Astros extend qualifying offer to pitcher Dallas Keuchel  —  Only Dallas Keuchel received a qualifying offer from the Astros before Friday's 4 p.m. deadline, meaning the free agent lefthander could accept the one-year, $17.9 million deal and return to Houston for the 2019 season.

Mets cut Rafael Montero, once considered an ace of the future  —  Once considered a future ace of the franchise, Rafael Montero was cut by the Mets Friday.  The right-hander, who had surgery in the spring, ended up pitching in just 58 major league games for the Mets.

2018-19 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions  —  MLB Trade Rumors is proud to present our 13th annual Top 50 Free Agents list!  For the entire list of free agents, plus the ability to filter by signing status, position, signing team, and qualifying offer status, check out our mobile-friendly free agent tracker here.

Rays Tales: Laying out the agenda for a busy offseason  —  With offseason business officially starting following the end of the World Series, the Rays have plenty to do as always.  But with a bit of a different approach this year, as they have the bulk of their roster set …

Source: Orioles have interviewed seven candidates in first phase of search to replace Dan Duquette  —  Former Boston Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington is among the candidates the Orioles have interviewed or plan to interview to replace Dan Duquette.  (Associated Press)

Reports: Rangers hire Chris Woodward as new manager  —  The Texas Rangers have hired Los Angeles Dodgers third-base coach Chris Woodward as their new manager, according to multiple reports.  —  The news was first reported Friday by USA Today Sports.  —  Woodward, 42, will take on his first …

Tigers claim Jose Fernandez, Brandon Dixon off waivers  —  DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers claimed reliever Jose Fernandez and infielder Brandon Dixon off waivers.  —  The team announced the moves Friday.  —  The 25-year-old Fernandez made his major league debut this year with Toronto, posting a 6.10 ERA in 13 relief appearances.

The Strikeout Push/Pull Effect  —  Hey, guys.  I am aware that I owe you one article from the Rookie series, and I'll get to that next, and then we'll get back to the Bill James Life in Prison Baseball Game, try to re-launch that, but first of all I got carried away with a serious research question …

Marlins' Michael Hill heads to winter meetings with ‘open mind’  —  MIAMI — Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill dismissed talk about trading J.T. Realmuto with a joke Friday, noting the All-Star catcher may well be in a new uniform next year because there are rumors about the team changing its logo.

On Willie McGee's 60th birthday, 51 reasons St. Louis loves No. 51  —  Benjamin Hochman is a sports columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch  —  He led the league in humble.  —  Every year.  Willie McGee, the great Cardinal, was just the most-humble player in baseball …

Pedro Strop, Brandon Kintzler stay with Cubs  —  CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs exercised their $6.25 million option for Pedro Strop on Thursday, and fellow reliever Brandon Kintzler picked up his $5 million player option.  —  Strop can earn $750,000 in performance bonuses next year based …