A record-low seven MLB players received qualifying offers before the 5 PM EDT deadline on November 2. They’ll each have 10 days to mull over the decision to accept or reject the one-year, $17.9 million contract before entering free agency this winter.
In no particular order, these are the seven prospective free agents for whom an offer is currently on the table:
- Craig Kimbrel, RHP (Red Sox)
- Dallas Keuchel, LHP (Astros)
- Bryce Harper, OF (Nationals)
- Hyun-Jin Ryu, LHP (Dodgers)
- Yasmani Grandal, C (Dodgers)
- Patrick Corbin, LHP (Diamondbacks)
- A.J. Pollock, OF (Diamondbacks)
Of the seven listed, all but Ryu are expected to decline the offer and pursue more lucrative multi-year deals elsewhere. It’s not immediately clear whether Ryu intends to turn down a one-year deal with the Dodgers, as 2018 saw the injury-plagued southpaw work through a lengthy stint on the 60-day disabled list after sustaining a gruesome groin strain in early May. He finished the season with just 15 starts for the club, during which he pitched to a 7-3 record with a 1.97 ERA, 1.6 BB/9 and 9.7 SO/9 over 82 1/3 innings. While he’s been lights-out on the mound when healthy, there’s no guarantee he’ll be able to pitch injury-free in 2019.
There’s also a case to be made for Dodgers’ backstop Yasmani Grandal, who followed up a relatively solid performance during the regular season with a discouraging slump in the playoffs. As the Dodgers moved within sight of a championship title, the veteran catcher was charged with three passed balls and two errors in 13 appearances behind the plate and batted just .138/.265/.276 with two extra-base hits and 15 strikeouts in 34 PA. Postseason performances often make for poor sample sizes, though, and it’s possible that Grandal will be inspired to seek greener pastures when November 12 rolls around.
Several dozen eligible players have not received qualifying offers from their respective teams this year, including the Astros’ Charlie Morton, Indians’ Michael Brantley, Giants’ Hunter Pence, Rockies’ DJ LeMahieu, Athletics’ Jed Lowrie, and Yankees’ CC Sabathia.