Free agency is looming across Major League Baseball and more names are going to market. Ha-Seong Kim and David Robertson declined their mutual options to head to market, while the Yankees may be looking for a new first baseman this winter.
The big news on November 2 was that Gerrit Cole opted out of his deal with the Yankees. However, this is merely a procedural move on Cole’s part.
The Yankees can void the opt-out, so long as the team agrees to add an additional year on his deal for $36MM. Cole, who gave up one earned run over 12 World Series innings, has four more seasons left at $36MM per year. Voiding the opt out would add a fifth, extending Cole through the 2029 campaign.
Given Cole’s importance to the Yankees’ rotation, New York (AL) will likely void the opt out.
The Yankees made a decision on Anthony Rizzo, as the Bronx Bombers declined his $17MM team option for 2025. It carried a $6MM buyout.
Now, it’s not implausible for Rizzo to come back but highly unlikely. Rizzo only played in 92 games last season and hit .228/.301/.335 with eight home runs and 20 extra-base hits. He did hit 6-14 (.429) in the ALCS against the Guardians but mustered two in the World Series against the Dodgers.
The Yankees’ top priority this winter will be to retain Juan Soto. However, the Yanks do have options for first base. Ben Rice is an internal option, while Paul Goldschmidt, Christian Walker, and Pete Alonso are among notable free agent first basemen.
David Robertson, meanwhile, will enter the market yet again this fall. He declined a mutual option on his end to hit the market. It was for $7MM.
Last year with the Rangers, Robertson finished ninth in the Majors (min. 40 GP) among relievers in strikeouts (99). His cutter, which had a .163 opponent’s average and 30.8% Whiff%, remains one of the best of its kind in the Majors.
In other mutual option news, Ha-Seong Kim declined his mutual option for 2025, which would have paid him $8MM.
It’s an interesting time for Kim to hit the market. He recently underwent right shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum and may miss the early portion of 2025. Kim’s numbers also dropped, as his .700 OPS was significantly lower than his career-high .749 OPS in 2023. Kim is a highly-disciplined hitter (12.3%) and a terrific defender, though, both of which bring value.
In other related news, Cody Bellinger took his player option at $27.5MM, sticking with the Cubs. Bellinger’s .751 OPS in 2024 was well below his .881 OPS from 2023.
The Braves re-signed Aaron Bummer and Reynaldo Lopez. The Lopez one is a fascinating deal, as the Braves moved money around to pay him $8MM in 2025, as opposed to $11MM. Lopez will make $14MM in 2026 and get a guaranteed $8MM in 2027. He originally had a $8MM club option for 2027. The luxury tax hit will remain at $10MM per year from 2025-27.
Lopez struck out 148 over 135.2 IP last season and an ERA of 1.99.
Bummer, meanwhile, had two team options for 2025 and 2026 which were voided in favor of guaranteed deals. Atlanta acquired the lefty last winter.