Recapping 2022 MLB Qualifying Offers

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertNovember 16, 2022
© USA TODAY Sports

14 players were handed a Qualifying Offer for the 2023 season: 2 were accepted, 12 were declined. Our thoughts on the financial futures for each player as we head toward the winter months.

Dansby Swanson (ATL, SS, 28)

Qualifying Offer: Rejected

Swanson will hit the open market with plenty of offers as he figures to be the lower costing elite shortstop available this winter. He popped 52 homers across the past two seasons, and projects to a 6 year, $150M contract in our system.

Willson Contreras (CHC, C, 30)

Qualifying Offer: Rejected

Contreras hits the market as the top available catcher, and all of the big boy contenders are in. He mashed 43 homers across the past two seasons, and projects to a 4 year, $65M deal in our system.

Tyler Anderson (LAD, SP, 32)

Qualifying Offer: Rejected

Not only did Anderson reject the Dodgers’ offer - he turned around and signed a 3 year, $39M contract across town with the Angels a minute later. LAA is hoping 2022 wasn’t just an anomaly (2.57 ERA, 1 WHIP, 4.26 WAR), as they need quality pitching about as much as any team in the game.

Trea Turner (LAD, SS, 29)

Qualifying Offer: Rejected

Maybe the most complete player on the open market this winter, Turner has been linked to a dozen teams already - including the Yankees and Mets. The 5 tool stud projects to a 6 year, $200M contract in our system, but there’s no reason he doesn’t demand $300M if he wants to go longer.

Joc Pederson (SF, OF, 31)

Qualifying Offer: Accepted

This seemed a no-brainer from the get-go, as Pederson played out a 1 year, $6M deal for the Giants in 2022 - and posted one of his best statistical seasons to date. There’s a clear fit between the two sides, and if a bat like Aaron Judge as added as lineup protection, Pederson’s 2023 free agency (without a QO attached) could be very rewarding.

Carlos Rodon (SF, SP, 29)

Qualifying Offer: Rejected

Rodon opted out of a $22.5M salary for 2022, so there’s clearly multi-year guarantee in mind here. He won’t be disappointed as every contender from St. Louis to the Dodgers to both New York franchises will have a significant stake in his future. He’s a 6 year, $195M player in our system.

Chris Bassitt (NYM, SP, 33)

Qualifying Offer: Rejected

Bassitt had an excellent season in Queens and rightfully rejected a $19M option for the upcoming campaign. He’ll find at least this much on an average annual basis over a multi-year contract, with 3 years, $61M being our projected baseline.

Jacob deGrom (NYM, SP, 34)

Qualifying Offer: Rejected

It’s tough to tell if deGrom is simply ready to test (and accept) his place on the open market, or if the Mets simply aren’t willing to offer the financial figures it’s going to take to keep their ace based on his previous injury history. Will Steve Cohen cave and hand out the 3 year, $135M contract we peg him to? If he doesn’t - someone will.

Brandon Nimmo (NYM, OF, 29)

Qualifying Offer: Rejected

Nimmo isn’t a household name, but he’ll be one of the most coveted position players on the open market this year (despite a down year across the board in 2022). The speedy, top of the lineup, high-energy, strong defensive center fielder is likely to bag around $22M per year this winter.

Martin Perez (TEX, SP, 32)

Qualifying Offer: Accepted

A little bit of a surprise, as many thought Perez’ shocker 2022 production would have turned into a multi-year guarantee. Clearly the early offers weren’t jumping off the page, so a near $20M salary to stick with a situation that worked well, and a chance to hit the market again next winter, is a perfectly plausible decision.

Xander Bogaerts (BOS, SS, 30)

Qualifying Offer: Rejected

Bogaerts left 3 years, $60M on the table when he opted out of a mess of a Boston situation. He’ll be seeking a deal around $30M per year, and the Cardinals, Cubs, and Phillies appear ready to strike.

Nathan Eovaldi (BOS, SP, 32)

Qualifying Offer: Rejected

If the Red Sox were in better shape, this is probably an offer that gets accepted. Boston is still trying to lock down Eovaldi to a multi-year deal, but other suitors are certainly getting involved now as well. He’ll likely see less than $19.6M per year on his next contract, but 2 years, $33M in a better situation is likely more attractive across the board.

Aaron Judge (NYY, OF, 30)

Qualifying Offer: Rejected

12 teams are likely offering him $300M right now. Brian Cashman probably processed the qualifying offer and rejection papers simultaneously. Judge is an 8 year, $303M player in our system, but a bidding war gets this thing into the middle 300s pretty easily.

Anthony Rizzo (NYY, 1B, 33)

Qualifying Offer: Rejected

Rizzo had offers from good teams (San Diego, Houston), but smartly chose to stay in the Bronx on a 2 year, $40M guarantee (3rd year club option that can raise the deal to $51M). He’s not the player he once was, so finding a fit at age 33 seems like a situation you want to remain in.


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