It's not enough for major league free agents to sign multiyear contracts these days. In recent years, more players have signed deals with opt-out provisions that give them the option to hit the open market anew if they so choose.
Clayton Kershaw's $215 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers gives him the option of walking away from the $65 million still owed him after 2018. David Price's $217 million deal with the Boston Red Sox has a similar provision that kicks in after next season. Logic says Price would be exceedingly reckless to spurn the $127 million he's guaranteed at age 32. But Price doesn't appear to be enjoying his Boston experience, and only he can decide if he's willing to sacrifice a fortune for peace of mind and a fresh start.
This season, six MLB players have opt-out clauses and two more have player options that will have to be addressed after the World Series. As they contemplate their decisions, it all comes down to risk taking vs. risk aversion.
"In all these cases, the player and agent are trying to determine, 'Is their market value greater than what's left on that contract?'" said an American League executive. "It's not just about the money. Maybe they just want to stay with the team they're with. But the biggest question they have to ask themselves is, 'Do they think they'll do better going on the market than what remains on that deal?'"
What will the eight players decide? After surveying five MLB executives for their takes, we rank the players below on the spectrum of most to least likely to opt out of their deals.