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Dodgers Rumors: A.J. Pollock Contract Details For Player Option, Opt-Out Clause

Matt Borelli
2 Min Read
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Following the offseason departures of Yasmani Grandal, Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig, the Los Angeles Dodgers were said to be seeking a right-handed bat that would help balance out their predominantly heavy left-handed hitting lineup.

On Thursday, the Dodgers reportedly found a solution in the form of longtime Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder A.J. Pollock. The 31-year-old agreed to terms with his former divisional rival on a four-year contract worth $55 million.

According to Beth Harris of the Associated Press, Pollock’s multi-year pact with the Dodgers includes a potential opt-out clause after the 2022 season and a player option for the ensuing year:

The agreement includes a $10 million player option for 2023 with a $5 million buyout that would make the deal worth over $60 million for five seasons. Pollock could opt out after the 2022 season and $45 million, becoming a free agent again, if he meets specified plate appearance thresholds.

Pollock is coming off a third consecutive injury-ridden season with the Diamondbacks in which he was limited to only 113 games. Despite this, he still managed to slug a career-high 21 home runs and sported an overall .800 on-base plus slugging for the year.

While a specific threshold wasn’t revealed, the 2015 All-Star would evidently need to stay on the field in order to accumulate enough plate appearances and have an opportunity to test free agency following his age-34 season.

By signing Pollock to a value that exceeds $50 million, the Dodgers will additionally lose a draft pick and $500,000 in international signing money.

Matt Borelli covers the Los Angeles Dodgers as a staff writer for Dodger Blue and holds similar responsibilities for Lakers Nation, a sister site with an emphasis on the Los Angeles Lakers. He also contributes to RamsNewswire.com and RaidersNewswire.com. An avid fantasy sports player, Matt is a former 2014 MLB Beat the Streak co-champion. His favorite Dodgers moment, among a list of many, is Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies in 2014. Follow him on Twitter: @mcborelli.