Breaking down options, opt-outs for eligible players
Robert Deutsch / USA TODAY Sports
The free-agent pool can grow a little larger depending on what teams decide to do with players who have options for the 2018 season.
Teams have until five days after the end of the World Series to make decisions on next year's options. Those with player options can choose to remain on their current contract, or enter free agency. Here is a list of all the players who have 2018 options, and the most likely scenarios for their future.
Exercising option is a no-brainer
| PLAYER | TEAM | OPTION |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew McCutchen | PIT | $14.75M |
| Craig Kimbrel | BOS | $13M * |
| Chris Sale | BOS | $12.5M * |
| Madison Bumgarner | SF | $12M |
| Jose Altuve | HOU | $6M |
| Jed Lowrie | OAK | $6M* |
| Marwin Gonzalez | HOU | $5.12M |
| Tyler Flowers | ATL | $4M* |
*Option exercised
Option will likely be picked up
| PLAYER | TEAM | OPTION |
|---|---|---|
| Matt Moore | SF | $9M |
| Logan Forsythe | LAD | $8.5M |
| Jerry Blevins | NYM | $7M |
| Martin Perez | TEX | $6M |
| Josh Tomlin | CLE | $3M |
| Daniel Descalso | ARI | $2M* |
| Nathan Eovaldi | TB | $2M* |
| Chris Stewart | PIT | $1.5M |
*Option exercised
On the fence
| PLAYER | TEAM | OPTION |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Brantley | CLE | $12M |
| Wade Miley | BAL | $12M |
| Asdrubal Cabrera | NYM | $8.5M |
| Boone Logan | CLE | $7M |
| Alexi Amarista | COL | $2.5M |
| Ichiro Suzuki | MIA | $2M |
Won't be picked up
| PLAYER | TEAM | OPTION |
|---|---|---|
| Andre Ethier | LAD | $17.5M |
| Jose Bautista | TOR | $17M |
| Anibal Sanchez | DET | $16M** |
| J.J. Hardy | BAL | $14M |
| Ricky Nolasco | LAA | $13M** |
| Yovani Gallardo | SEA | $13M** |
| Mike Napoli | TEX | $11M |
| Hisashi Iwakuma | SEA | $10M** |
| Huston Street | LAA | $10M** |
| Mike Minor | KC | $10M |
| R.A. Dickey | ATL | $8M |
| Glen Perkins | MIN | $6.5M |
| Adam Lind | WSH | $5M** |
| Tony Barnette | TEX | $4M |
| Geovany Soto | CWS | $3.5M** |
**Option declined
Could opt out
| PLAYER | TEAM | CONTRACT REMAINING |
|---|---|---|
| Johnny Cueto | SF | $92.3M |
| Justin Upton | LAA | $88.5M* |
| Masahiro Tanaka | NYY | $67M |
| Greg Holland | COL | $15M |
| Matt Wieters | WSH | $10.5M |
| Welington Castillo | BAL | $7M |
*Agreed to 5-year deal with LAA
Can opt out, but won't
| PLAYER | TEAM | CONTRACT REMAINING |
|---|---|---|
| Wei-Yin Chen | MIA | $52M |
| Ian Kennedy | KC | $49M |
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)