Cincinnati Reds star outfielder Nick Castellanos has exercised the opt-out clause in his contract and will become a free agent this offseason, a source confirmed to ESPN's Buster Olney.
Castellanos informed the Reds of his decision Thursday, according to reports, opting out of the final two years and $34 million on his deal.
Castellanos had two opt-out clauses in his four-year, $64 million deal, but he did not exercise the first one after the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. The Reds are expected to extend him the $18.4 qualifying offer, which would yield Cincinnati a compensatory 2022 draft pick after the first round if Castellanos signs with another team.