2025 MLB offseason buzz: Intel on free agency, trade rumors  —  The MLB hot stove season is here!  —  As players become free to sign with any team they choose (free agency officially begins Thursday at 5 p.m. ET), we asked our MLB reporters to open their notebooks with all of the intel …

Cubs, Colin Rea Agree To One-Year Extension  —  The Cubs have hammered out a restructured deal with right-hander Colin Rea, reports MLBTR's Steve Adams.  It's a $6.5MM guarantee that includes a club option for the 2027 season and maxes out at $13MM over two years if that option is exercised.

Giants owner evaluates Buster Posey, hiring Tony Vitello and Bruce Bochy's return to S.F.  —  Greg Johnson's annual Q & A with the Chronicle took place in the postseason for the first time, better to discuss the big news — Tony Vitello's hiring — but it comes with some new info, too.

Derek Shelton used his time off after the Pirates fired him to present the Twins a better candidate  —  Derek Shelton spent the first couple of weeks after his firing by the Pittsburgh Pirates in his feelings, bitter about the dismissal just 38 games into his sixth season as manager and defiant about his ability to do the job well.

Hoskins, Quintana to become free agents after Brewers decline 2026 options  —  First baseman Rhys Hoskins and left-hander José Quintana are heading to free agency after the Milwaukee Brewers declined their 2026 mutual options on Tuesday.  Milwaukee declined an $18 million option on Hoskins …

Mariners exercise 2026 option on closer Andrés Muñoz  —  The Seattle Mariners exercised their $6 million club option for 2026 on closer Andrés Muñoz, general manager Justin Hollander announced Tuesday.  Muñoz, 26, went 3-3 with a 1.73 ERA and a career-high 38 saves, third-most in the major leagues.

Victor Rodriguez leaving Padres to become Astros' hitting coach  —  Whoever the Padres' next manager is will have a new hitting coach in 2026.  —  Victor Rodriquez and the Astros are finalizing a deal for him to become that franchise's hitting coach after he spent two seasons in the role for the Padres.

Salvy signs 2-year deal to stay with Royals through 2027  —  KANSAS CITY — The Royals have signed catcher Salvador Perez to a two-year contract that runs through the 2027 season, the club announced Tuesday night.  —  The new deal takes the place of the 2026 club option …

Yu Darvish Undergoes UCL Surgery, Will Miss Entire 2026 Season  —  The Padres announced that right-hander Yu Darvish underwent surgery last Wednesday to fix a damaged right UCL and flexor tendon.  The procedure was an internal brace surgery instead of a full Tommy John surgery …

Braves' Alex Anthopoulos says club ran extensive external search before promoting Walt Weiss as manager  —  ATLANTA — There were times during the Atlanta Braves' 33-day search for a new manager that Walt Weiss thought “that ship had sailed” regarding his chances to move up from bench coach …

Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge going for consecutive MVP awards  —  NEW YORK — Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge are in the running for consecutive MVP awards.  —  Ohtani joined Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber and New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto as finalists for the NL honor.

Detroit Tigers hire Brad Ciolek from Nationals as leader of international operations  —  The Detroit Tigers have a new leader in their international operations department.  —  The Tigers, led by president of baseball operations Scott Harris, hired Brad Ciolek from the Washington Nationals …

White Sox to hire Derek Shomon as hitting coach, Zach Bove as pitching coach  —  The White Sox are on the precipice of naming their new major league coaching staff under manager Will Venable, with formal announcements beginning on Tuesday.  —  Sources confirm to Sox Machine that the club …

Detroit Tigers decline Randy Dobnak's club option to complete failed Chris Paddack trade  —  The Randy Dobnak era is over.  —  The Detroit Tigers declined their $6 million club option on Dobnak before the Thursday, Nov. 6, deadline for contract option decisions, according to a person …