The deadline for Major League Baseball players to accept or reject their qualifying offers passed earlier this week, creating one of the most interesting storylines of the offseason. While the qualifying offer system has rarely produced acceptances in its history, this year’s decision-making process involved several high-profile names that will shape the free-agent market heading into 2026. Out of thirteen players extended the offer of a one-year deal worth $22 million, just four accepted, leaving nine to test the open market and pursue more lucrative multi-year contracts. Among those nine rejections were some of the game’s most intriguing talents, whose decisions will dramatically alter the landscape of free agency.
The biggest names refusing the one-year deal were exactly who most expected. Kyle Schwarber, the Philadelphia Phillies’ dynamic DH and outfielder, declined the offer at. Having put together a career year in 2025 with 56 home runs, 132 RBIs, and 111 runs scored across 724 plate appearances, Schwarber is positioned for a significant payday in free agency. At 32 years old, the slugger is banking on one final massive contract before he exits his prime earning years. The Phillies will receive draft compensation if Schwarber signs with another team, but the organization will likely pursue negotiations with Schwarber.
Dylan Cease’s rejection was similarly predictable. The San Diego Padres right-hander declined the qualifying offer, and will now seek a deal in the $25 to $30 million annual value range. Despite posting a 4.55 ERA last season, Cease has maintained over 200 strikeouts in each of the past five regular seasons, making him an attractive option for teams seeking front-of-the-rotation talent. His durability and strikeout production make him a coveted commodity despite his ERA numbers, and he’s expected to have plenty of suitors eager to improve their rotation depth heading into 2026.
Ranger Suarez, from the Phillies, also turned down the qualifying offer. Coming off an excellent 2025 campaign where he posted a 3.20 ERA and compiled a 151-to-38 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 157.1 innings, Suarez is at an optimal moment in his career to cash in. Though he’s turning 30 next August, his track record as a reliable left-hander makes him highly sought after in a market where quality left-handed arms are increasingly rare. The Phillies will receive draft-pick compensation if Suarez departs, but like Schwarber, there remains a possibility the team could negotiate a new deal to keep him in the fold.
Bo Bichette’s rejection surprised some observers, as the Toronto Blue Jays shortstop is electing to pursue a multi-year contract rather than accept the one-year deal. Bichette represents a younger talent pool and at the beginning of his prime he is seeking a long-term a mega-deal before his career progresses.
The story took an interesting turn with reliever Michael King. The San Diego Padres right-hander declined his qualifying offer despite an injury-plagued 2025 that limited him to just 15 starts. Even with his injury concerns, King is betting on himself to land a multi-year deal in the neighborhood of $20 to $23 million per season. His decision reflects confidence in his ability to bounce back from his health issues, and teams seeking veteran bullpen depth may provide the opportunity he’s seeking.
Perhaps the most notable rejection came from Zac Gallen, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ ace, turning down the qualifying offer he received. Despite an underwhelming 2025 season by his standards, Gallen finished strong and possesses an extensive track record as a high-end starter with multiple top-five Cy Young finishes in voting. The Diamondbacks will receive draft compensation if Gallen signs elsewhere, though Arizona has expressed interest in retaining him. Whether Gallen chooses to remain in Arizona or pursue opportunities elsewhere, his market value reflects his pedigree as a proven ace.
On the other side of the equation, Shota Imanaga’s acceptance of the Cubs’ qualifying offer stands out as a rare exception. The 31-year-old left-hander accepted the one-year will remain with the Chicago Cubs for at least the 2026 season. Imanaga’s situation was complicated by layers of options and mechanisms within his original contract, but ultimately he determined that accepting the qualifying offer made financial sense. Over his first two seasons with the Cubs, Imanaga compiled a 3.28 ERA with 291 strikeouts in 54 starts, establishing himself as a reliable starter despite a down year in 2025 with a 3.73 ERA.
Here’s the thing folks: The broader context of this qualifying offer deadline reveals how the system functions as both a team protection mechanism and a tool for players to use as leverage for better deals. Only four of thirteen players accepted their offers: Shota Imanaga, Gleyber Torres, Brandon Woodruff, and Trent Grisham. This ratio mirrors historical trends, with only 14 of 125+ players having accepted qualifying offers since the system began in 2012.
With that… As the nine rejecting players enter the free-agent market, their decisions will shape the winter’s narrative and potentially influence which teams enter the luxury-tax threshold and which retain flexibility. The Phillies will likely face difficult decisions regarding Schwarber and Suarez, while San Diego must address significant rotation needs without King and Cease. These qualifying offer decisions have set the stage for an intriguing offseason where proven veterans and rising stars alike seek the multi-year security and financial rewards that eluded them in the qualifying offer process.
If you cannot play for them, then root for them!