Bednar, Suzuki and Arozarena are
among 8 MLB players receiving $23.15 million qualifying offers
[November 04, 2026]
By RONALD BLUM
NEW YORK (AP) — New York Yankees closer David Bednar, Chicago Cubs
outfielder Seiya Suzuki and Seattle outfielder Randy Arozarena were
among eight players who received $23.15 million qualifying offers
from their teams Monday.
Milwaukee first baseman/outfielder Jake Bauers and Baltimore
left-hander Trevor Rogers also received the offers along with
Minnesota catcher Ryan Jeffers, Pittsburgh second baseman Brandon
Lowe and San Diego left-hander Adrian Morejon.
Players have until Nov. 17 to accept.
Qualifying offers began after the 2012 season, and only 18 of 157
prior offers have been accepted. The figure is determined by the
average of the top 125 major league contracts this year.
A free agent can be made a qualifying offer only if he has been with
the same team continuously since opening day and has never received
a qualifying offer before.
If a team makes a qualifying offer to a player who signs a major
league contract with another club before the next amateur draft, his
former club receives draft pick compensation at the end of the first
round or at the end of competitive balance round B. The placement
depends on the amount of the new contract and the revenue-sharing
and luxury tax status of the team losing the player.
Among those not receiving an offer was Philadelphia third baseman
Alex Bohm.
Twenty-eight more players became free agents, raising the total to
183. Players could start negotiating terms with all teams at 5 p.m.
Eastern on Monday.
Major League Baseball is expected to impose a lockout when the
collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1, likely creating a
signing frenzy in the run-up.
Option and opt-out decisions
Baltimore declined a $7.5 million option on first baseman Ryan
Mountcastle, limited to eight games this year by a broken left foot
sustained when he stumbled while on the basepaths on April 8. The
Orioles turned down a $3.5 million option on left-hander Dietrich
Enns, which called for a $125,000 buyout.
Corbin Burnes decided not to opt out of the final four seasons of
his $210 million, six-year contract with Arizona. The deal calls for
$35 million annual salaries, including $11 million deferred each
year. The 32-year-old right-hander returned to the major leagues on
Sept. 8 after a 15-month recovery from Tommy John surgery, made
three starts and went back on the injured list because of shoulder
inflammation.
Toronto right-hander José Berríos decided not to opt out of the
final two seasons of his $131 million, seven-year contract, which
call for salaries of $24 million per season. The 32-year-old did not
pitch this year and is recovering from Tommy John surgery on May 20.
Athletics right-hander Luis Severino exercised a $22 million player
option for 2027, the last season of a $67 million, three-year
contract agreed to in December 2025. The 32-year-old was 2-6 with a
4.16 ERA in 12 starts, not pitching after May 29 because of a
strained right shoulder.
Baltimore reliever Ryan Helsley did not opt out of his $14 million
salary next season, part of a $28 million, two-year contract. The
32-year-old right-hander was 0-4 with a 4.11 ERA and eight saves in
17 relief appearances. He didn’t pitch for the Orioles between April
28 and June 17 because of right elbow inflammation, returned for
five outings and then went back on the IL with elbow discomfort. He
did not pitch again this season.
Houston right-hander Tatsuya Imai did not opt out of the final two
seasons of a $54 million, three-year contract, which calls for
salaries of $18 million in 2027 and 2028. Imai also has the right to
opt out after next season. The 28-year-old was 6-4 with a 4.93 ERA
in 15 starts and eight relief appearances.
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Chicago Cubs right-handers Clay Holmes, Hunter
Harvey and Colin Rea became free agents along with left-hander Caleb
Thielbar after their 2027 options were declined, while righty Jacob
Webb agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract.
Arizona right-hander Michael Soroka declined his
$10 million mutual option for 2027, triggering a $1 million buyout.
Soroka, 29, was 9-5 with a 3.41 ERA in 21 starts and one relief
appearance after signing a one-year contract that guaranteed $7.5
million. He earned $1.35 million in performance bonuses. He was
sidelined between June 19 and Aug. 10 by a left glute strain.
Cleveland declined right-hander Shawn Armstrong’s $8 million mutual
option in favor of a $1.5 million buyout. The 36-year-old had a
one-year deal guaranteeing $5.5 million and went 2-1 with a 4.58 ERA
in 41 relief appearances. He was out between July 24 and Sept. 23
because of a strained left calf.
World Series champion Milwaukee declined an $8.5 million mutual
option on catcher Gary Sánchez, who gets a $250,000 buyout as part
of a one-year contract guaranteeing $1.75 million. The Brewers also
turned down a $14 million option on right-hander Antonio Senzatela,
part of a $50.5 million, five-year contract he agreed to with
Colorado.
Detroit declined a $12 million option on reliever Kenley Jansen. The
39-year-old right-hander, third on the career list with 498 saves,
gets a $2 million buyout as part of an $11 million, one-year
contract. The Tigers exercised a $10 million option on right-hander
Drew Anderson, who had a $7 million salary this year.
Toronto declined an $8 million option on outfielder Myles Straw, who
gets a $1.75 million buyout that completes a $25 million, five-year
contract he signed with Cleveland.
St. Louis declined a $6 million option on right-hander Ryne Stanek,
who gets a $1 million buyout as part of a contract guaranteeing $3.5
million.
Tampa Bay’s Yandy Díaz’s option vested at $13 million after the Rays
deemed him healthy for 2027. Díaz reached the 500 plate appearances
needed for the option to become guaranteed and had to meet the
second provision.
Arbitration-eligible players
Among players who would have been eligible for arbitration if their
options had been declined, Milwaukee exercised catcher William
Contreras, the World Series MVP, at $14.5 million; Tampa Bay
exercised Gold Glove shortstop Taylor Walls at $3.1 million; and
Houston exercised infielder Isaac Paredes at $13.35 million.
San Francisco declined an $800,000 option on right-hander Rowan
Wick, who gets a $100,000 buyout, and the Cubs turned down a $3.3
million option on right-hander Javier Assad. If tendered 2027
contracts, they would be eligible for arbitration.
Detroit agreed to a $1.3 million, one-year contract with
right-hander Jacob Waguespack, who can earn $300,000 in performance
bonuses based on innings; $25,000 each for 45 and 50, and $50,000
apiece for 55, 60 and 65.
Once-touted prospect on the market
Baltimore outfielder Heston Kjerstad became a minor league free
agent after clearing waivers. Kjerstad was the No. 2 pick in the
2020 draft and has played 117 games across four seasons in the
majors.
Baltimore outfielder Leody Taveras cleared waivers and elected free
agency.
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