With more than two-thirds of the 2019 season in the books, let’s check in to see how seven players are progressing toward possible vesting options in their contracts. For those unfamiliar with the term, a vesting option is an agreed-upon threshold within a player’s contract (usually based on health and/or playing time) that, if achieved, allows the player to alter the terms of the contract for the next season, and perhaps beyond in some cases.
Some vesting options aren’t reported, so it could be that more players beyond this septet could also be playing toward gaining more guaranteed money or contractual freedom for the 2020 season. For now, let’s examine just these seven names…
Yonder Alonso, Rockies:
Under the terms of the two-year, $16 million deal Alonso signed with the Indians in the 2017-18 offseason, his $9 million club option (with a $1 million buyout) for 2020 becomes guaranteed if the first baseman first passes a physical, and then hit plate-appearance benchmarks. Unfortunately for Alonso, he has only 287 PA this season, so he’s on pace to fall well short of reaching either 550 PA in 2019 or 1,100 total PA in 2018-19 — either of which would’ve caused his option to vest.
Andrew Cashner, Red Sox:
With Cashner having struggled through six starts since coming to Boston in a trade from the Orioles, the Sox have a legitimate performance-related reason for moving him out of their rotation. There would also be a financial motive involved, as Cashner’s $10 million club option for 2020 would become guaranteed if he amasses 340 total innings in 2018-19. After today’s abbreviated outing against the Angels, Cashner now has 279 2/3 IP over the last two seasons, putting him within range of causing his option to vest if he keeps receiving starts.(Incidentally, the option could also vest into a player option if Cashner hits the 360-inning threshold.)
Sean Doolittle, Nationals:
The closer finished his league-high 47th game of the season today, giving him 82 games finished since the start of the 2018 season. Should Doolittle reach 100 games finished, the Nationals’ $6.5 million club option ($500,000 buyout) on him for 2020 would vest into a mutual option, giving him the opportunity to opt out of his contract and enter free agency. This is definitely one to watch down the stretch, because with the Nats in a postseason race and the rest of their bullpen struggling, D.C. won’t hesitate to use its closer for every save situation possible. Manager Davey Martinez has used Doolittle in a traditional late-game role, so shifting him into high-leverage situations outside of the ninth inning to cut down on his games-finished numbers would be a risky (and controversial) tactic, to say the least.
Chris Iannetta, Rockies:
With 110 starts at catcher since the beginning of the 2018 season, Iannetta won’t reach the 220 catching starts he needed to convert the Rockies’ $4.25 million club option on his services for 2020 into a guarantee.
Wade LeBlanc, Mariners:
The unique extension signed by LeBlanc in July of 2018 carried three $5 million club option years for 2020-22 that can all vest into guarantees. That 2020 option turns into guaranteed money if LeBlanc throws 160 innings in 2019 and doesn’t have a left arm injury at season’s end. A month-long IL stint due to an oblique strain earlier this season almost certainly ended LeBlanc’s chance at the 160-inning plateau, as he has only 98 IP thus far. While LeBlanc is still eating a good share of innings as a “bulk pitcher” behind an opener in most outings, it seems likely that he won’t reach his vesting threshold.
Brandon Morrow, Cubs:
Morrow’s two-year, $21 million deal carried a 2020 vesting option worth $12 million, or a $3 million buyout. Terms of this option weren't exactly known; however, since injuries have kept Morrow from pitching since July 15, 2018, it’s safe to presume the option won’t vest, and the right-hander will be a free agent this winter.
Oliver Perez, Indians:
The veteran southpaw appeared in his 49th game of the season today, so barring injury, he’s a lock to hit the 55 appearances required to guarantee his $2.75 million club option for 2020. He also seems like a pretty safe bet to lock in even more money, as that option will be guaranteed at $3 million if Perez pitches in 60 games. The Tribe likely won’t at all mind having Perez back for another season as the reliever continues to dominate left-handed batters.
More must-reads: