Four Players Thrive with Qualifying Offers This Offseason

This offseason, four notable MLB players have opted for the one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer, aiming to capitalize on their individual circumstances. Gleyber Torres from the Detroit Tigers, Brandon Woodruff of the Milwaukee Brewers, Trent Grisham with the New York Yankees, and Shota Imanaga representing the Chicago Cubs all accepted this lucrative deal.

Torres Faces Challenges Despite All-Star Status

Torres achieved All-Star status for the third time this past season; however, he battled a sports hernia that hampered his performance, leading to a .659 OPS in the second half of the season.

Woodruff’s Stellar Yet Strained Tenure

Woodruff is another Multiple-time All-Star, boasting a strong 7-2 record and a 3.20 ERA in 2025. Despite this, he has only made 12 starts in the past two years due to ongoing injuries, concluding his last campaign with a right lat strain.

Grisham's Rollercoaster of Performance

Grisham's performance has been polarizing; he hit 34 home runs this past season with an impressive .811 OPS, a stark contrast to the sub-par .651 OPS from 2022 to 2024. Defensively, he still holds two Gold Glove Awards, but his recent decline in defense resulted in minus-11 defensive runs saved this season.

Imanaga's Cy Young Pursuit

Imanaga enjoyed a remarkable first MLB season in 2024, ending in the top five for the NL Cy Young Award with a 15-3 record and a 2.91 ERA. However, his performance regressed in the following season, finishing with a 3.73 ERA, making his qualifying offer a strategic decision.

Evaluating Overpaid Candidates Ahead

While the qualifying offers serve as a safeguard for these players, the offseason will see others potentially overvalued. Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, both high-profile pitchers, remain notable for their past exploits but also come with age-related uncertainties and injury histories. Meanwhile, Devin Williams, who displayed inconsistencies in 2025, and Harrison Bader, who thrived offensively yet has injury concerns, may also be viewed as high-risk targets. Even Adolis García, a recent non-tendered player, stands to gain from limited competition in the market.

The Catching Conundrum

As teams evaluate their rosters, the scarcity of quality catchers heightens the spotlight on J.T. Realmuto, who despite declining stats remains a premier option. His expected three-year, $45 million deal may raise eyebrows given his diminishing returns.