Nov 20, 2025
3 min read
By 2025, of the 144 players who received playoff offers, only 14 were accepted - about 10 percent\- There has been a drastic change in that league this year, with four players (out
Before 2025, of the 144 players who received solid offers, only 14 accepted - almost 10 percent) who accepted in the last two summers.
This year there was a big change in that area, with four players (out of 13 offered) taking QO.The four players who accepted were Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham, Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff, Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga and Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres.We asked insider Mark Feinsand to explain the factors behind this.
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Why do you think so many players have adopted QOo this year?
The four players who accepted the qualifying offers each did so for different reasons.
- Torres made the Tigers' All-Star game in 2025, but struggled in the second half, hitting .229/.331/.339 with seven home runs in 73 games over the final three months of the season. The QO attachment will hurt his market, but now he can return to free agency next year without the QO.
- Grisham had a career year with the Yankees, posting career highs in home runs (34), RBI (74) and OPS (.812), but his lack of record could give teams pause when it comes to handing over draft picks to sign him.
- Imonaga's contract situation is one of the most interesting this winter; the Cubs declined a three-year, $57 million option, and then Imaga declined a $15 million option for 2026. By picking up the QO, he'll earn $7.025 million more than he would have if he picked up the option without forcing him to seek a deal that comes with draft compensation. Imonaga posted a 5.17 ERA over his last 12 games.which may have influenced his decision.
- Woodruff will return to the only team he has decided, and while he has done well when the mountain in 2025 (season 7-2, 3.20, 3.20), a gap in the season that begins in September in September.His recent injury history could raise concerns about his ability to land a multi-year contract.
Who surprised you the most out of the four accepted players?
Woodruff.The right has proved that his shoulder is well after his surgery in 2024, but with a deep starting crop on the free-agent market, he declare (this is on the top of a $ 10 million byout of the player, guaranteed $ 32.025 million by $ 2026).Then, when his numbers improve in 2025 - he ranked in the top 10 percent in both strikecut and go percentage - Woodraff's speed is down: his Fastball averaged 93 mph, down from the 96 mph.
How about the least surprised?
Grisham.As good as Grisham was in 2025, his season was a seller compared to his entire career.His 34th home run was a double (1,722), and his save total (.812) and ops.Unfortunately, Grisham's numbers at Hitter-Complete Whiteter Yankee Stadium (.195/.326,.
The feeling around the industry is that Grisham could exceed $20.025 million in guaranteed money in free agency because he is tied up in guaranteed money in free agency, especially anywhere close.
Which free agents who signed KO will be hurt the most?In other words, players whose markets have improved with some of these names off the board.
The top players on the market (Dylan Cease, Tatsuya Imai, Michael King, Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez and Zac Gallen) should have been paid regardless of what happened Tuesday, but with Woodruff and Imanaga remaining with their teams, some other players could benefit from those decisions.Major Leaguers, including Merrill Kelly, Chris Bassitt, Tyler Mahle and Zack Littell, have two fewer arms to deal with as they seek new contracts.
Grisham's decision to accept a QO also removes the best center option (or No. 2, if you count Cody Bellinger as a center) from the market, which should benefit free agents like Harrison Bader and Cedric Mullins.
Of the four teams that had a player accept QO, who do you think is the most satisfied with the results?
I would guess the Cubs or the Brewers, both of whom would start picking.Even with Imanaga back, Chicago could still look to add another starter to their rotation, which currently consists of Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton, Jameson Taillon and Colin Rea.The Brewers will have Woodruff, Freddy Peralta and Jacob Misiorowski in the top three spots in the rotation, followed by Quinn Priester, Chad Patrick, Tobias Myers, Robert Gasser and Logan Henderson.Woodruff's return also opens the door to a trade for Peralta, though he'll only make $8 million this season, making him one of the more affordable frontline rotation options in the game.
