21.   Nixon, who has played well enough to rest assured that the Rangers will exercise the option year on his contract next season, is one.

22.   Option years.

23.   Ray is in the second year of a five-year contract with Wisconsin-based businessman John Menard, with each subsequent year an option.

24.   Sheffield has reportedly suggested that he would waive the no-trade clause if the option year is guaranteed.

25.   Stanley has an option year that the Sox may not pick up.

26.   That opened the door to a full-time commitment, which Boat said was a one-year contract and an option year.

27.   That new deal is yet to be signed, however, meaning the Galaxy is in the second option year of the original three-year-option.

28.   The Devils also announced new contracts for Jim Dowd, Jaroslav Modry and David Emma, who were in the option year of their contracts.

29.   The fifth year is an option year, which will be triggered by playoff appearances.

30.   The Giants built their payroll around option years that will help them maintain some fiscal sanity.