MLB Player News

  • Ha-seong Kim SS | SD

    Ha-Seong Kim: Declines mutual option

    Kim (shoulder) declined his $8 million mutual option for 2025 on Saturday and entered free agency, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

    Kim's decision to enter free agency was an expected one after he changed agents to be represented by the Boras Corporation in early October. The 29-year-old infielder slashed just .233/.330/.370 with 47 RBI across 470 plate appearances this season and is expected to miss the first month of the 2025 campaign after undergoing shoulder surgery Oct. 11, though he should still be a safe bet to attract a salary larger than the $8 million he passed on.

  • Cody Bellinger RF | CHC

    Cubs' Cody Bellinger: Opts in for 2025

    Bellinger exercised his $27.5 million player option for 2025 on Saturday, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

    Bellinger was unlikely to receive an offer close to $27.5 million on the open market after posting a .751 OPS alongside 78 RBI across 569 plate appearances in 2024, so it's unsurprising to see him decide to stick around in Chicago. The 29-year-old figures to remain in an everyday role in the Cubs' outfield next season.

  • Gerrit Cole SP | NYY

    Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Exercises opt-out

    Cole opted out of his contract with the Yankees on Saturday, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

    The Yankees have the opportunity to void Cole's opt-out decision by adding an extra year and $36 million to his contract, which would result in him being owed $180 million through 2029. The 34-year-old posted a 3.41 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 95 innings this season after missing the first couple months due to an elbow injury. There is no guarantee that New York will want to keep him around for such a hefty price.

  • Sean Manaea SP | NYM

    Mets' Sean Manaea: Will decline player option

    Manaea is expected to decline his $13.5 million player option for 2025, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

    Manaea posted a 3.47 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across 181.2 innings in 2024 -- all of which represent career-best marks for a full season. The 32-year-old southpaw will now look to capitalize on his strong campaign and likely pursue a multi-year deal in free agency.

  • Eloy Jimenez DH | BAL

    Eloy Jimenez: O's decline option

    The Orioles declined Jimenez's $16.5 million club option for 2025 on Saturday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

    This past season was Jimenez's worst at the plate in his six-year career, as he slashed just .238/.289/.336 over 324 plate appearances between the White Sox and Orioles. Because of his poor performance, it makes sense that Baltimore would rather pay the 27-year-old's $3 million buyout than give him $16.5 million to join the team's already-crowded lineup.

  • Anthony Rizzo 1B | NYY

    Anthony Rizzo: Club option declined

    The Yankees declined Rizzo's $17 million club option for 2025 on Saturday.

    Rizzo slashed just .228/.301/.335 with 35 RBI across 375 plate appearances in 2024 -- his worst season at the plate since his rookie year with the Padres in 2011. Despite his significant drop in production, the 35-year-old first baseman should still be able to attract some attention in the open market, though he likely won't receive anything close to the $17 million average annual salary he'd been getting from New York.

  • Austin Wynns C | CIN

    Austin Wynns: Elects free agency

    Wynns (shoulder) declined his outright assignment to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday and elected free agency.

    Wynns spent the majority of last season in Triple-A, where he slashed .250/.309/.410 across 110 plate appearances. However, a teres major tear in his right shoulder cut his season short toward the end of July. It's unknown if he'll be ready for the start of spring training, but the 33-year-old backstop should be able to at least net a minor-league deal in free agency.

  • Emilio Pagan RP | CIN

    Reds' Emilio Pagan: Exercises player option

    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.

  • Myles Straw CF | CLE

    Guardians' Myles Straw: Outrighted to Columbus

    Straw cleared waivers Friday and was sent outright to Triple-A Columbus.

    Straw spent the vast majority of the season with Columbus, slashing .240/.321/.329 with 29 steals in 30 attempts across 434 plate appearances. Now that the 30-year-old outfielder no longer has a spot on the 40-man roster, it's unlikely he makes a significant contribution to the Guardians in 2025 -- barring a drastic turnaround at the plate.

  • Eugenio Suarez 3B | ARI

    Diamondbacks' Eugenio Suarez: D-backs exercise option

    The Diamondbacks exercised Suarez's $15 million club option for 2025 on Friday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

    Suarez reached the 30-HR and 100-RBI benchmarks while slashing .256/.319/.469 in his first season with the Diamondbacks. Now that he's officially locked in for the 2025 campaign, he'll almost certainly retain his everyday role at third base.

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