Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Qualifying Offers and Murakami Posting Shape Opening Days of MLB Free Agency

Early moves reflect teams seeking draft protection and pricing clarity in a market poised to be set by the biggest payrolls.

Overview

  • The Yankees extended a one-year $22.025 million qualifying offer to Trent Grisham, who has until Nov. 18 to decide.
  • The Phillies issued $22.025 million qualifying offers to Kyle Schwarber and Ranger Suárez, with reporting indicating both are likely to pursue multi-year deals.
  • NPB star Munetaka Murakami has been posted, starting a 45-day window for MLB negotiations with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.
  • Evaluations of Grisham’s breakout diverge, with some projecting he accepts the QO and others predicting multi-year bids such as a reported four-year, $66 million Rays forecast, while cautionary analyses question paying for one big year.
  • Forbes notes the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees, and Phillies head the payroll rankings, and the Yankees are reportedly eyeing a Cody Bellinger reunion regardless of Grisham’s decision.