Four player options to look at as free agency begins

His bWAR of 2.2 was well below the 4.4 mark he posted in his first season with the Cubs, and he ranked below the 50th percentile in numerous offensive categories on Baseball Savant, except squared-up rate (89th), strikeout rate (85th), and whiff rate (65th).

Bellinger was also sidelined a few times last summer due to a broken left middle finger and a broken right rib.

Also facing Bellinger is a stronger free agent class this winter, which would put him up against players like Soto, Anthony Santanderand a handful of other talented outfielders looking for new deals.

Bellinger has reportedly not yet decided whether or not he will opt out of his current contract, but he will still have some time to make a decision. Given the $52 million he's guaranteed over the next two seasons, the odds seem more tilted toward him staying in Chicago, but stranger things have happened.

Sean Manaea – LHP

Player option for 2025 season: $13.5 million

One of the main reasons the Mets made it to the NLCS is the resurgence of LHP Sean Manaeawho signed a two-year contract with the club after opting out of his contract with the San Francisco Giants last winter. The 32-year-old was one of coach Carlos Mendoza's contacts in a surprisingly strong New York rotation.