Happy Monday, everyone, and happy start of Winter Meetings. There’s certain to be plenty of news (and plenty of outrageous Scott Boras quotes) to keep us occupied this week, but before things get underway,
we will check in on what to expect and what storylines to watch. In addition, we’ll take a look at the votes that came out of the Era Committee ballot, and how Jeff Kent is the only name on the list to have made it to Cooperstown.
We’re just going to jump right into it to get your week started.
- Jay Jaffe has moved on to the regular 2026 Hall of Fame ballot and makes his case for Mark Buehrle.
- Mark Feinsand shares the top five stories to watch as Winter Meetings get started.
- Each team’s biggest need heading into Winter Meetings. (MLB)
- Ken Rosenthal shares what he’s hearing as Winter Meetings get started. (The Athletic subscription required)
- Jorge Castillo reports that Devin Williams isn’t worried about potentially sharing bullpen roles with Edwin Diaz.
- Only one player made the cut of the Era Committee Hall of Fame vote, and it’s Jeff Kent.
- Bryan Hoch looks into all the voting in the Era Committee vote.
- Michael Baumann wonders if the Rays have a real plan for Cedric Mullins.
- Manny Randhawa looks at some free agents who could jump to division rivals over the offseason.
- FBI documents show that MLB’s investigation into Pete Rose began earlier than previously revealed. Story by Michael Rothstein and William Weinbaum.
- Sam Blum reports that Derek Bender, who was suspended for giving away his team’s pitches, has been reinstated. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- MLB did a Spotify-style breakdown of the 2025 season.
- Ricardo Montes de Oca reports that Vladimir Guerrero Jr enlisted the help of some famous friends to host a celebrity softball game.
- Tom Dierberger shares that the Twins don’t seem inclined to trade Byron Buxton or others this offseason.
- Tom Hicks, former owner of the Texas Rangers, has passed away. (AP)
- Freddie Freeman and Ryan Reynolds teamed up to raise money for sick kids.
And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster. Make it so.
