Lester, Kluber, Hand boost free agent total to 175
Jon Lester, Corey Kluber and Brad Hand were among 15 more major leaguers who became free agents Friday when teams declined their 2021 options, many the victims of budget cuts following a regular season without fans due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Jon Lester option declined by Cubs, lefty becomes free agent
Jon Lester’s $25 million mutual option for 2021 was declined Friday by the Chicago Cubs, completing a $155 million, six-year contract and allowing the 36-year-old left-hander to become a free agent.
Phillies clear out ‘pen, decline options on Neris, Phelps
The Philadelphia Phillies have declined options on relievers Héctor Neris, David Phelps and David Robertson, clearing out the bullpen after it posted the highest ERA in the majors.
Indians decline options on closer Hand, 1B Santana for 2021
The Cleveland Indians have declined contract options on Brad Hand, first baseman Carlos Santana and outfielder Domingo Santana for next season, moves that cut $30.75 million from the team’s projected 2021 payroll.
MLB owners approve sale of Mets to Steve Cohen
NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball owners voted Friday to approve the sale of the New York Mets to billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen. The sale from the Wilpon and Katz families values the franchise at between $2.4 billion and $2.45 billion, a record for a baseball team. The sale is likely to […]
Fresh off suspension, Hinch takes over as Tigers manager
DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers hired AJ Hinch to be their new manager Friday, giving him a chance to return to a major league dugout after he was fired by Houston in the wake of the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal. The Tigers said they agreed to terms with Hinch on a multiyear deal. Hinch replaces […]
Dozen MLB players have options turned down, go free
What figures to be a down and perhaps brutal market for baseball free agents in the offseason following the pandemic began Wednesday when a dozen players were told their contract options had been declined, among them St. Louis Cardinals Gold Glove second baseman Kolten Wong.
White Sox reunite with La Russa, hire Hall of Fame manager
CHICAGO (AP) — Tony La Russa, the Hall of Famer who won a World Series with the Oakland Athletics and two more with the St. Louis Cardinals, is returning to manage the Chicago White Sox 34 years after they fired him. The 76-year-old La Russa rejoins the franchise where his managing career began more than […]
World Series TV ratings average drops 32% below previous low
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers’ six-game win over the Tampa Bay Rays received an average television rating 32% below the previous World Series low. The six games on Fox averaged a 5.2 rating, 12 share and 9,785,000 viewers, Nielsen Media Research said Wednesday. The previous low was a 7.6 rating, 12 share […]
MLB says Turner violated protocols when he returned to field
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Justin Turner violated coronavirus protocols when he celebrated on the Globe Life field with his Los Angeles Dodgers teammates and he refused instructions from security to leave the field, behavior that Major League Baseball said risked the safety of others. The commissioner’s office said Wednesday that it is starting a full […]