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With the offseason now in full gear and rumors flying about the San Diego Padres' ownership changing hands, difficult decisions might have to be made. This is part two of a series where we’ll analyze the Padres’ ten best players and how likely each player is to be traded this offseason. 5. RP Mason Miller Pros: Miller is a flamethrowing reliever who has the ability to absolutely dominate lineups. His fastball averaged 101.2 MPH last season, placing him in the 100th percentile, and his Baseball Savant page is full of bright red. He’s also controlled by the team for the next four seasons, making him valuable and team friendly. Next season, he’ll either be the Padres’ closer or join the rotation. Cons: Miller’s only hole is his high walk rate, which last year was as high as 12%. He did bring his walk rate down after being traded to San Diego, and his K/BB ratio improved from 3.28 to 4.5 after the trade. There’s no way San Diego would trade the guy they gave up their No. 1 prospect for just a few months ago. Chances of trade: 0% 4. SP Nick Pivetta Pros: Pivetta broke out in a huge way in 2025, stepping up to become the ace of the San Diego rotation. He finished the season with a 3.49 FIP and a 149 ERA+, helping him garner Cy Young consideration at the end of the season. His fastball and breaking balls mixed at an elite level last year, with his fastball run value finishing in the 98th percentile and his breaking run value finishing in the 97th percentile, according to Baseball Savant. Cons: There is reason to think Pivetta might not be able to replicate his success from 2025 again in 2026. He finished the season with an xERA of 3.96, which would have been much closer to his career ERA of 4.23. There’s also the issue of his contract opt-out, which takes effect after the 2026 season. Pivetta could opt out after 2026 and after 2027, so there’s a chance San Diego will lose him soon anyway. Between the ‘one-year wonder’ possibility and the high likelihood he opts out if he puts together another good season in 2026, it feels like a lose-lose scenario. If the Padres had rotation depth, trading Pivetta would make a lot of sense. However, the team has very little of that, so he probably sticks around. Chances of trade: 20% 3. CF Jackson Merrill Pros: Merrill is likely the future of the Padres’ franchise. He possesses tremendous tools at the plate, on the basepaths, and in the field. Even in a down year, Merrill finished in the 99th percentile in launch-angle sweet-spot rate, according to Baseball Savant. He posted a batting run value in the 69th percentile, a baserunning value in the 84th percentile, and a Fielding Run Value in the 80th percentile, and had even better rates in 2024, when he was the runner-up for the NL Rookie of the Year Award. Merrill has 'future star' written all over him. The Padres have him under contract for the next ten years on an affordable deal, owing him $156 million through 2035. That contract being so team-friendly likely eliminates the possibility of a trade. Cons: Merrill did have a sophomore slump, and if the Padres have questions about his potential, a trade could be explored. He doesn’t walk much and struggles with plate consistency. However, those issues can be corrected, especially for a player as young as Merrill. Chances of trade: 2% 2. 3B Manny Machado Pros: Machado has received MVP votes in five of the last six seasons, including a pair of top-three finishes in 2020 and 2022. He has been a cornerstone of consistency, with his worst season in San Diego (2019) still resulting in a 110 OPS+ and 2.5 bWAR. He’s a three-time All-Star selection and three-time Silver Slugger since joining the Padres, and at 32, just had his best season in three years. Cons: Similar to most players on this list, Machado is owed a big payday over the next few years, and it is worth wondering if he is beginning to slow down as he ages. From 2013-2022, Machado averaged 5.0 bWAR per season over the ten-year span. Over the past year, he’s averaged 3.3 bWAR. Still good, but it does appear that Machado has been slowing down over the past three years. And as he slows down, the money heading his way goes up. He is owed $298.7 million over the next eight seasons. There might be a team desperate for help at third base that would be willing to trade for Machado, but if the Padres intend to move off his contract, there’s a good chance this offseason is their last chance. Machado is coming off an All-Star campaign, and he’s only going to get older from here. Chances of trade: 15% 1. RF Fernando Tatis Jr. Pros: Tatis is considered to be the best defensive right fielder in the league, a winner of two Gold Gloves in three years, and the Platinum Glove in 2025. His bat isn’t too shabby either, with an .868 OPS in his career. While he still hasn’t matched the 166 OPS+ and 6.6 bWAR he produced in 2021, he is at minimum an above-average bat, and still has the talent of a superstar. Cons: Tatis is expensive. Very expensive. San Diego has him signed through 2034, and owes him $294.2 million over the next nine years. If there is a team that wants to take on that contract and trade the Padres' valuable resources for him, it’s worth at least considering a trade. The Friars' farm system is barren, and Tatis would likely be able to bring back some serious talent. Still, it feels unlikely the team trades its franchise cornerstone. Chances of trade: 10% View the full article

In a surprising move, the Miami Marlins selected catcher Liam Hicks in the 2024 Rule 5 draft. Where would he fit in with an organization that already had two highly regarded catching prospects—Agustín Ramírez and Joe Mack—at the upper minor league levels? It turns out that there was meaningful role for Hicks to fill in the short term while Ramírez spent much of his rookie season as Miami's designated hitter and Mack continued to develop at Triple-A. Showing a very polished plate approach, Hicks played 119 games, slashing .247/.346/.346 with a .313 wOBA and 98 wRC+ in 2025. His stock has clearly gone up since being exposed to the Rule 5 last year. However, Mack is still on his way as we were reminded last week when the Marlins selected him to their 40-man roster. They also have not given up on the idea of Ramírez behind the plate despite his struggles on defense so far. Although Hicks is well-positioned to crack the Opening Day roster and would serve as solid depth over the course of the season, this may be a good opportunity to flip him to another team with a clearer need for his services. The Milwaukee Brewers may be interested in Hicks after declining their mutual option on Danny Jansen. The Brewers still have William Contreras and top prospect Jeferson Quero, but those are the only catchers on their 40-man. With Contreras getting increasingly expensive and Quero's MLB readiness in question after a few injury-riddled seasons, Hicks would have value to them next season and beyond. Marlins acquire: LHP DL Hall and OF Brandon Lockridge Brewers acquire: C/1B Liam Hicks and player to be named later DL Hall was a former first-round pick of the Orioles in 2017. He was a piece of the Corbin Burnes trade during the 2023-24 offseason. The past two seasons in Milwaukee, Hall has not found his footing. He has missed out on meaningful playing time at the big league level while battling through knee, lat, and oblique injuries. In 81 ⅔ innings pitched as a Brewer (33 G/10 GS), he has posted a 4.30 ERA and 4.66 xFIP while experiencing a drop in velocity compared to his days in Baltimore. Health permitting, Hall would have an expanded role with the Marlins. He throws a wide variety of pitches—something the Marlins are always looking for. He could be stretched out if needed, but I believe he is best served coming out of the bullpen. M3k0ajZfWGw0TUFRPT1fQmdWVlhGSUJWd1VBREFCVFZnQUhBbEFGQUZoVEFRTUFBUVlBQWxBR0IxVlJVbEZT.mp4 Hall is still only 27, but has used up all of his minor league options entering 2026. Quite a contrast from Hall, Lockridge was a fifth-round pick of the Yankees in 2018 and has fought his way to the big leagues. He joined the Brewers at this past trade deadline in a deal that sent Nestor Cortes to the Padres. Lockridge has certainly struggled with the bat in his couple stints in the majors, slashing .231/.276/.299 through 34 games in 2025. But in Triple-A, he slashed .351/.413/.404 after being traded to the Brewers. There may be reason to believe Lockridge is on the cusp of a breakout season. From 2024 to 2025, his average exit velocity against AAA competition increased by 3 mph, his hard-hit rate by nearly 8%, and his in-zone contact rate by 5%. These trends are indicative of an improving player. M3k0ZU5fWGw0TUFRPT1fVWxjRlZsY01CRlFBQ1FZR1VnQUhDVk1EQUZsV0FnY0FCRllOQkFwVUFGVlRCMU5U.mp4 Lockridge has 99th-percentile Sprint Speed and he rated as a great defender in limited MLB action (5 OAA). Entering his age-29 season, he profiles similarly to former Marlin Derek Hill, except with potentially more upside as a hitter and two minor league options left. As of this writing, the Marlins 40-man roster is full, so they would have to open up a spot with a separate transaction to make room for both Hall and Lockridge. The PTBNL going with Hicks to Milwaukee would be determined following next month's Rule 5 draft. In 2022, the Marlins acquired Jake Mangum from the New York Mets under these conditions. Mangum was traded after MLB teams declined to take him in that year's Rule 5. In this case, the Brewers would be eyeing right-hander Matt Pushard. The former undrafted free agent had an extremely successful season in AAA, pitching 62 ⅓ innings to the tune of a 3.61 ERA with a 2.98 FIP. Pushard has four pitches with a stuff+ of 102 or better, according to Prospect Savant's model. If Pushard departs in the Rule 5, the Brewers would have their choice of the Marlins' other Rule 5-eligible relievers, such as Zach McCambley or Dale Stanavich. View the full article

The question might sound ridiculous, but it is justifiable given the subject's history: After three challenging minor league seasons, is Ethan Salas already a post-hype player? Before answering, we need to define "post-hype." The term refers to a highly regarded prospect who fails to excel in his initial long-term exposure to the major leagues. He's not a bust at that point, but he has passed a mile marker on the road to bust status. Salas is not a bust, mostly because he's not yet close to reaching the majors. But there are signs that he won't be a superstar right away when he is called up, either. How can a player with Salas' tools already be losing luster? Just go back to all the shine he received after signing with San Diego. Ethan Salas History In January 2023, the Friars shoved all-in to land Salas, who was the top-ranked prospect in his international free-agent class. They agreed to a reported $5.6 million bonus with the then-16-year-old catcher from Venezuela. The team's bonus pool in that signing period was $5.825 million. Salas was considered more than a worthy investment. He was a highly advanced player who came from a baseball family. In fact, he played professionally even before signing, appearing in a game for Zulia in the Venezuelan winter league in November 2022. He held his own, too, with two walks and no strikeouts in four plate appearances. Padres scouting director Chris Kemp told MLB.com's Sam Dykstra after the signing that Salas was "kind of the total-package catcher." Not long after that, an anonymous scout told the New York Post's Jon Heyman that Salas would be "a 10-year All-Star" in MLB. And, true to their organizational philosophy, the Padres didn't hesitate to put Salas on the fast track. It started in spring training when they had him catch a Yu Darvish bullpen session. That summer, they moved him all the way up to Double-A San Antonio. He spent two weeks there as a 17-year-old in August 2023. At that point, Salas was the newest member of a strong group of players to zoom through the Pads' system: PLAYER YEAR CLUB (LEVEL) AGE* NOTES Fernando Tatis Jr. 2017 San Antonio (AA) 19 Repeated Double-A in 2018, made Padres' Opening Day roster in 2019 Luis Campusano 2018 Fort Wayne (A) 19 Promoted to San Diego in 2020 C.J. Abrams 2021 San Antonio (AA) 20 Made Padres' Opening Day roster in 2022 Jackson Merrill 2023 San Antonio (AA) 20 Made Padres' Opening Day roster in 2024 Ethan Salas 2023 San Antonio (AA) 17 Began 2025 season in San Antonio As expected, Salas' defense was ahead of his offense that first year, but the kid was still considered a special talent. In 2024, Salas was assigned to High-A Fort Wayne. Again, the fielding was on point, but the hitting lagged. That had Padres concerned, so much so that in July they brought Salas to San Diego to work with the major league staff on his swing, according to MLB.com. Still, Salas did enough that year to earn a trip to both the Futures Game and the Arizona Fall League. His AFL numbers were OK: a .228/.327/.424 slash line and, more importantly, four homers in 107 PAs. Based on that performance, the Padres bumped Salas back up to San Antonio for the start of the '25 season. Would San Diego be his next stop? It would not. He appeared in just 10 games for the Missions before being diagnosed with a season-ending stress reaction in his back. Ethan Salas' Minor League Hitting Statistics YEAR CLUB PA OBP SLG OPS HR XBH ISO K% BB% 2023 Lake Elsinore 220 .350 .487 .837 9 22 .220 25.9 10.9 2023 Fort Wayne 37 .243 .229 .472 0 1 .029 27.0 5.4 2023 San Antonio 33 .303 .214 .517 0 1 .035 24.2 12.1 2024 Fort Wayne 469 .288 .311 .589 4 33 .105 20.9 10.0 2025 San Antonio 41 .325 .219 .544 0 1 .031 14.6 12.2 TOTALS 800 .305 .347 .652 13 58 .126 22.3 10.4 Ethan Salas Scouting Report Salas has the tools to be an impact big leaguer. MLB Pipeline listed his hit tool at 45 (on the 20-to-80 scale), his power tool at 50, his field tool at 70, and his arm tool at 60. Based on those scores and his three-true-outcomes stats, he profiles as a defensive stud with a good eye at the plate and power potential. He's listed at 6-1 and 185 pounds, but he's bound to add weight, and maybe height, in the next few years. He enters 2026 as No. 2 in Padres Mission's prospect rankings and No. 77 in MLB Pipeline's Top 100. That last number feels low given his talent. Ethan Salas Timetable Even though he barely played in 2025, Salas could still be rushed to the majors next year. The Padres' catching at the upper levels is that thin. Freddy Fermin, a deadline pickup last July, was the club's No. 1 receiver at the time of publication. He slashed .244/.278/.339 (70 OPS+) with two home runs in 139 plate appearances for San Diego. His backup, Luis Campusano --- a good example of a post-hype player --- spent much of last season at Triple-A El Paso. He's out of minor league options. If Salas stays healthy and shows enough progress early on, the president of baseball operations, A.J. Preller, could be tempted to promote him around midseason. For now, however, the Pads are taking things slowly. In mid-November, Preller told reporters (per the Union-Tribune) at the MLB general managers' meetings in Las Vegas that Salas has resumed baseball activities and is "looking 100 percent," but the organization is "kind of weighing" whether he should play winter ball or focus on getting ready for spring training. If Salas does skip winter ball and returns around Opening Day, he'll have missed close to a year of high-intensity reps. Even an aggressive club such as the Padres might have to practice some patience. And while Salas won't be a bust by that point, the hype train will be slowing down further. View the full article

After a historic 2025 season, there's a new game on the list. Let's go over the best wins in the franchise's history and see which one tops them all. View the full article

The Twins have entered recent winters with plenty of questions, but this winter brings a particularly uneasy one. After last summer’s shocking decision to trade Carlos Correa at the deadline, Minnesota suddenly went from having a franchise cornerstone at shortstop to hoping a former top prospect can carry one of the most demanding positions in baseball. That is a dramatic shift for a team on the fringes of contention, even while operating under the tightest budget constraints of the Derek Falvey era. Minnesota can’t afford a superstar to steady the position. It simply needs more certainty. Right now, shortstop is the thinnest spot on the organizational depth chart, and that is a dangerous way to start the winter. A Depth Chart Built on Hope Brooks Lee sits atop the depth chart after being thrust into the starting job after the Correa trade. In 139 games, he hit .236/.285/.370 (.654) with a 79 OPS+. The front office believes in his tools and maturity, but even talented young players rarely sprint through their early big-league career without bumps. Depending solely on Lee to handle 162 games is the definition of risky roster construction. Behind him, the depth gets frightening in a hurry. Ryan Kreidler arrived as a waiver claim earlier this offseason, and while he brings defensive value, his major league track record does not suggest everyday reliability. Last season, he played most of the year at Triple-A and posted a .751 OPS in 99 games. Ryan Fitzgerald could crack the team’s Opening Day roster as a backup infielder after combining for an .837 OPS with the Saints last year. Few inside or outside the organization view him as a long-term solution as a starting option, but he's earned an opportunity to fill a role. In the minor leagues, Kaelen Culpepper flew up prospect rankings in 2025, but he is yet to sniff Triple-A. He might be ready at some point in 2026, but that is far from a guarantee. Last year's first round pick Marek Houston could reach the high minors this year, but he likely won't crack the big leagues for multiple seasons. Both players are part of the team's long-term plan. Neither can be counted on for significant time in 2026. Minnesota also needs a strong defense behind a rotation expected to include multiple young pitchers. Lee showed improvements at shortstop in the second half but is still considered a below-average defender. For a team on the outside of contention, that is a razor-thin safety net behind Lee. The Bargain Bin Reality Since ownership’s maddening decision to slash payroll after the 2023 season, the Twins have spent just eighteen million dollars on free agents across two full winters. Six players. All one-year deals. None above $6.25 million. It is not a shopping strategy; it is an economic philosophy, and it has left the front office combing the discount bin for meaningful upgrades. That reality shapes their shortstop search. The free-agent class is barren, making the problem even harder to solve. Minnesota does not have the financial flexibility to target even the middle tier of the market. That scarcity is precisely why a player like Orlando Arcia becomes relevant in conversations he never would have entered a few years ago. Arcia, now 32 years old, hit free agency after a rough stint in Colorado and has been one of the worst hitters in baseball over the last two seasons by nearly every advanced measure. In fact, he has been the worst hitter in baseball by both wRC+ and xwOBA with 800+ PAs over the past two seasons. As a right-handed hitter, his OPS was 50 points higher against lefties, so there may be a role for him to platoon. His glove keeps him employable, but only in a limited role, and only on a team willing to accept the offensive tradeoff. He is the type of player the Twins might be forced to consider. Not because he solves anything, but because the market offers so few alternatives. He could be signed to a minor league deal to offer organizational depth, because he is the sort of player who fills roster spots rather than stabilizes them. A Problem Minnesota Cannot Ignore The Twins have to add more protection behind Lee, even if that means a smaller move that brings competence rather than upside. A veteran shortstop who can defend, handle 40 to 60 starts, and keep Lee fresh is not a luxury for this roster. It is a requirement. Minnesota can get by with creativity at several positions, but shortstop is not one of them. The front office saw what happened when injuries piled up in 2024 and 2025, and this roster cannot survive another season where the infield defense erodes because the club ran out of viable options. With budget limits and a barren market, the Twins may need to get uncomfortable or get creative. What they cannot do is stand still. Shortstop is too essential, and the depth chart is too thin. The Twins need to act before this winter gets away from them. How should the Twins upgrade their shortstop depth? Is Arcia an option? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

When the Brewers signed Christian Yelich to a nine-year, $215-million contract in March 2020, Yelich received a full no-trade clause. Unfortunately, for some stretches since then, that clause has seemed redundant. As Yelich struggled in his first three seasons after the knee injury that prematurely ended his 2019 campaign, his extension looked essentially untradable. He was an increasingly injury-wrecked corner outfielder with a .243/.358/.388 batting line from 2020 through 2022. Since then, though, he's rediscovered something. Since the start of 2023, Yelich is batting .279/.366/.460. Back surgery took him out of the picture for the stretch run in 2024, but he returned with another impressive, durable campaign in 2025. He'll turn 34 years old in December, but he feels like a better bet right now than he did three years ago. Meanwhile, he's settled into the portion of his contract during which some of his salary is deferred. Yelich's salary for the three years left on his deal is $26 million per season, but $4 million of that will be deferred by a decade each season. He's only set to earn $70.5 million for the balance of the 2020s, even factoring in the portion of an option buyout for 2029 that will be paid right away. In short, Yelich could now be dealt, and the Brewers wouldn't even have to send money to get the deal done. They might need to retain the obligation to pay his deferred salaries, but that's easy money to manage. They wouldn't get a lot back, but they're good at getting something out of lottery-ticket prospects, and the main motivation for trading him would be freeing up both salary and playing time. First, let's examine whether this makes any sense. In 2025, Yelich was occasionally the Brewers' best hitter, and he was certainly their most consistent presence in the top half of the lineup. It might sound strange to entertain trading him, because of what he still means to the Brewers' run production—let alone what he means in the clubhouse or the community. On the other hand, the Brewers need to infuse a bit more dynamism and projectable lethality in their offense, and those things are fading for Yelich. He was not the same base stealer in 2025 that he'd been for the previous two seasons. His average exit velocity was the lowest of his career; his average launch angle was his lowest since 2015. His strikeout rate rose, while his walk rate fell. Suitors will see that, too, of course, but they'll also see that he didn't lose bat speed even in the return season from a serious operation on his back. They'll wonder (fairly) if a different hitting coach could help Yelich tap more sustainably into his power, and if getting more rest would find him more productive and more prepared for the postseason than he looked in 2025. The Brewers can't afford to have a player on such a salary playing less than every day when he's healthy, but some teams who might take an interest in Yelich could. Getting $22 million off their books for each of the next three seasons would give the Brewers some real spending powrr this winter, although they'd have to use most of it to replace Yelich. The question, as far as it goes at this moment, is whether the team would be able to land a more productive hitter than Yelich via free agency. There are some superb bats on this winter's market, in Kyle Schwarber, Alex Bregman, Bo Bichette, and Pete Alonso. In various ways, each of these players is a good fit for the Brewers, but only if Yelich is moved. A different question quickly moves to the fore, then: would Yelich accept a deal? Presumably, he'd only leave the Brewers if the new situation was very much to his liking; he wants to win a World Series. He's not going to approve a trade to the Angels, for instance, despite being from Southern California. As we enter the hot stove season, though, lots of teams could use a bat like Yelich's in pursuit of a pennant. The Dodgers have space in their corner outfield spots and the freedom to let veterans take it easy for parts of the regular season. The Giants always need offensive help. The Padres might not be in position to take on the money, but then again, they badly need help in left field and at DH, and they can't afford to spend even bigger on a player like Schwarber or Cody Bellinger. Depending on how they perceive their chances at top-tier free agents, the Blue Jays, the Phillies, or the Braves could get involved. Yelich has been at the center of everything for Milwaukee, ever since his 2018 breakout. He probably wouldn't want to leave, all things being equal. If the Brewers can find the right place for him and get his contract out of their budget, however, they might be right to move on from him. For very good teams who derive strength from their depth, it's sometimes hard to find a place where it's possible to get better. That's the Crew's situation, and trading Yelich might be one of the few options they have to keep progressing toward a World Series title. View the full article

"The Miami Marlins are active in the closer market, talking with free-agent right-hander Michael King and other starting pitchers, and are also weighing upgrades at first and third base," according to a Monday morning report from Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich of The Athletic. Rosenthal had reported earlier this offseason that the Marlins might "double down on their rotation as a strength," but this is his first time linking them to a specific pitcher. Fun fact: King was involved in the very first trade of Bruce Sherman's ownership tenure. On November 20, 2017, the Marlins dealt him to the New York Yankees in exchange for Garrett Cooper and Caleb Smith. King made his major league debut in 2019 and was used primarily as a reliever by the Yankees. More recently, he was named Opening Day starter for the San Diego Padres in 2025. Through 10 outings, he was on an All-Star trajectory (2.59 ERA in 55.2 IP). However, he was limited to only five starts after Memorial Day due to right shoulder inflammation and left knee inflammation. He pitched one scoreless inning of relief for San Diego during the National League Wild Card Series. He turns 31 next May and has never previously been a free agent. Since moving to the rotation, King's average sinker velocity has sat around 93 mph, which is below average for a righty. However, his changeup is one of the best in baseball. His strikeout rate has steadily declined from a high of 33.2% in 2022 to 24.7% this season. qlxctj.mp4 The Padres extended a $22.025 million qualifying offer to King earlier this month. He rejected it, anticipating that he'll be able to garner a multi-year deal at a similar average annual value. It would be extremely out of character for the Marlins to be the highest bidders for King. In two previous offseasons with Peter Bendix serving as their president of baseball operations, the club has only guaranteed a total of $8.5 million to MLB free agents (Tim Anderson and Cal Quantrill). "People familiar with their plans" tell Ken Rosenthal that this willingness to add veteran talent is borne out of the opportunity to be a legitimate postseason contender coming off a 79-win campaign. However, Rosenthal and Drellich remind us that in 2025, the Marlins fell far short of the spending thresholds outlined by the collective bargaining agreement. They were expected to receive "roughly $70 million if not more" from league revenue sharing alone, yet finished with a luxury-tax payroll of approximately $85 million. As a result, they could face a greivance from the players' union this offseason if this frugal behavior persists. Regarding the closer market, the only high-profile name who was come off the board so far is Raisel Iglesias, who re-signed with the Atlanta Braves on a one-year, $16 million deal. View the full article

There are some areas on the roster where we could or will see turnover, but the Chicago Cubs enter the 2025-26 offseason with their middle infield as stable a position group as any. Under contract through 2029, Dansby Swanson will remain at shortstop, while Nico Hoerner will handle the keystone through at least through the end of 2026. The depth behind those two, however, is somewhat in question. Not that it's a major area of concern. Hoerner logged time at second base in 153 games, while Swanson was at short for 159. Beyond Hoerner, the Cubs deployed a mix of Jon Berti (13 games), Willi Castro (six games), Matt Shaw (four games), Vidal Bruján (three games), and Nicky Lopez (one game). Aside from Hoerner appearing in eight games in Swanson's stead at shortstop, each of Bruján, Lopez, and Gage Workman registered a pair of appearances. None of the names behind the incumbents are still with the organization. Some of them have been gone for months. Thus, as the Cubs build their roster for 2026, they're going to have to at least maintain an eye on who could serve as this year's depth, minimal as the need may be. Second Base Starter: Nico Hoerner (.297/.345/.394, 7 HR, 29 SB, 109 wRC+, 4.8 fWAR) Just about everything Hoerner did in 2025 was a career best. He posted his highest average, his best park-adjusted offense, and his largest Wins Above Replacement output (according to FanGraphs), while cutting his strikeout rate to just 7.6%. Meanwhile, he continued to ply his trade as one of the best defensive infielders in the sport. With a down-ballot MVP vote to his credit, it's hard to imagine we see his name floating around the trade ether in the way that we saw last winter. Depth: James Triantos, Pedro Ramirez Of the two middle infield spots, the Cubs at least have a little bit of security behind Hoerner (albeit no one with any top-level experience). The team added James Triantos to the 40-man roster ahead of last week's deadline, protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft. Should anything happen to Hoerner, it's likely he'd be first in line to get keystone reps. While he's cooled a bit as an offensive prospect (which could at least be partially attributed to a 70-point drop in his batting average on balls in play), he offers some of the same base stealing prowess we see from Hoerner (78 steals across all levels the last two years). Should it not be Triantos, another recent addition to the 40-man could supplement the middle infield as needed. Pedro Ramirez doesn't have experience above Double A yet, but has more recently demonstrated some offensive upside. He slashed .280/.346/.386 and swiped 28 bags in 2025. That's despite a BABIP regression of his own, compared to lower levels. Either way, the team is getting a somewhat similar skill set to that of their starting second baseman. But it's also possible we see the team address this with a versatile option off the bench that could push each one further down the depth chart. Shortstop Starter: Dansby Swanson (.244/.300/.417, 24 HR, 20 SB, 99 wRC+, 3.3 fWAR) It was a strange year for Swanson. On one hand, he demonstrated consistent power in a 20/20 campaign. On the other, his contact rate was his lowest over a full season in his career (71.3%) and his strikeout rate ballooned to 26.0%. His on-base percentage has continued to drop, but the power coming back (after a down year in that regard in 2024) was encouraging. Not that the inconsistency constitutes a big change; Swanson has always had some bewildering variance in his game. The Cubs love his presence in the clubhouse and the steadiness of his glove. He's likely the starter until that contract runs out. Depth: Hoerner This one doesn't merit nearly as deep a discussion. Unlike second base, which has a decent volume on the 40-man, the Cubs have no such presence behind Swanson. Names like Jefferson Rojas or Cristian Hernandez are still at least another year away. Should anything happen to Swanson—a difficult thing to anticipate, given that he's appeared in at least 147 games in each year since 2020—it would be an easy call for the team to flip Hoerner to the other side of the second-base bag. In that case, you're looking at an extended run for a bench bat to be named later, or one of Triantos or Ramirez. Either way, the depth behind Swanson exists almost exclusively in the form of his comrade on the middle infield. The Cubs don't have a great deal of depth at these positions, but the idea is that they shouldn't need any. View the full article

The Royals' 2025 season did not go exactly as planned. After a 2024 season full of excitement, most hoped the team would continue to build on that momentum and come into 2025 fighting for a playoff spot. While they did finish with a winning record (take the W’s where you can, folks), there was a lot left to be desired. One position that went as planned was the corner outfield spots. Coming into the year, the front office made no major moves to address the corners on the grass, and it showed. We started 2025 trotting out MJ Melendez in left field and Hunter Renfroe in right field, and by the time June rolled around, neither player was on the Royals' 26-man roster. Renfroe was DFA’d, and MJ was sent down to Omaha (with a one-week call-up late July). There was some optimism that Kansas City could find solutions internally, with talks about the newly acquired Jonathan India moving to left at least part-time, but that did not solve any problems, as India had his statistically worst season in his major league career and never quite got comfortable in the outfield. By the end of the season, the Royals were dead last in basically any metric available on both the left and right sides of the outfield. If 2026 is to be a competitive one, it’s clear that the outfield must be addressed. Let’s now take a look at where the Royals stand in 2026 for their corner outfielders. Left Field Starter: John Rave (.196/.283/.307, 18 runs, 4 home runs, 14 RBIs, .590 OPS, and 65 wRC+) There really is no answer to who the starter is for left field, so we will just take this rundown in the order of games played in the position. Rave made his major league debut this year for the Royals at 27 years old and played 208 innings in left and 70 total games at both corner spots. The 2019 5th-round draft pick showed flashes during his stint in Kansas City. While initially struggling at the plate in the first half of the season, Rave came out of the All-Star break with some pop, hitting three home runs in the first five games post-break. He cooled relatively quickly, however, and was sent back down to Triple-A at the end of August, but was brought back up the last couple of weeks of September, where he finished the season and collected just three hits in 19 plate appearances. Rave will certainly get some more time at Kauffman, at least next season, but it’s clear he is not the long-term answer at this time. Depth: Nick Loftin (.208/.278/.357, 17 runs, 4 home runs, 20 RBIs, .635 OPS, and 73 wRC+) Loftin got his first cup of coffee in 2023 and has thus far logged 143 games and 427 plate appearances. His career OPS is .617 with a 72 wRC+, and while he offers utility by being able to play first, second, third, and left field, he still isn’t much of a net positive, providing only 0.2 fWAR in his career, including 0.1 this year. Left field seems to be his worst position defensively, posting a -2 DRS this past season, where he logged 208 innings over 38 games. He walks at a below-average clip of 8.7% and strikes out a respectable 14.8%. It was clear this year he was another guinea pig in the left field laboratory from the front office, after logging only nine total innings in his first two seasons with the team. He is probably better suited as depth for the infield at this point. More “Depth”: Dairon Blanco It’s getting grim out here, folks. Blanco did not spend much time with the Royals this year, getting just one hit in eight plate appearances. He’s got speed going for him, which always leaves the possibility for pinch running, but there isn’t much to be said when it comes to his left field prospects. Right Field Starter: Jac Caglianone (.157/.237/.295, 19 runs, 7 home runs, 18 RBIs, .532 OPS, and 46 wRC+) While Caglianone’s highly anticipated first season was a disappointment, there is still plenty of room for optimism when evaluating him long-term. After scorching the minor leagues in a short amount of time, he was called up in June and struggled mightily in his first professional season. No expectations were coming into the year that Caglianone would get the call from Kansas City, but due to such abysmal production from the outfield, the front office decided to make the move after just a few short months of professional baseball from the Florida prospect. It shouldn’t be a surprise for a true rookie to struggle during his first cup of coffee, but I don’t think anyone expected this kind of struggle. He struck out at a 22% clip and only walked 18 times in 232 plate appearances (7.8%). To be quite frank, there wasn’t a lot to look at to find positives. As a power bat, you need to be able to punish the fastball. He collected three extra base hits and hit at just a .167 rate against the four-seamer. And his fielding as a right fielder was nothing spectacular and perhaps just flat out bad, as seen by his -4 DRS (Defensive Runs Saved). What optimism we can hold onto is this isn’t the first time a highly touted rookie has a poor debut, there is still plenty of time and adjustments that can be made for him to come into 2026 with a fresh outlook and put together a solid year, what remains to be seen is if that will happen with a minor league club or in Kansas City. Depth- Kameron Misner (.213/.273/.345, 27 runs, 5 home runs, 22 RBIs, .618 OPS, and 71 wRC+) The Royals started early November with a trade for the Tampa Bay prospect. Misner, who will turn 28 before spring training, is a plus defender with good speed both in the field and on the base paths. It’s unclear whether he was brought in as depth in center field or right field, but he has shown he can be a defensive asset in either position. He should be considered a project, but could provide value in an area where the team needs it most. View the full article

The Minnesota Twins will need to find more consistent offensive production in 2026. With no signs pointing to an ability to spend substantial money in the free agent market, the Twins could turn to a crop of players who were recently made available at the non-tender deadline on Friday. Going into the deadline, it seemed as if the Twins would be keeping an eye on catchers who hit the open market after being non-tendered. The acquisition of Alex Jackson has since then made a move for a catcher no longer needed; therefore, we will turn our attention elsewhere. Here are three players who could help fill some lineup roles for the Twins. Nathaniel Lowe 1B Nathaniel Lowe was non-tendered by the Boston Red Sox, who acquired the left-handed batter mid-2025 from the Washington Nationals. MLBTR projected Lowe to be up for a raise that would land him at $13.5 million, which is too rich for the Twins if Lowe still expects something nearing that. Due to his play, the first baseman’s price should come down considerably, and the Red Sox version of Lowe could help stabilize first base and designated hitter for the Twins. In those 34 games with Boston, Lowe slashed .280/.370/.420 with a .790 OPS. The average and on-base percentage are well above his career marks, but the OPS is close to his career mark, in which he has held a .771 OPS. Lowe is approaching age 30, so the dip in production over the last several years is a concern, but he has still been as good as any of the Twins' current options at first base. Alexander Canario OF If the Twins wanted to try to add some right-handedness to their outfield, a Derek Shelton reunion with Alexander Canario would do that. The 25-year-old got his first significant playing time with the Pirates after spending time in the majors with the Chicago Cubs, where he was once a top prospect. As a prospect, Canario was viewed as someone with good size, which could translate into good pull power, but he hasn’t seen that materialize yet in the majors. Canario has shown his bat at lower levels of professional baseball, producing a .850 OPS and 18 home runs with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs in 2024. Last winter in the Dominican Winter League, the right-hander had a .955 OPS. Canario seems like many Twins players who have yet to fully find a way to translate their tools into major league production. If Shelton and the Twins evaluators see something in him, yet he could be worth a flyer to capture a bat with some pop to it. J.J. Bleday OF In the past several offseasons, the Twins' front office has identified a backup centerfielder to bring into the mix. J.J. Bleday has a lot of experience at the position, playing 157 games there in 2024 and another 55 this past season as a member of the Athletics. In 2024, he played 159 games with the Athletics and amassed 2.1 bWAR, a .762 OPS, and an OPS+ of 120. Now, Bleday is unlike those other centerfielders the Twins have employed, as he has struggled with his range in center field. If the Twins believe they can recapture his bat from 2024 and make him into the sort of defender who can spell Byron Buxton in center, there could be a platoon role for Bleday. He would be joining a very full roster of fellow left-handed outfielders, which that redundancy alone may make him a long shot for the Twins. What do you think? Can any of these non-tendered hitters help the Twins in 2026? Are there other non-tendered hitters you'd like to see the Twins try to sign? View the full article

Since the departure of Luis Urías in 2023, third base has been a bit of a revolving door for the Brewers. Brian Anderson and Joey Ortiz served as the main starters in 2023 and 2024, respectively, and other names like Andruw Monasterio, Owen Miller, Oliver Dunn, and even Mike Brosseau served as understudies. After some success converting a lifelong middle infielder (Ortiz) to a third baseman, the Brewers decided to try again with Caleb Durbin in 2025, and the results were mostly positive. Durbin posted a 105 wRC+ across 506 plate appearances and had 5 Defensive Runs Saved at the position, giving him a total of 2.6 fWAR for the season. However, despite his admirable efforts, he could use some backup. His production at the plate steadily slipped as the regular season progressed, and the most telling sign that fatigue was starting to set in was his decrease in bat speed. This, along with other weaknesses in his game, indicate that the Brewers may need to rely on some of their other depth pieces a little more in 2026. In second place for time spent at third base in 2025 was Anthony Seigler. Seigler was a call-up whom many doubted, especially as he continued to receive playing time despite posting a 50 wRC+. Realistically, he proved his ability to put up quality at-bats and actually did certain things very well. In addition to playing solid defense, he had a walk rate of 11% and an elite chase rate of just 18%. Expected stats may lead you to believe he got unlucky, and in a sample of just 73 plate appearances (many of which came in pinch-hit situations), it’s difficult to make any definite conclusions. If the team continues to place their trust in him and his approach, he could see an elevated role in 2026 with more opportunities against right-handed pitching. Andruw Monasterio spent most of his playing time covering for an injured Ortiz at shortstop or riding the pine, but found himself playing third base on a few occasions. He continues to be a reliable utility infielder and could cover the position as a platoon option. He had an .837 OPS against left-handed pitchers in 2025 and has performed better against southpaws across his career. Interestingly, Isaac Collins is also listed on the Brewers depth chart under third base, but he has played just 1 ⅓ innings at the position, so it’s safe to say that he’ll remain in the outfield for the foreseeable future. So what are the Brewers still missing? The most glaring gap is power. Typically, third basemen are characterized by having great arms, good defensive abilities (without the same mobility as a shortstop), and some decent pop. In fact, Durbin and Ernie Clement were the only players within the top 10 third basemen by fWAR who had slugging percentages under .430. Now, it’s important to acknowledge that the game has become modern enough to do away with the shackles of positional archetypes. Otherwise, Durbin shouldn’t even be playing in the majors, given his 5-foot-7 frame. However, Milwaukee is already in dire need of some thump in the lineup. Christian Yelich (29) and Jackson Chourio (21) were the only players to eclipse the 20-home run mark, and the Brewers were 22nd in total home runs (166). They got by with their own brand of fast-paced hustle baseball, but in the postseason, it seems like the odds dig the long ball. Given this need, what are the internal and external options? Within the farm system, the Brewers’ top third base prospects were all in Double A. Brock Wilken and Luke Adams had strong showings with the Biloxi Shuckers, while Mike Boeve—who only played first base, anyway—struggled quite a bit. All three have work to do before they’re big league-ready, and don’t seem like they’d be worth roster spots barring an injury emergency. Externally, there are a handful of options that each come with different financial expectations and risk. It’s safe to say that Alex Bregman and Munetaka Murakami, both of whom are expected to cost north of $100 million this winter, are in the “if only” category. Kazuma Okamoto is on the older side and is projected to sign a deal in the realm of $68 million over four years, which is still on the pricier side, especially for someone with no MLB experience. This leaves Eugenio Suárez, who (after a brutal second-half slump that extended into the postseason) would seem like an overpay even for $55 million over three years. Miguel Andujar is an affordable possibility that showed some promise last year. Across 341 plate appearances with the Athletics and Reds, he slugged .470 with 17 doubles and 10 homers. He’d be a defensive liability, especially when compared to Durbin and Seigler, but his bat could make him useful in certain situations. Even if Milwaukee stays the course with what they have at third base in 2026, it’ll still be a position of strength. It’s not a critical issue that must be patched as soon as possible, but it does present an opportunity to improve on the margins—something the organization loves to do. Don’t expect the landscape of the role to change significantly heading into next season, but do keep an eye out for potential sleeper acquisitions making their way to Milwaukee. View the full article

Fresh off a World Series runner-up finish, the Blue Jays must aggressively address key weaknesses to return and win. Re-signing Bo Bichette is a notable question, alongside acquiring a back-end starting pitcher or reliever. While they can trade prospects, their MLB-ready outfield depth—young players with experience—could yield greater returns if used strategically. Nathan Lukes Lukes doesn't qualify as "young" because he's 31, but this past season was his third in MLB, though it was his first playing in more than 30 games. Due to injuries to Daulton Varsho and Anthony Santander, Lukes was leaned on for a career year. In 438 plate appearances, the left-handed hitter had a .730 OPS, 12 home runs, 55 runs, 65 RBIs, and a 103 wRC+. Lukes found himself hitting in front of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for most of the season. His low strikeout rate (13 percent) led to him being a reliable option at the top of the lineup. Baseball Savant ranked Lukes in the 94th percentile for whiff percentage (14 percent). Defensively, Lukes was as outstanding with +10 DRS (defensive runs saved) in 909 1/3 innings. He only trailed Myles Straw for Blue Jays' outfielders in DRS, but Straw played 209 fewer innings. Lukes still has five years of team control, which, despite his age, would make him a popular target. Although he likely has the upper hand to start in left field next season for Toronto, as the roster stands now. Addison Barger Barger struggled in his MLB debut in 2024 (.601 OPS and 69 wRC+), but had a decent bounce-back in 2025 (.756 OPS and 107 wRC+). He had a significant power surge this past season, hitting 21 home runs, 61 runs, and 74 RBIs. Barger's biggest struggle is striking out, doing so 24 percent of the time. He spent time at the corner outfield positions and third base all season long, while filling in for injured players. His bat speed (75.9 mph) and hard-hit percentage (51 percent) rank him in the 93rd and 91st percentiles, respectively, which is appealing from the left side of the plate. Barger, at 26, has two pre-arbitration seasons remaining and one remaining MLB option. This favorable team control could help secure a top-tier talent at a position of need. It's likely a long shot that Barger gets traded unless the Blue Jays address the hot corner by adding another player. Davis Schneider Schneider has struggled to find consistent playing time in his three MLB seasons. His .708 OPS and 106 wRC+ this past season against left-handed pitchers are a little misleading, as he struggled mightily against lefties in 2024 (.528 OPS and 49 wRC+). As a righty, it won't help your case for playing time if you struggle against southpaws. Schneider could be a developmental piece for a team since he's 26, has two MLB options, and four seasons of team control. While he may not net a top-tier return like Lukes or Barger, trading him could still secure a back-of-the-rotation starting pitcher or a middle-inning bullpen arm, especially if his opportunities in the Blue Jays lineup remain limited. Joey Loperfido Loperfido came over in a trade at the 2024 trade deadline that sent Yusei Kikuchi to the Houston Astros. Loperfido was relied on this season when both Varsho and Santander were on the injured list. The 26-year-old had only 104 plate appearances this past season, but he posted an .879 OPS and a 148 wRC+. Loperfido could appeal to teams seeking a controllable outfielder. Including him in a trade—either as a primary piece or as part of a larger package—could help the Blue Jays acquire a higher-impact player to meet their pitching or positional needs. Trading a valuable outfielder could help the Blue Jays address primary pitching needs, but it risks future depth if injuries hit Varsho or Santander again. The potential reward—a quality starter or reliever for another title run—must be weighed against thinning a traditionally strong position. View the full article

As fans, it's customary to seek the thrill of the marquee player acquisition. That thrill is unique in the sports world, even compared to that of winning a championship. Regardless of confidence level in landing the particular player, knowing your team got them eliminates any doubt, subconscious or otherwise. That said, it's often the moves that get little limelight that put a team over the top, especially in Boston Red Sox history. As crucial as trading for Chris Sale or signing J.D. Martinez and David Price were, there are several players that got little praise in comparison that ended up playing huge roles for the Red Sox. So, as the offseason begins, with all eyes fixated at the top of the market for talent, it's important to remember those under-the-radar acquisitions. The sexy moves aren't always as attractive when they play out. The Red Sox are laden with those outcomes as well—Pablo Sandoval, Carl Crawford, and to some degree, current players like Trevor Story and Masataka Yoshida have all been mixed bags in terms of "living up to" the hype. With that in mind, let's take a look at some of these recent unsung offseason pickups, shall we? UT Romy Gonzalez Gonzalez flashed his potential with a 98 wRC+ and six home runs in 2024, but the waiver pickup from the Chicago White Sox flourished in 2025. Across 96 games, he slashed .305/.343/.483 with a 123 wRC+ and 1.5 fWAR this past season. He also nearly doubled his career RBI total, driving in 53 runs in 341 plate appearances. The former White Sox utility man promised versatility when he came over to Boston, but injuries on the roster held him to mostly first and second base in 2025. At both spots, he filled in admirably and even started to hit right-handers at a clip he'd never previously come close to. Time will tell what his future with the Red Sox looks like as far as his role goes, but finding at-bats for him, especially against southpaws, is something manager Alex Cora needs to continue doing. OF Rob Refsnyder Though not a World Series champion, outfielder Rob Refsnyder is one of the best signings in recent Red Sox history, full stop. Signed as a minor-league free agent before the 2022 season, the lefty-masher posted an 88 wRC+ in 2021 with the Minnesota Twins. Since coming to Boston, he's slashing .276/.364/.440 with a 124 wRC+ across 936 plate appearances. He's tied with Joc Pederson and Jackson Merrill in wRC+ for 17th among outfielders with at least 750 plate appearances in that span. Though primarily manufacturing these gaudy numbers against southpaws, that's been the veteran's role with the club. Given that he's made, in total, less than $6 million in four seasons with the team, it's safe to say he's done his job and then some. The jury is still out on whether the soon-to-be 35-year-old will return to the Red Sox for his fifth season. If not, they will certainly miss his presence in the clubhouse and the lineup. RHP Garrett Whitlock Any time you hit a home run with a Rule 5 selection, they must find their way onto a list like this. You could give an honorable mention to fellow reliever Justin Slaten, but I felt as though there's an element of uncertainty there thanks to injuries. Whitlock's had several injuries to his credit, as well, but is heading into his sixth year in Boston and, hopefully, his third healthy campaign. After the organization waved the white flag on making him a starter, the right-hander returned to high-leverage relief and was almost every bit as good as All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman in 2025. In his two seasons as a full-time reliever, Whitlock has accumulated 3.8 fWAR and ERAs of 1.96 and 2.25, respectively. For all the talk about Slaten being the future closer of this team when Chapman is no longer in the equation, perhaps that sentiment should go to Whitlock. He's filthy on the mound, and it's nice to see him sustain a year of healthy volume. Now, he's just got to do it again. 1B Mitch Moreland Moreland spent three-plus seasons with the Red Sox and filled in admirably at first base. An All-Star and World Series Champion in 2018, Moreland was tasked with filling the roster spot created by David Ortiz's retirement. Despite most public clamoring for eventual Red Sox first baseman Eric Hosmer, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski signed the former Texas Ranger to a one-year deal worth $5.5 million. In three-plus seasons with the Red Sox, Moreland slashed .251/.332/.471 with a 108 wRC+ and 64 home runs in 381 games. He added a .333/.412/.533 slash line in 15 playoff games for Boston and, of course, we all remember his pinch-hit, three-run homer in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. RHP Rick Porcello I had a tough time deciding on Porcello, seeing as he wasn't some unknown commodity at the time of acquisition. Not only that, but he also cost the Red Sox Yoenis Cespedes. But given the level of expectations, him churning out a Cy Young campaign and being a pivotal part of a World Series winner dramatically outweighs the struggles he faced at times in 2015, 2017, and 2019. If nothing else, the right-hander ate up innings with the best of the best during his Red Sox tenure. In fact, he ranked fourth in the league in workload, behind only Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, and Zack Greinke. He was also top 30 in fWAR during that stretch, among qualifiers. While not a super-valuable pitcher relative to his volume, his Boston career was one of tremendous highs. RHP Koji Uehara It feels somewhat taboo to refer to Uehara as an under-the-radar signing, but people forget he wasn't the Red Sox's Plan A or B at the closer position in 2013. When the call came, though, he was electric. In 2013 alone, Uehara posted a 1.09 ERA with a 1.61 FIP in 74 1/3 innings pitched. Despite not opening as the team's closer, he finished with 21 saves in the regular season. That October, he allowed one earned run in 13 2/3 innings pitched, recorded seven saves, and struck out 16 of 46 batters faced. The only more valuable season by a Red Sox reliever, minimum of 50 innings, was Craig Kimbrel in 2017, with 2006 Jonathan Papelbon tying him at 3.1 fWAR. The only two seasons a reliever had a better ERA was Papelbon's 2006 (0.92) and Chris Martin's 2023 (1.05). But his Red Sox career didn't end after 2013; he played three more years in Boston before wrapping up with the Chicago Cubs in 2017. From 2014 to 2016, Uehara posted a 2.73 ERA and 58 saves across 157 outings. He was über-dependable, hammered the strike zone, and had a tantalizing splitter that kept him dominant despite sub-90 mph velocity on his fastball. UT Brock Holt Holt is one of the most widely loved Red Sox players of the 21st century for several reasons, and that's before we even get to what he did on the field. His impact on the community is still felt to this day, especially with the Jimmy Fund. His impact on the field greatly outweighed expectations seeing as he was a throw-in in the deal that acquired Joel Hanrahan ahead of 2013. Holt spent parts of seven seasons with the Red Sox, slashing .270/.340/.374 with 144 extra-base hits. He hit for the cycle twice, including once in the 2018 playoffs, made an All-Star team, and logged over 100 games at three separate positions. Had it not been for vertigo in 2017, who knows how much better his Red Sox tenure looks, even though it's already viewed in a very favorable light. View the full article

On this day in 2005, the Florida Marlins and Boston Red Sox finalized the following blockbuster trade: Red Sox acquire RHP Josh Beckett, 3B Mike Lowell and RHP Guillermo Mota Marlins acquire RHP Jesús Delgado, RHP Harvey García, SS Hanley Ramírez and RHP Aníbal Sánchez Just two years later, the Sox won a World Series title, and both Beckett and Lowell played pivotal roles along the way. The former finished runner-up in 2007 American League Cy Young Award voting and was named MVP of the ALCS, while the latter placed fifth in AL MVP voting and took home WS MVP honors. They combined to spend 12 seasons in Boston, accumulating 30.0 fWAR. All four of the prospects that the Marlins received in exchange made MLB appearances for their new franchise. Ramírez immediately emerged as a brilliant offensive player en route to winning 2006 National League Rookie of the Year. He remains unequivocally the greatest shortstop that the Fish have ever had. Regardless of position, his 30.5 fWAR as a Marlin trails only Giancarlo Stanton (33.6 fWAR). Sánchez's tenure with the team also stretched from 2006-2012. He was a solid No. 3 starter. Some of you may disagree with sticking the "win-win" label on this deal considering that the Marlins didn't have a single postseason berth to show for the Hanley/Aníbal era. They constructed particularly solid rosters in 2008 and 2009, but back then, there was only one wild-card spot available in each league. If today's postseason format with three wild-card spots was in place at the time, we would've likely seen October baseball in South Florida. On Sunday in winter ball, Deyvison De Los Santos (Dominican Republic) went 1-for-4 with a sacrifice fly. Jared Serna (Mexico) went 2-for-4 with a triple double. Serna leads LMP with 45 hits and ranks second with a .995 OPS. Only 122 days away from Marlins Opening Day. 🔷 Freddy Tarnok signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with Nippon Professional Baseball's Hiroshima Carp. It surprised me when the Marlins waived him earlier this offseason, but that makes sense now. Tarnok presumably requested his release in order to pursue this opportunity in Japan, which guarantees him nearly doubled what his MLB salary would've been in 2026. 🔷 The Marlins concluded their 2025 First-Year Player Camp last week. Wilfredo Lara won the camp's MVP award, Wilson Weber was the American MVP and Yohanfer Santana was the strength and conditioning MVP. 🔷 Louis Addeo-Weiss presented the statistical case for Cole Hamels to be considered for the Baseball Hall of Fame. 🔷 Continuing their series of World Baseball Classic-inspired national team rosters, Son Los Marlins constructed the best possible Cuban team comprised of former Fish (en español). 🔷 Happy 25th birthday to Josh White. A new addition to the Marlins 40-man roster, White has spent his entire professional career with the organization. Through four minor league seasons, he has posted a 2.97 ERA, 31.7 K% and .205 BAA in 203.1 IP (124 G/14 GS). 🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, the New York Mets and Texas Rangers agreed to a bad contract swap, exchanging Brandon Nimmo for Marcus Semien (with the Mets sending an additional $5 million to Texas). Both veterans are still solid everyday players, but they've clearly entered the decline phase of their careers. Nimmo was a pest against the Marlins throughout the past decade (.260/.368/.475 slash line with 17 home runs and six stolen bases in 118 games). However, I believe the Mets got the better end of the deal. Semien will bolster their leaky infield defense and he's signed for only three more years (Nimmo is signed for five more). In free agency, the Atlanta Braves inked Joel Payamps to a one-year, $2.25 million contract. View the full article

The Brewers have made some major deals in recent offseasons. In the 2023-2024 offseason, they dealt Corbin Burnes to acquire DL Hall, Joey Ortiz, and the draft pick that became Blake Burke. In the 2024-2025 offseason, Devin Williams was dealt to the Yankees for Nestor Cortes and Caleb Durbin. But Milwaukee has also made deals with lesser-known players that hit big. In the same offseason Corbin Burnes was dealt, the Brewers made the under-the-radar swap with the Athletics that brought Chad Patrick to Milwaukee in exchange for Abraham Toro. In the 2022-2023 offseason, the Crew moved Esteury Ruiz to the Athletics as part of a three-team trade that landed Joel Payamps, minor-leaguer Justin Yeager, and some guy named William Contreras. Who might the Crew move in a deal nobody pays attention to? Here are five possibilities. LHP Aaron Ashby Ashby has become a key member of the Brewers' bullpen, so he’s worked out reasonably well. But why might the Crew want to consider moving him? Part of it is the deal he signed after the 2022 season, where he was solid as a member of the starting rotation; in 2026, he gets $5.5 million, with $7.7 million due in 2027, along with $9 million and $13 million salaries in 2028 and 2029 if the options are picked up. If Ashby became a mainstay in the rotation, it’d be money well spent. But Ashby has become a bullpen ace after missing 2023 and a large part of 2024 with shoulder problems. It may be time for Milwaukee to see what Ashby could fetch in return. It’s not that he’s a bad pitcher, but the chance to free up $13.2 million over 2026 and 2027 may make a deal worth it. RHP Carlos Rodriguez Rodriguez has been caught up in the numbers game among Milwaukee’s young pitchers in 2025. He emerged as an outlier with an extensive arsenal. He’s had two cups of coffee with the Brewers, and while he’s struggled, there’s a lot of potential. The problem, of course, is that there are a lot of other pitchers with potential forcing their way up. The combination of team control and his youth could make Rodriguez a trade asset – either on his own, or as part of a larger package. A pitcher like Rodriguez could net a solid return, but not if the team holds on to him for too long. SS Joey Ortiz The Brewers have an interesting situation at shortstop. The top three prospects on the Brewer Fanatic Top 20 are all at shortstop. One, Cooper Pratt, is likely to start 2026 at Triple-A Nashville. Jesus Made will likely start at Double-A Biloxi, and then, there is Luis Pena. Joey Ortiz would likely be a prime trade chip if he’d matched his 2024 offensive numbers, but he instead fell off a cliff at the plate. That said, Ortiz may still be someone who could draw interest. A big part is that he is cheap and comes with years of control. The Brewers moved a slumping JJ Hardy in the 2010-2011 offseason and acquired Carlos Gomez. Milwaukee could look to see if it can pull off something similar or use Ortiz to sweeten some other deal to get a difference-maker, particularly if Cooper Pratt is on a hot streak. 1B Andrew Vaughn Vaughn helped save the Brewers’ season after Rhys Hoskins went on the injured list. So why put him on the block? One reason is the $7.8 million he is potentially due. The Crew could try to sell relatively high when it comes to Vaughn, especially with the presence of other first-base options (Jake Bauers and Tyler Black come to mind). In this case, it is a bit of a salary dump. But at the same time, Vaughn’s run with the Brewers is much higher than his career OPS+ of 101. A regression to his 2021-2024 mean would not be the worst the Brewers have had at first base in their history, but it would not exactly be what the Brewers are hoping for from a $7.8 million first baseman, either. OF Garrett Mitchell When Garrett Mitchell’s been on the field, he’s been an incredible talent. The problem is that in his three full major league seasons, he’s averaged just under 38 games a season. That’s less than a quarter of a full major-league season. Yet he is now in his first year of arbitration – while he will only cost the crew about $1 million, the fact is that Blake Perkins, Isaac Collins, and Tyler Black could be more likely to play and contribute than Mitchell has so far. Mitchell, like Ortiz, could be used to pull off a deal similar to the Hardy-for-Gomez trade the Brewers did in the 2010-2011 offseason. The other option is to see if Mitchell can land some prospects or a competitive balance pick. Which players do you think the Brewers should be putting on the market? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

The starter-to-reliever conversion is a Twins specialty. We saw it with Griffin Jax, Jhoan Duran, and Cole Sands in years past: at some point, it becomes clear that someone just may not be cut out for the rotation. That’s no insult: relievers are critical parts of any team, and the job requires a mentality that suits some hurlers better than the one needed to thrive as a starter. Today, we’ll talk about two players who have yet to pitch for the Twins, who may find themselves in the bullpen. Connor Prielipp Let’s start with the Wisconsin native. His bullpen case rests on a simple premise: he’s barely pitched. As a pro, the lefty has tossed 112 ⅔ frames, with 82 ⅔ of those coming this season, his first fully healthy year in the Twins system. Even in this era of diminished inning totals from starters, that’s not a lot of work. Assuming a conservative yearly frames increase, it would take Prielipp two more seasons to build up to 150 innings, even if everything goes well. The Twins can’t afford to wait that long: he had to be added to the 40-man roster this week. Minnesota did so, but will they want to burn precious option years on a slow buildup? Could they stomach having an in-his-prime lefty attempting to develop at St. Paul when the major-league roster demands pitching talent today? I don’t believe so. At some point, a team wants to see a return on their investment, and moving to a relief role accelerates that process. Plus, his play in 2025 wasn’t so dominant that it demands an extended run as a starter: he posted a 4.03 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP. Place him in the bullpen, pump up the fastball velocity, and let the already elite slider continue to dominate. A lefty gets an especially big bump from that move, because he can go from facing fellow lefties 25% of the time or less to anywhere from 33% to 40% of the time. He could be the team’s best left-handed weapon since peak Taylor Rogers. Marco Raya Raya is a different case. He’s already on the 40-man roster; one of his options is gone. The Twins treated him with contradictory carefulness as a prospect. For years, he was rarely allowed to go past three innings, yet he was also promoted so aggressively that he was always at least three years younger than the level he pitched at. The result? Underwhelming stats, but a sense that his play was more impressive than it appeared. That changed this year. He was dreadful with the Saints. Headed into August 15, his season ERA sat at 6.27 across 80 ⅓ innings, and his WHIP was 1.71—each figure bloated by a ghastly 12.9% walk rate. No qualified MLB starter walked hitters at a rate that high in 2025 (or 2024). Perhaps sensing that this was more than an ordinary case of a youngster struggling against elevated talent, the Twins moved him to the Saints’ bullpen. His final nine appearances were all in relief, though the results were mixed. His ERA and WHIP fell (to 4.91 and 1.25, respectively), but his peripherals remained largely unchanged. The walks dropped a little, but so did the strikeouts. He had outings like September 3, when he whiffed five over three innings, displaying the kind of whizzing sweeper that appears capable of corkscrewing big-league hitters, but he also allowed multiple runs in three of those appearances. A 33% chance of implosion is untenable. The sample was small, this adjustment was made on the fly, he’s (impossibly) still just 23, and I believe an offseason spent preparing as a reliever should sharpen his skills. Like Prielipp, he has a breaking ball that can succeed at the major-league level. That alone could carry a relief profile. Overall, according to Baseball Prospectus, the raw quality of his pitches (release point, trajectory, velocity, movement and location, adjusted for count and batter handedness) was much better after the switch. His stuff was 0.5 runs worse than average per 100 pitches during his time as a starter, and 0.1 runs better than average per 100 as a reliever. Minnesota has a lot to sort through this offseason. They have an abundance of young pitchers, but only a small number of them can claim big-league success in any capacity. Someone will need to move to the bullpen; several will likely make that transition this spring. If you're looking for high-impact arms who may be among that group, Raya and Prielipp are two players to keep your eyes on. They just might be pitching in late-game situations sooner than you think. View the full article

With the offseason now in full gear and rumors flying about the Padres' ownership changing hands, a difficult decision might have to be made. This is part one of a series where we’ll analyze the Padres’ ten best players and how likely each player is to be traded this offseason. 10. Adrian Morejon Pros: Morejon’s breakout 2025 saw the reliever become an All-Star and one of the league’s elite relief pitchers. He ranked in the top 10% in eight advanced metrics, including pitching run value (95th percentile), fastball run value (93rd percentile), xERA (97th percentile), fastball velocity (94th percentile), average exit velocity (98th percentile), barrel rate (97th percentile), hard-hit rate (99th percentile), and ground-ball rate (92nd percentile). It’s what allowed him to finish the season with a 2.08 ERA, a 0.90 WHIP, and a 2.28 FIP. He is also cheap and under club control for the next three years. Cons: It feels like there aren’t many holes left in Morejon’s game. He’s cheap and under club control. There is almost no way Morejon will be traded this offseason. While it’s impossible to say a reliever is untouchable, especially with two other elite relievers on the team, this is a player San Diego will likely want to hold onto long-term. Chances of trade: 5% 9. Joe Musgrove Pros: When he’s been healthy, Musgrove has pitched like a star. He has a 3.20 ERA and a 3.68 FIP as a Padre, with a 4.18 K/BB ratio. In 2023, he boasted a fastball run value in the 96th percentile and a chase rate in the 99th percentile. His xERA of 3.11 ranked in the 90th percentile, his BB rate in the 90th percentile, and his barrel rate in the 87th percentile. and his hard-hit rate is in the 84th percentile. Musgrove has been a legit ace in the past. Cons: It will have been over a year and a half between Musgrove’s last start in September of 2024 and his next one in March 2026. Will Musgrove be the same pitcher he was before Tommy John surgery? Will he be the ace he was from 2021-2024, or will he regress due to age and injury? He’s owed $20 million in 2026 and another $20 million in 2027 before he becomes a free agent. Normally, that would be a fairly tradeable contract, but because he is coming off an injury, it’s probably unlikely. The Padres will also need Musgrove to pitch well in 2026, as their rotation looks thin as it is. Chances of trade: 5% 8. Xander Bogaerts Pros: Despite his rough couple of seasons, Bogaerts is still one of the most respected shortstops in the league, and his defense remains strong. He’s a World Series champion with playoff experience and plenty of leadership to go around. His bat also improved slightly in 2025, getting back to a league-average level (99 OPS+, .720 OPS). Cons: The past two years have gone about as poorly as they could have gone for Bogaerts. The infielder, once considered to be one of the elite shortstops in the league, was worth 3.2 bWAR combined between 2024 and 2025. He’s now 33 years old, and his bat appears to be completely lost. His defense will be next to go (though he actually improved defensively in 2025). He’s also owed $236.8 million over the next eight years. If the Padres could trade Bogarts, they probably would, but the contract probably keeps him in San Diego for good. Chances of trade: 1% 7. Jason Adam Pros: He might be the best setup man in baseball. Last year, he held opponents to an xBA of .197 and had them wiffing 33.3% of the time. He has a 1.94 ERA and 3.05 FIP since 2024, and a 2.07 ERA since 2022. Cons: The expected stats show Adam might be due for some regression. His FIP has routinely been over a run higher than his ERA, and his 2.76 xERA in 2025 was significantly higher than his actual ERA of 1.93. On the other hand, these trends have held up for the past four years. If Adam has been able to have such a low ERA for four straight years, even with a higher FIP and xERA, perhaps there is some merit to the idea that Adam is simply better at pitching himself out of jams. The laws of regression haven’t applied so far. Any reliever is a possible trade candidate, simply on the basis that if a team is willing to give up top prospects, it has to be considered (especially with Mason Miller and Morejon already on the team). With that being said, trading away Adam seems highly unlikely. Chances of trade: 5% 6. Jake Cronenworth Pros: He can play solid second base or first base, and has an above-average bat. While Cronenworth has not been the most consistent member of the Padres, he is talented and on a team-friendly contract that pays him $61.4 million over the next five years. Cons: It is beginning to feel unlikely that Cronenworth will ever repeat the 4.8 bWAR, 122 OPS+, All-Star campaign that launched him into stardom and helped him land his contract. That season was 2021, and since then, Cronenworth has averaged 2.2 bWAR per season. His expected stats looked rough in 2025, with an xAVG of .227 and an xSLG of .348, both ranking in the bottom 15% of the league. It’s possible a team looking for a second baseman would trade for Cronenworth, but moving off him would only open up another hole in the Padres’ infield (which already has a hole at first base). Chances of trade: 20% View the full article

Over the past week, the Twins (and all other teams) have been busy with their regularly scheduled roster cleaning in preparation for the Winter Meetings. They added six minor leaguers to the 40-man roster. They made a trade, and they tendered contact to all of their arbitration-eligible players. Across baseball, several players were non-tendered by their organizations making them free agents. Here are three non-tendered pitchers that could help the Twins in 2026. IAN HAMILTON - RHP Raise your hand if you can remember when Ian Hamilton pitched in one game for the 2022 Minnesota Twins. Hamilton is a right-handed reliever who joined the Yankees organization in 2023 and made an immediate impact, posting 1.6 bWAR and a stellar 2.64 ERA over 39 appearances and 58 innings, supported by an impressive 2.82 FIP. His wipeout slider and ability to generate whiffs gave New York a valuable mid-to-late inning option. However, the following two seasons were far more turbulent. Hamilton struggled with consistency in 2024 and 2025, and as the Yankees pushed toward a postseason run with a crowded bullpen picture, he was sent down to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in late July. He finished 2025 with 36 MLB outings, logging 40 innings with a 4.28 ERA, 4.39 FIP, and 42 strikeouts. His non-tender was unsurprising given the Yankees’ depth and their preference to lean on a younger, higher-velocity prospect pool for the stretch run. Hamilton’s profile, solid but not dominant, left him squeezed out in a system known for rapid bullpen turnover and constant role competition. Compared to other relievers in New York’s mix, he was no longer a comfortable postseason option, especially after his mid-season demotion. Age also plays a factor. At 30, Hamilton is not old by reliever standards, but he isn’t a long-term developmental project either, and his underwhelming numbers across 2024–2025 raise fair concerns about durability, swing-and-miss sustainability, and whether his best form is behind him. He could easily be the replacement for Jhoan Duran as the closer, but there will never be another Duran. The Twins represent an ideal landing spot, and Minnesota could unlock a resurgence. With the five losses last year at the trade deadline and several of the August and September relievers also becoming free agents, the Twins clearly need arms for competition in the bullpen. Hamilton’s three-pitch mix, led by a slider that generates 69% strikes and a massive 78% whiff rate, gives him a legitimate carrying tool that fits the Twins’ pitching-development model. He limits hard contact, induces chases from left-handed hitters, and shows enough command to profile as a matchup weapon or full-inning reliever. Under pitching coach Pete Maki, the Twins have found success in maximizing relievers, Hamilton could rediscover the sharpness he showed in 2023. For Minnesota, he’s a low-cost, high-upside bullpen addition who fills an immediate need while offering the chance of meaningful rebound value. OMAR CRUZ - LHP Omar Cruz is a left-handed pitcher whose professional journey has taken him from the Padres system to the Pirates in 2021, and back with the Padres in 2023 through the Rule 5 draft. Cruz originally signed out of Mexico in 2017 and made his MLB debut on April 1, 2025, but then was sent down after his second performance on April 5. He was recalled for a couple of days in late May and then again at the end of September but didn't pitch in any games. Cruz built his reputation on a high-performing changeup, solid strike-throwing, and the ability to neutralize left-handed hitters with a mix that plays above its raw velocity. He has shown flashes of potential in both starting and middle relief. While he hasn’t cemented himself as a major-league contributor, he has shown poise and pitchability teams covet in depth arms. And, well, he's left-handed and just 26 years old. He was non-tendered because San Diego faced a roster-crunch. His lack of elite velocity and limited major-league runway made him expendable for a club reshuffling its pitching depth. None of this reflects a lack of skill; it's just the reality of a crowded pitching pipeline, and the Padres need to allocate roster space to higher-ceiling arms. The Twins should consider signing him because his profile fits what their pitching department has excelled at developing: command-first lefties with a plus changeup and room for analytical refinement. In Minnesota, Cruz projects as a depth starter, long reliever, or matchup-friendly lefty who can shuttle between St. Paul and the MLB roster without disrupting roles. The primary concerns are whether his fastball can miss enough bats at the big-league level and whether his margin for error is thin against right-handed hitters. Still, with his age, pitchability, and Twins-friendly toolkit, he represents a low-cost upside player who could become a quietly valuable piece of the 2026 staff, especially as a lefty. JOEY LUCCHESI - LHP Joey Lucchesi is a 32-year-old left-handed pitcher whose career has spanned the Padres, the Mets, and, most recently, the Giants organizations. Once known primarily as a crafty starter with his signature curve, Lucchesi has transitioned effectively into a bullpen role where his ability to neutralize left-handed hitters has become his defining strength. His delivery remains one of the most unusual in baseball, creating a timing disruptor that helps his fastball and changeup play up despite modest velocity. Even as he’s shifted into a relief-focused workload, he’s maintained the pitchability and poise that made him a steady rotation option earlier in his career. Lucchesi was non-tendered due to a combination of age, roster crunch, and the Giants’ increasing push toward younger, higher-octane bullpen arms. San Francisco has spent the past two seasons aggressively turning over its pitching depth, especially in the relief corps, prioritizing velocity and swing-and-miss traits over deception-driven profiles. For a 32-year-old soft-contact lefty, that made him expendable—even if his results and peripherals remained perfectly serviceable. He wasn’t cut because he couldn’t contribute; he was cut because he no longer fit the organizational direction and didn’t offer long-term upside for a club shifting philosophies. For the Twins, however, Lucchesi’s profile is exactly the kind of asset they need. Minnesota lacks reliable left-handed bullpen depth behind Kody Funderburk, and Lucchesi immediately fills that gap with experience, versatility, and a proven track record against tough lefty bats. His “churve”, which is part changeup, part breaking ball, has long been a problem pitch for left-handers, generating weak contact and expanding the zone when leveraged correctly. The concerns are age and ceiling: at 32, he’s not a long-term piece, and his margin for error is smaller than power relievers. But in the short term, he provides the Twins with a steady, matchup-friendly lefty who can handle pockets of left-heavy lineups, piggyback innings, or operate as a multi-out bridge option. Given Minnesota’s bullpen needs and coaching staff’s success with finesse-and-deception arms, Lucchesi is a smart, low-risk fit who could deliver high-value innings right away. Non-tendered pitchers are not going to be the cream of the crop, and it does take the right team to take them on and rebuild them, these three pitchers have a potential to be a good fit for the Twins as short-term options while the teams adjusts to the new structure. View the full article

Predicting a lineup several years into the future is always an exercise in projection and optimism, but the Twins have placed themselves in a strong position for long-term success. A wave of high-end prospects is poised to join an established big-league core, giving Minnesota the type of roster flexibility that front offices crave. If everything breaks right, the 2029 Twins could feature a roster built around homegrown stars, polished young talent, and a few veterans who still have more to give. Let's take a look at how the 2029 lineup might take shape, and why each player fits into Minnesota’s long-term vision. Behind each player’s name is their age during the 2029 campaign. Catcher: Eduardo Tait (22) The Twins are dreaming big with Tait. As the top prospect acquired in the Jhoan Duran deal with Philadelphia, Tait arrived with significant development time ahead of him. He finished his age-18 season at High-A Cedar Rapids, where he posted a 103 wRC+ while facing competition more than 4 years older on average. Minnesota is hoping the early grind pays off and that Tait grows into the athletic and durable catcher who can anchor the position for the next decade. First Base: Luke Keaschall (26) Keaschall showed flashes of his offensive upside in 2025, but his long-term defensive home remains unsettled. As he moves further from Tommy John surgery, the Twins expect him to get plenty of reps at second base and even in the outfield during the next couple of seasons. By 2029, Minnesota should have stronger defenders locked into its infield spots, making first base a natural landing place where Keaschall can focus on providing steady offensive production. Second Base: Brooks Lee (28) Lee will get every chance to be the club’s everyday shortstop in 2026, but his lack of speed and the wear of age may prompt a position switch by 2029. Even with that shift, the Twins believe his sharp instincts and plus bat-to-ball ability can shine in an up-the-middle role. If his minor-league contact skills begin to appear more consistently in the majors, Lee can remain an impact player even after moving off shortstop. Third Base: Kaelen Culpepper (26) Culpepper surged through the system in 2025, with a 138 wRC+ in a campaign split between High A and Double A. Improved defense and a strong arm give him a chance to debut as a shortstop as early as 2026, but by 2029, the Twins may prefer him at third base. The key question will be whether his power breakout proves sustainable, because a permanent move to the hot corner requires consistent extra-base authority. Shortstop: Marek Houston (25) Houston was selected in the first round of the 2025 draft, largely because of his standout defensive ability. Scouts view his glove as major league-ready, though opinions vary on how much offensive value he can provide. He hit .354/.458/.597 with 15 home runs and 14 doubles in his final collegiate season, but those numbers may be difficult to replicate in pro ball. If the Twins can help him find even modest offensive consistency, his defense gives him a real chance to become a reliable everyday shortstop. Left Field: Emmanuel Rodriguez (26) The story with Rodriguez has always centered on health. When he is on the field, he brings a rare blend of patience, power, and defensive value, highlighted by a walk rate over 20% and a 135 wRC+ last season. He can handle center field if needed, but his availability has been limited, as he has not eclipsed 100 games in any professional season and has averaged only 56 games over the last two years. Center Field: Walker Jenkins (24) Jenkins is the projected centerpiece of the organization’s future. Ending his age-20 season at Triple-A St. Paul is an indicator of his prodigious potential, and his 154 wRC+ in Double A cemented his status as a franchise-level talent. With a debut coming as soon as the first half of 2026, Jenkins should be firmly established by 2029 and ready to lead a young, dynamic Twins lineup. Right Field: Byron Buxton (35) Buxton’s contract runs through 2028, which means a new deal would be required for him to be part of this roster. If he wants to remain a Twin for life, the door will be open, especially after a season in which he captured a Silver Slugger and finished 11th in American League MVP voting. Even in his mid-30s, Buxton’s combination of athleticism, leadership, and power could make him a valuable piece of a youthful lineup. Designated Hitter: Matt Wallner (31) The 2029 season will be Wallner’s final year under team control, and by then, he may have transitioned fully into the designated hitter role. His defense regressed in 2025, and the organization could shift him to first base or DH even sooner. Wallner’s value is built almost entirely around his powerful left-handed swing, making the DH spot an ideal long-term fit. Some of the most notable changes from last year’s prediction include the absence of Carlos Correa, Royce Lewis, and Ryan Jeffers. Minnesota’s farm system also took on a different look since this point last year, with additions made in the MLB Draft and through trades. It’s hard to imagine that all of the young hitters above will translate their minor-league production to the big-league level. Minnesota has struggled to turn top prospects into consistent big-league contributors; that will need to change by 2029. A lot can change in four years, but the Twins appear well-positioned to build a roster that blends stars, veterans, and emerging talent into a competitive core. Which players do you see locking down spots in Minnesota’s 2029 lineup? Share your thoughts and join the discussion. PREVIOUS YEARS' PREDICTIONS — 2026 Lineup — 2027 Lineup — 2028 Lineup View the full article

Late Tuesday afternoon, organizations had to set their 40-man rosters, forcing club decision-makers to decide which prospects to protect from Rule 5 Draft eligibility. The Minnesota Twins protected six players, bringing their 40-man reserve list to its capacity. All six players could impact the major-league club in some capacity next season. Yet, Minnesota could add more young, high-upside reinforcements to its roster during the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 10, with hopes of them becoming immediate contributors with the parent club. Minnesota is more likely to select a young pitcher, since the easiest path to the Opening Day roster for a newcomer would be in the bullpen. However, that doesn't mean they won't target a position player. Which could they select, if the right chance arises? Andrew Pintar One of the many talking points new Twins manager Derek Shelton emphasized in his introductory press conference was that the Twins will prioritize speed and defense. Miami Marlins prospect Andrew Pintar embodies those traits. He's an above-average defensive center fielder with near-elite speed. The 24-year-old was serviceable at the plate in Triple A last season, hitting .269/.338/.384 (good for a 99 wRC+) over 384 plate appearances. He also has some pop in his bat, with a 105.4-MPH 90th-percentile exit velocity. Pintar lacks in-game power, however, as he hit only four home runs last season. His hard-hit balls had an average launch angle of 7°, much lower than the league average, so not all of his exit velocity translated into concrete value. Still, the right-handed hitting prospect is an intriguing gadget outfielder who could provide plus value in the field and on the bases. Blaze Jordan Surprisingly, the St. Louis Cardinals elected to leave first base prospect Blaze Jordan unprotected. Jordan has received more accolades and attention than he deserves during his minor-league career, thanks to his cool-sounding name. Still, the former top Boston Red Sox prospect could develop into an above-average major leaguer, making him an intriguing candidate for the first base-deficient Twins. Traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for left-handed pitcher Steven Matz at last season's trade deadline, the 22-year-old failed to impress his new organization, hitting .198/.242/.366 with a 53 wRC+ over 186 plate appearances with Triple-A Memphis. On the other hand, the right-handed bat generated a strong first half with Boston's Triple-A affiliate, hitting .298/.341/.480 with a 115 wRC+ over 182 plate appearances. Jordan is a solid hitter for contact with superb zone control, who also hits the ball hard. That being the case, Minnesota could be tempted to poach the right-handed hitter, with intentions of turning him into the long-term solution at the position. T.J. Rumfield Spending the better part of the past two seasons with the New York Yankees' Triple-A affiliate, Rumfield has ascended into one of the best pure hitters in the high minors, slashing .289/.372/.454 with a 120 wRC+ over a combined 1,061 plate appearances. He sported an above-average 11.9% strikeout rate last season. The 25-year-old hits for contact and power, with an above-average maximum exit velocity and near-elite zone swing rates. The young lefty pulls the ball in the air a lot, a skillset understandably preached by the Yankees' hitting development staff. Still, given how often he makes hard contact, his extreme pull profile would translate well to Target Field. Minnesota is in dire need of young hitting talent. Rumfield is arguably the most talented hitter Minnesota could add to its 40-man roster, while playing a position of need. The Twins haven't selected a position player in the Rule 5 Draft since Alejandro Machado in 2006. Yet, Rumfield possesses an intriguing enough skill set that the front office should consider breaking the 19-year trend. View the full article

With nearly the entire roster that won a franchise-record 97 games in the regular season still under club control for 2026, the Brewers need not pursue much turnover this winter. If there’s any area that could use reshuffling, it’s a portion of the bullpen. In an era where many bullpens are tasked with covering more than 40% of a team’s regular-season innings with a 13-pitcher limit, front offices need the flexibility to shuttle a handful of relievers between Triple-A and the big leagues throughout the season to pace workloads. The current makeup of the Brewers’ projected 2026 relief corps leaves little room to do so. Six of Milwaukee’s best eight relievers will carry at least one minor-league option into next season, but four of them – Abner Uribe, Trevor Megill, Jared Koenig, and Aaron Ashby – are valuable high-leverage arms who must remain on the roster if healthy. In practicality, that leaves Grant Anderson and DL Hall as the Brewers’ lone optionable arms, and even those two boast unique strengths that could keep them on the roster nearly full-time. The rubber-armed Anderson appeared no worse for wear after logging 69 2/3 innings, while Hall was a useful long reliever who occasionally opened for right-handed starters with pronounced platoon splits. Perhaps the Brewers feel those two spots offer enough flexibility as they are, but they could benefit from adding another optionable slot to their bullpen. At minimum, the casualty would have to be one of Nick Mears or Rob Zastryzny, the two relievers on the 40-man roster who cannot be optioned. Mears’s importance to next year’s team is debatable after an up-and-down 2025. After an illness in spring training delayed his debut, a diminished fastball upon his return proved much easier to barrel and led to fewer strikeouts. However, mechanical changes unlocked nearly pinpoint control, allowing him to post a 0.51 ERA and 1.89 FIP over his first 19 appearances and emerge as Pat Murphy’s preferred fireman. The relative lack of strikeouts and the heaviest workload of his big-league career seemingly caught up to Mears in the second half. His walk rate nearly tripled from 3.6% before the All-Star break to 9.9% after, and he limped to a 5.59 ERA and 6.34 FIP. Interestingly, though, his fastball qualities improved. While it was still hit hard when put in play, Mears rediscovered that extra tick of velocity, raising its stuff grades to just above average and reintroducing more whiffs. Split FB Velo FB Stuff+ FB StuffPro FB Whiff% FB xwOBA 1st Half 95.1 95 0.1 12.1% .376 2nd Half 96.1 102 -0.2 21.5% .369 Through one lens, Mears flamed out after an unsustainable workload and could be in for regression in 2026. Through another, he’s due for a better year because his stuff is trending in the right direction. While the Brewers tendered him a contract for next season, his unclear outlook and lack of roster flexibility could make trading him for a lottery ticket a tempting option. Zastrynzy, meanwhile, has dealt with injuries in both of his seasons in Milwaukee but has pitched to a 2.12 ERA, 4.09 FIP, and 4.27 SIERA over 29 2/3 innings when healthy. His strikeout and walk rates have been below average, but he has generated whiffs and weak contact at outstanding rates. The greatest knock against Zastrynzy may be that he’s redundant at times in a bullpen that already features Koenig, Ashby, and Hall as left-handed options. Mears and Zastrynzy profile as useful middle relievers in the right bullpens, but Milwaukee may not be the best fit for both at once. The Brewers could use another flex spot for shuttle arms like Craig Yoho, Easton McGee, and Sammy Peralta, to say nothing of the stable of minor-league starters they could deploy out of the bullpen throughout the season. The offseason is still in its infancy, but at this moment, moving one of their non-optionable veterans is the easiest way to create more breathing room on the depth chart. View the full article

In the 2024 Rule 5 draft, the Jays were picking sixth (yes, it was a tough year!). They chose Angel Bastardo from the Red Sox. In some ways, Bastardo was a classic Rule 5 pick: he had a starter’s arsenal with a 50-grade fastball, slider, and curve, and an “out pitch” in his 60-grade changeup, "an 84-88 mph offering that dies as it approaches the plate as if an invisible parachute has popped out of the back of it" (per FanGraphs). And even if he did not make it as a starter, he could profile as a particularly nasty late-inning reliever. The issue with Bastardo was his health – he had Tommy John surgery in June 2024 and was expected to miss most or all of the 2025 season. So if the Jays took him, they would have to carry him for all of 2025 (using up a 40-man roster spot) before they could meet the 90-day test in 2026. But Toronto clearly thought the upside justified the cost. The Jays currently have 38 players on their 40-man roster. This implies that they want to have the flexibility to make Rule 5 pickups in the upcoming December 10 draft. Might they be considering a similar strategy in 2025? Choosing a player with high upside, but who will be injured for most of 2026? In nine games (eight starts) at double-A ball in 2025, Yordanny Monegro had a 2.67 ERA (2.34 FIP) and a 13.10 K/9 as compared to a 2.14 BB/9. In 2024, in class A+ ball, he finished the season with 42 innings without an earned run. He has four pitches graded (by MLB.com) at 50 or better, and his control is also a 50 grade. But Monegro had Tommy John surgery in August 2025 and is expected to miss most or all of 2026. There are other red flags, as MLB.com notes: Monegro fits the classic high-upside, high-risk pitcher profile. At one time, his upper-70s curveball was ranked as the highest in the Boston farm system, and his pitch mix is still improving (he only added his now-55-grade slider in 2023). So the potential is very real for either a mid-rotation starter or a strong middle-relief/swingman. But the issues with his inconsistent delivery are equally real. There was a time when to say that a pitcher carried “reliever risk” was considered a very strong negative. But with the price of good relievers increasing, and with the importance of a good-to-great bullpen becoming increasingly evident, having a Bastardo or Monegro “only” becoming a Yimi Garcia or Eric Lauer is no longer a negative. If anything, having high reliever potential as a backup plan adds to their value. It is true that the Jays will be picking much later (29th) in the upcoming Rule 5 draft. So it is entirely possible that Monegro might be chosen before then. But Rule 5 picks can be traded, so if Toronto really believed in Monegro’s potential, they might be able to swing a deal with one of the teams picking earlier (Rockies / White Sox / Twins?) whereby that team picks Monegro and then trades them to Toronto. The Jays would then be subject to the same rules as if they had chosen Monegro themselves. The Bottom Line It has become increasingly difficult for teams to find good pitching talent. Even mediocre starting pitching has become very expensive on the free agent market (and top-of-rotation starters even more so). Teams are reluctant to trade young pitching, and when they do, their asks can be extortionate. So it behooves teams to be creative in their search for good pitching help. Bastardo was a gamble in 2024, but an intelligent and high-upside one. Monegro could be a similar intelligent gamble in 2025. View the full article

In the 2022-2023 offseason, the Brewers acquired William Contreras as the centerpiece of their haul for getting involved in a deal with the Atlanta Braves and Oakland Athletics. But who’s behind Contreras? Brewers fans have rarely had to worry, but it may be time for a look because there is talent down the depth chart. On The 40-Man Roster William Contreras: .260/.355/.399 with 28 doubles, 17 home runs, and 76 RBI in Milwaukee Contreras has been incredibly durable – appearing in 446 games over three seasons. That’s out of a possible 486. That’s not very many days off. When he isn’t catching, he’s often serving as the designated hitter for the Crew. Contreras is the undisputed starter at catcher, at least through 2026. The real question is whether Milwaukee runs with him through 2027, or if they deal him for a haul of young players in the 2026-2027 offseason. Until then, he is likely to get the bulk of the starts. Jeferson Quero: .261/.371/.468 with 17 doubles, one triple, 11 home runs, and 57 RBI between Triple-A Nashville and Rookie League ACL Brewers Quero’s progression has been delayed by injuries. In 2024, an effort to avoid being picked off first base cost him the entire season, save for that initial plate appearance, due to a shoulder injury. In 2025, he dealt with other injuries, playing only 58 games at Nashville. While initially a top prospect due to defensive prowess, the injury has affected his ability to keep baserunners honest. He still excels at handling pitchers and has worked with Milwaukee’s young talent in the minors. His bat is also very solid for the position, and could allow the Crew to rest Contreras. Anthony Seigler: .267/.391/.424 with 17 doubles, four triples, eight home runs, and 44 RBI between Triple-A Nashville and Milwaukee Seigler may seem like an odd inclusion since he is officially listed as an infielder. But he started 22 games behind the plate for the Sounds, and also caught for the Brewers for one frame. Baseball-Reference projects him to provide a .696 OPS in the majors in 2026, which wouldn’t be bad for a catcher. Seigler was a switch-hitter before he started hitting exclusively from the left side in 2025. With some serious talent in the minor-league infield, Seigler’s best shot at sticking with the Brewers may be to once again don the tools of ignorance. Minor-League Players Who Could Impact 2026 Darrien Miller: .192/.381/.329 with 10 doubles, one triple, seven home runs, and 37 RBI at Double-A Biloxi Miller, a minor-league free agent, has re-signed with Milwaukee, marking his seventh season with the organization, and he will only be 25. Miller’s forte has been OBP. In 2025, he posted a .381 OBP in the pitching-friendly Southern League despite his batting average being eight points below the Uecker line, thanks to drawing 57 walks and getting plunked 17 times. Miller has also provided solid defense – not as spectacular as Quero at his best, but not horrible, either. His power surged a bit in 2025 as well, nearly quadrupling his home run total from 2024. Miller will likely be in Triple-A Nashville in 2026, and his familiarity with the Brewers' young pitchers could be an asset. Matt Wood: .256/.372/.380 with 16 doubles, seven home runs, and 43 RBI between Advanced-A Wisconsin and Double-A Biloxi Wood will also be 25 in the 2026 season, the same age as Miller, but was drafted by the Brewers in the 2022 amateur draft. Wood’s offensive profile is very solid, posting a .787 OPS in 59 games at Double-A, 77 points higher than Miller’s. His left-handed bat should perform well at American Family Field. Wood’s defense has also been solid. It’s an open question if he will be at Double-A Biloxi or if he will make the jump to Triple-A Nashville alongside Miller. Marco Dinges: .300/.416/.514 with 12 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, and 62 RBI between Single-A Carolina and Advanced-A Wisconsin Dinges has always had a potent bat. The Brewers, though, have been developing him behind the plate – and he rocketed all the way to Wisconsin in his first full professional season, then added a couple of games in the Arizona Fall League. Dinges is likely to be in Double-A Biloxi in 2026, but if he hits like he did in 2025, he could end up in Nashville and possibly Milwaukee. Which catchers do you think will make the biggest impact for the Crew in 2026? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

The guys discuss what Brandon Woodruff's return means for next season's starting rotation, Jake Bauers' potential importance in the middle of the order, and a few minor-league signings to keep tabs on. 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

On Friday, the Royals announced two official non-tenders: reliever Taylor Clarke and outfielder MJ Melendez. The move puts their current 40-man roster at 38. The Clarke move was a bit surprising, especially since he wasn't expected to command much in arbitration, and he is coming off a solid past season with the Royals. After spending two seasons in Kansas City in 2022 (4.04 ERA) and 2023 (5.95 ERA), he returned to the Royals and thrived in a middle-innings reliever role. In 51 appearances and 55.1 IP, he posted a 3.25 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and 17% K-BB%. However, his FIP was 3.97, and while he indeed sported excellent stuff metrics with the Royals last year (104 overall TJ Stuff+), he struggled to generate whiffs, and his xwOBACON was higher than one would want. With the acquisition of Alex Lange this week, it seemed like the Royals felt Clarke's role was expendable. His lack of Minor League options also gave him less flexibility in Spring Training. However, the bigger transaction of the day was the release of Melendez, a 2017 second-round pick and former top prospect who advanced through the Royals' farm system with Bobby Witt Jr. Melendez Showed Early Promise With the Royals Drafted and initially developed as a catcher, Melendez showed excellent power as a prospect in the Royals system, especially after the pandemic. Initially, he had a brutal campaign in High-A ball in 2019, hitting .163 with a .571 OPS and 39.4% K rate in 419 plate appearances. To make matters worse, he only hit nine home runs that season. While the park factors of Wilmington didn't help, the lack of power was disappointing, especially since that was his calling card when drafted out of high school. The Royals changed up their hitting development after the 2019 season, bringing on Alec Zumwalt and Drew Saylor as hitting coordinators. Melendez was a success story of the new team, absolutely thriving in 2021. Across Double-A and Triple-A ball, he led the Minor Leagues in home runs with 41, he lowered his K% to 21.7%, and improved his OPS to 1.011. He was also named Offensive Player of the Year that season by Minor League Baseball. As a result, Melendez became a Top-100 prospect in baseball heading into 2022, ranking 42nd by Baseball America, 51st by MLB Pipeline, and 32nd by Baseball Prospectus. When Melendez made his debut in 2022, the Royals were looking for a spark in what would be manager Mike Matheny's last season. He provided exactly that, spending time as the Royals' leadoff hitter that season. In 537 plate appearances, he hit 18 home runs, collected 62 RBI, scored 57 runs, and posted an OPS of .706 and a wRC+ of 97. Unfortunately, poor defense behind the plate and in the outfield (where he rarely played before he arrived in Kansas City) resulted in a -0.6 fWAR, a microcosm of what was to come in the next three years with the Royals. Power Potential, But Inconsistent Results in Kansas City Over the next two seasons, Melendez was a regular outfielder for the Royals, moving away from catcher completely. Here's a look at what he did in 2023 and 2024: 2023: .235/.316/.398, 10.3% BB%, 28.2% K%, 16 HR, 56 RBI, 93 wRC+, 0.4 fWAR in 602 PA. 2024: .206/.273/.400, 7.8% BB%, 25.1% K%, 17 HR, 44 RBI, 86 wRC+, -0.2 fWAR in 451 PA. The home run power was certainly there, and even in his down season in 2024, he posted a .194 ISO, a career-high. Unfortunately, strikeout and contact issues (career 71.6% contact rate, 79.1% Z-Contact%) deflated his batting average and his overall performance, as illustrated by sub-100 wRC+ marks. In 2025, Melendez worked with Witt's hitting coach and tried to revamp his entire swing. The change was the big story in Royals camp in Surprise, Arizona, that Spring Training. Unfortunately, the change did more harm than good. In 23 games and 65 plate appearances, Melendez slahed .083/.154/.167 with 4.6% BB%, 35.4% K%, -14 wRC+, and -0.6 fWAR. To make matters worse, many of the endearing qualities he had as a hitter, such as max exit velocity and barrel rate, plummeted dramatically last season, as illustrated in his TJ Stats metrics. Based on this slow start, the Royals optioned Melendez to Triple-A, and he pretty much spent the entire season down in Omaha. The numbers were much better with the Storm Chasers. In 107 games and 480 plate appearances, he hit 20 home runs, scored 70 runs, collected 64 RBI, stole 20 bases, and hit .261 with an .813 OPS. Unfortunately, many of the same contact problems he had with the Royals persisted in Omaha, which explains why he didn't receive much of an opportunity with Kansas City after being sent down (he was only called up once at the end of July, and he only played in seven games before going back down). There were some incentives to keep Melendez for at least another season in Kansas City. He still holds a Minor League option for next season. Additionally, he'll be 27 in 2026 and is widely liked by players in the organization, especially young homegrown players like Witt, Vinnie Pasquantino, and Michael Massey. However, it seems his expected arbitration price tag, estimated at around $2.2 million, was a bit too high for a guy who wasn't guaranteed any playing time at the Major League level next season. What is Melendez's Outlook in 2026 and Beyond? Melendez will likely get picked up by a team this offseason, though it probably will be a Minor League deal with an invite to team camp. He has a history of hitting the ball hard, and a more advantageous home run park could help him boost his offensive production. For his career, he has a 91.7 average exit velocity, a 10.1% barrel rate, and a 46.2% hard-hit rate. Those are batted-ball numbers that would intrigue any team. The big question from now on will be whether Melendez can hone his discipline at the plate, which deteriorated with each season at the MLB level. After posting a 0.50 BB/K ratio in his rookie season in 2022, it fell to 0.36 in 2023, 0.31 in 2024, and 0.13 in 2025. A significant contributor to that was an increasing O-Swinig% during those last three seasons. After posting just a 24.4% O-Swing% in 2022, it was 27.4% in 2023, 29.9% in 2024, and 31.6% in 2025. Thus, it's not a surprise that his swing-and-miss rates remained well above-average (and not in a good way) in the past three seasons, as illustrated in his rolling swing-and-miss chart via Savant. Melendez has the opportunity to pull a Ryan O'Hearn (another homegrown player who showed initial promise but disappointed in Kansas City) and turn things around in new surroundings. The talent is undoubtedly there, and this wasn't an easy decision for Royals GM JJ Picollo, especially considering Melendez was such a high draft pick. That said, it was evident that Melendez's tenure in Kansas City was done, and he needed a fresh start. View the full article