Top MLB Rumors on Sonny Gray and More Amid World Series Bracket

The championship series are set, with the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers battling for the right to represent the National League and the Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays competing for the American League pennant, but for the rest of MLB front offices, bolstering teams via free agency takes precedent.

What is the latest on a potential free agent in the northwest and a pitcher with high-profile mutual option?

Find out in this collection from the game's top insiders.

Sonny Gray No Longer Mulling Retirement

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Sonny Gray will not retire and plans to return to the mound in 2027, per a report by the Boston Globe (h/t MLB.com).

The report notes that Gray and the Boston Red Sox have a mutual option and should either decline it, the two would be willing to reunite in free agency this offseason.

And with good reason.

Gray went 18-5 in 29 games this past season, with a 2.72 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP in his first year in Boston, which was one of the finest of his major league career.

If the Red Sox would inexplicably not want Gray back for his age 37 campaign, there would be any number of teams ready to jump at the opportunity to have the veteran righty in their rotation.

Should Gray move on, it would be his seventh team in the big leagues.

Latest on Randy Arozarena and Seattle Plans

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Randy Arozarena was indisputably the offensive MVP for the Seattle Mariners in 2026 and that should earn him a big payday this offseason.

Do not expect it to be with the incumbent team.

Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reported, "The Mariners aren't going to match the years or financial commitment that some teams might give Arozarena. It goes against their philosophy on high-dollar, long-term commitments to players in their 30s."

He added, "a few MLB sources projected he might get a three-year contract with an annual salary between $18-22 million — similar to Teoscar Hernandez's three-year, $66 million contract with the Dodgers — with perhaps a vesting option for a fourth year."

Arozarena scored a career-high 113 runs in 2026 while hitting .281/.381/.484. He also stole 26 bases and hit 26 home runs en route to All-Star recognition.

Tivish wrote, "A team might push it to six years for a slightly larger total, but with a lower average annual value. He will almost certainly be looking for full no-trade protection. Teams like the Red Sox, Mets, Yankees, Phillies and Cubs all have known needs for a right-handed hitter."

Every one of those teams would benefit exponentially from having a hitter and outfielder the quality of Arozarena in their lineups.