Here’s a list of players with 2026 options sorted by option type. We’ll be updating this list as option decisions are reported. (Option figures are courtesy of Cot’s Baseball Contracts.)
Pete Alonso, 1B, Mets
One year left on two-year, $54 million deal
Alonso finished 2025 with 38 homers, 126 RBIs and an .871 OPS, improving significantly from the previous year (.788 OPS). He’s set to hit the open market for the second straight offseason. (UPDATE: OPTING OUT)
Cody Bellinger, 1B/OF, Yankees
One year left on three-year, $80 million deal
After a 2.1 WAR (per FanGraphs) season with the Cubs in 2024, Bellinger didn’t opt out of his deal last offseason. However, he plans to do so this year (per a source) on the heels of a strong rebound campaign (4.9 fWAR) with the Yankees. (UPDATE: OPTING OUT)
Shane Bieber, SP, Blue Jays
$16 million player option ($4 million buyout)
Amid his Tommy John surgery rehab, Bieber inked a free-agent deal with the Guardians last December that guaranteed him $26 million over two years but gave him the ability to opt out after 2025. Traded to Toronto before making his return, he went on to post a 3.57 ERA over seven starts for the Blue Jays, likely setting up the 30-year-old to test free agency once again.
Alex Bregman, 3B, Red Sox
Two years left on three-year, $120 million deal
Even after a rough finish that saw him record just seven homers with a .724 OPS over 63 games following nearly two months on the IL with a right quad strain, Bregman plans to opt out of his contract, a source told MLB.com. (UPDATE: OPTING OUT)
Edwin Díaz, RP, Mets
Two years left on five-year, $102 million deal
Díaz is expected to opt out after another stellar season in 2025, which marked the third time in his career he threw more than 60 innings with a sub-2.00 ERA (1.63). The last time he was a free agent, the Mets quickly re-signed him to a $102 million deal — a record for a relief pitcher — but that preceded David Stearns’ tenure as the team’s president of baseball operations.
Jack Flaherty, SP, Tigers
One year left on two-year, $45 million deal
Flaherty’s 2026 salary increased from $10 million to $20 million when he started his 15th game of the ’25 campaign, which makes his opt-out decision a tougher call, especially given his free-agent experience last offseason. Despite putting together a strong 2024 campaign, he remained on the open market into February before signing a short-term deal with the Tigers. The righty went on to post a 4.64 ERA over 31 starts in 2025, adding to his inconsistent body of work.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr., OF, D-backs
One year left on three-year, $42 million deal
Gurriel is all but certain to remain on his current deal after tearing his right ACL in September. He’s still owed $18 million in guaranteed money, including his $13 million salary in 2026 and the $5 million buyout on his ’27 club option.
Ha-Seong Kim, SS, Braves
One year left on two-year, $29 million deal
After signing with the Rays as a free agent last offseason, Kim ended up playing just 24 games for Tampa Bay in 2025, spending most of the season on the IL before being claimed off waivers by the Braves in August. He hit .234 with five homers and a .649 OPS on the year. However, with a weak market for free-agent shortstops this year, he is expected to decline his $16 million player option for 2026.
A.J. Minter, RP, Mets
One year left on two-year, $22 million deal
A left lat injury cost Minter most of 2025, making an opt-out unlikely. The veteran lefty, who owns a career 3.23 ERA with a 10.9 K/9 over nine seasons, is owed $11 million in 2026.
Frankie Montas, SP, Mets
One year left on two-year, $34 million deal
Montas’ first season with the Mets was one to forget, as he posted a 6.28 ERA over nine games (seven starts) between two major injuries — a right lat strain that delayed his season debut until June 24, and a UCL injury that ended his year in August. He’s due to earn $17 million in 2026.
Tyler O’Neill, OF, Orioles
Two years left on three-year, $49.5 million deal
With $33 million left on his contract, O’Neill probably won’t be opting out after his first year with the Orioles went awry. The outfielder made three trips to the injured list and finished with nine homers and a .684 OPS over 54 games.
Joc Pederson, DH, Rangers
One year left on two-year, $37 million deal (Rangers can void opt-out by exercising two-year, $37 million club option for 2027-28)
Pederson’s first year with the Rangers couldn’t have gone much worse. After posting a 136 OPS+ across the previous three seasons, he slashed .181/.285/.328 (81 OPS+) over 96 games for Texas in 2025. The club owes him $18.5 million in 2026.
Wandy Peralta, RP, Padres
Two years left on four-year, $16.5 million deal
The four-year contract Peralta signed with the Padres prior to the 2024 season included opt-outs after each of the first three seasons. His second year with San Diego was much better than his first, but at 34 years old, it’s not a given that he’ll walk away from the nearly $9 million in guaranteed money left on his deal.
Jorge Polanco, 2B, Mariners
$8 million player option ($750,000 buyout)
On the heels of a career-low .651 OPS in 2024, Polanco tested the open market last offseason before re-signing with the Mariners in February. Having rebounded to the tune of an .821 OPS with 26 home runs in 2025, the veteran could opt to revisit free agency by declining his player option.
Trevor Story, SS, Red Sox
Two years left on six-year, $140 million deal (Red Sox can void opt-out by exercising $25 million club option for 2028)
After three injury-plagued seasons with the Red Sox, Story stayed healthy in 2025 and produced 25 homers with 31 steals over 157 games. That said, he was barely above league average at the plate (104 OPS+) and ranked among MLB’s worst defenders at shortstop (-9 OAA). Still guaranteed $55 million on his current deal, the 32-year-old is unlikely to opt out.
Robert Suarez, RP, Padres
Two years left on five-year, $46 million deal
One of the best closers in the game, Suarez is expected to opt out of his contract after leading the NL in saves (40) while posting a 2.97 ERA in 2025.
Ozzie Albies, 2B, Braves
$7 million club option ($4 million buyout)
Albies’ career-low 89 OPS+ in 2025 marked the third time in four years that the second baseman finished below the league average. Still, it would be a surprise if the Braves didn’t pick up his team-friendly option for 2026. (Albies also has a $7 million club option with no buyout for 2027.)
José Alvarado, RP, Phillies
$9 million club option ($500,000 buyout)
Alvarado has been a key member of the Phillies’ late-inning crew over the past few seasons, though he missed 80 games in 2025 while serving a PED suspension.
Scott Barlow, RP, Reds
$6.5 million club option ($1 million buyout)
Barlow misses bats and limits hard contact, but he’s also prone to wildness, ranking second to last in MLB (minimum 150 innings) with a 13.1% walk rate since 2023. He’s recorded a 4.28 ERA in that span.
William Contreras, C, Brewers
$12 million club option ($100,000 buyout); arbitration eligible through 2027
Contreras’ 2026 club option covers his second-to-last arbitration year and will double his salary after he earned $6 million in ’25. The 27-year-old ranks second among catchers in fWAR (15.0) dating back to his first season with the Brewers in 2023.
Jarren Duran, OF, Red Sox
$8 million club option ($100,000 buyout); arbitration eligible through 2028
Duran avoided arbitration last offseason when he signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox that paid him $3.75 million in 2025 and included a club option for ’26. The 29-year-old is under club control for three more years, but it’s possible Boston will look to shop him this offseason, given its outfield surplus.
Pete Fairbanks, RP, Rays
$7 million club option ($1 million buyout)
Tampa Bay will likely pick up Fairbanks’ option, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be pitching for the team in 2026. A $7 million salary would make Fairbanks one of the highest-paid players on the Rays, so the budget-conscious club could look to trade him this offseason.
David Fletcher, 2B, Braves
$8 million club option ($1.5 million buyout)
The 2025 campaign marked the last guaranteed year on the five-year, $26 million extension Fletcher signed with the Angels in ’21. After being traded to the Braves in December 2023, Fletcher attempted to reinvent himself as a two-way player in ’24 but struggled both at the plate and on the mound. He went on to slash just .185/.233/.258 between Double-A and Triple-A in 2025, appearing almost exclusively as a position player. Now 31, Fletcher hasn’t played in the big leagues since April 2024.
Kyle Hart, RP, Padres
$5 million club option ($500,000 buyout)
After spending a season pitching in the KBO, Hart signed a one-year deal with the Padres last offseason and opened 2025 in the club’s rotation. However, he was optioned to the Minors after recording a 6.66 ERA over his first six starts. The lefty made just 14 appearances (all in relief) with San Diego the rest of the year.
Tim Hill, RP, Yankees
$3 million club option ($350,000 buyout)
Hill is coming off one of his best seasons as a big leaguer. The 35-year-old posted a career-low 3.09 ERA over 70 appearances for the Yankees, continuing to rely heavily on his sinker to rack up grounders.
Shota Imanaga, SP, Cubs
$57 million club option for 2026-28 (if Cubs decline, Imanaga will receive $15 million player option for ’26)
Now 32 years old, Imanaga regressed some from the heights of his excellent rookie season (2.91 ERA, 6.21 K/BB), but he was still a solid rotation option for the Cubs in 2025 (3.73 ERA, 0.99 WHIP). The contract Imanaga signed with the Cubs prior to the 2024 season requires the team to make a decision on all three of his option years this offseason. If Chicago declines, the lefty receives a $15 million player option. Simple enough, right? Not so fast. If Imanaga exercises his player option, the Cubs would have a chance to add two more years to his deal for a combined $42 million. Declining that would give Imanaga an additional player option for $15 million in 2027.
Pierce Johnson, RP, Braves
$7 million club option ($250,000 buyout)
Johnson, 34, has been solid in middle relief since Atlanta acquired him from the Rockies in 2023, pitching to a 2.91 ERA with 158 K’s in 139 innings as a member of the Braves.
Tyler Kinley, RP, Braves
$5 million club option ($750,000 buyout)
Kinley had a 5.08 ERA over 318 games for the Twins, Marlins and Rockies from 2018-25, but his performance improved dramatically after joining the Braves in a trade this past summer. In 24 games for Atlanta, the 34-year-old recorded a 0.72 ERA and a 0.68 WHIP.
Andrew Kittredge, RP, Cubs
$9 million club option ($1 million buyout)
Kittredge is as good as anyone at getting hitters to swing at junk. The righty has thrown more than 750 pitches in a season four times in his career, and he has ranked in the 100th percentile in chase rate in each of those seasons, 2025 included.
Ramón Laureano, OF, Padres
$6.5 million club option
Left field was a black hole for San Diego before Laureano arrived at the Trade Deadline and put up nine home runs and an .812 OPS for the club. The 31-year-old tied a career-high with 24 homers and finished with a personal-best 136 OPS+ between the Orioles and Padres in 2025.
Jonathan Loáisiga, RP, Yankees
$5 million club option
Loáisiga dealt with further injury problems after returning from Tommy John surgery in May, including a season-ending right flexor strain. He has made just 50 appearances in the big leagues since the beginning of 2023.
Brandon Lowe, 2B, Rays
$11.5 million club option ($500,000 buyout)
Lowe ranks third among primary second basemen with 120 homers over the past five years, but given the way the Rays usually operate, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them pick up his option and then explore the trade market for the 31-year-old.
Jorge Mateo, INF, Orioles
$5.5 million club option
Mateo missed much of 2025 due to injury, going on the IL in June with inflammation in his surgically repaired left elbow before suffering a left hamstring strain during his rehab assignment. He didn’t make it back to the Orioles until September and finished with just 42 games played, hitting .177 with a .483 OPS. After a 2.8 fWAR season for the O’s in 2022, Mateo has combined for 0.9 fWAR across the past three years.
John Means, SP, Guardians
$6 million club option
Means, 32, has logged just 10 appearances in the big leagues since the beginning of 2022, undergoing Tommy John surgery twice during that time. The 32-year-old lefty made seven Minor League starts after beginning a rehab assignment this past August, but Cleveland didn’t activate him before the end of the season.
Max Muncy, 3B, Dodgers
$10 million club option
Muncy has played only 173 games over the past two seasons, but he has continued to provide his usual production when healthy, recording 34 homers, 115 RBIs, 109 walks and an .849 OPS in that span. Picking up the 35-year-old’s 2026 option should be a no-brainer for the Dodgers.
Andrés Muñoz, RP, Mariners
$6 million club option
This is the first of three club options the Mariners hold on Muñoz, one of the game’s most dominant closers. The 26-year-old recorded a 1.73 ERA with 38 saves and 83 K’s over 62 1/3 innings in 2025.
Tom Murphy, C, Giants
$4 million club option ($250,000 buyout)
Injuries have limited Murphy to 74 games since the outset of 2022. The veteran catcher, who missed all of 2025 with a herniated disk in his back, will turn 35 in April.
Freddy Peralta, SP, Brewers
$8 million club option
This is an easy call for the Brewers. Peralta just put together one of his best seasons, reaching the 200-strikeout plateau for the third straight year with a career-low 2.70 ERA over 176 2/3 innings.
Salvador Perez, C, Royals
$13.5 million club option ($2 million buyout)
Perez has spent his entire career with the Royals and is 15 homers away from surpassing George Brett for the franchise’s all-time home run record (317). He turned 35 this past season but remained productive, recording 30 homers and 100 RBIs in 155 games.
Brooks Raley, RP, Mets
$4.75 million club option ($750,000 buyout)
Raley, 37, made a smooth return from Tommy John surgery in 2025, continuing to provide strong relief from the left side. He owns a 2.55 ERA and a 2.95 FIP since the beginning of 2022.
Colin Rea, SP, Cubs
$6 million club option ($750,000 buyout)
Much like he did for the Brewers in 2024, Rea provided value as a league-average innings eater for the Cubs this past season. The 35-year-old righty ranked second on the club with 159 1/3 frames and posted a 3.95 ERA.
Elvin Rodríguez, RP, D-backs
$1.35 million club option; not yet arbitration eligible
Rodríguez has allowed 55 runs in 52 2/3 innings over parts of three seasons in the Majors, making appearances for Detroit, Tampa Bay, Milwaukee and Baltimore. The D-backs claimed him off waivers from the O’s in September.
Chris Sale, SP, Braves
$18 million club option
Sale missed more than two months with a fractured left rib cage in 2025, but his performance on the year otherwise looked quite similar to his NL Cy Young Award-winning season one year prior. As a result, the lefty’s club option won’t be much of a decision for the Braves.
Drew Smith, RP, Mets
$2 million club option
Smith had Tommy John surgery in July 2024 and sat out ’25. The 32-year-old owns a lifetime 3.48 ERA with 202 K’s over 196 1/3 innings, all with the Mets.
Brent Suter, RP, Reds
$3 million club option ($250,000 buyout)
Suter has thrown more than 65 innings in each of the past five seasons, notching a 3.57 ERA in that span, although he had a career-worst 4.52 ERA in 2025.
Justin Topa, RP, Twins
$2 million club option ($225,000 buyout); arbitration eligible through 2026
Topa went from the Mariners to the Twins in Seattle’s 2024 trade for Jorge Polanco. The 34-year-old righty threw 60 innings for Minnesota with a 3.90 ERA and a 3.04 FIP in 2025.
Luis Robert Jr., OF, White Sox
$20 million club option ($2 million buyout)
Robert, 28, has been the subject of frequent trade rumors over the past two years, but the White Sox have refrained from dealing him. The oft-injured outfielder was an All-Star in 2023 (38 HR, 20 SB, .857 OPS), but he has posted a .660 OPS in 210 games since the beginning of ’24.
José Urquidy, SP, Tigers
$4 million club option
Urquidy underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024 and ended up missing the entire campaign, then made just two appearances for the Tigers in ’25.
Alex Vesia, RP, Dodgers
$3.55 million club option ($50,000 buyout); arbitration eligible through 2026
Vesia quietly has become one of the best left-handed relievers in the game — among southpaws to face at least 400 batters over the past two years, he ranks third in both expected batting average (.174) and strikeout rate (33.4%).
Tyler Wade, INF, Padres
$1 million club option ($50,000 buyout)
Wade slashed .206/.309/.252 with no homers and nine RBIs over 59 games for the Padres this past season before being outrighted off the 40-man roster in July.
Taylor Walls, INF, Rays
$2.45 million club option ($50,000 buyout); arbitration eligible through 2027
Walls is a glove-first infielder who offers meager offensive value, but the Rays could keep him around as insurance in case second baseman Brandon Lowe is dealt or top prospect Carson Williams doesn’t pan out at shortstop. He’s controllable for two more seasons.
Mutual options become guaranteed only when both the player and the team agree to exercise the option, which rarely happens. Here are the players with 2026 mutual options:
