The 2026-27 MLB offseason is only four days old and already the hot stove moves and rumors are coming in. The San Diego Padres declined their $14 million club option on right-hander Nick Pivetta, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Pivetta, who turns 34 in February, posted a 2.86 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 42 strikeouts over 34.2 innings in 2026 but missed roughly five months with a flexor strain. The Padres still have concerns about his elbow but could re-sign him to a new contract with a lower salary and no player option. Pivetta signed a two-year, $23 million deal with player options in February 2025; the injury clause converted his 2027 player option into a club option. He ranks as the offseason's 43rd-best free agent.
As expected, the Baltimore Orioles declined their $20 million club option on center fielder Luis Robert Jr., paying a $2 million buyout. Robert, 29, suffered a hamstring injury and played only three games after being claimed off waivers from the New York Mets in late September. He has been limited to 271 of 489 possible regular-season games from 2024-26 due to multiple injured-list stints. Robert was not ranked among the top 50 free agents but remains an upside play given his age and production against left-handers.
The Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization will post star third baseman Si-Hwan Roh for MLB teams this offseason, reports Yonhap News Agency. Roh, 26, signed an 11-year, $23 million contract in February — the richest in KBO history — with an agreement that the Eagles would post him this winter and he would return after his MLB stint. He hit .283/.360/.505 with 29 home runs in 2026 and has averaged 35 home runs per 162 games since 2023. Roh is considered a reliable defender at third base with first-base experience. KBO players receive a 30-day negotiating window once posted; if he does not sign, he returns to the Eagles. He could surpass his $23 million guarantee within a few MLB seasons.
In a minor trade, the Houston Astros acquired Triple-A right-handed reliever Evan Reifert from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations. Houston is expected to add Reifert to its 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. The Rays lacked roster space to do so themselves. Reifert, 27, features an excellent slider and struck out 81 batters in 58 Triple-A innings in 2026. He should compete for a bullpen role with the Astros next season.
