Monday, November 2, 2026 — the quiet period is over, and the first big decisions of the offseason are in.
Monday was the deadline for teams to extend qualifying offers and finalize 2027 option decisions. Eight players received one-year, $23.15 million qualifying offers, and the Padres made the day’s most surprising call.
The Qualifying Offers
- David Bednar, RHP, Yankees
- Seiya Suzuki, OF, Cubs
- Randy Arozarena, OF, Mariners
- Jake Bauers, 1B, Brewers
- Trevor Rogers, LHP, Orioles
- Ryan Jeffers, C, Twins
- Brandon Lowe, 2B, Pirates
- Adrian Morejon, LHP, Padres
Players have until November 17 to accept. If a player declines and signs elsewhere, his former team receives draft-pick compensation. History favors declines: only 18 of 157 qualifying offers made before this year were accepted. Notable eligible players who did not receive one include Jazz Chisholm Jr., Ian Happ, Matthew Boyd and Alec Bohm.
The Pivetta Surprise
The Padres declined Nick Pivetta’s 2027 club option. His deal originally included a player option, but it converted to a club option after he spent significant time on the injured list with a flexor strain. Exercising it would also have triggered an $18 million player option for 2028 — a commitment San Diego chose not to make. The Padres haven’t ruled out a reunion.
San Diego also loses Michael King, who exercised his opt-out and is now a free agent. King was the hero of the Padres’ NLDS Game 3 win, closing it out on one day of rest. Losing two key arms leaves A.J. Preller with significant pitching work to do this winter.
Other Notable Decisions
Clay Holmes and Emilio Pagán are also free agents, while Bo Bichette chose to stay with the Mets. The Brewers exercised William Contreras’ option fresh off his World Series MVP. In Baltimore, the Orioles declined Ryan Mountcastle’s option. Luis Severino exercised his $22 million option with the Athletics, and Corbin Burnes and José Berríos stayed put rather than opting out.
With Monday’s moves, more than 180 players are now free agents.
The Read
Qualifying offers set the price of the market’s middle class, and this year’s list is short. The more revealing decision came from San Diego, where declining Pivetta signals caution about long-term pitching commitments — just as the Padres need to rebuild their staff.
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