The Daily Chop: All MLB Team voting, Darren O’Day’s option declined, and more

The Atlanta Braves made their first official move of the offseason Thursday when they declined Darren O’Day’s $3.5 million option for the 2021 season thus making him a free agent. As you will see below, O’Day was not the only reliever to hit the open market Thursday. It could be a very tough offseason for free agents in general, but O’Day’s age combined with his injury history may have prompted Atlanta to move on.

More Braves News

Voting for the 2020 ALL MLB Team has begun over at MLB.com and the Braves have six nominees in Ronald Acuña Jr., Freddie Freeman, Dansby Swanson, Travis d’Arnaud, Marcell Ozuna and Max Fried. First and second teams will be announced in early December on the MLB Network. Voting will continue through 2 p.m. ET on Friday, November 13.

Cory McCartney took a look at some hot button issues Major League Baseball and the Braves will face this offseason.

Our 2020 season in review continued Thursday with a closer look at veteran right-hander Josh Tomlin and fellow right-hander Mike Foltynewicz whose season consisted of just 10 outs total.

MLB News

The Chicago White Sox named Hall of Famer Tony La Russa as the team’s new manager replacing Rick Renteria. La Russa returns to Chicago 34 years after his first stint as White Sox manager.

The Detroit Tigers recently interviewed former Astros manager A.J. Hinch for their vacant managerial position. The Tigers have interviewed several candidates but had to wait until after the World Series was over to talk to Hinch who was serving a one-year suspension due to his involvement in the Astros’ sign stealing scandal.

The Cleveland Indians placed reliever Brad Hand on outright waivers Thursday afternoon. Hand has a $10 million option for next season that Cleveland does not plan on picking up. If Hand were to be claimed off of waivers, then the Indians would not be on the hook for his $1 million buyout.

In a similar situation, the Houston Astros placed closer Roberto Osuna on outright waivers Thursday. Osuna only appeared in four games this season due to elbow soreness and would have been arbitration eligible.

The Philadelphia Phillies outrighted relievers Heath Hembree and Adam Morgan off their 40-man roster. Both have enough service time to reject the assignment and become free agents.

Corey Kluber has reportedly been cleared to resume his normal offseason routine. Kluber missed nearly all of the 2020 season due to a Grade 2 teres major strain. That is important news as the Rangers will reportedly decline Kluber’s $18 million option for 2021 making him a free agent.