Let’s face it, as diehard Dodgers – and baseball – fans, the off-season that is unceremoniously dumped on us at the worst possible time of the year, is devastating. Gone (or at least reduced) are the multiple written and online articles and podcasts that we relied so heavily on for our daily dose of updates and information about our favorite teams.

Fortunately, at least for those so inclined, there is social media – especially Twitter – with constant updates from dedicated local and national sportswriters to help quench our insatiable off-season baseball thirst.

Among the best Twitter baseball follows out there is @mlbtraderumors (MLBTradeRumors.com) which, although more of a re-tweeting site, always has the latest information about Major League Baseball from well-respected sources.

On Sunday, MLBTR posted a complete list of the 14 major leaguers who had been offered Qualifying Offers from their respective teams. For the 2022 season and per the MLB/MLB Players Association Collective Bargaining Agreement (which expires later this year), the QO amount is $18.4 million. Amazingly, many (most) of those receiving QO’s are expected to decline them in hopes of landing long-term and even more lucrative free-agent contracts – either from their current team or teams seeking their specific areas of expertise.

Among the 14 given Qualifying Offers were 27-year-old Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager and 31-year-old Dodgers utility infielder/outfielder (and 2021 NLDS hero) Chris Taylor, who, again, are expected to decline them.

Here are the 14 major leaguers given Qualifying Offers from their respective teams:

• Brandon Belt (Giants)
• Nick Castellanos (Reds)
• Michael Conforto (Mets)
• Carlos Correa (Astros)
• Freddie Freeman (Braves)
• Raisel Iglesias (Angels)
• Robbie Ray (Blue Jays)
• Eduardo Rodriguez (Red Sox)
• Corey Seager (Dodgers)
• Marcus Semien (Blue Jays)
• Trevor Story (Rockies)
• Noah Syndergaard (Mets)
• Chris Taylor (Dodgers)
• Justin Verlander (Astros)

A rather formattable list, wouldn’t you say?

Noticeably missing from this list are several very key players who, although eligible, did not receive QO’s from their respective teams. At the very top of this list is 33-year-old future Hall of Fame left-hander Clayton Kershaw, suggesting that (ugh) perhaps his time with the Dodgers is coming to an end. Then again, some believe that the Dallas, TX native, who was selected by the Dodgers in the first round of the 2006 MLB Draft out of Highland Park High School in University Park, TX, may instead choose to retire from the game entirely – as a 14-year career Dodger.

Thirty-four-year-old Dodgers right-handed closer Kenley Jansen and 37-year-old mid-season acquisition right-hander Max Scherzer would have been eligible for QO’s had Jansen not received one following the 2014 season and Scherzer not been traded to the Dodgers this past season. That said, there is still a very good chance that Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman will offer both of them hefty free-agent contracts, but you just never know.

Other notable players who were not given QO’s from their respective teams include Jon Gray (Rockies), Carlos Rodón (White Sox), and Anthony DeSclafani (Giants), among others.

Players have until November 17 to decide whether or not to accept their Qualifying Offers.

There is no disputing that turning down a one-year/$18.4M deal is an enormous risk. But here again, it’s probably safe to say that a good many of these guys will land even better deals elsewhere or with their current teams – and for multiple years.

Then again, maybe not.

Regardless, ‘Hot Stove Season’ is officially here!

Play Ball!

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