Marcus Stroman opts out, source confirms; Reds decline Votto option

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CHICAGO -- Cubs right-hander Marcus Stroman opted out of his contract and is a free agent after spending the past two seasons in Chicago, a source confirmed to ESPN on Saturday.

The Reds also declined to pick up first baseman Joey Votto's $20 million club option on Saturday and gave the Cincinnati legend a $7 million buyout instead.

Stroman, 32, was 10-9 with a 3.95 ERA last season but endured a year of differing halves, making the All-Star team with a 2.96 ERA in the first half but then compiling an 8.63 ERA in the second half. He also got hurt, first going on the IL in August with a hip injury before a rib cartilage fracture kept him out until…