Free agent sensation Ohtani receives qualifying offer
Shohei Ohtani, 29, the biggest name in Major League Baseball (MLB) free agency, has received a qualifying offer (QO) from his former team, the Los Angeles Angels.
MLB.com and ESPN reported on Sunday that seven players received QOs from their original teams, including Ohtani.
Introduced in 2012, Major League Baseball"s QO program allows a team to offer a free agent a one-year contract at the average salary of the top 125 highest-paid players in the big leagues. A team that signs a free agent who receives a QO from his original club must surrender a rookie designation the following year.
This year"s QO is $20.32 million, up $675,000 from last year"s $19.65 million.
Teams offer QOs to big-name free agents because they have to pay them a modest salary.
It"s unlikely that Ohtani will accept a QO. Usually, players accept a QO from their original team when market conditions are unfavorable.
Of the 124 players who have received a QO in history, only 13 have accepted it.
Although he will not be able to pitch next season after undergoing right elbow ligament reconstruction surgery in September, Ohtani"s price tag is expected to break the all-time record. Some say he will sign a contract that exceeds $500 million for the first time ever.
As a hitter this year, Ohtani batted .304 with 44 home runs and 95 RBIs for an OPS of 1.066. He led all of MLB in OPS and the American League in home runs. ????????
On the mound, he went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts before suffering an elbow injury.
In addition to Ohtani, infielder Matt Chapman (Toronto Blue Jays), outfielder Cody Bellinger (Chicago Cubs), starting pitchers Blake Snell (San Diego Padres), Aaron Nola (Philadelphia Phillies) and Sonny Gray (Minnesota Twins), and reliever Josh Hader (San Diego) received QOs.
Players have until 4 p.m. local time on April 14 to decide whether to accept them. ??