Whit Merrifield Becomes Free Agent as Blue Jays Decline $18M Mutual Option

Three-time All-Star Merrifield leaves Blue Jays after denying $18M mutual option, garnishing previous year's batting average of .272 with 11 home runs and 67 RBIs.

Whit Merrifield and the Toronto Blue Jays declined his $18 million mutual option for 2024, making him a free agent.
Merrifield, who played as a second baseman and outfielder, will receive a $500,000 buyout as the option was declined.
In the 2023 season, Merrifield was the only Toronto player named a Silver Slugger finalist after batting .272 with 11 home runs, 67 RBIs, and 26 stolen bases in 145 games.
Throughout his career, Merrifield boasts a lifetime .284/.330/.420 hitter with 90 homers, 470 RBIs, and 201 stolen bases in 1,052 games with the Royals (2016-22) and Blue Jays.
The 34-year-old player has led the American League in stolen bases three times, hits two times, and doubles and triples once each in his career.