The Baseball Buffet for 2/13/2026

Few players are as versatile on the field as 34-year old Kiké Hernández. Over his 12-year career he has played 70 or more games at every position except pitcher and catcher. In 2025, he played in 92 games but jumped all over the field, appearing 15 or more times at 1B, 2B, 3B, LF… and as a pinch hitter. He also took a turn on the mound five times too.

He has some pop, with 20+ HR in both 2018 and 2021. However his career slash line is .236/.305/.403, so his main value comes from his defense and versatility. In 2025 he batted only .203, but had 10 HR and 35 RBI in 92 games.

Outlook: After having offseason elbow surgery, Hernández will begin the year on the IL, and so like reliever Evan Phillips will be an in-season re-enforcement. Where he ends up playing the most will likely be dictated by who is injured at the time of his return.

The right-handed Sewald has pitched nine years in the majors, including parts of two seasons with Arizona, but also spending time with the Mets, Mariners, and in 2025 with the Indians and Tigers.

His best two seasons came in 2022 for the Mariners when he had 20 saves and a 2.67 ERA, and then 2023 when he posted 34 saves with a 3.12 ERA overall after being traded from Seattle to Arizona at the deadline.

In 2025 he was limited by injuries and only pitched 19.2 IP in the majors and 8.2 IP in the minors.

Outlook: Sewald is one of many newcomers who will be competing for roles in the Diamondbacks’ bullpen, as Arizona has also signed Taylor Clarke and Jonathan Loáisiga, and traded for Kade Strowd. But given his late-game experience, if Sewald has a good Spring Training he could be in line for some saves in 2026.

Banda has pitched nine years in the majors, travelling around and spending time with eight different clubs.

Now 32 years old, he had a career-high 65 IP last year with the Dodgers, posting a 3.18 ERA in 71 appearances. That came after a 3.08 ERA in 49.2 IP for the Dodgers in 2024.

Outlook: Banda projects to be one of the key lefties in the Twins bullpen in 2026, along with Taylor Rogers and Kody Funderburk.

Spence has pitched two years in the majors with the Athletics, posting a 4.58 ERA over 35 appearances (24 starts) and 151.1 IP in 2024, and then a 5.10 ERA over 32 appearances (8 starts) and 84.2 IP in 2025.

Outlook: The Royals’ rotation will mostly like be (in some order): Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Kris Bubic, and Noah Cameron. But several others including Bailey Falter, Ryan Bergert, Stephen Kolek, and now Spence, will compete during camp and perhaps earn a spot if Cameron develops a sophomore jinx. If not, then Spence could either join the bullpen or start the year at AAA and be available as needs arise.

OF Mickey Mantle - Yankees (1951-68)

C Iván Rodríguez - Rangers (1991-2002, 09), Marlins (2003), Tigers (2004-08), Nationals (2010-11)

2B/OF Craig Biggio - Astros (1989-2007)

C Joe Mauer - Twins (2004-18)

OF Joe Medwick - Cardinals (1933-40), Dodgers (1940, 43)

OF Kenny Lofton - Indians (1992-2001, 07) and five other clubs

OF Reggie Smith - Red Sox (1967-73), Cardinals (1974-76)

SS Trea Turner - Nationals (2015-21), Phillies (2023-25)

OF J.D Drew - Cardinals (1999-2003), Braves (2004), Dodgers (2005-06), Red Sox (2007-11)

3B Harlond Clift - Browns (1934-39, 41-43)

SS Mark Belanger - Orioles (1966-81)

SS José Reyes - Mets (2003-11, 16-18) and three other clubs

3B Don Money - Brewers (1973-83)

OF Dom DiMaggio - Red Sox (1940-42, 46-53)

OF Rick Monday - Athletics (1967-71), Cubs (1972-76)

3B Al Rosen - Indians (1948-56)

1B Hal Trosky - Indians (1934-41), White Sox (1944, 46)

SS Dansby Swanson - Braves (2017-22), Cubs (2023-25)

OF/SS/3B Harvey Kuenn - Tigers (1954-59), Indians (1960), Giants (1961-65), Cubs (1965-66)

OF Trot Nixon - Red Sox (1996-2006)

SS Bobby Witt Jr. - Royals (2022-25)

OF Corbin Carroll - Diamondbacks (2022-25)

1920: The Negro National League gets organized. “Officials organize the Negro National League in a meeting held at the Paseo YMCA in Kansas City, Missouri. Spearheaded by league founder Rube Foster, the NNL will become the most successful of all Negro Leagues ventures and will last until the late 1940s.”

1964: Ken Hubbs dies at only 22 years old. “Chicago Cubs second baseman Ken Hubbs, named National League Rookie of the Year in 1962, dies in Provo, Utah at age 22, when the plane that he is piloting crashes.”

1974: Cool Papa Bell is elected to the Hall of Fame. “James (Cool Papa) Bell is elected to the Hall of Fame by the Special Committee on the Negro Leagues. Known for his legendary footspeed, Bell joins Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Buck Leonard and Monte Irvin, as Negro Leagues greats selected to the Hall.”

1995: The Dodgers sign Hideo Nomo. “The Los Angeles Dodgers sign Japanese pitching star Hideo Nomo to a contract that includes a $2 million signing bonus. Nomo won 78 games for the Kintetsu Buffaloes over the past four seasons. The first Japanese player in the majors in three decades, he will become the National League Rookie of the Year this year.”

2005: Barry Larkin announces his retirement. “After 19 years at shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds, Barry Larkin announces his retirement as an active player, to become special assistant to Washington Nationals general manager Jim Bowden. A 12-time All-Star, National League MVP, and three-time Gold Glove winner, Larkin spent his entire career in Cincinnati, his hometown. He will be elected to the Hall of Fame in 2012.”

2012: The Athletics sign Yoenis Cespedes. “The A's sign OF Yoenis Cespedes to a four-year contract worth $36 million, a record for a Cuban defector, outbidding at least five other teams. The signing belies some of the A's other off-season moves in which they traded established young players in return for prospects, but they see Cespedes as a future franchise player, and his outstanding rookie season will be a key contribution in the A's unexpected AL West division title.”

16-year major league career, spanning from 1966-1981, as a 3B for the Athletics and Brewers

Four-time All-Star, and came in the top-five in the AL MVP vote three times, including coming in second in 1971

Hit 20+ HR six times and 100+ RBI twice

Was a key member of the 1972-1974 Oakland Athletics World Series champions

Overall had 242 HR, 1,039 RBI, a .254/.352/.408 slash line, and a 119 OPS+

So far has had a 14-year major league pitching career, playing with the Dodgers, Marlins, Yankees, Rays, Red Sox, and Rangers

Two-time All-Star, including in 2021 with the Red Sox when he finished the year with a career-high 195 K. Was an All-Star again in 2023 with the Rangers, posting a 12-5 record and 3.63 ERA.

Injuries limited him to 22 starts for Texas in 2025, but he was excellent when on the field with a 1.73 ERA and 129 K in 130 IP

Overall so far he has a 102-84 (.548) record, a 3.89 ERA, and a 106 ERA+

15-year major league career, spanning from 1905-1919, mostly as a 1B for the Yankees, White Sox, and Reds

Had 20+ SB eleven times, with a high of 40 SB in 1910

Led the NL in 1916, while with the Reds late in his career, with a .339 average and 184 hits

Although his fielding statistics were mixed, he was widely considered a top defensive 1B of his era, and authored an instructional booklet in 1917 named “How to Play First Base.”

Overall had 363 SB, 124 triples, 980 runs, a .291/.319/.391 slash line, and a 112 OPS+

He has a complicated and controversial legacy, as he successfully challenged the reserve clause in court, but then later was accused multiple times of gambling and game-fixing. Although never convicted in court, he is widely considered one of the most corrupt players of his era. (See Wikipedia and SABR Bio)

14-year major league career, spanning from 1899-1915, mostly as a 3B with the Indians

Had career-highs in 1902 with a .340 average, 39 doubles, 11 HR, and 104 runs

Then posted a .313 average with 22 triples and 101 runs in 1903

Had 20+ SB four times

Overall had 181 SB, a .271/.317/.371 slash line, and a 108 OPS+

Everything you need to know about the new ABS Challenge System, by Anthony Castrovince at MLB, 2/12/2026

Top five starting pitchers in Pittsburgh Pirates history, by Mark Kolier at Almost Cooperstown, 2/13/2026

Baseball Misses Major Chance To Please Viewers, by Sean Millerick at Here's the Pitch: the IBWAA Newsletter, 2/13/2026