Free agency has arrived, and with it came many club option decisions on November 6. The Dodgers retained two major pieces from their 2025 team, while Brandon Lowe — who hit 31 home runs in 2025 — had his team option for 2026 picked up. However, the Rays will let Pete Fairbanks walk to free agency.
Rays make multiple moves
The Rays announced a flurry of moves on November 6. Tampa exercised Brandon Lowe‘s $11.5MM team option, and also exercised a team option ($2.45MM) on Taylor Walls. Walls also received a team option for 2027.
However, the Rays declined to exercise the $11MM team option on Pete Fairbanks, allowing him to enter the free agent market.
That team option was part of the multi-year deal that the Rays gave Fairbanks back in 2023. The 31-year-old has been a key piece of the Rays’ bullpen since 2020. Fairbanks’ metrics have been up-and-down; he missed more bats in 2025 compared to 2024, while the velocity and movement have steadily dipped.
His average fastball landed at 97.3 MPH in 2025, down from 98.9 two seasons ago.
Lastly, the Rays claimed outfielder Jake Fraley off waivers from the Braves. Fraley returns to the organization that drafted him out of LSU back in 2016.
Muncy sticks, Dean outrighted
Max Muncy is staying in Los Angeles, as the Dodgers exercised his $10MM club option for 2026. It was part of a busy day on the transactions front for the reigning World Series champions.
Muncy wasn’t alone, as the Dodgers also exercised Alex Vesia‘s $3.5MM club option.
The Dodgers added 1B/OF Ryan Ward and pitcher Robinson Ortiz to the 40-man roster. Additionally, the Dodgers outrighted Justin Dean and pitcher Michael Grove, and DFA’d Tony Gonsolin. Dean was claimed off waivers by the Giants.
Dean was a defensive replacement option for Dave Roberts late this season. Dean only had two plate appearances for the Dodgers, yet appeared in 18 regular-season games, as well as 13 playoff games.
Gonsolin had surgery to repair a flexor tendon and likely wouldn’t be an option until at least mid-2026.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, used those 40-man roster spots to protect Ortiz and Ward, something that’ll be a theme in the coming days.
Ortiz is a 25-year-old reliever who spent time between High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A. Mid-90s sinker and four-seamer, along with a hard 84-87 MPH slider. The 25-year-old struck out 72 over 59 innings.
Ward, an eighth-round pick out of Bryant University in Rhode Island back in 2019, was also added to the 40-man. The 27-year-old hit 36 home runs and led all Triple-A players in recorded barreled baseballs (50) with the Comets. He also walked 83 times across 143 games.
Mets add two
The Mets claimed two players off waivers. INF/OF Ji Hwan Bae was picked off waivers from the Pirates, while Jose Castillo was claimed from the Orioles.
The 26-year-old Bae has not received regular playing time at the MLB level since 2023. Bae doesn’t have much power but does fit the analytically-friendly model; he runs well, gets on base (11.1% BB% in Triple-A this past year), and can play all three outfield positions, as well as in the middle infield.
Castillo, meanwhile, returns to the Mets organization. The Mets traded for him in May after Castillo was DFA’d by the Diamondbacks.
Other moves
Braves relievers Tyler Kinley ($5MM team option) and Pierce Johnson ($7MM team option) did not have their options exercised, making them free agents.
The Twins outrighted five players to Triple-A, most notably infielder Jose Miranda. Genesis Cabrera, Thomas Hatch, Michael Tonkin, and Anthony Misiewicz were also outrighted.
Justin Turner (Cubs), Paul Sewald (Tigers), Jorge Mateo (Orioles), and Thairo Estrada (Rockies) are all free agents.
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