We aren’t long for this pre-lockout world, but that doesn’t mean we can’t discuss all the major MLB moves that happen before things go dark for a while.
Deals
Jake Bauers Signs with Boston Red Sox
Surprise Brewers hero of 2026 Jake Bauers has parlayed his success into a 4/$58m deal to go play first base for Boston. He is 31 years old and turned his career around at the perfect time. He showed out briefly at the end of 2025, then hit this season hard with an .874 OPS thanks to a ton of walks and 20+ HRs and doubles.
This is a solid amount of money for Bauers considering his age and track record. Assuming his production stays up though, it is a steal for the Red Sox at just $14.5m per season. That same steal seemed matchable for the Brewers but they apparently valued the compensatory picks they will be getting a little more. Because Milwaukee gave him a qualifying offer, Boston will forfeit a 2nd and 5th round draft selection to sign him. These picks do not go to the Brewers though. Instead, they get a pick at the end of the 1st round.
The weird thing here is that he went to Boston. They have Willson Contreras playing first already, though they have no true DH unless you count Triston Casas who is regularly hurt and only has one solid year under his belt. This could mean that there are more roster moves to come in Beantown.
Posts
