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8 MLB players decide on their opt-out clauses on first day of offseason
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Photo credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
Oct 30, 2026, 06:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 30, 2026, 00:23 EDT
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With the Milwaukee Brewers claiming victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2026 World Series, Thursday morning meant that business decisions started across Major League Baseball. 
While free agency won’t open until November 2, players with opt-out clauses in their contracts have started making decisions on whether they will remain with their current club or test the market this winter. 
Here is a look at the four players who opted out of their contracts on Thursday. 
Michael King
Officially the first player to make a decision in the offseason, King has opted out of the remaining two years of his contract with the San Diego Padres, and will head to the free-agent market for the second consecutive winter. 
Signed to a three-year, $75-million contract in December 2025, King made 32 starts for the Padres in 2026 and went 12-10 with a 3.21 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. King struck out 159 batters across 185 innings, limited opponents to a .221 average, and instantly becomes one of the most coveted arms in free agency. 
Clay Holmes 
Acquired by the Chicago Cubs on August 3, Holmes had a $12-million option remaining on a three-year, $38-million contract he originally signed with the New York Mets on December 9, 2024. 
Holmes missed just under three months this season after suffering a fractured right fibula on May 15, after taking a 111.1 MPH line drive off the bat of New York Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones that struck his leg.
The right-hander proved his health down the stretch by making nine starts with the Cubs. For the season, Holmes made 18 starts and went 6-8 with a 3.29 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. Holmes struck out 78 batters across 101.1 innings and limited opponents to a .213 average. 
Matthew Boyd
Boyd, a former Toronto Blue Jay, had a $15-million mutual option for the 2027 campaign, and decided against it. Originally signed to a two-year, $29-million contract on December 2, 2024, by the Cubs, Boyd made his first All-Star team during the 2025 season before turning in another strong year this past season. 
Across 22 outings in 2026, Boyd went 10-5 with a 3.91 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. The left-hander struck out 96 batters across 126.2 innings and was hit at a .241 clip. Boyd underwent knee surgery in early May, but was able to return before the end of July to prove his health. 
Boyd will be 36 years old when the 2027 season gets underway, so a deal in the two to three year range feels likely for the 12-year MLB veteran.
Dustin May
One day after winning the World Series with the Brewers, May declined the $20-million mutual option attached to the one-year, $12.5-million deal he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals on December 17, 2025. 
May made 31 starts in 2026 between both the Cardinals and Brewers and went 7-9 with a 4.70 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP, before turning in a 5.73 ERA across five postseason outings. The 29-year-old struck out 144 batters over 145.2 innings during the regular season and was hit at a .256 clip. 
Here is a look at the four players who will remain with their current clubs in 2027. 
Ryan Helsley
Helsley will return to the Baltimore Orioles for a second season after opting into his $14-million player option. Signed to a two-year, $28-million contract on December 1, 2025, Helsley was expected to serve as the Orioles’ closer, but the right-hander missed significant time due to elbow soreness. 
Across 17 games, Helsley went 0-4 with a 4.11 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. The 32-year-old went eight-for-nine in save opportunities, struck out 21 batters in 15.1 innings, and limited opponents to a .220 average. 
Tatsuya Imai
Imai will remain with the Houston Astros after opting-into the remaining two years and $54-million. In Imai’s first season with the Astros, the right-hander struggled with commanding the strike zone, highlighted by 51 walks across 76.2 innings. 
Over 23 games (15 starts), Imai went 6-4 with a 4.93 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. The 28-year-old struck out an impressive 97 batters and held opponents to a .207 average, so there is potential for a better year ahead if Imai can throw more strikes. 
While Imai was moved to the Astros’ bullpen in July, he was a major factor in a combined no-hitter against the Texas Rangers on May 25. Imai threw six scoreless frames and picked up the victory in a 9-0 win after Steven Okert and Alimber Santa combined to cover the final three innings. 
Corbin Burnes
After missing much of the 2026 season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery, Burnes decided to opt into the remaining four years on the six-year, $210-million contract he signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks in December 2024. 
Burnes returned to the mound on September 8 for his first start in over a year, and threw three scoreless innings during a 5-3 win over the Kansas City Royals. Burnes made three starts to wrap up 2026 and pitched to a 7.84 ERA, so the decision to opt-in made sense for the 32-year-old. 
Bo Bichette
The second former Blue Jay on this list, Bichette will remain with the New York Mets for at least one more season. Signed to a three-year, $126-million contract by the Mets last winter, Bichette will once again have the opportunity to opt out next offseason. 
Bichette appeared in 160 games for the Mets in 2026 and batted .260 with 18 home runs and 78 RBIs. While the 18 home runs were in line with Bichette’s career, the 28-year-old turned in lows in almost every offensive category for a season in which he played in at least 135 games. 

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