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Craig Kimbrel is staying in Chicago, for now. The White Sox elected on Saturday afternoon to exercise his $16 million team option for the 2022 season. However, his stay in the Windy City may only be temporary. According to multiple reports, the White Sox will look to deal the 33-year-old veteran right-hander this offseason. With dynamic righty Liam Hendriks firmly entrenched as their primary closer, it seems like only a matter of time before a trade partner emerges. Kimbrel was one of the most dominant closers in the game with the Cubs in the first half of the 2021 campaign, but struggled a bit after a midseason trade to the American League, finishing with a sparkling 2.26 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 100/23 K/BB ratio across 59 2/3 innings last year. He also converted 24 of his 29 save opportunities. There was some speculation that the White Sox would elect to move on from Kimbrel, but he’s staying put, likely until they can line up a potential deal this offseason.
Astros’ Final Offer To Correa Falls Short
Mark Berman of FOX26 in Houston reported Saturday that the Astros made impending free agent shortstop Carlos Correa a five-year, $160 million contract offer, which equates to roughly $32 million per season. Given the uncertainty surrounding the status of the league’s collective bargaining agreement, which is set to expire next month, it seems like it could be awhile before Correa makes a decision this offseason. He’s arguably the top free agent, regardless of position, available this offseason and could command a contract closer to a decade, rather than the five years the Astros have reportedly offered. The 27-year-old infielder has managed to stay healthy in back-to-back seasons, and he should be a top-five finisher in this year’s American League MVP race after posting a 131 OPS+ and playing Gold Glove-caliber defense. It’s a respectable offer on a per-season basis, but it’s not long enough for Correa to seriously consider remaining in Houston.
Qualifying Offer Rundown
Blue Jays extended $18.4 million qualifying offers to LHP Robbie Ray and INF Marcus Semien …
No surprises here as both Ray and Semien are expected to reject these qualifying offers and land massive multi-year contracts in free agency after phenomenal performances for the Blue Jays, who fell just short of making it to the postseason in 2021. Ray solved his omnipresent control issues and emerged as a legitimate American League Cy Young candidate, posting a 2.84 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 248/52 K/BB ratio across 193 1/3 innings (32 starts). Meanwhile, Semien enjoyed a remarkable rebound in his lone season north of the border, slashing 265/.334/.538 with a career-high 45 homers, 115 runs scored, 102 RBI and 15 stolen bases across 724 plate appearances in 162 games.
Rockies extended an $18.4 million qualifying offer to SS Trevor Story …
As expected. There’s also zero doubt that Story will decline the qualifying offer and head out onto the free agent market, joining Correa, Corey Seager and Javier Baez as the top shortstops available this offseason. The 28-year-old fantasy stalwart slashed a respectable .251/.329/.471 with 24 homers, 75 RBI and 20 stolen bases across 595 plate appearances in his final season with the Rockies.
Dodgers extended an $18.4 million qualifying offer to SS Corey Seager …
Once again, no surprise here. Seager is expected to turn down the qualifying offer and hit free agency this offseason. The 27-year-old superstar has hit .306/.381/.545 with 31 round-trippers across 641 plate appearances over the last two seasons and will likely command a contract in the range of 10-years, $300 million.
Reds general manager Nick Krall said Friday that OF Nick Castellanos will receive a one-year, $18.4 million qualifying offer …
It’s merely a formality in this case as Castellanos is a virtual lock to decline that one-year qualifying offer and hit the open market this offseason. It will entitle the Reds to first-round compensation if he lands a deal in excess of $50 million. The 29-year-old outfielder opted out of the final two years and $34 million left on his contract earlier this week and is expected to pursue a significant multi-year deal in free agency after slashing .309/.362/.572 with a career-high 34 home runs in 585 plate appearances last season.
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Mets extended $18.4 million qualifying offers to RHP Noah Syndergaard and OF Michael Conforto …
Early indications are that both Syndergaard and Conforto will wind up rejecting these qualifying offers by the November 17 deadline, but that remains to be seen. Conforto delivered an underwhelming .232/.344/.384 triple-slash line with 14 homers and 55 RBI over 406 plate appearances last year. Syndergaard made it back from Tommy John elbow reconstructive surgery in late September, tossing a pair of innings before the conclusion of the year.
Other notable impending free agents still eligible and likely to receive a qualifying offer before Sunday’s deadline include: Freddie Freeman, Clayton Kershaw, Carlos Rodon, Eduardo Rodriguez, Jon Gray, Chris Taylor and Justin Verlander.
MLB Quick Hits: Astros signed manager Dusty Baker to a one-year contract extension for the 2022 season … Blue Jays will not extend a qualifying offer to LHP Steven Matz … Dodgers declined RHP Joe Kelly‘s $12 million club option for the 2022 season … Braves declined RHP Josh Tomlin‘s $1.25 million team option for the 2022 season … Cardinals are expected to hire Skip Schumaker as a bench coach for the 2022 season.
