Sizzling-hot Mookie Betts continues leading off

Santander shared anti-Muslim videos following the U.S. election last week before eventually taking them down. The Blue Jays released a statement Thursday condemning all forms of hate. Most assume the Jays would like to rid themselves of Santander at this point, though he still has $49 million left on the five-year deal he signed after hitting 44 homers for the Orioles in 2024. He’s since played in just 54 games in 2025 and none in 2026 because of shoulder issues. Even if the Jays are willing to eat the contract, it makes financial sense to wait until after the lockout ends, since any missed games next season would lead to a corresponding reduction of his $16.5 million salary.

The Marlins are in the market for arms that could fill out the backend of their rotation or provide quality depth. When right, Sandoval should be able to do that, be he had very inconsistent results in his first action back from Tommy John surgery — posting a 1-7 record, 5.12 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and a 73/32 K/BB ratio across 70 1/3 innings in his 15 appearances.

Both teams met with agent Scott Boras during the general manager’s meetings to discuss the 26-year-old hurler. The Padres are also known to have expressed interest in his services. With the potential lockout looming, it doesn’t sound like Nippon Professional Baseball is going to change the posting rules at all, so any player that has been posted for MLB teams will need to sign before the lockout or return to their clubs in Japan. Expect the interest to really heat up here in the coming days.

Wagner got a $1.9 million bonus from the Orioles as the 42nd overall pick in the 2022 draft, but Baltimore gave up on him after he hit .218/.301/.339 in Double-A in 2025. The Rangers signed him in April, and he put up a much-improved .249/.337/.523 line with 21 homers in 85 games in Double-A at age 25 last season. If he can do that again in Triple-A next year, he might become a candidate for a major league bench gig.

Sasaki, the Rays’ third-round pick in 2019, hit .241/.340/.371 in 53 games for Double-A Chattanooga last season before missing the final 3 1/2 months with an injury. He’ll aim to win a spot on the Triple-A roster when minor league spring training starts.

Wereski, 28, had a 4.42 ERA in 12 starts between Double- and Triple-A after being plucked out of indy ball last season. He’s probably just Triple-A depth, but there’s the chance he’ll be needed to come up and make a start or two next season.

Kuncl will compete to retain his spot in the Triple-A Louisville pen after posting a 5.40 ERA and a 42/29 K/BB in 37 1/3 innings for the Bats last season.

The 27-year-old Nicolas was designated for assignment a week ago. He’ll enter free agency with a career 4.96 ERA and a 103/66 K/BB in 105 1/3 innings as a major leaguer.

After bouncing around quite a bit earlier in his career, Bauers is opting for some long-term security here, signing for $14.5 million per year instead of taking the $23.15 million qualifying offer from the Brewers. The Red Sox almost certainly have to move Jarren Duran now. Bauers probably will DH frequently, but he can also supplement Roman Anthony in left and Willson Contreras at first. Triston Casas also surely has to be very much available or perhaps a non-tender candidate. Boston is probably now out of the mix for Randy Arozarena and Seiya Suzuki. The Brewers can turn to Andrew Vaughn as their primary first baseman next season with Bauers gone, but they’ll probably look for a lefty complement.

Rosario was a notable name on the minor league free agent list, especially since he just turned 24 in July. He got off to a rough start last season, but that might be explained by the Twins, with a crowded Triple-A outfield, burying him in Double-A after he’d already shown plenty there in 2025. He did eventually move up and then hit .298/.350/.563 with 11 homers in 42 games in his debut for St. Paul. Overall, he has 47 homers and an .845 OPS the last two years. He should eventually see major league time as a platoon corner outfielder against left-handers.