Will these players return to their current clubs in '27?

In our recent power rankings of this winter’s top free agents, we ranked Michael King as the No. 2 available player behind only Tarik Skubal.

There’s only one problem: King might not be a free agent.

That’s because the Padres’ starting pitcher is able to opt out for both 2027 and 2028, and if he triggers it for next season, he won’t be available to the other 29 teams this winter. King seems likely to test those free-agent waters, but we might not know that until five days after the World Series, when players and teams alike have a deadline to make decisions on contractual options for 2027.

A number of players have opt-out clauses or player options to consider, while many clubs hold options on players for next season. There are also mutual options -- meaning both sides have to agree to exercise them -- but those rarely ever get picked up.

With that in mind, here’s a look at more than 25 players with opt-outs, player options or club options (listed alphabetically) whose future will be determined after the season ends and what those decisions may look like when all is said and done.

(All statistics through Thursday’s games)

Opt-out clauses/Player options

José Berríos, RHP, Blue Jays
Remaining contract: Two years, $48 million
Age at start of 2027 season: 32

Berrios underwent Tommy John surgery in May and is likely to miss a big chunk of the 2027 season, making it extremely unlikely that he would opt out of the final two years of his deal.

Bo Bichette, INF, Mets
Remaining contract: Two years, $84 million ($5 million buyout)
Age at start of 2027 season: 29

Bichette signed a three-year, $126 million deal with the Mets last winter that allows him to opt out after 2026 or 2027, though given his down year, it feels unlikely that he would find a contract worth anything close to $42 million annually. In 132 games, Bichette has hit 14 home runs with 66 RBIs and a .705 OPS, and while his move to third base hasn’t been a smashing success, he’s been about league average defensively.

Corbin Burnes, RHP, Diamondbacks
Remaining contract: Four years, $140 million
Age at start of 2027 season: 32

Burnes hasn’t pitched since June 2025, undergoing Tommy John surgery only 11 starts into his six-year, $210 million contract with Arizona. A shoulder issue hampered him this year during his recovery, but Burnes is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment this week. Still, with that much remaining on his deal, there is little chance he opts out of his contract.

Ryan Helsley, RHP, Orioles
Remaining contract: One year, $14 million
Age at start of 2027 season: 32

Helsley has been on the injured list for nearly two months with elbow inflammation, appearing in only 17 games this year after signing a two-year, $28 million deal with Baltimore last winter. Helsley has a $14 million player option he is likely to exercise, giving him a chance to prove he’s healthy with the idea of testing free agency again a year later.

Clay Holmes, RHP, Cubs
Remaining contract: One year, $12 million
Age at start of 2027 season: 33

A fractured right fibula cost Holmes a chunk of the 2026 season, but he has been a revelation since moving into a starting role last year. Holmes signed a three-year, $38 million deal with the Mets before the 2025 season with the idea of moving into the rotation, an experiment that has been a huge success. It would be a shock if Holmes didn’t opt out to test the free-agent market.

Tatsuya Imai, RHP, Astros
Remaining contract: Two years, $36 million
Age at start of 2027 season: 28

Imai signed a three-year, $54 million deal with the Astros to come over from Japan, but his first year in the Majors has produced mixed results, ultimately resulting in his demotion from the rotation last month. Imai has a 5.32 ERA in 18 outings (15 starts), and his $18 million salary for 2027 will jump by $2 million if he throws another 12 1/3 innings to reach the 80-inning mark (then $2 million more for each if he reaches 90 and 100 innings). Imai, who had trouble adapting to life on and off the field in the U.S., is unlikely to opt out.

King, RHP, Padres
Remaining contract: Two years, $58 million ($5 million buyout)
Age at start of 2027 season: 31

After signing a three-year, $75 million deal with the Padres last winter, King bounced back from an injury-filled 2025 season, posting a 3.23 ERA in his first 27 starts in 2026. It seems likely that King will opt out, as he is widely viewed as the second-best starting pitcher on this winter’s free-agent market behind only Skubal.

Yuki Matsui, LHP, Padres
Remaining contract: Two years, $13.5 million
Age at start of 2027 season: 31

Matsui, who signed a five-year, $28 million deal with the Padres in December 2023, is having the best season of his big league career, posting a 2.10 ERA in 51 1/3 innings. Matsui ranks in the 97th percentile in both whiff percentage and hard-hit percentage, but he’s among the worst in the league when it comes to walk percentage. You could argue that Matsui would be one of the five best lefty relievers on the market, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him opt out.

Emilio Pagán, RHP, Reds
Remaining contract: One year, $10 million
Age at start of 2027 season: 35

Pagan has excelled since he returned in July from a hamstring injury, converting all 11 save opportunities for the Reds. He has been a steady presence in Cincinnati’s bullpen, and while he might find a multi-year deal on the open market, he seems comfortable with the Reds and could decide to trigger the option to finish out his two-year, $20 million deal.

Wandy Peralta, LHP, Padres
Remaining contract: One year, $4.45 million
Age at start of 2027 season: 35

Peralta has been a solid contributor to the Padres’ bullpen for the past three years, and while it’s possible that he could find more money in free agency, there is a belief that he might trigger the option to remain in San Diego. Peralta has a 3.38 ERA in 55 appearances this season, giving him a 3.41 ERA in 172 appearances with the Padres since the start of 2024, when he signed a four-year, $16.5 million deal.

Luis Severino, RHP, Athletics
Remaining contract: One year, $22 million
Age at start of 2027 season: 33

Severino hasn’t pitched since May 29 because of a right shoulder strain, limiting him to only 12 starts in 2026. Severino would probably love to get away from West Sacramento, where he has a 5.85 ERA in 20 starts since the start of 2025, but given his health situation, the likely scenario is for him to stay with the Athletics for the final year of his three-year, $67 million contract.

Club options

Ronald Acuña Jr., OF, Braves
Club option: One year, $17 million ($10 million buyout)
Age at start of 2027 season: 29

There isn’t an easier call to make on this list. Acuña isn’t going anywhere -- and the Braves hold another $17 million option on Acuña for 2028, too.

Ozzie Albies, 2B, Braves
Club option: One year, $7 million
Age at start of 2027 season: 30

The seven-year, $35 million contract Albies signed in 2019 included club options for 2026 and 2027, making next year the final year of control for the Braves. Albies has had his ups and downs throughout his time in Atlanta, but he’s been productive enough this season (20 home runs, 67 RBIs, .728 OPS) to seemingly make picking up his $7 million option a formality.

Sandy Alcantara, RHP, Marlins
Club option: One year, $21 million ($2 million buyout)
Age at start of 2027 season: 31

Alcantara has bounced back in his second season since undergoing Tommy John surgery, going 13-8 with a 3.38 ERA while throwing an MLB-high 183 2/3 innings. Given the cost of starting pitching -- and his importance to the club both on and off the field -- it would be surprising if the Marlins didn’t pick up Alcantara’s option, though it’s possible Miami could gauge the trade market, as 2027 would be Alcantara’s final year prior to free agency.

Drew Anderson, RHP, Tigers
Club option: One year, $10 million
Age at start of 2027 season: 33

The Tigers signed Anderson for one year and $7 million, bringing him back to the Majors following a four-year stint in Japan and Korea. He posted a 4.63 ERA in 38 relief appearances, but he owns a 2.88 ERA in six starts, giving the Tigers something to think about as they put together their 2027 rotation in their post-Tarik Skubal/Casey Mize era. If the option is declined, Anderson would become a free agent.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr., OF, Diamondbacks
Club option: One year, $14 million ($5 million buyout)
Age at start of 2027 season: 33

After averaging 20 home runs, 79 RBIs and a .747 OPS during his three-year, $42 million contract with Arizona, Gurriel has battled injuries and inconsistency this season, hitting only two homers with 21 RBIs and a .541 OPS in 47 games this season. Gurriel’s price tag makes it likely that the Diamondbacks will pay the buyout and let Gurriel become a free agent.

Kenley Jansen, RHP, Tigers
Club option: One year, $12 million ($2 million buyout)
Age at start of 2027 season: 39

Jansen has converted 17 of 22 save opportunities this season, posting a 4.08 ERA in his first year with Detroit. Jansen is closing in on his 500th career save, but given the price of his option and his inconsistency during his time in Detroit, it seems likely that the four-time All-Star will have to find another team to join to chase down that milestone.

Jeff McNeil, INF/OF, Athletics
Club option: One year, $15.75 million ($2 million buyout)
Age at start of 2027 season: 34

After an eight-year run with the Mets during which he averaged nearly 3.0 bWAR per season (exceeding 5.0 bWAR twice), McNeil has struggled in his first year with the Athletics. He has six home runs, 46 RBIs and a .677 OPS in 117 games, making it highly unlikely that the A’s will pick up his costly option for 2027.

Ryan Mountcastle, 1B, Orioles
Club option: One year, $7.5 million
Age at start of 2027 season: 30

Mountcastle has regressed in every year since his breakout 2021 season, when he hit 33 home runs with 89 RBIs and a .796 OPS in 144 games. His home run total has decreased in each of the past five seasons, and Mountcastle has played in only eight games in 2026, spending most of the season on the injured list. His days with Baltimore are almost over.

Andrés Muñoz, RHP, Mariners
Club option: One year, $8 million
Age at start of 2027 season: 28

An All-Star closer in 2024-2025, Muñoz has been inconsistent in 2026, converting only 24 of his 32 save opportunities while pitching to a 4.28 ERA. Still, given the price of late-inning relievers, Muñoz’s $8 million option seems likely to be picked up, as he remains a key piece of Seattle’s relief corps.

Nick Pivetta, RHP, Padres
Club option: One year, $14 million
Age at start of 2027 season: 31

Pivetta would have had a pair of player opt-outs to consider for 2027 and 2028, but after spending more than 130 consecutive days on the injured list, that option was converted into a team decision based on a clause in his four-year, $55 million contract. Pivetta has made only four starts this season, but the Padres’ tenuous rotation situation could prompt them to exercise the option and bring him back next season.

Drew Rasmussen, RHP, Rays
Club option: One year, $18.5 million (could grow to $20 million)
Age at start of 2027 season: 31

The two-year, $8.5 million deal Rasmussen signed to avoid arbitration last year included an $8 million option for 2027, but escalators for games started and days on the injured list have already boosted that option to $18.5 million. With three more starts and no IL stint between now and the end of the year, that number will jump to $20 million, a figure that seems reasonable for a starter who has made the All-Star team in each of the past two seasons while posting a 2.85 ERA in 56 starts. The biggest one-year salary in Rays history was Charlie Morton ($15 million in 2019 and 2020), so it’s possible that Tampa Bay could exercise the option and look to trade Rasmussen if the price tag is outside of the club’s comfort zone.

Luis Robert Jr., OF, Mets
Club option: One year, $20 million ($2 million buyout)
Age at start of 2027 season: 29

Robert looked like a burgeoning superstar after his 38-homer, All-Star season in 2023, but he’s dealt with multiple injuries during the past three years, hampering his production. Robert has played only 55 games this year, hitting 10 home runs with 23 RBIs and a .734 OPS. The Mets are not expected to exercise Robert’s option, and while they could look to bring him back on a new deal, it’s more likely that he will find a better opportunity elsewhere.

Antonio Senzatela, RHP, Brewers
Club option: One year, $14 million
Age at start of 2027 season: 32

Senzatela made a successful move to the bullpen in 2026, posting a 3.61 ERA in 34 appearances (52 1/3 innings) for the Rockies before being dealt to the Brewers before the Trade Deadline. Milwaukee isn’t likely to pay $14 million for his bullpen services, but Senzatela may have a solid second chapter of his career as a relief pitcher.

Jeffrey Springs, LHP, Athletics
Club option: One year, $15 million ($750,000 buyout)
Age at start of 2027 season: 34

Springs has had a dreadful season in 2026, going 3-12 with a 6.08 ERA in 24 starts, allowing a American League-high 80 earned runs and 30 home runs. Springs is likely to receive the buyout and hit the open market looking for a one-year deal to reestablish his value.

Myles Straw, OF, Blue Jays
Club option: One year, $8 million ($1.75 million buyout)
Age at start of 2027 season: 32

With George Springer headed for free agency and Daulton Varsho no longer in Toronto, the Blue Jays face some turnover in the outfield in 2027. The arrival of Brett Bateman could work against Straw, who shares many traits with the lower-priced rookie. Straw is a huge presence in Toronto’s clubhouse, however, giving the Blue Jays an interesting decision to make on his option.

Garrett Whitlock, RHP, Red Sox
Club option: One year, $8.25 million ($1 million buyout)
Age at start of 2027 season: 30

Although he’s currently on the injured list, Whitlock has been a star in Boston’s bullpen since becoming a full-time reliever in 2025, posting a 2.17 ERA and 140 strikeouts in 107 appearances (116 innings). With Aroldis Chapman returning for another season, the Red Sox will surely exercise Whitlock’s option to keep their 1-2 punch at the back end of the bullpen intact for 2027.