If there’s an overriding theme so far in the 2015-2016 offseason, it’s that opt-outs have graduated from a contract oddity to a legitimate trend. Of the four largest contracts signed to date, three have included at least one opt-out. The Giants signed Johnny Cueto to a 6-yr/$130M deal with an opt-out after two years. David Price can opt-out after the third year of his 7-yr/$210M deal with the Red Sox. And Jason Heyward trumped them both with two opt-outs, one after year-3 and one after year-4, on his brand new 8-yr/$184M deal with the Cubs.
Opt-Out Trend May Ultimately Benefit Large Market Teams
