MLB Player News

The Brewers declined Williams' $10 million club option for 2025 on Sunday, though he remains in the organization and is entering his final year of arbitration eligibility, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The right-hander is estimated to make a bit less through the arbitration process, so Milwaukee will pay the $250,000 buyout while targeting a slightly lower salary. Williams didn't debut in 2024 until late July due to a back injury -- which is why his estimated salary for 2025 should be under $10 million -- but he was again one of the best closers in baseball once healthy with a 1.25 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 38:11 K:BB across 21.2 innings. He's a candidate to be moved during the offseason, as Brewers GM Matt Arnold said the organization will "stay open-minded" regarding a potential trade, per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.

Muller elected free agency Saturday.

Muller was outrighted off the Athletics' 40-man roster Friday and will head to free agency rather than remain in the organization. The left-hander made 21 relief appearances in the majors this year and had a 4.01 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 36:10 K:BB across 49.1 innings.

Robertson declined his $7 million mutual option for 2025 on Saturday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

With a 3.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 72 innings, Robertson was one of the Rangers' most reliable high-leverage bullpen arms in 2024. He will turn 40 years old in April, so a multi-year deal likely isn't in the cards for him in free agency, but his consistency and experience make him an attractive target for teams looking to contend for a World Series title in 2025.

Bummer signed a two-year, $13 million contract with Atlanta on Saturday.

Bummer's original deal included two club options over the next two years, worth $7.25 million and $7.5 million, respectively. However, his latest contract will void those two option years while saving the team a bit of cash, as the left-hander is now due to make $3.5 million in 2025. The 31-year-old finished with a 3.58 ERA and 1.43 WHIP across 55.1 innings during his first season in Atlanta.

The Cubs declined Smyly's $10 million mutual option for 2025 on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Smyly moved to the bullpen full-time in 2024 and logged a 3.84 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over 58.2 innings. While those are both improvements from his 2023 statline (5.00 ERA, 1.43 WHIP), the Cubs will elect to pay the southpaw's $2.5 million buyout rather than keep him on the squad for his age-36 season.

Peralta exercised his $4.25 million player option for 2025 on Saturday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Peralta turned in a 3.99 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 38.1 frames in 2024, and he'll now receive a $900,000 raise by accepting the first of three player options in his deal with the Padres. He will presumably continue to be used in mid-to-high-leverage situations.

Pagan exercised his $8 million player option for 2025 on Saturday.

Pagan was forced to sit out the first half of the season due to a lat injury, and he accumulated a 4.50 ERA across 38 innings upon returning in mid-August. Given his decline in performance, it was unlikely he'd receive an offer close to $8 million in free agency, so the 33-year-old righty will return to Cincinnati and likely fill a high-leverage role out of the bullpen.

The Yankees exercised Weaver's $2.5 million club option for 2025 on Friday.

In his first full season with the Yankees, Weaver turned in a 2.89 ERA and 0.93 WHIP across 84 innings -- a stark contrast from the 5.85 ERA and 1.51 WHIP he had accumulated over the previous four years. There's a chance he begins 2025 as New York's closer after moving into the role toward the end of the season.

Suter signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract with the Reds on Friday.

The deal includes a $3 million club option for 2026. Suter's previous contract included a $3.5 million club option for 2025, which the Reds bought out for $250,000 before agreeing to terms on his latest deal. The 35-year-old southpaw was an effective middle reliever for the Reds in 2024, putting up a 3.15 ERA and 1.14 WHIP across 65.2 innings.

Martinez declined his $12 million player option for 2025 on Friday and became a free agent.

Martinez's 3.10 ERA and 1.03 WHIP from last season both represent personal bests for the 34-year-old as he pitched a career-high 142.1 innings. Cincinnati can still give him a $21 million qualifying offer, but the right-hander will likely pursue a multi-year deal in free agency.