The Los Angeles Dodgers aren’t going to be swayed by Yasmani Grandal’s poor postseason. The team has decided to extend a qualifying offer to Grandal, giving him the option to return to the team on a one-year, $17.9 million deal, according to Joel Sherman.
Grandal won’t be the only player in that situation. Teams have until 5 p.m. ET on Friday to give qualifying offers to prospective free agents.
What is a qualifying offer? We’re glad you asked. A qualifying offer is a system meant to prevent teams from losing premier free agents. If a team gives a qualifying offer to a player, that player has the option to take a one-year deal at the mean salary of the top 125 players in the game. This season, that figure is $17.9 million.
If the player accepts the offer, he’s back for another year. If the player rejects, the team receives draft-pick compensation if that player signs with another club. A lot of times, this is a way for teams to get something from a departing free agent. But we’ve also seen it drag the free-agent market because teams often don’t want to give up draft picks for mid-level free agents. Players who are extended qualifying offers have 10 days to accept or decline the offer.
Not all pending free agents are eligible for a qualifying offer. Players who get traded midseason — like Manny Machado — cannot receive one.
With all that out of the way, which players other than Grandal will have important decisions to make?
Players receiving qualifying offers
• Yasmani Grandal, C, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Bryce Harper, OF, Washington Nationals
• Patrick Corbin, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks
• A.J. Pollock, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Harper is expected to join Grandal and receive a qualifying offer from his team, according to Chelsea Janes. That’s a no-brainer for the Nationals. Harper is going to get a mega-contract on the market. If he signs elsewhere, the Nationals will want that draft pick. Harper will almost certainly decline the offer to see what the market brings.
Grandal’s situation is slightly more complicated. While his .241/.349/.466 slash line isn’t all that impressive, it’s close to elite for a catcher. Given the dearth of talent at the position, Grandal could be set to make a fair amount of money on the market. He probably should decline, but there’s a chance his poor postseason, combined with his status as a non-elite player, could scare teams off in free agency.
Corbin and Pollock will receive qualifying offers, according to Jon Heyman. That shouldn’t come as a surprise. Both players are among the best available this winter. They will likely both decline in search of longer and more lucrative deals.
Players not given qualifying offers
• Michael Brantley, OF, Cleveland Indians
• Andrew Miller, RP, Cleveland Indians
• Cody Allen, RP, Cleveland Indians
The Indians won’t give qualifying offers to anyone, according to Zack Meisel. Brantley comes as a bit of a surprise, but both Miller and Allen are not as shocking. Miller was injured throughout 2018, making his future unclear. Allen wasn’t his usual self either. On top of that, it’s tough to know how relievers will be compensated on the market.
The 31-year-old Brantley is actually coming off his healthiest season in years. He hit .309/.364/.468, proving there’s still a bit left in the tank. Cleveland spent $12 million to bring Brantley back last season, but decided $17.9 million was too much even after a strong year for the outfielder.
Players who are still waiting
The following list contains some of the bigger names and is not comprehensive:
• Adrian Beltre, 3B, Texas Rangers
• Craig Kimbrel, RP, Boston Red Sox
• Dallas Keuchel, SP, Houston Astros
• Charlie Morton, SP, Houston Astros
• Jed Lowrie, 2B, Oakland Athletics
• Hyun-jin Ryu, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Hunter Pence, OF, San Francisco Giants
• DJ LeMahieu, 2B, Colorado Rockies
• Adam Jones, OF, Baltimore Orioles
• CC Sabathia, SP, New York Yankees
In the past, players have mostly declined the offer believing they would receive larger contracts on the free-agent market. That changed in 2015 after Colby Rasmus became the first player to accept a qualifying offer. A few players have followed Rasmus’ lead, but largely, free agents — especially free agents like Harper — are expected to turn down qualifying offers.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
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