Eight players receive $23.15 million qualifying offers from MLB clubs

The New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, and six other Major League Baseball teams sent $23.15 million qualifying offers to eight players on Monday. The group includes Yankees closer David Bednar, Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki, and Seattle outfielder Randy Arozarena. The remaining recipients are Milwaukee first baseman Jake Bauers, Baltimore left-hander Trevor Rogers, Minnesota catcher Ryan Jeffers, Pittsburgh second baseman Brandon Lowe, and San Diego left-hander Adrian Morejon.

Each player must decide by November 17. The $23.15 million figure is based on the average of the top 125 major league contracts from this year. Teams use these offers to secure draft pick compensation if the player signs with a new club.

The qualifying offer rule has been in place since the 2012 season. Historically, players rarely accept the offer. Only 18 of the 157 offers made in prior years were accepted. A player must have been with the same team continuously since opening day and never received a qualifying offer before to be eligible.

If a player accepts the offer, he plays for his current team for another year. If he declines, he becomes a free agent. If the team that made the offer loses the player to another club before the next amateur draft, the original team receives draft pick compensation. This pick is placed at the end of the first round or the competitive balance round B. The specific placement depends on the value of the new contract and the revenue-sharing and luxury tax status of the team losing the player.