Qualifying Offers Extended to 13 Players
In a recent update, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that thirteen players have been extended qualifying offers for the upcoming baseball season. This offer stands at $22.025 million for the year, giving the players until November 18 to make their decision.
List of Players Receiving Qualifying Offers
- Kyle Tucker, OF, Cubs
- Kyle Schwarber, OF/DH, Phillies
- Bo Bichette, SS/2B, Blue Jays
- Framber Valdez, LHP, Astros
- Dylan Cease, RHP, Padres
- Ranger Suarez, LHP, Phillies
- Edwin Diaz, RHP, Mets
- Zac Gallen, RHP, D-backs
- Shota Imanaga, LHP, Cubs
- Michael King, RHP, Padres
- Trent Grisham, OF, Yankees
- Gleyber Torres, 2B, Tigers
- Brandon Woodruff, RHP, Brewers
These players will use the period to assess market interest in their services. Accepting the qualifying offer would classify them as free agent signings. Consequently, they would remain ineligible to be traded without their consent until June 15 of the following year. If they choose to decline, teams signing them will face draft pick and/or international bonus pool deductions based on their financial standing.
Expectations and Market Dynamics
This year’s selection aligns with expectations, aside from a few surprises. Gleyber Torres and Shota Imanaga were not widely predicted to receive qualifying offers. Torres had a notable season in Detroit but struggled toward the end, while Imanaga faced scrutiny after the Cubs declined his three-year, $57 million option.
The qualifying offer value is determined by averaging the salaries of the top 125 highest-paid players in the league. In contrast, several notable players, including Lucas Giolito and Robert Suarez, did not receive offers. Factors such as injury history and age played crucial roles in these decisions.
Strategic Considerations for Free Agents
The decision to decline the qualifying offer can be risky for players. Teams may be hesitant to sign free agents if it involves losing significant draft picks or international bonus pool allocations. This is especially true for lower-tier qualifying offer recipients.
However, top-tier players, like Tucker and Bichette, often perceive draft consequences as an acceptable trade-off when seeking lucrative multi-year contracts. In contrast, many players typically favor long-term deals over single-season offers, despite the potential for higher annual earnings.
As the deadline approaches, the landscape for these thirteen qualifying offer recipients remains dynamic, shaping their futures in the league.
