Willie McCovey, the Hall of Fame first baseman who played 19 of his 22 seasons with the San Francisco Giants and slugged 521 career home runs, died Wednesday at age 80.

The Giants said McCovey died "peacefully" after battling "ongoing health issues."

The Toronto Blue Jays have decided to exercise their $8 million club option on Justin Smoak.

The Blue Jays could have payed Smoak a $250,000 buyout.

Smoak initially signed a two-year, $8.5 million extension with the Blue Jays in the summer of 2016.

The Colorado Rockies have declined their $12.5 million club option on Gerardo Parra for the 2019 season.

Instead, the Rockies will pay Parra a $1.5 million buyout.

Parra signed a three-year, $27.5 million contract with the Rockies prior to the 2016 season.

J.T. Realmuto has no desire to remain with the Miami Marlins and will "definitely be wearing a different uniform by the start of spring training," according to his agent.

"J.T. has informed the Marlins' ownership, he's informed their front office, he's not going to sign an extension in Miami," agent Jeff Berry told MLB Network Radio. "It makes sense, when you have one of the more valuable trade assets in baseball, to move him. Period."

Realmuto is under team control for two more seasons -- though he is eligible for arbitration in both 2019 and 2020 -- before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2021.

Ratings for this year's World Series between the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers averaged 14,125,000 viewers on Fox, down 25 percent from last year and the fourth-lowest ever.

Last year's World Series between the Dodgers and Houston Astros averaged 18,909,000 viewers.

In 2016, a historic matchup between the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians brought in 23,386,000 viewers.

The New York Yankees are "lukewarm" to the idea of signing Manny Machado in free agency this offseason.

The Yankees watched Machado closely this postseason, seeing him fail to run out every ground ball and get into it with opponents.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have exercised Paul Goldschmidt's $14.5 million option for next season.

Goldschmidt signed an extension in March 2013 and 2019 is the final option year.

He posted a .290/.389/.533 slash with 33 home runs in 2018.

The San Francisco Giants have exercised Madison Bumgarner's $12 million option for 2019.

They also exercised Pablo Sandoval's option for the $555,000 minimum.

Bumgarner signed a six-year, $35.56 million deal in April 2012 that included $12 million club options for the 2018 and '19 seasons.

Sandoval, the 2012 World Series MVP, is recovering from right hamstring surgery and didn't play after July 29.

The Washington Nationals have exercised a $6 million club option on closer Sean Doolittle for next season.

Doolittle's contract also carries a club option for 2020 at $6.5 million.

The 32-year-old had 25 saves and a 3-3 record with a 1.60 ERA in 43 appearances this season.

The Oakland A's have reached long-term agreements with Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Billy Beane, General Manager David Forst and Manager Bob Melvin, the club announced today. 

"I'm proud of the tremendous success of our team under the leadership of Billy, David and Bob and am excited to have that continue for years to come," said Oakland A's Managing General Partner John Fisher. 

Beane was elevated to his current post as Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations on Oct. 5, 2015 after serving 18 seasons as General Manager. Under his watch, the A's have compiled a 1793-1607 (.527) record over the last 21 years, which is the fourth-best record in the American League and seventh best in all of baseball during that time frame. 

Forst will be entering his 20th season in the Athletics organization and his fourth as General Manager after being appointed to the position on Oct. 5, 2015. The A's have made nine postseason appearances since he joined the organization in 2000, including four times in the last seven seasons. 

Melvin led the A's to the fourth best record in the Majors (97-65) and a postseason berth this season.