The Milwaukee Brewers have been crowned the 2026 World Series champions, and the 2026-27 offseason is underway with more than 100 players becoming free agents. Teams must now decide on contract options and qualifying offers (QO), a one-year deal worth a record $23.15 million this offseason, up from $22.025 million last year. The QO entitles teams to draft-pick compensation if they lose a free agent to another club. Teams have until five days after the World Series to tender the QO, and players have until 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 17 to accept or reject. The collective bargaining agreement expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 1, potentially altering QO rules in the next CBA.
Compensation Rules
Compensation for losing a qualified free agent varies by the former team's revenue-sharing and competitive-balance-tax (CBT) status. Teams that received revenue sharing (Athletics, Brewers, Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Guardians, Mariners, Marlins, Orioles, Pirates, Rays, Reds, Rockies, Royals, Tigers, Twins) receive a pick after competitive balance round B if the contract is under $50 million, or after the first round if $50 million or more. Teams paying CBT (Blue Jays, Braves, Cubs, Dodgers, Mets, Padres, Phillies, Red Sox, Yankees) receive a pick after the fourth round. All other teams (Angels, Astros, Giants, Nationals, Rangers, White Sox) receive a pick after competitive balance round B. Signing teams forfeit draft picks and international bonus money based on their own status.
Notable Ineligible Players
Several high-profile free agents are ineligible for the QO because they changed teams during the 2026 season or previously received a QO. Ineligible players include Luis Arraez, Kevin Gausman, Casey Mize, Freddy Peralta, Tarik Skubal, Daulton Varsho, Bo Bichette, Sonny Gray, Michael King, and Nick Martinez. The Tigers traded Skubal, a two-time AL Cy Young winner, to the Dodgers for three prospects ranked among Detroit's top 10.
Locks to Receive the QO
Two players are considered certain to receive the QO: Randy Arozarena (Mariners) and Seiya Suzuki (Cubs). Both are expected to decline the offer. Arozarena earned $15.65 million in 2026, Suzuki $18 million; the $23.15 million QO represents a manageable increase for their clubs.
Likely Candidates
Three other free agents are strong bets to receive the QO: Ryan Jeffers (Twins), the top catcher on the market; Brandon Lowe (Pirates), who hit 35 home runs in 2026; and Trevor Rogers (Orioles), a 29-year-old starter with a 2.90 ERA after June 1. Each carries some risk due to team payroll constraints or injury history.
Borderline Cases
Three players are on the bubble: David Bednar (Yankees), a 32-year-old reliever who would become the highest-paid reliever if he accepts; Jazz Chisholm Jr. (Yankees), a versatile 29-year-old with 3.5 WAR; and Adrián Morejón (Padres), an elite 28-year-old reliever. The Yankees and Padres may prioritize payroll flexibility over the modest draft-pick compensation they would receive given their CBT status.
