DiamondCentric

With two ace southpaws atop their rotation, will the Boston Red Sox field the best pitching staff in baseball in 2026? Their rotation looks fierce with Garrett Crochet, Ranger Suarez, Sonny Gray, Brayan Bello, Connelly Early, and Payton Tolle in the mix. View the full article

“It was somewhat of a surprise,” Hayden Mullins said as he thought back to the day he was drafted. “My agents called me a couple picks before I got picked.” Mullins, who was the Boston Red Sox's 12th-round pick in 2022, has dealt with injuries since his senior year of high school. At one point thinking of entering the draft as a teenager, an injury his senior season saw his chances of being picked crater. Thus, he instead chose to play baseball at Alabama. Unfortunately, things did not get much better on the health front. Mullins' freshman season was cut short due to COVID-19 canceling the college baseball season. He appeared in five games in relief. His sophomore season was also cut short, as he made just seven appearances before another injury ended his season. Finally, it seemed like his junior season was the mark of a new dawn. Making 11 appearances, including eight starts after getting moved to the rotation, Mullins pitched 34 2/3 innings and struck out 43 batters. Then, injury struck once more as he required Tommy John surgery. By the time he went under the knife and had the surgery, his college baseball career was over; by the time he would be able to get back on the mound, his senior season would have ended. And so he chose to enter the draft. “I didn’t get surgery until July 14 and I tore my elbow on April 29. I was trying to rehab it and get back to pitch for the postseason. I realized I would not get to pitch my senior year and that weighed into the decision,” Mullins explained. Despite the surgery, the southpaw was still taken by the Red Sox as the team decided to gamble on his raw talent. “It was awesome. I’m sitting there in an elbow brace, three days out of surgery. So I’m sitting there hoping a team takes a chance, and I’m grateful it was the Red Sox,” Mullins continued when asked about his draft experience. Unfortunately for the left-hander, he was unable to get into any games until the tail end of the 2023 season. At that point, he made four appearances, tossing a combined 6 1/3 innings between the Complex League and Low-A Salem. It was the 2024 season when he started to really showcase his talents, as shown by his 118 strikeouts in 89 innings with High-A Greenville. Mullins credits the bump in strikeouts to the organization's extensive planning with each pitcher. “You’re receiving reports, this is what you do well. This is what you don’t do so well. These are the things we’re going to work on. Once you go into a game, you’re not really thinking about it, but it just plays a part in a lot of success." Some significant changes have also been seen in his arsenal, the left-hander having tweaked his pitch repertoire since being drafted. “I’ve always thrown fastball, slider, changeup for most of my life. Now, the grips, we can alter them to make the ball move a little bit more downward or horizontal. Adding the sweeper was a big step — I added it in the offseason of ’23. This past season I added a cutter. And I think those will be two really good drivers of success because they’re two different shapes and one is a little bit harder and the other is softer." Much like Blake Wehunt, who we interviewed earlier in the offseason, Mullins felt that the addition of a cutter will play nicely against his natural, arm-side-run four-seamer. Mullins dominated in 2025, going 8-2 in 22 appearances (21 starts) and tossing 101 2/3 innings with an ERA of 2.21. In that span, he struck out 123 batters, splitting his time between Greenville and Portland. He spent most of the season in Portland's rotation and would finish the season as the Sea Dogs' Pitcher of the Year. In all likelihood, the 25-year-old will open the 2026 campaign in Triple-A Worcester, though with their currently loaded rotation, it wouldn’t be out of the question to see him work out of the bullpen (especially since the major-league team is in need of potential left-handed options out of the bullpen). With his ability to rack up strikeouts, Mullins could be a potential late-game option down the road if he can stay healthy. The left-hander has talent to succeed at every level of the sport, and it should be just a matter of time before he makes his major-league debut. View the full article

The Brewers' offseason has been - in a word - quiet - as we wait in anticipation for the Freddy Peralta trade that feels inevitable. The Brewers are masters of improving on the margins and making seemingly small (or even tiny) moves that result in acquiring players with an outsized impact on the team's success, but this winter feels exceptionally slow. To be fair, the Brewers won more games than any other team in 2025 and do not have any glaring holes. While we wait for more action, here is a ranking of the top five player moves from last season. Honorable Mention: Jake Bauers and Anthony Seigler sign minor league contracts After initially non-tendering Jake Bauers in November, the Brewers brought him back on a minor league deal in January of 2025. Bauers had an up-and-down season and dealt with injuries, but he really came on in September and was a standout for the Brewers in the playoffs. He has excellent bat speed, and the Brewers will look to utilize him in advantageous matchups in 2026. Anthony Seigler was the Yankees' first-round pick in 2018. Like Blake Perkins in November 2022, Seigler left the Yankees organization and signed a minor league contract in November 2024. He is an interesting and versatile player, logging a good number of innings at third base, second base, and catcher in 2025. The Brewers like Seigler’s swing decisions at the plate, and with prospect Jeferson Quero currently looking like the backup catcher at the MLB level, it’s possible the Brewers will give Seigler more time behind the plate during spring training this year. 5. Trade for Grant Anderson The Brewers traded 2024 7th round draft pick Mason Molina less than six months after drafting him to the Rangers in exchange for a relief pitcher with a career 62 1/3 innings pitched and a 6.35 ERA. Of course, the Brewers spun Anderson around, clicked his ruby cleats together, and turned him into a useful bullpen weapon who provided 69 2/3 innings with a 3.23 ERA. Importantly, Anderson had two options remaining, allowing the Brewers to send him up and down as needed to provide flexibility and bring in fresh arms from the minor leagues when they needed to. Anderson has four years of club control and another option remaining; he will likely provide the 2026 Brewers with similar flexibility and quality relief innings. 4. Signing Jose Quintana The Brewers made their most significant free agent signing of last offseason on March 3, roughly three weeks before Opening Day. Quintana had long been a Brewers foil; the team often struggled to make solid contact against him, particularly during his time with the Cubs and Mets. After signing so late into spring training, Quintana wasn’t ready to begin the season with the MLB club, and the Brewers called him up on April 11. Quintana went on to make 24 starts for the Brewers, pitching 131 innings with a 3.96 ERA. The Brewers' rotation looks very different now than it did in March of 2024 - Quintana gave the Brewers the quality innings they needed, when they needed them most, making this a successful acquisition executed at just the right time by the Brewers' front office. 3. Trade for Andrew Vaughn On June 12, starting pitcher Aaron Civale requested a trade, and on June 13, the Brewers traded Civale to the White Sox for Andrew Vaughn. Fittingly for this list, Andrew Vaughn was also seen as a less-than-optimal addition. At the time of the trade, the 2019 number three overall pick in the MLB draft had a .189 batting average, a 43 wRC+, and a negative WAR both in the season and cumulatively for his career. The White Sox, in the midst of their third consecutive season with more than 100 losses, had demoted Vaughn to Triple-A. The Brewers recalled Vaughn from Triple-A Nashville a few weeks later, and he turned into a new player. With the Brewers, he was 43 percent better than the average big league hitter, leading the Brewers in the category with a wRC+ of 143. Vaughn had several big home runs and hits, producing memorable moments during the Brewers' winning streaks. The Brewers clearly believe in the tweaks Vaughn made to his approach in 2025 as they tendered him a contract and agreed to a salary of $7.65 million for 2026. Vaughn has an additional year of team control in 2027, giving the team options moving forward. 2. Trade for Caleb Durbin Last winter’s version of trading away a pitcher with one season of team control remaining saw Devin Williams sent to the Yankees for starting pitcher Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin. Similar to the Priester trade, this trade was not universally celebrated by pundits and Brewers fans. On the surface, this looked like an attempt to field a competitive roster while building for the future. The Ortiz portion of this trade failed spectacularly; his most noteworthy contribution to the 2025 Brewers was surrendering home runs on the first three pitches of the second game of the season, facing his former teammates in New York, and helping ignite the torpedo bat controversy. Shortly thereafter, he was put on the injured list and ultimately required the Brewers to attach a prospect to him in order to trade him off the roster. Durbin was never a highly regarded prospect. MLB Pipeline only added him as the 30th-ranked prospect on the Yankees' top 30 list following the 2024 Arizona Fall League, where Durbin set the stolen base record with 29 steals in 24 games. Durbin did not make the Opening Day roster but was promoted in mid-April when the Brewers gave up on Oliver Dunn. Durbin posted an above-average wRC+ in every month except May, finishing five percent above league average with a 105 and accumulating 2.6 fWAR on the season. Having limited experience at the hot corner, his defense at third base improved over the course of the season, earning positive value and finishing in the top half of players at the position. Durbin doesn’t look like a star, but his patient and hard-working approach fits in perfectly with the Brewers, and with five years of control left, the Brewers again acquired a positive asset. 1. Trade for Quinn Priester Less than two weeks into the season, the Brewers sent Yophery Rodriguez, John Holobetz, and the 33rd overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft to Boston in exchange for Priester, the Pirates' first-round pick from 2019, who had limited MLB experience with low strikeout rates and poor results. At the time of the trade, the Brewers' rotation was in disarray with multiple pitchers on the injured list, and many believed this trade smacked of desperation. The then-19-year-old Rodriguez was coming off a successful season at Single-A and was ranked around 10th across the board on Brewers prospect lists. Holobotz was a textbook Brewers draft pick, selected in the fifth round from a smaller school, and the 33rd pick carries a lot of value - the Brewers had just acquired the 34th pick the year before from the Orioles as part of their trade haul for Corbin Burnes. Unsurprisingly, the Brewers knew what they were doing: they tweaked his arsenal, and Priester stepped right into the rotation, pitching 157 1/3 innings with a 3.32 ERA and a 56% ground-ball rate, including setting the team record with an 11-game winning streak. Priester was not rookie-eligible; otherwise, the Brewers would have had five players receive rookie of the year votes. Priester should have five years of team control left, and it appears that the Brewers acquired a very valuable asset. View the full article

The Twins shipped out nearly a dozen veteran players at the trade deadline last year, and have done little to replace the lost talent and experience. Team leaders have asserted their intention to build from within, and to succeed on the strength of a system that is viewed by baseball executives (per a recent MLB Pipeline survey) as one of baseball's most underrated. If the Twins really want to follow through and put their (lack of) money where their mouth is, they'll give some of their prospects a chance to seize Opening Day jobs. There are at least five credible candidates, looking beyond Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez, who — while arguably deserving of a look after reaching Triple-A last year — are crowded out of a lefty-heavy outfield mix. That's one player type these current Twins don't presently need. Here are a couple they badly do need: relief pitchers, and right-handed bats. For that reason, I could envision any of these five players who've yet to debut in the majors catching on with the big-league team if they take spring training by storm. Connor Prielipp One of the factors that often prevents MLB teams from carrying a rookie straight out of spring training is service-clock manipulation. By waiting a few weeks, you can game the system for an extra year of control. That's not so much of a consideration for Prielipp, who turned 25 a few days ago. If all went perfectly and he stuck in the majors for good after making the team, he'd still be under Twins control through age 30. Among the arms they currently have, I'm pretty confident Prielipp is one of Minnesota's best relief options, injury and workload question marks aside. With his fearsome fastball/slider combo from the left side, he may very well be the best, or at least the highest-upside. Could Prielipp step into a setup or closer role out of the gate, with no major-league experience, just as Jhoan Duran did in 2022? I could definitely see it. Like with Duran, there's not really any reason to waste more bullets in the minors if he's healthy. Marco Raya Raya struggled mightily in Triple-A last year while working mostly as a starter. By now he and the Twins should be embracing the shift to a reliever role, and Derek Falvey has hinted as much. In short stints, able to maximize his effort and lean heavily on his standout slider, Raya could be a force. He seems to be an X-factor they are relying on for their rebuilt bullpen. That won't necessarily happen right away. Raya undoubtedly has the stuff but he's got to harness it consistently and manage his emotions. But if he is throwing heat and finding the strike zone in spring training, why not gamble on his potential in a relief corps that is currently lacking for it? John Klein Maybe my favorite dark horse heading into camp. Most Twins fans probably hadn't heard of Klein before he was added to the 40-man roster in November, but that decision came on the heels of a very strong season in the minors where the 6-foot-5 righty ramped up his arsenal and fanned 128 hitters over 106 innings in the high minors. He only threw 25 innings after reaching Triple-A, but Klein turns 24 in April and has the makings of a bullpen-uptick guy with a five-pitch mix that could be whittled down. His presence on the 40-man roster gives him an edge over other prospects or minor-league signings who would need to be added. Gabriel Gonzalez Shifting our focus from relief pitching to another need: right-handed hitting. The Twins are deep on lefty-swinging corner bats, including Trevor Larnach, Matt Wallner, Kody Clemens, Alan Roden and James Outman. Meanwhile they are very short on right-handed options to complement and balance this proliferation of portsiders. Yeah, you've got Austin Martin, but he hasn't proven to be much of an offensive force. Scrap-heap pickup Eric Wagaman is probably the de facto favorite to fill a platoon-type role, but he's not very exciting, and also he's got minor-league options so there's no obligation to go with him. Gonzalez distinguishing himself in spring camp and claiming an Opening Day roster spot is a fun thought. If the Twins want real right-handed punch, and a true weapon against lefties, he's maybe their best bet to offer it even at just 22 years old. Last year Gonzalez raked through three levels of the minors, slashing .368/.430/.592 against lefties and finishing with an .862 OPS in 150 PAs at Triple-A. The big snag here is consistent playing time. The Twins aren't going to have him on the roster starting twice a week, which is what a true platoon role would entail. For Gonzalez to have a chance, space will need to be cleared ahead of him. Kyler Fedko Fedko could be looked at as Gonzalez Lite. The underlying concept is similar. Promoting him straight to the majors would be a lot less audacious than Gonzalez, since Fedko is 26 and no longer really a development project. Because of that, the Twins would also probably be far more comfortable carrying him in a part-time role. Despite Fedko posting a strong .855 OPS at Triple-A last year, he didn't make believers of the Twins, who declined to promote him late in the year or add him to the 40-man roster after. Fedko went unpicked in the Rule 5, so apparently the rest of the league weren't big believers either. But he's still a guy on the prospect radar — ranked 18th on Twins Daily's list, and 33rd on Aaron Gleeman's latest — with a skill set that could suit the club's short-term needs. Anyone I'm missing? Who's your dark horse prospect to make his MLB debut on Opening Day? Share your thoughts in the comments. View the full article

On March 27, the Blue Jays will take the field for Opening Day 2026. They'll do so as the reigning American League champions for the first time in 32 years. But they'll do it without Bo Bichette for the first time since 2019. Here's what Toronto's Opening Day lineup looked like the last time Bichette wasn't a part of it: Brandon Drury, 3B Randal Grichuk, RF Teoscar Hernández, LF Justin Smoak, 1B Lourdes Gurriel Jr., 2B Kevin Pillar, CF Rowdy Tellez, DH Danny Jansen, C Freddy Galvis, SS Charlie Montoyo was the newly-appointed manager. Marcus Stroman was the starting pitcher. A new era of Blue Jays baseball was on the horizon, but it hadn't started yet. It wouldn't begin until two kids named Vladdy and Bo debuted later that year. The Blue Jays signed Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as an international free agent in 2015. They drafted Bichette the next summer. The two young hitters, both the sons of MLB All-Stars, played together on the left side of the infield at every level of the minors. By the end of the 2017 season, the consensus was clear: Guerrero and Bichette were the Blue Jays' two top prospects, and two of the most highly-regarded youngsters in the minor leagues. It couldn't have been easy for Bichette to play in his teammate's shadow. Guerrero joined the organization earlier. He was always the higher-ranked prospect. He got the call to Triple-A and MLB first. His dad wasn't just an All-Star and a Silver Slugger winner; he was a Hall of Famer. It was always Vladdy and Bo, never Bo and Vladdy. Yet, it was Bichette who had the stronger rookie season. He reached base safely in each of his first 17 games, which included an MLB-record nine game doubling streak. In 2020, he outhit Guerrero again, albeit in a limited sample. It was in 2021 that they both became stars. In July, they played together on the All-Star team. At season's end, Guerrero was the MLB home run king, while Bichette led the AL in hits. Ultimately, it was Vladdy's year to shine; Guerrero finished runner-up for AL MVP, while Bichette earned some down-ballot votes and finished 12th. In each of the next two years, however, Bichette was arguably the better player, finishing ahead of Guerrero in FanGraphs WAR and MVP voting. You could say that Vladdy was the face of Blue Jays baseball in the 2020s (and he certainly is now), but really, for the last five years, Guerrero and Bichette were the faces of the team together. They were one of baseball's most fruitful partnerships. At risk of stating the obvious, it's sad to see that come to an end. Two months ago, I thought I was playing devil's advocate when I suggested that the Blue Jays shouldn't prioritize re-signing Bichette. I thought for sure his name was at the top of Ross Atkins's list. I knew there was an argument for making other moves – heck, I made that argument – but at the same time, I didn't really believe things would change. Or maybe I just didn't want to. Then the Blue Jays signed Dylan Cease to the kind of contract Bichette was hoping to land. And the Kyle Tucker rumors started to percolate. And the Jays signed Kazuma Okamoto. Eventually, I started to realize Bichette wasn't coming back. Yet, it wasn't until yesterday that it really sank in. I understand it. I get why the Jays weren't going to beat the Phillies' reported seven-year, $200 million offer. I get why they didn't beat the Mets' winning bid of three years and $126 million. That doesn't mean I'm going to miss Bichette any less. All that's left to say is bye-bye, Bo. Can't wait to cheer for you, and then beat you, when you come back in June. Thanks for the memories – especially this one. View the full article

The Kansas City Royals know that a better lineup will be key to an improvement in 2026. After all, they ranked 26th in runs scored and home runs, 22nd in OBP, and 20th in OPS last season, which helps explain why they went 82-80 last year and missed the postseason. Those rankings have to be better in 2026 if they want to return to the playoffs after a one-year hiatus. So far, JJ Picollo has made efforts to improve the lineup this offseason. He signed former Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas on a one-year, $5.2 million deal and acquired outfielder Isaac Collins in a trade with Milwaukee. They also signed utility players Josh Rojas, Kevin Newman, and Abraham Toro, hoping one of them could be a wild card and have a surprising 2026 campaign in their new surroundings in Kansas City. However, it's looking like the Royals' ability to make a big deal may be starting to dwindle. That is especially true in the wake of big free-agent moves such as Kyle Tucker's signing with the Dodgers and Bo Bichette's with the Mets. Ken Rosenthal reported as such in his latest article on The Athletic. Here's what Rosenthal said in that article about the Royals' outlook for the remainder of the offseason, especially relating to Boston's Jarren Duran and St. Louis' Brendan Donovan, whom they have both been tied to this winter. Hence, for the Royals to win 83 or more games this season (which will be needed to make the postseason), they will need continued production from their core hitters (Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, Maikel Garcia, and Salvador Perez) as well as some breakouts from their complementary ones. One of those complementary ones could be Michael Massey, who is coming off a rough 2025 season. Massey's role is a bit unclear for 2026, especially with Jonathan India returning on a one-year, $8 million deal. India is expected to be the Royals' regular second baseman this season, and there is hope that his batted-ball luck and batted-ball approach could improve in 2026, which could lead to better offensive production (as Philip Ruo talked in an article here, Royals Keep). However, for the Royals' offense to truly improve, a solid campaign from Massey, even as a utility player, will be necessary. Thus, let's take a look at what Massey did in 2025, what his outlook could be for this upcoming season, and how he could be best utilized by manager Matt Quatraro this season and possibly beyond. Solid Contact Ability, But Lackluster Power Metrics from Massey Massey seemed to be trending in the right direction in 2023 and 2024, when he started getting regular playing time with the Royals. In his first full season in Kansas City in 2023, Massey hit 15 home runs, collected 55 RBI, and stole six bases in 461 plate appearances. Granted, he only posted a 74 wRC+, .283 wOBA, and accumulated a 0.5 fWAR, which were all disappointing marks. That said, he also had a .318 xwOBA, thus illustrating that Massey was capable of seeing positive regression in the future. Positive regression did occur in 2024, even though Massey struggled with injuries and played in only 100 games (29 fewer than in 2023). His wRC+ improved to 104, his wOBA to .317, and fWAR to 1.5 in 2024. Massey was the starting second baseman for the Royals in the postseason and came up with some key hits in the playoffs, including the ALDS against the Yankees. Unfortunately, things fell back to earth for Massey in 2025. In 77 games and 277 plate appearances, he posted a 57 wRC+, .254 wOBA, and -0.4 fWAR. On a positive note, he provided some solid defense at both second base and left field, as evidenced by his +2 FRV and +1 FRV, respectively. That said, his defense was not enough to make up for his porous production at the plate. A big issue for Massey was not his contact ability. He only struck out 15.5% of the time last year, a career low. However, he had a too free-swinging approach. His walk rate was only 3.2% (a career-low), and his O-Swing% was 35.4%, 7.3% higher than the league average. Massey also struggled in terms of exit velocity, barrel rate, and hard-hit rate, as illustrated by his TJ Stats summary below. As Royals fans could see above, Massey ranked in the 15th percentile in average EV, 11th percentile in Max EV, 9th percentile in Barrel%, and 13th percentile in Hard-Hit%. Those aren't encouraging trends, even with the fences at Kauffman Stadium being moved in slightly for 2026. Conversely, a positive trend for Massey in batted-ball metrics was that he still launched the ball well. That is especially illustrated by his 58th percentile LA Sweet-Spot%. He also pulled the ball effectively with a 91st percentile Pull% and 69th percentile Pull Air%. His spray chart shows that his pull-heavy approach proved successful, especially when it came to extra-base hits, when he launched the ball effectively. He also demonstrated a positive trend in xwOBA over the course of the 2025 season. After hitting a low point around the 190th plate-appearance mark of the season, he turned it around at the 200th plate-appearance mark and ended up being an above-average hitter in terms of xwOBA by the conclusion of his season. Therefore, even though the overall numbers weren't great for Massey, he showed encouraging signs in 2025 that should make Royals fans hopeful he could have a season in 2026 closer to 2024 in production. What Do the Projections Say for Massey? When it comes to projections for Massey in 2026, I compiled in Datawrapper a collection of the following projections: Fangraphs' Depth Charts (FGDC) Steamer The BAT X OOPSY I included the following categories as well: Plate Appearances (PA) Home Runs (HR) Runs Scored (R) Runs Batted In (RBI) Weighted On-Base Average (wOBA) Weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+) Here are the 2026 projections for Massey, as illustrated in the table below. Depth Charts (FGDC) and Steamer were the most optimistic about Massey's production in 2026. Not only did they project the best wOBA (.301), but also the best wRC+ (89). FGDC and OOPSY projected the most at-bats and the same number of home runs (nine), but FGDC was slightly more optimistic, as illustrated by FGDC predicting a better wOBA and wRC+. Massey's The Bat X projections were the most intriguing. They projected the worst wRC+ and wOBA, and by a decent margin (his wOBA was 10 points lower than his FGDC mark; his BAT X wRC+ was also seven points lower than his FGDC wRC+). Those aren't good, obviously. However, the BAT X also projected the most home runs (10) and RBI (40) of the four projection systems. Hence, while the BAT X doesn't predict a great overall performance, they project his home run and run production could still be impactful in 2026. The key difference with the BAT X is that it incorporates batted-ball and Statcast data into its projections. When looking at Massey's Ideal Angle% trend from last year, he proved to be above-average in this area for most of the year, which could help him launch home runs effectively in 2026. Granted, none of the projections expect Massey to be a regular contributor for the Royals in this upcoming season. However, if Massey can showcase some of the power potential early, especially in the new Kauffman surroundings, he could earn himself more playing time over the course of the season. Final Thoughts on Massey's 2026 Outlook When looking at the Royals hitters' BAT X projections for 2026, Massey ranks 11th in terms of Fantasy Points production (FPTS). While this isn't a fantasy baseball article, FPTS can offer a glimpse of a player's overall production, especially compared to his peers. As seen in the table below via Datawrapper, Massey ranks toward the bottom of this group of Royals hitters when it comes to expected FPTS production. Massey doesn't strike out, and he launches the ball well. However, the exit velocity and batted-ball metrics remain red flags, and his lackluster bat speed doesn't help his outlook either. When looking at his bat speed trend from last year via Savant, Massey was a below-average hitter, with his average bat speed being 70.1 MPH last season. That bat speed was 0.8 MPH decline from 2024 and a 0.7 MPH decline from 2023. Thus, it will be interesting to see how his bat speed fares in 2026, especially if he is healthier than he was a season ago. A positive regression to his 2024 and 2025 bat speed could mean a double-digit HR season could be coming in 2026. No change or a negative regression? Massey may be seeing more time in Omaha than in Kansas City. Massey will be 28 years old in March, so there isn't much time for the former Illinois product to "prove" himself. We saw two Royals players enter 2025 needing solid seasons to justify their roster spots: Garcia and MJ Melendez. Garcia played himself to an All-Star appearance and a multi-year extension this offseason. As for Melendez, he spent most of the season with the Storm Chasers, and he was eventually non-tendered. I believe Massey offers much more upside and a history of better production than Melendez did at the MLB level. Massey has a career 1.5 fWAR in 358 games, while Melendez has a -1.1 career fWAR in 435 career games. Thus, Massey is in a better spot than Melendez was a year ago. Nonetheless, this is a game of production, and Massey needs to produce at the plate in 2026 if he wants to have a long-term future with the Royals (or MLB team in general). View the full article

The Minnesota Twins and catcher Victor Caratini are in agreement on a two-year deal, according to a report from Robert Murray of FanSided. Caratini, 32, is entering his 10th big-league season, having spent time with the Cubs, Padres, Brewers and Astros. He's a career .244/.321/.371 hitter, but tapped into considerably more power during his two-year stay in Houston. He's a switch-hitter and a solid receiver, rating well as a blocker of errant pitches and receiving consistently strong reviews from pitchers with whom he works. More to come. View the full article

Owen and Jesse jump on the mic to reevaluate the Blue Jays' position in a strong American League East after missing out on star hitters Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette. They talk about how the misses decontextualize Kazuma Okamoto's importance to the team, and consider Cody Bellinger and Framber Valdez as options to continue improving the team. The guys also pour some cold water on the growing calls for a salary cap in MLB, and share some of their favourite Bo Bichette moments from his time as a Blue Jay. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jays-centre-podcast/id1846108462 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Bi7SzfpcqMo5xYWnbCeoL Listen on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-the-jays-centre-podcast-300304824/ Listen on Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/2qk9wqxd Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jayscentre View the full article

On Friday, the Miami Marlins claimed right-handed pitcher Osvaldo Bido off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays (first reported by Daniel Álvarez Montes of El Extrabase). The Marlins 40-man roster was at 39, so no corresponding roster move was required. Throughout most of his career, Bido has been a swingman, with his best season coming in 2024 with the Athletics, pitching to a 3.41 ERA and 3.36 FIP through 63 ⅓ innings pitched. He had much less success in 2025, posting a 5.87 ERA, 6.07 FIP, 7.68 K/9 and 3.95 BB/9 in 26 appearances (10 starts). The A's waived him in December. What stands out about Bido is his deep pitch mix, which consists of a four-seam fastball, slider, sinker, changeup and cutter. In 2025, his four-seam fastball took a huge dip (minus-12 run value) and the sinker remained his best pitch (plus-4). The sinker averages 94.5 mph. His slider and cutter were also strong pitches in 2024, but both were negative run value pitches this past season. Bido, 30, has a history of allowing fly balls. The difference between 2024 and 2025 was how much hard contact there was against him. As a result, his HR/FB rate skyrocketed from 3.8% to 14.7%. It just seems like opposing hitters were seeing him better, or maybe they had a clearer idea of which pitch was coming. Bido continued to do a good job of getting hitters to whiff outside the strike zone. However, they took advantage of him on the first pitch of plate appearances (.487/.500/.872/1.372 slash line against). This offseason, Bido has bounced around from the A's to the Atlanta Braves to the Rays before landing in Miami. That is largely due to him being out of minor league options—either he makes the 2026 Opening Day roster or else the Marlins will have to pass him through waivers like his previous teams did. The recent trade of Ryan Weathers to the New York Yankees gives Bido an improved chance of earning a major league job, but he shouldn't be viewed as a Weathers replacement. With a strong spring, he could take over the long relief role that Valente Bellozo held for much of last season. View the full article

Depth is something every organization tries to create, whether through the draft, international free agency, or even minor league free agency. Let’s take a look at how the Twins’ system stacks up at various positions. I started with catchers and decided to work my way around the diamond. This list for first basemen is shorter, mostly due to the fact that very few prospects are only first basemen and often are listed at other positions instead. Most first basemen started playing another position and moved down the defensive spectrum either because they were blocked at the position they were drafted at, or they weren’t cutting it defensively elsewhere and things were working out better at first base. A few examples in Twins history who became first baseman but played elsewhere when younger or in the minors include Justin Morneau, Harmon Killebrew, and more recently, Carlos Santana. For each player below, I’ve included how and when they were acquired, along with the highest level they played this past season. Aaron Sabato Acquired: 2020 Draft, 1st round Highest Level in 2025: Triple-A Sabato is one of many college sluggers the Twins have taken early in the draft over the last handful of years. In College at UNC, he hit for a 1.158 OPS with 25 home runs over 83 games played. He’s had his ups and downs since being drafted and the prospect shine has worn off, but in 2025, he appeared to turn a corner, hitting 23 home runs with a .809 OPS over 109 games played and 449 plate appearances. He did go unprotected and unselected in the Rule 5 draft, again. Always seen as a bat-first prospect, Sabato can still carve out a role if his offense is up to it. While he is a first baseman by trade, his future could be at designated hitter, depending on what other first base options there are. Andy Lugo Acquired: Trade, Boston Red Sox, June 2025 Highest Level in 2025: High-A Lugo was acquired from the Red Sox in late June so the Red Sox could jump the other teams on the waiver wire to acquire relief pitcher Jorge Alcala, after he was designated for assignment. Lugo has also played some second base and third base, along with a bit of left field as well. After the trade, he hit well at High-A Cedar Rapids, where he posted a .889 OPS over 28 games. He will be playing his age 22 season in 2026 and with experience just in the low minors, he is still a decent distance away from making an impact, but his bat will be an interesting thing to watch. He might get his first crack at Double-A this year, and we will see how that goes, as this step up in levels is often a key challenge for young prospects. Jaime Ferrer Acquired: 2024 Draft, 4th round Highest Level in 2025: High-A Another college slugger, who posted a .989 OPS over three college seasons at Florida State. Since being drafted, he has struggled at the plate, hitting for a slash line of .227/.312/.345 with limited power (5 home runs over 101 games played). He has played first base, but has also been tried out at catcher and in the corner outfield. Like many prospects, Ferrer is looking to take the next step in his development, and depending on his long-term position, his development trajectory could change. Catchers have a lower bar offensively for example, but if he ends up being a corner bat, he will have to hit to move into the Twins future plans. JP Smith II Acquired: 2025 Draft, 17th round Highest Level in 2025: Single-A Are you starting to notice a trend here? Smith was a college bat who mashed at Sacramento State. He had a .953 OPS over three seasons, hitting 48 home runs and showing a good eye at the plate as well. He got his first taste of professional ball at Single-A Fort Myers where, like many prospects, he didn’t hit for as much power, but that typically comes with time. He held his own over his first 101 professional plate appearances, where he struck out at a 24.8% clip and he walked 6.9% of the time. As a later-round draft pick, he doesn’t have the pressure of living up to high expectations, but if he is able to continue making adjustments, he might just be able to continue slowly climbing the minor league ladder. Mark him down as a player to check in on from time to time to see how he adjusts to his first full year in the Twins system. Jayson Bass Acquired: International Free Agency, 2023 Highest Level in 2025: Single-A Signed out of Mexico in 2023, Bass will be just 20 in 2026. He is a contact-oriented hitter, with just three home runs since signing. In previous years, he was tried in the corner outfield, but in 2025 was tried at first base a bit more to see where he best fits defensively. He was a great hitter in the Dominican Summer League after signing, hitting .308/.406/.378 at age 17. He played the 2025 season mostly in the Florida Complex League and did get his first taste of Single-A, where he played eight games this past year. Still very early in his career, seeing if he can develop some power will be key in seeing if he can continue to develop. Do any of these future first base options catch your attention? Which other sleepers in the system might you add to the list? Sound off in the comments! View the full article

The Blue Jays once again found themselves among the finalists for the offseason's top free agent, only to be outbid. A tale that has repeated itself three offseasons in a row. The heartbreaking trend began during the 2023-24 offseason when Shohei Ohtani was the prize. The Blue Jays were among the finalists for his services, but they were outbid by the Los Angeles Dodgers, who signed Ohtani to a 10-year, $700 million contract. Toronto fans found their team in the same scenario the very next offseason when Juan Soto was the top free agent. After the Blue Jays were outbid for Ohtani, they were aggressive in their pursuit of Soto. However, they were outbid at the end by the New York Mets, who gave Soto a 15-year, $765 million deal. This offseason, the Blue Jays hoped the third time would be the charm. Kyle Tucker was the top dog of the free agent list. All reports indicated that Tucker's market was down to the Blue Jays and Mets, but MLB Network's Jon Morosi said on January 7 that the smart move may be for Tucker to accept a shorter deal with the Dodgers. Only one fanbase wanted to hear that prediction. However, it appears Morosi has a crystal ball, as Tucker broke the hearts of every baseball fan in Canada and Queens, New York. Tucker signed for four years, $240 million, with opt-outs after year two and three. The deal includes a $64 million signing bonus. An opt-out after his second season would make sense, as he'd be 30 and could go after the long-term contract he wanted this offseason. The outfield was the only weakness on the two-time defending World Series champions' roster, and adding Tucker gives them the greatest team money could buy. The left-handed hitter will likely slot in behind Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman to form a scary top four in the batting order. To put the finishing touch on an offseason that has seen the Blue Jays add Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, and Tyler Rogers to the pitching staff and Kazuma Okamoto to the lineup, the front office needs to turn its attention back to Bo Bichette. A reunion with the beloved infielder would go a long way to ease Blue Jays fans' minds. The Philadelphia Phillies have been in discussions with Bichette, but more interest from Toronto could complicate those negotiations. If it's not Bichette, then the only other free agent to appease fans would be Cody Bellinger. Despite everything they've already done, the Blue Jays need to sign one of these two players, or else the offseason will be a failure. To meaningfully increase their chances of a repeat trip to the World Series, the team needs another power bat, or else Anthony Santander will have a bright spotlight on him for a second straight season. We don't want a repeat of Santander under pressure. Stay tuned, Jays fans, the team is hopefully not done building this offseason. View the full article

With Alex Bregman signing a five-year, $175 million contract with the Chicago Cubs, the Boston Red Sox are now in an unenviable situation. The third base position is completely unsettled, just one year after it appeared the team had two franchise-caliber options (Bregman and Rafael Devers) at the position. Now, they'll likely have to entrust the future to an unproven youngster. That latter qualification is especially applicable when it comes to their former top prospect, Marcelo Mayer. Mayer, who was originally drafted as a shortstop and viewed as the heir apparent to the position, has been blocked there due to a combination of Trevor Story along with his own health issues. Making his major-league debut in 2025, Mayer played the majority of his games at third base when Bregman was out with a quad injury. In total, Mayer appeared in 44 games with the Boston Red Sox in his rookie season, 39 of them involving an appearance at third base. And despite playing the position just six times prior to the promotion, Mayer played well enough defensively to hold down the position until Bregman’s eventual return from the injured list — he made only made one error in 68 opportunities. Add to it that his fielding run value was 2.0 while his total defensive run value was 3.0, and you have some concrete proof that Mayer took to the position rather well. There is no denying that losing Bregman will be a big blow to the team, from both a leadership standpoint along with his bat. However, Mayer should be able to handle picking up the slack on the defensive end. He had always been viewed as an above-average defender and that much was shown in 2025. Where the team will be asking for Mayer to truly step up will be on the offensive end. The infielder will be entering his age-23 season and what will likely be his first full season in the majors. What will be a detriment for Mayer will be his injury history that limited his development in the minors. Since being drafted in 2021, Mayer appeared in 315 games across five minor league seasons, including a career-high 91 games in 2022. Besides a rough stretch in 2023 with Portland where he slashed .189/.254/.355, which was due in part to trying to play through an injury, Mayer has looked good at the plate. However, his missed development time was on display while facing major-league pitching while with Boston. In his time with the Red Sox last season, Mayer slashed .228/.272/.402 with eight doubles, a triple, four home runs and 10 RBIs. He also struck out 41 times while walking just eight times; overall Mayer walked at a 5.9% rate while striking out in 30.1% of his plate appearances. Taking his age into consideration, Mayer has plenty of room to improve upon those numbers. And for the Red Sox to play well, he’ll have to. Of course, it could be argued that once Mayer was finally getting used to the quality of pitching in the majors, his injury occurred. In the month of July, he was beginning to heat up, as he slashed .244/.277/.333 with four doubles and three RBIs. The Red Sox will need Mayer to step up into a prominent role this year, perhaps more than anyone thought at the onset of the offseason. But after losing Bregman, the team may look to hand the long-term keys to the hot corner to their budding young star. Mayer, who has performed well at every stop in his minor-league career and has rebounded from struggles, will need to build off of his shortened rookie season and make a leap at the plate. Defensively, he has shown he is more than capable, but now it’s time for his offensive potential to be consistent. It's a lot to ask of a player with such limited time in the pros, but losing two franchise superstars at one position in such a short time is almost impossible to recover from. Mayer is the Red Sox's best chance at somehow escaping that debacle unscathed. View the full article

The Minnesota Twins report to Fort Myers in less than a month. Derek Falvey has a plan. Twins Daily has confirmed that Falvey sent a third email to Tom Pohlad, the team’s executive chair, about acquiring funds for the team’s bullpen, which is still mostly barren after last year’s trade deadline fire sale. A source with knowledge of the team’s email server, who asked not to be identified, shared the message with Twins Daily. It reads as follows: The team is already behind the 8-ball for rebuilding the bullpen. Per The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman, 24 of the top 30 free agent relievers (by projected WAR) have already signed, including the top 13. “The first two emails were pretty detailed, with names of players, projected salaries, agent contact info, that kind of thing,” said the source. “I’m pretty sure they were deleted upon receipt.” There has been no word on what Falvey will do if this email also goes unanswered, but the source speculates that he might try a stamped letter, landline telephone, or a falconer named Bradford if the situation remains the same come February 1. “He’s a terrific falconer, can send notes, interoffice memos, cash, real solid dude,” said the source. View the full article

Even at this late stage of the winter, we know the San Diego Padres still have work to do on their 2026 roster and that their priorities could be aligned in a number of ways. For example, we know that they want to add another starting pitcher. Having added Michael King back into the mix and signing a smattering of low-cost or minor-league deals — Sean Boyle, Triston McKenzie, and Kyle Hart among them — will go a long way toward building out a rotation that already features Nick Pivetta, a returning-from-Tommy-John Joe Musgrove, and back-end candidates Randy Vásquez, Matt Waldron, and JP Sears. Despite the volume, though, there remains more stability to be found on either of the free agent or trade markets. We also know that the team has had talks about trading from their big-league roster at different points throughout the offseason. Pivetta has previously been mentioned as a trade candidate. Any of the elite bullpen, too, with Jeremiah Estrada, Mason Miller, and Adrian Morejon each finding their name floating out in the trade ether at various points this winter. While there's certainly logic in moving a reliever to acquire a starter given the strength of the bullpen, it's hard to see such a deal coming to fruition unless there was legitimate upside out of a young arm (with control) from another organization. It could still happen, but there's an apparent reluctance to do so considering that strength juxtaposed with a rotation that doesn't run terribly deep on performance or efficiency. The prospect of trading Pivetta against the need for additional starting pitching opens up a very interesting paradox, however. Trading Pivetta, in a vacuum, is an idea we explored fairly recently. In addition to the career year and the signs of an inevitable regression, his salary skyrockets from a mere $1 million in 2025 to $19 million in 2026 (though it's worth noting his payroll figure is actually at $13.75 million regardless). He will, though, cost a combined $32 million across each of 2027 and 2028. There are also a pair of opt-outs that could lead to him to re-exploring the market by then. As is generally the case with opt-outs, if a player doesn't exercise them, it's probably because their performance is waning. For a purportedly cash-strapped team like San Diego, you could make the argument that it's at least worth considering. Except the already-existent need for starting pitching makes it more difficult to justify... unless they had a plan in place for his replacement. There are three noteworthy starting pitchers still out on the free-agent market: Zac Gallen, Framber Valdez, and Ranger Suárez. Each of Valdez (3.7) and Suárez (3.3) are projected by STEAMER to produce more fWAR than Pivetta (2.9) in 2026. Gallen trails due to some efficiency issues the last two years but has also topped out at a higher figure than any of the other three names when he went for a 5.2 fWAR back in 2023. One imagines that the upside of any of that trio would stretch the team's ceiling far above where it currently resides. The cost might still end up bring prohibitive, however. Even with his actual salary figure, Pivetta's AAV ($13.75 million) remains an affordable number against the luxury tax threshold for the Padres. Ahead of this offseason, MLB Trade Rumors projected Valdez for a five-year, $150 million deal, Suárez for five years and $115 million, and Gallen for four years and $80 million. That's an AAV of $25 million, $23 million, and $20 million, respectively, without any additional contract logistics (e.g., deferrals) that could lower the number. That's more money on the books over a longer term. Even with the upside, each brings certain questions. It'd likely be a tough sell for ownership. That is, of course, unless the winter reaches a point where someone might be inclined to seek less term in order to revisit the market in the next year or two. It might be a dangerous proposition given where labor relations currently reside, but possible all the same as a route that has been taken by a handful of upper-tier free agents over the last few offseasons. Should such a scenario arise, would A.J. Preller be more inclined to give someone like Zac Gallen around $20 million to pitch for a year or two over Pivetta doing the same? It's an interesting concept, but one without a whole lot of evidence on which to stand as legitimate. It assumes that the Padres don't believe in Pivetta replicating the success of the previous season, that the remaining free agents are not going to get the type of term they seek on the market, and that Preller would automatically turn around and use that financial flexibility to pursue a free-agent starter rather than, potentially, shooting lower on upside in order to raise the floor of both the pitching staff and the bench. That's too many assumptions wrapped up in one idea for us to possibly lay credence to any of it. Nevertheless, we're also dealing with an unpredictable executive in an offseason that is growing shorter by the day. With the team in a position where they desire to add another starter and have a visible need for one, we can't discount the idea of a shakeup of this caliber in the coming weeks. View the full article

Jack and Spencer preview a potential arbitration hearing between William Contreras and the Brewers, react to the latest Freddy Peralta rumors, and recap the 2026 international free agent signings. 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

After missing out on Alex Bregman and landing Ranger Suarez, the Boston Red Sox are still looking to fill the hot corner with a bat. However, it doesn't appear reinforcements will come via two names they've been tied to for months. Alex Speier of the Boston Globe is reporting that the Red Sox are "unlikely suitors" for Bob Bichette and that the door on Ketel Marte is "firmly shut." If the Red Sox are going to add an impact bat that can handle the hot corner, then Eugenio Suarez is really the only player to fit that description on the market. Otherwise, they've been tied to Isaac Paredes of the Houston Astros or could look to the Chicago Cubs, who might move one of Matt Shaw or Nico Hoerner after landing Bregman. Other names on the market with less oomph include Yoan Moncada and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Who do you think the Red Sox should add? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

The Twins are getting a little more active in the offseason market with the New Year underway by trading up in the waiver wire to acquire first baseman Eric Wagaman from the Marlins for LHP Kade Bragg. Jeremy and Jamie break the trade down and evaluate whether Bragg would have been worth keeping in the long term. View the full article

The Boston Red Sox made their biggest offseason splash by signing Ranger Suarez to a long-term contract. Does that make a trade of Brayan Bello more likely? View the full article

MLB Network has slowly been rolling out its Franchise Favorites lineups, and when the Minnesota Twins come up, the exercise feels less like a debate and more like a walk down a Twins fan's Memory Lane. This is not just about production or accolades. It's about connection, moments, and the players who came to define generations of Twins baseball. The lineup that emerged balances Hall of Fame talent with lesser players who nonetheless felt like Twins through and through. At the time of this writing, MLB Network has yet to release its Twins list. There are obvious choices, a few tough omissions, and some honorable mentions that could easily start arguments among fans of different eras. Let's take our own shot at naming this team, starting with the position players. Catcher: Joe Mauer (55.6 rWAR, 3rd in franchise history) Behind the plate, Mauer is the clear and correct choice. Few players in franchise history carried the weight of expectations the way Mauer did, and fewer still delivered at his level. A hometown star who became an MVP and one of the best catchers of his generation, Mauer represents the modern Twins as well as anyone. Earl Battey and Butch Wynegar deserve recognition for their durability and leadership, but this spot belongs to No. 7. First Base: Harmon Killebrew (60.6 rWAR, 2nd in franchise history) At first base, Killebrew is unavoidable. His power defined the franchise for years, and his legacy stretches well beyond the box score. Justin Morneau’s MVP season and Doug Mientkiewicz’s defensive excellence earn them honorable mention status, but Killebrew is the standard by which every Twins first baseman is measured. (Don't worry; we haven't forgotten the other high-profile first baseman who belongs on this list.) Second Base: Rod Carew (63.8 rWAR, 1st in franchise history) Second base belongs to Carew, one of the purest hitters the game has ever seen. Carew’s ability to control the bat and dominate in so many ways makes him one of the most iconic players in Twins history. Chuck Knoblauch, Brian Dozier, and Jorge Polanco all had meaningful peaks and signature moments, but Carew sits comfortably above the rest. Third Base: Gary Gaetti (27.1 rWAR) At third base, Gaetti gets the nod. His consistency, defense, and longevity made him a fixture during some of the franchise’s most important seasons. Corey Koskie and Rich Rollins both have strong cases, especially for fans who value different eras, but Gaetti’s complete body of work stands out. Shortstop: Roy Smalley (20.9 rWAR) Shortstop is a position where the Twins have struggled to find stars throughout their history. Smalley earns the starting role thanks to his versatility and impact across multiple stints with the club. Zoilo Versalles brought MVP-level brilliance, Greg Gagne delivered steady production on championship teams, and Carlos Correa made a massive impression in a short time. Smalley’s longevity and overall contribution give him the edge over all of them, though—and his lasting impact as a broadcaster earns him bonus points. Left Field: Shane Mack (19.6 rWAR) Mack represents a specific era that many fans remember fondly. He also might be one of the most underrated players in team history. His bat and energy reinforced competitive teams, even if his peak was shorter than some others'. Bob Allison, Larry Hisle, and Eddie Rosario each brought their own flair and impact, making this one of the more subjective choices on the list. Center Field: Kirby Puckett (51.1 rWAR, 4th in franchise history) Center field is as straightforward as it gets. Puckett is the heart of the franchise. His smile, his clutch performances, and his presence during the World Series years make him the easiest selection on the entire roster. Torii Hunter and Byron Buxton both deserve praise for excellence on both sides of the ball, but Puckett remains untouchable. Right Field: Tony Oliva (43.1 rWAR, 7th in franchise history) Oliva’s selection feels just right (pun intended). His hitting titles and influence on the organization extend well beyond his playing days. Some have even called him “Mr. Twin.” Max Kepler, Tom Brunansky, and Michael Cuddyer each had meaningful runs, but Oliva’s impact resonates across generations. Designated Hitter: Kent Hrbek (38.6 rWAR, 8th in franchise history) Designated hitter is where things get a little creative. Hrbek earns the spot, even if it requires some flexibility. He played just over 100 games at DH, but leaving him out of the lineup entirely would feel wrong. Hrbek’s connection to the fan base and his role in the franchise’s most significant moments justify the choice. Jim Thome, Nelson Cruz, and Chili Davis offer more traditional DH resumes, but this lineup is about favorites, not technicalities. That is ultimately the point of this exercise. A Twins Franchise Favorites lineup is always going to be subjective; that's the fun of it. It invites debate, brings back memories, and shines a light on the players who define the Twins for so many fans. Do you agree with the lineup? Who should be switched out? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

Although the Cubs aren't actively looking to trade Nico Hoerner or Matt Shaw after signing Alex Bregman, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer admitted at Bregman's introductory press conference that interest in both Shaw and Hoerner has increased in the last few days—or, at least, that teams have felt emboldened to call about the two. Hoerner has garnered plenty of trade interest in the past, and Shaw was a key part of the demand from the Nationals when the Cubs took an interest in MacKenzie Gore. Chicago doesn't need to move Hoerner's salary; they have permission from ownership to stay above the first competitive-balance tax threshold this season. Nor are they obliged to trade Shaw, who can serve as a roving utility man or be optioned back to Triple-A Iowa. Undeniably, though, the chances of one of the two ending up elsewhere rose when Bregman signed, and although Hoerner makes a better headline-grabber, it's Shaw whom the Cubs would be happier to move, given the right return. What is the right return? Given that Shaw still has six years of team control remaining—he didn't get to a full year of service time for 2025, after he had to be demoted to the minors early in the season—it shouldn't be cheap. Chicago expects a pitcher who can contribute to their aspirations to make another run deep into the postseason in 2026, according to sources in two front offices who have had discussions with the team this week, and they'd also ask for a lower-level prospect to reinvigorate their farm system. Here are the six teams who most obviously match up with Chicago on a potential Shaw trade, and a brief rundown of the pitchers who could check that first, biggest box in a deal. Boston Red Sox After trades for Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo and the signing of Ranger Suárez, the Red Sox are flush with pitching depth. If the season started tomorrow, they'd have a rotation of Garrett Crochet, Gray, Suárez, Oviedo, and Brayan Bello, which leaves top prospects Payton Tolle and Connolly Early out in the cold. Kutter Crawford missed all of 2025 after knee and wrist surgery, but should be a full go come spring training, and they signed Patrick Sandoval for the privilege of waiting out his rehab so they can put him into the mix this spring after modified Tommy John surgery in 2024. Bello is a good young pitcher, but not a frontline guy, and the team-friendly extension to which the team signed him has so much meat left on the bone (four years, $50.5 million, with an option for 2030 that would earn him another $20 million) that the Cubs might be wary of taking it on. Crawford is an interesting arm with three years of club control left, but in order to accept him as the pitching help in a Shaw deal, Hoyer would have to get a pretty good second piece, which is unlikely. Tolle or Early would be a great return for Shaw, allowing the Sox to fill the hole left in their infield by their failure to re-sign Bregman while netting the Cubs a high-upside left-handed hurler. That would be a fun challenge trade—but Boston covets the depth and flexibility both lefties provide. Kansas City Royals We talked about the Royals as a landing spot on Thursday, with specific mention of Kris Bubic, a plug-and-play southpaw starter. However, Bubic has just one year of team control left and a shaky track record when it comes to durability. The Cubs would push hard to land one of Noah Cameron, Luinder Avila, Ryan Bergert or Stephen Kolek (each of whom come with at least five years of team control and can be optioned to the minors) instead. Bergert and Kolek, whom Kansas City got from the Padres in July's Freddy Fermin trade, are the names to watch most closely. Minnesota Twins Another AL Central team loaded with compelling arms, the Twins have two famous aces (Pablo López and Joe Ryan) who make plenty of sense as targets for the Cubs. However, neither is available right now. That could change in the summer, but if the Cubs prefer to strike while the iron is hot and get long-term control of a starter in return for Shaw, Zebby Matthews, David Festa, Mick Abel, Taj Bradley and Connor Prielipp all make sense. Shaw would slide right in as the presumptive second baseman in Minnesota, with superior hitter but defensive clod Luke Keaschall moving to the outfield. Of the five pitchers named there, all but Bradley (4) have at least five years of club control left, and all can be optioned to the minors. Prielipp is probably a reliever, but would instantly become the highest-upside southpaw in the Cubs pen. San Francisco Giants This fit is not as tidy. The Giants badly want Hoerner or Shaw, but don't have much the Cubs want in return, save for things San Francisco can ill afford to trade. They do have a passel of back-end starters with long-term team and cost control, including Landen Roupp, Carson Whisenhunt, Hayden Birdsong and Keaton Winn. To part with Shaw, though, the Cubs would want someone with more upside or a stronger track record than any of those four possess. Tampa Bay - Shane McClanahan (2), Edwin Uceta (4), Griffin Jax (2), Washington - MacKenzie Gore (2) View the full article

The Royals had well-documented struggles on offense last season, particularly against left-handed pitching. The Royals posted a wRC+ of 80 against lefties in 2025, which ranked 25th in MLB and the worst in the American League. The Royals finished the season with only four players above average in wRC+ against left-handed pitchers. The Royals will need to greatly improve in this area if they want to improve to the next level and compete in October. The Royals have not been quiet this offseason and have been targeting offensive reinforcements, especially in the outfield. Will any of the additions so far be able to move the needle in improving the lineup’s ability against left-handed pitching? Lane Thomas As a right-handed hitter, on the surface, Thomas would appear to be a good addition to boost hitting against lefties. However, Lane Thomas was snakebitten by injuries last season and appeared in only 39 games, posting a .160/.246/.272 slash line with a 48 wRC+ and -0.5 fWAR. His wRC+ was only 58 against left-handed pitchers last season. That said, in his previous 3 seasons (each with at least 130 games played), he posted wRC+ marks of 107, 154, and 145 against lefties. If he can return to his pre-2025 form, Thomas could be a boon for this Royals lineup. FanGraphs projections have him performing closer to his previous form, but it remains uncertain whether he can truly be relied upon. Isaac Collins In his rookie season, Collins had a breakout year that earned him 4th place in NL Rookie of the Year voting. Despite being a switch-hitter, his splits against left-handed pitching were not as good as against right-handed pitching. Against lefties, he still produced a respectable 106 wRC+. If he can repeat that performance, the Royals will be content with his addition, especially if his metrics against right-handed pitchers are even better. With only one full year of experience, it is yet to be seen how reliable Collins can be long-term. It is also worth noting that Collins slumped in the last month of the 2025 season and was only used as a pinch-hitter in the postseason. The Royals will need Collins to be much more consistent going into his sophomore season. Kameron Misner While not expected to make the final roster, Misner occupies a spot on the 40-man roster after being traded from the Tampa Bay Rays. He has only 232 career plate appearances in Major League Baseball, and as a left-handed hitter, he is naturally less proficient against left-handed pitching. In his 42 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers, he only posted a 30 wRC+. While this doesn’t mean that Misner will not provide an impact for the Royals, it is less likely that he will provide a direct improvement against left-handed pitching in the immediate future. Kevin Newman Newman signed a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training for the Royals. Over his career, Newman’s production against left-handed pitching has been inconsistent. He has not posted a wRC+ over 100 against left-handed pitching since 2023, and his mark against righties hasn’t been above 85 since 2019. Unless he provides enough evidence in spring training that he can rekindle his old form, it will be unlikely that Newman will be able to improve the Royals' lineup. Josh Rojas Rojas also has an invite to spring training after signing a minor league contract with the Royals. While his overall track record was good before an abysmal season with the White Sox in 2025, as a left-handed hitter, he is unlikely to provide a boost against lefties if he makes the major league roster. Future Additions? While the Royals' current additions do not necessarily instill confidence against left-handed pitching, are there any other players whom the Royals could look to add to improve their outlook? Luis Rengifo Rengifo is a versatile right-handed hitter who can play multiple positions, including third base, second base, and corner outfield. While his 2025 season was underwhelming with a zero fWAR, he posted a wRC+ of at least 153 against left-handed pitching from 2022 through 2024. Rengifo also underperformed his expected metrics in batting average, slugging percentage, and weighted on-base average, which could indicate that he was unlucky last season. The addition of Rengifo could provide some cover for Jonathan India if he is unable to bounce back. Austin Hays Mentioned in a previous post, Hays would make sense as a platoon partner for Jac Caglianone, and he could still be a valuable addition to the Royals. Hays suffered four different injuries last season, so his addition would be a risky one for the Royals. However, when healthy, Hays has found great success against left-handed pitching, with a wRC+ of at least 104 in his last five seasons and at least 155 in his last two. Ramon Laureano Laureano was recently mentioned in an article by Kevin O’Brien as a possible trade candidate. To reinforce the idea of the Royals adding him to the roster, his performance against left-handed pitching has been excellent with a wRC+ of 139 in each of his last two seasons. He would be a good fit for the Royals if they could find a trade that works for both teams. View the full article

Now that you have had your history lesson on Winter Meltdown Glasses Throughout the Years, it is time for a much-anticipated Meltdown event detail reveal: this year’s pint glass design, brought to life by the one and only, talented Brock Beauchamp. You’ll be raising this year’s pint glass filled with fresh beer from BlackStack Brewing, because commiserating hits a little differently when you have a great pint in hand. Because there’s something comforting about sharing a drink, swapping stories, and laughing through the heartbreak with fellow Twins fans who get it, right? And it is a reminder that the Winter Meltdown isn’t just about the glass or the beer, it’s about coming together with a room full of fans who are riding the same emotional rollercoaster. Win or lose, hope or heartbreak, let’s toast to it all together. Event Details Date: Saturday, January 24 Time: 4:00 – 9:00 PM Location: Smorgie’s, 508 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis With the Winter Meltdown falling on the same weekend as TwinsFest, the day will be a full, perfectly sequenced celebration of baseball. Spend the afternoon at Target Field soaking in TwinsFest, then make the easy trip over to Smorgie’s to keep the energy rolling – the ideal way to transition from daytime fan fest to an evening surrounded by fellow diehards, cold drinks, and great conversation. Each ticket includes: Two complimentary craft beers An exclusive Winter Meltdown 2026 pint glass Automatic entry into door prize raffles Five hours of premium Hot Stove hangouts with your people Live on-stage interviews hosted by Aaron Gleeman & John Bonnes Face time with special guests who mingle with the Twins Daily community Past guests have included Kent Hrbek, Trevor Plouffe, Joe Nathan, Michael Cuddyer, LaTroy Hawkins, John Bonnes, Aaron Gleeman, and more – plus rising stars like Simeon Woods Richardson and fan-favorite voice Cory Provus. Who’s stepping to the mic this year? Stay tuned. How/Tickets Hundreds of people have previously wanted to attend this exclusive event, but this year, we only have 250 tickets available. You will likely need to become (or know) a Twins Daily Caretaker to get a ticket. Each caretaker gets a free ticket to the Meltdown. Caretakers can buy up to three additional tickets for just $20 The Caretakers take care of Twins Daily, and we want to take care of them, so to give them the best chance, we are limiting the tickets to them, at least for now. If you want to join Twins Daily's Caretakers, you can do so for as low as $4/month. You get exclusive content, other benefits, and support from our hard-working writers, moderators, and tech guys. We would LOVE to have you join us. Can I Just Buy A Ticket? Maybe? If our Caretakers don't sell this thing out, we will offer general admission tickets the week of the event. They will be $60 apiece. Become a Caretaker here! If you are already a Caretaker, THANK YOU. But please do not delay in buying your ticket. We will likely sell out, even limiting them to Caretakers and their friends. So grab them now. Looking for more details? Great! We will reveal more about the Meltdown as it approaches, including our guests, giveaways, and other sponsors. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Bluesky for more news as it is released. Purchase tickets here. See you at the Meltdown! We'll be announcing our special guests soon. View the full article

The Brewers have $7.3 million in bonus pool money to spend this period, the vast majority of which has gone toward the names listed below. There will, however, be other signings interspersed throughout the next 11 months before the signing period officially closes on December 15th. Those are not to be ignored, certainly, but the players who signed today are usually the ones with the highest chance of making an impact in MLB one day. We will take a look at the full group of signees, grouped into a few categories. Big Bonus, Big Potential The Brewers are reportedly handing out bonuses of at least $1 million to three prospects in this class, and another will receive $700,000. More often than not, this is the cream of the crop and the bonus level where you will find your top prospects. Jackson Chourio received $1.8 million in 2021, and Jesús Made ($950,000) and Luis Peña ($800,000) also fit into this category. SS Diego Frontado -- Venezuela -- Bonus of approximately $1.6 million MLB Pipeline Rank: 24 │ Baseball America Bonus Rank: 24 Frontado has been tied to the Brewers, even publicly, for years now, and Baseball America views him as a player "trending up" heading into this signing period. Referring to an international signing as having a "high floor" is often disingenuous, but in this class, Frontado has a much higher floor than most international signings. The right-handed hitter has a mature approach, an impressive ability to put the ball in play, and the potential for his hit tool to be above-average or better overall. He combines that feel for hit with big-time bat speed, which leads evaluators to believe he has the potential for 20+ home run seasons in the future as well. To add to that, he is said to have plus-speed and has run a 60-yard dash in 6.5 seconds. Defensively, he has good actions and hands in the field, though his arm is thought to be closer to average than above average. The lack of arm strength isn't always a precursor to moving off shortstop, but it lowers the odds that he'll remain there long-term. SS José Rodríguez -- Venezuela -- Bonus of approximately $1.5 million MLB Pipeline Rank: 49 │ Baseball America Bonus Rank: 28 Rodriguez's value is derived mainly from his defense. Evaluators peg him as one of the best defensive shortstops in the class, if not the best. He has above average or better tools across the board, including his range, hands, and arm strength and accuracy. He has a general fluidity to his movements that plays very well in games. Rodriguez bats from the right side and takes a definite hit-over-power approach. He has a short swing, aimed at hitting line drives, with the expectation that power will never be a big part of his game. An average runner, the hope is that the offense can play well enough to allow the defense to carry him. However, if the offense does come around in pro ball, in a surprise fashion, you could be looking at the Orlando Arcia route to prospect notoriety. SS Ricki Moneys -- Dominican Republic -- Bonus of approximately $1.15 million MLB Pipeline Rank: 20 │ Baseball America Bonus Rank: 39 Moneys is a right-handed hitter with the type of power you dream about. It's plus power, with potential for it to be plus-plus, as he has already posted in-game exit velocities of 108 MPH as a 16-year-old. While he walked seven times to only one strikeout in seven games played in the Amateur Scouting League (earning him MVP honors), there are long-term concerns when it comes to potential swing-and-miss issues. If he can limit the whiffs and show a decent hit tool, the sky is the limit for him offensively. Defensively, Moneys has good hands and is expected to get the opportunity to play shortstop as a professional. However, due to a lack of range expected from most shortstops, most scouts expect him to wind up at third base long-term, where his arm should have no issues holding up. C Moises Salazar -- Venezuela -- Bonus of approximately $700,000 Baseball America Bonus Rank: 67 Another "trending up" player according to Baseball America, Salazar is a switch-hitter who is expected to keep hitting from both sides as a professional. However, he currently shows more polish from the right side of the plate. He has above-average bat speed for his age and has demonstrated an ability to drive the ball to all fields, and should mature into average or better power. It's Salazar's defense, however, that draws the most attention. He is seen as a potential plus defender behind the plate and has the potential for a plus or better arm, already posting in-game pop times in the 1.9-second range. Mid-Tier Bonuses While most top prospects sign for bigger bonuses, there are plenty of examples of big-time players signing in this tier, money-wise, as well. A Brewers example would be Jeferson Quero, who signed for $200,000. SS Angeni Fernandez -- Dominican Republic -- Bonus of approximately $500,000 Baseball America Bonus Rank: 97 Baseball America notes that Fernandez is one of the youngest players in the class, not turning 17 until August of this year. They also note that he has a lot of room to add strength and mass to his current 6-foot, 145-pound frame. The slight frame reportedly has no impact on his bat speed, which is well above average. He makes a lot of contact and shows present gap-to-gap power; if he can add strength, that could turn into the over-the-fence variety later on. Baseball America also notes that, "he's athletic and an above-average runner who could end up moving around the infield and also has experience in center field." INF Osiris Ramirez Jr -- Dominican Republic -- Bonus of approximately $450,000 Ramirez is another player who shows some real potential at a lower cost. Batting from the right side, he shows potential for above-average power and a good feel for hitting as well. A good athlete with better-than-average speed, he should be capable of stealing some bases during his professional career. Defensively, Ramirez can handle all of the infield spots, though it's unlikely that shortstop will be his ultimate home. INF Santiago Garcia -- Venezuela -- Bonus of approximately $400,000 Both Garcia and Moises Salazar were signed out of the Geno Baseball Academy. Garcia bats from the right side and shows the ability to hit line drives from gap-to-gap, with the potential to grow into some more over-the-fence power, though it seems likely to be a hit over power profile. A plus runner on the bases, he has shown himself capable of playing all the infield spots, where his arm holds up more than fine at any of the three positions. OF Manny De Los Santos -- Dominican Republic -- Bonus of approximately $325,000 De Los Santos is a switch-hitter with some sneaky pop in the bat from both sides. He currently seems to have a better feel for generating the loft needed to hit home runs from the right side, but he looks like a better overall hitter from the left side. He has plus speed and smooth actions in the infield, though he is being signed as an outfielder according to the Brewers press release, where his speed should play well. Though he is a bit undersized, the available video indicates a player capable of playing bigger than his frame and outplaying his signing bonus. INF Leanders Matos -- Dominican Republic -- Bonus of approximately $300,000 Matos has more bat speed than one would expect from a player of his stature and has shown the ability to drive balls into the gaps for doubles and triples, though his primary value at the plate is his plate discipline and swing decisions. On the infield, Matos seems unlikely to stick at shortstop, winding up at second or third base, but he has enough athleticism to handle some outfield work as well. SS Ruben Revost -- Dominican Republic -- Bonus of approximately $200,000 Revost has quick hands and a fluid swing from the left side. A good athlete, Revost is not the biggest player, but he gets the most out of his frame, with some even referring to him as "pequeno gigante" or "little giant." His energy is palpable, and he shows quite a bit of emotion on the field. Revost has played infield and outfield as an amateur, but it appears he will be spending most of his time in the outfield as a professional. Other Position Players to Know This tier is often forgotten, but there have been plenty of talented players who signed in this range. Elly De La Cruz famously signed for $65,000, and the Brewers signed an exciting prospect, Jose Anderson, for only $60,000 just two classes ago. OF Enrique Lovera -- Venezuela -- Bonus of approximately $140,000 Lovera was once thought to be signing with Arizona, but a late change led him to sign with Milwaukee. A well-built outfielder known for his energy, Lovera has some pop in his bat and has shown strong instincts in all three phases of the game, allowing him to play above his skill level and earning him a "gamer" label. C Sebastian Franeites -- Venezuela -- Bonus N/A Franeites is a tremendous athlete at the catcher spot, and has even spent some time in the outfield when he isn't catching, where his arm strength is solid-average. At the plate, he has a noisy setup and first movement, but the athleticism is evident, and he has already simplified the swing a bit from where it was a year ago. C Francisco Mir -- Dominican Republic -- Bonus N/A Taller than most catchers, Mir moves well for his size. On video, he receives the ball decently and has a good arm. At the plate, he has a line-drive approach, but the frame suggests he could grow into better-than-average power as he matures. Pitchers to Know Pitchers rarely get big bonuses, especially when it comes to the Brewers. However, the team has discussed making pitching a greater focus in this market, so that may change a bit moving forward. For now, they seem to have held to the strategy of lower bonuses for pitchers. RHP Marcos Veras -- Dominican Republic -- Bonus of approximately $130,000 According to Baseball America, Veras' fastball has "ticked up to 93 MPH," and he has more projection left in the tank. He mixes in a changeup and a curveball as his secondaries, with the changeup reportedly the better of the two, acting as a good put-away pitch. Information has been sparse, and it's been challenging to track down any video. Still, any six-figure bonus for a pitcher is noteworthy, and Baseball America's report paints an intriguing picture. LHP Alexander Mercedes -- Dominican Republic -- Bonus of approximately $100,000 Mercedes is already sitting in the 92-94 MPH range, with plenty of time and projection to add more. He has the appearance of a pitcher who could eventually reach the upper-90s from the left side. He mixes in a good-looking curveball with some sweep as his primary secondary. He is reported to have strong strike-throwing abilities as of this moment as well. RHP Joan Gonzalez -- Dominican Republic -- Bonus N/A A lanky body type, Gonzalez has a lot of projection left in terms of strength and potential velocity. He appears to be a natural pronator and thus throws a changeup as his primary secondary offering, though he has shown a breaking ball on video before as well. RHP Daniel Muñoz -- Venezuela -- Bonus of approximately $25,000 Information is sparse regarding Muñoz. Per Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Muñoz is a right-hander with a powerful arm." RHP Jean Rivero -- Venezuela -- Bonus N/A Like Muñoz, there isn't much out there about Ortiz, and video is hard to come by. Per Curt Hogg, Rivero is a "right-hander with loose, strong mechanics on the mound." Others Signing -- No Information RHP Diego Trillo -- Venezuela -- Bonus N/A RHP Miguel Andrade -- Venezuela -- Bonus N/A RHP Jordy Brache -- Dominican Republic -- Bonus N/A INF Josue Rodríguez -- Dominican Republic -- Bonus N/A The Brewers signed 22 players in this class, a smaller class than they've had in a long time. This is likely due in part to the depth of the talent they have in the low minors right now, and the number of players who are likely to repeat in the DSL in 2026. Despite being smaller in size, there is a potential impact at the top of the class and some interesting names throughout. If any new information becomes available, especially in regard to the final four in this article, we will look to keep you updated! View the full article

This multi-part series talks about how the Brewers got to the World Series and offers a timeline of the 1982 campaign, including player information, game recaps, and other events that affected the season. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Dog Days? Not For the Brewers The Brewers had their best month in June, winning 20 games while losing seven. Buck Rodgers was the skipper for the first win, but Harvey Kuenn got credit for the next 19 victories. But what is even more impressive is how well the Brewers played over the final three months of the campaign. The Farmer’s Almanac defines the ‘Dog Days’ as a period from July 3 to August 11. (Originally, the term referred to the stretch during which Sirius was brightest in the night sky.) Baseball players feel it runs later than that, from late July through late August, when the players start to run out of gas toward the end of a long season and before September brings cooler air or the whiff of offseason freedom. No matter which period you choose, the Brewers were consistently good for the months of July, August, and September. Here is their record (by month) for the final half of the season. Month W-L Pct. July 16-11 .593 August 19-11 .633 September 17-11 .607 Milwaukee started slowly the first week in July, going 3-4 before running off an eight-game winning streak over the weekend before the All-Star break and the weekend after. It wasn’t just the stars that were doing their part. Second baseman Jim Gantner hurt his left shoulder diving for a ball against Detroit in mid-June. He missed about three weeks, but his spot was taken by utilityman Ed Romero, who performed admirably, batting .309/.341/.407 across 81 at-bats while filling in. During the winning streak, the Brewers outscored their opponents by a total of 55-27 while hitting only nine home runs, showing that they could play some small ball in addition to smashing round-trippers. Rollie Fingers notched five saves during the streak and was starting to look more like the pitcher who won the 1981 AL Cy Young Award. The last two weeks of the month didn’t go as well, with the Brewers winning only five of their last 12 games. Despite the stumble, Milwaukee still led the AL East with a record of 58-42 at the end of July, one-half game better than Boston. County Stadium: Home Run Hitter’s Park or Just Another Park? In their first 100 games, the Brewers slammed 141 home runs and were making a run at the then-record 240 home runs hit by the 1961 New York Yankees. Visiting players had no doubt about the question listed above. “This place is a bandbox.” (Toby Harrah, Cleveland) “The ball seems to carry well here.” (Mike Hargrove, Cleveland) “This place is more of a launching pad than Atlanta.” (Manager Sparky Anderson, after the Brewers hit five home runs to beat Detroit in mid-June) But sometimes facts get in the way of opinion. In fact, of those 141 home runs, only 52 (or 37%) were hit at County Stadium. Baseball Reference lists single- and multi-year park factors for the home park of each team from each year of big-league history, and County Stadium played about 5% more friendly to pitchers than an average park during the early 1980s. Harvey's Wallbangers didn't benefit from cozy dimensions or scorching, dry air. They just banged. “The fact is, we just have the people who can hit the tar out of the ball,” Don Money said. Putting the Pedal to the Metal After Mike Caldwell and Fingers combined to beat the Cleveland Indians 4-2 on July 31, the Brewers would never relinquish their grip on first place in the AL East, even though they were tied with Baltimore after the penultimate game of the year. The Brewers scored at least one run in each of their last 82 games after being shut out 3-0 by the Minnesota Twins on July 8. The row of goose eggs put up by Twins pitchers Jack O’Connor and Ron Davis that day was the only time the Brewers were shut out in the regular season. Fingers saved four games in the first fortnight of August while Milwaukee went 9-4, increasing their lead to 5 ½ games over Boston. Fingers missed about a week with a sore elbow, for which he received a cortisone shot. When asked about the elbow, Fingers downplayed it. “If the pain isn’t gone, I’ll just pitch with the arm sore," he said. He came back on August 21 in Seattle to earn his 28th save, although he made a 3-0 game a lot more interesting when he gave up a two-run blast in the bottom of the ninth to Dave Revering. Fingers notched one more save in the month as the Brewers finished with a mark of 77-53, pacing the AL East by 4 ½ games over Boston. The Brewers made three player moves in August. They purchased pitcher Doc Medich from the Texas Rangers; sold pitcher Randy Lerch to the Montreal Expos; and (biggest of them all) traded outfield prospect Kevin Bass and pitchers Frank DiPino and Mike Madden to the Houston Astros for a starting pitcher named Don Sutton. The Stretch Run Brewers fans felt their collective hearts stop beating when they learned that Fingers left the game on September 2 with muscle spasms in his right forearm. Initially, the diagnosis was a slight muscle tear, and he was expected to be out for a week. The week turned into two, but Fingers shut it down after throwing 25 "half-speed" pitches in mid-September before a game with the Yankees. On the day that Fingers made his attempt, the Brewers held a two-game lead over surging Baltimore, who had bypassed Boston in the standings. Milwaukee went to a closer-by-committee arrangement, led by Jim Slaton, Dwight Bernard, and Pete Ladd. The Brewers played .500 ball in early September (7-7) before running off six straight wins. The last week of the month, Milwaukee won four and lost four and held a three-game lead in the AL East over Baltimore. The season would be decided with a four-game series in Baltimore starting on October 1. In the meantime, while it appeared that Fingers would not return to the team, backup catcher Ned Yost—who would manage the Brewers from 2003-08—hit a three-run homer in the top of the ninth off Mark Clear at Fenway to give the Brewers a 6-3 win over the Red Sox with five games to play. It was Yost’s only homer of the year, but it was clutch. The new pitching arrivals were doing their parts, as well. Sutton made six starts in September, winning three while losing one. Medich also made six starts and went 3-3. As September ended, the Brewers traveled from Beantown to Baltimore for the huge four-game series to decide the winner of the AL East crown. The Final Weekend Rollie Fingers was out. Manager Harvey Kuenn was asked if his closer might be available during the weekend series. “Right now, I doubt it,” Kuenn admitted. But as it turned out, the closest game was a five-run contest. Closers didn't factor into things. Milwaukee came into the series with a record of 94-64, with Baltimore three games behind at 91-67. The first game of Friday’s twin bill saw Milwaukee’s Pete Vuckovich get hammered, giving up nine hits, five runs, and two walks in 4 1/3 innings. The Orioles had six extra-base hits, including a Ken Singleton home run, in an 8-3 loss for Milwaukee. Game Two was no better, as the O’s had Mike Caldwell’s number, banging out 13 hits while scoring seven runs in seven innings in a 7-1 drubbing. The Brewers' lead dropped to one game. Saturday’s game was much of the same, as Medich, Moose Haas, and Bernard got roughed up for a combined 18 hits and 11 runs; the Brewers took an 11-3 whipping. Going into the final game of the season, both teams were tied at 94-67. It would be win-or-go-home on Sunday. “I don’t think there is that much frustration or demoralization here,” Paul Molitor said. “It’s just a matter that we were sitting in an ideal situation when we came in here. Now, all of a sudde,n we are faced with elimination. That’s the reality of the situation.” Fortunately for the Brewers, Sutton would be on the mound. Unfortunately, Orioles ace Jim Palmer would oppose him. The day dawned bright and warm, with temperatures in the mid-70s at Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium. A boisterous sell-out crowd of 51,642—fourth-largest in Orioles regular-season history—was quickly quieted when the Brewers came out hot and scored single runs in each of the first three frames, powered by a pair of solo shots off the bat of MVP candidate Yount. Glenn Gulliver homered off Sutton in the bottom of the third to make it 3-1 and give life to the Orioles faithful. Cecil Cooper led off the top of the sixth with a homer to right-center, making it 4-1. Palmer would leave one batter later, after a walk to Simmons. The Brewers increased the lead to 5-1 in the 8th on Ben Oglivie’s RBI single. Terry Crowley singled off Sutton in the bottom half to cut the lead to 5-2. The Brewers doubled their run total in the ninth on an RBI single by Molitor, a two-run double by Cooper, and the coup de grâce: a solo shot by Simmons to extend the lead to 10-2. Bob McClure pitched the ninth and gave up a pair of singles but no runs, as the Brewers took a 10-2 victory, earning the AL East title. Regular Season Honors Yount won the AL MVP, a Gold Glove, and a Silver Slugger award. Vuckovich carried off the AL Cy Young award. Cooper also won a Silver Slugger award. Coming soon: The Postseason. View the full article

The ice has been broken. After a frustrating series of events regarding Alex Bregman, the Boston Red Sox bounced back, signing LHP Ranger Suarez to a five-year, $130 million deal with no opt-outs and no no-trade clause. In other words, right up Craig Breslow's alley in terms of the contract. Suárez, DiamondCentric's second-highest-ranked starting pitcher remaining on the market, is a great get for the Sox. A team with an already solid rotation gets even stronger, making an argument for the strongest rotation in baseball. Suárez has been a model of consistency over the past five seasons with a 3.25 ERA, ranking 13th amongst all starting pitchers with a minimum of 500 innings pitched in that time frame. It's all backed up by luck stats as well, touting a 3.44 FIP. The newly acquired lefty does not fit the mold of other Craig Breslow moves this offseason. In guys like Johan Oviedo or Jake Bennett, there was a clear trend in extension and height. Suárez does not check off either of those boxes, standing at 6'1 with just 6.2 feet of extension, which ranks in the 29th percentile in MLB. He is also in the 7th percentile in average fastball velocity, sitting at 91.2 mph. He doesn't have the typical mold of a modern starting pitcher, and yet he finds success. In today’s game, pitchers without elite velocity or strikeout rates often struggle to hold rotation spots unless they excel elsewhere. Suárez does exactly that, combining elite control with a well-above-average ability to keep the ball on the ground. Suárez ranked 21st in BB% (5.8%), 16th in ground-ball rate (46.8%), and led the league in Location+ (113). Location+ operates the same way as Stuff+, providing a baseline of 100 based on how well a pitcher can locate in each count relative to the league. Put simply, how well can a pitcher locate along the edge of the zone compared to the rest of the league? Suárez is the best at this, and it's a skill that ages much more gracefully than velocity. His elite location ability allows him to garner elite results in average exit velocity (95th percentile, 86.5) and hard-hit rate (98th percentile, 31.1%). From a pitch-mix standpoint, Suárez leans heavily on his sinker, throwing it 28.5% of the time. The pitch generates an excellent 62.9% ground-ball rate, though it was hit at a moderate clip, allowing a .768 OPS. His best offering, however, is clearly his changeup. Using the pitch, he posted a microscopic 2.8% walk rate and a strong 25.2% strikeout rate. Opponents produced a 48 wRC+ and a .499 OPS, both ranking 16th-lowest in the league. The pitch is rarely thrown in the zone, evidenced by a 30.8% Zone%, yet it generates a massive 43% Chase%. It tunnels effectively off the sinker with a similar horizontal approach angle while dropping an additional two inches, driving swing-and-miss. M3k0eDRfWGw0TUFRPT1fVTFNQVZBQUhWd2NBQUZNRUF3QUhDUUJXQUFBQlYxY0FVd2NCQmdJQ0NBRURDQUVI.mp4 Despite lacking the traditional traits often associated with top-end starters, Suárez fits the bill. With pinpoint command, a lethal two-pitch mix, and a consistent ability to limit hard contact, his skill set projects to age well. None of these strengths rely on upper-echelon velocity, which inevitably declines over time. As a result, the Red Sox’s $26 million annual investment should not become burdensome, even in the later years of the deal. One clear area of need remains. With yet another ground-ball-heavy pitcher added to the rotation, the importance of a reliable infield defense is magnified. Still, after a weekend of significant frustration, it is encouraging to see the front office respond quickly and decisively. This has the makings of one of the best rotations in the sport, where, from Garrett Crochet through Johan Oviedo and beyond, the team should feel competitive every time out. The organizational pitching depth is a clear strength, and it will be fascinating to see where the roster construction goes from here. For now, though, enjoy the moment. The first free agent has landed, and the rotation just got even better. View the full article