Morning Rundown: NL Central options recap, Ha-Seong Kim becomes free agent
A look at some decisions made on player and team options around the NL Central
We saw a lot of movement in the NL Central this past day when it comes to player and team options getting picked up, or not.
Here’s a look at the moves that were announced on Saturday:
Milwaukee Brewers declined the mutual option on catcher Gary Sanchez, and will now become a free agent. He had 11 home runs in 89 games played this past season.
Chicago Cubs declined the option on Drew Smyly, also making him a free agent. This one is interesting, as three of the five free agents the Pirates have are left-handed relievers, the same as Smyly. He posted a 3.84 ERA in 58.2 innings in 2024.
Cody Bellinger opted into his player option for the 2025 season with the Chicago Cubs. He had 18 home runs in nearly 600 plate appearances last year.
Emilio Pagan returns to the Cincinnati Reds after opting into his player option. It was a two-year deal he signed last offseason. Injuries limited him to just 38 innings in 2024.
The Brewers will exercise their clup option with right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta. He pitched a career-high 173.2 innings last year.
Rhys Hoskins returns to the Brewers after exercising his option for 2025. Liked Pagan, he signed a two-year deal last offseason. Hoskins hit 26 home runs and slashed .214/.303/.419 with the Brewers.
Not a player option, but the Milwaukee Brewers placed Colin Rea on waivers. He has a $5.5 million option for the 2025 season should a team claim him. Rea, 34, went 12-6 with the Brewers last year, posting a 4.29 ERA in 167.2 innings pitched.
Ha-Seong Kim declined his mutual option with the San Diego Padres, and is now a free agent.
This was expected from Kim, who will now test the open market and despite an injury that will delay the start to the 2025 season for him, should be one of the more sought after free agents available.
The question will be how surgery to his right labrum will impact him defensively upon returning, as much of his value is tied to that. He’s also stolen 60 bases the last two seasons combined, 22 of which came last year.
Former Pirates prospect Domingo Gonzalez was added to the Atlanta Braves’ 40-man roster on Saturday.
The Braves picked up Gonzalez in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft in 2023. He posted a 2.91 ERA with 83 strikeouts in 52.2 innings pitched between Double-A and Triple-A.
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Pirates have declined Marco Gonzales' option.
Cole and Soto are probably going to play for the Dodgers next year, right?