Brewers Celebrate Title as Sonny Gray Enters High-Stakes Free Agency

The dust is settling on the Brewers' historic first World Series title. Now, the real business begins. Free agency officially opens on Nov. 2, and the market is about to explode. Expect two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal and Japanese power hitter Teruaki Sato to command massive paychecks. Here is what just broke across the league.

Sonny Gray is out on his own. He received a $10 million buyout, making him an unrestricted free agent. The numbers speak for themselves. Gray led Major League Baseball with 18 wins this season. His 2.72 ERA ranks eighth among all qualified pitchers. That is his lowest mark since his All-Star year in 2015.

He is turning 37 soon. Yet he remains a durable workhorse. Gray has thrown more than 160 innings and logged at least 28 starts in each of the last four seasons.

Bo Bichette is staying put in New York. The Mets exercised his player option on Friday. That locks in a $42 million salary for 2027. Bichette signed a three-year, $126 million deal in January. It included a $40 million signing bonus and a $2 million base salary for 2026. He also had $42 million player options for both 2027 and 2028. Declining those options would have made him a free agent again.

The shift was necessary. Bichette moved from shortstop to third base to accommodate Francisco Lindor. It was a rough adjustment period. The 28-year-old hit .260 with 18 home runs and 78 RBIs for the underperforming Mets. Compare that to his 2025 campaign in Toronto. He slashed .311 with 18 homers and 94 RBIs while helping the Blue Jays win the American League pennant.

Atlanta is keeping its core intact. The Braves exercised a $17 million option on outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. They also picked up a $7 million option on second baseman Ozzie Albies.

Acuña is a five-time All-Star and the 2023 NL MVP. His current deal traces back to 2019. That $100 million, eight-year contract included a 2027 option with a $10 million buyout. The 2028 option, now exercised, was worth $17 million with no buyout clause.

Albies signed his $35 million, seven-year pact in 2019 as well. It carried $7 million options for both 2026 and 2027. The Braves clearly value stability at the middle of their infield.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.