League: MLB Sport: Baseball Country: United States Category: Contracts

MLB qualifying offer price increases to $23.15 million for 2026

2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 19, 2026, 6:08 PM

Last updated Oct 19, 2026

MLB qualifying offer price increases to $23.15 million for 2026

Summary

The qualifying offer price for MLB free agents has risen by 5.1% to $23.15 million, up from $22,025,000. This figure is based on the average of the top 125 major league contracts. Qualifying offers, available only to certain free agents, have seen limited acceptance since their introduction in 2012. Among potential free agents eligible for qualifying offers are notable players such as Randy Arozarena and David Bednar. Teams have until five days after the World Series to make these offers, and players have one week to accept.

Source Links

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Key Details

•Qualifying offer price rises to $23.15 million for the 2026 season.
•Only 18 of 157 qualifying offers have been accepted historically.
•Eligible free agents include Randy Arozarena and David Bednar.
•Teams have until five days post-World Series to make offers.
•Players have one week following the offer to decide.

Latest Updates

6:47 PMESPN MLB — MLB qualifying offer for free agents rises to $23.15M, up 5.1% from 2025
5:24 PMYahoo Sports — MLB qualifying offer price rises to $23.15 million, up 5.1%

What they're saying

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NEW YORK (AP) — The price of a qualifying offer for this year’s major league free agents rose 5.The figure is determined by the average of the top 125 major league contracts this year.
— Yahoo Sports