Major League Baseball

MLB Free⁢ Agency: Qualifying offer‌ decisions Shape Offseason Landscape

As ⁣MLB​ teams navigate teh offseason, decisions regarding qualifying offers are substantially impacting the free agent market. Several prominent‌ players received the one-year, $20.3 million qualifying offer, potentially influencing their future contracts and draft pick compensation for their former clubs. Others were not extended offers, or‌ became free agents⁣ through option‌ declinations, altering⁣ their paths to new​ teams.

Zac Gallen,a starting pitcher for the Diamondbacks,received a qualifying offer. Despite a career-worst 4.83 ERA in 33 starts in 2025-a decline from ⁢his 3.29 ⁣ERA from 2019-24-the Diamondbacks⁢ extended‍ the offer.

Shota Imanaga, formerly‌ with the Cubs, saw his three-year, $57 million club option declined after posting a 3.28 ERA‍ and 5.39 K/BB in 54 starts across 2024-25.Imanaga‍ subsequently declined his $15 million player option for ‍2026, becoming a‍ free agent.

Michael King, a ‍starting pitcher for‍ the Padres, also received ‍a qualifying offer. He transitioned⁤ to a full-time starting role ⁢in 2024, finishing⁤ seventh in NL Cy Young voting,‌ but​ injuries⁣ in 2025 cost him nearly half the season.

Several notable players did not receive qualifying offers. Players who have previously received a qualifying offer are ineligible,and⁢ those not‌ continuously ⁣with an association from Opening Day through the end of the ⁤regular season are⁣ also excluded.

if a player receives a qualifying offer and signs with another team, their former club is ‍eligible for amateur draft pick compensation. Conversely,teams signing players who reject qualifying offers may⁤ forfeit draft picks,with the exception of their ​highest first-round pick. Though, this⁤ draft pick tie is severed if a player remains unsigned after the MLB Draft following ​the rejection of the qualifying ‍offer.

Santo ⁣Domingo, Dominican Republic ‍- The Leones del Escogido honored the memory of Octavio Dotel, a celebrated ⁣pitcher for both the ​franchise and Major League Baseball, prior to‍ Thursday’s game against the ⁣Tigres‌ del Licey. Dotel⁢ passed away on April 8th.

The tribute included a video montage displayed on the giant screen at ⁣estadio Quisqueya ‌Juan Marichal,showcasing Dotel’s ‍career with ⁤the Leones,in the MLB,and with⁢ his family. Dotel’s ⁤widow, Massiel Javier Almonte, threw out the ceremonial ​first pitch, caught ⁣by their ⁢son, Eduardo.

Dotel debuted⁤ in the Major Leagues on June 26,​ 1999, with the New York Mets and played‍ for a total of 13 teams over ‌15 seasons (1999-2013), a figure ranking him among​ the players ⁢with the most MLB teams played for. He finished his MLB ⁤career ‍with 59 wins, a 3.78 ERA, 109⁣ saves, and 1,143 strikeouts in 951 innings pitched.

He first played⁣ with the Leones in 1997, posting a 6-1 record with a‌ 2.31 ERA,1.19 WHIP, and 107 ‌strikeouts in 101.1 innings. His best ‍season with the team ⁣was‍ 1998-99,⁤ where he went 5-0 with a 1.31⁢ ERA and 42 strikeouts in 41.1 ‌innings, earning Pitcher of the Year honors.

Dotel reached three championship finals with the Leones, winning the title in the 2012-2013 season.He was a 2011 World ⁣Series champion with the St. Louis Cardinals and a member of the⁢ Dominican team that won the ⁢2013 World Baseball classic.

the ​Leones have ⁤honored⁣ Dotel throughout⁢ the current season by displaying his last name on ‌their helmets. He was inducted into ​the Dominican⁤ Sports Hall of Fame in ⁣2024.

In ‍attendance at the tribute were Fernando Armenteros, Executive Vice President of the⁣ Leones; Kai Schoenhals, a member of the Board⁢ of Directors; general manager Carlos Peña; Erick Almonte,‌ president of the national Federation of professional Baseball Players; and Leones legends Esteban Germán, Ramón ⁢Santiago, ‌and Francisco Cordero, all close friends of Dotel.

Hall of Fame Announces ​Eight candidates on​ Contemporary⁣ Era Committee Ballot

New York – The National Baseball Hall of Fame announced today the eight candidates under consideration by the Contemporary‍ Era Committee for induction⁢ into the ‍Hall of Fame.The committee⁢ will meet on December ‍3rd to evaluate the candidates, with the results ⁣to be ​announced on‍ December‌ 10th.

the ballot ⁤includes Fred McGriff, Don ‌Mattingly, Dale‌ Murphy,⁢ Glenn ⁢Hubbard, Roger McDowell, Lou Piniella, ted Simmons,‍ and Tommy John.

Candidates require at ‍least ‍75% of​ the vote for election. This is the first year for Hubbard, ⁣McDowell, and Piniella on the ballot.

heres a look at each candidate’s career ⁤highlights:

Fred mcgriff: Known for his consistent power, McGriff finished ⁣his 19-year career with 491 home⁣ runs and 1,550 RBIs. He surpassed 30 ⁢home runs and 100 RBIs eight times, and posted a career slash ​line ⁤of .283/.357/.506.

Don⁣ Mattingly: ⁣A 14-year veteran with the New York yankees,‍ Mattingly ‌was​ a six-time All-Star and won a batting title⁢ and an⁣ MVP Award in the ⁣1980s. He finished his career‌ with a .307 batting average, three‍ Silver Sluggers, ‍and eight Gold Gloves. He‌ later managed the Dodgers (2011-2015) and Marlins (2016-2022),⁢ earning National League Manager of⁤ the year honors ⁣with Miami in 2020.

Dale Murphy: A seven-time ⁢All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner, Murphy played 18 years primarily with the Atlanta Braves. He won back-to-back NL MVP Awards in 1982 and 1983, hitting 36 ⁤home runs in each season.⁢ He totaled 47.1 bWAR during the 1980s, ranking 10th among position players, and amassed 2,796 total ‌bases that decade – the most in the league.

Glenn Hubbard: A gold Glove third baseman ⁢for the Atlanta ‍Braves for a⁤ decade,Hubbard was known for his defensive prowess.

Roger McDowell: A ⁣right-handed pitcher who played 12 seasons, McDowell was a‌ key member‍ of⁤ the 1986 ‌World Series champion ⁤New York Mets.

Lou Piniella: A manager for 23 seasons,​ Piniella led teams to‍ multiple playoff appearances and won a World Series title with the Cincinnati Reds in 1990 as thier ​manager. He also had a successful 18-year⁣ playing career.

Ted Simmons: A catcher who played 20 ⁢seasons, Simmons was⁣ an eight-time All-star and ⁣a six-time ‍Silver Slugger winner.He posted a career.285 batting average.

Tommy John: A pitcher who underwent ⁢the first successful ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery – ⁤now known as⁣ “Tommy ⁤John” surgery – ⁢in 1974, allowing him to continue his 26-year career. He won 288 games and posted a 3.34 ERA.

The Contemporary Era Committee considers players whose primary contribution to baseball came from 1980-present.

Dodgers and Blue Jays Set to Clash in World Series​ Game 7

TORONTO – november 1,2025 – The Los ‍Angeles ‍Dodgers ⁢and ‍Toronto Blue Jays will settle the 2025​ World Series in a decisive Game 7 tonight ‌at ​Rogers center. The series is tied 3-3 after the Dodgers’ win‌ in Game ​6.

Date ⁣&‌ Time: November​ 1,2025. ⁣first ⁣pitch is scheduled for [time not provided in source text].

Lineups:

Dodgers: The ​Dodgers lineup⁣ for‌ Game​ 7 includes⁢ Ohtani, ​Freeman, Smith, and Betts, who each recorded⁢ one​ hit‌ in Game 6. Andy Pages was left out of the ⁢starting lineup for Game 5, hitting .080 overall for the postseason.

Blue Jays: Toronto’s lineup features Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who doubled in Game 6 and remains a potent ‍threat. Ernie Clement is batting .397 this postseason. Bo Bichette, activated for the World Series after a left‌ knee sprain, has played in parts of each ‍game,​ though the‌ Blue Jays remain prepared to use a pinch-runner for him late in⁣ a close game. Daulton Varsho, ⁣Alejandro Kirk, and Addison barger are also key players for the Blue Jays.

injury Updates:

* George Springer ‌(Blue Jays): Returned to the lineup for Game 6 ‌after leaving Game 3 with “right side tightness.”⁢ The Blue Jays are confident the issue won’t worsen with play, but is a matter of tolerance for Springer. He ⁤is in the lineup at DH for ⁢Game 7.
* Bo Bichette (Blue Jays): Activated for the⁤ World Series after a left knee sprain, Bichette played the full game at second base in game 6 but is‌ not yet at 100% on the bases.

Postseason Stats:

* Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers) has ​hit eight home runs this postseason, tying Corey seager’s franchise record set ‍in 2020.
* Three Dodgers have an OPS above .800‌ since the beginning of the NLDS: Ohtani (1.472), Freeman (.824),and Smith (.810).

Past Context:

The Blue Jays are the sixth team in MLB history to‍ play in two⁣ Game 7s (ALCS,⁢ WS)⁣ in the same postseason, joining‌ the 2017 Astros, 1991 Braves, 1987 Cardinals, 1986 Red Sox and⁢ 1985 Royals. Two ⁢of those previous teams went on⁣ to win the World Series (the 2017 Astros and the 1985 Royals).

Orioles Bench Coach ⁣Chirinos Won’t Return for 2026 Season

BALTIMORE – Robinson Chirinos will not⁤ be returning ​as the Baltimore Orioles’ bench coach‌ for ​the 2026 season, a source confirmed. The club has not yet officially⁤ announced the news.

Chirinos, 41, began his major league coaching career in 2025, initially hired by then-manager Brandon Hyde. Following Hyde’s dismissal on May 17, Chirinos continued in his role alongside interim manager Tony Mansolino, who transitioned from third​ base coach.

A veteran of 11 Major League seasons ⁤between 2011 and 2022, Chirinos‌ concluded his playing⁣ career with ‍the Orioles in 2022. during that season, he served as a mentor to ⁢rookie catcher Adley Rutschman while​ posting a .179 batting average and a .552 OPS in 67 games.

Chirinos was a natural choice to​ fill the bench coach position for 2025 after Fredi González’s departure, reuniting him‍ with a former manager in Hyde.

Now, with Craig Albernaz taking the helm as Orioles manager – hired on Monday – a new coaching staff is taking shape. The Orioles finished the 2025 season with a 75-87 record, ‍placing last in the American League East after reaching the postseason in the​ prior two years.

in addition to Chirinos’ departure, assistant hitting ⁣coaches Sherman Johnson and Tommy Joseph will also not be returning next season. Johnson has accepted⁢ a position as minor league hitting coordinator for⁢ the chicago‌ White Sox.

it remains unclear⁤ which,if any,coaches ⁤from the ⁣2025 staff will be retained as Albernaz ‍assembles ⁢his team. ​Albernaz, previously the Guardians’ bench coach and assistant ​manager under Stephen Vogt,​ understands the importance of a strong, trusted bench coach, having worked alongside Vogt to lead ⁣Cleveland to consecutive American League Central titles.

Dodgers Fall ⁣to Blue Jays in Game ​4,‌ Bullpen and Offense Struggle

LOS ⁤ANGELES – The Los Angeles‌ Dodgers lost to the Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday, exposing familiar⁣ vulnerabilities in thier bullpen and at the plate. The Dodgers managed to score only two runs while surrendering four, continuing a concerning trend in the postseason.

Unlike Monday’s 18-inning victory, where the ‍bullpen allowed just one run in 13.1 innings, relief pitching faltered with Anthony Banda and Blake ⁤Treinen each giving up two runs -‍ plus⁣ inheriting two more – in ‍a single inning.

The Dodgers’ offense continues to struggle, going 2 ⁢for 19 with runners in scoring⁣ position ​between Games 3 and 4, ‌bringing their ‍postseason average in those situations to .210.

“We ⁢haven’t found our rhythm,” said Dodgers⁢ manager Dave Roberts,‌ hinting at potential lineup changes for Wednesday’s game.These could include miguel Rojas at second base ⁢and⁣ Tommy edman in center field, possibly replacing Andy Pagés, ‍who ⁢is ‌hitting.080‍ this postseason ⁢after going 0 for 2 on⁤ tuesday. “It seems to die in certain parts​ of the lineup in‌ different innings, different games. guys​ are competing, but‌ yes, ​my hope ⁣is⁢ that ⁣we come back⁤ (Wednesday) and take advantage of the ⁢facts we have on (Trey) Yesavage (Blue Jays starter for Game 5, against Dodgers ⁢left-hander Blake Snell).”

Shohei Ohtani,⁢ who extended his world ‍Series record to 11 consecutive times on base with⁢ a first-inning walk, ​acknowledged the challenge.”We’re facing quality arms this time ‍of​ year against very good teams.‍ So, I think it’s not that easy.But simultaneously occurring, ⁣we could‍ do at ⁣least the bare minimum to be able to score⁣ some runs.”

The Dodgers’ intermediate⁢ relief⁤ also proved problematic. While Edgardo Henríquez and Will ⁤Klein combined⁢ for 6.0 scoreless ‍innings ‍in Monday’s win, Banda (10.38 ERA in this postseason) and Treinen (8.31) struggled,‍ a ⁣reversal from their effectiveness during the team’s 2024 World Series run. The Dodgers’ bullpen now has a collective 4.60 ERA ⁤in these ​playoffs/World‍ Series.

“I think you have to execute the pitches,” ⁢Treinen said. “We ⁤have‌ game plans. The biggest thing is to win the‍ next one. Obviously, we⁤ all want to win a ⁢World Series, but it all​ starts one game‌ at a time.”