Free Agent Rumor - Baseball Wiretap

Rays Keep Ben Zobrist At $7.5M

Nov 2, 2014 1:52 AM

The Tampa Bay Rays have exercised an option in Ben Zobrist's contract for the 2015 season.

The option carries a value of $7.5 milion.

Next year Zobrist could become the first player to spend 10 seasons with the Rays.

The 33-year-old is Tampa Bay's career leader in doubles (229) and walks (542).

ESPN

Tags: Tampa Bay Rays, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Brewers Exercise Option On Gallardo

Nov 2, 2014 1:52 AM

The Milwaukee Brewers have exercised their $13 million option on Yovani Gallardo.

The 28-year-old went 8-11 with a 3.51 ERA in 32 starts this season.

Milwaukee also announced they declined a $14.5 million option on Rickie Weeks.

ESPN

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Aviles Has Option Picked Up By Indians

Nov 4, 2014 9:09 AM

The Cleveland Indians have exercised their $3.5 million option on Mike Aviles for next season.

Aviles, 33, hit .247 with 16 doubles, five homers and 39 RBIs in 113 games this year. He added 14 steals, matching a career high.

Associated Press

Tags: Cleveland Indians, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Royals To Decline Butler's $12M Option

Dec 14, 2014 4:22 AM

The Kansas City Royals are expected to decline Billy Butler's $12 million option for next season.

Butler has said that he would love to remain with the Royals, but he would have to re-sign for less in order to do so.

The 28-year-old hit .271/.323/.379 with nine home runs in 603 plate appearances this season.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Tags: Kansas City Royals, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Angels Keep Huston Street At $7M

Nov 2, 2014 1:52 AM

The Los Angeles Angels have picked up Huston Street's $7 million option for next season.

The Angels acquired Street from the San Diego Padres on July 19. He picked up 17 saves with a 1.71 ERA for Los Angeles.

ESPN

Tags: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Padres Decline $4M Option On Josh Johnson

Nov 1, 2014 11:30 AM

The San Diego Padres have declined a $4 million option on Josh Johnson for the 2015 season.

Johnson suffered an elbow injury during spring training and underwent reconstructive surgery. He made $8 million despite not throwing a pitch this past season.

Associated Press

Tags: San Diego Padres, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Nationals Keep Span; Decline Options On LaRoche, Soriano

Nov 16, 2014 8:53 PM

The Washington Nationals have exercised their $9 million option on Denard Span for the 2015 season.

Washington declined options on Adam LaRoche and Rafael Soriano.

Span hit .302 with 31 steals and tied for first in the National League with a franchise record 184 hits this past season.

LaRoche's deal included a $15 million mutual optional for next season, but Washington instead chose to pay him a $2 million buyout.

Soriano's contract included a $14 million club option for 2015.

Associated Press

Tags: Washington Nationals, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Orioles To Keep Chen, O'Day; Declines Options On Markakis, Hundley

Oct 31, 2014 7:29 PM

The Baltimore Orioles have exercised options on Wei-Yin Chen and Darren O'Day for next season.

Also, the club announced that they have declined contract options on Nick Markakis and Nick Hundley.

Chen will make $4.75 million, while O'Day will take home $4.25 million in 2015.

Markakis would have made $17.5 million. Hundley had an option at $5 million.

Steve Adams/MLB Trade Rumors

Tags: Baltimore Orioles, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Haren Exercises $10M Option With Dodgers

Nov 6, 2014 10:02 PM

Dan Haren has exercised his $10 million player option for next season.

The right-hander, 34, was 13-11 with a 4.02 ERA in his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"I've pitched good enough to deserve that," he said last month. "It's a ton of money."

Associated Press

Tags: Los Angeles Dodgers, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Cardinals Exercise Lackey's Bargain Option

Nov 17, 2014 1:20 PM

The St. Louis Cardinals have exercised their 2015 option on John Lackey, which is for the Major League minimum.

Lackey, 36, agreed to a five-year, $82.5 million contract with Boston in December 2009 that contained a provision for a conditional team option at the minimum if he missed a season due to specified injury.

He did not pitch in 2012 after reconstructive elbow surgery.

The minimum next year will be $500,000 plus a cost-of-living adjustment.

Associated Press

Tags: St. Louis Cardinals, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Red Sox Sign Uehara To Two-Year, $18M Deal
Boston signed Koji Uehara before he became eligible to negotiate with other clubs next Tuesday.

Gordon Edes/ESPN

Braves Expected To Issue Qualifying Offer To Santana
The Braves are expected to make a one-year, $15.3 million qualifying offer to Ervin Santana before Monday's deadline.

David O'Brien/Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sandoval, Headley On Boston's Wish List
The Red Sox are in need of more production at third base and are prioritizing Pablo Sandoval and Chase Headley, according to sources.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Reds Pick Up Cueto's Option For 2015
Johnny Cueto, who will be paid $10 million in 2015, finished last season with a 20-9 record and 2.25 ERA.

ESPN

Iwakuma's 2015 Option Vested On Performance Bonuses
Seattle held a $7 million option on the right-hander, which Jack Zduriencik previously characterized as a "no-brainer."

Bob Dutton/News Tribune

Reds Decline Options On Ludwick, Hannahan
The Reds have declined their $9 million option on Ryan Ludwick and $4 million option on Jack Hannahan for the 2015 season.

Chris Cotillo/MLB Daily Dish

Giants Could Give Sandoval Deal Similar To Pence
The Giants have repeatedly shown a willingness to pay big money in order to re-sign their most identifiable players.

Jon Paul Morosi/FOX Sports

Giants Will Extend Qualifying Offer To Sandoval
The club hasn't had contract talks with Pablo Sandoval since spring training and that won't change until after the World Series ends.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Blue Jays Open Talks With Melky Cabrera
They are believed to be willing to offer Cabrera a three-year deal after an impressive 2014 season.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Phillies Sign Grady Sizemore To $2M Deal
Sizemore would have been eligible for free agency after the World Series.

Associated Press

Tigers Likely To Pick Up Soria's $7M Club Option
Detroit will have to figure out what role Joakim Soria should have out of the bullpen.

Jason Beck/MLB

Butler Trying To Delay Thoughts Of Free Agency
Billy Butler loves playing for the Royals and would stay with the club forever if it were up to him.

Phil Rogers/MLB

Indians Expected To Exercise $3.5M Option On Aviles
The Indians are expected to exercise the $3.5 million club option they hold on Mike Aviles for 2015.

Paul Hoynes/Cleveland Plain Dealer

Phillies Seen As Leading Contenders For Tomas
The latest Cuban outfielder to draw interest from Major League baseball is Yasmany Tomas.

Andy Martino/New York Daily News

Phillies Re-Sign Jerome Williams
The Phillies have re-signed Jerome Williams to a one-year, $2.5 million contract.

Associated Press

Hudson Received 'Very Good Offer' From Kansas City
The Royals were willing to pay Tim Hudson, who they offered a two-year deal this past offseason.

Bill Shaikin/Los Angeles Times

Royals Passed On Chance To Sign Sergio Romo
The Royals passed on the chance to sign Sergio Romo to a small $1,000 bonus before the Giants took a chance on the reliever.

Keith Law/ESPN

Cardinals Expect 'Significant' Payroll Increase
The Cardinals are expected to increase their payroll in the coming years, according to chairman Bill DeWitt.

Derrick Goold/St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Yoenis Cespedes Now Represented By Roc Nation
CAA's Brodie Van Wagenen will be handling the baseball side of the outfielder's representation.

Mark Polishuk/MLB Trade Rumors

Peavy Could Land Three-Year Deal
Jake Peavy pitched well with the Giants in the second half of the season, which may have increased his value as a free agent.

Nick Cafardo/Boston Globe