The Baseball Buffet for 1/20/2026

Braves sign infielder Jorge Mateo. According to an article by Mark Bowman at MLB, the Braves are signing Jorge Mateo to a 1-year deal. This doesn’t come as a huge surprise, as it was recently announced that Ha-Seong Kim is injured and is going to be sidelined until late May or early June, so signing Mateo gives the Braves another SS option while Kim works his way back.

Mateo is 30 years old and has played six years in the majors with the Padres and Orioles, with his best season being 2022 with Baltimore when he led the AL with 35 SB and had a career-high 13 HR and 63 runs. He has never hit for a high average with only a career .221 mark. In 2025 he slumped to only .177 in 42 games—though he sometimes was in games as a pinch-runner and so still managed 15 SB on the year. He has some versatility defensively, and can play SS, 2B, and all three OF spots. The Braves also traded for Mauricio Dubón this offseason, and he can essentially play every position on the field besides catcher and pitcher.

SP Greg Maddux - Cubs (1986-92, 2004-06), Braves (1993-2003)

SP Fergie Jenkins - Cubs (1966-73, 82-83), Rangers (1974-75, 78-81), Red Sox (1976-77)

SP Max Scherzer - Nationals (2015-21) and three other clubs

OF Dave Winfield - Padres (1973-80), Yankees (1981-88, 90), Indians (1995)

C Mike Piazza - Dodgers (1993-98), Mets (1998-2005), and two other clubs

RP Hoyt Wilhelm - White Sox (1963-68), Dodgers (1971-72)

SP Chuck Finley - Angels (1986-99) and two other clubs

SP Bucky Walters - Reds (1939-48), Braves (1950)

SP Jon Lester - Red Sox (2006-14) and two other clubs

SP Cliff Lee - Indians (2005-09)

SP Harry Brecheen - Cardinals (1940, 43-52), Browns (1953)

SP Jim Perry - Indians (1959-63, 74-75), Twins (1963-72), Tigers (1973)

RP John Franco - Reds (1984-89), Mets (1990-98), Astros (2005)

OF Garry Maddox - Giants (1972-75), Phillies (1975-86)

SP Bob Forsch - Cardinals (1974-88), Astros (1988-89)

1947: Josh Gibson dies from a brain tumor at only age 35. “Negro Leagues legend Josh Gibson dies from a brain tumor at the age of 35. Considered by many to be the greatest home run hitter in the history of the Negro Leagues, Gibson will eventually gain election to the Hall of Fame in 1972, when he is selected by the Special Committee on the Negro Leagues.”

1965: An eight-player trade brings Rocky Colavito back to Cleveland. “The Cleveland Indians re-acquire popular slugger Rocky Colavito from the Chicago White Sox in an eight-player, three-way trade involving the Kansas City Athletics. In the deal, the White Sox send a player to be named later (pitcher Fred Talbot) and outfielders Jim Landis and Mike Hershberger to Kansas City in exchange for Colavito. Chicago also sends catcher Cam Carreon to the Indians and receives catcher Johnny Romano, outfielder Tommy Agee and pitcher Tommy John from Cleveland. In 1960, the Indians had traded Colavito to Detroit for Harvey Kuenn, drawing the wrath of Cleveland fans.”

1966: Ted Williams is elected to the Hall of Fame. “The Baseball Writers Association of America elects former Boston Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams to the Hall of Fame. Williams, the last major league batter to hit .400, receives 282 of a possible 302 votes. He won the Triple Crown twice, the American League MVP Award twice, and produced the highest career on-base percentage of all time (.483), even though he lost five years to military service.”

1970: Lou Boudreau is elected to the Hall of Fame. “Shortstop Lou Boudreau achieves election to the Hall of Fame, receiving 232 of a possible 300 votes from the BBWAA. Boudreau led the American League eight times in fielding percentage, won a batting title, and was named AL Most Valuable Player as player-manager of the 1948 World Champion Cleveland Indians.”

18-year major league pitching career, spanning from 1954-1971, mostly with the Senators/Twins

All-Star in five seasons

Won 15+ games five times, including a 20-11 record in 1962, and then a 21-9 record with a 2.46 ERA in 1963

Led the AL in strikeouts with 221 in 1961, 206 in 1962, and 202 in 1963

Overall had a 174-170 record, a 3.63 ERA, and a 103 ERA+

15-year major league career, spanning from 1995-2009, with the Indians, Pirates, and Padres

Played a mix of all three OF positions

Two-time All-Star

Hit 35+ HR each year from 1999-2002, had 100+ RBI three times, and 100+ runs three times

Overall had 287 HR, 1,078 RBI, 1,121 runs, a .291/.400/.502 slash line, and a 137 OPS+

16-year major league career, spanning from 1985-2000, mostly with the White Sox

Was AL Rookie of the Year in 1985 after providing strong defense and hitting .273 with 9 triples and 71 runs

Three-time All-Star, and won the AL Gold Glove Award at SS in 1990

Had 20+ SB four times

Overall had 169 SB and a .264 average

Was manager of the White Sox from 2004-2011, including leading them to the World Series Championship in 2005. He also managed the Marlins in 2012.

13-year major league career, spanning from 2005-2017, mostly as a catcher for the Cubs, Rangers, and White Sox

Was an All-Star and won the NL Rookie of the Year Award in 2008 after hitting .285 with 23 HR and 86 RBI

Had some pop, hitting 17-23 HR three times

Overall had 108 HR, a .245/.330/.435 slash line, and a 102 OPS+

14-year major league pitching career, spanning from 1939-1954 (missing 1944-45 for military service), playing for the Red Sox, White Sox, and Indians

Had a 18-8 record and 2.95 ERA in 1947, then was an All-Star in 1948 with a 16-10 record and 3.56 ERA

Won 13-18 games in six seasons

Overall had a 137-103 (.571) record, a 3.62 ERA, and a 112 ERA+

361 - Starling Marte

326 - Billy Hamilton

325 - Jose Altuve

315 - Trea Turner

287 - José Ramírez

224 - Manny Machado

215 - Jose Altuve

202 - Nolan Arenado

196 - Salvador Perez

189 - DJ LeMahieu

Here are the Top 10 second base prospects for 2026, by Jim Callis at MLB, 1/19/2026

Breaking down the biggest non-Skubal trade candidates, by Mark Feinsand at MLB, 1/18/2026

Best Yankees of all time, by uniform number, by Bryan Hoch at MLB, 1/19/2026

What Does The Hall of Fame Mean?, by Joe Posnanski at JoeBlogs, 1/18/2026