Jacob deGrom, Carlos Correa, and Xander Bogaerts turn down player options to become free agents

Jacob deGrom, Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts and Carlos Rodón turned down player options on Monday and entered a free market that included Aaron Judge, Trea Turner and Dansby Swanson.

DeGrom, a two-time winner of the NL Cy Young Award, gave up a $30.5 million salary for next season, ending his four-year contract with the New York Mets at $107 million. The 34-year old righthander, a four-time All-Star, was limited to 15 starts last year and 11 this season due to injuries.

Correa left the Houston Astros after the 2021 season, signing a $105.3 million three-year deal with the Minnesota Twins that gave him the right to opt out after one season. The 28-year-old shortstop, a two-time All-Star, will give up $35.1 million in salaries in each of the next two seasons after hitting .291 with 22 home runs and 64 RBIs.

Jacob DeGrom, two-time winner of the NL Cy Young Award, gave up a $30.5 million salary for next season, ending his four-year contract with the New York Mets at $107 million. The 34-year-old righthander, a four-time All-Star, was limited to 15 starts last year and 11 this season due to injuries

Carlos Correa left the Houston Astros after the 2021 season, signing a $105.3 million three-year deal with the Minnesota Twins that gave him the right to opt out after one season. The 28-year-old shortstop, a two-time All-Star, gives up $35.1 million in salaries in each of the next two seasons after hitting .291 with 22 home runs and 64 RBIs

Bogaerts, 30, agreed to a $120 million contract for six years with Boston, which gave the shortstop the right to terminate the contract after 2022. .307 with 15 home runs and 73 RBIs.

Interestingly, Bogaerts’ future could be linked to Liverpool FC, the English football club owned by Red Sox owners, the Fenway Sports Group.

Fenway Sports Group confirmed on Monday it was open to selling shares in the club amid speculation it was inviting offers from potential buyers. Such a move — or even the expectation of a lucrative sale — could free up money for the Red Sox to keep Bogaerts.

Another factor in Boston’s decision is burgeoning 19-year-old shortstop prospect, Marcelo Mayer, who played in Single-A this season, hitting .280 with a .399 on-base percentage over stops in the Carolina and South Atlantic Leagues.

Bogaerts, 30, agreed to a $120 million contract for six years with Boston, which gave the shortstop the right to terminate the contract after 2022. .307 with 15 home runs and 73 RBI’s

Another factor in Boston’s decision is budding 19-year-old shortstop prospect, Marcelo Mayer (pictured with Red Sox manager Alex Cora), who played in Single-A this season, hitting .280 with a .399 on -base percentage across stops in the Carolina and South Atlantic leagues

Rodón, a 29-year-old southpaw, left the Chicago White Sox after the 2021 season and agreed to a $44 million two-year contract with the San Francisco Giants that gave him the right to unsubscribe after one season and salary of $22.5 million for next year. An All-Star in each of the last two seasons, he was 14-8 with a 2.88 ERA for the Giants.

Washington-designated batter Nelson Cruz turned down a $16 million mutual option in favor of a $3 million buyout, making his one-season deal with the Nationals worth $15 million. The 42-year-old hit .234 with 10 home runs and 64 RBIs.

Mets pitcher Taijuan Walker turned down a $7.5 million player option in favor of a $3 million buyout, making his two-season deal worth $17 million. The 30-year old righthander was 12-5 with a 3.49 ERA in 29 starts.

Carlos Rodón, a 29-year-old southpaw, left the Chicago White Sox after the 2021 season and agreed to a $44 million two-year contract with the San Francisco Giants that gave him the right to opt out after one season and giving up a $22.5 million salary for next year. An All-Star in each of the last two seasons, he was 14-8 with a 2.88 ERA for the Giants

Philadelphia exercised pitcher Aaron Nola’s $16 million option, making his contract worth $59 million over five years, and declined a $17 million option on second baseman Jean Segura, who will receive a $1 million buyout . Right-handed Zach Eflin turned down a $15 million mutual option, making his deal worth $5.7 million for one year.

San Diego outfielder Jurickson Profar turned down a $6.5 million option for a $1 million buyout, making his deal worth $13.5 million in two years. He hit .243 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs. Padres right-hander Robert Suarez turned down a $5 million option for a $1 million buyout, ending his contract after a year and $6 million. He had a 2.27 ERA in 45 relief appearances after joining the Padres of the Hanshin Tigers of the Japan Central League.

Arizona right-handed Zach Davies declined a $1.5 million mutual option and is given a $250,000 buyout. The 29-year old righthander was 2-5 with a 4.09 ERA in 27 starts.

A total of 140 players have become free agents since the end of the World Series and about 40 more are eligible.

Aaron Judge remains the biggest name in the MLB free agent market after the 2022 season