The opt-out clause has become popular with Boras clients

Corbin Burnes is the latest Scott Boras client to find a home, when he signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks over the weekend. Burnes agreed to a six-year deal, but the most important part of the deal will be the looming opt-out following the 2026 season. The right-hander will be able to re-enter the market after his Age 31 season, presumably his best window to land another big payday.

In recent seasons, the opt-out clause has become a hot trend in Major League Baseball. Doing some research, nine Scott Boras clients signed a free agent deal that included an opt-out after declining a qualifying offer since 2018. The table below includes the age, contract details, and when the opt-out triggers.

From this data, these are the averages for this demographic:

• Average Age: 29
• Average Length: 6 years
• Average Opt-Out Length: 2-3 years

The sample size is relatively small, so there is a lot of potential variation. Many of these deals are short-term pillow deals by design, with only four of the nine going for more than three years.

Of the seven players whose opt-out would have or already triggered, three of them did not opt out (Hosmer, Conforto, Bellinger). Two more opted out and stayed with the same team (Correa, Cole), another signed an extension (Chapman), and one departed for another team (Snell).

The average age of the player at the opt-out would be around 28-32, with Cole being the notable exception at Age 34. For Soto and Burnes, they have the potential to enter the market again ahead of their Age 32 season.

In the case of the D-backs and Burnes, the chance of him opting out after the 2026 season are very high if he lives up to the contract. Arizona would pay Burnes $25 million a year between 2027 and 2030, before the $60 million deferred money kicks in when his contract is completed.