KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Moments after trading Mark Teahen to the Chicago White Sox, the Royals announced they they’ve declined contract options on catcher Miguel Olivo, center fielder Coco Crisp and pitcher Yasuhiko Yabuta on Friday. That makes the players eligible to file for free agency and leave Kansas City.
Olivo served as the Royals’ primary catcher last season. He held a mutual option with Kansas City. The club decided to pay him a $100,000 buyout. The team could have picked up his $3.3 million deal for 2010.
The team held an $8 million option on Crisp’s contract. It carried over with his trade from Boston. The team has to pay $500,000 to get out of the deal.
Yabuta’s $4 million contract option ended up costing the Royals $500,000. It was the third year of a deal he signed with the Royals that brought him over from Japan.
Olivo and Crisp are allowed to file as six-year Major League free agents. Yabuta has the right to become a free agent if he doesn’t resign with the Royals by Nov. 16.
No one hit more home runs for the Royals last season than Olivo. He belted 23 long balls. He also led the team with 65 RBIs in 114 games. Olivo started at catcher in 97 games.
Crisp missed most of the season after having surgery on both of his shoulders. He hit .228 but had 13 stolen bases in 49 games.
Yabuta didn’t spend much time with the big league club the last two seasons. He was mostly competing down in the minors. Yabuta’s cumulative record with the Royals in 43 games is 3-4 with a 7.14 ERA.
