Thirteen players were extended the $22.025 million qualifying offer for the 2026 season, and an MLB-record four accepted it prior to Tuesday’s deadline.
The group includes Trent Grisham (New York Yankees), Shota Imanaga (Chicago Cubs), Gleyber Torres (Detroit Tigers) and Brandon Woodruff (Milwaukee Brewers).
The aforementioned players return to their respective teams on a one-year contract ahead of potentially becoming free agents next offseason.
Bo Bichette, Dylan Cease, Edwin Díaz, Zac Gallen, Michael King, Kyle Schwarber, Ranger Suárez, Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez all rejected the qualifying offer in favor of reaching free agency.
Since the qualifying offer was established in 2012, a total of 157 players have received the one-year contract offer from their respective teams. Only 18 players went on to accept it, including the four who did so this offseason.
A player must have spent the entire season with one team in order to be eligible for a qualifying offer. Furthermore, a player can only be extended the qualifying offer once in his career.
If a player rejects it and goes on to sign a contract with a new team, the club losing the free agent receives compensation. What specifically that is depends on the value of the contract and if the team(s) involved exceeded the luxury tax threshold, received revenue sharing, or none of those two.
MLB qualifying offer decisions
Bo Bichette
Bichette rejected the qualifying offer from the Toronto Blue Jays in favor of proceeding with free agency.
Dylan Cease
Cease rejected the qualifying offer from the San Diego Padres and officially reached free agency.
Edwin Díaz
Díaz rejected the qualifying offer from the New York Mets and is now arguably the top relief pitcher in this year’s free-agent class.
Zac Gallen
Gallen rejected the qualifying offer from the Arizona Diamondbacks and officially is a free agent.
Trent Grisham
Grisham returns to the Yankees for the 2026 season after accepting the qualifying offer. It was a mild surprise the Yankees extended the one-year pact to Grisham.
Shota Imanaga
Imanaga returns to the Cubs next year after taking the qualifying offer. Prior to reaching that point, the Cubs declined their three-year, $57.75 million team option that would have kept Imanaga under contract through the 2028 season.
The southpaw then chose to decline his $15.25 million player option for next year and now will receive a higher salary through the qualifying offer.
Michael King
King rejected the qualifying offer from the Padres in favor of reaching free agency.
Kyle Schwarber
Schwarber rejected the qualifying offer from the Philadelphia Phillies and now becomes the top power bat available in free agency.
Ranger Suárez
Suárez also rejected the qualifying offer from the Phillies in favor of reaching free agency.
Gleyber Torres
Torres is back with the Tigers for the 2026 season after accepting the qualifying offer.
Kyle Tucker
Tucker rejected the qualifying offer from the Cubs and now becomes arguably the top free agent of the offseason.
Framber Valdez
Valdez rejected the qualifying offer from the Houston Astros and officially is a free agent.
Brandon Woodruff
Woodruff will return to the Brewers next year after accepting the qualifying offer.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
