As the clock struck 5 p.m. ET on Monday, the MLB offseason officially commenced, and with it, a consequential decision loomed for 13 of the league’s brightest stars. These elite players, including the likes of Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes, found themselves at a crossroads, each presented with a qualifying offer from their respective teams—a one-year, $21.05 million contract for the 2025 season.
The Chosen 13: MLB’s Cream of the Crop
The list of players who received qualifying offers reads like a who’s who of MLB talent. Among the headliners are New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto, fresh off a stellar campaign, and Baltimore Orioles ace Corbin Burnes, who has cemented himself as one of the game’s premier pitchers. Other notable names include:
- Alex Bregman, Houston Astros third baseman
- Max Fried, Atlanta Braves left-hander
- Willy Adames, Milwaukee Brewers shortstop
- Pete Alonso, New York Mets first baseman
- Anthony Santander, Baltimore Orioles outfielder
- Teoscar Hernandez, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder
- Nick Pivetta, Boston Red Sox right-hander
- Christian Walker, Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman
- Sean Manaea & Luis Severino, New York Mets pitchers
- Nick Martinez, Cincinnati Reds right-hander
A $21 Million Question: Accept or Decline?
For these 13 players, the qualifying offer represents a significant sum—a $21.05 million salary for the 2025 season. However, it also presents a gamble. By accepting the offer, they would forgo the opportunity to test the free-agent market, where multi-year contracts and even heftier paydays potentially await. The players have until November 19th to make their decision, and history suggests most, if not all, will decline in pursuit of long-term security.
It’s a high-stakes game of poker, with millions on the line. These players have bet on themselves time and time again, and now they have to decide whether to cash in their chips or go all-in on free agency.
– An MLB executive, speaking on condition of anonymity
The Ripple Effect: Draft Pick Compensation
The qualifying offer system, introduced in 2012, has far-reaching implications beyond the players themselves. Teams that lose a player who received a qualifying offer are entitled to draft pick compensation, while teams that sign such players must surrender draft picks and potentially international bonus pool money. This dynamic has historically favored the game’s elite free agents, who still command top dollar, but has made life more challenging for mid-tier players, whose markets can be suppressed by the associated draft pick penalties.
Notable Omissions: Buehler, Profar, Torres
While 13 stars are mulling over the qualifying offer, several high-profile free agents were notably absent from the list. Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler, San Diego Padres outfielder Jurickson Profar, and New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres were among those who did not receive the offer, meaning they’ll enter free agency unencumbered by draft pick compensation. Their markets could benefit from this status, as teams won’t have to weigh the cost of surrendering draft capital to sign them.
The Road Ahead: An Offseason of Intrigue
As the 13 players ponder their qualifying offers and the rest of the free-agent class prepares to hit the open market, the stage is set for a fascinating MLB offseason. With a deep pool of talent available and numerous teams looking to make a splash, the coming weeks and months promise no shortage of blockbuster deals, surprising signings, and league-altering moves. For baseball fans, the hot stove is just beginning to heat up, and the excitement is palpable.
One thing is certain: By the time spring training rolls around, the landscape of Major League Baseball will look very different. The 13 players facing qualifying offers, along with the hundreds of other free agents, hold the keys to shaping the future of the sport. Their decisions in the coming days will set off a domino effect that will be felt across the league for years to come. As the old saying goes, baseball never sleeps, and this offseason promises to be a wild ride from start to finish.
