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Final Qualifying Offer Decisions

By Anthony Franco | November 17, 2021 at 4:05pm CDT

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt was the only one of the fourteen players tagged with the one-year, $18.4MM qualifying offer this offseason to accept the deal, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com (Twitter link). That means players like Justin Verlander, Freddie Freeman and Robbie Ray have all declined the offers, as had been anticipated.

Verlander was the only one of the aforementioned trio who ever looked like a realistic possibility to accept the QO, as he’s coming off a season lost to Tommy John surgery recovery and turns 39 years old in February. Astros owner Jim Crane told reporters last month that Verlander was looking for a contract “of some length,” though. He and his representatives found that multi-year pact on the open market, as Verlander quickly re-signed with Houston on a two-year guarantee with an opt-out possibility after 2022.

Freeman and Ray, meanwhile, made the very easy call to turn the QO. They’re among the top handful of players in this year’s class, with each likely to land a five or six-year deal that pushes well north of $100MM. There was no incentive for either player to entertain the possibility of taking a QO, since declining has no impact on their ability to continue to negotiate a longer-term arrangement with their incumbent clubs, as Verlander did with the Astros.

Here’s a full rundown of the players who rejected the qualifying offer (all other decisions had been previously reported):

  • Nick Castellanos, Reds
  • Michael Conforto, Mets
  • Carlos Correa, Astros
  • Freddie Freeman, Braves
  • Raisel Iglesias, Angels
  • Robbie Ray, Blue Jays
  • Eduardo Rodríguez, Red Sox (later signed with Tigers)
  • Corey Seager, Dodgers
  • Marcus Semien, Blue Jays
  • Trevor Story, Rockies
  • Noah Syndergaard, Mets (later signed with Angels)
  • Chris Taylor, Dodgers
  • Justin Verlander, Astros (to re-sign with Astros)
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Atlanta Braves Houston Astros Newsstand Toronto Blue Jays Transactions Freddie Freeman Justin Verlander Robbie Ray

Brandon Belt Accepts Qualifying Offer With Giants
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59 Comments

  1. Grade_1_teacher

    4 years ago

    I had a feeling that Belt was going to be the lone player to accept the QO. I’m shocked that Syndergaard got what he got but then again, it’s the Angels and they’re not known for making smart free agent signings.

    6
    Reply
    • imstrange

      4 years ago

      He had multiple offers for more money from other teams

      11
      Reply
      • JeffreyChungus

        4 years ago

        Whenever a FA you like doesn’t sign with your team, there are two paths you can go down. In the case of Syndergaard, they are:

        “Angels bad” –> no depression
        “Aw man I wanted my team to sign him” –> depression

        If Correa doesn’t sign with the Tigers, I can guarantee their fans will all be saying how relieved they are, citing his injury concerns and the fact that he doesn’t hit 40 homers a year despite the fact that they’ve been acting as if it’s a done deal for a month just because of AJ Hinch. Irrational fans do all they can to go the no depression route

        9
        Reply
        • 3loodhound

          4 years ago

          The Angels are indeed bad.

          10
          Reply
        • JeffreyChungus

          4 years ago

          Thanks for proving my point, you uneducated elbow-lickin, trash-sniffin, anime-watching dork

          4
          Reply
        • stymeedone

          4 years ago

          Its people outside Detroit saying its a done deal with Correa. Detroit Fans do not want another Miggy contract holding the team back and guaranteeing a future rebuild.

          1
          Reply
        • imstrange

          4 years ago

          my expectations for the angels are always so low. you can never get truly disappointed that way.

          1
          Reply
        • TheRickestRick

          4 years ago

          It’s impossible to lick your own elbow.
          That is a fact

          Reply
        • JAMES JACOBSEN

          4 years ago

          It didnt say who’s elbow.

          2
          Reply
        • JeffreyChungus

          4 years ago

          Precisely

          Reply
      • The Mets "Missed WAR"

        4 years ago

        I actually kind of agree with Fletcher. There’s a logic to why fans do what he says though. Depression kills people every day. Believing another team sucks doesn’t.

        Thor might be a big risk for one year but it’s not a big risk in the sense it can’t hurt the Angels for longer than that. In other words it’s a risk the Angels can work around after next season. It can only hurt the Angels if you consider 2022 to be their best shot at winning it all.

        I would call any 1-year contract low risk because the worst case scenario is they are throwing away one season. 29 teams throw away the season every year. Thor could also beast out and be the reason they win it all next season.

        1-year contracts are good for teams. Even if it’s $21M all it can do is prevent the Angels from being Champs next year alone. Did anyone think they were going to be anyway? I didn’t. So how does it hurt them? They are taking a chance. Every contract has risk and this contract only risks next season for the Angels. Serious potential for very high reward on top of that. I like the move. It’s only bad is Thor fails. Tommy John surgery has come a long way. How many pitchers have we seen actually get BETTER after TJ? Why wouldn’t Thor be one of those?

        4
        Reply
        • JAMES JACOBSEN

          4 years ago

          Braves like 1 year deals. If Verlander pitched well he would get a better contract next year.

          Reply
        • Benjamin101677

          4 years ago

          This one year deal would expensive as they would loose a draft pick; and they couldn’t get anything back draft wise.

          I think Verlander is a pipe dream for the Braves. the $20 million etc. could be split up to re-sign Rosario and maybe a middle level – back end level starter.

          Reply
      • sportsfan101

        4 years ago

        Imstrange. No he had one offer approaching 25 mill n multiple offers around the 21 he got from the angels. Reports are he declined both Sox and jays offfer.

        Reply
    • Travis’ Wood

      4 years ago

      Only $21 mil for someone with ace level upside? You realize if he was coming off a full season he’d easily get over $100 mil? This deal has almost zero risk and tons of upside. So I’m not sure what you’re talking about.

      1
      Reply
      • stymeedone

        4 years ago

        @rols
        You realize he is not coming off a full season, yet don’t realize therein lies the risk. That no team offered that $100 mil contract indicates they see the risk you fail to see. It could very well work out, but there is a ton of risk.

        3
        Reply
        • sleepy bear

          4 years ago

          No such thing as a bad 1 year deal. If he pitches well and they’re in it, good. If they’re not in it, they can trade him for prospects at the deadline. If he gets injured or stinks, there’s no commitment beyond this season.

          Reply
    • Long Duc Dong

      4 years ago

      Maybe this is why you’re also a grade 1 teacher.

      1
      Reply
  2. Al Hirschen

    4 years ago

    Justin Verlander to the Mets or Yankees

    2
    Reply
    • Yep it is

      4 years ago

      Verlander will want a chance to win the World Series. The Yankees and Mets have no chance. Both lack the necessary pitching and can’t add enough over 1 winter. The Yankees aren’t built for the Postseason and Verlander understands that.

      4
      Reply
      • JAMES JACOBSEN

        4 years ago

        According to MLBTR earlier Braves have made some offers.

        1
        Reply
      • iverbure

        4 years ago

        Saying the Yankees have no chance in the postseason has to one of the dumbest things ever said on here. Any team that makes the playoffs has just as equal of chance of winning as any of the other teams. The jays could have easily won last year and didn’t even make the playoffs. Won more games than the World Series champ.

        4
        Reply
        • Oxford Karma

          4 years ago

          A wildcard team does not have the same chance. They are at a disadvantage from a pitching standpoint.

          Reply
      • azcrook

        4 years ago

        Verlander to the Giants…..they need starters and they HAVE the funds

        Reply
        • Benjamin101677

          4 years ago

          Giants be better off going after Jon Gray; and other mid pack starter than taking a gamble on Verlander. Would probably cost about the same per year but give a better chance with 2 starters than 1 gamble starter

          Reply
        • slogar1

          4 years ago

          They’re not going to give up draft compensation, no way.

          Reply
    • Say Hey Now Kid

      4 years ago

      Wouldn’t the Mets have to give up a first round pick? They have 2 this year

      Reply
      • met man

        4 years ago

        The Mets would have to give up their second pick(#14 overall).Their first pick would be #11 ,for not signing last years first pick(#10)

        1
        Reply
        • When it was a game.

          4 years ago

          The Mets are more then a pitcher away from being a threat. Think rebuilding the farm should be a higher priority.

          1
          Reply
  3. Goose

    4 years ago

    Verlander is seeing what pitchers in the same health issues are getting, it makes sense.

    Kind of surprised the Braves went with a QO and not sign Freeman. If he doesn’t resign with the Braves I will be surprised.

    Reply
    • solaris602

      4 years ago

      Both sides will spar for a week or two before a deal is announced. Question is will it be for 5 or 6 years?

      1
      Reply
      • TwinsFan1124

        4 years ago

        Compromise for six seasons but a tad lower AAV to satisfy both sides. I don’t see Freeman having a divorce from the Braves. 6/165 seems right.

        2
        Reply
        • Benjamin101677

          4 years ago

          I have said this all a long and still believe that the Dodgers step in and sign Freeman; he is a Southern California boy still lives there.

          In the Dodger’s mind how to do you beat the Braves in the post season? Win the offseason take Freeman way and make the Braves fill the gap. A few world series appearances would certainly off set the over pay of $10-$15 million a year that Freeman may get with him.

          Reply
    • Benjamin101677

      4 years ago

      QQ is part of business; no guarantee that Freeman comes back. Were already seeing that he is no Chipper Jones where Jones basically signed for what Braves could pay. If Braves loose Freeman than they get a draft pick and that pick could be worth a lot.

      What we forget as fans this is business; got to make a team and it’s bigger than just Freeman. Need make sure that the contract doesn’t hold a team down like Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera contracts did. It may actually be easier for both sides with the World Series win for a deal not to be made. Freeman can now chase money and Braves don’t have to spend crazy to try and keep him as they have the world series win, and a window open with other younger players and could be a desired destination by other free agents.

      1
      Reply
      • kynyrd skynyrd

        4 years ago

        The fans that cry to sign him will be the same ones that cry when there’s no money to upgrade the team at the deadline.

        Reply
  4. angt222

    4 years ago

    Thought Belt, Iglesias & Thor would accept he QO. 1 for 3.

    1
    Reply
  5. PadreFan19

    4 years ago

    Verlander homecoming to Detroit. Can’t see him going anywhere else.

    Reply
    • Ancient Pistol

      4 years ago

      Did you read the part about a contender and east coast?

      5
      Reply
      • Dustyslambchops23

        4 years ago

        Is Michigan not considered east coast?

        Reply
        • Ancient Pistol

          4 years ago

          Look on a map. When your 600 miles away I’d say not.

          2
          Reply
        • stymeedone

          4 years ago

          Doesn’t matter. The whole state is coast.

          Reply
        • Ancient Pistol

          4 years ago

          You should stop smoking that stuff.

          1
          Reply
        • JAMES JACOBSEN

          4 years ago

          I grew up in NY and we considered Michigan as Mid-West?

          Reply
    • Benjamin101677

      4 years ago

      Verlander I think will chase a world series win and the Tigers aren’t that close to that. In Justin’s mind this isn’t the last contract he will sign. Been rumored that he wanted to pitch till 45.

      Also Detroit can’t give up a lot of draft picks with they sign him and other elite player.

      Reply
      • YankeesBleacherCreature

        4 years ago

        He just signed with the Tigers.

        Reply
        • YankeesBleacherCreature

          4 years ago

          *Astros

          Reply
        • Benjamin101677

          4 years ago

          Wrong he went back to the Astros

          Reply
      • YankeesBleacherCreature

        4 years ago

        *Astros

        Reply
  6. lumber and lighting

    4 years ago

    Time for Arte Moreno to go for it and quit being the Dodgers short bus brother.I want 100 million more in payroll this yr . Next yr it will come down 25 million when Upton departs.Sign Ray 4/80,Brown and blue eyed phenomena 3/90,Story 5/100 and rebuild the BULLPEN with hard throwing big scary dudes Ie..Rays college basketball team in the pen!If I was a 70 something billionaire and my team had Ohtani & New Gen GOAT.I compete dollar for dollar with the Dodgers!Right?

    Reply
  7. Benjamin101677

    4 years ago

    Well everyone was wrong Verlander back to the Astros

    Reply
    • LordD99

      4 years ago

      I was correct. I’d like a parade.

      Reply
      • fox471 Dave

        4 years ago

        I was correct , as well. Yay me!

        Reply
  8. bradthebluefish

    4 years ago

    Why would Belt accept the QO? Fear that the Giants wouldn’t take him back?

    Reply
  9. Orange and Black Giants 4ever

    4 years ago

    Loose and lose be whoopin y’all ass I see

    1
    Reply
  10. dlw0906

    4 years ago

    Mets should go all in and sign Freeman away from the Braves.

    Reply
    • Toms Changeup

      4 years ago

      That made me laugh

      Reply
  11. Deleted_User

    4 years ago

    They’re all going to sign elsewhere because their teams disrespected them by extending them qualifying offers.

    Reply
  12. Curacao_Braves

    4 years ago

    Here is a contingency plan for if the Braves cannot outbid the other teams for Freddy’s services.

    The Braves payroll is already at 140M, so spreading 30+M around multiple players instead of only 1, sometimes is a blessing in disguise. There are rumors that the Oakland Athletics are planning to cut their payroll, so we can try to entice them to get 2 players:

    Atlanta Braves sends
    ——————–
    Player (position) – 2022 Projected Salary – Free Agent Year
    Cristian Pache (CF) – 580K – 2027+
    Kyle Muller (LP) – 580K – 2027+
    Kyle Wright (RP) – 580K – 2027
    + Another lesser minor leaguer (Jesse Franklin 1B)

    Oakland Athletics sends
    ————————
    Matt Olson (1B) – 12M – 2024
    Chris Bassitt (RP) – 9M – 2023

    Atlanta Braves Sign
    ——————–
    Jorge Soler (RF/DH) – 12M – 3 Years
    Eddy Rosario (LF) – 8M – 2 Years

    Arbitration
    —————-
    Adam Duval (CF) – 9M – 1 Year

    This way we have one of the top rotations in MLB and nearly all the position players that helped the team win the WS, again in the lineup.

    Reply
  13. Spare Tire Dixon

    4 years ago

    I hate to even entertain the possibility of Freeman leaving….BUT, if it happens, Atlanta-born Matt Olson should be the first trade target. Maybe with a SP like Bassitt, Montas, or Manaea included. The Braves have the prospects. That said….re-sign Freddie!!!

    Reply

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