Category: MLB

Yesterday market the beginning of free agency. Keegan Matheson of MLB.com has a roundup of the Jays’ roster moves, most notably declining Myles Straw’s $8m team option. He’ll instead receive a $1.75m buyout, financed by the Guardians as part of the trade that originally brought him to Toronto. Straw fills a useful role as an elite outfield defender and base runner in spite of his aenemic offensive output, and is really well liked in the clubhouse by all accounts. The team may well have interest in a reunion as free agency progresses, but guaranteeing $8 million was too steep. The team was looking at filling several vacancies with only $16m under the old luxury tax, and by the time the expected lockout is over that space may be even more constrained and/or more valuable with increasing penalties.

Yesterday also marked the switch from in-season to off-season roster rules, meaning players on the 60-day IL had to be reinstated to the 40-man roster. For Toronto, that included José Berríos, Jake Bloss, Bowden Francis, and Cody Ponce (no wonder the rotation struggled), as well as Anthony Santander, Addison Barger, and Jonatan Clase. CJ Van Eyk, optioned a few days ago, cleared waivers and was assigned to Buffalo, clearing a roster spot. At the end of all the shuffling, the 40-man roster stands at 37.

Those three spots, and maybe a couple more, will be filled with prospects needing protection from the Rule 5 draft. Teams might wait to make those moves on the expectation that a lockout delays or cancels the Winter Meetings and therefore the draft, but most likely the decisions will have to be made at some point. For the Jays, this year’s breakout pitcher, Nolan Perry, will need protection. So will one of last year’s big risers in Gage Stanifer. Daniel Guerra was another big 2026 riser, although elbow issues and command had him running out of gas a bit late in the year. All three have significant upside and the stuff to succeed in a major league bullpen in 2027, and they would be somewhere between likely and certain to be taken if left unprotected.

Josh Stephan, part of the return for Adam Macko at the deadline, is less of a prospect. He posted solid strikeout and walk numbers in a full AAA season this year, though, and his plus command makes him a potentially usable depth starter. The Jays will be eager to hang onto those after this past season.

On the position player side, Josh Kasevich snuck through last year’s draft unprotected after an injury-marred 2025. He was just average offensively this season in Buffalo, but he stayed healthy and his blend of versatile defence and top tier contact might make him a good candidate to stick as a utility man on someone’s roster. He’s the only bat I think is likely to be protected, but a couple others have a case. Nick Goodwin and Jay Harry also fit that bill, as guys with some offensive tools who can play somewhere on the dirt, but they’re more lightly regarded prospects with shorter upper minors track records and so might be the kind of guys the Jays are willing to allow to sneak through.

On the cutting side, third catcher Shawn Ross and relievers like Chase Lee, John Klein, and Brendan Cellucci could be cut and either signed back or replaced with basically similar guys without much worry. Most of the team’s arbitration eligible players look certain to be kept, although they’ll probably at least have a meeting about whether Josh Smith is worth an estimated $3.9 million with other corner infield bats on the team. I expect they’ll tender Ernie Clement as well, although his second half collapse and sudden defensive woes at age 30 are concerning enough to at least raise the question. All of which is to say, they should be able to protect everyone they really need to and create room for a free agent or two without cutting into the meat of the roster.

In more fun news, Dylan Cease is a Cy Young finalist. 2026 was, inning for inning, the best year of his career. He posted a 2.40 ERA on the strength of a monster 35% strikeout rate. Cease has been here before, finishing second to Justin Verlander in 2o22 and fourth in 2024. He’ll probably find himself the runner up again this year. Cam Schlittler posted nearly identically strong peripheral stats, but an ERA 0.45 runs lower over four more starts and 24.2 more innings. That takes nothing away from a great start to the Jays’ biggest ever free agent signing’s time in Canada, though.

Louis Varland is also a finalist for the AL Reliever of the Year Award. The BBWAA will vote on the award for the first time this year, as they do for other major awards, after MLB had simply selected the winner in past years. He ought to walk away with it, as his 1.27 ERA and 3.1 WAR both lead the league by significant margins (among pitchers with 45 or more innings). The BBWAA is the BBWAA, though, and Cleveland’s Cade Smith might take it on the strength of six more saves and 10 more strikeouts. It’d be nice to have one Jay win a major award in this mostly grim season, and Louis would richly deserve it. Results will be announced at MLB’s awards ceremony on the 11th.

In non-Jays news, MLB has announced that the posting window for Japanese players will not be extended in the event of a lockout, as it was in 2021. That means that the players posted on Sunday, including star third baseman/right fielder and reigning Central League Triple Crown winner Teruaki Sato (who would look excellent in blue and white…) will in all likelihood need to sign deals before midnight on December 1st or be forced to stay in Japan for another year. Agents are understandably angry, as their clients will have a third less time than the usual 45 days to negotiate the best deal. For the owners, it’s yet another sign that they intend to play hardball this winter and aren’t concerned with exacerbating tensions with the union as negotiations head into the final stretch.

FanGraphs | Ben Clemens: It’s going to be a strange winter, with labor uncertainty looming over all conversations about roster upgrades, free agent signings, and the usual business of the offseason. A new CBA could very well completely change how players are compensated, but we’re still going to talk about the guys that are available. Tarik Skubal is at the top of this year’s class, the former two-time Cy Young winner looking to be paid like the best pitcher in baseball. Beyond Skubal, after the disastrous season Jazz Chisholm Jr. had, there’s not a lot of high-ceiling talent available on the market, and it may be a slow winter made even slower by CBA negotiations.

New York Post | Greg Joyce: One of those men on the free agent market got a little more costly to sign yesterday, with the Yankees extending the $23 million qualifying offer to closer David Bednar. The righty has been terrific in a year and a half with the club, and will have until November 17th to decide whether to accept the one-year offer that would make him the highest paid reliever in baseball based on yearly salary. It’s noteworthy that the other big QO question was answered with Chisholm Jr. not being extended the same offer.

NJ.com | Adam Zagoria: Teruaki Sato is the highest-profile NPB player that will be posted this offseason, and he seems to fit the Yankees like a glove. His .990 OPS while playing a capable third base allows for a little bit of regression moving over to MLB while still being a heck of a lot better than what the club got out of Ryan McMahon at the hot corner this year. Ken Rosenthal confirmed that the Yankees will be keeping tabs on Sato’s market, and the org could get back into the business of signing Japanese stars.

MLB Trade Rumors | Darragh McDonald: The Yankees added Marco Luciano to the 40-man roster yesterday, after the former top Giants prospect spent time with the club’s Double-and Triple-A affiliates in 2026. Luciano, 25, can handle either middle infield spot and posted a .933 OPS across 116 MiLB games this past year.

Where Phillies could shop this winter: 20 free-agent targets to watch originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Phillies do not have one singular offseason need.

Baseball’s free-agent market opened to all 30 clubs Monday at 5 p.m. ET, beginning an offseason with an unusual clock attached.

The current collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1, and a work stoppage could freeze transactions immediately afterward. That gives teams and players less than a month to decide whether to act early or wait for a new agreement.

Five years ago, several prominent free agents signed shortly before the lockout. A large portion of the market remained unsigned until business resumed in March. It is too early to know which direction this offseason will take, adding another variable to every contract projection.

The Phillies do not have one singular need.

They need a catcher capable of reducing J.T. Realmuto’s workload, at least one infielder, an everyday outfielder with right-handed power, protection behind their five starters and multiple relievers.

Their rotation and closer are set. Almost everything around them carries some uncertainty, giving president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski several ways to divide the payroll.

Some additions could alter the shape of the lineup. Others would fill clearly defined roles around the existing core.

Here are 20 free agents who could fit at different prices, organized by position with their age for the 2027 season:

All ages are for the 2027 season. Contract projections are FanGraphs estimates where available and our estimates for players outside its top 50.

Catchers

Dombrowski wants Realmuto to catch fewer games after the 35-year-old finished the season feeling “more mentally drained.” Realmuto still made 122 starts behind the plate, while Rafael Marchán and Garrett Stubbs combined to provide little offense.

Stubbs has since elected free agency after being designated for assignment. The Phillies need someone Don Mattingly will trust enough to start regularly. Otherwise, reducing Realmuto’s workload will remain more of an idea than a plan.

Carson Kelly, C (32)

2026: 121 G, .258/.336/.376, 10 HR, 58 RBI, .712 OPS
Projected contract: One year, $10 million

Kelly offers the clearest path to a true catching tandem.

The right-handed hitter produced a .871 OPS against left-handed pitching last season and owns an .822 mark in those matchups throughout his career. He also controlled the strike zone, finishing well above average in chase, whiff and strikeout rate.

Kelly graded well as a blocker but struggled to control the running game. His throwing ranked near the bottom of the league and opponents were successful on 89 percent of their stolen-base attempts.

That weakness would have to be weighed against the offense he could provide. Kelly is capable of starting against left-handers, catching two or three times per week and allowing Realmuto to receive a full day away from the lineup. The challenge may be convincing him to accept that role when other teams can offer more playing time.

James McCann, C (37)

2026: 52 G, .282/.311/.455, 7 HR, 28 RBI, .766 OPS
Projected contract: One year, $4 million

McCann would provide experience at a much lower price.

He performed well in limited action for Arizona, producing his highest OPS since the shortened 2020 season. He also has familiarity with Dombrowski, who selected him in the second round of the 2011 draft while running the Tigers.

McCann would not represent a long-term solution, but the Phillies are not searching for one after signing Realmuto through 2028. They need a catcher who can handle an experienced pitching staff and provide more offense than they received from the position last season.

His production came in only 166 plate appearances, so the Phillies could not expect the same rate across a larger workload. Still, a one-year agreement would give them a veteran partner for Realmuto without requiring a substantial commitment.

Infielders

Bohm, Luis Arraez and Edmundo Sosa have reached free agency, leaving the Phillies with several possible alignments.

Bryson Stott can play second or third. Trea Turner will receive an opportunity to remain at shortstop, although Dombrowski made clear that his defense must improve. Aidan Miller has worked at shortstop and third base but played only four regular-season games in 2026 because of his back injury.

The Phillies also declined to extend Bohm the $23.15 million qualifying offer, allowing him to enter the market without draft-pick compensation attached.

They could pursue an established third baseman, add a second baseman and move Stott or sign a versatile player who keeps several alignments available.

Gleyber Torres, 2B (30)

2026: 96 G, .260/.364/.363, 8 HR, 38 RBI, .727 OPS
Projected contract: Two years, $28 million

Torres would give the top of the Phillies’ lineup a different look.

He walked in 13.6 percent of his plate appearances and chased only 19.2 percent of the pitches he saw, one of the lowest rates in baseball. Even during a season interrupted by two oblique injuries, he reached base at a career-best .364 rate.

That patience comes with tradeoffs. Torres hit for little power, did not steal a base and finished with minus-5 Outs Above Average at second. His value would come almost entirely from his bat.

Unlike Arraez, Torres does not have to hit his way on base. He works deep counts and forces pitchers into the strike zone, which could make him an option to hit first or second. Signing him would likely move Stott to third base and give the Phillies an on-base threat without committing to another corner infielder.

Ildemaro Vargas, UTIL (35)

2026: 130 G, .254/.298/.377, 9 HR, 67 RBI, .675 OPS
Projected contract: One year, $5 million

Vargas would give the Phillies a switch-hitting utility option at a modest price.

He batted .321 with a .347 on-base percentage, .500 slugging percentage and six home runs against left-handers. He rarely missed, finishing in the 94th percentile in whiff rate and 98th percentile in strikeout rate.

Vargas is aggressive. His chase rate ranked near the bottom of the league and he produced only a .580 OPS against right-handed pitching. That limits him to a platoon or utility role.

He appeared at all four infield positions and left field for Arizona, allowing Mattingly to rest veteran players without losing much defensively. Vargas would not carry the upside of a larger acquisition, but he could replace Sosa’s at-bats against lefties while covering more positions.

Teruaki Sato, 3B/RF (28)

2026 in Japan: 143 G, .306/.383/.609, 39 HR, 106 RBI, 8 SB
Projected contract: Five years, $110 million, plus posting fee

Sato would give the Phillies the greatest opportunity to reshape their lineup.

He won the Central League Triple Crown by hitting .306 with 39 home runs and 106 RBIs. That followed a 40-homer season in 2025, when he was named the league’s Most Valuable Player.

His power is not subtle. Sato produced a 56 percent hard-hit rate in Japan and recorded a maximum exit velocity of 116 mph. Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto combined for 68 home runs during their first major-league seasons in 2026, further demonstrating how Japanese power can translate.

There is considerable swing-and-miss in Sato’s game. He struck out 164 times last season, and FanGraphs projects a strikeout rate above 30 percent in the majors. Evaluators also differ on whether his throwing will allow him to remain at third base, although he won a Gold Glove there in 2025 and has experience in right field.

The Phillies have scouted Sato and need to establish themselves in the Japanese market. His left-handed bat would not improve their lineup balance, but his power would give them a dimension Bohm did not.

Mauricio Dubón, UTIL (32)

2026: 153 G, .276/.321/.399, 12 HR, 73 RBI, 10 SB, .720 OPS
Projected contract: One year, $8 million

Dubón could cover several positions while the Phillies wait to see when Miller is ready.

He started games at second, third, shortstop and all three outfield positions for Atlanta. He’s on track to win his third Gold Glove as a utility player and struck out in only 11.8 percent of his plate appearances.

Dubón does not walk often or provide substantial power, but he makes consistent contact, plays elite defense and would allow the Phillies to change their alignment without making another move.

He could open the season at third base, move to second if Stott shifts across the diamond or play the outfield when Mattingly wants to rest one of his regulars. If Miller forces his way to the majors, Dubón could move into the utility role he has handled throughout his career.

Outfielders

The Phillies have struggled to find sustained production in right field since Bryce Harper moved to first base.

Justin Crawford and Brandon Marsh give them left-handed options in center and left field. That leaves an opening in right for a hitter who can provide power from the right side and control the strike zone. The Phillies would also prefer to avoid platooning at all three outfield positions, as they did at times last season.

Randy Arozarena, LF (32)

2026: 154 G, .281/.381/.484, 26 HR, 79 RBI, 26 SB, .865 OPS
Projected contract: Three years, $69 million

Arozarena put together the best regular season of his career before reaching free agency.

He set career highs in average, on-base percentage, slugging and runs while recording his sixth consecutive 20-homer season. His combination of 26 home runs and 26 stolen bases would make the Phillies more athletic without sacrificing power.

Arozarena also owns a .946 OPS with 12 home runs in 45 postseason games. That experience will appeal to an organization that has repeatedly seen its offense slow down in October.

His defense is better suited to left field, and he received a $23.15 million qualifying offer from Seattle. Signing him would require the Phillies to surrender draft capital on top of a significant contract.

He would still provide the right-handed presence the lineup lacks, with enough on-base ability to hit near the top and enough power to remain in the middle.

Ian Happ, LF (32)

2026: 156 G, .218/.326/.412, 24 HR, 68 RBI, .738 OPS
Projected contract: Two years, $30 million

Happ’s batting average and strikeout total will receive the most attention after he hit .218 and struck out 189 times.

The larger record is steadier. Happ has appeared in at least 148 games in six consecutive full seasons, reached base at a .341 career rate and hit between 21 and 25 home runs in each of the last four years.

The switch hitter has been considerably better from the left side. He produced only a 36 wRC+ against left-handed pitching last season, meaning he would not completely solve the Phillies’ need for right-handed production.

He would provide power, walks and Gold Glove defense — four of those already on his mantle — in left field. Happ also did not receive a qualifying offer from Chicago, removing the draft-pick cost attached to Arozarena and Suzuki. He represents a less expensive way to improve the outfield without relying on a one-year rebound.

Taylor Ward, LF/RF (33)

2026: 143 G, .225/.359/.311, 7 HR, 37 RBI, .670 OPS
Projected contract: One year, $10 million

Ward would be the buy-low option of this group.

One year after hitting 36 home runs and driving in 103, the right-handed outfielder finished with seven homers and did not hit one after Seattle acquired him at the deadline. He batted .125 with a .386 OPS in 32 games for the Mariners.

His understanding of the strike zone remained elite. Ward chased only 14.9 percent of pitches outside the zone and drew 99 walks, keeping his on-base percentage at .359 despite the loss of power.

He also provided solid defense in left field before the trade, giving him value even while his offensive results declined.

Because Ward changed teams during the season, he was ineligible to receive a qualifying offer. A one-year contract would allow him to rebuild his market while the Phillies bet that some of his 2025 power returns at Citizens Bank Park.

Seiya Suzuki, RF (32)

2026: 143 G, .270/.368/.473, 26 HR, 86 RBI, .841 OPS
Projected contract: Four years, $108 million

Suzuki may be the cleanest offensive fit available.

The right-handed hitter has recorded an OPS above .800 in four consecutive seasons and owns an .823 mark since arriving from Japan. He chased only 22.5 percent of pitches last season and improved his contact rate inside the strike zone.

Suzuki also made progress defensively. After spending considerable time at designated hitter earlier in his Cubs tenure, he became a Gold Glove finalist in right field.

His combination of patience, power and defensive improvement would give the Phillies an everyday answer at a position that has remained unsettled. He would also become their first Japanese-born major leaguer since So Taguchi played for the club in 2008, potentially helping future pursuits in that market.

Chicago extended Suzuki the qualifying offer, and he should receive one of the largest contracts in this class. The price will be substantial, but so is the fit.

Starting pitchers

The Phillies do not need to promise another pitcher a permanent rotation spot.

They need someone capable of working multiple innings from the bullpen and making a start when one of their five becomes unavailable. Philadelphia went 2-14 in games not started by Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sánchez, Jesús Luzardo, Aaron Nola or Andrew Painter last season.

Dombrowski has already said the organization will add more starting depth. These four names were examined more extensively here.

Ryan Yarbrough, LHP (35)

2026: 38 G, 2 GS, 63⅓ IP, 3.69 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 49 K
Projected contract: One year, $4 million

Yarbrough offers the clearest low-cost solution.

His four-seam fastball averaged approximately 87 mph, but opponents produced a major-league-low 25 percent hard-hit rate against him. Yarbrough changes speeds, varies his shapes and avoids the center of the plate well enough to survive without velocity.

He has made 78 starts during his career and has extensive experience working as a bulk reliever. That would give Mattingly a pitcher who could follow an opener, provide three or four innings during a short start or enter the rotation without changing the bullpen’s entire structure.

The Phillies would not be signing him for dominance. They would be paying for a defined role and a pitcher who has shown he can handle it.

Colin Rea, RHP (36)

2026: 34 G, 19 GS, 137 IP, 4.34 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 101 K
Projected contract: One year, $6 million

The Cubs declined Rea’s $7.5 million option Monday, placing one of the market’s more experienced swingmen into free agency.

Rea spent two seasons moving between Chicago’s rotation and bullpen, making 46 starts and 20 relief appearances while covering 296⅓ innings. He also recorded two saves last season, reflecting how willing the Cubs were to use him in different situations.

His strikeout rate is modest and his margin for error can disappear when the ball leaves the park. He still offers something the Phillies lacked: the ability to take the ball for five innings without needing a lengthy buildup.

His age should keep the contract within the range Philadelphia can justify for a sixth starter.

Cal Quantrill, RHP (32)

2026: 32 G, 15 GS, 110 IP, 2.86 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 81 K
Projected contract: Two years, $18 million

Quantrill would be the most expensive pitcher in this group because his 2026 results could lead other teams to view him as a full-time starter.

After consecutive seasons with ERAs near or above 5.00, the right-hander signed a minor-league deal with Texas and rebuilt his value. He posted a 2.47 ERA as a starter and a 3.78 mark in relief.

Quantrill does not miss many bats, but he limited walks and consistently kept the Rangers in games. A lat strain ended his season in September, adding a medical question to an otherwise impressive year.

The Phillies would need to sell him on a fluid role or provide enough money to overcome another club’s rotation opportunity. If they can, he offers considerably more upside than a traditional depth signing.

Erick Fedde, RHP (34)

2026: 33 G, 15 GS, 141 IP, 3.83 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 99 K
Projected contract: One year, $6 million

Fedde handled the most balanced workload of the four.

He nearly divided his innings between 15 starts and 18 relief appearances for the White Sox, posting a 3.86 ERA from the rotation and a 3.80 mark out of the bullpen.

His 4.79 expected ERA and 16.3 percent strikeout rate indicate that some regression could follow. His value comes from his workload and willingness to pitch wherever needed.

Fedde would not have to be removed from the bullpen solely to cover one start. He could already be stretched to provide several innings, then remain in the rotation if the absence lasts longer. That flexibility would prevent the Phillies from repeating last season’s cycle of openers and short-term call-ups.

Relief pitchers

The Phillies have their closer in Jhoan Duran. What they lack is certainty in the innings leading to him, particularly from the left side.

Bullpen performance has repeatedly influenced their postseason exits, and the club cannot rely on one late-inning arm to cover every close game. This free-agent class includes proven setup pitchers, rebound candidates and several left-handers with swing-and-miss stuff.

Jason Adam, RHP (35)

2026: 38 G, 34⅓ IP, 2.62 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 22 K
Projected contract: One year, $8 million

Adam has been one of baseball’s most consistent late-inning relievers since joining Tampa Bay in 2022.

He recorded a 2.12 ERA across 197 appearances from 2022-24, then posted a 1.93 mark while making his first All-Star team in 2025. His 2026 season was interrupted by a shoulder strain that kept him out for nearly three months.

The ERA remained strong after his return, but his strikeout rate fell to 15.5 percent. That is a significant decline for a pitcher whose ability to miss bats helped establish him as a high-leverage arm.

Adam’s medical evaluation and velocity will determine the market. A shorter contract would allow the Phillies to add experience without paying exclusively for the pitcher he was before the shoulder injury.

Alex Vesia, LHP (31)

2026: 72 G, 58 IP, 2.64 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 74 K
Projected contract: Two years, $18 million

Vesia would immediately become the Phillies’ most dependable left-handed reliever.

Left-handed hitters batted .138 against him, the lowest average allowed by any lefty reliever who faced at least 100 of them. His four-seam fastball averaged only 92.1 mph but generated 21.2 inches of induced vertical break, allowing it to play above its velocity.

Vesia also expanded his changeup usage against right-handers, giving him a third pitch beyond the fastball and slider. His overall strikeout rate finished at 31.2 percent.

He has pitched in six postseasons and owns a 1.59 ERA across 31 career playoff appearances. His experience, durability and ability to handle hitters from both sides would make him one of the strongest bullpen options on the market.

Paul Blackburn, RHP (33)

2026: 62 G, 2 GS, 85 IP, 1.59 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 69 K
Projected contract: Two years, $18 million

Blackburn completely changed his market after moving into the Yankees’ bullpen.

The former starter worked 85 innings, made two spot starts and recorded a 1.59 ERA after signing for $2 million. His deep pitch mix allowed New York to use him for more than three outs without exposing him to the same lineup several times.

His changeup held opponents to a .090 average, while his curveball produced a 41.1 percent whiff rate and an .081 opponents’ average. Shorter appearances also helped his sinker average 94.3 mph, nearly two miles per hour harder than the previous season.

Blackburn could provide multi-inning relief when the rotation is healthy and serve as another starting option when it is not.

JoJo Romero, LHP (30)

2026: 49 G, 48⅓ IP, 3.72 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 46 K
Projected contract: Two years, $16 million

Romero could return to Philadelphia four years after the Phillies traded him to St. Louis for Sosa.

The left-hander developed into a reliable reliever after lowering his arm slot and leaning into a sinker-sweeper combination. He recorded a 2.91 ERA across the last three seasons and consistently generated ground balls.

Romero strengthened his market during Milwaukee’s run to the World Series. He allowed one earned run over eight postseason innings, striking out 11 and walking one.

His 2026 regular-season numbers were not as sharp as the previous year, when he posted a 2.07 ERA. Still, he has shown he can work in the seventh or eighth inning and neutralize left-handed hitters without being restricted to one-batter assignments.

Evan Phillips, RHP (32)

2026: 31 G, 26 IP, 3.46 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 33 K
Projected contract: Two years, $20 million

Phillips returned from Tommy John surgery in July and gradually regained the form that made him one of the Dodgers’ most trusted relievers.

He generated a career-best 35 percent chase rate, pairing an upper-90s fastball with a sweeper that can move more than 15 inches horizontally. His command was inconsistent at times, and he allowed five home runs in only 26 innings.

The larger record is difficult to ignore. Phillips posted a 2.31 ERA from 2022-25 and has not allowed an earned run in 17 career postseason appearances. He added three more scoreless innings in October this year.

A full offseason removed from surgery could improve his command. The Phillies would be paying for that possibility and for a pitcher who has already handled the type of postseason innings they need filled.

A.J. Puk, LHP (32)

2026: Did not pitch in the majors
Projected contract: One year, $4 million plus incentives

Puk is the greatest risk on this list.

The 6-foot-7 left-hander spent 2026 recovering from an internal-brace procedure on his elbow. He began a minor-league rehab assignment in June but developed a left shoulder capsule sprain and was shut down for the season.

His most recent healthy stretch showed why teams will remain interested. After Arizona acquired him in 2024, Puk recorded a 1.32 ERA with 43 strikeouts over 27⅓ innings. He throws in the upper 90s and has struck out nearly 30 percent of the hitters he has faced as a major-league reliever.

The Phillies could not enter the season counting on Puk as their primary left-handed setup option. Paired with a more dependable addition, however, an incentive-heavy agreement would give them a chance to add a high-end arm without guaranteeing high-end money.

It’s the eve of Election Day, and Shohei Ohtani has found himself on the ballot.

The NL MVP ballot, that is.

News broke on Monday that the Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way superstar was as one of three finalists for the 2026 National League Most Valuable Player Award, alonside Milwaukee Brewers infielder Brice Turang and Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong.

Despite Ohtani’s well-documented struggles during the final few months of the regular season and the postseason, him advancing this far in the NL MVP race doesn’t come as a surprise.

But this announcement feels different from past years in one major way: Ohtani isn’t expected to win the award.

Instead, Crow-Armstrong (aka “PCA”) is the favorite to win the NL MVP, which could mean Ohtani’s streak of three-straight unanimous MVP Award wins (he has four MVP Awards overall) will come to an end — even though voting is based on regular-season performance and does not account for the postseason.

The stats show that PCA being the MVP favorite isn’t the byproduct of greatness fatigue with Ohtani.

The 24-year-old Cubs star had the advantage over Ohtani in WAR (9.8 to 6.5), home runs (45 to 30), batting average (.280 to .275), and every other noteworthy offensive stat aside from Ob-Base Percentage (OBP), where Ohtani had a slight edge (.377 to .372).

Crow-Armstrong is also widely regarded as the best defender in baseball, which will help his MVP case. Ohtani didn’t play in the field during 2026 aside from when he was on the mound.

Of course, Ohtani’s pitching prowess has been pivotal in him winning the past three MVP awards, the last two of which have been with the Dodgers.

But he was relegated to being mainly a hitter this past season, given several injuries he endured that limited him to 85.2 innings pitched during the regular season.

Ohtani’s last pitching appearance was against the San Diego Padres on July 3.

The 2026 NL MVP Award winner will be announced on November 12 on MLB Network at 4 p.m. PT. 

Ohtani was the lone Dodger to finish in the top three in balloting for any of the five BBWAA Awards, which includes the MVP Award, the Cy Young Award, the Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award, the Manager of the Year Award and the Reliever of the Year Award.

Not only did he empower the youngest team in the American League to reach the playoffs, Will Venable made history with the way as he managed the Chicago White Sox this season, earning his nominee as a finalist for the AL Manager of the Year as announced today with the remaining BBWAA award finalists.

Just a few weeks ago, Sporting News honored Venable with the publication’s award for AL Manager of the Year, and to be named a finalist in the BBWAA awards is hardly a surprise. The South Siders were coming off of three consecutive 100-loss seasons, and Venable led a team full of rookies — and roughly two total starting pitchers — to the playoffs, just shy of the AL Central title. In the history of MLB, no team has ever bounced back from two straight 100-loss seasons (let alone three!) the way the White Sox did this year. And they even swept the Wild Card series and took the Guardians to a winner-take-all Game 5 in the ALDS before succumbing to their fatigue and inexperience.

It’s not a secret that the Chicago White Sox clubhouse was radiating good vibes and positivity throughout the 2026 season, and this team of South Siders likely wouldn’t have been the same without Will Venable at the helm. While there were a few times that his inexperience was exposed (see the Noah Schultz five-batter incident), or his undying loyalty to the pitching matchup when building a lineup, Venable built a foundation of trust in the clubhouse that spilled into their performance on the field. In 2025, the South Siders finished the season at 60-102, and he managed to improve their overall record by 24-games (84-78).

Fifteen White Sox players made their major league debuts this season — behind only the San Francisco Giants and the Toronto Blue Jays — and even with a rocky April, Venable empowered the Good Guys to recover and be competitive. The coaches he has brought in have also been solid so far, and the South Siders wound up with one of the best offenses in baseball: They ranked first in the American League (fifth in MLB) in runs scored (776) and RBIs (740), while mashing 211 home runs as a team, second in the AL and fifth in all of baseball.

The other two managers listed as finalists alongside Venable were Kevin Cash of the Tampa Bay Rays and Chad Tracy from the Boston Red Sox, who are also solid candidates given each team’s season. Tampa Bay was the best team in the AL all year, and Cash led the Rays to the American League pennant before falling to the Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series. As for the Red Sox, they fired Alex Cora and decided to overhaul the coaching staff not even 30 games into the season, and though they ultimately fell to the New York Yankees in the Wild Card, Tracy led them on an insane 15-game win streak in July while finishing with a 77-58 record after he took over. Stay tuned for next Thursday, November 10, when the award winners will be announced.

Who do you have winning the AL Manager of the Year? Let us know in the comments!

Carson Benge may have missed on receiving a Gold Glove Award, but Monday he became a finalist for an even more prestigious honor. 

The Mets outfielder was named a finalist for National League Rookie of the Year along with Cincinnati’s Sal Stewart and St. Louis’ JJ Wetherholt.

The winner will be announced next week. 

Benge, 23, excelled offensively and defensively for the Mets. He produced a .282/.346/.430 slash line with 20 homers and 65 RBIs and led NL right fielders with 10 assists. 

Arizona’s Corbin Carroll received the Gold Glove for NL right fielders. 

Benge could join Tom Seaver (1967), Jon Matlack (1972), Darryl Strawberry (1983), Dwight Gooden (1984), Jacob deGrom (2014) and Pete Alonso (2019) among Mets who have won Rookie of the Year. 

The Mets added organizational pitching depth with moves ahead of the deadline for teams to set 40-man rosters. 

Jack Anderson and Pierson Ohl, both right-handers, were claimed off waivers from the Twins and Rockies, respectively. 

Anderson, 26, pitched to a 2.19 ERA in seven relief appearances with the Red Sox and Twins last season. 

Ohl, 27, spent last season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. He pitched in the major leagues for the Twins in 2025, when he appeared in 14 games (11 in relief) and posted a 5.10 ERA. 

Both Anderson and Ohl have ties to new senior adviser Derek Falvey, who was hired in September following a stint leading the Twins front office. 

The Mets had other moves: 

• Infielder Christian Cairo was signed to a major league contract and designated for assignment to create roster space. 
• Infielder Kyren Paris, who was claimed off waivers last week, signed a major league contract and was also designated for assignment. 
• Right-handed pitcher Cameron Weston was claimed off waivers by the Marlins. 
• Left-handed pitcher Philip Abner was claimed off waivers by the Orioles. 
• Outfielder Cristian Pache (who was designated for assignment last week) was outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse. 
• Infielder Eric Wagaman elected free agency rather than accept an assignment to Syracuse. 
• Reed Garrett, Tylor Megill and Jorge Polanco were all reinstated from the 60-day injured list. Garrett and Megill missed last season rehabbing from elbow surgery. Polanco underwent ankle surgery late in the season after appearing in only 37 games. 

Monday always figured to be a big transaction day for the San Francisco Giants, and Major League Baseball as a whole. With the World Series having been five days ago, Monday was the date when teams had to reinstate their players from the 60-Day Injured List … and, for many teams, cut other players to accommodate said players.

No team was more impacted than the Giants, who went into the offseason with roughly 109 players on the 60-Day IL (or 17, who’s counting). So, even though they made a handful of moves over the past week, they had a lot to get to today.

They made most of them in a big chunk, which Bryan covered earlier in the day. In one fell swoop, the Giants announced the departures of eight players: Shay Whitcomb, Brett Harris, Zach Morgan, Duncan Davitt, and José Buttó were claimed by other teams; Tristan Beck was released; and Joel Kuhnel and Seth Lonsway were outrighted to AAA Sacramento.

That left the Giants with 41 players on the 40-man roster, and one final move was needed. A few hours later, that move was announced: left-handed reliever Reiver Sanmartin was designated for assignment. Sanmartin, a 30-year old from Colombia, appeared in 24 games for San Francisco this past season, his first with the team. He was fairly nondescript in those games, posting a 4.22 ERA and a 4.41 FIP, with 16 strikeouts in 21.1 innings. Given how many names the Giants had to clear, and that Sanmartin was out of options, his departure seemed inevitable.

In addition to DFA’ing Sanmartin, the Giants announced that they declined the option for right-handed reliever Rowan Wick. The veteran, who turns 34 in a week, remains on the 40-man roster, and is now arbitration eligible. It’s an interesting move, since Wick — who was signed a year ago to a one-plus-one deal while he rehabbed a season-ending injury — was owed less money than he will get if the Giants tender him a contract through the arbitration process. My bet is that they are planning on non-tendering Wick and re-signing him to a Minor League deal, which would allow him to continue rehabbing with the medical team during the impending lockout. Had they waived Wick, he would have been eligible to be claimed by a rival team, whereas non-tendering him will allow him to go straight to free agency, and re-sign with them if they have a handshake agreement.

The Giants are now down to 40 players on the roster, and can lay low for a while, but more moves are certainly incoming. The date to make Rule 5 protections is November 17, so the Giants will need to clear a few spots by then, and also for any free agents they plan to sign.

Now that the World Series is over, baseball can start handing out hardware. On Monday, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. was named a finalist for AL Most Valuable Player for the second time in his career.

Witt led the American League with 7.0 fWAR, and hit .281/.359/.441 with 18 home runs. He finished ninth in the league in hits (157), ninth in runs scored (94), sixth in doubles (33), second in steals (45), and ninth in Runs Created (95). He led all AL defenders with +24 Outs Above Average and was a finalist for a Gold Glove Award. Witt will be up against Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez and Rays third baseman Junior Caminero. Witt finished second to Aaron Judge in 2024. He finished fourth in MVP voting last year, and seventh in 2023.George Brett is the only Royals player to win AL MVP, taking home the award in 1980.

Carter Jensen was not named a finalist for AL Rookie of the Year, despite a strong season behind the plate. The Kansas City native hit .239/.323/.467 with 27 home runs and 65 walks, but was shutout in favor of Kevin McGonigle of the Tigers, Parker Messick of the Guardians, and Payton Tolle of the Red Sox.

The MVP Awards will be announced on November 12, at 6 p.m. CT on MLB Network.

Here is a complete list of finalists for MLB awards:

AL MVP: Yordan Alvarez, Astros; Junior Caminero, Rays; Bobby Witt Jr., Royals

NL MVP: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs; Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers; Brice Turang, Brewers

AL Cy Young: Dylan Cease, Blue Jays; Parker Messick, Guadians; Cam Schlittler, Yankees

NL Cy Young: Cristopher Sanchez, Phillies; Chris Sale, Braves; Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers

AL Rookie of the Year: Kevin McGonigle, Tigers; Parker Messick, Guadians; Payton Tolle, Red Sox

NL Rookie of the Year: Carson Benge, Mets; Sal Stewart, Reds, JJ Wetherholt, Cardinals

AL Relief Pitcher of the Year: Bryan Baker, Rays; Cade Smith, Guardians; Louis Varland, Blue Jays

NL Relief Pitcher of the Year: Jhoan Duran, Phillies; Trevor Megill, Brewers; Mason Miller, Padres

AL Manager of the Year: Kevin Cash, Rays; Chad Tracy, Red Sox; Will Venable, White Sox

NL Manager of the Year: Don Mattingly, Phillies; Pat Murphy, Brewers; Walt Weiss, Braves

The San Diego Padres enter the condensed free agent season before the expiration of the current CBA with multiple holes in their starting rotation. The five-day exclusive window for negotiating with pending free agents expired along with the deadline for setting each team’s 40-man roster on today.

Then the real fun begins with all free agents open to negotiate with any team they choose and deciding if they want to sign before the CBA expires or take their chances with the status of the game after the new contract is signed.

Bullpen losses 

The news on Oct. 30 was the first blow to the Padres bullpen. Bullpen coach Ben Fritz, a member of the Padres coaching staff since 2015, was hired away by the Arizona Diamondbacks to be their pitching coach.

Fritz was the bullpen coach under Larry Rothschild until Rothschild’s firing in 2021. He assumed the primary job for the remainder of that season and then became the bullpen coach again when Ruben Niebla was hired prior to the 2022 season.

As the shepherd of one of the best bullpens in baseball over the past several seasons, the Padres gave Fritz a big raise last offseason to keep him on staff. He had reportedly been targeted by several other teams as their pitching coach.

LHP Adrián Morejón is a free agent. The Padres’ closer, Mason Miller, acknowledged Morejón’s value to the bullpen, saying he believed he was the most valuable reliever in MLB. In an article by Dennis Lin in The Athletic on Sept. 14, Miller stated, “He’s the most valuable reliever on our team and, I would argue, in baseball too.” 

It remains to be seen if the Padres can offer the reliever a contract that will keep him in San Diego. His projected value, which ranges from 3 years and $42 million by Jim Bowden (The Athletic) to 5 years and $90 million by Joel Reuter (Bleacher Report), might not be in the budget for the Friars due to the lack of starting arms on the roster. 

Morejón has stated on multiple occasions his desire to stay with the Padres but team-friendly free agent deals are mostly nonexistent in modern baseball. If the team can come up with a creative deal to keep Morejón, A.J. Preller will need to keep the top priority on the starting rotation.

Keeping Hart, Matsui, Peralta and Estrada

The Padres got very lucky when LHP Yuki Matsui opted to remain with the team. He had a player option to make himself a free agent but decided to accept his $6.5 million salary for 2027 and has another option in 2028. 

After signing with the Padres before the 2024 season, Matsui posted a 3.86 ERA over the first two seasons with the team. Coming to MLB after dominating as a closer in Japan, Matsui was unable to replicate that success. He pitched well but wasn’t able to repeat his dominance. Making some adjustments to his pitch arsenal before the 2026 season, Matsui went back to featuring his slider and improved his effectiveness. In 64 innings of relief, Matsui lowered his ERA to 1.83 without a significant change in walk or strikeout rates. 

By staying in the fold, Matsui saves the Padres the need to find a high-leverage replacement for the 31-year-old lefty.

LHP Kyle Hart had an up-and-down 2026. He had stretches of valuable effectiveness and a few blow-up appearances. He finished the season with a 4.92 ERA in 64 innings pitched. The Padres exercised his $2.5 million team option, keeping the 34-year-old in the bullpen for the 2027 season. This most likely represents the team’s need to keep the bullpen as intact as possible for the next season. His salary is reasonable for a pitcher who can pitch at any point in a game and for more than one inning.

LHP Wandy Peralta opted in for the third and final time in his four-year contract with the Padres. He signed a 4-year, $16.5 million deal before the 2024 season and has a sub-4 ERA with the Padres for his time in the bullpen. In 2026, he finished with a 3.61 ERA in 77.1 innings. Peralta was left off the postseason roster after losing effectiveness at the end of the season. 

RHP Jeremiah Estrada is arbitration-eligible for the first time this offseason. He will need to be offered a contract by Nov. 20 for his first opportunity at arbitration. His 2026 season was injury-marred, and that will probably affect the offer he gets for his first contract year.

Only throwing 31 innings for the year, Estrada finished with a 3.48 ERA. He had both shoulder and leg injuries that limited his availability and effectiveness. 

Arbitration-eligible 

Closer Mason Miller is in his second year of arbitration eligibility and stands to earn a big raise from his $4 million 2026 salary. After posting 38 saves and a 1.67 ERA in 70 innings pitched, Miller is projected to earn $8.1 million, according to MLB TradeRumors.

RHP Bryan Hoeing, who again spent most of the season on the injured list with flexor tendon surgery,  is projected to be offered $0.8 million in arbitration. He should be healthy to start 2027.

RHP Jhony Brito is arbitration-eligible and is projected to be offered $0.8 million for 2027. He spent part of 2026 on the injured list from his Tommy John surgery and then completed his rehab in time to log innings in El Paso and pitch nine innings for the Padres. He should be a contender for the either the bullpen or possibly as a starter in 2027.

The rest of the bullpen

RHP David Morgan, RHP Bradgley Rodriguez, RHP Hunter Stratton, and RHP Garret Hawkins are under contract and on the 40-man roster for the 2027 season. All should be in the running for bullpen spots when the 2027 spring camp begins. 

Other options

The status of Joe Musgrove is undetermined but it would be a big surprise if he isn’t in the mix for the starting rotation in 2027. Pitching three innings from the bullpen in the 2026 postseason showed that Musgrove can still pitch. The questions are about his ability to bounce back from his outings. His health will most likely be determined during the spring of 2027.

These 11 players will be joined by the pitchers signed by the organization during free agency or acquired by trade. There are also several minor league pitchers who could be added to the roster before being left available for the Rule 5 draft.

As it stands, the bullpen only lacks Morejón from the dominant bullpen seen in 2026. It should remain a strength for the 2027 Padres.

Cam Schlittler was officially announced as a finalist for the American League Cy Young Award on Monday night as MLB Network revealed the finalists for all BBWAA end-of-year awards. Schlittler was the lone Yankee to finish in the top three for any of the honors.

The 25-year-old ace, who led the AL with a 1.95 ERA and 6.2 FanGraphs WAR, was named by the BBWAA alongside Dylan Cease of the Blue Jays and Parker Messick of the Guardians. The winner, along with the recipients of each league’s MVP, Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, and the newly-created Reliever of the Year awards, will be announced next week on MLB Network. The Cy Young voting results in particular will be revealed on Wednesday, November 11th.

The NL Cy Young nominees are World Series champion Jacob Misiorowski of the Brewers, Atlanta’s Chris Sale, and Phillies southpaw Cristopher Sánchez.

Seeing as 2026 was not a banner year for the Yankees’ position players, no Bombers were nominated for MVP. Presumptive winner and Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez, Rays star Junior Caminero, and the Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. are up for the award on the AL side. There was some hope that Schlittler or slugger Ben Rice might have an outside shot at third, but no dice; they’ll instead eye a top-10 finish.

Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Cubs is likely to receive his first career MVP—Shohei Ohtani is nominated in the NL for the third straight year, while Brice Turang of the World Champion Brewers is also on the podium. The only year since 2021 that Ohtani hasn’t won an MVP is 2022, when Aaron Judge beat him out with 62 homers; this will almost surely be the second.

As for Rookie of the Year, New York was represented—albeit across town in Queens. Mets outfielder Carson Benge was nominated in the NL, along with JJ Wetherholt of the Cardinals and Sal Stewart of the Reds. The AL nominees are Messick, Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle, and Red Sox starter Payton Tolle.

Unsprisingly, Aaron Boone was not given the nod as a Manager of the Year finalist, but two of his division rivals were. Kevin Cash, who led the Rays to the World Series, was nominated alongside interim-turned-full-time Red Sox skipper Chad Tracy and upstart White Sox manager Will Venable. Yankee icon Don Mattingly was nominated on the NL side for his interim work in Philadelphia. He is up for consideration alongside Braves first-year manager Walt Weiss and the Brewers’ Pat Murphy (who is eyeing a MoY three-peat).

The Reliever of the Year finalists are unsurprisingly all closers: Bryan Baker, Cade Smith, and Louis Varland in the AL; and Jhoan Duran, Trevor Megill, and Mason Miller in the NL. Note that this a brand-new honor that the BBWAA decided to start giving out, and it is fully separate from the Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman Reliever of the Year awards, which are given by MLB itself alongside the Hank Aaron Awards, the Edgar Martinez Awards, the Comeback Players of the Year, and the All-MLB Teams.

Mark Walter isn’t selling the Dodgers, right?

He is selling the Lakers. He is selling his share of Chelsea, the Premier League team. He is looking into selling the Sparks.

And now he is looking into selling his share of the Cadillac Formula One racing team, as Sportico first reported Monday.

But keeping the Dodgers, right? “No matter what,” Walter told the California Post last week.

Wait a second, though. In August, Walter’s TWG Global holding company issued a statement that was definitive in two specific aspects: the Dodgers were “not being sold” and his company was “not considering exiting its stake in the Cadillac Formula 1 team.”

Read more:Mark Walter, Josh Kushner agree on outstanding terms linked to $12.5-billion Lakers sale

So I reached out to Walter’s company and to his personal spokesman, asking how to reconcile the definitive statement denying interest in a Formula One sale with the news of a possible sale and, in light of that development, whether the denials of interest in a Dodgers sale should remain credible.

No one at the company emailed me back, and the spokesman declined to comment. Someone in contact with Walter, speaking on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to comment, advised me to wait and see if a Formula One deal actually materializes and, if so, for what value.

Amid federal investigations into whether the insurance companies Walter controls might have violated laws designed to protect investors, and as he is a defendant in multiple civil lawsuits filed by investors that allege fraud and breach of contract, Walter is selling off assets from his sports empire.

He could generate a significant share of the more than $20 billion he might need to recapitalize the insurance companies and satisfy state regulators. It is uncertain how that might influence the federal investigations and civil lawsuits.

Read more:Dodgers owner Mark Walter is seeking to sell the WNBA’s Sparks for record valuation

The Lakers sold for $12.5 billion — the valuation for the entire team, not for Walter’s controlling share.

Walter is seeking $3 billion for his interest in the Formula One team, according to Sportico, and $700 million for the Sparks, according to Bloomberg. The sale of the Chelsea stake, owned jointly by Walter and Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly, generated about $1.27 billion, according to the Financial Times.

The sale of the Dodgers could generate $10 billion to $13 billion, The Times has reported.

None of this is to say Walter is not genuine in his proclamation that he is not selling the Dodgers. He said the Dodgers would win, and they have: three championships within six years, after three in the previous 56. The shine has been restored to an L.A. crown jewel.

But things can change. Potential Dodgers bidders, including Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, are considering offers should Walter decide to sell. Some have inquired discreetly and been told what everyone has been told: the team is not for sale. Commissioner Rob Manfred said the league is keeping an eye on developments surrounding Walter’s insurance empire.

Read more:Dodgers owner Mark Walter wins partial approval to begin reshaping $20-billion network of loans

“As always when we have an investigation — external, law enforcement, whatever — we monitor that,” Manfred said at the World Series. “That’s where we are right now. We’re just watching what’s going on right now.”

And that is indeed where we are right now: We don’t know what’s going to happen with the feds, and in the courts. For today, and for the immediate future, the Dodgers are not for sale. But plans can change, as Walter’s Formula One team just learned.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Welcome to our series grading every member of the San Diego Padres’ 40-man roster. The roster being evaluated is current as of Oct. 18, prior to the end of the World Series. Because of that, it will include players who will be free agents once the postseason concludes. Each player will be graded on their performance in the 2026 season, including the playoffs. That performance will be weighted based on how much time the player spent with the team (availability is the best ability). 

Petco Park’s King of the Hill

When Michael King was traded to the Padres in 2024, he was the main piece in their return for superstar slugger Juan Soto. Up to that point, King had mostly been used out of the bullpen by the New York Yankees. He had produced phenomenal results in 2022 (2.29 ERA) and ‘23 (2.75 ERA). After coming over from New York, King anchored San Diego’s rotation with a 2.95 ERA across a career-high 173 2/3 innings pitched. An injury-plagued 2025 campaign caused King to re-sign with the Padres heading into 2026.

Overall Grade: A+

He immediately proved his value, anchoring the rotation after Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove spent most of the season on the injured list. King posted a 3.21 ERA across a career-high 185 innings of work. He was even better as the season went on, with a 2.84 ERA in his final 15 starts and a 2.53 ERA across his last seven.

San Diego’s ace found his biggest problem in something that wasn’t even his fault. King had the fourth-least run support among all starting pitchers (3.68 runs per game). Of the three pitchers with less run support than King, only one of them had more wins (Cam Schlitter, 14-6). In 14 of King’s 32 starts he surrendered one run or less. The right-hander was also ranked 11th in quality starts with 18.

King declined his $28 million player option earlier this week, making him a free agent. He’ll be one of the most sought-after pitching free agents on the market. King is predicted to land a five-year, $118 million deal this offseason. San Diego expects to be a major player to re-sign their ace. New ownership has stated that they’re all in. What that means will be tested by whether King remains with the Padres in 2027.