Bonnes and Gleeman talked about Topa's unique situation on the last Gleeman and the Geek episode. If they decline the option and pay the $225K buyout, he will be moved to arbitration eligible on our team. We can still non-tender him, but the point is he won't be an outright free agent if we decline the $2M option.
Topa is fine, and the Twins need bodies, lots of bodies to rebuild this bullpen. If declining the option, paying the $225K buyout, then going through standard arbitration process saves the Twins 50 cents, you know that's the route they will go.