Top News:
Kevin Acee / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres could be suitor for World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg — Team knows it has to add players, which means a bump in payroll; could bring San Diego State alum Stephen Strasburg home — The Padres' cover has been blown. — After two offseasons of essentially sneaking up on baseball …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Sports Illustrated, Cubs Insider, Gaslamp Ball and Bleacher Nation
RELATED:
Jack Baer / Yahoo! Sports:
World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg to opt out of contract, hit free agency
World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg to opt out of contract, hit free agency
Dylan A. Chase / MLB Trade Rumors:
Stephen Strasburg Opts Out Of Nationals Contract
Stephen Strasburg Opts Out Of Nationals Contract
Discussion:
Bless You Boys, MLB Baseball News …, NBCSports.com and Last Word on Baseball
Matt Martell / Sports Illustrated:
World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg Opts Out of Nationals Contract, Becomes Free Agent
World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg Opts Out of Nationals Contract, Becomes Free Agent
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Federal Baseball
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
J.D. Martinez Will Not Opt Out Of Red Sox Contract — Outfielder J.D. Martinez will not opt out of his contract with the Red Sox, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter). The 32-year-old Martinez had the option of collecting a $2.5MM buyout to forgo the remaining three years and $62.5MM …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Lone Star Ball, Over the Monster and CBS Boston
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Angels Decline Option Over Kole Calhoun — The Angels announced that they have declined their club option over outfielder Kole Calhoun, as Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register first reported (Twitter link). He'll receive a $1MM buyout rather than a $14MM salary for 2019.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Halos Heaven
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Cubs exercise Anthony Rizzo's $16.5M option for 2020 — CHICAGO — One day after picking up the 2020 option on pitcher Jose Quintana, the Chicago Cubs did the same with former All-Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo. — Rizzo will make $16.5 million next season, the first of two option years the Cubs hold on him.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Cubs Insider, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Bleacher Nation and Associated Press
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Braves, Nick Markakis Agree To New Deal — The Braves have agreed to re-sign outfielder Nick Markakis to a one-year deal worth $4MM, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic tweets. Atlanta held a $6MM option on Markakis with a $2MM buyout, and it seems they've handled that option in the exact same manner …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Talking Chop
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Blue Jays Acquire Chase Anderson — 12:39pm: The Blue Jays and Brewers have formally announced the trade. — 10:40am: The Blue Jays are sending minor league first baseman Chad Spanberger to Milwaukee to complete the deal, TSN's Scott Mitchell tweets. — 10:23am: The Blue Jays are set …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, baseballmusings.com, Brew Crew Ball, Bleacher Nation and Bluebird Banter
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Twins To Issue Qualifying Offer To Jake Odorizzi — The Twins will issue a qualifying offer to righty Jake Odorizzi, Jim Duquette of MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM reports (Twitter link). This year's qualifying offer value is $17.8MM. — While not unexpected, this move sets the stage for an interesting decision for Odorizzi.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Talking Chop and Twinkie Town
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
The luxury-tax implications of Aroldis Chapman's Yankees extension — The Yankees stayed relatively payroll neutral when it comes to the luxury tax with their extension for Aroldis Chapman. — Chapman could have opted out of the final two years at $30 million left on his five-year contract by midnight Saturday.
Discussion:
ESPN, New Jersey Online, Bleacher Nation, FanGraphs Baseball, Pinstripe Alley and baseballmusings.com
MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings …:
Madison Bumgarner receives qualifying offer from Giants — Madison Bumgarner has received a $17.8 million qualifying offer from the — San Francisco Giants, a move that likely will decrease demand for him in the free-agent market. — San Francisco's decision Monday means a team signing Bumgarner …
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
Chris Cwik / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Marvin Miller gets another shot at MLB's Hall of Fame as a member of the Modern Era ballot — Marvin Miller — the man responsible for strengthening the players' union — is once again up for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Miller is among the 10 baseball figures on 2020's Modern Baseball Era ballot.
Discussion:
Baseball Hall of Fame, Bucs Dugout and Bless You Boys
RELATED:
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Cleveland Indians radio announcer Tom Hamilton named finalist for 2020 Ford C. Frick Award
Cleveland Indians radio announcer Tom Hamilton named finalist for 2020 Ford C. Frick Award
Discussion:
DRaysBay and Over the Monster
ESPN:
Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado headlines Gold Glove winners with 7th straight — Nolan Arenado extended his streak of winning a Rawlings Gold Glove Award in every season of his career on Sunday, when the Colorado Rockies star captured the award for National League third basemen for the seventh consecutive year.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos and South Side Sox
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers Decline 2020 Option On Eric Thames — The Brewers announced Monday that they've declined their $7.5MM club option on first baseman/outfielder Eric Thames. He'll be paid a $1MM buyout instead. While Thames doesn't have the requisite six years of free agency to become a free agent …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Reds Outright Four Players — The Reds announced Monday that infielder/outfielder Derek Dietrich, infielder Christian Colon, right-hander Jackson Stephens and right-hander Keury Mella all went unclaimed on waivers and were set outright to Triple Louisville.
Discussion:
Red Reporter