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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>MLB Trade Rumors</title> <atom:link href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com</link> <description></description> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 30 Oct 2025 04:08:38 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.4</generator> <item> <title>Jordan Lawlar Taking Center Field Reps In Winter Ball</title> <link>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/jordan-lawlar-taking-center-field-reps-in-winter-ball.html</link> <comments>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/jordan-lawlar-taking-center-field-reps-in-winter-ball.html#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Anthony Franco]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 30 Oct 2025 04:08:35 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Arizona Diamondbacks]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Alek Thomas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Blaze Alexander]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jordan Lawlar]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/?p=871884</guid> <description><![CDATA[Diamondbacks rookie Jordan Lawlar is playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic this offseason. He made his first appearance with the Tigres del Licey at an unfamiliar position: center field. It’s the first professional outfield experience for Lawlar, whose minor league and MLB work has been divided between second, third and shortstop. Steve Gilbert of…]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Diamondbacks rookie <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lawlajo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-30_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Jordan Lawlar</a></strong> is playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic this offseason. He made his first appearance with the Tigres del Licey at an unfamiliar position: center field. It’s the first professional outfield experience for Lawlar, whose minor league and MLB work has been divided between second, third and shortstop.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.mlb.com/news/questions-for-d-backs-to-answer-during-offseason">Steve Gilbert of MLB.com</a> wrote earlier this month that the D-Backs wanted Lawlar to get center field work alongside his usual infield responsibilities. The Diamondbacks haven’t made any decisions about a position change, but it behooves them to get a look at him in the outfield for a few reasons.</p><p>Lawlar’s defense was a significant issue late this year. The Diamondbacks finally opened everyday playing time for him at third base with the <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/suareeu01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-30_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Eugenio Suárez</a></strong> deadline deal. Lawlar was on the minor league injured list for a couple weeks but was recalled at the end of August. His third base audition didn’t last long. Lawlar committed four errors in 76 innings, two apiece on September 7 and 14. Three of those were of the throwing variety. One of Lawlar’s errant throws led to a collision at first base that injured <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/locklty01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-30_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Tyler Locklear</a></strong>, who <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/d-backs-tyler-locklear-to-undergo-elbow-shoulder-surgeries.html">required surgeries</a> on both his shoulder and elbow.</p><p>Scouting reports on Lawlar have generally praised his defensive ability. He was drafted as a shortstop and only moved to third base in deference to <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/perdoge01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-30_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Geraldo Perdomo</a></strong>. It’s possible this year’s issues were a blip that’ll be corrected with a mechanical tweak or simply an offseason mental reset. The D-Backs didn’t want him in the field while they were chasing down a Wild Card berth, though. Manager Torey Lovullo kept Lawlar at DH or as a pinch-hitter after his game on September 14. <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/alexabl01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-30_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Blaze Alexander</a></strong> played third base until the last game of the season — once the Snakes had been eliminated from contention.</p><p>The third base job should be open going into 2026. Alexander is a steady defender but doesn’t have huge upside at the plate. He’s better suited for a utility role. Lawlar, a career .298/.395/.515 hitter in the minors, has a higher ceiling. That wouldn’t matter much if the Diamondbacks don’t trust him defensively. They’re not going to lock him into full-time DH work at 23, but they probably wouldn’t feel great about handing him the starting third base job out of camp. He does still have an option remaining, yet they’re not going to learn much by sending him back to Triple-A Reno and letting him feast on Pacific Coast League pitching for another season.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/Gambo987/status/1983583573665050821?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1983583573665050821%7Ctwgr%5E2695c1b9403a1bc94a4c31077cebb76729934157%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Farizonasports.com%2Fmlb%2Farizona-diamondbacks%2Fjordan-lawlar-10%2F3600448%2F">John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM</a> writes that the D-Backs aren’t inclined to play Lawlar at second base. <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/marteke01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-30_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Ketel Marte</a></strong> might benefit from a few more DH at-bats but remains the primary second baseman. The two outfield spots to the left of <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/carroco02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-30_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Corbin Carroll</a></strong> could be up for grabs.</p><p>Center fielder <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/thomaal01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-30_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Alek Thomas</a></strong> is a .234/.277/.362 hitter in almost 1400 career plate appearances. The Diamondbacks will eventually need some kind of offense from that spot. Left field is in worse shape. <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gurrilo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-30_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Lourdes Gurriel Jr.</a></strong> tore his ACL in September. <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mccarja02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-30_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Jake McCarthy</a></strong> is coming off a .204/.247/.345 season. Prospect <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=waldsc000rya&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-30_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Ryan Waldschmidt</a></strong> may already be their best internal option, and he hasn’t played a game above Double-A.</p><p>McCarthy could be non-tendered, while Thomas is a potential change-of-scenery candidate. If Lawlar takes to center field in winter ball, that could allow the Diamondbacks to feel a little more comfortable entertaining Thomas trade talks. Lawlar himself could also be a trade chip, as he’d be their best bet at getting a controllable starting pitcher in return. The Diamondbacks are going to need at least one outfielder via free agency or trade either way, making this an interesting offseason storyline in the desert.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss></wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>3</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Nationals Interview Chad Epperson In Managerial Search</title> <link>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/nationals-interview-chad-epperson-in-managerial-search.html</link> <comments>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/nationals-interview-chad-epperson-in-managerial-search.html#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Anthony Franco]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 30 Oct 2025 03:07:18 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Boston Red Sox]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Washington Nationals]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Chad Epperson]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/?p=871879</guid> <description><![CDATA[The Nationals have interviewed Red Sox’s Double-A manager Chad Epperson as part of their managerial search, reports Spencer Nusbaum of the Washington Post. He joins Brandon Hyde as the only known interviewees. The Post’s Andrew Golden wrote this afternoon that the Nats have informed interim manager Miguel Cairo that he is no longer in the…]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Nationals have interviewed Red Sox’s Double-A manager Chad Epperson as part of their managerial search, reports <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/spencernusbaum_/status/1983720968640995638">Spencer Nusbaum of the Washington Post</a>. He joins Brandon Hyde as the only known interviewees.</p><p>The Post’s Andrew Golden wrote this afternoon that the Nats have <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/nationals-wont-hire-miguel-cairo-as-manager-interested-in-rocco-baldelli-danny-lehmann.html">informed</a> interim manager Miguel Cairo that he is no longer in the running. Golden reported that the Nationals were interested in speaking with former Twins skipper Rocco Baldelli and Dodgers bench coach Danny Lehmann, but it’s not known if either of them have formally interviewed.</p><p>Washington’s new president of baseball operations Paul Toboni was previously an assistant general manager with the Red Sox. He’s familiar with Epperson and evidently valued his work in the Boston organization. The 53-year-old Epperson has been with the Sox for over 20 years. He got his first affiliated managerial gig in Low-A back in 2004.</p><p>Epperson managed in A-ball for six seasons before becoming the organization’s minor league catching coordinator. He held that position for 12 years until returning to the dugout. Epperson has led the Sox’s Double-A team in Portland for the past four seasons. He also worked as a quality control coach with the Toros del Este in the Dominican Winter League over the 2024-25 offseason.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss></wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Offseason Outlook: Milwaukee Brewers</title> <link>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/offseason-outlook-milwaukee-brewers-15.html</link> <comments>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/offseason-outlook-milwaukee-brewers-15.html#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Dierkes]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 30 Oct 2025 02:04:56 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[2025-26 Offseason Outlook]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Front Office Originals]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Milwaukee Brewers]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/?p=871781</guid> <description><![CDATA[The Brewers may consider trading a longtime rotation stalwart this winter but would be justified mostly standing pat coming off an MLB-best 97 wins. Guaranteed Contracts Christian Yelich, DH: $84.5MM through 2028 ($4MM deferred annually; includes buyout of '29 club option) Jackson Chourio, OF: $74MM through 2031, with club options on 2032 and '33 Aaron…]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Brewers may consider trading a longtime rotation stalwart this winter but would be justified mostly standing pat coming off an MLB-best 97 wins.</p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Guaranteed Contracts</span></p><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/y/yelicch01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Christian Yelich</a></strong>, DH: $84.5MM through 2028 ($4MM deferred annually; includes buyout of '29 club option)</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/chourja01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Jackson Chourio</a></strong>, OF: $74MM through 2031, with club options on 2032 and '33</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/ashbyaa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Aaron Ashby</a></strong>, RP: $14MM through 2027, with club options on 2028 and '29</li></ul><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Option Decisions</span></p><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peralfr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Freddy Peralta</a></strong>, SP: $8MM club option with no buyout</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/contrwi02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">William Contreras</a></strong>, C: $12MM club option with a $100K buyout (arbitration-eligible if declined)</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/woodrbr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Brandon Woodruff</a></strong>, SP: $20MM mutual option with a $10MM buyout</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/q/quintjo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Jose Quintana</a></strong>, SP: $15MM mutual option with a $2MM buyout</li><li><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hoskirh01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2024-01-23_br"><strong><u>Rhys Hoskins</u></strong></a>, 1B: $18MM mutual option with a $4MM buyout</li><li><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/janseda01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2024-12-06_br"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Danny Jansen</span></strong></a>, C: $12MM mutual option with a $500K buyout (Rays responsible for buyout)</li></ul><p>2026 guaranteed contracts: $54.5MM<br />Total future commitments: $188.5MM through 2031</p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Arbitration-Eligible Players (service time in parentheses; <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/projected-arbitration-salaries-for-2026.html">salary projections via Matt Swartz</a>)</span></p><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bauerja01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Jake Bauers</a></strong> (5.084): $2MM</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vaughan01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Andrew Vaughn</a></strong> (4.142): $7.8MM</li><li><strong><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/contrwi02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">William Contreras</a></strong></strong> (4.112): $11.1MM</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mearsni01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Nick Mears</a></strong> (4.022): $1.6MM</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/megiltr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Trevor Megill</a></strong> (4.002): $4.2MM</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mitchga01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Garrett Mitchell</a></strong> (3.040): $1MM</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/turanbr02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Brice Turang</a></strong> (2.165): $4.4MM</li></ul><p>Non-tender candidate: Bauers</p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Free Agents</span></p><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hoskirh01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Rhys Hoskins</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/janseda01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Danny Jansen</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/millesh01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Shelby Miller</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/montgjo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Jordan Montgomery</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/feddeer01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Erick Fedde</a></strong></li></ul><p>With 97 wins, the Brewers were the best regular season team in baseball this year. Roughly a third of the way through the season, the team's record sat at 25-28 after a May 24th loss to the Pirates. They were 6.5 games back in the NL Central. The Brewers were a third-place club with a 10% shot at making the playoffs. That's when they emerged as the best team in baseball, as Milwaukee played .661 ball from that point forward, even including a .500 September. By the end of July, the Brewers had an NL Central lead they would never relinquish, earning them a first-round playoff bye.</p><p>Powered by <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vaughan01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Andrew Vaughn</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/chourja01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Jackson Chourio</a></strong>, and <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/contrwi02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">William Contreras</a></strong> on offense and an unconventional pitching attack led by <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/misioja01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Jacob Misiorowski</a></strong>, the Brewers and Pat Murphy took down the Cubs and former manager Craig Counsell in a five-game NLDS.</p><p>2025 marked the Brewers' seventh playoff appearance in eight years, and their first series win since the impressive run began in 2018. Unfortunately, the Brewers proved no match for the Dodgers in this year's NLCS, with L.A. powered by dominant starting pitching.</p><p>The Brewers have had a remarkable run of success on payrolls that have typically landed in the bottom third of MLB. David Stearns' seven-year run heading up the front office ended in 2022, with Matt Arnold taking over as GM. The club has maintained its excellence under Arnold. The Brewers' front office is the envy of owners everywhere, prompting Mark Attanasio to promote Arnold to president of baseball operations <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/brewers-promote-matt-arnold-to-president-of-baseball-operations.html">last week</a>. Upon getting the promotion, Arnold <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2025/10/23/brewers-matt-arnold-promoted-to-president-of-baseball-operations-gm/86841681007/">made sure to thank</a> "the guys that I work with every single day" - Matt Kleine, Karl Mueller, Will Hudgins, and Matt Klentak. It would not be a surprise to see a few of those assistant GMs poached to run other teams' front offices in the coming years.</p><p>As MLB.com's Adam McCalvy and Jordan Bastian explained <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/craig-counsell-pat-murphy-remain-friends-with-nlds-showdown-on-tap">here</a>, longtime friends Murphy and Counsell have "have alternated positions of power over the years." Much as the Brewers transitioned seamlessly from Stearns to Arnold, Murphy picked up where Counsell left off in winning a pair of division titles in his two years as manager. Murphy's contract is up after 2026, and you'd have to imagine an extension is coming.</p><p><a href="https://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/national-league-central/milwaukee-brewers/">According to Cot's Baseball Contracts</a>, the Brewers' year-end 40-man roster payroll ranked 23rd in baseball at $115MM. The club has been as high as $135MM. Regular season attendance was up 4.4% this year. Given two additional postseason games compared to 2024, total attendance at American Family Field increased by 7.6%. The Brewers' commitments total around $95MM at present, including an obvious $8MM club option on <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peralfr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Freddy Peralta</a></strong>. Arnold may make some trades and let his free agents go in fitting with the team's way of operating, but he shouldn't be under direct financial pressure to cut payroll.</p><p>That brings us to the linchpin of the Brewers' offseason: Peralta. The 29-year-old righty was poached from the Mariners in the <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lindad01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Adam Lind</a></strong> trade a decade ago, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2634253/2021/06/05/how-freddy-peralta-became-a-major-organizational-win-for-the-brewers/">behind the advocacy of Kleine</a>. Peralta inked a team-friendly deal in February 2020. He'll be eligible for free agency after the 2026 season.</p><p>Peralta ranks 17th among starting pitchers in WAR since 2021, and eighth in regular season starts since '23. He posted a strong 28.2 K% this year alongside a career-best 2.70 ERA. Perhaps he's more of a 3.50 type pitcher, but Peralta is immensely valuable as a durable #2 starter making $8MM.</p><div class="front-office-originals"> <img class="landing-logo" src="https://cdn.mlbtraderumors.com/wp-content/plugins/fv-traderumors-membership-landing/images/mlb/landing-logo.png" /> <h4>Unlock Subscriber-Exclusive Articles Like This One With a Trade Rumors Front Office Subscription</h4> <div class="benefit-badge"> <div class="landing-divider"></div> <div class="the-badge">BENEFITS</div> </div> <ul> <li>Access weekly subscriber-only articles by Tim Dierkes, Steve Adams, and Anthony Franco.</li> <li>Join exclusive weekly live chats with Anthony.</li> <li>Remove ads and support our writers.</li> <li>Access GM-caliber tools like our MLB Contract Tracker</li> </ul> <a href="/membership?ref=871781"></a></div>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss></wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Twins To Hire Derek Shelton As Manager</title> <link>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/twins-to-hire-derek-shelton-as-manager.html</link> <comments>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/twins-to-hire-derek-shelton-as-manager.html#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Anthony Franco]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2025 23:53:36 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Minnesota Twins]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Newsstand]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Derek Shelton]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/?p=871854</guid> <description><![CDATA[The Twins are hiring Derek Shelton as their new manager, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post. The team will not announce the hire tonight, as MLB discourages clubs from revealing personnel news on playoff game days. Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports that Shelton will be officially introduced sometime next week. Shelton returns…]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Twins are hiring Derek Shelton as their new manager, reports <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/JonHeyman/status/1983668159795360258">Jon Heyman of The New York Post</a>. The team will not announce the hire tonight, as MLB discourages clubs from revealing personnel news on playoff game days. <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/DanHayesMLB/status/1983672186075541727">Dan Hayes of The Athletic</a> reports that Shelton will be officially introduced sometime next week.</p><p>Shelton returns to the Twin Cities, where he previously spent two seasons as bench coach. He held that role between 2018-19, working one season apiece under Paul Molitor and Rocco Baldelli. His familiarity with the front office surely gave him a boost in the managerial search. Shelton was a finalist during the 2018 hiring process that led to Baldelli. While he didn’t get the job at that point, he only needed to wait one more year before he got a managerial opportunity. Shelton landed the top job with the Pirates going into 2020.</p><p>Pittsburgh was coming off a 69-93 season that had led ownership to fire manager Clint Hurdle and GM Neal Huntington. They brought in Ben Cherington to run the front office and Shelton to oversee a rebuilding roster. Pittsburgh went 19-41 in the shortened season, then posted consecutive 100-loss records in 2021-22.</p><p>Things appeared to be trending up by 2023. The Bucs improved to a 76-86 record. The next season, they hovered around .500 for a while and were very soft deadline buyers. Pittsburgh finished with a 21-33 performance in the final two months, leaving them 10 games under .500 for the second straight year.</p><p>The poor finish carried into the ’25 season. The Bucs began the year with a 12-26 record and were more or less locks for another last place showing when they fired Shelton in the second week of May. Pittsburgh played .500 ball under Don Kelly the rest of the way, so they’re sticking with a Cherington/Kelly tandem going into 2026.</p><p><img decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-871861" src="https://cdn.mlbtraderumors.com/files/2025/10/USATSI_25947060-248x300.jpg" alt="" width="190" height="230" srcset="https://cdn.mlbtraderumors.com/files/2025/10/USATSI_25947060-248x300.jpg 248w, https://cdn.mlbtraderumors.com/files/2025/10/USATSI_25947060-845x1024.jpg 845w, https://cdn.mlbtraderumors.com/files/2025/10/USATSI_25947060-768x930.jpg 768w, https://cdn.mlbtraderumors.com/files/2025/10/USATSI_25947060-1268x1536.jpg 1268w, https://cdn.mlbtraderumors.com/files/2025/10/USATSI_25947060-1690x2048.jpg 1690w, https://cdn.mlbtraderumors.com/files/2025/10/USATSI_25947060-900x1090.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 190px) 100vw, 190px" /></p><p>Overall, Shelton holds a 306-440 career record. That’s heavily weighed down by the first three seasons in which no manager stood a chance of posting good results with such a poor roster. The Bucs stalled before they ever pulled out of the rebuild, however.</p><p>Pittsburgh especially struggled to develop young hitters. Highly-touted talents like <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hayeske01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Ke’Bryan Hayes</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/davishe01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Henry Davis</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodrien01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Endy Rodríguez</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gonzani01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Nick Gonzales</a></strong> and to a lesser extent <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cruzon01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Oneil Cruz</a></strong> did not click the way the organization needed. That’s not entirely the fault of any one coach or manager, of course, but Shelton came up as a hitting coordinator in Cleveland and spent parts of seven seasons as an MLB hitting coach with the Rays before getting the bench coach position in Minnesota.</p><p>Shelton’s experience working with a rebuilding roster should come in handy with the Twins. They’re amidst at least a retooling effort after trading <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/correca01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Carlos Correa</a></strong> and essentially their entire bullpen at the deadline. The Pohlad family ownership group has pulled back spending since the Twins won 87 games and an AL Central title in 2023. They’re coming off a 70-92 showing that had them above only the White Sox in the American League. That resulted in them firing Baldelli after seven seasons. Any or all of <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ryanjo04.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Joe Ryan</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lopezpa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Pablo López</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jeffery01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Ryan Jeffers</a></strong> could be traded this offseason.</p><p>The Twins landed a couple upper level starting pitchers (<strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bradlta01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Taj Bradley</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/abelmi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Mick Abel</a></strong>) at the deadline, and they have some interesting young hitters to build around <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buxtoby01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Byron Buxton</a></strong>. Maybe there’s a path back to competitiveness by 2027, but this is likely to be one of the worst teams in the AL next year. They need to overhaul the bullpen and have too many holes in the bottom half of the lineup to fix in an offseason that is likely to be more about which players they trade away than the ones they bring in.</p><p>Shelton was reportedly one of four finalists for the Minnesota job. Yankees hitting coach James Rowson (another former Twins staffer), Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty, and Padres special assistant Scott Servais were the others. There are now four teams still searching for a new skipper: the Padres, Braves, Rockies and Nationals.</p><p>Flaherty and Servais have each been floated as potential candidates for the San Diego position, which is expected to be filled by the end of the week. Rowson has only publicly been linked to the Twins position. Atlanta and Washington have played their searches close to the vest. (Baldelli is reportedly <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/nationals-wont-hire-miguel-cairo-as-manager-interested-in-rocco-baldelli-danny-lehmann.html">of interest</a> to the Nats.) Colorado has yet to even get the process underway as they focus on hiring a new GM. It’s possible that any of the three other finalists gets a look from one of those teams.</p><p><em>Image courtesy of Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images.</em></p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss></wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>80</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Nationals Outright Four Players</title> <link>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/nationals-outright-four-players.html</link> <comments>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/nationals-outright-four-players.html#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Darragh McDonald]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2025 22:50:56 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Transactions]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Washington Nationals]]></category> <category><![CDATA[CJ Stubbs]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Eduardo Salazar]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mason Thompson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Shinnosuke Ogasawara]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/?p=871845</guid> <description><![CDATA[The Nationals announced that four players have cleared waivers and been sent outright to Triple-A Rochester. They are right-handers Eduardo Salazar and Mason Thompson, left-hander Shinnosuke Ogasawara and catcher CJ Stubbs. Salazar and Thompson have already elected free agency. These types of moves are common at this time of year. The 60-day injured list goes away…]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Nationals announced that four players have cleared waivers and been sent outright to Triple-A Rochester. They are right-handers <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/salazed01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Eduardo Salazar</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/thompma02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Mason Thompson</a></strong>, left-hander <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/ogasash01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Shinnosuke Ogasawara</a></strong> and catcher <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stubbcj01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">CJ Stubbs</a></strong>. Salazar and Thompson have already elected free agency.</p><p>These types of moves are common at this time of year. The 60-day injured list goes away five days after the World Series, meaning players on the shelf need to be added back to the 40-man roster. Most teams have a few impending free agents, which can open a few spots, but there is often a squeeze. Prior to these moves, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/depth-charts/nationals">RosterResource</a> projected the Nats to have 42 players for their 40 spots, so opening some breathing room was inevitable.</p><p>Thompson, 28 in February, is the most experienced of the bunch. He made his debut with the Padres back in 2021 and was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/07/padres-nationals-in-serious-discussions-on-potential-daniel-hudson-trade.html">traded</a> to the Nationals at that year’s deadline as part of the <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hudsoda01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Daniel Hudson</a></strong> deal. He has largely been an up-and-down reliever for the Nats since then, though he missed the 2024 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. Overall, he has thrown 114 big league innings, allowing 5.21 earned runs per nine. His 50.6% ground ball rate is good but his 17.8% strikeout rate and 11.1% walk rate are both subpar.</p><p>The righty exhausted his final option season in 2025, meaning he would have been out of options in 2026. Given his uninspiring numbers, he would have had a hard time hanging onto a roster spot going forward. Since he has at least three years of big league service time, he had the right to elect free agency.</p><p>Salazar, 28 in May, came to the Nats via a waiver claim last summer. Between the Reds, Dodgers and Nationals, he has thrown 70 2/3 innings with a 5.99 ERA. Similar to Thompson, his 52.8% ground ball rate is strong but his 16% strikeout rate and 10.2% walk rate are subpar figures. Also like Thompson, he just exhausted his final option season and will be out of options going forward. He was outrighted by the Reds in 2023, which gave him the right to reject this outright assignment.</p><p>Ogasawara, now 28, just wrapped up his first season in North America. After years of pitching in Japan, he was posted for MLB clubs last winter. The Nats gave him a two-year, $3.5MM deal, plus a $700K posting fee to the Chunichi Dragons of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.</p><p>They didn’t get much from that $4.2MM investment. The lefty spent a decent chunk of the 2025 season in the minors. When in the majors, he posted a 6.98 ERA over 38 2/3 innings. His 17.3% strikeout rate, 9.8% walk rate and 36.4% ground ball rate were all subpar.</p><p>Players normally require three years of service time or a previous career outright to have the right to reject an outright assignment and elect free agency. A player coming over from Asia will sometimes have special language in their contract allowing them to circumvent standard MLB rules. Unless Ogasawara’s deal has such language, he’ll stick with the Nats as non-roster depth.</p><p>Stubbs, 29 in November, was added to the roster late in the year in emergency fashion. At the time, <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ruizke01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Keibert Ruiz</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/milladr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Drew Millas</a></strong> were both injured, leaving the Nats with <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/adamsri03.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Riley Adams</a></strong> as their only healthy catcher. Stubbs got into one game, going hitless in three at-bats. Shortly thereafter, the Nats signed <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/alfarjo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Jorge Alfaro</a></strong> and bumped Stubbs back to the minors.</p><p>Going into the winter, Stubbs was the least experienced of five catchers on the 40-man roster. He also has a 35% strikeout rate in his minor league career. The Nats bumped him off the roster and no club put in a claim. Since he has spent most of the past seven years in the minors, he should qualify for minor league free agency five days after the conclusion of the World Series.</p><p><em>Photo courtesy of Daniel Kucin Jr., Imagn Images</em></p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss></wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>4</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Keith Beauregard Won’t Return To Tigers’ Coaching Staff</title> <link>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/keith-beauregard-wont-return-to-tigers-coaching-staff.html</link> <comments>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/keith-beauregard-wont-return-to-tigers-coaching-staff.html#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Darragh McDonald]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2025 22:13:17 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Detroit Tigers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Keith Beauregard]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Michael Brdar]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/?p=871830</guid> <description><![CDATA[Hitting coach Keith Beauregard won’t be returning to the Tigers next year, reports Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. His contract ran through 2025 and he has now decided to leave to pursue new opportunities in baseball. For the past three seasons, the Tigers have had both Beauregard and Michael Brdar serving as hitting…]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hitting coach Keith Beauregard won’t be returning to the Tigers next year, reports <a target="_blank" href="https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2025/10/29/detroit-tigers-hitting-coach-keith-beauregard-staff/86961262007/">Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press</a>. His contract ran through 2025 and he has now decided to leave to pursue new opportunities in baseball.</p><p>For the past three seasons, the Tigers have had both Beauregard and Michael Brdar serving as hitting coaches. James Rowson worked alongside those two as an assistant in 2023, but he moved on and was replaced by Lance Zawadzki heading into 2024.</p><p>The Tigers were stuck in a rebuild at the time the Beauregard/Brdar duo was brought aboard. It’s always tough to parse how much credit goes to coaches or the players on the team, but for what it’s worth, Beauregard and Brdar oversaw the club as they emerged from a lengthy rebuild. The Tigers had a collective .236/.305/.382 line in 2023. That translated to a wRC+ of 89, putting them ahead of just four other clubs in the majors. The club jumped to a .234/.300/.385 line and 94 wRC+ last year, followed by a .247/.316/.413 line and 103 wRC+ in 2025.</p><p>Petzold suggests that Brdar and Zawadzki could stick around without Beauregard, but that doesn’t seem to be definite. Petzold notes that those two, like Beauregard, had contracts running through 2025. Even if they are staying, it’s unclear if the Tigers would hire someone to replace Beauregard or just let those two run the hitting department. There will be at least one other coaching change in Detroit, as it has been <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/tigers-not-bringing-back-anthony-iapoce.html">previously reported</a> that first base coach Anthony Iapoce won’t be back next year.</p><p>There is going to be a high amount of turnover on coaching staffs this offseason. There are always a few moves and this winter could crank it up because of the unusually high number of managerial changes. Ten clubs are going to begin 2026 with a different manager than they had on Opening Day 2025. New managers often make a few coaching changes, either by bringing in a few of their own guys or just by taking things in new directions.</p><p>Beauregard, 42, could look to find a new gig as that game of musical chairs plays out. He started his coaching career in the college ranks before getting hired by the Dodgers to work in the minor leagues a few years ago. Getting hired by the Tigers three years ago was his first move to a big league staff.</p><p><em>Image courtesy of Junfu Han, Imagn Images</em></p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss></wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>7</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Poll: Are The Angels More Likely To Trade Taylor Ward Or Jo Adell?</title> <link>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/poll-are-the-angels-more-likely-to-trade-taylor-ward-or-jo-adell.html</link> <comments>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/poll-are-the-angels-more-likely-to-trade-taylor-ward-or-jo-adell.html#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Nick Deeds]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2025 21:21:15 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Los Angeles Angels]]></category> <category><![CDATA[MLBTR Originals]]></category> <category><![CDATA[MLBTR Polls]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jo Adell]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Taylor Ward]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/?p=871763</guid> <description><![CDATA[After an all-too familiar losing season, even with Mike Trout playing more than he has in years, the Angels are headed into yet another offseason where they’ll be looking to pull the franchise out of its rut and finally get back into contention. This year, the Angels have highlighted two areas they hope to improve…]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>After an all-too familiar losing season, even with <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/troutmi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Mike Trout</a></strong> playing more than he has in years, the Angels are headed into yet another offseason where they’ll be looking to pull the franchise out of its rut and finally get back into contention. This year, the Angels have <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/perry-minasian-discusses-angels-offseason-plans.html">highlighted</a> two areas they hope to improve headed into 2026: center field and third base. The hot corner should be fairly straightforward to upgrade, seeing as <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/moncayo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Yoan Moncada</a></strong>’s impending free agency leaves no clear incumbent at the position outside of injured veteran <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rendoan01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Anthony Rendon</a></strong>, whose future is unclear at this point. Center field, however, will be more complicated.</p><p>That’s because the Angels already have four outfielders for the 2026 season: Trout, <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/solerjo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Jorge Soler</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/adelljo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Jo Adell</a></strong>, and <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wardta01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Taylor Ward</a></strong>. Trout moved off center field this past season in hopes of staying healthier. While he spent much of these season in a DH-only role, the club has indicated that they hope to use him in right field on a regular basis next year. That would allow Soler to reclaim his job as the club’s regular DH, which would be good news given that playing the outfield this year in deference to Trout created some injury issues for Soler throughout the season.</p><p>With Trout and Soler handling right field and DH, that leaves Adell and Ward. Adell handled center in Trout’s place this year, and the former top prospect actually had a career year as he slugged 37 homers and posted a wRC+ of 112. He graded out disastrously with the glove in center field, however, and is clearly better suited for corner outfield duty. That’s why the Angels would like to bring in a center fielder, but Ward had an excellent season in his own right as the club’s left fielder with 36 home runs and a wRC+ of 117. If the Halos are going to add a center fielder, they’ll need to solve that logjam.</p><p>Who would be better for the club to part ways with, between Ward and Adell? There’s certainly arguments on both sides of the conversation. Ward has been far more consistent throughout his career, with five straight above average seasons by wRC+ and 106 home runs in 610 games during that time. It would be tough for the club to compete next year if they subtract that sort of reliable production from a team that was already bottom-five in baseball this year by wRC+. With that said, Ward has just one year left in arbitration before he reaches free agency and is projected by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/projected-arbitration-salaries-for-2026.html">MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz</a> for a $13.7MM salary in 2026. Trading Ward would have minimal impact on the club beyond 2026 and could actually open up some space in the budget to more aggressively pursue additions to other parts of the roster.</p><p>By contrast, there’s a real chance that Adell’s season was a simple flash in the pan. This was his first season of even league average production since breaking into the majors in 2020, after all. It’s entirely possible that trading Adell could be something that doesn’t come back to bite the Angels at all, and they would simply be selling (relatively) high on their former top prospect before he regresses back to the unproductive form he’s shown in prior seasons. On the other hand, however, the upside of keeping Adell is considerable. He’s still just 26 years old and remains under team control for both the 2026 and ’27 seasons while projecting for a far less onerous $5.5MM salary in next season. If Adell’s breakout this season was sustainable, trading him would hurt the Halos both in the present and in the future.</p><p>Of course, it’s possible that neither one winds up traded. The Angels could simply forgo their preferred addition of a true center fielder and install Adell at the position again next year, eschewing defense and hoping that an offseason of work on his fielding could yield better results. Another way to keep both Adell and Ward in the lineup would be trying to find a taker on Soler. If they were to move him, that would allow Ward to remain in left while Trout and Adell share right field and DH in a timeshare dictated by Trout’s health. That seems like an ideal scenario, but it’s unfortunately little more than a pipe dream. Soler is owed $13MM in 2026 and posted an 88 wRC+ with negative WAR last year, so it seems unlikely the Angels would be able to move him without eating the vast majority of his salary. The club is surely better off hoping for a rebound from Soler and trading one of Ward or Adell for actual value.</p><p>How do MLBTR readers think the Halos will approach their outfield conundrum this winter? When the team arrives at Spring Training, will Ward or Adell be penciled in as the club’s starting left fielder? Have your say in the poll below:</p><a name="pd_a_16213092"></a><div class="PDS_Poll" id="PDI_container16213092" data-settings="{"url":"\/\/secure.polldaddy.com\/p\/16213092.js"}" style="display:inline-block;"></div><div id="PD_superContainer"></div><noscript><a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/16213092">Take Our Poll</a></noscript><script type='text/javascript'>(function(d,c,j){if(!d.getElementById(j)){var pd=d.createElement(c),s;pd.id=j;pd.src='https://cdn.mlbtraderumors.com/wp-content/plugins/polldaddy/js/polldaddy-shortcode.js?ver=2';s=d.getElementsByTagName(c)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(pd,s);} else if(typeof jQuery !=='undefined')jQuery(d.body).trigger('pd-script-load');}(document,'script','pd-polldaddy-loader'));</script>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss></wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>90</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Albert Pujols, Nick Hundley, Ruben Niebla Among Finalists For Padres’ Managerial Job</title> <link>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/albert-pujols-nick-hundley-ruben-niebla-among-finalists-for-padres-managerial-job.html</link> <comments>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/albert-pujols-nick-hundley-ruben-niebla-among-finalists-for-padres-managerial-job.html#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Polishuk]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2025 19:28:56 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[San Diego Padres]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas Rangers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Albert Pujols]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Nick Hundley]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ruben Niebla]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/?p=871820</guid> <description><![CDATA[Yesterday, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the Padres were entering the finalist stages of their managerial search. In a new report today, Acee writes that the Padres are down “to no more than four finalists,” with Albert Pujols, Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla, Rangers special assistant Nick Hundley, and potentially an…]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Yesterday, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/padres-to-interview-albert-pujols-in-managerial-search.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that the Padres were entering the finalist stages of their managerial search. In <a href="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/10/29/nick-hundley-ruben-niebla-and-albert-pujols-in-running-to-be-padres-manager/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a new report today</a>, Acee writes that the Padres are down “to no more than four finalists,” with Albert Pujols, Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla, Rangers special assistant Nick Hundley, and potentially an unspecified fourth name still on the radar. A hiring is expected to be made by the end of the week.</p><p>All three of the known candidates would be first-time MLB managers, though the trio have vastly different resumes. Niebla has 25 years of experience as a pitching coach and coordinator at the Major League and minor league levels with San Diego and Cleveland, and he has drawn high praise for his work over his four seasons as the Padres’ pitching coach. Pujols (one of baseball’s all-time greats) and Hundley are longtime former players who have never managed or coached in the majors or minors, though Hundley does have some ties to San Diego in the form of seven seasons as the Padres’ catcher.</p><p>Since retiring from playing, Pujols has been a special instructor with the Angels and a manager in the Dominican Winter League, plus he’ll be managing the Dominican Republic’s World Baseball Classic team this coming spring unless he is hired for a big league job. Pujols was a candidate with the Orioles and Angels for their managerial openings this offseason, and the Halos’ gig was seemingly headed his way before <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/albert-pujols-no-longer-a-candidate-in-angels-managerial-search.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">negotiations seemed to fall apart</a> in the fairly late stages.</p><p>Hundley’s post-playing endeavors have included two seasons working for the MLB baseball operations department, and he has spent the last four seasons as a special assistant in the Rangers’ front office. The Giants approached Hundley about managerial openings in both 2023 and this very fall, but Hundley <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/nick-hundley-withdrew-from-giants-managerial-search.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">declined both times</a> for family reasons, even though this time in particular Hundley seemed to be Buster Posey’s first choice for the position. Despite Hundley’s past demurrals, the fact that he lives in San Diego naturally adds appeal to the Padres job, as managing in his hometown would allow him to more easily balance his work life and spend time with his family.</p><p>Niebla received some consideration for the Padres’ managerial gig in 2023 before Mike Shildt was hired, but his name hasn’t been publicly linked to any other managerial openings around the sport. It is relatively rare to see pitching coaches make the jump to the manager’s chair, though John Farrell, Bud Black, Roger Craig, and Bob Lemon are prominent examples of ex-pitching coaches who found success as MLB skippers. One factor potentially working against Niebla is that he is so well-regarded as a pitching coach that the Padres might just prefer to keep him in that role and look elsewhere for a manager.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss></wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>53</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Nationals Won’t Hire Miguel Cairo As Manager; Interested In Rocco Baldelli, Danny Lehmann</title> <link>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/nationals-wont-hire-miguel-cairo-as-manager-interested-in-rocco-baldelli-danny-lehmann.html</link> <comments>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/nationals-wont-hire-miguel-cairo-as-manager-interested-in-rocco-baldelli-danny-lehmann.html#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Polishuk]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:51:14 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Los Angeles Dodgers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Washington Nationals]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Danny Lehmann]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Darnell Coles]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Gerardo Parra]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Henry Blanco]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jim Hickey]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Miguel Cairo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ricky Bones]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ricky Gutierrez]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Rocco Baldelli]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/?p=871813</guid> <description><![CDATA[The Nationals’ managerial search continues to take shape, and one prominent candidate has already been eliminated from consideration. The Washington Post’s Andrew Golden reports that interim manager Miguel Cairo has been told that he won’t be the team’s full-time bench boss next season, while former Twins manger Rocco Baldelli and Dodgers bench coach Danny Lehmann…]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Nationals’ managerial search continues to take shape, and one prominent candidate has already been eliminated from consideration. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/10/29/nationals-manager-search-updates/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Washington Post’s Andrew Golden</a> reports that interim manager Miguel Cairo has been told that he won’t be the team’s full-time bench boss next season, while former Twins manger Rocco Baldelli and Dodgers bench coach Danny Lehmann have each drawn interest as possible candidates. Both Baldelli and Lehmann declined comment when asked if they’d already interviewed with the Nats.</p><p>Cairo, Brandon Hyde, and Craig Albernaz are the only three names known to have interviewed for the Washington job, and Albernaz is naturally no longer an option after the Orioles hired him as their manager. Since the Nats and most teams are pretty guarded when it comes to public information on managerial searches, it is entirely possible that other names are being considered, or have already interviewed. (As an example, Albernaz wasn’t known to be a candidate for the O’s until reports emerged that the team was on the verge of hiring him.)</p><p>Cairo was midway through his second season as Washington’s bench coach when manager Davey Martinez and president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo were fired in July. Cairo was bumped up to the interim manager role, and he posted a 29-43 record as the Nationals stumbled to a 66-96 overall record this year. This was Cairo’s second time stepping into a managerial role, as he was as acting manager for 34 games with the 2022 White Sox when Tony La Russa was absent on medical leave.</p><p>While Cairo did enough to merit at least an interview about the full-time Nats job, it always seemed more likely that new president of baseball operations Paul Toboni was going to bring in a fresh voice as the team’s next skipper. That would continue Toboni’s early trend of <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/nationals-part-ways-with-assistant-gms-eddie-longosz-mark-scialabba.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shaking things up</a> within the organization, as multiple changes have already been made within the front office, scouting and training staffs.</p><p>The shake-up will also extend to the Nationals’ coaching staff, as Golden writes that six coaches (pitching coach Jim Hickey, hitting coach Darnell Coles, first base coach Gerardo Parra, third base coach Ricky Gutierrez, bullpen coach Ricky Bones, and catching/strategy coach Henry Blanco) have been told they won’t be retained unless the new manager wants them to stay. This news doesn’t come as a large surprise, as the Nats had already given their coaches permission to explore jobs with other teams. While Cairo wasn’t specifically mentioned as also being on the way out, it can be assumed that he won’t be back in his old bench coach role.</p><p>Like Hyde, Baldelli would bring some Major League managerial experience to a Nationals team that has hit some snags in its rebuild. Baldelli posted a 527-505 record over seven seasons with the Twins, winning three AL Central crowns and (in 2023) the club’s first postseason series victory since 2002. Since that playoff triumph, however, the Twins collapsed down the stretch in 2024 to finish with an 82-80 record, and things continued to spiral this year with a 70-92 record.</p><p>Baldelli was fired at season’s end, yet it is hard to entirely fault him for the Twins’ struggles given how ownership responded to the 2023 postseason by immediately cutting the payroll. At this year’s trade deadline, the club had a fire sale of both impending free agents and some controllable players, further positioning Minnesota toward a rebuild period. It seems like the league as a whole didn’t assign much blame to Baldelli for the Twins’ situation, as the ex-skipper <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/rocco-baldelli-interested-in-managing-again.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> that he’d heard from 10 teams about job openings in the wake of his dismissal, though Golden’s report is the first time Baldelli has been linked to one of the many managerial openings around baseball this fall.</p><p>Lehmann’s name recently surfaced <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/latest-on-braves-managerial-search.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in connection</a> with the Braves’ managerial vacancy, and he received interest from the White Sox in their managerial search last offseason before Chicago hired Will Venable. Lehmann spent eight years as a player in the Twins’ farm system and in independent ball from 2007-14, and has since been working with the Dodgers in such roles as an advanced video scout, a special assistant, and a game planning/communications coach. His four seasons in that coaching role led to his promotion to the bench coach job prior to the 2023 season.</p><p>The Dodgers’ ongoing postseason run could be somewhat complicating Lehmann’s candidacy, as he would have only been able to interview in between playoff rounds or on off-days within a series. It could be that Lehmann is waiting until L.A. has entirely concluded the World Series before turning his attention to managerial possibilities, though this wait may not have hurt his chances, given how the Nats, Braves, and other teams still have openings for the top dugout jobs.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss></wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>21</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>AL East Notes: Story, Flaherty, Lowe, Fairbanks</title> <link>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/al-east-notes-story-flaherty-lowe-fairbanks.html</link> <comments>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/al-east-notes-story-flaherty-lowe-fairbanks.html#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Polishuk]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2025 17:50:22 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Baltimore Orioles]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Boston Red Sox]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Chicago Cubs]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Notes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tampa Bay Rays]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Brandon Lowe]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Pete Fairbanks]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ryan Flaherty]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Trevor Story]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/?p=871797</guid> <description><![CDATA[MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam touched on an assortment of Red Sox topics in the latest edition of their Fenway Rundown podcast, including a brief mention of Trevor Story’s status as the shortstop considers an opt-out clause in his contract. Cotillo believes “the Red Sox are pretty cautiously very optimistic that” Story will be…]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam touched on an assortment of <strong>Red Sox</strong> topics in the latest edition of their <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jznb2mp8Xxs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fenway Rundown podcast</a>, including a brief mention of <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/storytr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Trevor Story</a></strong>’s status as the shortstop considers an opt-out clause in his contract. Cotillo believes “the Red Sox are pretty cautiously very optimistic that” Story will be staying with the team, and while’s plenty of grey area within that statement, it does offer some indication that Story is leaning towards declining his opt-out.</p><p>Story is owed $25MM in each of the next two seasons, plus there’s a $5MM buyout on his $25MM club option for the 2028 campaign. The Red Sox can override Story’s opt-out by guaranteeing that 2028 club option right now, but that doesn’t appear to be on the team’s radar, so the ball looks to be entirely in Story’s court. While Story’s .263/.308/.433 slash line and 25 homers over 654 plate appearances only translates to a 101 wRC+, his numbers were weighed down by a cold start to the season, as Story posted an .825 OPS over his final 429 PA.</p><p>Between this strong finish and <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/previewing-the-2025-26-free-agent-class-shortstop.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a thin free agent shortstop market</a>, there’s a case for Story to leave his $55MM guaranteed on the table and look for a bigger contract this winter. On the flip side, Story turns 33 next month, his defensive metrics were subpar, and the injury problems that plagued him in 2022-24 will be on the minds of front offices even though Story stayed pretty healthy in 2025. If Story wants to avoid the risks of another prolonged stint in free agency, staying in Boston with a contending Red Sox team certainly seems like a viable choice.</p><p>More from around the AL East…</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/ryan-flaherty-expected-to-be-in-mix-for-orioles-padres-managerial-searches.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Earlier this month</a>, Jon Heyman of the New York Post floated Cubs bench coach <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=flahery01,flaher003rya&search=Ryan+Flaherty&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Ryan Flaherty</a></strong> as a logical candidate to be part of the <strong>Orioles</strong>’ managerial search. <a href="https://www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/taking-another-look-at-the-albernaz-hire-as-orioles-manager" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko</a> reports that Flaherty did indeed interview with the O’s about the position before the club opted to hire Guardians associate manager Craig Albernaz. Any number of other names might’ve been considered by the Orioles, but Flaherty joins <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pujolal01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Albert Pujols</a></strong>, Luis Rojas, and Scott Servais as the candidates directly linked to Baltimore’s search whether in formal interviews or (<a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/orioles-interested-in-scott-servais-for-managerial-vacancy.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in Servais’ case</a>) just some interest on the club’s part. Flaherty’s six seasons as an Orioles player likely held some extra appeal for Baltimore’s front office, but his well-regarded work as a bench coach in Chicago and San Diego has put him in the running for multiple managerial vacancies. Flaherty is reportedly <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/twins-narrow-managerial-search-to-top-four-candidates.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one of the finalists</a> for the Twins’ job, and he is a candidate for both the Padres and Braves in their ongoing searches.</li><li>The <strong>Rays</strong> hold a pair of club options on <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lowebr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Brandon Lowe</a></strong> ($11.5MM) and <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fairbpe01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Pete Fairbanks</a></strong> ($11MM) for the 2026 season, and both players have expressed a desire to remain in Tampa. <a href="https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2025/10/28/brandon-lowe-pete-fairbanks-contract-option-erik-neander-kevin-cash/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times</a> explores the option decisions, noting that between the team’s offensive needs and how “the Rays typically view the bullpen as more changeable and volatile on a year-to-year basis,” Lowe seems more likely than Fairbanks to be part of the 2026 roster. This doesn’t necessarily mean that Fairbanks’ option will be declined, however, as the Rays would then lose the closer for nothing in free agency. Perhaps the most probable scenario is that Tampa Bay will pick up both options and then explore trade possibilities for either player — in Fairbanks’ case, his $11MM salary might not seem that onerous to some rival clubs in need of high-leverage bullpen help.</li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss></wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>48</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Offseason Outlook: San Diego Padres</title> <link>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/offseason-outlook-san-diego-padres-16.html</link> <comments>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/offseason-outlook-san-diego-padres-16.html#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Anthony Franco]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2025 16:05:08 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[2025-26 Offseason Outlook]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Front Office Originals]]></category> <category><![CDATA[San Diego Padres]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/?p=871664</guid> <description><![CDATA[The Padres won 90 games and made the playoffs for a second straight season. They came up short in a tightly-contested Wild Card Series against the Cubs. Manager Mike Shildt retired a few days later, sending them on the hunt for the sixth full-time skipper of A.J. Preller's tenure. That comes as they face the…]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Padres won 90 games and made the playoffs for a second straight season. They came up short in a tightly-contested Wild Card Series against the Cubs. Manager Mike Shildt retired a few days later, sending them on the hunt for the sixth full-time skipper of A.J. Preller's tenure. That comes as they face the impending free agency of two of their top starters and their closer.</p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Guaranteed Contracts</span></p><ul><li><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/machama01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Manny Machado</a></span></strong>, 3B: $301MM through 2033 (including $35MM in remaining signing bonus payments)</li><li><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tatisfe02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Fernando Tatis Jr.</a></span></strong>, RF: $286MM through 2034</li><li><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bogaexa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Xander Bogaerts</a></span></strong>, SS: $200MM through 2033</li><li><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/croneja01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Jake Cronenworth</a></span></strong>, 2B: $60MM through 2030</li><li><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pivetni01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Nick Pivetta</a></span></strong>, RHP: $51MM through 2028 (can opt out after '26 and '27)</li><li><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/darviyu01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Yu Darvish</a></span></strong>, RHP: $43MM through 2028</li><li><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/musgrjo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Joe Musgrove</a></span></strong>, RHP: $40MM through 2027</li><li><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/matsuyu01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Yuki Matsui</a></span></strong>, LHP: $19.25MM through 2028 (can opt out after '27)</li><li><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/suarero01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Robert Suarez</a></span></strong>, RHP: Can opt out of remaining two years and $16MM</li><li><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peralwa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Wandy Peralta</a></span></strong>, LHP: Can opt out of remaining two years and $8.9MM (can also opt out after '26)</li></ul><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Option Decisions</span></p><ul><li>RHP <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/suarero01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Robert Suarez</a></span></strong> can opt out of two years and $16MM</li><li>Team, RHP <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kingmi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Michael King</a></span></strong> have $15MM mutual option ($3.75MM buyout)</li><li>LHP <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peralwa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Wandy Peralta</a></span></strong> can opt out of two years and $8.9MM</li><li>Team, C <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/diazel01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Elias Díaz</a></span></strong> hold $7MM mutual option ($2MM buyout)</li><li>Team holds $6.5MM option on LF <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/laurera01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Ramón Laureano</a></span></strong></li><li>Team holds $5MM option on LHP <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=hartky01,hart--004kyl&search=Kyle+Hart&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Kyle Hart</a></span> </strong>($500K buyout)</li></ul><p>2026 guarantees (assuming only Laureano and Peralta return): $154.95MM<br />Total future commitments (assuming only Laureano and Peralta return): $1.022 billion through 2034</p><p>Arbitration-Eligible Players (service time in parentheses; <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/projected-arbitration-salaries-for-2026.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">projected salaries courtesy of MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz</a>)</p><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/morejad01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-06_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Adrian Morejon</a></strong> (5.140): $3.6MM</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/adamja01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-06_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Jason Adam</a></strong> (5.132): $6.8MM</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sheetga01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-06_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Gavin Sheets</a></strong> (4.076): $4.3MM</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/searsjp01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-06_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">JP Sears</a></strong> (3.065): $3.5MM</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/campulu01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-06_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Luis Campusano</a></strong> (3.003): $1MM</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=millema03,miller005mas&search=Mason+Miller&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-06_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Mason Miller</a></strong> (2.166): $3.4MM</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fermifr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-06_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Freddy Fermin</a></strong> (2.165): $1.8MM</li></ul><p>Non-tender candidates: Adam, Sears</p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Free Agents</span></p><ul><li><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/ceasedy01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Dylan Cease</a></span></strong>, <strong><u><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kingmi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Michael King</a></u></strong>, <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/suarero01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Robert Suarez</a></span></strong> (assuming opt out), <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/ohearry01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Ryan O'Hearn</a></span></strong>, <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/arraelu01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Luis Arraez</a></span></strong>, <strong><u><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/i/iglesjo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Jose Iglesias</a></u></strong>, <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/diazel01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Elias Díaz</a></span></strong>, <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/maldoma01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Martín Maldonado</a></span></strong> (retired), <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cortene01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-28_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Nestor Cortes</a></span></strong></li></ul><p>Every offseason in San Diego features its share of twists. This year's began within days of elimination. On October 9, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that manager Mike Shildt and president of baseball operations A.J. Preller were expected back. Two days later, Shildt informed the team he was retiring. Subsequent reporting from <a href="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/10/14/mike-shildt-left-padres-made-a-decision-to-go-home-in-part-due-to-inability-to-please-everyone/">The SDUT's Kevin Acee</a> pointed to discord between Shildt and his coaching staff.</p><p>It was the third consecutive managerial stint that ended in some measure of controversy. Jayce Tingler had seemingly lost the clubhouse by the time he was fired in 2021. Preller and Bob Melvin clashed to such an extent that the Padres allowed Melvin out of his contract during the 2023-24 offseason to take the same job with the division-rival Giants. Preller is still expected back for what'll be his 12th full season leading baseball operations. This will be his fifth managerial search and he's going into the final year of his contract. Reporting from <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6724744/2025/10/17/padres-manager-aj-preller-future/">Ken Rosenthal and Dennis Lin of The Athletic</a> pointed to some tension between Preller and CEO Erik Greupner that raises questions about whether the Padres will extend Preller or let him work on a lame duck contract.</p><p>The managerial search is well underway and could be concluded within the next few days. Acee <a href="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/10/28/albert-pujols-has-second-interview-as-padres-continue-search-for-new-manager/">wrote last night</a> that they've moved to the second round of interviews while narrowing their search to a group of finalists. Albert Pujols is the only candidate known to have gotten a second interview. Bench coach Brian Esposito and pitching coach Ruben Niebla each interviewed at least once. Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty, a former Padres staffer who appeared to be the runner-up when the position went to Shildt two years back, has also been speculated as a candidate. Obviously, the managerial hiring will shape how much of Shildt's coaching staff returns.</p><p>It'd behoove the Padres to get their manager in place within the next week or so. They always have a lot to accomplish on the roster. This year is no exception, though most of their early option decisions are straightforward.</p><p>They'll exercise their $6.5MM option on <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/laurera01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Ramón Laureano</a></strong>, who was fantastic after being acquired from the Orioles at the trade deadline. They'll buy out lefty <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=hartky01,hart--004kyl&search=Kyle+Hart&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Kyle Hart</a></strong> and backup catcher <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/diazel01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Elias Díaz</a></strong>. Closer <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/suarero01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Robert Suarez</a></strong> will opt out of the remaining two years and $16MM on his contract, while <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kingmi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Michael King</a></strong> has an easy call to decline his end of a $15MM mutual option in favor of a $3.75MM buyout.</p><div class="front-office-originals"> <img class="landing-logo" src="https://cdn.mlbtraderumors.com/wp-content/plugins/fv-traderumors-membership-landing/images/mlb/landing-logo.png" /> <h4>Unlock Subscriber-Exclusive Articles Like This One With a Trade Rumors Front Office Subscription</h4> <div class="benefit-badge"> <div class="landing-divider"></div> <div class="the-badge">BENEFITS</div> </div> <ul> <li>Access weekly subscriber-only articles by Tim Dierkes, Steve Adams, and Anthony Franco.</li> <li>Join exclusive weekly live chats with Anthony.</li> <li>Remove ads and support our writers.</li> <li>Access GM-caliber tools like our MLB Contract Tracker</li> </ul> <a href="/membership?ref=871664"></a></div>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss></wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>51</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>MLBTR Podcast: Bo Bichette’s Health, Kazuma Okamoto, And Dylan Cease’s Market</title> <link>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/mlbtr-podcast-bo-bichettes-health-kazuma-okamoto-and-dylan-ceases-market.html</link> <comments>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/mlbtr-podcast-bo-bichettes-health-kazuma-okamoto-and-dylan-ceases-market.html#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Darragh McDonald]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2025 15:15:18 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Baltimore Orioles]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Boston Red Sox]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Chicago Cubs]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Los Angeles Angels]]></category> <category><![CDATA[MLB Trade Rumors Podcast]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Nippon Professional Baseball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Toronto Blue Jays]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bo Bichette]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Craig Albernaz]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dylan Cease]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Kazuma Okamoto]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Kurt Suzuki]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/?p=871765</guid> <description><![CDATA[The latest episode of the MLB Trade Rumors Podcast is now live on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts! Make sure you subscribe as well! You can also use the player at this link to listen, if you don’t use Spotify or Apple for podcasts. This week, host Darragh McDonald is joined by Steve Adams of…]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The latest episode of the MLB Trade Rumors Podcast is now live on <a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Ts9EifYDNV2LaEaSnyTas">Spotify</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/bo-bichettes-health-kazuma-okamoto-and-dylan-ceases-market/id1679170946?i=1000734015431">Apple Podcasts</a>, and wherever you get your podcasts! Make sure you subscribe as well! You can also use the player at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2156492/episodes/18094621-bo-bichette-s-health-kazuma-okamoto-and-dylan-cease-s-market">this link</a> to listen, if you don’t use Spotify or Apple for podcasts.</p><p><iframe title="MLB Trade Rumors Podcast, Bo Bichette" src="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2156492/episodes/18094621-bo-bichette-s-health-kazuma-okamoto-and-dylan-cease-s-market?client_source=small_player&iframe=true" width="100%" height="200" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p><p>This week, host Darragh McDonald is joined by Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors to discuss…</p><ul><li>The <strong>Blue Jays</strong> getting <strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bichebo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-24_br">Bo Bichette</a></strong> back <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/blue-jays-add-bo-bichette-to-world-series-roster.html">for the World Series</a> as he is on the cusp of free agency (2:45)</li><li><strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=okamot002kaz&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-22_br">Kazuma Okamoto</a></strong> to be <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/kazuma-okamoto-to-be-posted-this-offseason.html">posted for MLB clubs</a> this offseason (10:45)</li><li>The free agent market for <strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/ceasedy01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-25_br">Dylan Cease</a></strong>, who has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/cubs-expected-to-pursue-dylan-cease-this-offseason.html">interest</a> from the <strong>Cubs</strong> (20:10)</li><li>The <strong>Orioles</strong> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/orioles-close-to-hiring-craig-albernaz-as-manager.html">hiring</a> Craig Albernaz and the <strong>Angels</strong> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/angels-hire-kurt-suzuki-as-manager.html">hiring</a> Kurt Suzuki for their managerial vacancies (34:45)</li></ul><p>Plus, we answer your questions, including…</p><ul><li>If the <strong>Blue Jays</strong> were to extend <strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bargead01.shtml">Addison Barger</a></strong>, would the <strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/butlela01.shtml">Lawrence Butler</a></strong> deal be a good comp? (40:35)</li><li>If a veteran signs a minor league deal, are they eligible to be taken in the Rule 5 draft? (44:50)</li><li>Will the <strong>Red Sox</strong> trade <strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/duranja01.shtml">Jarren Duran</a></strong>? (46:25)</li></ul><p>Check out our past episodes!</p><ul><li>The Phillies’ Outfield, <strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/skubata01.shtml">Tarik Skubal</a></strong>, And Hiring College Coaches – <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/mlbtr-podcast-the-phillies-outfield-tarik-skubal-and-hiring-college-coaches.html">listen here</a></li><li>Murakami To Be Posted This Offseason, Managerial Vacancies, And More! – <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/mlbtr-podcast-murakami-to-be-posted-this-offseason-managerial-vacancies-and-more.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listen here</a></li><li>Rockies’ Front Office Changes, Skip Schumaker, And ABS Talk – <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/mlbtr-podcast-rockies-front-office-changes-skip-schumaker-and-abs-talk.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listen here</a></li></ul><p><em>The podcast intro and outro song “So Long” is provided courtesy of the band Showoff. Check out their Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShowoffMusic/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>!</em></p><p><em>Photo courtesy of Dan Hamilton, Imagn Images</em></p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss></wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>11</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Tim Elko Undergoes Surgery To Fix Torn ACL</title> <link>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/tim-elko-undergoes-surgery-to-fix-torn-acl.html</link> <comments>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/tim-elko-undergoes-surgery-to-fix-torn-acl.html#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Polishuk]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2025 14:35:25 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Chicago White Sox]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tim Elko]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/?p=871769</guid> <description><![CDATA[The White Sox announced that first baseman Tim Elko underwent surgery Tuesday to address a torn right ACL. Elko’s projected recovery time is eight months, so he’ll miss at least half of the 2026 season. (MLB.com’s Scott Merkin was one of the Sox beat writers who passed on the news.) It’s a rough setback for…]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The White Sox announced that first baseman <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/elkoti01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Tim Elko</a></strong> underwent surgery Tuesday to address a torn right ACL. Elko’s projected recovery time is eight months, so he’ll miss at least half of the 2026 season. (<a href="https://x.com/scottmerkin/status/1983534632546046263" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MLB.com’s Scott Merkin</a> was one of the Sox beat writers who passed on the news.)</p><p>It’s a rough setback for Elko, who made his Major League debut in the form of 23 games for the White Sox this season. Elko also spent just under four weeks on Chicago’s 10-day injured list with a right knee sprain, so it seems likely that his ACL tear came in the aftermath of that knee issue, or perhaps Elko was trying to play through a tear.</p><p>This is the second right ACL tear for Elko, as he <a href="https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/ole-miss/2022/07/19/tim-elko-chicago-white-sox-mlb-draft-ole-miss-baseball/10017166002/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suffered the same injury in 2021</a> while playing college ball for Ole Miss. Rather than get immediate surgery, Elko took roughly a month off and then returned to play 21 more games for the team. Elko had played some third base and outfield as well as first base in college, but in the aftermath of his ACL tear, he has stuck just to first base and DH in pro ball.</p><p>Chicago selected Elko in the tenth round of the 2022 draft, and he worked his way up the minor league ladder with increasingly strong numbers (including a .291/.359/.525 slash line and 35 homers over 633 Triple-A plate appearances). This was enough for the White Sox to select Elko’s contract to the big league roster this year, but he was shuttled back and forth to Triple-A after making little impact in the Show. Elko hit only .134/.194/.328 with four homers in his first 72 MLB plate appearances.</p><p>The door was open for Elko (who turns 27 in December) to put himself in Chicago’s first base picture after <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vaughan01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Andrew Vaughn</a></strong> was traded to the Brewers in June, but Elko’s lack of production and subsequent knee issues scuttled his chances. Elko now faces a long road back with the second ACL rehab of his career, and the hope is that he can heal up in time to get another decent-sized look on the White Sox roster before the 2026 season is over.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss></wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>9</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>The Opener: World Series, Padres, Twins</title> <link>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/the-opener-world-series-padres-twins.html</link> <comments>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/the-opener-world-series-padres-twins.html#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Nick Deeds]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2025 13:13:02 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[The Opener]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/?p=871760</guid> <description><![CDATA[Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today: 1. Blue Jays tie the World Series: The World Series is all tied up after the Blue Jays managed to get to Shohei Ohtani, who surrendered four runs in six innings of work last night in a…]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:</p><p><strong>1. Blue Jays tie the World Series:</strong></p><p>The World Series is all tied up after the Blue Jays managed to get to <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/ohtansh01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Shohei Ohtani</a></strong>, who surrendered four runs in six innings of work last night in a 6-2 victory for the Jays. That puts the Dodgers on the back foot somewhat, as they enter Game 5 needing a win to avoid leaving their home turf on the verge of elimination. With that at stake, the Dodgers will turn to southpaw <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/snellbl01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Blake Snell</a></strong> (2.35 ERA) four his second start of the series. They’ll hope for better results than he garnered in his first start against the Jays, as he surrendered five runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out just four in his five innings of work in Game 1. Pitching opposite Snell will be right-hander <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/y/yesavtr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Trey Yesavage</a></strong> (3.21 ERA), who had a decent but abbreviated outing in Game 1 where he surrendered two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five across four innings. Tonight’s game at Dodger Stadium is scheduled to begin at 5pm local time.</p><p><strong>2. Padres enter second round of interviews in managerial search:</strong></p><p>The Padres are moving on to the next stage of their efforts to replace Mike Shildt in the dugout, per reporting <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/padres-to-interview-albert-pujols-in-managerial-search.html">yesterday</a>, as they narrow their focus to a group of finalists that includes future Hall of Famer <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pujolal01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Albert Pujols</a></strong>. It’s unclear which other candidates remain in the mix for the job, although both pitching coach Ruben Niebla and bench coach <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/esposbr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Brian Esposito</a></strong> were at least part of the first round of interviews. Special assistant (and former Mariners manager) Scott Servais, Rangers special assistant (and former Padres catcher) <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hundlni01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Nick Hundley</a></strong>, and Cubs bench coach (and former Padres bench coach) <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=flahery01,flaher003rya&search=Ryan+Flaherty&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-29_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Ryan Flaherty</a></strong> have all been connected to the position at one point or another, as well.</p><p><strong>3. Twins nearing managerial decision:</strong></p><p>While the Padres enter the final stages of their search, a decision could be on the way in Minnesota as well. <a target="_blank" href="https://nypost.com/2025/10/28/sports/albert-pujols-in-the-mix-to-be-padres-manager/">Jon Heyman of the New York Post</a> suggested last night that the Twins could decide on their new manager by the end of the week, and a quartet of finalists for the job has already been reported: Flaherty and Servais are both in the mix for that job as well alongside former Pirates manager Derek Shelton and Yankees hitting coach James Rowson. Given the overlap in candidates between the Twins’ and Padres’ searches, it’s entirely possible that one of the two clubs making their decision could spur action from the other, particularly if Servais or Flaherty is named manager by either club. Atlanta, Washington, and Colorado have all yet to decide their next manager as well, though in the case of the Rockies that process won’t get underway until a new head of baseball operations is named.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss></wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>51</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Offseason Outlook: Seattle Mariners</title> <link>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/offseason-outlook-seattle-mariners-15.html</link> <comments>https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/offseason-outlook-seattle-mariners-15.html#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Darragh McDonald]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2025 04:57:11 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[2025-26 Offseason Outlook]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Front Office Originals]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Seattle Mariners]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/?p=871343</guid> <description><![CDATA[The 2025 season was another heartbreaker for the Mariners. Thankfully, they have a lot of good things in place for the future. Guaranteed Contracts Julio Rodríguez, CF: $162MM through 2034 (deal contains complicated option structure beginning after 2028) Cal Raleigh, C: $94MM through 2030 (deal includes 2031 vesting option) Luis Castillo, RHP: $45.5MM through 2027…]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The 2025 season was another heartbreaker for the Mariners. Thankfully, they have a lot of good things in place for the future.</p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Guaranteed Contracts</span></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodriju01.shtml"><strong>Julio Rodríguez</strong></a>, CF: $162MM through 2034 (deal contains complicated option structure beginning after 2028)</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/raleica01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-24_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Cal Raleigh</a></strong>, C: $94MM through 2030 (deal includes 2031 vesting option)</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=castilu02,castilu01,castilu03,castil026lui,castil025lui,castil018lui,castil027lui&search=Luis+Castillo&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-24_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Luis Castillo</a></strong>, RHP: $45.5MM through 2027 (deal includes 2028 conditional club option/vesting option)</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/crawfjp01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-24_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">J.P. Crawford</a></strong>, SS: $11MM through 2026</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/roblevi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-24_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Víctor Robles</a></strong>, OF: $5MM through 2026 (includes $500K buyout on $9MM club option for 2027)</li></ul><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Option Decisions</span></p><ul><li>IF <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/polanjo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-24_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Jorge Polanco</a></strong> has $6MM player option with $750K buyout</li><li>Club has $7MM option for RHP <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/munozan01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-24_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Andrés Muñoz</a></strong>, plus two more club options for 2027-28</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/garvemi01.shtml">Mitch Garver</a></strong>, C/DH: $12MM mutual option with $1MM buyout</li></ul><p>2026 guarantees (assuming Polanco and Garver become free agents): $76.5MM<br />Total future commitments: $326.25MM</p><p>Arbitration-Eligible Players (service time in parentheses; <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/projected-arbitration-salaries-for-2026.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">projected salaries courtesy of MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz</a>)</p><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/thorntr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-06_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Trent Thornton</a></strong> (5.148): $2.5MM</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/arozara01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-06_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Randy Arozarena</a></strong> (5.129): $18.2MM</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gilbelo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-06_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Logan Gilbert</a></strong> (4.144): $10MM</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/speiega01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-06_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Gabe Speier</a></strong> (4.000): $1.7MM</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kirbyge01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-06_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">George Kirby</a></strong> (3.151): $5.4MM</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sauceta01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-06_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Tayler Saucedo</a></strong> (3.146): $1.1MM</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/brashma01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-06_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Matt Brash</a></strong> (3.121): $1.8MM</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/raleylu01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-06_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Luke Raley</a></strong> (3.106): $1.8MM</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/santogr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-06_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Gregory Santos</a></strong> (3.055): $800K</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=millebr04,miller005bry,miller006bry&search=Bryce+Miller&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-06_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Bryce Miller</a></strong> (2.153): $2.4MM</li></ul><p>Non-tender candidates: Thornton, Saucedo, Raley, Santos</p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Free Agents</span></p><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/suareeu01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-24_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Eugenio Suárez</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/naylojo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-24_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Josh Naylor</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/polanjo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-24_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Jorge Polanco</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/garvemi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-24_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Mitch Garver</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/ferguca01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-24_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Caleb Ferguson</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=jackslu01,jackso007luk,jackso008luk&search=Luke+Jackson&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-24_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Luke Jackson</a></strong></li></ul><p>In many ways, it was a fantastic season for the Mariners. They got a historic performance from catcher <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/raleica01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-24_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Cal Raleigh</a></strong>. They won the American League West for the first time since 2001 and made it to the ALCS for the first time since that same season.</p><p>But the dream ended there. It seemed they were on the cusp of their first World Series appearance when they went up 2-0 on the Blue Jays in the ALCS. The Jays tied the series up 2-2 but the Mariners managed to win Game 5, putting them one victory away. Seattle lost Game 6 but had a 3-1 lead in Game 7, until <strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/springe01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2025-10-24_br" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">George Springer</a></strong>'s home run put the Jays over the top.</p><p>So often in recent history, the Mariners have been a strong team but not quite strong enough. In 2021, they finished two games back of a playoff spot. They made it to the playoffs in 2022 and survived the Wild Card round, before getting swept out of the ALDS in agonizing fashion. The third game went 18 innings with the Mariners unable to score, losing 1-0 to the division-rival Astros. In both 2023 and 2024, they missed the playoffs by a single game. In a sense, 2025 was a step forward, but it was yet another case of getting so close that the final blow was all the more crushing.</p><p>Though the pain is fresh for many fans, there's a lot to feel good about in the future. The division is wide open. The Angels haven't been good in years. The A's are on the rise but still have lots of question marks. The Astros and Rangers have some veteran talent but are starting to feel a bit old and creaky, with both clubs facing budget crunches. The Seattle roster, meanwhile, is loaded with talent. A few guys are set to depart via free agency but the M's have payroll space and one of the best farm systems in baseball.</p><div class="front-office-originals"> <img class="landing-logo" src="https://cdn.mlbtraderumors.com/wp-content/plugins/fv-traderumors-membership-landing/images/mlb/landing-logo.png" /> <h4>Unlock Subscriber-Exclusive Articles Like This One With a Trade Rumors Front Office Subscription</h4> <div class="benefit-badge"> <div class="landing-divider"></div> <div class="the-badge">BENEFITS</div> </div> <ul> <li>Access weekly subscriber-only articles by Tim Dierkes, Steve Adams, and Anthony Franco.</li> <li>Join exclusive weekly live chats with Anthony.</li> <li>Remove ads and support our writers.</li> <li>Access GM-caliber tools like our MLB Contract Tracker</li> </ul> <a href="/membership?ref=871343"></a></div>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss></wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>49</slash:comments> </item> </channel></rss> 
