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

CHICAGO (AP) — Starting pitcher Yu Darvish and outfielder Jason Heyward are staying with the Chicago Cubs, who exercised their $11.5 million option for 2020 on left-hander José Quintana on Saturday and declined their $6.5 million option on lefty Derek Holland, which triggered a $500,000 buyout.Darvish and Heyward both had the right to opt out of their contracts and become free agents, but decided against it.Darvish is owed $81 million over the final four seasons of a $126 million, six-year deal, and Heyward is due $86 million in the next four seasons of a $184 million, eight-year contract.A 33-year-old right-hander, Darvish was 6-8 with a 3.98 ERA in 31 starts this year after his first season with the Cubs was limited by a stress reaction in his right elbow and a triceps strain. He was 1-3 with a 4.95 ERA in 2018.Darvish is 63-53 in seven major league seasons with Texas (2012-17), the Los Angeles Dodgers (2017) and the Cubs. His contract calls for $22 million in each of the next two seasons,... [More]

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

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Giants left-hander Tony Watson has exercised his player option for 2020, which was increased from $2.5 million to $3 million as part of an amended contract.San Francisco declined a $1.4 million option on left-hander Fernando Abad, who gets a $150,000 buyout and can become a free agent following Saturday's decision.The 34-year-old Watson went 2-2 with a 4.17 ERA in 60 games for the Giants last season.As part of the amended contract, Watson's $500,000 performance bonus for 25 games pitched was eliminated in exchange for the increased guarantee. He may still earn performance bonuses of $750,000 each for 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55 games pitched next season.If Watson had declined the option, he would have received a $500,000 buyout.Abad was 0-2 with a 4.15 ERA in 21 games for San Francisco.The Giants also announced that right-hander Kyle Barraclough cleared waivers, was sent outright to Triple-A Sacramento and elected free agency.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.comMLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Giants left-hander Tony Watson has exercised his $2.5 million player option for 2020.San Francisco declined a $1.4 million option on left-hander Fernando Abad, who gets a $150,000 buyout and can become a free agent following Saturday's decision.The 34-year-old Watson went 2-2 with a 4.17 ERA in 60 games for the Giants last season. By exercising his option, his contract is worth $9 million over three seasons. If he had declined the option, he would have received a $500,000 buyout.Abad was 0-2 with a 4.15 ERA in 21 games for San Francisco.The Giants also announced that right-hander Kyle Barraclough cleared waivers, was sent outright to Triple-A Sacramento and elected free agency.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.comMLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Giants left-hander Tony Watson has exercised his $2.5 million player option for 2020.San Francisco declined a team option on left-hander Fernando Abad on Saturday, making him a free agent.The 34-year-old Watson went 2-2 with a 4.17 ERA in 60 games for the Giants last season. Abad was 0-2 with a 4.15 ERA in 21 games for San Francisco.The Giants also announced that right-hander Kyle Barraclough cleared waivers, was sent outright to Triple-A Sacramento and elected free agency.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.comMLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Cubs exercised their $11.5 million option for 2020 on pitcher José Quintana on Saturday and declined their $6.5 million option on left-hander Derek Holland, which triggered a $500,000 buyout.Quintana, a left-hander who turns 31 in January, was 13-9 with a 4.68 ERA in 32 appearances last season. Acquired from the White Sox in July 2017, Quintana is 33-23 with a 4.23 ERA in 78 appearances for the Cubs.Quintana's contract, signed with the White Sox in March 2014, originally guaranteed $22 million and included two option years. It will wind up being worth $42 million over seven seasons.If Chicago had declined the option, Quintana would have received a $1 million buyout.The 33-year-old Holland was 0-1 with a 6.89 ERA in 20 games for Chicago last season after he was acquired from San Francisco on July 26, a deal that included cash and reduced Chicago's commitment to $425,000 of Holland's $6.5 million salary. As part of the trade, San Francisco agreed to pay Chicago $500,000 if the Cubs declined Holland's option.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs exercised their 2020 club contract option on left-hander José Quintana on Saturday and declined their 2020 club contract option on left-hander Derek Holland.The 30-year-old Quintana was 13-9 with a 4.68 ERA in 32 appearances last season. Acquired from the White Sox in July 2017, Quintana is 33-23 with a 4.23 ERA in 78 appearances for the Cubs.The 33-year-old Holland was 0-1 with a 6.89 ERA in 20 games for Chicago last season after he was acquired along with a cash consideration from San Francisco on July 26.

NEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Beltrán, two years removed from his playing career and with no managerial experience, has been picked by the New York Mets to replace Mickey Callaway.Beltrán received a three-year contract that includes a club option for 2023. The Mets announced the move Friday.A nine-time All-Star during 20 major league seasons, Beltrán played for the Mets from 2005-11.He interviewed to become New York Yankees manager after the 2017 season, when Aaron Boone was hired, and spent this season as an adviser to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman."At the beginning it's a little bit overwhelming. There's a lot of information that you have to digest," Beltran said after he was interviewed by the Yankees two years ago. "Being a player and being able to play this game for such a long time, I have seen a lot, and I have seen the importance of what players need in the clubhouse."The 42-year-old Beltrán becomes the first minority to fill one of the eight major league manager vacancies this... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Mike Moustakas and Yasmani Grandal declined their mutual options with the Milwaukee Brewers, becoming free agents.Moustakas, who turned 31 in September, is a free agent for the third straight offseason after earning $18.7 million in a pair of one-year deals.He hit .254 with 35 homers and 87 RBIs this year for the Brewers, earning his third All-Star selection. After starting the season at second base, he moved across the diamond to third when Travis Shaw slumped.Moustakas rejected a $17.4 million qualifying offer from Kansas City after the 2017 season and returned to the Royals in mid-March for a one-year contract that included a $5.5 million salary and $1 million option buyout. He was traded to the Brewers that July and finished with a .251 average, 28 homers and 95 RBIs, earning an additional $2.2 million in performance bonuses based on plate appearances. He had a $7 million salary this year and gets a $3 million buyout for declining his $10 million option.Grandal turned... [More]

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

NEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Beltrán, two years removed from his playing career and with no managerial experience, has been picked by the New York Mets to replace Mickey Callaway.A person familiar with the Mets' decision told The Associated Press about it Friday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not made an announcement.A nine-time All-Star during 20 major league seasons, Beltrán played for the Mets from 2005-11.He interviewed to become New York Yankees manager after the 2017 season, when Aaron Boone was hired, and spent this season as an adviser to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman."At the beginning it's a little bit overwhelming. There's a lot of information that you have to digest," Beltran said after he was interviewed by the Yankees two years ago. "Being a player and being able to play this game for such a long time, I have seen a lot, and I have seen the importance of what players need in the clubhouse."The 42-year-old Beltrán becomes the first minority... [More]

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