MLB Awards Finalists Announced for MVP, Cy Young, Manager of the Year, Rookie of the Year  —  Just days removed from the end of postseason play, MLB revealed its finalists for each of the four major awards on Monday night.  —  Just days removed from the end of postseason play …

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 …

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 …

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.

2019-20 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions  —  MLB Trade Rumors is proud to present our 14th 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.

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

2020 Top 50 Free Agents  —  Welcome to FanGraphs' top-50 free-agent rankings.  Dave Cameron had previously been responsible for this annual post; I took the reins last year.  I'm back leading the charge again, with some assistance from my colleagues.  —  In what follows …

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 …