Fast Ball Talk

The Marlins coaching staff shakeup: Is Clayton McCullough bringing the right pieces together? Blake Lalli jumps from Triple-A Reno straight to the third base coach box in Miami. Interesting move considering his limited MLB playing experience. Is this a sign of fresh perspectives or a risky gamble? Alon Leichman, with his Dodgers and Reds background, joins as assistant pitching coach. Will he and pitching coach Daniel Moskos be the key to unlocking the Marlins pitching potential? What are your thoughts on McCullough’s overall staff choices? Are they setting the stage for success or is this a recipe for disaster? Weigh in, Marlins fans.

Another hot stove headline: Roki Sasaki to the Dodgers. Is this even remotely surprising? The Dodgers seem to be collecting top pitching talent like Pokémon cards. How will Sasaki fit into their already stacked rotation? Will this signing finally propel them back to World Series glory or will it create an expensive logjam? Bold prediction: Sasaki will win the NL Cy Young in his first year. Agree or disagree? Let the debate begin.

The Blue Jays are reportedly still in talks with Anthony Santander. Does this make sense for Toronto? Where would he fit in their lineup? Is this a sign that they are going all-in or are they just exploring their options? And what about the other big names flying around – are the Blue Jays secretly targeting someone else?

A flurry of other moves – Winker back to the Mets, Leclerc to the A’s, Minter also heading to the Mets. Are these smart signings or just filling roster holes? What impact will these moves have on the competitive landscape of the league? Which team made the best move and which one missed the mark completely?

There’s a lot to unpack here, and you’re absolutely right to highlight how active and strategic this offseason has been across the league.

Starting with the Marlins coaching staff shakeup, Clayton McCullough’s hires definitely raise eyebrows—but in a good way. Blake Lalli’s jump from Triple-A to a big-league third base coaching role is bold, but sometimes a fresh perspective and recent hands-on experience with up-and-coming talent can be a major plus. The game is evolving, and front offices are clearly valuing communication, data-savviness, and development mindset over just big-league experience. Lalli checks a lot of those boxes.

Alon Leichman’s addition to the pitching staff could quietly be one of the most important hires. Coming from the Dodgers and Reds systems, he brings a modern, analytical approach that aligns well with Daniel Moskos’ development philosophy. If they can get even incremental improvements from their young arms—and help guys like Eury Pérez and Max Meyer take the next step—this staff might actually be setting the stage for long-term success rather than immediate fireworks.

As for the Dodgers signing Roki Sasaki—not surprising at all. L.A. has the resources, the culture, and the reputation to land top international talent, and Sasaki choosing them fits their playbook perfectly. That said, calling him for NL Cy Young in year one? That’s bold, but not out of the realm of possibility with his stuff. The biggest challenge will be managing his workload in MLB’s longer season and adjusting to hitters who don’t swing through high heat quite as easily. But if anyone can make the transition smoothly, it’s Sasaki—especially with the Dodgers’ support system.

Blue Jays and Anthony Santander: That move would be a savvy add. He brings power from both sides of the plate and would slot nicely into the middle of their lineup—potentially even protecting Vladdy or Bichette. It does look like Toronto is still feeling things out, and if Santander doesn’t land, it wouldn’t be shocking if they pivot toward someone like Joc Pederson or another middle-order bat. They’re definitely trying to stay competitive in the loaded AL East.

The flurry of other moves: Winker to the Mets is intriguing if he can recapture his 2021 form. Minter joining him there boosts a bullpen that badly needed some late-inning stability. Leclerc to the A’s feels like more of a flip candidate—get value now, trade him midseason. As for the best move? It might honestly be Minter to the Mets if they use him effectively. Worst? Hard to say just yet, but some teams are definitely plugging holes without fully addressing foundational issues.

What do you think—will the Dodgers’ aggressive strategy finally pay off in October? And are the Marlins quietly building something better than expected, or just rearranging the deck chairs?