NEW YORK — A significant roster shake-up commenced on Thursday morning as outfielder Juan Soto, alongside pitchers Corbin Burnes, Walker Buehler, and Max Fried, as well as first baseman Pete Alonso, joined a cohort of 136 players declaring free agency. This marks a pivotal moment for these athletes as they look toward new opportunities in the league.
Also hitting the open market were third baseman Alex Bregman, outfielder Anthony Santander, and shortstop Willy Adames, further heightening interest among teams scouting for new talent.
Currently, there are 64 additional players facing pending option decisions, who could capitalize on free agency by Monday, which is the fifth day following the conclusion of the World Series.
As teams prepare for strategic negotiations, discussions regarding contract terms can officially begin at 5:01 p.m. EST on Monday, right after the deadline for offering $21.05 million qualifying offers to eligible free agents.
Pitcher Justin Verlander became a free agent as he failed to meet the threshold of 140 innings pitched this year. This number was crucial for him to activate a lucrative $35 million conditional player option. Had he successfully exercised the option, the New York Mets would have faced a financial obligation to pay an additional $17.5 million to the Houston Astros as part of the previous trade deal that saw the three-time Cy Young Award winner return to Houston.
Among those still making decisions regarding their futures are Atlanta designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, who has a $16 million option, alongside New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo ($17 million) and reliever Luke Weaver ($2.5 million).
Notably, Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole retains the opportunity to opt out of his existing contract, although the team possesses the ability to void this right by incorporating a $36 million salary for the 2029 season.
A number of players have been granted player options, including San Francisco pitcher Blake Snell at $30 million (with a $15 million deferral), Nick Martinez of Cincinnati ($12 million), Sean Manaea of the Mets ($13.5 million), Nathan Eovaldi of Texas ($20 million), and Kansas City’s Michael Wacha ($16 million), alongside Chicago Cubs first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger, who is at a notable $27.5 million.
Jordan Montgomery of Arizona took the decisive step to exercise his $22.5 million player option for the 2025 season, securing his position for another year.
Snell and Jack Flaherty are ineligible for qualifying offers under the rules, as a player can only receive a qualifying offer if they have maintained their position with the same team since Opening Day and have not received a qualifying offer previously.
Since their inception after the 2012 season, qualifying offers have seen only 13 of 131 extended offers accepted, highlighting the risk and opportunity involved.
ORIOLES: Both Burnes, a Cy Young Award winner, and Santander were part of the eight-player roster from the Baltimore Orioles who opted for free agency on Thursday. The 30-year-old Burnes boasted a 15-9 record with a stellar 2.92 ERA during his first season in Baltimore after a mid-season trade from the Milwaukee Brewers, where his skills earned him the National League Cy Young Award in 2021.
Santander, also 30, had a steep season despite a batting average of .235, smashing 44 home runs and driving in an impressive 102 RBIs. Alongside them, right-hander Brooks Kriske and left-handed pitcher John Means, catcher James McCann, and outfielder Austin Slater also explored free agency options. Outfielder Daniel Johnson and right-handed pitcher Burch Smith made the strategic decision to enter free agency instead of accepting outright assignments to Triple-A Norfolk.
RED SOX: The Boston Red Sox confirmed that right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito exercised his $19 million player option for the 2025 season, bringing clarity to his future. This move was anticipated following Giolito’s elbow surgery in March, which involved a repair of his ulnar collateral ligament, preventing him from showcasing his skills in what would have been his debut season with the Red Sox after signing a substantial two-year, $38.5 million contract in the off-season that secured the option.
Previously an All-Star in 2019 with the Chicago White Sox and finishing sixth in American League Cy Young Award voting that year, Giolito has faced challenges in recent seasons, recording a 4.90 ERA in 2022 and a 4.88 ERA in 2023 while grappling with an 8-15 win-loss record spread across his time with the White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, and Cleveland Guardians.
In his eight major league seasons to date, Giolito holds a record of 61-62 across 180 appearances, including 178 starts, with an overall 4.43 ERA and accumulating 1,077 strikeouts across 1,013⅔ innings.
WHITE SOX: The Chicago White Sox made a decisive move by declining to exercise their 2025 option on infielder Yoan Moncada, leading to a $5 million buyout and his transition into free agency. Moncada, now 29, originally signed a five-year, $70 million contract extension following the 2019 season.
Acquired by the White Sox in December 2016 as part of the deal that sent left-handed pitcher Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox, Moncada has experienced considerable challenges with injuries, limiting him to just 92 games in 2023 and 12 games in 2024. Across his tenure with the White Sox, he has made 739 appearances, posting a .254 batting average, alongside 93 home runs and 338 RBIs.
CARDINALS: The St. Louis Cardinals opted to decline the options on right-handed pitchers Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynn, and Keynan Middleton. Gibson, now 37, recorded an 8-8 record with a 4.24 ERA after signing with the Cardinals last November, during which he earned $12 million last season alongside an option of the same amount for 2025; he will receive a $1 million buyout.
Lynn, also 37, had a one-year, $10 million contract for 2024 with an accompanying $11 million option for the following year; his performance resulted in a 7-4 record with a 3.84 ERA. Middleton, aged 31, faced a more difficult season, undergoing flexor repair surgery on his right forearm in June, sidelining him for the entire year. His last appearances were in 2023 with the White Sox and New York Yankees, where he concluded with a 2-2 record, a 3.38 ERA, and two saves across 51 relief outings.
BREWERS: The Milwaukee Brewers have also decided to decline pitcher Wade Miley’s $12 million mutual option for 2025, paving the way for the veteran left-hander to enter the free agency pool while still securing a $1.5 million buyout. Miley is set to celebrate his 38th birthday on November 13 and faced a challenging season in which he managed only two starts before undergoing Tommy John surgery. He posted an unfortunate 0-1 record along with a 6.43 ERA, a stark contrast to his impressive performance in 2023, where he excelled with a remarkable 9-4 record and a 3.14 ERA over 23 starts.
In his overall career spanning multiple teams since 2011, Miley holds a commendable record of 108-99, a 4.07 ERA, and has notched up an impressive total of 1,361 strikeouts.
**Interview with Sports Analyst Sophia Martinez on MLB Free Agency**
**Host:** Welcome to our segment on the latest developments in Major League Baseball. Today, we have with us Sophia Martinez, a renowned sports analyst, to discuss the recent wave of free agency declarations and the implications for teams and players alike. Sophia, thank you for joining us!
**Sophia Martinez:** Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time in baseball.
**Host:** Let’s start with the significant roster shake-up. We saw some big names like Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes declare free agency this week. How do you perceive the impact of their decisions on the league?
**Sophia Martinez:** It’s monumental. Players like Soto and Burnes not only bring talent but also draw the attention of multiple franchises looking to enhance their rosters. Soto’s ability to hit for average and power makes him a prime target, while Burnes, a former Cy Young winner, will undoubtedly be in high demand due to his exceptional pitching skills. Their availability opens new avenues for team strategies as they look to fill gaps in their lineups.
**Host:** With 136 players now on the market, how do you think teams will strategize their negotiations as the free agency window opens?
**Sophia Martinez:** Teams will definitely be closely monitoring their budgets and needs. The absence of a salary cap in MLB leads to a unique landscape where teams like the Yankees and Dodgers can pursue top-tier talent. However, smaller market teams might focus on value signings or trades, considering their financial constraints. The ability to negotiate contract terms officially starting Monday adds an interesting element, as teams jockey to secure their targets quickly before the market heats up.
**Host:** You mentioned the issue of financial constraints in the league. Recently, there has been a discussion about MLB free agency being “broken.” What are your thoughts on that?
**Sophia Martinez:** It’s a valid discussion. The absence of a salary cap creates disparities that can skew competition. Unlike the NFL or NBA, where free agents often sign quickly due to rigid financial structures, MLB’s system allows some teams to hoard talent, making it tougher for others to compete. This can lead to fewer players being signed early in the free agency period, which diminishes excitement and may disengage fans.
**Host:** Interesting point. With several players, like Justin Verlander, missing out on incentives due to performance metrics, do you think player options like these are being adequately valued?
**Sophia Martinez:** It’s a double-edged sword. On one hand, player options can be lucrative for those who’ve shown consistent performance, but on the other, unforeseen injuries or regression can derail those plans, as seen with Verlander. Teams must weigh the risk versus reward of locking in these options. It creates extra tension and uncertainty for both players and front offices.
**Host:** as the offseason progresses, which teams do you think are in a strong position to improve their rosters through free agency?
**Sophia Martinez:** I’d say teams like the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers will be active, given their financial capabilities and need for immediate improvement. However, watch out for teams like the Orioles and the Red Sox. The Orioles have shown they can make shrewd moves while the Red Sox need to rebuild. Their strategies could make them dark horses this offseason.
**Host:** Thank you, Sophia, for your insights on this pivotal time in MLB. We look forward to seeing how the free agency landscape evolves.
**Sophia Martinez:** My pleasure! I can’t wait to see where these players land. It’s game on!
