The Baseball Buffet for 12/15/2025

AZ signs SP Merrill Kelly. According to an article by Steve Gilbert at MLB, the Diamondbacks are signing RHP Merrill Kelly to a 2-year deal for $40 million. This could nearly be worded as re-signing since the 37-year old Kelly has pitched most of his seven years in the majors with Arizona, only leaving them for 10 games late in 2025 when he was dealt to Texas at the trade deadline for three minor-leaguers. Overall in 2025 he had a 3.52 ERA, 167 K in 184 IP across 32 starts.

Those numbers are consistent with his two most recent full seasons in the desert in 2022 and 2023, so even in his late 30s he should be a solid performer, possibly even their opening day starter given that Corbin Burnes won’t be back until July or later. Having signed Michael Soroka recently as well, barring any injuries or other issues during spring training, their 5-man would seem to be (in some order) Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Soroka.

1B Todd Helton - Rockies (1997-2013)

3B Scott Rolen - Phillies (1997-2002)

1B Keith Hernandez - Mets (1983-89)

OF/1B Lance Berkman - Astros (2000-10)

DH/SP Shohei Ohtani - Angels (2018-23), Dodgers (2024-25)

1B Mark Grace - Cubs (1988-2000), D-Backs (2001-03)

SP Dizzy Dean - Cardinals (1932-37)

OF/DH Nelson Cruz - Rangers (2006-13)

SP Camilo Pascual - Senators/Twins (1957-66), later Senators (1967-69)

SP Charlie Root - Cubs (1935941)

SP Mel Parnell - Red Sox (1947-56)

3B/LF Kris Bryant - Cubs (2015-21)

SP Denny McLain - Tigers (1965-70)

1900: The Giants acquire a young Christy Mathewson. “Amos Rusie, out for the past two years with arm problems, is traded to the Reds by the Giants for young Christy Mathewson. Though only 30, Rusie, a future Hall of Fame pitcher, will not have the ability that brought him eight straight 20-game seasons, and he will not add to the 245 wins he collected in nine seasons. Appearing in just three games next season, he will finish with an 0-1 record. Mathewson, 0-3 with the Giants but 20-2 with Norfolk (Virginia League), is much coveted by Cincinnati owner John T. Brush, who is currently negotiating to buy control of the Giants from the unscrupulous Andrew Freedman. Before he takes over, Brush wants Mathewson in place as a Giants starter, rather than the ‘pitched out’ Rusie.”

1920: The Yankees and Red Sox make a big trade. “The Yankees' Ed Barrow pries future Hall of Fame P Waite Hoyt, C Wally Schang, lefty Harry Harper, and IF Mike McNally from his former Boston team in exchange for 2B Del Pratt, C Muddy Ruel, P Hank Thormahlen, OF Sammy Vick, and cash.”

1923: The Philadelphia Athletics acquire Al Simmons. “Al Szymanski, 21, who signed with his hometown Milwaukee club in the spring and was farmed out to Shreveport, is traded. Connie Mack secured the rights to his contract while he was at Shreveport; at the end of the season he reported to Milwaukee and hit .398 in 24 games. Scorekeepers change his name to Al Simmons. The A's send IF Heinie Scheer and outfielders Wid Matthews and Frank "Beauty" McGowan to Milwaukee for the Simmons sleeper.”

1948: The Dodgers trade away reckless Reiser. “The Dodgers trade the much-heralded, but injury-prone Pete Reiser to the Braves for outfielder Myron McCormick. The marvelously talented but reckless Reiser crashed into too many outfield walls and, according to Red Smith, was carried off on a stretcher 11 times.”

1980: Dave Winfield sets a new salary mark. “Dave Winfield (.276, 20, 87) becomes the highest-paid player in the history of sports. The former Padre signs a ten-year free agent deal with Yankees worth a record $16 million.”

First-round draft pick (23rd overall) in 1989 by the Red Sox

12-year major league career, spanning from 1991-2003, with eight years as a 1B in Boston, and two years each for the Angels and Mets

Three-time All-Star, including in 1995 when he won the AL MVP Award with a .300 average, 39 HR, and an AL-leading 126 RBI

Hit .326 the following season and had career highs with 44 HR and 143 RBI

Had 25+ HR nine times and 100+ RBI six times

Struck out a lot, with 125+ K eight times, including leading the AL with 150 K in 1995 and 191 K in 2000

Overall had 328 HR, 1,064 RBI, a .293/.383/.523 slash line, and a 132 OPS+

13-year major league career, starting a brief stint in 1942, then three years in military service, then played from 1946-1957, including time as a 1B with the Indians, White Sox, Yankees, and four other clubs

Four-time All-Star

Had 20+ HR four times, and 100+ RBI three times

Overall had 172 HR, a .268/.353/.440 slash line, and a 113 OPS+

16-year major league pitching career, spanning from 1966-1982, mostly with the Yankees, White Sox, Athletics, and Expos

Was AL Rookie of the Year in 1968 after posting a 17-12 record, 162 strikeouts, and a 2.05 ERA for the Yankees

Had a 21-16 record and 3.60 ERA for the White Sox in 1972

Became a generally effective reliever for his final five seasons

Overall had a 146-149 record and a 3.60 ERA

First-round draft pick (22nd overall) in 1992 by the Texas Rangers

12-year major league pitching career, spanning from 1994-2006, with 8 seasons for the Rangers and the rest spread across four other clubs

Led the AL in wins with a 20-7 record in 1998

Overall had a 93-81 (.534) record, a 4.68 ERA, and a 101 ERA+

521 - Ted Williams

483 - David Ortiz

452 - Carl Yastrzemski

383 - Jim Rice

379 - Dwight Evans

274 - Manny Ramirez

The pros and cons of 7 top starting pitching trade candidates, by Brian Murphy at MLB, 12/14/2025

How this year's free-agent starters succeed without high velocity, by David Adler at MLB, 12/14/2025

Meet the Dodgers' Kershaw Era All-Star squad, by Andrew Simon at MLB, 12/14/2025

1 fun holiday gift idea for fans of each MLB team, by MLB writers, 12/14/2025

5 More Forgotten Rookie Cards of Could-Be Hall of Famers, at Wax Pack Gods Newsletter, 12/14/2025