MLB Player News
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Nicky Lopez 3B | ARI
Nicky Lopez: Becomes free agent
Lopez elected free agency Tuesday.
The White Sox removed Lopez from their 40-man roster and the veteran infielder has opted for free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment. Lopez, who turns 30 in March, slashed just .241/.312/.294 over 124 games for the White Sox in 2024. He might have to settle for a minor-league contract this winter.
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Gavin Lux SS | CIN
Dodgers' Gavin Lux: Could be out of starting job
Lux might be out of a starting job next season with the Dodgers planning to move Mookie Betts back to the infield, Noah Camras of DodgersNation.com reports.
The Dodgers have not said whether Betts would play shortstop or second base, but with Miguel Rojas and Tommy Edman available as shortstop options, Betts' likelier destination is probably the keystone. Seemingly, that would push Lux to the bench or perhaps the trade block. Lux had a .562 OPS in the first half of the 2024 season but finished strong in the second half with an .899 OPS. He then struggled in the postseason (.580 OPS) while battling a hip issue. Lux will turn 27 later this month and is under team control through 2026.
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Jorge Polanco 2B | SEA
Jorge Polanco: Full activities by January
Polanco's (knee) agent, Ulises Cabrera, said Monday that his client is expected to be cleared for full baseball activities by January, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.
Polanco dealt with a patellar tendon issue in his left knee for much of the 2024 season before finally undergoing surgery in October. He's a free agent after the Mariners declined his $12 million club option for 2025 but is expected to enter spring training fully healthy. Polanco, who turns 32 in July, posted a career-worst .651 OPS this season and was worth 0.3 fWAR in 118 games.
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Donovan Walton 2B | PHI
Giants' Donovan Walton: Outrighted to Sacramento
Walton cleared waivers Friday and was sent outright to Triple-A Sacramento, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Walton appeared in nine games for the Giants in 2024, during which he went 3-for-22 with a home run and two RBI. Most of his time was spent in Sacramento, however, where he slashed .305/.377/.438 with 51 RBI across 387 plate appearances. The 30-year-old infielder appears likely to remain in the minors to start the 2025 campaign and continue serving as organizational depth.
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Brandon Lowe 2B | TB
Rays' Brandon Lowe: Club option picked up
The Rays exercised Lowe's $10 million club option for 2025 on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
It's possible the Rays will look to trade Lowe as his salary escalates, but picking up the option was a fairly easy call. They also have an $11.5 million club option for 2026. Lowe slashed .244/.311/.473 with 21 home runs over 425 plate appearances for Tampa Bay this season.
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Jorge Polanco 2B | SEA
Jorge Polanco: Free agent after option declined
Polanco (knee) had has $12 million club option for 2025 declined by the Mariners on Friday.
He'll receive a $750,000 buyout instead and is now a free agent. Polanco produced a career-worst .651 OPS in 2024 while playing through a patellar tendon issue in his left knee which eventually required surgery in October. The expectation is that he will be healthy in time for spring training, but the veteran infielder is now looking for a new employer.
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Cavan Biggio RF | KC
Cavan Biggio: Elects free agency
Biggio elected free agency Friday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Atlanta removed Biggio from its 40-man roster and the player exercised his right to free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment. Biggio slashed only .197/.314/.303 over 78 games between three different teams in 2024.
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Adam Frazier 2B | KC
Adam Frazier: Headed for free agency
The Royals declined Frazier's (thumb) mutual option for 2025 on Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Frazier saw only 294 plate appearances in 2024 -- his only campaign with the Royals -- his fewest in a full season since 2016. He also performed poorly by maintaining a .576 OPS with four home runs and three stolen bases. Frazier may be able to find a major-league deal due to his defensive versatility, though his days as a regular starter are likely in the rearview mirror.