Juan Soto and Others Decline Qualifying Offers

A significant number of MLB players have opted to decline qualifying offers as the free agency window opens, with only Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Martinez accepting the one-year, $21.05 million deal. Among the notable players rejecting the offers are Juan Soto, Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso, and Corbin Burnes, all expected to command multi-year contracts worth over $100 million. Soto, who had a standout season with the Yankees, is anticipated to become the crown jewel of this free-agent class, with interest from several big-market teams. The qualifying offer system allows teams to receive compensatory draft picks if their players sign elsewhere, a factor that rarely deters high-demand free agents. Additionally, outfielder Teoscar Hernandez has also declined his qualifying offer, positioning himself for a lucrative multi-year contract, while teams like the Dodgers, Yankees, and Mets eye him as a potential target. This wave of player decisions reflects broader trends in MLB free agency, where star players seek long-term security over short-term offers.