November 4 marks a pivotal moment in the MLB offseason, as free agency officially kicks off and teams must finalize qualifying offers for eligible players. Several key contract decisions have already been made, impacting the futures of notable players.
Gerrit Cole and Blake Snell opted out of their contracts, while Cody Bellinger chose to stay with the Chicago Cubs. Rhys Hoskins exercised his player option with the Milwaukee Brewers despite a challenging season, while Brandon Lowe's option with the Tampa Bay Rays positions him as a potential trade candidate.
Sean Manaea opted out of his contract with the New York Mets, likely seeking a multi-year deal after a strong finish to the season. Jordan Montgomery and Eugenio Suárez both had their options picked up by the Arizona Diamondbacks, with Montgomery's future uncertain after a disappointing performance. Robbie Ray declined to opt out of his contract with the San Francisco Giants, remaining under a lucrative deal following injury struggles.
