Archive for Mining the News

Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

Note: I’m still catching up on news after my time off. Some of the information is from articles just after the season ended.

American League

Blue Jays

• Instead of continuing to wear contacts, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. got laser vision correction.

“Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is doing great at his post-op visit after laser vision correction with Dr. Gabriel Lazcano,” the Laser Eye Center of Miami wrote on Instagram. “Looking forward to an MVP year and lots of home runs with his new vision.”

Guerrero has long worn contacts on the field and eyeglasses when he wasn’t playing.

When I first saw the headline, I thought Vlad had vision issues that might have been impacting his performance, but he’s just using a different method to correct his eyesight. Read the rest of this entry »

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American League

Orioles

• According to “chatter”, Coby Mayo could move to the outfield.

There’s been chatter about Mayo playing the outfield before and his late-season power could convince the team to try him there in spring training. But if there’s a shortened spring because of an expected lockout, that could dampen the team’s enthusiasm for a switch.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Note: I took some time off when the season ended. I’m catching up on the news with some of it being a week or two old.

American League

Astros

• Joey Loperfido had hip surgery.

Astros outfielder Joey Loperfido underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right hip last week to address a labral injury and hip impingement that were identified shortly after the season ended, the team announced Monday. He won’t be ready for the start of the Spring Training.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Shoki Oda is meeting with teams.

A Japanese report says the Dodgers may hold an early advantage in the pursuit of Shoki Oda, although approximately 10 Major League teams are expected to meet with the 18-year-old right-hander.

Chunichi Sports MLB reporter Taro Abe views the Dodgers as the favorites for Oda, citing the organization’s longstanding interest, Oda’s admiration for Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the possibility that he recently made contact with Dodgers officials during a trip to the United States.
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Oda reportedly traveled quietly to the United States after negotiations were permitted to begin on Oct. 7 and before meeting with teams from Nippon Professional Baseball. He attended Division Series baseball during the visit and may have had contact with Dodgers officials, according to the report.

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Meetings with MLB organizations are expected to begin this week, with the Dodgers, New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates specifically identified among the interested clubs. One source told the Japanese outlet that Oda will likely meet with approximately 10 teams.

Read the rest of this entry »

Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

There are quite a injury blurbs from MLB.com. I went through their injury report and included any report that I found interesting.

Free Agents

• Kaima Taira and Teruaki Sato are two players who could be coming over from Japan this year.

There’s also a high-velocity option from the NPB in 26-year-old Kaima Taira of the Seibu Lions. Taira is an interesting prospect, standing 5-foot-8 and checking in at 220 pounds. That bulldog frame generates a 97mph fastball that’s topped out at 100, and he reportedly has seven(!) secondary pitches to go with his heater. Taira went back to the Seibu Lions starting rotation this season after recording 31 saves with a 1.71 ERA as their closer in 2025. Meanwhile, this season as a starter, he’s gone 12-5 in 23 starts with a 1.36 ERA and 141 strikeouts in 146 innings pitched.
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While we’re talking NPB, let us not forget the Cubs’ scouting of 27-year-old slugger Teruaki Sato. After catching the attention of MLB teams with a 40-home-run season in 2025, Sato followed it up with a 39-home-run season in 2026. He also added more than 30 points to his batting average and 40 points to his on-base percentage this season, slashing .314/.391/.625. A 26-percent strikeout rate ticked up a percent from last season, but I doubt we see that crater his market if he is posted this offseason.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Overall

• Lance Brozdowski discussing eight breakouts. Twenty-four minutes well spent.

Read the rest of this entry »

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American League

Royals

• Lucas Erceg’s fastball velocity is up since returning from the minors.

But by far the biggest development was Erceg’s scoreless eighth inning. It was the first high-leverage spot for the former Royals closer since his demotion to Triple-A Omaha earlier this season for performance issues. After working on his mentality, mechanics and plan on the mound, Erceg needed just nine pitches to keep Kansas City’s one-run lead. He also hit triple digits for the first time since the 2024 ALDS.

Before the demotion to AAA, his fastball averaged 97.1 mph. Since returning, it’s averaging 99.2 mph with a 1.87 botERA (2.77 xFIP). It was a 4.38 botERA (5.41 xFIP) before that. Read the rest of this entry »

Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

American League

Angels

• At the 13:50 mark is a great discussion on adjustments several of the team’s arms are making. Read the rest of this entry »

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

• Like here with Boston, teams are adjusting their rotations daily, with some guys getting starts skipped or limited. Payoff-bound teams are bringing starters back early and letting them throw a few innings. All that to say, don’t count on pitchers “scheduled” five or more days into the future. Something will come up.

Tanner Houck and Johan Oviedo are two other injured Red Sox pitchers who might yet have roles to play in the 2026 campaign, as McCaffrey said the duo are expected to begin minor league rehab assignments before the end of next week. Houck underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2025, while Oviedo pitched in one game in March before a flexor strain sent him to the 60-day injured list.

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Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

Note: Any noted rostership rates come from the NFBC RotoWire Online Championship, the same rates we use on the FanGraphs Player Rater. For reference, these leagues are 12-team Roto leagues with 30-man rosters (2 C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, MI, CI, 5 OF, UT, 9 P) and weekly add/drops. This rate can be compared to other rostership rates found in this article.

American League

Guardians

• Slade Cecconi seems to be building up as a reliever during his rehab assignment.

RHP Slade Cecconi
Injury: Right arm fatigue
IL date: Aug. 7 (15-day IL)
Expected return: September
Status: Set for second rehab appearance with Triple-A Columbus on Aug. 30. Threw 26 pitches over one scoreless inning in first outing on Aug. 25, followed by 10 pitches in bullpen.

Both of his appearances are out of the bullpen, but he has thrown 3.2 IP. Multi-inning reliever in the making. Read the rest of this entry »