The Baseball Buffet for 12/4/2025

TBR signs OF Cedric Mullins. According to an article by MLB’s Brian Murphy and Adam Berry, sources have confirmed Cedric Mullins is signing a one-year deal for $7 million with the Tampa Bay Rays. Mullins is 31 and had a career-low .216 batting average last year playing for the Orioles and Mets. He did however provide his typical combo of power and speed, with 17 HR and 22 SB in 133 games. To me this signing is a little surprising because, as Murphy and Berry note, the Rays already have a lot of outfielders:

“Tampa Bay could pair the left-handed-hitting Mullins in center with right-handed-hitting Jonny DeLuca, who missed nearly all of last season due to injuries. The Rays also have lefty-hitting corner outfielders Josh Lowe, Jake Fraley and Chandler Simpson; switch-hitter Jake Mangum; and two outfielders who could play the infield in Richie Palacios and Ryan Vilade.”

LAD re-signs infielder Miguel Rojas. According to an article by MLB’s Sonja Chen, the Dodgers are re-signing Miguel Rojas to a one-year, $5.5 million deal. Rojas of course hit the game-tying HR in the ninth inning of game seven of this year’s World Series. He will turn 37 in February, and has said 2026 will be his final season. He will presumably reprise his backup, utility infielder role which saw him play a mix of 2B, 3B, and SS last season.

CIN re-signs closer Emilio Pagán. According to an article by MLB’s Jason Foster and Mark Sheldon, the Reds are re-signing closer Emilio Pagán for two years and $20 million (though Pagán could opt out after 2026). Now 34, Pagán last year had one of his best seasons ever, and certainly his highest save total ever with 34. He posted 81 strikeouts in 68.2 IP, with a 2.88 ERA.

CHW signs pitcher Anthony Kay. According to an article by MLB’s Thomas Harrigan and Scott Merkin, another player is making an MLB comeback after spending time in Asia, as sources say LHP Anthony Kay is signing a two-year, $12 million deal. Now 30 years old, Kay spent parts of five years in the majors from 2019-2023 with the Blue Jays, Cubs, and Mets—but all of it added it up to just 85.1 IP with an unattractive 5.59 ERA. He found better success in Japan in 2024, and then did really well there in 2025 with a 1.74 ERA, a 0.981 WHIP, and 130 K in 155 IP.

The White Sox already have several young pitchers likely to be part of their rotation in 2026, including Shane Smith, Davis Martin, Sean Burke, and Jonathan Cannon. Presumably Kay will be in the mix with them and a few others during spring training for one of the final spots.

1927: Paul Waner wins NL MVP in a close vote. “Pirates OF Paul Waner noses out Frank Frisch for National League MVP honors with 72 points to 66. Rogers Hornsby, Cubs P Charlie Root, and Giants SS Travis Jackson also score high.”

1957: A big trade involving Minnie Minoso and Early Wynn. “The White Sox send fan favorite Minnie Minoso and infielder Fred Hatfield to the Indians for P Early Wynn and OF Al Smith. Wynn, coming off his first losing season, will rebound with the White Sox, topping the American League in wins and innings next season. The trade is the first for the new Indians' general manager, Frank Lane.”

1974: The Orioles trade for Ken Singleton. “In a dismal trade for Montreal, the Expos send OF Ken Singleton and P Mike Torrez to the Orioles for P Dave McNally, OF Rich Coggins, and minor league pitcher Bill Kirkpatrick. McNally and Coggins will be gone before the end of June, while Kirkpatrick will never reach the majors; meanwhile, Torrez and Singleton will both be top-notch players for another decade.”

2007: The Tigers trade for Miguel Cabrera. “The Florida Marlins and Detroit Tigers pull off a blockbuster deal. Florida sends 3B Miguel Cabrera (an All-Star in four of his five seasons) and two-time All-Star P Dontrelle Willis for prospects Cameron Maybin, Andrew Miller and Dallas Trahern. The Marlins also get Mike Rabelo, Eulogio De La Cruz and Burke Badenhop in the deal. Maybin and Miller had been Detroit's first-round picks in 2005 and 2006 respectively.”

Hall of Famer

16-year major league career, spanning from 1890-1905, mostly as a LF with the Cleveland Spiders, St. Louis Cardinals, and St. Louis Browns

Won three NL batting titles with a .405 average in 1895, .410 in 1896, and .376 in 1901. He led the NL in hits those three seasons as well.

Was a very strong run scorer, with nine seasons of 100+ runs, including pacing the NL with 160 in 1896 and 142 in 1901.

Had 25+ SB nine times

Overall had 2,850 hits, 1,720 runs, 182 triples, 389 SB, a .338/.415/.446 slash line, and a 140 OPS+

Hall of Famer

18-year major league career, spanning from 1980-1997, starting with eight years for the Cubs and the rest spread across seven different clubs

Seven-time All-Star

Led his league in saves four times, and had 25+ saves 13 times

Overall had 478 saves (ranks 3rd all-time), 1,251 K in 1,289.1 IP, a 3.03 ERA, and a 132 ERA+

15-year major league career, spanning from 1952-1966, mostly with the Tigers and Giants

Was AL Rookie of the Year in 1953 after batting .308 and leading the AL with 209 hits

Led the AL in hits three more times, and won the AL batting title with a .353 mark in 1959

Led the AL in doubles three times

All-Star in eight seasons

Started out as a SS but later switched to playing all three OF positions, and some at 3B

Overall had a .303/.357/.408 slash line and a 108 OPS+

15-year major league pitching career, spanning from 1913-1927, mostly with the New York Yankees

Won 20+ games four times, including a career high mark with a 24-14 record in 1916

Led the AL with a 2.45 ERA in 1920

Overall had a 195-150 (.565) record, a 3.09 ERA, and a 114 ERA+

So far has had a 10-year major league pitching career, including five years with the Rays, three with the Padres, one with the Giants, and now one with the Dodgers

Won the AL Cy Young Award in 2018 after posting 221 K in 180.2 IP and leading the league with a 1.89 ERA and in wins with a 21-5 record

Also won the NL Cy Young Award in 2023 with 234 K in 180 IP and a league-leading 2.25 ERA

Has missed significant time due to injuries in several seasons, but at this point is the all-time leader in strikeouts per nine innings with 11.2 (for pitchers with 1,000+ IP)

Overall has a 81-62 (.566) record, a 3.15 ERA, and a 130 ERA+

13-year major league career, spanning from 2007-2019, with six years for the Brewers and the rest spread across five other clubs

Was an All-Star in 2013 when he won a Gold Glove in CF, hit .284, and had 24 HR and 40 SB. Then was an All-Star again in 2014 when he again hit .284 and had 23 HR and 34 SB.

Overall had 145 HR, 268 SB, and a .252 career average

180 - Lee Smith

133 - Bruce Sutter

117 - Carlos Mármol

112 - Randy Myers

One burning question for each team entering Winter Meetings, by MLB writers, 12/3/2025

How 6 teams at the bottom of the standings can rise up, by Will Leitch at MLB, 12/3/2025

Here are 30 Rule 5 candidates -- one from each club, by Sam Dykstra and Jesse Borek at MLB, 12/3/2025

4 ways Yanks can fill final outfield spot, by David Adler at MLB, 12/3/2025