With the new collective bargaining agreement in place between the MLB players association and its owners, this is the first offseason we get to see it in place. It is expected to be a smoother transaction process for free agents as there will be less in regards to compensation if a team loses a player to free agency. One of the new plans is for teams to extend a qualifying offer to a player who is to be a free agent. The qualifying offer was determined to be a one year contract, paying that player $13.3 million. While a team had the right to make the offer to any one of their pending free agents, most were made with the assumption that the offer would be rejected, allowing the player to pursue a more lucrative deal in both salary and years. Teams will have the right to draft pick compensation if a player rejects the qualifying offer and takes a deal elsewhere.
According to www.baseballreference.com, out of all the free agents who filed, only 9 were given qualifying offers. For most, it was just a formality, as few are likely to take the offer. Players such as Josh Hamilton, Michael Bourn, BJ Upton, Nick Swisher, Rafael Soriano and Kyle Lohse all see the grass greener as they anticipate getting multiyear deals this offseason. With the decision by Mariano Rivera to come back for another season, this means only Hamilton remains a logical possibility to sign long term with his current team. Soriano recently opted out of the final year of his deal after saving over 40 games in 2012 subbing for an injured Rivera. But, even if Hamilton remains with Texas, it is probable that all six of the above mentioned will reject their offers.
As for the remaining three, David Ortiz signed a two year deal to remain in Boston, using the qualifying offer as a negotiating point in his $26 million deal. Hiroki Kuroda would probably like a two year deal, but after making just $10 million in 2011, it may make sense for him to take the offer since the Yankees are unlikely to commit to more than one season. The Yankees have continued to state they intend to keep their payroll under $189 million for the 2014 season, meaning they have to perhaps consider signing free agents just for the 2013 season.
In addition, Nationals 1B Adam LaRoche may decide to take his offer. He signed a two year, $16 million contract prior to the 2011 season. The deal included a $10 million team option for the 2013 season. Obviously, the $13.3 million is more than the option, but it is unclear whether LaRoche will settle on the one year contract. The Nationals are expected to be in the mix for Bourn and Upton so its unclear whether they would be looking to commit to LaRoche long term.
According to www.baseballreference.com, out of all the free agents who filed, only 9 were given qualifying offers. For most, it was just a formality, as few are likely to take the offer. Players such as Josh Hamilton, Michael Bourn, BJ Upton, Nick Swisher, Rafael Soriano and Kyle Lohse all see the grass greener as they anticipate getting multiyear deals this offseason. With the decision by Mariano Rivera to come back for another season, this means only Hamilton remains a logical possibility to sign long term with his current team. Soriano recently opted out of the final year of his deal after saving over 40 games in 2012 subbing for an injured Rivera. But, even if Hamilton remains with Texas, it is probable that all six of the above mentioned will reject their offers.
As for the remaining three, David Ortiz signed a two year deal to remain in Boston, using the qualifying offer as a negotiating point in his $26 million deal. Hiroki Kuroda would probably like a two year deal, but after making just $10 million in 2011, it may make sense for him to take the offer since the Yankees are unlikely to commit to more than one season. The Yankees have continued to state they intend to keep their payroll under $189 million for the 2014 season, meaning they have to perhaps consider signing free agents just for the 2013 season.
In addition, Nationals 1B Adam LaRoche may decide to take his offer. He signed a two year, $16 million contract prior to the 2011 season. The deal included a $10 million team option for the 2013 season. Obviously, the $13.3 million is more than the option, but it is unclear whether LaRoche will settle on the one year contract. The Nationals are expected to be in the mix for Bourn and Upton so its unclear whether they would be looking to commit to LaRoche long term.
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