The opt-out, which came into being with the historic $252 million Alex Rodriguez contract, has become a boon to players.
Manny Machado turned $150 million into a new $350 million contract.
Carlos Correa turned $105.3M into $200M (and nearly $350M, then, $315M).
Carlos Rodon turned $25M into $162M, and Xander Bogaerts was the winner who turned $20M into $280M.
Nolan Arenado, with $129M to go over four years, was a rare superstar to decide against opting out this winter.
“I definitely think about it. But it was a long process to get me here, and it didn’t feel right leaving after two years, it just didn’t,” said Arenado, hitting .571 before leaving to join team USA in the World Baseball Classic. “I’m happy I’m here still. I have more than enough money. I don’t like sitting here complaining about money when I make a lot more money than most people.”
Isiah Kiner-Falefa has great versatility, and though Yankees people suggest he’s still in the shortstop mix — with word he’s going to play multiple other positions, including the outfield — it feels like he may be running third right now.
(Kiner-Falefa, a consummate team guy, says he’d live with one of the kids winning the job. “I want to play shortstop, but at the end of the day I want to win the World Series.”)
The Dodgers also would make sense for Kiner-Falefa.
By: Ny Post
