The Arizona Diamondbacks might need the very best middle-infield duo in MLB, which is one thing most individuals outdoors of their fanbase most likely aren’t conscious of. Mike Hazen didn’t disagree once I instructed as a lot to him in Las Vegas.
“We’ve all the time handled that,” the D-Backs basic supervisor replied. “We play on the West Coast — we play late for the East Coast — and we’re not on nationwide TV lots, so it comes with the territory. However yeah, [Geraldo] Perdomo most likely had a top-five season in all of baseball this 12 months, and [Ketel] Marte does it yearly. With these two guys, together with [Corbin] Carroll, I believe we’ve three of the highest 25-30 guys in all of baseball.”
That was definitely the case in 2025. Carroll, the membership’s right-fielder, ranked seventh-best in MLB with 6.5 WAR, whereas the keystone mixture got here in at fifth-best (Perdomo at 7.1) and Twenty fourth-best (Marte at 4.6) respectively. Productive bats have been a giant purpose for that. Carroll put up a 139 wRC+, Perdomo was a tick beneath at 138, and Marte was fourth-highest within the senior circuit at 145.
How lengthy Arizona’s center infield will stay intact is at present in query. Rumors that Marte — on faucet to realize 10-5 rights within the coming season — may very well be traded have been circulating, and whereas Hazen has reportedly mentioned that shifting the 32-year-old second baseman is “principally unlikely,” he has additionally acknowledged a have to take heed to affords. Howe lots of these he has acquired thus far is unknown, however given Marte’s résumé — the three-time All-Star has a 140 wRC+ and 15.3 WAR over the previous three seasons — the return could be noteworthy.
As for Perdomo, he not too long ago celebrated his twenty sixth birthday and is below crew management by way of 2030, so he appears a close to lock to stay a Snake for the foreseeable future. Who could be the shortstop’s double-play accomplice if/when Marte goes elsewhere? Trying farther down the highway, the reply could be Kayson Cunningham. Drafted 18th total this 12 months out of San Antonio’s Woman Chicken Johnson Excessive College, the 19-year-old infielder is at present No. 70 on The Board with a 55 FV.
“He’s a good little shortstop, however he’s going to maneuver principally to second base,” Hazen mentioned of the 5-10, 182-pound Cunningham. “He’s obtained a great bat. He can actually hit. It’s going to take him awhile, although. He’s younger.”
Which brings us to the close to time period and a 23-year-old Stanford product who at present initiatives to be on the 2026 roster in a reserve position. Drafted twelfth total in 2023, Tommy Troy cut up this previous season between Double-A and Triple-A, swatting 15 house runs, swiping 24 bases, and logging a 115 wRC+.
“He’s taking part in second base and middle,” Hazen mentioned of the 45 FV prospect. “He had a great season and shall be on the radar subsequent 12 months. Ryan Waldschmidt, the child we obtained from [the University of] Kentucky, may also be on the radar.”
Waldschmidt, an outfielder who was drafted thirty first total in 2024, has a 50 FV and is presently ranked the system’s high prospect. Does Hazen foresee room on the big-league roster for both or each of Waldschmidt and Troy?
“There isn’t any crew in baseball that may’t discover room for good gamers,” replied the D-Backs exec. “[Lourdes] Gurriel might be out for half the season. We’ll see what we do with the remainder of the place participant group.”
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RANDOM HITTER-PITCHER MATCHUPS
Troy Tulowitzki went 1 for 9 towards Craig Stammen.
Troy Glaus went 1 for 9 towards Trevor Hoffman.
Troy O’Leary went 1 for 9 towards Jason Marquis.
Robinson Canó went 1 for 9 towards Troy Patton.
Greg Vaughn went 1 for 8 towards Troy Percival.
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Trades are unusual throughout the GM Conferences, and that’s true even for the notoriously swap-heavy Mariners. However they do occur occasionally, so I requested Justin Hollander, Seattle’s second-in-command, about any offers the Jerry Dipoto-led group might need made in earlier November periods.
“We accomplished a commerce with the Rays,” recalled Hollander, who has been within the Mariners entrance workplace since 2016. “Jake Fraley and Mallex Smith have been concerned in it, if I bear in mind accurately. That might have been on the 2018 GM Conferences in [Carlsbad, California]. My final 12 months with Anaheim, we traded for Andrelton Simmons on the [2015] GM Conferences. These are the 2 that stand out. There are some small offers that occur each as soon as in awhile, however so far as larger-scale GM Conferences offers, it will be Andrelton Simmons and the [aforementioned] Mike Zunino commerce with the Rays.”
Dipoto got here to Seattle in 2015 (he’d additionally been with the Angels, and briefly the Purple Sox), first as basic supervisor, and since 2021 as president of baseball operations. What number of occasions over the previous decade have the Mariners been on the verge of a GM Conferences deal, solely to have it not occur?
“We get shut to creating trades on a regular basis,” replied Hollander. “However nothing stands out as a considerable commerce that we thought we have been going to make that fell by way of.”
Requested if he’s in any respect shocked that there aren’t extra trades consummated within the precursor to December’s Winter Conferences, Hollander mentioned that he isn’t.
“You’re attempting to get a really feel for what {the marketplace} has to supply,” he defined. “With free company simply beginning you need to weigh totally different potentialities towards one another, and attempting to type out the market 5 to seven days after [the World Series] ends may be very onerous. Having extra full info often results in higher choices.”
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Chatting with fellow scribes in Vegas, the concept got here up that the Reds and Purple Sox could be suitable commerce companions. Cincinnati has pitching depth and will use an offensive improve, whereas Boston has outfield depth and is in need of a high quality starter to fit behind Garrett Crochet. With that in thoughts, would a Jarren Duran-for-Nick Lodolo swap make sense for each side?
The previous has three seasons of crew management and is coming off of a 12 months the place he recorded 70 extra-base hits, 24 steals, and a 111 wRC+. The latter has two seasons of crew management and logged a 3.33 ERA, a 3.81 ERA, and a 24.3% strikeout charge over 156-and-two-thirds innings.
Which crew would say no this theoretical deal? A ballot I ran on Friday means that it will be the Reds, and that would very nicely be the case. Both manner, I’ve to consider that each Boston and Cincinnati would severely contemplate pulling the set off on this theoretical deal.
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A quiz:
5 of the 33 gamers with 3,000 or extra MLB hits have a final identify beginning with the letter B. Who’re they? (Bonus quiz: Which of the 5 has essentially the most house runs?)
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NEWS NOTES
Notable amongst latest teaching workers modifications is John Gibbons becoming a member of the Los Angeles Angels as Kurt Suzuki’s bench coach. The previous Toronto Blue Jays supervisor spent the previous two seasons because the New York Mets’ bench coach.
Kris Negrón is one other notable new rent. A member of the Seattle Mariners workers for the previous 4 seasons, Negrón is reportedly becoming a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates to change into Don Kelly’s bench coach.
Tom Timmermann, a right-hander who pitched for the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians throughout the 1969-1974 seasons, died this previous week at age 85. A local of Breese, Illinois, Timmermann completed his profession with a report of 35-35 with 35 saves, registering a 3.78 ERA over 548 innings. He had 27 saves for the Tigers in 1970.
Invoice Slack died on November 9 at age 92. A member of the Canadian Baseball Corridor of Fame, the Sarnia, Ontario native pitched within the Purple Sox group for 13 seasons (by no means reaching the majors) then went on to handle at totally different ranges inside the system for 17 extra seasons. He additionally managed and coached down on the farm for the Atlanta Braves.
Nominations are being accepted for the 2026 SABR Analytics Convention Analysis Awards. Extra info may be discovered right here.
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The reply to the quiz is Adrian Beltré, Craig Biggio, Wade Boggs, George Brett, and Lou Brock. Beltré has essentially the most house runs of the bunch.
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Alejandro Rosario is a promising prospect — the 23-year-old right-hander ranks third within the Texas Rangers system with a forty five FV — however he received’t be pitching for not less than one other season. I discovered as a lot once I requested Chris Younger about him in Las Vegas.
“Alejandro had an elbow damage and goes to overlook all of subsequent 12 months as he recovers,” Texas’s president of baseball operations advised me. “We’re hoping to have him again in 2027, hopefully by spring coaching of 2027.”
Younger wouldn’t disclose if Rosario has had Tommy John surgical procedure, saying solely that the 2023 fifth-round select of the College of Miami has “a typical elbow damage.”
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Washington Nationals pitchers didn’t miss many bats in 2025. The crew that new president of baseball operations Paul Toboni is inheriting completed with only a 19.9% strikeout charge, which ranked third-worst in MLB. Not surprisingly, he sees that as a problem.
“Lacking bats is sweet, so we need to miss bats,” Toboni advised me on the GM Conferences. “I believe it begins with doing a very good job of staffing out with people who can create a construction for our pitching workers, to place collectively a course of for them to take action. Create a tradition, not solely round that, however to be a giant piece of it. It’s a debate that has been solved over time, proper? It’s an essential factor to do, so we’re going to need to do it.”
Shortly after I talked to Toboni it was introduced that the Nationals have employed Simon Mathews away from the Cincinnati Reds to be their new pitching coach. The 30-year-old former Los Angeles Angels prospect replaces 64-year-old Jim Hickey.
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FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The Australian Baseball League season obtained underway this week with the Sydney Blue Sox wanting particularly formidable. The crew based mostly within the capital of New South Wales beat the Brisbane Bandits by scores of 8-1 and 18-5. Erstwhile Baltimore Orioles left-hander Alex Wells was the successful pitcher within the opener, whereas Miami Marlins prospect Eric Rataczak homered within the second-game rout. Additionally going deep for the Blue Sox was 18-year-old catcher Joshua Nati.
Chicago White Sox prospect Drake Logan homered twice for the Perth Warmth of their 13-0 season-opening with over the Adelaide Giants. The 25-year-old outfielder performed at three ranges this season, with 11 of his video games coming at Triple-A Charlotte.
Kazuo Ohno has made two appearances and allowed three hits and one run over eight-and-two-thirds innings for the Puerto Rican Winter League’s Gigantes de Carolina. The 21-year-old southpaw made his NPB debut with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks this season, however pitched primarily with their high farm membership.
Jadher Areinamo is slashing .326/.375/.651 with seven house runs in 96 plate appearances for the Venezuelan Winter League’s Tiburones de La Guaira. Acquired by Tampa Bay from Milwaukee this summer season as a part of the Danny Jansen deal, the 21-year-old center infielder is No. 17 in our Rays rankings with a 40+ FV.
Japan outscored South Korea 11-4 yesterday to win the primary of two exhibition video games in Seoul. A 3-run pinch-hit house run by Tokyo Yomiuri Giants catcher Yukinori Kishida broke a 3-3 fifth-inning impasse.
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Plenty of baseball followers know that Warren Spahn completed his Corridor of Fame profession with 363 wins and 363 base hits. Not as well-known, and much more outstanding, is the distribution.
Spahn had 356 wins with the Braves, 4 with the Mets, and three with the Giants
Spahn had 356 hits with the Braves, 4 with the Mets, and three with the Giants.
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A random obscure former participant snapshot:
Ollie Welf isn’t as well-known as Moonlight Graham, however his profession was strikingly comparable. A pitcher/outfielder by commerce, Welf appeared in only one big-league sport, with the Cleveland Indians on August 30, 1916. He wasn’t on the sphere for lengthy. The Ohio State College product pinch-ran with two out within the ninth inning and the following batter was retired to finish the competition.
His minor-league tenure was lengthier, albeit nonetheless comparatively transient. Welf performed 4 seasons down on the farm, all of them within the Class D Cotton State League. He suited up for the Greenwood Chauffeurs, Meridian White Ribbons, Meridian Metropolitans, and Hattiesburg Timberjacks/Columbus Pleasure Riders.
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FARM NOTES
The Shock Saguaros received the Arizona Fall League championship sport on Friday night time, scoring seven occasions within the eighth inning to beat the Peoria Javelinas 9-4. A two-run single by 22-year-old Cleveland Guardians infield prospect Juan Benjamin plated the decisive tallies.
Esmerlyn Valdez was named the AFL’s Offensive Participant of the 12 months. The 21-year-old outfielder/first baseman within the Pittsburgh Pirates system led the circuit in house runs (8) and slugging share (.842). Considerably surprisingly, the respect didn’t go to Max Anderson, who led in batting common (.447), OBP (.609), and OPS (1,417). The 23-year-old Detroit Tigers infield prospect topped Valdez by a large margin within the first two of these classes.
James Hicks took house Pitcher of the 12 months honors within the hitter-friendly league. The 24-year-old right-hander within the Houston Astros group allowed simply six hits and a pair of walks over 14 scoreless innings. He fanned 19 batters.
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Alfredo Duno didn’t have a great AFL season from a statistical standpoint. The 19-year-old backstop slashed simply .213/.356/.298 over 59 plate appearances. Even so, the Miranda, Venezuela native initiatives to have a rosy future.
“He’s tremendous proficient,” Cincinnati Reds GM Brad Meador mentioned of the group’s top-rated prospect. “He can actually hit. He has massive energy. We really feel that he has an opportunity to be a middle-of-the-lineup hitter who will do harm. The main focus for him is behind the plate, for him to proceed creating defensively. The bat will transfer sooner than the protection.
“He’s very athletic for a catcher, particularly for as massive as he’s (Duno is listed at 6-foot-2, 210 kilos), added Meador. “He strikes nicely. We simply should hold creating him behind the plate. Is he a catcher long run? He definitely desires to be, and he places within the work. We expect he has the flexibility, so we’ll see the way it performs out.”
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Cam Collier had a stable 2025 season with the bat. The No. 6 prospect within the Reds system slashed .279/.391/.384 with a 124 wRC+ whereas taking part in at three ranges, primarily in Double-A. Which pitcher did he face that had him strolling out of the field considering, “Man, this dude is de facto nasty?”
“It must be Thomas White,” Collier mentioned of the 21-year-old (as of late September) left-hander within the Miami Marlins group. “Man, he has an awesome future. For a younger man, that dude may spot the ball the place he wished to, and at premium velocity. He’s only a dominant pitcher.”
White had a 2.31 ERA, a 2.27 ERA, and a 38.6% strikeout charge over 89-and-two-thirds innings throughout three ranges, topping out in Triple-A. He’s at present No. 18 on The Board with a 55 FV.
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LINKS YOU’LL LIKE
Who’re the highest defensive gamers in free company? Mark Simon answered that query at Sports activities Data Options.
MLB.com’s Thomas Harding wrote about how Paul DePodesta is already digging in on enhance the Rockies’ popularity.
At The Chicago Solar-Instances, Maddie Lee wrote about how the Cubs don’t have many participant contract commitments previous 2026, and what that would imply going ahead.
Duane Kuiper is insulted by Joe Maddon feeling insulted, and Sean Keane wrote about it at McCovey Chronicles.
The Athletic’s Evan Drellich wrote about how, after a pitch-betting scheme, MLB crew execs know that they face an issue — however don’t know repair it.
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RANDOM FACTS AND STATS
The Arizona Diamondbacks had 64 sacrifice flies this 12 months, essentially the most within the majors.
The Pittsburgh Pirates had 32 sacrifice flies this 12 months, the fewest within the majors.
The Miami Marlins allowed 191 stolen bases, essentially the most within the majors.
The Kansas Metropolis Royals allowed 47 stolen bases, the fewest within the majors.
Tony Oliva had 40.7 WAR, 220 house runs, and a 129 wRC+.
Don Mattingly had 40.7 WAR, 222 house runs, and a 124 wRC+.
George Springer has 40.6 WAR, 293 house runs, and a 130 wRC+.
Bobby Richardson was named an All-Star in seven of his 9 full seasons with the New York Yankees. The slick-fielding shortstop completed his profession with 6.3 WAR and a 78 wRC+ whereas slashing .266/.299/.335 in regular-season play. He slashed .305/.331/.405 over 138 plate appearances within the World Collection.
On in the present day’s date in 1950, the Pittsburgh Pirates chosen Dale Lengthy from the Yankees within the Rule 5 draft. The lefty first baseman went on to set a since-equalled major-league report by homering in eight consecutive video games in 1956. Then with the Pirates, he would later change into one of many few left-handed throwers to catch in an MLB sport. Lengthy did so twice with the Chicago Cubs in 1958.
The Pacific Coast League’s Mission Reds signed Increase-Increase Beck on in the present day’s date in 1934. The fitting-hander, who had been pitching for the Brooklyn Dodgers, proceeded to go 52-61 with a 4.04 ERA over three seasons with the PCL membership. Beck later returned to MLB and had thrown greater than 3,900 skilled innings by the point he completed his profession with the Toledo Mud Hens in 1950.
Gamers born on in the present day’s date embody Herb Washington, whose MLB profession comprised 105 appearances for the Oakland Athletics, all as a pinch-runner, throughout the 1974-1975 seasons. A world-class sprinter with little earlier baseball expertise, the Michigan State College product scored 33 runs and was 31-for-48 in stolen base makes an attempt.
Additionally born on in the present day’s date was Glenn Burke, who holds the excellence of being the primary MLB participant to come back out to as homosexual. An outfielder who performed in 225 video games for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland Athletics from 1976-1979, Together with Dusty Baker, Burke is credited with inventing the excessive 5.