Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

During the most recent collective bargaining talks, MLB and MLBPA decided to postpone their decision on the International Draft and set a July deadline to agree. The two sides agreed that the future of the qualifying offer would hinge on an agreement over the International Draft. The July deadline passed without an agreement meaning teams could still use the QO going forward.

Any free agent player is eligible for the qualifying offer unless they have received it before or they didn’t spend the entire 2022 season with their current team. The qualifying offer for this offseason will be valued at $19.65 million for one season, a number that is determined by averaging the top 125 salaries of all MLB players.

In a previous article I wrote, I talked about the fact that the Mets have multiple players that will likely receive the qualifying offer including Brandon Nimmo, Jacob deGrom, and Edwin Diaz. It’s also noted that Chris Bassitt would likely get one as well assuming he declines his portion of a $19 million mutual option for 2023. And lastly, Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker is also a candidate to receive the QO from the Mets that could give them a grand total of five players.

The first four players are just about slam dunks to get the QO and to decline, but Walker could be interested in making sure he gets that guaranteed salary for 2023 and hit the market again after next season in search of a multi-year deal.

So, let’s take a look at what the Mets would receive in terms of draft pick compensation if any of their QO players sign elsewhere:

  • A compensatory pick that comes after the fourth round of the 2023 draft

The Mets, Phillies, Red Sox, Dodgers, Padres, and Yankees are all competitive balance tax payors for the 2022 season and thus only get a draft pick after the fourth round if one of their QO players signs with a new team.

Beyond the Mets’ top free agents, there are other stars that will be available on the market that will also likely get the qualifying offer. Aaron Judge, Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts (once he opts out), Carlos Rodón, Dansby Swanson, and Willson Contreras all feel like slam dunks to get the QO. Other free agents that could include Nathan Eovaldi, Clayton Kershaw, Martin Perez, Tyler Anderson, and Anthony Rizzo.

Here’s what the Mets would have to give up to sign a player that declined the qualifying offer:

  • second-highest and fifth-highest pick in the 2023 draft
  • international free agent bonus pool reduced by $1 million

Once again, all six teams that went over the luxury tax for the 2022 season will have to forfeit two picks and money from the IFA bonus pool.

The Mets will have a five-day window after the completion of the World Series to decide which players to give the qualifying offer to and then the player has 10 days to decide if they will accept or decline.