We have a lot to cover in our first installment of the offseason, so let’s jump right in, shall we?
As per Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports, ten players were extended respective one-year, $17.8 million qualifying offers from their previous teams; Josh Donaldson (Atlanta), Stephen Strasburg (Washington), Anthony Rendon (Washington), Gerrit Cole (Houston), Jose Abreu (Chicago White Sox), Jake Odorizzi (Minnesota), Madison Bumgarner (San Francisco), Will Smith (San Francisco), Zack Wheeler (Mets), and Marcell Ozuna (St. Louis).
As per the collective bargaining agreement, all QO’d players have 10 days to either accept or reject the offer. If they decline and sign with a new team, their former club receives a compensatory pick in next year’s draft.
Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that J.D. Martinez will not opt-out of his contract with the Red Sox this offseason, though he will have the option to do so again next offseason.
Scott Mitchell of TSN notes the Blue Jays could have an interest in 27-year-old Japanese first baseman/outfielder Yoshitomo Tsutsugo. Once posted by Yokohama of the JPCL, Tsutsugo (.272/.388/.511, 29 homers, 24 doubles, 79 RBIs, 557 PA in 2019) could be a hot commodity.
The Braves signed catcher Tyler Flowers and outfielder Nick Markakis to one-year, $4 million contracts after declining their 2020 team options, and also declined right-hander Julio Teheran‘s and outfielder Billy Hamilton‘s team options for next season, making them free agents.
The Phillies declined to pick up team options on right-handers Jared Hughes and Pat Neshek or left-hander Jason Vargas. They outrighted right-handers Jerad Eickhoff, Mike Morin, Blake Parker, and Edubray Ramos, as well as infielder Phil Gosselin, and announced that right-hander Jake Arrieta exercised his player option for 2020.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post confirmed that the Yankees did not extend Didi Gregorius a qualifying offer, sending the 29-year-old into free agency without a draft pick attached to him.
The Los Angeles Angels declined outfielder Kole Calhoun‘s option for 2020, making him a free agent.
The Twins declined left-hander Martin Perez‘ $7.5 million option for next season, instead choosing to buy him out ($500K), as per Darren Wolfson of KTSP.
The Brewers traded right-hander Chase Anderson to the Blue Jays for 24-year-old first-base/outfield prospect Chad Spanberger. Milwaukee also parted ways with first baseman Eric Thames and exercised their 2020 team option for backstop Manny Pina.
Toronto designated 32-year-old right-hander Ryan Tepera for assignment and outrighted second-baseman Devon Travis to Triple-A Buffalo, who can accept or reject the assignment, as per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.
The Pirates exercised team options on center fielder Starling Marte and right-hander Chris Archer, as per a team announcement. Pittsburgh also outrighted right-handers James Marvel, Alex McRae, and Yefry Ramirez, as well as left-hander Wei-Chung Wang, off their 40-man roster.
The Padres designated right-handers Jacob Nix and Eric Yardley for assignment, outrighted infielder Seth Mejias-Brean to Triple-A El Paso, and right-hander Carl Edwards Jr. cleared waivers, making him a free agent.
The Reds outrighted infielders Christian Colon and Derek Dietrich, as well as right-handers Keury Mella and Jackson Stephens to Triple-A Louisville.
The Cubs exercised their 2020 club option on first baseman Anthony Rizzo and selected the contract of right-hander Colin Rea from Triple-A Iowa.
Cleveland outrighted right-handers Cody Anderson, A.J. Cole, and Danny Salazar, as well as left-hander Tyler Olson. All four elected for free agency.
San Francisco outrighted infielders Zach Green and Cristhian Adames to Triple-A Sacramento then re-signed both to minor league deals for 2020.
