The Padres declined the $7.5 million option on left-handed pitcher Cory Luebke on Wednesday, opting for a $1.75 million buyout.

A division-by-division breakdown of the key free agents for all 30 clubs. Teams are listed in order of their division finish.

Tigers prospect Austin Kubitza has pitched well throughout his stint in the Arizona Fall League, but Wednesday’s start was his best yet. The right-hander threw four no-hit innings as he led the Scottsdale Scorpions to a 8-2 win over the Peoria Javelinas at the Peoria Sports Complex.

Raimel Tapia didn’t hit for the cycle, but when that’s the lone negative, it was a pretty good day at the plate. The No. 8 prospect in the Rockies’ system went 4-for-4 as the Salt River Rafters beat the Mesa Solar Sox, 12-6, at Sloan Park on Wednesday afternoon.

In an announcement that defined a plan of succession in their baseball operations department, the Reds promoted assistant general manager Dick Williams to general manager on Wednesday. Williams will succeed Walt Jocketty, who will remain in his role as the club’s president of baseball operations.

The Tigers and Joakim Soria are open to the idea of a reunion as the former closer hits the free-agent market.

The Rangers spent Wednesday negotiating with former Major League reliever Doug Brocail to be their new pitching coach. Brad Holman, who was their Triple-A pitching coach, is expected to be promoted to bullpen coach, according to Major League sources.

Zack Greinke opted out of his contract with the Dodgers on Wednesday, foregoing the final three years and $71 million left on his deal. There’s no doubt he will command a larger commitment following a season in which he led the Majors with a 1.66 ERA, the lowest by a pitcher since Greg Maddux’s 1.63 in 1995.

Barring something extraordinary, the Mets had internally resolved to bring Terry Collins back as manager even before the postseason began — before they upended the Dodgers and Cubs in the first two rounds of postseason play, reaching their first World Series in 15 years.

The Yankees cut ties Wednesday with right-handers Chris Martin and Andrew Bailey, each of whom pitched sparingly out of the bullpen for the club this past season.

he Dodgers have interviewed World Series hero Kirk Gibson and received permission to speak with Mets bench coach Bob Geren for their vacant managerial job.

Though the Mets do not expect to pursue six- or seven-year megadeals this winter for players such as their own free agent, Yoenis Cespedes, they do anticipate a modest bump to their payroll.

Two World Series champions are making their way back to the free-agent pool. Royals veterans Alex Rios and Jeremy Guthrie were among 12 players who became free agents after their options were declined on Wednesday, bringing the league’s total to 151 players available on the open market.

Brett Gardner’s late-season slide may have been the result of attempting to play through a nagging right wrist injury, new Yankees hitting coach Alan Cockrell said on a conference call Wednesday.

Before the Cardinals can begin pursuing players on the free-agent market this weekend, they first have decisions to make regarding their own free-agent class, in particular Jason Heyward and John Lackey.

National League Cy Young Award candidate Zack Greinke opted out of his contract with the Dodgers, which had three years and $71 million remaining.

Dodgers utiltyman Kiké Hernandez will undergo what the club calls “minor right-shoulder surgery” on Wednesday.