On Monday, qualifying offers were turned down by all 13 free agents who received them from their former teams. Each of these free agents was offered a one-year deal for $14.1 million.
New York Mets GM Sandy Alderson interpreted the turndowns as an indicator a bull market is possible.
“That ought to tell you a little bit about their expectations,” he said.
If a player who turned down the offer signs with a new team, his former club would receive an extra amateur draft pick at the end of the first round next June. All compensatory picks will be made in reverse order of winning percentage from the 2013 season.
The Yankees and the Red Sox have the most to gain in terms of picks, having extended offers to three impending free agents each.
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One of the more significant moments at baseball’s GM Meetings will occur on Monday afternoon, when the deadline arrives for the 13 free agents who received one-year, $14.1 million qualifying offers.
Bet on all 13 — including Yankees Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson and Hiroki Kuroda — to reject the offer and remain free agents, he writes.
The deadline comes at 5:00 PM EST on Monday for the following players:
- Carlos Beltran
- Robinson Cano
- Shin-Soo Choo
- Nelson Cruz
- Stephen Drew
- Jacoby Ellsbury
- Curtis Granderson
- Ubaldo Jimenez
- Hiroki Kuroda
- Brian McCann
- Kendrys Morales
- Mike Napoli
- Ervin Santana
Keep in mind that any team who signs a free agent once they’ve refused a qualifying offer, have to forfeit either a first or second round draft pick.
The Mets are one of eleven teams whose first round pick is protected, the others being the Astros, Marlins, Cubs, White Sox, Twins, Mariners, Phillies, Rockies and Blue Jays. Instead, these teams will forfeit their second round pick should they sign one of the 13 listed players.
The agenda for baseball’s GM Meetings, which last from Nov. 11-14 and will be held at the Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes Hotel in Florida, is as follows:
There will be a meeting of assistant GMs on Monday; a group dinner for GMs on Monday night; GMs meetings and owner-committee meetings on Tuesday; a joint GM-owners session with commissioner Bud Selig on Wednesday; and the ownership general session on Thursday.
Sandy Alderson, fresh off a family commitment, is scheduled to arrive at GM meetings Tues. John Ricco, probably others will be there Monday, according to Andy Martino.
It’s very unlikely that any major deals will happen during this four-day event, but rest assured that plenty of the groundwork for future trades begins here.
