New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton will not be exercising his right to opt out of his contact at the end of the season, per Jon Heyman on Twitter. In addition, Boston Red Sox outfielder J.D. Martinez indicated today that he is not likely to opt out of his deal, which he has the right to do at season’s end.
Neither player was expected to opt out, both because of the uncertainties of the coming offseason market due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and general performance-related reasons.
Stanton, who turns 31 in November, is owed $29 million in 2021 and 2022, $32 million from 2023-25, $29 million in 2026, $25 million in 2027, and has a $25 million club option for 2028 with a $10 million buyout.