The 2018 MLB season has come and gone, and the Los Angeles Dodgers fell just short of their ultimate goal once again, losing to the Boston Red Sox in the World Series.
The focus for the Dodgers and other clubs now shifts to the offseason. Specifically for Los Angeles, there should be some big changes considering Manny Machado, Yasmani Grandal, Hyun-Jin Ryu and four others have reached free agency.
Long-time ace Clayton Kershaw can also join them if he decides to opt out of his contract. As has been the case in recent seasons, teams have the ability to extend their free agents the qualifying offer within five days after the completion of the World Series.
Players then have 10 days to accept or reject the one-year deal. Last year it was worth $17.4 million, and according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, it has increased to $17.9 million for the 2019 season:
Source: qualifying offer this offseason has been set at $17.9 million.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) October 3, 2018
Only players who spent the entire 2018 season with one organization can be extended the qualifying offer, so Machado is ineligible for the Dodgers. The prime candidates are Grandal and Ryu. In theory, Kershaw fits in that category should he decide to opt out.
If a player rejects the qualifying offer, then the Dodgers would receive draft compensation if they were to sign with someone else. If the free agent signs a contract worth more than $50 million, then the Dodgers would receive an extra draft pick just after the first round.
If they sign for less than $50 million, then the pick would be after Competitive Balance Round B.
Other free agents that could be extended the qualifying offer this winter are Bryce Harper, A.J. Pollock, Craig Kimbrel, Patrick Corbin, Dallas Keuchel and Charlie Morton.
If they reject them and wind up signing with the Dodgers, Los Angeles would then be subject to losing draft picks and international spending money.
Last season, nine different players received qualifying offers, and none of them accepted it.
