Does it feel warm here to you? We’re now into the hot stove season with MLB free agency and big offseason trades expected to happen.
The Dodgers and the Blue Jays played a World Series classic, winter meetings (Dec. 7-10) are fast approaching, and now we’re keeping track of players who may be on the move, manager comings and goings, and other buzz from around the majors.
Dec. 1
Ponce set for a big payday?
A right-handed starter who hasn’t pitched in MLB since 2021 may be set for a return and a lucrative deal.
Cody Ponce last played in the majors since 2021, but The Athletic reports that the former Pirates man could demand a multi-year deal for at least $30 million, and possibly in excess of $40 million. The previous high for a pitcher returning from South Korea was the two-year, $15 million deal that Erick Fedde signed with the Chicago White Sox prior to the 2024 season.
Ponce 17-1 with the Hanwha Eagles in the KBO last season, winninv MVP and best starting pitcher honors. He had previously spent three years in Japan which included a no-hitter in 2022. In his sole season in Pittsburgh, Ponce went 1–7 with a 5.86 ERA.
Nov. 26
Rendon, Angels Talking Buyout
Anthony Rendon is likely to retire if he and the Angels reach an agreement on a buyout deal, according to ESPN. If it comes to fruition, it will allow the Angels to move from the veteran third baseman and the seven-year, $245 million deal that never reached its lofty expectations.
Rendon has not played since the 2024 season, having missed the entirety of the 2025 campaign after hip surgery. After signing with the Angels in 2019 following his World Series triumph with the Nationals, Rendon did not play more than 58 games in any subsequent season. He had a seemingly never-ending list of injuries, coupled with his stated disinterest in actually playing baseball.
The Angels, under new manager Kurt Suzuki, will look to get financial flexibility and aim for a reset if Rendon’s contract is off the books. The team has not made the playoffs since 2014 and not won a series since 2009.
Perez and the Miami Marlins are expected to continue talks regarding a potential extension for the 22-year-old starting pitcher this offseason, per MLB.com. A former esteemed prospect in Miami’s system, Perez has flashed the ability to be a power pitcher who posts strikeouts at a high rate. The 6-foot-8 Perez made his MLB debut in 2023 but missed the 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery; he returned in 2025. Across his two seasons pitching at the MLB level, Perez has recorded a 3.71 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 106.5 strikeouts in 93.1 innings (19.5 starts) per season.
Nov. 25
Arenado’s Days in St. Louis Numbered?
Following a deal that sent pitcher Sonny Gray to the Red Sox, it seems that the Cardinals will be moving on from a big-time staple in their lineup. Eight-time All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado may be traded or released ahead of the 2026 season, according to ESPN.
Arenado has two years left on his eight-year, $260 million deal and is owed $42 million during that span. The departure of Gray (and his $20 million salary) to Boston means that the Cardinals could be looking to shave further salary in the winter. But Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom told reporters on Tuesday that a straight-up release of Arenado is “not an option.”
Skenes earns record pre-arb bonus
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes received a record $3,436,343 from this year’s pre-arbitration bonus pool, raising his two-year total to $5,588,400 under the initiative to direct more money to top younger players.
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez was second at $2,678,437, followed by Houston Astros pitcher Hunter Brown at $2,206,538, Seattle pitcher Bryan Woo at $1,540,676 and Arizona outfielder Corbin Carroll at $1,341,674, according to figures compiled by Major League Baseball and the players’ association.
Also topping $1 million were Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz at $1,297,017, Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong at $1,206,207, Athletics catcher Drake Baldwin at $1,175,583, Milwaukee second baseman Brice Turang at $1,155,884 and Tampa Bay third baseman Junior Caminero at $1,068,739.
MLB and the union agreed to the $50 million annual pool in their March 2022 labor settlement.
Nov. 23
Semien joins Mets as Rangers continue overhaul
The Texas Rangers are going to overhaul their roster and say goodbye to pieces of their 2023 World Series title team.
On Sunday, the Rangers agreed on a trade that would send Gold Glove second baseman Marcus Semien to the New York Mets in exchange for outfielder Brandon Nimmo, according to multiple media reports.
Nimmo, who is expected to waive his no-trade clause who has played all 10 of his big league seasons with the Mets, just completed the third season of the $162 million, eight-year contract he got after becoming a free agent for the first time after the 2022 season. The 32-year-old left-handed hitter is due annual salaries of $20.25 million each season through 2030, and will get an additional $1 million from the Mets for waiving the no-trade provision.
Semien has three seasons and $72 million remaining on the $175 million, seven-year contract he signed with the Rangers in December 2021. That was at the same time they, also in free agency, added World Series MVP shortstop Corey Seager on a $325 million, 10-year contract.
Nov. 21
Dodgers execs to advise Lakers front office
Shohei to Showtime? Not exactly, but the ties between the Dodgers and Lakers are further deepening.
Two key executives with the Dodgers have started advisory roles with the Lakers as part of the ownership transition from the Buss family to Mark Walter, according to ESPN. Walter already is the controlling owner of the Dodgers and will consolidate his sports holdings into his TWG Sports company. As such, Dodgers execs Farhan Zaidi and Andrew Friedman have begun to advise on the NBA franchise.
Rangers trio from ’23 title team now free agents
The Bombi era is done in Texas as Adolis Garcia was non-tendered by the Rangers, the team announced. The outfielder has seen his form at the plate dip since helping the team win its only World Series in 2023. This year, the 32-year-old Garcia (who won the World Series MVP in 2023) hit just .227 with 19 home runs and a .665 OPS. García was reportedly set to earn $12.1 million in final season of arbitration before hitting the free agent market in 2026.
In addition to Garcia, the team also announced catcher Jonah Heim will also not be retained. Heim, 30, had 14 hits and three home runs in that 2023 postseason run (in which he was named an All-Star) but also had a dip in performance since then. Reliever Josh Sborz, who got the final seven outs of the World Series-clinching victory in Game 5 against Arizona, was also non-tendered.
With a new manager in Skip Schumaker after Bruce Bochy decided to part ways, it seems that the Rangers are flipping the page throughout the roster as they look to return to the postseason.
South Korea’s Sung-mun Song posted
South Korean infielder Sung-mun Song is entering Major League Baseball’s posting system and will be available for teams to sign from Saturday through Dec. 21.
Song hit .315 with a career-high 26 homers and 90 RBIs this year for South Korea’s Kiwoom Heroes. Primarily a third baseman, the 29-year-old left-handed hitter has a .284 average with 80 homers and 454 RBIs in nine seasons with Nexen (2015-17, 2018) and Kiwoom (2021-25).
While the posting period for players from Japanese clubs is 45 days, it is 30 days for players from South Korean teams.
Under MLB’s posting agreement with the KBO League, the posting fee would be 20% of the first $25 million of a major league contract, including earned bonuses and options. The percentage drops to 17.5% of the next $25 million and 15% of any amount over $50 million. There would be a supplemental fee of 15% of any earned bonuses, salary escalators and exercised options.
Nov. 20
Red Sox, Wong agree to terms
Catcher Connor Wong and the Boston Red Sox agreed Thursday to a one-year deal for $1,375,000, a day ahead of the deadline for teams to offer 2026 contracts to unsigned players on their 40-man rosters.
Wong can earn an additional $75,000 in performance bonuses for plate appearances: $25,000 each for 250, 300 and 350.
A 29-year-old who has made occasional appearances at first, second, third and the outfield, Wong hit .190 with eight doubles and seven RBIs in 63 games last season that included 52 starts at catcher.
Obtained from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wong has a .245 career average with 23 homers and 103 RBIs in 348 games over five major league seasons. He was on track to be eligible for salary arbitration for the first time if tendered a contract.
Astros trying to stay under luxury tax
Houston Astros owner Jim Crane doesn’t want to cross the luxury tax threshold and pay the associated penalties, per The Athletic. Part of the reason that the team traded Mauricio Dubon to the Braves for Nick Allen was because of those concerns: Dubon is entering his third year of arbitration eligibility after earning $5 million in 2025, while Allen is entering his first year of arbitration and made $780,000 last season.
The Astros began the offseason already $20 million under the luxury tax threshold, but are now closer to $36 million under that level, per the Athletic’s calculations. As they need to add rotation help – ace Framber Valdez is a free agent, so they can’t just run back last year’s staff – and possibly another bat, they needed room to do so while staying under the luxury tax. Whether there are more cuts to come remains to be seen.
Nov. 18
Schwarber, Tucker Reject Qualifying Offers
Some big superstars are going to keep their free agency options open after turning down the qualifying offers (one-year deals for $22.025 million) from their teams – including Phillies duo Kyle Schwarber and Ranger Suarez.
Both those players rank in the top 10 of our 30 free agents to watch this offseason, as does Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker (ranked No. 1). Also in the top 10 to turn down qualifying offers are Astros ace Framber Valdez, Blue Jays infielder Bo Bichette, and Mets closer Edwin Diaz. Padres pitching duo Dylan Cease and Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen also turned down the qualifying offers.
All are still free to sign back with their former teams. But if they leave for another club, their former organization will get draft pick compensation.
Three other players – Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham, Tigers infielder Gleyber Torres, Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff, and Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga – did accept their teams’ respective offers for that amount.
Mets cut ties with veteran starter
The Mets designated right-hander Frankie Montas for assignment and requested waivers for his unconditional release. Montas had one season remaining on a two-year, $34 million deal. The veteran right-hander missed the first three months of the 2025 season due to a lat injury and the final six weeks of the regular season due to an elbow injury. In the nine appearances/seven starts that he made, Montas posted a 6.28 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and -0.6 wins above replacement in 38.2 innings pitched.
Altuve undergoes minor surgery
Astros outfielder, designated hitter and second baseman Jose Altuve underwent a minor procedure on his ailing foot, but is expected to be ready for spring training per MLB.com.
Altuve, in his 15th season in the majors, hit .265/.329/.442 in 155 games, with 26 home runs and 51 extra-base hits. While he began the year with a move to the outfield, injuries forced him back to second base, his previous position, as the year went on.
Nov. 17
LHP Yarbrough re-signs with Yankees
Left-handed reliever Ryan Yarbrough is signing a one-year, $2.5 million contract to remain with the Yankees, according to ESPN. Yarbrough provides insurance for manager Aaron Boone’s pitching staff, whether he remains in the bullpen or does take the mound as a starter. Three Yankees starters – Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt – are all battling long-term arm injuries and aren’t likely to start the season. Yarbrough was in the rotation and the bullpen to make eight starts and 11 relief appearances.
Kiké Hernández Gets Elbow Surgery
Dodgers utlilty man Kiké Hernández underwent surgery for a left elbow injury that bothered him for much of this past season and he will miss next year’s World Baseball Classic for his native Puerto Rico.The free agent infielder and outfielder did not provide a timetable for his return.
He had 16 postseason hits in helping the Dodgers win their second consecutive World Series title and his third with the club. He hit .203 with 10 homers and 35 RBIs during the regular season.
Padres Keep LHP Hart
Left-hander Kyle Hart is staying with the San Diego Padres, agreeing Monday to a one-year contract that includes a club option for 2027.
Hart, who turns 33 on Sunday, went 3-3 with a 5.86 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP in six starts and 14 relief appearances for the Padres this year. He began the season as the Padres’ No. 5 starter, spent time in the minors and returned to San Diego as an effective reliever down the stretch of the club’s 90-win season. San Diego had declined a $5 million option with a $500,000 buyout for next season on Hart, who was selected the top pitcher in South Korea while pitching for NC Dinos in 2024.
Nov. 16
Naylor’s New Deal: Mariners Keep Slugger
The Seattle Mariners agreed to terms with first baseman Josh Naylor on a five-year contract, according to ESPN. The move keeps Naylor, 28, in Seattle months after he joined the club via a deadline trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Naylor was ranked No. 11 in our top 30 free agents to watch this offseason.
The Mariners finished the 2025 season 90-72 to win their first American League West divisional title since 2001 and reached the AL Championship Series before losing to Toronto.
Nov. 13
Mets GM: We’d love Alonso, Diaz to return
Pete Alonso opted out of the two-year, $54 million deal he signed with the Mets earlier this month and the All-Star slugger is still in the mix to return to Queens. But according to the New York Post, the first baseman will have plenty of suitors. It’s even got MLB superagent Scott Boras doing a trademark quip for his client.
“There’s no doubt Pete’s pursuers are primed to pay the power piper,” Boras alliterated at the GM meetings in Las Vegas on Wednesday. “Pete picked a perfect period to play preeminently at a primary position. A playoff parched plethora will pounce to participate in the Polar Plunge.”
So it sounds like there is a market for the five-time All-Star, who ranks as the fifth-best free agent on our offseason list. The same goes for closer Edwin Diaz (ranked No. 10 on our list), who also opted out of his deal and is expected to be among the most heavily pursued relievers in free agency.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said: “We love both Pete and Edwin. They’ve been great representatives of the organization … We’d love to have them both back. At this stage of the offseason, it’s really tough to predict any outcomes, but certainly, we would love to have both those guys back.”
Nov. 11
Last month, Philadelphia president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said that Harper “didn’t have an elite season” in 2025 and the Phillies “guess” they’ll “only find out if he becomes elite, or he continues to be good.” Harper, a two-time National League MVP, said he was “disappointed” by those comments.
“I’ve spoken to him,” Dombrowski said at MLB’s general manager meetings of his comments about Harper, according to ESPN. “We had a nice conversation. Everything went well.”
Last season, Harper totaled 27 home runs, 75 RBIs and 3.1 WAR, while posting a .261/.357/.487 slash line in 132 regular-season games.
Dodgers interested in Devin Williams
Yankees closer Devin Williams is a free agent following a rough 2025 season with New York, in which posted a 4.79 ERA – over 3.5 runs higher than his 2024 figure with the Brewers – and never became fully reliable for them at the back of their bullpen. Reportedly, that hasn’t stopped the Dodgers from wanting to bring Williams on board, per the Athletic.
The Dodgers reportedly wanted to trade for Williams at the time that Milwaukee was shopping him, but he ended up going to the Yankees instead. Given his recent struggles, Williams might not be a high-cost acquisition in the way that Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates were for the Dodgers last offseason, when Los Angeles spent nearly $90 million to acquire the pair of relievers.
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington expressed that Skenes “is going to be a Pirate in 2026,” per FanSided. Last season, Skenes, an All-Star in each of his first two MLB seasons, recorded a 1.97 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 216 strikeouts in 187.2 innings pitched (32 starts).
Mets interested in free agent Cody Bellinger
The Yankees would like to reunite with free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger after he opted out of his contract earlier in November, but according to the New York Post, they will face competition from, among other teams, the crosstown Mets.
FOX Sports MLB analyst Rowan Kavner placed Bellinger No. 6 in his free agent rankings, as the veteran outfielder had a resurgent 2025 where he batted .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs for the Yankees, while producing over five wins above replacement. While he has had off years – notably in 2021 and 2022 with the Dodgers, and a letdown followup campaign with the Cubs preceding his trade to New York – Bellinger’s highs are as promising as almost anyone else on the free agent market this offseason. That the Mets would want him for their outfield – which currently features Tyrone Taylor and his .598 OPS from 2025 in center field on the depth chart – is self-explanatory.
Cubs looking into adding starting pitching
Even with free agent Kyle Tucker potentially leaving Chicago, the Cubs are focused on adding to their starting pitching this offseason. General manager Carter Hawkins spoke to assembled media at the GM meetings in Las Vegas and said that the rotation was, “where the most opportunity is,” per ESPN.
The Cubs declined their 2026 option for Shota Imanaga before extending the homer-prone starter a qualifying offer. Their rotation has many arms to choose from, but they’re generally on short-term deals, in contract with the more locked-up lineup. Also per ESPN, Chicago has interest in the recently posted NPB starter, Tatsuya Imai, to join their rotation.
FOX Sports’ MLB analyst Rowan Kavner ranked Imai No. 17 in his top-30 free agents, saying that, “He’s not a particularly big guy, but teams who just watched Yoshinobu Yamamoto win World Series MVP honors might not be scared off by that. Imai continues to get better every year, seeing his strikeout rate rise and his walk rate decline precipitously.”
Tommy Edman to undergo ankle surgery
Los Angeles Dodgers utility player Tommy Edman will have right ankle surgery next week, general manager Brandon Gomes told reporters Tuesday at the Major League Baseball GM meetings.
Gomes said Edman could be ready for spring training.
Edman has been dealing with a bad ankle since midway through the 2024 season when he was with St. Louis. He continued to play, was traded to the Dodgers that July and wound up the NL Championship Series MVP.
He batted just .143 in this year’s seven-game World Series victory over Toronto, but Edman made several crucial defensive plays at second base and center field to help the Dodgers repeat as champions.
Nov. 10
Japan’s Tatsuya Imai to be posted
Tatsuya Imai is likely to be the next Japanese pitcher to move to MLB after his team, the Seibu Lions, said Monday he will be made available to teams through the posting process. A 27-year-old right-hander, Imai was 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA this season, striking out 178 in 163 2/3 innings.
A three-time All-Star, he pitched eight innings of a combined no-hitter against Fukuoka on April 18. Imai struck out 17 against Yokohama on June 17, breaking Daisuke Matsuzaka’s prior team record of 16 from 2004. Imai is 58-45 with a 3.15 ERA in eight seasons with Seibu, striking out 907 in 963 2/3 innings.
Nov. 6
Rockies enter their “Moneyball” era
The Colorado Rockies are hiring Paul DePodesta of ‘Moneyball’ fame from the NFL’s Cleveland Browns to run baseball operations, a person with knowledge of the move told The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the move has not been announced by the team.
DePodesta, who inspired Jonah Hill’s character in the movie “Moneyball,” returns to baseball after nearly 10 years with the Cleveland Browns. He was named Cleveland’s Chief Strategy Officer on Jan. 5, 2016.
During his nearly 20 seasons in Major League Baseball, he was the only executive to win divisional titles with five different organizations — the New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Athletics, Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland. DePodesta was the Dodgers’ general manager during the 2004 and 2005 seasons.
Padres hire Craig Stammen as manager
The Padres have made their decision for manager, and despite repeated word that Albert Pujols was the frontrunner, they have hired former pitcher Craig Stammen for the role. He received a three-year contract Thursday to begin his first managerial job at any level of the sport.
The longtime right-handed reliever retired from his playing career with the Padres in August 2023, and he spent last season as an assistant to the major league coaching staff and the baseball operations department headed by general manager A.J. Preller.
The 41-year-old Stammen replaces Mike Shildt, who retired Oct. 13 after just two seasons in charge. The Padres won at least 90 games and made the playoffs in both seasons under Shildt, who cited burnout and exhaustion in announcing his departure.
“Craig has been a strong presence in our organization for nearly a decade,” Preller said in a statement. “He possesses deep organizational knowledge and brings natural leadership qualities to the manager’s chair. As both a player and in his post-playing career, Craig has displayed an ability to elevate those around him. His strength of character, competitive nature and talent for bringing people together make him the ideal choice to lead the Padres.”
Cubs decline Turner’s option
Infielder Justin Turner became a free agent Thursday after the Chicago Cubs declined a $10 million mutual option.
Turner will receive a $2 million buyout as part of a contract that included a $4 million salary this year.
A first baseman and third baseman who turns 41 on Nov. 23, Turner hit .219 with three homers and 18 RBIs in 80 games.
Turner is a two-time All-Star and was a 2020 World Series champion with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has a .283 average with 201 homers and 832 RBIs in 17 major league seasons with Baltimore (2009-10), the New York Mets (2010-13), the Dodgers (2014-22), Boston (2023), Toronto (2024), Seattle (2024) and the Cubs.
Braves pick up Albies option
The Atlanta Braves exercised second baseman Ozzie Albies‘ option on Thursday, while declining options on pitchers Pierce Johnson and Tyler Kinley.
Albies gets a $7 million salary in 2026 for what will be the last season in a deal worth $45 million over nine years. The 28-year-old hit a career-low .240 with 16 homers and 74 RBIs.
Johnson gets a $250,000 buyout rather than a $7 million salary, completing a two-year contract guaranteeing $14.25 million. The 34-year-old right-hander was 3-3 with a 3.05 ERA in 65 relief appearances, striking out 59 in 59 innings.
Kinley receives a $750,000 buyout instead of a $5 million salary. A right-hander who turns 35 in January, Kinley was acquired from Colorado at the trade deadline. He was 6-3 with a 3.96 ERA in 73 relief appearances, including 5-0 with a 0.72 ERA in 24 games for the Braves. Kinley and the Rockies agreed ahead of the 2023 season, when he was still recovering from right flexor tendon surgery, to a $6.25 million, three-year contract.
Nov. 5
Jorge Polanco declines option
Jorge Polanco is officially a free agent. The shortstop had the option to return to the Seattle Mariners, but on Wednesday, he declined his player option, which was worth $6 million. There’s still a chance the Mariners re-sign him, but his services are now available to the open market.
Polanco slashed .265/.326/.495 with 26 home runs and 78 RBIs during his second season in Seattle. He hit a walk-off single in the 15th inning of Game 5 of the AL Division Series against the Detroit Tigers.
Bochy returns to Giants
Bruce Bochy reportedly rejoined the San Francisco Giants as a special assistant on Wednesday. Bochy was the manager in San Francisco from 2007-2019, leading the Giants to World Series victories in 2010, 2012 and 2014. Bochy briefly retired from managing before returning to the Texas Rangers from 2023-2025. He won a World Series with the Rangers in his first season at the helm.
But after the Rangers’ moved on this offseason, Bochy returned to San Francisco. He’ll seemingly help guide Giants’ new manager Tony Vitello.
Braves retain Sale
The Braves have reportedly exercised their club option on ace left-hander Chris Sale, per ESPN. Atlanta will pay Sale $18 million in 2026, before he heads to free agency before his age-38 season in 2027.
The reigning NL Cy Young winner had a tough April, posting a 4.84 ERA, but was incredible from that point forward: Sale finished with a 2.58 ERA over 125.2 innings, with a stint on the IL limiting him to 21 starts. Sale struck out 165 batters and averaged 97 pitches and six innings per start. The 15-year veteran will turn 37 in late-March, and will once again be expected to lead the Braves’ rotation.
Nov. 4
Story Continues in Boston
Veteran shortstop Trevor Story will not opt out of his contract and instead will return to the Red Sox in 2026, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Story has two years and $55 million remaining on his deal. The club has had the option to tack on another year at $25 million.
Story had a solid season at Fenway with 25 home runs, 96 RBIs and 31 stolen bases in 32 attempts. Story will offer stability to an infield that saw Alex Bregman opt out of his final two years of his deal with the Red Sox.
Bieber Remains a Blue Jay
Shane Bieber has opted into his $16 million deal with the Blue Jays, keeping the former Cy Young winner in Toronto for 2026, according to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman. As a trade deadline acquisition from the Guardians, Bieber had a 3.57 ERA over seven starts, then a 3.86 ERA in five appearances in the postseason. It’s a boost for the Blue Jays after losing to the Dodgers in seven games in the World Series, with Bieber giving himself another year to reestablish his free agency value. The 30-year-old right-hander is a two-time All-Star and had Tommy John surgery in 2024.
Flaherty Stays in Detroit
Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty declined to opt out of his contract and will return to the team in 2026 on a $20 million salary, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. His return to Detroit helps stabilize the Tigers’ rotation amid neverending rumors about two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.
Phillies’ Bader to test free agency
The Philadelphia Phillies announced center fielder Harrison Bader declined his $10 million mutual option for 2026 and will become a free agent. Bader, a 2021 Gold Glove winner with the Cardinals, slashed .277/.347/.449 with 124 hits, 54 RBI and 17 home runs in 146 games played in 2025; he played 50 games for the Phillies after getting traded from the Twins in July.
Cubs trade Kittredge; Thompson signs with Reds
The Cubs were involved in a couple of moves, trading right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge back to the Orioles for cash considerations. Kittredge had five saves after arriving ahead of the trade deadline, with five playoff appearances.
The Cubs also saw Keegan Thompson leave for a deal with the Cincinnati Reds agreed Tuesday to a one-year contract that pays $1.3 million while in the major leagues and $350,000 while in the minors. A 30-year-old right-hander, Thompson was 6-2 with a 4.50 ERA in five starts and 28 relief appearances for the Chicago Cubs’ Triple-A team in Iowa and became a free agent last month.
Kansas City announced it has agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the veteran catcher that will keep him under contract through the 2027 season. Perez, 36 has spent his entire 15-year career with the Royals, earning nine All-Star selections including back-to-back nods in 2023 and 2024.
Brewers decline options of Contreras, Hoskins, Quintana
The Milwaukee Brewers are declining the options of three players: first baseman Rhys Hoskins, left-hander Jose Quintana, and two-time All-Star catcher William Contreras.
Hoskins receives a $4 million buyout that completes a $34 million, two-year contract. Quintana had a $15 million mutual option and receives a $2 million buyout. Milwaukee also declined a $12 million club option on two-time All-Star catcher William Contreras, who gets a $100,000 buyout. Contreras would be eligible for arbitration if he is tendered a 2026 contract by the Nov. 21 deadline.
Hoskins, 32, batted .237 with a .332 on-base percentage, 12 homers and 43 RBIs in 90 games this season after exercising his $18 million player option for 2025.. He missed two months with a sprained left thumb, got moved to a bench role upon his return and was left off the Brewers’ postseason roster.
Muñoz Stays in Seattle
The Seattle Mariners exercised their $6 million club option for 2026 on closer Andres Munoz, general manager Justin Hollander announced Tuesday. Muñoz, 26, went 3-3 with a 1.73 ERA and a career-high 38 saves, third-most in the major leagues. He did not allow any runs in seven postseason innings while getting two saves.
Padres’ Darvish to miss 2026
Right-hander Yu Darvish will miss the 2026 season with the San Diego Padres after surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow for the second time in his career. The 39-year-old Darvish also got an internal brace in the surgery performed last week, the Padres announced Tuesday.
The five-time All-Star went 5-5 with a 5.38 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 15 starts for the Padres last season after missing the first three months due to elbow inflammation. Darvish started the decisive Game 3 of San Diego’s wild card series against the Chicago Cubs, but he took the loss after allowing two runs on four hits and failing to record an out in the second inning.
Darvish has completed three seasons of the $108 million, six-year contract he agreed to in February 2023 with the Padres, who acquired him before the 2021 season. Darvish led the AL in strikeouts in 2013 and led the NL in victories in 2020.
His injury is a blow to a Padres rotation that was already in flux: Dylan Cease is a free agent, and Michael King became a free agent Monday after declining his option for 2026.
Pete Alonso opts out
Before the 2025 season, Pete Alonso signed a two-year deal with an opt out after the first year to return to the Mets after not finding the major free agent deal he was looking for. And after a high-quality ’25, he has now chosen to use that opt out and return to free agency.
Alonso received $30 million for one season under his $54 million, two-year deal and declined a $24 million salary for 2026. The five-time All-Star first baseman, who turns 31 next month, batted .272 with 38 homers, 41 doubles and 126 RBIs, while becoming the Mets’ franchise leader in home runs.
Red Sox avoid arbitration, sign Duran
The Red Sox agreed to a $7.75 million, one-year contract with outfielder Jarren Duran on Tuesday to avoid arbitration for a second straight year. Durran can earn additional performance bonuses next season for plate appearances: $25,000 each for 400, 500 and 550.
The 2024 All-Star played under a $3.85 million deal this past season and earned bonuses totaling $150,000. That deal included an $8 million team option for 2026 that is replaced by the new contract.
The 29-year-old hit .256 with 16 home runs, 84 RBIs and 24 stolen bases in 2025. His 13 triples led the American League and he ranked third in doubles with 41, and sixth in extra-base hits with 70.
Alex Bregman elects free agency
Alex Bregman and the Red Sox agreed to a $120 million, three-year contract in February, and the third baseman has now opted out of that deal to return to the free agent market. He gave up $80 million for 2026 and ’27, of which half each year would have been deferred and payable through 2026. He gets $40 million for his one year with Boston, of which he received $20 million this year. He also gets a $5 million signing bonus payable on Jan. 15, 2028, and $20 million payable in annual $2 million installments each June 15 starting in 2035.
He hit .273 with 18 homers and 62 RBIs in 114 games. A 31-year-old three-time All-Star third baseman, Bregman was sidelined between May 23 and July 11 by a strained right quadriceps.
The Chicago Cubs turned down the ability to extend Imanaga’s contract to a fifth year and the southpaw subsequently rejected a $15 million player option for 2026 and became a free agent, per ESPN. Across his two seasons in Chicago (2024-24), Imanaga, a 2024 All-Star, recorded a combined 3.28 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 4.5 WAR.
Nov. 3
New O’s Deal for Enns
Dietrich Enns agreed Monday to a one-year contract guaranteeing $2,625,000 that will see stick with the Orioles.
Enns gets a $2.5 million salary for 2026 and the deal includes a $3.5 million team option for 2027 with a $125,000 buyout. Enns has the right to become a free agent at the end of the contract.
Baltimore had a $3 million option for 2026 as part of the contract he signed for 2025, which included a $1.25 million salary while in the major leagues and a $210,000 salary while in the minors. He could have become a free agent had the option been declined.
Enns, 34, made his major league debut with Minnesota in 2017 and pitched for Toronto in 2021. He played for the Seibu Lions in Japan’s Pacific League in 2022 and ’23 and for the LG Twins in South Korea in 2024, before returning to MLB through Detroit.
Lucas Giolito opts out
Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito has reportedly declined his half of a mutual option with the Red Sox, per the Boston Globe. They are able to make him a $22 million qualifying offer, which would be more than the $19 million he was set to make if he exercised his option for 2026, but also significantly less than Giolito could make on a multi-year deal after posting a 3.41 ERA over 145 innings and 26 starts. Giolito, 31, missed the 2024 season after undergoing internal brace surgery for a partially torn UCL – 2025 might be the only season in a potential three-year deal that the veteran right-hander pitches for the Red Sox.
Braves promote familiar face as new manager
The Atlanta Braves announced bench coach Walt Weiss, 61, will serve as the club’s new manager. Weiss, who played 14 seasons and won a World Series as a player and coach, has been with Atlanta since the 2018 season and previously managed the Colorado Rockies for four years from 2013 to 2016.
Brewers exercise Freddy Peralta’s option
Brewers’ ace Freddy Peralta will remain in Milwaukee for the 2026 season, as they triggered his $8 million club option. The Brewers announced this move, along with their declining of catcher Danny Jansen’s mutual option and right-handed pitcher Brandon Woodruff declining his mutual option, on Monday.
Peralta led the NL in wins with 17 in 2025, and was worth 5.5 wins above replacement. His 2.70 ERA over 176.2 innings played a significant role in Milwaukee’s leading the majors in wins and making it to the NLCS, and his option for 2026 is the last year that he is under contract with the club.
Gurriel Jr. triggers option
Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has elected to trigger his player option for 2026, earning him $13 million per BeisbolFR. Gurriel had a below-average bat in 2025, hitting .248/.295/.418 with 19 home runs, and will spend much of 2026 recovering from the ACL surgery he underwent in September.
This decision also locks Gurriel Jr. in for 2027, if the Diamondbacks want to keep him around, as there is a team option on his deal for 2027 for $14 million with a $5 million buyout.
Miller Time? Suárez opts out of Padres deal
Are the Padres going to lean on Mason Miller more as their closer with Robert Suarez reportedly now deciding to test free agency? The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported that Suárez, who led the NL with 40 saves last season, has opted out of his deal that was worth $16 million over two remaining years. The 34-year-old made 70 appearances, sporting a 2.97 ERA across 69.2 innings as he earned his second straight All-Star appearance.
With Suárez likely getting a bigger payday, the Padres will likely have Miller be their main ninth-inning option after trading for the 24-year-old All-Star ahead of the deadline. He shined as a reliever but could become part of the starting rotation in San Diego.
Marlins promote Gabe Kapler to GM
The Miami Marlins promoted Gabe Kapler to general manager on Monday amid a series of front office moves, the team announced.
Additionally, Frankie Piliere was promoted to vice president of amateur forecasting and player evaluation initiatives, and Vinesh Kanthan was moved to senior director of baseball operations.
Kapler will be the club’s sixth general manager after beginning his tenure with the Marlins in 2024 as an assistant GM focusing on player, coaching and staff development.
This past season, the Marlins’ minor league system made club history with four different affiliates reaching the postseason at their respective levels. That includes Jacksonville, which claimed the Triple-A National Championship.
Kapler spent the previous six seasons as a manager with Philadelphia (2018-19) and San Francisco (2020-23). The Los Angeles-native was also the World Series champion Dodgers’ director of player development from 2015-17, during which he worked with Marlins manager Clayton McCullough.
King, Lorenzen and Garver become free agents
Pitchers Michael King and Michael Lorenzen along with catcher Mitch Garver became free agents Monday when their mutual options for 2026 were declined.
King declined his option with San Diego, while Kansas City turned down Lorenzen and Seattle declined Garver.
King was guaranteed $7.75 million under a one-year contract with San Diego that included a $3.75 million buyout of a $15 million option. The 30-year-old right-hander was 5-3 with a 3.44 ERA this year, limited to 15 starts by stints on the injured list for right shoulder inflammation that sidelined him between May 18 and Aug. 9 and left knee inflammation that kept him out between Aug. 9 and Sept. 9.
Lorenzen was guaranteed $7 million in a one-year deal with Kansas City that included a $1.5 million buyout of a $12 million option, and he earned an additional $1 million in performance bonuses for innings and games pitched. Garver joined Seattle in December 2023 as a free agent with a $24 million, two-year contract that included a $12 million mutual option with a $1 million buyout. He hit .209 with nine homers and 30 RBIs this year.
Bellinger, Diaz opt-out
Outfielder Cody Bellinger opted out of his 2026 option with the Yankees, as did Mets‘ closer Edwin Diaz, per ESPN. Bellinger had a rebound year for New York after he was traded there by the Cubs in the offseason, batting .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs – the former MVP had $25 million and $27.5 million options for 2026 and 2027, but the 30-year-old will seek to best that as a free agent this offseason.
Diaz produced a 1.63 ERA with 28 saves in 66.1 innings for the Mets in 2025, one of his better seasons with New York. He had an $18.5 million option for 2026, as well as another $18.5 million option for 2027 and one for $20.4 million in 2028. Instead, like Bellinger, the 31-year-old Diaz will attempt to sign a longer, more lucrative pact as a free agent.
POSTSEASON BUZZ
Washington is hiring Rays Senior Director of Player Development Blake Butera to be its new manager, per ESPN. The 33-year-old is the youngest MLB manager in over 50 years. Butera was with the Rays’ franchise as a manager in the minor-league ranks from 2018-22 — entering the job at just age 25 as the minor league’s youngest manager before changing roles in the organization — and was a player in the system beforehand. The Nationals haven’t had a winning record or made the playoffs since winning the 2019 World Series. Butera is replacing interim manager Miguel Cairo, who in turn filled in for Dave Martinez, who had been the Nationals’ manager since 2018 before his 2025 dismissal.
Twins to hire new manager
Minnesota has picked former bench coach Derek Shelton as its new manager, according to multiple reports. Shelton served as manager of the Pirates for five-plus years with an overall record of 306-440 before he was fired on May 8, just 40 games into this season. The 55-year-old was the bench coach for the Twins in 2018 and 2019 under two different managers, Paul Molitor and Rocco Baldelli. With the under-funded Pirates, Shelton never finished higher than fourth place in the National League Central or better than 76-86. Baldelli was fired the day after the regular season ended with a 527-505 record over seven years, plus 3-8 in the postseason. The Twins won three AL Central titles under Baldelli, including their 101-61 finish in 2019 when the rookie skipper won the AL Manager of the Year award, but they made the playoffs only once in his last five seasons.
Padres interview Albert Pujols again
San Diego is that much closer to replacing the retired Mike Shildt as manager, as the Padres entered their second round of interviews, with Albert Pujols being interviewed “for several hours,” per the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Per the New York Post, San Diego has interviewed Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty, Rangers executive and former Padres catcher Nick Hundley, Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla, Padres scout and former Mariners manager Scott Servais and Padres third base coach Brian Esposito for the job. The Union-Tribune confirmed Esposito and Niebla, though, neither report is clear on who else besides Pujols advanced to the second round.
While Pujols has not managed in the majors or minors, he’s set to manage the Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, and he managed Leones de Escogido in the Dominican Republic, which won both Dominican League and Caribbean League titles in the past year. The Angels had prioritized Pujols in their manager search at first, before the two sides reportedly disagreed on far too much about the role to make the relationship work. The New York Post reported they had differing opinions on “coaches, resources and compensation.” Pujols is currently under contract with Los Angeles as part of a post-playing-career “personal services” deal that has him in a special assistant role.
Bryce Harper trade chatter making him “feel uncomfortable”
Harper didn’t like how the Phillies‘ season ended, and he certainly doesn’t like any talk about any potential big changes in Philadelphia. The superstar slugger helped the team to the NL East title, but they fell short in their pursuit of their first World Series title since 2008. Harper, who missed time with a wrist injury, hit 27 homers in 132 games while posting an .844 OPS in 2025 — his lowest mark since 2016.
“I have given my all to Philly from the start,” Harper told The Athletic. “Now there’s trade talk? I made every effort to avoid this. It’s all I heard in D.C. [with the Nationals]. I hated it. It makes me feel uncomfortable.
“All players get hurt. I hurt my wrist this year and missed a month. Of course, I don’t have full-year numbers.”
Harper is six seasons into his 13-year, $330 million deal with the Phillies, which he signed before the 2019 season.
The comments come weeks after the Phillies’ president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, discussed what he thought about his star player’s performances. “He’s still a quality player,” Dombrowski said on Oct. 16. “He didn’t have an elite season like he has had in the past, and I guess we only find out if he becomes elite or if he continues to be good. … Can he rise to the next level again? I don’t really know that answer.”
Angels tab new manager
The Angels are hiring a former player of theirs to be their next manager. Kurt Suzuki and the team have agreed to a deal to make him their next manager, per multiple reports. Suzuki, who was an MLB catcher for 16 seasons, ended his playing career with the Angels, spending two seasons there before retiring at the end of the 2022 season. He stayed with the club after his retirement, working as a special assistant to general manager Perry Minasian since 2023.
Prior to Suzuki’s hire, Albert Pujols was viewed as the front-runner to get the Angels’ manager job. The former star slugger and the Angels reportedly had disagreements during contract talks that were too sizable to agree to a deal. The Angels have the longest active non-playoff appearance streak, failing to reach the postseason since 2014. Suzuki will be tabbed to try and change that, but he’ll have to try and do so with a team that hasn’t won 80 games in a season since 2018. Ron Washington was the Angels’ manager for the past two seasons, stepping down after health issues sidelined him for the second half of the 2025 season.
The Brewers are expected to “at least field offers” for their ace, per The Athletic. Peralta, a two-time All-Star, is a free agent after the 2026 season. In the 2025 regular season, Peralta posted a 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 5.5 WAR and 204 strikeouts in 176 2/3 innings pitched (33 starts). Across three postseason starts, the long-time Milwaukee RHP posted a 4.70 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 19 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings pitched (three starts). Milwaukee, which won an MLB-best 97 games in the regular season, was swept by the Dodgers in the National League Championship Series.
The Phillies are expected to release Castellanos if they can’t trade him this coming offseason, per The Athletic. Castellanos, who will be 34 at the start of the 2026 season, is entering the final season of a five-year, $100 million deal. The right fielder totaled 17 home runs and 72 RBIs in the 2025 regular season, while posting a .250/.294/.400 slash line; he went 2-for-15 in the postseason.
Superstar outfielder Aaron Judge won’t need surgery for his injured elbow, but shortstop Anthony Volpe (shoulder) and left-hander Carlos Rodón (elbow) had surgery for their respective injuries, manager Aaron Boone shared on Oct. 16. Those surgeries could potentially keep Volpe and Rodón out of commission some of next season. New York, which won 94 games this season, was eliminated by the American League East-rival Blue Jays in the AL Division Series.
The Red Sox‘s All-Star third baseman is set to opt out of his contract and become a free agent this offseason, per the New York Post. The 31-year-old inked a three-year, $120 million contract in spring training that included opt-outs after each season. Bregman earned his third All-Star nod in his first season in Boston, slashing .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs. A quad strain limited Bregman to 114 games played, but the 10-year veteran is expected to have plenty of suitors, though a return to Boston is also reportedly still on the table.
Detroit general manager Scott Harris said he extended manager A.J. Hinch’s contract during the 2025 season and insisted ownership will provide the resources necessary to sign ace Skubal to a long-term deal. Harris declined to say how long Hinch is under contract. “We want him to be here as long as he’s willing to be here,” Harris said. “I want to work with him as long as I can possibly work with him.”
Skubal signed a $10.15 million, one-year contract last offseason — avoiding salary arbitration — and is set to become a free agent after the 2026 season. He won the AL Cy Young Award and was the league’s pitching Triple Crown winner in 2024. He followed that with a career-low 2.21 ERA and a career-high 241 strikeouts and is the front-runner to repeat as winner. Harris insisted team owner Chris Ilitch would support the organization with what is needed for payroll, including what it would take to keep the 28-year-old lefty long term. “I have no concerns about that,” Harris said.
A recent report stated that the Yankees outfielder is expected to opt out of his contract for next season and become a free agent. While Bellinger’s first season with the Yankees was a plausible one (29 HRs, 98 RBIs and a .272/.334/.480 slash line) and a long-term pact would make sense for both sides, fellow outfielder Trent Grisham — who hit a career-high 34 home runs this season — is also a free agent.
Schwarber fought back tears after the Phillies’ Game 4 loss to the Dodgers in the NLDS as he pondered not only the end of the season but his crucial offseason decision.
“You just make a lot of different relationships in the clubhouse,” Schwarber said. “You don’t know how it’s going to work out. You just make so many personal relationships with these guys … They become family. You just never know. These guys all know how I feel about them. This is a premier organization and a lot of people should be very lucky that, one, you’re playing for a team that tries to win every single year — and you have a fan base that cares and ownership that cares.”
Schwarber is expected to be one of the premier free agents in the offseason, having hit a career-high 56 homers this season. Phillies catcher Realmuto was even more frank about his offseason decision: “I’m not here to talk about free agency, dude. Don’t ask that question right now.”
The Associated Press contributed to these reports.
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