Top 5 Players Who Will DECLINE Free Agency by Opting IN to Contract Option

We brought you a list earlier this week of five notable star players who will be undoubtedly making the decision to become free agents by opting out of their contracts after the season. Now we'll have a look at five who will DECLINE free agency, and opt IN to their 2026 deals, per insider Jeff Passan.

1. Trevor Story, Boston Red Sox

This is an intriguing one. And no sure thing. Story has come back like gangbusters in 2025, after three lost seasons to begin his Red Sox career, with 23 homers and 88 RBIs, on pace for his best numbers in five years. But Story will be 33 this winter, and with only one healthy season in the last four, how confident would teams be to offer him a substantial contract in free agency?

Instead, the two years and $55 million remaining on his six-year, $140M deal with Boston seems like a better option. Passan thinks he'll opt in.

2. Tyler O'Neill, Baltimore Orioles

The former two-time Gold Glover is having yet another injury-riddled season, which has been the case in seven of his eight years in the majors. Playing just 43 games and batting .210, it's highly unlikely the 30-year-old foregoes the two years and $33 million left on his deal.

3. Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Arizona Diamondbacks

Gurriel's season is ending on a terrible note after suffering a torn ACL last month. Picking up his $18 million player option is a virtual lock.

4. Joc Pederson, Texas Rangers

Batting just .178 with only eight homers, "Pederson won't find $18.5 million anywhere on the free agent market."

5. Ha-Seong Kim, Atlanta Braves

In a shrewd pickup by the Braves last week, they claimed the recently waived Gold Glover after Tampa Bay let him go. He has a $16 million option for next year, and despite his strong start with the Braves (.375 and a 3-run homer in two games), he will almost certainly opt-in, after spending nearly the entire season out of action.