A record 20 free agent players received a qualifying offer worth $15.8 million dollars from their team on Friday, smashing the previous high of 13 two years ago.
These players now have seven days to accept or decline their offers. No player has ever accepted a qualifying offer since the system was collectively bargained in 2012.
Teams who sign a qualified free agent will forfeit their top unprotected draft pick in next season’s First Year Player Draft, while the former team receives a sandwich pick between the first and second round of the draft.
Here are this year’s free agents who were extended a qualifying offer by their teams as compiled by MLB Trade Rumors.
Brett Anderson, SP (Dodgers)
Wei-Yin Chen, SP (Orioles)
Chris Davis, 1B (Orioles)
Ian Desmond, SS (Nationals)
Marco Estrada, SP (Blue Jays)
Dexter Fowler, OF (Cubs)
Yovani Gallardo, SP (Rangers)
Alex Gordon, OF (Royals)
Zack Greinke, SP (Dodgers)
Jason Heyward, OF (Cardinals)
Hisashi Iwakuma, SP (Mariners)
Howie Kendrick, 2B (Dodgers)
Ian Kennedy, SP (Padres)
John Lackey, SP (Cardinals)
Daniel Murphy, 2B/3B (Mets)
Colby Rasmus, OF (Astros)
Jeff Samardzija, SP (White Sox)
Justin Upton, OF (Padres)
Matt Wieters, C (Orioles)
Jordan Zimmermann, SP (Nationals)
The players of note from a Mets perspective are Ian Desmond, Colby Rasmus, and Dexter Fowler. The Mets are not expected to make a play for higher priced free agents such as Jason Heyward, Justin Upton or Alex Gordon.
