Major League Baseball's 2026-27 offseason is underway following the Milwaukee Brewers' World Series championship, with more than 100 players becoming free agents and teams facing decisions on qualifying offers worth a record $23.15 million.
Qualifying Offer Details
The qualifying offer (QO) is a one-year contract set at the average of the top 125 salaries in baseball. This offseason the QO value rises to $23.15 million, up from $22.025 million last year. Teams have until five days after the World Series to tender the offer, and players have until 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 17 to accept or reject. Players who accept remain with their team and cannot be traded without consent until June 15; those who reject become free agents with draft-pick compensation attached. The current collective bargaining agreement expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 1, but QO decisions are due before that date.
Draft-Pick Compensation Rules
Compensation for losing a qualified free agent varies by the former team's revenue-sharing and competitive-balance-tax status. Teams that received revenue sharing (including the Athletics, Brewers, Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Guardians, Mariners, Marlins, Orioles, Pirates, Rays, Reds, Rockies, Royals, Tigers, and Twins) receive a pick after competitive balance round B if the contract is under $50 million, or after the first round if $50 million or more. Teams paying the competitive balance tax (Blue Jays, Braves, Cubs, Dodgers, Mets, Padres, Phillies, Red Sox, Yankees) receive a pick after the fourth round. All other teams (Angels, Astros, Giants, Nationals, Rangers, White Sox) receive a pick after competitive balance round B. Signing teams forfeit draft picks and international bonus money based on their own status.
Players Ineligible for Qualifying Offer
Players must have spent the entire 2026 season with one team and not have received a QO previously. Notable ineligible free agents include Luis Arraez, Kevin Gausman, Casey Mize, Freddy Peralta, Tarik Skubal, Daulton Varsho, Bo Bichette, Sonny Gray, Michael King, and Nick Martinez. Skubal was traded from the Tigers to the Dodgers at the deadline for three prospects ranked among Detroit's top 10.
Locks to Receive the QO
Only two players are considered certain to receive the QO: Randy Arozarena of the Mariners and Seiya Suzuki of the Cubs. Both are expected to decline the one-year $23.15 million offer in favor of multi-year deals.
Likely Candidates
Three other free agents are strong candidates: Ryan Jeffers (Twins), the best catcher on the market since Willson Contreras; Brandon Lowe (Pirates), who hit 35 home runs in 2026; and Trevor Rogers (Orioles), a 29-year-old starter with a 2.90 ERA after June 1. Each carries some risk due to team payroll constraints or injury history.
Borderline Cases
Three players are on the bubble: David Bednar (Yankees), a 32-year-old reliever who would become the highest-paid reliever if he accepted; Jazz Chisholm Jr. (Yankees), a versatile 29-year-old with 3.5 WAR; and Adrian Morejon (Padres), an elite 28-year-old reliever. Teams may hesitate to risk the $23.15 million commitment given the modest draft-pick compensation they would receive if the player signs elsewhere.
