MLB Player News
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Dylan Cease SP | TOR
Dylan Cease: Does not take qualifying offer
Cease rejected the Padres' one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer Tuesday, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.
Cease posted a 4.55 ERA over 32 regular-season outings for the Padres, but he boasted a 215:71 K:BB over 168 innings. He's made at least 32 starts and struck out over 200 batters in each of the last five regular seasons, so the righty will do quite well in free agency. The Padres will receive draft-pick compensation if Cease departs.
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Framber Valdez SP | HOU
Framber Valdez: Turns down QO from Houston
Valdez declined the Astros' one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
It's no surprise the left-hander rejected the qualifying offer since he's expected to land a significant multi-year deal in free agency. Valdez has been one of the most consistent starting pitchers in baseball since he became a full-time member of Houston's starting rotation in 2020, though his 3.66 ERA and 1.24 WHIP last season were his worst marks since the 2019 and 2021 campaigns, respectively. Due to the qualifying offer, the Astros will receive draft-pick compensation if he signs with another team.
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Bo Bichette SS | TOR
Bo Bichette: Declines qualifying offer
Bichette rejected the Blue Jays' one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer Tuesday, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.
It was a foregone conclusion that Bichette would pass on the qualifying offer, but extending it means the Blue Jays will net a draft pick if the infielder departs in free agency. Bichette's market will be robust after he slashed .311/.357/.483 with 18 home runs and 94 RBI over 139 regular-season games for Toronto in 2025.
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Kyle Schwarber LF | PHI
Kyle Schwarber: Passes on qualifying offer
Schwarber rejected the Phillies' one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer Tuesday, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.
If the Phillies are unable to re-sign Schwarber, they will receive draft-pick compensation. Schwarber put together his best season in his walk year in 2025, clubbing a National League-high 56 home runs during the regular season for Philadelphia.
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Hector Rodriguez CF | CIN
Reds' Hector Rodriguez: Added to 40-man roster
The Reds selected Rodriguez's contract from Double-A Chattanooga on Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
Acquired in a rather inconspicuous trade with the Mets in 2022, Rodriguez has emerged as a legitimate major-league prospect thanks largely to his hitting ability. He advanced to the Triple-A level this past season, and while most of his numbers fell off compared to what he was doing at Double-A Chattanooga, he still hit seven homers and stole nine bags in 53 games with Louisville. Now protected from the Rule 5 Draft, Rodriguez will have a chance to debut late in 2026.
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Kyle Tucker RF | CHC
Kyle Tucker: Officially rejects qualifying offer
Tucker rejected the Cubs' one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer Tuesday, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.
Tucker is viewed as the biggest free-agent fish this offseason, so his rejection of the qualifying offer was a forgone conclusion. Assuming he leaves the Cubs in free agency -- which is expected -- Chicago will net a draft pick as compensation.
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Christian Franklin LF | WAS
Nationals' Christian Franklin: Joins 40-man roster
The Nationals selected Franklin's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old was acquired from the Cubs in the Michael Soroka trade over the summer, so it's no surprise the Nationals are protecting him from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft. Franklin spent the year at the Triple-A level between the two organizations and posted an .817 OPS with 12 homers and 19 steals in 117 games.
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Trent Grisham CF | NYY
Yankees' Trent Grisham: Back with NYY on QO
Grish accepted the one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer from the Yankees on Tuesday, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.
The 29-year-old had a breakout 2025 with 34 homers and an .812 OPS in 143 regular-season games, and it's not a major surprise he accepted the qualifying offer given that he had a .651 OPS across the previous three seasons. Grisham should be back in center field for the Yankees in 2026, though it would be a bit surprising if he replicated the elite power production.
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Zac Gallen SP | ARI
Zac Gallen: Rejects qualifying offer
Gallen rejected the Diamondbacks' one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
The decision was anticipated, and Gallen will now seek a multi-year contract on the free-agent market. If he departs Arizona, the Diamondbacks will receive a draft pick as compensation. Gallen posted a career-worst 4.83 ERA in 2025, but he had a career 3.29 ERA with a 26.6 percent strikeout rate coming into the season. The 30-year-old should have little trouble landing a lucrative multi-year contract.
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Gleyber Torres 2B | DET
Tigers' Gleyber Torres: Back with Tigers after taking QO
Torres (groin) accepted the Tigers' one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Torres decided against testing out the free-agent market, instead choosing to take a sizable raise after he made $15 million in 2025. The 29-year-old slashed .256/.358/.387 with 16 home runs, 79 runs and 74 RBI during the 2025 regular season, though he struggled in the second half while playing through a sports hernia. Torres had hernia surgery in October and is expected to be ready in time for spring training.