The Baseball Buffet for 1/30/2026

Brewers sign catcher Reese McGuire. The Brewers are signing veteran catcher Reese McGuire to a minor league deal and inviting him to Spring Training. He turns 31 in early March, and I assume is the leading candidate to backup starting catcher William Contreras. A former first-round draft pick (14th overall) by the Pirates in 2013, McGuire has played eight years in the majors, mostly in that sort of backup catcher role with the Blue Jays, White Sox, Red Sox, and then in 2025 with the Cubs where he batted .226 with a career-high 9 HR in 44 games.

Mets sign catcher Austin Barnes. According to an article by Manny Randhawa at MLB, the Mets are signing veteran catcher Austin Barnes to a minor league deal and inviting him to Spring Training. Barnes recently turned 36 years old, and has played 11 years in the majors, all with the Dodgers, generally as their backup catcher. A light hitter with a career .223 average and 35 HR in 1,757 plate appearances, he saw limited action in 2025 with a .214 average in 13 games before being released by the Dodgers in May. The Giants picked him up, but he only played in the minors before being released again in early August.

The Mets expect Francisco Alvarez to be their starting catcher, so Barnes at most would be competing with Luis Torrens during Spring Training for the backup spot, but at least provides veteran insurance should either Alvarez or Torrens get injured early on.

Padres sign pitcher Marco Gonzales. According to an article by Sonja Chen at MLB, the Padres are signing veteran LHP Marco Gonzalez to a minor league deal, with an invitation to Spring Training. The former first-round draft pick (19th overall) by the Cardinals in 2013, Gonzales has pitched 10 years in the majors with the Cardinals, Mariners, and then briefly with the Pirates in 2024. His best season came in 2019 when he had a 16-13 record and 3.99 ERA over 203 IP. He will turn 34 years old in February, and did not pitch at all in 2025.

The Padres rotation will be led by Nick Pivetta, Michael King, and Joe Musgrove who is coming back from Tommy John surgery. After that the options are Randy Vásquez, Matt Waldron, JP Sears, and Kyle Hart, so signing Gonzales gives San Diego another veteran to test out during Spring Training (along with Triston McKenzie who they also signed to a minor league deal in December.)

Rangers sign pitcher Austin Gomber. The Rangers are signing veteran left-handed pitcher Austin Gomber to a minor league contract with a invite to Spring Training. He has pitched seven years in the majors, starting out in a mixed role with the Cardinals and then the past five years as a starter with the Rockies. He struggled with a 7.49 ERA across 12 starts and 57.2 IP in 2025, so will really need to show something in camp to earn even a bullpen spot with the Rangers.

Nationals claim RP Richard Lovelady off waivers. According to an article by Jessica Camerato at MLB, the Nationals are claiming left-handed reliever Richard Lovelady of waivers from the Mets. He has pitched six years in the majors, with his time spread across six different clubs. Overall he has had a 5.35 ERA, but struggled to an 8.49 ERA in ten appearances with the Blue Jays and Mets in 2025. He did far better at AAA last year, with a 1.66 ERA over with 40 K in 38 innings. Now 30 years old, the Nats will give Lovelady a look during Spring Training and see if he can fit into their bullpen plans.

SP Roger Clemens - Red Sox (1984-96), Blue Jays (1997-98)

SP Warren Spahn - Braves (1946-64), Mets (1965), Giants (1965)

OF Roberto Clemente - Pirates (1955-72)

SS Arky Vaughan - Pirates (1932-39)

SP Zack Greinke - Dodgers (2013-15), Diamondbacks (2016-19), Astros (2019-21)

OF Sammy Sosa - Cubs (1992-2004) and two other clubs

2B Jeff Kent - Giants (1997-2002)

SP Bob Lemon - Indians (1947-58)

OF Curt Flood - Cardinals (1958-69), Senators (1971)

OF Paul O'Neill - Reds (1985-92), Yankees (1993-2001)

SP Spud Chandler - Yankees (1938-47)

1B Wally Joyner - Angels (1986-91)

OF Nick Markakis - Orioles (2006-14)

OF Dwayne Murphy - Athletics (1979-87)

SP Greg Swindell - Indians (1986-91), Astros (1993-96), Twins (1997)

1B Mike Hargrove - Rangers (1974-78), Padres (1979), Indians (1979-85)

OF Terry Puhl - Astros (1977-90)

RP Jeff Montgomery - Royals (1988-99)

3B/1B Todd Frazier - Reds (2011-15) and three other clubs

1923: The Red Sox trade pitcher Herb Pennock to the Yankees. “The Boston Red Sox continue to work on improving the New York Yankees, sending future Hall of Fame pitcher Herb Pennock, who is entering the prime of his career, to New York in exchange for infielder Norm McMillan, pitcher George Murray, outfielder Camp Skinner, and $50,000.”

1926: Rosin bags are allowed, and intentional walks will continue to be as well. “The Major League Rules Committee agrees that pitchers may have access to a rosin bag. On February 8, the American League will refuse to permit its use, but on April 28th, the league will give in and allow a rosin bag on the field, but discourage its use by players. The Committee also discusses the possible elimination of the intentional walk, a topic that has come up before, by making the pitcher throw to the batter. Calling a balk on the catcher if he steps out of his box has not eliminated the intentional walk as intended. No action is taken however.”

1948: Former pitcher Herb Pennock dies suddenly of a heart attack. “Pitcher Herb Pennock collapses and dies from a heart attack. Pennock, who was 53, had been serving as the general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies since 1944. His untimely demise will be a catalyst for his election to the Hall of Fame later this year.”

1954: The Giants and Braves do a trade involving Bobby Thomson and Johnny Antonelli. “The New York Giants trade Shot Heard 'Round the World hero Bobby Thomson and catcher Sam Calderone to the Milwaukee Braves for pitchers Johnny Antonelli and Don Liddle, infielder Billy Klaus, and $50,000 cash. Antonelli will go 21-7 and will lead the National League with a 2.30 ERA.”

1959: The Pirates acquire Burgess, Haddix, and Hoak. “The Cincinnati Redlegs trade pitcher Harvey Haddix, catcher Smoky Burgess, and infielder Don Hoak to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for third baseman Frank Thomas, infielder-outfielder Jim Pendleton, outfielder Johnny Powers, pitcher Whammy Douglas and cash. The deal will turn out to be one on the worst in Cincinnati history.”

13-year major league pitching career, spanning from 1881-1894, with eight years with Cincinnati in the AA and NL, but also spent time with six other clubs

Like many primary pitchers of the era, he pitched 400+ innings six times, and completed 468 of his 504 career starts

Had 30+ wins five times and impressive ERA marks of 1.88 and 2.19 in his first two full seasons

Overall had a 284-220 (.563) record, a 3.05 ERA, and a 117 ERA+

13-year major league career, spanning from 1965-1978, mostly with the Orioles, Braves, and Phillies

Four-time All-Star, and winner of three Gold Glove Awards at 2B

Generally had modest power with 10-18 HR four times, but had a career-year in 1973 when he slugged 43 HR with 99 RBI

Overall had 136 HR, a .261/.340/.404 slash line, and a 110 OPS+

Went on to become a long-time major league manager, including seven years for the Mets, and multiple seasons each for the Reds, Orioles, Dodgers, and Nationals. Led the Mets to their 1986 World Series Championship, and overall had a 1,372-1,071 (.562) career managing record.

8-year major league career, spanning from 1956-1963, mostly with the Dodgers and Mets

All-Star in two seasons, and won a Gold Glove Award at 2B in 1959

Had some pop, with 10+ HR five times, including highs of 22 HR in 1958 and 19 HR in 1959, along with an NL-leading 11 triples in 1959

Overall had a .259/.329/.394 slash line

13-year major league career, spanning from 1949-1961, as a 1B for the Red Sox, Tigers, White Sox, Reds, and Orioles

Had an outstanding rookie season in 1950 winning the AL Rookie of the Year Award after hitting .322 with 34 HR, and an AL-leading 144 RBI

A significant injury in 1951 impacted his performance for the rest of his career, though he did provide 97 RBI in 1952 and 96 RBI in 1953

Overall had 152 HR, a .270/.326/.432 slash line, and an even 100 OPS+

10 darkhorse candidates to be No. 1 Right Now on 2027 list, by MLB writers, 1/29/2026

The top 10 shortstops in baseball are ..., by Brian Murphy at MLB, 1/29/2026

Ramírez etched his name in Guards lore. Is HOF next?, by Tim Stebbins and Brian Murphy at MLB, 1/29/2026

These HOFers each played for only one franchise, by Andrew Simon at MLB, 1/29/2026