BREAKING: Four Major League Baseball players have just accepted qualifying offers, confirming their return to their respective teams for the upcoming 2026 season. New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham, Detroit Tigers infielder Gleyber Torres, Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff, and Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga will each earn $22.025 million, a significant financial boost as the offseason heats up.
The announcement comes as nine other players declined their qualifying offers, leaving them free to explore free agency. This group includes notable names such as Phillies DH Kyle Schwarber, Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker, and Astros pitcher Framber Valdez. Their decisions could lead to draft-pick compensation for their former teams if they sign elsewhere, adding another layer of urgency to the offseason negotiations.
Grisham delivered a career-high performance in 2024, hitting .235 with 34 home runs and posting a record .811 OPS. By accepting the qualifying offer, he secures a $17 million raise from the previous season. Imanaga, 32, who earned $13.25 million in 2024, also stands to benefit financially after a season marked by ups and downs.
Woodruff, returning from a shoulder injury, played in just 12 games last year before missing the postseason due to a lat injury. Torres, 28, had a solid first season with the Tigers, hitting .256 and driving in 74 runs, a significant contribution that solidified his value in this competitive market.
With only 18 out of 157 players accepting qualifying offers since the system’s inception in 2012, this year’s decision by Grisham, Torres, Woodruff, and Imanaga marks a notable moment in MLB’s evolving landscape. As labor negotiations loom with the expiration of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) set for next year, these players opted for the security of a high salary for one more season amid uncertainties ahead.
The offseason is still in its early stages, and the rest of the qualifying offer recipients are now free to negotiate with any team, but with the potential cost of draft-pick compensation looming for new employers. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as teams gear up for a winter of strategic moves and potential surprises.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing situation as the MLB offseason unfolds.