Player, Club and Mutual options for the 2026 season must be decided within five days of the World Series conclusion, which is Thursday, November 6th.

Players reaching free agency via:

Player opt-outs (multi-year):

Alex Bregman (3B) - 2 years, $80M total ($40M base + $40M deferrals + 2027 Player option)
Edwin Diaz (RP) - 2 years, $28M total ($27M base + $1M buyout from 2028 Club option)
Robert Suarez (RP) - 2 years, $16M

Alex Bregman had offers from the Tigers (6 years, $171M; 2027 opt-out), Astros (6 years, $156M) and Cubs (4 years, $120M; 2027 + 2028 opt-outs) last offseason but ultimately signed with Boston who offered an immediate path back to free agency. Scott Boras used a similar approach in 2024 with third baseman Matt Chapman who signed a 3 year, $54M (w/ opt-outs) contract before agreeing on a 6 year, $151M extension with San Francisco. Edwin Diaz and Robert Suarez immediately become the best back end options available.

Player options (single season):

Pete Alonso (1B) - $24M salary
Cody Bellinger (OF) - $25M salary / $5M buyout ($20M decision)
Ha-seong Kim (SS) - $16M salary
Shota Imanaga (SP, Cubs) - 3 year, $57.75M Club option or $15.25M Player option if Club declines
Jorge Polanco (2B) - $6M salary / $750k buyout ($5.75M decision)

Pete Alonso always planned to opt-out barring an injury. He turned down a 7 year, $158M extension offer from the Mets in June 2023 before hiring Scott Boras as his agent that October. Alonso will need to sign for at least 5 years, $107.5M (21.5M AAV) to match that previous offer. The Cubs declined a 3 year, $57.75M option extension and Imanaga subsequently declined his $15.25M player option.

Club options:

David Fletcher (SS) - $8M salary / $1.5M buyout ($6.5M decision)
Scott Barlow (RP) - $6.5M salary / $1M buyout ($5.5M decision)
Jorge Mateo (SS) - $5.5M salary
Jonathan Loaisiga (RP) - $5M salary
Kyle Hart (RP) - $5M salary / $500k buyout ($4.5M decision)
Tom Murphy (C) - $4M salary / $250k buyout ($3.75M decision)
Tyler Wade (SS) - $1M Club option ($50k buyout)

Mutual options:

Brandon Woodruff (SP) - $10M buyout
Lucas Giolito (SP) - $1.5M buyout
Rhys Hoskins (DH) - $4M buyout
Jose Quintana (SP) - $2M buyout
Michael King (SP) - $3.75M buyout
Liam Hendriks (RP) - $2M buyout
Austin Hays (OF)
Mitch Garver (C) - $1M buyout
Michael Lorenzen (SP) - $1.5M buyout
Danny Jansen (C) - $500k buyout
Justin Turner (3B) - $2M buyout
Harrison Bader (OF)
Paul Sewald (RP)
Martin Perez (SP)
Elias Diaz (C) - $2M buyout
Randal Grichuk (OF) - $3M buyout
Kyle Farmer (SS) - $750k buyout

Mutual options are mostly utilized for payroll budgeting purposes now and it’s been over a decade since both sides were exercised. Milwaukee will pay a combined $16.5M towards buyouts for Woodruff, Hoskins, Quintana, and Jansen.

Players retaining their current contract:

Player opt-outs (multi-year):

Trevor Story (SS, Red Sox) - 2 years, $55M total ($50M base + $5M buyout from 2028 Club option)
Tyler O’Neill (OF, Orioles) - 2 years, $33M total
Wandy Peralta (RP, Padres) - 2 years, $8.9M total

Boston would love to free up some playing time in their middle infield by eliminating Trevor Story from the equation but that will need to happen via trade. Baltimore hoped Tyler O’Neill would play his way out of town but another injury plagued season leaves them footing the bill for his remaining guarantees.

Player options (single season):

Jack Flaherty (SP) - $20M salary
Shane Bieber (SP) - $16M salary / $4M buyout ($12M decision)
Joc Pederson (DH, Rangers) - $18.5M salary
Frankie Montas (SP, Mets) - $17M salary
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (OF, Diamondbacks) - $13M salary
A.J. Minter (RP, Mets) - $11M salary

Shane Bieber and Jack Flaherty are two of the most surprising outcomes. Bieber returned from Tommy John in the final months and seemed likely to find a multi-year deal exceeding his $12M decision. Joc Pederson had a conditional opt-out that Texas could void if they guaranteed another $18.5M for 2027, but the Rangers won’t re-commit. Montas, Minter, and Gurriel Jr. are expected to miss parts of 2026 after suffering significant injuries.

Club options:

Luis Robert (OF, White Sox) - $20M Club option ($2M buyout)
Chris Sale (SP, Braves) - $18M salary
Salvador Perez (C, Royals) - $13.5M salary ($2M buyout)  EXTENDED
Pete Fairbanks (RP, Rays) - $12.5M salary ($1M buyout)
Brandon Lowe (2B, Rays) - $11.5M salary ($500k buyout)
Max Muncy (3B, Dodgers) - $10M salary
Jose Alvarado (RP, Phillies) - $9M salary ($500k buyout)
Andrew Kittredge (RP, Orioles) - $9M Club option ($1M buyout)  TRADED
Freddy Peralta (SP, Brewers) - $8M salary
Ozzie Albies (2B, Braves) - $7M salary ($4M buyout)
Andres Munoz (RP, Mariners) - $7M salary
Ramon Laureano (OF, Padres) - $6.5M salary
Colin Rea (SP, Cubs) - $6M salary ($750k buyout)
John Means (SP, Guardians) - $6M salary
Brooks Raley (RP, Mets) - $4.75M salary ($750k buyout)
Jose Urquidy (RP, Astros) - $4M salary
Tim Hill (RP, Yankees) - $3M salary ($350k buyout)
Drew Smith (RP, Mets) - $2M salary

Salvador Perez had his option declined but Kansas City signrevised extension. Pete Fairbanks and Brandon Lowe will return on below market options but both are potential trade candidates for the always cost conscious Rays. Milwaukee could take a similar route with Freddy Peralta as he heads into the final year of a pre-arbitration extension. Starters Jose Urquidy and John Means are likely to provide surplus value if they’re fully healthy entering next season.

TBD:

Pierce Johnson (RP) - $7M Club option ($250k buyout)
Tyler Kinley (RP) - $5.5M Club option ($750k buyout)
Brent Suter (RP) - $3M Club option ($250k buyout)

Arbitration:

William Contreras (C) - $12M Club option ($100k buyout)
Jarren Duran (OF) - $8M Club option ($100k buyout)
Alex Vesia (RP) - $3.55M Club option ($50k buyout)
Taylor Walls (SS) - $2.45M Club option ($50k buyout)
Justin Topa (RP) - $2M Club option ($225k buyout)
Thairo Estrada (2B) - $4M Mutual option ($750k buyout)

These players have an option but will remain arbitration eligible if declined.

Related Links: 2026 MLB Options, 2026 MLB Free Agents