Jake Peavy, who will be a free agent for the first time in his career, may represent himself in contract talks.

The White Sox are expected to pay Peavy a $4 million buyout instead of exercising the $22 million option in his contract.

His longtime agent, Barry Axelrod, is leaving to take a position with the Diamondbacks.

The MLB Players Association does assist players in such negotiating situations.

David Wright isn't sure how much longer he'll be with the Mets.

Wright said he has "no idea" where he will play in 2014, much less the remainder of his Major League career.

Wright, who turns 30 in December, wants his next contract to take him until the end of his career.

The Mets have a $16 million option on Wright for next season, but even his immediate future remains unresolved.

Wright has resolved to test free agency during next offseason if no extension can be reached this winter. He does not want in-season dialogue.

He watched longtime teammate Jose Reyes leave as a free agent last winter.

"I always thought Jose would be back, that it was just a lot to do about nothing," Wright said. "We've known each other since 2001. You're talking about playing around or with each other for 11 years. Yeah, of course it opens your eyes. It makes you realize in a lot of ways there is an ugly business side to this -- whether it's from the player's perspective or the team's perspective."

Steve Pearce is going from the Yankees to the Orioles as the two teams battle for the American League East title.

Baltimore claimed Pearce off waivers on Saturday after New York designated him for assignment.

He won't be eligible for postseason play if the Orioles qualify, but he'll provide depth down the stretch.

J.J. Hardy signed a three-year contract extension with the Orioles last July when the team was struggling and says the team's recent surge proves it was the right decision.

Hardy felt then that the organization was going to be a winner down the road and that Baltimore's performance this year validates his decision to re-sign and not wait to become a free agent after last season.

"I always said I signed that deal because I saw that there was potential with this team and organization," he said. "To be honest, I didn't think it was going to happen this quick. I saw a process that was headed in the right direction.

"When I was with the Brewers, we had a ton of losing seasons and that was kind of the same thing. Next year we are going to shoot to be a .500 team, and the next year make the playoffs and then maybe go even further. It wasn't a jump from losing seasons to being where we are at right now, so this has been a lot of fun."

Hardy said the word that comes to mind when he thinks about how this season has gone for the club is "fun."

The Athletics hold a mutual option for 2013 on Stephen Drew worth $10 million.

Picking up the option would make Drew the team's highest-paid player. At a shortstop in his prime, Drew might also want to enter what could be a lucrative market.

Drew has played well since the Athletics acquired him from Arizona. He has gone 14-for-32 (.438) during his seven-game hitting streak.

"I'm in a good situation, and I'm glad to be here," he said. "I'm thankful for the opportunity here and to get a shot at the postseason. I know I have an option and I've got to sit down and discuss it with my family. So far, I haven't really thought about it, I just want help this team win."

The Cubs have a lot of work to do over the course of the winter.

Chicago has $40 million committed to just four players for it's 2013 roster. Jed Hoyer indicated that the team will focus on the starting rotation.

"We certainly have to be aggressive with starting pitching over the course of the winter," he said.

Torii Hunter may be a coveted free agent after a hot streak in the second half, but it appears as though the Angels will work to re-sign him.

In the final year of a five-year, $90 million deal, Hunter recently had lunch with general manager Jerry Dipoto and came from the meeting optimistic about his future with Los Angeles.

Arte Moreno, asked about Hunter on Thursday, said, "If we don't figure out a way to re-sign him, we're going to get hung, aren't we?"

The Twins have released Tsuyoshi Nishioka at the player's request.

The 28-year-old spent two disappointing seasons with Minnesota.

In a strange move, Nishioka becomes a free agent and the Twins are no longer on the hook for his guaranteed salary. He waived his right to his $3 million salary for the 2013 season and a $250,000 buyout.

"I would like to thank the Twins organization for helping me fulfill my dream of playing in Major League Baseball," Nishioka said. "I take full responsibility for my performance which was below my own expectations. At this time, I have made the decision that it is time to part ways. I have no regrets and know that only through struggle can a person grow stronger. I appreciate all the support the team and the fans in Minnesota and Rochester have shown me."

Torii Hunter got hot in late July and and has hit .356 with 47 RBI in 57 games since.

The 37-year-old will be a free agent this winter and all of a sudden he is expected to have numerous suitors.

Hunter believes that he has two or three seasons left and the Angels don't necessarily disagree. However, the team also has a lot of money ($42 million) tied up in reserve outfielders Vernon Wells and Peter Bourjos.

The Angels have to decide whether or not to pick up the $15.5 million option on Dan Haren's contract for next season.

A report surfaced earlier this week that the team would prefer re-signing Zack Greinke over picking up options on Haren and Ervin Santana.

"Whatever is going to happen, I've made my feelings known," Haren said. "Of course, I want to come back. But that's not my decision. I'd like to redeem myself.

"I think my track record is good. I've been dealing with some things this year, I pitched better at the end, and we'll see how it goes. If I don't come back, I'll go somewhere else and help that team out."

Haren was annoyed by the report, which cited a source close to the team's thinking.

"Whatever source familiar with the Angels' thinking said it, I think it was probably dumb timing for them to say something," he said. "We have 10 days left, two weeks left. I think the last thing myself or Ervin are thinking about is our status for next year.

"We're focused on the task at hand. I thought it was really stupid timing for something like that to come out."