Joey Gallo to hit free agency after Nationals decline option
Brewers pick up Freddy Peralta's option amid flurry of moves.
MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Brewers declined closer Devin Williams' $10.5 million club option for 2025, though the two-time NL reliever of the year remains with the team while being arbitration eligible for one more season.In other moves announced Sunday, the Brewers picked up their $8 million club option on right-hander Freddy Peralta and declined a club option on catcher Eric Haase. Haase also remains with the organization and is arbitration eligible.
The Brewers' decision to decline the club option on Williams means the 30-year-old will make whatever an arbitrator decides, unless the pitcher and team work out a deal before going to a hearing.
After missing the first half of this season to recover from stress fractures in his back, Williams went 1-0 with a 1.25 ERA, 14 saves and 38 strikeouts in 21⅔ innings this season. Williams was unable to protect a 2-0 lead in the ninth inning of the decisive third game of the NL Wild Card Series with New York, as Pete Alonso hit a three-run homer off him as part of a four-run rally.
Peralta, 28, went 11-9 with a 3.68 ERA and 200 strikeouts in 173⅔ innings this season.
Haase, who turns 32 on Dec. 18, hit .273 with a .304 on-base percentage, five homers and 14 RBIs in 30 games.
Gerrit Cole, Yankees stay together on original deal.
Right-hander Gerrit Cole decided Monday to remain with the New York Yankees on the four-year, $144 million contract he opted out of Saturday, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.Originally, the only way Cole would remain a Yankee without reaching free agency was if the club voided his opt-out with a one-year, $36 million extension to his contract, making it a five-year, $180 million deal. The Yankees declined to do so, however, but they came to an agreement for Cole to remain in New York anyway, as if he had not triggered the opt-out in the first place.
The two sides had until Monday at 5 p.m. ET to come to an agreement. Discussions on a potential contract extension will continue.
A six-time All-Star, 34-year-old Cole fulfilled his boyhood dream of joining the Yankees before the COVID-shortened 2020 season on what was, at the time, the largest contract ever given to a pitcher: nine years, $324 million. He became the workhouse ace New York envisioned, posting a 3.08 ERA in 108 starts over the next four seasons, and peaked in 2023, when he went 15-4 with a 2.63 ERA across 209 innings in 33 starts to win his first Cy Young Award. A repeat performance, however, was doomed from the start.
Cole was shut down in mid-March with nerve irritation and edema in his throwing elbow. He avoided surgery but began the season on the injured list. He made three rehab starts before making his season debut June 19 against the Baltimore Orioles. Initially not built up to his usual pitch count, Cole didn't record an out in the sixth inning in his first four outings.
But the Yankees' measured plan for Cole paid dividends. The right-hander ultimately logged at least six innings in eight of his 17 starts, posting a 3.41 ERA across 95 innings. He had his occasional blow-up -- he surrendered 11 runs in two starts against the Boston Red Sox and 12 runs to the New York Mets in two outings -- but was otherwise stingy, allowing two or fewer runs in 10 of his starts. He delivered his best performance in Oakland, holding the A's to one run over nine innings Sept. 20.
Cole added another five starts in the postseason, pitching to a 2.17 ERA over 29 innings. He limited the Kansas City Royals to one run in seven innings in the Yankees' American League Division Series-clinching Game 4 win. The Dodgers mustered just one run in six innings against him in Game 1 of the World Series, although the Yankees lost in extra innings.
His final start of the season, however, will haunt the Yankees: After four hitless innings, three Yankees defensive miscues in the fifth -- including Cole not covering first base on a routine groundball to first baseman Anthony Rizzo with two outs -- allowed the Dodgers to tie the score with five unearned runs in their eventual 7-6 win.
The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Cole with the No. 1 pick in the 2011 draft out of UCLA. He made his major league debut in 2013 and made one All-Star team for Pittsburgh. It wasn't until he was traded to the Houston Astros after the 2017 season that he became a consistent ace, recording two 200-plus-inning seasons with a 2.68 ERA before hitting free agency and signing with the Yankees in December 2019.
Clayton Kershaw declines $10M player option with Dodgers.
SAN ANTONIO -- Three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw declined his $10 million player option with the Los Angeles Dodgers, electing to become a free agent.The MLB Players Association listed Kershaw as a free agent in a statement released Monday. The left-hander is still expected to re-sign with the Dodgers, his only big league team during his 17-year career.
The 36-year-old was hurt for much of last season, finishing with a 2-2 record and a 4.50 ERA over seven starts.
The Dodgers did exercise a $5 million option for infielder Miguel Rojas and a $3.5 million option for catcher Austin Barnes. Barnes is the second-longest tenured Dodgers player behind Kershaw, playing 10 seasons.
Rojas, 35, just finished one of the best seasons of his 11-year career, batting .283 with six homers and 36 RBIs. Barnes hit .264 with one homer and 11 RBIs.
Los Angeles also extended a $21.05 million qualifying offer to slugger Teoscar Hernandez, who hit a career-high 33 homers. Players have until 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 19 to accept.
If Hernandez does, he will be under contract with the Dodgers for another season. If he declines and signs elsewhere, his new team must forfeit at least one draft pick and Los Angeles will receive at least one draft pick as compensation.
Rangers RHP Nathan Eovaldi declines $20M, becomes free agent.
Wandy Peralta picks up option with Padres, Ha-Seong Kim declines.
Phil Maton hits free agency after Mets decline 2025 option.
Brewers' Frankie Montas, Colin Rea headed to free agency.
Yankees GM Cashman talks Soto, Alonso with agent Boras at meetings.
SAN ANTONIO -- Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has started talks with agent Scott Boras about keeping Juan Soto with New York, and they also discussed power-hitting first baseman Pete Alonso.Cashman said he spoke Monday with Boras at the general managers meetings and revealed he had a conversation with Soto after the season, which ended with the Yankees losing the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.
"I had a chance to thank him for everything and told him we'd be in touch," Cashman said Tuesday. "And then since that time I've talked to obviously Scott, as well, and so he'll get a feel for the dance steps that Juan Soto wants and he'll keep us in the loop."
A free agent at age 26, Soto is expected to command a contract of $500 million or more. New York acquired him from San Diego in December, and Soto hit .288 with 41 homers, 109 RBIs and 129 walks, combining with Aaron Judge to form a powerful 1-2 punch at Nos. 2 and 3 in the batting order. Soto's three-run, 10th-inning homer in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series at Cleveland earned the Yankees their first pennant since 2009.
After the World Series defeat, Soto said: "I'm going to be available for all 30 teams" and "I don't want to say anybody has any advantage."
Cashman said New York was willing to meet with Soto as often as the player wanted.
"We certainly have an interest in retaining him and we'll put our best foot forward there," Cashman said. "That will either lead to us retaining him and signing him back or we'll be forced to go to a different direction if we can't. And if we can't, there's a lot of different players in this marketplace that can positively impact this roster in different ways.
"Clearly that pressure point's not on us today, but it does exist in the marketplace every winter, so those are the tough decisions you have to make."
Top free agents include Alonso and third baseman Alex Bregman, also represented by Boras.
In addition to the Yankees, the Mets under billionaire owner Steve Cohen and the Dodgers are among the teams that could afford Soto. Cashman wouldn't express how much a rival the Mets are for Soto's signature.
"They want to win. They're in a large market with us. They had a taste of success this year and they want to move the needle even more forward," Cashman said. "That's just the nature of the beast, and big-market owners with deep pockets aren't the only ones signing players to big deals. I mean, you've seen the San Diego Padres sitting out in the West Coast. They've imported a lot of big-time players with big-time contracts."
Angels agree with ex-Cubs RHP Kyle Hendricks.
SAN ANTONIO -- Free agent pitcher Kyle Hendricks has agreed to a one year, $2.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, sources familiar with the situation told ESPN.Hendricks, 34, posted a 5.92 ERA for the Chicago Cubs last season but was better in the second half after a stint in the bullpen. His ERA was 4.41 from mid-July to the end of the regular season. He threw 7⅓ shutout innings in his last start as a Cub in late September after spending the first 11 years of his career with Chicago.
The Angels are hoping Hendricks finds more consistency in 2025, similar to what he displayed at times late in 2024. They also have a young pitching staff that needs mentoring. Hendricks can help in that department as well.
Hendricks won the ERA title in 2016, helping the Cubs to a World Series title. He was the last member of that team still playing for the Cubs until he became a free agent after the 2024 season. Overall, he's 97-81 with a 3.68 ERA.
Hendricks is from the Los Angeles area, having gone to Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo, California. He was originally drafted by the Angels in the 39th round in 2008 before attending Dartmouth. Additionally, his dad worked in the Angels' ticket office for six years when Hendricks was a teenager.
Braves don't expect Acuna, Strider back for 2025 opener.
SAN ANTONIO -- Atlanta Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. and pitcher Spencer Strider are not expected to recover from injuries in time for the team's season opener at San Diego on March 27.Acuna, the 2023 National League MVP, tore his left ACL on May 26, and the 26-year-old slugger had surgery June 6.
Strider, a right-hander who turned 26 last week, had surgery April 12 to repair his pitching elbow. Strider had Tommy John surgery in 2019 and said the latest procedure used an internal brace.
"With both guys, I don't think it's significant time, but I think we're confident that Opening Day is not realistic for them," Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos told reporters Tuesday at the general managers meetings. "I think, look, once we get to spring, you get to the beginning of February, you'll have a much better idea on timelines. We're planning that they will not be part of the Opening Day roster, and how soon after that, we'll know more as we get deeper into the offseason."
Dodgers' Betts likely to play second base or shortstop in '25.
SAN ANTONIO -- Eight-time All-Star Mookie Betts is likely to move back to the infield, manning second base or shortstop for the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025, general manager Brandon Gomes said Wednesday."It could be second, it could be short. We don't really know yet," Gomes said from the annual GM meetings. "We need to continue to have those conversations. But I think it's much more like, 'Hey, Mookie's looking to get back in the infield' than anything else.
"I know the toll on the body is less in the infield for him. So you can make arguments on both sides of it. But the beauty of Mookie is it's the most selfless superstar we've ever been around. And that permeates through the team."
Betts, 32, spent the first 72 games of the 2024 season as the Dodgers' shortstop after splitting time between second base and right field the previous season. With an acute need for outfield production this season, Los Angeles moved Betts back to right when he returned from a broken hand Aug. 12 after sitting out nearly two months.
Los Angeles could re-sign free agent outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, who spent 2024 as its left fielder but is a natural right fielder, or it could pursue free agent star Juan Soto, though the team is likely to balk at a price tag expected to approach, if not exceed, $600 million.
Betts' versatility aligns well with the Dodgers' roster, which also includes Tommy Edman (who plays shortstop and center field), Gavin Lux (a second baseman who has also played shortstop and outfield) and utilityman Chris Taylor. The Dodgers also could venture into the free agent market for former Milwaukee shortstop Willy Adames.
"For Mookie, winning is always No. 1," Gomes said, "so I just wouldn't be surprised if he's like, 'Hey, this is the best thing. I'll play wherever.' I think catching is probably out of the realm of possibility, although I'm sure he would be good at that, as well.
"We're always looking to improve the team, and the flexibility is something that's helpful as we're going out and looking for options on how to make the team better. I don't think it's a pressing need, but ... if there's an ability to add good players and that's the best way to do it, certainly open to it."
The timetable for the return of star two-way player Shohei Ohtani, who underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a torn labrum in his non-throwing left arm, is unclear, and Gomes said he was not certain Ohtani would be available to pitch on Opening Day in Tokyo on March 18. Ohtani, 30, is recovering from reconstructive right elbow surgery -- the second time he has needed such a procedure -- and did not pitch in 2024.
Ohtani tore his labrum and partially dislocated his shoulder sliding into second base on a stolen-base attempt during Game 2 of the World Series. Though he continued to play through the injury, Ohtani struggled in the series against the New York Yankees. He is expected to be ready for spring training, Gomes said, though his rehabilitation could affect the buildup to his offseason pitching plan.
We'll see how he gets through this phase and then take it each step by step because it's complicated with somebody who's also hitting," Gomes said. "So we're just going to make sure that we're checking every box to make sure he's in the best possible position health-wise, and whatever falls out of that smart, methodical process will be what it is."
The Dodgers are expected to turn to a six-man rotation, with right-handers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow, a pair of other pitchers coming off injuries -- right-handers Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May -- and left-hander Clayton Kershaw, a free agent who intends to play for Los Angeles in 2025.
"As always," Gomes said, "Kersh is of the highest priority for us."
Another top priority, Gomes said: signing manager Dave Roberts, whose contract expires after the 2025 season, to a long-term extension "as long as we can see out."
Aaron Boone to return as manager after Yankees pick up option.
Aaron Boone will return as manager of the New York Yankees next season after the team exercised its 2025 club option.Boone, who led the Yankees to their first World Series appearance since 2009, will return for his 8th season, the team announced Friday.
Aaron is a steadying presence in our clubhouse and possesses a profound ability to connect with and foster relationships with his players," general manager Brian Cashman said in a team statement. "Consistently exhibiting these skills in such a demanding and pressurized market is what makes him one of the game's finest managers. Our work is clearly not done, but as we pursue the ultimate prize in 2025, I am excited to have Aaron back to lead our team."
Boone expressed his appreciation for team's confidence in him, and the "privilege" of leading the Yankees for another season.
"I am grateful for the trust placed in me to lead this team. It's a responsibility - and an opportunity - that I will never take lightly," Boone said in the statement. "It's a great privilege to show up for work every day and be surrounded by so many determined and talented players, coaches and staff members. Starting with Steinbrenner family, there is a collective commitment to excellence within this organization that is embedded in all that we do. I'm already looking forward to reporting for spring training in Tampa and working tirelessly to return the Yankees to the postseason to compete for a World Championship."
Boone, whose Yankees were defeated by the Dodgers in five games in the World Series, is just the third manager in franchise history to to lead the team to postseason berths in six of his first seven years after Casey Stengel and Joe Torre. He's 603-429 at helm of the Yankees with three American League East titles and one pennant in seven seasons.
New York said Boone will discuss the decision during a news conference on Monday.
Cashman, speaking at the league's GM meetings earlier this week, said the deadline to exercise the option was 10 days after the conclusion of the World Series, and left open the possibility of reaching a new deal with Boone going forward.
How much money each MLB team made last year, and how much of that is going towards their payroll this year.
Miami Marlins to hire Clayton McCullough as manager.
The Miami Marlins are hiring former Los Angeles Dodgers first-base coach Clayton McCullough as their new manager, a source familiar with the situation told ESPN on Sunday.McCullough, 44, spent the past four seasons on Dave Roberts' coaching staff in L.A., the last of which ended in a championship. He succeeds Skip Schumaker, who was not brought back at the end of his contract and has since joined the Texas Rangers' front office as a senior adviser to president of baseball operations Chris Young.
The Los Angeles Angels have signed former Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud to a two-year, $12M contract. He leaves Atlanta to go work with young backstop Logan O'Hoppe, reuniting with former Braves 3B coach and current manager Ron Washington.
