By now you’ve heard that Josh Johnson didn’t obtain a qualifying offer from the Toronto Blue Jays. But the results of Monday’s deadline for qualifying offers also shaped the free agent value of many players besides the six-foot-seven right-hander.
Players including Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Omar Infante obtained a boost in value Monday. Like Johnson, they did not obtain qualifying offers, which means they won’t be linked to draft pick compensation.
The following players were viewed as borderline candidates for qualifying offers but did not obtain them Monday:
• Jarrod Saltalamacchia
• Omar Infante
• Tim Hudson
• Bronson Arroyo
• Bartolo Colon
• Grant Balfour
• Jhonny Peralta
• A.J. Burnett
• Dan Haren
• Jason Vargas
Free agents such as Infante and Saltalamacchia could appeal to the Blue Jays, who will figure to consider upgrades at positions including second base and catcher. The Blue Jays could now sign either player without having to worry about losing a draft pick.
Other free agents weren’t so fortunate. Players including Ubaldo Jimenez saw their free agent prospects take a slight hit when they obtained offers Monday. Jimenez will now have to convince potential suitors that he’s worth a draft pick as well as a multi-year contract.
Free agents who turn down qualifying offers lose some of their appeal. Teams must surrender a top draft choice and forfeit a considerable portion of their draft budget to sign someone who turned down a qualifying offer, which limits interest from some teams.
The following players obtained qualifying offers by Monday’s 5 p.m. ET deadline:
• Brian McCann
• Ubaldo Jimenez
• Robinson Cano
• Hiroki Kuroda
• Curtis Granderson
• Carlos Beltran
• Nelson Cruz
• Stephen Drew
• Jacoby Ellsbury
• Mike Napoli
• Ervin Santana
• Kendrys Morales
• Shin-Soo Choo
While most of those players will decline the offers, some could accept. Players have until Monday, Nov. 11 to decide whether to accept a one-year, $14.1-million contract or decline and explore free agency while attached to draft pick compensation.
The players who choose the open market over the certainty of a one-year deal will cost their new teams more than cash. Most teams would have to surrender their first-round selections, and the Blue Jays are one of 10 teams that would instead give up a second-round pick.
Last off-season, players who obtained qualifying offers had some difficulty finding work. Kyle Lohse posted a 2.86 ERA and remained unsigned until March. Though Lohse eventually obtained a $33-million contract from the Milwaukee Brewers, he said the qualifying offer limited interest from potential suitors. It’s no surprise that players such as Lohse saw their free agent value diminish after declining a qualifying offer. Teams place a high value on their draft picks, so they generally prefer to pursue players who aren’t attached to qualifying offers if given a choice.
A year ago, nine free agents obtained qualifying offers: Lohse, Josh Hamilton, B.J. Upton, Nick Swisher, Rafael Soriano, David Ortiz, Adam LaRoche, Hiroki Kuroda and Michael Bourn. With the exception of Kuroda, who signed a one-year deal worth $15 million, each player obtained a multi-year contract worth at least $24 million.
Ultimately qualifying offers are one of many factors that shape a free agent’s value. But draft picks are at a premium, so for teams like the Blue Jays the distinction between those who are linked to compensation and those who aren’t will make a difference.
