The offseason is officially here with 138 players automatically becoming free agents on Thursday including RHP Zack Wheeler, RHP Brad Brach, LHP Luis Avilan, 3B Todd Frazier, C Rene Rivera, and OF Rajai Davis from the Mets.
Outside of players automatically qualifying for free agents like the ones listed above, there were a number of players that had their options declined or picked up on Thursday and early Friday.
Let’s go through the list to stay updated on players available for the Mets to potentially sign:
Options Declined
Wilmer Flores – INF
Edwin Encarnacion – 1B/DH
Jason Kipnis – 2B/OF
T.J. McFarland – LHP
Pat Neshek – RHP
Adam Warren – RHP
Yasmani Grandal – C
Nate Jones – RHP
Jake Diekman – LHP
Shawn Kelley – RHP
Aaron Loup – LHP
Billy Hamilton – OF
Starlin Castro – 2B
Wade LeBlanc – LHP
Dan Otero – RHP
Welington Castillo – C
Alex Gordon – OF
Obviously, the big name here is Grandal coming off a 5.2 fWAR season and showing that he’s one of the best catchers in baseball.
Options Exercised
Freddy Galvis (Reds) – INF
Nelson Cruz (Twins) – DH
Starling Marte (Pirates) – OF
Yusmeiro Petit (A’s) – RHP
Manny Pina (Brewers) – C
Corey Kluber (Indians) – RHP
Jon Heyman of MLB Network noted that while the Pirates picked up the option on Marte (without a GM) they could look to trade him, with the Mets, Cubs, Padres, and Reds among teams that could show interest.
Opt-Outs
Kenley Jansen (Dodgers) – RHP – Not Opting Out
Yu Darvish (Cubs) – RHP – Not Opting Out
Aroldis Chapman (Yankees) – LHP – Will opt out if no extension
