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Football is at its apex. The NFL is closing in on the postseason, while the collegiate ranks play out their multitude of wacky, eccentric bowl games and new, expanded playoff system. You've probably already seen a million different analyses of the remaining matchups, so how about a new, entirely Twins-focused one? Here are the current and notable past Twins players with ties to teams in the College Football Playoffs. Indiana An upstart football powerhouse, the Hoosiers have consistently churned out MLB talent. Led by future fourth overall pick Kyle Schwarber, Indiana made the College World Series tournament in 2013 but fell to Mississippi State. Though Schwarber was the star of the team, the Twins had their eye on someone else: the 6’10” right-handed pitcher, Aaron Slegers, whom they drafted in the fifth round that year. Their most recent selection from the college—a 31st round third baseman named Luke Miller in 2017—did not sign with the team. Ohio State The Buckeyes are an oddly moribund program in terms of impact MLB talent: Nick Swisher and Dave Burba are the only two Ohio State products with a career rWAR over 3, though Dillon Dingler and Dominic Canzone could soon change that. Still, the Twins looked to Columbus for their 2010 first-round pick, right-handed pitcher Alex Wimmers. He labored in the minors before debuting in 2017, totaling 24 ⅔ innings in his Twins (and big-league) career. Georgia Minnesota claims a Bulldog in their system: 2025’s 12th-rounder, Kolten Smith. The righty served as a swingman for Georgia, striking out hitters at an impressive rate yet never holding an ERA below 5. He has yet to pitch for a Twins minor league team. Smith also broke a streak of 24 years between Georgia draftees by the Twins; the organization’s previous selection from Athens was fifth-round right-hander Jeremy Brown in 2001, who never pitched beyond rookie-ball. Recent Twin Kyle Farmer also played college ball with the Bulldogs. Texas Tech Eight of the top 10 Texas Tech products by rWAR are pitchers, which is perhaps unsurprising considering one of the greatest quarterbacks ever claims the college as his alma mater: this is the university for powerful arms. It’s fitting, then, that top Twins pitching prospect Andrew Morris was a fourth-round selection in 2022 from Lubbock. The 24-year-old broke out with a 2.88 ERA in 2023, split between A Fort Myers and A+ Cedar Rapids, before dominating for AA Wichita the following year. He’s now a Saint and a likely candidate to pitch for the big-league squad in 2026. Minnesota tried to add two Red Raiders in 2021 in Brandon Birdsell and Dylan Neuse, but only Neuse signed; he last played in the system in 2023. 2025 half-season relief ace and past, future one-that-got-away hurler, Danny Coulombe, also went to Texas Tech. Oregon Of all the teams in the CFP, the Twins have the greatest recent relationship with the Ducks. They selected the 6’11” pitcher Jason Reitz in the fourth round in June, likely hoping his awesome size augurs a unique look from the mound. 2023 eighth-rounder, Jace Stoffal, was also a Duck, although he retired before the 2024 season. Minnesota selected Jake Reed in the fifth round in 2014; he eventually debuted in 2021 and bounced around for three seasons before leaving baseball after 2023. Then, there are a pair of top 100 picks: right-hander (and Minnesota native) Madison Boer in 2011, who topped out at AA, and utility man Spencer Steer in 2019, who became a top prospect before his inclusion in the infamous Tyler Mahle deal in 2022. Ole Miss Lance Lynn is the Rebel with the best MLB career. That is the only mention he will get in this article. Minnesota looked to Oxford with their ninth-round selection in 2023, right-handed pitcher Jack Dougherty. He has yet to pitch in the system with what appears to be a nagging shoulder issue. The Ole Miss product you all know, though, is former piranha Matt Tolbert, who spent four deeply memorable seasons with the Twins as a gritty Nick Punto clone. Miami A four-time College World Series champion, the Hurricanes have been relatively eschewed by the Twins, who have only inked three Miami products since 2010, and haven’t looked to Coral Gables since taking pitcher Andrew Cabezas in 2018. Tertiary catcher Chris Hermann, who played for the Twins between 2012 and 2015, went to Miami, as did the team’s 2008 first-round pick, Carlos Gutierrez. But the most notable former Hurricane was a 19th-round diamond in the rough: Danny Valencia. The one-time third-place finisher in the rookie of the year vote could never match his 2010 season with the Twins, yet ended up playing in nine seasons as a journeyman bat who usually flashed enough slugging prowess to earn another contract. Alabama We conclude with what could be the most relevant college for Minnesota's future pitching staff. The Twins just selected Crimson Tide ace Riley Quick with the 36th overall pick in the 2025 draft. Ranked as the 10th-best prospect in the system by MLB.com, Quick’s bowling ball sinker could anchor a nasty east-west profile. Look for him to speed through the ranks in 2026. Minnesota double-dipped and handed nearly $200K to right-handed Alabama reliever Jonathan Stevens in the 16th-round; he’s already pitched in the system. The most MLB-imminent player with Tuscaloosa ties is lefty Connor Prielipp. The Twins made a rare aggressive play in 2022 with the Wisconsin native, handing him nearly $2 million despite a blown-out elbow, thanks to the strength of his wipeout slider. He finally stayed healthy in 2025 and should impact the big-league team in some capacity in 2026. View the full article

The Twins started the week by signing first baseman Josh Bell and have indicated they have some small, but extra room to spend for the 2026 season. Will the Pohlads back up their words and add more to the team before spring training, or will the rest of the offseason move at the slow pace it's been for the previous two? View the full article

The 2025 offseason has been an eventful one for the San Diego Padres. It started with the shocking resignation of Mike Shildt and the hiring of Craig Stammen. It has also featured the losses of star pitchers Dylan Cease and Robert Suarez, and most recently, the acquisition of sought-after Korean free agent Sung Mun Song. While the Padres have faced dramatic internal shifts this offseason, the remainder of the NL West is reshaping itself as well. Let’s take a look at San Diego’s divisional foes and how they stack up after notable additions and subtractions. Los Angeles Dodgers The rich continue to get richer. To the dismay of the Friar Faithful, the Padres’ arch-rival took home its second consecutive World Series title in 2025. The bad news for San Diego is that the Dodgers’ offseason has indicated nothing other than another year as World Series favorites. The most notable move by Los Angeles this winter was the acquisition of All-Star closer Edwin Diaz. If the Dodgers had one weak link in the 2025 postseason, it was the bullpen’s struggle to close games. Now, bringing in one of Major League Baseball’s top closers makes them all the more deadly. The retirement of future Hall of Fame pitcher Clayton Kershaw will put a void in the Dodgers’ clubhouse, but their dominant starting rotation will have no concern filling his role. Here are notable additions and subtractions for the back-to-back champions this offseason, according to MLB: Additions: Signed RP Edwin Diaz to a 3-year deal. 2025 WAR: 3.0 Re-signed SS Miguel Rojas to a 1-year deal. 2025 WAR: 1.9 Subtractions: SP Clayton Kershaw (retired). 2025 WAR: 1.6 Still on the board: UTIL Kiké Hernandez. 2025 WAR: -0.1 RP Michael Kopech. 2025 WAR: 0.2 RP Evan Phillips. 2025 WAR: 0.4 RP Kirby Yates. 2025 WAR: -0.5 OF Michael Conforto. 2025 WAR: -0.7 SP Tony Gonsolin. 2025 WAR: 0.0 SP Andrew Heaney. 2025 WAR: -0.3 Excluding re-signings and counting all remaining free agents as subtractions, the WAR +/- of the Dodgers’ additions and subtractions still comes out to +2.4. Another offseason where the empire to the North gets stronger. San Francisco Giants Like the Padres, the Giants’ offseason started with a change in manager. After firing Bob Melvin, San Francisco made an unprecedented move, hiring Tony Vitello from the University of Tennessee, who has no former coaching experience at the professional level. Buster Posey is taking the team in a new direction at the top, aiming to keep the Giants in Postseason contention in 2026. The Giants’ moves mostly rely on reshaping their pitching staff. Here are those moves so far, according to MLB: Additions: Signed RP Jason Foley to a 1-year deal. 2025 WAR: 3.4 Signed RP Sam Hentges to a 1-year deal. 2025 WAR: 1.4 Signed SP Adrian Houser to a 2-year deal. 2025 WAR: 3.3 Subtractions: C Andrew Knizner (signed with Seattle). 2025 WAR: 0.3 Still on the board: 1B Wilmer Flores. 2025 WAR: 0.3 1B Dominic Smith. 2025 WAR: 0.4 SP Justin Verlander. 2025 WAR: 1.2 RP Joey Lucchesi. 2025 WAR: 0.4 C Tom Murphy. 2025 WAR: N/A Even when counting all remaining free agents as subtractions, the Giants still have a WAR +/- of +5.5 in the offseason. A bolstered pitching staff should keep San Francisco afloat in the NL West in 2026. Arizona Diamondbacks Two years removed from a Cinderella run to the World Series, the D-backs are trying to turn the tide back towards the postseason. Arizona has not played postseason ball since the 2023 World Series, finishing just outside of the NL Wild Card in consecutive years. Like San Francisco, the Diamondbacks' offseason has focused on pitching reinforcement, notably bringing back Merrill Kelly just months after dealing him to Texas at the trade deadline. Zac Gallen, the club’s long-time ace, is currently testing the market, which would leave a hole in the rotation, but Arizona’s signings have prepared them for his departure. These are the Diamondbacks' moves this offseason, according to MLB: Additions: Signed SP Merrill Kelly to a 2-year deal. 2025 WAR: 2.9 Signed SP Michael Soroka to a 1-year deal. 2025 WAR: 0.6 Re-signed C James McCann to a 1-year deal. 2025 WAR: 1.0 Subtractions: RP Kyle Backhus (traded to Philadelphia). 2025 WAR: -0.1 Still on the board: SP Zac Gallen. 2025 WAR: 1.1 RP Jalen Beeks. 2025 WAR: 0.9 Excluding re-signings and counting all remaining free agents as subtractions, Arizona’s WAR +/- this offseason is +1.6. Although their moves have been marginal, the Diamondbacks are gearing themselves up for another year of postseason contention. Colorado Rockies After a historically bad 2025 season and third-straight 100-loss season, the Rockies finally decided to make front office changes. Colorado hired analytics guru and Moneyball hero, Paul DePodesta, as President of Baseball Operations and hired former Padres General Manager Josh Byrnes as GM. The moves stop there. Despite the changes at the top, it has been another offseason of non-action for Colorado, being the only team yet to sign an MLB contract this winter. All signs point to German Marquez, their former ace, walking in free agency, but he has not been the same since receiving Tommy John surgery. Here are Colorado’s moves (or lack thereof) this offseason: Additions: None as of Dec. 27, 2025 Subtractions: RP Ryan Rolison (traded to Atlanta). 2025 WAR: -0.3 Still on the board: SP German Marquez. 2025 WAR: -1.1 1B Michael Toglia. 2025 WAR: -1.7 SS Orlando Arcia. 2025 WAR: -1.2 INF Kyle Farmer. 2025 WAR: -0.8 Somehow, if all of Colorado’s free agents sign elsewhere, they will gain 5.5 WAR in the offseason, without making any signings. If their inactivity doesn’t make it obvious, the Rockies have no plans of competing in 2026, but moves at the top of the organization could be the start of much-needed change for Colorado. Implications for the Padres All signs point to another competitive season in the NL West for the Padres in 2026. The Dodgers, Giants, and Diamondbacks have all made improvements at the margins this winter, making for another exciting year of baseball out west. View the full article

This may be the biggest and most star-studded World Baseball Classic yet. The 2023 tournament was a massive success, punctuated by Shohei Ohtani striking out his at-the-time teammate Mike Trout to clinch Japan's third WBC championship in six tournaments. Fast forward to 2026, and the event is picking up even more steam. Many more of baseball's star players have committed to playing, and Team USA is loaded with elite talent led by Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh, along with frontline starters Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes. Team Japan, led by Shohei Ohtani, will once again be a tough challenge, while the Dominican Republic is stacked with All-Stars and MVP-caliber players, including the Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. Team Canada may not have the same high-end talent as these other nations, but there is no doubt that the roster Canada puts together will be able to compete and have a chance to strike an upset or two, and in a short tournament where small samples mean so much, anything is truly possible. Canadian baseball fans may remember in 2006, when Team Canada, led by Justin Morneau, Jason Bay, and Matt Stairs, upset a loaded American team 8-6, showing that on any given day, anything is truly possible. The team already has several MLB and high-end prospects committed to Team Canada, and thanks to Shi Davadi of Sportsnet, we have a list of players who have confirmed to wear the Maple Leaf for Team Canada when pool play starts in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in March. Team Canada Locks Manager - Ernie Whitt Infield Catcher - Bo Naylor First Base - Josh Naylor Second Base - Edouard Julien Shortstop - Otto Lopez Third Base - Abraham Toro UTIL - Trei Cruz The infield seems to be a strength for this team. Josh Naylor is a former All-Star and is coming off a career-best 3.1 bWAR season. His brother Bo played in 123 games for Cleveland and hit 14 home runs. Julien was exceptional in the 2023 WBC (1.821 OPS) and is looking to bounce back after two sub-replacement-level seasons in Minnesota. Lopez provides elite shortstop defence, and he’s coming off a 3.5 bWAR season. Toro can play all around the infield, and Cruz (the son of former Blue Jay Jose Cruz Jr) is a switch-hitter who posted an .867 OPS across two minor league levels in Detroit's system in 2025. Outfield Tyler O'Neill Denzel Clarke Owen Caissie Jared Young The outfield is young and has a wealth of talent. O’Neill is a veteran of eight MLB seasons, has two Gold Glove awards, and has two 30-home-run seasons under his belt. Clarke may be one of the best up-and-coming defensive centerfielders in all of baseball. Caissie made his MLB debut with the Cubs this season and is considered the best prospect in their system. Jared Young has had some MLB time, but he did post a .969 OPS, getting on base over 40% of the time in Triple-A with the Mets. Pitchers RHP Michael Soroka RHP Cal Quantrill RHP Matt Brash LHP Rob Zastryzny LHP James Paxton RHP Phillippe Aumont RHP Curtis Taylor LHP Adam Macko RHP Jordan Balazovic RHP Eric Cerantola LHP Logan Allen If there is one downside to Canada, it may be the rotation. Soroka and Quantrill have had some success in the big leagues. Matt Brash is armed with a 98 mph fastball and a career 31.1% strikeout rate. Zastryzny is a veteran of seven big league seasons and has a 2.12 ERA over his last two years with Milwaukee. James Paxton, who retired after the 2024 season, brings veteran experience and familiarity with high-leverage play. Aumont has pitched for Canada in four WBCs already. Taylor, Macko, and Cerantola are all currently pitching in Triple A in the Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Royals systems, respectively. Balazovic got a cup of coffee with the Twins in 2023 and posted a 3.75 ERA in Detroit's minor league system. Allen has most recently pitched in Korea, made 31 starts, and logged 173 innings, and will likely make a start for Team Canada during the tournament. Team Canada Maybes Infield First base - Freddie Freeman Catcher - Liam Hicks UTIL - Tyler Black Outfield Tristan Peters Freddie Freeman becomes the big wild card here, a nine-time All-Star, three-time World Series winner, and former MVP would help any team, and Canada is no exception. Freeman’s mother is Canadian, and he has played for Team Canada in the past to honor her. There seems to be mutual interest between the two parties, and if Freeman can play, he would immediately become the focal point of Canada’s lineup. The drawback may be that he’s not 100% healthy, as he has battled wrist, ankle, and hip injuries over the course of the 2025 season, and manager Ernie Whitt said that Freeman is “having some procedures done” and the Dodgers may prefer it that he spends more time resting and recovering in camp, especially since they played deep into October. Expect more information to come about Freeman as the tournament draws closer. Hicks, Black, and Peters all have a decent shot of being on the roster, as all of them have made it to the majors and have had limited forms of success. Hicks may have the best chance as he is a catcher, but assuming everyone on the prior list is ready to play, these players may be the odd men out Pitchers RHP Jordan Romano LHP Mitch Bratt RHP Jonah Tong RHP Jameson Taillon RHP Zach Pop RHP Rowan Wick If Team Canada adds some of these pitchers, that would add to the upside of the team. From reading Shi’s Article, there is some mutual interest in Romano pitching for the team. Tong and Bratt both may prefer to spend time at their respective spring training camps, but both are young and have immense upside. Taillon said Canada asked him back in November, but he's still “working through it all right now”. Pop and Wick seem unlikely, but both have had big league success previously and could always be an option. Team Canada Unlikelys Infielders First base - Vladimir Guerrero Jr. As fun as it would be, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has already committed to playing for the Dominican Republic in the WBC. Pitchers RHP Nick Pivetta RHP Cade Smith LHP Erik Sabrowski Nick Pivetta is coming off his best MLB season, where he threw a career-high 181 2/3 IP and 5.3 bWAR. The chances of him playing are not zero, as he was going to play for Canada during the 2023 WBC but then dropped out due to illness. Davidi mentioned in the previous article that Pivetta, Smith, and Sabrowski are all unlikely to play, citing a large workload over the past two seasons with Smith and injury issues with Sabrowski. All three of these pitchers would have been a boost to Team Canada, but they will likely have to piece things together without them this go around. Things are certainly going to change between now and March when the tournament is set to get underway, but on paper, Team Canada has a blend of solid major leaguers, young players with upside, and a reliable set of position players. It's exactly the type of team that could surprise and go on a run in a short tournament. If there was ever a World Baseball Classic where Canada was positioned to break through, 2026 might be it. View the full article

Spencer and Joseph Zarr discuss the Carolina Mudcats' final season in Zebulon, their rebrand and move to Wilson, and give their personal tiers of position players and pitchers. They also answer listener questions along the way. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brewer-fanatic-podcast/id1740648724 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CY8mWsQayqjDXqw9OT2Td iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-the-brewer-fanatic-podcast-166534588/ Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/ommzz627 Watch On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brewerfanatic View the full article

There is a growing list of players who were designated for assignment by their previous MLB teams, only to very quickly experience newfound success with the Miami Marlins. That list includes Declan Cronin, who was Miami's most effective reliever for an extended stretch of the 2024 season. Cronin showed a lot of versatility as a rookie—he frequently went multiple innings, worked back-to-back days and inherited baserunners depending on what the club needed from him. He pitched a total of 70 ⅓ innings with a pedestrian 4.35 ERA, but a far more encouraging 2.58 FIP. However, Cronin was unable to build upon that campaign in 2025 because of a series of injuries. Anything he achieves once he fully recovers will transpire in a different uniform. Cronin's age-27 season got off to a delayed start. During spring training, he suffered what was publicly announced as a left hip strain. Cronin got much more specific in an interview with Ben Lindbergh on Friday's episode of Effectively Wild, explaining that incorporating a new drill into his workout routine caused damage to "delicate little muscles" in his hip. Rotating his hips while going through his pitching delivery aggravated the injury. "What I probably should've done was taken some serious time off from throwing, just actually allowing the muscles and the tissue to fully heal before putting them through that stress again," Cronin said. "But I wanted to kind of 'go, go, go,' so we 'kept the arm moving,' kept throwing." He began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville on April 10. While making back-to-back appearances on April 12-13, he had a setback and was "back to square one." A hip specialist in Nashville provided Cronin with a different interpretation of his unique injury and his rehab plan changed accordingly. A month later, he was throwing pain-free and cleared to face live batters again. Although Cronin's velocity and pitch shapes weren't all the way back to his 2024 form, "I and everyone else kinda thought, 'Okay, you're just getting back into the swing of it. You gotta remember this is kinda like a second offseason/on-ramp for you.'" When the Marlins optioned Cronin to Jacksonville on May 31, he believed that he was only a week or two away from being major league-ready. Unfortunately, "I just never got back to what I felt like before the hip injury," Cronin said. "My body had patterned—over months of low-intensity throwing and/or throwing with pain—certain kind of compensatory movement patterns that just totally compromised by ability to throw how I want to throw. Even though I was pain-free, I could not convince myself to throw normally and to use my lower half specifically normally." That led indirectly to shoulder pain. Even when that subsided and Cronin returned from another IL stint in early August, he still felt out of sync. "Something has to give here," he remembered thinking at the time. Indeed, on August 16, his right UCL gave out. "I immediately knew," Cronin said. "I could feel the space in my elbow expand at ball release...I kinda felt that 'pop' and release of tension." After consultation with renowned surgeon Dr. Keith Meister, it was clear that Cronin would need Tommy John surgery. Cronin was under the impression that the Marlins would be retaining him for the 2026 season, placing him on the 60-day IL throughout the year-long rehab process. That's what they will be doing for Ronny Henriquez, who had his own elbow surgery earlier this month. Instead, before the procedure even took place, the Marlins released Cronin on September 6. "It was very surprising," he said. "Certainly not something that I anticipated or anybody close to me anticipated. It also kinda wasn't what we had been told and nothing I'd ever seen before, but check the rulebook, they're allowed to do it, so power to them to exercise their rights." The Marlins apparently had doubts about Cronin reestablishing himself as an impactful pitcher in 2027. Even so, the timing of the release was callous. Rather than making him navigate the surgery and early rehab process on his own, they could have easily waited until the conventional 40-man roster cleanup period in November. In free agency, Cronin signed a two-year minor league deal with the Texas Rangers. Many teams expressed interest in him, but the Rangers were the first to submit a written offer. "I'd play for Skip (Schumaker) any day, so I was really excited to see that he was over there," Cronin said about reuniting with his 2024 manager. His former Fish teammates Jake Burger, Jonah Bride and Anthony Veneziano are also in the Rangers organization. View the full article

When baseball fans think about Red Sox pitching, most revert straight to Garrett Crochet. What if I told you their rotation is destined to get exponentially better in the years to come? This video goes through an in-depth analysis of top pitching prospects Payton Tolle, Kyson Witherspoon, Connelly Early, and Jake Bennett. View the full article

In the first half of this countdown, the lower half of the list highlighted how rarely the Minnesota Twins have dipped into free agency and come away with long-term value. Even the players ranked ten through six carried some combination of brevity risk or narrow roles. That is simply the reality for a franchise that has historically relied far more on development and trades than open checkbooks. The top five tell a different story. These are not just valuable contributors or pleasant surprises. These signings shaped seasons, changed expectations, and in some cases altered the direction of the franchise itself. Each arrived with a clear purpose and delivered at a level that justified the investment, even if the contract length was short or the window was brief. What separates this group is not just production but timing. These were players signed when the Twins were ready to win or desperate to matter again. Free agency did not merely supplement the roster here. It defined it. 5. Jim Thome, DH Contract(s): 2-years, $4.5 million 2010-2011 Seasons: 4.5 rWAR, .266/.387/.562 (.949) 158 OPS+ The Twins signed Thome late in his career and got exactly what they needed. He brought massive power, instant credibility, and a historic milestone when he hit his 600th home run while wearing a Twins uniform. He was a linchpin in the team’s 2010 AL Central title and provided some of the most memorable moments in Target Field history. 4. Brian Harper, C/1B Contract(s): 6-years, $6.26 million 1988-1993 Seasons: 13.4 rWAR, .306/.342/.431 (.773), 110 OPS+ Harper was never flashy, but he was productive and dependable. He provided offense from the catching position and played a meaningful role on competitive teams, including the 1991 championship club. In that epic World Series, he slashed .381/.435/.476 (.911) with two doubles. Harper might be one of the most underrated players from the Twins teams of the early 1990s. 3. Chili Davis, DH/OF Contract(s): 2-years, $4.5 million 1991-1992 Seasons: 5.2 rWAR, .282/.385/.476 (.862), 136 OPS+ Davis was a vital piece of the 1991 World Series team. He got on base, drove in runs, and delivered in the postseason. In the 1991 ALCS, he went 5-for-17 (.294 BA) with two doubles and five walks. In the epic World Series, he hit two key home runs and posted a .556 SLG. For a short-term signing, his value could hardly have been higher. 2. Jack Morris, SP Contract(s): 1-year, $3.7 million 1991 Season: 4.3 rWAR, 3.43 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 125 ERA+ One season was enough. Morris signed before 1991 and anchored a championship rotation. His ten-inning shutout in Game 7 of the World Series remains one of the most iconic performances the sport has ever seen. In that 1991 World Series, he posted a 1.17 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP in 23 innings. He was an All-Star and finished fourth in the AL Cy Young voting during his lone Twins season. 1. Nelson Cruz, DH Contract(s): 3-years, $39 million 2019-2021 Seasons: 8.3 rWAR, .304/.386/.598 (.984), 162 ERA+ There may be debate over who gets the top spot, but Cruz is a deserving candidate. His arrival before the 2019 season transformed the Twins' lineup overnight, and his 41 homers helped power the team to a record-breaking home run season. He provided veteran leadership and mentorship on a team that won over 100 games. Few free agent signings have delivered that level of impact so quickly in Minnesota. It also helps that the Twins were able to flip his expiring contract to the Rays for Joe Ryan. The Top 5 free agent signings in Twins history represent the rare moments when Minnesota fully extracted value from the open market. None of these players were perfect fits forever, and most did not stay long. That is not the point. Their impact was concentrated, meaningful, and often unforgettable. From championship-defining performances to offensive transformations, these signings show what free agency can look like when conviction meets opportunity. The Twins may never be a franchise that lives at the top of the market, but history suggests they do not need to be. They just need to be right. Do you agree with the Top 5 rankings? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

Add another name to the list of infielders the Toronto Blue Jays have checked in on this winter: Yoán Moncada. According to reporter Francys Romero, the Blue Jays have shown "early interest" in the 30-year-old third baseman, as have the Angels, Pirates, and White Sox. Moncada briefly debuted with the Red Sox in 2016 before he was traded to the White Sox as part of the package for Chris Sale. He spent the next eight years of his career with the South Siders. For one shining season in 2019, he looked like the generational superstar the White Sox thought they were trading for, but for the most part, he struggled with injuries and underperformance. Injuries (thumb and knee) continued to plague Moncada in 2025 with the Angels, but when he was on the field, he played reasonably well, hitting 12 home runs in 84 games, with a .783 OPS and 117 wRC+. Although he's a switch-hitter, Moncada has always been worse against left-handed pitching, and the Angels largely shielded him from southpaws. However, he was a legitimately productive hitter facing righties from the left-hand side. For what it's worth, the Blue Jays would reportedly like to add a lefty bat. That said, it's worth wondering if the Blue Jays really have enough at-bats to offer a player like Moncada. GM Ross Atkins might be just doing his due diligence on the infield market. After all, the Jays already have a much more promising lefty-batting third baseman in Addison Barger. The big-name infielders the Blue Jays have checked in on include Bo Bichette, Alex Bregman (link), Ketel Marte (link), and Kazuma Okamoto (link). Each of those players would be a substantial upgrade for Toronto's offense. As for Moncada, it's not a given that he would be enough of an upgrade to be worth his taking playing time away from the likes of Barger, Ernie Clement, Andrés Giménez, and Davis Schneider, Toronto's current infield alignment. So, what do Blue Jays fans think? Is this nothing more than smoke, or would you like to see Toronto make a serious offer to Yoán Moncada? Share your thoughts in our comments section below. Featured image courtesy of Gary A. Vasquez, Imagn Images. View the full article

Compared to star closers like Edwin Diaz and Devin Williams — both of whom signed long-term contracts in free agency this offseason — the Chicago Cubs' bullpen remodeling has been about reeling in a bunch of small fishes, rather than a giant one worth posing with. Phil Maton has been the only multi-year splurge made by the front office; other additions include a reunion with Caleb Thielbar, and one-year pacts with Hoby Milner and Jacob Webb. The team's latest signing of Hunter Harvey fits that same model, though he brings a bit more heat (literally and figuratively) to a relief corps in desperate need of some true high-leverage horsepower. All of the Cubs' reliever additions this winter have one thing in common: they don't throw fast. Thielbar, Milner and Maton ranked toward the very bottom of the league with fastballs that averaged less than 90 mph in 2025, and Webb was below average in that category as well. Daniel Palencia should be a reliable leverage arm moving forward, but as the primary (only?) source of meaningful velocity in the bullpen, Craig Counsell was going to have to get really creative with piecing together outs from the relief corps Jed Hoyer had assembled. Luckily, Harvey can add some gas to the fire. His fastball averaged more than 96 mph this past season with the Kansas City Royals, and in 2022-23, he was pumping it in around 98.3 mph. Even if injuries have sapped some of his juice, there's clearly a high-powered arm attached to the 31-year-old. Of course, injuries are a big part of the equation for the right-hander, who has struggled to stay healthy since turning pro. Despite turning in a 0.00 ERA and 1.35 FIP this past season, he only made 12 appearances (10 2/3 innings) due to a teres major strain and a separate Grade 2 adductor strain. In fact, he's only made 50 appearances in a season once (2023), and his healthiest three-season stretch (2022-24) only saw him tackle about 150 innings. He's just not durable, hence the short-term nature of his deal. As long as he can stay relatively put together for 2026, that's of no great concern to the Cubs. He's struck out 27.4% of opposing hitters since the start of the 2022 season, and his walk rate plummeted to 2.6% in 2025. That's a wildly intriguing combination, even if hitters tend to crush the ball (40.7% hard-hit rate, 92.4 mph average exit velocity allowed) when they make contact. Those batted-ball trends can likely be chalked up to the fact that he relies so heavily on his four-seam fastball and lives so frequently in the zone; he still generates whiffs and chases at a solidly above-average rate. Harvey makes a living off his high-rise fastball and bowling-ball splitter, featuring them about 80% of the time, give or take a few pitches each season. Peculiarly, he absolutely feasts with run on his pitches rather than any real cutting action, which is somewhat of a departure from the norm for the Cubs. Perhaps there's some work to be done with his slider and curveball that he continues to oscillate favor with, as both pitches represent his best chances to work away from right-handed hitters (he's worked reverse splits quite often, including his small sample in 2025). Still, the whole point of adding Harvey was adding premium velocity to a bullpen short on it. Insofar as his fastball doesn't fall off a proverbial cliff in 2026, that one pitch alone should make him a breath of fresh air for Craig Counsell and Cubs fans alike. View the full article

The Miami Marlins traded Dane Myers to the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday afternoon. In exchange, they picked up outfielder Ethan O'Donnell. Myers landed in Miami three years ago as a minor league Rule 5 draft pick and immediately surpassed expectations. The converted pitcher raked in the upper minors and made his MLB debut on July 4, 2023. Playing the game with an extremely high motor, he quickly became a fan favorite. The 2025 season was a rollercoaster for Myers. At age 29, he looked to be emerging as the Marlins' everyday center fielder, slashing .333/.377/.481 in 44 games played through June 15. Coincidence or not, he was hit by a pitch on June 16, and from that point forward, Myers became a liability at the plate. His campaign ended prematurely after colliding with the outfield wall at Citizens Bank Park on September 23. Overall across parts of three MLB seasons, Myers is merely a .245/.299/.354 hitter (81 wRC+). However, he's a weapon versus left-handed pitching (.297/.360/.456 and 126 wRC+). O'Donnell was drafted by the Reds out of the University of Virginia in 2023. He spent this past season with Double-A Chattanooga, where he slashed .236/.327/.325 with seven home runs, 20 stolen bases and a 90 wRC+ in 125 games. Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs cautions that there is "a huge hole in his swing against fastballs up and away from him." MLB Pipeline had O'Donnell ranked 18th on their Reds top prospects list, while Longenhagen didn't rank him at all among the organization's top 39 prospects. The left-handed hitter has gotten professional reps at all three outfield positions. He turns 24 years old in March and will be Rule 5-eligible after the 2026 season. Fish On First's own Isaac Azout reported that the Reds also attempted to acquire Myers prior to the July 31 trade deadline. It's unclear if he had other suitors back then or during this offseason. Myers' departure fully clears the runway for Heriberto Hernández to make his first career Opening Day roster coming off a productive rookie season. Fellow righty bats like Christopher Morel and Connor Norby could get more reps in the corner outfield spots than previously thought. This also creates a temporary opening on the Marlins 40-man roster. That opening should be filled in the coming days when the club's one-year, $13 million deal with reliever Pete Fairbanks is officially announced. View the full article

The Minnesota Twins have had a very quiet offseason, at least in terms of adding on-field talent. Even during the winter meetings when other teams were making movements to fill gaps, the Twins grabbed a player during the Rule 5 Draft and traded him immediately. Nothing flashy, nothing grandiose, just a little building and maintenance. Looking at the 40-man roster and the potential active roster, the Twins have talent, and with the turnover on the coaching staff, the hope is that results will improve. The front office not making big moves is probably smart on their part right now, but there are still gaps in the lineup. There are still questions at first base where there has been a lot of turnover and change the past four seasons. Last season, Twins first basemen ranked 25th out of 30 teams defensively. There was plenty of talking around, looking specifically at first base options. During the Winter Meetings, the Big Fish, Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso, signed their new contracts. Clearly the Twins weren't swimming in that pool, but they were believed to be looking at the secondary market at first base, such as Rhys Hoskins, Ryan O’ Hearn, and Josh Bell were floating around the rumor mill as potential targets for the Twins. Not a poor choice in the bunch, just what would fit best, and what would the front office be willing to spend with their available funds. The Twins were serious about plugging in another first baseman, so it wasn’t a matter of when, just a matter of who. The Twins jumped into the secondary first base market shortly after the Winter Meetings completed. At 9:28 am on December 15th, Jeff Passan posted on X that the Twins and switch-hitter Josh Bell had agreed to a one-year contract with a 2027 mutual option. While Bell is a first baseman and can and will more than likely play first base, the switch-hitter was picked up for his bat. He will likely serve in the DH role often as he did his last season with the Washington Nationals. At the same time, most fans recall Bell’s 2025 season as being far less productive at the plate than his previous seasons. He ended 2025 with a .237/.325/.417 slash line, suitable for a 110 OPS+, and his relentless work ethic is what makes him a reliable player and leader. If you haven't followed Josh Bell in his career, here is a little background and a snapshot of what the Twins are getting. Bell attended Jesuit College Preparatory in Dallas and had committed to play baseball at the University of Texas. In his senior year of high school, he hit .548 with a 1.054 slugging percentage, 13 home runs, 54 runs batted in, and 54 runs scored. However, Baseball America stated that he was the nation’s top corner outfielder available in the 2011 draft, and even though he was a sought-after commodity, he wrote a letter to the Commissioner's office stating that he would not sign with anyone and intended to honor his commitment to Texas. Despite the notification, he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second round, He still went to Texas, took some classes, worked out, and then decided to sign with the Pirates in August 2011 for a $5 million signing bonus, setting a record for a second-round draft pick. MLB.com ranked Bell as the 69th best prospect in baseball and number three in the Pirates organization. His professional rise wasn’t instantaneous. In fact, he was in the Pirates minor league system for five years. Ultimately, he used that time to develop, to ready himself for the big leagues. He debuted in 2016, a reminder that some of the game’s most impactful bats aren’t always the fastest risers. Once in the majors, Bell immediately showcased why Pittsburgh invested in him. Even though he was brought up, sent down, and had knee surgery all within a year, he never missed a game or went on the Injured List. On September 4, 2017, Bell broke the National League record for most home runs by a rookie switch hitter. Over five seasons with the Pirates, he posted a .261 batting average with power that translated into 86 home runs across 552 games. His breakout 2019 season earned him an All‑Star nod and a Home Run Derby appearance, milestones that cemented his status as a legitimate middle‑of‑the‑order presence during his peak. But Bell’s career arc hasn’t been a straight line of success. After his All‑Star season, he moved through several teams, including multiple stints with the Nationals. He won a Silver Slugger in 2022. However, a series of trades and signings that have kept him moving around the league, landing back again with the Nationals in 2025. In 2025, Bell experienced the kind of inconsistency that has marked parts of his career. Bell opened the season slowly at the plate before settling into more reliable production. He ended the season with 22 home runs and became the second player on the Nationals, joining Danny Espinosa, to hit home runs from both sides of the plate in the same game. Bell’s defensive metrics have drawn mixed reviews, and rightfully so. In 2025, an already struggling offense for the Nationals was not assisted at all with Bell’s first base performances, or lack thereof, but for the Twins, he will primarily be a DH and will bring a veteran voice to the locker room. The Twins have a fairly young team, not the youngest anymore, but certainly comparatively young and inexperienced to the rest of the league. Along with his presence and a shake-up of the coaching staff, Minnesota is still adamant on 2026 being a season of developmental emphasis and roster evaluation, particularly as the team assesses its competitive timetable. He will add a nice, power-hitting bat to the lineup, while hopefully helping grow the confidence and professionalism of the younger players. This move is calculated. It doesn’t mean that Hoskins or O’Hearn would have been a bad fit. However, having a switch-hitting DH, especially with Clemens available to cover first base, a veteran bat with pop and a track record of production who might unlock lineup balance and offer clubhouse mentorship while allowing Minnesota to keep its long‑term options open by not spending a lot. The AL Central clearly isn’t the best division. Still, it’s a division that demands both offense and savvy roster construction, especially against the ever-frustrating Cleveland Guardians. Bell’s signing strikes a balance of both and gives the Twins another intriguing storyline to follow as spring training approaches. View the full article

As the calendar turns to 2026, the Jays are about to embark on a season they hope will play out similarly to last season… but with a different outcome. This offseason has been a busy one for Toronto’s front office as they try to maintain some consistency in the roster while strengthening areas they hope will make a difference. A lot of headlines are focusing on the Jays “going all in,” but one of the many question marks is whether the team is building solely for 2026 or whether the success can be sustained. Is it all in for 2026 or bust? Or will it just be a start? By 2027, the Jays will be the product of several converging storylines: the maturation of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., a bridge class of pitching additions, and a wave of prospects, particularly on the mound. Layered atop that baseball story is the club’s evolving financial profile. Rogers seems content to spend after a sensational season, but does that approach continue? The 2026 starting pitching staff is structured as a bridge to youth. In late 2025, the Jays spent aggressively to sign Dylan Cease (seven years, $210 million), brought in Shane Bieber on a short-term arrangement (through 2026 with a player option), and elevated Trey Yesavage into an October role that signaled a near‑term rotation track. Cody Ponce (three-year, $30 million contract) also signed while Kevin Gausman wraps up the final year of his (five-year, $110 million signed in 2021) and José Berríos is signed through 2028 with a player opt-out at the end of 2026. By Opening Day in 2027, the starting rotation will be something like Yesavage, Cease, Ponce, and Berríos. Likely, Ricky Tiedemann will have worked his way into the rotation. All signs point to him joining the team at some point in 2026. Prospects Stephen, Watts‑Brown, Gage Stanifer, and Johnny King might also make the jump by 2027. Every bullpen sees highs and lows throughout a season. 2026 will see a somewhat new look back-end for the Jays. One would assume the same for 2027. By then, Jeff Hoffman might still be the closer and in the final year of his three-year, $33 million deal. Tyler Rogers will be in the second year of a three-year, $37 million deal. Chase Lee, who was acquired from the Tigers, has some options and will be arbitration eligible in 2027. Will Yimi Garcia return? His current deal expires after 2026. Brendon Little will be arbitration-eligible potentially in 2028 and can hit free agency in 2031. Mason Fluharty’s current deal (3-year, $33 million) wraps up in 2027. Braydon Fisher and Paxton Schultz will be eligible for arbitration in 2029 and free agency in 2032. Eric Lauer is under club control for 2026, and there has been no word on whether they will extend him. There will undoubtedly be questions for 2027 and beyond when it comes to the bullpen. Offensively, the team will be led by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who will be under contract through 2039. In 2025, the team’s season was defined by universal offensive upticks versus 2024, including a higher batting average, OBP, and slugging percentage. It still isn’t clear whether 2026 and the team's long-term outlook will emphasize contact quality, but it does seem likely given 2025’s success. Signing Bo Bichette and/or Kyle Tucker to long-term contracts would signal that the team will maintain this approach. Around the infield, into 2027, will include Andrés Giménez at second or short. Giménez has a club option in 2030. Ernie Clement will play a role in the infield until 2029, having been tendered a contract for that year. Clement is arbitration-eligible, meaning he'll be controlled by the team until becoming a free agent in 2029. At the start of last season, Alejandro Kirk signed a 5-year, $58 million contract extension that will keep him with the team through 2030. Tyler Heineman is signed through 2028 and is arbitration-eligible. Prospect Edward Duran is projected to be ready for the majors by 2027. Outside of free agency or trades, there’s a chance that Arjun Nimmala, who surged into the Top‑100 status as the youngest regular in the Northwest League this past season, might be ready for the majors by 2027 (although projections suggest the #3-ranked prospect in the Jays system will arrive in Toronto in 2028). #2-ranked prospect JoJo Parker, who was drafted 8th overall by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2025 MLB Draft, is projected to get to the Majors by 2029. In the outfield, prospects might also be in the mix by 2027. Prospects Yohendrick Pinango, Victor Arias, and RJ Schreck are projected to be ready by then. George Springer wraps up his 6-year ($150 million) contract in 2026. Daulton Varsho will hit free agency at the same time. Addison Barger is under club control until 2030, as is Nathan Lukes, and potentially Anthony Satander (club option in 2030). Myles Straw has team options for 2027 ($8M) and 2028 ($8.5M) and a $1.75M buyout in 2027. If Tucker signs a long-term deal with the Jays, that would probably mean the front office will start moving around those pieces a bit. Nothing about 2027 happens in a vacuum. The AL East remains the sport’s elasticity test: multiple 90‑win entrants, back-and-forth winters, and tiny margins. FanGraphs’ depth charts and projection snapshots around late 2025–26 consistently put the Yankees, Blue Jays, and Red Sox in the 90‑win bandwidth for 2026, with the Orioles and Rays oscillating based on youth graduation and payroll posture. The lesson for 2027: roster quality isn’t enough; optionality is the currency. That means sixth/seventh starter depth, RHP/LHP relief symmetry, platoon bats, etc. Can the Jays build a dynasty based on their 2025 season success? It won’t be easy, or cheap. Every successful team needs talent, a strong culture, and a bit of luck. The first two seem to be mainly in place, not just for 2026 but also for 2027. Can the existing and new pieces maintain the winning culture that propelled them within two outs of a world championship? Right now, everyone is focusing on 2026, but 2027 is already taking shape. If the team sputters in 2026, then it might throw 2027 into flux as players on expiring contracts will likely be traded for prospects, and even the coaching staff might change. The result might be a shift in chemistry and culture, maybe for the better but maybe for the worse. A disappointing 2026 might also tighten Rogers’ purse strings and shift the approach from “win it now” to “tread water.” Here’s hoping that 2026 mirrors 2025, and the Jays don’t stop. 2025 might just have been the start of something special, and two seasons from now might see that momentum continue. If the pieces fall into place, 2027 could be the year Toronto turns momentum into a lasting legacy. View the full article

Part 1: #21-25 Part 2: #16-20 15. Joey Ortiz, SS 2026 Season Age: 27 Controlled through: 2029 Jason’s Rank: 19 | Michael’s Rank: 10 | Steve’s Rank: 20 Although Ortiz wasn’t quite able to fill the shoes of Willy Adames as the Brewers’ starting shortstop, he still has considerable potential as a player. As you recall, he came over to Milwaukee along with DL Hall from Baltimore in exchange for Corbin Burnes and carried high expectations as Baltimore’s eighth-ranked prospect in 2023. His rookie year lived up to the hype, posting 3.2 fWAR across 142 games while playing third base. Unfortunately, the sophomore slump was absolutely real for Ortiz. Depending on which defensive metric you look at, he was either outstanding (12 OAA, 10 FRV) or slightly below average (-2 DRS). His offensive production was less debatable with his 67 wRC+, the third-lowest mark of qualified MLB players. It would be surprising if his offensive struggles became a long-term issue, but it’d absolutely be a question mark for any teams that would consider acquiring him. He’s young, has plenty of team control left, and is capable of playing great defense, but the uncertainty surrounding his bat prevents him from being more valuable than some of the other young talents in Milwaukee’s system. 14. Chad Patrick, RHP 2026 Season Age: 27 Controlled through: 2031 Jason’s Rank: 13 | Michael’s Rank: 14 | Steve’s Rank: 14 Patrick may have exceeded your expectations in his rookie year. He was the return package from the Athletics in exchange for Abraham Toro, and his 2025 numbers alone might have been enough to classify that deal as a resounding success. He pitched to a 3.53 ERA with a 3.53 FIP over 119 ⅔ innings and placed seventh in NL ROY voting. He found immense success using a variety of fastballs but struggled to be as effective with his breaking or offspeed offerings. However, Stuff+ does grade his slider and changeup very highly. In fact, he had the highest Stuff+ (105) of any pitcher on the team with more than 100 innings. This may be surprising as his fastball velocity is average, but with tricky shapes and movement, he’s able to get by just fine. He’d be a strong addition to the rotations of most teams, but because of his inexperience, he may not be as compelling a frontline starter as some other arms on the Brewers’ pitching staff. At the very least, he should see an elevated role with the team in 2026, where he could continue to increase his player stock. 13. Abner Uribe, RHP 2026 Season Age: 25 Controlled through: 2030 Jason’s Rank: 7 | Michael’s Rank: 19 | Steve’s Rank: 12 Over the past few years, whispers have spoken of top-secret human experiments being conducted in Milwaukee to produce elite catching and pitching talent. This has been used to explain the sudden and unexpected turnarounds for defensively deficient catchers and down-on-their-luck pitchers. I can’t personally speak to the existence of such labbut it’s getting harder to deny that if nothing else, the Brewers sure know how to make a closer. Trevor Megill, Devin Williams, Josh Hader, heck, even Corey Knebel had a 1.78 ERA and 39 saves in 2017. It’s a suspiciously long run of high-leverage dominance from the bullpen, and Abner Uribe is the lab’s most recent product. After a shaky 2024 marred by injury and poor on-field antics, he locked back in by replicating his rookie year numbers over a larger sample size of 75 ⅓ innings. His peripherals are absolutely off the charts. The only Statcast metrics in which he doesn’t rank in the top decile of qualified pitchers are chase rate (28.3%), walk rate (9.1%), and extension (6.4). He only accumulated a few saves, but he primarily pitched in high leverage, and the Brewers are clearly grooming him to eventually take the ball in the ninth inning. He might need a little more time before he’s ready to join the current inner circle of elite closers, but he’d be worth quite a bit to many teams around MLB today. It also helps that he has one of the best save celebrations around. 12. Christian Yelich, OF/DH 2026 Season Age: 34 Controlled through: 2028 Jason’s Rank: N/A | Michael’s Rank: 8 | Steve’s Rank: 4 He’s far from being the MVP finalist he was in the late 2010s, but Yelich has been consistent over the past four years. He continues to be one of the more productive bats on the team, and 2025 seems like he was able to carry over some of the success he had in 2024 before being sidelined by injury. The most encouraging sign from this past season was his increase in power. His slugging percentage of .452 is the highest mark since 2019, albeit not by much. What’s more exciting is the 29 home runs he hit in 2025, the first time he’s crossed the 20-homer mark since 2019. Despite this small but important career resurgence, Yelich’s position as a trade asset is complicated by his age and remaining value on his contract. According to Cot’s Contracts, he’s still owed ~$72 million over the next three years, which is a hefty sum for any player, let alone one that is clearly past his prime. Nonetheless, he probably has a few more productive seasons left in him. 11. Trevor Megill, RHP 2026 Season Age: 32 Controlled through: 2027 Jason’s Rank: 9 | Michael’s Rank: 18 | Steve’s Rank: 10 It’s not easy being 6’8", or so I’ve heard. Megill makes it work somehow, and as a guy who regularly throws more than 100 mph with a hammer knuckle curve, it probably works to his advantage. After two rough years with the Cubs and Twins, Megill was acquired for a player to be named later and cash in April 2023. It took some time to figure it out, but after Devin Williams sustained an injury in 2024 and left for the Yankees in 2025, he stepped into the closer role, where he has done a great job. Unlike the younger pitching assets Milwaukee seems to have an excess of, Megill already has four years of service time, which means he has fewer years of team control but also has a good amount of big-league innings under his belt. Additionally, he was paid just under $2 million in 2025, a very team-friendly price for what they got out of him. He’ll earn more as he heads into his second year of arbitration, but he’ll still come cheaper than the other closer options of his caliber. Teams wanting a high-leverage arm out of the box could look at a Trevor Megill as a plug-and-play option that may not need the same development resources as someone less tenured. He may not be a totally baked cake at this point, but he knows what he’s capable of and what he needs to do to get there. View the full article

In part one of our Royals-based Steamer projections series, I looked at Royals hitters and identified five who could be due for impactful seasons in 2026. In this part, the focus will be on the Royals' starting pitchers and their projections. The Royals' starting pitching was a strength of this squad in 2025, and a primary reason why they finished 82-80, their second winning season since their 2015 World Series. Last year, Royals starting pitchers ranked seventh in ERA (3.80) and sixth in fWAR (13.8), according to Fangraphs. Unlike part one, where the focus was more on hitters who could break out, this post will look at two starting pitchers who could have strong seasons, and two who may be due for regression or "questionable" performances next year. For a complete look at Royals starting pitcher Steamer projections, check out the table below; the interactive table is available here (via Datawrapper). Hence, let's take a look at those four Royals starters that fans should be keeping an eye on next year, especially with Kansas City looking to return to the postseason after missing out in 2025. Kris Bubic, LHP In 155 Projected IP: 3.80 ERA, 22.5% K%, 14.4% K-BB%, 1.29 WHIP, 45% GB%, 3.83 FIP, 2.5 fWAR. Bubic's name has been a hot topic in Royals trade talks this offseason. The Royals are committed to keeping Cole Ragans this offseason, and rightfully so, as Steamer projects a 4.2 fWAR for Ragans in 2026. As a result, Bubic may be Kansas City's best trade chip, especially if they want to acquire a high-profile hitter like Boston's Jarren Duran or St. Louis' Brendan Donovan (whom the Royals have been connected to this offseason). Even though he missed most of the second half last year due to injury, Bubic was on his way to having a Cy Young-caliber season. In 20 starts and 116.1 IP, Bubic posted a 2.55 ERA, 2.89 FIP, 24.4% K%, and 3.3 fWAR. That performance helped him earn his first All-Star appearance. Steamer believes that Bubic will do more of the same, even with some expected slight regression. Bubic's projected ERA (3.80), K% (22.5%), K-BB% (14.4%), FIP (3.83), and fWAR (2.5) rank second for Royals starting pitchers in 2026, behind only Ragans. Steamer projects that Bubic will remain a strikeout machine, but still generate enough groundballs to be effective on the mound. His projected 45% GB% ranks second to only Stephen Kolek (51%). Health will be a concern with Bubic in 2026, especially since he missed significant time in 2023 and 2025, and was limited to the bullpen in 2024. Even though he will be a free agent after next season, Bubic could be the key to the Royals' pitching staff and the club's overall success in 2026, especially if he can pitch a full season. Thus, if the Royals can't acquire Duran or Donovan, they may be better off keeping him, given Steamer's optimistic outlook. Michael Wacha, RHP In 170 Projected IP: 4.39 ERA, 18.6% K%, 11.7% K-BB%, 1.32 WHIP, 37.7% GB%, 4.36 FIP, 2.2 fWAR. Wacha signed a three-year extension before the 2025 season, and he lived up to his new contract in year one. In 172.2 IP, the 34-year-old righty posted a 3.86 ERA, 3.66 FIP, and 3.6 fWAR. Even though he lost out on Royals Pitcher of the Year honors to Noah Cameron, Wacha's fWAR led all Royals starting pitchers last season, according to Fangraphs. The veteran succeeded despite not generating many strikeouts or swing-and-misses. His 17.6% K rate was 3.6% lower than in 2024, and his 24.9% CSW was 1.3% lower. Thus, Wacha seemed to benefit from some batted-ball luck in 2025, and his .287 BABIP and 6.6% HR/FB rate seemed to illustrate that. Therefore, it's not surprising that Steamer projects Wacha to see a return to earth in 2026 after posting back-to-back with ERA marks under 4.00. Steamer projects Wacha's ERA and FIP to bump to 4.39 and 4.36 in 2026, respectively. A big reason for that is another K rate below 20% and a K-BB% below 12%, both of which happened last year. His GB% is projected to be 37.7%, a 0.5% increase from a year ago. However, it still lags behind his 38.6% GB% from his first season in Kansas City. Wacha should continue to be productive in the Royals' rotation in 2026. Steamer projects a 2.2 fWAR, which is the third-best mark of Royals starters next year. Steamer also projects 170 IP from Wacha, thus confirming his status as an innings-eater in the Kansas City rotation. That said, after back-to-back seasons of fWAR marks over 3, it seems like 2026 may be his worst season yet with the Royals, unless something dramatic happens in his K% or GB%. Seth Lugo, RHP In 161 Projected IP: 4.38 ERA, 19.8 % K%, 12.3% K-BB%, 1.35 WHIP, 41.3% GB%, 4.29 FIP, 1.9 fWAR. After finishing second in the AL Cy Young race in 2024, Lugo took a bit of a step back in 2025. After posting a 3.00 ERA and 4.6 fWAR in 206.2 IP in his first year in Kansas City, he ended up putting up a 4.15 ERA and 0.5 fWAR in only 145.1 IP last season. Despite this regression, GM JJ Picollo still gave Lugo a contract extension right before the Trade Deadline to keep him in Royals blue until 2027. Many fans questioned Picollo's decision to keep Lugo, especially since he was getting some trade buzz at the Deadline last summer. However, Steamer is optimistic that Lugo can return to a productive form in 2026, even if he won't match the numbers he posted in 2024. Steamer projects that Lugo will post a 4.38 ERA and 4.29 FIP in 161.3 IP. While the ERA is a 23-point increase, his FIP is actually an 80-point decrease. When it comes to predicting performance, FIP is a much better indicator for future success than ERA. Thus, seeing Lugo projected to outperform his FIP from a year ago by so much is a step in the right direction for him in year three in Kansas City. A few factors contribute to Lugo's projected bounce back next year. Steamer projects his K-BB% to be 0.8% higher, his walk rate to be 1.5% lower, and his HR/9 to drop 45 points. Giving up fewer walks and home runs will be key for Lugo in 2026, especially since his 1.67 HR/9 last year was his highest mark since 2020 (when he was with the Mets as a reliever) and his 9.0% walk rate was his highest mark since 2021 (also with the Mets). Seeing those two numbers stabilize a bit should help him be more effective overall in 2026. Even though the ERA and FIP are projected to be over four, his 1.9 fWAR would be a 1.4 fWAR improvement from 2025. Thus, Royals fans should be optimistic that Lugo could be an effective No. 2-3 starter for the Royals next year, especially if he's able to surpass his 161 IP projection. Ryan Bergert, RHP In 68 Projected IP: 4.65 ERA, 19.1 % K%, 10.1% K-BB%, 1.41 WHIP, 38% GB%, 4.61 FIP, 0.3 fWAR. Bergert came over with Kolek in the Freddy Fermin trade at the Trade Deadline. Initially, it looked like Bergert seemed to be a lock in the Royals' rotation in 2026 and beyond. In his first six starts with the Royals, he posted a 2.43 ERA, an 8.37 K/9, and 2.97 BB/9 in 33.1 IP. However, in his last two starts before going on the IL for the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury, he posted a 13.50 ERA, 9.82 K/9, and 7.36 BB/9 in only 7.1 IP. The former Padres righty probably wasn't as bad as his last two starts. His .536 BABIP allowed and 3.43 FIP illustrate that he was perhaps a bit unlucky in those two games. Conversely, he also wasn't as good as his first six starts in Kansas City either. During that month-long stretch from August 5th to September 3rd, his FIP was 3.83, and his BABIP was .209. Therefore, it's not a surprise that his overall FIP was 3.75 during his 40.2 IP sample with the Royals in 2025. While his FIP outperformed his ERA (4.43) last year, Bergert doesn't project well in Steamer's latest set. Steamer projects Bergert to accumulate only 68 innings, and his numbers look mediocre in that limited sample. His 4.65 ERA and 4.61 FIP are both higher than his numbers in 76.1 innings with the Padres and Royals last year (3.66 ERA and 4.00 FIP). They are also projecting a 3.5% decrease in K% and a 1.7% regression in K-BB%. As a result, Bergert has the profile of a spot starter who may be used more in long relief in 2026 than as a full-time starter. His 25.3% CSW last year doesn't help, and this lackluster skill could be a reason why Steamer projects such a massive decline in strikeout rate next year. Bergert is a talented pitcher with upside when healthy, as he is only 25. That said, Steamer doesn't paint a rosy picture of Bergert in 2026. Thus, Royals fans probably need to keep their expectations of him modest for now. View the full article

The half-century history of MLB free agency has produced plenty of excess but also moments where a single signing reshaped a franchise. The Minnesota Twins have rarely been a team that chased the most prominent names or set the market. Instead, their relationship with free agency has been deliberate, cautious, and occasionally brilliant. Modern free agency traces back to a turning point in the winter of 1975 when arbitrator Peter Seitz ruled in favor of pitchers Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally. By playing a full season without signed contracts, the two exposed the weakness of the reserve clause and cracked open a system that had bound players to teams indefinitely. The decision completed the work long championed by Marvin Miller and Curt Flood and forever changed the balance of power in Major League Baseball. Owners warned of chaos and competitive ruin, but what followed was simply a new path for roster building. Teams willing to spend wisely could supplement their cores without waiting years for internal development. For a market like Minnesota, that opportunity mattered even if it was rarely pursued aggressively. Working backward here is a countdown of the best free agent signings in Twins history, judged solely on what those players did after arriving in Minnesota. 10. Shannon Stewart, OF Contract(s): 3-years, $18 million 2004-2006 Seasons: 2.3 WAR, .287/.347/.405 (.752), 97 OPS+ Stewart came to the Twins at the 2003 trade deadline as a pending free agent. He was a catalyst for that club’s division title, so Minnesota re-signed him as a free agent and became one of the most reliable hitters of the early 2000s. He hit for average and set the table at the top of the lineup, and provided steady outfield play across multiple seasons. 9. Carlos Correa, SS Contract: 1-year, $35.1 million (3 years, $105.3 million with opt-outs after Year 1 and Year 2) 2022 Season: 5.3 rWAR, .291/.366/.467 (.834), 138 OPS+ The first Correa contract lands in the Top 10 largely because of its brevity. Even so, his lone season in Minnesota featured elite defense at shortstop and middle-of-the-order production when healthy. It was arguably his most productive season in a Twins uniform. The opt-out capped the long-term value, but the short-term impact was undeniable. 8. Phil Hughes, SP Contract(s): 6-years, $66 million 2014-2018 Seasons: 5.7 rWAR, 4.53 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 95 ERA+ The Minnesota Twins signed Hughes in December 2013, hoping to revive his career in a pitcher-friendly park. After a record-setting 2014 season (16-10, 3.52 ERA, MLB-best K/BB ratio), they extended him in December 2014 for five years and $42 million, totaling $66 million over six years, though injuries later hampered his performance. The first deal was good, but the extension aged poorly. 7. Juan Berenguer, RP Contract(s): 4-years, $2.03 million 1987-1990 Seasons: 6.4 rWAR, 3.70 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 115 ERA+ Berenguer gave the Twins durability and effectiveness out of the bullpen for years. Relievers rarely draw much attention, but his consistency and workload made him a quiet asset during an era when stability mattered. He became a cult hero during the team’s 1987 World Series run, and the Twins continued to invest in him for multiple seasons. 6. Paul Molitor, DH/3B/1B Contract(s): 3-years, $9.775 million 1996-1998 Seasons: 5.2 rWAR, .312/.362/.432 (.794), 104 OPS+ Molitor arrived at age 39 and immediately authored one of the greatest late-career seasons in franchise history. In 1996, he hit .341/.390/.468 (.858), led the AL in hits, and reached 3,000 hits. The hometown Hall of Famer helped revitalize the Twins in the late 1990s and eventually returned to coach in the organization after his retirement. The Twins have never built their identity around free agency. Still, these signings show that when timing and opportunity align, the open market can deliver franchise-defining moments. Even in a cold-weather market, sometimes the right bat or arm can change everything. Do you agree with the rankings above? Which names do you expect to be in the top five? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

A few weeks ago, Padres fans were celebrating the team’s announcement that they weren’t planning to shed salary for the 2026 season. Instead, San Diego intends to operate with a payroll similar to last year’s. That opened the door to all sorts of exciting hypotheticals about what the Padres could do with their remaining money. Since then, San Diego has made two free-agent moves that put the 2026 payroll at $219 million - just $2 million less than the 2025 figure: re-signing star pitcher Michael King (3 years / $75 million) and adding Japanese talent Sung-Mon Song (4 years / $15 million). Based on the idea of maintaining a similar payroll, it looks like general manager AJ Preller has about $2 million left to spend. The roster still needs at least one more lefty starter and some offensive reinforcements. If the Padres want to fill every hole, ownership will probably have to go over last year’s number - especially if they plan to pursue a big-name southpaw free agent like Ranger Suárez or Framber Valdez. That said, Preller still has options. There are affordable players available that could fill at least one gap with the remaining $2 million. San Diego can also use the trade market to reallocate bad contracts and farm system assets to add talent without increasing payroll. The prospect depth is as thin as ever, but it doesn’t look like Preller is starting a rebuild, so we can assume he’ll operate the same way he always has: without regard for the farm’s strength. I’m not saying I support that strategy, but it’s the realistic outlook. As long as Preller is trying to compete, the farm system will be used to improve the MLB roster. Budget-Friendly Fillers Assuming the front office doesn’t shell out the cash needed for Valdez or Suárez, their best bet is finding a cheap lefty starter in free agency and using trade assets to retool the lineup. They also have JP Sears under contract, so they could test their luck with Sears plus another arm and see if one of them clicks. This role could be filled by several available pitchers, but these would be my top options. Martin Pérez The former Padre pitched very well during his half-season in San Diego in 2024, so a return would make sense. He was an All-Star in 2022 and posted a 3.54 ERA / 4.90 FIP in 56 innings with the White Sox last season. Patrick Corbin It’s been a rough stretch for Corbin since his championship run in Washington, but he still brings experience, health, and innings - all things the Padres lack. He’s also due for a year where the BABIP luck falls his way. He’s thrown 150+ innings every season since the 2020 Covid year and showed signs of life with a 4.40 ERA / 4.25 FIP in 2025. If the Padres decide to spend more on pitching than those two options, Preller may instead look for cheap offensive help. If that’s the route, here are a few possibilities. Justin Turner This will be unpopular, given Turner’s rough year with the Cubs and his status as a former Dodger. Still, he’ll be cheap and fits the lineup if money is tight. He posted a 112 wRC+ against lefties in 2025 and could platoon effectively with Gavin Sheets. Ty France I know these names aren’t mouthwatering, but they offer cost-effective upside. The 2022 All-Star should still have some production left. He hasn’t posted a wRC+ over 100 in the past two seasons, but when he’s right, he mashes lefties. He’d be another solid bench bat to pair with Sheets. Trade Opportunities Some players on the Padres’ roster simply aren’t playing up to their contracts. If the team genuinely wants to compete, they’ll need to use assets to move off these deals and redirect that money toward upgrades. They should avoid trading budget-friendly talent like Jackson Merrill and Mason Miller. Superstars Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. also project as strong values on sub-$30 million contracts, so I wouldn’t move them either. Xander Bogaerts This deal just hasn’t worked. Bogaerts will be making $25 million annually through 2032, and if Preller can find a way to move him, he should take it. A team like the Yankees could be tempted, given how terrible Anthony Volpe has been. Cover some of the money and include a top-five prospect to get bullpen depth in return. Finding a suitor would be difficult, but this is the clearest path to opening up payroll space. Yu Darvish Another complicated situation. Darvish won’t pitch in 2026 and isn’t particularly appealing to other teams, but perhaps a buyout could be structured to free up some money. He’s making $16 million this year and won’t even have a chance to bounce back. Getting Darvish off the books would require a sacrifice from ownership, but it would create so much more flexibility. Yuki Matsui Despite being one of the weaker arms in the bullpen, Matsui is one of the highest-paid relievers on the staff. His $6 million contract will only become more expensive over time, and it’s hard to project his future production. It’s not a franchise-altering move like shedding Bogaerts or Darvish, but the Padres could likely find a team willing to take on his full contract and get something in return. That freed-up money could help fill another hole or open additional trade avenues. The Bottom Line The best part of San Diego’s complicated financial situation is that they don’t have any truly outrageous contracts (outside of Bogaerts). Machado and Tatis should both earn their salaries, and none of the starters are tied to disastrous deals. Instead, the payroll is spread across the roster. There isn’t a clear path to financial freedom in San Diego, but one thing is certain: Preller has options. View the full article

Baseball trade trees are fun. I’ve previously outlined two of the biggest in Twins history, one positive (A.J. Pierzynski) and one negative (Delmon Young). One transaction can set off a chain reaction that lasts decades. This isn’t a complete trade tree, but it is a continuous line that links Michael Cuddyer to Austin Martin and Simeon Woods Richardson. Cuddyer was drafted ninth overall in 1997 out of a Virginia high school. He was listed as a pitcher and shortstop. It took a while for the Twins to pony up enough money to convince him not to go to Florida State, as he eventually received the sixth-largest signing bonus in the draft at $1.8 million. Cuddyer consistently ranked in Baseball America’s top 50 prospects, but his major league career did not start smoothly, as he bounced back and forth between the majors and minors from 2001 to 2003, between the ages of 22 and 24. He bounced around the diamond as well, playing five different positions in his first five years. Finally, he hit his stride in 2006 as a 27-year-old, and he put together six seasons as a solid MLB regular, mostly playing first base and right field, with a 115 OPS+ and an All-Star nod to his name. In 2008, he signed a four-year extension that the Twins. That certainly paid off, and he hit free agency as a 32-year-old ahead of 2011. Now, this is where the tree would end, if it weren’t for free agent compensation. That year, Cuddyer was a "Type A" free agent, and after he turned down arbitration with the Twins, they were entitled to an additional draft pick. Cuddyer signed a contract with the Rockies, and the Twins were awarded the 32nd pick in the 2012 draft for their troubles. That 32nd pick? They turned it into Jose Berrios. Berrios was a high school pitcher out of Puerto Rico and signed for $1.6 million. He was a Top 100 prospect from 2014 to 2016, when he made his messy, messy MLB debut. Across 14 starts in 2016 as a 22-year-old, he had an ERA that started with an eight, but he blossomed into one of the most dependable starters in baseball over the next five seasons in Minnesota. Unlike with Cuddyer, the Twins had little interest in extending Berrios—at least for the price he wanted. At the trade deadline during the trainwreck 2021 season, the Twins elected to flip Berrios to Toronto for two highly touted prospects. Berrios almost immediately signed a seven-year extension with the Blue Jays. In return, the Twins received infielder Austin Martin and pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson. Baseball America immediately slotted Martin in as the team’s top prospect and the 19th-best prospect in baseball. Woods Richardson was a borderline Top 100 prospect and was ranked sixth in the system. Both Martin and Woods Richardson saw their stocks drop over the next few years, but both got their first extended runs in 2024. Martin had a poor showing, raising even more questions about his long-term outlook, but Woods Richardson emerged as a quality backend starter with roughly equivalent performance to Berrios, now 30, in Toronto. Woods Richardson made the team out of spring training in 2025 but had a rockier start to his season than most had hoped. However, by the end of the season, he’d turned in a solid overall showing in 22 starts. Martin did not make the team out of spring training and spent considerable time injured at Triple-A St. Paul. However, he may have salvaged his Twins career by being the only hitter to give a quality showing after the team’s historic trade deadline selloff. Now, both Woods Richardson and Martin are projected to make the Opening Day lineup as a backend starter and a fourth outfielder. Although many expected more from them to this point in their careers, both appear to be useful assets on a team that is trying to get back on track. If you’re a WAR person, by Baseball Reference’s count, Cuddyer was worth 12.8 rWAR for the Twins. Berrios accumulated 10.0, and Woods Richardson is at 4.0 thus far. Martin accumulated 0.7 in 50 2025 games, but he’s 0.3 wins below replacement for his career. That’s a total of 26.1 rWAR from this string, though, and it could continue to grow. Who knows, Woods Richardson might be traded to create room in the rotation and add another branch onto this tree. And for the real sickos out there, there might even be another layer to this chain reaction, if you squint and use your imagination, though it is a sad one. Kirby Puckett was forced into an early retirement before the 1996 season due to glaucoma. The Twins went 78-84 in his absence, tying the Athletics for the American League’s fifth-worst record. At that time, the draft order alternated between leagues, and in 1997, the American League drafted first, meaning that the Twins would either have the ninth or 11th pick. The Twins had a worse record in 1995 than the Athletics, so they were awarded the higher pick. With just one more win, they would have picked 11th. Now, I’m no soothsayer, and I can’t create an alternative history. But had Puckett not been forced into retirement, and the Twins instead had their aging superstar patrolling right field (instead of Matt Lawton, Roberto Kelly, Denny Hocking, and Ron Coomer), it’s not difficult to imagine the team winning at least one more game. And had they won one more game, picking 11th instead of ninth, it’s possible that Cuddyer could have gone to the Athletics or the Cubs (Oakland’s pick that year was Chris Enochs, a college pitcher who never made the majors). Obviously, this is desperately searching for an extra layer that can only be tenuously held together, but hey. I find it interesting. Either way, the Cuddyer-to-Berrios-to-Martin-and-Woods Richardson thread is a fun one to pull. View the full article

DL Hall had some injury problems with the Baltimore Orioles, but his stock rose as a top 100 prospect from some elite swing-and-miss pitches. His fastball was given an 80 grade by Baseball America, and it appeared that his command, once an Achilles heel, took large strides in the back half of 2023. The Brewers had every right to dream on his upside as a potential top-of-the-rotation starter. Alas, this hasn't materialised. Hall's fastball has slowed down by a tick on average, but it's important to remember his time with Baltimore in the big leagues was in a bullpen role. If we break it down to his Triple-A results, when he was prolific in racking up strikeouts, you can see the fastball shape actually improved with the Brewers, seeing slight increases in velocity, spin rates, and a lower vertical approach angle: Thomas Nestico's model gives us a great basis for comparison, but I think Jeremy Maschino's at Pitch Profiler might give an even better indication as to what's changed for DL Hall since 2023, and why he's causing hitters to swing and miss a whole lot less. To really analyse the difference between DL Hall's 2023 arsenal and the plethora of strikeouts and ugly swings it induced, compared to the 2025 pitcher we saw for the Brewers, first, we have to deconstruct what made him so effective. Hall's Slider Has Lost Its Seam-Related Movement Below is the breakdown of DL Hall's pitch movement, separated by Magnus (i.e., spin-related effects) and non-Magnus (seam-oriented movement). I wrote about the subject here earlier this month if you need a recap, however if you're up to speed, let's dive in! The large benefit of non-magnus movement is that it's more deceptive to the hitter. They can pick up spin out of a pitcher's hand, but non-magnus is far more difficult to anticipate. Some pitch types are affected more than others, but it's interesting to note the amount of additional rise DL Hall achieved through seam orientation in 2023 at the Triple-A level, far more than is common for a slider (seen in yellow). Let's contrast that with 2025: The non-magnus-affected movement has almost disappeared, while the spin-related movement is essentially the same as in 2023. In essence, because of the way the baseball's seams are interacting with the air resistance, DL Hall is getting less late movement on his slider. It's affecting his Stuff+ grades, dropping from 107 to 101 per Pitch Profiler, and is getting considerably less swing-and-miss as a result. Is DL Hall In The Dead Zone? A "Dead Zone" pitch moves exactly as a hitter expects and finds it easy to square up. Jeremy Maschino attempts to quantify this dead zone to also include the arm angle a pitch is thrown from, which drastically affects what should be considered dead zone. For example, from your average arm angle (say your three-quarter slot), getting 20" of induced vertical break (IVB) would be considered exceptional; however, if you have a high delivery point like Trevor Megill, that IVB is considered far less of an outlier and thus easier to hit. Below is Hall's dynamic dead zone in 2025, with the circles showing his actual movement and the shaded areas showing what a hitter might expect out of the hand: Immediately noticeable is that the fastball (red) and curveball (blue) are moving exactly as expected for his delivery, but he does get some additional movement on the changeup (green) and slider (yellow). You might also note some dispersion in the arm angles from which each of these pitches is thrown (these aren't large differences, but they are further separated than his almost imperceptible release point in 2023). These movement patterns are dwarfed by his 2023 iteration: You can see that the curveball and fastball remain quite dead zones in terms of their movement, but the slider and changeup are massively changed. As we discussed earlier, the slider has changed shape completely, going from a pitch that rose over four inches more than expected in 2023 to a pitch that dropped two inches more than expected in 2025. That's six inches of separation that has impacted his strikeout potential. Playing for Triple-A Norfolk in 2023, the changeup registered an incredible 50% whiff rate when hitters took a swing, and this rise is part of that. We commonly expect changeups to drop down and away, but in recent seasons, we've seen a new type of changeup, such as those by Drew Thorpe of the White Sox and even Tobias Myers in 2024, that rise more. The key here is that changeups are based around deception, and the closer they can mirror a fastball before separation, movement-wise, the more effective they can be. How Deceptive Is Hall's Delivery? With the additional rise, it made Hall's dead zone fastball and his changeup both play better against live hitters, aided further by how similar his arm angles were in 2023. He averaged a 39° arm angle for his slider, changeup, and fastball in 2023, whereas he now varies from 41 ° to 45 ° in 2025. This isn't a huge discrepancy, but it is notable for a pitcher who thrives on deception. Hall's delivery involves a lot of rotation, almost turning his chest towards second base, meaning the ball springs out of nowhere. He still retains much of the same natural deception in his delivery, and it's one reason he's been successful without the swings and misses of yesteryear, managing an xWOBACON of .298 in 2025. He's not far away from the elite swing and miss artist he showed as a prospect, but that seam-related movement seems to be the key, and it may come from his altered release point. So, to summarise, DL Halls' high-end promise in 2023 seems to revolve around two things: Non-magnus (seam-oriented) movement that helped both his slider and changeup "rise" to miss bats Deceptive delivery and arm angles It's likely the altered arm angles are an effort to improve Hall's long-term injury outlook. Still, they may have negatively impacted both his ability to unlock the seam-related movement and the deceptiveness in his delivery. It's an actual risk-reward scenario for a player with multiple long-term injuries in his past, but if the Brewers want to unlock DL Hall as a dominant rotation arm, they may need to take that risk. Hall is a candidate for the shuttle between Triple A and the big leagues this year, having failed to establish himself in 2024/25, so this may be worth it for both parties at this point. If he can rediscover his release point, and with it his non-magnus movement, there's an outside chance DL Hall can become more than a swingman in the bullpen. It's not guaranteed, but there is a chance. Without that deception, he will struggle to establish the fastball and get the swings and misses needed for the next big step in his development. What do you think of DL Hall's outlook? Where do you think his strengths and his flaws lie? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! View the full article

Just three years after he was named the Twins' executive chair, Joe Pohlad is out of the role and replaced by his older brother, Tom. Jeremy, Jamie, and Theo discuss whether the change in leadership was a joint decision by the Pohlad family and the new minority owners. View the full article

It might've got lost in the midst of the re-signing of starter Michael King and the multi-year deal for infielder Sung Mun Song, but the San Diego Padres made an additional under-the-radar pickup last week in former Cleveland Guardians pitchers Triston McKenzie. It's only a minor-league deal that includes a spring training invite, but has the ability to yield big dividends for a Padres team starved for any semblance of starting pitching depth they can find. A couple of years ago, such a pickup would've generated a hefty buzz around the baseball world. As recently as 2022, McKenzie looked like one of the game's rising stars on the mound. That year, he posted a 2.96 ERA, a 25.6 percent strikeout rate, and a 5.9 percent walk rate on his way to a 3.4 fWAR campaign. Unfortunately for McKenzie, however, that would prove to be the peak of his powers up to this point. In the years since, McKenzie has battled seemingly constant injury issues. The 2023 season saw both shoulder and elbow issues develop, and he elected rehab over Tommy John surgery for the latter. As such, he's thrown less than 100 innings at the major-league level in the last three years combined, with his highest volume of work coming across 16 starts in 2024. His performance has suffered in those rare instances of play, with that 2024 season featuring an ERA over five and a fWAR that fell on the negative end of the threshold (-1.0). At his peak, McKenzie featured a fastball that averaged just under 93 MPH, a curveball that garnered whiffs at a 45 percent clip, and a slider that allowed quality contact at an impressive 30.9 percent rate. As a reliever with the Guardians in 2025, McKenzie threw only 5 2/3 innings. But it seems notable that his fastball velocity was closer to 94 and his curveball checked in at a swing-and-miss rate of 66.7 percent. It's a minuscule sample, but it speaks to the idea that McKenzie might have something to offer now a couple years clear of those woeful health developments back in 2023. An important factor to consider in this is Ruben Niebla, whose tenure in Cleveland overlapped heavily with McKenzie's time in the organization. He was the team's minor league pitching coordinator through 2019 before being elevated to the big-league staff as assistant pitching coach that year. Having left for the Padres in 2021, his work as pitching coach is evident in maximizing usage and outcomes for pitchers. One imagines that McKenzie joining this particular organization gives him as good a shot as any at reviving his career considering Niebla's presence. For McKenzie, that context of coaching personnel compounds with opportunity in order to create a logical fit. Even with Michael King back in the mix, this is still a team that lacks a full rotation at the top level. King joins Nick Pivetta as the only locks for Opening Day, while Joe Musgrove shouldn't be too far behind in his return from Tommy John. Randy Vásquez, JP Sears, and Matt Waldron each remain around as depth options, but there's a clear chance for McKenzie to create an impact here if he's able to regain any semblance of his previous form. That'll start with his command. The stuff played well enough in his brief time with Cleveland last season, but he was unable to gain any traction with his feel for the strike zone. If Niebla can help him get back to even remotely what he was in 2022, McKenzie is an arm that possesses farm more upside than any of Vásquez, Sears, Waldron, or Kyle Hart. We've seen this organization redeem players on both sides of the ball in recent years, though McKenzie's name and pedigree offer a steeper climb and more bountiful payoff if he can reach relevance once again. Even if he's unable to get completely back to form, there's at least a level of intrigue in his attempt to do so. For a team that generally lacks such mystique, he'll be a fun story to follow this spring. View the full article

The Chicago Cubs signed veteran right-handed reliever Jacob Webb to a 1-year, $1.5 million deal with a club option in 2027. Here's a deeper look at how the 32-year-old is only getting craftier with time despite not having high velocity or strikeout rates. View the full article

December 26th is known as Boxing Day in Great Britain, but in America, it’s when you exchange the duplicate gift or ill-fitting sweater you received for Christmas. And for at least one MLB franchise, it’s when you attempt an outside-the-box roster move that may very well be illegal and violate several human rights treaties. Per multiple sources with knowledge of the team’s thinking, Twins Executive Chair Tom Pohlad attempted to return Twins infielder/catcher Mickey Gasper at the St. Louis Park Costco on Friday morning. Pohlad was overheard saying, “Derek, this is Tom, do you still have the receipt for (Mickey) Gasper,” by multiple shoppers at the store’s customer service area. “They won’t take him back without a receipt. This is urgent, please call back as soon as possible.” Gasper was in fact acquired from the Boston Red Sox in December 2024 for pitcher Jovani Moran. Team sources say the decision to try Costco was due to their generous return policy for members. “Tom is an executive member and figured it was as good a plan as any to free up roster space and payroll,” said one front office source. “The fact that he had his driver take him to the worst parking lot in America on the day after Christmas? I think it reflects well on his commitment to making the 2026 Twins competitive, despite what naysayers may claim about Mickey Gasper’s human rights.” Costco customer service rep Lynn Moeller said she was very confused by the request. “Usually people bring in the actual item they’re returning,” said Moeller. “(Pohlad) showed me a baseball card and asked if we would take the man on the card back. He assured me that it was legal and totally normal in other countries where his family has country estates. I called my manager over.” A spokesperson for Costco declined to comment on the matter, but witnesses say the manager refused to honor the request even after Pohlad put a caller, assumed to be Falvey, on the line with them. “You could tell (Pohlad) wasn’t thrilled, but he seemed to accept the manager’s decision,” said one customer. “I guess this is, like, super illegal to do." Gasper remains on the Twins 40-man roster. His representatives say they are exploring their legal options but acknowledged that the St. Louis Park Costco parking lot is pretty bad. Image license here. View the full article

I'm gonna steal this (more or less) from Nick Nelson of Twins Daily. He said it better than I could. The idea of this exercise is to take stock of the organization's talent through the scope of team-building. Our goal is to answer this question: Which current players in the organization are most indispensable to fulfilling the vision of building a champion? We account for age, contract, controllability, upside, etc. It's not strictly a ranking of trade value, because that would be more team-agnostic, whereas this list aims to capture a very Brewers-specific point of view. As such, players at areas of scarcity (i.e., catching) get elevated, while those at areas of abundance (i.e., relief pitchers) get downgraded a bit. Without more ado from afar, here is Part 2 of the Top Brewers Players Assets of 2025. Part 1: #21-25 20. Logan Henderson, RHP 2026 Season Age: 24 Controlled through: 2031 Jason's rank: 18 | Michael's rank: 17 | Steve's rank: 18 After moving up in the Brewers chain for four years, Henderson made his highly awaited debut in Milwaukee in 2025 and didn’t disappoint. He earned wins in his first three decisions and struck out batters at a rate of 33% while walking only eight percent. He suffered a flexor tendon strain in August and missed the balance of the season. Henderson features two plus pitches: a fastball in the 92-95 MPH range with over 17” of Induced Vertical Break (IVB), and a changeup that comes to the plate at 80-82 MPH and has an average of 18” of arm-side movement. He also throws a cutter and slider a combined 10% of the time, but he needs to work on those pitches. The right-hander is expected to be healthy coming into the 2026 season and is a frontrunner for a spot in the Brewers' starting rotation. Here are some of the highlights in Henderson's start against Washington on August 3, his last appearance of the season. 19. Jeferson Quero, C 2026 Season Age: 23 Controlled through: TBD Jason's rank: 11 | Michael's rank: 15 | Steve's rank: 26 Quero returned in 2025 from the torn labrum in his right shoulder that sidelined him for all of 2024. He split time between the Arizona Complex League and Triple-A Nashville in 2025. Quero caught 34 games at Nashville and threw out only 19% of baserunners, dropping from 35% in his last full season. Opposing teams ran 50% more than they did in 2023; is the arm healthy? Although he had only 250 trips to the plate at Nashville, I feel he has little to prove in the minors. His batting mark of .255/.336/.412 shows a good eye and decent pop. He could benefit from learning nuances of the catching job from ‘Wild Bill,’ and short of an injury, slump, or significant free agent/trade at the ‘2’ spot, Quero should be the primary back-up behind the plate this year. Quero's three-run homer against Louisville in September 2025. 18. Cooper Pratt 2026 Season Age: 21 Controlled through: TBD Jason's rank: 10 | Michael's rank: 16 | Steve's rank: 26 Pratt’s batting numbers dropped off from 2024, but two things have remained constant: speed and defense. His combined 2024 batting numbers were .277/.362/.406, compared to last year’s .238/.343/.348. His stolen base number improved from 27 to 31 last season. With a Gold Glove already on his résumé and 60 grades for fielding and arm, defense is not a problem. Pratt is a line-drive hitter, but with his size (6-foot-3, 205 pounds), he should grow into his power. Once the face of Milwaukee’s future shortstop, he has been passed up by Jesús Made and Luis Peña. Those two are probably a year behind Prat, but are coming fast. Our own Telemachus opined that Pratt might be a trade chip in the future. Having too many players at the same spot is a good thing. Or is it? All things staying the same, Pratt should make his big-league debut sometime this season. A nice leaping grab by Cooper Pratt. 17. Aaron Ashby 2026 Season Age: 28 Controlled through: 2028 Jason's rank: 17 | Michael's rank: 20 | Steve's rank: 13 It seems hard to believe, but Ashby will be entering his fifth year as a Brewer in 2026. Last year, he was a major part of the mid-to-high leverage relief corps and set career highs with 43 appearances, three saves, 193 ERA+, and a 2.70 FIP. The Brewers have vacillated between using the left-hander as a starter or reliever, but smart money has Ashby in the pen, unless he is needed in the rotation in an emergency. Last season, Ashby used his sinker 40% of the time with a velo of about 96 MPH. The slider (23%), curve (16%), and change (18%) are all formidable weapons. Just to keep batters honest, he has a fastball that also arrives at about 96 MPH. Ashby will once again be a major part of the Brewers pen, either with multiple innings or as a late-inning guy if needed. Aaron Ashby strikes out Freddie Freeman in the NLCS. 16. Andrew Vaughn 2026 Season Age: 28 Controlled through: 2027 Jason's rank: 24 | Michael's rank: 11 | Steve's rank: 15 Last year was a ‘tale of two cities’ for Vaughn after playing in Chicago and later in Milwaukee. It was the best of times (.308/.375/.493 in Milwaukee), and it was the worst of times (.189/.218/.314 in Chicago). Vaughn slumped in August (.695 OPS) but rebounded in the last month of the season (.942 OPS). Like the rest of the Brewers, Vaughn struggled in the NLCS against the Dodgers, taking a 0-for-12 collar. Vaughn was a decent fielder according to FanGraphs, with a Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) of zero and an Outs Above Average (OAA) of +4 while playing for the Brewers. The powerful righty is expected to, at the very least, split the job with southpaw Jake Bauers. But a hot start by either one of them could put the other on the bench. Here's Vaughn robbing Max Muncy in the NLCS. Next up, Part 3 (11-15). Enjoy!! Let us know how we are doing. Did we miss anyone? Somebody rated too high or too low? Start the conversation in the comments section below! View the full article

Since it is the 50th anniversary of free agency in Major League Baseball, this series is profiling the top 10 free agents in the Royals' franchise history. In this installment, the focus shifts to position players. Be sure to check out part one, which profiled the top free agent pitchers. Top Free Agent Hitters Melky Cabrera Signed in 2011 | 4.4 WAR Cabrera was signed after an abysmal season in Atlanta, which led to his release by the Braves. The Royals were able to sign him to a very reasonable $1.25 million contract in 2011. Cabrera went on to have the best season for a Royals free agent hitter with 4.4 WAR in 2011. He also went on to set career-bests in home runs, batting average, and OPS, which provided stability to the Royals’ lineup. Before the 2012 season, the Royals traded Cabrera to the Giants for Jonathan Sanchez and Ryan Verdugo. Although Cabrera and Sanchez did not work out for the Royals (-1.5 WAR combined in Kansas City), the addition of Cabrera provided good production at minimal cost, yielding a valuable trade asset. Gary Gaetti Signed in 1993 | 8.4 WAR | 1x Top-10 MVP | 1x Silver Slugger Known more for his time in Minnesota, Gaetti had a productive stint in Kansas City. Signing three consecutive one-year deals, his time in Kansas City will be grouped. In 1993, Gaetti signed with the Royals after being released by the California Angels following a poor start to the season. After signing with the Royals, he became a consistent contributor, reminiscent of his time with the Twins. In three seasons with the Royals, he slashed .267/.323/.491, good for a 108 OPS+. All marks better than his averages with the Twins. His performance in 1995 earned him 10th in AL MVP voting and his only career Silver Slugger. His stats may have been more impressive if he had been able to play a full 162-game season as a Royal, since he joined midseason in 1993 and both the 1994 and 1995 seasons were shortened due to the players' strike. On a per-162-game basis, Gaetti averaged 4.4 WAR with the Royals, which may give a better perspective on his late-career resurgence in Kansas City. Mark Grudzielanek Signed in 2006 | 8.3 WAR | 1x Gold Glove Grudzielanek signed with the Royals after having one of the best years of his career in St. Louis at the age of 35. Signing a 36-year-old journeyman is always risky, but Grudzielanek was able to deliver as a rare bright spot on otherwise poor Royals teams. In his three years in Kansas City, Grudzielanek slashed .300/.339/.412, good for a 96 OPS+, which was better than his career averages. He was also impactful on defense, earning his only Gold Glove award in his first year in Kansas City. Kendrys Morales Signed in 2015 | 3.4 WAR | 2015 World Series | 1x Silver Slugger Morales was signed to replace the departing fan-favorite Billy Butler, and he provided an instant upgrade at the DH spot. In 2015, Morales slashed .290/.362/.485 with a 127 OPS+, provided power in the middle of the order, and led the Royals with 22 home runs 2015. He deservedly earned his only career Silver Slugger that season. Morales was a meaningful contributor during the Royals' postseason run, slashing .255/.304/.490 with four home runs. His biggest moment in the postseason came in Game 4 of the ALDS, when he hit the ground ball that induced a pivotal fielding eighth-inning error by Carlos Correa, tying the game and completing a dramatic comeback in the series. In 2016, Morales was not quite at the same level as the previous year, with only a 110 OPS+, but he was still a power contributor with 30 home runs. Rey Sánchez Signed in 1999 | 9.3 WAR Sánchez was a steady but moderate contributor in his career, accruing 8.7 WAR in his first eight MLB seasons. During his three seasons in Kansas City, he more than doubled that total, with 9.3 WAR, which is the highest cumulative mark by a free-agent hitter in franchise history. Sánchez was a consistent contributor, hitting for a decent average in the premium shortstop position, slashing .289/.321/.351. While not hitting for power, he provided elite defense, which provided the foundation for other emerging stars like Johnny Damon, Jermaine Dye, Carlos Beltran, and Mike Sweeney to lead the offense. While Sánchez’s offense didn’t provide much impact, his consistency on offense and elite defense warrant inclusion on this list and perhaps also speak to the quality, or lack thereof, in free agents that the Royals have been able to attract in their history. Honorable Mentions Alex Gordon Signed in 2016 | 4.1 WAR | 4x Gold Glove Alex Gordon’s four-year, $72 million contract that he signed after winning the World Series in 2015 is still the richest free-agent deal in Royals history. While Gordon could still provide elite defense in left field, his offensive production declined sharply after signing. Before 2016, Gordon slashed .269/.348/.435 with a 112 OPS+. After signing as a free agent, his production fell to .234/.318/.362, with an OPS+ of 82. Alex Gordon is an all-time Royal great, but his production after signing in 2016 was not good enough for the list. Wally Joyner Signed in 1992 | 7.7 WAR While known more for his time with the Angels, Joyner enjoyed a productive four years in Kansas City. He consistently got on base and hit for decent power. While in Kansas City, he slashed .293/.371/.434 with a 113 OPS+. Joyner also hit at least 20 doubles in all four of his seasons in Kansas City. While his time as a Royal was good, he was ultimately edged out by other hitters who either achieved higher peaks or a better body of work with the Royals. View the full article