All seven MLB players who were extended qualifying offers from their teams, including Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani, declined the one-year, $20.325 million deal at Tuesday’s deadline.
Other players to receive a qualifying offer were Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola, Minnesota Twins right-hander Sonny Gray, Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman and Chicago Cubs outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger. The San Diego Padres extended the offer to a pair of players: left-handers Blake Snell and Josh Hader.
The players now become free agents and can negotiate a new deal with any team, including the club they played for last season.
If a team loses a player to free agency that was extended a qualifying offer, they are eligible for draft pick compensation that is between the end of the first round and the end of the fourth round depending on team payroll from 2023. The higher the payroll, the lower the compensation.
Teams that sign a player who was extended a qualifying offer will be assessed a penalty of draft picks and international bonus pool money depending on team payroll from 2023.
Since qualifying offers for upcoming free agents first were instituted in advance of the 2013 season, only 10 of 131 have been accepted.
–Field Level Media