Baseball Today MLB players that could accept the $22M qualifying offer
Nov 7, 2025
Chris and Trevor dive into the offseason buzz, analyzing which of the 13 players offered a qualifying deal might accept it, including Woodruff and Gallen. They debate the risks, past comparisons, and the implications of Imanaga's potential return to Japan. The duo turns to managerial shifts, speculating on Craig Stammen's fit for the Padres and the dynamics of his relationship with players. Meanwhile, they consider Bo Bichette's free agency after a playoff breakout and discuss Shane Bieber's contract decisions, pondering the Rockies' ambitious restructuring under Paul DePodesta.
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Qualifying Offers Rarely Accepted
- Only 14 of 144 qualifying offer nominees accepted since 2012, so acceptance is rare and significant.
- Teams and players view QOs as leverage that limits market interest and influences decision-making.
Players Weigh Re-Establishing Value Versus Guarantees
- Trevor Plouffe thinks most nominees will decline the QO because they can secure multi-year guaranteed money.
- Players nearer career highs or recovering from injury must weigh re-establishing value versus maximizing guaranteed years.
Evaluate Breakout Seasons Carefully
- GMs consider a QO-tagged player's recent breakout as uncertain and may prefer multi-year deals instead.
- Evaluate whether a player's spike is sustainable before offering long-term money.