Eight Major League Baseball free agents were extended one-year, $23.15 million qualifying offers on Monday, setting a record for the highest qualifying offer amount. If declined, the players' former teams would receive draft-pick compensation. This year's group of eight is one of the smallest in recent years, compared to 13 offers last offseason and as many as 20 in previous cycles.
The qualifying offer is calculated as the average of the top 125 salaries and applies to eligible free agents who spent the prior season with a single team and have never received a qualifying offer before. Players have until 4 p.m. ET on November 17 to accept or reject. Historically, only 18 of 165 qualifying offers from 2012 to 2025 have been accepted, including a record four last year.
Players Receiving Qualifying Offers
Adrián Morejón (Padres, RP): The reliever posted a 2.83 ERA with 11.2 K/9 over the last three seasons and features a four-pitch arsenal that could allow a conversion to starting.
Trevor Rogers (Orioles, SP): After a difficult 2024, Rogers rebounded with a 1.81 ERA in 18 starts in 2025 and a 2.90 ERA in his last 20 starts of 2026.
Randy Arozarena (Mariners, OF): The outfielder recorded his sixth consecutive 20-20 season in 2026 with a .381 on-base percentage and a career-best 5.7 WAR, though he enters his age-32 season.
Seiya Suzuki (Cubs, OF): Suzuki achieved a career-high 5.1 WAR in 2026, driven by defensive improvements, while maintaining his established offensive production.
Ryan Jeffers (Twins, C): Limited to 92 games by injury, Jeffers has been a strong-hitting catcher on a rate basis for four years and provides quality defense.
Jake Bauers (Brewers, 1B): The NLCS MVP and World Series champion posted a 140 OPS+ and 3.3 WAR in 144 games, potentially facing the largest payday of his career at age 31.
Brandon Lowe (Pirates, 2B): Lowe set a career-high 5.4 WAR with 35 home runs in his first season with Pittsburgh, though questions remain about his defense and performance against left-handed pitching.
David Bednar (Yankees, RP): The closer recorded a 2.47 ERA with 35 saves in 2026 and has a strong playoff track record, making him a top target in a thin closer market.
Most of the players are expected to reject the offer and pursue multi-year contracts, though Bauers' decision is considered less certain given his previous earnings.
