The deadline for teams to extend a Qualifying Offer to their free agents was Monday. If the player accepts (they have until November 16 to decide), they receive a one-year deal worth $17.4 million.
Qualifying offers have been around since 2012, and the money amount of the deal is determined by averaging the highest 125 contracts in baseball. The first players to accept were Colby Rasmus and Matt Wieters for $15.8 million in 2015. Last year, Neil Walker and Jeremy Hellickson accepted their $17.2 million qualifying offers.
Here are the nine players who have to decide whether or not to accept their qualifying offers by November 16.
Jake Arrieta, Cubs
Turning 32 on March 6, Arrieta went 14-10 in 30 starts in 2017. He finished with 163 strikeouts in 168.1 innings and a 1.22 WHIP. While the 2015 National League Cy Young winner gave up just one earned run in his two postseason starts, he also walked 10 batters in 10.2 innings.
Lorenzo Cain, Royals
The third-place finisher in American League MVP voting in 2015 appeared in 155 games in 2017. He batted an even .300 with 15 Home Runs, 27 doubles, five triples, 49 RBIs, 86 runs, and 26 stolen bases. Cain will turn 32 on April 13.
Alex Cobb, Rays
The 30-year-old performed well in 2017 after missing all of 2015 and just making five starts in 2016. Cobb made 29 starts in 2017 and had a 12-10 record with a 3.66 ERA.
He finished with a 1.22 WHIP and 128 strikeouts in 179.1 innings.
Wade Davis, Cubs
The 32-year-old Davis made 59 appearances for the Chicago Cubs in 2017. He saved 32 games, struck out 79 hitters in 58.2 innings, and had a 2.30 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. His six home runs allowed (not including the two he allowed in the playoffs) were three more than the previous three seasons combined as a member of the Kansas City Royals.
Greg Holland, Rockies
After missing the 2016 season after Tommy John surgery, Holland performed well for most of 2017 as the Colorado Rockies’ closer. He pitched in 61 games and led the National League with 41 saves. He ended with a 3.61 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 70 strikeouts in 57.1 innings. He turns 32 on November 20.
Eric Hosmer, Royals
The 28-year-old Hosmer played in all 162 games in 2017. The first baseman batted .318 with 25 home runs, 31 doubles, 94 RBIs, 98 runs, and six stolen bases. He received three Gold Gloves from 2013-2015.
Lance Lynn, Cardinals
Lynn missed the 2016 season after Tommy John surgery but stayed healthy throughout 2017. Making 33 starts, the 30-year-old went 11-8 with a 3.43 ERA. He struck out 153 batters in 186.1 innings and had a 1.23 WHIP.
Mike Moustakas, Royals
The 29-year-old third baseman was named to his second All-Star team in 2017 after appearing in only 26 games due to injury in 2016. Moustakas played in 148 games and hit .272 with 38 home runs, 24 doubles, 85 RBIs, and 75 runs.
Carlos Santana, Indians
Santana, who turns 32 on April 8, played in 154 games for the Cleveland Indians in 2017. The first baseman finished with a .259 average, 23 home runs, 37 doubles, 79 RBIs, 90 runs, and five stolen bases.
