The Baseball Buffet for 1/6/2026

BAL claimed OF Jhonkensy Noel. According to an article by Jake Rill at MLB, the Orioles have claimed OF Jhonkensy Noel off waivers from the Guardians. The 24-year old had 13 HR in 67 games for Cleveland in 2024, though batted only .218. That average dipped to .162 in 2025, with only 6 HR in 69 games. His combined time at AAA across 2024 and 2025 produced 30 HR, 98 RBI, and a .284 average—so clearly he has minor-league pitching figured out at this point. The Orioles have a lot of players available to play RF, LF, and DH, so Noel will have to compete for a roster spot during spring training.

WAS claimed OF Joey Wiemer. According to an article by Jessica Camerato at MLB, the Nationals have claimed OF Joey Wiemer off waivers from the Giants. The 26-year old had 13 HR and 11 SB in 132 games as a rookie with the Brewers in 2023. But he only hit .204 that year, and then played more at AAA than the majors the past two seasons. Like Noel with the Orioles, Weimer joins a crowded mix of OF candidates for the Nationals, so will have to compete for a roster spot during spring training.

SP Bob Gibson - Cardinals (1960-75)

SP Pedro Martinez - Dodgers (1992-93), Expos (1994-97), Red Sox (1998-2004), Mets (2005-08), Phillies (2009)

SP Gerrit Cole - Pirates (2013-17), Astros (2018-19), Yankees (2020-24)

SP Steve Rogers - Expos (1973-85)

SP John Candelaria - Pirates (1975-85, 93), Angels (1985-87), and four other clubs

SP Zack Wheeler - Mets (2013-14, 17-19), Phillies (2020-25)

OF Carlos Lee - White Sox (1999-2004), Astros (2007-12) and three other clubs

RP Tug McGraw - Mets (1965-74), Phillies (1975-84)

1B Cecil Fielder - Tigers (1990-96), Yankees (1996-97), Angels (1998)

RP Dave Smith - Astros (1980-90)

1942: Bob Feller reports for duty in the US Navy. “Cleveland Indians pitcher Bob Feller reports to Norfolk, Virginia for duty in the United States Navy. Feller, who led the American League in victories in three previous seasons, will miss this season, as well as the 1943 and 1944 seasons before returning for nine games in 1945. Despite missing the time due to the World War II effort, Feller will lead the league in wins in 1946, 1947 and 1951, amassing 266 victories during an 18-year major league career.”

1964: Charlie Finley signs a deal to move the Athletics… to Louisville. “Charlie Finley signs a two-year pact to move the Athletics from Kansas City to Louisville, pending American League approval. He is later denied and the Athletics will stay put in Kansas City until after the 1967 season.”

1997: Phil Niekro is elected to the Hall of Fame. “Former Atlanta Braves knuckleballer Phil Niekro is elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America, becoming the 227th member of the Hall. He receives 80.34% of the vote, as former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Don Sutton falls nine votes short of election. Niekro is only the 87th player to be elected by the BBWAA.”

2009: The Yankees sign slugging 1B Mark Teixeira. “The New York Yankees finalize their deal with Mark Teixeira for $180 million over eight years, joining Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia, Derek Jeter and A.J. Burnett on the payroll-heavy Yanks.”

2010: Andre Dawson is elected to the Hall of Fame. “Andre Dawson, "The Hawk", is elected to the Hall of Fame getting 77.9% of the votes cast by the BBWAA. Dawson, the 1987 National League MVP, played 21 seasons in the majors, principally with the Montreal Expos and Chicago Cubs, hitting .279 with 438 home runs, 1,591 RBI and 314 stolen bases.”

2015: Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz, and Craig Biggio are all elected to the Hall of Fame. “The BBWAA elects four players to the Hall of Fame, one of the largest classes ever. Three dominant pitchers all make it on their first try - Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and John Smoltz - while 2B Craig Biggio makes the grade on his third attempt.”

2016: Ken Griffey Jr. is nearly unanimously elected to the Hall of Fame. “Ken Griffey, Jr. is elected to the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA with the highest percentage of votes up to that point - 99.3%. Joining him in this year's class is Mike Piazza, who makes it on his fourth attempt. Griffey is the first #1 overall draft pick to make the Hall, while Piazza is the lowest pick (62nd round).”

Hall of Famer

23-year major league career, spanning from 1939-1963 (missing 1945 for military service), spent with the Senators, Indians, and White Sox

All-Star in seven seasons, including in 1959, in his age-39 season, when he won the Cy Young Award after leading the AL in wins with a 22-10 record, to go with a 3.17 ERA

Won 20+ games five times, including leading the AL in victories with a 23-11 record in 1954

Led the AL in strikeouts twice, with 184 in 1957 and 179 in 1958

Overall had a 300-244 (.551) record, a 3.54 ERA, and a 107 ERA+

First-round draft pick (4th overall) in 2012 by the Orioles

So far has had a 13-year major league pitching career, mostly with the Orioles and Blue Jays

Has posted 10-14 wins seven times, and 200+ strikeouts three times, including leading the AL with 237 K in 2023

Has been an All-Star twice

So far has a 112-113 record, 1,954 K in 1,911 IP, a 3.81 ERA, and a 110 ERA+

12-year major league pitching career, spanning from 1944-1956, mostly with the Brooklyn Dodgers

Three-time All-Star, including in 1947 when he had a 21-12 record and a 2.67 ERA

Overall had a 88-68 (.564) record, a 3.79 ERA, and a 105 ERA+

As described at Wikipedia: "In the final game of the best-of-three 1951 National League tie-breaker series at the Polo Grounds against the crosstown rival New York Giants, Branca entered the game in relief of Don Newcombe in the bottom of the ninth inning with one out and Whitey Lockman on second base and pinch runner Clint Hartung on third base and surrendered a walk-off home run, which became known as the "Shot Heard 'Round the World" to Bobby Thomson, giving the Giants the pennant. Prior to facing Thomson, Branca had been warming up in the bullpen with Carl Erskine. Dodgers coach Clyde Sukeforth noticed that Erskine was bouncing several curveballs in the dirt and instructed manager Charlie Dressen to call on Branca—this despite Thomson having homered off Branca in Game 1."

First-round draft pick (14th overall) in 1969 by the Reds

9-year major league pitching career, spanning from 1970-1978, with the Reds and Yankees

Won 14-18 games five times

Was a key member of the Reds' 1975 and 1976 World Series Championship teams

Overall had a 109-50 (.686) record, a 3.11 ERA, and a 113 ERA+

First-round draft pick (28th overall) in 1984 by the Expos

13-year major league pitching career, spanning from 1988-2001, mostly with the Reds and Mariners, but some time spent with four other clubs

Was a member of the Reds' "Nasty Boys" bullpen in 1990, along with Randy Myers and Rob Dibble

Became the Reds primary closer in 1992, his one All-Star campaign, and posted 26 saves with a 2.99 ERA

Was very effective in the postseason, in 1990 with the Reds and during three seasons for the Mariners, posting a 1.08 ERA over 25 IP

Overall had 97 saves, 808 K in 899.1 IP, a 3.71 ERA, and a 112 ERA+

14-year major league career, spanning from 1939-1952, mostly as a catcher for the Boston Braves and Chicago White Sox

Three-time All-Star, each year from 1946-48

Not a major offensive force, he had career highs of a .304 average and 9 HR in 1947

Overall had a .264/.344/.370 slash line and a 97 OPS+

544 - Derek Jeter

534 - Lou Gehrig

449 - Bernie Williams

442 - Don Mattingly

424 - Babe Ruth

Who will win Rookie of the Year in '26? We polled baseball execs, by Jonathan Mayo at MLB, 1/5/2026

How MLB.com reporters voted for the HOF, by MLB writers, 1/5/2026

Taking stock of Dodgers' offseason moves thus far, by Brian Murphy at MLB, 1/5/2026