The Minnesota Twins have exercised the $12 million option on Nelson Cruz's contract for next season.

Cruz, 39, and the Twins agreed to a $14 million deal for 2019 in January with a club option.

He hit a team-high 41 home runs and had 108 RBIs in 120 games.

There is strong speculation that Gerrit Cole could head west in free agency this offseason.

Cole is from Southern California and will be the most coveted free agent on the market.

"I expect his contract to set records [for a pitcher]," Ken Rosenthal said on FOX's World Series Game 5 telecast. "Records in annual average value, which is currently held by Justin Verlander at $33 million, and record in total value, which is David Price at $217 million. He's going to shoot past both of those. He's going to be a free agent entering his age-29 season, and that's a really sweet spot for Major League teams."

In a column on Monday, Rosenthal stated that Cole and agent Scott Boras could seek the first-ever $300 million deal for a pitcher.

The New York Yankees largely sat out free agency last winter, but they are expected to be larger players this year.

The biggest name on the market will be Gerrit Cole and the Yankees will likely engage him in talks with holes in their starting rotation.

It remains to be seen what type of luxury tax restraints the Yankees will be operating with heading into the 2020 season.

Gerrit Cole has been brilliant this season and Jon Heyman is predicting big things for him in free agency.

On the "Big Time Baseball" podcast, Heyman says he expects Cole to set multiple records by landing a contract in the range of seven years and $245 million.

The 29-year-old is expected to be the most coveted free agent on the market.

The Minnesota Twins are expected to pick up their $12 million contract option for Nelson Cruz in the next few days, sources have confirmed.

Cruz, 39, hit 41 home runs and was seen as a positive influence on the clubhouse this season.

The Twins won the American League Central but were swept by the New York Yankees in the ALDS.

Japan's Yokohama DeNA BayStars announced on Monday that outfielder Yoshitomo Tsutsugo will be posted for Major League teams this offseason.

Tsutsugo will turn 28 in November. He's averaged 35 home runs over the last four seasons.

The Houston Astros are poised to make a World Series run, but the offseason still looms large.

Gerrit Cole will be a free agent and on Wednesday owner Jim Crane addressed the future.

"We'll see where we end up after the year. We may make a run at it. We're not sure yet," Crane said. "We're going to wait and see what else unfolds and who else is going to stay on the team."

However, the Astros would like to avoid the luxury tax threshold. Retaining Cole would almost certainly put them over the tax.

The Cleveland Indians plan to exercise the $17.5 million option they hold on Corey Kluber for the 2020 season.

Kluber's season was shortened by injury. He was hit by a line drive that broke his right arm early in the year. As he was nearing a return, a strained oblique muscle set him back.

"I think this is almost a blessing in disguise. Yeah, we missed the heck out of him, but come next year I bet you he has a chance to be the Kluber that we've seen and relied on," Terry Francona said. "For the innings and what he has given our team, I betcha he has a chance of being that again because of having a little bit of a layoff."

The Indians could buy out Kluber's 2020 option for $1 million. The club has an $18 million option for 2021 with a $1 million buyout.

Pablo Sandoval is coming off major surgery as he hits free agency.

The 33-year-old hopes to remain with the San Francisco Giants.

"Yeah, I want to be back," Sandoval said. "I want to retire from this organization. I'd love to be back with my teammates. We had a lot of fun."

He underwent Tommy John surgery and a more minor arthroscopic procedure Sept. 5.

The Washington Nationals offered Anthony Rendon a seven-year deal worth $210 million to $215 million, according to a report.

The offer, which was extended in early September, isn't expected to keep Rendon from hitting free agency.

Rendon signed a one-year deal worth $18.8 million before this season.