Carson Kelly Declines Cubs Option, Enters MLB Free Agency

Cubs catcher Carson Kelly has reportedly declined his 7.5 million option for 2027 and will receive a 1.5 million buyout, becoming a free agent, according to Associated Press reporter Ronald Blum. Kelly (age 32) hit for a .258/.336/.376 slash line with 10 home runs, 58 RBI’s, and a .712 OPS. Kelly will now enter a free-agent market class that, for catchers, also includes Ryan Jeffers, Austin Hedges, Tyler Stephenson, Jonah Heim, to name a few.