Twins exercised Michael Cuddyer's $10.5 million option for 2011.
Yes, you read that right: 2011. The team had five days after the World Series to make the decision, which will keep Cuddyer with the Twins through age 32. The former jack-of-all-trades flashes 20+ home-run power (32 in 2009) while cranking out a good amount of doubles. He plays a lousy right field and has only been "worth" over $8.8 million once. That was in 2006, when he was worth $11.3 million according to Fangraphs. The life-long Twin is a good -- if inconsistent -- player who is easily worth the option on a big market team, but we're not sure the decision is right for the Twins specifically. The team is likely taking the risk on the hopes that the club's new stadium will give them the resources to make such a decision logical. Nov. 7 - 12:21 pm et

The Diamondbacks and Blue Jays are in trade talks for Chris Snyder.
Snyder hit .200/.333/.352 in a scant 165 at-bats during the season, losing his starting gig to Miguel Montero, and having the year marred by injuries. Due $11.25 million through 2011, the 28-year old has a reputation as a great defensive catcher who has a healthy rapport with pitchers. The Jays' top prospect is widely considered to be catcher J.P. Arencibia, so you have to wonder what Toronto is thinking if the rumor is true. Nov. 7 - 12:08 pm et
Source: MLB Trade Rumors

Marlins declined 1B Ross Gload's $2.6 million club option for 2010.
Gload impressed as a pinch-hitter and hit a cumulative .261/.329/.400 in 230 at-bats. The club option is too pricey for a bench player on the Marlins roster, but the 33-year-old is certain to land another job somewhere in the National League. He was a plus defensive outfielder in 2009. Nov. 7 - 10:03 am et
Source: MLB.com

Brad Lidge may require arthroscopic surgery to clean up loose bone fragments in his pitching elbow.
Lidge is undergoing a MRI to help make this determination. The ailment reportedly never affected Lidge in the regular season, during which he also battled a sprained right knee. His 7.21 ERA makes that hard to believe. Any surgery would not compromise Lidge's availability in spring training. Raul Ibanez (muscle tears in groin, abdomen) and Jamie Moyer (torn meniscus in knee) both also underwent MRIs and may also be candidates for surgery Nov. 7 - 8:42 am et
Source: Philadelphia Daily News

Nationals declined OF Austin Kearns' $10 million option for 2010.
This might be the no-brainer of the offseason. Kearns hit just .195/.336/.305 this season with three home runs and 51 strikeouts in 174 at-bats. The Nationals handed him a $1 million buyout to go away. Nov. 6 - 11:50 pm et

Rockies declined RHP Alan Embree's $3 million option for 2010.
The Rockies instead bought out his contract for $250,000. Embree, who turns 40 in January, posted a 5.84 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP in 24 2/3 innings this season before a broken leg ended his season prematurely. He's now a free agent and is allowed to sign with any team that shows him interest. Nov. 6 - 8:12 pm et

Rockies declined catcher Yorvit Torrealba's $4 million option for 2010.
Torrealba, 31, hit .324/.373/.394 after the All-Star break and won starting catching duties, but the Rockies are ready to go with Chris Iannetta in 2010. The Rox haven't ruled out having him return as a backup. Nov. 6 - 8:10 pm et

According to Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times, Manny Ramirez will exercise his $20 million option and return to the Dodgers in 2010.
It's not a big surprise. Ramirez hit the cover off the ball again for the Dodgers in 2009 despite missing 50 games due to a PED suspension. He will be 38 years old by the start of next season and is an awful defensive outfielder, but Manny remains one of the top right-handed hitters in the game. Nov. 6 - 7:16 pm et
Source: Dylan Hernandez on Twitter

White Sox GM Kenny Williams said Friday that Gordon Beckham will serve as the club's starting second baseman in 2010.
Chris Getz and Josh Fields were shipped to the Royals on Friday for Mark Teahen, who will take over at third base in Chicago. "I can't seem to find the position I've played my whole career," Beckham, a natural shortstop, told MLB.com. He started over 100 games at third base in '09, but this is the most logical way for the White Sox to fit Teahen into the lineup. Nov. 6 - 6:46 pm et
Source: WhiteSox.mlb.com

Mariano Rivera revealed to the media Friday that he pitched the entire World Series with a painful rib cage injury.
Rivera suffered the injury while throwing 34 pitches in Game 6 of the ALCS. "It was manageable," Mo said. "[Head trainer Gene Monahan] did a tremendous job. Thank God we were able to do what we did, to put me on the field every day so I would have a chance." The 39-year-old also announced Friday that he's hoping to pitch for another five years. Nov. 6 - 6:33 pm et
Source: Yankees.mlb.com

Blue Jays sent catcher Kyle Phillips, LHP Davis Romero and LHP Bill Murphy outright to Triple-A Las Vegas.
All three are now off the 40-man roster. Phillips, 25, went 5-for-18 with three doubles and two RBI this season as a September call-up while Murphy posted a 3.18 ERA over 11 1/3 innings (eight relief appearances) for the Jays. Romero did not make it to Toronto. Nov. 6 - 6:24 pm et

Cameron Maybin is scheduled to undergo surgery this weekend to repair a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder.
Maybin first began experiencing discomfort in his shoulder in late August but was able to play through the pain. He finished the season strong, going 22-for-78 in September and 5-for-14 in October, and is expected to open the 2010 season as the Marlins' starting center fielder. The procedure is fairly minor and should not deter those plans whatsoever. Nov. 6 - 6:11 pm et
Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Tigers released catcher Matt Treanor.
Treanor had no hits and four strikeouts in 13 at-bats this season while battling a hip injury. Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski said he may attempt to re-sign the 33-year-old this winter to serve as the team's No. 2 catcher in 2010. Nov. 6 - 5:55 pm et

Tigers released outfielder Marcus Thames.
Thames spent his last six seasons with the Tigers, belting a home run per every 14.78 at-bats. He hit just .252/.323/.453 this season, but blasted 13 homers and collected 36 RBI in 258 at-bats. He's an awful defensive outfielder, but that kind of power should land him a deal. Nov. 6 - 5:51 pm et

Chien-Ming Wang is scheduled to meet with renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews on Monday for an inspection of his right shoulder.
Wang underwent season-ending arthroscopic surgery in June after starting the season 1-6 with a 9.64 ERA. He's hoping to throw a rehab game by April or May and isn't likely to land a contract before he proves his health. The Yankees are not expected to tender him a deal this offseason. Nov. 6 - 5:29 pm et
Source: Newark Star-Ledger