MLB Notebook: Free agency is set to begin on Monday
Cubs right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman has decided to opt-out of his contract, leaving $21 million on the table. He will test free agency beginning on Monday, Nov. 6.
Stroman signed a three-year, $71 million deal with the Cubs during the 2021-22 offseason. He was looking for a long term deal with Chicago during this past season, but the two sides never moved towards a new contract. Stroman will now look for a more lucrative contract on the open market.
The 32-year-old went 10-9 with a 3.95 ERA last season, having an impressive first half posting a 2.96 ERA and making the National League All-Star team. The second half of the year wasn’t so friendly to Stroman, he pitched to an 8.63 ERA and suffered a hip injury in August and then rib cartilage fracture that shelved him for the remainder of the season.
Cody Bellinger declines option and becomes a free agent
Cubs slugger Cody Bellinger declined a $25 million mutual option and will become a free agent. He is coming off a strong bounce-back season where he hit .307 with 26 homers and had 97 RBIs.
Bellinger helped the Cubs push into playoff contention down the stretch but Chicago faded away losing their five final games of the year.
He will look to sign a lucrative deal this winter providing him both years and dollars following his impressive 2023 campaign.
White Sox decline Liam Hendricks option
The White Sox declined closer Liam Hendricks $15 million club option. Hendricks is owed a $15 million buyout that will be paid to him in 10 installments from 2024-2033.
Last season was an emotional year for the veteran closer. He returned to baseball after battling Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and then tore his UCL in his right elbow in August.
Marlins slugger will hit the open market
Outfielder Jorge Solar will opt-out of his contract with the Marlins and become a free agent. He will forgo $13 million and test the market in hopes for a new long term pact.
Soler hit .269 with 36 homers and 75 RBIs this past year, becoming a first-time All-Star. This was his best season since he had an American League-high 48 homers and 117 RBIs for the Royals in 2019.
Dodgers southpaw undergoes shoulder surgery
Longtime Dodgers ace and free agent pitcher Clayton Kershaw underwent shoulder surgery on Friday and will be out until next summer.
The 35-year-old repaired the glenohumeral ligaments and his shoulder capsule. There are three glenohumeral ligaments and they reinforce the joint capsule.
“I am hopeful to return to play at some point next summer," Kershaw wrote. "Thanks for your prayers!"
This is the third year in a row that Kershaw will be a free agent. He has inked one-year deals with the Dodgers each of the last two seasons. Kershaw could return to Los Angeles and hope to help them push for a playoff spot next season or he could play closer to home and sign the with the World Series champion Rangers who he was linked to last offseason.
"I'm not sure how it's going to look," Kershaw said about his future plans when the season ended.
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