The Rundown Ultralite: Sox Strike Again, Mets Trade Another Former All-Star, Cubs Have Biggest Velo Drop in MiLB
This can be a really tricky time of year for some folks, as the traditional joyful nature of the holiday season isn’t experienced the same way by everyone. I found myself having a minor existential crisis yesterday just thinking about what I would do with my time over the next several days. My hope for all of you is that you’re able to spend time with family and friends, even if that comes in the form of the parasocial relationships we develop here and through social media.
I’d like to think some of y’all feel like you’ve gotten to know me over the years through what I reveal in my writing, and that’s by design. This place has never been about merely breaking down data or reporting news and rumors; it’s about sharing information within the context of our shared fandom. Thanks for giving me an opportunity to unburden myself from time to time.
With that out of the way, I’m just going to bullet out a few topics. Circling the drain on 2025 means there’s not a whole lot going out around the league.
News and Notes
- After trading Brandon Nimmo for Marcus Semien earlier in the month, the Mets continued their roster restructure by sending the versatile Jeff McNeil to the A’s. McNeil, who underwent a thoracic outlet procedure at the end of the season, is expected to be ready for the 2026 season and will probably play either second or third. I’m skeptical of his ability to bounce back so quickly from anything TOS related, but playing second means he won’t need full arm strength.
- The White Sox kept adding on Tuesday, signing lefty Sean Newcomb to a one-year, $4.5 million deal. Cubs fans may remember Newcomb posting a 9.13 ERA on the North Side over 17 appearances in 2022, since which he’s had a hard time sticking at the MLB level. The 32-year-old figured something out last season after serving as an injury replacement in Boston’s rotation, eventually finishing the season with the A’s and posting a 2.73 ERA over 48 total appearances.
- Former Cubs and White Sox reliever Codi Heuer signed a minor league deal with the Guardians. He looked like a promising bullpen option for the Cubs after coming over with Nick Madrigal in the Craig Kimbrel trade back in 2021, but a series of injuries kept him out of MLB for nearly four years. Heuer didn’t pitch at all in 2022 or ’24, and he logged just 4.2 innings over three appearances for the Rangers and Tigers last year. His fastball and slider velocity were down significantly, but he won’t turn 30 until July and could still have some gas in the tank.
- Rob Refsnyder, who looked like a perfect short-side platoon option for the Cubs, agreed to a deal with the Mariners. If he was ever on the radar, the surprise Tyler Austin signing pushed him out of contention for a bench bat role.
- As Lance Brozdowski noted, Cubs minor league pitchers lost the most velocity in the minors (0.9 mph) from 2023-25. No other team lost more than 0.4 mph, so the Cubs are way behind. Some of that is linked to them prioritizing cut fastballs, which can yield success, but their K/BB numbers have dropped as well. Time for Tyler Zombro to get to work.
- The Cardinals and Red Sox might be making yet another deal after swapping Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras for a handful of pitchers. Per a report from Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, the teams have engaged in trade talks that would see Brendan Donovan heading to Boston.
- Later in the same report is a note that the Red Sox have “quietly shopped” righty Brayan Bello.
- The Cubs are in play for Japanese utility infielder Kazuma Okamoto, whose posting window closes on January 4.
That’s all for now as I prepare to shift into neutral for a few days. I’ll pop up if something newsworthy happens, but I’m going to try to enjoy a little free time while I have the chance.
