Options Declined on Butler, Markakis, Weeks
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Mike McGinnis/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Three prominent names in baseball will be looking for work this offseason as Billy Butler, Nick Markakis and Rickie Weeks had
contract options declined by their teams.
Coming off a heartbreaking game 7 World Series loss, the Kansas City Royals turned down a $12 million option on Butler, their designated hitter and a fan favorite. Butler was a 2012 All-Star when he hit .313 with 29 home runs and 107 RBI. Those numbers have took a sharp dive this season as he hit .271 with nine home runs and 66 RBI.
The Baltimore Orioles chose to buyout the remaining year on outfielder Nick Markakis’s contract, choosing to pay him $2 million instead of the full $17.5 million he would have made this coming season.
Markakis had stated that would like to stay in Baltimore and the Orioles would like him to return according to MASN’s Roch Kubatko.
“Nick is a dependable player and the Orioles would like to continue a relationship with him,” said executive vice president Dan Duquette in a text message.
The Milwaukee Brewers also chose to save some money by declining the option of second baseman Rickie Weeks that would have seen him earn $14.5 million.
Weeks has spent his entire 11-year career with the Brewers but was becoming a part-time player as he has missed at least 40 games in three of the last four seasons for the Brew Crew.
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