Colorado Rockies: contract options declined by Holland, for Amarista

At the beginning of the offseason, it is always interesting to see what options are exercised by players and/or teams and, this morning, there is news about two Rockies players and their 2018 options.

Today, former Rockies closer Greg Holland officially declined his player option for $15 million for the 2018 season, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com. This should come as no shock as Holland, with his fantastic 2017 season, could get a lucrative long-term deal this offseason (be it from the Rockies or somebody else).

Now, the Rockies are put in the “qualifying offer” situation. This offseason, the “qualifying offer” is a 1 year, $17.4 million contract. The Rockies will almost certainly extend this offer and Holland, especially considering he rejected his 1 year, $15 million player option, will almost certainly decline the option.

However, if the Rockies extend the offer and Holland rejects and signs somewhere else, they would be compensated with a draft pick from the signing team. If they resign Holland, there would obviously be no harm.

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The Rockies decline Amarista’s option

In the same article from Harding, he reports that the Rockies, in another move that should not be shocking, will officially decline their team option for Alexi Amarista that was for $2.5 million. For the Rockies, as a part of the contract, will have to pay Amarista $150,000 for buying out his contract.

Amarista was a versatile option on the bench for Rockies manager Bud Black as he played every position besides pitcher, catcher, and first base for them in 2017 but, overall, he did not play well. Offensively, he hit .238 with a .269 on-base percentage. His OPS+ was 52 (100 is league average) and his Wins Above Replacement (or WAR) was -1.4 (0 meaning an average player in Triple-A).

Final Thoughts

For Holland, the Rockies have to extend that qualifying offer to him to give themselves a little bit of a safety net in case they don’t sign him long term and they will almost certainly do as much.

For Amarista, I wouldn’t be surprised if he returns to the Rockies next year but on a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. $2.5 million was a bit too steep for him considering how poorly he played last season.

Next: Could CarGo return in 2018?

In the case that happens and he makes the team, his salary would probably be around what it was last season ($1.1 million), which is much better than the $2.5 million option.