With free agency set to open up on November 6, more players are declining options and heading to the market. Shota Imanaga and Brandon Woodruff became the latest players to hit free agency, bolstering a starting pitcher market that already includes several former All-Stars. However, Luis Robert Jr. won’t be a free agent yet, as the White Sox picked up his 2026 club option.
Imanaga opts out of deal
Shota Imanaga is a free agent.
Imanaga’s $20MM team option was declined, which opened up a $15MM player option for the left-hander. That was declined per ESPN, allowing Imanaga to test the market once more in 2025.
The 32-year-old had himself an All-Star campaign during his first MLB season. However, in 2025, Imanaga’s numbers went south despite a 3.73 ERA. Imanage conceded 31 home runs in the regular season for the Cubs, while his swings-and-misses and strikeouts went in the wrong direction.
Imanaga signed with the Cubs in January 2024.
Woodruff headlines Brewers’ free agents
Brandon Woodruff is once again headed to free agency. The right-hander had a $20MM mutual option for 2026, one with a hefty $10MM buyout.
Woodruff was fantastic when healthy this season. The 32-year-old struck out 83 over 64.2 IP this past season with Milwaukee after missing all of 2024. However, it was far from an ideal campaign for Woodruff; he had numerous rehab setbacks and missed the playoffs thanks to a lat strain.
The righty re-signed with the Brewers in February 2024 after he was set to miss all of the year recovering from injury.
Also joining Woodruff in free agency will be Danny Jansen, who hit .254/.346/.433 with three home runs as a Brewer. Jansen, who was traded to the Brewers from Tampa in the summer, had a $10MM mutual option.
Robert Jr. has team option picked up
Luis Robert Jr. had his $20MM team option picked up, per ESPN. It’ll ensure that Robert Jr. remains a White Sox, at least for now, heading into the winter.
It was an obscure 2025 for Robert Jr. The White Sox outfielder was pitched around quite a bit during the early part of 2025. He set a career-high in walks but posted only a .600 OPS in the first half. Robert Jr. came around in the second half before he succumbed to a season-ending hamstring injury in August.
Other news
Per the MLB Players Association, Ha-Seong Kim declined his player option with the Braves. Kim originally signed his deal, which came with a $16MM player option for 2026, with the Rays. Atlanta claimed him off waivers in September. Kim missed most of 2025 but will enter a free agent class weak on impact shortstops, aside from Bo Bichette.
Also, per the MLBPA, Elvin Rodriguez (Diamondbacks), Randal Grichuk (Royals), Drew Smith (Mets), and Lucas Giolito (Red Sox) are now free agents.
The Rangers signed reliever Declan Cronin to a Minor League deal. Cronin needed UCL reconstruction surgery after 2025 and will likely miss all of 2026.
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