PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jake Arrieta is staying with the Philadelphia Phillies, exercising a $20 million player option for 2020 on Saturday.A 33-year-old right-hander, Arrieta was 8-8 with a 4.64 ERA in 24 starts this year. He did not pitch after Aug. 11 because of surgery to remove a bone spur from his right elbow.Arrieta was the 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner with the Chicago Cubs. He made the All-Star team the following season and helped the Cubs win their first World Series title since 1908. He left as a free agent after the 2017 season and signed a deal with the Phillies that will wind up paying $75 million over three seasons.Arrieta was 10-11 with a 3.96 ERA in 31 starts for Philadelphia in 2018.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen has decided not to opt out of his contract with Los Angeles.The NL West champions declined a $13 million option on 31-year-old infielder Jedd Gyorko, who gets a $1 million buyout.Jansen, a 32-year-old right-hander, agreed to an $80 million, five-year contract in January 2017 and could have terminated the deal this weekend and become a free agent.His contract calls for salaries of $18 million next year and $20 million in 2021.Jansen was an All-Star every year from 2016-18, but his ERA has risen from 1.32 in 2017 to 3.01 in 2018 to a career-high 3.71 this year while his strikeouts have dropped from 109 to 82 to 80. He was bothered by an irregular heartbeat in 2018.Acquired from St. Louis on July 31, Gyorko hit .139 with two RBIs in 39 plate appearances for the Dodgers and finished the season at .174 with two homers and nine RBIs in 62 games overall. The seven-year veteran played for San Diego from 2013-15, then was dealt to the Cardinals.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.comMLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Aroldis Chapman is staying with the New York Yankees, amending his contract to a $48 million, three-year deal.The 31-year-old All-Star closer had been owed $15 million in each of the next two seasons as part of an $86 million, five-year contract, and he had the right to opt out of the deal and become a free agent.The left-hander's amended deal includes salaries of $16 million annually and a full no-trade provision.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.comMLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Stephen Strasburg opted out of the final four years of his contract with the Washington Nationals, three days after the star pitcher was chosen MVP of the World Series.The move Saturday makes the 31-year-old right-hander a free agent. Strasburg gave up $100 million he had been guaranteed from 2020-23 as part of a $175 million, seven-year contract he agreed to with the Nationals in May 2016.Strasburg was 18-6 with a 3.32 ERA this season, topping 30 starts for the second time in his career and leading the NL with 209 innings pitched. Then he went 5-0 with a 1.98 ERA in five postseason starts and one relief appearance, including wins in Games 2 and 6 of the World Series against Houston.Washington also won Game 7 to claim the first championship in franchise history.Just a few days later, however, the roster has already begun to change.The club declined its $18 million option for next season on 35-year-old first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, the only player who has been a member of... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg has opted out of the final four years of his contract with the Washington Nationals, three days after the star pitcher was chosen MVP of the World Series.The 31-year-old right-hander becomes a free agent Saturday. Strasburg gave up $100 million he had been guaranteed from 2020-23 as part of a $175 million, seven-year contract he agreed to with the Nationals in May 2016.Strasburg was 18-6 with a 3.32 ERA this season, topping 30 starts for the second time in his career and leading the NL with 209 innings pitched. Then he went 5-0 with a 1.98 ERA in five postseason starts and one relief appearance, including wins in Games 2 and 6 of the World Series against Houston.Washington also won Game 7 to claim the first championship in franchise history.In a career interrupted by Tommy John surgery shortly after his spectacular major league debut in 2010, Strasburg is 112-58 with a 3.17 ERA and 1,695 strikeouts in parts of 10 seasons.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.comMLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Aroldis Chapman is staying with the New York Yankees, amending his contract to a $48 million, three-year deal.The 31-year-old All-Star closer had been owed $15 million in each of the next two seasons as part of an $86 million, five-year contract, and he had the right to opt out of the deal and become a free agent.The left-hander's amended deal includes salaries of $16 million annually and a full no-trade provision.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.comMLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — The Braves declined their part of Billy Hamilton's mutual option for 2020, allowing the speedy outfielder to become a free agent.Hamilton's contract, agreed to with Kansas City last December, called for a $4.25 million salary for this year and included a $7.5 million mutual option for 2020 with a $1 million buyout. He earned an additional $200,000 this season in bonuses based on plate appearances.Hamilton, 29, hit .218 with no homers,15 RBIs and 22 stolen bases in 119 games for the Royals and Braves, who claimed him off waivers on Aug. 19. He has 299 steals in seven major league seasons, spending most of his career with Cincinnati from 2012-18.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers have declined 2020 contract options for relievers Shawn Kelley and Nate Jones, and newly acquired catcher Welington Castillo. They all became free agents.Texas announced the moves Friday, a day after acquiring Castillo in a trade from the Chicago White Sox.Castillo has an $8 million option and a $500,000 buyout. The 32-year-old catcher hit .209 over 72 games last season.Kelley was 5-2 with 11 saves and a 4.94 ERA in 50 games, with two stints on the injured list. The 35-year-old Kelley had a $2.5 million option with a $250,000 buyout.Jones, who has a $3.75 million club option with a $1.25 million buyout, was acquired in July from the White Sox while recovering from right forearm surgery. He had a 3.48 ERA in 13 relief appearances in Chicago before going on the injury list in April.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MIAMI (AP) — The Marlins have declined their $16 million option on infielder Starlin Castro for 2020 and will pay him a $1 million buyout, allowing him to become a free agent.The move confirmed Friday had been expected as the Marlins rebuild.Castro, 29, batted .270 while playing all 162 games this year and had career-high totals of 22 homers and 86 RBIs.Castro is a 10-year veteran who spent two seasons with Miami.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two days after winning their first World Series title, the Washington Nationals declined a $4 million mutual option for 2020 on backup first baseman Matt Adams.Adams gets a $1 million buyout and becomes a free agent following Friday's decision.The 31-year-old hit .226 with 20 homers and 56 RBIs in 111 games during the regular season.He had just four plate appearances in the postseason and his only World Series action was a walk as a pinch hitter in Game 3. His pinch single off Adam Wainwright sparked a two-run rally in Game 2 of the NL Championship Series.Adams, 31, is an eight-year big league veteran with St. Louis (2012-17, '18), Atlanta (2017) and Washington (2018, '19).___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CINCINNATI (AP) — Infielder Freddy Galvis' $5.5 million option for next season has been exercised by the Cincinnati Reds.Galvis, who turns 30 on Nov. 14, was claimed by the Reds off waivers from Toronto on Aug. 12 and hit .234 with five homers and 16 RBIs in 32 games. Overall, he batted .267 last season and set career bests with 23 homers and 70 RBIs.Cincinnati announced its decision Friday.Usually a shortstop with Toronto, Galvis played mostly at second with the Reds. José Iglesias, Cincinnati's regular shortstop this year, became a free agent Thursday.Galvis' contract, agreed to with the Blue Jays in January, had a $4 million salary for 2019. If the option had been declined, he would have received a $1 million buyout.He has a .248 career average in eight seasons with Philadelphia (2012-17), San Diego (2018), Toronto and Cincinnati.__More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have declined the 2020 options for second baseman Wilmer Flores and left-handed pitcher T.J. McFarland.The 28-year-old Flores hit a career-high .317 with nine homers in 89 games during his only season with the D-backs, when he made $3.75 million. Flores's option was for $6 million with a $500,000 buyout. He is eligible for free agency.The 30-year-old McFarland pitched the past three seasons for the D-backs and had a 4.82 ERA in 51 games this year, when he had a $1.4 million salary. His option was for $1.85 million with a $50,000 buyout. He is eligible for salary arbitration.Additionally, the Diamondbacks sent outfielder Abraham Almonte and left-handed pitcher Robby Scott outright to Triple-A Reno. They also announced infielder Kevin Cron had right knee surgery this month and is expected to be ready for spring training.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Washington third baseman Anthony Rendon became a free agent Thursday, a day after homering to spark Washington's seventh-inning comeback in Game 7 of the World Series.Houston pitcher Gerrit Cole also went free after warming up in the bullpen but never getting into the season finale.And Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg, the World Series MVP, could be joining them in the next few days. He has the right to opt out of his contract, which has $100 million over four years remaining.Baseball's business season starts shortly after the final out."I think it's hard to kind of fast-forward," Astros manager AJ Hinch said. "Seasons end really fast. I don't care if you get all the way to the seventh game of the World Series. It's all of a sudden — boom! — it's over."Cole, Rendon and Strasburg all are represented by Scott Boras, known for slow, methodical negotiations. Last winter, he reached outfielder Bryce Harper's $330 million, 13-year contract with Philadelphia on Feb. 28.Cole,... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Hunter Pence has become a free agent after a comeback season with his hometown Texas Rangers.Texas utility infielder Logan Forsythe and retiring right-handed pitcher Edinson Vólquez also became free agents Thursday, a day after the World Series ended.Relievers Shawn Kelley and Nate Jones, along with newly acquired catcher Welington Castillo, are likely to become free agents, as well, with the team not expected to exercise 2020 contract options.The 36-year-old Pence hit .297 with 18 homers and 59 RBIs in 83 games. He was voted as the starting designated hitter for the AL All-Star team, though he couldn't play in the game because of a right groin strain. He didn't play after Aug. 22 because of a lower back strain.Kelley was 5-2 with 11 saves and a 4.94 ERA in 50 games. He has a $2.5 million option with a $250,000 buyout.Texas earlier Thursday acquired Castillo, who has an $8 million option and a $500,000 buyout. The 32-year-old catcher hit .209 over 72 games last season.Jones, who has a $3.75 million club option with a $1.25 million buyout, was acquired in July from the White Sox while recovering from right forearm surgery.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Versatile Oakland reliever Yusmeiro Petit had his $5.5 million contract option for the 2020 season exercised by the Athletics on Friday.The A's declined their half of a $5.75 million mutual option on left-handed pitcher Jake Diekman, who came to Oakland in a trade from Kansas City on July 27 and went 1-1 with a 4.43 ERA in 28 outings for Oakland after beginning 0-6 with the Royals. Diekman gets a $500,000 buyout.Petit made an AL-leading 80 appearances in 2019, when the 97-win A's lost for a second straight year in the AL wild card game.He went 5-3 with a 2.71 ERA and .194 opponent batting average. The right-hander — who agreed to a $10 million, two-year contract with the A's in November 2017 — would have received a $1 million buyout.The A's also announced next year's coaching staff Thursday under manager Bob Melvin on Thursday.Bench coach Ryan Christenson, hitting coach Darren Bush, pitching coach Scott Emerson, bullpen coach Marcus Jensen and quality control coach Mark Kotsay will remain in their current positions while Eric Martins has been promoted to the major league staff as assistant hitting coach after serving five years in a hitting coach role in the minors.Mike Aldrete moves from assistant hitting coach to first base coach while Al Pedrique goes from first base coach to third base to replace Matt Williams, new manager of the Kia Tigers in South Korea.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have declined the 2020 options for second baseman Wilmer Flores and left-handed pitcher T.J. McFarland.The 28-year-old Flores hit a career-high .317 with nine homers in 89 games during his only season with the D-backs, when he made $3.75 million. Flores's option was for $6 million with a $500,000 buyout.The 30-year-old McFarland pitched the past three seasons for the D-backs and had a 4.82 ERA in 51 games this year, when he had a $1.4 million salary. His option was for $1.85 million with a $50,000 buyout.Additionally, the Diamondbacks sent outfielder Abraham Almonte and left-handed pitcher Robby Scott outright to Triple-A Reno. They also announced infielder Kevin Cron had right knee surgery this month and is expected to be ready for spring training.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have declined the 2020 options for second baseman Wilmer Flores and left-handed pitcher T.J. McFarland.The 28-year-old Flores hit a career-high .317 with nine homers in 89 games during his only season with the D-backs. Flores was due to make $6 million in 2020 but instead will get a $500,000 buyout.The 30-year-old McFarland pitched the past three seasons for the D-backs and threw in 51 games with a 4.82 ERA in 2019. He was due $1.85 million in 2020.Additionally, the Diamondbacks sent outfielder Abraham Almonte and left-handed pitcher Robby Scott to Triple-A Reno. They also announced infielder Kevin Cron had right knee surgery this month and is expected to be ready for spring training.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

HOUSTON (AP) — The shutdown that shook baseball paid off for Stephen Strasburg and the Washington Nationals.It just took seven seasons.Strasburg was voted MVP of the World Series following the Nationals' 6-2 win over the Houston Astros in Game 7 on Wednesday night, the first title in the 51 seasons of the Washington/Montreal Expos franchise.Ending the most prolific of 10 big league seasons for the 31-year-old right-hander, Strasburg went 5-0 with a 1.98 ERA in five postseason starts and one relief appearance, including victories in Games 2 and 6 of the Series.Long after Strasburg was shut down because of an innings limit following Tommy John surgery, he helped lead the Nationals to the championship."I slept like a baby when we made the decision," Washington general manager Mike Rizzo said Wednesday. "I knew more information than the people criticizing. I've got a pretty thick skin being in the game this long."Selected by Washington with the first pick in the 2009 amateur draft, Strasburg... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Astros manager AJ Hinch had options.There was Zack Greinke, a veteran ace showing his first signs of fatigue. Out in the bullpen, Gerrit Cole was watching. And of course, Will Harris was warming.What came next, Hinch will contemplate for years."It's a decision I'll have to live with," he said.After Greinke allowed a homer to Anthony Rendon and walked Juan Soto, Hinch handed a 2-1 lead to Harris in the seventh inning of World Series Game 7. On Harris' second pitch, Howie Kendrick drove a two-run, go-ahead homer off the right field foul pole screen — a haymaker that stunned Houston in a 6-2 defeat that cost them the chance at a second title in two years."It's every reliever's nightmare that I get a chance to live," Harris said, his eyes red-rimmed from the emotional ending.Greinke, the 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner who joined the Astros from Arizona at the trade deadline, had looked strong all night. He threw only 80 pitches, was just starting his third turn through the order,... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Astros manager AJ Hinch had options.There was Zack Greinke, a veteran ace showing his first signs of fatigue. Out in the bullpen, Gerrit Cole was watching. And of course, Will Harris was warming.What came next, Hinch will contemplate for years."It's a decision I'll have to live with," he said.After Greinke allowed a homer to Anthony Rendon and walked Juan Soto, Hinch handed a 2-1 lead to Harris in the seventh inning of World Series Game 7. In Harris' first at-bat, Howie Kendrick drove a two-run, go-ahead homer off the right field foul pole screen — a haymaker that stunned Houston in a 6-2 defeat that cost them the chance at a second title in two years.It was the second straight night Harris surrendered a home run after Rendon took him deep for two runs in Houston's 7-2 loss in Game 6. Harris hadn't allowed a run this postseason before that shot.Greinke, the 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner who joined the Astros from Arizona at the trade deadline, had looked strong all night.... [More]