Dodgers Free Agency Rumors: Tyler Anderson Rejects Qualifying Offer, Signing With Angels

Tyler Anderson and Trea Turner were the only Los Angeles Dodgers free agents to be extended the $19.65 million qualifying offer for 2023.

There was some thought the Dodgers would make the one-year contract offer to Clayton Kershaw as well, but like last offseason they passed on doing so. Shortly after the deadline to extend a qualifying offer to eligible free agents, the Dodgers and Kershaw were said to be nearing an agreement on a contract for next season.

It then was reported Kershaw agreed to re-sign with the Dodgers, but additional details have not surfaced and the contract is yet to be made official.

Meanwhile, Tuesday afternoon was the deadline for players to accept or decline the qualifying offer.

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Anderson rejected the qualifying offer from the Dodgers in favor of signing a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels:

Heading into this offseason, only 11 of the 110 players who had been extended a qualifying offer accepted it. Brett Anderson did so with the Dodgers in 2016, and Hyun-Jin Ryu in 2019. Overall, 14 free agents were extended a qualifying offer for 2023.

Despite beginning this past season in the bullpen, Anderson became a key member of the Dodgers rotation as he went 15-5 with a 2.57 ERA, 3.31 FIP and 1.00 WHIP over 30 games (28 starts). He set career-best marks in wins, ERA, ERA+ (163), WHIP, and strikeout to walk ratio (4.06).

Anderson pitched his way into becoming a qualifying offer candidate behind a first career All-Star Game selection. Although a starter by trade, he signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the Dodgers during Spring Training without any assurances of a guaranteed role and embraced the outlook of contributing in any capacity.

Dodgers compensation for Tyler Anderson signing with Angels

The Dodgers are due to receive a compensation pick after the fourth round of the 2023 MLB Draft due to losing Anderson.

Prior to the Dodgers formally extending a qualifying offer to Anderson, he reportedly was drawing interest from the Boston Red Sox in addition to the Angels.

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