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MLB free agency: 3 players who won’t accept their qualifying offers

By Kevin Henry

May 23, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) during the fifth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) during the fifth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 18, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

MLB free agency prediction: Robbie Ray won’t accept his qualifying offer from the Toronto Blue Jays

On his way to likely winning the American League Cy Young Award, Ray took a chance on himself last offseason, signing a one-year, $8 million deal with the Blue Jays. With 248 strikeouts in 193.1 innings and an American League-leading 2.48 ERA and 154 ERA+, Ray certainly made that contract deal look like one of the best of the 2021 campaign.

Yes, he would receive a $10 million-plus raise by accepting the one-year offer from the Blue Jays, but it’s also likely that his value will never be higher than it is right now. Ray knows that, and Toronto knows that as well.

Quality starting pitching is always valued at a premium, and the 30-year-old southpaw will cash in this offseason.

Which team could that be? It could well be the Blue Jays, a team that has already said it is prioritizing starting pitching this offseason (per The Athletic, subscription required) and should have the salary flexibility to make it happen.

Why these two Mets should accept their QO. dark. Next

It could also be a team in Los Angeles, whether it’s the Angels, a team that needs to improve its starting pitching to get in the postseason hunt, or the Dodgers, a team that faces questions about the return of Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer.

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