Major League Baseball's qualifying offer (QO) for the 2026-27 offseason has been set at a record $23.15 million, up from $22.025 million last year. The one-year offer, which entitles teams to draft-pick compensation if a free agent signs elsewhere, must be tendered within five days of the World Series' end. Players have until 4 p.m. ET on November 17 to accept or reject. The collective bargaining agreement expires on December 1, potentially altering QO rules in the future.
Compensation Rules
Draft-pick compensation for losing a qualified free agent varies by the former team's revenue-sharing and competitive-balance-tax status. Teams that received revenue sharing (including the Athletics, Brewers, Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Guardians, Mariners, Marlins, Orioles, Pirates, Rays, Reds, Rockies, Royals, Tigers, and Twins) receive a pick after competitive balance round B if the contract is under $50 million, or after the first round if $50 million or more. Teams paying the competitive balance tax (Blue Jays, Braves, Cubs, Dodgers, Mets, Padres, Phillies, Red Sox, Yankees) receive a pick after the fourth round. All other teams (Angels, Astros, Giants, Nationals, Rangers, White Sox) receive a pick after competitive balance round B. Signing teams forfeit draft picks and international bonus money based on their own status.
Locks to Receive the QO
Only two players are considered certain to receive the qualifying offer: Randy Arozarena of the Mariners and Seiya Suzuki of the Cubs. Both are expected to decline the one-year deal in favor of multi-year contracts.
Likely Candidates
Three other free agents are strong bets to receive the QO: catcher Ryan Jeffers (Twins), infielder Brandon Lowe (Pirates), and left-hander Trevor Rogers (Orioles). Each presents some risk — Jeffers' age and injury history, Lowe's age and defensive concerns, Rogers' reliance on a small sample — but their production makes the QO probable.
On the Bubble
Three players are borderline: reliever David Bednar (Yankees), utility man Jazz Chisholm Jr. (Yankees), and reliever Adrián Morejón (Padres). The Yankees may prioritize payroll flexibility over a late-round compensation pick, while the Padres must decide if Morejón's elite relief performance justifies the highest-paid reliever salary if he accepts.
Not Eligible
Several high-profile free agents are ineligible because they changed teams during the 2026 season or previously received a QO, including Luis Arráez, Kevin Gausman, Casey Mize, Freddy Peralta, Tarik Skubal, Daulton Varsho, Bo Bichette, Sonny Gray, Michael King, and Nick Martinez.
