Marlins pass on Kintzler’s $4M option
Brandon Kintzler knew one decision made shortly after the World Series ended would determine how hectic the next few months would be for him.
“If my option’s picked up,” Kintzler said, “it’s going to be a short offseason.”
Kintzler’s personal Groundhog Day has arrived. A short offseason is not in the books.
The Marlins chose not to pick up his $4 million team option, Kintzler’s agent Kevin Kohler confirmed to the Miami Herald on Friday. The Marlins instead paid him a $250,000 buyout.
Kohler said Brian Chattin, Marlins assistant GM, told him the decision to decline Kintzler’s option was made because of “the uncertainty of the market and what they’re going to be able to spend this year. They need to be careful with their dollars.”
Kohler said Chattin indicated they would have interest in re-signing Kintzler under different financial terms.
“He liked the situation in Miami and would need to know more about why the front office made the decision before he would be excited to come back,” Kohler said.
Kintzler, 36, was one of Major League Baseball’s top relievers this year. He had a career-best 2.22 ERA and converted 12 saves this season, tied for fourth in the league.
ELSEWHERE
Cubs: In what could be a farewell season, Chicago picked up the $16.5 million option on three-time All-Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo for 2021. The decision gives the Cubs some stability as more difficult decisions await them in what figures to be a challenging offseason. Rizzo would have been owed a $2 million buyout had the Cubs declined his option. Rizzo, 31, is entering the final season of a multi-year contract he signed in 2013, but is aware the core group that has led the franchise to five playoff appearances in six seasons could break up. On Friday, the Cubs declined the $25 million option on left-handed pitcher Jon Lester.
Dodgers: Los Angeles declined pitcher Jimmy Nelson’s $2 million club option for the 2021 season. He is owed a $500,000 buyout. Nelson is the eighth Dodger to hit free agency after the team won the World Series Tuesday.
Yankees: New York let Tommy Kahnle become a free agent rather than allow him to become eligible for salary arbitration ahead of a season he is likely to largely miss while recovering from Tommy John surgery. New York said the hard-throwing 31-yearold right-hander had refused an outright assignment to the minor leagues and elected to become a free agent.
Mets: The Wilpon family’s control of the New York Mets neared its end after 34 years when Major League Baseball owners voted to approve the sale of the team to billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen. The vote was 26-4, a person familiar with the meeting told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because the balloting was not announced. Cohen needed 75% approval.