Three MLB teams facing key option decisions with season ending

Just weeks remain in the 2025 MLB season, which means some front offices have started looking ahead to the offseason. Team and player option decisions will be among the first calls that must be made in the coming weeks. While some of these decisions may prove easier than others, there are some teams that will face crucial discussions in the coming weeks. 

Let's highlight three of them (all stats are entering play on Tuesday): 

Los Angeles Dodgers | 3B Max Muncy | Los Angeles will face a curious decision on its long-time third baseman, as Muncy is among the longest-tenured players on the current roster (he signed with the team as a free agent in April 2017). The 34-year-old has quietly been having a solid season at the plate, batting .258/.389/.491 (145 OPS+) with 17 home runs through 347 PA. By several measures, it's been his best offensive season since 2018. 

The Dodgers can bring Muncy back for the 2026 season on a one-year, $10M deal — an amount which seems awfully reasonable given his consistent production, tenure with the franchise, and how loved he is by the fans. If they elect to move on, expect to see Alex Freeland be the favorite to replace him at third base next season. 

Tampa Bay Rays | 2B Brandon Lowe | Tampa Bay moving on from one of its franchise cornerstones never felt like a possibility before the season began, but things can change quickly over a few months in the sports world. Lowe has spent his entire eight-year career with the Rays, but even coming off the best offensive season he's had since 2018, it's looking likely the sides will part ways this winter unless new ownership proves to be more aggressive about spending. 

Lowe is batting .264/.318/.493 (121 OPS+) with 28 homers this season. The Rays can bring him back for 2026 on a one-year, $11.5M deal (or pay him a $500K buyout) if they don't feel that one of their younger prospects (Brayden Taylor or Cooper Kinney, both of whom are at Double-A) is ready to step into the role. 

San Diego Padres | OF Ramon Laureano | San Diego was aggressive at the trade deadline and brought in several players who have helped keep it in the playoff hunt. Laureano is among them, bringing some defensive stability to the Padres outfield alongside Fernando Tatis Jr. while providing more offense than expected. The 31-year-old is hitting .303/.350/.569 (148 OPS+) in 117 PA since joining the Padres. 

San Diego could easily elect to bring Laureano back for another season by exercising a one-year, $6.5M option on his contract. Even if the offensive numbers take a step backwards, he's a serviceable fourth outfielder who can be a useful defensive replacement off the bench.