MLB Free Agency: Qualifying Offer Decisions Loom, Teams Eye Bullpen Upgrades
The fate of 13 players who received qualifying offers hangs in the balance as the Tuesday deadline approaches, with teams also actively exploring bullpen reinforcements and potential trades.
An executive predicts all 13 free agents with qualifying offers will reject them, citing concerns about a potential lockout impacting next offseason’s market. The value of the $22.025 million offer is tempting, but several factors are at play for each player. Among those closely watched are Gleyber Torres, Trent Grisham, Brandon Woodruff, and Shota Imanaga, each with unique circumstances influencing their decisions.
Several teams are showing interest in bolstering their bullpens, with the Boston Red Sox considering a “super ‘pen” approach similar to the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies. While not a primary focus, adding a high-leverage reliever alongside Aroldis Chapman is under consideration, and the Red Sox have expressed interest in free agent Devin Williams, as well as Robert Suarez, Pete Fairbanks, Ryan Helsley, Luke Weaver and Raisel Iglesias. The Baltimore Orioles are also aggressively pursuing bullpen help, aiming to secure an experienced closer following Félix Bautista’s injury, and are willing to forfeit draft picks to do so – a shift in strategy from last year. You can find more information about the qualifying offer process at MLB.com.
The St. Louis Cardinals, under new baseball operations president Chaim Bloom, are open to trading established players like Nolan Arenado and Sonny Gray to prioritize player development, while also considering offers for Brendan Donovan and Lars Nootbaar. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Royals are weighing whether to tender a contract to Jonathan India, and the Tampa Bay Rays are seeking a veteran starting pitcher to add stability to their rotation. This flurry of activity signals an active offseason as teams prepare for the 2026 season, and the potential impact of a changing competitive landscape. For a deeper dive into team payrolls and projections, visit Fangraphs.
Officials indicate that further moves are expected in the coming days as teams continue negotiations and assess their options before the qualifying offer deadline passes on Tuesday.
