Turner became a free agent Thursday after his $10 mutual option for 2026 was declined.

It's unclear whether Turner or the Cubs passed on the option first, but either way, the veteran will be paid a $2 million buyout and head into free agency. Turner slashed just .219/.288/.314 with three homers across 80 regular-season contests in his lone year with the Cubs. Turner will turn 41 later this month and might have a difficult time landing a major-league contract this winter, assuming he wants to continue his playing career.

The Cubs re-signed Rea to a one-year, $5.5 million contract with a $7.5 million club option for 2027 on Thursday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The buyout on the 2027 option is $1 million, so Rea will be guaranteed at least $6.5 million. The Cubs had held a $6 million option on Rea for 2026, but instead he will get slightly more guaranteed money, while the Cubs will pick up an additional year of control. Rea put up a 3.95 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 127:44 K:BB over 159.1 regular-season innings for the Cubs in 2025. He'll likely open 2026 at the back end of the rotation, though he could shift to a swingman role if the team makes multiple other additions.

Maeda announced Wednesday that he will return to Japan to continue his career.

Maeda allowed seven earned runs over eight innings in the big leagues in 2025 and posted a 5.40 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across 100 frames between the Cubs' and Yankees' Triple-A affiliates. Now, after pitching for the Dodgers, Twins and Tigers during his nine MLB seasons, the 37-year-old will return to his home country, where he could end up playing out the remainder of his professional career.

Taveras agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract with the Orioles on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Taveras will head east after spending 2025 with the Rangers and Mariners. The 27-year-old slashed just .205/.226/.304 in the regular season across 180 big-league plate appearances, though he posted a much more respectable .809 OPS in 81 games at Triple-A Tacoma. Now with the Orioles, he is likely to work as a depth piece at Triple-A Norfolk or come off the bench for the big club.

Kaiser cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Reno, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Kaiser spent most of the season at Triple-A, where he slashed .236/.345/.406 with six homers, 31 RBI and 32 runs scored across 273 plate appearances. It's unknown whether the 28-year-old will elect to test the free-agent market, though he would be unlikely to attract more than a minor-league deal if he were to do so.

Kelly cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Reno, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Kelly spent the vast majority of the 2025 season at Reno, where he finished with a 5.63 ERA and 1.65 WHIP through 115 innings. Now that the 36-year-old righty no longer owns a spot on Arizona's 40-man roster, he may elect free agency and look elsewhere for his next opportunity.

Nelson cleared waivers Wednesday and was outrighted to Triple-A Reno, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Nelson appeared in just three games for the D-backs in 2025, giving up two earned runs over two innings. He didn't find much success in the minor leagues either, posting an 8.83 ERA and 1.64 WHIP across 34.2 frames. His poor performance will now cost him his roster spot as the offseason begins, and it's unknown whether he will exercise his right to elect free agency.

Curtiss cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Reno, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Curtiss finished the 2025 campaign with a 3.93 ERA and 0.93 WHIP alongside a 24:5 K:BB across 36.2 innings. However, with the Diamondbacks aiming to clear roster space before free agency begins, the 32-year-old righty will lose his place on the 40-man roster. He will have the option to elect free agency.

The Phillies exercised Alvarado's (forearm) club option Wednesday.

As expected, the Phillies have opted to pick up the $9.5 million club option on Alvarado for the 2026 season. He ended the 2025 campaign on the 15-day injured list due to a left forearm strain, and he missed 80 games earlier in the season due to a PED suspension. Across the 28 appearances he made in 2025, Alvarado posted a 3.81 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and seven saves over 26 innings. He'll have the offseason to heal from his injury and will aim to be available for the start of spring training.

The Marlins outrighted Navarreto to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

Having been outrighted before, Navarreto can reject Wednesday's outright assignment and become a free agent if he wants. The catcher went 4-for-14 at the dish during his brief time with Miami in 2025.