by the Marlins on Monday, Eric Wagaman remains in limbo. 🔷 Kevin Barral attended Pete Fairbanks' introductory press conference (via Zoom). Fairbanks discussed the free agent process, his comfort level with pitch calls coming from the dugout and the origin of his cutter. He also disclosed that he and his wife are expecting their third child in late March. 🔷 Both Kevin and Sean McCormack analyzed Miami's acquisition of Esteury Ruiz. 🔷 Congratulations to Liam Hicks and Kirsten Grimes on their engagement! 🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai signed a three-year, $54 million deal with the Houston Astros that includes opt-outs after each season. Tyler Mahle signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco Giants. Despite being floated as potential Marlins trade partners earlier this offseason, it's now difficult to see either team making aggressive bids for Edward Cabrera or another major league starter. View the full article

It's that time of year when we make silly promises to ourselves, in order to try and be better people in the next 12 months. Those can include going to the gym (yeah, right), being better with our finances, or learning to do something new. But how to approach that from a baseball fan's point of view can be very different. All you can do is hope that certain things improve. With that in mind, here are three things Milwaukee Brewers fans should resolve to do in 2026. 1. I resolve to think unconventionally. Think of three players who were vital to the Brewers' success and where they started the 2025 season. The first is Caleb Durbin. Acquired in the Devin Williams trade from the New York Yankees, Durbin was beaten out for an Opening Day roster spot by Oliver Dunn and Vinny Capra, and started at Triple-A Nashville. Durbin was thought to be more of a second baseman at the time of the trade, but with Brice Turang entrenched there, Durbin shifted to third base during spring training, where it was said he didn't have the arm for the position. All he did was earn a mid-April promotion to make his debut, and never look back. He was a nice contributor offensively, finishing with a .256/.334/.387 slash line, but even more surprisingly, he was a rock defensively at third base. Up next is Quinn Priester. The right-handed starter also started 2025 at Triple A, but was in the Boston Red Sox organization. Due to major starting pitching issues in the first two weeks of the season, the Brewers swung a deal for Priester, sending outfielder Yophery Rodriguez, right-handed starter John Holobetz and a Competitive Balance Round A pick to the Red Sox. At the time, Rodriguez was the No. 7 prospect for the Brewers, according to MLB Pipeline, while Holobetz, a fifth-round pick in 2024, was just getting his feet wet in pro ball, with 31 strikeouts in 24 innings. The draft choice, No. 33 overall, turned out to be pitcher Marcus Phillips. The price seemed steep at the time, but it may end up a bargain. Priester still has four more years of team control and will be in the Opening Day rotation for 2026, after going 13-3 with a 4.01 FIP and 125 ERA+. The last piece of this puzzle is Andrew Vaughn. Like Durbin and Priester, the first baseman was picked up in a trade after spending time stuck in Triple A for another team. Vaughn had been the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 draft by the Chicago White Sox, but fell out of favor with a team that had the most losses in MLB history in 2024 and was sent to Triple-A Charlotte after two poor months in 2025. When acquired in mid-June for disgruntled right-hander Aaron Civale, Vaughn was a reclamation project, with the Brewers hoping to ignite a spark in the first baseman. It worked. After a brief time at Nashville and called up to fill in for the injured Rhys Hoskins, Vaughn homered off Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto in his very first plate appearance. That would be the first of nine homers, to go along with a .308/.375/.493 slash line and 46 RBIs in 64 games. He enters 2026 as the starting first baseman. There will certainly be situations in 2026 where the Brewers will pluck a player from the unknown, and he could be key to their success. Don't expect all contributions to come from the usual places. 2. I resolve not to covet players out of the Brewers' price range. When the trade deadline rolls around, the Brewers will have a need of some sort, whether due to injury or lack of production. There will be a player or two on other teams whom fans will clamor for, but they won't be realistic targets due to their financial price tag. That is life as a Brewers fan. The front office shops at Target, not at Saks Fifth Avenue—and it usually works. Whether it's a corner infielder or a pitcher who would bolster the team's chances, don't look at the names all the MLB insiders are always talking about. Look a little bit deeper at some of the options that won't cost a big package of prospects to acquire. Consider what president of baseball operations Matt Arnold did at the 2025 trade deadline. He went out and got right-handed reliever Shelby Miller from the Arizona Diamondbacks for cash and backup outfielder Brandon Lockridge from the San Diego Padres for left-handed starter Nestor Cortes, who didn't have a spot on the Brewers' roster. While Miller didn't work out due to injury, Lockridge was surprisingly thrust into an immediate role due to an outfield shortage, and is a reason why the Brewers parted ways with Isaac Collins, who finished fourth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. 3. I resolve to believe in the unbelievables. There are two players seemingly on the spot for 2026: shortstop Joey Ortiz and center fielder Garrett Mitchell. Ortiz is in the spotlight because he plays the most important defensive position, but took a major step back offensively in his second season with the Brewers after being part of the return in the Corbin Burnes trade. In his first season as a starting big-league shortstop, he was excellent defensively, committing just one error after June 29 and nine for the season. Anything in his vicinity, you had confidence he would make the play, whether routine or difficult. But the opposite was true when Ortiz was at the plate. After a .239/.329/.398 slash line in 2024, Ortiz put up a .230/.276/.317 mark in 2025. While the average was similar, Ortiz lacked the plate discipline, seeing his walks drop from 56 to 27. He popped out at an incredible rate. He came up with the bases loaded plenty of times, and went a paltry 5-for-30 (.167) with 16 RBIs, grounding into three double plays. MLB.com's Adam McCalvy detailed a lot of the numbers that went into Ortiz's poor offensive season. Having an offseason to reset and work on his offense can only help. Getting any semblance of offense from Ortiz in 2026 will be huge. Mitchell is a much different case. Like Ortiz, Mitchell plays very good defense at a prime position, center field. But since making his MLB debut in late August 2022, Mitchell has played in a grand total of 141 games with 443 plate appearances, due to a number of injuries. In 2023, he played in just 19 games following a torn left labrum in his shoulder while diving back into a base. In 2024, a fractured left index finger with a week left in spring training kept him sidelined until July. Last year, he strained his left oblique on April 25. During a rehab stint in June, he reinjured his left shoulder, which required season-ending surgery. His most extensive action was in 2024, when he played the final three months and posted a .255/.342/.469 slash line with eight homers and 11 steals in 69 games. Mitchell, the Brewers' first-round draft choice in 2020, would make the Brewers' offense that much more dynamic if he could stay healthy. Despite not yet playing a full season's worth of games, Mitchell has been on the MLB roster long enough that he is arbitration-eligible this offseason. He is projected to earn $1 million by MLB Trade Rumors, a number that will go up after 2026. This is a case where the Brewers would be happy to see that number spike a bit, as it would mean Mitchell was on the field and made an impact. View the full article

The final Miami Marlins trade of 2025 was a relatively small one on the surface. They acquired outfielder Esteury Ruiz—a classic "Quad-A player"—from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for pitching prospect Adriano Marrero. The Marlins were very high on the 18-year old pitcher Marrero, who signed for $350,000 out of Cuba. But it should be noted that he failed physicals with two other MLB teams before turning pro with the Fish. Also, the organization has a handful of rookie-level pitchers who they value even more, so this was dealing from an area of strength. Looking at Ruiz, he has a long history of great minor league production. We've seen that his elite speed translates to the majors, but so far, the rest of his skill set hasn't. Ruiz was originally signed by the Kansas City Royals, then traded to the San Diego Padres with whom he made his major league debut in 2022. Flipped to the Milwaukee Brewers later that season in the Josh Hader trade, he joined the Athletics in the 2022-23 offseason as part of the three-team deal that sent Sean Murphy to the Atlanta Braves. Although his MLB experience is spread out across four different seasons, most of his playing time came with the A's in 2023. In 197 games at the highest level, Ruiz has slashed .241/.296/.343/.639 with eight home runs, 59 RBI, 79 stolen bases and a 81 wRC+. While the high number of steals jumps out, the rest of those stats are about the same as the man he's replacing, Dane Myers. The Dodgers barely used Ruiz on their way to another World Series title, but he did catch fire with their Triple-A affiliate, slashing .303/.411/.514/.925 with 16 home runs, 60 RBI, 62 stolen bases and a 137 wRC+. These numbers should be taken with a grain of salt as he dominated the upper minors back in 2022. It's exciting that Ruiz has been able to cut down on his chase rate. In the majors, his career rate is 33.6%; in AAA this past season, he was at 35.6%, putting him in the 67th percentile among AAA hitters, per Prospect Savant. The problem for Ruiz is he usually doesn't hit the ball hard enough. His MLB hard-hit rate since debuting in 2022 is 20.9%, barely half the league average. Only Tyler Wade, Tony Kemp, José Herrera and Steven Kwan rank lower than him during that span (min. 500 PA). This past season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, it was up to 27.6%. That still leaves him relying far too much on his speed to create production. That being said, it's surprising to see Ruiz's barrel rate in the 66th percentile. On the rare occasions when he crushed balls, he made them count by hitting them in the air and pulling them to left field. Being able to identify mistake pitches and swinging at max effort allows him to be more of a power threat than his small 5'10" frame would make you believe. z2pw0d.mp4 Marlins player development has a motto: "hit strikes hard." They seem to have targeted a guy in Ruiz who began doing that in 2025. Now, the important part is putting this adjustment to the test in the majors. The Marlins will use Ruiz primarily against left-handed pitching. Due to limitations with his throwing arm, he fits best as a platoon left fielder, seeing action on days that Kyle Stowers and/or Jakob Marsee are on the bench. Expectations should remain low for a player like Ruiz. After all, the Dodgers are in "win-now mode" and if they felt he was close to a breakout, they would've found a way to keep him. Worst-case scenario, the Marlins are deep with AAA outfield options who could take over for Ruiz by the middle of the season. View the full article

2025 is officially behind us. This past season was a slight success for the Royals, given this organization's recent history. Since their 2015 World Series, they have only returned to the playoffs once. While they missed the postseason last year, they finished 82-80, only their second winning season since 2015 and the first time they have had back-to-back winning seasons since 2014-2015. That said, after winning the Wild Card round against Baltimore and reaching the ALDS in 2024, not making the playoffs was a disappointment and serves as motivation for this squad in the upcoming season. So, to make the playoffs, what do the Royals need to do? What are some "resolutions" they should have for the new year to help them return to the postseason? In this post, I will look at three resolutions the Royals should adopt to help them bounce back after a four-win regression last season. Improve the Baserunning In 2024, baserunning was a strength of this Royals ballclub. They stole 134 bases, and according to Baseball Savant's Baserunning Run Value metric, they accumulated nine baserunning runs, ranking 5th in baseball. Baserunning Runs Value accounts for runs created by not just stolen bases, but extra bases taken as well. The Royals had plus-five runs in terms of extra bases taken and plus-four runs in stolen bases. Thus, they were effective not just at stealing bags but also at getting extra bases on base hits. It was a different story in 2025. Last year, the Royals ranked 24th with a minus-four baserunning runs mark. They had zero runs created on extra bases and had minus-four runs on stolen bases, the latter being an eight-run decline from the previous season. A big issue for the Royals was that they didn't just steal fewer bases (111), but that they were caught 42 times. That was the fifth-highest mark in baseball, and it was eleven higher than their caught-stealing mark in 2024. Kansas City has talented baserunners on its roster. Bobby Witt Jr. has accumulated 13 baserunning runs over the past two years, Maikel Garcia has accumulated seven, Dairon Blanco has accumulated five, and Kyle Isbel has accumulated three. However, efficiency was a problem for the Royals in 2025, and they need to improve in that area if they want to exceed their 82-win total in 2026. Outs on the bases can't happen as frequently as they did a year ago. Generate More Chase As a Pitching Staff The Royals' pitching staff has seen a renaissance over the past two years under pitching coach Brian Sweeney. Over the past two seasons, Kansas City ranks 4th in ERA at 3.74 and has accumulated the second-most fWAR at 37.5. That has been a key reason the Royals have won 86 games in 2024 and 82 in 2025, after winning only 56 in 2023. If there's one Achilles heel of this pitching staff, however, it's that they do not generate a lot of chase. Last year, the Royals' pitching staff posted a 30.5% O-Swing%, ranking 26th in baseball. Over the past two years, their 30.5% O-Swing% ranks 27th. Only the White Sox, Guardians, and Rockies have lower marks in that category. Generating chase is essential because it can lead to more whiffs and, hence, strikeouts. Over the past two seasons, the Royals rank 25th in SwStr% at 10.5% and 22nd in baseball with a 22.7% K%. If the Royals pitchers can induce more chase, that can help them not only get more whiffs and strikeouts, but more wins as a result. Royals GM JJ Picollo has undoubtedly made an effort to improve in that area with some of his recent moves. Here's a look at three new pitchers the Royals have acquired, and their O-Swing% over the past two seasons. Nick Mears: 36.4% Matt Strahm: 35.7% Alex Lange: 28.5% Lange is the only one who lags behind the Royals' 30.5% O-Swing% from 2024 to 2025. That said, Lange's 12.3% SwStr% is the same as Strahm's and only 0.6% behind Mears'. So Lange still gets whiffs even with the lackluster O-Swing%. The Royals' pitching staff is deep, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Picollo make one last move to solidify things, whether it's rotation or bullpen depth. If they do acquire someone, expect them to be strong at generating chase. Improve Hitter Plate Discipline If generating more chase as a pitching staff is a priority for the Royals this offseason, then limiting chase appears to be a priority for the hitters. Over the past two years, the Royals' 32.8% O-Swing% ranks seventh-highest in baseball. On a positive note, the Royals' 9.8% SwStr% is fifth-lowest in baseball over that period, and their 18.8% K% is second-lowest. Unfortunately, while the Royals are good at making contact, they have not transitioned that approach into offensive success. The Royals' 95 wRC+ over the past two years ranks 21st, and their .153 ISO ranks 19th. Witt (150 wRC+), Vinnie Pasquantino (113 wRC+), and Salvador Perez (106 wRC+) have posted above-average wRC+ marks over the past two seasons, and Garcia (96 wRC+) has a mark above the Royals' 2024-2025 team wRC+ mark. Other than that, Kansas City has been lackluster offensively, and its questionable swing selection and plate discipline are to blame. Like the pitching staff, Picollo has done his legwork already to improve in this area. Gone are assistant hitting coaches Keoni DeRenne and Joe Dillon, and in their places are Connor Dawson and Marcus Thames, who come from the Brewers and White Sox, respectively. Both coaches preach better decision-making at the plate and have shown the ability to coax it from hitters in their previous organizations. They also have acquired outfielders in Lane Thomas and Isaac Collins, who have shown stretches of solid plate discipline at the MLB level. Over their careers, Thomas has a 24.8% O-Swing%, and Collins has a 17.9% O-Swing%. Kansas City seems determined to add at least one more bat before Spring Training, with Jarren Duran of the Red Sox and Brendan Donovan of the Cardinals being the most mentioned targets. Duran has a more free-swinging approach, as illustrated by his 32.9% O-Swing% over the past two years. However, Donovan fits the "disciplined" mold with a 27.2% O-Swing%. Thus, it wouldn't be surprising to see Donovan emerge more as a favorite target for Kansas City, primarily if they're focused on improving their lineup's plate discipline in 2026. Even if they do not acquire Donovan or Duran, Royals fans should expect Picollo to target a free-agent hitter or two, even on a Minor League deal, who sports a low O-Swing%, even if they may lag in some other areas. View the full article

Christmas was last week, but we here at Brewer Fanatic have one more gift to give you: The top stories you, the Milwaukee Brewers fan, enjoyed the most in 2025. Money, one particular trade target, a career resurrection with its impact, and an injury to a star player were the topics you read the most. Here is a recap: 5. Cashing In Headline: "How Much Money Did Brewers Make in First Sustained Playoff Run Since 2018?" Author: Matthew Trueblood Publish date: Oct. 19 Summary: There was good news, but it certainly didn't offset the bad news about how the Brewers' season ended. While the Brewers' amazing season came to a sudden and stifling halt with the four-game sweep by the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series, there was a financial boon to the 2025 season. Unfortunately, it wasn't as much money as it could have been had the Brewers won at least one game vs. the Dodgers. As Trueblood details, the Brewers (and Dodgers) would have received a much bigger chunk of change had the NLCS been extended past the required four games, with "the two teams playing divided roughly 85% of the gate." MLB takes a bulk of the gate revenue from the basic number of games for each postseason series. "In other words, for sold-out Games 3 and 4 at Dodger Stadium, the Brewers only got (as a rough estimate) $3 million," Trueblood wrote. "They probably made more like $2 million at the gate for Games 1 and 2 at the smaller, lower-priced Uecker Field. By contrast, Game 5 could have netted the Brewers a solid $5 million by itself, and Games 6 and 7 would have been worth nearly as much, in gates alone." It all added up to what Trueblood estimates was a $30 million windfall for the Crew. As anyone would do, Trueblood hypothesizes how the Brewers would use that newfound cash. With other contracts coming off the books and some raises taking effect through arbitration or contract extensions, Trueblood said the Brewers could spend $50 million to bring in new talent. "Given the money they just made this fall and any reasonable revenue projection for next season, the Brewers should be back over $125 million next year, which means that they can go make aggressive moves in free agency or on the trade market," Trueblood wrote. "That kind of freedom, for a team that also has a cadre of young stars and one of the game's best farm systems, should scare even the mighty Dodgers." 4. A New Beginning Headline: "Andrew Vaughn Creating a Fantastic Problem for Milwaukee Brewers, and a Real One for Veteran Slugger" Author: Jake McKibbin Publish date: July 29 Summary: July was the month of Andrew Vaughn. The first baseman, who had been acquired from the Chicago White Sox in mid-June for starting pitcher Aaron Civale, had been relegated to Triple-A by the AL's worst team and had a new lease on his baseball life with the Brewers. After a couple of weeks at Triple-A Nashville, Vaughn was called upon to replace the injured Rhys Hoskins. That moment turned out to be monumental for both players. There was little doubt as to Vaughn's talent, having been the No. 3 overall pick of the 2019 draft out of Cal, but he hadn't had the success expected of him and, in fact, struggled so much that the White Sox sent him to the minors to get straightened out. But when he made his Brewers debut on July 1, it was like someone had hit the refresh button. In his first plate appearance, he hit a home run off Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Whatever it was, Vaughn vaulted into the spotlight with the Brewers. As McKibbin wrote, Vaughn wasn't chasing pitches like he was with the White Sox, pulling the ball more and hitting the ball hard more often. As an added bonus, Vaughn's July featured a reduction in strikeouts and an increase in walks. "The development of his swing decisions suggests that, while Vaughn is unlikely to maintain a 1.075 OPS over the remainder of the season, his improvements are here to stay in a position that the Brewers have struggled to garner offensive production from since mid-May," McKibbin wrote. McKibbin also took a look at what Vaughn's production could mean to Hoskins for the rest of the season, as well as Jake Bauers, the backup first baseman. "However you look at it, Vaughn has a fantastic opportunity over the next three weeks to demonstrate that he should be the Brewers' starting first baseman down the stretch and into the playoffs," McKibbin wrote. 3. A Complicated Move? Headline: "Trading for Eugenio Suárez is What Brewers Hired Pat Murphy For" Author: Matthew Trueblood Publish date: July 22 Summary: The trade deadline always makes for good content, and Brewers fans had to be using the meme of Leo DiCaprio pointing when they saw this article. Third baseman Eugenio Suarez, stuck with the injury-ravaged Arizona Diamondbacks at the time, was a popular trade target for a lot of teams. The Brewers, in desperate need of an influx of power, most definitely could have used Suarez's right-handed bat. That was never the question. The question, instead, was how Suarez would fit into the Brewers' lineup and what the ramifications of acquiring the third baseman would be. The Brewers were solid at the time at third base with rookie Caleb Durbin, but he would never be confused for a power hitter. "Adding Suárez would throw a roadblock in front of a key player who was the centerpiece of an offseason deal for the team's former relief ace, who has delivered huge value for them and embodies their whole philosophy and identity neatly," Trueblood wrote. And this is where Trueblood got into the crux of his article. Adding Suarez would move Durbin off third base and put the talents of manager Pat Murphy to work. "Murphy is willing to move players around defensively," Trueblood wrote. "He's willing to communicate, compassionately but bluntly, that certain players won't play every day, and to hold them to a high standard of preparation and performance, anyway. He's the perfect guy to manage the juggling act that will become necessary if this team lands Suárez." Durbin could have seen action at second base against left-handers, giving the lefty-hitting Brice Turang a break, or even moving Turang to short and spelling Joey Ortiz. Murphy never had to worry about this dilemma as Suarez was traded to the Seattle Mariners. Durbin would finish third in NL Rookie of the Year voting and Turang would turn on the power in August, so some moves are better left not being made. 2. Vaughn's Roller-Coaster Ride Headline: "Once Again, Andrew Vaughn Has Complicated First Base" Author: Jason Wang Publish date: Sept. 21 Summary: In case you were wondering, yes, Vaughn was a very popular topic with Brewers fans. That was because he was providing something the Crew really needed, and that was right-handed power. Hoskins had hit 12 homers before his thumb injury. After joining the Brewers, Vaughn hit five in July and another four in August. But August was a tricky month for Vaughn. While the power was still there, he wasn't able to sustain the pace he set in July. That coincided with Hoskins being on a rehab assignment, getting close to returning to the lineup. But the Brewers kept Hoskins in the minors as long as they could before finally activating him Sept. 9. That allowed for Vaughn to regroup and, perhaps with the knowledge the first base job was his to lose, he responded with a productive bat, even though he didn't hit another homer in the regular season. "His aforementioned slump saw him lose a lot of his pop at the plate, at least on paper," Wang wrote. "He slugged just .375 over that span (Aug. 8-31), partly due to bad luck and partly due to opposing pitchers becoming wise to his antics. Now, he has become less reliant on the long ball and is more than willing to simply put the ball in play as long as it becomes a hit of some sort. He still hasn’t hit a home run since August 15th, but has instead slashed .444/.475/.583 with five doubles so far this month." The combined production of Vaughn and Bauers would lead to Hoskins not being on the roster for either postseason series. 1. A Tough Situation Headline: "Brewers Manager Pat Murphy Needs to Stand Up to Catcher William Contreras" Author: Jake McKibben Publish date: May 8 Summary: The revelation that catcher William Contreras had a broken middle finger on his catching hand was an eyebrow-raiser. It helped explain Conteras' slow offensive start to the season, but the injury was sustained late in the 2024 season and didn't really become problematic until this early point in the season. McKibben wrote on the subject just shortly after the injury announcement, so the path the Brewers would choose was not exactly clear. The conventional route would have been putting Contreras on the injured list for a couple of weeks to allow the injury to heal. Catching with a broken finger is painful, much less when a batter might clip the glove from behind and perhaps exacerbate the injury. McKibben provided a few potential options, including a splint, which didn't seem ideal as it would affect Contreras' ability to hit, not to mention the logistics of catching. But Contreras is one of the most valuable Brewers, as you can see where he ranks on our Brewer Fanatic list, not only for the terrific defense and the way he handles the pitching staff, but — as we have mentioned a few times above — he also provides right-handed power and a strong middle-of-the-order bat. McKibben then offered a quote from Murphy about Contreras not wanting to go on the IL due to the iron-man mentality the catcher has. "It's incredibly brave of Contreras to fight through the pain he is in, but the Brewers have enough depth at catcher that they don't need him to," McKibben wrote. "They can afford for him to get back to full health without endangering himself." McKibben concluded the article by saying Murphy needed to take a stand with Contreras and spend some time mending on the IL. Contreras would end up playing the entire season with the broken finger and had an offseason procedure to address the injury. View the full article

Short of wishing ill will to that team just a couple hours north, this is the time of year where we put all the bad stuff that happened in the previous 12 months and look ahead optimistically toward the next dozen. And for baseball fans, that can come in all shapes and sizes; whatever happens to your favorite team is completely out of your hands. Or is it? The good vibes fans give to players can work wonders, as we saw with deep postseason runs by a few teams with the positive mojo. With that in mind, here are three things San Diego Padres fans should resolve to do in 2026. 1. I resolve to wait until the All-Star break to rip Craig Stammen. Let's be honest. It is hard to tell what type of impact the new manager will have on the Padres. Stammen is a well-liked former reliever with a lot of history with the club and, therefore, the players he is now in charge of leading. But this is his first job as a manager at any level, and his most recent baseball experiences since his playing days ended were front-office-related. The one thing we can be sure of is that he enters his managerial tenure with strong relationships with the players. That means he already has some latitude in dealing with Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and company. They are likely to go up to him with something that might be off or not sitting right with the clubhouse during spring training or the early stages of the regular season, at least until he gets his footing. Stammen's in-game decisions will come under scrutiny, but he has the counsel of Ruben Niebla, who returns as pitching coach and adds the title of associate manager after being a finalist for the manager's job, as well as new bench coach Randy Knorr, who had previously been with the Washington Nationals in a variety of roles. Fans are quick to criticize when a different reliever comes in than what they want or when a pinch-hitting decision is made. Stammen deserves some leeway from the Friar faithful as he experiences what are going to be inevitable bumps in the road. Remember when you first started driving a car? It wasn't smooth, was it? The only difference is Stammen is behind the wheel of a porsche. Give him time to see how it handles. 2. I resolve to not complain daily about Xander Bogaerts' defense. The metrics on the Friars' shortstop can be tilted for any argument. Statcast has Bogaerts' outs above average at a career-best eight for 2025, while the Fielding Bible has him with minus-4 runs saved, which ranked 16th among the 21 MLB shortstops with at least 1,000 innings. He committed eight errors, matching the fewest in any full season in which he was a primary shortstop. His fielding percentage of .980 was just three ticks above the league average. So, that is what the Padres have — a league-average shortstop. Now, that might not sit well considering Bogaerts is entering his fourth Opening Day as the Padres' highest-paid player at nearly $24.5 million (Machado takes that spot in 2027 when his salary jumps to just over $39 million). His bat was supposed to overcome any defensive liabilities, but like his defense, Bogaerts' offense has been average or just below the last two seasons with an OPS+ of 92 and 99 in 2024 and 2025, respectively. How much longer Bogaerts is at the position is a subject for another day, but just remember to take it easy with the curse words when he doesn't make a play. The glove has never been spectacular, and Friars fans should be hoping his offense gets back closer to what the back of his baseball card shows. 3. I resolve to treasure every game at Petco Park. Of all the resolutions one could make regarding the Padres, this should be the easiest one to keep. In the last three seasons, the we have filled our team's stadium unlike 28 other teams. (Yeah, the Los Angeles Dodgers rule this category, too.) Technically, Petco Park has a capacity of 39,860 since the beginning of the 2024 season, but there have been an average of more than 40,000 spectators filling the beautiful downtown stadium. The Padres have ranked second (twice) and third in attendance the last three years, including a franchise best 42,435 in 2025. Where those extra 6,000 bodies are squeezed in is anyone's guess. But, combine the way the team has been playing in recent seasons with all of the downtown eateries and watering holes, not to mention the skyline views, and it's easy to see why Petco Park is one of the best experiences in baseball. Walk-off win? Exit the stadium and celebrate while walking with the rest of your group down Tony Gwynn Drive. A blowout loss? Find your favorite establishment and drown your sorrows. Regardless, Petco Park is one of the crown jewels of MLB stadiums. Enjoy it! View the full article

Prospect lists are snapshots in time, and for the Twins, the picture is already starting to blur. The current Twins Daily top five of Walker Jenkins, Kaelen Culpepper, Eduardo Tait, Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Mick Abel represents a system that is very close to turning the page. Jenkins, Culpepper, Rodriguez, and Abel all finished last season at Double-A or higher, and Connor Prielipp, Kendry Rojas, and Gabriel Gonzalez are right there with them. Only Dasan Hill and Tait remain below that level. With that many players knocking on the big-league door, it feels inevitable that next winter’s list will look very different. A year ago, my New Year’s Day projection included Jenkins and Culpepper at the top, followed by Charlee Soto, Brandon Winokur, and Marco Raya. In hindsight, the exercise was always going to be unfair. Few could have predicted the fire sale at last year’s trade deadline, which reshaped the system overnight. Tait and Abel were not even in the organization at that point. Soto likely would have been closer to a Top 5 spot if not for injuries, while Winokur still has upside but needs to regain momentum after a disappointing stint in the Arizona Fall League. Raya struggled at Triple A and now looks more likely to impact the club out of the bullpen in 2026. With that context in mind, here is an early look at what the Twins' Top 5 prospects could look like on New Year’s Day 2027. 5. Marek Houston, SS Houston, Minnesota’s 2025 first-round pick, sneaks onto the list thanks to his defensive foundation and hope for steady offensive growth. He will never be a middle-of-the-order bat, but the Twins value shortstops who can stay at the position, and Houston has the instincts and arm to do just that. If the bat continues to progress, he becomes a very safe everyday projection. He could quickly rise through the system in 2026 and finish the year in the upper minors. 2026 Prediction: Houston makes his big-league debut in September. 4. Charlee Soto, RHP Soto gets a second chance here after an injury interrupted his rise. He was limited to three starts last season, but there is a reason the Twins targeted him with the 34th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. When healthy, he shows the type of fastball and breaking ball combination that can anchor a rotation. Durability remains the question, but the upside is still very real, and the Twins will give him every opportunity to start. 2026 Prediction: Soto gets back on track in 2026 and pitches over 100 innings between High- and Double-A. 3. Riley Quick, RHP Minnesota took Quick with the 36th overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft and could have been a higher pick if not for missing his entire sophomore season following Tommy John surgery. Quick represents the modern pitching prospect with power stuff and some remaining refinement needed. In his junior season, he posted a 3.92 ERA with a 3.49 FIP and a 25.9 K%. His velocity and ability to miss bats could push him quickly through the upper minors. 2026 Prediction: Quick will be the organization’s minor league pitcher of the year as he jumps from the low minors to Triple-A. 2. Eduardo Tait, C Catchers with offensive upside can be tough to fit on prospect lists because they have to hit and provide defensive value. Tait’s bat is the carrying tool, and if he continues to hit as he climbs the ladder, his defensive questions will matter less. In 2025, he posted a 103 wRC+ across two levels while facing older pitchers in every plate appearance. By 2027, he could be viewed as the Twins catcher of the future. 2026 Prediction: Tait’s defense and game calling will make significant strides as he gets accustomed to the Twins system. 1. Justin Lebron, SS There are many different directions the Twins could go with the number three pick in July. College shortstop Roch Cholowsky is the consensus number one pick, with prep shortstop Grady Emerson as the likely second pick. Minnesota could take Lebron if they want to go the college route, or Jacob Lombard, a prep shortstop with a baseball bloodline. LeBron is the favorite at this point, and the Alabama shortstop earns 60 grades across four of his five tools. If he lands in the Twins system, he becomes the obvious choice at the top. 2026 Prediction: Lebron solidifies himself at the top of the draft as the clear third pick for the Twins. Predicting prospect lists is always risky, but the direction is clear. The Twins are on the verge of graduating a wave of talent, and the next era will be defined by a new group of high upside players stepping into the spotlight. Who will make the Twins top prospect list in one year? What direction will the Twins go with the third pick next July? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

It’s been a year of growth here at Talk Sox, and we’re incredibly thankful to everyone who has joined us along the way. Through your clicks, comments, replies, and social media shares, we’ve been able to grow this passion project into a space where people turn to for breaking news, rumors, opinion pieces, and everything in between. As we ring in the New Year, let’s take a look at the top five articles from 2025 on Talk Sox. Note: This ranking is based on pageviews and interactions. #5: Travis Shaw, the Third Baseman that Got Away by Bryce Whitlow In this piece from early September, Bryce expertly analyzed the trade that sent Travis Shaw, and others, to the Brewers for Tyler Thornburg. As Sox fans know, Shaw went on to have a breakout season for the Brew Crew while Thornburg dealt with injury after injury during his time in Boston. In a rare miss for Dave Dombroski, the Red Sox were bested in this deal and still managed to rebound for a title in 2018. #4: Projecting the 2025 Red Sox Opening Day Roster, Version 2.0 by Alex Mayes My second attempt at a 2025 roster prediction, this one came just about a month into spring training when things were coming a bit more into focus. Things changed in Boston fairly quickly once the season got underway. Triston Casas got hurt, Kristian Campbell broke camp with the big-league club, Roman Anthony was a mid-season call up, and Carlos Narvaez took over the starting catcher role. That’s it, right? Oh yeah, and Rafael Devers was traded on Father’s Day after a sweep of the Yankees at home. No big deal. We don’t need to revisit the rotation prediction really — it was mostly wrong after Garrett Crochet. #3: After Acquiring Willson Contreras, the Red Sox Should Pivot Away from Alex Bregman by Alex Mayes This article is the most recent entry on the list. It’s not the hottest take in the world to say that the Red Sox need to buy into the youth movement even more moving forward, but to do so at the expense of Alex Bregman may ruffle some feathers. The Sox acquired Willson Contreras right before Christmas and his bat could fill the Bregman-sized hole in the lineup if given a chance. He’s older, and only under contract for two seasons, but he’s got a swing made for Fenway Park and should see an offensive uptick playing half of his home games in Boston. Moving on from Bregman’s six-year-contract desires to a younger Bo Bichette just makes too much sense at the moment. #2: Projecting the 2025 Red Sox Opening Day Roster, Version 1.0 by Alex Mayes In a roster projection from early January, I somehow left the newest member of the Seattle Mariners (Rob Refsnyder) off the roster and heard about it in the comments. I gave that spot to Vaughn Grissom and we can all laugh together now at just how ridiculous that was. It’s fun to make predictions that far out from spring training, and I’m sure I’ll do it again in just a few days, but it’s also interesting to look back on and see just how much things changed in the span of a year. #1: Boston Red Sox Announce 2025 Promotional Schedule & Giveaways by Adam Morgan Coming in at the top spot, Adam Morgan gave us a look into what to expect when we walk through the gates of Fenway Park. The Sox were kind of stingy with their giveaways last season, especially for us bobble head enthusiasts, but at least they were doing something. Maybe they’ll see this and up their promotional game as we head into 2026. If anyone has that Ceddanne Rafaela bobble head or the Section 10 jersey they want to part with, tag me in the comments. These five articles may have been the top performers of the year but they are just a small sample of the excellent work the entire staff did in 2025. Once again, thanks to every single member of Talk Sox for making this year a great one, and we look forward to continuing to grow as we head into 2026! View the full article

For the first time in quite a while, it feels hard to say goodbye to the old year to welcome in the new, at least from a Blue Jays perspective. The 2025 Blue Jays gave us so many reasons to love them, and who knows if 2026 will be the same? That being said, every new year brings new possibilities. Who knows? Maybe the next 365 days will be even better than the last for our boys in Blue Jays blue. Many of DiamondCentric's top free agents remain unsigned, and plenty of exciting trade candidates are still available, too. Hopefully, the Blue Jays aren't done surprising us this offseason as they look to build another World Series contender for 2026. With that in mind, here are three things I'd like to see the Toronto Blue Jays strive for in the new year. Sign a Big Bat The Blue Jays have already had a productive offseason, but all their additions so far have been for the pitching staff: Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, and Tyler Rogers. Now, it's time to turn to the offense. As my colleague Jim Scott suggested yesterday, it's possible that Toronto's position player group could perform better in 2026 than in 2025, even without any additions. Yet, I don't just want the Jays to be good this year. I don't just want them to be better than they were last year. I want them to be the best team they can possibly be. The Blue Jays built up a ton of momentum with last year's playoff run, and they need to keep building on it. As I've written before, GM Ross Atkins has never been in a better position to convince ownership to spend, and he's never been in a better position to convince star free agents to pick Toronto. In my heart of hearts, of course I want Bo Bichette back, but I'll be happy with another star addition – especially if it's Kyle Tucker. What I won't be happy with is the Blue Jays going into 2026 without addressing the Bichette-shaped hole in their lineup. Make a Difficult Trade (or Two) I don't want to say goodbye to anyone from last year's team, which is why I'm glad I'm not Ross Atkins. He hasn't given himself much of a choice. The Blue Jays have too many starting pitchers. I value depth as much as the next guy, but I also value roster flexibility and having numerous back-end bullpen options. Simply put, I just don't see how this team can go into 2026 with all seven of Cease, Ponce, Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage, José Berríos, and Eric Lauer on the roster. Needless to say, Cease and Ponce aren't going anywhere. Neither should Yesavage. Gausman and Bieber could be dealt, but really, it's Berríos or Lauer who makes the most sense. Unlike Berríos, Lauer has already demonstrated he can thrive in a swingman role. What's more, Berríos holds more value as a starter, presuming the Blue Jays eat some of the money remaining on his contract. So, that's why Berríos's name has come up most often in trade rumors over the last several weeks. Presuming the Blue Jays follow through with resolution number one, they're also going to have a logjam on the position player side. If they sign Bichette, Tucker, Alex Bregman, etc., they're almost certainly going to have to trade one of Nathan Lukes, Davis Schneider, Myles Straw, or Addison Barger. Again, it won't be easy to part with any of those guys, but a team only has so much playing time to go around. Win the World Series Yes, I know this is a lot to ask. Of course it is. But the 2025 Blue Jays already came as close as a team can come to winning a World Series without actually winning a World Series. So, if I'm setting goals, I don't really have a choice but to set my sights on the ultimate prize. It's not as if it's unrealistic. Sure, the Dodgers still look like the favorites for another year in a row. Yet, as things stand, I don't see why the Blue Jays can't be the favorites to repeat as AL champions. And if they make it back to the Fall Classic, I don't see any reason why they can't win it all. View the full article

According to a report from Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors, the Blue Jays have agreed to a two-year minor league contract with right-hander Josh Winckowski. He was cut by the Red Sox earlier this offseason. Winckowski, 27, will now return to the organization that selected him in the 2016 draft. He played the first four seasons of his professional career in the Blue Jays' system before he was traded to the Mets and Red Sox in quick succession during the 2020-21 offseason. The righty would go on to make his MLB debut for Boston in 2022. Since then, he has thrown 242.1 big league innings, all for the Red Sox, pitching to a 4.20 ERA and 4.36 xERA. After spending much of the 2025 season on the injured list with elbow inflammation, Winckowski underwent an internal brace procedure in December (per Adams). That will keep him out for most of 2026, which explains the two-year minor league contract, but Adams notes that Winckowski hopes to return before the end of the season. Adams also mentions that the Blue Jays are planning to stretch Winckowski back out as a starter. He started 14 games as a rookie in 2022 but has primarily worked as a reliever since. However, he did start three games at Triple-A in 2025 and a handful of games at both the Triple-A and MLB levels the year before. Winckowski was the second pitcher the Blue Jays inked to a two-year minor league contract on New Year's Eve. Earlier in the day, they came to terms on a similar deal with fellow right-hander Nic Enright. Featured image courtesy of Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images. View the full article

Pete Fairbanks went into his free agency with no expectations, just looking to talk to teams and see what was out there, until his former boss Peter Bendix came calling. After various conversations, he signed a one-year, $13M deal to become a member of the organization. On New Year’s Eve, Fairbanks met with the media to discuss the process that led him to Miami. "What Pete (Bendix) is doing here was definitely a pleasant surprise," said Fairbanks. "Definitely had some appeal there. My wife and I sat down and we really talked about it. I think that the people who we talked to throughout the process seemed great on the pitching side. Four hours from St. Pete and we're expecting our third kid basically on Opening Day, so that, the proximity, coupled with meeting everything else that we were looking for, is what made it a pretty good choice." A major factor in Fairbanks choosing Miami was having a conversation with Bendix, hearing how much has changed and the direction that the organization is going in under this new regime. He even noted that the Bendix-era teams were much better than those of the 2021 and 2022 Marlins. The Marlins and Rays split the season series in 2025. "To hear all the things that he's been doing over his tenure down in Miami, from what I've heard previously to what I have now, much things are changing and how much he has been attempting to put his stamp on things. I felt like that made it a pretty easy choice, and I am excited to see the direction that he takes." Fairbanks is the first pitcher to sign a major league free agent deal with the Marlins since they began calling pitches from the dugout last September. The team explained that this process doesn't lead to extra pitch clock violations, which is important to Fairbanks who works very slowly on the mound, averaging approximately 13.1 seconds with the bases empty last season (third-longest time in MLB). "Whether it comes from the dugout or the catcher, I'll figure I'll be just fine," he said. After a season where he had a career-high in saves, Fairbanks was asked if there were any conversations regarding what his role would be with the team. The Marlins did not have a clear-cut closer in 2025, with nine different pitchers recording a save. Fairbanks did say he would be pitching in high-leverage. "I'm quite familiar with how the leverage base bullpen gets ran, as I did it for quite a while, until, really, the past three years," Fairbanks said. "Whether it's improving the counting stats in the ninth, or facing the heart of the eighth, whatever is asked of me is going to be what I do." Fairbanks, 32, posted a 2.83 ERA, 3.63 FIP, 8.80 K/9, 2.69 BB/9 and 27 saves (career-high) in a career-high 60 1/3 innings pitched. one major decline for him has been the strikeout rate, which was a 8.80, just a bit higher than his career-low 8.74 in 2024. A main reason for that is “I think that there's plenty of ways to skin the cat," said Fairbanks. "If that comes via strikeout or via first pitch pop-up to first, I'm not going to complain about it either way." Towards the end of the season, Fairbanks began to experiment with a cutter, which he ended up throwing 42 times (4.3%). He will be using it a "decent bit" in 2026, he told Fish On First. "I'm good at getting on the outside of the ball," said Fairbanks. "Whenever I was messing around with (Kyle Snyder) pregame, I was like, 'eventually I'm just gonna start throwing riffle sliders for fun.' Turns out, it grades out well, and I'm able to throw it in the zone...It just seems like the it's an easy spot for my hand to get into throughout the delivery. As long as we're able to continue making the ball move how the intention behind it, and it's not blending with any of the other breaking balls, I think we should be pretty good." Fairbanks was also asked about his changeup, and potentially using it more, but did note " four (pitches) would be a lot for a one inning guy." He threw that pitch 4.9% of the time, and opponents posted a .353 batting average against it. View the full article

A lot of places like to pump up the articles they liked from 2025. But here at Padres Mission, we are all about our readers. And that is why we are recapping the five most popular stories you liked from the previous 12 months. From player performance to an international flavor to trade targets and a top prospect, here is what you read most in 2025: 5. The Decline of Luis Arraez Headline: "Luis Arraez's Already-Slow Swing Has Slowed Down More, And It's A Problem" Author: Ethan Penrod Publish date: May 29 Summary: Arraez became the first player to win batting titles in three straight years with different teams (2022-24), but got off to a slow start by his lofty standards and came as the Friars were going through a rough month of May. Penrod examined what might be contributing to the substandard performance of Arraez, who has never been known to hit the ball hard. While noting that Arraez had been successful in 2023 and 2024, ranking in the 100th percentile in expected batting average each year, Penrod noted that Arraez currently sported a .274 xBA, the lowest mark of his career. "The thought that his luck is finally running out would be the initial thought, and could be correct. But once you dive into the numbers, there is a lot more at play than just luck. Arraez is literally slowing down in front of our eyes," Penrod wrote. One reason Penrod cited for the decline was a torn ulnar collateral ligament in Arraez's left thumb that was sustained in June 2024, which significantly sapped his hard-hit rate by 7.5 percentage points and reduced his already-below-average exit velocity by another 3.5 mph. "These drops in both hard-hit rate and exit velocity are large concerns," Penrod wrote. "His entire identity has been surrounded by his ability to make quality contact. Now that the contact has weakened, the batted balls are less likely to turn into hits." 4. The Arms Race Headline: "17 Starting Pitchers Who Could Be Available At The MLB Trade Deadline" Author: Bryan Jaeger Publish date: July 21 Summary: With the trade deadline less than two weeks away, Jaeger took a spin through potential trade targets that would bolster the Padres' starting rotation. This is always a popular subject for any team at the deadline, as a top starter can prove to be the difference in not only a battle for a division title, but in a deep postseason run, too. Jaeger highlighted 17 starters who could be on the move, with their contract situation and a summary of why they would be attractive to a contender. Those included Zac Gallen, Mitch Keller, and Edward Cabrera. It turned out that the Padres didn't pursue any of the names mentioned; instead, they executed a blockbuster deal with the A's for closer Mason Miller, which also included starter JP Sears. In a much smaller deal, the Padres acquired Nestor Cortes from the Milwaukee Brewers. The Padres did trade away two starters in Stephen Kolek and Ryan Bergert as they acquired catcher Freddy Fermin from the Kansas City Royals. 3. Dominican Influence Headline: "The Importance Of The Dominican Republic To The San Diego Padres" Author: Ryan Hernandez Publish date: Aug. 12 Summary: There is no doubt about the impact of the Dominican Republic on MLB teams. Not only the players, but the culture. You can probably attribute the loosening up of some of the unwritten rules — particularly when it comes to celebrating in the moment — to the presence of Dominican players. In this piece, Hernandez explores how the Padres have embraced not only acquiring players with Dominican ties but also developing prospects at the ground floor of organized ball. The concept of academies, where teams not only work on baseball skills but also provide an educational component, began in 1987, and the Padres got involved in 1990 with a split academy with the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox. In 1997, the Friars opened their own academy in Boca Chica, which is still the Padres' home. The culture makes sense in a city like San Diego, which is on the Mexican border and has a heavy influence from not only that country but also across Latin America, including the island countries of the DR, Puerto Rico, and Cuba. That helps attract players such as Fernando Tatis Jr., who signed as a 16-year-old in 2015. Also, Manny Machado, who was born in Miami to parents who are native Dominicans. "The DR’s influence on Major League Baseball is spectacular, and it is continuing to grow as more and more Dominican-born players populate MLB rosters," Hernandez wrote. "Kids are playing baseball and going to camps to get out, and most of them are aspiring to be MLB players." 2. Best Fits for Japanese Star Headline: "Who Will Land This Offseason's Biggest International Free Agent?" Author: Lou Hennessy Publish date: Nov. 3 Summary: No, this isn't about the new class of 16-year-olds who attended academies, like those in the previous article, or were scouted elsewhere in Latin America. Instead, this is about one particular free agent: Japanese third baseman Munetaka Murakami. At the time of this writing, Murakami hype was pretty big as he was 25 years old, the youngest a true free agent could be posted from Japan and not subject to the typical rookie setup that leads to the arbitration system like Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki. Murakami's calling card is his power, which makes him that much more attractive to MLB teams, always in search of more homers. Hennessy sorts through four teams, including the Padres, who he thought would be ideal situations for Murakami. "It would undoubtedly give the Padres a different look in their lineup, as Arraez was more of an on-base threat with limited power," Hennessy wrote. "At the same time, Murakami would likely be a meat-of-the-order bat that hits behind Machado and the young table-setting duo of Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill. It would move Gavin Sheets to designated hitter or corner outfield, where he’s a better fit anyway." As we now know, questions about Murakami's strikeout rate and ability to make contact led him to sign a two-year, $34 million contract with the lowly Chicago White Sox. If Murakami does well, maybe the Padres will trade for him or sign him when he becomes a free agent. 1. Building the Future Headline: "Boston Bateman Joins Padres As Promising Left-Handed Pitching Draft Pick" Author: Scott Keene Publish date: May 13 Summary: It was not hard to dream of Boston Bateman. The Padres selected the left-handed starter with their second-round pick in the 2024 draft out of Camarillo High School, further up the coast from Los Angeles. One of the traits that made Bateman attractive was his 6-foot-8 frame. High school pitchers are always risky propositions, and Bateman was the second prep pitcher taken, following first-rounder Kash Mayfield. "Drafting a player straight out of high school is often a high-risk, high-reward proposition," Keene wrote. "However, the Padres’ scouting department, under (A.J.) Preller’s direction has shown a knack for identifying elite young talent. The success stories of Jackson Merrill and high-potential prospects like CJ Abrams and Robert Hassell III — now key trade assets — highlight their track record." Bateman didn't pitch professionally in 2024, so he made his debut with the Low A Lake Elsinore Storm, which was one of the reasons Keene wrote about the pitcher. Bateman was off to a good start, having struck out 21 in 18⅔ innings, which covered four starts. "Bateman’s frame gives him a unique advantage on the mound. His height allows for a steep downhill plane, making his pitches harder to pick up, especially for left-handed hitters," Keene wrote. "His fastball, which consistently sits in the 92-97 mph range, pairs well with his plus curveball, which has significant depth and late bite. Currently, he works primarily with those two offerings, but developing a third — and possibly a fourth — pitch will be critical if he hopes to claim a permanent spot in a major league rotation." Unfortunately for Padres fans, they only saw 15 starts at Lake Elsinore. That is because Bateman was part of the six-prospect package sent to the Baltimore Orioles for outfielder Ramon Laureano and first baseman-outfielder Ryan O'Hearn at the trade deadline. View the full article

The Milwaukee Brewers have made a few transactions this offseason, but Brewers fans are still waiting for the ‘big one.’ Off the field, general manager Matt Arnold was promoted to the position of president of baseball operations, as the Crew tries to fend off the risk that he departs for a top job in a larger market. On the field, the Brewers traded Isaac Collins and Nick Mears to Kansas City for lefty reliever Ángel Zerpa. The team also signed free-agent outfielder Akil Baddoo to a big-league deal. Pitcher Coleman Crow was added to the 40-man roster and will be part of this year's fallback plan if and when starting pitchers get hurt. Southpaw Sammy Peralta was selected off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels. Meanwhile, Rhys Hoskins, Jose Quintana and Danny Jansen have hit free agency, after the mutual options for 2026 in each of their contracts were turned down by one side or the other. Jansen has already signed with the Rangers; Hoskins and Quintana aren't expected to return. Let’s take a look at the rest of the National League Central and see how those teams look after their rosters have been slightly shuffled. Note: All WAR numbers are courtesy of Baseball-Reference. All contracts are big league deals. Chicago Cubs The Cubs have made several small moves, but haven’t made a big splash in the trade or free agent market so far. Additions: Signed RHP Jacob Webb to a one-year deal, with club option for 2027. 2025 WAR: 0.3 Signed INF/OF Tyler Austin to a one-year deal. 2025: played in Japan Re-signed LHP Caleb Thielbar to a one-year deal. 2025 WAR: 1.1 Signed LHP Hoby Milner to one-year deal. 2025 WAR: -0.6 Signed RHP Phil Maton to a two-year deal, with club option for 2028. 2025 WAR: 1.3 Re-signed LHP Shota Imanaga to a 2026 QO. 2025 WAR: 1.5 Re-signed RHP Colin Rea to a one-year deal, with club option for 2027. 2025 WAR: 0.6 Signed RHP Hunter Harvey to a one-year deal. 2025 WAR: 0.7 Subtractions: RHP Andrew Kittredge (sold to Baltimore). 2025 WAR: 0.6 RHP Brad Keller (free agent to Philadelphia). 2025 WAR: 1.4 LHP Drew Pomeranz (free agent to LA Angels). 2025 WAR: 0.9 RHP Michael Soroka (free agent to Arizona). 2025 WAR: 0.6 Still Out There: RHP Ryan Brasier, 2025 WAR: -0.2 INF/OF Willi Castro, 2025 WAR: -0.2 RHP Aaron Civale, 2025 WAR: 0.1 C Reese McGuire, 2025 WAR: 0.3 RHP Eli Morgan, 2025 WAR: -0.4 LHP Taylor Rogers, 2025 WAR: 0.4 1B Carlos Santana, 2025 WAR: 1.1 OF Kyle Tucker, 2025 WAR: 4.6 INF Justin Turner, 2025 WAR: -0.1 As always with the Cubs, pitchers come and go. It seems like manager Craig Counsell is drawn to former Brewers, like Hoby Milner and Colin Rea. Could Tyler Austin come back to the bigs and hammer left-handed pitching in his return from Japan? Can Shota Imanaga return to his All-Star form of 2024? The Cubs will challenge for the NL Central crown, but do they have enough to unseat the Brewers? Right now, that seems far-fetched, but they could have another big move or two in them. Cincinnati Reds The Reds have made a handful of moves, but not enough to change things significantly. It's status quo in the Queen City. Additions: Signed OF JJ Bleday to a one-year deal. 2025 WAR: -0.3 Re-signed RHP Emilio Pagán to a two-year deal. 2025 WAR: 2.0 Signed LHP Caleb Ferguson to a one-year deal. 2025 WAR: 0.9 Traded for OF Dane Myers. 2025 WAR: -0.1 Claimed C Ben Rortvedt off waivers (LA Dodgers). 2025 WAR: -0.5 Subtractions: RHP Lyon Richardson (DFA). 2025 WAR: -0.2 Still Out There: INF/OF Miguel Andujar, 2025 WAR: 0.8 RHP Scott Barlow, 2025 WAR: 0.7 OF Austin Hays, 2025 WAR: 0.8 RHP Zack Littell, 2025 WAR: 3.2 LHP Wade Miley, 2025 WAR: -0.1 RHP Nick Martinez, 2025 WAR: 2.3 LHP Brent Suter, 2025 WAR: 0.3 Bleday will join the left-handed mix in the outfield, but will likely be a platoon/fourth outfielder. Myers is the right-handed version of Bleday with less power. Pagán saved 32 games last year and returns to the closer role. Ferguson is likely to be the main southpaw in the pen, but is more of a LOOGY than a guy who can get both sides out. With the declined options, there are a few bullpen jobs up for grabs. Will the Reds re-sign one or more of the pitchers that had been cut free? Pittsburgh Pirates A few moderate-to-big names have flown across the Buccos’ transaction page so far this winter, including those involved in a three-way trade with Tampa Bay and Houston. Additions: Traded for 2B Brandon Lowe. 2025 WAR: 1.9 Signed 1B/OF Ryan O’Hearn to a two-year deal. 2025 WAR: 2.4 Signed LHP Gregory Soto to a one-year deal. 2025 WAR: -0.1 Traded for OF Jake Mangum. 2025 WAR: 1.6 Traded for LHP Mason Montgomery. 2025 WAR: -0.9 Traded for OF Jhostynxon Garcia. 2025 WAR: 0.0 Subtractions: RHP Colin Holderman (signed by Cleveland), 2025 WAR: -0.8 RHP Johan Oviedo (traded to Boston), 2025 WAR: 0.8 RHP Mike Burrows (traded to Houston), 2025 WAR: 1.5 SS Cam Devanney (released), 2025 WAR: -0.5 Still Out There: OF Alexander Canario, 2025 WAR: 0.5 DH/OF Andrew McCutchen, 2025 WAR: 0.1 OF Tommy Pham, 2025 WAR: 1.0 The Pirates traded away a couple of solid starters in Oviedo and Burrows, but got some pop on the offensive side with Lowe (31 homers this year) and O’Hearn (All-Star, 17 homers). Plus, even more importantly, they got the player with arguably the best nickname in baseball. Jhostynxon Garcia (pronounced JOES-tin-son) has the nickname ‘The Password.’ St. Louis Cardinals The Cardinals traded away pitcher Sonny Gray and catcher Willson Contreras to the Red Sox and gained a couple of young starting pitchers in return. New president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom hinted at a full rebuild, and this certainly confirms that. Additions: Traded for RHP Richard Fitts. 2025 WAR: -0.3 Signed RHP Dustin May to a one-year deal. 2025 WAR: -0.6 Traded for RHP Hunter Dobbins. 2025 WAR: 0.4 Re-signed C Yohel Pozo to a one-year deal. 2025 WAR: 0.2 Claimed RHP Zak Kent off waivers. 2025 WAR: 0.1 Subtractions: 1B/DH Willson Contreras (traded to Boston), 2025 WAR: 2.5 RHP Sonny Gray (traded to Boston), 2025 WAR: 1.4 OF/INF Garrett Hampson (released), 2025 WAR: -0.4 Still Out There: LHP John King, 2025 WAR: -0.3 RHP Miles Mikolas, 2025 WAR: 0.4 If the Cardinals' plan is to get younger, they certainly did that. In addition to Fitts, May, Dobbins, and Kent, the Cards also added pitcher Brandon Clarke, a top Red Sox prospect. Pozo joins a three-catcher mix for St. Louis, but they have high expectations for the Cards backstop. ‘El Birdos’ have been out of the mix in the National League Central for the last three years, but Bloom and company are hoping the influx of youngsters can change that. Are the Brewers going to be the 2026 favorites for the NL Central crown? Last year, the Cubs dealt for Kyle Tucker. Many pundits thought that was enough to get them to the front of the pack. How did that work for them? This year, no one has made the big trade or signing that could be a difference maker—at least, not yet. Do the Brewers have enough to claim their fourth consecutive NL Central title, or do you see another team that might be able to overtake them? Let us know in the comments. View the full article

Pitching is definitely an art form where success lies in millimeters. A pitch can have incredible velocity, but if it's too straight or located in the wrong area, it can be hit hard and often. Thus, a pitcher is not just an athlete but an artist who must balance his repertoire and pitch quality to be effective in both the short- and long-term. Since the arrival of manager Matt Quatraro and pitching coach Brian Sweeney, the Royals' pitching staff has experienced a renaissance, especially since 2024. Over the past two years, Kansas City has ranked 4th in pitching ERA (3.74), 6th in FIP (3.88), and 2nd in pitching fWAR (37.5). What used to be a weakness, especially when Cal Eldred was the pitching coach, has become a strength of the team and organization. That said, when looking at Royals pitchers individually, especially from the past year, which pitches stuck out the most? Which pitchers sported the best offerings, both in terms of stuff and results? In this post, I am going to look at the five best pitches thrown by Kansas City pitchers in 2025 and offer a breakdown of why those particular pitches stuck out so much in a positive fashion last year. Let's take a look at those five pitchers and their excellent offerings last year. All metrics and graphics are courtesy of TJ Stats. Steven Cruz, Four-Seam Fastball 50% usage, 98.2 MPH average velocity, 15 iVB, 9.8 HB, 108.4 TJ Stuff+ Cruz emerged as a sneaky middle-innings reliever for the Royals last year, getting some high-leverage work in spot situations. A key to his success was his four-seamer, a high-velocity offering (98.2 MPH) that also sported a 108.4 TJ Stuff+, the best mark of any fastball pitch thrown by a Royals pitcher last year. The four-seamer was an interesting pitch quality-wise, as it sported movement atypical for a four-seam fastball. The iVB on the pitch was a bit supbar at 15, but the 9.8 HB on the pitch made it a more tailing offering. In many ways, the pitch seemed to be a cross between a four-seamer and a sinker, which Cruz primarily threw before last season. When located effectively, Cruz's uncanny four-seamer could generate some impressive whiffs, mainly when located up in the zone. The 26-year-old righty threw the pitch equally against lefties and righties a season ago, with a 49.1% usage against left-handed hitters and a 50.9% usage against righties. The pitch was thrown more up and away against lefties and more up and in the middle against righties. Against lefties, he generated more whiffs, as his 32.3% whiff rate against lefties was nearly 10% higher than his whiff rate against righties. However, he was more effective at throwing strikes with the four-seamer against righties, as illustrated by his 31.5% CSW (compared to a 28.4% CSW against lefties). Command was an issue at times for Cruz, and he didn't generate as many strikeouts as one would think for a reliever with such impressive stuff, as illustrated by a 20.1% K%. That said, when located properly, his four-seamer was a weapon out of the bullpen and should be key for a Royals bullpen that needs velocity in the middle innings. Carlos Estevez, Slider 30.9% usage, 87.3 MPH average velocity, 3.0 iVB, -5.4 HB, 107.3 TJ Stuff+ Estevez is known for his high-velocity four-seamer, but his slider may have been his best weapon overall in 2025. The slider is not much of a horizontal offering, sporting only a -5.4 HB. However, it sported a 107.3 TJ Stuff+, the third-best slider thrown last year in terms of TJ Stuff+. When paired with his four-seamer, it could buckle opposing hitters, get them to whiff, or induce weak contact in key spots. That kind of breaking offering is key for a closer to have in high-leverage situations. The Royals' closer primarily utilized the slider against righties with a 43.3% usage, which was 22.2% higher than his slider usage against lefties. Estevez didn't necessarily worry about command with the pitch, as he threw it in the middle against both righties and lefties. The slider generated more O-Swing% against righties (24.1%) than lefties, though it produced more whiffs (28.3% whiff rate) and strikes (34.4% CSW) against lefties than righties (14.4% whiff rate; 24% CSW). In both clips above, Estevez doesn't generate whiffs, but effectively buckles up Darrin Lile of the Nationals and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Blue Jays, who are obviously sitting on a fastball. To be able to throw that kind of pitch against hitters early in the count to get ahead was key to Estevez's effectiveness in 2025, helping him lead the MLB in saves. Seth Lugo, Curveball 18.2% usage, 78.9 MPH average velocity, -13.8 iVB, -14.4 HB, 106.3 TJ Stuff+ Lugo is the definition of a pitching "savant". The 36-year-old righty threw 10 different pitches last year, with seven of them having a usage of five percent or above. That made Lugo one of the toughest at-bats in baseball, despite not possessing an elite fastball. The best offering Lugo threw last year was his curveball, which ranked second in usage at 18.2%. The curve was thrown 24.6% of the time against lefties, while only 9.1% of the time against righties. However, he was equally as effective against both sides of the plate with the breaker, as illustrated by his 32.2% CSW against lefties and 33.7% CSW against righties. He also generated an O-Swing% of 33% against lefties and a 30.8% O-Swing% against righties, which showed it could be an effective "chase" pitch for Lugo when he needed it. That was certainly the case in his strikeout of Wyatt Langford of the Rangers, who chased the curve on a 1-2 count. Against lefties, he tended to paint the armside edge with the offering, while against righties, he threw it more up and in the middle of the plate. He tended to throw the slider, slurve, and slow curve more against righties, so the curve against righties was more of a "change of pace" offering, which is why the command was not as precise. Lugo's curve sported a TJ Stuff+ of 106.3, his best TJ Stuff+ offering. He did give up some hard contact with the curve against lefties last year, with a .462 xwOBACON allowed. Improving the command on his primary breaking pitch could help him see some positive regression in 2026 after posting a 4.15 ERA a season ago. Kris Bubic, Four-Seamer 38.1% usage, 92.1 MPH average velocity, 18,2 iVB, 4.3 HB, 104.6 TJ Stuff+ Bubic's four-seamer is a prime example of why iVB and extension can help improve a fastball with mediocre velocity. With a 92.1 MPH average velocity, the lefty's four-seamer should be a widely crushed offering. And yet, Bubic can get 6.9 extension and 18.2 iVB on the pitch. That helps the four-seamer play up and seem faster than it is on the radar gun. His 106.4 TJ Stuff+ with the pitch further illustrates that, and his four-seamer TJ Stuff+ rated better than Estevez's, which had a 95.9 MPH average velocity last year. As a result, Bubic generated a 33.3% whiff rate with the four-seamer against lefties and a 26.4% against righties. He threw the four-seamer more against righties, with a 42.1% usage against a 24.8% usage against lefties. While the four-seamer was a better swing-and-miss offering against lefties, the CSW metrics were pretty similar against hitters on both sides of the plate (35% CSW against lefties; 31.7% CSW against righties). He was more effective at minimizing productive contact against righties with the four-seamer, as his .367 xwOBACON was 119 points lower than his mark against lefties. When it came to command, the Stanford product was pretty consistent against both lefties and righties, locating the pitch up and away in the strike zone. That made the pitch pretty ideal for generating whiffs, as illustrated in the clip compilation below. Bubic is a trade candidate this winter due to his free agency after 2026. While he doesn't have the prestige of other available top arms on the trade market, his sneakily effective four-seamer could make him a top-of-the-rotation arm for the right team (should JJ Picollo trade him away, of course). Cole Ragans, Slider 13.8% usage, 84.7 MPH average velocity, -2.5 iVB, -1.8 HB, 107.1 TJ Stuff+ Much like Estevez's slider, Ragans' breaking offering is an example of nuance. It doesn't sport much vertical or horizontal break. However, it's a nice change of pace, catching hitters off guard when they're sitting on four-seamers or even his changeup, which are both thrown more often (49.5% and 19.2%, respectively). With a TJ Stuff+ of 107.1, it is an offering that is usually slept on by hitters, even though it shouldn't. Ragans threw the slider more against lefties with a 32.1% usage (he only had a 7.6% usage against righties). Still, it was a compelling pitch against both sides of the plate in terms of CSW (34.1% against lefties; 32.8% against righties) and whiff% (45.2% against lefties and 41.2% against righties). He was better at minimizing hard contact with the slider against lefties, as his .291 xwOBACON was 277 points lower than his mark against righties. What was interesting about Ragans' slider was that he located it in the same spot against both lefties and righties: down and in, glove-side. One would think that would make it easy to hone in on for hitters, especially right-handed ones. However, since he threw it less than eight percent of the time, hitters weren't able to do that often, especially since his knuckle curve was his preferred breaking pitch against righties (114 pitches against righties compared to 24 against lefties). When located in Ragans' preferred spot, he could get the swing and miss that he wanted, especially when ahead in the count, as illustrated below. The slider wasn't necessarily a punch-out pitch, but rather an offering that kept hitters from sitting on his four-seamer. With a 10.6 MPH difference between his average four-seamer and average slider, it was common for hitters to swing over Ragans' slider, much like St. Louis' Victor Scott II and Seattle's Victor Robles did in the clip compilation above. View the full article

According to ESPN's Alden González, the Blue Jays have agreed to a two-year minor league contract with reliever Nic Enright. Enright, 28, finally made it to the majors in 2025, after cancer treatment derailed his career from 2022-24. The right-hander threw 31 innings for the Guardians in his rookie campaign, pitching to a 2.03 ERA and 3.75 xERA. He collected his first MLB win, hold, and save, while striking out 30 and limiting opponents to a .618 OPS. Unfortunately, Enright hit the injured list in September and underwent Tommy John surgery in October, ending his 2026 season before it could begin. Hence, the two-year minor league contract: He'll spend next season rehabbing in the Blue Jays organization, and, hopefully, he'll be ready to compete for a role with the team in 2027. Featured image courtesy of Jerome Miron-Imagn Images. View the full article

Much to the chagrin of diehard Cubs fans, the team has made a series of small moves this winter, but not any major ones. Most of the off-season transactions have involved relief pitchers. The losses of Brad Keller and Drew Pomeranz should be offset by the additions of Jacob Webb, Phil Maton, and even Hunter Harvey, who is the subject of a Matt Trueblood piece on NSBB. As always with the Cubs, pitchers come and go, and it seems like manager Craig Counsell is drawn to former Brewers, like Hoby Milner and Colin Rea. Could six-year NPB slugger Tyler Austin come back to the bigs and successfully bludgeon left-handed pitching again? Can Shota Imanaga return to his All-Star form of 2024? The Cubs will challenge for the NL Central crown, but do they have enough to unseat the Brewers? Let’s take a look at the rest of the National League Central and see how those teams look after their rosters have been slightly shuffled. Note: All WAR numbers are courtesy of Baseball-Reference. All contracts are big league deals. Cincinnati Reds The Reds have made a handful of moves, but they're effectively having an even quieter version of the Cubs' winter. Status quo in the Queen City. Additions: Signed OF JJ Bleday to a one-year deal. 2025 WAR: -0.3 Re-signed RHP Emilio Pagán to a two-year deal. 2025 WAR: 2.0 Signed LHP Caleb Ferguson to a one-year deal. 2025 WAR: 0.9 Traded for OF Dane Myers. 2025 WAR: -0.1 Claimed C Ben Rortvedt off waivers (LA Dodgers). 2025 WAR: -0.5 Subtractions: RHP Lyon Richardson (DFA). 2025 WAR: -0.2 Still Out There: INF/OF Miguel Andujar, 2025 WAR: 0.8 RHP Scott Barlow, 2025 WAR: 0.7 OF Austin Hays, 2025 WAR: 0.8 RHP Zack Littell, 2025 WAR: 3.2 LHP Wade Miley, 2025 WAR: -0.1 RHP Nick Martinez, 2025 WAR: 2.3 LHP Brent Suter, 2025 WAR: 0.3 Bleday will join the left-handed mix in the outfield, but will likely be a platoon/fourth outfielder. Myers is the right-handed version of Bleday, with less power. Pagán saved 32 games last year and is the front-runner for the closer role. Ferguson is likely to be the main southpaw in the pen, but is more of a LOOGY than a guy who can get both sides out. With the declined options, there are a few bullpen jobs up for grabs. Will the Reds re-sign one or more of the pitchers that had been cut free? Milwaukee Brewers The Milwaukee Brewers have made a few transactions this offseason, but Brewers fans are still waiting for the ‘big one.’ Off the field, general manager Matt Arnold was promoted to the position of president of baseball operations, securing (at least on Milwaukee's end) a few more years at the helm of the Brewers. Additions: Traded for LHP Ángel Zerpa. 2025 WAR: 0.3 Signed OF Akil Baddoo. 2025 WAR: 0.2 Claimed LHP Sammy Peralta off waivers. 2025 WAR: -0.5 Subtractions: OF Isaac Collins (traded to Kansas City), 2025 WAR: 2.1 RHP Nick Mears (traded to Kansas City), 2025 WAR: 0.5 C Danny Jansen (signed with Rangers) Still Out There: 1B Rhys Hoskins, 2025 WAR: 0.9 LHP Jose Quintana, 2025 WAR: 1.3 The loss of Collins was met by mixed opinions from industry pundits. Although Collins played a huge role last year and earned some NL Rookie of the Year votes, the Brewers have enough depth in their outfield to work around the loss. Mears was a solid reliever but Zerpa is a lefty that can start or relieve, so he offers the pitching staff a little flexibility. Unlike Mears, he can also be optioned to the minors. Pittsburgh Pirates A few moderate-to-big names have flown across the Buccos’ transaction page so far this winter, including those involved in a three-way trade with Tampa Bay and Houston. Additions: Traded for 2B Brandon Lowe. 2025 WAR: 1.9 Signed 1B/OF Ryan O’Hearn to a two-year deal. 2025 WAR: 2.4 Signed LHP Gregory Soto to a one-year deal. 2025 WAR: -0.1 Traded for OF Jake Mangum. 2025 WAR: 1.6 Traded for LHP Mason Montgomery. 2025 WAR: -0.9 Traded for OF Jhostynxon Garcia. 2025 WAR: 0.0 Subtractions: RHP Colin Holderman (signed by Cleveland), 2025 WAR: -0.8 RHP Johan Oviedo (traded to Boston), 2025 WAR: 0.8 RHP Mike Burrows (traded to Houston), 2025 WAR: 1.5 SS Cam Devanney (released), 2025 WAR: -0.5 Still On Board: OF Alexander Canario, 2025 WAR: 0.5 DH/OF Andrew McCutchen, 2025 WAR: 0.1 OF Tommy Pham, 2025 WAR: 1.0 The Pirates traded away a couple solid starters in Oviedo and Burrows, but got some pop on the offensive side with Lowe (31 homers in 2025) and O’Hearn (All-Star, 17 homers). Plus, even more importantly, they got the player with one of the best nicknames in sports. Jhostynxon García (pronounced JOES-tin-son) has the nickname ‘The Password.’ St. Louis Cardinals The Cardinals traded away pitcher Sonny Gray and catcher Willson Contreras to the Red Sox and gained a couple of young starting pitchers in return. New president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom hinted at a full rebuild, and this certainly confirms that. Additions: Traded for RHP Richard Fitts. 2025 WAR: -0.3 Signed RHP Dustin May to a one-year deal. 2025 WAR: -0.6 Traded for RHP Hunter Dobbins. 2025 WAR: 0.4 Re-signed C Yohel Pozo to a one-year deal. 2025 WAR: 0.2 Claimed RHP Zak Kent off waivers. 2025 WAR: 0.1 Subtractions: 1B/DH Willson Contreras (traded to Boston), 2025 WAR: 2.5 RHP Sonny Gray (traded to Boston), 2025 WAR: 1.4 OF/INF Garrett Hampson (released), 2025 WAR: -0.4 Still On Board: RHP Jorge Alcala, 2025 WAR: -1.1 LHP John King, 2025 WAR: -0.3 RHP Miles Mikolas, 2025 WAR: 0.4 If the Cardinals' plan is to get younger, they certainly did that. If addition to Fitts, May, Dobbins, and Kent, the Cards also added pitcher Brandon Clarke, a top Red Sox prospect. Pozo joins a three-catcher mix for St. Louis, but they have high expectations for the Cards backstop. ‘El Birdos’ have been out of the mix in the National League Central for the last three years, but Bloom and company are hoping the influx of youngsters can change that, even if it doesn't happen in 2026. What Does It All Mean? The Brewers have won three straight NL Central titles. Have the other teams done enough in the offseason to dethrone the Brew Crew? Or will one or more teams make a huge move in the next two months that will be enough to put them over the top? Time will tell. View the full article

With the signings of Dylan Cease, Tyler Rogers, and Cody Ponce (and with Shane Bieber exercising his player option), the Blue Jays have taken major steps to solidify their pitching staff in preparation for another World Series run in 2026. Attention has now shifted to the other side of the plate, and to the Jays’ ongoing discussions with free agent “big bats” such as Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette. There is no question that a Kyle or Bo would enhance the Jays’ offence. But there is considerable discussion about how critical such an upgrade really is. Suppose the Jays did not make any further offseason upgrades to their hitting – no Kyle or Bo, and no Ketel Marte or Steven Kwan either. The 2026 Steamer projections for the current Jays are now available on FanGraphs. They project the Jays’ position players to earn only 24 fWAR in 2026, after earning 33 fWAR in 2025. Disappointing! But many of their assumptions, particularly about the Jays’ defense, seem pessimistic. What would the Jays’ fWAR look like with different assumptions? The table below includes actual statistics from 2025, Steamer's 2026 projections, and modified 2026 projections. Note the colours in the final projections section: Yellow assumes 2026 will be the same as 2025, green assumes the same as Steamer, and blue assumes extrapolation of 2025 over a higher number of PA. Some key thoughts about the modified projections: The revised projection assumes a regular outfield of Anthony Santander – Daulton Varsho – Nathan Lukes and an infield of Addison Barger – Andrés Giménez – Ernie Clement – Vladimir Guerrero Jr. George Springer is assumed to be the primary DH, and Alejandro Kirk the primary catcher. The bench is Tyler Heineman – Davis Schneider – Myles Straw – other. This revised projection agrees with Steamer that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. should do better in 2026 and assumes the same 153 wRC+ and 4.8 fWAR. This might be conservative; Vladdy earned 5.3 fWAR in 2024 and 6.3 in 2021, and he is still in his prime. Steamer assumes that George Springer will drop off a cliff, with his fWAR declining 50% from the 5.2 he earned in 2025 to only 2.6 in 2026. The modified projection agrees that his 2025 production might not be sustainable, but assumes that staying at DH continues to energize him and that his decline will only be to 4.0 fWAR. Alejandro Kirk is widely held to be one of the best defensive catchers in baseball. But while Steamer projects his wRC+ to increase from 116 to 122, it has his Def (defensive runs above average) declining from the 24.9 (!) he earned in 2025 to 6.4 in 2026. The revised projection assumes he maintains the same defensive stats as 2025 and that his wRC+ does not increase. Anthony Santander is difficult to project. He had a terrible 2025 due to injury, but averaged 2.7 fWAR from 2022-24. Steamer projects him for 1.0 fWAR in 2026, but the revised projection assumes he returns to his average levels with an fWAR of 2.5. Like Kirk, Andrés Giménez has been an elite defender for most of his career. From 2022-24, his 58 DRS led all of baseball. He had a poor 2025 due to injury, but his defense was still excellent when he took the field. Yet, Steamer projects him to struggle defensively in 2026 (although it does project his hitting to improve to a 95 wRC+). The last time Giménez had a 95+ wRC+ was in 2023, when he put up a 3.8 fWAR. And that was while he was playing second base, where the positional adjustment of +2.5 is substantially less than the +7.5 he will likely earn at shortstop in 2026. The revised projection assumes he returns to his 2023 form, without any positional bonus for moving to shortstop. Daulton Varsho is another Blue Jay difficult to project. He modified his swing in 2025, greatly increasing his power, but was limited to 271 plate appearances due to injury. Steamer projects his wRC+ to decline from 123 in 2025 to 100 and projects his Def to be negative (-1.2) – this despite Varsho being a perennial Platinum Glove candidate. The revised projection assumes that Varsho plays a full season at 2025 levels (this could be conservative, as his defensive WAR in 2025 was well below his historical standards). Steamer’s projections of Myles Straw and Ernie Clement are similar to the system's projections for Varsho in that they have assumed a dramatic decline in those players’ plus-level defense. The revised projection assumes that they will continue to produce at 2025 levels on both offense and defense. The revised fWAR projections for Addison Barger and Davis Schneider are essentially the same as Steamer's. So, What Does This Mean? In aggregate, the revised projection assumes that the Jays will earn 38 fWAR from position players currently on the roster, even without any additions. This would be an increase of roughly 5 fWAR from 2025. Of course, it is hard to make predictions – especially about the future. Key Jays players could be attacked by sentient suitcases, or ambushed by sprinkler heads, or they could get frostbite in August or fall victim to an imaginary spider attack. So, the revised projection, in assuming no injuries or dramatic declines in production, is in one sense optimistic. But the projection is conservative in some respects too, assuming a maximum of 550 plate appearances from Springer, Varsho and Barger, no breakout from Barger or Lukes, only a 98 wRC+ from Clement, and that Vladdy does not return to his 2021 form. The Bottom Line Nobody questions that more elite hitting is better than less elite hitting. But there is a difference between upgrading at a position of extreme weakness and upgrading at one of relative strength. Could this be why the Jays have not pulled the trigger on a mega-deal (free agent or trade) for hitting yet? Their current strength gives them the luxury of being opportunistic, and potentially even waiting until the midsummer trade deadline to shop at the lumber yard. View the full article

The San Diego Padres' signing of former KBO infielder Sung Mun Song wasn't difficult to pin down in its motivation. A versatile infielder coming off a 25/25 season with Kiwoom is a player that virtually every team in baseball would want to add to their roster. So, it's a certain level of victory that the team was able to sign him to a four-year deal at an affordable price point, even if there isn't an obvious position for him to start at in the present moment. While A.J. Preller could still seek to make a move and trade someone like Jake Cronenworth, the team has options in how they deploy their newest positional acquisition. He could flip Cronenworth back over to first base while Song handles everyday duty at the keystone. The team could also keep Cronenworth at second, insert some sort of platoon involving Gavin Sheets and Luis Campusano (assuming the team doesn't sign an everyday first baseman), and utilize Song as a multi-positional component in their lineup while rotating the designated hitter spot. In any case, it sounds like the team is exploring additional contingencies in order to ensure Song's bat is in the lineup as frequently as possible. Reports emerged around the holidays that the team was considering letting Song spend some time on the outfield grass. New manager Craig Stammen confirmed as much, stating that the goal was to have his bat in the mix above all. It's an interesting proposition, but one that doesn't feature quite the same level of certainty as his work on the infield might. Presently, the Padres have their three starting outfielders in place. Fernando Tatis Jr. will continue his post as one of the game's best defensive right fielders. Jackson Merrill has center locked down for the next decade. Trade deadline acquisition Ramón Laureano, who is in a contract year playing on a club option, will handle left field duties. Tatis and Merrill are stars and, as such, everyday players, while Laureano was split neutral in a strong year at the plate. That's not necessarily a group that lends itself to too much flexibility. The 2025 Padres were hit with some brutal injury luck. Perhaps nobody fell more into that cycle than Merrill, who endured multiple stints on the injured list throughout the year. Laureano also missed the end of the season, while Tatis likely had various points at which he could've used a string of days off, particularly after absorbing multiple hit-by-pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers in June. With very little offensive upside behind the starting trio — Bryce Johnson and Tirso Ornelas don't really move the needle — it could certainly behoove Stammen to see if Song has the chops to serve as a supplementary piece in the outfield puzzle in order to ensure the offense doesn't experience the kind of fall off they did last year when games were missed. If you get lucky and don't need that type of support in the way that the Friars did last season, then at least you've got someone worth throwing out there for the odd day off or late-game situation. Ultimately, though, this exploration is about expanding the bench at large. It wasn't only the outfield that suffered from the team's lack of depth in 2025; it was virtually everywhere. With Luis Campusano already set to occupy a spot as the team's backup catcher, the team needs to be able to maximize what they have in their remaining three players on the bench. Last year's reserve group featured the likes of Jose Iglesias, Johnson, and a host of other players that were largely out of the organization by the end of the year. Part of such heavy turnover was due to the fact that it was simply not a versatile group, save for Iglesias. The support just wasn't there when the team needed someone to step in whether in the short or long term. As such, it makes complete sense for Stammen and the Padres to consider Song in the outfield ahead of the 2026 campaign. Even if he's set to be utilized as primarily an infielder, an expansion of his skill set — assuming Song proves capable of handling such duty — provides the team with extra coverage in the outfield in addition to what he was already set to bring to the infield mix. Regardless of how it all shakes out, the fact that the Padres have a moveable player on their roster capable of providing notable offensive production is a really exciting prospect against what the team was working with last season. View the full article

In part one of this Royals Steamer Projections series, I examined the hitters and their outlooks for 2026. In part two, I looked at starting two pitchers, including two with optimistic projections and two who could be due for regression. In the final part of this series, I will deep dive into the Steamer projections of five Royals relief pitchers. Much like the starting pitchers piece, I will look at three starting pitchers with positive outlooks for the upcoming season and two who may be due for regression, based on their Steamer projections. As with any projection system, these aren't "scripture" but rather baselines for measuring future performance. Even though just five will be profiled, below is a look at all the 2026 Steamer projections of Royals relievers. A link to the interactive table is available here. Thus, let's take a look at the five Royals relievers who fans should pay attention to closely in 2026. (Statcast summaries courtesy of TJ Stats.) Matt Strahm, LHP In 66 projected IP: 3.66 ERA, 1 SV, 17 HLD, 26.2% K%, 18.7% K-BB%, 1.18 WHIP, 31.2% GB%, 3.66 FIP, 0.7 fWAR The Royals' biggest pitching acquisition of the offseason has been Strahm, a 34-year-old veteran who last pitched with the Phillies. In Philadelphia last year, the 2012 Royals draft pick (21st-round pick) posted a 2.74 ERA, 2.99 FIP, 27.3% K%, and 1.5 fWAR in 66 appearances and 62.1 IP. One of the goals for the Royals this offseason was to find a left-handed pitcher who could thrive in high-leverage situations. Based on his Win Probability data from last year, Strahm fits the bill perfectly. The lefty had 30 shutdowns a season ago, a WPA of 2.30, a 1.50 GM/LI (leverage index when entering a game), and 0.90 clutch factor. For context, his shutdown number led all Phillies pitchers, as did his clutch factor. His WPA was the fourth-highest mark of Philadelphia pitchers, behind starters Christopher Sanchez, Zack Wheeler, and Ranger Suarez. And his GM/LI was behind only closer Jhoan Duran and right-handed setup man Orion Kerkering. When it comes to his outlook next year, Steamer projects Strahm to be the Royals' best reliever. His 0.7 fWAR is the best projection of any Royals reliever, and his 26.2% K rate and 18.7% K-BB% are also the best projected marks in those categories. The GB% is a bit low at 31.2%, but Strahm has still found a way to be successful by minimizing hard contact. According to Statcast, his average EV and barrel rate allowed ranked in the 98th and 95th percentiles, respectively, as seen in the TJ Stats summary below. There are some concerns with Strahm: his fastball velocity ranked in the 24th percentile, and he may not have room to increase it given his age and extension (22nd percentile). However, Strahm has proven to be a dependable and effective arm in late-inning situations, which only should strengthen a Royals bullpen that ranked seventh in reliever ERA last season. Lucas Erceg, RHP In 62 projected IP: 3.57 ERA, 2 SV, 13 HLD, 23.9% K%, 15.2% K-BB%, 1.28 WHIP, 46.5% GB%, 3.59 FIP, 0.6 fWAR Expectations were high for Erceg after he closed games down for the Royals down the stretch in 2024 and in the postseason. Many Royals fans were initially surprised that JJ Picollo acquired closer Carlos Estevez last offseason, but it proved to be the right decision. Not just because Estevez was effective, but because Erceg also had a season of regression. In 2024, the former Athletics reliever posted a 2.88 ERA, 1.17 FIP, and 1.4 fWAR in 25 IP with the Royals. He also had 11 saves, including some big ones in the postseason in the AL Wild Card against Baltimore and ALDS against the Yankees. However, in 2025, in 61.1 IP last year, his ERA remained solid at 2.64, but his FIP was 3.49, and his fWAR was 0.9. A big reason for the fWAR and FIP regression was due to the decline in strikeouts. After posting a 32% K rate with the Royals in 2024, his K rate regressed to 19.3% last year. It wasn't exactly a "healthy" season for Erceg, as he dealt with lingering back issues all year (which included an IL stint). Erceg didn't have as sharp a command in Kansas City last year as he did in his Royals debut in 2024. That was evidenced by his 26% CSW, which was a 7% regression from a season ago. He also saw some regression on his fastball quality, as it sported a TJ Stuff+ mark under 100, as illustrated in his TJ Stats summary below. Steamer projects a bounce back for Ereceg, especially in his strikeout rate. He is projected to post a 23.9% K rate, a 4.6% improvement from a year ago. He is also projected to post a 15.2% K-BB%, a 3.2% improvement from 2025, while maintaining a solid GB% at 46.5%. Hence, Erceg is expected to post the second-best fWAR of Royals relievers with a 0.6 mark, and the best FIP at 3.59. Estevez may be locked in as the Royals' closer in 2026, but fans shouldn't sleep on Erceg to challenge him for save opportunities in 2026. Carlos Estevez, RHP In 65 projected IP: 4.29 ERA, 31 SV, 2 HLD, 21.7% K%, 13% K-BB%, 1.33 WHIP, 32.7% GB%, 4.30 FIP, 0.2 fWAR Estevez had one of the best seasons for a closer in Royals history, which is saying something considering the history of excellent closers in the Kansas City organization. In 67 appearances and 66 IP, the 33-year-old closer saved 42 games, posted an ERA of 2.45, a FIP of 3.67, and fWAR of 1.1. He made the All-Star team and led the Major Leagues in saves, the first time a Royals closer has done that since Dan Quisenberry. That said, a deeper look into his metrics illustrates that Estevez may have a hard time repeating in 2026 what he did in 2025. In 2025, Estevez posted a K rate of 20.1% and K-BB% of 11.9%. That's 3.5% and 6% decline from his marks in those categories a season ago. Furthermore, his CSW regressed from 28.6% in 2024 to 24.3% in 2025, a 4.3% decline. Lastly, his Statcast percentiles looked pretty questionable overall last year, not indicative of a top flight closer. Steamer seems to agree that Estevez may be due for some regression in 2026. They project his ERA will be 4.29, a 0.84 point increase, and his FIP to be 4.30, a 0.67 point increase. They do project bumps in K rate, with a 1.2% increase, and K-BB%, with a 1.1% increase. However, Steamer projects an expected bump in BABIP from .234 last year to .290 this year, which will contribute to the increases in ERA and FIP. Estevez will still be a good closer in 2026, and his 31 projected saves demosntrate that. That said, he likely won't be the All-Star closer that he was a season ago. Alex Lange, RHP In 52 projected IP: 3.93 ERA, 0 SV, 7 HLD, 24.1% K%, 12.5% K-BB%, 1.41 WHIP, 46.8% GB%, 3.95 FIP, 0.2 fWAR Lange was one of the Royals' earliest moves, and it has gone under the radar after that Strahm acquisition. However, the former Tigers closer may be one of the sneakiest moves Picollo has made this offseason. Injuries and inconsistency have limited the KC Metro product, as he has only pitched in 19.2 IP at the Major League level in the past two seasons. He did primarily pitch in Triple-A Toledo as he recovered from a right lat injury suffered in 2024. In that sample, the metrics weren't impressive at the surface level (4.62 ERA, 3.88 FIP in 25.1 IP), but his TJ Stats Statcast summary from Triple-A was the inverse, as seen below. That's a lot of red in that profile, which is a good thing. Lange ranked in the 100th percentile in Whiff%, 99th percentile in K% and barrel rate, 97th percentile in CSW, and 94th percentile in GB%. If Lange is able to transition those skills to the MLB level in 2026, he could end up being one of the Royals' most valuable relievers by the conclusion of next season. Steamer seems to believe that he can make that transition. In 52 innings, they projected him to put up a 3.93 ERA, a 3.95 FIP, a 24.1% K rate, and 12.5% K-BB%. What's also nice about Lange's profile is that he can generate a lot of groundballs, and Steamer projects that he will produce a 46.8% GB% next year. Only James McArthur (47.1%) and Luinder Avila (47%) are expected to sport better marks in that category. Control is, and has always been an issue with Lange, as evidenced by his 13.5% careeer BB%. Conversely, he generates a lot of chase, with a 33.4% career O-Swing%. The Royals' 30.5% O-Swing% ranked 26th last year, so Lange's profile will be welcomed, even if there may be some walk risk. John Schreiber, RHP In 64 projected IP: 4.03 ERA, 1 SV, 14 HLD, 21.4% K%, 12.6% K-BB%, 1.34 WHIP, 42% GB%, 4.07 FIP, 0.3 fWAR Schreiber has been one of the more utilized Royals relievers in the past two years, especially in high-leverage situations. His 1.51 GM/LI is tied for the fourth-highest mark of Kansas City relievers from 2024-2025. His 53 shutdowns also leads all Royals relievers from the past two seasons, and his 1.99 WPA is tied for the third-best mark over that period as well (behind only Erceg and Estevez). Unfortunately, he started to show some blemishes in his profile in 2025 after a sensational 2024. His ERA went from 3.66 in 2024 to 3.80 in 2025, his FIP rose from 3.03 in 2024 to 4.17 in 2025, and his fWAR went from 1.3 in 2024 to 0.3 in 2025. A big reason for this regression was a sharp increase in HR/FB rate, as his 13% mark was 11% higher than in 2024. Schreiber also saw a decrease in GB%, seeing it go from 51.3% in 2024 to 39% in 2025. HIs TJ Stats summary also showed some percentile concerns, especially in O-Swing% and barrel rate. Steamer seems to project that the regression will continue for Schreiber in 2026. They project his ERA will be 4.03 and his FIP will be 4.07. They also project a 21.4% K%, a two percent decrease from a season ago. With the arrival of Lange, Strahm, and Nick Mears, it's possible that Schreiber will be more of a medium-leverage arm instead of the high-leverage one from the past couple of seasons. And that change in role could make Schreiber a tradeable asset this winter, especially for a team that may be starved for help in the bullpen in 2026. The 31-year-old reliever could net the Royals a nice return, whether it's in terms of hitting help or prospect capital. View the full article

Alex and Maddie discuss the Willson Contreras trade and the impact it may have on Triston Casas. They go through the remaining free agent options for both second and third base before moving on to the starting pitching market. They close the episode discussing possible trade scenarios and give their takes on whether the Red Sox will sign either Tatsuya Imai or Kazuma Okamoto. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-talk-sox-podcast/id1783204104 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3qPrPXEngu0CxgTmlf0ynm Listen on Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/4tmd121v Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talksox View the full article

The Minnesota Twins’ competitive window has felt perpetually cracked open for the better part of a decade. That is, it's rarely slammed shut, but never fully open, either. At the center of that uneasy balance sits Byron Buxton, the face of the franchise and its most complicated variable. Buxton has three years remaining on his team-friendly extension, and as things stand today, there is no clear indication that Minnesota will be a true World Series contender at any point during that stretch. That reality makes the next few seasons feel more like an evaluation period than an opportunity. Baseball has a way of humbling certainty. Teams that look mediocre in March can find themselves dogpiling in October. Rosters that feel one move away can collapse overnight. Buxton’s presence alone keeps the Twins relevant, and his ceiling remains higher than almost any player in the organization. The question is whether the timing ever aligns. Rumors are already unavoidable. If the Twins fall out of contention again and pivot further toward selling veteran pieces, Buxton’s name will surface in trade conversations. He holds a no-trade clause, but that protection does not mean immovability. Buxton is now 31, with a lengthy injury history and a dwindling number of games left in his career. The chance to play meaningful October baseball elsewhere could be tempting, especially if Minnesota’s direction becomes clearer by midseason. Here’s a look at the next three seasons, what it could mean for the Twins, and how the Byron Buxton winning window is shrinking. 2026: Running It Back and Hoping The most likely outcome for 2026 is familiarity. The Twins appear poised to run back much of last year’s roster and hope for organic improvement from their young core. FanGraphs’s initial projection of an 82-80 record paints the picture perfectly. Competitive, relevant, but far from secure. Top prospects are waiting in the wings, and many are expected to debut during the season. Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Gabriel Gonzalez all finished at Triple-A St. Paul last season. That said, rookies are supplements, not saviors. Expecting them to replace established production is rarely realistic. For Buxton, 2026 looks like another season of carrying disproportionate weight, both on the field and in how the franchise is perceived nationally. 2027: Chaos Creates Opportunity The 2027 season may never resemble a normal year. A looming labor dispute means a strong chance of a lockout that could delay the start of the season. If negotiations drag on, MLB may shorten the schedule and expand the postseason to preserve revenue. That kind of chaos can flatten the playing field. More playoff teams mean more paths into October. For a club like Minnesota, that matters. The Twins saw this happen in 2020, during the COVID-shortened season. A hot month or two could be enough. By then, the young pitchers, like Mick Abel and Kendry Rojas may be ready for the spotlight. Arms that currently feel far from ready to carry a team could become the backbone of a playoff run. In October, structure matters less than momentum, and weird things tend to happen. 2028: Swan Song or Turning Point The 2028 season could be Buxton’s swan song in a Twins uniform. He has been clear about wanting to be a Twin for life, but the next three years will test that commitment on both sides. If his performance continues to resemble his 2025 campaign, extensions could remain on the table. If not, the cold reality of aging curves will loom. Coming out of a potential lockout, this is the ideal time for Minnesota to push more aggressively. A young core featuring Jenkins, Rodriguez, Luke Keaschall, and Kaelen Culpepper could be ready to emerge. Supporting that group properly might finally align Buxton’s timeline with a legitimate window of opportunity. The Twins do not need to choose between rebuilding and contending just yet, but they are running out of time to avoid that decision. Buxton’s contract provides flexibility, leverage, and pressure. Whether Minnesota capitalizes on that window or watches it quietly close will define the next era of Twins baseball. Do you believe the Twins can build a true contender before Buxton’s contract runs out, or is a difficult decision inevitable? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

2025 will go down as one of the most historic seasons in Toronto Blue Jays franchise history, from having the best record in the Grapefruit League, to signing Vladimir Guerrero Jr.to the largest contract in franchise history, to making it all the way to Game 7 of the World Series. It was a season defined by milestones. For all of us at Jays Centre, it was a milestone season for us, too. 2025 was our first year covering the Blue Jays. Over the course of the year, several articles generated clicks, started conversations, some points were debated, and shone a light on just how special some of the performances in 2025 were. Here are our top five articles from the 2025 season: 5) 2026 Toronto Blue Jays Roster Projection, v1 By Sam Charles Dec 3rd 2025 Before we look back at 2025, let's briefly jump ahead to the present and take a look at 2026. With several high-impact signings already complete (Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce added via free agency), and Shane Bieber exercising his player option to return to the team. It's a good idea to take a look at where the roster currently stands with the potential of more impact moves on the table. The piece touches on the potential return of Bo Bichette, the rumors surrounding Kyle Tucker, and highlights the bullpen, as well as all the possible names that will likely contribute to the 2026 team at some point. It's a must-read and serves as a great refresher as the offseason rolls on. 4) Tyler Heineman Is On His Way To Making Backup Catcher History By Leo Morgenstern Aug 6th 2025 If projecting the future drew readers in, unexpected on-field production kept them coming back. One of the main storylines that carried the 2025 Blue Jays was their consistent production from unexpected sources. Tyler Heineman was one of those sources several times this past season. Heineman had always been known for his glove, but the 34-year-old found another level with his bat, and not only was it good, but it was also historic in terms of production from backup catchers. At the time the article was written, Heineman's 2.2 fWAR was 11th all-time among catchers with less than 200 PAs, and while he finished the season at 2.1 fWAR, his pace had him projected to be the best of all time. It's not often a backup catcher makes headlines, but that's just the type of magic Heineman had in 2025. 3) Even Alex Anthopoulos Wouldn’t Have Extended Vladimir Guerrero Jr. By Davy Andrews Mar 5th 2025 The Blue Jays eventually got a deal done with Guerrero, but there was a lot of chatter about whether it would get done. Vlad had set a deadline of the first day of camp to get an extension done, and the day came and went, and still no pen was put to paper. Davy took a look at former Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos, who has a history of extensions for his young players in Atlanta, and thought, if he were still in charge in Toronto, would he have handled the Vladimir Guerrero Jr.situation any differently? At the time, the piece had therapeutic qualities, trying to give fans a perspective that things would be okay if a deal didn't work out. But now that Guerrero is under contract for a decade plus, it feels especially relevant to get a glimpse at what the front office may have been thinking during that moment. 2) Could a Scott Boras Failure Result in a Blue Jays Triumph? By Megan M Jan 30th 2025 Flash back to the 2024-25 offseason, and the Blue Jays were still looking for help on the roster. Juan Soto had just signed in Queens after being linked to the Blue Jays all winter, and the reputation that the Blue Jays finishing second on every free agent started to feel very real. Megan speculated that a misread of Alonso’s market could be a good opportunity for the Blue Jays to strike and look to acquire the slugger on a short-term deal to help bolster the offence. He ended up returning to the Mets in 2025, hit 38 home runs, and has since turned that into a five-year deal with Baltimore this offseason. Although it didn’t end up happening in Toronto, it's worth a read, especially as the Blue Jays and Scott Boras have a history. With some notable Boras clients still on the free agent market (Alex Bregman, Cody Bellinger), there is a chance they link up again. 1) So That’s why the Blue Jays Didn’t Extend Vladimir Guerrero Jr. By Davy Andrews Mar 10th 2025 Sweet sweet closure. You rarely get some direct comments from a star player about his thoughts on the team, and Vlad certainly shared his thoughts. Vlad spoke in Spanish to ESPN about what exactly went down between the two parties. Davy does a great job of breaking down all that Vlad had to say in the two-and-a-half-minute clip, and looking back after the contract has been signed, a lot of what he says holds up. Signing Vladimir Guerrero Jr.was one of the biggest decision points the franchise has ever made, and you can make the argument that getting the deal done is already starting to pay dividends. There is also a compelling case that, without extending Guerrero, the Blue Jays wouldn’t have made the historic World Series run they did. It's an absolute must-read, especially knowing how the Jays' season went and the impact Guerrero had on it. View the full article

For baseball fans, we’re fortunate to have a plethora of projection models to review. There’s Jared Cross’ Steamer, Tom Tango’s Marcel the Monkey Forecasting System (Marcel), Nate Silver’s Player Empirical Comparison and Optimization Test Algorithm (PECOTA), Brian Cartwright’s Oliver, and Dan Szymborski’s Zymborski Projection System (ZiPS). Each projection system has its own merits — one isn’t necessarily better than another. Are they 100% accurate? No, which is perfectly fine. Predicting the future is tough. However, they are fun to look at, and reviewing Szymborski’s projections helps the offseason progress a little faster! Just before Christmas, he dropped the Red Sox’s 2026 ZiPS projection. How does the model think the team will fare next year? Garrett Crochet, Sonny Gray, and the Rest of the Rotation Is ZiPS secretly rooting for the Red Sox? It loves Garrett Crochet (don’t we all?), who is projected to generate 5.3 WAR, the second most among pitchers, trailing Tarik Skubal (6.0 WAR). Sonny Gray is currently viewed as the team’s number two starter. Compared to last season’s gap between Crochet and the rest of the rotation, ZiPS is high on Gray, projecting a 112 ERA+ across 154.0 IP. It’s also optimistic about Brayan Bello (104 ERA+). @Alex Mayes and I have talked heavily about Bello’s future on the Talk Sox Podcast. The team’s starting pitching success depends on Brayan Bello, the bridge to the front and back of the rotation. Despite notching three full seasons under his belt, the right-hander's future remains uncertain Has he reached his full ceiling? Can he live up to his true potential? Moreover, what is his true potential? Could he be traded? Between Patrick Sandoval, Kutter Crawford, Connelly Early, Payton Tolle, and Kyle Harrison, the team has more than enough options to fill at the backend of the rotation. Regardless of the depth behind Bello, the rotation’s ceiling and stability hinges on whether he can emerge as a reliable anchor. The Big, Beautiful Bullpen Meanwhile, the bullpen looks great, aside from Zack Kelly. Aroldis Chapman is expected to have another successful season (143 ERA+, the team’s second-best mark, and a 2.74 FIP). After a strong season as a full-time reliever, ZiPS is keen on Garrett Whitlock, projecting a 132 ERA+ and 3.05 FIP. Holes at 3B, 2B, and Catcher It’s almost 2026. Following the Rafael Devers trade, Alex Bregman’s injury, and his eventual opt-out come the offseason, I feel like a broken record saying the Red Sox need infield depth. Fortunately, the Willson Contreras trade addressed depth at first base. However, for the rest of the infield, help is required. ZiPS views Marcelo Mayer as a third baseman, rather than a second baseman (where he played 57 innings in 2025). Excluding first base, Mayer can play wherever he’s needed in the infield. Ceddanne Rafaela and Romy González are projected to net the most playing time at second. Free agents Alex Bregman, Bo Bichette, and Kazuma Okamoto are unsigned and could help fill holes at second or third, so Rafaela can man center field on a full-time basis. Bench players like Romy González (projected .266/.307/.426, 102 OPS+, 0.9 WAR) and David Hamilton (projected .228/.298/.359, 83 0PS+, 1.8 WAR) are valuable contributors to the team, but when injuries forced them into full-time roles, their overall performance suffered. The team must add an everyday player at either second or third and deploy the González and Hamilton as depth when needed, rather than expect them to carry the workloads of starters. The catching group is projected to be around average. ZiPS is pessimistic about Carlos Narváez, projecting him to slash .224/.307/.362 with an 87 OPS+ and 1.6 WAR across 418 plate appearances. It expects Connor Wong’s bat to bounce back, though, slashing .248/.309/.386 with a 93 OPS+ and 0.6 WAR over 351 plate appearances. Maybe this is why the Red Sox have reportedly checked in on free-agent catcher J.T. Realmuto? After an emotionally turbulent season that featured the team’s first playoff appearance since 2021, the Red Sox are looking to build upon their success. ZiPS highlights areas of need in the roster, but overall is optimistic about the team’s future trajectory: Now, it’s up to Craig Breslow and the front office to fill the roster’s outstanding needs. View the full article

Blue Jays star George Springer was among the MLB players included on Team Puerto Rico's 35-man preliminary roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. However, Antolín Maldonado Ríos of Puerto Rican newspaper El Nuevo Día reports that Springer will not play in the tournament after all. According to the report, "Springer atribuyó su decisión a una lesión." ("Springer attributed his decision to an injury.") Presumably (read: hopefully), this is not a new injury issue, and Springer simply wants as much time as possible to fully recover from the various ailments that he played through this past year. Springer is eligible to play for Puerto Rico, the United States, and Panama in the World Baseball Classic, but he has never participated in the tournament. Featured image courtesy of Nick Turchiaro, Imagn Images. View the full article