The Cardinals made two qualifying offers before Friday’s 4 p.m. CT deadline, extending the one-year deals worth $15.8 million to free agents Jason Heyward and John Lackey. Both players have until Nov. 13 to decide whether to accept or reject the offers.

The Pirates began the offseason with at least one hole in their rotation. Fortunately for the Bucs, it’s a good year to be on the hunt for starting pitching.

Now that Dian Toscano has cleared all of the government hurdles that prevented him from playing this year, there is certainly reason to wonder how he might factor into the Braves’ plans over the next few years

he Blue Jays have decided to extend a $15.8 million qualifying offer to free-agent right-hander Marco Estrada. Estrada has until Nov. 13 to accept the offer. If he declines and then signs with another team, Toronto would receive a pick in next year’s Draft as compensation.

It was an impressive list of current and former Twins players, coaches and front-office members in attendance Thursday at Torii Hunter’s retirement news conference.

Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia said that he was “tired of hiding” a three-year battle with alcoholism and felt that he had no other option but to seek treatment at the conclusion of the regular season.

The Rays acquired shortstop Brad Miller, first baseman/outfielder Logan Morrison and right-handed reliever Danny Farquhar in exchange for right-hander Nathan Karns, left-hander C.J. Riefenhauser and Minor League outfielder Boog Powell.

The winter’s first decision is qualifying offers. In the first three seasons it’s been available, all 34 players who received it have turned it down. That indicates teams have been too conservative in offering it, and it makes for interesting decisions on Denard Span, Brett Anderson, and Marco Estrada.

The Giants declined options on outfielders Nori Aoki and Marlon Byrd on Wednesday night, but general manager Bobby Evans indicated that for the players and club, there remains mutual interest in a reunion. Aoki’s 2016 option was worth $5.5 million, while Byrd’s was worth $8 million.

Dodgers lefty J.P. Howell will exercise his player option for 2016 and remain with the club, the reliever confirmed Wednesday night. Howell, 32, went 6-1 with a 1.43 ERA in 2015, which might have been enough to leverage a multiyear deal.

An all-Yankees lineup was recognized at the 21st annual Lou Gehrig Sports Awards Benefit dinner, as Paul O’Neill, Jorge Posada and Alex Rodriguez were honored, raising an event-record $1.4 million for the ALS Association Greater New York Chapter.

Jonathan Lucroy was honored for contributions to veterans as he received the 2015 Bob Feller Act of Valor Award in a ceremony on Wednesday night at the U.S. Navy Memorial.

The World Series is over and free agents will be allowed to start signing with new teams Saturday. From an offseason perspective, that’s when the fun begins.

Patrick Wisdom played the part of the hero for Surprise on Wednesday afternoon, delivering a walk-off single to complete a dramatic six-run comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning in a 9-8 win against Glendale at Salt River Fields.

The Nationals named Mike Maddux as their new pitching coach on Wednesday.

It’s officially the Hot Stove season, which means it’s the perfect time to renew our Inbox series. Beat reporter Greg Johnson discusses Hisashi Iwakuma’s status and the Mariners’ plans for the rotation and free agency in his first offseason installment.

As expected, outfielder Alex Gordon has turned down his player option with the Royals for 2016.