Happy Monday, friends. We’re fast approaching Christmas, which means we’ll likely see a slower week of activity around ye olde hot stove, as things get quiet before picking up again in the new year. We’ve
still got some little news bites to keep you busy to start the week, as we mull over the White Sox unexpected signing of Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami, the new record set by Shohei Ohtani, and being gobsmacked over how much money the Dodgers paid in luxury taxes.
We’ve got all this and more, so let’s just jump right into it!
- Jay Jaffe makes a Hall of Fame case for Alex Gordon.
- James Fegan reports that the Padres have reached a deal with Korean infielder Sung-mun Song.
- 9 farm teams that have improved the most in 2025. Story by Sam Dykstra.
- The Dodgers paid HOW MUCH in luxury tax?! Story by Denny Alfonso. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- A change is coming to broadcasts for 9 MLB teams this coming season.
- Michael Baumann looks at the White Sox’s signing of Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami.
- The Red Sox have acquired Willson Contreras from the Cardinals. (MLB)
- Tim Capurso determines the remaining needs for all the National League teams.
- Ken Rosenthal shares what he’s heard about Alex Bregman and the Blue Jays, among other offseason rumors. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- This has been a long, long time coming.
- More information on the Skaggs settlement. Story by Michael Rothstein.
- Brendan Gawlowski breaks down the three-team trade between the Pirates, Astros, and Rays.
- Bryan Horowitz shares that Shohei Ohtani has set a new record for baseball card value with a $3 million card sold at auction.
- Nick Selbe puts together some offseason midterm grades to see where teams are at this point in winter.
- Cody Stavenhagen looks at the youth movement that will be leading things in Washington. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- I’d also remain anonymous if I submitted a ballot this bad. (Here’s a direct link to the BlueSky post if you are reading on Apple news)
And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster. Make it so.
