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Week 5 of the Arizona Fall League is in the books, with San Diego Padres prospects playing for the Peoria Javelinas in the showcase event. Each week, we will take a look back at how the Friars' prospects fared. This was an abbreviated week due to the weekend's festivities and Monday's slate being washed out due to rain, leaving just four games. The Home Run Derby was Saturday and the Fall Stars Game was Sunday. The Padres had Alex McCoy in the Derby, while he was joined by right-hander Kannon Kemp and shortstop Justin DeCriscio on the NL Fall Star team. Check out the recap of how they did in the Fall Stars Game here. The whole league is off Monday, then the final two regular-season games take place before the playoffs. For last week's recap, check here. For Week 1, check here, for Week 2, check here. and, for Week 3, check here, Ty Harvey, C Padres Mission's No. 5 prospect didn't get a ton of time behind the plate this week, though he made an appearance as a pinch-runner due to his 19 steals in the Arizona Fall League, which is second-most on the Javelinas. That did not go well, however. After Matthew Ellis (Seattle Mariners) tied Tuesday's game against Salt River with a one-out two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning, Harvey ran for Ellis. But Harvey was gunned down by catcher Kevin Bazzell (Washington Nationals) trying to swipe second. In his other two games, both starts (one at designated hitter, the other at catcher), Harvey went 1-for-4 with four walks, a strikeout, two runs scored and a pair of steals, both in the same game against Mesa. Justin DeCriscio, SS Before getting to the Fall Stars Game in a fan vote for the last NL roster spot, DeCriscio played twice, going 1-for-8, including a double, with two runs scored. He had one game at shortstop and another at second. His best game of the week was Wednesday vs. Mesa, going 1-for-4 with a double and two runs. Alex McCoy, OF The corner outfielder, Padres Mission's No. 8 prospect, had a rough week before his weekend activities. McCoy played all four games, entering one as a pinch-hitter, but went just 1-for-8 with three strikeouts, although he did have a two-walk game and was hit by a pitch twice. His best showing was the Tuesday game vs. Salt River, going 1-for-2 with a double, two walks, a hit by pitch and two runs scored. Winyer Chourio, RHP The right-handed starter, Padres Mission's No. 17 prospect, pitched two-plus innings in his long outing. He started the 5-3 loss to Salt River on Thursday. Chourio couldn't shake off a two-out dropped foul ball by the first baseman. He hit that batter, had a wild pitch and walked the next hitter before a three-run homer, the only hit he allowed. He did bounce back with an inning-ending groundout, but walked the first two hitters of the third inning and was pulled, with the reliever getting a double play to end that threat. Igor Gil, LHP The left-handed reliever had his best game of the season Wednesday against Mesa. Coming in after the starter walked the first two batters of the third inning, Gil got a double play on a 2-0 pitch and a strikeout to escape that jam, then struck out three in the fourth inning while allowing a double. Those two scoreless innings lowered his ERA to 4.32 in seven games. Kannon Kemp, RHP The right-handed starter made a relief appearance in advance of his trip to the Fall Stars Game. Kemp went one inning against Mesa, allowing three runs on three hits and a walk with two strikeouts. Francis Pena, RHP The right-handed reliever finally gave up a run after seven scoreless outings in the AFL, although they came at a bad time. Pena came into the top of the ninth inning of Tuesday's game against Salt River in a tie game, but gave up a single, hit a batter, balked and then allowed a two-run single. His teammates bailed him out with a two-run bottom of the ninth, yet Pena saw the zombie runner score on a sacrifice fly. Again, Pena's teammates came through for him, scoring twice for a walk-off win, securing the victory for him. Jordan Valenzuela, RHP A right-handed reliever, Valenzuela had his best game of the AFL, pitching a scoreless inning Thursday vs. Salt River. He worked around a two-out error and Harvey's passed ball to retire the other three batters he faced. View the full article

With one week left to go in the Arizona Fall League, the Surprise Saguaros, the team that is home to the eight New York Mets prospects, is currently tied for the league's best record at 16-10. The Saguaros won four of their five this past week, getting good offensive performances in all of their win this week. That slate began with a convincing 18-8 win over the Mesa Solar Sox, including some solid pitching performances from Ryan Lambert and Brendan Girton. The week ended in a tight game where the Saguaros narrowly defeated the Salt River Rafters 8-7, a contest in which six of the eight Mets made an appearance. Let's review how each of the team's prospects fared in the AFL over the past seven days. Bruin Agbayani 2B/SS/3B Agbayani saw three games of action this week after not appearing in Monday or Tuesday’s games. He accumulated a hit and two walks while striking out twice. Agbayani’s hit came in Wednesday’s game, where he smoked a 107.5 MPH ground rule double in the 5th inning. The infielder has now drawn 12 walks in the AFL and has struck out 18 times. Boston Baro SS/3B/2B Baro saw two games of play this week and his best performance on Friday. In the bottom of the sixth, Baro hit an RBI single to right field and then later came around to score. Baro was a non-factor in his other game of work, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Wednesday’s game. He has been far and away the best of the three Mets hitters throughout the AFL but in a vacuum, it still hasn't been a perfect showing. Cole Mathis 1B/DH Mathis had a pretty positive week in three games of play. On Monday, he went 1-for-3 with two RBIs, three walks and two runs scored. His two RBIs came on an RBI single off of Red Sox prospect Tanner O’Donnell that scored top prospects Zion Rose and Aiden Miller. Mathis had two walks in each of his games on Thursday and Friday and recorded a hit. His 16 walks are tied for second on the Saguaros and he has only struck out eight times so far. If he keeps up this momentum in the final week of the season, Mathis could surpass Baro as the Mets' best position player prospect in the AFL. RHP Irving Cota After receiving Fall Star honors this past week, Cota’s lone inning of work came Wednesday in the 2-0 loss to the Glendale Desert Dogs. He pitched one inning, allowing a run and three hits. Cota’s All-Star selection was no doubt due to his masterful pitching performances in the first couple weeks of play, but he has not had a scoreless outing since then. Cota is one of the many Mets prospects that could potentially have to face the Rule 5 draft, should it happen, later this offseason. How he finishes in the AFL could determine whether or not he gets protected on the 40-man roster. RHP Brendan Girton Girton’s scoreless streak came to an end on Monday when he pitched 1⅔ innings, allowing a run and two hits. He also recorded two strikeouts, coming on his slider and sweeper. On Saturday, Girton allowed two hits and two earned runs in one inning of work. Girton’s ERA started this week at a flat zero and will end at 3.86. RHP Ryan Lambert Lambert joined Cota in receiving Fall Star honors and continued his scoreless streak in a dominant outing to close out a 18-8 win on Monday against the Solar Sox. He allowed a walk but recorded three strikeouts to close the door. This fall could not be going any better for Lambert, who seems to have put himself on the map again. RHP Peyton Prescott Prescott started Friday’s game, recording two strikeouts and allowing a run and two hits in two innings of work. His earned run came on a home run from Twins prospect Kyle DeBarge. You might be wondering, "why do I know that name?" Well, if you read our AFL week in reviews, you would know that DeBarge took Prescott deep last week as well. This time around, Prescott’s first-pitch fastball was ambushed by DeBarge and taken 394 feet over the left field fence. The right-hander still recorded the win, bringing his record to 3-1with a 0.92 WHIP. RHP Calvin Ziegler Ziegler has desperately needed a good outing to get himself back on track after a rough couple weeks in Arizona, and he got himself two good showings this week. Ziegler’s outings came on Tuesday and Friday, going a combined 1⅔ innings of work while recording one strikeout. View the full article

With one week left to go in the Arizona Fall League, the Surprise Saguaros, the team that is home to the eight New York Mets prospects, is currently tied for the league's best record at 16-10. The Saguaros won four of their five this past week, getting good offensive performances in all of their win this week. That slate began with a convincing 18-8 win over the Mesa Solar Sox, including some solid pitching performances from Ryan Lambert and Brendan Girton. The week ended in a tight game where the Saguaros narrowly defeated the Salt River Rafters 8-7, a contest in which six of the eight Mets made an appearance. Let's review how each of the team's prospects fared in the AFL over the past seven days. Bruin Agbayani 2B/SS/3B Agbayani saw three games of action this week after not appearing in Monday or Tuesday’s games. He accumulated a hit and two walks while striking out twice. Agbayani’s hit came in Wednesday’s game, where he smoked a 107.5 MPH ground rule double in the 5th inning. The infielder has now drawn 12 walks in the AFL and has struck out 18 times. Boston Baro SS/3B/2B Baro saw two games of play this week and his best performance on Friday. In the bottom of the sixth, Baro hit an RBI single to right field and then later came around to score. Baro was a non-factor in his other game of work, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Wednesday’s game. He has been far and away the best of the three Mets hitters throughout the AFL but in a vacuum, it still hasn't been a perfect showing. Cole Mathis 1B/DH Mathis had a pretty positive week in three games of play. On Monday, he went 1-for-3 with two RBIs, three walks and two runs scored. His two RBIs came on an RBI single off of Red Sox prospect Tanner O’Donnell that scored top prospects Zion Rose and Aiden Miller. Mathis had two walks in each of his games on Thursday and Friday and recorded a hit. His 16 walks are tied for second on the Saguaros and he has only struck out eight times so far. If he keeps up this momentum in the final week of the season, Mathis could surpass Baro as the Mets' best position player prospect in the AFL. RHP Irving Cota After receiving Fall Star honors this past week, Cota’s lone inning of work came Wednesday in the 2-0 loss to the Glendale Desert Dogs. He pitched one inning, allowing a run and three hits. Cota’s All-Star selection was no doubt due to his masterful pitching performances in the first couple weeks of play, but he has not had a scoreless outing since then. Cota is one of the many Mets prospects that could potentially have to face the Rule 5 draft, should it happen, later this offseason. How he finishes in the AFL could determine whether or not he gets protected on the 40-man roster. RHP Brendan Girton Girton’s scoreless streak came to an end on Monday when he pitched 1⅔ innings, allowing a run and two hits. He also recorded two strikeouts, coming on his slider and sweeper. On Saturday, Girton allowed two hits and two earned runs in one inning of work. Girton’s ERA started this week at a flat zero and will end at 3.86. RHP Ryan Lambert Lambert joined Cota in receiving Fall Star honors and continued his scoreless streak in a dominant outing to close out a 18-8 win on Monday against the Solar Sox. He allowed a walk but recorded three strikeouts to close the door. This fall could not be going any better for Lambert, who seems to have put himself on the map again. RHP Peyton Prescott Prescott started Friday’s game, recording two strikeouts and allowing a run and two hits in two innings of work. His earned run came on a home run from Twins prospect Kyle DeBarge. You might be wondering, "why do I know that name?" Well, if you read our AFL week in reviews, you would know that DeBarge took Prescott deep last week as well. This time around, Prescott’s first-pitch fastball was ambushed by DeBarge and taken 394 feet over the left field fence. The right-hander still recorded the win, bringing his record to 3-1 with a 0.92 WHIP. RHP Calvin Ziegler Ziegler has desperately needed a good outing to get himself back on track after a rough couple weeks in Arizona, and he got himself two good showings this week. Ziegler’s outings came on Tuesday and Friday, going a combined 1⅔ innings of work while recording one strikeout. View the full article

The Milwaukee Brewers didn't become World Series champions by finding just one batch of young talent and hitting it rich. They know they need to keep promoting successfully from within, if they hope to sustain their dominance. Their prospects have kept their foot on the gas this fall in the Arizona Fall League, and Eric Bitonti has turned a breakout 2026 regular season into an impressive run in the fall. The Brewers’ 20-year-old prospect competed in the AFL’s Home Run Derby over the weekend, but his recent power surge doesn't fully answer the questions hanging over his progression toward the majors. How He Got Here Bitonti was drafted as a 17-year-old in 2023, when he earned plenty of attention coming out of the California high school class. The powerful corner infielder went in the third round, and Milwaukee’s $1.75-million offer was enough to sway him from a commitment to the University of Oregon. Matt Arnold clearly saw the potential, and as he has done so many times, he found a way to harness a promising young talent and turn him into a productive professional baseball player. After turning in an age-19 season wherein he smacked 19 home runs and slashed .238/.341/.421 with Low-A Carolina, Bitonti really found something this year. A Spectacular 2026 Run In 2026, Bitonti struck a balance between a high batting average and potent power numbers while toiling for the High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. He slashed .270/.391/.525 with 25 home runs and 88 runs batted in over a 111-game span in Appleton. That piqued the Brewers’ interest enough to put the young phenom into the AFL. What has he done since gaining entry to the season-ending showcase? Nothing different than the first six months of the season: he's absolutely mashed. In 18 Fall League contests, the power-hitting lefty has whacked three home runs and six total extra-base hits. He boasts a .792 OPS. As a result, he competed in the league’s annual Home Run Derby, and therein, he launched eight long balls in the opening round. Looking Under The Hood At a closer glance, it’s easy to see how Bitonti is so effective on offense. For one, his timing is impeccable. The Brewers’ up-and-coming slugger is catching the ball out front at an elite clip, earning a 25.2% pull air percentage (85th percentile). Bitonti has a profile similar to fellow power hitters Andrew Fischer and Braylon Payne, though that also means that he shares their greatest vulnerabilities. He may hit the ball a mile, but his strikeout rate is sky-high. The eager bat has a 37.9% whiff rate, directly correlating to a 32.9% strikeout rate. In an age wherein pitching velocity is rising by the year and hurlers are able to generate more break on their pitches than ever, some teams are willing to trade the strikeout rate for supreme power. However, only a very small subset of great sluggers can hit enough to make up for that high a strikeout rate. Is This the Brewers Way? The question before Bitonti is: will the Brewers try to mold him into a more contact-oriented player? Their identity hasn’t been based on power in years. This season, Milwaukee was 15th in home runs (154), had the 12th-fewest strikeouts (1,383) and had the best on-base percentage (.341) in baseball. Neither catching the ball out front nor trading contact for power is part of their broader philosophy. Will Bitonti conform to the Brewers Way, or will up-and-coming power-hitters like him, Fischer and Payne have to cut down on the strikeouts to crack the big-league roster one day? The good news with Bitonti is that he isn’t venturing out of the zone much, chasing just 27.5% of the time (59th percentile). Now, it’s just about finding a path to a better contact rate in the zone to cut down on the punchouts. View the full article

The Milwaukee Brewers didn't become World Series champions by finding just one batch of young talent and hitting it rich. They know they need to keep promoting successfully from within, if they hope to sustain their dominance. Their prospects have kept their foot on the gas this fall in the Arizona Fall League, and Eric Bitonti has turned a breakout 2026 regular season into an impressive run in the fall. The Brewers’ 20-year-old prospect competed in the AFL’s Home Run Derby over the weekend, but his recent power surge doesn't fully answer the questions hanging over his progression toward the majors. How He Got Here Bitonti was drafted as a 17-year-old in 2023, when he earned plenty of attention coming out of the California high school class. The powerful corner infielder went in the third round, and Milwaukee’s $1.75-million offer was enough to sway him from a commitment to the University of Oregon. Matt Arnold clearly saw the potential, and as he has done so many times, he found a way to harness a promising young talent and turn him into a productive professional baseball player. After turning in an age-19 season wherein he smacked 19 home runs and slashed .238/.341/.421 with Low-A Carolina, Bitonti really found something this year. A Spectacular 2026 Run In 2026, Bitonti struck a balance between a high batting average and potent power numbers while toiling for the High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. He slashed .270/.391/.525 with 25 home runs and 88 runs batted in over a 111-game span in Appleton. That piqued the Brewers’ interest enough to put the young phenom into the AFL. What has he done since gaining entry to the season-ending showcase? Nothing different than the first six months of the season: he's absolutely mashed. In 18 Fall League contests, the power-hitting lefty has whacked three home runs and six total extra-base hits. He boasts a .792 OPS. As a result, he competed in the league’s annual Home Run Derby, and therein, he launched eight long balls in the opening round. Looking Under The Hood At a closer glance, it’s easy to see how Bitonti is so effective on offense. For one, his timing is impeccable. The Brewers’ up-and-coming slugger is catching the ball out front at an elite clip, earning a 25.2% pull air percentage (85th percentile). Bitonti has a profile similar to fellow power hitters Andrew Fischer and Braylon Payne, though that also means that he shares their greatest vulnerabilities. He may hit the ball a mile, but his strikeout rate is sky-high. The eager bat has a 37.9% whiff rate, directly correlating to a 32.9% strikeout rate. In an age wherein pitching velocity is rising by the year and hurlers are able to generate more break on their pitches than ever, some teams are willing to trade the strikeout rate for supreme power. However, only a very small subset of great sluggers can hit enough to make up for that high a strikeout rate. Is This the Brewers Way? The question before Bitonti is: will the Brewers try to mold him into a more contact-oriented player? Their identity hasn’t been based on power in years. This season, Milwaukee was 15th in home runs (154), had the 12th-fewest strikeouts (1,383) and had the best on-base percentage (.341) in baseball. Neither catching the ball out front nor trading contact for power is part of their broader philosophy. Will Bitonti conform to the Brewers Way, or will up-and-coming power-hitters like him, Fischer and Payne have to cut down on the strikeouts to crack the big-league roster one day? The good news with Bitonti is that he isn’t venturing out of the zone much, chasing just 27.5% of the time (59th percentile). Now, it’s just about finding a path to a better contact rate in the zone to cut down on the punchouts. View the full article

With the American League Silver Slugger finalists announced, Kody Clemens finds himself in a battle with the White Sox's Chase Meidroth, competing to take home one of the league’s top individual honors at second bae. Both players had seasons worthy of recognition, but their paths to becoming finalists have been different. Clemens, in his second season with the Twins, led the team with 27 home runs, while Meidroth was worth 4.5 fWAR, good for first in the American League among second basemen. Now, with the winner to be determined this week, the question is whether Clemens has done enough to bring home the Silver Slugger or if Meidroth has the stronger case. Why Chase Meidroth Could Win The Chicago White Sox had a lot of success this year, and Meidroth was a big part of that. He slashed .276/.350/.415 (good for a 115 OPS+) in 643 plate appearances. The 25-year-old hit 31 doubles and 16 homers while driving in 63, and he trailed only Miguel Vargas in terms of fWAR on the Wild Card-winning White Sox. As for how Meidroth stacks up against Clemens, he has the advantage in several categories. He has the higher batting average, on-base percentage, OPS, and OPS+. Meidroth smacked more doubles, too. Additionally, If the award was defined by who plays second base more often, Meidroth would win by a landslide. He played 1275 2/3 innings at second this season, only spending 60 innings at short and third combined. Meanwhile, Clemens (as Twins fans know) operated more as a utility man, logging innings at second, first, and all three outfield positions. That certainly won’t be a knock on Clemens’s chances, but it's something to keep in mind. Overall, Meidroth was a relentless, consistent on-base presence for the Sox, and he tapped into unexpected power. He delivered numbers that are better than Clemens's in many major categories. Let's take a look at the Twins slugger's case, too, though. Why Kody Clemens Could Win What Meidroth has over Clemens is the pure bat-to-ball skills and on-base ability, but Clemens makes up for that with his power. The son of superstar pitcher Roger Clemens slashed .239/.298/.460, leaving much to be desired in the OBP department, but he drove in 81 runs and added 22 doubles and an American League-leading seven triples. Clemens also has the advanced metrics backing him up. He had the higher xwOBA, xSLG, average exit velocity, barrel percentage, and hard-hit percentage, among other statistics. Clemens is a power hitter, while Meidroth puts the ball in play more often and takes significantly more walks. It's very much apples and oranges. The Twins utility man leads the way in one area that could become a separator: hitting in the clutch. While hitting in high-leverage situations, Clemens slashed .297/.360/.516, compared to Meidroth’s .260/.342/.380. That difference is significant, especially considering Clemens’s ability to deliver extra-base hits. His .516 slugging percentage in those situations highlights the impact he can have in important moments, but fans don't need numbers to tell them about that. The ultimate grand slam Clemens hit at the end of July against the Royals, winning a game in one enormous swing, will stick in the memories of many for years. While Meidroth may have the edge in most of the basic statistics, Clemens certainly has a good case of his own. So, Who Should Win The Award? The Silver Slugger is an award given for what you did in the batter’s box, and both players accomplished good results over the course of the 2026 season. In fact, Meidroth and Clemens ranked 2nd and 3rd in OPS among qualified second basemen in the American League, behind… Luke Keaschall? Yup, Keaschall leads the way, and even played more innings at second than Clemens did. If he were one of the announced finalists, Keaschall would be the favorite, but since he isn’t, the choice remains between Clemens and Meidroth. While the two players have different roles for their teams, I think Clemens takes home the award, given the power he showcased in his first full season with Minnesota. I may be biased, but Clemens was a more impactful hitter when it mattered and had the advantage in the advanced metrics. This decision is no easy one; both players are certainly deserving. Ultimately, Meidroth or Clemens taking home a Silver Slugger would be a fitting way to end breakout campaigns for both players. While Meidroth made his mark as one of Chicago’s most consistent offensive contributors, Clemens demonstrated just how important his power and clutch hitting can be. Both took significant steps forward in 2026, and regardless of who gets the nod, their performances should leave both the White Sox and Twins excited about what they can bring to the table moving forward. Who would you give the Silver Slugger to? Does one player deserve it more than the other? View the full article

With the American League Silver Slugger finalists announced, Kody Clemens finds himself in a battle with the White Sox's Chase Meidroth, competing to take home one of the league’s top individual honors at second bae. Both players had seasons worthy of recognition, but their paths to becoming finalists have been different. Clemens, in his second season with the Twins, led the team with 27 home runs, while Meidroth was worth 4.5 fWAR, good for first in the American League among second basemen. Now, with the winner to be determined this week, the question is whether Clemens has done enough to bring home the Silver Slugger or if Meidroth has the stronger case. Why Chase Meidroth Could Win The Chicago White Sox had a lot of success this year, and Meidroth was a big part of that. He slashed .276/.350/.415 (good for a 115 OPS+) in 643 plate appearances. The 25-year-old hit 31 doubles and 16 homers while driving in 63, and he trailed only Miguel Vargas in terms of fWAR on the Wild Card-winning White Sox. As for how Meidroth stacks up against Clemens, he has the advantage in several categories. He has the higher batting average, on-base percentage, OPS, and OPS+. Meidroth smacked more doubles, too. Additionally, If the award was defined by who plays second base more often, Meidroth would win by a landslide. He played 1275 2/3 innings at second this season, only spending 60 innings at short and third combined. Meanwhile, Clemens (as Twins fans know) operated more as a utility man, logging innings at second, first, and all three outfield positions. That certainly won’t be a knock on Clemens’s chances, but it's something to keep in mind. Overall, Meidroth was a relentless, consistent on-base presence for the Sox, and he tapped into unexpected power. He delivered numbers that are better than Clemens's in many major categories. Let's take a look at the Twins slugger's case, too, though. Why Kody Clemens Could Win What Meidroth has over Clemens is the pure bat-to-ball skills and on-base ability, but Clemens makes up for that with his power. The son of superstar pitcher Roger Clemens slashed .239/.298/.460, leaving much to be desired in the OBP department, but he drove in 81 runs and added 22 doubles and an American League-leading seven triples. Clemens also has the advanced metrics backing him up. He had the higher xwOBA, xSLG, average exit velocity, barrel percentage, and hard-hit percentage, among other statistics. Clemens is a power hitter, while Meidroth puts the ball in play more often and takes significantly more walks. It's very much apples and oranges. The Twins utility man leads the way in one area that could become a separator: hitting in the clutch. While hitting in high-leverage situations, Clemens slashed .297/.360/.516, compared to Meidroth’s .260/.342/.380. That difference is significant, especially considering Clemens’s ability to deliver extra-base hits. His .516 slugging percentage in those situations highlights the impact he can have in important moments, but fans don't need numbers to tell them about that. The ultimate grand slam Clemens hit at the end of July against the Royals, winning a game in one enormous swing, will stick in the memories of many for years. While Meidroth may have the edge in most of the basic statistics, Clemens certainly has a good case of his own. So, Who Should Win The Award? The Silver Slugger is an award given for what you did in the batter’s box, and both players accomplished good results over the course of the 2026 season. In fact, Meidroth and Clemens ranked 2nd and 3rd in OPS among qualified second basemen in the American League, behind… Luke Keaschall? Yup, Keaschall leads the way, and even played more innings at second than Clemens did. If he were one of the announced finalists, Keaschall would be the favorite, but since he isn’t, the choice remains between Clemens and Meidroth. While the two players have different roles for their teams, I think Clemens takes home the award, given the power he showcased in his first full season with Minnesota. I may be biased, but Clemens was a more impactful hitter when it mattered and had the advantage in the advanced metrics. This decision is no easy one; both players are certainly deserving. Ultimately, Meidroth or Clemens taking home a Silver Slugger would be a fitting way to end breakout campaigns for both players. While Meidroth made his mark as one of Chicago’s most consistent offensive contributors, Clemens demonstrated just how important his power and clutch hitting can be. Both took significant steps forward in 2026, and regardless of who gets the nod, their performances should leave both the White Sox and Twins excited about what they can bring to the table moving forward. Who would you give the Silver Slugger to? Does one player deserve it more than the other? View the full article

Minnesota Twins prospect Aidan Teel has shared encouraging news about his recovery after undergoing surgery to remove a spinal cord tumor. The young outfielder revealed on Instagram that he was diagnosed with an intramedullary spinal cord tumor, a condition that threatened both his long-term health and his baseball career. Teel's diagnosis brought an uncertain future. He explained that doctors initially told him his professional baseball career was over and that returning to the field was likely unattainable. The surgery itself carried significant risks, including the possibility of permanent neurological deficits that could prevent him from playing baseball again. At that point, his priorities changed dramatically. "In that moment, baseball no longer mattered," Teel wrote. "All I wanted was the chance to live a long, healthy life." Fortunately, his recovery has provided reason for optimism. Six weeks after surgery, Teel announced that he had been cleared to begin rehabilitation. His ultimate goal is to return to professional baseball, although he acknowledged that the road ahead will not be easy. Teel also expressed gratitude toward his parents, family, friends, and everyone who supported him throughout the process. He specifically thanked the doctors and medical staff at Columbia for giving him another opportunity to live a healthy life. He credited his faith and the power of prayer for helping him through one of the most difficult experiences of his life. Teel's Path to Professional Baseball Teel is a relatively recent addition to the Twins organization. Minnesota selected the outfielder in the 11th round of the 2026 MLB Draft with the 317th overall selection. He signed with the organization for a $210,000 bonus after playing college baseball at Mississippi State. Before transferring to Mississippi State, Teel spent three seasons at the University of Virginia. His best season with the Cavaliers came in 2025, when he became an everyday center fielder and hit .317/.442/.538. He collected 59 hits, including 20 doubles and seven home runs, while driving in 40 runs across 50 games. Teel followed head coach Brian O'Connor to Mississippi State for the 2026 season. He appeared in 45 games and hit .294/.416/.449, adding five home runs and 22 RBIs. Although his offensive production dipped from the previous season, he continued developing as an outfielder in the SEC. The Twins assigned Teel to the Florida Complex League after signing him in July. He eventually earned a promotion to the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, where he appeared in 19 games. He hit .238/.364/.349 with five doubles, a triple, and five stolen bases in 77 plate appearances. Those numbers represent a small sample of professional experience, but Teel was beginning his transition into the minor league system before his health situation interrupted that process. A Long Road Ahead Teel's announcement is encouraging news for the Twins organization, but his recovery should be viewed through a much bigger lens than baseball. Simply being cleared to begin rehabilitation represents a significant milestone after facing such a frightening diagnosis. There is no timetable for his return to the field, and his health will understandably remain the top priority. Still, Teel has an opportunity to continue pursuing the dream that once appeared to be taken away from him. For Teel, getting another opportunity to play baseball is something he will never take for granted. Twins fans can certainly join the organization in wishing him continued progress as he begins the next chapter of his recovery. View the full article

Minnesota Twins prospect Aidan Teel has shared encouraging news about his recovery after undergoing surgery to remove a spinal cord tumor. The young outfielder revealed on Instagram that he was diagnosed with an intramedullary spinal cord tumor, a condition that threatened both his long-term health and his baseball career. Teel's diagnosis brought an uncertain future. He explained that doctors initially told him his professional baseball career was over and that returning to the field was likely unattainable. The surgery itself carried significant risks, including the possibility of permanent neurological deficits that could prevent him from playing baseball again. At that point, his priorities changed dramatically. "In that moment, baseball no longer mattered," Teel wrote. "All I wanted was the chance to live a long, healthy life." Fortunately, his recovery has provided reason for optimism. Six weeks after surgery, Teel announced that he had been cleared to begin rehabilitation. His ultimate goal is to return to professional baseball, although he acknowledged that the road ahead will not be easy. Teel also expressed gratitude toward his parents, family, friends, and everyone who supported him throughout the process. He specifically thanked the doctors and medical staff at Columbia for giving him another opportunity to live a healthy life. He credited his faith and the power of prayer for helping him through one of the most difficult experiences of his life. Teel's Path to Professional Baseball Teel is a relatively recent addition to the Twins organization. Minnesota selected the outfielder in the 11th round of the 2026 MLB Draft with the 317th overall selection. He signed with the organization for a $210,000 bonus after playing college baseball at Mississippi State. Before transferring to Mississippi State, Teel spent three seasons at the University of Virginia. His best season with the Cavaliers came in 2025, when he became an everyday center fielder and hit .317/.442/.538. He collected 59 hits, including 20 doubles and seven home runs, while driving in 40 runs across 50 games. Teel followed head coach Brian O'Connor to Mississippi State for the 2026 season. He appeared in 45 games and hit .294/.416/.449, adding five home runs and 22 RBIs. Although his offensive production dipped from the previous season, he continued developing as an outfielder in the SEC. The Twins assigned Teel to the Florida Complex League after signing him in July. He eventually earned a promotion to the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, where he appeared in 19 games. He hit .238/.364/.349 with five doubles, a triple, and five stolen bases in 77 plate appearances. Those numbers represent a small sample of professional experience, but Teel was beginning his transition into the minor league system before his health situation interrupted that process. A Long Road Ahead Teel's announcement is encouraging news for the Twins organization, but his recovery should be viewed through a much bigger lens than baseball. Simply being cleared to begin rehabilitation represents a significant milestone after facing such a frightening diagnosis. There is no timetable for his return to the field, and his health will understandably remain the top priority. Still, Teel has an opportunity to continue pursuing the dream that once appeared to be taken away from him. For Teel, getting another opportunity to play baseball is something he will never take for granted. Twins fans can certainly join the organization in wishing him continued progress as he begins the next chapter of his recovery. View the full article

It doesn't need to be belabored—the San Diego Padres are in dire need of help in the rotation this offseason. Considering the (likely) departures of Michael King, Walker Buehler, Robbie Ray, and Casey Mize in free agency (to say nothing of the declining of Nick Pivetta's club option) the team is at a point where they simply don't have enough bodies to fill out a rotation, let alone field one of high quality. As such, they're going to be one of the more active teams both in free agency and in the trade market. A rotation currently comprised of Joe Musgrove, Randy Vásquez, and a void can't afford for the front office to address this need with haphazard hopes; there has to be actual certainty added to the starting five for the Friars to stand any chance in 2027. The situation is so bleak that it makes almost anyone that can get through roughly five innings a "fit" for the Padres. But if we're considering genuinely good fits for the team's starting five, Clay Holmes may stand as the most ideal of targets. Holmes is coming off something of a mixed year, but that's a status almost exclusively due to the stretch of time from May to August he missed with a broken leg sustained from a comebacker. On either side of the injury, he was quite good. Across 18 starts (101.1 innings), he nearly matched his career-best in fWAR (1.8) and put together a 3.29 ERA & 3.63 FIP. While the performance itself—in addition to the fact that Holmes is 33 but only in his second year as a major-league starter, indicating fewer miles on his arm—is strong, there are two primary traits that make Holmes the ideal fit for the Padres this winter. They are illustrated by the two following numbers: Barrel Rate: 4.4 percent (93rd Percentile) Groundball Rate: 60.8 percent (99th Percentile) Holmes is predominantly a sinker-baller. He threw the pitch 49 percent of the time in 2026 and at a 41 percent clip in 2025. He uses a blend of a sweeper and a changeup to complement the pitch, using the combination to both minimize hard contact and get opposing hitters to put the ball on the ground at a pretty gaudy rate. If that sounds familiar, it's likely because the Padres just watched Michael King undergo an evolution last year that had him showcasing this exact type of skill set. There are a few benefits to this style of pitching. One is the fact that working off contact rather than relying on strikeouts helps in the longevity game. Holmes averaged 5.6 innings per start this past season, which is a dynamic the Padres absolutely need in their rotation as the bullpen gets just a bit more shallow following a couple of key departures. Another is embedded in the idea that the team actually has the infrastructure to support a pitcher of this type; some of that will rely on Gold Glove finalist Ty France returning, but the Padres were above average in terms of infield defense this past season. A third benefit lies in the contract. Most projections for Holmes land in the two or three-year range at roughly $20 million a year (give or take). That's an enticing (and affordable) cost for an arm that will offer as much stability as Holmes can. He's not going to be a number one starter, of course. But the fact that Holmes has the chops to anchor a rotation through his longevity from start-to-start, coupled with what figures to be a reasonable contract, makes him a perfect option to augment what little starting talent the Padres already have in place. View the full article

It doesn't need to be belabored—the San Diego Padres are in dire need of help in the rotation this offseason. Considering the (likely) departures of Michael King, Walker Buehler, Robbie Ray, and Casey Mize in free agency (to say nothing of the declining of Nick Pivetta's club option) the team is at a point where they simply don't have enough bodies to fill out a rotation, let alone field one of high quality. As such, they're going to be one of the more active teams both in free agency and in the trade market. A rotation currently comprised of Joe Musgrove, Randy Vásquez, and a void can't afford for the front office to address this need with haphazard hopes; there has to be actual certainty added to the starting five for the Friars to stand any chance in 2027. The situation is so bleak that it makes almost anyone that can get through roughly five innings a "fit" for the Padres. But if we're considering genuinely good fits for the team's starting five, Clay Holmes may stand as the most ideal of targets. Holmes is coming off something of a mixed year, but that's a status almost exclusively due to the stretch of time from May to August he missed with a broken leg sustained from a comebacker. On either side of the injury, he was quite good. Across 18 starts (101.1 innings), he nearly matched his career-best in fWAR (1.8) and put together a 3.29 ERA & 3.63 FIP. While the performance itself—in addition to the fact that Holmes is 33 but only in his second year as a major-league starter, indicating fewer miles on his arm—is strong, there are two primary traits that make Holmes the ideal fit for the Padres this winter. They are illustrated by the two following numbers: Barrel Rate: 4.4 percent (93rd Percentile) Groundball Rate: 60.8 percent (99th Percentile) Holmes is predominantly a sinker-baller. He threw the pitch 49 percent of the time in 2026 and at a 41 percent clip in 2025. He uses a blend of a sweeper and a changeup to complement the pitch, using the combination to both minimize hard contact and get opposing hitters to put the ball on the ground at a pretty gaudy rate. If that sounds familiar, it's likely because the Padres just watched Michael King undergo an evolution last year that had him showcasing this exact type of skill set. There are a few benefits to this style of pitching. One is the fact that working off contact rather than relying on strikeouts helps in the longevity game. Holmes averaged 5.6 innings per start this past season, which is a dynamic the Padres absolutely need in their rotation as the bullpen gets just a bit more shallow following a couple of key departures. Another is embedded in the idea that the team actually has the infrastructure to support a pitcher of this type; some of that will rely on Gold Glove finalist Ty France returning, but the Padres were above average in terms of infield defense this past season. A third benefit lies in the contract. Most projections for Holmes land in the two or three-year range at roughly $20 million a year (give or take). That's an enticing (and affordable) cost for an arm that will offer as much stability as Holmes can. He's not going to be a number one starter, of course. But the fact that Holmes has the chops to anchor a rotation through his longevity from start-to-start, coupled with what figures to be a reasonable contract, makes him a perfect option to augment what little starting talent the Padres already have in place. View the full article

A potential trade involving Joe Ryan and the Minnesota Twins may be becoming less likely following a report from MLB Network's Jon Morosi. According to Morosi, teams are hesitant to trade for players with one year of control remaining due to uncertainty about what the 2027 season will look like. Morosi specifically mentioned Ryan alongside other notable trade candidates, including Logan Gilbert, Steven Kwan, and Sandy Alcántara. However, pending free agents could still be moved in trades for each other as a way for teams to balance the risk involved. The timing is important, as MLB's next lockout is expected to begin on December 2. That leaves roughly four weeks for teams to get business done before the sport potentially shuts down for an extended period. With that in mind, there is expected to be plenty of activity in the coming weeks, but Ryan may not be among the players changing teams. The Twins had an interesting reason to consider moving Ryan this offseason. One area where Minnesota has considerable depth is starting pitching, potentially allowing the organization to trade from that group and recoup assets at other positions. The Twins have several internal options who could help fill out the rotation, including Taj Bradley, Dean Kremer, Bailey Ober, Connor Prielipp, Kendry Rojas, Mick Abel, and Zebby Matthews. According to Morosi's report, the Twins could theoretically still explore a deal involving Ryan if another pending free agent were coming back in return. A potential challenge trade involving someone like Logan Gilbert could fit that description, although a deal of that nature doesn't seem particularly likely. At this point, it appears increasingly possible that Ryan will remain in Minnesota and serve as the Twins' ace heading into the 2027 season. Considering the uncertainty surrounding the trade market, that might not be such a bad outcome for the Twins. What do you think? Should the Twins continue exploring a Joe Ryan trade, or would you rather see him stay in Minnesota and lead the rotation in 2027? Leave a comment below! View the full article

A potential trade involving Joe Ryan and the Minnesota Twins may be becoming less likely following a report from MLB Network's Jon Morosi. According to Morosi, teams are hesitant to trade for players with one year of control remaining due to uncertainty about what the 2027 season will look like. Morosi specifically mentioned Ryan alongside other notable trade candidates, including Logan Gilbert, Steven Kwan, and Sandy Alcántara. However, pending free agents could still be moved in trades for each other as a way for teams to balance the risk involved. The timing is important, as MLB's next lockout is expected to begin on December 2. That leaves roughly four weeks for teams to get business done before the sport potentially shuts down for an extended period. With that in mind, there is expected to be plenty of activity in the coming weeks, but Ryan may not be among the players changing teams. The Twins had an interesting reason to consider moving Ryan this offseason. One area where Minnesota has considerable depth is starting pitching, potentially allowing the organization to trade from that group and recoup assets at other positions. The Twins have several internal options who could help fill out the rotation, including Taj Bradley, Dean Kremer, Bailey Ober, Connor Prielipp, Kendry Rojas, Mick Abel, and Zebby Matthews. According to Morosi's report, the Twins could theoretically still explore a deal involving Ryan if another pending free agent were coming back in return. A potential challenge trade involving someone like Logan Gilbert could fit that description, although a deal of that nature doesn't seem particularly likely. At this point, it appears increasingly possible that Ryan will remain in Minnesota and serve as the Twins' ace heading into the 2027 season. Considering the uncertainty surrounding the trade market, that might not be such a bad outcome for the Twins. What do you think? Should the Twins continue exploring a Joe Ryan trade, or would you rather see him stay in Minnesota and lead the rotation in 2027? Leave a comment below! View the full article

The Minnesota Twins have extended Ryan Jeffers a qualifying offer worth $23.15 million for the 2027 season. The veteran catcher now has until November 17 to decide whether to accept the one-year offer or decline it and pursue a potentially lucrative, long-term contract in free agency. Jeffers is coming off another productive offensive season and is one of the most intriguing catchers available on the open market. Minnesota would certainly welcome his return, but the qualifying offer also protects the organization if he decides to sign elsewhere. If Jeffers declines and signs with another team, the Twins will receive draft-pick compensation. This isn't the first time Minnesota has used the qualifying offer to navigate an important free-agent decision. The organization has made the offer to two players in recent years, with very different results. Jake Odorizzi Accepted the Qualifying Offer The Twins acquired Jake Odorizzi from the Tampa Bay Rays before the 2018 season. He quickly became a reliable member of Minnesota's rotation, making 32 starts and posting a 4.49 ERA during his first season with the organization. Odorizzi took another step forward in 2019. He made 30 starts, recorded a 3.51 ERA, and earned his first career All-Star selection. His performance made him an important part of a Twins team that won 101 games and captured the American League Central title. Minnesota wanted to keep the right-hander around, so the organization extended him a $17.8 million qualifying offer following the 2019 campaign. Odorizzi accepted, giving the Twins another season with an established starting pitcher. Unfortunately, the decision didn't work out as planned. The 2020 season was shortened to 60 games because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Odorizzi struggled to find consistency. He made only four starts, finishing with a 6.59 ERA across 13 2/3 innings. Injuries also limited his availability, and he never looked like the pitcher who had earned an All-Star selection the previous season. Odorizzi's struggles were particularly disappointing because Minnesota was trying to build on its 2019 success. The Twins reached the postseason again in 2020, but their rotation needed more dependable performances. The qualifying offer gave Odorizzi a substantial one-year payday, but it ultimately became an expensive season for Minnesota without the expected production. Sonny Gray Turned Down the Offer Minnesota's next qualifying offer decision came after the 2023 season. Sonny Gray had delivered one of the best seasons of his career, making him a logical candidate for the offer. Gray finished second in American League Cy Young voting after posting a 2.79 ERA across 32 starts. He also recorded 183 strikeouts in 184 innings, helping lead Minnesota's rotation during a season that ended with the organization winning its first postseason series since 2002. The Twins extended Gray a $20.325 million qualifying offer. However, unlike Odorizzi, the veteran right-hander decided to test free agency. Gray didn't have to wait long to find his next opportunity. He agreed to a three-year, $75 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, giving him a substantial multiyear commitment instead of accepting Minnesota's one-year offer. Although the Twins lost a key member of their rotation, the qualifying offer provided an important benefit. Minnesota received a compensatory draft selection after Gray signed elsewhere. That selection became the 33rd overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. The Twins used it to select infielder Kyle DeBarge, giving the organization a promising young player in exchange for losing Gray. The 2026 season was an important one for DeBarge, as he spent the entire year at Double-A Wichita. However, consistent production has been difficult to find throughout his minor league career. Across 267 games in the Twins organization, he owns a .230 batting average and a .690 OPS. However, he has performed well in this year’s Arizona Fall League. DeBarge's selection represents an important part of the qualifying offer process. Even when a team loses a valuable major league player, draft compensation can help replenish the organization's talent pipeline. What Can the Twins Learn From These Decisions? The two previous qualifying offers illustrate the different ways this decision can impact a franchise. Odorizzi accepted the offer, and Minnesota received very little production for its $17.8 million investment. Gray declined, signed elsewhere, and allowed the Twins to add another promising prospect through draft compensation. The qualifying offer involving Jeffers presents a different situation. Minnesota has several roster needs entering the 2027 season, and committing $23.15 million to one catcher could limit the organization's flexibility elsewhere. However, losing one of the better offensive catchers in baseball would also create a significant hole. If Jeffers accepts, the Twins retain an established player for another season. If he declines, Minnesota gets an opportunity to add another draft selection to its farm system. The organization has already seen both sides of this process, and the Gray outcome provides a reminder that losing a quality player doesn't have to be a complete loss. The Twins have until November 17 to find out which direction Jeffers chooses. Regardless of his decision, Minnesota's previous qualifying offer experiences show why this offseason decision is worth watching. What stands out about both of these qualifying offer decisions? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 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The Minnesota Twins have extended Ryan Jeffers a qualifying offer worth $23.15 million for the 2027 season. The veteran catcher now has until November 17 to decide whether to accept the one-year offer or decline it and pursue a potentially lucrative, long-term contract in free agency. Jeffers is coming off another productive offensive season and is one of the most intriguing catchers available on the open market. Minnesota would certainly welcome his return, but the qualifying offer also protects the organization if he decides to sign elsewhere. If Jeffers declines and signs with another team, the Twins will receive draft-pick compensation. This isn't the first time Minnesota has used the qualifying offer to navigate an important free-agent decision. The organization has made the offer to two players in recent years, with very different results. Jake Odorizzi Accepted the Qualifying Offer The Twins acquired Jake Odorizzi from the Tampa Bay Rays before the 2018 season. He quickly became a reliable member of Minnesota's rotation, making 32 starts and posting a 4.49 ERA during his first season with the organization. Odorizzi took another step forward in 2019. He made 30 starts, recorded a 3.51 ERA, and earned his first career All-Star selection. His performance made him an important part of a Twins team that won 101 games and captured the American League Central title. Minnesota wanted to keep the right-hander around, so the organization extended him a $17.8 million qualifying offer following the 2019 campaign. Odorizzi accepted, giving the Twins another season with an established starting pitcher. Unfortunately, the decision didn't work out as planned. The 2020 season was shortened to 60 games because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Odorizzi struggled to find consistency. He made only four starts, finishing with a 6.59 ERA across 13 2/3 innings. Injuries also limited his availability, and he never looked like the pitcher who had earned an All-Star selection the previous season. Odorizzi's struggles were particularly disappointing because Minnesota was trying to build on its 2019 success. The Twins reached the postseason again in 2020, but their rotation needed more dependable performances. The qualifying offer gave Odorizzi a substantial one-year payday, but it ultimately became an expensive season for Minnesota without the expected production. Sonny Gray Turned Down the Offer Minnesota's next qualifying offer decision came after the 2023 season. Sonny Gray had delivered one of the best seasons of his career, making him a logical candidate for the offer. Gray finished second in American League Cy Young voting after posting a 2.79 ERA across 32 starts. He also recorded 183 strikeouts in 184 innings, helping lead Minnesota's rotation during a season that ended with the organization winning its first postseason series since 2002. The Twins extended Gray a $20.325 million qualifying offer. However, unlike Odorizzi, the veteran right-hander decided to test free agency. Gray didn't have to wait long to find his next opportunity. He agreed to a three-year, $75 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, giving him a substantial multiyear commitment instead of accepting Minnesota's one-year offer. Although the Twins lost a key member of their rotation, the qualifying offer provided an important benefit. Minnesota received a compensatory draft selection after Gray signed elsewhere. That selection became the 33rd overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. The Twins used it to select infielder Kyle DeBarge, giving the organization a promising young player in exchange for losing Gray. The 2026 season was an important one for DeBarge, as he spent the entire year at Double-A Wichita. However, consistent production has been difficult to find throughout his minor league career. Across 267 games in the Twins organization, he owns a .230 batting average and a .690 OPS. However, he has performed well in this year’s Arizona Fall League. DeBarge's selection represents an important part of the qualifying offer process. Even when a team loses a valuable major league player, draft compensation can help replenish the organization's talent pipeline. What Can the Twins Learn From These Decisions? The two previous qualifying offers illustrate the different ways this decision can impact a franchise. Odorizzi accepted the offer, and Minnesota received very little production for its $17.8 million investment. Gray declined, signed elsewhere, and allowed the Twins to add another promising prospect through draft compensation. The qualifying offer involving Jeffers presents a different situation. Minnesota has several roster needs entering the 2027 season, and committing $23.15 million to one catcher could limit the organization's flexibility elsewhere. However, losing one of the better offensive catchers in baseball would also create a significant hole. If Jeffers accepts, the Twins retain an established player for another season. If he declines, Minnesota gets an opportunity to add another draft selection to its farm system. The organization has already seen both sides of this process, and the Gray outcome provides a reminder that losing a quality player doesn't have to be a complete loss. The Twins have until November 17 to find out which direction Jeffers chooses. Regardless of his decision, Minnesota's previous qualifying offer experiences show why this offseason decision is worth watching. What stands out about both of these qualifying offer decisions? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 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As the Milwaukee Brewers look to defend their 2026 World Series title, one of the biggest questions of the offseason will be how to address the first base position. If Jake Bauers does not return to Milwaukee, the Brewers should look outside the organization for a replacement to pair with Andrew Vaughn. One name worth considering is Nathaniel Lowe, an eight-year veteran who would be joining his seventh major-league team. With Bauers likely on the way out, Lowe could be an intriguing target for Milwaukee. Nathaniel Lowe’s Career So Far Lowe was drafted by the Rays in 2016, in the 13th round. He spent two big-league seasons with Tampa Bay before being traded to Texas, where he was worth 11.5 bWAR in four seasons with the Rangers. Lowe was then traded to the Nationals after the 2024 season, where he only spent half a season before being shipped to Boston. There, he posted the worst OPS of his career (.689), which led to the 31-year-old signing with the Reds on a cheap, one-year contract. He was also dealt at the 2026 deadline, this time being sent to Cleveland to help with their playoff push. He fared better with the Reds, slashing .266/.341/.480, good for a 126 OPS+, compared to an 83 OPS+ and a slashline of .226/.275/.376 with the Guardians. Still, it was a return to form for Lowe, who has a career OPS+ of 115, and could find a meaningful role somewhere in what is considered a weak position-player market. The Need For a First Baseman The primary first baseman from 2026, Bauers leaves a gaping hole in Milwaukee’s lineup, as their leader in OPS and home runs will probably not return to the Brewers for 2027. He was offered the qualifying offer recently, but it's likely that he'll find a healthy multi-year deal preferable to the one-year, $23.15-million guarantee he'd get by accepting. Vaughn remains under team control for another season, but he shouldn't be trusted with full-time responsibilities at first base. Despite solid numbers (.764 OPS in 198 plate appearances) against right-handed pitching in 2026, Vaughn has a career .708 OPS in those situations, which isn’t good enough for a team that needs to replace Bauers’s production. It may not even be set in stone that he'll be playing for the Brewers next season; we know how they operate with players that have one year of control remaining. Lowe's job would be to face right-handed pitching, and he does that well, possessing a .793 OPS in that category for his career. Presumably, he wouldn't require a long-term commitment. The Brewers have first base prospects coming up (primarily Andrew Fischer, who also swings from the left side), but while some fans may want to see Fischer up right away in 2027, that's neither likely nor advisable. Lowe would be a solid offensive first baseman and a good platoon partner with Vaughn. But how is his defense? Bauers and Vaughn were great contributors for a World Series-winning team because of their offense, not their defense. Both players were worth -4 OAA at first base last season, and neither of them were particularly good receivers either, with Bauers ranking in the 22nd percentile and Vaughn in the 6th percentile in first base receiving. Lowe’s glove isn't Gold Glove-caliber, but his defensive ability is slightly better than both primary first basemen the Brewers rostered last season. Lowe was worth -3 OAA last season, though he was significantly better with the Guardians (2 OAA) than he was with the Reds (-5 OAA). As a receiver, Lowe is only marginally better than the other two, but he's better, ranking in the 36th percentile. While Lowe may not be a significant upgrade defensively, his offensive production makes for an appealing fit for Milwaukee. Pairing him with Vaughn would give the Brewers a relatively reliable platoon at first base. His fit may not be perfect, but he checks a few boxes the team could be looking to fill if Bauers doesn't return. Be Patient for Fischer Like the Luis Rengifo contract given out last season, a deal given to Nathaniel Lowe would be a low-cost, low-risk move for the Brewers. If Lowe produces, great. If not, the team can cut bait and move on to other options, as they did with Rengifo. Milwaukee knew Cooper Pratt was right on the cusp of becoming a major leaguer, and if they feel the same way about Fischer (or Blake Burke, or Luke Adams), Lowe certainly fits the bill as a player who can fill the gap for a short period of time. Ultimately, Lowe represents the type of move the Brewers have made a habit of making: bringing in experienced veterans on short-term deals without sacrificing future flexibility. Milwaukee doesn't need to find its long-term answer at first this offseason, but rather, someone who can provide big-league at-bats until Fischer, Burke or Adams is ready. If Bauers signs elsewhere, Lowe would be a sensible addition to keep the position afloat without taking playing time away from the organization’s future. View the full article

As the Milwaukee Brewers look to defend their 2026 World Series title, one of the biggest questions of the offseason will be how to address the first base position. If Jake Bauers does not return to Milwaukee, the Brewers should look outside the organization for a replacement to pair with Andrew Vaughn. One name worth considering is Nathaniel Lowe, an eight-year veteran who would be joining his seventh major-league team. With Bauers likely on the way out, Lowe could be an intriguing target for Milwaukee. Nathaniel Lowe’s Career So Far Lowe was drafted by the Rays in 2016, in the 13th round. He spent two big-league seasons with Tampa Bay before being traded to Texas, where he was worth 11.5 bWAR in four seasons with the Rangers. Lowe was then traded to the Nationals after the 2024 season, where he only spent half a season before being shipped to Boston. There, he posted the worst OPS of his career (.689), which led to the 31-year-old signing with the Reds on a cheap, one-year contract. He was also dealt at the 2026 deadline, this time being sent to Cleveland to help with their playoff push. He fared better with the Reds, slashing .266/.341/.480, good for a 126 OPS+, compared to an 83 OPS+ and a slashline of .226/.275/.376 with the Guardians. Still, it was a return to form for Lowe, who has a career OPS+ of 115, and could find a meaningful role somewhere in what is considered a weak position-player market. The Need For a First Baseman The primary first baseman from 2026, Bauers leaves a gaping hole in Milwaukee’s lineup, as their leader in OPS and home runs will probably not return to the Brewers for 2027. He was offered the qualifying offer recently, but it's likely that he'll find a healthy multi-year deal preferable to the one-year, $23.15-million guarantee he'd get by accepting. Vaughn remains under team control for another season, but he shouldn't be trusted with full-time responsibilities at first base. Despite solid numbers (.764 OPS in 198 plate appearances) against right-handed pitching in 2026, Vaughn has a career .708 OPS in those situations, which isn’t good enough for a team that needs to replace Bauers’s production. It may not even be set in stone that he'll be playing for the Brewers next season; we know how they operate with players that have one year of control remaining. Lowe's job would be to face right-handed pitching, and he does that well, possessing a .793 OPS in that category for his career. Presumably, he wouldn't require a long-term commitment. The Brewers have first base prospects coming up (primarily Andrew Fischer, who also swings from the left side), but while some fans may want to see Fischer up right away in 2027, that's neither likely nor advisable. Lowe would be a solid offensive first baseman and a good platoon partner with Vaughn. But how is his defense? Bauers and Vaughn were great contributors for a World Series-winning team because of their offense, not their defense. Both players were worth -4 OAA at first base last season, and neither of them were particularly good receivers either, with Bauers ranking in the 22nd percentile and Vaughn in the 6th percentile in first base receiving. Lowe’s glove isn't Gold Glove-caliber, but his defensive ability is slightly better than both primary first basemen the Brewers rostered last season. Lowe was worth -3 OAA last season, though he was significantly better with the Guardians (2 OAA) than he was with the Reds (-5 OAA). As a receiver, Lowe is only marginally better than the other two, but he's better, ranking in the 36th percentile. While Lowe may not be a significant upgrade defensively, his offensive production makes for an appealing fit for Milwaukee. Pairing him with Vaughn would give the Brewers a relatively reliable platoon at first base. His fit may not be perfect, but he checks a few boxes the team could be looking to fill if Bauers doesn't return. Be Patient for Fischer Like the Luis Rengifo contract given out last season, a deal given to Nathaniel Lowe would be a low-cost, low-risk move for the Brewers. If Lowe produces, great. If not, the team can cut bait and move on to other options, as they did with Rengifo. Milwaukee knew Cooper Pratt was right on the cusp of becoming a major leaguer, and if they feel the same way about Fischer (or Blake Burke, or Luke Adams), Lowe certainly fits the bill as a player who can fill the gap for a short period of time. Ultimately, Lowe represents the type of move the Brewers have made a habit of making: bringing in experienced veterans on short-term deals without sacrificing future flexibility. Milwaukee doesn't need to find its long-term answer at first this offseason, but rather, someone who can provide big-league at-bats until Fischer, Burke or Adams is ready. If Bauers signs elsewhere, Lowe would be a sensible addition to keep the position afloat without taking playing time away from the organization’s future. View the full article

After a 69-93 season, the Kansas City Royals need outside talent to improve the club's outlook in 2027. One area of focus this offseason, President of Baseball Operations JJ Picollo mentioned in his end-of-season presser, is center field. The Royals didn't get much production from center field last season. As a collective group, the Royals produced a 0.6 fWAR, which ranked second-to-last in the league (only the St. Louis Cardinals were worse). The Royals' main center fielder last year was Kyle Isbel, who's long been known more for his glove than his bat at the Major League level. However, even for a defensive-oriented player, Isbel's 2026 was forgettable. A foot injury limited Isbel to just 100 games and 323 plate appearances. That said, his numbers in that small sample weren't good, which may explain why Picollo is looking for a free-agent option in center field in 2027. The 29-year-old outfielder hit .224 with a .591 OPS last season, a regression from his .255 and .654 marks in 2025. He hit six home runs, stole six bases, posted a 61 wRC+, and posted 0.1 fWAR. Since 2024, Isbel has seen his wRC+ decline from 82 to 79 to 61, and his fWAR go from 1.5 to 1.1 to 0.1. He also showed lackluster batted-ball skills a season ago, especially with regard to exit velocity, barrel rate, and LA Sweet-Spot% Isbel will be 30 by Opening Day next year, and it's unlikely his injury issues or skills will improve much. Thus, it may be better for the Royals to have him in a reserve role or as a fourth outfielder, though the latter may be bold considering his decline last year. One option that could make sense for the Royals is Trent Grisham, who has spent the past two seasons with the New York Yankees. Thomas Nestico of TJ Stats, in his Top-30 Free Agent predictions, projected that Grisham would sign with the Royals this offseason. Like Isbel, Grisham saw some decline from 2025 to 2026. In 143 games and 581 plate appearances, Grisham hit .235 with an .812 OPS. He also hit 34 home runs, scored 87 runs, drew 82 walks, and posted a 128 wRC+ and 3.1 fWAR. Of qualified center fielders in 2025, Grisham ranked 8th, ahead of Milwaukee's Jackson Chourio and San Francisco's Jung Hoo Lee. In 2025, Grisham not only hit the ball hard and pulled it effectively, but he also didn't chase, giving him a solid OBP (.348) even though he didn't hit for a high average. Unfortunately, injuries and regression hit Grisham hard in 2026. In 484 plate appearances, he hit .211 with a .703 OPS. He hit 18 home runs, scored 67 runs, and drew 61 walks in 121 games. He also posted a 98 wRC+ and 0.7 fWAR. In a way, Grisham was still productive, but last year he had the profile of a rotational outfielder rather than an everyday one, as he did in 2025. So, should the Royals invest serious money in Grisham, who is a year older than Isbel and also regressed in 2026? It's a complicated case, so let's break down what Grisham brings to the Royals, his drawbacks, and other internal options who could also man center field in 2027. Grisham Brings Power, Patience, and Productivity to the Outfield The Royals got tremendous power production from Jac Caglianone, their regular right fielder, in 2026. Cags hit 23 home runs and posted a 129 wRC+ and an .834 OPS in 553 plate appearances. However, only Lane Thomas hit more than six homers of any Royals outfielder a season ago, according to Fangraphs. Hence, Grisham definitely gives the Royals a power boost in the outfield, even if his home-run range may be in the 15-20 range, which is more in line with his career norms. Looking at Grisham's Statcast percentiles a season ago, there weren't many declines in his categories from 2025, as illustrated in the image below via TJ Stats. He pulled the ball in the air less, but he still ranked in the 63rd percentile. The barrel and LA Sweet-Spot% still ranked in the 72nd and 74th percentiles, respectively, and his hard-hit rate and average EV ranked in the 81st and 84th percentiles, respectively. He also showed immaculate plate discipline, with a 98th-percentile O-Swing%, 85th-percentile whiff%, and 88th-percentile BB%. Now, some Royals fans may be wondering: Will Grisham's power transition from Yankee Stadium to Kauffman? The data suggests it should be a seamless transition. First, Grisham averaged nearly 14 homers per season in his home games at Petco Park in San Diego from 2020 to 2023. Petco ranks 24th in three-year park factors, according to Baseball Savant. Thus, he's not simply a beneficiary of Yankee Stadium's lefty-friendly short porch. Additionally, when looking at expected home runs by park, Grisham would've had 18 last year in Kansas City, the same number he had overall. His spray chart from last season also illustrates that most of his home run balls would've gone out at the K. The nice thing about Grisham's profile is that he's pull-heavy, which profiles well in Kauffman's modified dimensions. The Royals ranked 12th in Pull%, but just 29th in HR/FB%. Grisham would give the Royals a bat that can pull the ball to right field and consistently lift it. That likely would help boost Kansas City's HR/FB%, which ranked near the bottom of the league a season ago. Grisham also helps the Royals strengthen a lineup that prioritizes swing decisions and not chasing. New Royals offensive coordinator Connor Dawson came over from Milwaukee last year and helped the Royals rank 18th in O-Swing%. From 2023 to 2025, they ranked 23rd. Grisham's O-Swing% of 19.3% last year was 14 percent lower than the Royals' average O-Swing%. He is the kind of hitter that Dawson and assistant hitting coaches Marcus Thames and Hunter Mense are looking for. Grisham's Defense Is An Issue While Grisham provides the profile the Royals want on offense, his defense has been less stellar. Over the past two years in New York, Grisham has been 12.7 runs below average, according to Fangraphs. According to Savant, he has accumulated an -8 FRV and -14 OAA as a center fielder for the Yankees. DRS hasn't been any better: He's accumulated a -19 DRS from 2025 to 2026. It's interesting to see this decline because Grisham actually profiled as a decent defensive outfielder with the Padres. He accumulated a +26 FRV and +68 OAA from 2020 to 2023 with San Diego. Unsurprisingly, he captured Gold Gloves in 2020 (+14 OAA) and 2022 (+32 OAA). Therefore, he has had the potential to be a high-quality defensive outfielder, but injuries and perhaps the dimensions of Yankee Stadium have contributed to a massive decline over the past two seasons. It seems his decline in burst speed has contributed to this defensive regression, as the Yankee Realist discussed in a Twitter post last August. Now, do I think Grisham is the same outfielder that he was in San Diego? Absolutely not. However, as the Yankee Realist points out, the issue seems to be less about routes or reads and more about a decline in his athleticism. Could Grisham be better with stronger defensive outfielders around him? And could he be better in a more spacious yard and with better outfield coaching (i.e., could Rusty Kuntz help him)? Those are tough questions to answer, especially since Isbel carried the outfield defense in the past, and Cags (-10 OAA) and Isaac Collins (-2 OAA) didn't profile all that well defensively in 2026 either. Adding Grisham to that pair could produce a historically bad outfield defense. Could Grisham move to left, and could they go internal in Center Field? To be honest, moving Grisham to left field may be the move, especially considering his bat would be an upgrade over Collins (83 wRC+), and his defense may be less of a liability in the corner. With 20+ HR potential, his bat profiles well in left field and would give them their best-hitting left fielder since Alex Gordon. That would be worth a deal in the $13-17 million AAV range for 2-3 years, which is what many experts are projecting. So what would that mean in center field? The Royals could use John Rave as their regular center fielder against righties. Rave posted a 101 wRC+ and 1.0 fWAR in 161 plate appearances last year. While his exit-velocity metrics aren't consistent and he should strike out less, he doesn't chase, and he pulls the ball into the air effectively. Compared to Isbel and Grisham, Rave profiled favorably, with a higher fWAR than both a season ago despite a fraction of the plate appearances. Against lefties, the Royals could platoon Rave with Tyler Tolbert, who has multi-positional versatility. That said, while Tolbert should theoretically hit well against lefties, he had reverse splits a season ago, based on TJ Stats percentiles. Kansas City could opt for a right-handed hitter who could platoon against lefties, much like Thomas a year ago (or they could just bring back Lane since he's a free agent). Nonetheless, while Rave could be a nice option, he's not one the Royals could play every day without reservations. If the Royals want to go really bold, they could opt for Carson Roccaforte as their Opening Day center fielder. Granted, it's a risk, especially since he had a 31.1% K% in Triple-A Omaha a season ago. That said, he had a .361 wOBA and a 29.4% pull rate with the Storm Chasers. If he can carry that performance into Spring Training, he could make a case that he's Kansas City's best option at center field. Grisham would fit the Royals' outfield needs this offseason. However, it's not as clear a solution as it seems at first, especially given Grisham's defensive limitations in the outfield. Royals fans shouldn't be disappointed if Picollo signs Grisham to a 2-3 year deal. However, Grisham should be part of the solution in the outfield, not THE solution, if the Royals want to return to the postseason in 2027. View the full article

After a 69-93 season, the Kansas City Royals need outside talent to improve the club's outlook in 2027. One area of focus this offseason, President of Baseball Operations JJ Picollo mentioned in his end-of-season presser, is center field. The Royals didn't get much production from center field last season. As a collective group, the Royals produced a 0.6 fWAR, which ranked second-to-last in the league (only the St. Louis Cardinals were worse). The Royals' main center fielder last year was Kyle Isbel, who's long been known more for his glove than his bat at the Major League level. However, even for a defensive-oriented player, Isbel's 2026 was forgettable. A foot injury limited Isbel to just 100 games and 323 plate appearances. That said, his numbers in that small sample weren't good, which may explain why Picollo is looking for a free-agent option in center field in 2027. The 29-year-old outfielder hit .224 with a .591 OPS last season, a regression from his .255 and .654 marks in 2025. He hit six home runs, stole six bases, posted a 61 wRC+, and posted 0.1 fWAR. Since 2024, Isbel has seen his wRC+ decline from 82 to 79 to 61, and his fWAR go from 1.5 to 1.1 to 0.1. He also showed lackluster batted-ball skills a season ago, especially with regard to exit velocity, barrel rate, and LA Sweet-Spot% Isbel will be 30 by Opening Day next year, and it's unlikely his injury issues or skills will improve much. Thus, it may be better for the Royals to have him in a reserve role or as a fourth outfielder, though the latter may be bold considering his decline last year. One option that could make sense for the Royals is Trent Grisham, who has spent the past two seasons with the New York Yankees. Thomas Nestico of TJ Stats, in his Top-30 Free Agent predictions, projected that Grisham would sign with the Royals this offseason. Like Isbel, Grisham saw some decline from 2025 to 2026. In 143 games and 581 plate appearances, Grisham hit .235 with an .812 OPS. He also hit 34 home runs, scored 87 runs, drew 82 walks, and posted a 128 wRC+ and 3.1 fWAR. Of qualified center fielders in 2025, Grisham ranked 8th, ahead of Milwaukee's Jackson Chourio and San Francisco's Jung Hoo Lee. In 2025, Grisham not only hit the ball hard and pulled it effectively, but he also didn't chase, giving him a solid OBP (.348) even though he didn't hit for a high average. Unfortunately, injuries and regression hit Grisham hard in 2026. In 484 plate appearances, he hit .211 with a .703 OPS. He hit 18 home runs, scored 67 runs, and drew 61 walks in 121 games. He also posted a 98 wRC+ and 0.7 fWAR. In a way, Grisham was still productive, but last year he had the profile of a rotational outfielder rather than an everyday one, as he did in 2025. So, should the Royals invest serious money in Grisham, who is a year older than Isbel and also regressed in 2026? It's a complicated case, so let's break down what Grisham brings to the Royals, his drawbacks, and other internal options who could also man center field in 2027. Grisham Brings Power, Patience, and Productivity to the Outfield The Royals got tremendous power production from Jac Caglianone, their regular right fielder, in 2026. Cags hit 23 home runs and posted a 129 wRC+ and an .834 OPS in 553 plate appearances. However, only Lane Thomas hit more than six homers of any Royals outfielder a season ago, according to Fangraphs. Hence, Grisham definitely gives the Royals a power boost in the outfield, even if his home-run range may be in the 15-20 range, which is more in line with his career norms. Looking at Grisham's Statcast percentiles a season ago, there weren't many declines in his categories from 2025, as illustrated in the image below via TJ Stats. He pulled the ball in the air less, but he still ranked in the 63rd percentile. The barrel and LA Sweet-Spot% still ranked in the 72nd and 74th percentiles, respectively, and his hard-hit rate and average EV ranked in the 81st and 84th percentiles, respectively. He also showed immaculate plate discipline, with a 98th-percentile O-Swing%, 85th-percentile whiff%, and 88th-percentile BB%. Now, some Royals fans may be wondering: Will Grisham's power transition from Yankee Stadium to Kauffman? The data suggests it should be a seamless transition. First, Grisham averaged nearly 14 homers per season in his home games at Petco Park in San Diego from 2020 to 2023. Petco ranks 24th in three-year park factors, according to Baseball Savant. Thus, he's not simply a beneficiary of Yankee Stadium's lefty-friendly short porch. Additionally, when looking at expected home runs by park, Grisham would've had 18 last year in Kansas City, the same number he had overall. His spray chart from last season also illustrates that most of his home run balls would've gone out at the K. The nice thing about Grisham's profile is that he's pull-heavy, which profiles well in Kauffman's modified dimensions. The Royals ranked 12th in Pull%, but just 29th in HR/FB%. Grisham would give the Royals a bat that can pull the ball to right field and consistently lift it. That likely would help boost Kansas City's HR/FB%, which ranked near the bottom of the league a season ago. Grisham also helps the Royals strengthen a lineup that prioritizes swing decisions and not chasing. New Royals offensive coordinator Connor Dawson came over from Milwaukee last year and helped the Royals rank 18th in O-Swing%. From 2023 to 2025, they ranked 23rd. Grisham's O-Swing% of 19.3% last year was 14 percent lower than the Royals' average O-Swing%. He is the kind of hitter that Dawson and assistant hitting coaches Marcus Thames and Hunter Mense are looking for. Grisham's Defense Is An Issue While Grisham provides the profile the Royals want on offense, his defense has been less stellar. Over the past two years in New York, Grisham has been 12.7 runs below average, according to Fangraphs. According to Savant, he has accumulated an -8 FRV and -14 OAA as a center fielder for the Yankees. DRS hasn't been any better: He's accumulated a -19 DRS from 2025 to 2026. It's interesting to see this decline because Grisham actually profiled as a decent defensive outfielder with the Padres. He accumulated a +26 FRV and +68 OAA from 2020 to 2023 with San Diego. Unsurprisingly, he captured Gold Gloves in 2020 (+14 OAA) and 2022 (+32 OAA). Therefore, he has had the potential to be a high-quality defensive outfielder, but injuries and perhaps the dimensions of Yankee Stadium have contributed to a massive decline over the past two seasons. It seems his decline in burst speed has contributed to this defensive regression, as the Yankee Realist discussed in a Twitter post last August. Now, do I think Grisham is the same outfielder that he was in San Diego? Absolutely not. However, as the Yankee Realist points out, the issue seems to be less about routes or reads and more about a decline in his athleticism. Could Grisham be better with stronger defensive outfielders around him? And could he be better in a more spacious yard and with better outfield coaching (i.e., could Rusty Kuntz help him)? Those are tough questions to answer, especially since Isbel carried the outfield defense in the past, and Cags (-10 OAA) and Isaac Collins (-2 OAA) didn't profile all that well defensively in 2026 either. Adding Grisham to that pair could produce a historically bad outfield defense. Could Grisham move to left, and could they go internal in Center Field? To be honest, moving Grisham to left field may be the move, especially considering his bat would be an upgrade over Collins (83 wRC+), and his defense may be less of a liability in the corner. With 20+ HR potential, his bat profiles well in left field and would give them their best-hitting left fielder since Alex Gordon. That would be worth a deal in the $13-17 million AAV range for 2-3 years, which is what many experts are projecting. So what would that mean in center field? The Royals could use John Rave as their regular center fielder against righties. Rave posted a 101 wRC+ and 1.0 fWAR in 161 plate appearances last year. While his exit-velocity metrics aren't consistent and he should strike out less, he doesn't chase, and he pulls the ball into the air effectively. Compared to Isbel and Grisham, Rave profiled favorably, with a higher fWAR than both a season ago despite a fraction of the plate appearances. Against lefties, the Royals could platoon Rave with Tyler Tolbert, who has multi-positional versatility. That said, while Tolbert should theoretically hit well against lefties, he had reverse splits a season ago, based on TJ Stats percentiles. Kansas City could opt for a right-handed hitter who could platoon against lefties, much like Thomas a year ago (or they could just bring back Lane since he's a free agent). Nonetheless, while Rave could be a nice option, he's not one the Royals could play every day without reservations. If the Royals want to go really bold, they could opt for Carson Roccaforte as their Opening Day center fielder. Granted, it's a risk, especially since he had a 31.1% K% in Triple-A Omaha a season ago. That said, he had a .361 wOBA and a 29.4% pull rate with the Storm Chasers. If he can carry that performance into Spring Training, he could make a case that he's Kansas City's best option at center field. Grisham would fit the Royals' outfield needs this offseason. However, it's not as clear a solution as it seems at first, especially given Grisham's defensive limitations in the outfield. Royals fans shouldn't be disappointed if Picollo signs Grisham to a 2-3 year deal. However, Grisham should be part of the solution in the outfield, not THE solution, if the Royals want to return to the postseason in 2027. View the full article

Activity in MLB free agency is expected to pick up considerably this week, with a flurry of moves coming before MLB reaches its December 2 lockout deadline. As teams begin addressing their biggest roster needs, the Minnesota Twins will have plenty of decisions to make about which players are worth pursuing and which contracts carry too much risk. There are always players who look like attractive additions on the surface but could turn into financial burdens before their contracts are finished. The Twins have experienced this firsthand in recent years, with deals for Carlos Correa, Christian Vázquez, and Victor Caratini—each of which has come with its own set of challenges. While those contracts aren't identical, they serve as reminders of how quickly a free-agent signing can go from an exciting addition to a big mistake. With that in mind, let's look at three landmines the Twins should steer clear of this offseason. This isn't a list of unrealistic targets or superstars Minnesota has no chance of signing. Instead, these are players the Twins could realistically pursue, but whose projected contracts carry significant long-term risk. I'm also limiting the list to players expected to receive multi-year deals. A one-year contract might not work out, but a one-year contract is never truly a bad deal. All contract projections discussed are based on predictions from MLB Trade Rumors. Brandon Lowe, 2B Contract prediction: 3 years, $69 million The Twins pursuing a second baseman in free agency wouldn't be a bad idea. One potential roster construction would involve moving on from Royce Lewis, shifting Kody Clemens over to handle first base, and bringing in an established second baseman. There are a few players at the position who would make sense, but Brandon Lowe is one option I would prefer the Twins avoid. Lowe has plenty of power in his bat, but there are some concerning underlying numbers that make his projected contract difficult to justify. He strikes out nearly 29% of the time while walking less than 10% of the time. Those numbers create some volatility in his offensive production, particularly as he gets older and loses some of the power that makes him such an intriguing hitter. The long-time Rays utility man will turn 33 next season, meaning a three-year contract would keep him under team control past his 35th birthday. An average annual value of $23 million is a significant commitment for a player whose offensive profile already carries some downside. Lowe could certainly provide an exciting middle-of-the-order bat, but the Twins aren't in a position to take that kind of financial risk. There's another complication, too. Lowe received a qualifying offer, meaning the Twins would have to surrender draft pick compensation to sign him. Giving up a draft pick while committing $69 million to an aging second baseman with a high strikeout rate isn't the kind of investment Minnesota should be making. David Bednar, RP Contract prediction: 4 years, $68 million The Twins haven't signed a relief pitcher to a multi-year free agent contract in nearly a decade. Given the state of their bullpen heading into 2027, there's a case to be made for changing that approach. However, that doesn't mean Minnesota should throw crazy amounts of money around when pursuing established relievers, especially when the contract could extend well into a pitcher's mid-30s. David Bednar is one of the most talented relievers available and would give the Twins a significant upgrade at the back end of their bullpen. He has the stuff and experience to handle high-leverage situations, and adding someone of his caliber would address one of Minnesota's biggest roster weaknesses. The problem is the projected contract. MLB Trade Rumors predicts a four-year deal worth $68 million, which would be a massive commitment for a reliever entering his age-32 season. Relief pitchers are notoriously difficult to project from year to year. Even some of the best closers in baseball can experience sudden declines in velocity, command, or effectiveness. Committing four years and $68 million to a reliever is always a gamble, but doing so with a pitcher in his early 30s makes the final years of that deal particularly concerning. The Twins would essentially be betting that Bednar can remain an elite bullpen option well into his mid-30s. Like Lowe, Bednar also received a qualifying offer, meaning Minnesota would have to surrender a draft pick to bring him aboard. That's another significant cost attached to an already-risky contract. Bednar would probably make the Twins better in the short term, but the downside of this deal is difficult to ignore. The Twins need bullpen help, but they don't need to create another expensive roster problem in the process. Ryan Jeffers, C Contract prediction: 4 years, $75 million This one might be controversial, because Ryan Jeffers is beloved within Twins Territory. The Twins extended a qualifying offer to their veteran catcher, giving him the opportunity to return on a one-year deal worth $23.15 million. However, there's also the possibility that Jeffers declines the offer and the two sides work toward a longer-term agreement. I'm not sure that would be a good outcome for Minnesota. Jeffers has established himself as one of the best offensive catchers in the American League, and his bat is certainly valuable at a position where good offense is difficult to find. However, there are reasons why the Twins' contracts with Vázquez and Caratini became problematic. Catchers are particularly difficult to project. Jeffers will turn 30 next season, and a four-year contract would keep him in Minnesota as Father Time sinks his claws into him. The physical demands of catching take a toll, and there is no guarantee Jeffers will be able to handle that workload throughout the life of the contract—especially since he's never withstood a full-time backstop's workload, to date. If he eventually has to move to first base or become a designated hitter, his offensive production would need to stay extremely strong to justify the investment. At a projected $18.75 million annually, that's a difficult proposition. Jeffers is a good offensive catcher, but paying nearly $19 million per season for a player who might eventually need to move away from the position doesn't make much sense for a team with Minnesota's financial limitations. The one-year qualifying offer is a different conversation, but committing four years and $75 million would be a risk I would rather the Twins avoid. The Twins have plenty of work to do this offseason, and there are legitimate opportunities to improve the roster through free agency. Lowe, Bednar, and Jeffers are all talented players who could help the Twins in the short term. That doesn't mean their projected contracts are worthwhile investments. The Twins have already seen how quickly deals for players like Vázquez and Caratini can become difficult to move on from. Avoiding the next version of those contracts should be just as important as finding the next impact addition. Are there other free agent landmines the Twins should avoid this offseason? Would you be comfortable with any of these projected contracts? Leave a comment below and start the conversation! View the full article

Activity in MLB free agency is expected to pick up considerably this week, with a flurry of moves coming before MLB reaches its December 2 lockout deadline. As teams begin addressing their biggest roster needs, the Minnesota Twins will have plenty of decisions to make about which players are worth pursuing and which contracts carry too much risk. There are always players who look like attractive additions on the surface but could turn into financial burdens before their contracts are finished. The Twins have experienced this firsthand in recent years, with deals for Carlos Correa, Christian Vázquez, and Victor Caratini—each of which has come with its own set of challenges. While those contracts aren't identical, they serve as reminders of how quickly a free-agent signing can go from an exciting addition to a big mistake. With that in mind, let's look at three landmines the Twins should steer clear of this offseason. This isn't a list of unrealistic targets or superstars Minnesota has no chance of signing. Instead, these are players the Twins could realistically pursue, but whose projected contracts carry significant long-term risk. I'm also limiting the list to players expected to receive multi-year deals. A one-year contract might not work out, but a one-year contract is never truly a bad deal. All contract projections discussed are based on predictions from MLB Trade Rumors. Brandon Lowe, 2B Contract prediction: 3 years, $69 million The Twins pursuing a second baseman in free agency wouldn't be a bad idea. One potential roster construction would involve moving on from Royce Lewis, shifting Kody Clemens over to handle first base, and bringing in an established second baseman. There are a few players at the position who would make sense, but Brandon Lowe is one option I would prefer the Twins avoid. Lowe has plenty of power in his bat, but there are some concerning underlying numbers that make his projected contract difficult to justify. He strikes out nearly 29% of the time while walking less than 10% of the time. Those numbers create some volatility in his offensive production, particularly as he gets older and loses some of the power that makes him such an intriguing hitter. The long-time Rays utility man will turn 33 next season, meaning a three-year contract would keep him under team control past his 35th birthday. An average annual value of $23 million is a significant commitment for a player whose offensive profile already carries some downside. Lowe could certainly provide an exciting middle-of-the-order bat, but the Twins aren't in a position to take that kind of financial risk. There's another complication, too. Lowe received a qualifying offer, meaning the Twins would have to surrender draft pick compensation to sign him. Giving up a draft pick while committing $69 million to an aging second baseman with a high strikeout rate isn't the kind of investment Minnesota should be making. David Bednar, RP Contract prediction: 4 years, $68 million The Twins haven't signed a relief pitcher to a multi-year free agent contract in nearly a decade. Given the state of their bullpen heading into 2027, there's a case to be made for changing that approach. However, that doesn't mean Minnesota should throw crazy amounts of money around when pursuing established relievers, especially when the contract could extend well into a pitcher's mid-30s. David Bednar is one of the most talented relievers available and would give the Twins a significant upgrade at the back end of their bullpen. He has the stuff and experience to handle high-leverage situations, and adding someone of his caliber would address one of Minnesota's biggest roster weaknesses. The problem is the projected contract. MLB Trade Rumors predicts a four-year deal worth $68 million, which would be a massive commitment for a reliever entering his age-32 season. Relief pitchers are notoriously difficult to project from year to year. Even some of the best closers in baseball can experience sudden declines in velocity, command, or effectiveness. Committing four years and $68 million to a reliever is always a gamble, but doing so with a pitcher in his early 30s makes the final years of that deal particularly concerning. The Twins would essentially be betting that Bednar can remain an elite bullpen option well into his mid-30s. Like Lowe, Bednar also received a qualifying offer, meaning Minnesota would have to surrender a draft pick to bring him aboard. That's another significant cost attached to an already-risky contract. Bednar would probably make the Twins better in the short term, but the downside of this deal is difficult to ignore. The Twins need bullpen help, but they don't need to create another expensive roster problem in the process. Ryan Jeffers, C Contract prediction: 4 years, $75 million This one might be controversial, because Ryan Jeffers is beloved within Twins Territory. The Twins extended a qualifying offer to their veteran catcher, giving him the opportunity to return on a one-year deal worth $23.15 million. However, there's also the possibility that Jeffers declines the offer and the two sides work toward a longer-term agreement. I'm not sure that would be a good outcome for Minnesota. Jeffers has established himself as one of the best offensive catchers in the American League, and his bat is certainly valuable at a position where good offense is difficult to find. However, there are reasons why the Twins' contracts with Vázquez and Caratini became problematic. Catchers are particularly difficult to project. Jeffers will turn 30 next season, and a four-year contract would keep him in Minnesota as Father Time sinks his claws into him. The physical demands of catching take a toll, and there is no guarantee Jeffers will be able to handle that workload throughout the life of the contract—especially since he's never withstood a full-time backstop's workload, to date. If he eventually has to move to first base or become a designated hitter, his offensive production would need to stay extremely strong to justify the investment. At a projected $18.75 million annually, that's a difficult proposition. Jeffers is a good offensive catcher, but paying nearly $19 million per season for a player who might eventually need to move away from the position doesn't make much sense for a team with Minnesota's financial limitations. The one-year qualifying offer is a different conversation, but committing four years and $75 million would be a risk I would rather the Twins avoid. The Twins have plenty of work to do this offseason, and there are legitimate opportunities to improve the roster through free agency. Lowe, Bednar, and Jeffers are all talented players who could help the Twins in the short term. That doesn't mean their projected contracts are worthwhile investments. The Twins have already seen how quickly deals for players like Vázquez and Caratini can become difficult to move on from. Avoiding the next version of those contracts should be just as important as finding the next impact addition. Are there other free agent landmines the Twins should avoid this offseason? Would you be comfortable with any of these projected contracts? Leave a comment below and start the conversation! View the full article

Tarik Skubal will be the hotness, for however long his free agency lasts. Wherever he eventually signs, he'll break the record for total guaranteed dollars and annual average value for a starting pitcher, because he brings all the things teams look for in their aces. His raw stuff is at the top of the scale. So are his results. Skubal is even more durable than most modern starters, although he did finally miss some time in 2026. He's the complete package. The Chicago Cubs, of course, don't typically pay for the complete package. Complete packages are wildly expensive, and sometimes, they turn out to be defective or unduly fragile, even though they weren't advertised as such. Better to shop on Temu. If you buy the high-end stuff there, it'll still be a knockoff, but it might be a high-quality knockoff, and you'll have more to spend on a second thing from Temu, or on fast-casual dining (instead of a steakhouse), or on a middle-shelf shot of whiskey. It's not a popular approach, and it's not clear whether it's the right one, but the smart money is always on Jed Hoyer spending smart money, rather than big money. This winter, Skubal won't be the smart money option. It'll be Trevor Rogers, the Orioles southpaw who hits free agency with far fewer bona fides and no chance of cracking $200 million in earnings (let alone $300 million), but who's also a year younger than Skubal—and maybe not as much worse as he looks, at first glance. Why Trevor Rogers is the Stealth Ace of This Winter's Class Rogers hits free agency after pitching for the Orioles for parts of the last three seasons, but he entered pro baseball as a first-round pick by the Miami Marlins, in 2017. With the Fish, he became a top prospect, prized for the deceptiveness of his low-slot delivery and the way his fastball seems to jump on hitters. Injuries and other health problems have always been his bugaboo. Since reaching the majors in 2020, he's dealt with COVID (the actual illness, not just the logistical nightmares); back trouble; a lat strain; a biceps strain; a hyperextended knee; and, in 2026, a severe case of the flu that knocked him out of the rotation for three weeks and left him weakened for his first few starts even after returning. When he's been on the mound, however, Rogers has flashed some marvelous things. In 2025, once he returned from a prolonged absence due to that knee injury, he mowed down opponents ruthlessly, with a 1.81 ERA and a 24.6% strikeout rate in 18 starts. After a rocky start in 2026 (and that prolonged period of struggle as he regained weight and strength throughout the late spring), he posted a 2.90 ERA in 20 starts beginning June 1, averaging more than six innings per outing. Always a nightmarish at-bat for fellow lefties, Rogers succeeds or fails based on his ability to get out opposite-handed batters. On that score, there's some bad news: his changeup took heavy damage in 2026. Opponents hit .336 against it. However, the pitch has a good movement profile, tumbling nicely off the plane of his flat, running four-seamer, and it reliably induces ground balls. Meanwhile, Rogers can miss bats with his fastball, which is more essential than ever in the age of ABS, and he's showing growing facility with his sinker, cutter and sweeper, with the former two forcing some weak contact and the latter racking up whiffs in left-on-left matchups. How Joining the Cubs Could Take Rogers's Game to the Next Level The best way for a Cubs fan to conceptualize Rogers might be as a better version of Matthew Boyd. The younger lefty has just a bit more funk on his fastball, but he also has better control than Boyd—or almost anyone, for that matter. Rogers walked 6.9% of opposing batters in 2025, and that figure fell to 5.6% in 2026. Focus on those 20 starts in which he was fit and firing, and it falls all the way to 4.4%. That he can fill up the zone that way without giving up home runs at an alarming rate sets him apart from Boyd and Shota Imanaga, and it makes clear why he'll be in high demand this offseason, even after the Orioles attached draft-pick compensation to him by extending the qualifying offer to him at the beginning of the month. As good as his numbers looked, though, Rogers could have been even better—and might be, with a defense as good as the Cubs' behind him. According to Statcast, a leaky Orioles defense directly cost Rogers 6 runs last season. In a lighter workload (520 batters faced, compared to Rogers's 699), Boyd got an 8-run boost from working in front of the Cubs' defenders, who won the Team Fielding Bible Award for the second year in a row. Rogers isn't as defense-dependent as Boyd and his ilk, because he strikes out more batters than they do. Put him in front of an elite team defense for a full season, though, and Rogers might well be a Cy Young Award contender. Indeed, he was one (in a down-ballot way) even in 2025, when he didn't pitch enough innings to make a serious push for the award and only had a fair-to-middling Baltimore defense behind him. The Price Tag on a Trevor Rogers Deal Because the Cubs spent past the first competitive-balance tax threshold in 2026, signing any free agent with a qualifying offer attached to them comes at a relatively heavy cost. Chicago would give up its second- and fifth-highest picks in the 2027 MLB Draft in the process of signing Rogers and lose some spending power in the all-important international free agent market. The hurler is also likely to command a four- or five-year deal worth somewhere north of $23 million per year. That's a hefty investment. Comparing Rogers to Joe Musgrove (who signed a five-year deal with his hometown Padres for $100 million that began in 2023) from 2022 illustrates that the price tag includes a premium based on the rarity of frontline lefty starters being available in free agency, even if they're relatively unaccomplished. In this case, though, it might make sense to roll the dice. The injuries that have made Rogers's progress toward stardom so start-stop haven't been major arm maladies. He's young enough to be viable even at the end of a six-year deal, if adding that would get a deal over the line and spare the team something in the annual average value department. Few pitchers on this (or any) market offer the ability to rack up strikeouts, minimize walks and keep the ball in the park; Rogers checks all those boxes. The slew of hurlers available without draft picks attached to them make spending that capital on this guy a big bet, but Rogers's profile suits the Cubs nicely. They can make him better, and he would do the same for them. He might be Temu Tarik Skubal, but when you put it that way, isn't he a bargain? View the full article

Tarik Skubal will be the hotness, for however long his free agency lasts. Wherever he eventually signs, he'll break the record for total guaranteed dollars and annual average value for a starting pitcher, because he brings all the things teams look for in their aces. His raw stuff is at the top of the scale. So are his results. Skubal is even more durable than most modern starters, although he did finally miss some time in 2026. He's the complete package. The Chicago Cubs, of course, don't typically pay for the complete package. Complete packages are wildly expensive, and sometimes, they turn out to be defective or unduly fragile, even though they weren't advertised as such. Better to shop on Temu. If you buy the high-end stuff there, it'll still be a knockoff, but it might be a high-quality knockoff, and you'll have more to spend on a second thing from Temu, or on fast-casual dining (instead of a steakhouse), or on a middle-shelf shot of whiskey. It's not a popular approach, and it's not clear whether it's the right one, but the smart money is always on Jed Hoyer spending smart money, rather than big money. This winter, Skubal won't be the smart money option. It'll be Trevor Rogers, the Orioles southpaw who hits free agency with far fewer bona fides and no chance of cracking $200 million in earnings (let alone $300 million), but who's also a year younger than Skubal—and maybe not as much worse as he looks, at first glance. Why Trevor Rogers is the Stealth Ace of This Winter's Class Rogers hits free agency after pitching for the Orioles for parts of the last three seasons, but he entered pro baseball as a first-round pick by the Miami Marlins, in 2017. With the Fish, he became a top prospect, prized for the deceptiveness of his low-slot delivery and the way his fastball seems to jump on hitters. Injuries and other health problems have always been his bugaboo. Since reaching the majors in 2020, he's dealt with COVID (the actual illness, not just the logistical nightmares); back trouble; a lat strain; a biceps strain; a hyperextended knee; and, in 2026, a severe case of the flu that knocked him out of the rotation for three weeks and left him weakened for his first few starts even after returning. When he's been on the mound, however, Rogers has flashed some marvelous things. In 2025, once he returned from a prolonged absence due to that knee injury, he mowed down opponents ruthlessly, with a 1.81 ERA and a 24.6% strikeout rate in 18 starts. After a rocky start in 2026 (and that prolonged period of struggle as he regained weight and strength throughout the late spring), he posted a 2.90 ERA in 20 starts beginning June 1, averaging more than six innings per outing. Always a nightmarish at-bat for fellow lefties, Rogers succeeds or fails based on his ability to get out opposite-handed batters. On that score, there's some bad news: his changeup took heavy damage in 2026. Opponents hit .336 against it. However, the pitch has a good movement profile, tumbling nicely off the plane of his flat, running four-seamer, and it reliably induces ground balls. Meanwhile, Rogers can miss bats with his fastball, which is more essential than ever in the age of ABS, and he's showing growing facility with his sinker, cutter and sweeper, with the former two forcing some weak contact and the latter racking up whiffs in left-on-left matchups. How Joining the Cubs Could Take Rogers's Game to the Next Level The best way for a Cubs fan to conceptualize Rogers might be as a better version of Matthew Boyd. The younger lefty has just a bit more funk on his fastball, but he also has better control than Boyd—or almost anyone, for that matter. Rogers walked 6.9% of opposing batters in 2025, and that figure fell to 5.6% in 2026. Focus on those 20 starts in which he was fit and firing, and it falls all the way to 4.4%. That he can fill up the zone that way without giving up home runs at an alarming rate sets him apart from Boyd and Shota Imanaga, and it makes clear why he'll be in high demand this offseason, even after the Orioles attached draft-pick compensation to him by extending the qualifying offer to him at the beginning of the month. As good as his numbers looked, though, Rogers could have been even better—and might be, with a defense as good as the Cubs' behind him. According to Statcast, a leaky Orioles defense directly cost Rogers 6 runs last season. In a lighter workload (520 batters faced, compared to Rogers's 699), Boyd got an 8-run boost from working in front of the Cubs' defenders, who won the Team Fielding Bible Award for the second year in a row. Rogers isn't as defense-dependent as Boyd and his ilk, because he strikes out more batters than they do. Put him in front of an elite team defense for a full season, though, and Rogers might well be a Cy Young Award contender. Indeed, he was one (in a down-ballot way) even in 2025, when he didn't pitch enough innings to make a serious push for the award and only had a fair-to-middling Baltimore defense behind him. The Price Tag on a Trevor Rogers Deal Because the Cubs spent past the first competitive-balance tax threshold in 2026, signing any free agent with a qualifying offer attached to them comes at a relatively heavy cost. Chicago would give up its second- and fifth-highest picks in the 2027 MLB Draft in the process of signing Rogers and lose some spending power in the all-important international free agent market. The hurler is also likely to command a four- or five-year deal worth somewhere north of $23 million per year. That's a hefty investment. Comparing Rogers to Joe Musgrove (who signed a five-year deal with his hometown Padres for $100 million that began in 2023) from 2022 illustrates that the price tag includes a premium based on the rarity of frontline lefty starters being available in free agency, even if they're relatively unaccomplished. In this case, though, it might make sense to roll the dice. The injuries that have made Rogers's progress toward stardom so start-stop haven't been major arm maladies. He's young enough to be viable even at the end of a six-year deal, if adding that would get a deal over the line and spare the team something in the annual average value department. Few pitchers on this (or any) market offer the ability to rack up strikeouts, minimize walks and keep the ball in the park; Rogers checks all those boxes. The slew of hurlers available without draft picks attached to them make spending that capital on this guy a big bet, but Rogers's profile suits the Cubs nicely. They can make him better, and he would do the same for them. He might be Temu Tarik Skubal, but when you put it that way, isn't he a bargain? View the full article

This Miami Marlins offseason has two separate finish lines. There's the one right before the 2027 season opener, but it's too soon to say when exactly that will be. In the meantime, the current Major League Baseball collective bargaining agreement is set to expire on December 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET, with a work stoppage expected to follow. Assuming the MLB owners lock out the players (as was the case when the previous CBA expired), no major league transactions can be made and the traditional Winter Meetings will be cancelled. Spring training could also be delayed and shortened if negotiations move along too slowly. With so much uncertainty on the horizon, November figures to be a busy month across baseball. There is an urgency to make roster moves while teams are allowed to do so. The Marlins have flexibility on their side. Entering Monday, there are only 35 players on their 40-man roster (21 pitchers and 14 position players). A sixth spot is expected to open up when left-handed reliever Andrew Nardi gets non-tendered—he'll miss most, if not all, of the 2027 season while rehabbing from elbow surgery. It's unclear whether the major league phase of the Rule 5 Draft will take place this winter, but just in case, several of the Marlins' best prospects should be getting protected with 40-man spots by the November 17 deadline. The leading candidates for 40-man selections are Karson Milbrandt (FOF No. 11 prospect), Eliazar Dishmey (No. 8), Brayden Taylor (No. 19) and Kemp Alderman (No. 13). The tender deadline follows shortly after that on November 20. Including Nardi, the Marlins have 10 arbitration-eligible players. Fish On First can confirm the reporting from the Miami Herald that the Marlins will be searching for a starting pitcher and reliever. The team's top priorities are left-handed arms and right-handed bats. The team has cast a wide net for an experienced starter and remains engaged in ongoing discussions. Two names to keep an eye on are right-hander Dustin May and left-hander Patrick Sandoval. May, who is coming off his second World Series title, made 31 starts last season between stints with the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers. He posted a 4.70 ERA, 3.63 FIP, 8.9 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9. May was in Los Angeles Dodgers organization from 2019 up until midway through the 2025 season, crossing paths with current Marlins manager Clayton McCullough and general manager Gabe Kapler. As for Sandoval, it's been a strange ride for him these last couple of years. In 2024, he made 16 starts before missing the rest of the season due to a left elbow strain. He underwent Tommy John surgery and missed all of 2025 as well. In 2026, his Boston Red Sox tenure lasted 15 games (13 starts) posting a 5.12 ERA, 3.77 FIP, 9.3 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9. He did poorly against lefty batters, but has historically limited them to a .219/.297/.353 slash line. This signing would be in hopes that Sandoval can regain the value that he had back in 2021 and 2022 where he was at his best. The top reliever on the free agent market is Adrián Morejón and the Marlins remain interested in him. In 2026, he posted a 2.83 ERA, 2.37 FIP, 11.20 K/9 and 2.93 BB/9 in 76 appearances, primarily as the eighth-inning man in San Diego, paving the way for lights-out closer Mason Miller to pitch the ninth. The Marlins would have to go against their past behavior to get a deal done because Morejón will have a qualifying offer attached to him. If he doesn't return to the Padres, his new team would be required to give up an early-round draft pick (in addition to making him one of MLB's most expensive relievers). Two names the Marlins appear to have interest in are Sean Newcomb and Alex Vesia. Those left-handers more comfortably fit within Miami's price range. Newcomb spent the 2026 season with the Chicago White Sox, making a career-high 60 appearances (90.1 IP) while recording a 3.09 ERA, 3.21 FIP, 8.37 K/9 and 3.39 BB/9. The combination of his four-seam fastball (7 RV) and slurve (5 RV) along with his track record of success in a multi-inning role make him an intriguing fit for the Marlins pitching staff. Vesia seems to be the higher priority, according to sources. Marlins fans should be familiar with him because he was their 17th-round selection in the 2018 MLB Draft and made his major league debut with Miami during the shortened 2020 season. In 2026, Vesia threw 58 innings in 2.64 ERA, 3.10 FIP, 11.48 K/9 and 4.97 BB/9. His unique arm angle has consistently made his four-seamer effective despite below-average velocity. Vesia can get out batters from both sides with ease, which makes him an option to enter games at any time. He is also a great high-leverage option. The Marlins could also be in the market for a catcher, though specifically a backup who wouldn't block Joe Mack's development. Ideally, that player would be capable of handling 30–40 starts behind the plate per season. If the right fit does not present itself, their internal option would be using Agustín Ramírez to back up Mack. The organization believes that Ramírez can hit at the level he did in 2025, when as a rookie, he slashed .287/.287/.413/.701 with 21 home runs, 67 RBI and a 91 wRC+. The pairing is a bit awkward because to this point in his career, Ramírez gains no advantage from facing left-handed pitching (90 wRC+ vs. LHP and 90 wRC+ vs. RHP). Ramírez was working at first base last summer in Triple-A Jacksonville, but still hasn't made any game appearances at non-catching positions since joining the Marlins organization. He is out of minor league options moving forward. The Marlins, who are always listening on their players, will continue to do that this offseason. They will also look to acquire high-level prospects who can contribute in 2027. Over the past two seasons, Franklin Arias of the Boston Red Sox has been a name that's come up, though the Marlins would have to give up a ton of talent in return. Turning 21 years old next week, Arias is ranked as the top prospect in the Red Sox system per Baseball America and he's second overall on BA's MLB Top 100 list. In 2026, he slashed .323/.400/.557/.957 with 25 home runs, 91 RBI and a 145 wRC+ across Double-A and Triple-A. View the full article

This Miami Marlins offseason has two separate finish lines. There's the one right before the 2027 season opener, but it's too soon to say when exactly that will be. In the meantime, the current Major League Baseball collective bargaining agreement is set to expire on December 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET, with a work stoppage expected to follow. Assuming the MLB owners lock out the players (as was the case when the previous CBA expired), no major league transactions can be made and the traditional Winter Meetings will be cancelled. Spring training could also be delayed and shortened if negotiations move along too slowly. With so much uncertainty on the horizon, November figures to be a busy month across baseball. There is an urgency to make roster moves while teams are allowed to do so. The Marlins have flexibility on their side. Entering Monday, there are only 35 players on their 40-man roster (21 pitchers and 14 position players). A sixth spot is expected to open up when left-handed reliever Andrew Nardi gets non-tendered—he'll miss most, if not all, of the 2027 season while rehabbing from elbow surgery. It's unclear whether the major league phase of the Rule 5 Draft will take place this winter, but just in case, several of the Marlins' best prospects should be getting protected with 40-man spots by the November 17 deadline. The leading candidates for 40-man selections are Karson Milbrandt (FOF No. 11 prospect), Eliazar Dishmey (No. 8), Brayden Taylor (No. 19) and Kemp Alderman (No. 13). The tender deadline follows shortly after that on November 20. Including Nardi, the Marlins have 10 arbitration-eligible players. Fish On First can confirm the reporting from the Miami Herald that the Marlins will be searching for a starting pitcher and reliever. The team's top priorities are left-handed arms and right-handed bats. The team has cast a wide net for an experienced starter and remains engaged in ongoing discussions. Two names to keep an eye on are right-hander Dustin May and left-hander Patrick Sandoval. May, who is coming off his second World Series title, made 31 starts last season between stints with the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers. He posted a 4.70 ERA, 3.63 FIP, 8.9 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9. May was in Los Angeles Dodgers organization from 2019 up until midway through the 2025 season, crossing paths with current Marlins manager Clayton McCullough and general manager Gabe Kapler. As for Sandoval, it's been a strange ride for him these last couple of years. In 2024, he made 16 starts before missing the rest of the season due to a left elbow strain. He underwent Tommy John surgery and missed all of 2025 as well. In 2026, his Boston Red Sox tenure lasted 15 games (13 starts) posting a 5.12 ERA, 3.77 FIP, 9.3 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9. He did poorly against lefty batters, but has historically limited them to a .219/.297/.353 slash line. This signing would be in hopes that Sandoval can regain the value that he had back in 2021 and 2022 where he was at his best. The top reliever on the free agent market is Adrián Morejón and the Marlins remain interested in him. In 2026, he posted a 2.83 ERA, 2.37 FIP, 11.20 K/9 and 2.93 BB/9 in 76 appearances, primarily as the eighth-inning man in San Diego, paving the way for lights-out closer Mason Miller to pitch the ninth. The Marlins would have to go against their past behavior to get a deal done because Morejón will have a qualifying offer attached to him. If he doesn't return to the Padres, his new team would be required to give up an early-round draft pick (in addition to making him one of MLB's most expensive relievers). Two names the Marlins appear to have interest in are Sean Newcomb and Alex Vesia. Those left-handers more comfortably fit within Miami's price range. Newcomb spent the 2026 season with the Chicago White Sox, making a career-high 60 appearances (90.1 IP) while recording a 3.09 ERA, 3.21 FIP, 8.37 K/9 and 3.39 BB/9. The combination of his four-seam fastball (7 RV) and slurve (5 RV) along with his track record of success in a multi-inning role make him an intriguing fit for the Marlins pitching staff. Vesia seems to be the higher priority, according to sources. Marlins fans should be familiar with him because he was their 17th-round selection in the 2018 MLB Draft and made his major league debut with Miami during the shortened 2020 season. In 2026, Vesia threw 58 innings in 2.64 ERA, 3.10 FIP, 11.48 K/9 and 4.97 BB/9. His unique arm angle has consistently made his four-seamer effective despite below-average velocity. Vesia can get out batters from both sides with ease, which makes him an option to enter games at any time. He is also a great high-leverage option. The Marlins could also be in the market for a catcher, though specifically a backup who wouldn't block Joe Mack's development. Ideally, that player would be capable of handling 30–40 starts behind the plate per season. If the right fit does not present itself, their internal option would be using Agustín Ramírez to back up Mack. The organization believes that Ramírez can hit at the level he did in 2025, when as a rookie, he slashed .287/.287/.413/.701 with 21 home runs, 67 RBI and a 91 wRC+. The pairing is a bit awkward because to this point in his career, Ramírez gains no advantage from facing left-handed pitching (90 wRC+ vs. LHP and 90 wRC+ vs. RHP). Ramírez was working at first base last summer in Triple-A Jacksonville, but still hasn't made any game appearances at non-catching positions since joining the Marlins organization. He is out of minor league options moving forward. The Marlins, who are always listening on their players, will continue to do that this offseason. They will also look to acquire high-level prospects who can contribute in 2027. Over the past two seasons, Franklin Arias of the Boston Red Sox has been a name that's come up, though the Marlins would have to give up a ton of talent in return. Turning 21 years old next week, Arias is ranked as the top prospect in the Red Sox system per Baseball America and he's second overall on BA's MLB Top 100 list. In 2026, he slashed .323/.400/.557/.957 with 25 home runs, 91 RBI and a 145 wRC+ across Double-A and Triple-A. View the full article