Jacob deGrom, Carlos Correa, and Xander Bogaerts turn down player options to become free agents

Jacob deGrom, Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts and Carlos Rodón turned down player options Monday, joining a free agent market that includes Aaron Judge, Trea Turner and Dansby Swanson.

DeGrom, a two-time NL Cy Young Award winner, gave up a $30.5 million salary for next season, ending his contract with the New York Mets at $107 million for four years. The 34-year-old right-hander, a four-time All-Star, was limited to 15 starts last year and 11 this season because of injuries.

Correa left the Houston Astros after the 2021 season and signed a $105.3 million, three-year deal with the Minnesota Twins that gave him the right to opt out after one season. The 28-year-old shortstop, a two-time All-Star, gives up $35.1 million salaries in each of the next two seasons after hitting .291 with 22 homers and 64 RBIs.

Jacob DeGrom, a two-time NL Cy Young Award winner, gave up a $30.5 million salary for next season, ending his contract with the New York Mets at $107 million for four years. The 34-year-old right-hander, a four-time All-Star, was limited to 15 starts last year and 11 this season because of injuries

Carlos Correa left the Houston Astros after the 2021 season and signed a $105.3 million, three-year deal with the Minnesota Twins that gave him the right to opt out after one season. The 28-year-old shortstop, a two-time All-Star, gives up $35.1 million salaries in each of the next two seasons after hitting .291 with 22 homers and 64 RBIs

Bogaerts, 30, agreed to a $120 million, six-year deal with Boston that gave the shortstop the right to terminate the contract after 2022. The four-time All-Star forfeits salaries of $20 million in each of the next three seasons after hitting .307 with 15 homers and 73 RBIs.

Interestingly, Bogaerts’ future could be tied with Liverpool FC, the English soccer club that’s owner by Red Sox owners, the Fenway Sports Group.

Fenway Sports Group confirmed on Monday it was open to selling shares in the club amid speculation it was inviting offers from potential buyers. Such a move – or even the anticipation of a lucrative sale – could free up money for the Red Sox to retain Bogaerts.

Another factor in Boston’s decision is budding 19-year-old shortstop prospect, Marcelo Mayer, who starred in Single-A this season, hitting .280 with a .399 on-base percentage across stops in the Carolina and South Atlantic Leagues.

Bogaerts, 30, agreed to a $120 million, six-year deal with Boston that gave the shortstop the right to terminate the contract after 2022. The four-time All-Star forfeits salaries of $20 million in each of the next three seasons after hitting .307 with 15 homers and 73 RBIs

Another factor in Boston’s decision is budding 19-year-old shortstop prospect, Marcelo Mayer (pictured with Red Sox manager Alex Cora), who starred in Single-A this season, hitting .280 with a .399 on-base percentage across stops in the Carolina and South Atlantic Leagues

Rodón, a 29-year-old left-hander, left the Chicago White Sox after the 2021 season and agreed to a $44 million, two-year contract with the San Francisco Giants that gave him the right to opt out after one season and give up a $22.5 million salary for next year. An All-Star in each of the last two seasons, he was 14-8 with a 2.88 ERA for the Giants.

Washington designated hitter Nelson Cruz turned down a $16 million mutual option in favor of a $3 million buyout, making his deal with the Nationals worth $15 million for one season. The 42-year-old hit .234 with 10 homers and 64 RBIs.

Mets pitcher Taijuan Walker turned down a $7.5 million player option in favor of a $3 million buyout, making his deal worth $17 million over two seasons. The 30-year-old right-hander was 12-5 with a 3.49 ERA in 29 starts.

Carlos Rodón, a 29-year-old left-hander, left the Chicago White Sox after the 2021 season and agreed to a $44 million, two-year contract with the San Francisco Giants that gave him the right to opt out after one season and give up a $22.5 million salary for next year. An All-Star in each of the last two seasons, he was 14-8 with a 2.88 ERA for the Giants

Philadelphia exercised pitcher Aaron Nola’s $16 million option, making his contract worth $59 million over five years, and declined a $17 million option on second baseman Jean Segura, who gets a $1 million buyout. Right-hander Zach Eflin declined a $15 million mutual option, making his deal worth $5.7 million for one year.

San Diego outfielder Jurickson Profar turned down a $6.5 million option for a $1 million buyout, making his deal worth $13.5 million over two years. He hit .243 with 15 homers and 58 RBIs. Padres right-hander Robert Suarez turned down a $5 million option for a $1 million buyout, ending his contract after one year and $6 million. He had a 2.27 ERA in 45 relief appearances after joining the Padres from the Japan Central League’s Hanshin Tigers.

Arizona right-hander Zach Davies declined a $1.5 million mutual option and gets a $250,000 buyout. The 29-year-old right-hander was 2-5 with a 4.09 ERA in 27 starts.

A total of 140 players have become free agents since the World Series ended and about 40 more are eligible.

Aaron Judge remains the biggest name on MLB’s free agent market following the 2022 season