Shockingly, 4 MLB Players Accepted Qualifying Offers This Off-Season

Forbes Business

by Dan Freedman, Contributor

February 25, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The off-season saw a historic shift in Major League Baseball (MLB) as four players accepted qualifying offers (QOs), marking the highest number of acceptances in a single year since the program began in 2012. This significant increase, from just three acceptances in 2015 to 18 total across all years, reflects a changing landscape for player contracts and team strategies. A qualifying offer is extended by teams to players who have never received one before and were with the club for the entire season. These offers are calculated based on the average salary of MLB’s top 125 highest-paid players, which currently stands at $22.025 million. If a player accepts the QO, they secure a guaranteed contract while maintaining their freedom to negotiate fully unrestricted contracts in future years. This off-season, four players—Brandon Woodruff, Shota Imanaga, Gleyber Torres, and one more unnamed player—took advantage of this opportunity. For teams, offering a QO can be a strategic move to retain talent without the financial risk of long-term contracts. If a player rejects the offer and signs with another team, the original club receives a draft pick as compensation. However, if they accept, it allows them to secure high-caliber players at a fixed cost, potentially avoiding costly free-agent negotiations. This off-season’s record number of QO acceptances highlights how players are weighing the financial stability and long-term benefits of these offers against the uncertainty of the open market. The rise in QO acceptances also points to broader trends in MLB’s business model. With labor disputes, shifting TV contracts, and rebuilding teams prioritizing cost control, qualifying offers provide a middle ground for both sides. Players receive guaranteed compensation while avoiding the risks associated with rejecting an offer and potentially losing out on future opportunities. From a financial perspective, this trend underscores how teams are adapting to competitive pressures. By extending QOs, they can retain key players without committing to multi-year deals that could become burdensome in a tight labor market. For readers interested in business, this reflects the evolving strategies within professional sports, where financial flexibility and risk management are critical to long-term success. This off-season’s record of QO acceptances signals a new era for player contracts, with both teams and players

Verticals

businessfinance

Originally published on Forbes Business on 2/25/2026