Projecting player choices for Cody Bellinger, Alex Bregman, and additional athletes during the 2025-2026 MLB offseason
Key Player Option and Opt-Out Decisions Shaping Up for the 2026 MLB Offseason
As the 2025 Major League Baseball season reaches its midpoint, several star players are gearing up for significant contract decisions in the upcoming offseason. Here's a look at some of the most intriguing player option and opt-out situations:
Pete Alonso (1B, Mets): Alonso can opt out of a $24 million salary for 2026. Given his impressive performance in 2025 and his desire for a long-term deal, it is expected he will opt out and enter free agency seeking a more lucrative contract[1][3][5].
Alex Bregman (3B, Red Sox): Bregman has opt-outs after both 2025 and 2026 seasons in his contract. Despite injury setbacks, he has performed well when healthy. He is likely to opt out in search of a longer and bigger deal, given his consistent high-level performance[1][2].
Jack Flaherty (RHP, Tigers): Flaherty’s 2026 player option escalated to $20 million after a performance clause was triggered. His inconsistency makes this decision intriguing, but his age and potential could lead to an opt-out and multi-year free agent contract[1].
Ha-Seong Kim (INF, Rays): Kim can opt out of $16 million for 2026 after making a recovery from shoulder surgery. His decision will heavily depend on his 2025 season performance, making his situation the most performance-dependent among the notable opt-outs[1].
Kyle Schwarber (OF/DH, Phillies): While not explicitly confirmed as a player option case, Schwarber, at age 33, is having a career year and will be a notable free agent after the 2025-26 offseason, potentially influencing his contract decisions[2][3].
Other players with interesting contract decisions include Josh Bell (DH, Nationals) and several catchers with club or mutual options worth consideration during the offseason. However, Alonso, Bregman, Flaherty, and Kim stand out as key players with option/opt-out decisions that could impact the 2026 free agent market significantly[1][3][5].
Elsewhere, Diaz, one of the few reliable relievers worth a big-money contract, has been excellent the last two years, especially this season[4]. He can opt out of two years and $38 million with the Mets[6]. Bellinger, who had an opt-out last offseason but declined to use it, was acquired by the Yankees after being traded from the Cubs[7].
In other news, Shota Imanaga's contract with the Royals includes a series of club options and player options that are dependent on each other[8]. The Kansas City Royals have also extended righty pitcher Seth Lugo for two years, worth $46 million[9].
[1] MLB Trade Rumors [2] MLB.com [3] ESPN [4] FanSided [5] CBS Sports [6] MLB.com [7] MLB.com [8] MLB.com [9] MLB.com
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