The 2026-27 MLB offseason is only four days old and already the hot stove moves and rumors are coming in. Here are the key transactions from Sunday.
Padres Decline Nick Pivetta's $14 Million Option
San Diego declined their $14 million club option on right-hander Nick Pivetta, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. The decision comes two days after Michael King exercised an opt-out clause to become a free agent, leaving the Padres without their top two starters. Had the option been picked up, Pivetta would have held an $18 million player option for 2028, which likely factored into the team's choice. Pivetta, who turns 34 in February, missed roughly five months with a flexor strain this past season but returned late and pitched reasonably well in six starts spanning September and the postseason. The Union-Tribune notes the Padres still have concerns about Pivetta's elbow but could re-sign him to a new contract with a lower salary and/or no player option. San Diego signed Pivetta to a two-year, $23 million contract with two player options in February 2025; the flexor strain triggered an injury clause that converted the 2027 player option into a club option. Pivetta was ranked as the offseason's 43rd-best free agent.
Orioles Decline Luis Robert Jr.'s $20 Million Option
As expected, the Baltimore Orioles declined their $20 million club option for center fielder Luis Robert Jr., reports ESPN. They will pay a $2 million buyout, making it functionally an $18 million decision. Robert suffered a hamstring injury and played only three games with the Orioles after being claimed off waivers from the Mets in late September. Now 29, Robert has had multiple injured list stints over the past two seasons, limiting him to 271 of 489 possible regular-season games from 2024-26. He continued to hit left-handers well and play solid center field defense when healthy, but was not ranked among the top 50 free agents.
Hanwha Eagles to Post Si-Hwan Roh
The Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization will post star third baseman Si-Hwan Roh for MLB teams this offseason, according to Yonhap News Agency. Roh signed the richest deal in KBO history in February (11 years, $23 million), with an agreement that the Eagles would post him this offseason and that he would return to the team once his MLB stint ends. Roh, 26, hit .283/.360/.505 with 29 home runs in 2026 and has averaged 35 home runs per 162 games since 2023. He is considered a reliable but unspectacular defender at third base with first base experience. With a thin free agent class at third base, Roh should generate significant interest. KBO players receive a 30-day negotiating window once officially posted; if he does not sign with an MLB team during that window, he will return to the Eagles. It is possible Roh, a right-handed hitter, could eclipse his $23 million guarantee with the Eagles over just a few years in MLB.
Astros Acquire Evan Reifert from Rays
The Houston Astros have acquired Triple-A right-handed reliever Evan Reifert from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash, reports the Tampa Bay Times. Houston is likely to add him to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. The Rays lacked roster space to do so and traded him for cash rather than lose him for nothing. Reifert, 27, has an excellent slider and struck out 81 batters in 58 Triple-A innings in 2026. He is expected to spend time in Houston's bullpen next season.
