The Toronto Blue Jays and Whit Merrifield both declined his $18 million mutual option for 2024, making the three-time All-Star a free agent.

The Blue Jays, who made the announcement on Friday, will owe the 34-year-old second baseman/outfielder a $500,000 buyout.

Merrifield was the only Toronto player named a Silver Slugger finalist in 2023 after batting .272 with 11 home runs, 67 RBIs and 26 stolen bases in 145 games.

Merrifield made the American League All-Star team for a third time in 2023, joining his 2019 and 2021 selections as a member of the Kansas City Royals.

He is a lifetime .284/.330/.420 hitter with 90 homers, 470 RBIs and 201 stolen bases in 1,052 games for the Royals (2016-22) and Blue Jays. Toronto acquired him from Kansas City on Aug. 2, 2022 in exchange for right-hander Max Castillo and infielder/outfielder Samad Taylor.

Merrifield has led the AL in stolen bases three times (2017, 2018, 2021), hits two times (2018, 2019) and in doubles (2021) and triples (2019) once each.

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MLB’s Toronto Blue Jays select new hospitality partners

The Toronto Blue Jays and Legends,  a global premium experiences company that specializes in delivering holistic solutions for sports and entertainment organizations and venues, inked a long-term partnership in which Legends, who will deliver a new food and beverage program at Rogers Centre.

Legends will oversee all food and beverage at the ballpark beginning this season, including general concessions, premium clubs and suites, and catering.

Legends already has an established connection to the Blue Jays business, having consulted on both phases of Rogers Centre renovations and executing on the Blue Jays’ vision to elevate the culinary experience for fans.

“We know that bringing Toronto’s incredible food and beverage scene into the ballpark is an important part of the Blue Jays experience for our fans, and we are committed to continuing to expand our offerings while providing exceptional hospitality service,” said Marnie Starkman, Executive Vice President of Business Operations, Toronto Blue Jays.

“Legends helped us design many of the positive changes fans saw last season, and those offerings – traditional ballpark fares and fan-favourite foods and beverages – will continue with more new items this season.”

Rogers Centre is currently undergoing a more than $300 million privately funded renovation to transform the stadium into a ballpark and modernize the fan experience.

The first phase of the renovations unveiled the Outfield District last season, with a reworked 100 level seating bowl and three new premium clubs opening during the 2024 season.

Legends’ global planning division serves as the owner’s representative on the renovation project, working closely with the Blue Jays. In addition, Legends’ hospitality division provided valuable consultation on the Outfield District and the new premium clubs.

In 2024, the Blue Jays will debut all-new menus from Legends in the TD Executive Suites and the three new premium clubs.

 “The Toronto Blue Jays are delivering a first-class destination for sports and entertainment fans at Rogers Centre, and we are proud to build upon our relationship with them to offer attendees an innovative and delicious culinary experience throughout the ballpark,” said Mike Tomon, Co-President and COO, Legends, adding, “Together with the Blue Jays, we will leverage our operations and hospitality expertise to ensure the fan experience continues to be memorable for every game and event.”