Lorenzen, Grichuk free agents after mutual options declined

KANSAS CITY -- Now that the offseason is underway, it’s decision time for several teams and players with contract options.

Two of the Royals’ decisions have already been resolved. Outfielder Randal Grichuk declined his side of the mutual option on his contract, while the Royals declined their side of the mutual option on right-hander Michael Lorenzen’s contract.

Both players are now free agents, joining four other Royals: reliever Hunter Harvey, utility man Adam Frazier, outfielder Mike Yastrzemski and catcher Luke Maile.

Lorenzen, who signed as a free agent with the Royals last offseason, is owed the $1.5 million buyout, rather than the $12 million he would have received if the mutual option was exercised.

The Royals are also on the hook for the $3 million buyout on Grichuk’s contract, rather than the $5 million salary they would have owed him had he returned for 2026. Kansas City acquired Grichuk from the D-backs on July 26, sending reliever Andrew Hoffmann to Arizona in the deal days before the Trade Deadline.

Both decisions were expected. Lorenzen posted a 4.64 ERA across 27 games (26 starts) with the Royals in 2025, helping to anchor a rotation that saw plenty of injuries, including the left oblique injury that sidelined Lorenzen for a month in the middle of the season.

Grichuk was acquired to be a right-handed platoon option in the outfield, but he hit just .206 with a .566 OPS in 105 plate appearances (43 games) with the Royals.

The third and final contract option that must be settled is a big one: The Royals hold a $13.5 million club option for catcher Salvador Perez. While it’s all but certain Perez will be back in 2026, the Royals can either pick up the option or negotiate a new contract with their captain. Thursday is the final day for teams and players to exercise or decline contract options.