Alcantara stays in Miami, King joins free agent pool
The Marlins paid a $2 million buyout to keep their ace, while Michael King and Sonny Gray enter the open market after option decisions.
By James Foster ·
Sandy Alcantara remains with the Miami Marlins after the club exercised its $21 million option on Friday, preventing the right-hander from entering free agency.
The decision allows the 31-year-old pitcher to complete the six-year, $75 million contract he signed in November 2021. Miami chose to pay the $2 million buyout rather than release Alcantara, who posted a 3.87 ERA in 33 starts during his second year back from Tommy John surgery.
Michael King, a 31-year-old right-hander, joined the free agent pool after declining a $28 million player option with the San Diego Padres. He accepted a $5 million buyout, ending a three-year deal that had guaranteed him $75 million. King finished the season with a 3.21 ERA in 32 starts. He becomes one of 14 new free agents announced on Friday, bringing the total for the two days following the World Series to 155.
Bo Bichette, a two-time All-Star shortstop, elected to stay with the New York Mets. The 28-year-old has a $126 million, three-year contract that includes a $40 million signing bonus. He plays primarily at third base in New York due to Francisco Lindor occupying the shortstop position. Bichette batted .260 with 18 home runs and 78 RBIs this season.
Sonny Gray, 36, becomes a free agent after Boston declined his $30 million option. He receives a $5 million buyout payable in five $1 million installments starting in January 2027. Gray led the major leagues in wins with 18 and posted a 2.72 ERA, his best mark in a full season. Nick Martinez, 36, also enters the market after Tampa Bay declined his $20 million mutual option. Martinez went 15-6 with a 3.10 ERA and started Game 1 of the World Series.
Other notable transactions include the Milwaukee Brewers declining a $20 million mutual option on Dustin May, who accepts a $500,000 buyout. The Chicago Cubs declined mutual options on Matt Boyd and Carson Kelly. The Baltimore Orioles declined a $25 million option on Zach Eflin, who has been out since April due to Tommy John surgery. The Kansas City Royals exercised a $2.5 million option on Tony Gonsolin.
Teams must finalize their option decisions by Monday. Approximately 40 additional players could become free agents by that deadline, depending on their contractual stipulations.
