Option decisions have been rolling in lately, and with the World Series set to end this week we can expect plenty more. The deadline is typically three days after the Series. Mutual options are usually not picked up by both sides; Miguel Olivo, Yorvit Torrealba, Russell Branyan, Adam LaRoche, Orlando Cabrera, Scott Podsednik, Vladimir Guerrero, Erik Bedard, Doug Davis, Jon Garland, Rich Harden, Octavio Dotel, and Trevor Hoffman will hit the market if theirs are declined. Let's discuss the remaining club and player options:
- Gregg Zaun, Brewers: $2.25MM club option with a $250K buyout. This is likely to be declined.
- Mark Ellis, Athletics: $6MM club option with a $500K buyout. This is expected to be exercised.
- Bill Hall, Red Sox: $9.25MM club option with a $500K buyout. Even after a decent year, this is too much to pick up.
- Omar Infante, Braves: $2.5MM club option with a $250K buyout. An easy choice to exercise.
- Adam Kennedy, Nationals: $2MM club option with a $500K buyout. This is unlikely to be picked up.
- Alex Gonzalez, Braves: $2.5MM club option. Pretty much a lock to be exercised.
- Jhonny Peralta, Tigers: $7MM club option with a $250K buyout. This should be declined, but the sides are expected to work out a two-year deal.
- Edgar Renteria, Giants: $10.5MM club option with a $500K buyout. World Series heroics aside, this is a lock to be declined. Renteria has considered retirement after the season.
- Jose Reyes, Mets: $11MM club option with a $500K buyout. The Mets will pick this up if new GM Sandy Alderson fails to work out a multiyear extension with Reyes.
- Adrian Beltre, Red Sox: $10MM player option with a $1MM buyout. This is a lock to be declined.
- Eric Chavez, Athletics: $12.5MM club option with a $3MM buyout. Certain to be declined.
- Aramis Ramirez, Cubs: $14.6MM player option. He's likely to pick up the option after an off-year.
- Jonny Gomes, Reds: $1.75MM club option with a $200K buyout. Walt Jocketty says he'll probably pick this up; if not Gomes' contract calls for his release (he'd otherwise be arbitration eligible).
- Coco Crisp, Athletics: $5.75MM club option with a $575K buyout. This is expected to be exercised.
- David Ortiz, Red Sox: $12.5MM club option with no buyout. Though Ortiz wants multiple years, the Sox are assumed to be considering this.
- Bronson Arroyo, Reds: $13MM club option with a $2MM buyout. Given Arroyo's 436 innings over the last two years, it's assumed this option jumped up to $13MM. The Reds would like to do a multiyear deal at a reduced salary, but Jocketty has committed to picking up Arroyo's option if not. This will limit the team's financial flexibility.
- Jeff Francis, Rockies: $7MM club option. The Rockies will decline, but interest is mutual on a new deal.
- Aaron Harang, Reds: $12.75MM club option with a $2MM buyout. This is a lock to be declined.
- Kevin Gregg, Blue Jays: $4.5MM club option for '11, $8.75MM for '11-'12, $750K buyout. The Jays will probably exercise one of the two.
- Kyle Farnsworth, Braves: $5.25MM club option with a $500K buyout. The Braves figure to decline this.
- Dan Wheeler, Rays: $4MM club option with a $1MM buyout. The Rays will probably decline this option, despite bullpen uncertainty.
- Mark Hendrickson, Orioles: $1.2MM club option with a $200K buyout. This is expected to be declined, but the O's could try to re-sign Hendrickson for less.
It’s a must that Braves give an extension for Infante and Gonzalez.
Jose Lopez, M’s: 4.5 million club option w/ 250K buyout. Hopefully this will be declined. Please. Seriously, don’t pick it up. Moving on.
A couple of guys I left off our FA list (and this by association) because they will be arb eligible after the option is declined. Lopez and Aybar come to mind. Both would be non-tendered though.
Ha ha, I remember the fire storm that ensued last offseason when I dared to suggest that whoever signed Erik Bedard was unlikely to get a return on that money in 2010. Turns out I was right, but when he hits the market again I wonder which team will take the bait next? Bedard is a bit like Ben Sheets – but without the price tag. GM’s just can’t resist hoping he’ll suddenly become healthy and fulfill his potential…but he won’t. Still, he’s a cheap signing and low risk, and that’s the appeal.
I kinda remember taking the stance that the M’s had to gamble on Bedard to try to salvage something from the terrible trade they made. But for an $8M option… yeah, the M’s should just say good bye. Some team will offer him an incentive laden deal.
I see that Ankiel isn’t even bothered with lol. He’s gone for sure. That home run in San Fran and a couple of bazooka throws (saw one in person, never seen a ball lasered 100 feet in a straight line before) and that was it out of him.
I think Jonny Gomes would get a lot more through arbitration than if the Reds picked up his option.
Who the hell offered Bill Hall $9MM in the first place? He had a decent year for the Sox, but $9MM?
Who the hell offered Bill Hall $9MM in the first place? He had a decent year for the Sox, but $9MM?