caulfield12

Would be surprised that Getz was even willing to trade with SD after the Cease deal. SD has Laureano in LF (if not traded) Merrill in CF and he who shall not be bed in RF. But other rumors have Laureano on a one year deal going out as part of a package for young pitching. Such as Laureano and Mason Miller for one of NY's three promising youngsters.

And what "top" prospect did they get back in return?

Yes, nobody but spotrac had a total number in the $30s. But you'd think with 6-8 teams still after him (except Dodgers), a better than expected deal would be out there soon as other options fall off the table. "That’s why MLB Trade Rumors had him at a relatively modest two-year, $18 million projection. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel didn’t even have Fairbanks listed among 40 right-handed relievers who didn’t make the cut for his top 50 free agent projections, which has to have been an error of omission. Either way, it seems like the recent run on relievers could have Fairbanks extracting a little more than expected. Initially viewed as the kind of under-the-radar option who might have fallen to the Cubs, it’s looking like the former Rays closer could get more than Jed Hoyer is comfortable paying." cubsinsider.com

Too bad he didn't hit Mayo, too. White Sox and Mets end up in a sentence together only when it involves petty JR blood feud.

What next, Cholowsky announces he's signing for only $5 million in order to help JR spread the rest of the signing pool across the draft?

Remember when we wouldn't make a trade to the Twins but helped out the Royals?

Mears was a salary dump. Collins, there were bigtime concerns about his offensive repeatability. That said, Garrett Mitchell and Perkins are kind of a black hole in terms of run production in CF.

They need more a lot more Buddhist yoga instructors. Look how much money it earned Cease. They brought in that Green Beret quality control guy and we haven't heard from him since.

"May is set to join holdovers Andre Pallante and Michael McGreevy in the rotation. May’s former teammate on the Red Sox, Richard Fitts, will likely be in the mix after coming over in the Gray trade. The Cardinals are considering converting Kyle Leahy into a starter to round out the staff." Still a really lousy rotation in StL. Are the Cubs dead?

That turned into a job for Maton. Would have to beat out Mead, though. Tough.

At least Mead has/had the minor league pedigree. Bizarre how we can't manage to get an actual outfielder from MIL, a team with 6-7 of them now.

2/$20-24 is hardly a big deal in this current climate for the big spending clubs. And not a shocker that May would choose the Cardinals over the Sox...even with attendance significantly down in StL, still a much better supported team and home environment. Plus he seems more comfortable in the NL.

We seem to love .653 ops hitting corner infielders.

Smart move.

I was very expectant/mad in 2022, 23, 24. 25. Simply irate. Certainly we will outbid the Yankees/Mets/Blue Jays/Giants. Bellinger and his agent are apparently on a private jet headed towards Chicago right now...

Anthony Kay is not even scaring anyone in the AL Central. Nor is the Rule V draft. Let's go by actual signed contract dollars and not rumors/buzz.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/mets-trade-talks-with-padres-involve-nick-pivetta-ramon-laureano-mason-miller.html Right-hander Nick Pivetta, outfielder Ramon Laureano, and star relievers Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon and Jeremiah Estrada are players of interest for New York. The Padres have shown interest in the Mets’ “young major leaguers and all of their top prospects, both pitchers and position players,” including Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat, and Jonah Tong. Btw $11 million for K.Jansen, club option

No longer considered close to be a Tier 1/1A guy. Although his declining stuff did tick back a little last season. But at least one team in the Central is trying. Bregman remains their biggest target. "The Detroit Tigers were interested in Kenley Jansen for the second offseason in a row. This time, Jansen has joined the Tigers. The Tigers signed Jansen on Saturday, Dec. 13, to a one-year contract for 2026 with a club option for 2027, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement who couldn't speak publicly because the deal is pending a physical." freep.com/sports

With Sox also in the picture for Bichette and Bregman. Considering a bid on Kyle Tucker that will come up 2-3 years and $100-125 million short. Just to say they tried and made an honest effort.

Teel isn't enough, either. Still project Wood as a Top 25-30 player in baseball and 30/30 or even possibly 40/40 guy with loads of untapped potential based on his background. You might be able to get Abrams for Teel, though.

They wouldn't have traded for Crochet without knowing they had a very good shot at extending him. Same principle with any team acquiring Skubal for JUST one season.

They don't want Booser back, too? Maybe we can get back Romy Gonzalez while the Sox are at it.

Basically, fans can only take the East Coast teams at all seriously at this juncture. That leaves the Dodgers and maybe the Mariners all alone in the West...at least until the Giants decide they're actually a large market team. Maybe the Tigers, at least until they package Skubal for prospects.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/dodgers-have-discussed-tyler-glasnow-in-trade-talks.html

1.1 fWaR is worth just $7-8 million in free agency and very little to the next Sox playoff team. If C.Montgomery Teel and S.Smith don't continue to progress and Meidroth actually leads the team, the rebuild is already in danger of flattening out before it even really gets started. Which puts all the pressure squarely on Braden and that #1 2026 pick. Otoh, Colson and Teel are 2026 All-Stars and both Schultz and Hagen come around and they could really have something. OFC the main unavoidable dilemma is adding that one key impact hitter in FA to put them over the top, in the $125-175 million contract range.