Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Martinez was the only player to accept a qualifying offer this offseason, signing a one-year deal worth $21 million that will keep him from entering free agency.
A total of 13 players were extended qualifying offers from their respective teams, with notable names such as Juan Soto, Alex Bregman, Willy Adames, Pete Alonso, Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Teoscar Hernández, Sean Manaea, Nick Pivetta, Anthony Santander, Luis Severino, and Christian Walker all choosing to pursue free agency instead. It is common for players to decline qualifying offers, which subsequently allows teams to obtain a compensatory draft pick. However, there are penalties for teams that sign players who have rejected a qualifying offer, particularly if they exceed the luxury tax threshold in the process.
Acceptance of the $21 million offer made strategic sense for Martinez. After completing a solid 2024 season, where he finished with a record of 10-7, a 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 116 strikeouts across 142.1 innings in 42 appearances and 16 starts, the 34-year-old opted for the immediate financial reward. By choosing this approach, he is likely banking on the opportunity to prove his value once more in the upcoming season, potentially enhancing his marketability in the following year's free-agent cycle.
