Free agency is set to begin roughly 24 hours from now. MLB free agency is a marathon though, not a sprint. There won't be a big rush of signings when the market opens at 12:01 pm ET Saturday.
Until free agency begins, here is a recap of Thursday's hot stove news from around the league.
AWARDS
Comeback Player of the Year: Rangers DH Prince Fielder and Mets RHP Matt Harvey were named the Comeback Players of the Year in their respective leagues.
RETIREMENTS
OF Torii Hunter: Hunter formally announced his retirement as a player after 19 seasons.
3B Aramis Ramirez: Ramirez announced his retirement as a player after 18 seasons.
ROSTER MOVES & TRANSACTIONS
Dodgers: LHP J.P. Howell will exercise his $6.5-million player option. (ESPN)
Giants: Declined their club options for OF Nori Aoki ($5.5 million) and OF Marlon Byrd ($8 million), the team announced.
Pirates: Declined their club option for RHP Radhames Liz, the team announced. Liz becomes a free agent.
Rays: Acquired UTIL Brad Miller, 1B/OF Logan Morrison and RHP Danny Farquhar from the Mariners for RHP Nathan Karns, LHP C.J. Riefenhauser and minor league OF Boog Powell, both teams announced.
Royals: Exercised their club options for RHP Wade Davis ($8 million) and SS Alcides Escobar ($5.25 million), the team announced. Also, they declined their option for OF Jonny Gomes ($3 million).
FRONT OFFICE & COACHING STAFF NEWS
Dodgers: Interviewed Kirk Gibson for their managerial vacancy.
Nationals: Officially introduced Dusty Baker as their new manager.
Rangers: Named Doug Brocail their new pitching coach, Anthony Iapoce their new hitting coach, Justin Mashore their new assistant hitting coach, and Brad Holman their new bullpen coach, the team announced.
RUMORS & NEWS
Mets: OF Curtis Granderson had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his thumb, the club announced. He is expected to be ready for spring training.
Orioles: Not making progress on contract talks with free agent RHP Darren O'Day. (MASN Sports)
Tigers: Minor-league SS JaCoby Jones has been suspended 50 games for a second positive test of a drug of abuse, MLB announced.
