I think I read he opted out of a $5M option. So I guess his agent thinks he can get at least $5M elsewhere?
January 7, 2026 at 4:08 PM
I think I read he opted out of a $5M option. So I guess his agent thinks he can get at least $5M elsewhere?
Hey, Matt. Always cool reading your stuff. Only have time to do a cursory reading this morning. But noticed an edit you might find useful. #47 Heredia - you have him listed by his name as RHP, but writeup makes it clear he’s OF.
January 7, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Hey, Matt. Always cool reading your stuff. Only have time to do a cursory reading this morning. But noticed an edit you might find useful. #47 Heredia - you have him listed by his name as RHP, but writeup makes it clear he’s OF.
Seems odd to think Kemp and Sosa, both RHH, would split/platoon 3B. And Kemp’s defense at 3B is not great. Do you mean that they start Sosa at 3B and when going against a lefty they’d put Sosa at 2B and Kemp at 3B?
January 6, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Seems odd to think Kemp and Sosa, both RHH, would split/platoon 3B. And Kemp’s defense at 3B is not great. Do you mean that they start Sosa at 3B and when going against a lefty they’d put Sosa at 2B and Kemp at 3B?
Weird. Were they just talking up Kemp in hopes of finding a trade? Is Grichuk just one of 10 scenarios they are mapping out and someone called the agent just to see what his status is? Maybe they said “we think we can fix your swing, if you sign for $4-5M”. Figure Grichuk is plan A, Kemp is B?
January 5, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Weird. Were they just talking up Kemp in hopes of finding a trade? Is Grichuk just one of 10 scenarios they are mapping out and someone called the agent just to see what his status is? Maybe they said “we think we can fix your swing, if you sign for $4-5M”. Figure Grichuk is plan A, Kemp is B?
That seems like a much more reality-based report; counter to the “Phillies trying to sign Bichette” reports.
January 5, 2026 at 2:53 PM
That seems like a much more reality-based report; counter to the “Phillies trying to sign Bichette” reports.
So he was a difference-maker at the plate and his defense was tolerable? If even close to that player now, could protect the other big boys and vice versa. If the guy didn’t get pissed at everyone else because his results declined, they’d maybe gamble on him like they did Taijuan last year.
January 3, 2026 at 10:53 PM
So he was a difference-maker at the plate and his defense was tolerable? If even close to that player now, could protect the other big boys and vice versa. If the guy didn’t get pissed at everyone else because his results declined, they’d maybe gamble on him like they did Taijuan last year.
The opening day rotation and Imai are my two questions as well.
December 30, 2025 at 1:33 AM
The opening day rotation and Imai are my two questions as well.
I’m unclear what he’s recommending. Is he actually recommending trade Sanchez? Do not agree… at least not this year.
December 27, 2025 at 7:21 PM
I’m unclear what he’s recommending. Is he actually recommending trade Sanchez? Do not agree… at least not this year.
I agree. Wish people would stop popping off without doing research. If just a matter of on-field performance, the org might stick by him like Taijuan. There’s a whole range of Casty fans, detractors and folks in between. That has nothing to do with why he’s likely to be playing elsewhere next year.
December 27, 2025 at 12:43 AM
I agree. Wish people would stop popping off without doing research. If just a matter of on-field performance, the org might stick by him like Taijuan. There’s a whole range of Casty fans, detractors and folks in between. That has nothing to do with why he’s likely to be playing elsewhere next year.
That’s some serious #%&. No wonder he wants to stay in warm weather for home stadium.
December 24, 2025 at 7:21 PM
That’s some serious #%&. No wonder he wants to stay in warm weather for home stadium.
I was wondering about this. I guess that means Will Smith gets bumped as starter at 1st base? Can you imagine having a bench with Byron Buxton and Will Smith on it? 😂
December 23, 2025 at 3:30 PM
I was wondering about this. I guess that means Will Smith gets bumped as starter at 1st base? Can you imagine having a bench with Byron Buxton and Will Smith on it? 😂
Whew!
Definitely find Pop contract confusing. Why box themselves in? Also, seems like the signal they are done with 40-man. One spot left for a catcher. Casty clears spot for Crawford. Time to work on minor league starting depth. A relief guy might have to get dropped for an April/May temp starter.
Definitely find Pop contract confusing. Why box themselves in? Also, seems like the signal they are done with 40-man. One spot left for a catcher. Casty clears spot for Crawford. Time to work on minor league starting depth. A relief guy might have to get dropped for an April/May temp starter.
December 23, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Whew!
Definitely find Pop contract confusing. Why box themselves in? Also, seems like the signal they are done with 40-man. One spot left for a catcher. Casty clears spot for Crawford. Time to work on minor league starting depth. A relief guy might have to get dropped for an April/May temp starter.
Definitely find Pop contract confusing. Why box themselves in? Also, seems like the signal they are done with 40-man. One spot left for a catcher. Casty clears spot for Crawford. Time to work on minor league starting depth. A relief guy might have to get dropped for an April/May temp starter.
Wait. Is my brain’s counting subroutine messed up? It seems like there’s ZERO bullpen spots open with the addition of Pop. There are 8 spots available.
Alvarado, Banks, Bowlan, Duran, Keller, Kerkering, McCambley, Pop … that’s 8.
Alvarado, Banks, Bowlan, Duran, Keller, Kerkering, McCambley, Pop … that’s 8.
December 23, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Wait. Is my brain’s counting subroutine messed up? It seems like there’s ZERO bullpen spots open with the addition of Pop. There are 8 spots available.
Alvarado, Banks, Bowlan, Duran, Keller, Kerkering, McCambley, Pop … that’s 8.
Alvarado, Banks, Bowlan, Duran, Keller, Kerkering, McCambley, Pop … that’s 8.
I’m lost. His stats look like a minor league deal or an NRI to spring training.
December 22, 2025 at 10:05 PM
I’m lost. His stats look like a minor league deal or an NRI to spring training.
I might actually be okay with the Mets as they get rid of their most irritating players. Lindor seems like a decent dude and I don’t mind Sosa. McNeil was incredibly grating (super whiny), Nimmo and Alonso and Diaz were mildly irritating (but like Utley was for teams playing the Phillies).
December 22, 2025 at 8:55 PM
I might actually be okay with the Mets as they get rid of their most irritating players. Lindor seems like a decent dude and I don’t mind Sosa. McNeil was incredibly grating (super whiny), Nimmo and Alonso and Diaz were mildly irritating (but like Utley was for teams playing the Phillies).
Frankly, seems like they’ve been in denial there. Supposedly the Mets were inquiring. He has another club option after this year, I think. So they can keep him, put him in front of Murakami and see if he can bounce back a bit. Should be an interesting year for them.
December 21, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Frankly, seems like they’ve been in denial there. Supposedly the Mets were inquiring. He has another club option after this year, I think. So they can keep him, put him in front of Murakami and see if he can bounce back a bit. Should be an interesting year for them.
Also, will they still trade Robert? Will they look to spend more this offseason now? Seize the moment? Or are they just as skeptical as other clubs and figure this signing makes them sell a few tickets and then they trade him next year?
December 21, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Also, will they still trade Robert? Will they look to spend more this offseason now? Seize the moment? Or are they just as skeptical as other clubs and figure this signing makes them sell a few tickets and then they trade him next year?
This makes me very interested in what the WSox see as their defensive alignment and lineup.
December 21, 2025 at 4:01 PM
This makes me very interested in what the WSox see as their defensive alignment and lineup.
Aaand, it’s done. Pretty interesting outcome, actually. 2 years. Gives him time to adjust and prove it. Lets him play in Chicago. I don’t think the Sox have another Japanese player, but big metro, and there are guys on the Cubs he can connect with if he needs the connection.
Japanese slugger Murakami to White Sox on 2-year deal (report)
The White Sox are adding a major power bat to their lineup, reaching agreement on a two-year, $34 million contract with Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami, according to a report by ESPN's Jeff Passan ...
www.mlb.com
December 21, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Aaand, it’s done. Pretty interesting outcome, actually. 2 years. Gives him time to adjust and prove it. Lets him play in Chicago. I don’t think the Sox have another Japanese player, but big metro, and there are guys on the Cubs he can connect with if he needs the connection.
<45 hrs until Murakami’s deadline and we are hearing almost nothing
December 21, 2025 at 2:30 AM
<45 hrs until Murakami’s deadline and we are hearing almost nothing
Yeah. Before end of ST, adds of Crawford, catcher, subtraction of Castellanos. So 39. Chace might end up on IL-60. Leaving 2 spots on 40-man. Bullpen pretty close to locked down, if you leave one spot for “churn” and later for someone bumped from rotation.
December 19, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Yeah. Before end of ST, adds of Crawford, catcher, subtraction of Castellanos. So 39. Chace might end up on IL-60. Leaving 2 spots on 40-man. Bullpen pretty close to locked down, if you leave one spot for “churn” and later for someone bumped from rotation.
40 man roster up to 38; JT not (yet?) on it, Casty still on it.
December 19, 2025 at 8:10 PM
40 man roster up to 38; JT not (yet?) on it, Casty still on it.