From the balletic bat-drops that accompany his home runs to the glove he insisted on designing to his style-conscious movements in right field, it’s clear the Rockies’ Carlos Gonzalez likes being seen. But he also likes to watch and observe. And if his findings are correct, he and the Rockies are in for better days.

At 11 p.m. CT on Friday, the exclusive signing period ends and Major League teams are able to talk to any free agent on the market. The Cubs aren’t going to waste any time pursuing the players they’ve targeted this offseason.

While one Mets outfielder spent Thursday in the operating room, another avoided that fate. Michael Cuddyer underwent surgery to repair what the team called “a core muscle injury,” but Juan Lagares, who saw a team doctor earlier this week regarding a nagging injury to his right elbow, will not need an operation.

The Nationals made qualifying offers of $15.8 million to shortstop Ian Desmond and right-hander Jordan Zimmermann on Friday, but did not make similar offers to right-hander Doug Fister and center fielder Denard Span.

The Mariners extended a one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer to free-agent pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma on Friday, and the right-hander has seven days to accept or decline the deal.

The Nexen Heroes posted two-time Korean Baseball Organization MVP Byung-ho Park last week and set a 5 p.m. ET Friday deadline for MLB clubs to submit blind bids for an exclusive 30-day negotiating window with him. Nexen is expected to evaluate the bids over the weekend and announce on Monday its decision to accept or reject.

The end of the work week marked the deadline for clubs to extend $15.8 million qualifying offers to free agents, and for the first time, 20 players were on the receiving end of such an offer. The total was the most in a single offseason since the system was put into place prior to the 2013 season, signifying the arrival of an uncommonly strong free-agent class.

Cubs prospect Willson Contreras will miss the rest of the Arizona Fall League season after suffering a mild left hamstring strain running to first base on Thursday.

The Hot Stove season is upon us, and naturally, all the focus has shifted to the 2015-16 free-agent class. That’s understandable. There is some serious talent available on the open market this winter. But it’s still worth looking ahead to the 2016-17 free-agent group for one very important reason: Next year’s free agents are often this year’s trade bait.

He is the indisputable Face of the Franchise, the longest-tenured Royal and a fan favorite, hailing from nearby Lincoln, Neb., and having just led Kansas City to its first World Series title in 30 years.

The Astros extended a one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer to outfielder Colby Rasmus on Friday.

The Dodgers extended qualifying offers to free agents Zack Greinke, Brett Anderson and Howie Kendrick on Friday.

The Angels opted against extending the $15.8 million qualifying offer to free-agent third baseman David Freese on Friday. The club also declined its $5 million option for David DeJesus, making the veteran outfielder a free agent.

Daniel Murphy’s time with the Mets may very well be coming to an end, but the decision is now his. The Mets on Friday extended Murphy a one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer to remain with the club.

The Cubs claimed right-hander Ryan Cook off waivers from the Red Sox on Friday, and the team’s 40-man roster now stands at 30 players.

The White Sox made a one-year qualifying offer to free-agent right-handed pitcher Jeff Samardzija, which was officially announced by the team Friday afternoon. But it seems unlikely that this pairing will extend past their 2015 season together.

The inaugural Cricket All-Star Series, headlined by some of the sport’s biggest stars, is scheduled to begin Saturday at 1 p.m. ET at Citi Field in New York. The three-game series will also tour through Houston and Los Angeles.