Royals' three top free agents will likely decline qualifying offers.  What next?  —  The Royals confirmed Monday that the club will give qualifying offers to free agents Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas and Lorenzo Cain, ensuring some level of compensation should those players sign elsewhere this offseason.

MLB free agency updates: Will the Phillies make a deal?  —  Baseball's business season began last Thursday, when 149 players became free agents just nine hours after the Houston Astros won their first World Series title.  The window for teams to start signing players officially opens at 5 p.m. Eastern on Monday.

Rays $17.4-million gamble with Alex Cobb is rooted in not trading him during season  —  Keeping RHP Alex Cobb throughout the season in their ultimately unsuccessful bid to make the playoffs is what left the Rays in position today to take another expensive gamble that could have a drastic impact on their 2018 payroll.

Cora says opportunity to manage Red Sox is a return home  —  BOSTON (AP) — New Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora didn't expect his first chance to manage in the major leagues to come this soon, but he says he's ready to take on the challenge of leading one of its most storied franchises.

Giants exercise contract options on Madison Bumgarner, Matt Moore  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Madison Bumgarner's $12 million option for the 2018 season has been exercised by the San Francisco Giants, who are determined to keep a talented rotation intact as the club looks to bounce back from a last-place season.

Blue Jays decline Jose Bautista's $17.5 million option  —  TORONTO (AP) — Jose Bautista's $17.5 million option has been declined by the Toronto Blue Jays, who will pay a $500,000 buyout.  —  Bautista became a free agent Sunday after the team turned down its half of the mutual option on the 36-year-old right fielder.

Detroit Tigers greats Morris, Trammell, Whitaker up for Hall of Fame again  —  Jack Morris isn't one for wondering about his Hall of Fame chances anymore.  —  “I'm just like you,” the former Detroit Tigers right-handed ace said last week at the World Series in Los Angeles.  “Wait and see.”

Brian Cashman gives some reasons for firing Joe Girardi  —  NEW YORK — General manager Brian Cashman decided the New York Yankees should part ways with Joe Girardi because he felt that the manager's “connectivity” with the clubhouse was not good enough.  —  “That's the primary position,” Cashman said.

Twins Name Derek Shelton Bench Coach  —  The Twins announced that they've hired veteran coach Derek Shelton as the new bench coach to manager Paul Molitor.  Minnesota's bench coach position became vacant when Joe Vavra joined Ron Gardenhire's coaching staff in Detroit.

Sports Illustrated reprinting issue predicting Astros title  —  Sports Illustrated is reprinting its 2014 issue that predicted that the Houston Astros would win the 2017 World Series.  —  The cover, initially printed on June 30, 2014, has the headline “Your 2017 World Champs” with a picture of George Springer.

Lewis joins Rangers' front office, but can he still pitch?  —  Colby Lewis is rejoining the Texas Rangers' organization for 2018, though as a special assistant to general manager Jon Daniels and not as one of the three pitchers needed for the starting rotation.

Astros coach Rich Dauer recovering after surgery for blood clot  —  HOUSTON — Houston Astros first-base coach Rich Dauer is recovering after surgery on a blood clot in his brain.  —  The 65-year-old was rushed to a hospital Friday immediately after Houston's parade to celebrate its first World Series title.