The World Series may have just ended, but the offseason is already in full swing. Players have already opted out of their deals and trades have already been completed. Now, we're about to take on the next step: Qualifying offers.
Every Major League Baseball team has until 5 p.m. ET on Friday to extend a qualifying offer to their pending free agents. If a player is given a qualifying offer, he has one of two choices: He can accept the offer and return to the club on a one-year, $15.8 million deal, or he can decline the offer and enter the free-agent pool.
There are advantages and disadvantages to a team giving a player a qualifying offer. If the player declines and signs elsewhere, his former club will receive draft pick compensation. For example, the New York Yankees received an extra draft pick last season after closer Daniel Robertson signed with the Chicago White Sox. That's because the team had previously given him a qualifying offer, but he rejected it.
The disadvantage for a team is reading the market wrong for an iffy player, and having that player accept the offer and return at an elevated salary. That's actually never happened, though, so perhaps that fear is overblown. In this scenario, the club would get their player back on a one-year deal, but there would be draft pick compensation involved. The player would just return at a high salary.
While no player has yet to accept a qualifying offer, teams still need to be cautious about which players receive one. Once a player gets a qualifying offer, they have one week to accept or decline that deal.
With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the players who have been given qualifying offers Friday. Twenty players in total received qualifying offers, which breaks the previous record of 13.
DANIEL MURPHY, NEW YORK METS
This is a mild surprise, but Murphy's excellent postseason may have forced the Mets' hands. He's likely to receive a multi-year deal on the market, so he will probably decline the offer.
This is a mild surprise, but Murphy's excellent postseason may have forced the Mets' hands. He's likely to receive a multi-year deal on the market, so he will probably decline the offer.
JASON HEYWARD, ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
A no-brainer. Heyward will decline the offer as he's probably the best position player on the market and is set to make over $100 million this offseason. The Cardinals will get an extra draft pick.
A no-brainer. Heyward will decline the offer as he's probably the best position player on the market and is set to make over $100 million this offseason. The Cardinals will get an extra draft pick.
ZACK GREINKE, LOS ANGELES DODGERS
No surprise here. Greinke will make a ton on the market and the Dodgers, unless they re-sign him, will get a draft pick.
No surprise here. Greinke will make a ton on the market and the Dodgers, unless they re-sign him, will get a draft pick.
ALEX GORDON, KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Another easy call. Gordon will decline and make a ton of money as a free-agent.
Another easy call. Gordon will decline and make a ton of money as a free-agent.
JUSTIN UPTON, SAN DIEGO PADRES
Again, this was expected. Upton will sign for a lot of money elsewhere (probably), and the Padres will get an extra draft pick.
Again, this was expected. Upton will sign for a lot of money elsewhere (probably), and the Padres will get an extra draft pick.
CHRIS DAVIS, BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Though Davis has shown highs and lows during his career, he's coming off a season in which he hit 47 home runs. He'll decline his QO.
Though Davis has shown highs and lows during his career, he's coming off a season in which he hit 47 home runs. He'll decline his QO.
JORDAN ZIMMERMANN, WASHINGTON NATIONALS
This was an easy decision for Washington. Zimmermann will decline and receive a huge deal as a free-agent.
This was an easy decision for Washington. Zimmermann will decline and receive a huge deal as a free-agent.
IAN DESMOND, WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Though he's coming off a down year, Desmond is the premier shortstop on the market. Good middle infielders are never available in free agency, and someone will sign him to a large deal despite his recent struggles.
Though he's coming off a down year, Desmond is the premier shortstop on the market. Good middle infielders are never available in free agency, and someone will sign him to a large deal despite his recent struggles.
JEFF SAMARDZIJA, CHICAGO WHITE SOX
This one is tough. Samardzija is coming off a down season and he could benefit from taking a one-year offer to rebuild value. He'll easily get a multi-year deal on the market, but it might not top $15.8 million per season. Samardzija will reportedly decline the offer, according to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score.
This one is tough. Samardzija is coming off a down season and he could benefit from taking a one-year offer to rebuild value. He'll easily get a multi-year deal on the market, but it might not top $15.8 million per season. Samardzija will reportedly decline the offer, according to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score.
MARCO ESTRADA, TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Another tough decision. Estrada is coming off a nice year, but probably won't get $15.8 million per season in his next contract.
Another tough decision. Estrada is coming off a nice year, but probably won't get $15.8 million per season in his next contract.
HISASHI IWAKUMA, SEATTLE MARINERS
The 34-year-old was limited by injuries last season, but still put up a solid 3.54 ERA. He'll probably receive a multi-year deal on the market, and should decline the qualifying offer unless he really prefers to stay in Seattle.
The 34-year-old was limited by injuries last season, but still put up a solid 3.54 ERA. He'll probably receive a multi-year deal on the market, and should decline the qualifying offer unless he really prefers to stay in Seattle.
JOHN LACKEY, ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Lackey is 37 and made the league minimum last season. Accepting a qualifying offer would be a huge boost in salary, but he's likely earned a two-year deal if he declines.
Lackey is 37 and made the league minimum last season. Accepting a qualifying offer would be a huge boost in salary, but he's likely earned a two-year deal if he declines.
MATT WIETERS, BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Wieters returned from injury to put up modest numbers. Though there are some questions about his abilities moving forward, he's really the only revelant catcher hitting the market this offseason.
Wieters returned from injury to put up modest numbers. Though there are some questions about his abilities moving forward, he's really the only revelant catcher hitting the market this offseason.
BRETT ANDERSON, LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Anderson was healthy for the first time in a long time, and turned in a strong season. After posting a 3.69 ERA over 180 1/3 innings, he may be looking to secure a multi-year deal with another club. His value is the highest it's been in forever.
Anderson was healthy for the first time in a long time, and turned in a strong season. After posting a 3.69 ERA over 180 1/3 innings, he may be looking to secure a multi-year deal with another club. His value is the highest it's been in forever.
HOWIE KENDRICK, LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Kendrick is one of the better second basemen on the market. He'll probably decline and take a bigger deal elsewhere.
Kendrick is one of the better second basemen on the market. He'll probably decline and take a bigger deal elsewhere.
IAN KENNEDY, SAN DIEGO PADRES
This is big test of the qualifying offer. Kennedy posted a 4.28 ERA with some major home run issues this season. He could accept the offer and try to rebuild some value, or maybe he, like everyone else, will prefer to receive a multi-year deal. If he declines, his market could be severely depressed, as he's not the type of player teams want to surrender a draft pick to sign.
This is big test of the qualifying offer. Kennedy posted a 4.28 ERA with some major home run issues this season. He could accept the offer and try to rebuild some value, or maybe he, like everyone else, will prefer to receive a multi-year deal. If he declines, his market could be severely depressed, as he's not the type of player teams want to surrender a draft pick to sign.
DEXTER FOWLER, CHICAGO CUBS
Fowler isn't a huge name, but he had a nice season. He falls into the same category as Estrada or Lackey. He won't make $15.8 million annually during his next deal, but signing a four-year contract with a club might be enticing.
Fowler isn't a huge name, but he had a nice season. He falls into the same category as Estrada or Lackey. He won't make $15.8 million annually during his next deal, but signing a four-year contract with a club might be enticing.
YOVANI GALLARDO, TEXAS RANGERS
Gallardo has changed quite a bit as a pitcher over the past few seasons, but he's remained effective. The 29-year-old could be in line for a decent long-term deal with a club, so he may decline the qualifying offer.
Gallardo has changed quite a bit as a pitcher over the past few seasons, but he's remained effective. The 29-year-old could be in line for a decent long-term deal with a club, so he may decline the qualifying offer.
WEI-YIN CHEN, BALTIMORE ORIOLES
The 29-year-old posted a strong 3.34 ERA over 191 1/3 innings last year. He's not thought of as a big name, but his numbers are good enough to get him a modest deal on the market.
The 29-year-old posted a strong 3.34 ERA over 191 1/3 innings last year. He's not thought of as a big name, but his numbers are good enough to get him a modest deal on the market.
COLBY RASMUS, HOUSTON ASTROS
Playoff heroics aside, Rasmus really only has one skill: Power. While that's often coveted on the market, it's unclear whether any team will want to give up a first-round draft pick to sign Rasmus. This one is difficult. Rasmus could be the first player to accept the qualifying offer.
Playoff heroics aside, Rasmus really only has one skill: Power. While that's often coveted on the market, it's unclear whether any team will want to give up a first-round draft pick to sign Rasmus. This one is difficult. Rasmus could be the first player to accept the qualifying offer.
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