In their initial press release Monday afternoon, the Timbers indicated they were exercising the contract option to bring Mattocks back in 2018. After that release issued, however, it appears the Timbers declined Mattocks’s option after it was clarified that his salary cap hit would be greater than previously indicated. According to the MLS Players Union, Mattocks made $316,667 in guaranteed compensation in 2017, and was likely in line for a raise pursuant to his 2018 option. That raise, however, appears to have been greater than anticipated, leading to the Timbers’ change in heart.
The exercise of Mattocks’s option was one of the most significant aspects of the Timbers’ offseason roster moves announcement, as bringing Mattocks back would inplicate a significant salary cap hit in exchange for providig additional depth at the striker position.