Lester, Kluber, Hand boost free agent total to 175

NEW YORK (AP) — Jon Lester, Corey Kluber and Brad Hand were among 15 more major leaguers who became free agents Friday when teams declined their 2021 options, many the victims of budget cuts following a regular season without fans due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Also cut loose were Milwaukee...

Indians decline options on closer Hand, 1B Santana for 2021

CLEVELAND (AP) — Brad Hand's solid season didn't earn him another one with the Indians. Feeling the financial pinch from a shortened season, Cleveland declined Hand's $10 million contract option on Friday and also chose not to exercise options for either first baseman Carlos Santana ($17.5 million) or...

White Sox decline options on Encarnación, González

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox have declined a $12 million option for designated hitter Edwin Encarnación and a $7 million option for left-hander Gio González. The team announced the moves Friday, making both players free agents. Encarnación's deal did not include a buyout, while...

Fresh off suspension, Hinch takes over as Tigers manager

DETROIT (AP) — As he waited out his suspension this year, AJ Hinch knew he wanted to return to baseball. The question was whether anyone in the sport would be ready to welcome him. His answer came pretty quickly. “About 30 minutes after the World Series' last out, my phone rang,” Hinch said....

Longtime Angels reliever Cam Bedrosian elects free agency

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Reliever Cam Bedrosian has cleared waivers and elected to become a free agent instead of accepting an outright assignment from the Los Angeles Angels. The club announced the decision Friday among several transactions. Bedrosian would have been eligible for arbitration this winter....

Rangers decline $18M option on Kluber after shoulder injury

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers on Friday declined the $18 million contract option on right-hander Corey Kluber, who lasted just one inning in his only start before a shoulder injury ended his season. Kluber gets a $1 million buyout, and the club has said it is interested in re-signing Kluber to...

Column: White Sox return to disco era to hire La Russa

One bit of advice to any team searching for a manager: Don't hire a guy who began his career the same season as “Disco Demolition Night." Especially if you've got a team with swag. A team that is magnificently diverse. A team that isn't afraid to speak its mind or challenge the game's silly, outdated...

Orioles claim INF Sánchez off waivers from White Sox.

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles have claimed infielder Yolmer Sánchez off waivers from the Chicago White Sox. Sánchez spent seven years with the White Sox but played in only 11 games this season, going 5 for 16 with one homer, which accounted for his only RBI. The 28-year-old Sánchez...

Rays decline options on RHP Charlie Morton, C Mike Zunino

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays are declining 2021 options on pitcher Charlie Morton and catcher Mike Zunino but the AL champions say they remain hopeful of re-signing them. Morton, who turns 37 next month, was due to earn $15 million. Zunino’s option was for $4.5 million. Both played...

Detroit Tigers hire former Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch