AJ Pollock will be under contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers for at least one more season. The 33-year-old outfielder signed a four-year, $55 million deal in January 2019 with a player option for 2023.
The contract also included the chance for Pollock to opt out after the 2021 season if he reached a combined 1,000 plate appearances from 2020-21, or 1,450 plate appearances from 2019-21.
However, Pollock fell just short of that mark, according to Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors. Pollock needed 433 plate appearances in 2021 to trigger the opt-out clause, but he finished the season with 422.
The 2020 campaign that was shortened due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic also threw a wrinkle into the calculations as the 162-game season was cut to just 60 games.
MLB and the Players Association agreed to prorate the games played in 2020 to a full season, so Pollock’s 210 plate appearances were multiplied by 2.7, thus amounting to a credit of 567.
Pollock was placed on the injured list twice this season, first on May 15 and again on Sept. 5, which ultimately caused him to miss the 11 plate appearances needed.
Because he did not have the ability to opt out, Pollock will be under contract for $10 million next season at $12 million on the Dodgers’ payroll, which is calculated by using average annual value.
Pollock’s contract still has a player option for 2023 at $10 million and with a $5 million buyout if he does chose to opt out. The value of the option increases $1 million for 400, 450, 500, 550 and 600 plate appearances in 2022.
The option also increases if Pollock finishes within the top 10 of MVP voting in 2021-22. If he wins the award, the value would increase by an extra $5 million, second through fifth would increase the value by $3 million, and sixth through 10th would increase the value by $1 million.
Pollock named Gold Glove finalist
Although Pollock presumably may not be among the MVP finalists, he is up for a Gold Glove Award. So too are his Dodgers teammates Max Muncy and Mookie Betts.
Pollock won a Gold Glove in center field with the Arizona Diamondbacks during the 2015 season.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!
