The deadline for exercising options is Thursday at 5 p.m. ET, but the Philadelphia Phillies got an early answer about the future of one of their free agents-to-be. Outfielder Harrison Bader opted out of his $10 million mutual option with the Phillies, making him a free agent for 2026. The deal includes a $3 million buyout.
It wasn't the most surprising outcome for a mutual option, especially with the type of year Bader had. The 31-year-old had a career year and will look to maximize his market for other possible suitors, including the Phillies.