The St. Louis Cardinals are interested in Japanese left-hander Yuki Matsui, according to a report.

Matsui, 27,  is a left-handed reliever who has been pitching in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball for the past 10 years. 

He's appeared in 501 games in that time, with a 2.40 ERA while recording 236 saves. 

Aaron Nola is set to hit free agency after the conclusion of the World Series.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Dave Dombrowski said that retaining Nola will be a priority for the Philadelphia Phillies this offseason.

Nola, the longest-tenured player on the Phillies, said: "I hope I'm back, for sure."

Rhys Hoskins has expressed a desire to re-sign with the Philadelphia Phillies this offseason.

Hoskins missed the entire 2023 campaign after tearing his ACL in the spring.

The Phillies may want to continue using Bryce Harper at first base. He became their everyday option at the position upon his return from elbow surgery.

"If there's ways for me to be back, then I'm sure that the people that make those decisions will find ways for me to be back," Hoskins said. "I've said this all along and I'll say it again, but I would love to be back here."

Philadelphia's Aaron Nola will also be a free agent after the World Series.

The Chicago Cubs have discussed a potential contract extension with Kyle Hendricks, according to a report.

The Cubs hold a $16 million option on the right-hander's contract that comes with a $1.5 million buyout.

Hendricks had a 3.74 ERA through 137 innings this season.

The Minnesota Twins are "expected" to pick up contract options on Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco, according to a report.

However, the Twins could still discuss both players in trade talks this offseason.

Minnesota is facing an uncertain payroll situation this winter as well.

The Houston Astros want to keep Jose Altuve in their long-term plans, which would involve signing him to a new contract extension, according to a report.

Next season is the final year of Altuve's current contract.

The second baseman isn't the only important member of the roster that is nearing free agency. Alex Bregman will also be a free agent after the 2024 season, while Ryan Pressly could also hit the open market as he and the Astros share a $14 million mutual option for 2025.

Justin Verlander could also be a free agent if he doesn't pitch at least 140 innings next season.

Clayton Kershaw has played the last two seasons under one-year deals with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

After finishing last season healthy, Kershaw endured a left shoulder injury towards the end of the 2023 season. He recorded just one out while allowing six runs in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Entering the offseason, Kershaw isn't sure whether he wants to continue pitching.

"I'm not sure," Kershaw said. "Just obviously a horrible way to end it, personally. But that's ultimately not important. It's just how I didn’t help the team win the series. … Process it however best you can. I don't even know what that means, really. But, yeah, just go from there."

The Baltimore Orioles would like to pursue long-term contract extensions for some of their young players.

"We are very focused on keeping this organization as successful and healthy as possible, within the constraints of reality," general manager Mike Elias said.

"Obviously, we have players here that we love ... and part of the calculus of keeping this franchise healthy is pursuing or examining opportunities to possibly keep some of these guys longer."

The Orioles won 101 games, but were eliminated by the Texas Rangers in the ALDS.

Adley Rutshman and Gunnar Henderson are two players that could fit the mold for a proactive contract extension.

"We quietly work on this in the background," Elias said. "I don't want to be the one now talking about it, but obviously that's a part of our job as a front office."

Pete Alonso has hired agent Scott Boras with free agency just one year away, according to a report.

Alonso's future with the New York Mets is the biggest question facing new president of baseball operations David Stearns.

"I think the entire package weighs into it. Pete is a great player, he is also good in the clubhouse, and he is also home grown. All of that matters," Stearns said of Alonso this week.

"I know over the summer there was some trade speculation, and look I'll just say I expect Pete to be the Opening Day first baseman next year. Pete's an important member of this team, he's an important member of this organization, and I think we're really fortunate to have him."

The Mets and Alonso have had some extension talks, though they are reportedly far apart, and his name did pop up in rumors at the trade deadline.

Jerry Dipoto heard the concerns coming out of the Seattle Mariners' clubhouse after the team was eliminated from playoff contention on the final weekend of the regular season.

And while he acknowledged the comments made by Cal Raleigh, J.P. Crawford and others, Dipoto, the team's president of baseball operations, doesn't necessarily believe going out and signing high-profile free agents is the answer to make Seattle better than the other clubs in the AL West.

"I don't know that the solutions to our problems are big-name players. I'm not sure that we have big problems," Dipoto said Tuesday, two days after the Mariners wrapped up an 88-win season that left Seattle two games shy of a playoff spot. "Would I like to have big-name players? Sure, I think we all would."