Tucker, Schwarber Lead 13-Player Qualifying Offer List Ahead of MLB Free Agency

As Major League Baseball’s offseason begins to take shape, 13 players have been extended qualifying offers — one-year deals worth $22.025 million — giving teams draft-pick protection and players a major decision ahead of free agency. Among those headlining the list are Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker and Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber, two of the league’s most productive power hitters.

Players have until November 18 to decide whether to accept or reject the offer. Those who decline can enter free agency, where they are free to negotiate long-term contracts with any team. The offer system, established in 2012, serves as a mechanism for teams to receive compensation if top-tier players depart for new clubs.

The list of players offered deals, sources told ESPN, features several All-Stars and emerging talents: Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette, Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez, San Diego Padres right-hander Dylan Cease, and Phillies left-hander Ranger Suárez. The group also includes New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz, Detroit Tigers infielder Gleyber Torres, and Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff.

Rounding out the list are Arizona Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen, Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga, Padres starter Michael King, and Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham — a mix of young stars and veterans poised to shape this winter’s free-agent landscape.

1. How the Qualifying Offer System Works

The qualifying offer, calculated annually by averaging the top 125 salaries in MLB, allows teams to extend a one-year deal to their top pending free agents. If a player rejects the offer and signs elsewhere, his former team receives a compensatory draft pick — while the signing team faces a loss of one or more selections, depending on its payroll status. For the 2025 offseason, the offer is valued at $22.025 million, a slight increase from last year’s figure. Most players receiving the offer are expected to decline it, preferring to pursue multi-year deals on the open market. However, accepting it can be appealing for certain players seeking to reset their market value after an injury or inconsistent season. Teams that exceed the competitive-balance-tax (CBT) threshold — the league’s luxury tax line — face steeper penalties for signing qualified free agents. Such clubs must forfeit their second- and fifth-round draft picks in the upcoming amateur draft, along with $1 million in international signing pool money. Conversely, revenue-sharing recipients, typically smaller-market teams, lose only their third-highest draft selection when signing a qualified free agent. These rules are designed to promote competitive balance across the league and discourage high-spending franchises from stockpiling talent without consequence.

2. Draft Compensation and Team Impact

The qualifying offer process can significantly influence offseason strategy, shaping how clubs allocate resources and structure negotiations. Teams that lose players who reject the offer are rewarded with compensation picks, while those that sign qualified free agents must pay a price in future draft capital. For example, because the Brewers, Tigers, and Diamondbacks are revenue-sharing recipients, they would each receive a pick after the first round if their qualified players — such as Woodruff, Torres, or Gallen — sign elsewhere. Meanwhile, Chicago and Houston, both above the tax threshold, would receive compensation after competitive balance round B, roughly around the 75th overall pick. Teams that exceed the CBT threshold, including high-payroll clubs like the Phillies, Yankees, and Mets, would receive lower-value compensation — a pick following the fourth round, approximately the 135th selection. The structure effectively rewards small- and mid-market teams while reducing benefits for larger spenders. Although few players ultimately accept the qualifying offer, the system remains a key part of the free-agent calculus. Once a player accepts, he is locked into a one-year deal and becomes ineligible to receive another qualifying offer in future seasons, ensuring teams cannot repeatedly use the mechanism on the same player.

3. What Comes Next for Players and Teams

With the qualifying offers now extended, attention shifts to how players and teams will navigate the November 18 deadline. Top free agents like Tucker, Bichette, and Gallen are widely expected to decline in pursuit of long-term contracts, while others may weigh the security of a one-year, eight-figure deal. For contending clubs, these decisions can have ripple effects on roster planning and payroll flexibility. Teams losing key contributors may pivot toward trades or internal development, while those eyeing free agents must factor in the cost of both salary and draft compensation. The timing also plays a strategic role. Arbitration-eligible players, non-tender candidates, and trade rumors will all converge in the coming weeks, shaping the contours of the offseason market. As in past years, the qualifying offer will act as both a deterrent and a bargaining chip in free-agent negotiations. Ultimately, the 13 players extended qualifying offers represent some of baseball’s most valuable assets — and their decisions in the next week will set the tone for a winter defined by contract talks, competitive balance, and roster reshaping.