Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette Among 13 Players Tendered Qualifying Offers

Major League Baseball’s offseason has finally kicked into high gear. Thirteen of the sport’s biggest names just received qualifying offers ahead of the 2026 season.

These one-year deals sit at $22.025 million, matching the average salary of MLB’s 125 highest-paid players. They’re meant to keep stars in place, but let’s be honest—most players turn them down and chase the open market instead.

This year’s group is a wild mix: rebound performers, guys coming off injuries, and power-hitting superstars. Every one of them faces a career-defining choice.

Understanding the Qualifying Offer System

MLB introduced the qualifying offer in 2012 as a key part of free agency. Teams can offer a one-year contract to their departing free agents, with the value set by averaging the top salaries in the game.

If a player turns it down and signs elsewhere, their old team gets draft-pick compensation. It’s a strategic move for both sides, but hardly anyone actually takes the deal.

Only 14 players have accepted qualifying offers in over a decade. That’s a pretty small number, and it says a lot about how much players value long-term deals over a single-year payday.

The 2026 Qualifying Offer Recipients

This offseason’s list of 13 recipients features some of the league’s most dynamic talent. Here’s a closer look at the headline names and what lies ahead for them:

• Bo Bichette – He bounced back with a strong year for Toronto. Bichette’s almost certain to decline and test free agency as one of the top bats.
• Dylan Cease – Cease had an uneven 2025, but Chicago’s workhorse racked up strikeouts. He’ll turn down the offer and look for a major payday.
• Edwin Díaz – This dominant closer wants a deal that could break the $19 million annual record for relievers, maybe even hit nine figures.
• Zac Gallen – Arizona took a shot by extending the offer after a down year. They’re betting on his ace potential.
• Trent Grisham – The Yankees surprised plenty of folks by inviting Grisham back after an inconsistent season.
• Shota Imanaga – The Japanese lefty is still weighing his decision after a mixed debut in the U.S.
• Michael King – King, a talented right-hander, is recovering from an injury-shortened year and probably heading for free agency.
• Kyle Schwarber – The NL home run champ (56 HR) will decline. He wants a long-term commitment.
• Ranger Suárez – Philadelphia’s steady lefty is also looking for multi-year security.
• Gleyber Torres – Detroit’s infielder might consider accepting after hernia surgery, but his disciplined approach means he’ll draw interest anyway.
• Kyle Tucker – Houston’s star outfielder will reject the deal, confident he’ll land a big contract even with injury concerns.
• Framber Valdez – The Astros’ lefty ace remains a top target, even with some inconsistency in his game.
• Brandon Woodruff – Milwaukee’s talented starter, coming off injuries, is betting his track record brings a lucrative deal.

Strategic Decisions Ahead

Players have to weigh the stability of a one-year offer against the risk—and possible reward—of free agency. Turning down the qualifying offer usually means betting on their value and chasing a multi-year deal worth a lot more than $22 million.

Injury history, age, and positional scarcity all factor in. Edwin Díaz’s dominance as a closer makes him a hot commodity, while Zac Gallen’s recent struggles raise questions about his immediate value—even if his ceiling is high.

Impact on the Free Agent Market

With so many elite players likely hitting free agency, this offseason could get wild. Teams needing power, pitching depth, or bullpen help won’t be short on options, but they’ll have to pay up.

Expect bidding wars for guys like Bichette, Schwarber, and Tucker. Front offices will tread carefully with stars who battled injuries in 2025. The qualifying offer adds another layer of strategy, shaping not just player movement but also how teams build for the long haul.

Final Thoughts

The qualifying offer season always brings bold choices and high stakes. Players and teams weigh stability against the chance to chase bigger paydays.

Fans are glued to the action, wondering who’ll risk free agency and who’ll take one more year of security. This year’s group of players is all over the map when it comes to skills and situations.

We’re in for a winter packed with drama, wild strategy, and, let’s be honest, some jaw-dropping numbers. Should be fun to watch it all play out.

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