Here's how the 2023 option decisions played out

Here's how the 2023 option decisions played out

November 11th, 2022

The deadline for players and clubs to make their option decisions passed on Thursday night. This includes opt-outs, player options, club options and mutual options.

Here’s a list of players with 2023 options sorted by option type and the decision that was made on each.

OPT-OUTS

, SS, Red Sox
Three years left on six-year, $120 million deal
It would be a surprise if Bogaerts, who ranks third among shortstops in WAR (33.7) behind Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor since the beginning of 2015, didn’t opt out of his contract with the Red Sox this offseason. (UPDATE: OPTED OUT)

, SS, Twins
Two years left on three-year, $105.3 million deal
Correa was expected to sign a much larger deal than this when he became a free agent last offseason. But after the lockout froze transactions for several months, he inked a contract that paid him $35.1 million in 2022 and gave him the ability to test free agency again after one year. The two-time All-Star has made it clear that he plans to take that opportunity. (UPDATE: OPTED OUT)

, RHP, Mets
One year left on five-year, $137.5 million deal
Despite suffering a shoulder injury in March, deGrom told reporters that he planned to opt out of his contract after the 2022 season. The 34-year-old returned from the IL in July and for the most part was his typically dominant self, recording a 3.08 ERA, a 0.75 WHIP and a 102-to-8 K/BB ratio over 64 1/3 innings. deGrom is owed $32.5 million in 2023, and his deal also includes a $32.5 million club option for 2024. (UPDATE: OPTED OUT)

, 1B, Yankees
One year left on two-year, $32 million deal
Rizzo hit the free-agent market a year ago after producing 33 homers and a 109 OPS+ over 199 games in 2020-21. The first baseman boosted his stock in 2022, reaching the 30-homer mark for the first time since 2017 and recording his highest OPS+ (131) since 2019. Owed $16 million in 2023, he will likely opt out in search of a multiyear contract. (UPDATE: OPTED OUT)

, LHP, Giants
One year left on two-year, $44 million deal
It was tough for teams to gauge Rodón’s value after his out-of-nowhere breakout with the White Sox in 2021 (2.37 ERA, 12.6 K/9), considering the lefty entered that season with a career 100 ERA+ and was limited to just 43 appearances due to injuries across 2017-20. Rodón has positioned himself up for a much bigger payday this offseason, having recorded a 2.88 ERA and an MLB-leading 2.25 FIP for the Giants in 2022. (UPDATE: OPTED OUT)

, 1B, Red Sox
Three years left on eight-year, $144 million deal
Hosmer is still owed $39 million over the next three seasons, nearly all of which will be paid by the Padres, who dealt the first baseman to the Red Sox at the Trade Deadline. The 33-year-old has produced a 103 OPS+ and 3.7 WAR in five seasons since he signed his $144 million contract with San Diego. (UPDATE: NOT OPTING OUT)

, LHP, Red Sox
Two years left on five-year, $145 million deal
After making the All-Star team and finishing sixth or higher in the AL Cy Young Award voting in every season from 2012-18, Sale has made only 36 starts since he signed this extension in 2019 -- and just 11 combined over the past three years. He’d be walking away from $55 million in guaranteed money if he opts out. (UPDATE: NOT OPTING OUT)

, OF, Marlins
Two years left on three-year, $36 million deal
The 2021 World Series MVP with the Braves, Soler hit .207 with 13 homers and a .695 OPS over 72 games in his first season with the Marlins. (UPDATE: NOT OPTING OUT)

, 3B, Cardinals
Five years left on nine-year, $275 million deal
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported in September that Arenado was not planning to opt out, citing conversations with a friend of the third baseman. But is it really that easy of a decision? The 31-year-old is owed $144 million over the next five years. It stands to reason that he could top that deal on the free-agent market after leading NL position players in WAR this past season. (UPDATE: NOT OPTING OUT)

, RHP, Padres
Three years left on four-year, $25.5 million deal
After recording a 4.77 ERA for the Rangers from 2014-17, Martinez pitched in Japan for four seasons, then made a successful return to MLB in 2022. The 32-year-old pitched in a variety of roles for the Padres and recorded a 3.47 ERA with eight saves and 95 K’s over 106 1/3 innings spanning 47 appearances (10 starts). He was also lights-out in the postseason, allowing three hits over 11 innings of one-run ball. Martinez is owed $19.5 million over the next three seasons, but because he’d receive a $1.5 million buyout if he opts out, this is essentially an $18 million decision for the right-hander. (UPDATE: OPTED OUT)

, OF, Padres
One year left on three-year, $21 million deal
Profar’s three-year contract gave him the ability to opt out after each of the first two seasons. He didn’t opt out after hitting .227 with four homers and an 83 OPS+ in 2021, but the former top prospect had a much better season in 2022 (15 HR, 111 OPS+), producing 3.1 WAR for the Padres. (UPDATE: OPTED OUT)

PLAYER OPTIONS

, OF, Rockies
$15 million player option
Unsurprisingly, Blackmon has said that he plans to pick up his player option for 2023. The 36-year-old made four All-Star teams while hitting .303 and averaging 27 homers and 19 steals per season from 2014-19, but his production has slipped over the past three years. He produced -0.2 WAR for the Rockies in 2022. (UPDATE: OPTION EXERCISED)

, LHP, Red Sox
Two-year, $26 million club option/$4 million player option
Boston is sure to turn down Paxton’s club options, which would guarantee him $13 million in both 2023 and 2024, but the left-hander will likely pick up his $4 million player option for next season. Working his way back from Tommy John surgery, Paxton suffered a Grade 2 lat tear during a rehab start in August and never pitched for the Red Sox in 2022. (UPDATE: CLUB OPTION DECLINED/PLAYER OPTION EXERCISED)

, LHP, Tigers
$6.5 million player option
Chafin could become a free agent for the third straight offseason if he doesn’t exercise his player option. With the ability to retire both lefties and righties consistently, the 32-year-old southpaw has recorded a 2.29 ERA in 135 appearances over the past two years. (UPDATE: OPTION DECLINED)

, RHP, Padres
$5 million player option ($1 million buyout)
After four seasons in Japan, Suarez signed with the Padres last offseason and put up a 2.27 ERA with 61 K’s over 47 2/3 innings as a 31-year-old rookie. Now that he’s proven himself against big league competition, he could look to test his value on the open market. (UPDATE: OPTION DECLINED)

, RHP, Astros
$25 million player option
The Astros re-signed Verlander to a one-year, $25 million contract last offseason after the veteran missed all of 2021 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He showed no signs of rust in his return, recording an MLB-leading 1.75 ERA and 0.83 WHIP over 175 innings, with this $25 million player option vesting when he reached 130 frames. At age 39, he’s expected to decline the option in search of a multiyear contract with a higher average annual value. (UPDATE: OPTION DECLINED)

, RHP, Mets
$6 million player option ($3 million buyout)
The 30-year-old Walker was a solid back-end starter for the Mets in 2022, recording a 3.49 ERA over 29 starts, which tied a career high. He inked a two-year, $20 million deal the last time he was a free agent. (UPDATE: OPTION DECLINED)

, OF, White Sox
$10 million player option ($5 million buyout)
Entering his age-35 season and coming off a .681 OPS over 138 games for the White Sox, Pollock likely won’t see offers this offseason that guarantee him $10 million. But with such a large buyout, it’s possible Pollock will take the $5 million and try his luck on the open market. (UPDATE: OPTION DECLINED)

, RHP, Braves
$12.5 million player option ($6.25 million buyout)
Although Odorizzi’s player option increased from $6.5 million to $12.5 million based on his 2021-22 performance, the righty’s buyout also increased, making this a tough call. Though he wouldn’t be entering free agency on a high note after posting a 4.40 ERA over 22 starts in 2022, Odorizzi could hope the combined money he gets from the buyout and his next contract exceeds the $12.5 million he’d be guaranteed from his player option. (UPDATE: OPTION EXERCISED BEFORE TRADE)

CLUB OPTIONS

, SS, White Sox
$12.5 million club option ($1 million buyout)
A two-time All-Star and former batting champion, Anderson is one of the faces of the White Sox and will surely be brought back. Chicago also has a $14 million option on the shortstop in 2024. (UPDATE: OPTION EXERCISED)

, RHP, Blue Jays
$3 million club option
Bass pitched to a sparkling 1.54 ERA with 73 K’s over 70 1/3 innings between the Marlins and Blue Jays in 2022, making this a fairly easy call for Toronto. (UPDATE: OPTION EXERCISED)

, RHP, Brewers
$3 million club option ($750,000 buyout)
This represents a modest raise for a reliever who posted a 2.95 ERA over 70 appearances for Milwaukee while earning $1.75 million in 2022. (UPDATE: OPTION DECLINED)

, RHP, Mets
$775,000 club option ($70,000 buyout)
The Mets signed Curtiss to a one-year, $770,000 deal with a 2023 club option last April knowing he’d miss 2022 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. (UPDATE: OPTION EXERCISED)

, RHP, Twins
$12 million club option
Gray’s durability is a question mark, but the Twins would be hard-pressed to find a better pitcher for this salary on the free-agent market. The veteran righty had a 3.08 ERA over 119 2/3 innings in his first season with Minnesota. (UPDATE: OPTION EXERCISED)

, RHP, Rangers
$6 million club option ($750,000 buyout)
After missing most of the shortened 2020 season due to a torn Teres muscle in his right shoulder and undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2021, Leclerc returned to the Rangers in June and soon re-established himself as a viable late-inning option. Texas also has a $6.25 million option on Leclerc in 2024. (UPDATE: OPTION EXERCISED)

, RHP, Dodgers
$1.1 million club option
Before undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2021, Nelson emerged as an effective reliever for the Dodgers, recording a 1.86 ERA and a 37.9% strikeout rate. Los Angeles re-signed him in March knowing he’d likely miss 2022. (UPDATE: OPTION DECLINED)

, RHP, Phillies
$16 million club option ($4.25 million buyout)
There’s no doubt the Phillies will exercise their option on Nola, who has struck out more than 220 batters in each of the past four full seasons and finished 2022 with an MLB-leading 8.1 K/BB ratio over 205 innings. (UPDATE: OPTION EXERCISED)

, RHP, Yankees
$15 million club option ($2.75 million buyout)
After injuries limited him to 18 innings across 2019-21, Severino had a solid rebound season for the Yankees in 2022. Although he missed most of the second half due to a right lat strain, the 28-year-old’s stuff was electric after his return, as he bumped his average four-seam fastball velocity to 97.5 mph after sitting around 96 in the first half. (UPDATE: OPTION EXERCISED)

, INF, Dodgers
$2 million club option ($250,000 buyout)
Alberto rarely played for the Dodgers in 2022, starting only 38 games and amassing 159 plate appearances while hitting .244/.258/.365. (UPDATE: OPTION DECLINED)

, RHP, Twins
$11 million club option ($1 million buyout)
After going 3-0 with a 0.59 ERA over his first three starts in 2022, Bundy posted a 5.41 ERA over his final 26 starts. He’s recorded a 5.02 ERA and a 4.76 FIP since the beginning of 2018. (UPDATE: OPTION DECLINED)

, OF, Rangers
$5.5 million club option
Calhoun recovered from an ice-cold April and actually got his OPS as high as .803 in late May, but he posted a .154/.223/.249 slash with 99 strikeouts in his final 278 plate appearances. (UPDATE: OPTION DECLINED)

, LHP, Dodgers
$7 million club option
After signing a one-year, $3 million deal with the Dodgers last offseason, Duffy didn’t end up making an appearance for Los Angeles in 2022. He hasn’t pitched in the Majors since July 16, 2021. (UPDATE: OPTION DECLINED)

, OF, Rays
$13 million club option ($2.5 million buyout)
Kiermaier remains a stellar defender in center field, but the Rays are unlikely to pay this price for a 32-year-old who has played more than 129 games in a season only once in his career (2015) and owns an 88 OPS+ since the beginning of 2018. (UPDATE: OPTION DECLINED)

, 3B, Giants
$13 million club option ($5 million buyout)
Longoria still had five years left on his six-year, $100 million contract when the Rays traded him to the Giants after the 2017 season. He ended up recording a 103 OPS+ with 6.9 WAR in 477 games for San Francisco over the past five seasons. (UPDATE: OPTION DECLINED)

, OF, Padres
$20 million club option ($1 million buyout)
San Diego signed Myers to a six-year, $83 million contract extension after he made the 2016 NL All-Star team and finished that season with 28 homers, 28 steals and 3.5 WAR. The right-handed slugger had a 112 OPS+ with 7.6 WAR during the lifespan of the deal. (UPDATE: OPTION DECLINED)

, RHP, Rockies
$8 million club option
Oberg hasn’t pitched in the Majors since 2019 due to a recurring issue with blood clots in his right arm. (UPDATE: OPTION DECLINED)

, 1B, Twins
$14.25 million club option ($2.75 million buyout)
Sanó inked a three-year, $30 million extension with the Twins after producing 34 homers and a .923 OPS over 105 games in 2019, but he followed that up with a .207/.295/.441 slash in 208 games over the past three years and played just 20 games in 2022 due to a left knee injury. (UPDATE: OPTION DECLINED)

, LHP, Astros
$13 million club option ($1 million buyout)
After recording a spotless ERA over 11 games during the Braves’ run to a World Series title in 2021, Smith took a step back in 2022 and was dealt to the Astros prior to the Trade Deadline. Smith was solid for Houston down the stretch, but the club didn’t carry him on its ALDS or ALCS rosters before adding him for the Fall Classic. (UPDATE: OPTION DECLINED)

, RHP, Mets
$14 million club option ($3 million buyout)
Carrasco had a 97 ERA+ over 152 innings in 2022 and will turn 36 in March, so it would be mildly surprising if the Mets picked up his option. That said, the team is already expected to have three rotation holes to fill, and declining Carrasco’s option would create another. (UPDATE: OPTION EXERCISED)

, 2B, White Sox
$5.625 million club option ($1.5 million buyout)
Though Harrison is 35 years old, the White Sox could decide that this price tag is suitable for a player who provides solid defense at second and third base and a bat close to league average (career 96 OPS+, 94 in 2022). (UPDATE: OPTION DECLINED)

, RHP, Orioles
$11 million club option ($1 million buyout)
Lyles finished 2022 with a subpar 91 ERA+, but he gave the Orioles exactly what they expected when they signed him last offseason, throwing a team-high 179 innings during a season in which Baltimore was without John Means and no other O’s pitcher threw more than 125 1/3 frames. (UPDATE: OPTION DECLINED)

, 2B, Phillies
$17 million club option ($1 million buyout)
It seems likelier than not that the Phils will buy out Segura’s option, though the club could look to re-sign the veteran infielder for a lower salary. The 32-year-old, who was traded four times from 2012-18, has said that he’d like to finish his career in Philadelphia. (UPDATE: OPTION DECLINED)

, 3B, Dodgers
$16 million club option ($2 million buyout)
When Turner opened his age-36 season with a .206/.276/.335 slash and four homers over his first 59 games, it seemed unlikely that Los Angeles would pick up this option. However, it became a much closer call for the Dodgers after the veteran third baseman hit .340/.412/.528 with nine homers in his final 69 games. (UPDATE: OPTION DECLINED)

, 1B, Mets
$1.5 million club option ($200,000 buyout)
This option won’t break the bank for the Mets, but exercising it would mean committing another bench spot to first base/DH-type when the team already has Darin Ruf under contract for 2023. (UPDATE: OPTION EXERCISED)

, 2B, Brewers
$10 million club option ($2 million buyout)
Wong recorded a 114 OPS+ and 6.5 WAR in two seasons after signing a two-year, $18 million deal with the Brewers. A $10 million salary for 2023 isn’t that much of a jump, but the Brewers have a considerable number of players due to receive raises in arbitration, so it’s possible they’ll decline this option and use that money elsewhere. (UPDATE: OPTION EXERCISED)

Mutual options

Mutual options become guaranteed only when both the player and the team agree to exercise the option. All of the players below had mutual options for 2023, but none were exercised.

RHP , Twins; RHP , Mets; DH , Nationals; RHP , D-backs; RHP , Phillies; RHP , Mets; RHP , D-backs; 1B , Astros; LHP , Reds; OF , Red Sox; LHP , Cubs; INF , Marlins