Monday, Nov. 4, is an important date on the offseason calendar. It is the day free agency truly begins and players are free to sign with new teams. It’s also the deadline for teams to tender the qualifying offer to eligible free agents, and the day contract option decisions are due. Club options are controlled by the team, player options and opt outs are controlled by the player, and both sides have a say in mutual options.
Several important contract option decisions have already been handed down. Gerrit Cole opted out his deal with the Yankees (though they can still retain him). Blake Snell opted out his contract with the Giants. Cody Bellinger exercised his player option to remain with the Cubs. Here now is a roundup of other notable option decisions around the league.
Option decision: Exercised $18 million player option (per MLB.com)
Hoskins had the worst season of his career in 2024, his first year back from a torn ACL. He slashed .214/.303/.419 with 26 home runs and needed a productive September (.779 OPS) to get there. Hoskins turns 33 in March and he’s a poor defender who registered as a sub-replacement level player in 2024 (minus-0.2 WAR). There was little chance he would get $18 million as a free agent this offseason. He’ll look to bounce back with Milwaukee in 2025, and give free agency another go next winter.
Option decision: $10.5 million club option picked up (per Tampa Bay Times)
That $10.5 million salary makes Lowe Tampa’s highest paid player in 2025, and thus makes him a trade candidate. The Rays have a history of trading their highest paid players every offseason (last year it was Tyler Glasnow and Manuel Margot), and Lowe could be next to go. He hit .244/.311/.473 with 21 home runs in 107 games around an oblique strain in 2024. His contract includes an $11.5 million club option for 2026, making him a potential two-year add for interested teams.
Option decision: Opted out of one year and $13.5 million (per MLB.com)
Manaea was having a strong season through mid July and was on track to opt out of his contract, then he lowered his arm slot to mimic Chris Sale, and pitched like an ace the rest of the way. He had a 3.47 ERA in 32 starts overall and a 3.09 ERA in 12 starts after lowering his arm slot. That late season success made it a slam dunk that Manaea would opt into free agency, so this decision is hardly a surprise. The Mets are likely to make Manaea the $21.05 million qualifying offer, which he’ll reject so he can seek a multi-year contract.
Option decision: Exercised $22.5 million player option (per MLB.com)
D-backs owner Ken Kendrick took the blame for what he called the