Dodgers beat Blue Jays, become first back-to-back champs since 2000
For the first time since 2000, MLB has a repeat champ. The Dodgers go back-to-back and cement their place among baseball’s modern dynasties.
Sports Pulse
The end of the World Series marks the beginning of the Hot Stove season, and many MLB players are more than ready to get started in free agency.
Several big-name veterans – including slugger Pete Alonso and closer Edwin Diaz of the New York Mets – were among the first players to exercise opt-out clauses in their existing contracts and take the plunge into the free agent market, according to multiple reports.
The Cubs and starter Shoto Imanaga both declined their respective options on the 32-year-old left-hander. Chicago can still offer Imanaga a qualifying offer, which would be for one year and just over $22 million if he accepts it. Otherwise, Imanaga would become a free agent.
All teams have until Thursday, Nov. 6 to give their impending free agents a qualifying offer for the 2026 season. They have a week to either accept the one-year deal or become a free agent.
Here are the players who have made decisions about the options on their 2026 contracts:
1B Pete Alonso, New York MetsRP Edwin Diaz, New York Mets1B/OF Cody Bellinger, New York Yankees3B Alex Bregman, Boston Red SoxSP Michael King, San Diego PadresRP Robert Suarez, San Diego PadresSS Ha-Seong Kim, Atlanta BravesSP Lucas Giolito, Boston Red SoxSS Jorge Mateo, Baltimore OriolesSP Shota Imanaga, Chicago Cubs (club option declined, too)SP Brandon Woodruff, Milwaukee BrewersOF Randal Grichuk, Kansas City RoyalsSP Freddy Peralta, Milwaukee Brewers ($8 million)OF Luis Robert Jr., Chicago White Sox ($20 million)RP Andres Munoz, Seattle Mariners ($6 million)RP Brooks Raley, New York Mets ($4.75 million)