MLB option tracker: Players, teams exercising and declining 2027 options - USA Today

Major League Baseball faces a precarious position as a potential lockout looms on Dec. 1 when the sport's collective bargaining agreement is set to expire.

Before that happens, some business still needs to be taken care of, as dozens of players have options on their 2027 contracts and will need to get those situations squared away for whenever the union and the owners decide that next season can be salvaged.

Teams face big decisions, and players must decide where they want to play the 2027 season by Nov. 2. Those include team, player and mutual options, as well as opt-outs for players who want to test the market and become free agents.

Some players who want to maximize their contracts can also accept a team's qualifying offer, which can be extended starting Nov. 2. The value of a 2027 one-year qualifying offer is $23.15 million, and free agents who decline a qualifying offer and sign with a new team will do so, as their old team will receive draft pick compensation as a result of their departure.

MLB teams and players must make their contract option decisions by Monday, Nov. 2, five days after the conclusion of the World Series. That includes decisions on club, player and mutual options, as well as eligible opt-outs.

Players whose options are declined or who exercise an opt-out can become free agents, while exercising an option keeps the player under contract for the 2027 season.

Qualifying offers are separate. Teams also have until Nov. 2 to extend them, but players who receive a qualifying offer have until Nov. 17 to accept or reject it.

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