MLB Player News

Downs was added to the Red Sox's 40-man roster Friday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

This was a lock to happen as protection from the Rule 5 draft. Downs had a rough year at Triple-A (.190/.272/.333 slash line), but he finished the 2021 season on a better note, hitting .208/.382/.491 with five home runs and four steals in 68 plate appearances in the Arizona Fall League. It's starting to look like Downs' batting average is going to be subpar, at least initially, against big-league pitching, but his ability to get on base at a high clip while chipping in some power and speed makes him worth monitoring in 2022.

Pena had his contract selected by the Astros on Friday.

Pena is one of Houston's top prospects, so it's hardly a surprise the organization opted to add him to the 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 draft. The 24-year-old hit .287/.346/.598 with 10 homer, 19 RBI, 22 runs and five stolen bases in 30 games at Triple-A Sugar Land last season, and he could make his major-league debut in 2022, especially if Carlos Correa signs elsewhere in free agency.

Tovar was added to the Rockies' 40-man roster Friday.

The move means Tovar won't be available for selection in the upcoming Rule 5 draft. He's still far from his major-league debut, as he struggled significantly upon his promotion to High-A Spokane, hitting .239/.266/.396 in 32 games.

Allen was added to Oakland's 40-man roster Friday.

The move means Allen won't be available for selection in the Rule 5 draft. He still has to conquer Triple-A before pushing for a big-league roster spot, as he struggled to a .243/.302/.301 line in 39 games after a promotion to Triple-A Las Vegas late in the year, but he should make his major-league debut at some point next season if all goes well.

Story officially declined the Rockies' $18.4 million qualifying offer Wednesday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

As anticipated, Story will now become a free agent and should be one of the most sought-after hitters on the open market in a deep shortstop class. Story's fantasy outlook could be affected significantly by what team he ultimately signs with, but regardless of where he lands, he'll likely be headed for a downgrade in his projected batting average and power output while he moves on from the friendly hitting confines of Coors Field.

Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said Tuesday that Crawford will be the team's starting shortstop in 2022, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Dipoto noted that Crawford's presence would dissuade the Mariners from pursuing free-agent shortstops such as Marcus Semien, Javier Baez or Trevor Story, but any potential additions would seemingly be in line to move to another position to keep Crawford entrenched at his normal spot. Crawford has proven to be a plus defender at shortstop throughout his career, but it wasn't until 2021 that he emerged as a league-average hitter. He wrapped up the past campaign with a .257/.333/.380 slash line to go with 12 home runs, 57 RBI, 82 runs and nine stolen bases, but he could see his production suffer in the latter two categories if the Mariners bring in a more established leadoff option this offseason.

Castillo's contract was selected from Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday, Mike Persak of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Castillo was traded from the Yankees to the Pirates in late July, and he'll now join Pittsburgh's 40-man roster to prevent him from reaching minor-league free agency. The 24-year-old made 18 appearances in Indianapolis and slashed .278/.414/.500 with three homers, 18 runs and seven RBI.

Correa will decline the qualifying offer from the Astros, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

He also unsurprisingly declined a five-year, $160 million offer from Houston, per a report from Mark Berman of Fox 26, so it seems like he may be signing elsewhere this winter. Correa hit .279/.366/.485 with 26 home runs and 5.8 fWAR in 148 games last season and turned 27 in September, so he couldn't be hitting the open market at a better time.

Seager will decline the Dodgers' qualifying offer, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

This was a forgone conclusion, as Seager is headed for a big payday in free agency. The shortstop options on the open market are as good as ever, with Carlos Correa, Trevor Story, Javier Baez and Marcus Semien all available this winter.

Story will decline the Rockies' qualifying offer, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

The Rockies extended the one-year, $18.4 million qualifying offer as a formality. Story seems like a strong candidate to change organizations this offseason as the Rockies have been unable to surround him with quality players.