Alcantara Stays in Miami as King Hits Market and 155 Players Become Free Agents

Major League Baseball's offseason began Friday with teams exercising and declining contract options, a process that pushed the free agent pool to 155 players in the two days since the World Series ended. About 40 more could be added by Monday's deadline.

The Miami Marlins blocked Sandy Alcantara's path to free agency by exercising a $21 million option for 2027 instead of paying a $2 million buyout. The decision guarantees the 31-year-old right-hander $75 million over the six-year contract he signed in November 2021. Alcantara finished this season 13-11 with a 3.87 ERA across 33 starts and three relief appearances, his second year back from Tommy John surgery.

Michael King became a free agent after the right-hander declined a $28 million player option to collect a $5 million buyout. King, 31, went 12-10 with a 3.21 ERA in 32 starts. He is available for the second consecutive offseason after agreeing last December to a deal that guaranteed $75 million over three seasons but let him exit after one year and $17 million.

Bo Bichette is staying with the New York Mets. The 28-year-old shortstop holds a $126 million, three-year contract signed in January that includes a $40 million signing bonus, a $2 million salary for 2026 and $42 million player options for 2027 and 2028. A two-time All-Star with Toronto, Bichette moved primarily to third base in New York alongside Francisco Lindor and batted .260 with 18 homers and 78 RBIs.

Sonny Gray and Nick Martinez will hit the open market after their clubs declined mutual options. Boston turned down a $30 million option on Gray, who receives a $5 million buyout spread across five $1 million installments each Jan. 15 from 2027 through 2031. The right-hander, who turns 37 next week, tied for the major league lead with 18 wins and posted a 2.72 ERA.

Tampa Bay declined mutual options on Martinez and outfielder Cedric Mullins. Martinez, 36, went 15-6 with a 3.10 ERA in 31 starts, earned his first All-Star selection and posted a 2.81 ERA in four postseason outings, including a Game 1 start in the World Series. Mullins, 32, hit .205 with 15 homers, 48 RBIs and 21 stolen bases.