MLB Free Agency: Qualifying offer decisions Shape Offseason Landscape
As MLB teams navigate teh offseason, decisions regarding qualifying offers are substantially impacting the free agent market. Several prominent players received the one-year, $20.3 million qualifying offer, potentially influencing their future contracts and draft pick compensation for their former clubs. Others were not extended offers, or became free agents through option declinations, altering their paths to new teams.
Zac Gallen,a starting pitcher for the Diamondbacks,received a qualifying offer. Despite a career-worst 4.83 ERA in 33 starts in 2025-a decline from his 3.29 ERA from 2019-24-the Diamondbacks extended the offer.
Shota Imanaga, formerly with the Cubs, saw his three-year, $57 million club option declined after posting a 3.28 ERA and 5.39 K/BB in 54 starts across 2024-25.Imanaga subsequently declined his $15 million player option for 2026, becoming a free agent.
Michael King, a starting pitcher for the Padres, also received a qualifying offer. He transitioned to a full-time starting role in 2024, finishing seventh in NL Cy Young voting, but injuries in 2025 cost him nearly half the season.
Several notable players did not receive qualifying offers. Players who have previously received a qualifying offer are ineligible,and those not continuously with an association from Opening Day through the end of the regular season are also excluded.
if a player receives a qualifying offer and signs with another team, their former club is eligible for amateur draft pick compensation. Conversely,teams signing players who reject qualifying offers may forfeit draft picks,with the exception of their highest first-round pick. Though, this draft pick tie is severed if a player remains unsigned after the MLB Draft following the rejection of the qualifying offer.
