The qualifying offer for Major League Baseball free agents is expected to rise to approximately $23.1 million for the upcoming offseason, up from $22.03 million last season, according to sources familiar with ongoing negotiations between MLB and the Players Association. While the exact figure has yet to be formally announced, the increase reflects the average salary of the 125 highest-paid players in the league.
Under MLB rules, a team may extend a qualifying offer to a free agent only once in that player’s career. Recipients then have 10 days to accept or decline the offer. Players who accept the one-year deal become contracted to that team and forgo free agency, while those who decline enter the open market. Teams that lose a player who rejects a qualifying offer receive draft-pick compensation, though teams that sign such players may forfeit certain draft selections depending on their luxury tax and revenue-sharing status.
The qualifying offer must be extended within five days after the conclusion of the World Series. This mechanism remains in place for the upcoming offseason as the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is effective until December 1. However, labor talks could lead to changes or elimination of the qualifying offer in any new agreement.
This offseason presents significant decisions for the New York Yankees, who are considering whether to tender qualifying offers to relief pitcher David Bednar and infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. Both players are expected to be eligible, although some players traded midseason, such as Tarik Skubal, Clay Holmes, and Freddy Peralta, cannot receive qualifying offers.
Last offseason, 13 players were extended qualifying offers, and four accepted them, including Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham, Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga, Tigers infielder Gleyber Torres, and Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff. The Yankees’ potential qualifying offers to Bednar and Chisholm come amid uncertainty around possible adjustments to payroll penalties or the introduction of a salary cap under a new CBA.
Among the anticipated qualifying offer candidates this offseason is Seattle outfielder Randy Arozarena. Teams and players will closely watch forthcoming negotiations, as any changes to the qualifying offer and other financial regulations could influence roster management and free agency strategies across the league.