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Mariners Exercise 2027 Club Option on Andres Munoz
The Seattle Mariners announced on Thursday that they exercised their $9 million 2027 club option on right-handed closer Andres Munoz. The 27-year-old agreed to a four-year, $7.5 million contract with the Mariners in December of 2021 that included three club options. He was an All-Star in both 2024 and 2025 and had a $7 million salary this year under the first option while going 5-6 with a career-worst 4.24 ERA, 28 saves in 38 chances, and 89 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings pitched. Seattle has a $10 million option for 2028 that would increase by $250,000 each for 20, 30, 40, and 45 games finished in 2027. Despite Munoz's not-so-great 2026 campaign, he will open the 2027 season as Seattle's primary closer after saving 101 games for the team since the start of the 2023 campaign. Although Munoz had a career-high 4.24 ERA (3.35 FIP) in 2026, he still managed a strong 37.1% strikeout rate in his seventh year in the big leagues and should remain a coveted closing option in fantasy baseball leagues going into next season without much competition in the ninth inning.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jeff Hoffman Undergoes Arthroscopic Elbow Surgery
Minnesota Twins right-handed reliever Jeff Hoffman (elbow) underwent right arthroscopic elbow surgery with Dr. Jeffrey Dugas, which included the removal of a bone chip and a debridement procedure, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. The Twins say that Hoffman will start a throwing program in eight weeks, and they expect him to be ready for the start of the 2027 season. The surgery comes after the Twins placed Hoffman on the 15-day injured list to close out the last week of the regular season in late September with inflammation in his right forearm. After being acquired in a midseason trade from the Toronto Blue Jays in 2026, Hoffman served as a late-inning setup man to closer Yoendrys Gomez. Barring a setback in his recovery from elbow surgery, Hoffman should open next season in the same role for Minnesota, which will limit his fantasy baseball appeal without a consistent path to saves. The 33-year-old veteran had a career-high 33 saves with Toronto in 2025, but he closed out only six games last year with a 3.55 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. He was at least more effective in his 20 relief outings in Minnesota, posting a 2.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 27:12 K:BB with one save.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
MLB Testing Out Restricted Outfield Shifts
Major League Baseball is experimenting with restricting the positioning of outfielders on every at-bat in the Arizona Fall League, according to ESPN.com. The goal is to boost the game's sluggish offense by making outfielders play straight up, instead of adjusting for individual hitters' tendencies, which will in theory lead to more doubles and triples. Outfielders will look up at a small video board that can tell a player where they are in the field and will either generate an "X" if he is incorrectly positioned or an "O" if he is in a defensively acceptable spot. "The hardest part is cutting off doubles in the gap, and they're even turning into triples," Minnesota Twins prospect Kyle DeBarge said. "That's what they told us they wanted in the beginning. So it works." A recent game saw Scottsdale beat Salt River 15-8 in a game that featured five triples, which was an AFL record.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Mike Rizzo Interviewing For Astros General Manager Job
Former Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo is interviewing for the vacant Houston Astros general manager role, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. As general manager of the Nationals, Rizzo built up the franchise and led Washington to its first-ever World Series title in 2019, defeating the Houston Astros. Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez were fired in 2025, ending Rizzo's 19-year tenure with the franchise. Rizzo was considered for the Athletics job in a similar role this offseason, but withdrew his name from consideration to focus on the Astros position, according to Nightengale.
Source: Bob Nightengale, USA Today
Source: Bob Nightengale, USA Today
Rocco Baldelli Withdraws From Mariners' Managerial Search
Los Angeles Dodgers special assistant Rocco Baldelli has withdrawn from the search for a new Seattle Mariners manager, according to a report from The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. Rosenthal reports that Baldelli has cited "family considerations" in withdrawing his name from consideration for the Mariners' open position. Baldelli currently serves as a special assistant to the president of baseball operations with the Dodgers. He was previously the manager of the Minnesota Twins from 2019 to 2025 and was the American League Manager of the Year in 2019 and won three AL Central division titles.
Source: The Athletic, Ken Rosenthal
Source: The Athletic, Ken Rosenthal
Aaron Ashby Continues to Dominate, Picks Up Third Save in Game 2 Win
Milwaukee Brewers left-handed reliever Aaron Ashby was dominant once again out of the Brewers' bullpen to lock down the Game 2 victory in the World Series on Saturday night against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. Ashby was used for 1 2/3 innings and allowed only one hit while walking none and striking out three to pick up his third save of the postseason. It came after the nasty left-hander recorded five outs in the Game 1 victory in Milwaukee. His string of 15 2/3 scoreless innings is one out shy of Andrew Miller's mark in 2016 to begin a postseason. In addition to not allowing a single run so far in the playoffs for the Brew Crew, Ashby has allowed only five hits while punching out 17 and walking only three. Ashby has been lights-out for a Milwaukee squad that is sitting pretty as the series shifts to Tampa on Monday evening. In 89 1/3 innings during the regular season (one start), Ashby was solid, posting a 3.12 ERA (3.11 FIP) and 1.31 WHIP with a career-high four saves, 116 strikeouts, and 41 walks.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Daniel Espino Could Be Part of the Guardians Rotation in 2027
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Daniel Espino could potentially be a candidate to join the team's starting rotation in 2027, per Zack Meisel of The Athletic. Meisel reports that the Guardians' decision-makers are currently unsure whether to keep Espino in a bullpen role or attempt to stretch him out as a starter. A former top prospect, the 25-year-old has battled numerous injury setbacks in his career, including two shoulder surgeries. He finally made his way to the big leagues in 2026, recording a 4.11 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 25 strikeouts across 15 1/3 innings (14 games). Espino averaged 98.5 miles per hour on his fastball, and he has routinely posted impressive strikeout rates when healthy in his pro career. If the Guardians decide his arm can handle a starter's workload, he could be an intriguing target for fantasy managers.
Source: The Athletic - Zack Meisel
Source: The Athletic - Zack Meisel
Andres Munoz's 2027 Option Likely to be Picked Up by the M's
MLB.com's Mark Feinsand writes that right-handed reliever Andres Munoz's $8 million club option for the 2027 season seems likely to be picked up, as he remains a key piece of their bullpen. Munoz was an All-Star closer for the Mariners in both 2024 and 2025, but he struggled this past season, converting only 24 of his 32 save chances while posting a 4.28 ERA. The 27-year-old Mexican hurler also went 5-6 in his seventh year in the majors with a 1.22 WHIP with 89 strikeouts, and 24 walks in 57 1/3 innings pitched in his 61 total appearances. To top things off in 2026, the M's placed Munoz on the 15-day injured list to end his season early at the end of September with inflammation in his right knee. He should be fully recovered from that injury to start spring training next year, and he should be a lock to open the 2027 campaign as Seattle's primary closer unless he gets injured or really struggles in spring training. Munoz had 22 saves in 2024 and then followed it up with a career-high 38 saves and a 1.73 ERA in 64 relief appearances in 2025.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
Source: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
Red Sox Expected to Pick Up Garrett Whitlock's 2027 Option
The Boston Red Sox will surely exercise right-handed reliever Garrett Whitlock's one-year, $8.25 million ($1 million buyout) club option for the 2027 season, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Whitlock and left-handed closer Aroldis Chapman were an excellent one-two punch at the back end of the bullpen for Boston in 2026, so they will be looking to bring that duo back next year. Whitlock ended the season on the injured list due to a fractured tibia, but he has been a star as a reliever for the BoSox since he became a full-time reliever in 2025, recording a 2.17 ERA and 140 strikeouts in 107 outings (116 innings pitched). The 30-year-old former 18th-round pick by the New York Yankees in 2017 from Alabama at Birmingham went 7-2 for Boston this year with a sharp 1.72 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, four saves, and 59 strikeouts in 52 1/3 innings pitched. Whitlock should be fully recovered from his fractured leg by spring training next year and will once again be a valuable reliever in fantasy leagues that count holds.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
Source: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
Stephen Vogt Says He's Staying With Guardians
Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said that he will return to the team next season after losing to the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Championship Series this year, according to The Associated Press. "I'm here," Vogt said at a news conference Thursday. "I'm coming back." There were rumblings that Vogt could leave Cleveland for the Seattle Mariners' managerial opening so that he could be closer to his family's home in Washington. The former big-league catcher has led the Guardians to a division crown in each of his three seasons at the helm and has been named American League Manager of the Year twice. The 41-year-old said he has not been contacted by the Mariners, who fired Dan Wilson last month following the disappointing year after Seattle made it to the AL Championship Series in 2025. Although the M's have not reached out to Vogt, it is possible that they contact Cleveland with a trade proposal.
Source: The Associated Press
Source: The Associated Press
Managerial Candidates Emerging For Mariners Job
According to The Athletic's Chandler Rome, two former members of the Houston Astros staff -- Joe Espada and Jason Kanzler -- have emerged as serious candidates in the search for a new Seattle Mariners manager. Kanzler was on the Astros' 2022 staff and is now the Cubs farm director. And The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal added that Rocco Baldelli, the Dodgers' special assistant, is also in the mix for the Mariners job. The Mariners finished 76-86 overall and in third place in the AL West behind the Houston Astros, who finished with an 81-81 record to win the division. The Astros parted ways with Espada this offseason after the team lost to the Chicago White Sox in the postseason.
Source: Chandler Rome, The Athletic
Source: Chandler Rome, The Athletic
Kurt Suzuki Won't Return as Angels' Manager in 2027
The Los Angeles Angels have announced that they have declined the option in Kurt Suzuki's contract and will search for a new manager and coaching staff for next season. "Kurt has earned tremendous respect in our clubhouse, and I've seen firsthand how much he cares about our players. I do not believe our record this year was a true reflection of his abilities as a manager," Angels baseball operations consultant John Mozeliak said. Mozeliak said Suzuki has been offered to stay on the Angels staff as a special assistant. The Angels finished this season 62-100 and in last place in the American League West division, 19 games back of the division winners, the Houston Astros.
Source: Los Angeles Angels
Source: Los Angeles Angels
Orioles Hiring Jared Banner as General Manager
The Baltimore Orioles are hiring Chicago Cubs assistant general manager Jared Banner as their general manager, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. Banner will work alongside incumbent Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias in Baltimore. The 41-year-old Banner has 18 years of baseball operations experience, taking over his most recent role in Chicago in 2024. He got his start with the Boston Red Sox in 2008, where he spent the first 11 seasons of his career in baseball management. The Orioles have now missed the postseason in back-to-back years after consecutive playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024. While Elias has spoken publicly about his desire to add to his own front office, Banner's presence could signal that Elias' job is under scrutiny from ownership heading into 2027.
Source: ESPN - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN - Jeff Passan
Brian Cashman Agrees to New Contract With Yankees
New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that he agreed to a new contract with the team, with a deal pending final language, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. "We're locked and loaded," Cashman said. The 59-year-old will continue in the job that he has held since 1998. The Yankees have won four World Series championships and 15 American League East titles under Cashman, but they have reached the World Series just once (2024) since winning their 27th title in 2009. The 17-year drought is the second-longest in franchise history, and the team's 13 straight playoff appearances without a World Series title is tied for the fourth-longest streak in MLB postseason history. The Yankees went 93-68 in 2026 -- the team's third straight 90-win season -- but they were swept in the American League Division Series by the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays after taking two from the division-rival Boston Red Sox to win the Wild-Card Series. Manager Aaron Boone will also return as the skipper of the Bronx Bombers in 2027.
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Ronny Henriquez Could Be a Saves Option in Miami in 2027
Miami Marlins right-hander Ronny Henriquez (elbow) is expected to be in the mix at the back end of the team's bullpen in 2027, per Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. Henriquez missed the entire 2026 season after undergoing elbow surgery in December 2025. However, the 26-year-old emerged as a potentially dynamic reliever in 2025, recording a 2.22 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP with 98 strikeouts, 26 holds, and seven saves across 73 innings (69 games). Henriquez posted an excellent 32.3% strikeout rate while limiting his walk rate to a solid 8.9%. Miami got underwhelming production in the ninth inning this past season from right-hander Pete Fairbanks, who logged a 6.31 ERA across 41 1/3 innings and is now set to hit free agency. Heading into 2027, Henriquez could be a potential source of saves for fantasy managers to target in drafts.
Source: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
Source: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
