NEW YORK — Even before the Chicago Cubs got to celebrate their drought-ending World Series title with a parade, baseball’s business season began Thursday when more than 100 players became free agents and teams started making decisions on 2017 options.
Among the potential free agents are outfielders Yoenis Cespedes, Jose Bautista, Mark Trumbo, Josh Reddick and Ian Desmond; first baseman Edwin Encarnacion; catcher Matt Wieters; and closers Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen and Mark Melancon. They can start talking money with teams on Tuesday.
Clubs must decide by Monday whether to make $17.2 million qualifying offers to their players who became free agents, which would attach draft-pick compensation if they sign elsewhere.