http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/11/06/royals-decline-options-on-crisp-olivo-yabuta/ Baseball. Baseball. And then a bit more baseball. Thu, 23 May 2013 07:58:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/11/06/royals-decline-options-on-crisp-olivo-yabuta/comment-page-1/#comment-11651 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:37:34 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbchbt/?p=2017#comment-11651 Olivo’s 2010 option was a mutual option. It was common knowledge in Kansas City that he was going to decline his side of the option and head out on the open market. Whether or not the Royals picked up their end was going to be moot regardless.
The incentives built into his contract also make him more expensive than the base salary number. His 2009 base rate was $2.7 million, but if I recall correctly he made an additional $600,000 via games played and plate appearance bonuses. Since his 2010 option was set up with the same incentives, he figured to make around $4 million if he stayed healthy in 2010.
By the team declining the option, they allow Olivo to save face and keep the decision out of his lap. Safe to say that he’s going to find someone to pay him more than $4 million for 2010 so this works in his favor.

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